Stranded

Sarah Goodwin

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you're hooked on survival stories, psychological thrillers, or love the drama of reality TV (with a dark twist), Stranded should be at the top of your list. The mix of chilling atmosphere, escalating group tensions, and detailed survival tactics keeps the pages flying. Fans of stories like Survivor meets Agatha Christie will relish the suspense and rooting for the underdog as lines are drawn and loyalties shift. You'll feel every ounce of fear, frustration, and desperation as the isolation ramps up and the main character battles both the wild – and the fellow contestants.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If reality TV doesn't interest you or you're not keen on slow-building tension, this might not be your jam. Some found the start dragged, and the strong focus on bullying and interpersonal conflict can be uncomfortable or feel a bit relentless. Readers looking for a traditional, fast-paced thriller with clear heroes and villains might miss that here. And if you need a little warmth or hope in your survival stories, this one leans heavy into bleakness.

A gripping, atmospheric survival thriller that dives deep into human psychology and group dynamics. If you like your suspense realistic, chilling, and just a little bit twisted, Stranded is a must-read!

About:

'Stranded' by Sarah Goodwin is an atmospheric thriller that surprises readers with its unexpected twists and turns. The story follows a group of individuals stranded on an island, reminiscent of the shows Survivor and Castaway, as they navigate through psychological challenges, isolation, fear, and survival. The author's writing style effortlessly weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and horror, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and making it hard to put the book down.

The plot of 'Stranded' delves into themes of desperation, grief, anger, and the blurred lines between reality and perception. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into a dark and intriguing narrative filled with evolving characters, haunting tales, and a gripping storyline that leaves them wanting more. The book's setting on a remote island is vividly described, adding to the overall sense of tension and increasing menace that permeates the narrative.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed with complex motivations, with Maddy emerging as a relatable underdog facing bullying and immense challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is richly detailed and suspenseful, effectively engaging readers and creating an atmosphere of tension.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a gripping psychological narrative about a group on a reality show that disrupts into chaos, exploring themes of survival and group dynamics.

Setting:

The setting is a vividly portrayed remote island wilderness that enhances the psychological tension of the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but accelerates into a fast-moving narrative filled with suspense, keeping readers engaged.

Notes:

The story revolves around a survival reality show gone wrong.

Eight people are isolated on a remote island for a year.

The main character, Maddy, faces bullying and gaslighting from the group.

The author, Sarah Goodwin, effectively creates tension and suspense throughout the book.

Readers often find themselves emotionally invested in the characters' fates.

The book explores themes of perception versus reality and human nature under stress.

It features detailed survival elements like building shelters and foraging for food.

The writing is described as atmospheric and immersive, making readers feel present in the story.

There’s an unexpected twist at the end that surprised many readers.

Many found the pacing effective, keeping them engaged until the conclusion.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains high content warnings, dealing with themes of bullying, gaslighting, horror, and psychological tension.

From The Publisher:

'IT WAS SO GOOD' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely breathtaking' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Talk about a page-turner!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'You. DO. NOT want to miss!!!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You'll want to stay. Until you can't leave…

A group of strangers arrive on a beautiful but remote island, ready for the challenge of a lifetime: to live there for one year, without contact with the outside world.

But twelve months later, on the day when the boat is due to return for them, no one arrives.

Eight people stepped foot on the island. How many will make it off alive?

A totally addictive psychological thriller with twists and turns you just won't see coming. Fans of The Hunting Party, The Castaways and The Sanatorium will be totally gripped from the very first page until the final, breath-taking conclusion.

Readers are gripped by Stranded:

'A five-star rating is just not enough… Incredible' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Suspense, twists, deceit… I had my heart in my mouth the whole time' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Utterly unputdownable… You're going to love every single twisty page!!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'INTENSE… My heart was pounding' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I started this book today and finished it in one sitting. I literally could not put it down' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Definitely a five-star read. I couldn't put this one down. It never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat… Such a great ending too!!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Wow! I read this way too quickly, I really didn't want it to end… Amazing… Loved it!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'You'll be on the edge of your seat, racing to finish this book… I read this book one afternoon. I simply could not put it down. I cannot wait until a friend reads this book because I want to discuss it… Get a copy now!!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

September 2021

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399 pages

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (9)

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