During the lockdown, I stumbled upon a subsection of YouTube that sees creators explore abandoned public spaces. While others were gardening or baking bread, I was enamored with the videos of urban explorers documenting long-forgotten malls, hotels, and even theme parks. One of the most riveting expeditions saw a YouTuber exploring the defunct Six Flags New Orleans. After the devasting floods of Hurricane Katrina, the site was abandoned, left to rot into eternity. The park stands to this day with the remains of rollercoasters, restaurants, and gift shops slowly succumbing to mother nature. It is equal parts sad and creepy. As I read the description of Kiersten White's 2022 novel Hide, I couldn't help but think about that video. She imagines the dilapidated remains of a theme park as the setting of a dystopian contest that seems perfectly at home in the eerie location.
For the first time in a while, Mack is hopeful. Her life has been filled with tragedy and misfortune, but this game could be her way out. She was approached about it at the homeless shelter where she's been living. The game seems simple enough. Fourteen strangers are planted into the ruins of Amazepark, the amusement park that has sat dormant for decades. All they have to do is hide. The last man standing will walk away with the prize money. Mack is confident she can win. After all, hiding is what kept her alive as her father murdered her entire family. As the game begins, however, something more sinister begins to reveal itself. The cost of losing the game is death.
After years of writing successful YA novels, Kiersten White makes her adult fiction debut with Hide. Think of this one as a kind of grown-up Hunger Games. The less you know about the plot going into it, the more thrilled you'll be. I was really into the creepy setting, and the competition aspect of the story really ramped up the tension. The plot made a few detours that never fully paid off, but the main story more than made up for those moments. At only around 250 pages, the novel packs a lot of character development, backstory, and horror-tinged thrills. White has written a book that is quick to read while still packing a punch. Things could have been fleshed out a tad more, but Hide is ultimately a fun summer read that is highly original and entertaining.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2023, 41)
I didn't realize White crossed-over to adult fiction. Urban explorers are quite brave. Those are some dangerous places they choose to enter. I read one several years ago You Were Here. I would be too scared to do, and then in Hide, you lose, you die. EEK! Glad to hear you enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a dangerous undertaking, but it makes for a really cool horror setting!
DeleteWhile it might be interesting to watch others do the exploring, there's no way I'd undertake such a thing myself. I'm wondering if these contestants know that it's a win or die proposition before they sign on? Sounds like a tension-filled read. And I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I'm way too chicken to ever do urban exploring myself haha. The contestants aren't initially aware of the consequences of losing the game, so it only adds to the tension when they find out!
DeleteI read this book last summer and thought it was a fun popcorn read, too. I wish some of the characters had been better developed, but I really loved the creepy amusement park setting. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's an apt description. It kind of plays out like a B-movie.
DeleteOh that sounds creepy but you would think that in a big abandoned amusement park like that you'd be able to find some really good hiding places and stay alive long enough to well, stay alive.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a great location filled with hiding places but also lots of danger!
DeleteDunno if I ever tried her YA books, maybe I should try this short one instead
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a quick summer read!
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