Customer Reviews

Gravestone: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shattered. There's no other way to describe Chris Buckley's life. Absolutely shattered by the events that ended Solitary, Chris now has to return to school like everything is a-ok when in reality nothing has ever been more wrong. Last year, when Travis Thrasher released Solitary, the first book in The Solitary Tales, I was absolutely blown away by everything about the book. Theme. Plot. Beginning. Middle. End. Writing style. In fact, I picked it as my favorite book of 2010.

Needless to say, I was highly anticipating Gravestone. I had no idea where Thrasher was taking the story, I just hoped it would be an exciting and fascinating journey. Second installments of series can be difficult. First installments introduce the world--characters, initial plot, overarching theme, and many other things that make for a good stories. They're like the initial downhill plunge of a roller coaster. Maybe kind of slow at first as the world is built, but then you whoosh down that initial hill. The momentum for the series is set. Second installments can either coast along and take things easy or take the reader on a series of dips, dives, and loops that make for an exhilarating ride. Gravestone is definitely the latter.

The book begins with Chris trying to somehow go back to normal life and ignore the catastrophic events at the end of Solitary that are now being covered up. He's got to do something, but what can he do? In the journey to find justice and seek out the evil in Solitary, Chris finds a few new friends, a few new enemies, and many more questions. The more Chris looks into the matter, the more he finds that the source of evil in Solitary rests on New Beginnings Church and Pastor Jeremiah Marsh.

Gravestone, is in a way the tale of Chris Buckley v. Jeremiah Marsh. The odd hints on the pastor received in Solitary blossom as the pastor unveils his true colors. But everyone but Chris--and maybe a few others--seem oblivious to it. Thrasher respectfully moves on from the shocking end of Solitary, giving it the emotional weight it deserved without bogging down the pacing of the story. Perhaps my favorite parts were the scenes of Chris speaking with Iris at Crag's Inn, where he ends up getting a job. So much alluded to, so much left unsaid, such a great storyline.

Like Solitary, Gravestone ends on cliffhanger that's jaw dropping. It answers as many questions as it raises, for as one layer is revealed a new layer presents itself. Where will Chris go from here? I have no idea...but I can't wait to find out. Hopefully five years from now, The Solitary Tales will be known as the series that launched Thrasher's writing into the bestseller's lists. It's certainly deserving of being there.

Last year I received a copy of Solitary from a publicist and tossed it in my bag on the way to a family reunion, whereupon I ended up blowing all sorts of people off since I got so engrossed in it. Thanks, Travis Thrasher. This time I have a pile of papers to grade, yet the second installment in the series--Gravestone--showed up on my doorstep, and I've done nothing for the past several hours except plow through it. Now my students thank you, Travis Thrasher.

Gravestone picks up immmediately where Solitary left off, right after New Year's Eve and all the events that happened. Chris Buckley is alone and terrified and wondering in whom to believe. Oh, and there's a snowstorm, and there's no phone or Internet service. This scene sets things in motion that are an even wilder ride than Solitary was. It's hard to tell much about the book without giving any spoilers, but the main thread is Chris trying to find someone, anyone, he can confide in and trust about the increasingly frightening happenings and menacing people in town.

In addition to the previous characters, we're introduced to several new people--Kelsey in Chris's art class; Jared, Chris's unknown cousin; and Iris, a mysterious elderly lady who lives on a hill, each of whom provides another piece of the sinister mosaic that is Solitary. The increasingly-ominous Pastor Jeremiah Marsh begins to take center stage. How much does Chris's mom know about what's going on? Will Chris ever see his dad again? What about the mysterious church underneath the falls?

Gravestone has some out-and-out horror moments and so many twists that you're wondering whom you can trust right along with Chris. As well, it examines Chris's faith, or lack of it, in greater detail and shows us yet again that nothing and no one is exactly what it seems.

The book leaves us with another shocking, unexpected ending, and we have to wait until June 2012 for the next installment and June 2013 for the final installment. Thanks, Travis Thrasher!

I was skeptical at first when I picked up Solitary simply because I have been spoiled by the likes of Ted Dekker's novels. Needless to say Dekker is a powerhouse among the thriller/suspense/supernatural genre if such a genre exists. But the solitary tales have lived up every bit. The characters are truly engaging giving the reader a true sense of how each one feels. The interlacing of stories between all the characters give the novel a true depth and body. That being said Gravestone took the empty spaces left by Solitary and filled them with just as much depth and interest. The sequel brings to light many new aspects of the solitary tales that leaves the reader wanting more. I just wish i had all 4 novels in my hand now. Patience is a virtue well received when ending on the cliffhangers.

In some ways "Gravestone" is like the TV show Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season where every character is an enigma and every answer opens up two more questions. At time the TV show and this book can be quite maddening and you get to the point where you want to yell-out in frustration. The difference is that "Gravestone" is able to keep the loose ends in order allowing it to progress with the tale.

Solitary: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) is the first novel in the Solitary series and it has a define beginning middle and end. However, "Gravestone" makes no apologies as it clearly serves as a bridge between "Solitary" and the next installment Temptation: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series). Despite being virtual literary bridge "Gravestone" is a darker (and ultimately better) than its predecessor. It is tough to explain how a YA Christian mystery novel could have the same level of gloom and dread as Salem's Lot and The Mist (Previously Published as a Novella in 'Skeleton Crew') but it matches both of them. It really is a surprising novel on many accounts - not only is scary, but it also captures teenage angst and the nature of being an outcast and a rebel.

One thing that sets the Solitary apart from other books in the suspense/mystery genre is that for all of its evil and scary imagery it a very clean novel. While I wouldn't recommend it to kids under 13 (especially if they are nightmare prone) it avoids using profanity or other cheap tricks to try and create an authentic feel.

Final Verdict, while "Gravestone" may not be appropriate for every teenager it will likely be popular series if people see it for what it is (a very dark and terrifying story) and not as a YA Christian novel. Trust me - "Gravestone" is a novel that would make Stephen King very proud.

5 Stars

I won a copy of Gravestone from Travis Thrashers FB page, gotta say it was the most rewarding thing Ive ever won. Like the 1st one, Solitary, I couldnt put it down! After Solitary you already feel confused, hurt, betrayed, and curious. Now in Gravestone, you, like Chris, question every character and wonder who you can trust. Twists and turns at every end.

Only thing is, have to wait for next Summer for the next installment. Which you better believe Ill be in line to get!!

Would make an amazing movie! If they could make Solitary and Gravestone into one film. Cant wait to see what happens next!!

Do yourself a favor, and download these books. Travis Thrasher has just made my #1 on my fav authors page!!! Keep it comin Mr. Thrasher!

Gravestone picks up where Solitary left off. Sixteen-year-old Chris is still reeling from the blows he was dealt in Solitary and has to deal with new situations. I love the internal and external struggles that go on with Chris, the challenges that he is facing, and his journey through it all.

My favorite qualities of this book: *Questions from Solitary were answered. *More questions arise that will (hopefully!) be answered in the following books. *We get more information on characters from Solitary. *New characters are introduced. *The descriptions and imagery that Thrasher uses really makes the reader feel like they're in the midst of all that's going on. *There are new and unexpected twists and turns.

I read Gravestone in 4 hours--and was able to forget about the year-long wait. :) I cannot wait to see what the rest of the series (book 3-Temptation and book 4-Hurt, both due out 2012) has in store!

Chris Buckley is depressed, to say the very least. For one, his girlfriend was just murdered. For another, he still has no idea what on Earth (or Hell) is going on in Solitary, North Carolina. Weird is the new normal, and time is running out almost as fast as his adrenaline is pumping.

Unless you're having problems with fear-induced seizures, I can't think of a single thing not to love about this book. Pacing, suspense, character building, suspense, romance, suspense... Travis Thrasher has mastered each of these aspects of incredible storytelling.

Picking up exactly where the first book of The Solitary Tales left off, Mr. Thrasher wastes no time in launching the reader on an emotional thrill-ride that is sure to give you nightmares.

Sixteen year old Chris Buckley remains an outsider having recently moved from Chicago suburb Libertyville, Illinois to live with his mom in her hometown of Solitary, North Carolina. They reside in the cabin of his missing Uncle Robert. He anticipated a major adjustment, but not what happened especially to Jocelyn who he wanted to make his girlfriend (see Solitary).

While his mom suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Chris continues to have canine attack problems even as he meets his cousin Jared who apparently rescues him from the latest dog assault. Jared wants to know where his father is while also insisting the town is shut down with the snowstorm making it easier to achieve this. However, as he barely keeps from soiling his pants as he is must choose between life and death over the edge of Marsh Falls, Chris trusts no one especially not his mentally battered mom, a cousin who says his aunt is unaware he exists; nor Pastor Jeremiah Marsh whose closets are filled with skeletons.

The atmosphere turns darker and gloomier as Chris struggles with good and evil as he continues his quest to learn the haunting secrets of Solitary. Although cognizant of the threat to his life that his mission causes, he is just beginning to understand the risk to his soul. Young adults and older readers will relish the second Buckley Solitary thriller as the hero struggles with comprehending what is going on in this small North Carolina town.

Harriet Klausner

Still in shock over witnessing the death of his close friend and the girl he loved, Gravestone continues the story of teenager Chris Buckley, struggling to make sense of his existence in the town of Solitary. His mom still has a close relationship with the bottle, and he begins to question whether she knows more about the strange happenings in Solitary than she lets on. He's continuing to face bullying at school, while trying to understand the complicated world of girls. He makes bizarre discoveries that only lead to more questions. And the evil presence in the town only seems to be growing, with Chris questioning whether there is anyone at all whom he can trust.

As with the first book in the Solitary tales series, I again found myself held captive by Chris' story. By the last page of the book, the word that haunted my mind was creepy. There were actually scenes where I found myself gripping my ereader with white knuckles. I am glad I am not prone to nightmares, for this book would provide fodder for such. And yet it is not just the taut writing and the break-neck pace of the story that kept me spell-bound, but it is also the complex character of Chris, a tortured soul who is somehow brave and courageous and yet flawed and deeply human at the same time. I cannot help but read this book and find glimpses of myself in the pages.

Thrasher's writing is brilliant, revealing ever-deeper layers into the mystery shrouding Solitary while raising more questions about how everything is connected and who is the mastermind behind what appear to be orchestrated events. I should warn that this book seems even darker than the first, and leaves Chris having lost his belief in God in the midst of the darkness. However, I am sensing that Thrasher is setting the stage for utter illumination, as I have no doubt that by the end of this four-part series, the Light will have conquered the evil. What a ride we get to experience in order to get there!

Nothing is as it appears, and I am left craving more in the Solitary tales. I highly recommend this book and award it 5 out of 5 stars.

An egalley version of this book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, David C. Cook, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

I have been enjoying the Solitary Tales Series very much! I love that I can share this series with my tween! We've finished the first two books in the series and are (impatiently!) waiting for TEMPTATION to come out. We've already pre-ordered it, as well as HURT, the last in the Solitary Tales Series. Great books!