Got this book as an ARC from Penguin Teen through a Goodreads contest. Thanks to everyone who made that happen!

Wow. I really, really liked this book. I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did at the beginning, but it's a story that I will definitely be going back to. It's simple plotwise: a girl gets stuck alone in the wilderness and has to survive. If that makes you think of Hatchet, don't worry, it's what I thought of too. So did Jess (the main character in this novel), funny enough. There is beauty in the simplicity of the book. I did like that there was a bit more thrown in, with the whole revenge on the people who killed her father thing and how it expanded on the reason why he died, but in the end, it's Jess's character arc into learning to survive that makes this book really great. What's especially amazing about it is that it never seemed too easy. It never seemed like she was just getting by on luck. Jess had to work hard and I won't lie, there were several points during the book where I was pretty sure it was going to end with her dying in the middle of nowhere, alone. I loved Jess as a character and I loved watching her grow through the things she goes through. She changes a lot through the course of the book (as anyone would) and it was an organic, natural change that didn't feel forced or insincere. The book itself, even though revolving around one girl alone in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, never seemed slow or boring. There was also something driving it forward and keeping it going. The end was powerful and I loved how everything came to a head in a way that was different than what Jess, and we as readers, were expecting. It even made me cry, which earns it bonus points. Also, Bo was amazing and I wish I had a dog that loyal following me around. Plus, I adored the writing style. I know that stream of consciousness gets used a lot in YA fiction, but it just fits so well in this sense. The breakdown of seasons and "before" vs "after" was a stroke of genius. It felt real. It made it feel more intense. It made me connect better to Jess.

I am very happy with this book and I am so glad I was chosen as a winner for the ARC!