Book Shelf: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Britt Phieffer has never been that adventurous, but that's about to change. Wanting to impress her ex-boyfriend, Britt convinces best friend, Korbie, to take a trip with her and go trekking through the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming.
But when a freak storm leaves the girls stranded they seek shelter in a cabin, and find two knights in shining armor, Shaun and Mason, who are also hiding out.

But all is not as it seems, and Britt quickly discovers that the guys are there for reasons other than hiking…dangerous reasons that mean they need to get off the mountain, fast. In exchange for her life, Britt is forced to guide them down, and as they set out on a harrowing journey through the cold and snow, Britt realizes the only way to get out of this alive is to pretend she is on their side.

But playing nice is hard, especially when Britt is unsure whether Mason, gorgeous and sexy, is the enemy or an ally. And as she begins to lose track of who is in control it is only a matter of time before things turn deadly…
 
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Review:

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick is a thrilling and suspenseful novel set in the Idiho wilderness and is a tale of danger, survival and murder amongst the ice and snow that will leave you guessing until the very end!

Told through the eyes of Britt Pfeiffer, Black Ice sees Britt in the fight of her life when a hiking trip with her best friend Korbie turns deadly. Whilst heading into the mountains, an unexpected storm leaves the girls stranded and at the mercy of the two strangers from whom they seek refuge. Taken hostage by the two young men with secrets, Britt knows the only way she and Korbie will survive is to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with their captors. And yet, as one of the boys, Mason, displays a lot of contradictory behaviour who may be more ally than enemy, a series or disappearances and murders on the mountain haunt Britt and soon it becomes clear that no one is as they seem, nothing is as it appears and survival may mean relying on the last person you expected and facing the truth about someone you trust.....

Having previously read Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series, Black Ice was a very different novel of hers to read. While her writing is still as detailed and solid as ever, Fitzpatrick explores a very different story within Black Ice. And I have to say....I loved it! From the very beginning of Black Ice I found myself caught in Britt's tale of survival. I was quickly trying to put the pieces together and discover whether they would make it off the mountain or not.

Fitzpatrick manages to pack a lot of emotion, thrill and excitement into the story and I thought Fitzpatrick did a fantastic job with her character development and storyline of this stand alone novel. Adrenaline pumping and fast paced, Black Ice proves that no one is what they seem as our heroine Britt quickly learns that in order to survive she'll need to reply on the one person she's not used to relying on; herself.

As the main character, I very much liked Britt. She's a normal teenager with plans to spend her summer hiking in the mountains, but who must learn to survive when everything comes crashing down. Having always relied on the men in her life to take care of her, Britt has no choice but to take care of herself in this novel. Though she is young and in a lot of ways sheltered, she displays a lot of strength to make the choices and decisions she does in Black Ice. Britt is quick thinking and fast acting; something that very much keeps her alive as the story progresses. The growth Britt undertakes and the discoveries she makes are very intriguing to read about and witness.

Throughout the story there's an immense tone of danger and mystery within it's pages. With the murders and disappearances of young women having taken place on the mountain it's clear someone within the story is to blame, but you're never quite sure who. Admittedly I did put some pieces together, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable to see the truth come out.

There's also an undertone of romance within the story with Britt seeing a very different side to her captor Mason. You'll get no spoilers from me, but I must admit I was happy with how Fitzpatrick explored this aspect within the novel and how the relationship between Britt and Mason developed into one of teamwork, companionship and tentative trust and yet Britt continuously managed to question and, mostly, keep a level head where Mason was concerned.

Dark, intense and dangerous, Black Ice is fast paced and harrowing from beginning to end. Featuring a tale of survival with the perfect splash of romance and character development, Black Ice will take you on a thrilling journey, all the way to the final page.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you Jen!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: If you're looking for a mystery with plenty of adrenaline pumping moments, Black Ice is it.
Cover: It's not too shabby....
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a stand alone novel, but I'll definitely read whatever Becca Fitzpatrick writes next.