Really, REALLY could've done without the romance side plot. ( )

3.5 Stars

Well that was a gritty survival story with a surprising amount of depth.

I think that whilst there was a degree of predictability about it the story was still quite captivating. Survival situations really test people's endurance and resilience, but also bring out heroes and inner demons. This story had it all in there. I did find some of the motivations for choices our main character made a tad annoying, but overall it was a great story.

CWs to come when I'm on my computer and not a phone. ( )

I love survival YA/middle grade books, and I've read many of them. Something about the genre, about being forced to find yourself in dire circumstances where you can only rely on yourself and maybe, hopefully, the kindness of others, is fascinating to me, and always an engaging read. (And generally the stories are timeless: survival is survival no matter the year.)

The Speed of Falling Objects clearly another timeless one, and one of the rare ones that takes place in the Amazon, a uniquely dangerous and unfamiliar place. As soon as Danny and the others crash in the rainforest, the threat of the forest makes itself real and omnipresent. It's a dangerous journey, made even more so by the fact that they crash-landed and people are mortally wounded.

The "core" of the novel is Danny's attempt to reconcile with her father, Cougar, a reality wilderness survival expert. He's invited her along with a famous teen heartthrob, and proceeds to be terrible to her immediately. He repeatedly gets her age wrong, makes negative examples of her mistakes, and seems to not even take her into consideration. While everyone notices this and tell him he's being terrible, Danny goes along with it, desperate to please him. This dynamic is as uncomfortable as it is real, and while she finally comes to peace with the fact that her parents are people with flaws and strengths, it's frustrating to see her let herself be treated that way.

The romance is fine, if inconsequential and a little trite (seriously, can't we have a story about a young woman discovering herself without romance? Though I do appreciate that they're both realistic about the situation and their expectations).

But other than that, there's an exciting tense scenario, survival tips, and real stakes. And it's thrilling. ( )

Whoa. This book took me on an adventure that I don’t think I was quite ready for. Going into The Speed of Falling Objects, I knew that I was in for something dangerous. What I didn’t realize was the Fischer was going to take my heart, and squish it in a vice grip. I finished this book all wrung out, and that’s a feeling that I haven’t had in a while.

First off, I love Danny. I can’t tell you enough how much I love this girl. Despite everything going against her, including her own brain constantly trying to sabotage her, she’s one of the bravest people that I’ve ever met in a story. Her honesty was refreshing. The fact that she was human, and flawed, made my heart sing. Watching her get knocked down, time and time again, and get back up fighting made me root for her. Danny was the kind of friend that I’d want to have. Genuine, lovable, and strong as all hell.

The story itself seems like it’s just going to be a terrifying survival story. Which, to be honest, it definitely is. However there is so much underneath all of that. Watching Danny grow. Watching her figure out that her parents were real people, flawed, and still finding out how to love them anyway. Watching her find her inner strength that, no matter what people did to her, constantly flamed away inside her. I giggled. I teared up. I all out cried at the end of this book. It’s an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible. Snakes, swamps and all.

I can’t say too much more without spoiling anything, so I’ll end here. You need to read these book. It wasn’t my perfect story, but it was right up there! If nothing else, you’ll be so very glad that you’re sitting in a comfortable space, reading about other people struggling to survive in the Amazon. ( )

Need a new book to fall in love with? Step out of your reading comfort zone, and pick up something completely different, that something being this book. I couldn’t wait to check this out, and I’m so thankful I got the chance to, because it’s quickly become one of my new favourites. Although, could I expect anything less from author Nancy Richardson Fischer?

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/11/03/the-speed-of-falling-obj... ( )