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Run (The Hunted #1)

by Patti Larsen (Goodreads Author)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 181 ratings · 47 reviews

Sixteen-year-old Reid thinks life is back to normal when his sister rescues him from foster care, promising to take care of him. Until he is kidnapped and dumped in the forest with no idea why he is there. He learns to run from the hunters who prowl the darkness, chasing kids like him. And killing them.

Kindle Edition, 265 pages

Published August 17th 2011

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Sep 07, 2011 Lora Maroney rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's been an explosion of dystopian YA since THE HUNGER GAMES made the bestseller lists, and RUN is no exception, but I think it holds its own. It reads a bit like an homage to several books (people have listed LORD OF THE FLIES, THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, etc.) but manages to keep enough of itself to be original, I think.

RUN has a lot of action -- there's really no down-time, so the book feels shorter than it is. This is not a bad thing! In an era of books like THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, which spend...more There's been an explosion of dystopian YA since THE HUNGER GAMES made the bestseller lists, and RUN is no exception, but I think it holds its own. It reads a bit like an homage to several books (people have listed LORD OF THE FLIES, THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, etc.) but manages to keep enough of itself to be original, I think.

RUN has a lot of action -- there's really no down-time, so the book feels shorter than it is. This is not a bad thing! In an era of books like THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, which spend ages walking and talking and doing nothing, it's refreshing to find a book that starts in high gear and doesn't slow down. I felt caught up with Reid, and wanted to keep reading.

The very nature of this book is such that it leaves the reader with a lot of questions. Why Reid (and later others)? Who is hunting him? Where is his sister? Few of these questions were actually answered in the course of the book, as we have no outside POV to provide things Reid doesn't know. It makes sense not to reveal them, with such a close POV, but when I reached the end and realized I didn't know any more than when I started, I did wonder how long this is going to drag out.

Some people may take issue with the amount of violence in a book marketed to younger readers, but I don't think it's a problem. The first instance of violence is definitely startling, but I don't think it descends into gore-porn at all. Instead, it provides a very effective shock to the reader, showing us that this is not just going to be an academic exercise. We're going to feel everything Reid feels; Ms. Larsen does this very well. While I winced at a few of the gory scenes, I didn't find them excessive or exploitative in the least.

I did have a problem with the portrayal of female characters in this book; since dystopian YA is so proliferated with strong, competent female characters, it was jarring to come across a book where the only thing that girls do is die or cry a lot (or both). Reid's favourite adjectives for girls are "frail", "weak", "fragile", etc., and I kept expecting someone to prove him wrong, but no one did. None of the girls he meets have any agency. The character Leila has one moment of steel (pointed out by Reid as surprising), and one moment of badassery that (in my opinion) gets overshadowed by the fact that she's sobbing the whole time and sobs for a while after. Her dominant feature for me, when I try to think of her, is crying. Given that Milo's is sarcasm and Drew's is intelligence and unflappability, I found this extremely disappointing. I wanted her to DO something, be useful. Sadly, she really wasn't.

Part of this could be because Reid's character is a slight misogynist, and that colours the narrative. He refers to his sister as weak and fragile constantly, when the only instance we see of her in the actual story is of her rescuing him from foster care, after fighting a year-long legal battle, and intending to support him. The actual story shows us nothing weak or fragile about her, so it could just be his own opinion. This is strengthened by the fact that he says the same about his mother, while constantly praising his father's strength and intelligence. Whatever happened in Reid's past that made him dismiss women, I don't know. I hope it comes out in further books and that he gets called on it, or at least that a female character does something competent at some point.

As a side note for Reid's narration: the book is in very close third person, my favourite POV, but I don't think it utilizes it fully. For a book that's entirely in one person's head, I don't think Reid has a strong enough voice to pull it off. Occasionally we get glimpses of what his voice sounds like, and it shines through, but it's not enough to give me a full cohesive feeling of him. Part of this is because he's fighting for his life and naturally disassociating, but I'd like to see a little more of Reid in his narration.

I do applaud the book for NOT having a romance. It would have been entirely unrealistic for Reid and Leila to get together, but that doesn't stop so many other authors. When she was introduced, I actually groaned out loud; but when they didn't get together -- and didn't even hint at it -- I felt like cheering instead. Take note, authors: we don't need romance every step of the way.

I would like to say that I am pleased and surprised by the character of Drew. He fits the "chubby, smart boy" stereotype, and I wasn't expecting much from him, but I'm happy to be wrong! He's intelligent, funny (but not inappropriately so), and, perhaps most surprisingly, shrugs off others' bullying of him without letting it get through to him or crying silent tears of pain. He's a strong, interesting character, and I loved him.

The ending wasn't so much of an ending as it was a "ha ha, guess you'll have to buy book two! :D", which kind of annoys me, but I already have book 2 so I suppose I'll survive. If it does it again at the end of HIDE, though, I'm going to be cranky. Ramping up tension is one thing, but manipulating the readers can only go so far. ;)

Overall, I enjoyed this; I just wished some of the characters were a little more realized, and that a few more questions had been answered. It feels like half a book, rather than the first in a series. Luckily it was a quick read (about an hour) so I can move on to the next.

(Yikes, tl;dr, sorry!)(less)

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Aug 22, 2011 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Heart-pounding....

Pulse-racing...

Blood-pumping...

Nerves-Jumping....

Stomach-churning....

Nail-biting....

Teeth-clenching....

You will look over your shoulder.

You will tense at every sound.

You will wonder when they will get you.

Step into Reid's shoes and you will be turning the pages as fast as the hunted can run.

Imagine your worst nightmare...release the monsters of dreamland horrors....and you will also want to RUN!

Patti Larsen has created a world that will disturb you, haunt you and change you. As...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Sheilagh Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gripping-drama

Reid is sixteen years old and overjoyed when he’s older sister gets him out of foster care that he has been in for a year and takes him home saying she has a good job. Reid is amazed by the extras she has for him. Reid wakes up after going to sleep to men grabbing him and hustling him into a van. They take him somewhere blindfolded and tied. After they set him down he manages to get free only to realize he is the Hunted. Fleeing to survive, he learns to adapt he then meets others kidnapped and f...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Kat8891 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fantasy, fantasy, ya, thriller-and-mystery

Reid is kidnapped and left alone into the woods. First, he thinks the whole thing is a prank. That the kids around him aren’t hunted and killed. That someone will come and laugh at him for being so naïve. But how could death be funny?

This book was a huge surprise. I couldn’t stop reading. The writer has the power to take you into the character’s mind from the first lines. You get to feel his pain, his terror. Adrenaline flows through your veins. It’s been a long time since a book did this to me....more

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Sep 25, 2012 Sonatajessica rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, pure-horror

Disappointing at best. The writing is very wooden, the characters flat, the dynamics between them filled with one eye roller after the next. So many details I could complain about, the thing is I just don't want to get started on such a long list.
The plot leaves tons of holes, it moves either fast or slow, meaning the characters either "RUN" or rest from running, that is not a plot, it is a farce. And it is not suspenseful, I started skimming through the pages (I hardly ever do that) to catch s...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Tammie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

In my life, I've read two books that take you by the throat at the first sentence and don't let go until the very end. Man of Bone was the first, and now Run by Patti Larsen. What's made them different from so many others that I've read - Hunger Games trilogy included - is that I've had to take breaks from them just so I can remember that these are just books. The humanity of the characters and their experiences are both so raw and vivid that I, too, felt nauseous (from a girl who had a longstan...more

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May 02, 2012 Deniece rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian, books-read-2012, april-reads, survival, book-series, horror, kindle-challenge, kindle-freebie, kindle-reads

Despite the few grammatical errors this was a good book. A solid 3.75 but None of my questions were answered in this book ( I know its to keep you interested and buying the other books and hey its probably a whole lot more to tell but me being me i knocked off .25 points) and honestly the constant action sort of makes you forget about it and you become eager to get to the rest of Reid's story.

I'll be honest I didn't think I would finish it not that it was bad in the beginning just that it was sc...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Picked this one up as a Free Kindle download. So far it's chillingly scary. Terrifying. But I can't put it down. Reid is running for his life. Being chased by non-human hunters. He's confused and knows he is not alone. There are other kids like him in the woods too. All of them being hunted and driven like wild animals.

About 45% done. Started reading a few hours ago..probably will finish it today too.

Run (The Hunted)

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Sep 26, 2011 J.C. Hart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Run is a quick read. This action packed book sucks you in from the beginning and keeps hold of you until the end. There is barely a moment for poor Reid to catch his breath as he runs for his life, and my heart was pounding with his.

This is the first book in a trilogy, of which the second (Hide) and third (Fight) parts are already available. Patti Larsen has a strong voice, and it pulls you right in.

While I’ve been a bit ‘meh’ about a lot of YA lately, I thought I would give this one a shot as s...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Masha K. rated it 2 of 5 stars

I never thought I could get bored reading a book about a boy running from killers, but what do you know. Things pick up a little once more characters are introduced, but not by much. More running, more hiding, more guessing what it's about. A couple of good moments, although you can see them a mile away. The ending is abrupt, and the last 5% of the e-book is the beginning of the sequel, which seems to be a new and unfortunate trend in e-book publishing. After all this action, I expected at least...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

Originally posted at http://lavenderlines.wordpress.com

What an adrenaline rush! From the opening words of Run it was a constant run for your life kinda situation. Patti holds nothing back. I mean, if I were Reid, I would have been curled up in the fetal position, sucking my thumb by page 4. And he did have those moments when he wanted to give up. But then he'd go on. There was a lot of this back and forth in Reid, and I thought that it was very realistic for the situation he was in.

I really like...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Kerry rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-have

True Rating: 3.5 Stars.

Now he understand how it feels to be nothing, inconsequential.

The Good

It hits the ground running and doesn't stop! Jam packed with suspense and overwhelming mystique of what is really going on.
Reid is a thinker. Sure, he's impulsive at times, but when he is, it is completely understandable and almost expected given the circumstances.
I loved the word play; it reels you in better than a hook, line, and sinker.
I loved the supernatural element; and initially, I was happy with...more

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Jun 14, 2012 The Cheap Reader rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-kindle, freebie

When browsing through Kindle freebies, I came across this book. I read the summary and downloaded the book without a second thought.

The book is full of non-stop action. In some cases, that’s a good thing but I found it to be a bit problematic for this book. It’s literally all “Run. Run. Run. Run. Run.” It moves the story along and keeps the reader hooked but there’s nothing to “sink you teeth into.” There’s no meat to the story. Nothing is solved, nothing is explained. That stuff pisses me off a...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: YA dystopian fans with a bit of an edge

Recommended to Rose by: My NaNo Warriors group

Shelves: young-adult, thriller, suspense, az-challenge-2012, survival, horror, ya-dystopian-books-2012, dystopia, tbr-challenge

I found Patti Larsen's "Run" to be a pleasantly surprising entry in the realm of young adult fiction. Blending the genres of dystopia, paranormal, horror, suspense, and thriller in one spectrum, "Run" depicts the struggle of 16-year old Reid, a boy abducted from his home in the middle of the night and dumped by his captors into the middle of the forest. To Reid's horror, he's caught in the crosshairs of a band of killers who don't hesitate to prey on kids as well as anyone who might stand in the...more I found Patti Larsen's "Run" to be a pleasantly surprising entry in the realm of young adult fiction. Blending the genres of dystopia, paranormal, horror, suspense, and thriller in one spectrum, "Run" depicts the struggle of 16-year old Reid, a boy abducted from his home in the middle of the night and dumped by his captors into the middle of the forest. To Reid's horror, he's caught in the crosshairs of a band of killers who don't hesitate to prey on kids as well as anyone who might stand in their way. Reid has to use his survival instincts and the things he learns from other fleeing children he comes across in order to survive, and there are no guarantees about who will or won't make it out alive.

I'm still in awe, even quite a few days after finishing this book, because I liked how well the story was paced. The overarching story is gripping, even if it somewhat leaves you in the dark about who the killers are and why they're preying on kids in this secluded environment. It's likely noted this way because Reid himself is in the dark to a lot of what's going on around him, and he has to steadily come to terms with many things along the course of his journey. Reid acts like a teenage boy and his internal dialogue is realistic for the trials he undertakes. I identified and felt for him throughout the work - both his frustration and futility in spurts. I don't know if I was always enamored with the way certain things are described, and there may be people who take issue with the fact this is written in third person present tense. However, I admit I was too engrossed in the story to really be bothered by it. A fair amount happens to Reid, and the gore factor/aspect of loss is pretty much in your face the whole time. For young or sensitive audiences, I give a fair warning, because it is graphic in spurts, but probably no more than what some teens may read in literature such as "Lord of the Files" or "Battle Royale." I appreciated Larsen's ability to aim above the box and her presentation of events in the story.

I'll admit that there are quite a few side characters to keep up with in the spectrum of the novel, and they come a bit belated in the progression of the story, but they are, nonetheless, ones I think the audience can connect to. Larsen does a fine job of regulating the dynamic and rapport between them, though I wish for some of them, there was a longer time to get to know them. I had a few issues with the depiction of the female characters in the work, even Reids attributions about his sister), though it's implied that there are very few girls among the survivors/encounters that Reid has in the chase. I appreciated and liked Leila's character - there are a few moments where she steps up to the plate in the novel's events. She's certainly not passive, and I think readers can identify with her as Reid and the other kids struggle to survive the dangers of the wild as well as the hunters. I also appreciated getting to know Drew, Milo, and Marcus. Drew was one of my favorite side characters, for his intelligence and bravery.

The ending tore me apart, indubitably. It leads into the next book with a bit of a heavy hitting intrigue, though it's a cliffhanger of sorts. I think it's safe to say that this novel is rife with the themes of sacrifice, struggle, camaraderie, and survival, and Larsen - on the whole - weaves a great story that carries you through all the way to the last page.

I'm definitely checking out the sequel when I have the opportunity.

Overall score: 4/5(less)

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Jan 27, 2012 Angela Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm a huge fan of Hunger Games and found the pacing and thrill of this book to follow along those same line. This story is uniquely its own, told from the point of view of Reid--a boy thrown head-long into a mysterious life and death situation. The fear, the thrill, the emotion that comes through in the writing is amazing. There is never a dull moment in this story of survival and I very much look forward to the sequel, planning to pick it up soon and continue where this book left off.

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Feb 28, 2013 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I went into this read thinking that since it is classified as a 'young adult' book, it might be lacking something. I was wrong! The characters are well drawn, the suspense builds and you get drawn into the story. The only thing is, I did not know that this was the first of a series of books, so as the book pages were dwindling, I prepared myself for the ending, only to find out that it is to be continued. I felt disappointed because of that. Have the next book on my 'to read' shelf.

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Aug 21, 2011 Kirstin Lund rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was there in the dark with Reid, scared to look in case I saw a dead mangled kid, or worse, a hunter. My heart banged against my ribs harder than was comfortable. I imagined sounds, saw ominous shadows in the post-midnight dark of my room. Reid didn't stop running, I didn't stop reading. I devoured Run in one sitting and thought of little else for days but when I'd be able to get my hands on Hide. If you liked The Hunger Games, Run could be your favorite book of the summer.

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Oct 18, 2011 Book Worm rated it 5 of 5 stars

RUN is a very extraordinary book. Reading it gave me an adrenaline rush which made me want to continue,once I started it was impossible to put it down.The danger and anticipation of the book was fast paced leaving me breathless and wanting more.Reid is a strong character independent and courageous. His reactions to the situations he was thrown in were realistic. Ms Larsen portrays the need to survive right to the core, everything is conveyed in it's most truest sense of needing to stay alive.the...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Genesis Blue rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

Reid finds himself in a forest after being kidnapped from his bed and it rapidly becomes obvious that he is being hunted. He soon discovers that he is not the only kid with an expiry date in the forest. While the story is one that has been done over and over throughout history, there are a few twists to keep you interested. I have to admit, the book ended rather abruptly though and was not very long. We'll see how the next one goes . . .

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Aug 20, 2011 Kimberly Kinrade rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reid thinks he's finally safe and back with his sister, but not all is what it seems. When he is dumped in a dark forest and chased by hunters, only one question matters. Can he run fast enough to stay alive?

This is a brilliant YA paranormal thriller by one of my favorite authors. Her prose and storytelling is brilliant and this entire series kept me riveted! A must read for anyone who doesn't mind the darker side of YA.

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May 19, 2012 Tammi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is trying to be "The Hunger Games" but without the "reasoning" behind hunting and killing kids. It is also the first of a series so there was not much of a conclusion or explanation of the motivation of the hunters. Maybe the murdering of children will make sense in the long run but I just found it to be very violent towards children. I will probably not seek out any of the sequels.

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Apr 10, 2012 Rena rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great story. I really liked how this book story started off running, and stayed running throughout. Exciting from the start, and stayed suspenseful and instense all the way through. I really felt I was right there with Reid, feeling his fear, confusion, and desperation. Excellent story, I have already recommended this book to serveral people, and I can't wait to get to the next one.

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Aug 22, 2011 Joseph Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

Patti Larson doesn't let you get comfortable and slide into a book. If you're not ready for full-tilt-boogie action from page one you'd best look elsewhere. I read this in an evening and enjoyed every minute of it. Think "The Most Dangerous Game" meets "Lord of the Flies" with just a touch of Predators thrown in and you're on the right track. Can't wait for the next book.

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May 16, 2012 Kenn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Pretty good, suspenseful story of a young man who inexplicably finds himself trapped and hunted by human-like creatures. Reid also realizes he is not the only one. Two reservations: it is extremely violent, and the ending is not an ending- just a step toward the next book. Still, I was riveted and I am curious enough that I will eventually read the next book.

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May 03, 2012 Elissa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first part in a series (which I didn't know when I bought the first book), and the writing is straightforward, the story engrossing, and it's a fast read... but it wasn't compelling enough for me to want to read the rest of the series. None of the characters seem very fleshed out, even the main character Reid, so I don't really care what happens to him.

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Sep 21, 2011 T.G. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, suspense

RUN is one of those books that will stay with you forever. Reid takes you by the hand and runs, and all you can do is try and keep up. Reid is portrayed in a real, gritty manner and his fear and his courage is so believable, so true to human nature - there is nothing contrived about this character.
It's an awesome, nail-biting read, and Ms Larsen expertly keeps you hungering for more and more.
Definitely a non-stop, page-turner. Unputdownable.
I think readers who love Hunger Games will love RUN, b...more

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May 30, 2012 Sara Monitor rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 21, 2012 Frank Bogden rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very fast paced story line. The story keeps you asking questions and waiting for answers. You think you have it figured out when the plot takes a turn. My biggest draw back is that nothing is answered. You are left waiting for the next book.

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Jun 23, 2012 Craig D rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Suspenseful and morbid. Reid finds himself kidnapped and stranded in the woods with a deadly hunter, who is hunting him. This is the first book in a trilogy as we track Reid and his new friends as they attempt to escape this nightmare.

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Feb 28, 2013 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was interesting and a fast read for .99 cents on kindle. Took me a few pages to get into it but i did. I was going to get the 2nd book but it's $3.99 for 147 pages so i guess i will pass.

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About Patti Larsen

I write a lot of middle grade and YA paranormal books for someone who is afraid of the dark. And I wonder why I have to sleep with the lights on. Sometimes life is a teenaged B horror movie and I'm the one who investigates when the scary music is playing. But the voices are calling and resistance is… Yes. I am a Star Trek geek, too. And a fan of RPG’s. With a slight coolness factor since I've been...more

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Run (The Hunted #1)

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