The Long Weekend

Jul 12, 2012 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was warned that this gripping and hypnotic thriller would have me reading late into the night, and I can say that it certainly lived up to expectations with the most intensely gripping, unable to put down plot within this genre that I have ever encountered. Reading from daytime and throughout the night I was sucked into an exciting, thrilling story that sent chills down my spine and gave me Goosebumps with every page that I turned. The cover is so striking that it stands out on the bookshelf,...more I was warned that this gripping and hypnotic thriller would have me reading late into the night, and I can say that it certainly lived up to expectations with the most intensely gripping, unable to put down plot within this genre that I have ever encountered. Reading from daytime and throughout the night I was sucked into an exciting, thrilling story that sent chills down my spine and gave me Goosebumps with every page that I turned. The cover is so striking that it stands out on the bookshelf, with its uniqueness and creativity that takes this genre to unimaginable new heights. It was so realistic with such detailed description and atmosphere, that I felt a part of the story and could clearly see in vivid color the environment that Savita creates. Sitting on the edge of my seat throughout I followed Sam and Lloyd as they became trapped within the mansion, which conceals behind its doors such imaginable horrors as to shock you completely. The truth within the tale and poignancy of the plot, is that the cliché with the known fact that there are such things out there in this world which come close to what this tale recites. The author projects the reality of child abuse in such an honest and truthful way, as to highlight its occurrence within today’s society and within life in general. Although the target audience is younger readers and young adults I would also recommend it to those slightly older and also parents, who can just as easily relate to the message within that the author conveys about how easy it is for children to fall prey to an event such as this. Insightful and thought-provoking I feel that here is not just a work of fiction but something a lot more important than that, with a deeper plot and strong intent by a writer with the desire to educate and build awareness. For those readers who love character-driven horror and thriller then I would say to look no further than this mansion in Hertfordshire, which conceals such hidden mystery and secrets as to leave you in suspense for hours. An absolutely incredible book by an author whom has exceeded all expectations, and who I have high hopes for in the future. (less)

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Jul 08, 2011 Birgit rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm relatively new to YA books and with gems like this book from Savita Kalhan it's little wonder came to love this overlooked niche (well, by me anyway as I'm twice the age of the "typical" reader).
Two boys, Sam and Lloyd, are being collected by a stranger after school and what at first seems like a surprise by Lloyds father, soon turns into a nightmare when they realize they've been abducted and they need to find a way out.
I must confess, before I started reading I thought this might turn out...more

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Mar 17, 2011 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

MY THOUGHTS
A spectacularly eerie and suspenseful tale, The Long Weekend wastes little time drawing us into the action and putting us on edge as the gravity of Sam and Lloyd's mistake settles over us with a tangible weight we carry with us to the very end. We want so badly to join in the boys' initial denial of their situation, hoping and wishing events will not unravel as we secretly know they will, the incessant tingling of ou...more Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

MY THOUGHTS
A spectacularly eerie and suspenseful tale, The Long Weekend wastes little time drawing us into the action and putting us on edge as the gravity of Sam and Lloyd's mistake settles over us with a tangible weight we carry with us to the very end. We want so badly to join in the boys' initial denial of their situation, hoping and wishing events will not unravel as we secretly know they will, the incessant tingling of our pebbled skin and the sick twist in our guts evidence we cannot ignore or rationalize away as we are forced to come to the same horrifying conclusion as Sam–that his situation is dire, his life is at risk, and his options are limited. For a story short in length it lacks for nothing, the tension and fear so thick we can almost taste it, our mouths shockingly dry while we repeatedly try to swallow past the lump in our throats and cling to vain hope we might be able to save Sam and Lloyd with the safety of our reality. Though our wish to rescue them is a futile one, Ms. Kalhan ensures we are with the boys every step of the way, pulses pounding so loudly we're convinced the villain will sense us and our fear ratcheting up with every echoing thump as we know we can do nothing but read on, invisible but involved companions to Sam and Lloyd through an experience that will profoundly change their lives.

Sam is a character of infinite loyalty and ingenuity, making up in mental strength what he lacks in physical as an eleven year old boy, assessing his situation with admirable calm and refusing to meekly accept his status as a victim. He thinks clearly and soundly, makes difficult decisions, and attempts to thwart a man bigger, stronger, and disgustingly unhinged. His patience with a very traumatized Lloyd is painful to witness, our hearts aching with every quiet reassurance uttered as we know even if both boys make it home, their lives will be irrevocably changed. Every time Lloyd freezes in fear we stop breathing, wondering if the time has come where he or Sam will accept defeat and resign themselves to a fate no child should have to endure, the anxiety pulsing in these quiet moments of indecision so potent our bodies tremble in anticipation, waiting, watching, and willing them to fight just a little longer.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this story is Ms. Kalhan's ability to elicit extreme emotional reactions with her delicate handling of a difficult subject matter. Though it's clear to us what happens to Lloyd, the details are sparse, thereby augmenting an already suffocatingly tense atmosphere with the added uneasiness of the unknown. She works a similar magic on our villain, the description of him brief and succinct yet we feel the weight of his presence as though we have seen him clearly, knowing we will forever remember the feel of him–the chill and disgust he calls forth from us markers we will always recognize and associate with a monster. Though he never touches us physically as he does Lloyd, we do not walk away from this story unscathed, the remnants of his sickness remaining permanently with us as brands so deeply embedded in our skin they will never fully fade.

Overall, The Long Weekend is a story that both shocks and unnerves us, the depth of terror and fear punching us in the gut with a force we are grossly unprepared for, doubling us over as we choke and sputter and try to regain our equilibrium so we can walk side by side with Sam and Lloyd with the hope they will share in our recovery. Quick, fast, and unleashing a deluge of overwhelming emotions, this is a story that should occupy a spot at the top of everyone's to be read pile.

Rating: 4.5/5
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Feb 21, 2011 Melanie Goodman added it

The world doesn’t need vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and demons to be scary. People can be scary enough in and of themselves. In Savita Kalhan’s thriller The Long Weekend, eleven-year-old boys Sam and Lloyd discover the truest kind of monster: a person with evil intentions.

Sam is the new kid in school, but he has quickly latched on to Lloyd, and they begin to spend time together both in and out of school. On a stormy afternoon, they are waiting together outside of school, unsure which of their p...more The world doesn’t need vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and demons to be scary. People can be scary enough in and of themselves. In Savita Kalhan’s thriller The Long Weekend, eleven-year-old boys Sam and Lloyd discover the truest kind of monster: a person with evil intentions.

Sam is the new kid in school, but he has quickly latched on to Lloyd, and they begin to spend time together both in and out of school. On a stormy afternoon, they are waiting together outside of school, unsure which of their parents will pick them up. When a man in a big black van tells them to get in the car, both kids mistakenly assume that it is the other one’s ride. It’s not until they have been driving around for a while that Sam and Lloyd realize they are not heading home. Now. Or possibly ever.

I admit that I was skeptical at first, finding the premise a bit far-fetched. Sure, kids get kidnapped all the time, but don’t most have enough “stranger danger” knowledge to not jump in a car without knowing who the driver is first? I’m still not sure whether I was able to suspend disbelief or just accept that sometimes 11-year-olds do stupid things, but either way, the book picked up speed so fast that I was able to move on from my initial concerns pretty quickly.

It isn’t long before things get all too real. Once Sam and Lloyd are locked up in separate parts of a huge, scary mansion, the tension escalates considerably. Kalhan’s writing is descriptive, but leaves out just enough detail to keep the book from being overly graphic. Some horrors can be left to the imagination. It is in the house and throughout Sam and Lloyd’s attempted escape that I found the most respect for Sam. He begins the story as a very naive young boy, but I was proud of the inner strength that he developed when he knew that he needed to take care of himself and his friend.

The Long Weekend is a petite book, easily read in one sitting, which is ideal since it is hard to put down until you know the outcome of Sam and Lloyd’s abduction. This is a book perhaps best read by teens a few years older than the protagonists, though younger teens and tweens would likely benefit from reading it with a parent or teacher. The Long Weekend is certain to give both younger and older readers goosebumps and plenty to talk about.(less)

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Dec 22, 2010 Darren Hartwell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

If ever there was a book that should be required reading for every 11+ boy or girl then it is The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan. The content does not make for comfortable reading, and as a parent you may find yourself having to answer some awkward questions that you may not be entirely at ease with, but that is why this book is so important as it looks at what could happen to a young person if they happen to let their guard down for just one moment. In simple terms it looks at the abduction of t...more If ever there was a book that should be required reading for every 11+ boy or girl then it is The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan. The content does not make for comfortable reading, and as a parent you may find yourself having to answer some awkward questions that you may not be entirely at ease with, but that is why this book is so important as it looks at what could happen to a young person if they happen to let their guard down for just one moment. In simple terms it looks at the abduction of two boys, but from their point of view as opposed to that of the parents, which we see on TV and in books all too often. We see how a simple misunderstanding leads the boys to find themselves at the mercy of a human predator whose motives are only too apparent to us as readers. We witness how the two boys react to this danger, with one becoming the hero and taking control whilst the other, previously more confident boy, retreats into his shell.

As a teacher who comes into contact with young people on a daily basis this book did not make for pleasant reading at times as I could picture this sort of thing happening so easily to children I know well. I would say that at school every six weeks or so we have a call from a parent to inform us that their child was approached by a man in a van on their way to or from school. Fortunately, every time the young person or people concerned have acted with common sense and a maturity sometimes beyond their years, and no bad has come of this. However, I know this is not the case for many families and schools up and down the country, and this makes the plot of The Long Weekend even more hard hitting. I know so many kids who think they are streetwise, and yet could so easily end up in a situation similar to the one that Sam and Lloyd find themselves in. Savita Kalhan should be commended for tackling the rarely covered subject of child abduction and abuse (in YA books at least) in a way that is both gritty and sensitive.

This is a dark, dark story and may not be suitable for less mature readers. Although it isn't mentioned explicitly in the story, a simple case of reading between the lines suggests that something very bad happens to Lloyd whilst Sam is locked in another room. There are no graphic details of this assault, the author very cleverly leaves it to the imagination of the reader to fill in the blanks, and it is this that makes the book so frightening, perhaps even more so if you are a parent. In Sam and Lloyd, Ms Kalhan has created a pair of very believable 'boy next door' characters and as a reader I very quickly felt an affinity towards them, something else I believe contributed to the queasy feeling I had in my stomach as soon as it became apparent that they had been abducted.

The Long Weekend is probably best read in a single sitting, although at only 180 pages this won't take a huge chunk out of your day. I would also suggest reading it during daylight hours - there are no supernatural demons, vampires, zombies or werewolves, but it is just as scary as any of the recent YA horror stories that have been released, if not more so. And one final suggestion - perhaps parents should read it before their kids as only they will know whether their child will be mature enough to cope with the issues covered.(less)

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Jan 23, 2013 Michele rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

In the social networking circles I frequent there was a lot of chatter about The Long Weekend. For a start it tackled some gritty issues and carries a warning: not suitable for younger readers, so that perked up my interest. Plus if you’ve read Savita’s posts on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure or in general, she raises some interesting questions about writing for teens and pushing limits. So I was thrilled when Savita ran a book giveaway and I won a copy. It’s signed and everything.

I liked Sam the...more

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Oct 20, 2012 Veronica Morfi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: print

This book is so different from what I usually read but I am glad I picked it up. In The Long Weekend, two friends, Sam and Lloyd, get abducted by a man right outside their school. Well, actually they entered his car on their own, but still...

We get to experience their abduction and their fight to get free through the eyes of Sam. He is the one who first got suspicious and tried to get out of the mansion where they were being held. We get to see him growing up so much just in two days. Sometimes...more

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May 15, 2012 Lucia The Loyal Book added it

My Rating would be 3.5

The first thing I thought when I started reading The Long Weekend was 'creepy'! And I mean 'creepy' in a positive way. The idea is simple: two kids get kidnapped and end up in a mansion full of games and food. They don't really realize the danger they are in, not until the night arrives and the kids are separated.

I really liked Sam; he felt real, believable, exactly like a smart eleven-year-old boy would be. He is resourceful and does not let panic and fear overcome him....more My Rating would be 3.5

The first thing I thought when I started reading The Long Weekend was 'creepy'! And I mean 'creepy' in a positive way. The idea is simple: two kids get kidnapped and end up in a mansion full of games and food. They don't really realize the danger they are in, not until the night arrives and the kids are separated.

I really liked Sam; he felt real, believable, exactly like a smart eleven-year-old boy would be. He is resourceful and does not let panic and fear overcome him. Of course he's afraid, but he tries to use logic and reason to find a way out. He's resourceful and loyal: he manages to escape the house but gets back in order to save his friend, who, at first, didn't understand the trouble they were in.
Lloyd, Sam's friend, is depicted as the 'cool' guy at school, the one everybody wants to hang out with, and that's why Sam is so eager to get his approval. During the story, though, it's Sam who realizes something is wrong, whereas Llyod is too confident and thinks Sam is overreacting. Then we see that something really bad happens to him and Lloyd is frozen by fear, incapable to think or react in any way. It's up to Sam to drag him out the house and only towards the end Lloyd does something which seems to shake him out of the state of shock he was in.

I liked the story; it was a fast, gripping read and you won't put it down until you finished it because you want to know what is going to happen next. I found it very realistic and pretty scary. It also has a message: kids, pay more attention and don't take anything for granted!

In my opinion, the only flaw is the lack of psychological analysis of the bad guy; I do understand that, as the book is narrated by Sam, it would have been impossible to know more about him, still I was curious to get to know him a little bit better.

Reading this book was like watching a horror movie, one of those where you want to scream at the characters "Don't do it! Don't go in the car!" because you know something bad is going to happen. But, as it always happens in the movies, you cannot do anything but sit and watch (sorry, sit and read) while Sam and Lloyd face the danger.
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Feb 18, 2011 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

The highest compliment I can give Savita Kalhan's book? The Long Weekend made my skin crawl. I'm not generally easily affected by books or movies, but this book had me literally sitting on the edge of the couch and reading with terrified fervor. There is so much pent up action in this book, so much well-written suspense, that you will absolutely not be able to put this book down. If you pick it up, prepare to throw yourself in for the long haul! It's going to be hard for me to review this book w...more The highest compliment I can give Savita Kalhan's book? The Long Weekend made my skin crawl. I'm not generally easily affected by books or movies, but this book had me literally sitting on the edge of the couch and reading with terrified fervor. There is so much pent up action in this book, so much well-written suspense, that you will absolutely not be able to put this book down. If you pick it up, prepare to throw yourself in for the long haul! It's going to be hard for me to review this book without being vague, so pardon me. I don't want to give anything away that you need to experience for yourself!

Sam and Lloyd are our main characters, and I fell into step with them as soon as I started reading. Kalhan builds two amazingly vivid characters that will capture your attention and make you feel for them. Trust me, I was rooting for the two of them so hard that if they had been real, chances are I would have jumped in to save them. Watching these two young boys deal with such a terrifying experience in two entirely different ways was so tough, but so intriguing. I throughly enjoyed how Kalhan shows their bravery, but remains true to their age by showing their scared sides and weaknesses as well.

What I really liked was how much Sam changed throughout the book. As an 11 year old boy, he starts out the story kind of just tagging along behind his friend. He doesn't seem to be that confident in himself. However as the story progresses, we see Sam grow into a much older character. The need to survive creates a brand new person who, quite honestly, I was extremely impressed with. The Sam that we are given at the end of the book is a much different, much more grown up Sam.

Reader be warned, although the characters in this book are young, this is not a book for the faint of heart. There isn't anything in it that is outrightly inappropriate for a younger reader, but there is enough illusion to it to make it uncomfortable. On top of that, as I mentioned above, this book is fast paced and at times extremely tough to read. I'd recommend that parents screen the book for younger readers, or read it with them so you can talk about it together.

Honestly, I loved every suspenseful and action filled minute of The Long Weekend. It is hands down one of my favorite books of this year so far! Sam and Lloyd, you have my heart boys. I can't wait to sing this book's praises around my circle of friends.(less)

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Apr 12, 2011 Phanee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: british-books-challenge-2011, owned, read-in-2011

The main reason I decided to read this book at the time I did was because I wanted a quick book to read, after The Loop. I was planning to read this book sometime soon, but I decided to just read it, as it would probably only take a few hours to read.

This is a really short book. But I can say it is truly disturbing. It tells the story of two young boys, Sam and Lloyd, who make a BIG mistake when they just hop into a limo that stops and tells them to get in. It obviously happens due to a great m...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-teen-book-reviews, read-in-2011, teen-action-adventure, teen-general-fiction, with-reviews

Lloyd and Sam made a mistake. A big mistake. It was raining and they weren't paying attention, and somehow they ended up in a strager's car headed to the middle of nowhere. When they arrive at the huge mansion they discover there is no way out and they are in more danger than they could ever have thought possible.

This novel was scary. It was all just a mistake, but that mistake will change both Sam and Lloyd's lives forever. The story is told from Sam's perspective and he is an extremely likabl...more

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May 12, 2012 Mirjam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller-suspense, ya

Whoever said that The Long Weekend is a gripping YA thriller, wasn't kidding! It really was everything it was proclaimed to be. Eleven-year-olds Sam and Lloyd get into a car they think is sent by Lloyd's father, but the longer the ride takes the more Sam starts to realise something is wrong. Instead of a surprise weekend out of town, they find themselves kidnapped and trapped in a nightmare they would love to wake up from. What to do now?

Kalhan takes us on a hellish trip in which we experience a...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Mindy/fangedmom rated it 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed this book from a friend (thank you Nicole). She figured I would like it. She was right.

I do not agree that it is super scary. It did manage to cause that deep down panic & horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach though. This book is every parent's nightmare. It truly is. (let me clarify this...there is no paranormal activity in this book. This is a real-life horror scenario).

The weekend that Sam & Lloyd experience is horrific. No child should ever have to go through it. Th...more

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Apr 22, 2011 Alex Bennett added it

Before reading The Long Weekend, I didn’t really know what to expect. The characters are quite young—11—but I knew the story was supposed to be very dark. From what I had heard, people really loved this book. I can certainly see why, I really did enjoy—no, that’s not the right word, but I can’t think of a better one—this book.

From the beginning, this book jumps right into the plot. I was scared for Lloyd and Sam even before it got to the creepy part since I knew what was coming. When they get in...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I wish I had known more about before I decided to read it. I had no idea what the main storyline was so I wasn't prepared for the way it opened up my emotions and left me shocked and stunned.

The author has written an extremely powerful, intense psychological thriller which rips your heart out and bleeds you dry. This is one of those books that will stay in your thoughts long after you have read it. She has taken a rather distressing plot line and handled it with...more This is one of those books that I wish I had known more about before I decided to read it. I had no idea what the main storyline was so I wasn't prepared for the way it opened up my emotions and left me shocked and stunned.

The author has written an extremely powerful, intense psychological thriller which rips your heart out and bleeds you dry. This is one of those books that will stay in your thoughts long after you have read it. She has taken a rather distressing plot line and handled it with maturity and grace. She has made a taboo subject accessible and open for discussion between adults and children. After finishing the book, I actually sat my children down and talked about what I had read, reiterating the points of safety I constantly repeat to them.

The plot of this story deals with child abduction and other sensitive subjects, which are areas I struggle to read about. For me as a mother, it is just too real for my oversensitive maternal nature. I actually had to skim over certain parts as they just distressed me too much. Yet the author has been very diplomatic with her use of language, so there is only the hint of what actually happened in the house. I am so pleased that the author wasn't too graphic with the events of the weekend.

The plot is gripping and you find yourself glued to the book, as you desperately hope the boys will get out alive. Lloyd and Sam will play heavily on your heart strings. Sam was an amazing character who showed such strength of character. He was not going to give up, he was determined to escape. Not many eleven year olds would show such determination and I felt proud of him.

This is not an easy book to read but one that I feel teenagers should read. This book could save lives. Unless a child is extremely street wise, they often trust the wrong people and this book shows how easily a simple mistake can turn in a disaster.

I really do think this is a powerful book that should be read, but if you are like me, and cry when you see children fall over or get upset, or you are an over sensitive mother who wears her heart on her sleeve, then you might want to let someone else read it. However, this book was not written for over sensitive mothers, it was written for teenagers, so pass it on to one to raise awareness and discussion of a difficult yet topical subject.
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Dec 06, 2010 Melissa (i swim for oceans) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Long Weekend follows the story of Sam and Lloyd, two friends who find themselves in a very scary and very dangerous situation. Sam just started at a new school and was fortunate to find a good friend in Lloyd – someone he can joke around with and not feel like the new kid. One weekend, when their plans go awry, the two make the mistake of getting in a car with a stranger without thinking and the longest weekend of their lives begins. They’re taken to an old secluded mansion and separated fro...more The Long Weekend follows the story of Sam and Lloyd, two friends who find themselves in a very scary and very dangerous situation. Sam just started at a new school and was fortunate to find a good friend in Lloyd – someone he can joke around with and not feel like the new kid. One weekend, when their plans go awry, the two make the mistake of getting in a car with a stranger without thinking and the longest weekend of their lives begins. They’re taken to an old secluded mansion and separated from one another, left to the mercy of the sinister stranger. Can they make it out alive, or even in one piece?

I was invited to review The Long Weekend by author, Savita Kalhan, and I couldn’t resist. I have a penchant for mysteries and thrillers, and when they’re in the YA genre, I’m sold from the get-go. Despite being written for a young adult audience, the author tackles an extremely sensitive and chaotic topic, merging it with beautiful prose and vivid imagery to keep the story and madness alive. I’m not lying when I say this book gave me the chills more than once. Though Kalhan is delicate in her wording for the audience, it’s no less scary or creepy.

What I found most amazing about The Long Weekend was how perfect the voice of 11-year-old Sam sounded. It felt very tangible and both Sam and Lloyd’s fear was perfectly depicted. Nothing was overdone or overplayed, so the subtleties in the story really rang through and heightened the suspense. The boys go through a range of emotions from worry, to surprise, to potential excitement, to downright fear, matched well with the pacing to keep the flow of The Long Weekend going throughout the slim book (it's a quick read). I was on the edge of my seat throughout, rooting for both Sam and Lloyd because I really got inside their heads.

All in all, The Long Weekend was a fabulous read. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, and I’d have to say this is one of the most underrated books I’ve heard of in a while, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I would recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who like horror, realistic fiction, and contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.(less)

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Aug 27, 2012 Jennifer Bielman (Reading and Writing UF and PNR) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, reviewed, thriller

From: http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

At a Glance
It took me quite some time to get into this book, but once I did I enjoyed it and all its creepy glory.

The Good
After accepting a ride home from a stranger, Sam and Lloyd find themselves trapped in a mansion by a deviant madman. With Lloyd catatonic with fear, it's up to Sam to get them out of this mess. If only there wasn't a twenty foot fence keeping them within the property and within the kidnapper's grasp.

The Long Weekend was pretty go...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Jesse Owen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

You know the saying that goes something like don’t get into a strangers car (or even talk to strangers) which young people are always being told. The Long Weekend is really the story of what could happen if this advice isn’t followed.

The story starts when two new friends Sam & Lloyd get into a car mistakenly believing it was the car they should be getting in to – this I can imagine this being a scarily easy mistake to make. The journey starts out fine, the two friends are happy and having wh...more

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Oct 22, 2010 Clover (Fluttering Butterflies) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, ya

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan got right under my skin. My heart was pounding and I was starting to feel really, really anxious. It got to the point where I was so scared, I had to stop reading it and pick the book up again in the daytime - you know, when it's safe. I was SO worried about these boys. What would happen?! A big thanks goes to Michelle Harrison, who kindly sent me a copy of this book.

Sam has just moved to town and he's feeling pretty lucky to have made a friend in Lloyd. He does...more The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan got right under my skin. My heart was pounding and I was starting to feel really, really anxious. It got to the point where I was so scared, I had to stop reading it and pick the book up again in the daytime - you know, when it's safe. I was SO worried about these boys. What would happen?! A big thanks goes to Michelle Harrison, who kindly sent me a copy of this book.

Sam has just moved to town and he's feeling pretty lucky to have made a friend in Lloyd. He doesn't feel all new-boyish with Lloyd to hang around with. They play football together and have a laugh. And then they make the stupidest decision ever, which didn't even feel like a decision. Sam and Lloyd, both 11, have just gotten into car with a stranger. And they've been taken to a huge house in the middle of nowhere. They've been separated and are now at the mercy of a very sinister man. Will they make it to safety?

See, I'm getting chills just writing this review and remembering how much these two boys go through. I love how authentic it feels. I completely and utterly believed the way in which these boys end up in the car. First Sam and then Lloyd realise the mistake they've made and they go through stages of denial and trying to convince themselves it'll all be OK and things are fine and 'maybe it's all just a surprise, this weekend away to meet a famous band.' And then things start to go from bad to worse. And I'll tell you, I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. The pacing of the novel was spot-on, everything from the thoughts, decisions and actions that these two go through and do feels real.

And Kalhan is not pandering to a younger audience here. Bad things happen. Terrible things, and it's gritty and painful to read at times. At times, both boys just broke down and cried at the hopelessness of their situation. But I loved the resourcefulness of Sam and how he had the people he loved the most in his head helping him to think clearly.

Fantastic book. I'm so glad that I had the chance to read it. If you're looking for a book to scare the pants off you, look no further.(less)

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Nov 23, 2010 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: signed, read-in-2010, books-i-own-print, for-review-read, favorites, british-author

Sam has just started at a new school but has quickly made a new friend in Lloyd and settled in. They have arranged to spend the weekend together but as they are waiting for their parents to turn up it soon becomes clear that there has been a mix up over which house they should be staying in. When a car pulls up the each presume that it is the other's father who has come to collect them and don't think twice about getting in. However, as they drive further out of town they discover that neither o...more Sam has just started at a new school but has quickly made a new friend in Lloyd and settled in. They have arranged to spend the weekend together but as they are waiting for their parents to turn up it soon becomes clear that there has been a mix up over which house they should be staying in. When a car pulls up the each presume that it is the other's father who has come to collect them and don't think twice about getting in. However, as they drive further out of town they discover that neither of them know who is actually driving the car. It is only after arriving at a secluded mansion and being separated that they discover just how much trouble they are actually in but will either of them manage to escape and get help?

Despite being a young adult novel The Long Weekend actually scared the life out of me. I can deal with supernatural horror but when it comes to something more realistic like kidnap and child abuse I am much easier to scare. This story is very realistic, it is so easy to imagine 2 young boys in Sam and Lloyd's situation - at that age I could easily have got into the car right beside them. For that reason if nothing else I would recommend this to all young adults - I'm sure that after reading this book older children and teens would think twice before getting into a car without making sure the driver was known to them. If The Long Weekend had been a film I would have been watching from behind a cushion and while reading the book I found myself holding my breath as I waited to see what would happen. I only read this in 2 days because it was getting late and I thought I might have nightmares, otherwise I would easily have finished the book in one session. It is a compelling and gripping read that I would highly recommend.

Although the story covers a difficult situation and pulls no punches about what happens to Sam and Lloyd it does so without giving graphic details which I was grateful for. Although I'm sure my imagination did far too good a job of filling in the gaps and was one of the reasons I was so frightened! This really is a must read book with likable and realistic characters you'll be routing for the whole way through and the author did a fantastic job capturing the voice of 11 year old Sam. At 180 pages it is a short read but no less powerful for it's length. I would recommend starting it in the morning so you can read all the way through without stopping - I really didn't want to put it down without finding out what happened. I'm very impressed that this is a debut novel and can't wait to see what Savita Kalhan comes up with next - I know her next book will be included on my must read list.(less)

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Nov 24, 2012 Hira rated it 4 of 5 stars

*To read more reviews by me visit Views & Reviews *

Oh. My. God. I'm never reading thrillers again. If thrillers torture you like this? I'm never reading them again!

I mean.... seriously? At times I forgot to breath because I was so caught up in this book. It had me on the edge of my seat, my heart thumping like crazy.

And that is why I don't usually read thrillers. Because I cannot torture myself like that... I just can't...

This book was fudging amazing!! The story was so gripping. "This grip...more *To read more reviews by me visit Views & Reviews *

Oh. My. God. I'm never reading thrillers again. If thrillers torture you like this? I'm never reading them again!

I mean.... seriously? At times I forgot to breath because I was so caught up in this book. It had me on the edge of my seat, my heart thumping like crazy.

And that is why I don't usually read thrillers. Because I cannot torture myself like that... I just can't...

This book was fudging amazing!! The story was so gripping. "This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night." is true! It did have me reading late into the night. Especially at the end.

Oh God, I don't even know how review this book. Wait. *deep breath* I'll start again.

I don't usually read this genre. But trying something new doesn't hurt, does it? Actually it does. I found out that me and thrillers don't really mix well. It's not that I don't like them. It's just that I can't torture myself like that. But I'm pretty happy I read this book because I loved it!

The story was really good. And what's scary is that it could happen in real life. The twists and turns were amazing and unexpected and it really kept you reading.

The writing was pretty good too. At times it didn't engage me much but that occurred very few times. And the way it was written, it was really how an 11 year-old must think.

There were only 3 characters in the book and they were well developed and nicely done. I don't think the book needed any more characters. The crazy man was so crazy that I wanted to pick up a shovel myself and smash his head to pieces! And I was very happy with Sam. He really used his brain well and I was very proud of his courage. I got really angry at Lloyd at times but the poor boy had gone through a lot. And he was so innocent. No wonder he was in such shock. I really felt sorry for him too.

I think the reason this book was so scary is because it was so realistic. I mean, there are actual crazy people, like that man, in this world. I have an 11 year-old brother myself and to have a kid like that go through all this.... hell I couldn't even go through all that! And then the writing made you feel like all of that was happening to you which was why I said it was like torture.

I think The Long Weekend was a great book and if you're a fan of thrillers then you should definitely check it out!(less)

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Feb 23, 2012 Katrina-Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

So, this is one of those books that I will never forget. It was creepy and disturbing, mostly because you know it could really happen. There really are creepers in reality like the creeper in the book that was going after Sam and Lloyd. This book was also one of the most suspenseful books I have ever read. I was genuinely afraid for the safety of the two boys the entire time I was reading this.
Let me just say, Sam is one awesome, smart, and tough little guy...and then Lloyd, poor Lloyd.
I think m...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Let me tell how good and downright creepy this book is. I loved reading it. It had me looking over my shoulder because I could swear that someone was watching me read this book! Sam and his friend get in a car who he thought belong to his friends father. Unfortunately, it did not. And now they are trapped in the hands of a psycho.

Psycho, yes indeed. It reminded me of a good horror movie but for teens. Sam I believe handled it the best. When you are caught in a situation like this, you must get y...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Maxine Mathew rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, young-adult, mystery-suspense-thriller, review-books, horror

Sam and Lloyd were eager to get home to enjoy a perfect weekend. When the sleek car turned up in front of their school gate, Sam entered it with Lloyd assuming it to be Lloyd’s dad’s car. When they find out that the car belongs to a complete stranger, it is already too late. They have been whisked away to an isolated countryside and are now trapped in an impenetrable mansion at the mercy of a lunatic. While Lloyd remains frozen in fear, Sam knows that it is up to him to get them out of this hell...more Sam and Lloyd were eager to get home to enjoy a perfect weekend. When the sleek car turned up in front of their school gate, Sam entered it with Lloyd assuming it to be Lloyd’s dad’s car. When they find out that the car belongs to a complete stranger, it is already too late. They have been whisked away to an isolated countryside and are now trapped in an impenetrable mansion at the mercy of a lunatic. While Lloyd remains frozen in fear, Sam knows that it is up to him to get them out of this hell. As Sam searches the grounds for a way of escape, the man is closing in for his kill. Will Sam and Lloyd be successful in finding a way out before the man reaches them? And even if they manage to come out of this situation, what impact will it have on their lives?

While reading The Long Weekend, I had chills running down my spines. I must admit the instant I read that both Sam and Lloyd were 11 year olds, my expectations hit a rock bottom. However as I read on this book captured me into its story. This story had a realistic touch. Even though we wish that such crazy men as the man who had kidnapped the boys did not really exist in the real world, the truth is they do. This fact itself makes this book creepier to read. Though I don’t think most children will have the presence of mind as Sam had in such a situation, the author never made the reader feel that any of Sam’s actions are unnatural for his age considering the situation. It was nice to see that being in danger did not make Sam suddenly strong or impervious to fear. All along the book Sam is aware of the imminent danger and has a constant fear of the outcome. He knows that the only way to escape from this situation is to find a way to flee this mansion before the man is successful in carrying out his intentions instead of facing him head on.

We see most of the events from Sam’s perspective as for most of the book Lloyd is too shocked and afraid to act. At the first introduction we see Lloyd as the cool kid of the school who is capable of handling any situation and Sam as the shy new kid whom Lloyd has taken under his wing. However, when they are stuck in the mansion, it is Sam who thinks rationally and is the first one to come out of denial of the actual situation. Earlier both of them were assuming that the mansion was a part of a surprise that Lloyd’s father had set for them, at least assuming this was better than the other possibility. The author makes the readers feel the emotions of the characters. The reader too feels the fear and hopelessness of Sam and Lloyd. When they were in denial, I too wished that this was some awesome surprise by Lloyd’s dad even though I knew that it wasn’t. Strangely the scary man who had kidnapped them is only prominent at the beginning and at the very end of the book. Still the dread that his presence creates is ever present throughout the entire book, which shows how fabulous the author’s writing is.

Because of the nature of the book, I think The Long Weekend would be more suitable for older teens.

Favorite Quotes:

"They sat quietly, shoulder to shoulder, listening to the sound of nothing. Nothing can sound very loud sometimes, louder than noise, even louder than a jumbo jet passing overheard."

"Fear made you cold. It made you tremble. Anger made you hot. It made you want to hurt someone."

Hide, hide, hide, hide, he screamed at himself , but fear had overcome him and he was paralysed. He coudldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move.
Overall: A fast-paced book that will gives you goosebumps.

Recommended?
Yes (less)

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Feb 16, 2011 Vicki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, young-adult

The Long Weekend looks, and sounds, like a dark gripping thriller…and that is exactly what I got. Right from the start Savita Kalhan had me glued to the pages and didn’t let me go until I’d finished the last page.

Eleven-year-old Sam is the new boy at school. He’s been the new boy quite a few times before and finds it difficult to fit in with the cliques and gangs already formed. This time though he’s made friends with popular Lloyd through their joint love of football. Lloyd is very different to...more The Long Weekend looks, and sounds, like a dark gripping thriller…and that is exactly what I got. Right from the start Savita Kalhan had me glued to the pages and didn’t let me go until I’d finished the last page.

Eleven-year-old Sam is the new boy at school. He’s been the new boy quite a few times before and finds it difficult to fit in with the cliques and gangs already formed. This time though he’s made friends with popular Lloyd through their joint love of football. Lloyd is very different to Sam, with his wealthy parents and apparent luxurious lifestyle. So when the pair make arrangements to get together after school, he’s not surprised when Lloyds Dad turns up to collect them in a flash car, kitted out with all the latest gadgets. However, Lloyd thinks its Sam’s parents’ picking them up, and in the excitement neither one thinks to check before jumping in the back. Things soon take a sinister turn however when they find themselves locked in an old mansion and realisation dawns. And so starts a long and very scary weekend, and someone is keen to make sure they never escape…

What was so absolutely perfect about this book was Sam and his voice through which the story is told. Although it’s in third person, it’s completely from Sam’s point of view and Savita Kalhan captures in him a voice so remarkably strong, unique and believable it blew me away. Using a lot of short sentences and jumpy thought processes, the tension throughout the book builds from Sam’s narration and is consistent from beginning to end, there’s not one dull passage in this book. I particularly liked how Sam grew throughout the book, changing into almost a different person by the end, which given his traumatic experiences, is an incredibly clever tact. To begin with he’s naïve, nervous, anxious, a little bitter and slightly envious of enigmatic Lloyd. By the end he’s a hero, Lloyds support system, a problem solver and the naivety has all gone.

The Long Weekend is incredibly creepy and tense, and being a short read I raced though in just one sitting. There was no chance I’d be able to put it down, the pacing and atmosphere made sure I had to know how it ended. I’m not easily scared, but was left with shivers down my spine at times in the book. Some disturbing and terrifying issues are brought up, but Kalhan never forgets her audience and doesn’t go in for graphic details. I actually think this would be a good book to either read with a class of pupils 11+ or parents to read alongside their kids as there are lots of important discussion points. If anything, this book will serve as a lesson never to go off with strangers and will surely hook even reluctant readers.

The Long Weekend is everything it appears to be, a dark, creepy story that is so gripping it’s impossible to put down. If you like being scared and enjoy sinister psychological thrillers then this is a book for you! Even if you’re not sure it’s your thing, I dare you to stop reading once you start. (less)

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Mar 02, 2012 Tfrances rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was hands down one of the scariest books I have ever read. The fact that I am a parent made it even scarier. I never want my children (or any children really) to ever have to go through that.

That said, the book is well-written. We spend just a short amount of time inside Sam’s life. We see, hear, and know only what he does. We get a thin slice of the events, but it works well. The characters are well-developed, even the unnamed assailant. We know much about Sam and Lloyd from their actions...more

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May 01, 2013 Krystle rated it 4 of 5 stars

I admit. For a rather decent-sized book, I never expected the story to come out the way it did.

After reading the synopsis at the back of the book, the beginning's happening (how they got abducted) seemed pretty predictable. But the moment they made for their escape, I found myself almost wanting to skim past the descriptions and just read about how they were gonna escape. I was on the edge of my seat, and my heart racing.

The author is a genius at sucking the readers in to the dark world of Sam a...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: signed

Reading Savita Kalhan’s The Long Weekend is like watching the latest chilling and mystifying thriller movie, as not only is it a freighting read, but it’s one that will keep nearly any reader- from middle-grade to adult- clinging to the page, waiting to know what will happen next, while these two boys land themselves in one colossal mess.

Sam knows his newest friend Lloyd and he should never have gotten into the black shinny car that Friday afternon, but it was raining, cold, and chilly waiting...more Reading Savita Kalhan’s The Long Weekend is like watching the latest chilling and mystifying thriller movie, as not only is it a freighting read, but it’s one that will keep nearly any reader- from middle-grade to adult- clinging to the page, waiting to know what will happen next, while these two boys land themselves in one colossal mess.

Sam knows his newest friend Lloyd and he should never have gotten into the black shinny car that Friday afternon, but it was raining, cold, and chilly waiting there by the school. In addition, there were so many cool things in the car- movies, CDs, as much junk food as any young boy could eat. However, now he is in the scariest position he has ever been in. Locked in a big mansion with Lloyd and a petrifying man in black, he knows he has to get them out of there if he ever wants to the light of day. Will he be able to? Will he come out unharmed, or will everything lead to the worst death imaginable?

In The Long Weekend, Savita introduces a duo of two unique yet stereotypical tween boys. Sam and Lloyd are both easy to like and root for, and I feel many teen boys will be able to root for Sam’s desire to be strong, and Lloyd’s fight to keep hope in the most dangerous of situations. More importantly, their friendship is fully fleshed out in a way that it not only plays an important part in the book, but also leads to yet another part of the book I adored.

As mentioned before, the premise of this is frightening to no end. However, what it makes it even more so is how situations like these do happen to kids all the time in real life- they make the wrong decision, get in the car with the wrong person, and end up fighting for their life. Better yet, Savita does not sugar coat the situation. Instead she makes it realistic to the point that it leaves an impact on the reader as well as an important message.

In addition, Savita’s writing was also quite good. I thought she did an excellent job of fleshing the plot lines as well as the characters and there feeling out given the book’s short length. Lastly, I really liked how realistic the ending was- it was happy but it still taught a lesson so to say to Lloyd, Sam, and hopefully the reader, and that is all I will say about that.

The Long Weekend is perfect for readers- avid and reluctant alike- looking for a fast-paced book to get lost in- one that while contains not only shock and intrigue but a great underlying lying message as well.

Grade: B+(less)

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Oct 25, 2010 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-review

The Long Weekend is an uncompromising thriller which will chill you to the bone and have you breathlessly turning page after page.

Sam has recently started at yet another new school. This time he is hoping to stay put and after a week he makes an exciting friend in Lloyd. They arrange to go to one of their houses after school on Friday. The only trouble is that they can’t remember which set of parents are meant to be collecting them. They wait in the rain outside school for ages until a luxury c...more The Long Weekend is an uncompromising thriller which will chill you to the bone and have you breathlessly turning page after page.

Sam has recently started at yet another new school. This time he is hoping to stay put and after a week he makes an exciting friend in Lloyd. They arrange to go to one of their houses after school on Friday. The only trouble is that they can’t remember which set of parents are meant to be collecting them. They wait in the rain outside school for ages until a luxury car pulls up. Lloyd gets in and Sam follows but neither of them think to check with the other that they know the driver. So the car drives off and they sit in the back being highly impressed with the gismos and gadgets of the Mercedes. But eventually the penny drops and Sam considers that the man in the front seat isn’t Lloyd’s dad after all.

What follows is a terrifying experience for both boys and the reader. The man takes them to a mansion house and there is no way out. Why they are there is a complete mystery to them and the novel continues along this very sinister path.

I was absolutely petrified reading this book. It is every child’s nightmare – the storyline that is not the book. The Long Weekend effortlessly pulls you into the story. The narrative is told simply but it is so effective. We see the story through Sam’s eyes yet it is told in the third person. It is as if the reader is there holding his hand the whole way through, crying when he cries, paralysed by fear when he is. I was desperate to read on but I was also afraid to. Kalhan’s debut novel seems to me to be incredibly brave because the story is unflinchingly dark and powerful for that reason.

Both Sam and Lloyd are likeable and distinctive characters. We are naturally sympathetic towards Sam as he is the voice we hear. We are perhaps slightly removed from Lloyd but this is important for the story. I say no more on that for fear of spoilers.

My recommendation: You absolutely should read this book. You will never get in a car without checking you know the driver again. But you should read it under these conditions: Safely tucked up at home, in broad daylight with someone to hold your hand when you want to scream. A real frightener so if sinister thrillers are your thing, The Long Weekend is undoubtedly for you.

(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Debdatta Dasgupta Sahay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy

Its a 4.5 Stars!!

Sam and Lloyd, a couple of 11 year olds, hitch a ride in a stranger’s car only to realize that it was the single greatest mistake of their young lives. They are taken to a big, old and creepy mansion and locked up separately. From the very beginning, one thing is clear to both the boys – the man had kidnapped them with cruel intentions. What will happen to them and how will they – if they do manage it – escape from the clutches of their kidnapper? How do they both deal with the...more Its a 4.5 Stars!!

Sam and Lloyd, a couple of 11 year olds, hitch a ride in a stranger’s car only to realize that it was the single greatest mistake of their young lives. They are taken to a big, old and creepy mansion and locked up separately. From the very beginning, one thing is clear to both the boys – the man had kidnapped them with cruel intentions. What will happen to them and how will they – if they do manage it – escape from the clutches of their kidnapper? How do they both deal with the situation?

This is an amazingly gripping thriller. It gets so creepy at times that I had to look up a few times just to make sure that I was at the comfort of my own home and not stuck with those two 11 year olds! Yeah, I know that’s weird, but true!! The sense of fear that appears in Sam and Lloyd once they realize that they had made a mistake in getting into a stranger’s car, actually manages to settle into the reader. It is mainly because of the author’s amazing narration and nothing else. Even though she doesn’t give much time in building up the characters, as a reader you start to feel for the kids. Also, Ms.Savita’s vivid description of every little detail helps us get into the comfortable feeling of knowing the surroundings of wherever the story takes us. The best (or the worst) part is that she actually doesn’t tell us directly about the way the boys are treated. There are just hints here and there for us to pick up and then imagine the worst scenarios!! The two characters Sam and Lloyd seem to be very different from each other. While in danger, when Lloyd freezes, Sam is the one to jump into action. While we can applaud Sam’s bravery, we cannot really blame Lloyd for being scared to do anything – he is after all an eleven year old.

The book can also serve as a lesson to kids about how important it is to remain vigilant at all times. The world is after all full of people who can and do hurt children in all sorts of unimaginable ways. I would recommend it to all mature readers.
(less)

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Book Giveaways: International Giveaway: 2 signed copies of YA thriller The Long Weekend up for grabs!	3	10	Jun 21, 2012 11:53am
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Wild Things: YA G...: The Long Weekend	1	12	Feb 19, 2011 09:25am

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