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Solitary (Solitary Tales #1)

by Travis Thrasher (Goodreads Author)

3.47 of 5 stars 3.47 · rating details · 663 ratings · 166 reviews

His Loneliness Will Soon Turn to Fear….When Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina, he faces the reality of his parents’ divorce, a school full of nameless faces—and Jocelyn Evans. Jocelyn is beautiful and mysterious enough to leave Chris speechless. But the more Jocelyn resists him, the more the two are drawn together.Chris soon learns that Jocelyn has secrets as...more

Paperback, 400 pages

Published August 1st 2010 by David C. Cook

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Jul 01, 2011 Nicolette rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: do-not-even-bother

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Have you ever put WAY too many tasks on your "to-do list", that halfway through, you are so overwhelmed? You decide to abandon the list completely, and hope that what you were able to accomplish, will at least pass as a nice try, or decent effort? That's how I felt after reading Solitary.

The story started out okay. But somewhere in the middle, I felt like the author was just trying to do damage control for inserting too many subplots into the storyline.

Solitary is definitely shaping up to be a...more Have you ever put WAY too many tasks on your "to-do list", that halfway through, you are so overwhelmed? You decide to abandon the list completely, and hope that what you were able to accomplish, will at least pass as a nice try, or decent effort? That's how I felt after reading Solitary.

The story started out okay. But somewhere in the middle, I felt like the author was just trying to do damage control for inserting too many subplots into the storyline.

Solitary is definitely shaping up to be a dark and twisted small town with supposedly, alot of secrets (this seems to be the underlying theme--SECRETS). The people from this town are private and reclusive. They especially hate outsiders. And to add to the intrigue, people have been disappearing one by one. What becomes of them, no one knows...
So when Chris and his newly divorced mother move to Solitary, there is no question they do not fit in. And pretty soon, they will be the object of this town's wrath. Then of course, there is Jocelyn. Chris' love interest, who is pretty much the forbidden fruit. She has this annoying habit of hating Chris, then loving him, then hating him, then finally loving him again. Meanwhile he chases after her like a wounded puppy, and gets himself into several predicaments because he can't stay away from her.
Throw in a cult, a secret society, a wealthy family with alot of influence, a missing uncle, an abandoned cabin in the woods, a mystery dog with almost deamon-like qualities, and an alcoholic mother, and there you have it...a story that is ALL OVER the place, you wonder how, or if, the author will be able to unravel all the mysteries of this place.
Well, it doesn't happen (although, I just found out this is a series. So maybe the next book will answer some questions). There are many times the suspense builds, but is never resolved (which is not only frustrating, but SUPER annoying). You are introduced to a plethera of characters and random events. Never finding out how any of them are even connected, or what their purpose to the story even is.
Solitary is a mysterious town, and its citizens have lots of secrets. And apparently, even the reader isn't allowed to know what those secrets are. (less)

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Jan 07, 2013 Danielle Mellott rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, got-it-for-free, nook-book

Did I just get saved?

The book, overall, was good. It was engrossing and fast-paced, and I managed to finish it in one day. But the end was frustrating and a little confusing. (spoliers)

1) So many little subplots were left unanswered. I know it's a series, but I don't even know if I want to bother. This book wound up leaving me unsatisfied. I can't imagine investing another few hundred pages.

2) Somewhere along the line,this took a religious turn. I know it's slightly hypocritical that a book on a...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books

My rating: 4.5 stars

The first book in The Solitary Tales series starts off right away with an attention gripping preface and while the main plot doesn't begin to show until partway through, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole book!

I think Solitary was well written, easy to read, and definitely entertaining! The characters were enjoyable and I liked how the book was written in the first person.

I thought a couple of things in Solitary were weird - like the dog with glowing eyes, the voice from...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Barbara Deer rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm not sure how I feel about reviewing this book without having read its sequels. That in itself is telling. It didn't feel quite complete to me, in a way very different than a story that ends with a cliffhanger feels incomplete. Thrasher does a good job of amping up the suspense, but then the book takes a turn that left me sitting there going, really?

I could contrast this to another recent YA read, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Phillip Ness (not a similar plot, but it's male-authored YA in...more I'm not sure how I feel about reviewing this book without having read its sequels. That in itself is telling. It didn't feel quite complete to me, in a way very different than a story that ends with a cliffhanger feels incomplete. Thrasher does a good job of amping up the suspense, but then the book takes a turn that left me sitting there going, really?

I could contrast this to another recent YA read, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Phillip Ness (not a similar plot, but it's male-authored YA in which the boy protagonist is highly motivated by his feelings about a certain girl), in which a similar event made me so upset that I was actually angry at the author (I got over it, as you do). In Solitary, the climactic event should have shocked and angered me, but all I can say is that it was disappointing. Killing a character has become sort of de rigeur in YA, along with present tense and close first person POV. In order to pull off character-cide, the author has to make me care, both about the victim and the protagonist.

Going beyond that, there is something about Jocelyn as a character, and what happens to her, that bothers me. She wasn't what I would describe as a strong female character, and that's not because I doubt Thrasher's abilty to write her as one. I think it was a choice, because she exists as a character to generate emotional pain for Chris. Earlier in the story I got the impression that there was more to her, so it was disappointing to find that the entire point was for her to die so that Chris could react to her death. She's not the only character who didn't feel fully realized to me, though. Chris's character remained a little opaque as well.

And this brings up something else interesting. If I were to critique the book from a writer's standpoint, a lot could have been done to flesh Chris out by using his interactions with Jocelyn, since that relationship is a very large part of this story. As it stands, Chris' relationship with his mother tells me more about him than his relationship with Jocelyn, and I don't think that was the intention. However, this may just be my subjective read on it.

It's possible that the stark divisions between good and evil that exist in this story are what make it difficult for me. I'm a sucker for shades of gray in redemption stories; I like heroes with a dark side, and I like finding out things about the villains that make it hard to totally hate them in the end. Still, I feel like there's more to Chris than we discover in Solitary, and that fact keeps me interested enough to keep reading, because Thrasher's simple, direct prose and wry, self-effacing Chris is engaging. It will be interesting to see how I feel after the next book in the series.(less)

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Jan 01, 2013 Dianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1-in-series, dark-fantasy, christian-fiction, ghosts, futuristic-ya-fantasy, ya-paranormal-romance, ya-male-hero

Teen Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina from Illinois with his mother after his parents divorce. Everything about Solitary feels off to Chris. There is a strange vibe here, like everyone knows a secret, and they're keeping it. At his new high school, Chris is drawn to Jocelyn Evans, a beautiful and mysterious girl who he has been warned to stay away from. He has the town bully after him, he is in love with a girl who has darkness following her, he has the feeling he is being watched...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Matt Schiariti rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I read a Travis Thrasher novel (that being Isolation nearly three years ago do the day). Honestly I downloaded this one to my kindle because it was a free download of the day sort of thing. It's been sitting on my beloved e reader for a few months as I've been reading books by favorite authors, new authors, favorite series, etc.

Being in a horror mood and having just finished a Scott Nicholson novel (Liquid Fear..you should read his books..seriously)I found this sitting in...more It's been a while since I read a Travis Thrasher novel (that being Isolation nearly three years ago do the day). Honestly I downloaded this one to my kindle because it was a free download of the day sort of thing. It's been sitting on my beloved e reader for a few months as I've been reading books by favorite authors, new authors, favorite series, etc.

Being in a horror mood and having just finished a Scott Nicholson novel (Liquid Fear..you should read his books..seriously)I found this sitting in my menu so I started it up. And I couldn't put it down. I know the phrase 'page turner' gets tossed around a lot, I use it sometimes myself try as I may to avoid being cliche but that's the best way I can describe this novel. It's addictive. Very addictive.

It's also frustrating. In a good way. Chris is the new kid in school. After his parents split and he ends up staying with his mother, she thinks moving back to her childhood home of Solitary would be good for them. It's bad enough being a new kid. Worse yet is being a new kid in high school. Probably even worse than THAT is being a new kid in a small town, especially when you're originally from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. Perhaps the worst however is being the new kid in THIS small town. A small town with a lot of dark secrets.

That's where the novel gets really interesting. Chris is befriended by three girls in the school one of which he's instantly smitten with, Jocelyn. Jocelyn remains a complete mystery to Chris however (I'm sure most guys can relate..hee hee). One moment she seems to be friendly, the next she is aloof. Chris is completely off balance for the brunt of the novel because of her behavior. Thrasher makes sure the reader is too.

As he finds out more about Jocelyn, either from her friends or other outcast students he talks to in school, he finds out more about the town. Let me warn you though, Thrasher doesn't give away much at all in this novel. In that way it's almost frustrating. Between Jocelyn's behavior through the major part of the book and what's actually revealed about the town in a slow, torturous manner, I found myself being torn between saying what's going on here and I really need to see what happens in the next chapter. It's frustrating in a GOOD way. A really good way because it will make you compulsively turn the pages to see how the book pans out.

Luckily there's a second chapter to this series and I can't wait to download it to my kindle and read it into the wee hours.

Fantastic novel with great pacing, excellent characterization and a looming creepy small town feeling that makes it feel like a blanket of unease is covering the whole thing. Loved it. (less)

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Apr 22, 2012 Glenajo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, fiction, supernatural, suspense, thriller, ya

Scary, Thriller, Rebellious

When Chris Buckley’s parents split, he sides with his mother, and they move to Solitary to live in his uncle’s cabin. In the cabin, it appears that Chris’s uncle walked out of his life without taking any of his possessions. At school, as the new kid, Chris attracts attention of girls and the resident bully, while strange things go on all over town. When he meets Jocelyn he looses his heart, but she suggests that things are not what they seem.

This book is written from...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Christie Hagerman rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young adults, Dekker fans

I really didn't expect this book to be so good. Usually, young adult/teen fiction is just way too hokey for me. Either the secular stuff is too strong or the Christian stuff is too "pretty," and I just don't get into it. But Travis Thrasher grabbed me right away in this thriller.

Chris, 16, moves to the middle of nowhere with his mom, who's nursing the pain from her recent divorce by drinking a bit too much wine. Chris makes a few friends, finds himself attracted to a lovely but mysterious girl,...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Tania rated it 1 of 5 stars

Spoilers:
What a pile of garbage. This books starts of okay then gets creepy and supernatural and then nothing is explained in the end and the sole purpose of the book is to save a girl an in the end she dies and nothing is resolved. There's a lot of devil and Jesus preaching yet in the end the kid is in the same place where he started which is not knowing whether he believes or not. No secrets are clarified, nothing is explained and it doesn't seem like there's going to be another book. I finis...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read

Chris Buckley’s parents have divorced and he’s chosen to return, with his Mom, to her birthplace of Solitary, NC. On his first day of school, he’s greeted by three girls. One of them, Jocelyn, is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Not long thereafter, Chris starts getting messages and warnings to stay away from her. And, he makes the mistake of sticking up for a bullied kid, which makes him the target of said bully, Gus, who happens to be the only child of the richest man in town. Chris...more Chris Buckley’s parents have divorced and he’s chosen to return, with his Mom, to her birthplace of Solitary, NC. On his first day of school, he’s greeted by three girls. One of them, Jocelyn, is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Not long thereafter, Chris starts getting messages and warnings to stay away from her. And, he makes the mistake of sticking up for a bullied kid, which makes him the target of said bully, Gus, who happens to be the only child of the richest man in town. Chris and his Mom live in his Uncles house. His Uncle has mysteriously disappeared just like other people who have supposedly asked questions. Chris is really off to a horrid start in his new life and his Mom is choosing to live at the bottom of a wine bottle. So what is the deal with Solitary, NC?

Here is the deal, we never find out! This book was full of suspense. There is some evil hovering over this town and NO ONE will speak of it. Everyone knows there is always someone watching and listening. Heck, when Chris finally gets internet and sets up a brand new email account, there are anonymous messages waiting for him. Talk about “Big Brother” watching!

The pace of the book is fast, and the drive to find out what the deal is really keeps you reading. My frustration is that whenever Chris encounters someone who might be willing to share some of the answers he is seeking, the answers are too vague so he is still stumbling around, and subsequently so are we, trying to find answers.

Chris is in an awkward place. His parents are recently divorced because his Dad chose to leave his law practice and become “born again”, which is fine, but he was leaving the family to be a missionary. So Chris doesn’t have a great relationship with God, feeling like God has taken away his family and he’s had to move to this awful town, and fall in love with this girl every one is trying to warn him away from. He’s confused, 16, hormonal, being pulled to numerous directions and I could feel his frustration. Then add to that the fact that he really doesn’t know who he can trust. He might be able to trust his Mom if she could just put down the bottle long enough.

Thrasher definitely has a Stephen King or Dean Koontz vibe to his writing.. This seems as though it’s going to be a good old fashioned “Good vs. Evil” battle and Thrasher isn’t afraid to kill off important characters which makes for some interesting possibilities. I also loved all the musical references because the author and I grew up in the same era listening to the same bands. Off to read book #2 and already have book #3 from netgalley so I am anxious to see how it all pans out.

(less)

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Feb 11, 2012 Lara M. Van Hulzen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Thriller. Suspense. Page-Turner. Any one of these can be used to describe the book, Solitary.

When Chris moves to Solitary, North Carolina with his mom to start a new life after a nasty divorce, he learns quickly that everything around him is not quite right. He falls almost immediately in love with a girl at school named Jocelyn. Everyone in town warns him to stay away from her, but no one will tell him exactly why.

The town bully won’t leave Chris alone, and a kid named Ray invites him to church...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Valentina rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was a bit different than many of the young adult ones out there. Sometimes this was for the better, while other times, it wasn’t quite so lucky.
The best part of the novel is the tension that flows throughout the pages. There is a real sense of pacing that keeps the reader turning the pages. There are also many truly frightening moments, which are not as easy to write as people think. Many times I found myself looking around my room as I read at night, wondering if I really was alone....more

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Jan 26, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina from the Chicago suburbs as a result of his parents' divorce. Once in Solitary they are all on their own, and Solitary isn't the friendliest of places.
Then a girl named Jocelyn crosses his path, and he instantly becomes addicted to her. Her mysterious ways entice him and his life goal becomes that he must learn more about her.

As Chris beings to learn more about Solitary he learns of unexplained deaths, missing kids, and beyond strange nightmares. H...more

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Nov 20, 2010 Jill Williamson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review by Jill Williamson

Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina. His mom has divorced his dad and they are on their own, living in a tiny cabin in the woods. That’s a little weird for Chris, having lived in the suburbs of Chicago, but worse is having to make new friends at a school where no one seems to look at anyone. What’s with this crazy town, anyway?

Then Chris meets Jocelyn and everything changes. He makes it his life goal to get to know her better, but she’s mysterious as well and...more

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Oct 04, 2010 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chris Buckley and his mother, Tara Buckley, find themselves in Solitary, North Carolina, after a divorce. Tara had grown up in Solitary, and figured she could touch base with her brother, Robert Kinner, and get resettled there. They end up in Robert’s abandoned cabin, his whereabouts unknown.

Chris begins Harrington County High as a Junior. The only ‘friends’ he meets are the three girls, Jocelyn, Poe (Goth Girl), and Rachel, a threesome with strange personalities! Throughout the story line, we l...more Chris Buckley and his mother, Tara Buckley, find themselves in Solitary, North Carolina, after a divorce. Tara had grown up in Solitary, and figured she could touch base with her brother, Robert Kinner, and get resettled there. They end up in Robert’s abandoned cabin, his whereabouts unknown.

Chris begins Harrington County High as a Junior. The only ‘friends’ he meets are the three girls, Jocelyn, Poe (Goth Girl), and Rachel, a threesome with strange personalities! Throughout the story line, we live, through the eyes of Chris, his first five months of school and home life in a town of very peculiar, secretive, hostile people. A far cry from Libertyville, Chicago.

Although dubbed as a young adult novel, as an adult I could relate to it by reminiscing my high school years–trying to fit in, a first love, loneliness, etc., so I wouldn’t limit it to young adult. It’s just too good a read!

Travis Thrasher’s Solitary begins and ends with an eerie, ethereal setting. It’s an experience I’ve not encountered before. It piqued my curiosity from cover to cover, even to the shocking end! The many twists experienced in the storyline continued to elevate my interest. It’s not for the faint-hearted or those terrified of the dark or night!

I found the book very well written, with characters that definitely align with the activities in an offbeat, secluded town and school, where outsiders are not welcome. The secrets held by the town at-large emulate into the school, making the characters feel terrified and unsafe everywhere. Who exactly is in charge? Is there a way to break through the secrets? If so, how? Does Chris have the knowledge or power to challenge the secrets?

I would like to have seen a little more emphasis on the truth setting people free. Would have made the book more complete. Maybe in a sequel?

This book was provided by Audra of The B & B Media Group, Inc., in exchange for my honest review.

For more information Travis’s books, go to www.travisthrasher.com

(Photos taken from here.)(less)

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Sep 22, 2010 Trishnyc rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sixteen year old Chris Buckley moves to a new town after the divorce of his parents. While he struggles with the disintegration of his family, he must now adjust to a new school with new classmates, new teachers and expectations from all that he blend in and not cause a stir. Add to this the fact that his mother is not handling the divorce very well and has taken to drinking herself into a stupor on quite a few occasions. But there is something weird and creepy about the whole town, everyone see...more Sixteen year old Chris Buckley moves to a new town after the divorce of his parents. While he struggles with the disintegration of his family, he must now adjust to a new school with new classmates, new teachers and expectations from all that he blend in and not cause a stir. Add to this the fact that his mother is not handling the divorce very well and has taken to drinking herself into a stupor on quite a few occasions. But there is something weird and creepy about the whole town, everyone seems to be hiding something and they are extremely hostile to him for reasons Chris cannot fathom. His one bright spot are his new friends Jocelyn, Poe and Rachel who seem different from everyone at school. As Chris tries to navigate his new environs, avoid the local bully and keep his mother sane, he begins to ask questions that make many uneasy. There seem to be several mysteries going on all at once and all seem to be tied together. Why is everyone in town so afraid of Gus the bully and his influential father? Also why is no one talking about or investigating the disappearances of teens that seem to always occur around the Christmas season?

I am not entirely sure what to make of this book. On the one hand I was absolutely riveted and could not put it down because I was intrigued to know what would happen next, on the other hand, I was very frustrated by the lack of answers. Like Chris, I was left many times unsure of what was going on and who was doing what. I do not mean this in the way that great mysteries are able to leave you guessing, this was more in a way that meandered and never got to the point. Chris's friends blew hot and cold, one moment they were sweet, helpful and amiable, the next they would barely speak to him and snap at him at the simplest question. It was all so confusing and many times left me more annoyed by these so called friends than the sinister forces that lurked in the background. The worst offender in this respect was Jocelyn, Chris's love interest. She is described as beautiful beyond words and Chris is almost inexplicably in love with her and for this devotion he is rewarded with sweetness one day and totally being shunned the next day, for no reason whatsoever. While I understand that the high schoolers can be hormonal and angry, her behavior was unpardonable most of the time. The first time she shows real concern and emotion toward Chris is when he ignores her and refuses contact with her after his life is threatened over his relationship with her. Also Jocelyn's status in the town seems to be one of obsession or threat. Her beauty is much discussed and most the boys seem to want her while considering her aloof and unapproachable. For much of the book Chris is warned off associating with her and we are not clear why until much, much later. But even when you do find out the cause of these warnings, it seems hollow and lacking especially after the huge buildup.

I will say that the end of the book had me truly shocked as I cannot remember the last time I read a YA that concluded in such a manner. I flipped back to the previous page and reread it cause I was really surprised by the turn of events. All in all, I liked rather than loved this book. Its kept me intrigued from start to finish as I furiously turned pages thirsting to know how things would turn out. But the book's constant angst and melodramatic leanings left me unable to truly fall in love with it.

*Review copy received from Amazon.com's Vine Program. (less)

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Sep 21, 2010 Robert Beveridge rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine, finished, owned-and-still-own

Travis Thrasher, Solitary (David C. Cook, 2010)

I didn't want to like Solitary.

Travis Thrasher has some major issues with knowing when to insert paragraph breaks. It almost reminds me of those horrid “free-verse” novels that have been appearing recently from people like Ellen Hopkins and Tanya Lee Stone.

And then there's the fact that it's “Christian Fiction”.

I don't have problems with Christian fiction (I adore L'Engle and Mauriac, e.g.), but I like it to be presented to me that way rather than s...more

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Sep 13, 2010 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Solitary Tales

Travis Thrasher

2010

David C. Cook

Fiction/Thriller/

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Have you ever lived in a place so evil that Christians were afraid to worship in churches publicly? Well this is the kind of place that Chris Buckley finds himself in, when he and his mom return to the town where she lived as a kid. Solitary North Carolina, a place that Chris can not figure out. He really doesn't notice that there are no normal churches, because he does not go to church. In fact church, rel...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Brad rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-suspense, horror

Two stars based on premise alone. 1/2 star for the story as written. I really wanted to give this a good review. The basics are there for a great story. However, too much is started and not finished. Yes, yes, this is a series and there is more to follow; but, given the trek through this book, I'm not inclined to continue with the effort.

Some gripes:

1) Is this Christian fiction or not? If so, why does the protagonist start out as an atheist and end as an atheist? Where's the redemption? Book two...more

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Aug 17, 2010 Proud Book Nerd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours, faith-based-fiction, first, thriller, ya, mystery, suspense

Wow. This is another book that I'm glad I took a chance on. It jumps into the action, and doesn't stop. It's fast-paced, spooky, and very well written! It's an unforgettable beginning to what I'm sure will be an awesome series.

Solitary, N.C., is a scary, freaky, messed-up place! Very. I felt so bad for Chris, from dealing with bullies at school to being completely cut off from his old life in Chicago, the poor kid has a lot to deal with. Add to it the mysterious behavior of others, the outright...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Sarah Jacquie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, christian-fiction, thriller, young-adult, school-life, romance, mystery, goodreads-giveaways

I won the last book (Hurt) which kinda sucked, because... well it's the last book and who wants to read the final book of a series first? However, I was really grateful to receive all four of the books and tore through them all.

I will just say that I think he is a good writer, really. However, I just think the stories are a bit too formulaic and then little bits of weird things are thrown in to spice it up that just don't make sense or are left unfinished.

Very predictable story about a boy who d...more I won the last book (Hurt) which kinda sucked, because... well it's the last book and who wants to read the final book of a series first? However, I was really grateful to receive all four of the books and tore through them all.

I will just say that I think he is a good writer, really. However, I just think the stories are a bit too formulaic and then little bits of weird things are thrown in to spice it up that just don't make sense or are left unfinished.

Very predictable story about a boy who does not like God, hates his dad who found God, and pretty much thinks people who have faith are dumb. However, through events that transpire he will probably start to have faith and then go all Godly. It's not marked as Christian Fiction on the back for shelving, but I'm finding online reviews are shelving it that way. My particular package came with pamphlets about how I can be a soldier for Christ (something like that, and to be fair it's the publisher and not the author) which made made me weary. Someone complained that it was "pushed" on them - I didn't feel that way at all. Once I knew what I was reading, I took the story as it was and could look past the bible verses.

What I really disliked most (although it was a little creative but executed poorly) was the author added a "dessert" which is advertised as a little bonus section after you read. It's just his iPod list. Booo.

I like a lot of the songs that isn't the problem, but I thought this was a little pretentious. There are several created playlists for the books, and then one was pretty arrogant enough to include a play list "For the Movie" and then adds to the list several other songs - including songs from other movie soundtracks like Donnie Darko. No. Don't touch my Donnie Darko! ;)

Even one of the chapters quotes too much of Mad World (Gary Jules style, and not Tears for Fears although they are mentioned several times in the other books).

Overall, great story telling, intriguing environments, great details and imagery, just a little messy in some parts.(less)

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Feb 29, 2012 Joshua Rollins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: travis-thrasher

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A thrilling story of a teenage boy and his coming of age with all the bumps and bruises that go with it.
After his parents get divorced Chris Buckley moves to Solitary North Carolina with his mom, where she lived as a child and far away from his dad. They stay in Chris's missing uncles cabin that just might be haunted and his mom has problems with hitting the bottles. Chris finds some strange things in his uncle's cabin that might point to his sudden disappearance. At first school seems to be alr...more A thrilling story of a teenage boy and his coming of age with all the bumps and bruises that go with it.
After his parents get divorced Chris Buckley moves to Solitary North Carolina with his mom, where she lived as a child and far away from his dad. They stay in Chris's missing uncles cabin that just might be haunted and his mom has problems with hitting the bottles. Chris finds some strange things in his uncle's cabin that might point to his sudden disappearance. At first school seems to be alright and Chris makes friends with three girls, one of them is named Jocelyn and he has the hots for her, but the friendship becomes complicated and she becomes distant and rude. Somebody plants a gun in Chris's locker and he has a little run in with the law. Chris is being warned to stay away from Jocelyn by some classmates ,"a Friend", bullies, a Pastor, and even by Jocelyn herself. After a few run ins with bullies and taking a couple of hits Chris still can't get Jocelyn out of his head. One of his friends Rachel tries to play matchmaker behind Jocelyn's back but after some drama Chris and Jocelyn end up going to a school dance and party together. Chris ends up making a smart choice but ruins the night and now she is mad at him. Things are distant for awhile until Chris writes her a letter of apology and devotion, she ends up seeing Chris as the angel she has been asking for. Things start going better between them and they end up getting really close, but there is something dark and sinister going on in Solitary behind the scenes. Chris's mom gets atacked and Chris keeps receiving emails from someone warning him to stay away from Jocelyn and this is his last warning. Jocelyn reviels that last Christmas one of her friends went missing but she believes he was murdered as a sacrifice for a cult rital and based on the evidence she is next. Jocelyn is struggling with faith and needs answers. Everything seems to be spiraling out of control and when it looks like evil is going to take her from him, Chris makes a choice to take matters into his own hands and brings a gun he found in his uncles closet. Will he save Jocelyn in time? Will she find peace with God? Will she be taken away from Chris forever? Find out in the final pages..... To be contiued in Gravstone.(less)

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Oct 15, 2010 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone!

Shelves: arc, for-review, read-oct-2010

My first thoughts of wanting to read this book were correct. I went on an amazing ride during this one. Travis Thrasher seems to channel Stephen King, Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti and other great authors, yet he keeps his novels true to him. I hate comparing authors to other authors because it sounds like they don’t have their own voice. This is not what I mean when I do this with Travis Thrasher. I think I do it more to share that if you like certain authors you might like his books. But if you do...more My first thoughts of wanting to read this book were correct. I went on an amazing ride during this one. Travis Thrasher seems to channel Stephen King, Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti and other great authors, yet he keeps his novels true to him. I hate comparing authors to other authors because it sounds like they don’t have their own voice. This is not what I mean when I do this with Travis Thrasher. I think I do it more to share that if you like certain authors you might like his books. But if you don’t like those authors, don’t let that turn you off either. As I said, Travis Thrasher has his own voice and a way with storytelling that bridges the gap between adult fiction and young adult fiction.

Most of Mr. Thrasher’s books have a supernatural bend to them. A good vs. evil plotline and Solitary takes this plot and makes it so much more. He writes what I consider the new “Christian” fiction. It takes a story and doesn’t beat you over the head with Christianity but lets you make the decisions for yourself and lets you see real people trying to do the right thing, not perfect people. Solitary takes this, adds in some teenage angst, some cliques, a new boy at school, an aloof beauty and a town where nothing seems right but no one dares speak about it. I must say go ahead and mark out a block of time and sit down with this one because you won’t want to put it down once you pick it up.

With quotes like the following it can appeal to multiple generations like my own generation which will understand this fully:

I'm listening to the Foo Fighters and wish I could've been sixteen back when Dave Grohl was in his first band. Foo Fighters are great, but Nirvana was epic."

And here a gem that will appeal to today’s generation:

I laugh and let out a curse of disbelief. "What is going on here? I mean--where in the world is this place? Isn't this America? Things like this don't happen. Can't someone put out a rumor on the Web? Tweet about it?"

With Solitary, Travis Thrasher proves he has a great grasp on what it’s like to be a teenager and writes the book with genuine feeling that I think any teenager can relate with. While getting the teenage aspect right, I also feel he does a masterful job weaving a story that grabs you on the first page and keeps you hanging right up until the last page and then has you eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

Come check out the town of Solitary, meet Chris and Jocelyn, fall in love with them, be scared of the town and some of it’s inhabitants and find a book and an author that you won’t want to put down. (less)

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Aug 18, 2010 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone; all teens; suspense and horror lovers

Recommended to Molly by: FIRST

Shelves: book-review

Travis Thrasher is an excellent novelist. Having read only one other book by him, Broken, I was anxious to dive into another of his books, and while this was a YA novel, it did not disappoint. Thrasher creates a story with an incredible seasoned author's talent, and I'm truly glad to be hooked on his novels now!

Solitary is set in none other than my lovely state of North Carolina and is filled with depth-lending characters and truth of what an out-casted or lonely teenager who's new in town migh...more

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Aug 17, 2010 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-favorites

I have to admit that when I first heard about Solitary, the only reason I wanted to read it was because it takes place in North Carolina. I know that sounds silly, but I love to read books set in my home state. Now, whenever I am getting ready to start a new book I have this little ritual I do. I read what the book is about and I also like to go online and read some of the reviews, so I know what to expect. I was a little surprised by how the reviews made this book sound really scary. I don’t sc...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Vanya D. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

I received this book to review from Netgalley. I loved every sentence of it, every word, every letter. It took me on a journey full of grotesque secrets, unbelievable mysteries and fear that cannot be described properly with words. It showed me that nothing is accomplished easily in life, not the bad, and certainly not the good. It taught me that even if evil does win a battle, love is always there to shine through it; that even in the darkest of times, hope comes around for those who have faith...more

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May 26, 2012 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very easy reading in my opinion. I thought this was a christian fiction, but there was nothing christian in it. There was more talk about the darkness and evil than there was about God and good. I also got tired of how in love Chris was with Jocelyn. He was quite pathetic at times and had to skim over pages of his love for her. I liked the book, but I really don't understand. I need to look to see if there is another book in the series because it ends with no answers. I don't like books that end...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-books-read

I picked this up as either a Kindle freebie or a cheapie. It looked interesting and I like young adult novels as much as anything else.

BUT.

This one wasn't for me. The story follows Chris Buckley and his mother, who move back to her hometown of Solitary, North Carolina, after Chris' parents divorce. He falls in love with a girl at school who has secrets, and comes to understand nearly everyone in town has secrets - and most of them are dark.

Sounds good, right?

But there were a few issues. The edi...more

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Dec 21, 2011 Dianna rated it 3 of 5 stars

After his mom and dad are divorced, Chris Buckley moves with his mom to Solitary, North Carolina. He had lived in Chicago before, living in Solitary is very different for him. He goes from having a great life, to being the new kid in school. Making friends there isn’t easy, but then he meets three girls. Poe, Rachel, and Jocelyn. Jocelyn is beautiful and mysterious, she leaves Chris speechless. He really likes her, but the closer he tries to get to her the more weird things happen to him. With h...more

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Aug 18, 2010 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teens through Adult

Recommended to Theresa by: FIRST

Shelves: christian, fiction, horror, review-copy, suspense, teen, thriller, young-adult

This was one creepy page turner! I have never read anything by Travis Thrasher, and after reading this one, I'm going to be looking for more works by him.

The storyline takes place in a small town in North Carolina called Solitary. When 16 year old Chris Buckley moves to Solitary with his mother after his parents divorce, he was not accepted. At first he thought it was because he was the new kid, but found that something much, much darker was at work there. The Solitary residents held a secret th...more

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Great book-- destroyed by its ending.	6	10	Apr 18, 2013 03:12pm

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About Travis Thrasher

Few authors have shown such diversity as Travis Thrasher. From starting his career with sweet and moving love stories, Travis has navigated through various genres including suspense, adventure, and most recently supernatural thrillers. At the core of each of his stories lie flawed characters in search of redemption. He loves surprising his readers, not only with a different style of writing in eac...more

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Quotes from Solitary

“I've got a lot of homework to do, and none of it has anything to do with school.” — 6 people liked it

“She ever marry?"
"No."
The no sounds like "not in a million years." Like Aunt Alice couldn't marry, like she has one arm and horns sticking out of her head and she talks in tongues. Or maybe has several tongues to talk with.” — 4 people liked it

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