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On the Free
When a mudslide wipes out multiple members of a wilderness therapy trip, the three remaining teenagers must survive the elements, their demons, and one another.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 6, 2017
Fans of "Hatchet" and other survival stories will enjoy this tale of 4 young people and two adventure leaders who go camping in the Bear Canyon Wilderness as part of an alternative juvenile detention program. Santi is the main character and he is in the program for car theft. He meets Victor, Rico, and Celeste who are also in the program but he doesn't know what they have done to get there. Jerry and Amelia, the group leaders, round out the cast. They all set off on what should be a 6 day hiking/camping trip through remote Colorado wilderness - but inevitably, disaster strikes. Santi and the others will need to pool their resources and wits to survive.
Lots of action and adventure, one unexpected plot twist (for me), but the ending was too conveniently wrapped up and just felt very pat.
Some underage drinking, violence, and sexual references make this a better fit for mature middle schoolers or for a high school audience.
Lots of action and adventure, one unexpected plot twist (for me), but the ending was too conveniently wrapped up and just felt very pat.
Some underage drinking, violence, and sexual references make this a better fit for mature middle schoolers or for a high school audience.
February 21, 2018
I thought this book looked interesting when I picked it up at the library, but it wasn't interesting at all. Instead, it was boring and I didn't care about any of the characters. So, from my understanding, Amelia decided to become an assistant leader in order to get away from her wealthy family. That made no sense to me at all.....so they may be annoying, high strung and want the best for you but gosh that just isn't enough! So this is just an example of how we get a small snapshot of her and our other main characters, Santi and Victor, without truly getting to know them. The only one who seemed to have done anything wrong was Santi, and he coped to it. Victor's stepdad did seem like a blowhard and he did beat up his friend, but there was no real explanation, other than the kid had said something "mean" to Victor. I also found it hard to believe that no one seemed to know where they were and that the mudslide just happened to occur at that moment. So anyway, this wasn't for me.
August 16, 2017
Received an ARC from Goodreads giveaway. Enjoyed the story in general, but did not like the way it ended. It was left with an open ending for the reader to draw their own conclusion.
June 28, 2021
This sits solidly as take it or leave it book for me. It’s really not my cup of tea and I won’t reread it or go out of my way to recommend it, but I want tell people to never pick it up. If you like outdoorsy, no romance, no in your face symbolism, and don’t mind some limited character development or just want something different to read then give this a try. If you looking to be invested in characters and want a true thrill just walk away.
Most of the complaints from other readers are about the lack of character development, which I totally agree with. You never get emotionally invested in any of the characters because you really don’t get what’s driving them. I mean you have surface level stuff that is relatable, but that’s just surface level
Victor - issues with his step Dad.
Santi - living on the “wrong side of the tracks” and has made some bad decisions
Amelia - rich girl with perfect family feeling the stress of being perfect.
The other complaint that’s pretty common is that there is no real resolution at the end. I don’t see the ending as being incomplete. No you don’t find what’s going to happen next with each character’s life, but to me that wasn’t the point of the book. It was the journey through the wilderness. And if you aren’t sure how that’s going to end after the last page… I’m not sure what to tell you, but it seems pretty obvious to me.
So in summary if someone puts this in front of you don’t feel the need to burn it on sight alone, but also don’t put it at the top of your reading list.
Most of the complaints from other readers are about the lack of character development, which I totally agree with. You never get emotionally invested in any of the characters because you really don’t get what’s driving them. I mean you have surface level stuff that is relatable, but that’s just surface level
Victor - issues with his step Dad.
Santi - living on the “wrong side of the tracks” and has made some bad decisions
Amelia - rich girl with perfect family feeling the stress of being perfect.
The other complaint that’s pretty common is that there is no real resolution at the end. I don’t see the ending as being incomplete. No you don’t find what’s going to happen next with each character’s life, but to me that wasn’t the point of the book. It was the journey through the wilderness. And if you aren’t sure how that’s going to end after the last page… I’m not sure what to tell you, but it seems pretty obvious to me.
So in summary if someone puts this in front of you don’t feel the need to burn it on sight alone, but also don’t put it at the top of your reading list.
September 18, 2020
Santi knows it is a mistake getting into the car with his friend, Eric, but he does it anyway and winds up in Juvie for a crime Eric committed. That is why he is on The Bear Canyon Wilderness Therapy Program trip into the Colorado Rockies. If he can just handle leader, Jerry's nightly therapy sessions and the four other fractured souls on the trip, he will be out of Juvie when he returns home. Things don't go as planned when heavy rains cause a mudslide that kills Jerry and two of the other campers. Victor, Amelia, and Santi are on their own, but Victor has plans that include more than just survival, putting them all at risk.
On the Free is divided into three parts. In the first part of the book, tells Santi's story from his perspective; every other chapter detailing his history prior to the trip. Once the mudslide occurs, the book switches to Victor's perspective and we find out in alternating chapters that he is on this trip in order to get revenge against his stepfather whose cabin lies in these woods. The final section belongs to Amelia and we discover that even though she served as Jerry's assistant, she has emotional issues of her own. On the Free tells the story of these three damaged souls and how their struggle for survival changes them. The ending of the book is a little abrupt leaving the reader feeling like the falling action and resolution at the end of the story are missing, but overall, this is a good story of physical and emotional survival.
On the Free is divided into three parts. In the first part of the book, tells Santi's story from his perspective; every other chapter detailing his history prior to the trip. Once the mudslide occurs, the book switches to Victor's perspective and we find out in alternating chapters that he is on this trip in order to get revenge against his stepfather whose cabin lies in these woods. The final section belongs to Amelia and we discover that even though she served as Jerry's assistant, she has emotional issues of her own. On the Free tells the story of these three damaged souls and how their struggle for survival changes them. The ending of the book is a little abrupt leaving the reader feeling like the falling action and resolution at the end of the story are missing, but overall, this is a good story of physical and emotional survival.
June 12, 2017
Three teens survive a torrential nighttime storm while camping in Colorado's Weminuche Wilderness Area, as a part of a juvenile offender therapy program. Two teens, Santiago and Victor, are tossed and tumbled in their uprooted tent - but survive. They can't find the others, but for one junior counselor named Amelia. The threesome set out to find help, an estimated eighteen miles away, though Victor lets on he knows of a cabin that has a satellite phone. They are plagued with injuries, lack of food, and signs of predatory animals, but the real conflict that drives the plot is the tension between the troubled teens. The characters are developed in flashback chapters that alternate with the present dilemma, but seem stereotyped: Victor is the rich kid with fancy gear and a controlling stepfather; Santiago lives in a gang-ridden neighborhood with an absentee guardian; Amelia doesn't know what she wants to do in life after being bounced around from town-to-town, never really belonging. The ending may not be satisfying to readers who just want to know if they are rescued and don't really care if they become friends.
December 30, 2017
The Bear Canyon Wilderness Therapy Program is a camping excursion through the remote wildnerness of Colorado designed for troubled teens. Santi agreed to go to stay out of juvie. Busted as an accomplice for stealing a car and refusing to name the driver, Santi already knows what life is like on the inside and he doesn't want to go back. Amelia signed up as an assistant leader to prove a point. She's been going through the motions of being perfect for her family and she's had just about enough. Maybe being around these troubled teenagers will help her as well. And Victor, well, noone is sure why Victor is actually on the trip, but it's definitely not to make friends. Victor has his own reasons but he's not sharing.
After a few days on the trail, tragedy strikes and these three find themselves alone and stranded in the Colorado wilderness. With a limited supply of food and water they will have to learn how to band together to survivor and make it home.
After a few days on the trail, tragedy strikes and these three find themselves alone and stranded in the Colorado wilderness. With a limited supply of food and water they will have to learn how to band together to survivor and make it home.
February 12, 2018
Teenagers on an Outward Bound like expedition survive a mudslide in remote Colorado, but they may be each other's worst enemies when it comes to getting out alive. Voorhees writes beautiful descriptions of how the harshly remote and wild environment can turn on even the best prepared, let alone emotionally challenged and physically injured teens. The split narratives between the three protagonists lend some insight into their back stories, though more explication of their predicament in the present would have deepened the reader's engagement with the narrative. But the hidden, possibly dark motivations of one character distill the central tension of who will survive and the book ends abruptly with the fate of the group still in doubt after facing off with a mountain lion. A good quick read for Hatchet and Survivor fans but ultimately disappointing for the general reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2024
I decided to try something new and pick up this book. I thought that the beginning was a bit slow and could have used some more dialogue between characters. Although I didn’t like how it started, I continued to read it because I wanted to give the book the benefit of the doubt, and I did enjoy the second half of the book. I wish the ending was more compete because it’s a standalone book and the ending didn’t really tell us if they make it out of the forest or not. So overall it’s a 3/5 stars for me.
May 10, 2017
In On The Free, Coert Voorhees does a good job of weaving together an adventure tale told by three distinct narrators. Santi, Amelia and Victor each have very different motives for going on a wilderness camping trip. But only a short time into the trip a mudslide rearranges their goals and they have to work together for survival.
March 9, 2018
A compelling adventure that does keep the reader interested. Santi chose to join the Bear Canyon Wilderness Therapy Program instead of spending more time in Juvie. Vincent is there for his own reasons, while Amelia signed up to prove a point. The hike into the wilderness of Colorado should not be a big deal, until disaster strikes.
There is gratuitous swearing, but it fits the characters.
There is gratuitous swearing, but it fits the characters.
February 10, 2019
My Review: This book was so boring and I really didn't are about the characters at all. Their plight was just ugh and the book dragged so much. Other than the mudslide which I know can happen out of the blue. Lots of this book was just a little to far fetched for my taste.
June 5, 2018
Action filled, with twists and turns. Wish the ending would have been more conclusive?
I'd like to know more!!!
I'd like to know more!!!
March 30, 2022
The ending was disappointing and felt very unfinished.
October 13, 2023
was better than i thought it would be, very surprising and the background stories were very good.
April 15, 2026
I think the author is out of touch with the way sixteen year olds act. The language and crude conversations were a disappointment
June 20, 2021
This book had Hatchet vibes, but was a bit more adult to it. Because of the multiple viewpoints, it was difficult to really latch onto and fall in love with one character. I just wasn’t able to connect with this book.
January 18, 2018
I received a copy of On the Free from Walker Books Australia to review.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this book. The copy I received made me think there was a mountain lion or a bear picking off members of the group because there are claw marks under the dust jacket on the copy I received. But I’m not going to give anything away…
On the Free is told in three POV, Amelia, Santi and Victor. Their stories were told in both the past and present so there were flashback that showed how each character made it to the therapy group.
There was one character I couldn’t connect with. I don’t even know where to start with Victor… Yes, his step-father was an ass but I’m not sure that justified what he was doing. He came across as really smart but was doing something so stupid.
And then there was the ending. If you can even call it an ending? I hate open endings where the reader is left to figure out on their own what may have happened. The ending of On the Free was very open. I would have preferred to know what happened to Amelia, Santi and Victor. But I guess we don’t always get what we want.
Overall I thought the book was okay and it clearly wasn’t the book for me. But I’m sure there are others that will enjoy it. I’m just not one of them. But I do love the cover!
I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this book. The copy I received made me think there was a mountain lion or a bear picking off members of the group because there are claw marks under the dust jacket on the copy I received. But I’m not going to give anything away…
On the Free is told in three POV, Amelia, Santi and Victor. Their stories were told in both the past and present so there were flashback that showed how each character made it to the therapy group.
There was one character I couldn’t connect with. I don’t even know where to start with Victor… Yes, his step-father was an ass but I’m not sure that justified what he was doing. He came across as really smart but was doing something so stupid.
And then there was the ending. If you can even call it an ending? I hate open endings where the reader is left to figure out on their own what may have happened. The ending of On the Free was very open. I would have preferred to know what happened to Amelia, Santi and Victor. But I guess we don’t always get what we want.
Overall I thought the book was okay and it clearly wasn’t the book for me. But I’m sure there are others that will enjoy it. I’m just not one of them. But I do love the cover!
November 4, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
Likes:
- I loved the story line of the book. I thought it was cool how they had to survive the wilderness with very few resources with dangers all around
- I liked how the author flipped the chapters, with one being the present and the next giving a flashback to background info. I felt I was really able to understand the characters with this information
- I enjoyed reading about everyone's stories of how they came to this moment. I thought it was cool to see what experiences shaped them to come to the program.
- I really enjoyed reading about all the survival parts of this book. All of the times they had to get creative in the wilderness just to fight for survival were really cool.
- I really enjoyed getting the story from three different perspectives. I think it would have been a completely different story if it was just one of them, but with the three of them narrating it really gave new perspective to the story.
Dislikes:
- When the main problem occurred that left the three for them stranded, it was hard to understand what was happening. I get that that was probably how the situation appeared to the characters, but I wish I knew what happened sooner.
- I didn't enjoy Victor's character as a whole. I didn't really get his whole story or motives for what he was doing in the mountain. Sometimes he seems smart and intelligent like he knows what he's doing, but other times he was so dumb it just didn't make sense.
- I would have liked an ending that wrapped everything up nicely. If there was just one more chapter that explained what happened to everyone and families I would have been much happier.
I received a free ARC of this book through a goodreads giveaway, but it does not affect my opinion in any way.
Likes:
- I loved the story line of the book. I thought it was cool how they had to survive the wilderness with very few resources with dangers all around
- I liked how the author flipped the chapters, with one being the present and the next giving a flashback to background info. I felt I was really able to understand the characters with this information
- I enjoyed reading about everyone's stories of how they came to this moment. I thought it was cool to see what experiences shaped them to come to the program.
- I really enjoyed reading about all the survival parts of this book. All of the times they had to get creative in the wilderness just to fight for survival were really cool.
- I really enjoyed getting the story from three different perspectives. I think it would have been a completely different story if it was just one of them, but with the three of them narrating it really gave new perspective to the story.
Dislikes:
- When the main problem occurred that left the three for them stranded, it was hard to understand what was happening. I get that that was probably how the situation appeared to the characters, but I wish I knew what happened sooner.
- I didn't enjoy Victor's character as a whole. I didn't really get his whole story or motives for what he was doing in the mountain. Sometimes he seems smart and intelligent like he knows what he's doing, but other times he was so dumb it just didn't make sense.
- I would have liked an ending that wrapped everything up nicely. If there was just one more chapter that explained what happened to everyone and families I would have been much happier.
I received a free ARC of this book through a goodreads giveaway, but it does not affect my opinion in any way.
July 2, 2020
This book had potential; I love survival stories... usually. I wasn't particularly invested in any of the characters. Character development was almost nonexistent, and the ending felt... unfinished? I'm sad we didn't get to hear more about Victor's journey, especially since he started out as such an a-hole, and in the end, he wasn't. Amelia's section was far too long; her backstory about being a rich kid with a loving boyfriend didn't exactly make me empathize with her struggles. There's no resolution about Santi, or really any of them. Do they make it out alive? Does Santi confront Eric? Does Victor leave his family? It feels like after a long pointless journey, the book just ends.
April 25, 2017
This was an ARC from NetGalley. This was a good YA read. The story is told through three teens and flips between the present and the backstory for each. They are left on their own to survive in the wilderness with issues that develop between them. It was fun, easy to read and hit on some good issues though it wasn't a heavy read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews