Synopsis:
Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.
First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's novel Live Wire Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. Follow Mickey Bolitar on his next adventure in Seconds Away, coming out in Fall 2012
A while ago, a friend with impeccable taste in books recommended that I read Harlan Coben's books, but it wasn't until he came out with this new YA series that I started paying attention. I read SHELTER in about a day and a half and loved it. It was fast-paced, witty, and had heart.
Mickey Bolitar is an extremely likable character - smart, funny, athletic and broken. He's a hero I could not help but root for. In his new school, he immediately befriends the two most awkward kids, who become his sidekicks. Spoon is the son of the school janitor, and Ema is an overweight goth girl who is the daughter of...well, I don't want to give that secret away just yet. I can see this series as a favorite for YA Boys!
If you read my reviews, you know that my biggest pet peeve in series books is when there is no resolution, and no satisfaction, in the first book. Cliffhangers without resolutions? Not for me. No worries here. SHELTER has a beginning, middle and an end, but leaves readers wanting for more. The cast, even the peripheral characters, are set up well and leave room for growth.
I have not yet read the Myron Bolitar series. In fact, I didn't even know there was a Myron Bolitar series until after I had read SHELTER and started poking around into Harlan Coben's other books. I would have guessed that Myron had secrets of his own from SHELTER, but now that I know he has his own series, you can be sure I will read his story now!
Like any great mystery series, SHELTER is full of interesting characters, suspenseful secrets, and a boatload of twists and turns that will keep those pages flying. I highly recommend this series for both young adults...and the not-so-young adults.
**Stay tuned for my review of SECONDS AWAY the 2nd book in the Mickey Bolitar series.
**Also stay tuned for my contest to win copies of SHELTER, SECONDS AWAY and a Mickey Bolitar tote bag!
Book Extras:
Mickey Bolitar website
Goodreads
Harlan Coban Website, Facebook, Twitter
Complete Novel List
Twitter - @PenguinTeen
Facebook - @MickeyBolitar
About the Book:
About the Author:
Harlan Coben is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of numerous adult novels. His books are published in 41 languages--with over fifty million copies in print worldwide--and have been #1 bestsellers in over a dozen countries. He lives in New Jersey.
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