Tim Wynne-Jones

The Starlight Claim is a fast-paced YA thriller set in wintry Canada. It's part teen tragedy, part survival story, and part mystery. The main character, Nate, is trying to come to terms with the death of his best friend, Dodge. He and his father have a cabin in Northern Canada, which they are about to visit, but at the last minute, his father can't go, so Nate goes alone. He winds up having to survive not only cold and deprivation, but also escaped prison convicts. Finally, there is a mystery which is only resolved in the last chapters, explaining why Dodge and his family decided to take a very big risk and wound up paying for it with their lives. Strong characterization, though Nate and his father may seem too one-dimensionally "good" people. Short chapters and lots of twisty plot points make the reading go quickly. I received a copy of this book through Librarything Early Reviewer program.… (mais)

3.5 stars

I had no idea what was going on at first for this book because some of it is from a dream-like state using symbolism or telling about things that you don't know the connection to until later in the book. One character is trying to figure out what happened in this altered state while another is trying to figure out the murder from clues in real life. Some parts are quite suspenseful and some are scary action. It definitely held my attention but the parts that tried to make the story have a lighter feel felt off to me. It's mostly mystery, even a tad on the thriller side, but it's also sad. I liked the story but it did leave me sad. Everyone getting together at the end seemed weird to be like a happily ever after or something, especially the reenacting. I was like what? I guess the author wanted to not leave the reader sad maybe?… (mais)