Review by Library Journal Review
Sierra's second novel (after Nightwatching) takes place in the Colorado backcountry, as 12-year-old Zach and his imposing, mercurial father, Bram, head out to a ski trip during which Bram plans to woo investors for his cash-strapped business. On the way to the cabin, they see a savaged animal carcass and several areas ripe for avalanche. Zach raises the alarm, having learned from his late mother, a search-and-rescue worker, how to stay safe in the wild and what to fear. Bram brushes off his son's concerns, as he's laser-focused on impressing his guests. That night, Zach spots an unidentifiable creature out in the woods, and the next day, several members of their party are caught in an avalanche. Zach leads the rescue, but as tensions rise, hidden agendas and secrets come out, including about the boy's own family. When the first body is discovered, things begin to snowball in a flurry of blame and guilt. VERDICT Sierra's taut thriller provides a good blend of wild and human threats, and Zach is a believably capable protagonist to guide this deadly outing.--Dan Forrest
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