Whiteout

Charlie hopes that the school ski trip will be the escape from his unhappy home life he so desperately needs. But there is something wrong with the remote ski village of Kaldgellan. Something is out there, something ancient and evil, among the pines and the deep untracked drifts, watching and waiting. And when the blizzards blow in, Charlie and his schoolmates wake to find the resort deserted. Cut off from the rest of the world far below, as night falls the few left alive on the snowbound mountain will wish they were somewhere, anywhere else. Only ski guide Hanna seems to know of Kaldgellan's long-buried secrets, but whether Charlie can trust her is another question. One by one the group dwindles in horrific detail and circumstance thanks to mysterious creatures with razor-sharp teeth and talons until there are only four of them left. I was quite happy to follow the well-drawn characters of Charlie, Hanna, Nico and Tara along. They were all diverse enough that you easily get to grips with whose point of view you are reading. Each had their own unique back story which in turn was incredibly readable. Hanna in particular is a believable strong leader and the 'will they, won't they' relationship with Charlie felt utterly genuine. There is so much to admire about this impressive, breathless, debut novel from Gabriel Dylan. It is a claustrophobic tale drenched in blood! As the beautifully gory and haunting story unfolds there is a filmic quality to the narrative which captivates until its eerie, terrifying and exhilarating finale deep in the mountains. Beware - expect to be chilled by the epilogue! Whiteout focuses on that determination to survive against the odds, pitting characters against extreme weather conditions and cannibalistic creatures of the night. Perfectly paced, and filled with well-timed twists and shocks. Dylan has created a monstrous presence that stays with you long after the final ski lift has departed into the dusk. A stunning addition to the Red Eye series. Highly recommended for teens and adults alike, it will chill you to your core. 359 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Lucy Georgeson, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+