“Chased would be a great addition to a k-12 Christian school library. Middle schoolers and up will enjoy it.” – Library Lady’s Kid Lit It’s been a year since Marlee, her sisters, and the Miles boys survived an avalanche. Sure, it was a little embarrassing for them when all the neighbors saw them on the news, but they love being outdoors, and what are the odds that another tragedy would strike … would strike this adventurous group? Has anyone calculated the statistics of being hit with two natural disasters? It has to be low, so of course the two families planned to backpack again this summer.
When the teens first meet Thad, a dehydrated hiker on the trail, they give him water and food and help him recover. He seems harmless until he tells them to hike a few extra miles at sunset. Then Lydie finds a hand-drawn map that Thad dropped, and they discover why he is so eager to get away from the Stanley girls and Miles boys. So eager that he starts chasing them.
Now they have to climb up unforgiving ridges, sneak through the night, and – is that thunder and lightning? To make matters worse, Marlee has a nagging worry that her older sister Ellie is preparing to move away from home.
What is God’s plan? How will they get away from Thad before it’s too late?
“…realistic, exciting, and suspenseful…Chased is the perfect sequel to Avalanche. It’s gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and, best of all, Christian.” -David M., Beta Reader
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I think I like this book better than the first one. The characters are more defined and I feel more invested in them. Even though you could probably read this book without reading the first I highly recommend reading the first one. It introduces the group of hikers and their relationship to each other.
In this story we find our five hikers in the Montana mountains. When I was younger I remember a road trip my family took through Montana. It was a majestic view but I was terrified at how high we were in our little station wagon. The road was very narrow and I thought we would fall off anytime. The author describes the mountains so vividly that I can still see the landscape from many years ago.
Without going into much detail I loved the plot of being hunted by a young man who would do anything to protect the treasure he was looking for in the rugged terrain. The hikers do run into him and help him out when he becomes dehydrated. That fateful encounter will prove to be a cat and mouse game as danger follows them on their hike. Thad was a strange character that had only one thing on his mind. He did kinda give me the creeps and I kept screaming at the teens to run as fast as they could.
We get to hear secrets shared between friends and siblings that I thought showed the maturity of all of them. There is a strong faith element in the story and it was refreshing to see them praying and trusting God to keep them safe. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and know that it will be an adventure faith filled story just like these last two have been.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
An exciting journey through a wilderness area turns sinister. As the youth from two families hike in the mountains, they come across a lone hiker in need. After helping the man recover, he threatens them and chases them away. The resourceful teens accidentally learn his true purpose and then end up being pursued as they run for their lives. They face dangers, such as climbing a rocky mountain in the dark. This young adult story offers plenty of action and drama, with insightful comments from the realistic characters. The novel will also appeal to adults. The tale keeps you tuned in and anticipating what might happen next. It’s a quick and enjoyable read that organically includes lessons about how to handle being out in nature and adapting to new situations, while working to remain alert and safe. It would make a good choice for group discussion. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
My 10 year old son read this book and here are his thoughts:
He said it kept his attention and interest from beginning to end. He liked the Christian aspect of the story. He liked reading about the characters outdoor adventures and their different personalities. He’s never read any books by this author but he really enjoyed this one and hopes to read more. He would recommend this book for older elementary school, early middle school readers.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Chased is the second book in the Off the Itinerary series by M. Liz. Boyle. Just like the first book, this book chronicles the travels and adventures of two families, including their children, who take vacations together. Just like the first book, this book includes adventure, danger, and family relationships.
This outdoor adventure contains wonderful descriptions of the scenery and more. I love the relationships of the five young people throughout these books. I remember growing up how our family would take trips with another family with 2 daughters our ages, and this book brought back those memories. This Young Adult novel offers a message of faith, courage, endurance, and more. So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
The second book in the Off the Itinerary series, it can be read as a standalone. But do read book 1 as it makes book 2 more enjoyable.
Author M. Liz Boyle pens a story full of adventure and suspense. The five teens are always in some kind of danger, it seems, but they have each other and their faith in God. That being said, I love that Marlee shares her faith without embarrassment.
These teens are written to be very mature; not silly and childish as you sometimes find in books. I especially enjoyed that the parents are involved to a point, and they are good role models. Strong families are shown, yet the story is about the teens.
A great plot, with good descriptions of the mountains and the woods, I would recommend this for any teen.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Book one in this series is titled Avalanche. And while you won’t be forced to read it first you really should as it gives you the backstory on the teens and explains some of the dynamics between them.
In this book, Chased, we find the crew of four teens and their parents off on another adventure. This time it’s a hike. The kids are off on their own and their parents will meet them later. The problem? When the group of teens encounters a dehydrated hiker only to discover he’s a treasure seeker and now he’s out to get them because they saw his map!
Can they outwit and outrace this madman and the man he has working with him? What a great reward for their good deed of sharing and caring. Now they’re being chased and threatened and they’re not quite sure how this will end up or what their next step should be.
From hiking in the dark to flash floods this book is full of action and surprises. Plus you get to watch a bit of family drama and a relationship develop.
I have really enjoyed this series. Yes, it is young adult fiction but this adult has enjoyed it. They are short and fast reads for me. My older girls are also enjoying this series now. We highly recommend them.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I was so happy to catch up with the Stanley sisters and Miles brothers as Marlee and the gang head back out to the wilderness in Chased.
This time the teenage group visits Montana where they run into a curious character who keeps the group of five on their toes. There is some definite character growth in all of the teens, but we really see it in Marlee and Sawyer this time around because they’re stuck together for a while (you’ll have to read the book to discover how that happens).
M. Liz Boyle packs plenty of action into her books for young adult readers and even as someone well outside of that demographic, I’ve learned plenty about the wilderness through this series. But what I really appreciate in the books is the bond these five young people have formed and the strong faith message throughout. Marlee doesn’t shy away from asking questions or sharing her insights about her faith, and the world needs more young people who declare God’s glory in the good and the bad seasons.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The book “Chased” is definitely a suspenseful and exciting book. It teaches the teens to rely on each other, but most of all, have faith in Christ, and that he can do the impossible. As their adventure rolls out, the young adults use their knowledge to survive and overcome the challenges they are faced with.
Great read, I enjoyed it! Recommend!