Review (Becky): Revolver

Title: Revolver Author: Marcus Sedgwick Pages: 224 Audience: Young Adult Genre: Historical Fiction (adventure/survival) Rating: 2 I'd give this book and awkward hug

Goodreads Summary 

1910. A cabin north of the Arctic Circle. Fifteen-year-old Sig Andersson is alone. Alone, except for the corpse of his father, who died earlier that day after falling through a weak spot on the ice-covered lake. His sister, Anna, and step-mother, Nadya, have gone to the local town for help. Then comes a knock at the door. It's a man, the flash of a revolver's butt at his hip, and a mean glare in his eyes. Sig has never seen him before but Wolff claims to have unfinished business with his father. As Sig gradually learns the awful truth about Wolff's connection to his father, Sig finds his thoughts drawn to a certain box hidden on a shelf in the storeroom, in which lies his father's prized possession - a revolver. When Anna returns alone, and Wolff begins to close in, Sigs choice is pulled into sharp focus. Should he use the gun, or not?

My Thoughts
The only aspect of this book I enjoyed was the Alaskan setting. It was too short to really connect to the characters or flesh them out enough to make them individuals. The heavy religious sections really turned me off, and I dislike guns as well, so there you have it. This book has its audience, it just isn't me. Most of the story is just an awkward standoff between a boy and a man with a gun who (it is implied) has raped and killed the boys mother and intends to do the same to his sister. The main question of the book is whether or not guns are good or bad, yet never really seeks to answer the question, only to raise it. In the last several chapters the narration switches from the main character it has followed the entire time to the villain and also his sister, which stuck me as both messy and as an easy way out. The ending seemed forced and corny. 

FTC Disclaimer

All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.