Abducted by T.R. Ragan

Fourteen years ago Lizzy Gardner fought for her life at the hands of a sadistic killer and escaped. She has struggled to get by since that fateful night she was taken by a serial killer known as Spiderman. The only one of his victims to escape, she has never forgotten him, and little does she know, Spiderman has never forgotten her. Fourteen years later he has come back into Lizzy’s life and made it clear that she will not escape again.

This novel has all the elements of a great thriller, a psychopathic killer, unwilling heroine, and a courageous love interest. For those in love with the formula of a mystery you will not be disappointed. Ragan leaves the reader guessing throughout this story and gives an ending that is true to the genre of thriller. The plot, however, doesn't require much in the way of extensive thought.

The writing in Abducted is clean and precise. The dialog is well written and allows the reader to move smoothly through the plot.  The loose ends are tied up nicely by the turn of the last page. However, if you are looking for a dynamic and thought provoking story line do not embark upon this journey. I would recommend this novel as a quick read for traveling or laying by the pool.

Abducted at Amazon

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender’s military training begins before most of us are ready to give up playing with dolls or building forts in the back yard with our friends. In Ender’s world such childish things are not made for children. Children are made to defend Earth from a pending attack. Military training is comprised of games that the tiny soldiers play to hone their strategic thinking and reasoning. Ender soon realizes that the teachers at his military school have more than basic training in mind.

This book strikes a chord with the reader, not because the reader has been in a similar situation, but because Ender’s struggle is one that is universal. How do we judge between right and wrong when those around us live in the gray? Are we still culpable for our actions when we are not aware of the outcomes they produce? How can we rectify the wrongs that we have committed and still continue to live productive lives? We may ask these questions as adults, but Ender must come to terms with these same questions as a young boy.

The plot, at times repetitive and predictable, is not the redeeming piece of this novel. What makes this story so compelling is its ability to stimulate deeper thinking in regards to the responsibility we hold for our own decisions and their ultimate consequence regardless of our intentions.

There are more books related to the Ender story and I will definitely be adding them to my ‘To Read’ list.