I Am Still Alive

I actually really liked this book. I have this book in my book club right now, but others may disagree (which they have), but I actually love it. I love this author, anyway, so this book was pretty good, to be honest. It went by in a FLASH! Despite what my fellow book club members think, I actually liked this one. The detailed writing made me feel like I was actually THERE with her. And, not to be a spoiler, but when a certain someone ... y'know ... at the end, I started bawling my eyes out. I felt sick. Nonetheless, I loved it!

I love survival books and find it very hard to actually find a good one. However, this one was amazing! I read the top review on here and after reading the book I have absolutely no idea what this person was talking about. They stated that Jess was argumentative and all I have to say is, can you blame her? I actually found it easy to relate to her and didn't find her too argumentative. This person also said that she was making one bad decision after another and I understand what they were talking about but obviously Jess has never been in an extreme survival situation before and didn't know much about the wilderness in general prior to her tragedies. I feel like there were a few things that could have been better regarding the ending and leading up to the ending. Although, everything else was great. My new favorite book! : )

I stumbled into Kate Alice Marshall on Kindle Unlimited. Her books tend to be sort of gothic-romance teen literature, way outside my normal interests. But her writing is so good. She reminds me of Dick Francis in the way she can instantly and smoothly grab your attention.This early book is not gothic or romance. It’s a great adventure novel, a bit like King’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. I literally couldn’t put it down, reading it non-stop until 4 AM. I recommend it for any reader.

I Am Still Alive is a thoroughly entertaining novel in a fascinating setting. The most interesting aspect, to me was seeing how Jess Cooper, the young protagonist, gradually matured in her thinking as she faced dire challenges. She was never a simpering weakling; indeed, she faced real challenges right from the beginning. But she grew in wisdom and perspective as she confronted each challenge. Her lowest moment was truly gruesome (and possibly not for the weak-stomached reader). It tested her resolve to live. The rewarding payoff was unexpected and satisfying. The book’s climax was a test of another kind for young Jess.Every person’s life has truly difficult times. This story is a lesson in surviving them. Jess Cooper reminds me a bit of True Grit’s Mattie Ross. They both suffer great loss and they both tackle the enormous burdens set before them with a single minded determination that allows for one of only two endings: success or death. Jess’s lessons: Think. Take it slow. Smart, not strong. Stay alive. These are the kind of heroes I want my granddaughters to know as they grow toward adulthood.I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.

I found the main character unlikeable….and frequently felt she was “out of character” for her age. Some of the terms she used are common to baby boomers but not today’s teenager, which was disconcerting. An example, “fine china.” I also found it hard to fathom that this city “girl” could turn into a hunter and survivalist as easily as depicted in the book. On the positive side, the book was engaging and a page-turner.

I almost elected to skip this one, it sounded too far-fetched, but I decided to buy a copy to see how realistic the writer could make this unlikely tale seem. Well done. Ms. Marshall.I loved the characters I got to know, well actually I hated some of them along with Jess, but Marshall shows that everyone who is good is not all good, and everyone who is bad is not all bad. In the end good doesn't always win out, and when Jess' Dad's past catches up with him she has no choice but to do her best to survive. One day at a time, not many good days, lots of bad ones.This is not a story of a nice weekend survival story, it is so realistic I wonder if it happened. Not likely, but it could have. Some people fold when faced with the worst life has to offer, loss of a parent, physical disfigurement, pain; some don't.I wonder has Jess wholly recovered from that terrible year in her life.

My son got this for his school’s summer reading program. I got to it first and was riveted by the story, the characters and the writing. Very well done.

This book was recommended to me by my brother, the author's grandfather. That makes me her aunt and wanting to support her I bought the book and read it (maybe even felt a little obligated). I was a little hesitant as I don't usually read YA. You can tell we are a family of readers, so I feel that I am qualified to compare and critique. The bottom line, I am so glad I read it! I found it hard to put down. In the beginning I thought it was just another book about a kid from a divorced family ticked at her dad. I soon found out It was so much more than that. Kate kept the story at a constant, moving pace and easy to follow. After reading the Donner Party book not long ago, this book reminded me of the hardships faced when living in the wilderness without adequate skills or equipment. The main character is a 16 year old, physically challenged, out of her element and she survives. I think Jess displayed guts, hard work and a lot of soul searching. Good job!!

Not a bad story. Centres around a teen surviving the wilderness.

This is not a book of the genres I would normally read, but something about the cover and then the blurb spoke to me.I also do not tend to actually purchase many books since I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, but again I read literally a couple of pages of the sample and I was hooked.This book is brilliantly written, with twists and turns to keep you interested, the characters are believable, likeable and you really feel for the main character and Bo.I even immediately recommended this book to my husband. This was honestly unputdownable and a pure pleasure to read.

In Australia we have a saying great yarn. A story that had you continuously reading until the end,could not put it down. What else could happen to this poor girl at 16 years of age

good for a 12-15 year old range

I loved this book , I couldn't put it down. I almost felt the cold she was feeling the whole time I was reading.