Knockdown

I truly enjoyed this book. Brenda Beem is an outstanding storyteller and an excellent emerging author! The story was riveting and the book was hard to put down. Great storytelling. Brenda does a fantastic job of developing characters and making them and their story compelling for her readers. Great addition to the Young Adult Fiction book world that really has appeal for a much broader audience. It is on par with and equally as engaging as "The Age of Miracles" which was marketed beyond the Young Adult niche.Hoping that a sequel is in the works. "Knockdown" would make an outstanding movie.When I finished reading "Knockdown," I shared the book with my two young adult nieces (18 and 12 ½) and they both thoroughly enjoyed it. They are also hoping for a sequel and a movie.Highly recommend it!

In the words of a 15 year old girl... "Nothing is tied off, it doesn't come together well. It doesn't really go anywhere; it's good at the beginning, but just ends abruptly."

I loved this book. It’s hard to put down, and it has everything I could possibly want in a novel: lots of action, suspense with real stakes, sweet romance, and an original plot. I like stories of survival against impossible odds.The suspense is almost unbearable at a times, but the lighthearted, humorous moments are there to give the characters respite and hope. It even has moral and ethical questions (I wouldn’t want to make the hard decision those teenagers had to make). My favorite characters are without a doubt, Toni, Takumi, and the Whistler (yes, the boat is a great character). I felt like I lived in the Whistler, and that made the story even more real and urgent. Toni is a one of a kind character, a real life girl who struggles at first, but grows and shows remarkable strength under unimaginable duress.It’s a fast-paced, engrossing novel: engaging characters, excellent plotting, sharp and realistic dialogue. I’m hoping for a sequel.

If you're a fan of kids facing impossible odds, struggling to survive and finding love and friendship along the way, this book is for you. It's fun, tragic and exciting all at the same time. So while I'm probably not the target demographic for this young adult, I certainly can still give it a full recommendation. It kept me engaged the whole way through. The challenges faced by all the characters and their growth along an epic journey kept me turning pages into a very late night. Five stars!

This novel grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept me wanting more. The characters were so real! I really empathized with them on this journey. It was as if it was happening to people I know and care about. The dynamic characters were growing and changing during the adventure adding to the realistic feel. The story warmed my heart at times and had me gasping with stress and anticipation others. This is a great read for all ages.