Hurt

Solitary Tales Series, Book 4

By: Travis Thrasher

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

His rebellion will soon turn to hope...

When Chris Buckley first encountered the mysteries of creepy Solitary, North Carolina, he had little idea how far he would fall into the town’s shadows. After losing the love of his life, Chris tried to do things his way. He hunted for answers. And then he gave up trying to find them. But now Chris comes back to Solitary, knowing there’s a purpose for his being there. As he watches his place in a twisted and evil bloodline become clear, Chris waits for the last battle - and wonders who will be left when he finally makes his stand.

The fourth and final audiobook in The Solitary Tales series shines light into deep darkness as Chris’s journey to Solitary comes to a dramatic close.

©2013 David C. Cook (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Intense series, Great conclusion

Chris moves to solitary NC with his recently divorced alcoholic mother in the beginning of his junior year of High school. He quickly realizes all is not kosher in the backwoods town. The town is ruled and manipulated by and overbearing thug type character who in turn is ultimately ruled by a creepy old man being kept alive by evil supernatural circumstances.
Through the series Chris begins to see that it is no accident he and his mom, who grew up in solitary , Moved back to town. There is a battle over Chris soul and to continue solitary's place as a gateway for evil to enter the world. Chris is an unlikely hero, the best kind...He never knows where to turn and who to trust. People around him betray him, others are threatened and even killed. In this series he goes through a spiritual transformation that helps in his battle against evil forces.
I went through all four books in a row. At first I was not sure about the narration but by the end of the first book I thought Heyborne was perfect for the voice of Chris.
. I am an adult an this is a series based on the last two years of high school for a teenage boy. However there is enough meat for adults and Chris goes through some very adult struggles during his journey.
I very much appreciated the sarcasm in times of trouble that went through Chris' mind. And some of the just funny scenes...Chris getting his license for one.
This series is creepy, spooky and intensely scary all while being funny, a little sappy and spiritual.
The religious theme is throughout the series but in my opinion is never hokey. I thought the author did a great job in using secular themes such as songs and song lyrics and also spiritual themes, especially verses from the Bible that were completely appropriate to the circumstances. Psalms for comfort in times of fear and trouble and Words from Paul about putting on the full armor of God to face an epic spiritual battle.
There are great characters in this book: the creepy pastor, the geeky friend, all the girls Chris gets involved with some more likable than others, the high school bully, the ever smoking unlikely friend "Brick" who shows up when needed most, the strange and troubled Aunt, The Jittery Alcoholic Uncle, The old lady who may be an angel, The hound from hell and the wolves...to name a few.
The only criticisms I have, The author basically made every Girl and woman in the series "hot" and made many weight comments that I done think teenagers need to dwell on anymore than they already do. Also as an adult the many loves of Chris and how quickly he fell "in love" was a pill hard to swallow...sometimes I was like come on enough already.
But all in all I would recommend this series to anyone 15 to 100, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will now explore other Thrasher novels.

Great read.

This was a great series. The first two books left me a little baffled. It all works out in the end. Nicely done.