Skink - No Surrender

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

A National Book Award Longlist Selection

Richard's cousin is missing, and his best hope of finding her rests with the wily, one-eyed, ex-governor of Florida. Carl Hiaasen introduces his iconic character Skink to a younger audience in this nail-biting adventure!

Classic Malley: Her parents are about to ship her off to boarding school, so she takes off with some guy she met online...Poor Richard: He's less of a rebel than Malley, and a lot less trusting. He knows his cousin is in trouble before she does. Wild Skink: He's a ragged, one-eyed, ex-governor of Florida, and enough of a renegade to think he can track Malley down. With Richard riding shotgun, this unlikely pair scour the state, undaunted by blinding storms, crazed pigs, flying bullets, and giant gators.

In Carl Hiaasen's outrageous, hilarious, and wildly dangerous state of Florida, there are a million places an outlaw might stash a teenage girl. A million unpleasant ways to die. And two who will risk everything to rescue a friend...and to, hopefully, exact a bit of swamp justice.

©2014 Carl Hiaasen (P)2014 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Skink and Richard make quite a dangerous and entertaining duo in a story that careens perfectly from one crazy situation to the next. Reluctant readers (especially guys) will surrender themselves to this page turner. Cross your fingers that we haven’t seen the last of Skink!" ( Booklist)

"If you were pursuing your cousin’s kidnapper across Florida, you would want a man like Skink at your side. Maybe." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Skink is larger than life.... A presence to be reckoned with." ( The Horn Book)

Awesome Skink Book thats ok for Teens/Young Adults

This is another fantastic Skink book filled with oddball characters. While a serious book that deals with a serious problem (online predators), it is also a hilarious read. If you are familiar with Skink, then you will realize that this book is toned down to be appropriate for younger readers. If you've never read a skink book, don't assume the others are like this. They are not all this tame (other books have adult language and scenarios). If you have teens, or maybe even a more mature pre-teen, this is a book that will teach them that reading can be fun. It also has a very real and serious lesson about online safety.

GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!

Ok. Not his best, though

I was spoiled after Bad Monkey, I guess. LOVED that one.

I don't know. Just not as much laugh out loud fun as I'm used to Hiassen.

A PTSD hero who was a former governor? Hmmm. Ok. Just not great.

The narrator was annoying, though. He's the right age to read this book, but his rhythm is really weird. Sometimes he sounds like Stephen Hawking's voice sythecizer or a Spak-n-Spell. Really irritating.

Bld

Not as funny as others. Still trying to figure out if it's young adult fiction. Typical outrageous ending. No regrets purchasing.

safe story for a younger audience

Is a safer story for a younger audience, compared to most of his work

love Carl hiaasen!

Good story. Love Mr sKink. Love his love for nature and all the animals. Great!

Great Story!

I loved this book so much because of the m i s t e r i e s!

Clinton Tyree is all time favorite

It's great to have the governor back but I don't think a young adult books is the right setting for his edgy character. I didn't realize this was a young adult book and that was a disappointment - suspect it would have been a great read at 15. As always, Hiaasen is funny and creates enjoyable characters to take a ride with. OK book that could have been great.

Another in Hiaasen's "Spunky Kid" series

This book, alongside "Chomp" has a kid as the main character. So, it requires the right narration. Unfortunately, Heyborne (who did a great job on "Gone Girl") chose to read this in a breathless, winsome voice. I found myself wishing for James Van Der Beek, who did a terrific job with "Chomp". He took the right Hiaasen tone, self-assured, and just this side of cocky. Heyborne interprets the main character as gape-jawed throughout, making it difficult to stay with.

It's still Hiaasen, and it's still Skink. It just needs a Van Der Beek, or some other such reader, at the helm.

Carl Hiaasen at his Very Best

This book was a welcomed friend that has finally come back! The story is fabulous! The narration is perfect! My beloved Skink is back and still reminding us of our commitments to nature and the environment. Fantastic read!

Skink's No Fink

Skink's No Fink ⚡💜 the old fart steals my heart He changes his eye and it makes me cry.
For God's sake Carl, write an orange one