Helpful Score: 1
Harlan Coben spins off from his successful Myron Bolitar series to reach out to young adults with his Mickey Bolitar series. Mickey is Myron's nephew. Mickey has come to live with Myron after witnessing his father's death and his mother ends up in rehab.
Mickey has spent his life traveling around the world with his parents and they do mission work with The Abeona Shelter. They had returned to the states so Mickey could attend a regular high school and college.
New schools are always tough but Mickey makes two new friends at orientation day. One is the beautiful Ashley and the other is Ema, a plus size girl who thinks Mickey is only being nice to her out of pity. But when Ashley mysteriously disappears right after school starts he teams up with Ema and another new friend, "Spoon," to try to find her.
As they follow a trail to find Ashley they walk in to a world that leads Mickey to question everything he thought he knew about his life. It also puts him and his friends in danger they only thought happenned in the movies. Hang on tight, this is a wild ride.
My Thoughts
I am a huge Harlan Coben fan and was really intrigued when I heard he was venturing into the Young Adult reader genre and taking his star character Myron Bolitar with him. The set up for this book started when we were introduced to Mickey in Coben's Live Wire in March. I was very interested to read Shelter to see how the author completed this transition.
I loved this book and while featuring high school kids as the leading characters they took on some very adult problems. I am sure teenagers will enjoy this action packed thriller. Coben does an excellent job of explaining Mickey's life before Shelter so that the new generation of readers understands the history. I only question if I followed everything so easily because I have read the entire Myron Bolitar series.
Like all books written by Harlan Coben the story is masterfully plotted, full of twists and turns while adding the perfect amount of humor. All the things that makes him a great author and his novels must reads.
All fans of Coben will love this book and then pass it on to their teenagers to enjoy. My son is waiting for me to finish this review so he can read this book because he has heard my husband and I talking about it. Hopefully as a new reader of this author he will be able to answer my one question above. I will keep you posted.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the G.P. Putnam's Sons, A Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Mickey has spent his life traveling around the world with his parents and they do mission work with The Abeona Shelter. They had returned to the states so Mickey could attend a regular high school and college.
New schools are always tough but Mickey makes two new friends at orientation day. One is the beautiful Ashley and the other is Ema, a plus size girl who thinks Mickey is only being nice to her out of pity. But when Ashley mysteriously disappears right after school starts he teams up with Ema and another new friend, "Spoon," to try to find her.
As they follow a trail to find Ashley they walk in to a world that leads Mickey to question everything he thought he knew about his life. It also puts him and his friends in danger they only thought happenned in the movies. Hang on tight, this is a wild ride.
My Thoughts
I am a huge Harlan Coben fan and was really intrigued when I heard he was venturing into the Young Adult reader genre and taking his star character Myron Bolitar with him. The set up for this book started when we were introduced to Mickey in Coben's Live Wire in March. I was very interested to read Shelter to see how the author completed this transition.
I loved this book and while featuring high school kids as the leading characters they took on some very adult problems. I am sure teenagers will enjoy this action packed thriller. Coben does an excellent job of explaining Mickey's life before Shelter so that the new generation of readers understands the history. I only question if I followed everything so easily because I have read the entire Myron Bolitar series.
Like all books written by Harlan Coben the story is masterfully plotted, full of twists and turns while adding the perfect amount of humor. All the things that makes him a great author and his novels must reads.
All fans of Coben will love this book and then pass it on to their teenagers to enjoy. My son is waiting for me to finish this review so he can read this book because he has heard my husband and I talking about it. Hopefully as a new reader of this author he will be able to answer my one question above. I will keep you posted.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the G.P. Putnam's Sons, A Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't realize this is a book for teens. Even so I still enjoyed the story. Not one to keep you on the edge but interesting enough to keep you reading. I'd say it is more of a book for a 15 year old.
Things you should know about me before you consider my opinion of this book: 1) Harlan
Coben is my favorite author, 2) I love Myron Bolitar & his friends & would love to read more books about them, & 3) I love a good series.
That being said, I loved this book. I know it is for young adults, & I passed that status long ago, but still I loved it. I had hoped to find Myron in this book, & I did catch sight of him as a supporting character. As I stated before, I loved Myron's group of steadfast friends; Mickey has his own band of quirky, lovable buddies. This book is obviously the first in a new series, & the end leaves you wanting to read the next. Even though it was intended for young adults, the details were not simple or uninteresting. In fact, I became more & more interested as I continued reading. I finished it quickly.
I still want a new Myron Bolitar book to come out, & I hope the Mickey series is addition rather than a replacement. Either way, I may be the oldest person in line for the next Mickey Bolitar book, but at least I'll be the one with the clear complexion. :)
Coben is my favorite author, 2) I love Myron Bolitar & his friends & would love to read more books about them, & 3) I love a good series.
That being said, I loved this book. I know it is for young adults, & I passed that status long ago, but still I loved it. I had hoped to find Myron in this book, & I did catch sight of him as a supporting character. As I stated before, I loved Myron's group of steadfast friends; Mickey has his own band of quirky, lovable buddies. This book is obviously the first in a new series, & the end leaves you wanting to read the next. Even though it was intended for young adults, the details were not simple or uninteresting. In fact, I became more & more interested as I continued reading. I finished it quickly.
I still want a new Myron Bolitar book to come out, & I hope the Mickey series is addition rather than a replacement. Either way, I may be the oldest person in line for the next Mickey Bolitar book, but at least I'll be the one with the clear complexion. :)
It's hard to just flip through Harlan Coben's books, the story seems to change every page. This was less believable than most of his stories, it could be because he's attempting to write for the young adult market.
I am a huge Harlan Coben fan, having read every book in the Myron Bolitar series. Mickey Bolitar is Myon's 14-year-old nephew, and in true Coben style, this is an excellent page-turner. I love the twists that the story takes, and it certainly held my interest throughout. The reading level recommended is "Young adult" and there is the major difference in the two 'heroes'. The book definitely reads for a younger audience, and although I wouldn't say that I was disappointed, I did miss the more adult humor that is interjected into all of the Myron books. Myron has such a tiny role in this novel that his unassertive actions border on being out of character. He doesn't even guess that his nephew is in trouble?? Come on!!
All that being said, I would definitely read another in the Mickey series. And would then pass it along to my teenage nephew.
All that being said, I would definitely read another in the Mickey series. And would then pass it along to my teenage nephew.
You just cannot go wrong with any Harlan Coben book ! This was my very last Coben book to read ( very sad) and just as intriguing, suspensful and difficult to put down as all of his others. Highly recommend !
I'm a big fan of Coben so when I seen that he wrote a YA book, I couldn't wait to read it with my 11 & 12 y.o. boys. This book did NOT disappoint!! Super good. Action packed. This book kept my boys attention and they even asked to read it at night instead of t.v! Really good book for older kids getting out of the "kids books". There is a little language & violence and a scene with the characters in a Go-Go lounge but nothing too graphic.
After Live Wire, I was sad to know that the series was coming to an end and that Coben would shift his focus on Mickey Bolitar. I was uncertain with Cobens decision to do a teen novel but I thought I would give it a try.
Shelter was very good and reminiscent of Cobens other books. The plot kept you guessing and there was enough of an open ending that gave you some closure but at the same time you knew there were more mysteries to be solved.
If Win and Myron had a baby, that would be Mickey. His heart was more similar to Myron but he showed fighting prowess of Win. In many ways, Mickey was really just a young version of Myron but tougher. In fact he had a lot of the same reactions to things as Myron did in the previous books. He also developed a good core group of friends (most without any real parents around) that mimics Myrons group. I was disappointed that Myron wasnt more involved but in a way I understood. This one was supposed to be about Mickey after all.
It was a great read for me but Ive read all the Bolitar books. I dont think it was a good standalone book though. Without reading at least Live Wire first I would think the book would be slightly confusing. That being sad, I am not sure how teens would react to it as a first book in a new series. I enjoyed it though and look forward to finding out more about Mickey and his new group of friends.
Shelter was very good and reminiscent of Cobens other books. The plot kept you guessing and there was enough of an open ending that gave you some closure but at the same time you knew there were more mysteries to be solved.
If Win and Myron had a baby, that would be Mickey. His heart was more similar to Myron but he showed fighting prowess of Win. In many ways, Mickey was really just a young version of Myron but tougher. In fact he had a lot of the same reactions to things as Myron did in the previous books. He also developed a good core group of friends (most without any real parents around) that mimics Myrons group. I was disappointed that Myron wasnt more involved but in a way I understood. This one was supposed to be about Mickey after all.
It was a great read for me but Ive read all the Bolitar books. I dont think it was a good standalone book though. Without reading at least Live Wire first I would think the book would be slightly confusing. That being sad, I am not sure how teens would react to it as a first book in a new series. I enjoyed it though and look forward to finding out more about Mickey and his new group of friends.
I am a huge Harlan Coben fan, having read every book in the Myron Bolitar series. Mickey Bolitar is Myon's 14-year-old nephew, and in true Coben style, this is a good page-turner. The reading level recommended is "Young adult" and there is the major difference in the two 'heroes'. The book definitely reads for a younger audience, and although I wouldn't say that I was disappointed exactly, I did miss the more adult humor that is interjected into all of the Myron books. Myron has such a tiny role in this novel that his unassertive actions border on being out of character. He doesn't even guess that his nephew is in trouble?? Come on!!
This is my first Harlan Coben book. I loved it. It is a YA book but I want to read is his adult mystery's now. Great cliff hanger. Well spun tale. The protaganist Mickey Bolitar is very engaging and interesting. Looking forward to reading the sequal.
Young Mickey has all the attributes an ideal teen needs, brains, looks and standing 6'4" at age 14, just a bit improbable, but hey, this is a novel for entertaining and appealing to the readers. However as a new kid in town, a loner living with his estranged uncle, Mickey doesn't have the friendship circle many teens have ...but the adventures and mishaps push him in with other loners and they form a solid group/team which will probably be involved in future mysteries and action adventures to come.
Mickey acts and reacts, somewhat uncharacteristically, like a young adult as he digs into sordid events, his missing friend and other disappearing young women, and also seeks the truth of his own parents' past. Circumstances seem to very coincidentally fall together so he succeeds. That said, it was a fun if rather improbable read.
Mickey acts and reacts, somewhat uncharacteristically, like a young adult as he digs into sordid events, his missing friend and other disappearing young women, and also seeks the truth of his own parents' past. Circumstances seem to very coincidentally fall together so he succeeds. That said, it was a fun if rather improbable read.
I have always liked Harlan Coben books and thought I'd give his new series a chance, however, it states it is for 'young adult' readers and that is exactly what it is, I started it in good faith but by half way it was just boring as it just didn't move along with much speed about what was happening and being an older adult I found it to be too juvenile for me.
This is a great YA read.
I found this book to be a slow-starter but about half way through it really took off and became a real page-turner for me. I have read the whole Myron Bolitar series so I was familiar with Mickey from when he was introduced in Live Wire. I enjoyed the interplay between Mickey, Spoon and Ema and found the other teenage characters interesting too. The plot had a few twists and turns which held my interest and the ending was a complete surprise and left me wanting to immediately pick up the next book in the series. Coben's wit and humor was reflected throughout. Mickey reminds me of a young Myron which is probably why their personalities conflict at times. I would highly recommend this series to those who have read the Myron Bolitar series.
What a good book to read. I had no idea what was coming as far as the story line goes. Kept my interest and enjoyed all the main characters. Good read..
Life isn't going so well for 15-year old Mickey Bolitar. After witnessing the death of his father and placing his mother in rehab, Mickey has moved in with his Uncle Myron. Now starting a new school, Mickey meets Ashley Kent. They become friends until she mysteriously disappears without a trace. As Mickey and his new friends Ema and Spoon try to figure out what exactly happened to Ashley, they find that she was covering up a dark secret.
I absolutely love Coben's Myron Bolitar series, so I thought I'd give Mickey Bolitar a try. This was an enjoyable book with a good mystery. There isn't as much humor in this book as the other series, but it is still a very good book. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I absolutely love Coben's Myron Bolitar series, so I thought I'd give Mickey Bolitar a try. This was an enjoyable book with a good mystery. There isn't as much humor in this book as the other series, but it is still a very good book. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
The book was a good read until I got to the last paragraph on the last page. I just can't buy that the ambulance driver was 90 to 100 years old!!!!!!
