What would you do if a road trip with friends turned into a deadly game of survival? In Five Survive, bestselling author Holly Jackson delivers a gripping young adult thriller that takes place almost entirely inside a broken-down RV. With only eight hours, six friends, and one sniper lurking in the dark, this story is an adrenaline-fueled descent into paranoia, guilt, and human fragility.
Eighteen-year-old Red and her friends are on their way to the beach for Spring Break when their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Cut off from the world with no cell signal and no hope of rescue, they quickly realize that this is no random accident. Someone is watching them. Someone who knows their secrets. And someone who is ready to kill to uncover the truth.
What makes Five Survive so compelling is how Jackson manages to create relentless tension within a single claustrophobic setting. As one reader put it, “How in the world can you write 400 pages in the same setting, over just 8 hours, and somehow make it a page-turner?” The answer lies in Jackson’s remarkable understanding of pacing and dialogue. Nearly the entire novel unfolds through rapid-fire exchanges between the characters, each scene pulling the reader deeper into the mystery.
The characters themselves are sharply drawn and realistically flawed. Red, haunted by the death of her police officer mother, is both fragile and determined. Oliver, the self-appointed leader, grows increasingly unhinged as the situation spirals out of control. Their dynamic, alongside the tension among the rest of the group, gives the story its emotional core. While some readers found Red frustrating or Oliver unbearable, others praised Jackson for making them so believably human. In fact, one reviewer described Oliver as “terrifying” in how his need for control mirrors the sniper’s unseen menace.
Thematically, the book explores trauma, guilt, and moral ambiguity. As secrets are unearthed, it becomes clear that survival isn’t just about escaping the sniper outside, but confronting the darkness within. The ending, which echoes the emotional resonance of Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, is both heartbreaking and satisfying. One scene in particular between Red and her mother left many readers in tears.
Of course, Five Survive isn’t without its criticisms. Some readers found the “secret” too predictable and the dialogue-heavy narrative a bit repetitive. Others wished for more character development beyond Red and Oliver. Still, even those with mixed feelings agreed that the final act was a whirlwind of twists and revelations that made the journey worthwhile.
Ultimately, Five Survive is a masterclass in confined suspense. It captures the terror of being trapped, the fragility of trust, and the haunting truth that sometimes the most dangerous monsters aren’t outside the RV they’re sitting right beside you. Holly Jackson once again proves why she’s one of the brightest voices in YA thrillers today.
If you’re a fan of intense, character-driven mysteries that keep you guessing until the final page, Five Survive deserves a place on your reading list.
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