A gripping and suspenseful rite-of-passage novel about five teenagers and one night that will change them all, from award-winning author Jane Godwin. 'It's just a walk in the dark. What is there to worry about?' That's what the head teacher, Johan, says. And so the Year Nines from Otway Community School set out on an overnight hike, with no adults. But doesn't Johan know that a storm is coming?
When five teenagers head in to the forest that late afternoon, none of them is aware what the night will bring. Each will have to draw on their particular strengths to survive. Each will have to face the unknown, battling the elements, events beyond their control, and their own demons. It's a night that will change everything.
Set in the rainforest of Victoria's Otway Ranges, A Walk in the Dark is about friendship, trust, identity and family, consent and boundaries, wrapped in a compulsively readable, suspense-filled adventure. Five head into the forest, but will all five make it out?
Elle, Laila, Ash, Fred and Chrystal all go to school at Otway Community School. It’s time for the Year 9 students to go on their night time hike through the forest and back to school. These five set off confident that they will have no problems, but there is a storm coming.
From the beginning there is tension between them and as the night goes on, little things go wrong that add up to problems for all of them. What was supposed to be an eight hour hike turns into an all-nighter and each of them will need to dig into themselves to get through the night. What will they find out about themselves and each other as they battle the elements to survive?
This is a fantastic unputdownable adventure story from Jane Godwin. A diverse cast of characters who must all learn more about themselves in order to survive. Fast-paced and with unexpected plot twists, readers will love this book. With themes of friendship, trust, family and being true to yourself when you are thrown into the most unexpected settings, this is a wonderful read for all adventure lovers from lower secondary and above.
Reviewed by Michelle