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Unabridged Digital Audiobook
Runtime: 6 hours, 54 minutes
Read by Brittany Pressley
Many of the most popular teen adventures are dystopian thrillers, with kids battling gritty futuristic threats. But in the audio edition of Not If I Save You First by author Ally Carter, two modern-day teens find themselves fighting for survival in the middle of nowhere.
The story travels to the Alaskan wilderness, where 16-year-old Maddie Manchester has lived with her father for the last six years. Before they left Washington, DC, Maddie’s dad was a Secret Service agent tasked with protecting the President and his family—including the President’s son (and Maddie’s best friend), Logan. But a kidnapping plot gone wrong sent Maddie and her dad to the wilderness. Alone. But when troublemaking teen Logan is sent to stay with them, he and Maddie find themselves in the middle of another deadly plot—and they have to rely on each other to survive.
Not If I Save You First isn’t the same old teen adventure—and Maddie definitely isn’t the same old teen heroine. She’s a girl from the present day—a girl who cares about many of the things that teenage girls care about. She loves things that sparkle, and she always tries to look her best. But Maddie finds herself separated from the world of Instagram and YouTube, miles away from anything in the Alaskan wilderness. All she’s ever wanted was a friend—to get a response to the letters she’s sent to Logan through the years—but, as she waits for any connection to the outside world, she focuses on learning to survive in her new environment. And all of those factors create a wonderfully layered character—one who’s strong and smart, vulnerable and a little angry, and completely aware of her surroundings and the way that people see her.
Logan, too, is a layered character—though not to the same extent. After spending much of his life in the public eye, he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder—but, deep down, he’s a likable character, too.
When Maddie reconnects with Logan after years of hurt and frustration, it brings plenty of tension to the story—which only grows when the two teens find themselves battling both the elements and an armed rival on their own. And the characters, their troubled relationship, and their life-threatening wilderness adventures make for an action-packed and captivating read.
If you’re a fan of young adult novels with strong female characters and plenty of action, be sure to put Not If I Save You First on your list. It’s well-written and engaging, with characters that you’ll enjoy getting to know.
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