The Only Survivors

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The Only Survivors is the middle of the road compared to previous MM books-- it's not her worst or the best. The mystery behind the survivors was engrossing until the end, the characters were forgetful, but the atmosphere was worthy of 5 stars. It would be hard to concoct a more promisingly sinister setting [that] affords plenty of hiding places for predators and plenty of opportunities for the weather itself to turn villainous. Miranda uses this setting to maximum effect, both as a plot device and as a way to inject steady droplets of terror into the narrative. Masterfully suspenseful.” — Booklist (Starred Review) And boy, is that ever apparent in the cast of characters in Megan Miranda’s slow-burn mystery, The Only Survivors.

Megan Miranda writes with too much repetition, such as “what have you done?” or “who would you save?”. Also, a lot of repetitive thoughts of self-pity, characters blaming themselves unjustifiably, an implausible motivation to keep deeply deceptive secrets. This repetition only served as filler, without furthering the plot or unraveling the mystery. It became an annoyance, a distraction as I listened intently to piece together the mystery. It’s why I believed that, for all our differences, for however disconnected our lives were ten years later, we all cared more for each other than we’d admit, face-to-face.Twelve kids and two teachers (who were driving) died. Some kids were injured or trapped inside the vans. But something feels off this year. An impending storm means they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they? They keep coming to the Shallow at each year: because it’s a place of safety, and retreat, isolated from the rest of the world, and surrounded on all sides by the endless deep.

Well folks, it’s been well over TWO months since I’ve read a book I haven’t liked, so it’s about time that I come across a dud. They were nine! But a decade later they are only seven! One of them committed suicide as the other overdosed! Megan Miranda's 'Fracture': Compelling thriller and romance is life-affirming". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 5, 2023. She always seemed to have a sixth sense, like she knew I’d been sitting at Russ’s kitchen table that morning with every intention of staying put, knew enough to text me—knew what it would take to get me to come. She looked so small standing there, framed by the dunes, the ocean stretching out into the distance, the wind blowing her hair. A shudder rolled through me—I couldn’t help picturing Clara on a different precipice, needing something, too.It had to be Amaya. She was the one who reached out with the details each year. She cared for us deeply, as a collective. She cared about everything deeply.

Joshua was the only one who still lived and worked in the town where we’d all grown up, who would’ve heard about Ian directly through the local rumor mill.It had been a mistake to believe I could just disappear. That I could forget any of this—the memories, the pact. That I could leave it—and them—behind for good.

Thank you so much to Marysue Rucci Books and Megan Miranda for my copy of The Only Survivors! It is about the tenth anniversary of the tragic day that two vans full of high school students went over a cliff into a ravine and killed students and teachers. Nine students were able to escape the river, but just one year later, one of the survivors dies by suicide. As the tenth anniversary approaches, nine goes down to eight as another of the group commits suicide. the edge of the dunes, protected only by aluminum storm shutters and cedar shake siding that had faded over the years to a weather-worn gray.

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And then, before I could stop the image: I saw them running, funneling out the front door, a massive wave rising up behind the house, sky darkening, shadow expanding. The chaos of panic, and wondering who I would save first— I know before even starting a Megan Miranda book that there is no way I will be disappointed. I have read them all. From All The Missing Girls to The Last To Vanish. I can rattle off moments in each one of her books from memory. I read quite often so remembering details isn't always my strong suit but Miranda has a way to make I breathed slowly, staring up at the house. The raised porch, multiple gables, windows reflecting the sun and sky. The structure was dated but objectively beautiful, I knew, in the way it rose unobtrusively from the landscape, like driftwood from the beach, positioned with care to welcome the forces of nature, instead of fighting against them. Last I heard, Oliver was living in New York, managing some prestigious hedge fund. Maybe he was used to people waiting for him now. But he still, always, made time for this. All of us did. Overall though despite the reservations I enjoy the book. I keeps my attention throughout especially my desire to get to the elusive truth and that when it comes is well played.