This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
On Blaine Broussard’s fourteenth birthday, while riding in a car with his father to pick up his best friend, Blaine’s father is shot dead at a Quick Stop. The incident leaves Blaine with severe PTSD, anxiety-induced amnesia, and guilt. Despite moving with his mother from their home in Gretna to New Orleans a few months later, nothing seems to get better for Blaine. Adjusting to his new life in New Orleans, he turns to drawing, his hobby. He becomes fascinated with drawing a strange old man who regularly passes by their house at specific times. He also becomes friends with his classmate Abigail “Abby” Jackson, a girl he has a crush on. Soon, while working on a school assignment with Abby, Blaine runs into serious trouble involving the strange old man and dangerous criminals. But that’s not all. He is also about to discover the truth behind his father’s death and a well-kept family secret. Find out how it all goes down in The Zone of Fear by Rita Monette.
If you are looking for a young adult mystery novel blended with crime, a splash of drama and action, psychological thrills, suspense, and plot twists, The Zone of Fear by Rita Monette is an enthralling pick. Monette draws readers into Blaine’s world with vivid depictions, from the introductory scene, where Peter and Blaine shared a happy father-son moment before tragedy struck, to the interactions and teenage drama at school, the secret street quests, and the perilous journey to the south of the border. I felt and understood the emotions Blaine experienced as he dealt with the tragic loss of his father, including anger, guilt, and fear. He shows the effects of grief and the mental toll it can take on one. He also demonstrates how art can help one cope with grief. Monette delivers an important lesson to teenagers about heeding their parents’ instructions and advice. It may feel clever, or the reason may sound noble, but going behind your parents’ backs and doing what they have warned against will always land you in trouble, because your parents know better.
