Game Changer

By: Chris Bostic

Narrated by: Keith Michaelson

Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Teenagers. Canoes. A float trip. What could go wrong?

Tom and J.C. are experienced in the woods and on the river; the brothers, too, but Will and Nate are a couple of clowns and not so dependable. Haley, the head cheerleader, is loaded down with her makeup and accessories. Katie just looks at them all and shakes her head.

So, what could go wrong?

It all starts with a summer storm and a raging river. Missing canoes. Wild animals. A venomous snake.

And it pretty much doesn't get any better....

©2015 Christopher K. Bostic (P)2015 Christopher K. Bostic

Good read.

The book start out slow. I can see where this might appeal to young adult readers, but I did not see it as believeable.

Fantastic Coming of Age Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely recommend this story as it's fast paced, exciting, and a fun plot.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Game Changer?

Fun to see how high school relationships can change drastically during a short trip gone awry.

What about Keith Michaelson’s performance did you like?

Keith does the best valley girl impression!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A little bit long to listen to all in one sitting, but hard to turn it off!

Any additional comments?

I love how Chris Bostic writes in a masculine, factual way, while keeping the plot fresh and interesting.

What a wonderful adventure

Any additional comments?

This book took me on an adventure. I really enjoyed the story of these teens an their summer boat trip. This is a YA book an i dont really read those but I thought why not an I was not disappointed. If your looking for a book that will take you on an adventure down the river an though some breathtaking hiking trails then this is a book you need to read...listen to..

Woah! Action movie & soap opera wrapped in a book!

What made the experience of listening to Game Changer the most enjoyable?

Game Changer is an action-packed story about 7 high school seniors who take an impromptu canoe trip only to run into many, many calamities. It's the perfect novel for imaginative minds. I would have given this 5 stars but for the fact that every calamity and joy--snake bites, drug pushers ,falling in love, shy girl, cool dude, dufus kids--made it fell like a pasta with all the lefotovers thrown in,

What was one of the most memorable moments of Game Changer?

I liked the cave scene and the helicopter shooting scenes.

Have you listened to any of Keith Michaelson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to this narrator but thought his voice was perfect for the part.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to this book in one sitting, it was that gripping.

Any additional comments?

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Without A Paddle Meets Survivorman

4.5 out of 5

A group of young adults (I assume they are teenagers) are out on a weekend boating trip to celebrate the last days of summer when a freak rain storm hits and changes their plans. Without their boats and missing half of their supplies, this group of teens must find a way to survive and stay safe amidst unlikely run ins with both animals and humans. Follow these teenagers as they fight for their lives and their safety.

The narration for this audiobook was done by Keith Michaelson. I can tell that it was done by an adult reader as opposed to a more young sounding narrator, but this didn't not take away from the book at all. Keith's voice, inflections, and pacing were all very easy to listen to and I enjoyed his narration a lot. There weren't too many different characters within the book, but he gave each of them a slightly different voice. Keith's narration also added to the tension that author Chris Bostic created, instead of taking away like some narrators can.

I dove into this book quickly and I wasn't sure where it was going to go. But within a few minutes I was hooked. I liked the main character a lot. He reminded me of the jock who knew more than you thought he did. From the get-go I wasn't a fan of his girlfriend (and I think this was done on purpose by the author). She just felt like a fish out of water on this camping and canoeing trip. Katie was by far my favorite. I knew a lot of girls who reminded me of her and while reading I was drawn to my memories of them.

Overall the pacing of this book was good, it was fast paced while still developing the characters deeply. The characters that were meant to be the comic relief and catalysts were understood to be that, and the main characters quickly fell into step as Tom and Katie were going to be the main focus on the story. I don't want to give away any main plot points but I was very happy with the turns that this book took.

As I stated in the title of this review, this reminded me of the movie Without A Paddle (more serious and less of a comedy) mixed with the TV show Survivorman. The teens were good at survival and I enjoyed the parts Chris sprinkled in about Scouting, but were still thrown up against some serious issues along the way. The story was light at some points and was dark in others allowing a great story arc to be completed. I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick read on a rainy afternoon. It should take you most of an afternoon but when you finish it... well that could be a game changer.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Summers ending, one last trip, what could go wrong

What made the experience of listening to Game Changer the most enjoyable?

All the twists and turns that the story took.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Would have to be Katy, because she is a strong willed individual.

Which scene was your favorite?

The cave scene youll have to read it to find out.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I would listen on my way to work and would dread having to get out of the car to go to work.

Any additional comments?

Received audio copy of this book for an honest view.

I was very pleased with this read, its a survival story of some teens that go their last float trip of the summer. You'd think that all would be great, but everything that could go wrong did. This story follows Tom and his companions though the twist and turns that they take on this trip. The hardships they face, the near death experiences. It was a great read I enjoyed it very much.