Skink - No Surrender

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

A National Book Award Longlist Selection

Richard's cousin is missing, and his best hope of finding her rests with the wily, one-eyed, ex-governor of Florida. Carl Hiaasen introduces his iconic character Skink to a younger audience in this nail-biting adventure!

Classic Malley: Her parents are about to ship her off to boarding school, so she takes off with some guy she met online...Poor Richard: He's less of a rebel than Malley, and a lot less trusting. He knows his cousin is in trouble before she does. Wild Skink: He's a ragged, one-eyed, ex-governor of Florida, and enough of a renegade to think he can track Malley down. With Richard riding shotgun, this unlikely pair scour the state, undaunted by blinding storms, crazed pigs, flying bullets, and giant gators.

In Carl Hiaasen's outrageous, hilarious, and wildly dangerous state of Florida, there are a million places an outlaw might stash a teenage girl. A million unpleasant ways to die. And two who will risk everything to rescue a friend...and to, hopefully, exact a bit of swamp justice.

©2014 Carl Hiaasen (P)2014 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"Skink and Richard make quite a dangerous and entertaining duo in a story that careens perfectly from one crazy situation to the next. Reluctant readers (especially guys) will surrender themselves to this page turner. Cross your fingers that we haven’t seen the last of Skink!" ( Booklist)

"If you were pursuing your cousin’s kidnapper across Florida, you would want a man like Skink at your side. Maybe." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Skink is larger than life.... A presence to be reckoned with." ( The Horn Book)

Hiassen Alert for Adults!

I preordered this and wish I had waited until others had reviewed it. This is in the category of a "young adult" book - very young! I was looking forward to another Skink book but all the characters have been toned way down for the audience so you have none of the biting humor, outrageous characters, and frankly the fun to be expected with Carl Hiaasen. The reader does different characters well but the overall tone is as bland as the book itself. You expect Hiassen books to have an ax to grind, but this one presents a simple message to kids to not make internet hookups. Even that message is pretty ho hum.

This is no Stormy Weather, Double Whammy, or Lucky You.

Clinton Tyree is all time favorite

It's great to have the governor back but I don't think a young adult books is the right setting for his edgy character. I didn't realize this was a young adult book and that was a disappointment - suspect it would have been a great read at 15. As always, Hiaasen is funny and creates enjoyable characters to take a ride with. OK book that could have been great.

Buyer Beware

I didn't realize it was a YA book before I bought it. I was so excited about another Skink tale that I purchased without reading the reviews. It hadn't even occurred to me that he would put Skink in the mix of his kid's books. Bleh. It doesn't work. So tepid, so not interesting for an adult reader that enjoys finely crafted sentences and instead gets this tepid vocabulary designed for a completely different audience. I am not completely opposed to YA fiction per se, but I just can't take it when kids manage to outsmart entire police departments or save the world or, well, you know the genre. Once I started listening, I thought maybe Skink could pull this book out of the tank, but the teenager-level writing was seriously off-putting. Describing a new rod and reel as "super fun" is supposed to reflect the narrator's 14-year old speech, I guess, but it made me super not enjoy it.

Believe the Reviews - watered down Hiaasen

Any additional comments?

I greatly enjoy Carl Haissen's wit and social / political commentary. I pre-ordered this book without reading that it's intended audience is YA. Now, I enjoy well-written books regardless of genre, but this one is so watered down that I didn't like spending time with this one.

Awesome Skink Book thats ok for Teens/Young Adults

This is another fantastic Skink book filled with oddball characters. While a serious book that deals with a serious problem (online predators), it is also a hilarious read. If you are familiar with Skink, then you will realize that this book is toned down to be appropriate for younger readers. If you've never read a skink book, don't assume the others are like this. They are not all this tame (other books have adult language and scenarios). If you have teens, or maybe even a more mature pre-teen, this is a book that will teach them that reading can be fun. It also has a very real and serious lesson about online safety.

GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!

Carl Hiaasen is not well served by this narrator

Would you try another book from Carl Hiaasen and/or Kirby Heyborne?

I love Carl Hiaasen, but no on this narrator. It seemed as if it was his first book. The reading was flat and lifeless. I was past ready for it to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Skink - No Surrender?

Lots of good scenes.... jumping out of the turtle nest... rescuing the baby skunk....on the boat....

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kirby Heyborne?

There are lots of excellent choices. Look at Rip Off.... plenty of good narrators. Maybe it wasn't his first book, maybe the book wasn't right for him.

Do you think Skink - No Surrender needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Anything Hiassen is great.

For young, old and skink lovers

Reviewing this title as YA lit, Skink No Surrender is a refreshing break from the dystopias, magical creatures, and melodrama. Plus, there are lessons on the environment and personal safety that aren't usually covered in the genre in such a creative way. Reading this as an adult, I missed the more deeply disturbed characters and comical backstories, but still found it a fulfilling read.

Skink Audible Book

I love Carl Hiaasen, both his books for adults and books for teens. I also love Skink. Has there ever been a more lovable good-hearted psychopath? Unfortunately, Skink is not Hiaasen's best work. The main character, Richard, acts and thinks like an adult in a teens clothing. Additionally, the story of the main character teaming up with Skink is pretty unbelievable--not that I read Hiaasen because he only writes about things that could really happen--but the thought of a parent being okay with her son being on a road trip with a much older stranger is just too much. As far as the Audible version of this book goes, I feel Kirby Heyborne doesn't realize he's reading a book for teens. He reads so slowly, that even the most exciting parts border on boring.

Wish I knew it was a teen book

The best part of skink is his edgy, crazy, violent character. Since this was a teen book very little of his character came out. The whole book was missing the edgy humor typical of Hiaasen novels. I wish the cover or description said it was a teen book so I could have avoided it. I’m not sure my 17 year old would even find it entertaining.

Where's Skink

This was very disappointing. If you want to read teen stories, you may enjoy this. Skink's character in this was unlike the Skink I have enjoyed in the past. Also the narration almost put me to sleep.

excellent narrator. really enjoyed the story...

couldn't stop listening. another engaging Carl H book. the characters are believable & fun to listen to.

bizarre and funny

typical Carl Hiaasen, kept me chucking through a hospital stay! great to hear more exploits of Skink

for teens but I enjoyed it.

I always look out for skink in these stories. my favourite character by far. great story.

kept me & my 11yr old totally amused commuting

fast paced, larger than life characters you wished were real. well written. well told.

An average return for Skink

Would you try another book written by Carl Hiaasen or narrated by Kirby Heyborne?

Yes to both. This was not the best 'Skink' story. But then the others have been so good and everyone can have an off day.I would suggest a longer length to allow for more story development and more amusement which are so characteristic of Hiaasen novels.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Would not dare to suggest an amended plot to such an accomplished author.

What does Kirby Heyborne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

No comment

Could you see Skink - No Surrender being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

NO - better go with the earlier novels.

Any additional comments?

none