Genre: Adventure/Survival
# of Pages: 354
RAC: Yes
Sarah has lived in one exotic location after another her entire life since her parents are both scientists and often move to where they can conduct research. After the recent passing of Sarah’s mother, they are still grieving but decide to carry on with a previously scheduled educational safari so that they can earn some extra money. Shortly after the five teenagers arrive, Sarah’s dad is called away to stop some poachers and she is left to entertain them in the middle of a semi-desert. Hours go by and Sarah’s dad does not return and finally she receives a very panicked call over the radio from a frantic man who sounds like her father claiming it was a setup and he was being chased. The call cuts out with the sound of gunshots. Sarah and the other five teenagers are alone, with little food, and no transportation. They decide to go looking for help and must rely on Sarah’s survival skills in order to survive. They eventually find a silver lion who tries to attack them and Sarah knows something unnatural is going on and more than likely whomever created that monstrosity would do anything to keep it quiet. Can Sarah get the others to safety? Will she ever find out what happened to her dad? Where did the silver lion come from and is there some illegal experimenting going on?
Fans of survival books will enjoy this title. There are multiple scenes in which one or more of the teens is in serious danger due to some natural wildlife threat, like snakes. However, once they uncover the silver lion they face many dangers from humans as well as the people behind the altered animal want desperately to contain the situation at all costs. The characters are sympathetic and relatable as they truly just try to just survive this very unexpected situation and in the process must face the many reasons they all wanted to escape to the Kalahari in the first place.
Young Adult Book Reviews 