Mira was a complex character. She feels the need to care for all those around her. She believes her mother cannot overcome her grief without Mira there, but this may also be Mira's way of avoiding her own sadness. She is an artist and shows her emotions through her artwork (which have become bleak and dark since her aunt's passing). Her kindness and light unknowingly attracts the attentions of a stalker. Throughout the whole trip she feels on edge, as though she is being watched. She is easily swayed, and too trusting at times, believing the best in others or taking someone's word about the worst in others. The other characters were not as complex as Mira, but we really only see them from Mira's point of view. The very put together Harper, who begins to slowly come undone and seems to be hiding something. Brecken, the good looking guy who is hoping to be a doctor, but willing to break the law in order to keep moving towards home. Kayla, who appears to be asleep or out of it half the time and sick the other half. Finally, Josh, the charmer on crutches who seems to see secrets in every ones actions. Each character makes bizarre choices, which in some way feed into the narrative and plot, but also do not make sense in terms of motivation. There was a lot of buildup for not so much payout. The ending was a little predictable and, unfortunately, I did the thing where I thought of a possible ending which I ended up liking more than the ending that was written. The scenario I had thought might be coming would have been a complete twist in the opposite direction. But, I can understand that this was the ending that the book needed in order to flow. I did enjoy the morality at play in this novel, each character seeing how far they would go in order to get home or achieve their goal. What you are willing to overlook, instincts you trust or mistrust, and how those ultimately affect the situation you find yourself in. Mira mistrusts the wrong things because of fears and prejudice, instead of sensing the actual danger she was in. The book was an interesting look at the strangers travelling together trope. Bonus points for it being around Christmas, which was just the right mood for setting up this dark story (especially when Christmas lights are used as beacons for safety, but are just out of reach). A quick read, and the audiobook kept me riveted. Would suggest if you are looking for something a little darker this holiday season, but not too dark.
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