Review for The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

"Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with a man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive?" I don’t know what I was expecting from The Long Weekend, but it sure wasn’t to be so incredibly chilled and moved by the story that I had to take breaks from it to psych myself back up because it was so intense. The book is told from 11 year old Sam’s point of view, I’m not use to reading books from such a young person’s narrative especially not a boys so when I started reading I wasn’t sure how well Sam and I would get along- turns out I actually really liked him and he quickly became my little mate. Savita Kalhan captures what it is to be an 11 year old boy perfectly and I instantly felt protective of Sam like he was a little brother figure. The book starts on what is a typical school day for Sam and his best friend Lloyd, but the pair are soon thrown into every parent’s worst nightmare when they are abducted and taken to a mansion far out in the countryside and it was at that point that the book had me gripped. The Long Weekend isn’t an easy read. I was terrified. Truly terrified for the boys and had to put the book down several times to compose myself. I felt everything that Sam and Lloyd were going through, I felt horror, repulsion and anger at the abductor and what he was putting them through. I felt heartbreakingly uncertain that they were going to make it out alive and even if they did the mental scars that they were sure to have put me on edge. The Long Weekend is written about a gritty subject matter that is so frightfully real that it gives books about vampires, ghosts and other things that go bump in the night a run for their money. It’s the bitter and honest truth that this is what actually happens in our world that makes this book horrifying to read. The Long Weekend is a short book that is easily read in one or two sittings but that doesn’t stop it from packing a punch- and what a blow it is. Although some parts were difficult for me to read I just had to stick in there and hold Sam’s hand along the way praying he would get out in one piece. I found the way the plot played out to read very true and I loved how Sam and Lloyd developed and grew up so quickly during their time at the house whilst also remaining and thinking like an 11 year old would. Savita Kalhan truly captures the physical and psychological effects of trauma showcasing what a fantastic writer she is. The Long Weekend is not an easy read but it’s an important book that demands to be read. A fantastic, gritty thriller that will keep you up late reading. Recommended to those who can stomach it! My Rating 4/5 stars **** Synopsis taken from goodreads Thanks go to the lovely author herself Savita Kalhan for sending me a copy to review.