Review Detail

A Mark in the Road piqued my interest not only because of the uniqueness of the premise, but also because I was immediately curious to see how the protagonist, Mason's, story would play out. The author does a wonderful job of writing this as an intense and twisty speculative thriller, while still incorporating lighter themes of family, friendship, and first love. 
 
The book begins with a newspaper report for a missing woman, setting the tone for the rest of the book. More reports are interspersed throughout the novel, providing an excellent way of updating the reader about the case in a natural manner. Every few chapters, a few paragraphs are written from the missing woman, Kenna's, point of view. These passages help to connect the reader with Kenna while remaining in that third-person point of view for the rest of the book. Despite frequent POV changes, I never felt jarred or taken out of the story. In fact, being so connected to Kenna and her story made for an even more impactful ending to the book. I enjoyed Mason’s character as well, and even though he is struggling with something so extraordinary, his uncanny ability to see the story behind the skid marks on the road, he felt relatable and my solicitude for him only grew the more I read.
 
The banter between Mason and the love interest, Addie, is something that teen readers will adore. Their dynamic is refreshing and endearing, and watching their relationship develop over time was delightful. They are a large part of why this book is so special to me, and I appreciated the clean, sweet romance aspect of this story.
 
I would have loved to see how Mason and Addie dealt with overcoming their trauma once they returned to ordinary life, and also how they navigated their new long-distance relationship, but hopefully we will get to see that all expanded upon in a sequel. The book ends on a cliffhanger that I didn't expect, and I am anxious to see that developed, as well.
 
Overall, A Mark in the Road is a compelling and exciting young adult novel that kept me turning the pages. The twists were shocking and unexpected, which is exactly what I look for and hope to find in any thriller. It confronts weighty topics with sensitivity and respect. I recommend this book for ages thirteen and up, and for anyone searching for the perfect young adult mystery/thriller to enjoy this summer.