Temptation: A Novel (Solitary Tales) Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
His fear will soon turn to rebellion... Chris Buckley no longer wonders what kind of town he’s living in. He no longer tries to pierce its darkness. He no longer questions his role in its mysteries. He makes a new choice: he runs. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s running the wrong way - and is very close to being beyond any choices at all. As a reluctant student at Harrington High’s summer school, Chris meets a fun-loving senior girl who offers a welcome diversion from the darkness of his past. Chris soon decides life can be enjoyable after all. But when the new school year starts, he must deal with the consequences of turning from the truth. The third audio book in the Solitary Tales, Temptation follows the soul-wrenching twists of Chris’s journey as he heads straight into a darkness that threatens all he loves.
Series: Solitary Tales (Book 3)
Audio CD
Publisher: Oasis Audio; Unabridged edition (April 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161375051X
ISBN-13: 978-1613750513
Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 1.1 x 6.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,606,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #23 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Religious > Christian > Emotions & Feelings #40 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Religious > Christian > Friendship #845 in Books > Books on CD > Children's Fiction > General
QUICK HIT - In the third book in The Solitary Tales, Chris Buckley has reached his breaking point. I wouldn't want to actually be in Chris Buckley's shoes, but being able to step into them through Thrasher's art of story has been an entertaining and thought-provoking experience I won't soon forget.Chris Buckley needs answers but he also needs his sanity. Given the events of Solitary and Gravestone, those two things just might be mutually exclusive. Ever since Chris and his mom moved to the supposedly sleepy town of Solitary, strange things have been happening. Well, that's an understatement. More like Chris finds himself caught up in a town that acts like nothing is wrong while covering up blatant murder, occult activity, a beyond weird pastor, a mysterious past, and something to do with mannequins. Something demonic is going down in Solitary and somehow Chris is tied to it.In Temptation, Chris decides he simply cannot take the fight anymore and gives up. Let evil continue. He can't stop it. He should be able to enjoy his last year in high school as much as possible and then just get out, leave, call it quits. Never speak of Solitary again. Or Jocelyn. Or Poe. Or Kelsey. If he can't uncover the truth, he'll run from the carnage it brings. Only he's running the wrong direction.But it's in running that Chris begins to find some answers--maybe. The pastor, Jeremiah Marsh, seems intent on revealing more of his secrets to Chris. Solitary's tie to Chris's ancestry is revealed. Questions Chris longed to have answered now seem to find him. Running away turns out to be not an option, because whatever evil there is in the town needs him. He can fight or give up but he can't not play the game. Temptation is a battle for Chris Buckley's soul. And by the time he realizes it, it just might be too late.After two novels of many questions and few answers, Thrasher pulls back the veil to give readers just enough answers to keep us guessing and begging for more. Chris's desire to just be normal (and not like some character in a YA novel, he comments wryly at one point) is one of the cardinal desires of young adults--or anyone--trying to find their place in the world. Travis does a great job of diving into Chris's character and making readers empathize with his plight. Not the plight of death and horror in Solitary, but the plight of death and horror in Chris Buckley's soul.Temptation is about a kid who reaches the end of himself--and rightfully so, given what we know of his story--and finds that it's only then that can he make the decision of who he is going to be. Thrasher writes in such a way that Chris's journey becomes our own and we find ourselves sucked into the story and unable to escape. And just like its predecessors, Temptation left me wanting so much more all while feeling satisfied at what had been revealed. With one book remaining to put the pieces together, Thrasher is settling in to close out what has been an awesome series. I wouldn't want to actually be in Chris Buckley's shoes, but being able to step into them through Thrasher's art of story has been an entertaining and thought-provoking experience I won't soon forget.
Temptation, continues the story of Chris Buckley and his quest to find answers in the unusual town of Solitary. True to the book's name, Chris is faced with a multitude of temptations, not the least of which is the drop-dead gorgeous new girl Lily. Oddly enough, with his new `love' he begins to experience something he has yet to find in Solitary--peace. But is this peace permanent or only a temporary reprieve and more importantly, what will it ultimately cost him? As Chris begins his senior year, he finally starts to find some answers, but with those answers come more mysteries, not to mention more drama. The third book of the Solitary Tales series is dark and haunting, with sides beginning to emerge, and caution thrown aside. But perhaps most disturbing of all, apathy becomes the prevalent emotion in Chris' life.It's taken three books, but this series has finally won me over. I truly realize I am not the target audience for The Solitary Tales. It has a lot of qualities found in adult fiction, but the overwhelming amount of drama has caused me to enjoy the series but not love the series. However, Temptation finally makes the turn that I've needed it to take in order for my impatience to kick in to high gear. In this book, the story becomes less drama and more suspense. The characters begin to grow-up a bit and drop the `chip on the shoulder' attitude. Best of all, rich spiritual themes emerge to pull the entire story together.This series is quite impressive in its complexity. The story line itself seems simple enough, but Thrasher has done an excellent job of adding side stories to supplement the main plot. However, I did feel a bit misled by the opening. I read almost the entire book believing a particular event was going to happen, only to find out I had misinterpreted the prologue. I'm glad I was wrong, but it slightly effect how I related to one character.I'm amazed at the number of characters that have been worked in and how each one plays a part in the overall story. The introduction of Lily makes for some interesting scenes with Chris. Kelsey's character (plus her family) has become one of my favorites and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how her story fits into the next book. Even the minor characters of Brick and Harris are quite intriguing and serve as a nice contrast to the darker personas of Pastor Marsh, Gus, and Staunch. Also, I'm thrilled that another responsible adult showed up and did what should be done.It is great to finally get some answers as to why Chris is so special. I think I was probably as tired as Chris was of hearing he was special, but having no idea why. Thrasher answers this question, but also leaves plenty of mystery as to the specifics of his unique gift. It'll be quite interesting to see exactly where this part of the story goes and to see the big plans of the antagonists in this book.As I mentioned earlier, the best part of this book is the spiritual elements. By bringing Chris' dad into the story, it opens the door for the spiritual themes to thrive. While Mr. Buckley's part is minor, a lot is accomplished through his presence and sets the stage for Chris to show some maturity.While I liked the first two books in this series, this third book is excellent. The storylines start to come together, the drama eases, and the addition of responsible adults makes this book much more enjoyable than the previous ones in the series. Thrasher still has a lot of ground to cover in Hurt, the final book in this series. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us.Review copy provided courtesy of David C. Cook
So far I am the 13th person to review "Temptation" by Travis Thrasher.... and I am the 13th straight 5 star review. I wonder why "Temptation" and the Solitary series are not more popular? They are the very definition of teenage angst and the struggle to feel comfortable within your own skin. What I don't understand is why there are only 13 reviews! Now for the review on the book - "Temptation" - I will say that it is not quite as good Gravestone: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) (the second book in the series) - but it is still very good. The first 2/3 of the book is a change of pace compared to "Gravestone" and "Solitary" it is surprisingly upbeat. A new romance has emerged, but once again it seems a little odd. In fact, the whole town has become surprisingly supportive towards Chris. The result is a little more predictable than the other two entries in the series - however, it does set the final book in the series Hurt: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) for a climatic finish.In terms of writing style - Travis Thrasher has a very direct to the point style. What sets the "Solitary" series apart is that Thrasher does not write in a bubblegum style that you find in some YA fiction. Final verdict - Temptations is another fine installment in the Solitary Series. And while I give the book a hearty recommendation, I will warn you that it does NOT stand on its own, and the previous two books must be read in order to understand anything that happens in "Temptation"5 Stars
Solitary: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) Temptation: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) Temptation: A Novel (Solitary Tales) Temptation: The Solitary Tales, Book 3 Gravestone: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) Hurt: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series) Gravestone: A Novel (Solitary Tales) Hurt: Solitary Tales Series, Book 4 Gravestone: The Solitary Tales, Book 2 Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Self-Initiation Into the Golden Dawn Tradition: A Complete Curriculum of Study for Both the Solitary Magician and the Working Magical Group Eastern Chipmunks: Secrets of Their Solitary Lives (Smithsonian nature book) Solitary: Escape from Furnace 2 A Solitary Blue (The Tillerman Cycle) The Temptation to Tango: Journeys of Intimacy and Desire Saintly Solutions to Life's Common Problems: From Anger, Boredom, and Temptation to Gluttony, Gossip, and Greed The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Temptation Spice: The History of a Temptation The Temptation of Elminster: Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 3
