Angel Smith is ready to leave Antarctica for a second chance at life. But on what was meant to be her final day, the research station is attacked. Hunted and scared, she and glaciologist Ford Cooper barely make it out with their lives…only to realize that in a place this remote, there's nowhere left to run.
Isolated in the middle of a long, frozen winter with a madman at their heels, they must fight to survive in the most inhospitable—and beautiful—place on earth. But the outside world depends on what Ford and Angel know and, as their pursuers close in and their new partnership burns bright and hot, they will stop at nothing to make it out of the cold alive.
Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
As someone who does not like the cold or enjoy winter I cannot think of a more nightmarish scenario - being stuck on a hostile, frozen continent with a bunch of bad guys after you. No, thank you. But I'll happily read about it if it's an Adriana Anders book!
After witnessing a gruesome murder, Angel, originally set to depart from Antarctica after her months-long stint as the cook - a role she fulfilled with purpose - misses her flight and becomes the prey. Not only did she witness the murder, she also got away with what the murderers were after: vials containing a deadly virus that was collected by scientist, Ford Cooper aka Coop. Angel hasn't had much contact with him as he prefers to be out in the harsh elements alone with his scientific equipment than seek the company of people. But she knows he is her only salvation at this point even if he's barely said two words to her or looked at her the entire time she's been there. Coop knows something is definitely wrong when he finds traces of abandoned and broken equipment out in the elements but no signs of one of his fellow researchers. When he returns to his research station, he knows something is definitely amiss, and once he runs into Angel, all his suspicions are confirmed. They need to seek out safety by travelling to a distant Russian research station that's over 300 miles away. The vehicle they travel in doesn't take them far and then the rest of the perilous journey has to be taken on foot, or skis rather, while lugging equipment, food and those much sought-after vials. Keeping them out of the wrong hands is imperative.
It's hard to decide which is worse, the mercenaries they're escaping from or the hostile weather environment they're in. In some ways, the weather is an unlikely ally by grounding planes or decreasing visibility. Surviving in it is a different story completely. I was surprised by Angel's grit just as she was. She came to Antarctica to distract herself from what she lost or left behind. She didn't expect to find this extraordinary version of herself who's willing to push the limits of her mind, body and endurance to protect something that could destroy the world. Every mile walked is a mile conquered but comes with unforeseen dangers. Coop knows what's out there. This is his life and he thrives in these elements. He's used to it but to be responsible for someone who never sought this out is something entirely alien to him. Angel tests his fierce discipline. He's someone who prefers solace because he can't handle excess stimulus and Angel has always been more than his senses could take. Now here in the middle of nowhere he employs his knowledge of this inhospitable landscape and his instincts to keep them both alive. What he doesn't anticipate is Angel's proximity to chisel away at his tough exterior. Fully aware of what's at stake, she astounds him with her determination and unwillingness to give up. Thankfully Anders can always be counted out to increase the heat factor between her heroes and heroines. If forced proximity is your jam, then you'll feast off of this literal life and death situation where the tension is amped up all the way to 11. There's nowhere to go to hide from it.
Whiteout is high-octane adventure with numerous twists and turns that propel the action the entire time. Even in the downtime there's that heady feeling of anything can happen in a split second. Antarctica is the other main character in the book, ambivalent towards everyone but a major player in what is to come. If it's not the imminent evil chasing after them, it's the hazardous conditions, depleting rations, and unexpected dangers that could do them in. Then there are additional POVs adding another sinister element to the overall story. The evil mastermind has a heartbreaking motivation behind their nefarious plans which blurs all moral lines.
I couldn't read Whiteout fast enough and I had to contain my own anxiety for Angel and Coop which was spiking all over the place! Anders is a sensational writer for letting her characters get under your skin and deep into your veins. The ending which promises of a happily ever after is shattered by a cliffhanger that left me startled and excited. If this is how the first book went, I can't even begin to imagine how much more high stakes and crazy it will get in the next one!
~ Bel
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