The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett

Title: The Unfortunates
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication date: July 10, 2018
Pages: 224
Source/format: ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):
When seventeen-year-old senator's son Grant Tavish is involved in a fatal accident, all he wants to do is face the consequences of what he's done, but the consequences never come, even if headlines of "affluenza" do. The truth soon becomes clear: Due to his father's connections, not only will Grant not be held accountable for his actions, he's going to get away with murder.

When a long Tavish tradition approaches, a cave excursion on the Appalachian trail, Grant seizes the opportunity to take justice into his own hands by staging an accident and never coming back. But before he has a chance to enact his plans, the cave system collapses, trapping him miles beneath the surface with four other teens from much less fortunate circumstances. As they struggle to survive, they share their innermost secrets and fears, and just when it seems they might be on track to finding a way out, they realize there's something else down there.

And it's hunting them.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Grant Franklin Tavish the fifth is the privileged son of a senator. After the accident, Grant was bailed out of jail and didn't have to pay the consequences. However, he lives in guilt of what happened that day in December. Money can't buy everything and Grant conscience gets the best of him.

When Grant decides to embark on a Tavish tradition where the males go on a caving expedition solely, things go array. Grant lives in guilt and was about to end is life until he hears another voice. He ends up being saved by four other teenagers that attend the local high school. Kit, Deryll, Shy and Maria become very good friends with Grant. While the five try to find their way out of the cave, a monster is on the lose killing each teenager one by one.

I appreciate how Kim Liggett writes about each teenager with distinction. It is easy to follow who is who and each character has their own backstory and personality. I feel drawn to know more about the characters. Grant seems to be at ease when he befriends the four students. He even lets his guard down around him. Only one character in the book guessed correctly about what the monster is but unfortunately loses their life.

That twist at the end is perfect. There are hints of what the ending was going to be throughout the novel but the reader has to make sure to read each line carefully. Although short in length, The Unfortunates is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of the seat wanting to know what is going to happen and if the five will make it out alive.