The survival guide intros before each chapter are a clever set up and although Untraceable isn't humorous, it definitely has ironic and comedic relief throughout, which works well to lighten the heavy subject matter. Parts of the story are graphic in nature, but I note this as a positive for the book. At times, I wanted to turn away, but you can't do that with a novel like you can with a movie. This proves the author was doing a lot of the right things when it comes to depiction, slowing down scenes and zooming in to the point of discomfort. However, it never crossed the line and just when you think you can't 'look' the author kindly provides relief. This method creates a perfect tension that enhances the quality of the adventure. I am fairly sensitive to books that deal with animal cruelty or mistreatment, which made reading certain sections difficult for me, but this had nothing to do with the author's craft or choices. My only gripe, and this is with the overall trend I see in YA novels, is when the heroine continually frets about circumstances being all her fault. So much so, that instead of showing vulnerability and feeling, it comes across as whining. Sure, she thinks it's her fault, but mix up the phrasing instead of just coming right out and saying repeatedly, this is all my fault! After a while I felt as much sympathy towards our misfortunate heroine as I would toward a skinny chick that grumbles about looking fat. Yeah, yeah, yeah...we'll pat you on the back while you simper. In this case, so much is obviously not within Grace's control, but she seems eager to take the blame, which in my humble opinion weakens her credibility and individuality instead of showing the softer side of her character. There is a lot of death in the book and I wasn't super excited about a particular character kicking the bucket. But, I didn't write the book so....
 - S.R. Johannes)
