I am a sucker for a survival story. This was a great one. Loved the growth and the relationships. It was great.

I really thought I'd enjoy this one, but unfortunately I didn't connect with the characters. It was a storyline with great potential, but I put it down multiple times as it just wasn't quite right for me.

The writer at times used evocative, descriptive words - I was so excited in the beginning... at other times, it felt stilted and awkward. It may be a hit for other readers, but for me it was a bit of a miss.

My thanks to the publisher for the chance to give it a try.

Posted to Goodreads: Danny Warren has lived her life afraid everything since she lost an eye as a child. Danny avoids doing anything that might put her in danger but everything is about to change. Danny's father is Cougar Warren, the star of a survival reality TV show, and he wants Danny to star in the next episode of his show. Danny agrees to spend a week with her father in the Amazon where they will be joined by Hollywood's hottest young movie star, Gus Price. However, everyone's plans change when their plane crashes in the middle go the rainforest. Now, Danny must learn to trust herself to try to survive.

I was a huge fan of Fischer's book "When Elephants Fly" and I was nervous that her follow up would live up to it however I had no reason to be nervous. Fischer wrote a compelling, adventure story about learning who you are and just trying to survive. Danny was a strong main character who is lost but is desperately trying to find herself. Her story is compelling and at times gruesome but entirely unputdownable.

After losing one of her eyes in an accident, Danielle has gone from being known as Danger to Danny as she is now timid and afraid of many things. She has lost touch with her father so she jumps at a chance to spend time with him even though it will be in the rain forest. The trip to the rain forest does not go as planned as they along with a few others are in a plane crash. Danny encounters injuries, poisonous snakes and insects, and hunting for her own food. I liked the survival stories, her relationship with the others on the trip and how she changes through the story. Her father ends up being conceited and selfish. I would add this to my adventure section.

I wanted to love this book, and really I do like it very much. But I hate the character of Cougar so good. Obnoxious, terrible father figure that I hate read all the way to the end.

A plane crash is a bad fear of mine, but to end up in a place where I'd be surrounded by creepy crawling critters...no thank you. Kudos to Nancy for creeping me right out and creating such a love to hate supporting character.

Danny’s father has been absent from her life, ever since the accident where she lost one of her eyes. Danny is desperate to have a relationship with her father and wants him to know that she doesn’t blame him for the accident. Her father is a Bear Grylls, who travels with celebs into treacherous situations and works to survive. Danny knows that she isn’t as brave as her father, and in fact she knows (especially in her father’s eyes) she is a coward. When her father offers to bring her with him and a teen heart throb to the Amazon rain forest to film an episode, Danny knows it is her perfect chance for getting back in her father’s life. Things become all too real when their flight to the Amazon crashes and they must survive and find their way back to civilization.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Danny was such a well-developed character with real layers. She had believable faults and skills. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

WOW! I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. Danny was such a great character who blossomed into the person she wanted to be through her experience surviving in the Amazon. She was able to face her fears head on and those helped her become stronger. She learned more about herself and her father through the epic journey. She was able to look at life through a different lens and helped save her friends and herself.
The relationship she developed with Gus was such a slow burn, but it was so good! I really liked how it started out as just something that was fake and then it turned into something that was real.
Danny is able to face her father and really get to know the guy he really is and gain the closure that she surely needed. She realizes that her mother made a lot of sacrifices for her too and she can't crucify her because there were some hard situations involved.
I had the heebeegeebees through parts of this too. I am scared of snakes and just the descriptions made me feel like they were on me. Fischer put a lot into her research and it shows with her descriptions and how she brought the Amazon to life. This is an action-packed, fast read that will appeal to a lot of middle grade and teen readers.

Danny, a high school junior about to turn 17, gets invited by her famous, but absent, father to join him in Peru for the filming of his TV survival show with the current teen heartthrob Gus. Blinded in her left eye by an accident when she was 7, Danny has always blamed herself and felt like she was a disappointment to her parents. She feels inferior and unloved - Dad skipped out right after her accident and Mom had to give up her dream of med school when she found out she was pregnant. Excited to have the opportunity to get to know her dad and prove to him that she's not the failure or disappointment, she forces Mom's hand to let her go on the trip.

Despite a bad storm, the group takes off in a small plane to reach the site where most of the crew is already set up and ready to film. When the plane crashes in the Amazon rain forest, Danny, her dad Cougar, Gus, and a couple crew members are stranded miles from where search and rescue are looking. They have no choice but to try and find a way out on their own. It's obvious the author did her research on the rain forest and I have to admit that I have no desire whatsoever to visit, ever. Ever. But, as an adventure story, this book grabbed me and didn't let go. Chapter 1 starts with the plane crash then chapter 2 flashes back to a biology class in high school. I admit that was a bit confusing, but once I started reading I did not want to stop.

There were characters that I liked and those I hated, but they kept me reading. Although the premise seems ridiculous, while reading the situations actually felt pretty realistic. There was some teenage angst, it is a YA book after all, but the crux of the story is Danny trying to overcome her own internal monologue and find the person she wants to be. That insecurity and that search for self resonated with me. I don't know what it's like to be disabled, but I do know what it's like to be bullied, to feel insecure, to feel like an embarrassment/disappointment/failure, This is a book that teens will definitely be able to relate to and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in survival/adventure stories, coming of age stories, and YA lit in general.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When 17-year-old Danielle finds out her mother held back every letter she ever wrote to her estranged father, she rebels by accompanying him on his latest film excursion to the Amazon Rainforest. Except their plane goes down. They have to fight to survive.
The premise of this book is the reason I wanted to review it. However, the more I read, the more disenchanted I became. The entire cast of characters lacked redeeming qualities (ESPECIALLY Cougar, her father).... I did not feel invested in them, which was a huge let-down and tainted the dangerous and exhilarating moments in the story. The romantic connection was not believable, and Danielle’s disability was portrayed in an uncomfortable way. Would not recommend.

Nancy Richardson Fischer's second YA novel, The Speed of Falling Objects, is a coming of age novel about self-discovery, forgiveness, and family. Danny has spent her whole life questioning everything about herself. Where once she was fearless of everything, a childhood accident that causes her to lose her eye makes her fearful of anything. Nicknamed Pigeon at school because of her eyes, Danny stays under the radar and avoids all confrontation from her classmates.

When her father gives her an opportunity to join him on an episode of his famous survivalist show, she immediately agrees, hoping to finally be able to bond with her dad. When their plane crashes in the Amazon, they are left to fend for themselves and find a way out before the perils of the rain forest take them over.

Within the first few chapters of reading, I was completely engrossed in the story. Nan does an amazing job with the world building. The plane crash was so realistic and the jungle was so descriptive. (Have Wikipedia nearby as you, it's so so helpful). I felt myself with the crew during the trip, heart racing as they faced the formidable species of the jungles, holding my breath as they swam under the murky bogs infested with caimans and leeches. The novel was so vividly written and just kept you turning the pages.

The characters were so three dimensional each with their own distinct personality and voices. But it's truly the character development throughout the book that makes this book so amazing.

Although The Speed of Falling Objects is an action-filled novel that takes place in the jungles, it really speaks to readers. Danny is truly a relateable character, whose insecurities and self-doubt are things that we are all guilty of. But as Danny grows throughout the novel, I felt myself growing alongside her.

Danger Danielle Warren went from a fearless tomboy to the timid "Pigeon" after she lost her eye in an accident at age 7. Danny is convinced that her daredevil father, the star of a survivalist tv show, blames her for the accident and is ashamed of her now that she is afraid of everything. When Cougar Warren calls and invites her to be on his show, Danny sees this as an opportunity to reconnect with her father and show him she can be as fearless as she once was. When the plane crashes in the middle of the rainforest in Peru, Danny's survival will depend on her overcoming her fear. Danny is a likeable, believable character, and most teens will relate to her desire to prove herself both to her father and herself. Danny will have to discover if she is "Danger" or "Pigeon" or even a little bit of both.

Thank you Net Galley for the preview of this fast passed and fun book by Nancy Richardson Fischer. In The Speed of Falling Objects, there is a plane crash, wading through the Amazon jungle, swimming with alligators, swatting of large bugs (and more but can not give away the story) and this is all done so Danny can hang out with her TV star dad who she rarely gets to visit. I did not put it down till I was done reading and I know my Middle & High School students will really enjoy reading The Speed of Falling Objects also.

I love it when I’m surprised in a good way by a book! Not remembering anything about why The Speed of Fallng Objects was in my to-be-read list, I started reading with no preconceptions.. The theme of fearful, insecure girl coming to recognize her own value and power is not new; neither is the concept of teenager wanting to reconnect with a parent who has been mostly absent from her life. What is notable is the way Ms. Fischer took these themes and dealt with them in nonstop Amazonian adventure. She did a great job with the characters, revealing their imperfect humanity as we learned their strengths and weaknesses in a very stressful situation. Along the way we also learned a lot about the Amazon: its frightening beauty, the variety of dangerous living things of all sizes living there and ways that human resourcefulness can match wits with the jungle.
Bottom line, this story is a very satisfying page-turner that delivers on all levels.

The Speed of Falling Objects by Nancy Richardson Fischer is story that encompasses adventure, coming of age, romance, relationships (mom/daughter, dad/daughter, estranged dad/daughter) friendships, secrets, kindness, fear, fearlessness, and so much more! Hard to believe all of this is crammed into one story - and not to mention the Amazon adventure and all kinds of exotic and not so exotic experiences. You will meet a main character with physical and emotional flaws. You will travel with her as she tries to make sense of her place in this world and the world of her dad who left long ago. You will also read about her courageous adventures in the Amazon which is shared with such detail that you will be able to envision the beauty of the setting along with the fears and dangers that exist in this tropical forest. Mom is also a character that you will cheer for in the end! Don't close the book before reading the author's note and the research section. You will learn so much about how this story came to be along with the sources of the rich details included in this work. I can't wait to share this as a gift and to include it in my office library.

I received an advance copy of this book on NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I loved this story!

Danny Warren lost her left eye in an accident at age 7, and has lived with intense anxiety and panic attacks since then. Her father left shortly after the accident, becoming a TV survivalist star, someone Danny is sure she could never live up to. Danny is thrilled to join her father on a trip to the Peruvian Amazon for her birthday, in hopes that she can prove to him and to herself that she is brave enough and strong enough to be in Cougar’s life again. Her mother is not sure that the trip is a good idea, but Danny desperately wants to go. The trip doesn't start particularly well, with very little time for father-daughter bonding that Danny hoped for. When their plane to a remote area of the Amazon crashes trying to avoid a storm, things only get worse. Can they reach help before the perils of the rainforest kill them all?

Fischer has written another engrossing and emotionally charged YA novel, without retreading the ground of When Elephants Fly. The setting and premise of a survival story are a great hook, but the reason to keep reading is Danny’s personal development and the relationship dynamics between the characters. Not all the characters are likeable, there were even moments when I wanted to tell Danny to get it together and realize the truth of her situation. On the other hand, I cared enough about the characters and story to have a strong opinion about almost everyone in the novel. While few teens will ever find themselves dropped in the middle of the Amazon with teen movie star, their estranged father, and a variety of TV show crew members, Danny’s personal doubts and discovery of a personal identity beyond those doubts will resonate with most readers. Highly recommend for teens and adults alike.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

This book had so much promise for me! Unfortunately, it didn't pan out exactly the way I wanted it to. I think it's more of an issue of the type of book I was looking for vs. the type of book I got. I think as a YA book, it's a compelling and gritty storyline. Danny is an interesting character - I wanted to connect with her more, and I wanted her to have a bit more pluck than she did.

The writing didn't resonate with me. I basically struggled from the first chapter until I finally gave myself permission to put it down at 35%. Objectively speaking, I think this book will work for a lot of readers. It just wasn't my cuppa.

This was a great page turner! I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy reading YA but I couldn’t put it down. This is more than a book about people trying to survive a plane crash in the Amazon. It is a book about people facing their fears and challenges with courage. As Danny learned, so much of what we learn is based on misperceptions. Nancy Richardson Fischer put it best “You will never regret the things you try to accomplish, only the missed opportunities.”

This book kept me invested from start to finish (although it’s hard not to be when the opening is a plane crash in the Amazon!) Danny’s development as the boom progressed was painful to watch, it’s hard having second hand empathy and embarrassment for someone who is trying SO hard but missing the mark so often. Watching her find her place and finally stand up for herself unapologetically was amazing. There is a LOT of death in this book, so I’ll caution it for those who may be dealing with sensitive readers.

For fans of Bear Grylls and all survival shows!

Danger Danielle Warren. That is what her rock-climbing, survivalist, estranged, tv-show host father named her. Yet Danny is afraid.

”I am afraid of… Heights. Snakes. The dark. Dancing in public. Headaches… Spiders. Wrong choices. Surprises. Playing sports. Losing friends. Guns… Blindness. Disappointing people. New places. Hospitals. Did I say snakes already? Bees. Migraines. Speed… Being an anchor, a problem, or an embarrassment… Bad dreams.”

So what is a scaredy cat like Danny doing in the middle of the Amazon jungle surrounded by stinging caterpillars and venomous snakes? Celebrating her 17th birthday with her father for the first time in over a decade!

This book was riveting. I couldn’t put it down. The harsh conditions of the wild jungle provided an interesting backdrop for rekindling the relationship between Danny and her father. I loved the plant and animal tidbits and Danny’s quick thinking and bravery.

I really enjoyed reading this book!

Thank you to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book.

My number one advice for this book? Don't read it while on an airplane. After all, it literally begins with a plane crash.

I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved Danny and her narration. She lost one eye in an accident when she was younger and has been scared of the world - and losing her other good eye - since. She also has barely seen her father, a man who reinvented himself as Cougar - a fearless adventurer with his own television show about surviving in the wild with clueless celebrities. When Cougar returns just before Danny's 17th birthday with the offer of going to the Amazon rain forest, Danny can't help but want to go and redeem herself - and win back her dad's approval and love.

I've never been a fan of survival shows and I definitely don't like any bugs, but something about this story was super compelling and I couldn't put it down. It's clear the author did her research into creatures living in the Amazon (in appearance and behaviour), injuries sustained in airplane crashes, and how to realistically treat those injuries. Danny is super smart and resourceful, trying to help and save her travelling companions from being killed by basically everything. In the rain forest, everything is a threat.

I loved her relationship with her parents. It was really hard to see her discover some less-than-flattering things about both her mom and dad. I really loved to hate Cougar (though he had his redeeming moments) and I adored Jupiter!.

Onto the negative (ish):
I didn't love how Danny's relationship with Trix worked out; Trix is Danny's best friend, but Danny's own coldness to her was a bit off-putting. Also, the book was somehow sex positive, but it felt like it was only positive for Danny; other characters who sleep around a lot are judged for their decision, which felt rather hypocritical. Finally, I wasn't a fan of how the story's romance progressed.

To be fair, these are small quibbles. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Danny was whip-smart and honestly did her damn best in the circumstances she was stuck in, and I felt she grew a lot over the course of the novel. If you're looking for an adventure into a dangerous rain forest from the comfort of your own bed, this book is an excellent choice.