Review--Flight 171 by Amy Christine Parker

 

Devon Marsh is haunted by secrets. Like the identity of the person who killed her twin sister, Emily, in a hit and run accident last Halloween, which Devon has vowed to uncover. Like the things Devon said to Emily just before she died.

But she’s determined to start fresh when she boards a four-hour flight along with her classmates for their senior class ski trip. Devon never could have guessed those secrets would surface in the most terrifying way when a supernatural creature hijacks their flight and gives the students a deadly ultimatum:

Choose one among them to sacrifice before the end of the flight. Or the plane will crash.

As the clock ticks down, the creature slowly unearths the passengers’ deepest, darkest secrets—and reveals that one of the teens on the plane is responsible for Emily’s death. The students must agree on a sacrifice, or there won’t be any survivors. But can Devon find a way to stop the creature, or will she give in to her anger and let revenge take control?

 

Tis the season for spooky and creepy reads and what could be spookier than being trapped on a plane with a demon? Amy Christine Parker’s Flight 171 will give you a whole new reason to be terrified by flying on a plane! I mean, that can be a little frightening in and of itself when you think about it. But this was a most thrilling and chilling read with a mystery to boot!

It’s only been a few months since Devon’s twin sister, Emily died on Halloween night. Devon blames herself even though she didn’t kill her sister. Her sister was a victim of a hit and run, her body just left alone on the side of the road. Devon wasn’t the best sister just before she died and the guilt eats away at her constantly. The fact that she was forcing herself to go on this ski trip with her classmates to act a little normal for her parents was the least she could do. It was a trip she and Emily were going to take together, but now she’s just with the rest of her senior class.

It starts out so innocently. A red eye flight with other passengers, Devon’s mom is a pilot and was even on the flight as she got a connection to her next job, so she wasn’t totally alone. But then there is one passenger among them that kind of gives Devon the creeps. You would think a harmless little old lady would be nothing to fear…you would be wrong.

The little old woman is in fact a demon, or a demon is possessing the body of an old woman. The old woman’s body is just about used up and the demon is looking for a new vessel. It puts everyone on the plane into a deep sleep, leaving just the teenagers awake. It’s likely because they are the most “viable” body choice being just at the prime of their lifetime versus the other adults and few babies that were on board. The demon is even going to let the teens choose who will be the sacrifice. Choose one among themselves and the demon will let everyone go and have the plane safely land at its destination.

Naturally, this is not something that can be done lightly and in order to choose the “right” sacrifice, the demon plays all the teen’s deepest, darkest secrets on the inflight video devices and much is revealed. Everyone has their secrets, everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to keep them. Who among the teens is the least deserving of life? The teenagers will have to vote amongst themselves to make a decision that is quite literally damning.

If you are looking for a read that is downright terrifying, then look no further! I mean, first off, we have an unsolved murder, the murderer might even be on the plane with them! Then add in a literal demon from hell who plans to possess one of the teenagers and makes no qualms about telling them they will literally be a prisoner in their own body for the rest of time...it was quite frightening! The madness among the teenagers when it came to deciding who ought to be the sacrifice felt very reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies!

Though it was a decidedly quick read, I felt like the length was just right. There’s only so much that can happen once the plot presents itself. There were still a few surprises along the way that I was not expecting that made for an intense read! This is definitely not something you would want to read when you are on said airplane traveling anyway, unless you’re a daredevil reader, lol! I wouldn’t be able to! It’s like watching LOST when on an international flight…just inviting trouble!

I pretty much pegged down the “killer” so to speak once it became obvious the killer was among Devon and her friends. Even when you peg down your number one suspect, it's still a surprise when it actually gets revealed! Many authors have led me astray with the array of suspects, so you really never know whodunit it until the reveal happens.

The ending was by far the most spectacular ending I’ve read from a horror novel! These are the endings that I love and hate all at the same time! Because you know it’s the ending…but is it?! Lol. One of those that will leave you developing theories that can’t ever go anywhere since this is a standalone! But again, since it’s a horror novel, the ending felt just right and omg, I am still thinking about it now!

If you’re looking for a bone-chilling read this spooky season, I would highly recommend Flight 171! It’s a real scream! ;)

 

Overall Rating 5/5 stars