Review: Hit the Ground Running by Mark Burley

Synopsis

"Eric—Mom and Dad are gone. I don't know what happened, but I'm going to find out."

Eric might not be getting along with his family—or anyone else, for that matter—but he's pretty sure a boarding school in another country isn't the answer. Skilled in parkour, running helps him deal. So be it, he decides. Do the time and get out. Flow like water. But when he gets a cryptic message from his brother telling him their parents have been abducted, and then his brother disappears, he realises they weren't punishing him, they were hiding him. To find them, Eric has to discover the secrets of his parents' research, but the conspiracy he uncovers threatens more than just his family. With help from unlikely new friends, a hack-first-ask-questions-later approach to computers, and a dangerous plan, he soon learns that some secrets don’t want to be found, and others have a way of revealing themselves at all the wrong times.

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5-Awesome-Stars Review

It's an action packed adventurous read, full of intrigue, mystery, and some drama. I quite enjoyed reading it. All the characters are amazing and story is very well-written. It also has a paranormal aspect to it, which makes it all the more interesting. It's a first book in the series and ends with happy-for-now situation.

Eric doesn't like the fact that he has to move to another country, leaving his friends behind. But he is trying to adjust in his new school. That's when he receives a mysterious video which changes his life. Now he must find his brother, as well as, his parents, while trying to stay out of trouble himself. There are people looking for him and he will need friends to help him out.

Tess has always wondered about Eric from afar. Now that he confided in her, she wants to help him out. She likes him and won't take no for an answer. So as long as it takes to find his family she will stay with him. He needs her, besides she has excellent acting skills and can talk her way out of difficult situations. Eric is in a very tough situation right now. 

Fortunately for him she even knows two siblings who can make their task a lot less difficult. Hence with the help from their friends both Eric and Tess leave school to find his family.
It won't be easy, there will be many obstacles, they will meet many people, some foes and some friends, but in any case they must keep trying. Eric is his family's only hope and he is willing to risk everything to find them.

It's a must read for YA readers, especially if you like action and adventure, along with mystery. This book is a whole package. I loved it!