This novel was hands down one of the most terrifying and hardest books that I have ever read in my life. I am giving this book a 5 star review.
I will NEVER forget this book. I had nightmares, shed tears, shocked, horrified, and learned a lot. I will never forget some of the stories. A story of a lady named Jennieann will always make me tear up. I will never forget the vivid details of what firefighters first witnessed when they arrived on scene and after. I will never forget the bravery from perfect strangers saving each other. I will not forget, the firefighters risking their lives to save others. This is a book that will shock and horrify you then inspire you with the stories of bravery.
At times, I did not think I would be able to read this book. I put it down and said I was not going to finish it. I had nightmares every night. At times, it is very detailed on the injuries of some of the victims that through my tears, I kept reading. Needless to say, this book is not for younger audiences or people like me who are emotional.
As a person who lived through this era, 9/11 has always been emotional for me. I remember how scared I was when I saw military helicopters flying past my house to get to the scene of Flight 93 in PA. (I live in Pennsylvania). I have avoided hearing stories from ground zero even after visiting the memorials in NYC and PA. You see the tragedy as a whole but not through the eyes of the people who lived it. This book had me dive into those. I will never be able to “unsee” what I read in this book. I give the author credit, his attention to details from survivor’s stories was superb. Additionally, the calls from people in the towers and in the planes to their loved ones were hard to read.
Overall, the novel was very thorough in everything from the high jacked planes, terrorists plan, both towers, the pentagon, as well as the aftermath. I was glad that I was able to read about the heroes that risked their lives to save others.