The Field
When fourteen-year-old Daniel Robinson is abducted during a game of hide-and-seek, his focus switches from enjoying his summer vacation to simply staying alive. He must find the courage and strength to escape his captors and get home, no matter what it takes. Will he survive? Or is this a nightmare that’s too real to escape?
As Daniel finds himself at the mercy of his captors, his best friend Kyle sets out to bring him back to safety. With nothing but teenage instincts to guide him, Kyle’s quest could result in a happy ending―or in tragedy.
In his first novel, author Ian Dawson draws from his real-life experiences to create an action-adventure story about unconditional friendship, courage, and determination.
Welcome to The Field.
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Reviews
“The Field by Ian Dawson was very interesting, quick read. There were moments when I laughed and moments when my mouth hung open. The Field is about Daniel and Kyle who have been friends forever. They spend their days at school and after school they head out riding their bikes. Hanging out, laughing, farting, joking, and supporting each other. It seems like a normal teen friendship story until the introduction of another set of friends. Austin and James who have the opposite relationship of our first two boys. These two boys are together out of fear. Austin is a mean boy who spends his free time killing animals and he has James in a scary situation that James doesn’t know how to get out of. When Austin kidnaps two boys things start to get out of control.
I was honestly floored with where this book went. It was a hard read at times. It was scary in a “real” way but the writing was riveting and I couldn’t put it down.
There are moments in the book that some readers will have difficulty reading. One child gets burned with cigarette lighters another boy is burned. It is action packed and readers will enjoy reading about the friendship and bravery of Daniel and Kyle.”“Ian Dawson’s 2018 novel is a captivating experience that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Through this writer’s creativity, each character possesses wide depth and individual features that are complex yet unique. Motiffs of adolescence and independence are portrayed throughout the story. The experience shared is remarkable and tells a tale of true friendship. I recommend this novel because it is entertaining from start to finish and is a good coming of age story that will appeal to all age groups.”
Kevin KleinAmazon Review“WARNING: This is not for the weak heart. It’s a major roller coaster ride reading this book. Enter at your own risk.
This has gotten to be one of the most intense thriller/horror I’ve read in a long time. This is a story of a true friendship and this is a story of a toxic so called friendship. This is the story of right and wrong. This is the story of evil and good. This is the story of mentally stable and unstable. This is the field of battle of those combined and who will overcome this nightmare. This is the stuff that Criminal Minds would investigate.
This book really evoked a lot of intense emotions from me. This book may or may get mixed reviews, but this book is very well written. Whew! What a ride! I wouldn’t be surprised if this author becomes famous in the near future if he keeps writing more books. This is some talented writing there.
I give this book 4 stars.
I received this very intense eARC from Book Baby through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased and honest review. Thank you! ““The Field tells the story of teen-age boys and how they handle peer pressure and bullying. It is an action packed story with vivid descriptions of people and places. It was a very good read.”
CMAmazon Review“The Field is a thrilling and terrifying look at the darkness that can live inside any person and the extent to which someone will go to protect their closest friend. In Ian Dawson’s book the focus is on two different sets of friends and how they each contend with something completely unexpected. The first pair we meet is Daniel and Kyle, who are just now experiencing puberty. With everything changing around them they suddenly find themselves dealing with dangerous and unexpected events connected to two boys named Austin and James. In his book Dawson examines these two pairings and the different paths their friendships are on.
Kyle and Daniel has been close friends for years and as they get older they are both maturing at different rates. They stay close, but also find themselves trying to understand what is happening to their bodies and in the world around them. One day while they are playing outside Daniel finds himself in danger and Kyle is the only one that can help him. Recently a young boy has been reported missing and this element becomes tied to Kyle and Daniel when their paths cross Austin and James. Austin is a dangerous teenager who has a deep and violent inner darkness that he feels compelled to use again other people, including the person who thinks they are friends, James.
The story within The Field is not for the faint of heart and is shockingly dangerous and frightening. Austin is the epitome of evil and he does not care what happens to anyone around him as long as he can gain what he wants. Daniel has to try and survive against this evil boy and while he is in danger he still tries to help someone else. As he works to protect himself and the missing boy, Kyle is racing against time to find and save Daniel. This book is full of intense moments and frightening scenarios. If you are looking for a tense read that shows moments of strength in the darkest times you should check out The Field, on sale now.”
KATHERINE KLEFFNER“The Field was very suspenseful. I wanted to keep reading to find out how Daniel and his friend was going to escape. Some parts in the beginning were funny. The majority of the book made me cry. It was a very intense book. I especially liked the book because I know Ian personally. I am familiar with all the places he mentions in the book. I would highly recommend “The Field”.”
NancyBookBaby Review“I literally could not put this books down and read well into the wee small hours. I literally had chills. This books captures the awkwardness that comes whilst navigating the teenage years perfectly, and also explores friendships, both toxic and non-toxic, and the impact this can have on lives, as well as just how easy it is for things to spiral out of control.
I physically had chills when reading this book as I knew it was written from the personal experiences of the author. He has turned a traumatic event that no one should have to live through into an incredibly real story that will pull you in right from the first page.
Make sure you have no where to be when you start reading this incredible story because I guarantee that you won’t want to leave it until you have absorbed every last word.
Phenomenal.
This book is one of those rare gems that will appeal to both boys and girls alike, making it the perfect choice, in my opinion, for a school book club. Although it deals with some pretty meaty themes and topics this is balanced with some pitch perfect comedy moments – I guarantee you will never look at a juice bottle in the same light again!”“I couldn’t stop reading this book. I had to know how it turned out. The twists and turns kept the reader guessing!”
JPAmazon Review“In “The Field,” Ian Dawson digs deep into his boyhood memories to craft a page turner about an adolescent who is abducted and tortured by two older teenagers. Daniel Robinson and his best friend, Kyle, have claimed for themselves an empty field near their homes as their own private kingdom to be explored during their free time. In a misguided choice to get in a quick visit to a special part of their field to play a game of hide and seek, Daniel finds himself isolated from Kyle and is defenseless against the older and larger boys. They take him to their lair where they have already imprisoned a younger boy. The sociopath, Austin, has bullied and enslaved the weaker James to serve as his accomplice. The mayhem they have in mid for Daniel and young Colby is terrifying. Kyle is determined to find his missing friend and do whatever it takes to return him to safety. The resulting action is non-stop and fascinating.
Along the way, as he develops the compelling narrative, the author explores many themes that will resonate with young readers: bullying, the awkwardness of puberty and raging hormone, young love, the difference between true friendship and obsession. Mr. Dawson perfectly captures the voice and the emotional state of the typical middle school student looking to figure out who he is and what his place in the world should be.
Enjoy!”
Dr. Al Chase“If you’re looking for a fast paced read, this is it! Definitely a book that is hard to put down. The writer grabs your attention from the start and keeps it until the end!”
DBAmazon Review“INTENSE read from the first to the last page. A toe-curling read that will shock your mind, break your emotions, and compel you to open your eyes.
Daniel and Kyle are your typical young teenage boys, going on adventures together, expanding their imaginations, along with their typical guy talk and learning about puberty.
Until one adventure goes wrong, Daniel is kidnapped by an insane bully, and he learns more about himself in one night than he ever will for the rest of his life. Survival instincts kick in, and he knows he has to do something, anything to survive. Kyle is distraught, lying to parents to cover for Daniel, and searching frantically for his best friend. In the end, Daniel and Kyle escape as heroes.
You need to read this book to discover the intensity of it. It’s difficult to review without giving away any spoilers. The toxic friendship of Austin and James will baffle your mind, Austin being of pure evil, and James knowing right from wrong, however utterly controlled by Austin who threatens his safety.
As a mother, when I first starting reading this story, I didn’t know if I could handle the torture and pain…it is in fact, every parent’s nightmare for their children. However, I had to keep reading, I had to know the outcome. And as I kept reading, I couldn’t put it down.
I would recommend this book. I honestly think it could help open young adults eyes to the relationships they have in their lives.”“”The Field” is the debut novel of author Ian Dawson in which he draws from his real-life experiences to create an action-adventure story about unconditional friendship, courage, and determination. While a deftly crated, consistently engaging and impressively entertaining read from beginning to end, “The Field” is very highly recommended for both school and community library collections for children 9-12.”
“Today I am recommending The Field by Ian Dawson. This novel based on a true incident from the author’s childhood is about a teenage boy who is kidnapped and assaulted by a couple of older boys in a field near his home. It is the story of two opposing friendships. Daniel and Kyle have a loving unconditional friendship. When Daniel disappears, Kyle is determined to stop at nothing to assure that his friend returns home safely. Austin and James have an evil toxic friendship. Their friendship is based on Austin’s control of James through James’ fear of him. The novel also presents a very accurate portrayal of male adolescence. There are lots of YA novels that deal frankly with female adolescence, but there are not nearly as many that deal as well with male adolescence. In fact,off the top of my head, I can’t think of any. However, this novel is not just a manual about friendships and growing up. It is still a great story. It is like an action movie in book form. From start to finish, it is an exciting heartstopping ride.”
“cinematic, atmospheric, and gripping”
Christian SiaReaders’ Favorite“Fast-paced and graphic”
Edith WairimuReaders’ Favorite“The Field by Ian Dawson is a young adult adventure involving kidnapping and exceptional courage from young characters. Just as he neared the awkward stage of puberty, fourteen-year–old Daniel Robinson is kidnapped during a game of hide-and-seek. He finds himself locked up in a dingy room and he knows there are just two options from what he overhears of an argument between his captors —let him go or kill him. But he knows letting him go won’t be happening, so he must find a way to escape. His best friend, Kyle, who has helplessly witnessed the kidnapping is determined to free his friend, but does he have what it takes?
This is a beautiful story about friendship and courage and young readers can find a lot of inspiration in it. Ian Dawson makes the writing cinematic, atmospheric, and gripping, allowing readers to get clear images of the action in their minds. Character development is top-notch and the author creates a world of escape for readers who still miss the fun world of adolescence. The plot is also well developed with intricacies that will surprise readers as they follow the three-dimensional characters through intense action. The story is emotionally rich and it’s interesting to follow the protagonists as they face complex issues, feel the psychological strain and what it takes to survive against the odds. The Field features excellent prose punctuated by exciting and realistic dialogues and a setting that feels like the next street. This is one of the best novels I have read for young adults in a while, and readers will be drawn in by the crisp writing, the compelling characters, and the well-handled conflict.”
Christian SiaReaders’ Favorite“The Field by Ian Dawson is a fairly straightforward YA novel about two friends, Daniel and Kyle, and what happens when one of them is kidnapped. The book starts with an introduction to both boys and their friendship, and all of the normal adolescent school life adventures and girl crushes. There is also a parallel story of Austin and James, another pair of so-called friends, but in reality they are in a power and abuse-based dynamic. Austin is the one who ends up kidnapping Daniel one day, with James as his unwilling apprentice. This is not the first time Austin has abducted someone or abused them in captivity. Once Daniel goes missing, Kyle rises to the occasion and tries to find and rescue his friend. This is their story of friendship and also about those relationships in youth that are power based and what the youth of today can learn from this and protect themselves from abuse of this kind.
The Field is a fairly quick read and the time line moves quickly from showing the normal life of two teenage boys with their usual teenage problems to one where suddenly there is danger and kidnapping involved. I enjoyed Daniel’s character and he is very relatable and believable as a young 14-year-old boy. The book also highlights an important aspect of teenage life, where either due to peer pressure or bullying, young people often get dragged into and stuck in unhealthy, abusive relationships with peers. This book serves as an educational attempt to recognize these warning signs and not hesitate to try to get help. There is a website provided at the end, but I also think this book would benefit from having an entire list of references of websites and phone numbers teenagers can call in case of such difficulty. This is a good read for young adults and teenagers.”
Gisela DixonReaders’ Favorite“Like many teenage boys, Daniel Robinson and Kyle Hanson look for adventure in all the places they should not in The Field by Ian Dawson. They play pranks and humor each other. Still, beneath their mischievous natures lies a deep-seated friendship that grows with each passing day. On the other hand, Austin and James are inseparable, not because of love but out of fear. James is constantly afraid. He dreads what Austin would do to him if he even thought of breaking off their friendship. He already has a blinded eye to show for an earlier attempt of defiance. For Daniel and Kyle, everything seems to be going well until they encounter Austin.
Fast-paced and graphic, The Field by Ian Dawson presents a coming-of-age story that explores the theme of friendship. Two friendships are paralleled; one toxic and the other inspirational. Issues of parental neglect, lack of trust and communication, and lack of information on where to turn when trapped in unhealthy relationships appear in The Field. The lack of parental attention from James’ mother makes it difficult for James to turn to her for help. Additionally, Kyle resolves to handle challenges by himself instead of turning to his parents. Ian Dawson brilliantly covers the symptoms of destructive friendships. Mostly he brings out Austin’s controlling nature and disguised cruelty. The graphic descriptions highlight the darker sides of toxic relationships. The consequences that the antagonists face are an eye-opener that will serve as a deterrent to possible perpetrators. The Field is a powerful prompting that reminds us of what we deserve from the people around us.”
Edith WairimuReaders’ Favorite
Other YA Novels
The Field
When fourteen-year-old Daniel Robinson is abducted during a game of hide-and-seek, his focus switches from enjoying his summer vacation to simply staying alive. Will he survive? Or is this a nightmare that’s too real to escape?
Midnight House
Haunted by the traumatic events of his abduction two years ago, sixteen-year-old Daniel Robinson has tried everything to make his escalating nightmares vanish. Will Daniel reach out for help, or allow the nightmares to consume his sanity?
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