While reading this book I learned a great deal about the Appalachian mountains. The hiking is difficult and dangerous. Mother nature tries to stop Eli with lightning, rain, landslides and more. The book moves at a fast pace with many action scenes that leave you anxious to find out if he makes it out alive. Mimms does a good job creating a connection between Eli's character and the reader. Eli’s determination to live up to the Sutton legacy is admirable. You can’t help but root for him to complete his quest.