Five Total Strangers is a non-fiction and young-adult book written by Natalie D. Richards and published on October 6, 2020, by Sourcebooks Fire. The story follows Mira, a student attending an esteemed art school who flies to visit her mother in Pittsburgh for Christmas. Her flight is cut short when a snowstorm hits her area, leading all flights to be canceled. Having no other option, Mira chooses to share a car ride with Harper, a stranger who she befriended on the plane, and three other individuals, Josh, Brecken, and Kayla. Together, the group of strangers journey through miles of snow-buried roads, persevering through challenges caused by the record-breaking blizzard. They avoid fatal accidents caused by the slippery roads, escape a cascade of cars that crashed together, and other sets of oppositions attacking them every step of their trip that keeps readers on their feet. The book was an interesting and entertaining read, its setting and execution always brought about a presence of fear and paranoia every time I flipped through the pages. Mira had a detailed and deep character, and her four other passengers had realistic personalities and reactions to the environment around them, which immersed me into the story even further. The book is a warning, a reminder of how dangerous natural disturbances can be, how a consideration of a simple amber alert on a phone can be the difference between life and death. The story is a quick read for an audience searching for a thrilling and terrifying experience, providing caution that can be considered in real-life scenarios.
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