Survival. It makes for exciting TV, but all Josh wants a life that passes for normal. A real house, not a cabin in the woods. Hockey, not hunting to put food on the table. Girls. But his half-brother, Nathan, wants to prove himself in the Alaska wilderness, and their father won't let him do it alone. Josh's prospects brighten when an intriguing girl visits remote Willow Creek, but Shannon is entranced with his brother. As Nathan's behavior grows stranger—and more dangerous—Josh confronts the dark side of what it means to be his brother's keeper.

" . . .[A] chilling winter's tale." Publisher's Weekly

"The complex interplay of feelings in this troubled family, set against the pristine beauty of backwoods Alaska, imbues an already compelling read with a refreshing combination of action and psychological depth." Kirkus Reviews

"Never mind those Alaska reality shows—this is the real Alaska. Deb Vanesse writes with the authority of one who's been there, her prose as fresh and piercing as a winter sunrise. As one of her characters tells us, 'once you've been in the wilderness, a part of it will always be with you.' This coming of age story, like the Alaskan wilderness, will leave a lasting mark on those it touches." Debby Dahl Edwardson, National Book Award Finalist, My Name Is Not Easy