Hubris Falls

Though the story and the conversations were fairly realistic, I still couldn't empathize with the characters nor consider their behavior anything other than reckless and irresponsible.
The last 50 pages were the best part of the book, the post-tragedy feelings and atmosphere made the read worth it.

Believable, conversational, goofy, shocking.

The cover is intriguing and matches the plot perfectly. I want to say there is some aspects of this story some people could find offensive. The story is blunt in many ways describing the relationship between a group of young boys. Difficult topics of racism, death, alcoholism, religion are discussed in detail.

The book is easy to read and covers deep emotional topics. I recommend it as to read, but with caution because of the emotionally blunt topics covered.

This book was written well, and I loved the storyline and characters. Very detailed and I really cannot recommend it enough! The twist and turns kept me engrossed, and I will be looking for more from this author.

A lot going on in this book. Much discussion of politics, race and religion going on along with the characters ' frequent drug and alcohol use. Very much tongue in cheek as to the current state of affairs of our country, family dynamics and opinions of the why's and whats of the afore mentioned topics. I would have thought more the 60's setting instead of the 90's because of their choice and frequency of their drug and alcohol use/abuse. The story is a cathartic retelling of events that led to great tragedy and resolution of his inner conflict with religion. Very descriptive and great dialogue, however it was quite full of expletives, sex and bodily functions --some of which could have been glossed over or omitted altogether. Quite a bit more than I am accustomed to reading and if you can't tolerate expletives,crass behavior and over the top drug/alcohol use , don't read this book!
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.. The opinions expressed are my own.

#HubrisFalls #Netgalley #bookstagram #bookreview #matthewshiley this book was a phenomenal read. It's a group of four friends. The main character tells us the story thru his eyes. The friends talk of politics, race, friendship. After graduating college they decide to go on a rafting trip what happens during this trip is something no one could have predicted. It's definitely a must read. Even though it's set on 1997 I feel as if these issues could be set on present time.

I’m grateful to have received an eARC from NetGalley. I enjoyed the storyline of this book immensely. It follows Brian “Legs” Hamilton and his closest friends through an adventure following their college graduation. I struggled to really love Brain. His crassness and indelicate manner of relating his story were difficult at times to read, though I do believe in this lies the true beauty of the book. I believe this accurately captures the personality of an early 20’s post-college male out with his buddies. I’d recommend this book, but warn that there is some crassness and graphic events.

I found this to be an interesting book on transitioning from college to the real world. The friendship of the young men rang true as they faced a myriad of situations. Overall, I thought it very good. I received a complimentary copy from NetGLley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

College is over and the last great trip among friends is about to take place. It is a strange gathering. Outcasts or losers ? Odd group. I can't believe they actually graduated. The drugs and alcohol abuse is astounding. Still the trip sounds like an interesting one. The route sounds so beautiful. I could picture the river from the description. Calm one minute. Scary another. The one person I felt who was actually a good person didn't make it. I was pulling for him. I liked this book. The writer gives a good description of things. Easy read.

I love YA, and reading stories from a male POV is something I hardly do. I’m so glad I did it with Hubris Falls because it gave me a persecutive. I really had to get out of my head thinking these guys are just “typical” and read it. I really enjoyed this one.

3.5 stars. Senior year in college is about to end so 5 young men decide on one last rafting trip to bond and enjoy before they have to become grownups in a business world they have no interest in joining. The amount of drugs & alcohol used is astounding. The raft trip without the booze, etc would be dangerous enough, but with minds totally fogged, it is beyond dangerous, beyond stupid.

"Legs" is the one we hear the most from and the story of his graduation alone is enough to make a parent cringe beyond words. He does have some regrets, mostly on how he let down his Black friend, the same friend who is being treated poorly by another of the 5 and subjected to racism. Should Legs intervene? Kind of hard to do when you are blotto.

A story I didn't think would be very good at first, turned into one I was glad I read. Though I can't relate to any of it, I'm glad to have read it. Thanks NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a coming of age story about a group of boys who are graduating college. As one last hurrah, they are going white water rafting before they have to grow up. Being incredibly immature, the boys have lived carefree, pulling pranks some of which are mean. They have bullied others and done things they are no longer proud of.

During the trip, there are many debates about politics and religion. The boys reveal feelings regarding racial beliefs. Tragedy brings the positive and negatives of their lives into crystal clear view.

This is a well written book. It contains dark humor, typical male bonding antics and serious contemporary topics. Some portions are difficult to read as the boys have no concern for the consequences of their behavior.

I recommend this book. Be aware going into it that some of the topics will be unpleasant and evoke strong emotions in the reader.


I received an ARC from Greenleaf Book Group through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.

I am quite ambivalent about this book. I liked reading it. I kept wanting to pick it up even though I didn't like what was happening in it. As a female, I was horrified that male friends would treat each other this way, although I guess I sort of knew that they did. The conversations the friends have about race, religion, and politics were annoying to me because they were kind of standard arguments for each side without much nuance, but that seems to be the author's point. These are college-age kids that don't think deeply about these things (unless they are truly affected by them like Jimmy) and yet they are forming these ideas as part of their identity. Reading the author's interview in the back of the book really helped. Hiley was writing from experience, and he makes a good point about how racists are not just bad people you don't know, they are our friends, our friends' parents, and our neighbors. We just might not know the extent of it until we're high on a rafting trip with them. I received this free ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.