The first point of view is that of Mina and what happens aboard the plane.The atmosphere on board is electric and tense, there are many celebrities and politicians and they are already demanding attention. There is an open bar in first class and many are setting a party atmosphere before they have been in the air more than a couple of hours.

Once Mina's flight is underway, she receives a note informing her that if she does not comply and do as she is told, her daughter will pay the price. What is a mother to do? Mina and Adam’s marriage has hit a really bad patch, and Mina isn’t sure it will survive, doesn’t know if she even wants it to. Her 5 year old adopted daughter Sophia, is also a challenge, and quite honestly, life isn’t looking too great, but things are about to take a further nosedive, when Mina receives an anonymous note onboard from a passenger, telling her that he/she will ensure that the inaugural flight never reaches its destination, and furthermore, that Mina will help them to carry out their threat - or else her family will pay! I loved the multiple POV, starting from Adam the husband at home, to Mina getting ready to fly as well as some of the passengers. There are a variety of settings: Adams work, the journey to school, home and the flight. We gradually learn about the uneasy family dynamics of Adam, Mina and their five year old daughter, Sophia. Hostage' is just an incredible read and one I do not think I will ever forget. This is exhilarating, emotional and full of danger and secrets. I loved every word and every twist and turn the book took. I cannot recommend this enough, it is just the perfect read.

He was calm and wise, and everything I needed. He talked about the Hippocratic oath and the importance of doing no harm. He talked about working with nature, not against it, and he gently suggested we consider not whether Alex might live, but whether that life would be meaningful – not to us, but to him. The narration is very good except that it's in one voice, other than a more childish voice for Sophia. The choice to make everyone in the story use the same voice meant that men sounded just like women and with so many characters in the story, I would get mixed up who was talking/thinking. I don't care for over acting when it comes to narration but I do think some distinction between the voices of main characters would be helpful. We spend a lot of time with both Adam and Mina and it would have been nice if Adam didn't sound just like Mina. What I didn't like is the audiobook! The publisher needs more than one narrator if the reader has one voice a.k.a NO VOICE TALENT. She shouldn't be cast for a multiple POVs story. I totally thought this is a LGBTQ couple and Mina calls her partner husband (yea Adam), but no wait...they were trying to have a baby so must be a he. Forget trying to differentiate any of the passengers. I didn't even try. Nine-year-old Sophia sounds just like mum and dad...what da hell...? Mina is a flight attendant living separated from her police officer husband, Adam. They both have secrets but they have a strong enough relationship that they can amicably share custody of their young daughter in the family home. Mina is part of the flight crew working on a record breaking 20 hour non-stop flight which is the first time for any airline. Soon after the flight takes off, Mina receives an anonymous note from a passenger and it becomes evident there is a scheme on board the flight that Mina is caught in the middle of. I wasn't a fan of the author throwing in a few hot button social issues of the day, which did nothing to move the plot forward. I would really urge authors to show restraint and simply focus on telling a good story.

Some injuries and deaths occur. The terrified passengers become aware of what is unfolding and that they are all doomed. It added a dimension to the story that we got to know some of the individual passengers through their thoughts about their lives and why they took this inaugural flight to Sydney.Mina's marriage to her husband, Adam, has been strained due to his secrets and lies. Their very bright adopted daughter has had attachment issues and a unique mindset. Both parents have felt inadequate and under strain caring for Sophia. Adam is at home caring for Sophia to the best of his ability with the help of a new, young babysitter.