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melbrariancjhs's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It’s a book with a message pretending to be a fun adventure. Ugh.
t_higgsreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
2.5 Stars
CAWPILE = 4.36
This book left me torn. I wasn't keen on the very end or the pushy nature of the green-washing which was also more tell less show so it grated me that it was written like the intended audience (9-12 year-olds) wouldn't understand the point of the book without being explicitly told. Children understand more than some adults give them credit for. It also implied use of captivity to serve the greater good and emotional manipulation which is wrong and selfish but neither of these was portrayed or even implied as being wrong so that felt problematic to me given the target age range. There were also other things that felt wrong but I want to keep this review spoiler-free.
These things aside it was a very fast paced read that kept me excited about what was going to happen until the end. I also enjoyed the involvement of genuine places and events from our actual history.
CAWPILE = 4.36
This book left me torn. I wasn't keen on the very end or the pushy nature of the green-washing which was also more tell less show so it grated me that it was written like the intended audience (9-12 year-olds) wouldn't understand the point of the book without being explicitly told. Children understand more than some adults give them credit for. It also implied use of captivity to serve the greater good and emotional manipulation which is wrong and selfish but neither of these was portrayed or even implied as being wrong so that felt problematic to me given the target age range. There were also other things that felt wrong but I want to keep this review spoiler-free.
These things aside it was a very fast paced read that kept me excited about what was going to happen until the end. I also enjoyed the involvement of genuine places and events from our actual history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
kcodlingbray's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kirstycarson1's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
anonymousreader_1's review against another edition
because the main character was an AI and I hate being tricked like that by books. It's like finding out the whole story was a dream . Also my copy of the book had a different title.. not sure what's up with that. And it was the length of the middle grade, with young characters, but actually really creepy. Wouldn't recommend to younger readers.
robynemilia13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
f33lthesun's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute roller coaster of a read. I read this in one sitting.
Ami’s father has gifted her an Escape Room experience. From the first minute she is solving puzzles, trying to just get in the building.
From there she meets the 4 others who will make up the group.
Each room they go in gets bigger, more complicated, more dangerous and more difficult to escape from.
The author pulls no punches, there are sacrifices along the way and an unforeseeable twist.
An absolute must read.
Thanks to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the eARC.
Ami’s father has gifted her an Escape Room experience. From the first minute she is solving puzzles, trying to just get in the building.
From there she meets the 4 others who will make up the group.
Each room they go in gets bigger, more complicated, more dangerous and more difficult to escape from.
The author pulls no punches, there are sacrifices along the way and an unforeseeable twist.
An absolute must read.
Thanks to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the eARC.
cheyburn92's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sginnaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death
amysutton's review
3.0
A little cheesy and heavy handed but we loved the fast pace (and the character peril/death…).
*Edit to add: When I finished this before my students, I rated it 4/5 stars. After finishing it, I have to bump that down. I wish I had pictures of their faces on the final chapter. They pointed out so many plot holes that I apparently overlooked. They felt cheated by the ending and rating it "zero stars" - "2 stars maybe" - and "negative stars." So??? If you want fast paced and a great discussion starter, try this one, but go in with some disclaimers that it may be weird.
Ami loves games and challenges, so when her birthday comes and her dad buys a ticket to the newest Escape Room experience, she is ecstatic. She is randomly teamed up with 4 other players (Adjoe, Min, Ibrahim, and Oscar) and they must learn to work together to find the Answer and save the world.
This is super fast paced and an easy to follow read. After the first challenge, Ami and her companions realize that this is not an ordinary game and the dangers they face could mean life or death. They must decode riddles, win chess games, play video games, and use brute strength and cunning to survive. There are also twists and big reveals that give this adventure depth and make it feel fresh even for older readers. The intense action makes me lean towards recommending this for mature 5th graders and up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy!
*Edit to add: When I finished this before my students, I rated it 4/5 stars. After finishing it, I have to bump that down. I wish I had pictures of their faces on the final chapter. They pointed out so many plot holes that I apparently overlooked. They felt cheated by the ending and rating it "zero stars" - "2 stars maybe" - and "negative stars." So??? If you want fast paced and a great discussion starter, try this one, but go in with some disclaimers that it may be weird.
Ami loves games and challenges, so when her birthday comes and her dad buys a ticket to the newest Escape Room experience, she is ecstatic. She is randomly teamed up with 4 other players (Adjoe, Min, Ibrahim, and Oscar) and they must learn to work together to find the Answer and save the world.
This is super fast paced and an easy to follow read. After the first challenge, Ami and her companions realize that this is not an ordinary game and the dangers they face could mean life or death. They must decode riddles, win chess games, play video games, and use brute strength and cunning to survive. There are also twists and big reveals that give this adventure depth and make it feel fresh even for older readers. The intense action makes me lean towards recommending this for mature 5th graders and up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy!