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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Wow. That ending was so unexpected. Now I have to re-read the first two. That was insane.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a really fun read. I lived getting to know the characters backstory. And you may find yourself thinking "oh this is so easy. I can see where it's going from a mile away" but the plot twist slapped me in the face
This twisty and dark prequel to Gretchen McNeil's dystopian series #murdertrending had me completely hooked from the beginning. Despite all the comparisons to [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586722975l/2767052._SY75_.jpg|2792775] that this series has received, this particular novel actually reminded me of [b:Dangerous Girls|16074758|Dangerous Girls|Abigail Haas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356513050l/16074758._SY75_.jpg|21869436] because it functions as more of a thriller than a dystopian. You don't need to read the previous two installments in the #murdertrending series in order to enjoy this one.
Having read McNeil's Don't Get Mad series last year, I knew to expect a fast-paced unpredictable plot and she didn't disappoint. There is an alternative timeline, which can occasionally annoy me in novels, but I was invested in both storylines and curious as to how the two would connect at the end of the novel. Just like with her books [b:Get Even|16005219|Get Even (Don't Get Mad, #1)|Gretchen McNeil|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392042939l/16005219._SY75_.jpg|21769471] and [b:Get Dirty|24828094|Get Dirty|Gretchen McNeil|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569801356l/24828094._SX50_.jpg|21769476], the author kept me guessing all the way through. I would say that I never really developed an emotional connection to any of the characters (even though they were all fleshed out) but that wasn't a huge flaw as it meant that the focus was on the escape room itself. Gretchen McNeil isn't afraid to kill off her characters but this only added to the suspense.
I recommend going into #noescape as blind as possible so I won't say anything on the plot other than that I was shocked at the final plot twist! Highly recommend for fans of dark thrillers.
★★★★★ 4.5 stars
Having read McNeil's Don't Get Mad series last year, I knew to expect a fast-paced unpredictable plot and she didn't disappoint. There is an alternative timeline, which can occasionally annoy me in novels, but I was invested in both storylines and curious as to how the two would connect at the end of the novel. Just like with her books [b:Get Even|16005219|Get Even (Don't Get Mad, #1)|Gretchen McNeil|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392042939l/16005219._SY75_.jpg|21769471] and [b:Get Dirty|24828094|Get Dirty|Gretchen McNeil|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569801356l/24828094._SX50_.jpg|21769476], the author kept me guessing all the way through. I would say that I never really developed an emotional connection to any of the characters (even though they were all fleshed out) but that wasn't a huge flaw as it meant that the focus was on the escape room itself. Gretchen McNeil isn't afraid to kill off her characters but this only added to the suspense.
I recommend going into #noescape as blind as possible so I won't say anything on the plot other than that I was shocked at the final plot twist! Highly recommend for fans of dark thrillers.
★★★★★ 4.5 stars
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought I was going to DNF this book after the first 50 pages. The occasional (constant) words in (parentheses) really bothered me. BUT, I’m sooo glad I stuck with it. The other characters annoyed me at first, but as the book went on I appreciated their unique personalities. I figured out the “first” plot twist a little more than halfway through but then BAM, Gretchen threw in that INSANE mind blowing twist at the very end. Fantastic book overall, kept me on the edge of my seat
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Persey has been made to feel worthless by her family for as long as she can remember. Seeking an escape from that life, she engages in an escape room challenge which leads to an invitation to the world series of escapes rooms. It quickly becomes clear that the cash prize isn't the only thing at stake as the puzzles increase in difficulty and lethality.
Although I did not realize that this was part of a series, it actually ended up okay as it definitely functions as a standalone novel. It has all your typical thriller/murder mystery elements with a sprinkling of added horror and the complication of it being a locked room mystery.
I didn't feel like the book was cliché at all. Many of the plot twists (especially the ending!) were totally unforeseen. Admittedly, I didn't spend much time trying to predict them I just ploughed through the book. The characters might be overblown caricatures, but it's needed in this scenario and it feels appropriate due to the stress that they are under. Persey is undoubtedly the most interesting character and the way the novel cuts back and forth between the now and the past, revealing her life in small tidbits, makes it a little more compelling.
With all that said, I only gave the book 3 stars. It is entertaining, good turn your brain off and enjoy reading. However, there are certain element in the writing that I couldn't get past. It was not written from the first person POV, and I felt that the author wanted to give us more insight into Persey's mind. The way to do that was not to intersperse (what felt) like every other sentence with brackets. It was not (definitely not) what I wanted to read because it took me out of the moment.
Readers that enjoy locked room mysteries, and can stomach a little bit of gore, will like this one. As will readers of All Your Twisted Secrets and His Scream Queen .
Although I did not realize that this was part of a series, it actually ended up okay as it definitely functions as a standalone novel. It has all your typical thriller/murder mystery elements with a sprinkling of added horror and the complication of it being a locked room mystery.
I didn't feel like the book was cliché at all. Many of the plot twists (especially the ending!) were totally unforeseen. Admittedly, I didn't spend much time trying to predict them I just ploughed through the book. The characters might be overblown caricatures, but it's needed in this scenario and it feels appropriate due to the stress that they are under. Persey is undoubtedly the most interesting character and the way the novel cuts back and forth between the now and the past, revealing her life in small tidbits, makes it a little more compelling.
With all that said, I only gave the book 3 stars. It is entertaining, good turn your brain off and enjoy reading. However, there are certain element in the writing that I couldn't get past. It was not written from the first person POV, and I felt that the author wanted to give us more insight into Persey's mind. The way to do that was not to intersperse (what felt) like every other sentence with brackets. It was not (definitely not) what I wanted to read because it took me out of the moment.
Readers that enjoy locked room mysteries, and can stomach a little bit of gore, will like this one. As will readers of All Your Twisted Secrets and His Scream Queen .