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knittyreader's review
4.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
I effing loved this book! The characters are strong and caring, and they develop through the story. There is some love interest going on, but not very much, and on a great pace; just two teenagers who get to know each other - the real each other - better throughout events, and who seem to like each other, but who don't overhaste things in the 'oh, who cares'-way I sometimes see in this kind of story. They care, and they know others care, that they don't rush into more things than neccesary. I loved the puzzles and the idea of one, big, freaky and scary escape room-like maze of rooms. It all was very thought-out.
The only things that I did not (yet) like, were the first two chapters and the last one. At the start it seemed to become a standard kind of horror story; family of two caring foster-parents, a caring but shallow girl, a silent and smart new foster brother and the cute younger brother move into a house that is suddenly inherited by the foster mother. What I did like in that first chapters, was the kind of meta-thought in it; the main character wondering that the parents don't see they seem to fall for the trap that everyone knows must be there, since that's the way it always goes with houses from very rich far related old-old-uncles, isn't it?
The last chapter felt a little rushed and too easy. We neared the end of the book, and there should be some closure. Although I was very glad it was the closure it was, and I'm sure the leads that're still there will be worked out into the next installments, it would've been nice if. It would have made that the ending didn't feel that rushed.
Apart from that, I think this is a very, very good book, and I already reccomended it to some people I know.
I effing loved this book! The characters are strong and caring, and they develop through the story. There is some love interest going on, but not very much, and on a great pace; just two teenagers who get to know each other - the real each other - better throughout events, and who seem to like each other, but who don't overhaste things in the 'oh, who cares'-way I sometimes see in this kind of story. They care, and they know others care, that they don't rush into more things than neccesary. I loved the puzzles and the idea of one, big, freaky and scary escape room-like maze of rooms. It all was very thought-out.
The only things that I did not (yet) like, were the first two chapters and the last one. At the start it seemed to become a standard kind of horror story; family of two caring foster-parents, a caring but shallow girl, a silent and smart new foster brother and the cute younger brother move into a house that is suddenly inherited by the foster mother. What I did like in that first chapters, was the kind of meta-thought in it; the main character wondering that the parents don't see they seem to fall for the trap that everyone knows must be there, since that's the way it always goes with houses from very rich far related old-old-uncles, isn't it?
The last chapter felt a little rushed and too easy. We neared the end of the book, and there should be some closure. Although I was very glad it was the closure it was, and I'm sure the leads that're still there will be worked out into the next installments, it would've been nice if
Spoiler
the last door hadn't been locked, and the kids had to make their way out with a last puzzle, for instanceApart from that, I think this is a very, very good book, and I already reccomended it to some people I know.
kim3100's review
5.0
I received the ebook in exchange for an honest review
I didn't know what to expect from this book, because NA normally is less of a favorite of mine. I didn't have a feeling of NA with this book though. It was a big surprising adventure which was quick paced and well written. I really loved reading it!
I didn't know what to expect from this book, because NA normally is less of a favorite of mine. I didn't have a feeling of NA with this book though. It was a big surprising adventure which was quick paced and well written. I really loved reading it!
writetoexpress's review
3.0
NetGalley Review
It is incredibly difficult to write a book composed primarily of clever puzzles and riddles. I am very interested to find out what will happen in the next book. I thought the concept of a couple of teenagers and a child wandering around a maze was a little far-fetched at first. I was intrigued to find out how they managed to find themselves in that situation. For the most part, the entire story keeps a steady pace. There is action, suspense, and a dash of romance. J. A. Armitage's writing is fantastic! The amount of time and effort that went into creating the labyrinth is great!
It is incredibly difficult to write a book composed primarily of clever puzzles and riddles. I am very interested to find out what will happen in the next book. I thought the concept of a couple of teenagers and a child wandering around a maze was a little far-fetched at first. I was intrigued to find out how they managed to find themselves in that situation. For the most part, the entire story keeps a steady pace. There is action, suspense, and a dash of romance. J. A. Armitage's writing is fantastic! The amount of time and effort that went into creating the labyrinth is great!
ashurq's review
2.0
You guys have all seen those escape rooms popping up all over the place, right? You pay money to get locked in a room, and then you have to solve puzzles to get out–often you’re timed. Well, this book takes that idea to the EXTREME. I liked the idea of it…but I think a novel isn’t the right format exactly. The reader only sees what the author describes to us so there’s no way that the reader can try to solve the puzzles before the protagonists. It casts the reader in a very passive role as opposed to an active one and I found that a lot less enjoyable. The characters themselves are not very developed, but they weren’t really the focus of the book anyway. I thought the relationship that’s developing between Kim and Nate is kind of weird, but also kind of inevitable. Overall, not much of the plot really makes sense (what that heck is going on with Ezra?) but if you enjoy reading about other people solving puzzles, you might enjoy this one.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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