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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