Break Out

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3.7

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Author(s)

Publisher

Quill Tree Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

13+

Release Date

June 02, 2026

ISBN

978-0063217508

For Thurgood Marshall Academy's best and brightest--five friends who've been thick as thieves since kindergarten--this spring break is all about forgetting: they want nothing more than to wash away last year's tragedy, and the human-shaped hole it left in their friend group.

It's a hole the new kid, Anthony Brooks, seems to fit right into. So when he invites the Five to join him on a private island for a week at his dad's luxury resort, they agree with zero hesitation. No one's counting on a freak tropical storm swooping in and killing the vibe. And speaking of killing, they're also ill-prepared for the mounting collection of dead bodies... including (another) one of their own.

As their dream trip unravels, everything they tried to leave behind--secrets, lies, betrayals, dead best friends--seems to be washing up on the shore of their lives for everyone to see. Will any of them make it out alive?

Editor review

1 review

Friendship, Lies, And Thrilling Twists

July 19, 2026

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

4.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Breakout is thrilling-faced mystery that that follows a group of friends trying to escape from the luxury resort of their dreams. After a tragic death, the group descends into chaos as lies become unraveled and friendships start to dissolve. The main characters are forced to reckon with the truth and themselves as danger lurks around every corner.

This is the second novel I've read from this supergroup of authors and I appreciate how they always branch out into something new with each release. Taking on a thriller can be a daunting task especially with so many writers at work. While the concept and the characters keep the reader engaged, there were too many elements at work. This tended to bog the story down at times and the multiple points of views outside of the main cast of characters were a bit confusing at times. I think a stronger focus on the teen main characters and plot twists could make for a much smoother reading experience.

Though the story feels a bit disjointed at times, the story is immersive and a page turner. There are hidden secrets, a constant aura of paranoia, and characters that you can't trust. It makes the reveals at the end very satisfying. If you enjoy a fast thriller with action and multiple twists check out this novel! It makes a perfect beach read!