Review Detail

The Escape Game has many elements to love. It is part murder mystery, perfect for fans of Truly Devious (Maureen Johnson), and part escape room game, perfect for fans of The Grandest Game (Jennifer Lynn Barnes). The premise is that a reality television show is in its fifth season, and this year’s cast includes Beck, Carter, Adi, and Sierra. However, they all have ulterior motives for joining, especially Sierra, who is a returning contestant determined to solve her sister’s murder from Season 4.

With so many characters, backstories, and the establishment of the game show environment, it takes patience from the reader to develop a connection with the characters. Once everything is in place, the plot moves fast, the surprise connections and secrets they are keeping are unexpected, and the whodunit keeps you on your toes as the likely suspect keeps changing. The ending is an epic showdown with an ironic twist that they must play a game to save their lives.

I like the attention to detail in this story. Beck’s character is trans, providing good representation. Adi’s background shows the ugly side of growing up in Hollywood. Carter’s online persona versus real-life self is a real struggle that is relatable. The reality TV highlights how staged and contrived the drama is to make good suspense, which is great to show YA readers who may not realize that aspect yet.

The ending is satisfying, and we do know who murdered Alicia Angelos, but the authors’ time and attention in making this team of well-developed characters with interesting backstories won’t go to waste, because there is another book planned.