Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

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NetGalley ARC of The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin opens with Sarah Slade, a social influencer, starting her life over with her husband by purchasing a house to renovate and planning to document the entire process for Sarah’s followers. The house carries a dark past, and when unexplained events begin happening, Sarah quickly realizes that something is very wrong and is desperate to uncover the truth behind the house.
 
Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin.  The synopsis was intriguing, and when I received word that my request to read and review this book, I was thrilled.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Although I didn’t necessarily find Sarah Slade or her husband particularly likable as characters, I was still invested in their story and found myself hoping that things would ultimately work out for Sarah. The novel is filled with twists, revelations, and unsettling moments that kept me guessing throughout. Just when I thought I had figured out what was happening, another twist would change everything. Whether the ending is satisfying or not is something readers will have to discover for themselves, but it certainly delivers a memorable conclusion.

Despite my mixed feelings about the main character, I was hooked from the very first page. The atmosphere is tense, eerie, and filled with a sense of creeping dread that builds steadily as the story progresses. Parts of the novel felt reminiscent of The Shining by Stephen King, particularly in the way the house itself seems to take on a life of its own and influence those living within its walls. The author does an excellent job creating a chilling environment that made me feel uneasy and on edge. There were several moments that genuinely creeped me out and made it difficult to put the book down.

I gave The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin four out of five stars for the reasons already mentioned. Additionally, the story is so engaging and disturbing that it keeps readers questioning what is real and what isn’t. You won't want to miss out on this suspenseful, creepy novel, and I personally look forward to reading more stories by Matlin.

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