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 House On Yeet Street by Preston Norton

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NetGalley ARC of The House On Yeet Street by Preston Norton
The House On Yeet Street by Preston Norton is a heartfelt and spooky middle grade novel about the friendship of four boys, secret crushes, and a one-hundred-year-old curse that refuses to stay buried. Aidan Cross throws his secret journal into the upstairs room of the infamous house on Yeet Street, hoping to keep his hidden feelings far away from his best friend, Kai. When the boys decide to have a sleepover in that very same, very haunted house, Aidan is horrified and knows he has to retrieve the journal before anyone else finds it. As he searches for it, Aidan encounters a ghost, and in doing so, unleashes an old evil upon the town once again.

A big shout-out to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The House On Yeet Street by Preston Norton. I appreciate receiving a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I first started reading this story, I found it to be a bit choppy and disjointed, which made it harder to settle in at first. Thankfully, that issue quickly resolved itself as the plot gained momentum. We soon learn that Aidan is gay, hasn’t come out yet, and is also hiding his feelings for his best friend. The author does an excellent job portraying how middle school kids think, act, and react to one another, from friendships and crushes to fear and peer pressure. The parents’ reactions are also believable, especially when it comes to Aidan’s dad, whose behavior feels authentic and realistic.

There are several twists and turns throughout the story, and I found myself genuinely rooting for Aidan and Kai. While the book includes LGBTQ+ themes, everything is handled in an age-appropriate and thoughtful way. This makes it a great choice for middle grade readers, especially boys who may be struggling with coming out, as well as for readers who aren’t gay but want insight into what others may experience.

Overall, I really enjoyed The House On Yeet Street by Preston Norton and would happily recommend it to others looking for a spooky yet heartfelt middle grade read with strong themes of friendship, identity, and acceptance. Four out of five stars.

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