Escape Room

When Ami arrives at the Escape, she thinks her dad has arranged a treat for her- the ultimate escape room challenge. Along with team mates, Adjoa, Ibrahim, Oscar and Min, Ami learns that their challenge is to save the world, working together to find the Answer. However, from the first challenge, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary Escape Room challenge. Facing a series of perilous scenarios, Ami and her team must work together to find the Answer before it is too late.

‘Escape Room’ is one of those books which grabs you from page one and is impossible to put down. Beautifully plotted, the story has one of the best endings I have read in a long time which makes discussing the plot in detail very difficult without giving the game away!

The game starts as they expect with puzzles to solve and clues to decipher; However, things soon take a darker turn and the children find themselves playing a very different game to the one they expected- one with serious consequences. The children make their way through a series of locations, facing a new challenge in each. The settings (the Bibliothèque Universelle, described as a ‘vast cathedral of books’, sounds like my dream come true) are vividly described, creating the perfect backdrop to the action – and there is plenty of action. Christopher Edge does a marvellous job of building tension, forcing the reader to question everything as they journey alongside Ami and the team.

But there is more to this book than a pacy, intriguing adventure. As with his other books, Christopher Edge challenges the reader to think about… well, I can’t really tell you that without spoiling the plot- so you’ll have to read it to find out!

A fantastic read aloud, ‘Escape Room’ would also make an excellent core text to inspire children’s own writing, drama and debate work. It’s time to play for real…

Escape Room Christopher Edge

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788007962

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.