Kara's Book Cravings: Fright Night

 

This is the final Maren Stoffels book I have, and as far as I can tell, I've now read her entire catalog. I'm a little sad about that, but I'll be on the lookout for any new books she publishes. 

So, FRIGHT NIGHT is my absolutely favorite Maren Stoffels book. Another YA thriller, this one takes place in the woods during an event known as fright night. It's an event teens pay to attend that's part haunted trail and part Fear Factor. Each team has to walk through the woods at night, without the aid of any cell phones, and each member of the team has to face their greatest fears. 

Of course, as the story progresses, the fears get more intense, and then things really go horribly wrong. The bad guys show up and wreak havoc. 

This book does have some darker content that ties into everything at the end, but I can't say what because it really will spoil the twist ending. I will say that it dives a bit into child abuse, so fair warning about that. It's not graphic though, but it's very clear what's happening.  As uncomfortable as that topic is, it works very well within the context of this story and how it forms the basis for certain characters actions and motivations. 

Have you read this one yet? 

Do you know of any other books with a similar setting? 

Kara's Book Cravings: Room Service

 

Continuing with my binge read of Maren Stoffels backlist, after finishing her last book, I jumped right into ROOM SERVICE. 

This is another teen thriller, and yet another book that's contained within an enclosed setting. This time it's a hotel where the characters are celebrating a friend's birthday. 

The mystery in this book starts right from the first page with the main characters referencing something that happened a year ago, a friend getting injured or killed (it's not super clear, which I'm sure is the point, but the guilt they carry hints at something nefarious. 

There's one character in here that drove me crazy, and not in a good way. She was very annoying in a "why doesn't anyone like me" whiney sort of way. The overall mystery and thriller aspects, though, outweigh this one bad character. 

Like the rest of her books, this one ended with quite a twist! I really didn't see this one coming, which is always great, but I personally would've liked a tad more hints leading up to the big reveal. Overall, I enjoyed this book a bit more than the others, and it's a great addition to anyone who loves thrillers like I do. 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Kara's Book Cravings: Escape Room

 

After my daughter gave me one of this author's books, I've been on a binge, reading everything she's published so far. Yes, I realize I'm reading "out of order" in terms of publishing dates, but all of these books are standalone stories that don't need to be read in order. They're also short and quick, which I like in between heavier books and series. 

Recently, I just finished ESCAPE ROOM by Maren Stoffels. This is another YA thriller, and is the author's second book involving an escape room, and while I really enjoyed it, I thought the other one I'd read (No Escape) was much better. That could be because the author has grown as a writer since then, or because I was able to easily see what the twist was in this book. Either way, I still loved the secluded setting, the fear of not being able to get out, the lies and secrets. And I really am a big fan of the author's writing style. I thought the ending of this one was a lot clearer, which made it a more satisfying read. I have two more of her books to read, and I'm excited for them. 

Have you read this book? What did you think? Do you have any good recommendations for books with secluded settings?

Kara's Book Cravings: Stranger Danger

I'd read and really enjoyed No Escape by Maren Stoffels, and the rest of her books sounded really good, too, so I bought them all. They've slowly been arriving on my doorstep via Thrift Books. (If you don't know what that is, Google it! My book loving brain loves it. My bank account doesn't. Haha)

I am a sucker for anything that has a secluded setting, so knowing this one was set at a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, I jumped right in! Stranger Danger by Maren Stoffels is a teen thriller that has a central theme about bullying, which is always a timely topic, and I thought the author handled it well. I'm also a really big fan of this author's writing style. Her books have that little something odd and extra that I find exciting. 

While I did like this book, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it now that I've finished and have had time to digest everything. 

Everyone in this book is a liar, which is fine. I mean, they're teens and learning their way in life. But the adults are liars, too. And they're creeps. (A married teachers is having an affair with his student, so head's up for that content. Also, fatphobia and eating disorders.)

In many places, the teens were actually way more mature than the adults. Beyond that, though, there's a twist in this book. Several, actually. I tend to like those, especially when I don't see them coming, but this time... The twists felt more like a deception, an intentional secret the author kept from the reader and then diverted the truth to seem like something else when it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, at the end, it all comes together beautifully, but the "bad guy" is a bit of a let down. Not the person doing it, but the reasons behind their actions. 

Overall, I'm conflicted on this one. I read it in a matter of a day, and it certainly held my attention, but now that I'm reflecting on it... I'm just not sure. I do have to give this book and the author props, though, because I know this will be one I continue to think about long after I've closed it. 

Have you read this book? 

What did you think? 

Or has any book ever made you feel so conflicted? 

Share in the comments!

Kara's Book Cravings: No Escape

 

My daughter found this book, and when she told me about, I asked to borrow it because it's a teen thriller, which is right up my alley. But what makes this even better is that it takes place in an escape room! I've been to a few of them myself (only ever gotten out once), and I've seen both of the movies. I'm lowkey fascinated by escape rooms and the possibility of getting stuck inside without anyone there to help you. I mean, the story options for this type of setting are limitless!

And so I took NO ESCAPE by Maren Stoffels with me to the gym one night and read while I walked on the treadmill. I read half the book without realizing it, (and spent over an hour on the treadmill) and then when I got home, I finished the book. So, yes, I read this in one day. 

The pacing is super fast, and there are quite a few twists and turns and reveals I hadn't expected. Despite being teens, each of the 4 main characters had very well-rounded and rich backstories that they were dealing with while trying to get out of the escape room. 

My only complaint is with the end. While the escape room aspect was resolved in if and how they get out, the reason behind everything was extremely confusing. A random character is introduced at the end who isn't given a name but has a narrative that's very mysterious. I don't know if there's another book planned or not, but the end left me scratching my head with confusion. 

I did, however, enjoy the author's style, and I'm now waiting for the rest of her backlist to arrive so I can read them, too.