The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss is a YA mystery centered around a televised escape room competition. While the escape room elements are creative and engaging, the mystery itself didn’t fully land for me.
The central mystery revolves around a murdered contestant from a previous season, Alicia, and her sister Sierra, who returns to the show to prove her innocence. The emotional core didn’t quite work for me because the sisters were portrayed as rivals who didn’t get along. While we do get a final note of compassion, I think the story needed flashbacks of them working together or showing a stronger bond. Without that, I struggled to feel invested in the emotional stakes.
Where the book truly shines is in the escape games themselves. They are clever, interactive, and invite the reader to try solving puzzles alongside the characters. The different themed rooms are fun and imaginative. Unfortunately, the games only make up about 25 percent of the story, while most of the focus is on the drama behind the scenes. I enjoyed parts of that, but I always found myself wishing we were back in the games.
The structure of the show could have been stronger. It felt like it would have benefited from leaning fully into a reality TV format, with confessionals. Since so much of the book takes place between challenges, that format could have added depth and helped develop the characters more naturally.
The characters themselves grew on me over time. Early on, they felt a bit immature, almost like a younger interpretation of teenagers. However, after the halfway point, the character dynamics improved significantly. Beck and Carter were the standout characters. Beck was instantly likable, confident, and refreshing. Carter took longer to grow on me, but her development from timid to assertive was satisfying. The other team members eventually found their footing, but it took time to connect with them.
The story is told through multiple perspectives from the four team members, along with flashbacks to scenes from the previous season featuring Alicia. This structure works well once the story gets going.
The ending was a highlight. The team finally comes together, and the truth behind the murder is revealed in a satisfying way. I was able to guess most of it, but there was still a twist that surprised me. The final sequence cleverly incorporates the escape room concept, making for a tense and fun conclusion.
The book ends with a “to be continued”. Now that I’m invested in the team, I would be open to continuing the series.
The Escape Game was first published on April 7, 2026 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.
Why did I read The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss?
I picked up this book because I love escape rooms and the premise immediately caught my attention. I also read it because my wife is a big fan of Marissa Meyer, and I wanted to try her work. Since this is a co-authored novel and not her usual fantasy genre, I’m not sure it’s the best representation of her writing. I’ll likely check out Heartless or The Lunar Chronicles next.
I received this ARC through NetGalley from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.
Plot Summary:
During Season 4 of The Escape Game, a shocking discovery is made when a prop coffin opens to reveal the real body of Alicia, a former contestant. Her sister Sierra is blamed for the murder by both the show and the public.
Determined to clear her name, Sierra returns for Season 5, joining a new team. As they compete in increasingly complex escape rooms, hidden clues begin to surface that connect the game to Alicia’s murder. Someone on the show knows more than they’re letting on.
What I Liked:
The escape room challenges are easily the best part of the book. They reminded me of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where the puzzles and clues have deeper meaning beyond the game itself.
The ending felt very The Goonies inspired in the best way, with a high-stakes, puzzle-driven climax that was both fun and intense.
The freezer scene was a turning point where the team dynamic really clicked and the story became much more engaging.
Beck was my favorite character. His confidence and self-assured personality made him stand out, and his storyline added an extra layer of intrigue.
Carter had a strong character arc, growing from reserved to more assertive, which made her a standout by the end.
Fitz was an entertaining character, though I did struggle with his age. Given the timeline of the show, it didn’t quite add up for me.
What I Disliked:
Symphony’s character didn’t make much sense to me. Her motivations, especially surrounding her son and her desire to host the show, felt unclear and unconvincing.
The book would have benefited from fully embracing a reality show format. Confessionals could have added depth and improved the pacing.
The opening chapter felt abrupt and disorienting. A clearer introduction to the rules of the game, possibly through Fitz, would have helped ground the reader before jumping into the action.
Part of me thinks Season 4, the events leading up to the murder, might have made for a more compelling story than what we got here.
Recommendation:
The Escape Game has a rough start, but it improves significantly as it goes on. While the mystery didn’t fully work for me, the escape room elements and the eventual team dynamics made it an enjoyable read overall.
If there’s a sequel, I’d be interested in continuing, especially now that the characters have found their rhythm.
There is a mild trigger warning, as a subplot touches on grooming. It is handled within the boundaries of YA and is not graphic, but it is part of the story.
Rating:
The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
3 out of 5
Leave a Reply