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Snared, the story of Wily, a lad without his folks, living underground protecting a vast treasure. His job? Make traps! Rebuild traps! Keep the treasure safe, stay underground always. BUT…the unexpected comes along. Oh, this review book took me about four hours maybe… (I had other stuff I needed to do at the same time so my timing is a bit flexible eh?) to read through. As soon as I was done I said “Lad, I think you’ll like this book”. 🙂
Snared is written by novelist Adam Jay Epstein. He co-authored middle school books such as The Familiars (I thought I recognized his style) and Starbounders. Living in Los Angeles with his family, he has written for various film and television projects as well.
It’s hard for me to write about this book without giving away the story. I just want to tell you EVERYTHING about it but … I can’t. That’s not what a book review is eh? I love a good fantasy. Anyways, Mr. Epstein takes his time at the start of the book to tell us everything he can about the world Wily is living in. We learn of the life he lived, how he’s never met his folks, the creatures he spends his time with, and how he views himself….a misbegotten hobgoblin. We are introduced to two villains, The Infernal King and Stalag. His life is safe underground but then…. his life is literally turned upside down.
And the story gets interesting…the adventures, the learning, the possibilities… it was all just rather intriguing indeed. Good character development, back stories were added in well, horror described without being graphic, just enough adventure mixed with daily living to keep the book moving forward. Not so incredibly fast paced that you feel like everything is a rush, yet not so bogged down by details you get bored. Well balanced.
My thoughts:
A well-written story that most middle schoolers (and perhaps their parents) will enjoy. I would happily read another in this series (if it turns into one). It will be going into my “read this book pile” that I have on the go with my lad. 🙂 
Snared: Escape to the Above
Adam Jay Epstein
Imprint Reads
320 pages, softcover, middle school
Fantasy, chapter book, adventure
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
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