Trapped

by Carrie Grant

Driving home from a high school math competition, the last thing Emily expected was to get trapped in a caved-in tunnel. Yet when the dust settles, she soon finds there’s even more going on than a math nerd could have calculated. Only a few other cars survived the cave-in, leaving her trapped with a team of plumbers, a cranky old man, a Governor, and a family of five. An older boy named Chris also managed to survive the cave-in...but his bright blue eyes seem to be watching everyone just a little too closely.

As the hours tick by and the water runs out, the survivors struggle to wait for the rescue team. But Emily had seen something just before the tunnel collapsed, something that makes her realize that this cave-in was no accident. She is trapped with the killer of hundreds of innocent people–with nearly a mile of solid rock blocking every exit.

Genres: Young Adult, Crime

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2014

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all of the Teen/YA books out there, an author has to really connect with her/his audience from page one. This is exactly what Carrie Grant did in her novel Trapped! Emily is almost 16, too young to date, but not too young to be the substitute mother to her younger twin siblings while her disconnected mother seems to wallow in all things about her since her divorce from Emily’s father. Emily is also a math genius, a nerd if you will, but between her ability to solve problems and the maturity level she has, when a tunnel mysteriously collapses on both ends, killing hundreds, she is one of the few who shows a sense of compassion and humanity. At a time when those trapped and alive should be banding together, it is Emily who spearheads the rescue of Chris, an older teen who she feels is miles out of her league. Though tenuous at first, they build a trusting relationship when they discover that something is not right about the tunnel collapse. From the trapped politician to the creepy plumbers, a cranky old man and a few families, everyone is suspect and Emily and Chris hide behind the façade of having become “an item” in order to explain their wandering off. Have they discovered the truth behind the collapse? Will they survive long enough to be rescued? With many of the survivors thinking only of themselves, allies are nowhere to be found and Emily finds her heart may be in danger of being broken by the mysterious Chris.

Carrie Grant has hit the perfect pitch and tone in this amazing Teen/YA mystery/adventure! Her style is a refreshing change from much of the YA novels out there, focusing on the situation and survival as opposed to teen angst and romance. Emily makes for a wonderful role model for young teens, strong, determined and caring, while not being afraid to be herself, even in unfamiliar situations. Chris provides just enough mystery in the beginning to make him the perfect hero. As his character is built upon, he becomes very real and much deeper than one would think. Each character was well-place, well-identified and necessary to the humanity and realism of this tale. Ms. Grant has created a terrifying situation and describes each scene with so much realism; you will be completely drawn in, your mental screen visualizing every moment, every sound, and even the pain some endure. Fast-paced, detailed and intriguingly believable!

I want to thank the author for providing such a well-drawn plot that will appeal to a wide audience, while never straying into “iffy’ territory for younger readers. Heck, I could let my mother read this, well except for the one kiss scene!


Publication Date: January 10, 2014
Publisher: Carrie Grant
ASIN: B00HTC6HAE
Genre: Teen/YA Action/Intrigue
Number of Pages: 197
Available from: Amazon

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trapped opens on Emily riding home from a math competition with her mom and younger sisters, and you could tell right away that her mom was not at all happy to be there. Her math competition had been further away then usual, so they weren't used to making the drive. When in the middle of driving through a big tunnel they hear this big tumbling,crashing type noise and the tunnel collapses around them and everyone else in there as well, trapping them inside...

I just loved, loved loved this book! You could tell right away by the way she took charge and went to see if the other end of the tunnel was still open that Emily is one smart cookie, and(I've said this time and time again) I love when books have strong female characters, especially YA because these are the type of people you want younger teens looking up to. Emily is truly courageous, yet real at the same time by showing us just how scared she really is in the inside. I loved the twists and turns in this book and all of the little characters were developed wonderfully. It's different than a lot of what's out there right now in young adult literature which is great because, hey, who doesn't love a good mystery/suspense type book? Maybe it's me truly being my mother's daughter but there is nothing like a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you biting your bottom lip and cheering on your favorite characters within the story. All the little details in Trapped were so perfectly written that I actual felt like I was there. Why I'm so happy about feeling like I was trapped in a tunnel I'm not sure. But... I am, because books are supposed to take you new and exciting places and even if that means being trapped and running out of water and all these scary things then so be it.

This book had a lot more to it than what I thought when I agreed to review it, but I mean that in a good way. I recommend to all fans of young adult literature from young teens on up. Carrie Grant is someone that I can really see becoming a recognized face in the genre, mostly because she really knows how to honestly portray the characters. I feel a lot of times the representation of a teenager in books like these can fall flat and stereotypical and I never felt like that in this book. So, if you're looking for an exciting new page-turner then this is certainly the book for you!
*I received this book for review from the author, but this in no way affected my opinion or review*

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable. I don't usually mind books that are a bit predictable, as they can still make good short reads, but this book was a throw-it-in-your-face, the-hero/heroine-is-completely-BLIND kind of book. The predictability suggests the book is for maybe middle school level readers, but the content is for teens and up. The storyline was good, but hard to dig into when everything is thrown at you. The best thing I can say about this book is the characters. The author does a good job of slowly showing the changes brought over them through the trauma (through she also feels the need to point out that fact through the narration as well).

[Susan Sheehy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I began reading this book, I found myself caught up in the characters and eager to see how they would respond to each twist and tangle. The story lingered with me after I put it down for normal life duties, calling me back to it. I read it very quickly and never guessed how the ending would come and delighted in the extra nuggets of goodness it brought along the way. It was very well written, with greatness around every corner!

[Samantha Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! The plot was full of tension and mystery and the author describes the setting perfectly. It was easy to follow and I loved every minute that I read. Emily, the main character, is brave and believable and has a love interest in Chris, a hot and mysterious mechanic. Add in danger and intrigue and I couldn't put the book down. I would recommend this book to everyone!