This book would have gotten a higher rating had the author not just stopped this in the middle of an action sequence, in the attempt to get you to buy the next book. I've said it time and again. Author's writing a series, or trilogy NEED to follow a proper formula. You NEED to have a major plotline to carry you through the entire series, but you also need to have a minor plot line that can be wrapped up in each novel. To leave a story completely unresolved without that minor plot line does NOT draw readers into your next book. It makes them feel cheated.
I also hated that at about the half way point, and again at the end of the book, the author threw in HUGE text "But wait - there's more!" and threw in a sales spiel. Talk about sounding desperate.
But back to the story.
This was purported to be YA, but it felt more like middle grade. Elaine, at sixteen, is a VERY immature sixteen. Her best friend goes missing and Elaine, her boyfriend and another friend, break into the house where Talia (the friend) had been living, find a secret passage, and end up in danger.
I won't spoil the story, but I will say by sixteen Elaine would have learned in science class that the human body can go several days, perhaps weeks, without food, but needs water to survive.
IDK. The writing wasn't too bad. Elaine's stream of conscious and every minute of everyday storytelling was a bit monotonous. I guess you could say I'm not a huge fan and won't be reading the rest of the trilogy.