Escape Room: Thorn House

by J.E. Hailstone

Five Nights at Freddy’s meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library when three kids are invited to an escape room challenge at a notoriously haunted house, and they find themselves wrapped up in a dangerous game that they must win if they want to make it out alive.

The door to Thorn House is open.

The game has begun.

There’s nothing Luca Price wants more than a great adventure. But with just a week to go before seventh grade starts, he and his best friends Owen and Kylie are starting to think that this will be the most boring summer of their lives. So when Luca’s invited to an escape room at a creepy abandoned estate called Thorn House—in the middle of the woods and at midnight, no less—it’s too good to pass up. Even if town legend says it’s haunted. Armed with all the snacks and supplies they’ll need, the three friends bike into the woods, ready for their biggest adventure yet.

But as the night progresses, they start to realize that the rumors of evil at Thorn House might be more than just stories. And when an exciting game turns into a fight for their lives, the kids will have to uncover the mysteries of Thorn House, and its connection to Luca’s family, if they ever hope to escape.

Genres: Horror

190 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you thought this was a stand alone 🤡
So good!!! This deserves more attention!! I'm ready for the next book because I need MORE (me boi is in trouble!!)!! Another coronavirus read

[Alba Arango · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooky!

With only a week left until school begins, Luca is sorely disappointed that his Explorer’s Club hasn’t really had any adventures. That all changes when he receives a strange invitation for a top-secret escape room challenge at midnight at Thorn House, the local house in the middle of the woods that is allegedly haunted. Luca and his two best friends show up, only to discover that this is far from a game. Escaping each room soon becomes a battle for their lives as the three kids hope to discover a way out before the ghouls do them in.

What I liked: it’s a great creepy plot. The setting is fabulous and all the rooms they are trapped in have great character. The clues are fun to try to unravel as well. The book is well-written.

What I did not like: two major things. One: the main character, Luca, is kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. He’s completely self-absorbed and truly cares only about fulfilling his desire for his Explorer’s Club success, to the point that he treats his friends badly and they’ve started keeping things from him. I almost didn’t finish the book because I really didn’t like him. Two: the book ends with a total cliffhanger. I understand wanting to leave some unanswered questions so reader will be excited for the next book, but this book ends with absolutely no closure at all. I hate that in a book.

Not a bad read, just a bit frustrating.

3 out of 5 stars

[Molly Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Luca Price and his two best friends. The three kids are invited to participate in an escape room at a house that the whole town claims to be haunted. The three friends jump head first, hoping for a fun adventure. What they find themselves in is nothing like they expected. The game they expected turns into a fight for their lives.

This book was nothing like I expected it to be, but I really enjoyed it! The suspense of the book kept me turning pages. I was not expecting to be somewhat scared by this book, but reading it late at night spooked me a little. I think students, especially ones who enjoy the Goosebumps books, would enjoy this book. It is a little scary, so it may be best suited for older students.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this one 5 stars because I loved how it had the secret messages that you had to figure out what they meant that were throughout the book. It made me feel like I was apart of the story. It was cool to have to figure out all the messages. It was so much fun!! This one ended on a cliffhanger so I really hope there is a book two!! I think the kids should have told their parents about what happened. Because you can always trust your mom and dad. This was easy to read and I knew all the words. I understood everything that was happening. I think this adventure book would be great for kids my age (10 and in 4th grade!)

[Gus Fusser · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the only valid books by J.E. Hailstone. The rest just simply have less value. The ending cliffhanger is a stab in the gut but the entire book is just awesome. I suspect J.E. Hailstone is actually just a surname for a group of authors like R.L. Stein, but this specific one is the best of all. I'd like to see the next books go deeper into the lore of this book, as it's potentially very interesting. The only part I don't like is when they namedropped Fortnite as if to say "Hello Fellow Kids". Anyways, good book, read it.



-The Headache

[Cassidy · Rating 1 out of 5]

My grandma and I both disliked the ending and thought there should have been more to the book.

[Liljp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book their is going to be another obviously

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

It kept me entertained but the ending was kind of a gut punch hopefully there is a sequel to this at some point

[Donna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was scary as hell and the ending was a shocker. I wonder what my grandson will think?

[Allyson G · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down because it ended on a cliffhanger.

[Brenda Brown Kovacs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give it a five but I have two angry kids wanting to know the rest of the story. Is there a part two? What the heck??