Escape Book

I’ve always loved puzzles. I’m not sure how many puzzle games I currently have on my phone, and every time I head out on vacation, I pack a couple of puzzle books. I like problem solving, I guess. I went to an escape room with my family a few years ago and we had a blast. I’m happy to report that we did escape. 🎉

When I got the opportunity to review Escape Book: Madam Mortell’s Haunted House by Arthur Tenor, I was very excited. Escape rooms? Monsters? Puzzles? This is right up my alley!

I felt so much nostalgia while reading this. Another thing I loved as a child was choose your own adventure books! Though in order to actually complete the story, readers actually have to take all the paths, Escape Book reads like a CYOA at times. For instance, readers are given a choice of which room to explore first at the beginning of the book, and whether to continue deeper into the haunted mansion, or return to the Entryway.

I also love the bright, colorful illustrations throughout the book. The monsters are campy, and not too scary. I enjoyed picking out all the little details in the scenes.

My nephew is a lover of problem solving like me, and I know he would get a kick out of this book. But I also know how easy it would be for him to cheat with the way the book is set up. I tried my hardest to follow the rules exactly and not skim to find the right answer, but it was difficult with the correct and incorrect solutions being on the same page and close together.

If you have a kiddo who likes to solve puzzles and likes monsters, this might be a fun book for them! Escape Book: Madam Mortell’s Haunted House will be released April 27th, 2021.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was really interesting.

Growing up I was always interested in those books that had you solving mysteries, and this did not disappoint. I think kids will really love this as I felt that even as an adult that this was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for making this available..

This was so fun! Readers of all ages can enjoy this great puzzle book. It's very interactive and the illustrations were bright and kid friendly and the puzzles were well thought out. It's certainly a way to keep everyone busy during quarantine.

It would be much more enjoyable and easy to do with a physical copy rather than a ebook!

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

The story begins when you come across a big old house (spoiler alert: it’s Haunted), and are invited in by Madam Mortell to join the monster ballroom party. If you can make it there and survive the night.
Underway you have to solve puzzles that will determine how your story unfolds, and you will come across many different beings, who will either aid you or hinder you.

Madam Mortell’s Haunted House is the kind of interactive escape book, that I would have been obsessed with as a child. And I still find it enjoyable as an adult.

A fun & enjoyable book for kids, where they solve puzzles and make different choices to advance the story, much like a choose your own path type of book.
These kind of books are great for picky readers, as they become truly immersed in the story, because they get to choose what to do next.
The puzzles are challenging and engaging. They’re sure to give kids hours of entertainment.
Re-reading and re playing the different choices to get different endings also increases the fun factor for kids.
Highly recommended for kids to boost their brain activity, as well as provide hours of entertainment.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader’s copy for an honest review.