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A review by thebigemmt505
No Exit by Taylor Adams
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
No Exit is a face-paced, action-based thriller that delivers on its intensity but overstays it’s welcome.
The reader follows Darby, a wiry college student who finds a child named Jay locked in a car at a rest stop during a blizzard. It follows her journey attempting to save Jay and defeat her kidnappers. The intensity never ceases, and the author effortlessly hooks the reader into a page-turner. It’s very competently written with well written descriptions and vivid verbs that help the reader picture every grimy detail. Darby is a very loveable, complicated character and the way her quirks and problems are worked into the plot is very satisfying. The other characters in the story, while not as developed and at times a bit over-the-top (looking at you, Ashley), are fun to read about. There are twists and turns that are genuinely gut wrenching and surprising. The Wanasho vs. Wanashono rest stop twist The plot points and themes are cohesive and it feels like every detail actually matters. The story’s strength lies in its brevity and gruesome chaos.
There are problems holding it back, though. The story has plot holes that chip away at the readers suspension of disbelief ( nobody at the rest stop having an iPhone charger, Darbys mom finding an arm lump despite the cancer being pancreatic, the constant change in how much snow is on the ground [is it knee deep or barely drivable?], Darbys lack of side effects despite dangerous levels of caffeine consumption, many shots being fired in the room during the Lars and Darby fight then Darby refusing to fire one more shot at Ashley because of gasoline fumes in the same room, the cop somehow getting past the plow truck to then not see Jay or the driver and shoot Darby, etc. etc. ). Towards the end of the story, the plot becomes so excessively dramatic it loses its dramatic tensions. I found myself rolling my eyes when the final stand down became the next, then the next, then the next until the bitter end.
Overall, this is a great thriller and an easy read. It’s imperfect but not irredeemable. If you’re looking for a fast and fun read with many dark elements, give this one a try. Just be prepared to exhale out of your nose in mild frustration a few times.
The reader follows Darby, a wiry college student who finds a child named Jay locked in a car at a rest stop during a blizzard. It follows her journey attempting to save Jay and defeat her kidnappers. The intensity never ceases, and the author effortlessly hooks the reader into a page-turner. It’s very competently written with well written descriptions and vivid verbs that help the reader picture every grimy detail. Darby is a very loveable, complicated character and the way her quirks and problems are worked into the plot is very satisfying. The other characters in the story, while not as developed and at times a bit over-the-top (looking at you, Ashley), are fun to read about. There are twists and turns that are genuinely gut wrenching and surprising.
There are problems holding it back, though. The story has plot holes that chip away at the readers suspension of disbelief (
Overall, this is a great thriller and an easy read. It’s imperfect but not irredeemable. If you’re looking for a fast and fun read with many dark elements, give this one a try. Just be prepared to exhale out of your nose in mild frustration a few times.