Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sci-fi story barely progresses in romance-heavy third book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In ESCAPE ME, Rosabelle insists on seeing Sebastian in his cell alone, even though she knows what she's walking into. When he beats her so severely that it breaks her jaw, she's prepared for the pain. It's the only way to convince her longtime sociopathic torturer that she's serious about returning with him to Ark Island and getting married, it's the only way to access the supercomputer that controls the island's inhabitants, and it's the only way Rosabelle can save the New Republic. What she's not prepared for is what comes after: starting with nosy scientists asking questions about a compromised colleague and ending with James insisting on seeing her. Rosabelle knows the only way to keep James safe is to shut him out of her life, but she just can't seem to quit him.
Is It Any Good?
While the impossible, intense romance races ahead in this installment—well, eventually—the sci-fi storyline barely shuffles along. Rather, it mostly pings along on the main characters' faulty and most-likely compromised pagers. Reading books should be an escape from doomscrolling. Not so in Escape Me. Some comms/texts are funny at least. James is thoroughly annoyed when his pager is bombarded with erotic messages. And when research scientists harass James' brother Warner on his pager for more time to interrogate the mysterious Rosabelle about the Ark's technology, they come across as more comically petty than professional. Through all the pinging chaos, a tension builds about the Ark's power to overthrow the New Republic from within, but it doesn't build enough and doesn't lead to any big revelations. Not in over 400 pages. And as for in-person conflicts, Rosabelle faces off against the sociopathic Sebastian at the beginning of the story and he never returns. It's all about Rosabelle and James after that, which fans of intense romance will adore. But that's all there is to adore about this sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about possessive men in Escape Me. How does Sebastian claim Rosabelle? How does James? Are possessive vibes okay with one suitor and not the other? Where do you think the line is?
How is the Ark trying to infiltrate the New Republic? How is the New Republic protecting itself? How does your country's government work to protect itself from cyberterrorism and a surveillance state? Does this book heighten your awareness of dangers to privacy and personal freedoms?
What do you think is next for Rosabelle and James, and for the New Republic?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Dystopia , STEM ( AI )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Storytide
- Publication date : September 29, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 20, 2026
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