Snared: Escape to the Above

Wren is a young apprentice hunter who maintains deadly traps in the underground city of Dvengar. While other hunters capture magical creatures to extract their essence, Wren focuses on fixing broken mechanisms and keeping the traps running smoothly. A chance encounter leads Wren to question everything about the world of Dvengar and its practices. With newfound knowledge and determination, she embarks on a mission that takes her beyond the confines of her subterranean home and up to the mysterious "Above." Her journey forces her to navigate unfamiliar territories and face threats from both the surface world and those who want to maintain Dvengar's status quo. Along the way, she forms unexpected alliances and discovers abilities she never knew she possessed. The story explores themes of questioning authority, finding one's place in the world, and the moral implications of exploiting living creatures for resources. It presents a fresh take on classic fantasy elements while addressing contemporary environmental and ethical concerns.

Readers describe this middle-grade fantasy as fast-paced and imaginative, with unique world-building that blends steampunk and magic. Many highlight the protagonist Wily's resourcefulness and determination. Liked: - Creative trap-making descriptions and mechanics - Strong female characters - Humor throughout the story - Appeal to reluctant readers due to quick pace Disliked: - Some found the plot predictable - Character development felt rushed for supporting cast - A few readers wanted more depth to the underground world Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (100+ ratings) "The trap mechanics were detailed enough to be interesting without bogging down the story," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states "Perfect for fans of Artemis Fowl who want another clever protagonist." Multiple librarians report success recommending it to students who enjoy action-adventure stories.

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🔧 Wily, the book's protagonist, is a goblin whose main skill is creating intricate traps - a talent he learned from his father to capture the "food" (humans) that wander into his underground realm. 🌟 Author Adam Jay Epstein was inspired to write this story after playing Dungeons & Dragons and wondering what it would be like to see a fantasy world from a monster's perspective. 🏰 The story flips traditional fantasy tropes by presenting humans as the feared creatures and making a traditionally "evil" creature - a goblin - the sympathetic hero. 🔍 The book incorporates detailed descriptions of mechanical traps and puzzles, encouraging young readers to think about engineering and problem-solving. 🎮 Before writing middle-grade novels like Snared, Epstein worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood and wrote for various video game companies, which influenced his action-packed writing style.