Escape: Book Three by Alison Bellringer
This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views version here.
Kaylee, while only sixteen, knows what she wants; to marry Carlos. While her parents don’t give their blessing, they don’t technically forbid it either–opening the door for Kaylee and Carlos to elope. But life outside of their hometown is not all they hoped, and Carlos starts down a dangerous and ultimately, abusive path. Even after their daughter Britney is born, Carlos does not soften.
Putting Britney before herself, Kaylee instructs the five-year-old Britney on how to run away. After a particularly violent night with Carlos, Kaylee leaves and goes off in search of Britney, ultimately finding her with Kaylee’s mother, Ruby. As Kaylee adjusts to life in her hometown, Britney begins to trust and love her, but when Carlos comes back into the picture, everything is shaken up. Carlos is determined to change, but can Kaylee truly believe it?
Escape: Book Three rounds out a middle grade trilogy by author Alison Bellringer. In Escape, readers learn more about Britney’s parents: Kaylee and Carlos. In this novella, Bellringer explores the events that caused Kaylee to run away from her parents, Ruby and Seth, marry Carlos, help Britney escape, leave Carlos, find Britney, and more. Gaining insight into Kaylee allows other characters to also become more fully realized, which is welcome.
A dog once again makes an appearance in the book. A lovely dog, referred to as “Old Tangle” leads Kaylee to a safe place for Britney to hide. While more interactions with “Old Tangle” were expected given that the cover features a dog, it is nice that the theme of dog protectors continues in the final installment of this trilogy.
One can’t help but wish there was a fourth installment of this series from Carlos’s perspective. His transformations are often key plot drivers, yet they are only observed from the outside and often from a distance. While the theme of redemption is an intriguing one, readers want that redemption to be fully earned. Perhaps this series will continue and dedicated readers will get a deeper understanding of Carlos and/or other figures in the series such as Ruby and Seth.
Alison Bellringer’s Escape: Book Three illuminates key parts of the series, including adding some additional humanity to Carlos and Kaylee. While more significant interaction with the featured canine–as well as more exploration of Carlos–would have been welcome, Escape is a satisfying read for fans of Bellringer’s series.
Comments
Post a Comment