Michael Northrop

I first picked up 'Trapped' hoping it would provide a thrilling tale of survival against the elements ala 'Hatchet' or perhaps a study of social dynamics as in 'Lord of the Flies' or even 'The Breakfast Club'. Considering the setting the author chose (seven kids stranded in the mother of all snowstorms) it shouldn't have been difficult to come up with an engaging story. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

The story fails to deliver for three reasons. First is that Northrop failed to develop show more the characters enough that I could connect with them and care what happened to them. Little effort is made to develop their personalities or to get the reader in touch with their thoughts and fears. It would make sense that the students would be concerned about what their families are going through but hardly anyone mentions them at all. They all came off as two-dimensional and, as such, it was difficult to work up any concern for what happens to them.

The second problem I have with the story is that I found a lot of what happens implausible. I don't have a problem the storm, mind you, although I doubt such a massive storm would have happened with no warning whatsoever. My concerns are with what the kids did or didn't do in their efforts to survive. In the story they burned 2x4s in a can to keep warm which seems unlikely as they never mentioned where they got the 2x4s or how they cut them up. It would have made more sense to light bunsen burners in the chemistry lab or acetylene torches in the shop to keep warm. If I were in such a situation I would have ransacked the lost-and-found and every room, desk drawer and closet trying to find extra clothing, cell phones, spare batteries, or anything else that might help keep them alive. Aside from some half-hearted searching on day one, though, very little is of that is done. Fortunately, though, they found a portable radio with a battery that never ran out, even though once they worry that it might. In the end, the author didn't put enough thought and effort into imagining what kids in that position would think about, worry about or do to stay alive.

The biggest reason that I was disappointed in this book though is because of its total lack of suspense. With all the challenges facing these characters the author should have had no trouble making us really worry about what would happen but he never quite pulled it off. I'm sorry because I really wanted to like this book but I didn't and I can't recommend it. show less

~~Reviewed by Toby Palevsky Smith of Toby's Nerd-Cave Library~~
A story featuring 7 high school students who are trapped in their high school during a massive historic snowstorm. The one teacher who was there with them at the beginning went outside that first night to ‘get help’ and never came back. They have no idea if he is dead in the snow or if he made it to shelter. That's when things get a bit tense between the remaining students in their bid to survive - and not all of them make it show more out alive.
I am reading this book while I am also snowed in during a historic snowstorm in my area so I think that has made this story a little more immersive and real for me. I am really enjoying the stream-of-consciousness narrative, the foreshadowing clues in the beginning and the way the main character narrates what's happening in both past and present tense. The realities of surviving in freezing temperatures with the very little supplies that can be found in a run-down public school building in the middle of open farmland are very compelling and interesting to think about. The plot itself seems to be missing, other than an “I survived” vibe throughout, and there is no clear cut resolution at the end. show less

This book had hints of the Mummy but for the younger generation. I know my nephews will have a good time reading this book. Alex and Ren are relatable characters. Even for a girl Ren is cool. I point this out because I myself had no issues with her but boys being boys who are still at the stage of girls are gross, will like her too. They will not find this a girl book but a cool book about Ancient Egypt, fighting the undead, good action, and a fast read. Another thing that I liked about this show more book is that the author did not use a lot of huge words that are not easy to pronounce or ones that I would have to look up in a dictionary This is important when writing for this age group that you don't talk down to the readers but you also make it in easy and understandable language. There are five books in this series total. This one starts out the series nicely and the next one is sure to delight and have tons more action. Also, you can go online at www.scholastic.com/tombquest and play a game that goes along with this series but building your our tomb and traps. show less

This is the first book in the Tombquest series. This series is “designed” by the same people who worked on the Infinity Ring series and the Spirit Animals series. I have read some of the Spirit Animals books and they weren’t my favorite. However, I kept picking this book up and looking at it and finally decided to get it when I saw it at my son’s book fair at school. There are five books planned for this series and they will all be written by Northrop.

Eleven year old Alex has show more suffered from sickness his whole life and it’s getting worse. After a horrible attack the doctors are worried he won’t recover. That’s when his mom, who is an Egyptologist, uses one of the Lost Spells from the Book of the Dead to save him. Unfortunately she unlocks a doorway that does more than save Alex’s life. Now strange things are happening all over the world and Alex’s mom has disappeared. Alex will stop at nothing to save her.

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was going to. There is a lot of mystery in here, some creepy parts, some good action, and some magic. I really enjoyed it all. The book was fast-paced and easy to read.

I liked Alex as a character and wanted to know more about his illness. After his mom uses the Lost Spells on him he starts gaining endurance and this leaves the reader wondering what else about Alex will change as the series continues.

I loved that him and his mother have an open and loving relationship. I also enjoyed the friendship between him and Ren. Ren was another fun character, she is a girl and has a lot of spunk. I enjoyed that there was both a main boy and girl character; this makes the story accessible and fun for both genders.

The plot was well done, pretty much the story is just getting started here. I loved the Egyptian mythology throughout too. The story is exciting and fast-paced and was easy to engage with. I gave it to my 8 year old son and he is reading it now, so we will see what he thinks.

We have not checked out the game yet, but plan to in a few weeks when we are moved into our new house.

Overall an excellent start to a new series. I thought the book was fast-paced, exciting, and really well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the mythology, the characters, and the plot. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series, Amulet Keepers. Recommended to those who enjoy mysteries with some action, mythology, and magic. show less