Review: Escape From Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Title: Escape From Asylum

Author: Madeleine Roux

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: June 14th, 2016

Pages: 343
Audio Length: 7 Hours and 40 Minutes

Genre: YA Horror
TW: Lobotomies, regular asylum stuff

Series: Asylum 

Source: Audio

 

The nightmare is just beginning…
Ricky Desmond doesn’t belong in the Brookline asylum. His parents sent him here because they think he’s a deviant—and that he can be cured—but Ricky knows there’s no cure for what he has.
Soon after he arrives, Ricky learns that being locked up against his will is only the beginning of his problems. Rumor has it that the Brookline warden authorizes treatments that aren’t entirely…humane. That he’s a butcher, a monster. And if the screams Ricky hears coming from the basement are any indication, the rumors are an understatement. Now, with the help of a nurse who feels just as trapped in Brookline as he does, Ricky must escape before the asylum claims his sanity—or his life.

What made me pick this book up: 

I had previously read Asylum and I loved it, and I didn't know there was a prequel. 

What did I like about the cover: 

I absolutely love any Madeleine Roux covers. They are always so creepy and dark. I love the girl in the dress and how she looks... ghostly. 

The only thing I would rather is if it was a guy ghost. Since the main character is a male. 

What made me read this book: 

Like I said, I had previously read Asylum and I hadn't gotten any further in the series. I decided for February I was going to read the entire series. 

What did I like the most: 

I really really enjoyed this book actually. I had originally rated this book 4 stars but as I was thinking about this review I realize how much I actually really love this book. I would almost change the rating from 4 to 4.5. 

Anyway! This one is different from the rest of the Asylum series, this one has less ghosts and is more about time in the asylum.

With that being said, I loved reading about all the characters in the asylum. I loved reading about why they were there. 

The characters were written really well, I wanted to get to know each character and honestly if Madeleine wrote a novella for each of the characters I would absolutely love to read them. 

The writing is done really well, it had me completely immersed in the story. I finished it in one night and I did not want to stop listening. 

The main character was hard to get to know at first, he was a bit of an asshole and was definitely very selfish, but once you actually got to know him you see how much he cares, he's just a bit... lost. 

The story is really good and unique I think. It really sets the scene for the rest of the books. 

I don't think it matters if you read this one first or if you read the series first, there's really nothing that gives anything away about the other books, and I think it almost helps you understand the warden better. 

What didn't I like: 

I wish it was a bit more horror. It definitely had a creepy vibe to it... because asylums. And it had me holding my breath wondering what was going to happen next. However, I didn't feel scared really. 

That's really it. 

Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
Yes!!! Madeleine has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

I really really enjoyed this book.

"It wasn't enough that the warden was in his head; now he was in his body too"

- Madeleine Roux, Escape From Asylum

New York Times Bestselling Author of the ASYLUM series, Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, Sadie Walker Is Stranded and the upcoming House of Furies series.
MADELEINE ROUX received her BA in Creative Writing and Acting from Beloit College in 2008. In the spring of 2009, Madeleine completed an Honors Term at Beloit College, proposing, writing and presenting a full-length historical fiction novel. Shortly after, she began the experimental fiction blog Allison Hewitt Is Trapped. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped quickly spread throughout the blogosphere, bringing a unique serial fiction experience to readers.

Born in Minnesota, she now lives and works in Seattle, Washington.
Website: http://www.madeleine-roux.com
Twitter: Authoroux
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult
URL: https://www.goodreads.com/madeleine_roux