Review: "Trapped Days"

Trapped Days: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller by Grace Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Title: Trapped Days
Author: Grace Hamilton
Genre: Action/Adventure/Survival
Publication Date: August 7, 2024

Summary:
Trapped Days follows Shannon Grayson, a tough-as-nails long-haul truck driver, whose life is turned upside down when a massive electromagnetic blast hits North America while she’s unloading cargo at the South-Central Retail Supercenter, demolishing the power grid. Trapped inside the sprawling building with dozens of other survivors, Shannon must navigate a world without power and the looming collapse of society outside. Determined to escape and find her daughter, whom she hasn’t seen since entering witness protection five years ago, Shannon faces a grueling battle for survival.

Eight hundred miles away, Dennis Sullivan, Shannon’s witness protection officer, battles through the ruins of America to reunite with her and ensure their safety. As desperation turns to terror, Shannon and the others realize that in a world gone mad, the only people they can trust—and the only people they need to fear—are each other.

Review:

Themes and Content:
The novel explores the fallout of an EMP crippling the United States and possibly the world. Themes include moral dilemmas, the nature of humanity, and power struggles in a large-scale disaster scenario.

Characters:
Shannon is a relatable character with a strong character arc, developing trust in others while facing various conflicts and enduring betrayals. Dennis, the witness protection officer, is intriguing but feels inconsistent at times. His timidity and guilt contrast with his military background. Supporting characters are well-crafted, adding realism and depth to the story.

Writing Style:
Hamilton's writing is engaging and well thought out, providing vivid descriptions of the scenes. The alternating timelines are managed well, maintaining suspense and emotional depth.

Plot and Pacing:
The plot is fairly strong, especially as the first book in a new series. The book is told through the perspectives of three main characters, and the anticipation of their eventual interactions adds to the intrigue. The pacing keeps readers hooked, with each chapter revealing just enough to maintain interest and suspense.

Strengths and Weaknesses:
The atmospheric setting and well-drawn characters are major strengths. The main weakness lies in the beginning of Dennis's plot, which didn’t resonate as strongly with me due to its seeming implausibility in the context of the EMP crisis.

Personal Response:
While I thoroughly enjoyed Trapped Days’ engaging plot, rich settings, and overarching theme, I found the subplot involving Dennis's quest to find Kim during the EMP crisis somewhat implausible and less compelling. The book is well-written, with chapters alternating between Shannon and Dennis, adding depth and dynamism to the narrative. However, Dennis's decision to prioritize finding Kim over addressing the broader implications of a nationwide EMP attack seemed misaligned with the gravity of the situation.

Given that nearly half of the chapters focus on Dennis's journey, this subplot felt disproportionately emphasized. While his sense of duty and dedication are commendable, the context of a catastrophic event might have called for a more nuanced exploration of priorities and survival. This aspect of the story, though central, didn’t resonate as strongly with me and seemed to detract from the otherwise compelling and cohesive narrative. Once I accepted Dennis’s unwavering commitment to his mission, I enjoyed the rest of his story, but the initiation and reasoning of his plotline didn’t seem proportional to the disaster at hand.

Despite this, the book remains an enjoyable read with well-developed characters and a captivating plot. The setting and the unique circumstances of the EMP attack are vividly portrayed, keeping the reader engaged throughout. Overall, the book is a great addition to the genre, though I wish Dennis's subplot had a more convincing intention from the beginning.

Conclusion and Recommendation:
Trapped Days is a compelling start to a new series, offering a gripping survival story with well-drawn characters and a richly described setting. Fans of action, adventure, and survival genres will find much to enjoy. While the subplot involving Dennis's mission may seem less plausible, accepting it as a driving force for his character allows the rest of his journey to be more enjoyable. I recommend this book to readers looking for an intense, well-paced survival adventure.

Rating:
★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

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