Personally, these subtle references make the reading experience fun if done correctly, which this novel succeeds in. This allows for subtle moments to happen and they are really exciting one main character meets another character that saw something happen to another main character.

What is interesting about this division in comparison to the plot is that the world of the story itself is minimized into one mall. Meaning that this book consists of seven parts and each part has four chapters each one for each main character: Lexi, Ryan, Shay, and Marco. The story itself is divided into seven days. This book, I have to say, does that really well. If there is anything I have learned from my years as an English major, it is that organization is everything. For a book to give me goosebumps while on a trolley filled with other people is really rare, so it was nice to feel that for the first time. Not only that, but the choice of diction – plain, and conversational – amped my senses as to how dark and eerie the experience was for the character. It’s short and to the point, which allowed me as the reader to stay focused while at the same time anxious to find out more. The simplicity of style not only makes for an easy read, but it is well chosen device for a writer. The light was attached to a small black box. None of the other machines had a red light.

Lorentz quickly pushes you into the conflict without revealing too much, which is a perfect way in setting up the constant questioning of: “What next?” The way this effect is created is through Lorentz’s choice of diction and syntax: Apart from its amazing cover art and the capturing three sentence deal breaker, this story starts out fast-paced. I believe this would lure anyone in and not just the adrenaline junkies. The initial idea? A mysterious bomb is found inside a shopping mall air duct and is now causing everyone visiting the center to be quarantined until the situation is handled. No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz does a great job of pulling you into her rather claustrophobic story, and does do a very good job at keeping you around. While I think everyone would enjoy a good story that involves government conspiracies and mystery, I would like to comply in writing that this might or might not be the book for you.

No safety in numbers by dayna lorentz