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Trapped
A forged letter, a golden vial, an ancient curse...
Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.
When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap--a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She--the only firstborn female in hundreds of years--only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into her family's dark past, and she must gain the trust of those who would use her for their own evil designs. As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences.
Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.
When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap--a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She--the only firstborn female in hundreds of years--only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into her family's dark past, and she must gain the trust of those who would use her for their own evil designs. As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences.
293 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2010
3 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
20 books112 followersAward-winning author, Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen, lives between the beautiful Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. There, she regularly sees eagles, hawks, owls, and ducks. Lots of ducks. She has had dozens of fiction and nonfiction published in magazines, and she is the author of mystery romance novels. She loves reading, writing, and music, though not necessarily in that order, and she enjoys traveling throughout the world with her husband in search of fascinating stories. She also loves hearing from readers.
To learn more about Ronda and to get a FREE, visit her website at my link text.
To learn more about Ronda and to get a FREE, visit her website at my link text.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 6, 2010
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen recently sent me a copy of her new novel, Trapped, that was just released this month (May 2010). I'm glad she gave me the opportunity to read it, because it was an interesting story that I generally enjoyed and might not have taken notice of otherwise. Trapped is primarily a mystery/suspense/thriller with a little romance on the side and a light paranormal element in the form of a family curse which only the heroine can break. The narrative starts off a little slow, and I initially had a hard time feeling connected to the characters. However, once Emi and Daniel arrived in Austria, bits and pieces of the mystery began to surface, gradually drawing me into the story. From there, it steadily built some pretty good momentum into an exciting climax. There were a number of twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing. Some things I figured out right before they happened and others were a big surprise. Overall, I would say the mystery/suspense aspect was well-done. I even wondered for a short time if the “good guys” and “bad guys” were actually as good and bad as they seemed.
The whole mystery is wrapped within a paranormal element that was intriguing too. Centuries ago, the Tillman family warred against the Traugott family in an effort to gain control of a golden vial known as the Kuhati which purportedly contained an elixir akin to the fountain of youth. When the Tillmans finally breached the Traugott castle, the head of the Traugott family placed a curse upon the Tillmans with his last breath. Legend said that every member of the Tillman line would die a hideous death at the hands of a flesh-eating disease until the Firstborn She came to break the curse. Emi, the heroine, is the Firstborn She (the first female to be firstborn in all the generations since the curse), but her parents kept her heritage and true identity a secret from her until a trap was set to draw her out. Now she must figure out where the Kuhati is and how to use it, while evading a mafia-like family who wish to take it for evil purposes. The fantasy-style puzzle which leads the heroine on a grand adventure reminded me a little of an Indiana Jones or National Treasure type of tale.
In my opinion, the romance was probably the weakest of the three main aspects of the novel. Emi begins the story supposedly having been deeply in love with her friend Daniel for years, but he hasn't really given her any indication that he feels the same way about her. I was never quite sure why she hadn't ever simply told Daniel how she felt in the five+ years since they met in high school. Daniel's feelings for Emi are pretty ambiguous throughout the narrative, and the reader isn't really given any insights into what he's been thinking all these years until near the end of the book. In the meantime, Emi meets the handsome, charming Lucas, a distant cousin by marriage who sufficiently sweeps her off her feet in just a day to have everyone around them thinking they've instantly fallen in love which just lacked credibility for me. Granted it did add a bit of conflict in the form of a love triangle and also played into the idea of good and bad guys possibly being reversed, but I thought it also made Emi seem rather fickle if her head could be turned from Daniel so easily.
As I mentioned earlier, I had a little trouble connecting with the characters in the beginning. This did get better as the story progressed and more things were revealed about them, but I still didn't feel like I got any truly deep insights into what made them tick per se. I think the reasons for this were two-fold. First, 99% of the book is told in first person perspective from Emi's point of view, and there is very little in her conversations with the other characters that reveal much about their personalities. Second, the narrative is primarily plot-driven, so it doesn't really focus as much on the character development to begin with. That said, over time, I did develop a liking for Emi, Daniel and some of the other secondary characters. Emi was raised in a very sheltered environment by her mother who we, of course, find out was merely trying to protect her. Considering that she previously had no experience with dangerous situations, I thought she showed some guts and handled herself pretty well under the circumstances. There were times though when I thought a little more insight into what she was thinking at the time would have been helpful in understanding some of her actions. In my opinion, she was a bit too easily accepting of her role as the Firstborn She and some other pretty big revelations about her family in general. Character introspection is something that tends to be pretty important to me in my reading, and I was a somewhat surprised that there wasn't more of it, at least for Emi, since the book was written in first-person.
There were a few other things I thought could have been better. In my opinion, it would have been beneficial for the details to be fleshed out a bit more. There were some passages that just didn't flow as well as I thought they could have or didn't quite make sense without a little more information to back them up. One particular example: There was a brief two-page chapter in third person POV concerning a character named Gamma. I think I know who Gamma was supposed to be, but I don't believe his identity was ever specifically revealed. Consequently, I wasn't quite sure what the point of the chapter was, except perhaps to show how ruthless the family could be. There were also times when I think more details and the aforementioned introspection would have aided with the emotional connection between Emi and the reader. At times, I felt like the author was telling how she felt rather than showing it. I also found some continuity errors and typographical errors including a huge one where a new chapter started in the middle of a sentence. I realize the publisher is probably to blame for that one and not the author, but it was a little jarring nonetheless.
The first ¾ of Trapped has a very innocent feel to it, but things got a little more intense during the last ¼ of the book. Early on, I had to double-check that it wasn't marketed for a young adult audience as sometime it felt more like that genre. I didn't find any indication that it was specifically written for teens, and I'm sure adults will enjoy the book. It's just much sweeter than most romantic suspense out there. There are absolutely no profanities, and the sensual content is limited to kisses and chaste touches only. Aside from some menacing behavior and mention of killings in the past, no actual violence occurs until the climactic chapters. Even then I would characterize it more as moderately frightening and suspenseful rather than graphic. Even with the added intensity in the latter part of the story, I would say that the book is probably suitable for most teens and sensitive readers. In general, I think that anyone who likes an adventurous plot-driven suspense story wrapped in a paranormal mystery that is written with a lighter touch would probably appreciate Trapped. Once I got past the first few chapters, I became fairly well engaged for the remainder of the book and thought that it was an interesting tale. Trapped is Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen's second published novel, and I enjoyed the story well enough to be interested in reading more by her.
Note: The author told me in a later interview that the book was indeed written for a young adult/adult cross-over audience in mind. Ms. Hinrichsen also informed me that she had contacted her publisher regarding the big chapter break error I mentioned, and they said it will be fixed in future printings of the novel.
*Review updated 10/6/10
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen recently sent me a copy of her new novel, Trapped, that was just released this month (May 2010). I'm glad she gave me the opportunity to read it, because it was an interesting story that I generally enjoyed and might not have taken notice of otherwise. Trapped is primarily a mystery/suspense/thriller with a little romance on the side and a light paranormal element in the form of a family curse which only the heroine can break. The narrative starts off a little slow, and I initially had a hard time feeling connected to the characters. However, once Emi and Daniel arrived in Austria, bits and pieces of the mystery began to surface, gradually drawing me into the story. From there, it steadily built some pretty good momentum into an exciting climax. There were a number of twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing. Some things I figured out right before they happened and others were a big surprise. Overall, I would say the mystery/suspense aspect was well-done. I even wondered for a short time if the “good guys” and “bad guys” were actually as good and bad as they seemed.
The whole mystery is wrapped within a paranormal element that was intriguing too. Centuries ago, the Tillman family warred against the Traugott family in an effort to gain control of a golden vial known as the Kuhati which purportedly contained an elixir akin to the fountain of youth. When the Tillmans finally breached the Traugott castle, the head of the Traugott family placed a curse upon the Tillmans with his last breath. Legend said that every member of the Tillman line would die a hideous death at the hands of a flesh-eating disease until the Firstborn She came to break the curse. Emi, the heroine, is the Firstborn She (the first female to be firstborn in all the generations since the curse), but her parents kept her heritage and true identity a secret from her until a trap was set to draw her out. Now she must figure out where the Kuhati is and how to use it, while evading a mafia-like family who wish to take it for evil purposes. The fantasy-style puzzle which leads the heroine on a grand adventure reminded me a little of an Indiana Jones or National Treasure type of tale.
In my opinion, the romance was probably the weakest of the three main aspects of the novel. Emi begins the story supposedly having been deeply in love with her friend Daniel for years, but he hasn't really given her any indication that he feels the same way about her. I was never quite sure why she hadn't ever simply told Daniel how she felt in the five+ years since they met in high school. Daniel's feelings for Emi are pretty ambiguous throughout the narrative, and the reader isn't really given any insights into what he's been thinking all these years until near the end of the book. In the meantime, Emi meets the handsome, charming Lucas, a distant cousin by marriage who sufficiently sweeps her off her feet in just a day to have everyone around them thinking they've instantly fallen in love which just lacked credibility for me. Granted it did add a bit of conflict in the form of a love triangle and also played into the idea of good and bad guys possibly being reversed, but I thought it also made Emi seem rather fickle if her head could be turned from Daniel so easily.
As I mentioned earlier, I had a little trouble connecting with the characters in the beginning. This did get better as the story progressed and more things were revealed about them, but I still didn't feel like I got any truly deep insights into what made them tick per se. I think the reasons for this were two-fold. First, 99% of the book is told in first person perspective from Emi's point of view, and there is very little in her conversations with the other characters that reveal much about their personalities. Second, the narrative is primarily plot-driven, so it doesn't really focus as much on the character development to begin with. That said, over time, I did develop a liking for Emi, Daniel and some of the other secondary characters. Emi was raised in a very sheltered environment by her mother who we, of course, find out was merely trying to protect her. Considering that she previously had no experience with dangerous situations, I thought she showed some guts and handled herself pretty well under the circumstances. There were times though when I thought a little more insight into what she was thinking at the time would have been helpful in understanding some of her actions. In my opinion, she was a bit too easily accepting of her role as the Firstborn She and some other pretty big revelations about her family in general. Character introspection is something that tends to be pretty important to me in my reading, and I was a somewhat surprised that there wasn't more of it, at least for Emi, since the book was written in first-person.
There were a few other things I thought could have been better. In my opinion, it would have been beneficial for the details to be fleshed out a bit more. There were some passages that just didn't flow as well as I thought they could have or didn't quite make sense without a little more information to back them up. One particular example: There was a brief two-page chapter in third person POV concerning a character named Gamma. I think I know who Gamma was supposed to be, but I don't believe his identity was ever specifically revealed. Consequently, I wasn't quite sure what the point of the chapter was, except perhaps to show how ruthless the family could be. There were also times when I think more details and the aforementioned introspection would have aided with the emotional connection between Emi and the reader. At times, I felt like the author was telling how she felt rather than showing it. I also found some continuity errors and typographical errors including a huge one where a new chapter started in the middle of a sentence. I realize the publisher is probably to blame for that one and not the author, but it was a little jarring nonetheless.
The first ¾ of Trapped has a very innocent feel to it, but things got a little more intense during the last ¼ of the book. Early on, I had to double-check that it wasn't marketed for a young adult audience as sometime it felt more like that genre. I didn't find any indication that it was specifically written for teens, and I'm sure adults will enjoy the book. It's just much sweeter than most romantic suspense out there. There are absolutely no profanities, and the sensual content is limited to kisses and chaste touches only. Aside from some menacing behavior and mention of killings in the past, no actual violence occurs until the climactic chapters. Even then I would characterize it more as moderately frightening and suspenseful rather than graphic. Even with the added intensity in the latter part of the story, I would say that the book is probably suitable for most teens and sensitive readers. In general, I think that anyone who likes an adventurous plot-driven suspense story wrapped in a paranormal mystery that is written with a lighter touch would probably appreciate Trapped. Once I got past the first few chapters, I became fairly well engaged for the remainder of the book and thought that it was an interesting tale. Trapped is Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen's second published novel, and I enjoyed the story well enough to be interested in reading more by her.
Note: The author told me in a later interview that the book was indeed written for a young adult/adult cross-over audience in mind. Ms. Hinrichsen also informed me that she had contacted her publisher regarding the big chapter break error I mentioned, and they said it will be fixed in future printings of the novel.
*Review updated 10/6/10
August 7, 2010
I received "Trapped" as a part of the Goodreads "First-Reads" Giveaway, and it's my first novel experience from Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. What drew me into the novel from the get-go was a blend of enticing elements. First, I noted the protagonist, Emi, is a young woman who discovers she's been lied to her whole life about her family, their history, and her place in the world. Second, in order to discover the truth, she leaves home for another country (Austria) to discover the truth about these factors. Add to that the measure of a deadly curse, twisted manipulations from people who want to use Emi for their own motives (as a Firstborn She - Emi is subjected to some measurable royal treatments), and some small elements of romance and you have the standout elements of Hinrichsen's novel. There are some caveats to this, which I'll explain in a moment, but let me focus on the positives.
Hinrichsen's prose flows smoothly and is easy to digest in the dialogue. I think that makes this YA oriented novel appealing and better represented than some of its peers (as it doesn't pull any odd inclusions for the sake of conflict/angst). Emi is a likable heroine - age appropriate, intelligent, and quite aware within each situation she comes across. The collective cast of the novel is decently developed and I did genuinely like their portrayals on a surface level. I consider "Trapped" a moderate read (a little more than a quick read), and easy to digest with respect to content and style.
That said, let me list the caveats. The pacing within the novel is variable - sometimes with some very interesting turns and threads. When Emi and the people she knows and loves are in peril, you know it and can identify with her in the moment. However, I found that there were places in the novel where the momentum changes directions and I had to slog through places in the narrative in order to get to the next point - where it picked back up and I could move through it better. There wasn't one specific scene that stood out to me to illustrate this, other than where some of the reveals in the story took place. I thought they'd have more impact on me, and they didn't. It might be because some of the characters could've had further fleshing out to make it hit home more.
Another caveat was that the romance, while appropriate and convincing, might not be as fleshed out as some would like with respect to the characters. I'd agree with that only on the measure that I wish the characters were a little deeper. For a story like this, however, it was an element rather than a main focus, so I liked that most of the interactions and conflicts on that plane weren't overdone, but they could've had just a bit more. (I liked Daniel, but I felt I didn't really know Lucas that well for him to make an appropriate rival.)
I'd recommend Trapped for those who want a quick read in the fantasy genre, with elements of suspense and magic taking front and center in the innerworkings of the plot. I enjoyed it for what it offered, and think anyone wanting a light read could as well, as long as you can overlook some of the caveats.
Overall score: 3/5
Hinrichsen's prose flows smoothly and is easy to digest in the dialogue. I think that makes this YA oriented novel appealing and better represented than some of its peers (as it doesn't pull any odd inclusions for the sake of conflict/angst). Emi is a likable heroine - age appropriate, intelligent, and quite aware within each situation she comes across. The collective cast of the novel is decently developed and I did genuinely like their portrayals on a surface level. I consider "Trapped" a moderate read (a little more than a quick read), and easy to digest with respect to content and style.
That said, let me list the caveats. The pacing within the novel is variable - sometimes with some very interesting turns and threads. When Emi and the people she knows and loves are in peril, you know it and can identify with her in the moment. However, I found that there were places in the novel where the momentum changes directions and I had to slog through places in the narrative in order to get to the next point - where it picked back up and I could move through it better. There wasn't one specific scene that stood out to me to illustrate this, other than where some of the reveals in the story took place. I thought they'd have more impact on me, and they didn't. It might be because some of the characters could've had further fleshing out to make it hit home more.
Another caveat was that the romance, while appropriate and convincing, might not be as fleshed out as some would like with respect to the characters. I'd agree with that only on the measure that I wish the characters were a little deeper. For a story like this, however, it was an element rather than a main focus, so I liked that most of the interactions and conflicts on that plane weren't overdone, but they could've had just a bit more. (I liked Daniel, but I felt I didn't really know Lucas that well for him to make an appropriate rival.)
I'd recommend Trapped for those who want a quick read in the fantasy genre, with elements of suspense and magic taking front and center in the innerworkings of the plot. I enjoyed it for what it offered, and think anyone wanting a light read could as well, as long as you can overlook some of the caveats.
Overall score: 3/5
July 10, 2012
This book was really fun. Don't you love the cover too? Emi is 23 years old and trying to be more independent from her mom. The story starts off right into the excitement. The mafia elements were unique for me. I haven't read many books with mafia type characters.
There were some occasional chapters from other points of view which added to the story. The love triangle was really interesting and exciting. Daniel had been her friend for many years then someone new comes around who was very charismatic. No, I won't say anymore. I don't want to give anything away!
Overall a great read. There was suspense, spying, sadness, action, crazy mafia, and romantic tension!
Content Ratings:
Sexual Content: mild
Language: none
Violence: moderate
For Content Rating details view review on my adult book blog. Clean Adult Fiction
There were some occasional chapters from other points of view which added to the story. The love triangle was really interesting and exciting. Daniel had been her friend for many years then someone new comes around who was very charismatic. No, I won't say anymore. I don't want to give anything away!
Overall a great read. There was suspense, spying, sadness, action, crazy mafia, and romantic tension!
Content Ratings:
Sexual Content: mild
Language: none
Violence: moderate
For Content Rating details view review on my adult book blog. Clean Adult Fiction
August 10, 2010
This book took me for such a turn. If you'd read the first book and then the second book of this author you would never guess it was the same author. I didn't like it as much as her first just because I guess I was so surprised by the difference in writing styles. It was intense and a fun book to read just not what I had expected.
February 23, 2011
I liked the book. It took me a while after I finished it to figure out the ending. It was an entertaining read though. I felt like it was missing something, I don't know what. A sequel could be interesting.
January 28, 2019
This story is full of surprises and fantasy. It had a real ominous feel. I wasn't really sure Daniel and Emi would find romance at all. But, like all good love stories, it did have a happy ending.
July 1, 2023
I like that it reminds me of Gallagher Girls and the Eighth Day.
September 2, 2010
Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
This second novel by Ronda is a stunning portrait in suspense, deceit, sacrifice and courage. Emi Warrin is awakened in the night to find a thief in her mother's house. She is not aware that a trap has been set for her, that a mysterious forged letter, a golden vial and an ancient curse will change her life forever. When she decides to go looking for clues about her deceased father, she finds all sorts of deceit. things not as they seem, and she finds a mafia-type family living in the ancestral manor in the Austrian Alps.
To find out who is behind the break-in at her mother's house, she must act as a spy to save her self, her family and her best friend Daniel. When she finds out that she is the First born She in a long line of ancesters who had sons first, she must thwart those close to her who wait to deceive her. Emi is the only one who can free the centuries old curse from her family and save Daniel and the rest of her family.
The Austrian Alps makes a fascinating setting for this breathtakingly suspenseful thrill ride of a novel to a shocking climax. There are big surprises galore.
I received my review copy from Ronda and Walnut Springs.
Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Date Published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-1-935217-64-0
293pp
This second novel by Ronda is a stunning portrait in suspense, deceit, sacrifice and courage. Emi Warrin is awakened in the night to find a thief in her mother's house. She is not aware that a trap has been set for her, that a mysterious forged letter, a golden vial and an ancient curse will change her life forever. When she decides to go looking for clues about her deceased father, she finds all sorts of deceit. things not as they seem, and she finds a mafia-type family living in the ancestral manor in the Austrian Alps.
To find out who is behind the break-in at her mother's house, she must act as a spy to save her self, her family and her best friend Daniel. When she finds out that she is the First born She in a long line of ancesters who had sons first, she must thwart those close to her who wait to deceive her. Emi is the only one who can free the centuries old curse from her family and save Daniel and the rest of her family.
The Austrian Alps makes a fascinating setting for this breathtakingly suspenseful thrill ride of a novel to a shocking climax. There are big surprises galore.
I received my review copy from Ronda and Walnut Springs.
Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Date Published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-1-935217-64-0
293pp
July 12, 2010
I received this book to review. I started reading and felt like I was in a dream. I somehow or some time have read this book. It was weird...like me :)
Rhonda's newest book is a mystery/paranormal/romance story. Emi, the main character, is the first female born in years into her family and they are all anxious for her to break the curse placed on them generations ago.
I had a hard time getting into the book because of so much detail, I guess. It was interesting but a little slow. I'm also critical and guessed the bad guy from the beginning. BUT! There are many twists and turns that Rhonda takes her readers on and the ending is good.
And like any good mystery or suspense story, I wondered if the good guys were the bad guys etc.
The story of the curse is in and of itself an interesting story. Rhonda could probably write a whole book just on the curse.
The romance didn't click with me but Rhonda does introduce beautiful people :)
This is a good, clean read for any age.
Rating:
V: Kidnapping, fights
L: None
S: None
Rhonda's newest book is a mystery/paranormal/romance story. Emi, the main character, is the first female born in years into her family and they are all anxious for her to break the curse placed on them generations ago.
I had a hard time getting into the book because of so much detail, I guess. It was interesting but a little slow. I'm also critical and guessed the bad guy from the beginning. BUT! There are many twists and turns that Rhonda takes her readers on and the ending is good.
And like any good mystery or suspense story, I wondered if the good guys were the bad guys etc.
The story of the curse is in and of itself an interesting story. Rhonda could probably write a whole book just on the curse.
The romance didn't click with me but Rhonda does introduce beautiful people :)
This is a good, clean read for any age.
Rating:
V: Kidnapping, fights
L: None
S: None
August 9, 2010
I received a copy of this book to review. I had read Ronda's first novel, MISSING late last year and loved it, so I was expecting to feel the same about TRAPPED. However, I didn't end up loving TRAPPED as much I'd hoped.
TRAPPED tells the interesting and intriguing story of a woman with a lot of history she knows nothing about. When the pieces of her life start falling apart she is forced to quickly come to terms with the fact that everything she thought she knew about herself is a lie.
The premise of the story was really great and it was for that reason that I kept reading.
Unfortunately, I didn't love nor care about the characters the way I needed to in order to really love the book.
I can happily recommend this book to people who enjoy a good mystery and story--this story definitely feels wholly unique, which is a great plus. Also, TRAPPED is very clean and I think would be enjoyed by YA readers as well as adults.
TRAPPED tells the interesting and intriguing story of a woman with a lot of history she knows nothing about. When the pieces of her life start falling apart she is forced to quickly come to terms with the fact that everything she thought she knew about herself is a lie.
The premise of the story was really great and it was for that reason that I kept reading.
Unfortunately, I didn't love nor care about the characters the way I needed to in order to really love the book.
I can happily recommend this book to people who enjoy a good mystery and story--this story definitely feels wholly unique, which is a great plus. Also, TRAPPED is very clean and I think would be enjoyed by YA readers as well as adults.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
How would you like to find out when you are twenty-two that all of your life has been a lie?
Or that the father you thought was dead was really alive?
What about the fact that you have a great power to free your family, the family you have never met, from a powerful curse?
That is what happens to Emi while her mother is in Europe and she is house sitting. Emi and the guy she has a gigantic crush on decide to go to Austria to see if they can solve the mystery. While there, Emi meets her family and tries to puzzle out the truth about a mysterious legend and who she can trust.
I really liked this book. It was fast-moving and the plot kept me interested. I liked the character of Emi, who was shy - yet when she had to be brave, she rose to the challenge. I have read a lot of mysteries lately, and this was one of the best.
How would you like to find out when you are twenty-two that all of your life has been a lie?
Or that the father you thought was dead was really alive?
What about the fact that you have a great power to free your family, the family you have never met, from a powerful curse?
That is what happens to Emi while her mother is in Europe and she is house sitting. Emi and the guy she has a gigantic crush on decide to go to Austria to see if they can solve the mystery. While there, Emi meets her family and tries to puzzle out the truth about a mysterious legend and who she can trust.
I really liked this book. It was fast-moving and the plot kept me interested. I liked the character of Emi, who was shy - yet when she had to be brave, she rose to the challenge. I have read a lot of mysteries lately, and this was one of the best.
August 18, 2010
As one of only two books that Hinrichsen has published I am very impressed about the quality of this book. I found it to be a very entertaining read that was not at all what I had expected. As a new author naturally the novel incorporated moments that I was able to clearly recognize that I was dealing with a new writer; although impressively it was few and far between. Her character and story line were very original, and the detail to which she wrote without overloading the story had me on the edge of my seat. This is an author that has definitely proven her abilities, and I look for her to have a very promising future in the writing world. With the number of books I have read it is hard to find a novel that totally Blind Sides me. It was truly appreciated and enjoyed.
May 19, 2010
I found this book on the Goodreads First Reads giveaway sight.. I didnt win it, but decided that it looked good enough that I would get it and read it anyway.
Needless to say, it was a refreshing read. There was a little paranormal, but more mystery and pretty much little if any bad language and sexual content. I have been reading so much paranormal romance and erotic a that it was a nice change. The characters were well written and you could get into them. The main girl in the book is the first to be born in her family in generations and with being the only female born to them, there comes a lot of responsibility that she has no idea about. Good all in all
Needless to say, it was a refreshing read. There was a little paranormal, but more mystery and pretty much little if any bad language and sexual content. I have been reading so much paranormal romance and erotic a that it was a nice change. The characters were well written and you could get into them. The main girl in the book is the first to be born in her family in generations and with being the only female born to them, there comes a lot of responsibility that she has no idea about. Good all in all
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August 21, 2010"Trapped", by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen, is a fantasy suspense romance novel. The action does not take place in an independently created fantasy world. Instead, the heroine, Emi, lives in a modern day condo, travels to what appears to be modern day Austria, and only then finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural secrets that she struggles first to accept, and then to embrace her own supernatural destiny.
I found the concept of the Firstborn She and the search for the Kuhati intriguing. The action is fast and intense towards the end of the book, with the stakes almost unbearably high for the heroine. The romance in this novel is very clean.
I found the concept of the Firstborn She and the search for the Kuhati intriguing. The action is fast and intense towards the end of the book, with the stakes almost unbearably high for the heroine. The romance in this novel is very clean.
September 4, 2011
I met Ronda at a book signing and talked to her a little bit. This is her second book. I usually try to support local authors so I gave this book a try.
There were several places where the publisher missed proofing. It was like trying to solve a puzzle for a few lines each time it happened. I downloaded it on my Kindle so maybe there was a glitch there.
I knew the story would be morally clean and refreshing. Which it was.
The story line mostly kept my interest but was a little like a romance novel which I am not a big fan of.
It is a quick read and lite. I would call this a beach or airplane book.
There were several places where the publisher missed proofing. It was like trying to solve a puzzle for a few lines each time it happened. I downloaded it on my Kindle so maybe there was a glitch there.
I knew the story would be morally clean and refreshing. Which it was.
The story line mostly kept my interest but was a little like a romance novel which I am not a big fan of.
It is a quick read and lite. I would call this a beach or airplane book.
June 19, 2012
I liked that this was a fantasy set very much in the real world, but it was a whole lot iffy to me. What 23-year-old hasn't looked at her birth certificate? I had a hard time believing the crazy stuff going on and how many people had to die. I did like the occassional German, because I lived there for over six years. I didn't like how many people were bad though. It was almost like she was surrounded by bad guys and it was super hard to figure out who the good guys were. I didn't like that she kept calling her dad by his description, instead of dad. It was strange. Either way, it was written well enough that I stayed up late to finish it.
August 10, 2010
It had everything!
From action, to drama, to romance. You name it, you read it! In one word:
January 16, 2011
* I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads!
I really enjoyed this story of a girl caught in a situation she doesn't understand with mysterious things happening all around her. When she leaves for Europe, the imagery was beautiful and made me want to be there with her, except for all the DRAMA! This is worth the read for an exciting romantic mystery that keeps you guessing all the way unti the end!
I really enjoyed this story of a girl caught in a situation she doesn't understand with mysterious things happening all around her. When she leaves for Europe, the imagery was beautiful and made me want to be there with her, except for all the DRAMA! This is worth the read for an exciting romantic mystery that keeps you guessing all the way unti the end!
January 29, 2012
Trapped is a fantasy romance suspense novel. The heroine , Emi lives in a modern day condo and travels to what appears to be modern day Austria. And finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural secrets that at first she struggles to accept, and then she embraces her own supernatural destiny. The action is fast and intense toward the end of the book , with the stakes unbearly high for Emi.
July 17, 2011
Very interesting book. I had a little trouble keeping up with what was happening at the very end with all that was happening in the last few chapters.
Just enough suspense to keep you interested but not be too overwhelming. I enjoyed reading it and just had to keep reading to find out what happened.
Just enough suspense to keep you interested but not be too overwhelming. I enjoyed reading it and just had to keep reading to find out what happened.
January 3, 2011
I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters (Sorry I can't remember their names). However, I just couldn't believe that this family had some mysterious illness. It felt a lot like "Holes" idea of a family that is cursed because one of their family members a long time ago hurt someone else. It was a good start but the ending just wasn't believable and was rather abrupt.
February 5, 2011
This was a little too weird with the legend of the curse and the "firstborn She" who, Emi discovers is herself when she goes to Austria to find her father that she thought was dead, but really just in hiding trying to regain power back from the pouli. Not what I was expecting from this author after the "missing" book I read and really enjoyed. I'm not really the mystical reader.
March 22, 2019
Emi wakes one night to a thief in her mothers house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap, that will change her life forever, she is lured to the Alps with Daniel, the man she loves.
The book was good but I found it a little hard to understand at times. Clean suspenseful read. I read this book in June 2012 and gave this book 3 stars.
The book was good but I found it a little hard to understand at times. Clean suspenseful read. I read this book in June 2012 and gave this book 3 stars.
May 10, 2011
I liked this book much better than her first and think it flowed much better as well. It was a much better write and a difficult one I would imagine as she mixed reality with fantasy and did a good job of making it seem quite natural that what happened, could. Kudos Rhonda! A fun read!
January 11, 2012
This was a fun story. It was a little slow in the beginning, but the pace picked up and I found myself turning the pages quickly. I liked the main character, but I found some of the plot confusing especially towards the end. Overall, worth reading and enjoyable.
October 12, 2011
This book was a lot different then I thought it would be. I enjoyed it but I almost felt like I missed something and need to read it again....I have some questions I'd like to ask the author:)....I would definately like to read more from her.
May 14, 2010
This story is the result of two vivid dreams and is my favorite so far. Like Emi Warren, do you know who you are? REALLY?
December 16, 2011
The premise of this book was a stretch, but it does have a lot of action.
November 4, 2010
suspenseful, magical, a fun read
October 23, 2010
An interesting, original concept. But the ideas didn't really come together in a cohesive way.
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