You may like this book if you have read/watched: Misery(1990), Room (2015), or 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Its been a while since I have read a YA book and The Detour is an example of a good Young Adult book that doesn't rip off every other novel in the genre. Nevertheless several of the themes of the book are similar to 10 Cloverfield Lane, but since that film came out after this novel its a perfect read for fans of that film.
Livvy Flinn is a 17 year old novelist. She's on the way to a conference when all of a sudden her car flips on the gravel road. She wakes up in a stranger's basement. Livvy is to put it in appropriate terms, very spoiled. She didn't grow up that way however, she was bullied some too. Overall, the novel is devoid of harsh language or nonstop violence, but it still can have its edgy moments.
Language: Several uses of b-tch, a handful of uses of crap, ass, bastard, damn, and hell. "freaking" is used as a stand-in
Sexual content: Livvy changes her clothes innocently in the basement, until she notices a boy is watching. This scene was fairly edgy for a YA book, but not graphic. There are one or two sexual references, such as teens getting pregnant. In order to escape Livvy has to grab a makeshift weapon from under her bed. She distracts the same creepy boy from before by passionately kissing him and letting him caress her. Before anything else can happen she cuts him with her makeshift weapon. (this scene is disgusting and could be considered rape) It is mentioned that during another conversation with the same boy Livvy is only in her panties, (non-sexual). One reference to Facebook stalking.
Violence: Livvy's car flips and she is hit in the face with a blunt object. A woman is shot by a small child. Livvy's shoulder is dislocated throughout the whole novel, her captors use this as a weakness when she attempts to escape. Causing her tremendous pain. People are punched and kicked.
Drug and Alcohol: Livvy's mom has wine once or twice.
Other Content: Livvy's attitude changes throughout the story, when she enters the drama of being held captive she is still somewhat spoiled and almost bratty, which doesn't make her character redeemable at all, but she slowly gets better as the novel draws to a close. Livvy yells at her parents and had a battle with depression when she was younger. (She pulls her hair out)
Age Rating: 14+
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