Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of Escape from Media by Brandy Stoker

Ever picked up a book and, within a few pages, realized you were holding something that felt hauntingly familiar… yet thrillingly new? That was my experience with Escape from Media. As someone who grew up on the grit of The Hunger Games and the fire of Shatter Me, I felt instantly pulled into Brandy Stoker’s world—a place where magic can kill you, but love might just save you.

Stoker, in her debut, channels years of storytelling rooted in resilience, personal struggle, and the kind of emotional depth that doesn’t shout—it hums. Her background isn’t the usual polished literary path. She’s a mother, a survivor, a woman who balances spreadsheets by day and battles dystopias by night. And this book? It's clearly written from the heart.

In the walled city of Media, magic is forbidden—and not in a "go to jail" kind of way. If you're caught, you die. Will Hawkson, a smuggler haunted by the execution of his sister for using magic, stumbles upon a young girl, Ellie, who unknowingly exhibits magical powers. She could be next. Enter Malin—Ellie’s mother—a doctor with no idea her daughter is gifted, or that she might be too.

What begins as a desperate attempt to flee a brutal regime quickly becomes something deeper: a story of unlikely alliances, unspoken love, rediscovered strength, and the sheer will to survive when everything is stacked against you.

Brandy Stoker’s prose doesn’t rush. It breathes. Her writing is deliberate and lyrical, with a certain tenderness that suits the rawness of her world. She balances tension and emotion with a painter’s touch—never overwriting, never underselling. If you’re a fan of slow-burn, emotionally-charged narratives that build like waves before a storm, you’ll feel right at home here. She knows when to whisper, when to punch, and when to let the silence do the talking.

Will, Malin, and Ellie aren't just characters—they’re people. Flawed, scared, hopeful, and so achingly human. Will isn’t your typical brooding rebel—he’s grieving, scarred, and quietly protective. Malin is not some trope-y damsel or warrior goddess—she’s a mother first, a woman discovering herself second. Ellie is equal parts innocence and danger. What I loved most is the authenticity. No one is perfect. They don’t always make the right choices. But they try. And that’s what makes them unforgettable.

The pacing here is thoughtful. It simmers. It gives you space to feel, to worry, to hope. There are no cheap twists—just gradual revelations that hit harder because you’ve been made to care. The structure weaves past and present seamlessly, letting the emotional stakes unfold layer by layer. Yes, it's dystopian, but this isn't just about rebellion. It's about personal awakenings, quiet revolutions, and the emotional cost of defiance.

This book holds up a mirror to the world we live in. Media’s oppressive control, surveillance, and fear-based politics feel eerily relevant. But more than that, Escape from Media explores what it means to choose love in a world that punishes tenderness. It's about finding family not through blood, but through choice. It's about reclaiming your power—even if doing so could cost you everything.

There were scenes that made my throat tighten. The quiet ones—the looks exchanged, the hesitation before a touch, the way Will watches over Ellie like a ghost trying to protect the living. The emotional current runs deep. I didn’t sob (though I came close), but I felt everything. And isn’t that the mark of a good story?

The biggest win here is the balance. You’ve got oppressive dystopia, believable romance, found family, and magic that feels intimate rather than flashy. The characters are the heart. And the writing? Honest and immersive. Add to that the political undercurrents and moral grey areas, and you’ve got a book that refuses to be shallow.

If you’re someone who craves fast-paced action right from the start, the slower build might test your patience. And while the romance is beautiful, it’s subtle—those looking for dramatic love arcs might feel underwhelmed. But personally, I wouldn’t change a thing. This story needed space to breathe.

This book hit me in a way few dystopians do. Maybe because I’m a parent. Maybe because I understand the quiet desperation of wanting more for the next generation. Or maybe because in a world constantly asking us to choose safety over freedom, this story dared to ask: What would you risk for love?

Escape from Media isn’t just a dystopian fantasy romance. It’s a story about reclaiming your voice, holding onto your heart, and choosing the hard, brave path when it matters most. Brandy Stoker has crafted a world that feels both terrifying and familiar, filled with characters who bleed, heal, and hope.

I’m already counting down to Book Two.

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommended for readers who love quiet rebellion, emotional depth, and the kind of slow-burn magic that sneaks into your bones and stays there.

Would I read it again? Yes. Would I hand it to my daughter when she’s old enough to understand courage wrapped in fear? Absolutely.

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