Cut Off, written by Adrianne Finlay, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Cut Off combines elements of reality TV, mystery, action, adventure, virtual reality and science fiction into a compelling tale. The story follows River, Cam, Liza and Trip who are contestants on a reality show called "Cut Off." Expensive high tech gadgets allow viewers at home to experience what the contestants do in real time. Each contestant has a reason for wanting to win. River wants to escape being sent to military school. He is a survivalist and the person best suited for the rough terrain of the island. Trip is the inventor of the hottest new app. He wants to win to cement his place as the newest high tech genius. Cam needs the money to buy the ticket to a better life for herself and her brother Benji. Liza is mysterious and not who she pretends to be.The show’s failsafe is an opt out button called a tap-out button, that the contestant can press. It triggers their immediate rescue and exit from the show. The contestants come together for the first time after the earthquake hits the island. They soon realize something has gone hopelessly wrong. Their tap-out buttons aren't working and they are utterly alone. No one is coming to save them. They will have to band together in order to save themselves. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The novel’s perspective shifts between the three main characters. Finlay does an excellent job of letting the reader see what is going on inside each character’s head, what makes them tick and what motivates them. The novel includes some sidebar sections which serve as background information about the contestants. Cam’s interviews are the funniest of the bunch. She manipulates the process and puts the interviewer under pressure. Like Cam, Finlay twists the plot and provides surprises where the reader least suspects them. The ending is broad enough that it could be the set up for a series or simply an intentionally vague ending. The novel contains elements of a romance between River and Cam though the scenes mostly consist of kissing and cuddling. Trip is an openly gay character. There are scenes of underage drinking and scenes where the characters strip down to their underwear. The novel is not recommended for younger teen readers.