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Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula elevates the Gripped series by introducing and shedding a light onto the scariest and most dangerous element of partaking in the drug circle: the Mafia. The previous three books in the series touched on drug dealers and one of the main characters, Taylor, being in danger due to his connections with local suppliers, but Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors takes the seriousness of the situation to a level not discussed prior. In fact, the book ends without readers even knowing where Taylor is, just that he met with his supplier under shady circumstances and was never seen again. Knowing that Taylor desperately wanted to get back on the right track and was finally taking the steps toward achieving normalcy again, this leaves readers anxious and fearful that the Mafia caught wind he wanted out, and that he will never actually get his second chance.
Despite knowing the risks of addiction and the mental turmoil it can cause, the last thing on any of the characters’ minds as they think about trying a new substance is getting involved with serious criminals. Drugs have to come from somewhere, yet nobody really thinks twice about where it could stem from, as that is such a far-off thought for a bunch of high school students. Except, in reality, it is not such a far-off thought. What starts off as a couple of fun parties, can quickly escalate to being involved with the types of guys who will kill over a missed payment. Taking a drug can happen so quickly, and the consequences can happen so slowly that they might go unnoticed for a while, but the risk always remains that things go astray.
One of the most evident themes throughout the whole Gripped series, but specifically in Part 4, is that drugs can lead anyone down a life-ending hole, even if they get good grades and have a good head on their shoulders. Taylor, for instance, was the star athlete and had the most promising future of anyone from his hometown, so no one believed he was capable of having a drug problem. Because of that, he slipped through the cracks and got involved with the wrong crowd. He lost his dream and everyone he cared about because he was addicted to a substance. Taylor’s story mirrors that of Jason, who is only a freshman in high school and addicted to adderall, beginning to experiment with harder stuff. Everyone around him can see that his personality is changing and that he is beginning to have a serious problem, but no one thinks he’s in danger because he’s smart. However, as more people learn the truth to Taylor’s issues, they slowly start to realize that without intervention, Jason is at serious risk of following in his footsteps.
Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors is perfect for readers who have enjoyed the first three installments of the Gripped series and are curious about what happens next. The tension is heating up quickly and matters are getting dangerous very fast, making for an exciting read that leaves readers wanting more.
ABOUT EMILY MCDERMOTT
Emily is a recent graduate of Bridgewater State University where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Literature. While at Bridgewater State, Emily worked in the Academic Achievement Center as a writing consultant where she helped enrolled students with any stage of the writing process. Being in this position helped Emily realize that working as an editor might be something she could see herself doing as a career. Currently, she is employed for a small business in her hometown of Bridgewater, MA while actively searching for jobs within the publishing field. She spends most of her free time reading books, playing with her dogs Neely and Kevin, going on coffee runs with her friends, and watching the Bruins with her dad.
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