A review in which the reader was surprisingly emotional:

I read Painspace in one sitting last night and it was my first Jon Athan story.

Not only did I really enjoy it but it was surprisingly wholesome in its own way. Part claustrophobia on steroids and part honest look at the damage grief can do. I am a mom of an 11 year old boy and Jon Athan makes sure you feel that anxiety of knowing your child is near and doing everything to get to them. To keep them safe. To fulfill your role as parent and guardian.

Athan plays on this and his story telling served to heighten my anxiety and made me very invested in the story. The climax and resolve were *chefs kiss