*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

"The Game" by Scott Kershaw is an espionage thriller that delivers an engaging and suspenseful narrative, filled with intrigue, secrets, and high-stakes action. This novel showcases the author's ability to craft a compelling story within the world of covert operations.

One of the standout features of "The Game" is its intricate and well-plotted storyline. Kershaw weaves a complex web of espionage, political maneuvering, and personal vendettas that keeps readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages. The novel's pacing is spot-on, balancing moments of tension and action with character development and plot progression.

This was a middle of the road read for me. The title captured my attention immediately. It seemed like a horror/thriller movie like Saw or along those lines. Once I got into the book, I found it wasn't bad but also wasn't a new favorite. The stakes of the game didn't really work for me. Also I think I expected more thrills/horror.

Love a book with a messed up twisted game at the center and this one delivered all that and more. Thanks to Harper 360 for the arc for my honest review.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of this book.***

oh boy…this sounded SO good but ended up being so disappointing and even problematic. I see what the author was trying to accomplish here but it really fell flat, reminded me of that Peter Swanson cult book

SYNOPSIS: Five strangers spread across the globe receive a terrifying text message that someone they love most has been kidnapped, and are being held hostage. In order to free them, there are only three rules: no cops, tell no one, and play the game. The problem is, there can only be one winner; you lose, and your loved one WILL DIE.

REVIEW: I felt like this novel was written as if “the hunger games” and “taken” had a baby. These five strangers all have someone dear taken from them (children, fiancé, best friend) and are given the ultimatum of either playing, or their loved will be killed. The story is told from multiple point of views, and each goes through the horrible, heartbreaking experience of finding their loved one gone, and taking you through their own journey in order to get to a remote inn by the deadline.

Once they arrive, they find our that there are five players, and are given their first task. Despite the hostility, suspicions between players, and a daring first task, everything seems fairly straight forward— until the group is told to drive several hours to an even more remote location by a loch… and get answers from a sixth player. All the while, the story also bounces back and forth to some sort of retreat where a group of female gamers are going to be streaming, and playing, The Game.

I won’t drop any spoilers here, but the author does a good job of keeping the reader in the dark, and I was surprised how it all connected and came together. The ending did have closure, but was a bit of a letdown for me. After all of the buildup, I was left wanting more of a dramatic finale.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

(Review posted soon on Instagram: @slowerlowerliving)

So, the plot to this book is really fun and the book would be too if it didn't take so long to actually get into. It was a slow start but about halfway it got better.

Similar to other reviewers, it took me a while to get into this. The premise was interesting, making the reader what they would do if they were in the same situation. Although it took me a bit of effort to fully get into this, I did it enjoy it once I did and would recommend this thriller to others.

To be completely honest it took me months to get through this book. While it is well written, it was hard for me to get sucked into the storyline when I knew I would have to read the same overall sequence of events from five different points of view. It also made it hard for me to connect with the characters as their stories are told in such small fragments over so many pages. I will say that I did go into this book thinking it would be more like something out of the book of Saw, but ultimately realized that would not be the case. I gave this book 4 stars originally because while it may not have been for me, I can admire that it is an incredibly well-done novel. The overall storyline is compelling, but some of the shifts in points of view felt jarring as well as the final twist. It left me feeling a bit empty to realize that this entire story led to this truly devastating twist. There came a point where everything felt like it was done for shock value and no one was left a clear winner as they were ultimately left in worse situations than they started in. The exception was Noah and even that was left mostly up in the air. The twist itself was just heart-wrenching as up until that point I had put enough bits and pieces together that I understood where that trip was going, but could not understand how that situation led to those players being chosen for The Game. When all was revealed it just left me heartbroken for most of the players. At that point, I was rooting for at least some of them and just wanted them to get home safe to their loved ones. All in all, once I really got into this novel (that being around when all the players finally met up) I simply could not put it down, but the journey up until that point was a long one. There were times I wanted to simply walk away from it and never pick it up again, times when I couldn't put it down, and other times when I could understand the vision but questioned the execution. In the end, I had to give it 3 stars because it just felt soul-crushing and ultimately devastating.

I had the honor of interviewing Scott Kershaw about his book "The Game" for my podcast Storytime in Paris. Here is what I said:

"Scott Kershaw, “The Game”

What would you do if you received a text message saying the person you love most in the world is in danger and the only way to save them is to play “The Game?” You can tell no one and, worst yet, there will only be one survivor. My guest this week is author Scott Kershaw and his debut novel “The Game” is a psychological thriller, mystery, suspense and horror novel all rolled into one.

Curious to meet the man behind “The Game?” Listen in as Scott shares why he chose the places and characters he did, how the pandemic helped shape his work, and what it is that draws us to the darker side. Then, Scott treats us to a reading from “The Game.”

Full interview here: parisundergroundradio.com/storytimeinparis

I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One text can change everything.

YOUR LOVED ONE HAS BEEN TAKEN. DO NOT CONTACT THE POLICE. BE READY TO PLAY THE GAME.

For five strangers across the globe, that earth shattering text changed everything. Five complete strangers from opposite ends of the world must come together to play a game to save their loved ones. The Game? No one knows. Burner phones, airplane tickets, and countdowns all make for an exciting race to the finish for Scott Kershaw’s debut novel.

For fans of Squid Game, I do believe you will enjoy this book. The suspense was written in so well. At times, I did get bored of the book but moments later, something was said that brought me right back in. I literally had no idea where this story was going until the very, very end. The twist completely blindsided me! Also, the ending left it open, in my opinion, for a sequel. I mean who doesn’t like a good sequel and well thought out revenge??

As I mentioned prior, the book was a little slow at times. It could also be confusing (and this may have just been a me thing) trying to keep which player was which straight. The perspectives changed and sometimes it was not clear who was speaking. There were a few grammatical errors but that may also be in part to the dialect (for example “offence” instead of “offense”).

If you are a fan of thrillers with some minor horror elements, I do recommend this book. Please check trigger warnings (I.e., references of homophobia, rape, sexual assault, cocaine usage, sex trafficking). Some things are heavier than others but these are often referenced in the book from early on.

I would definitely be willing to read another one of Kershaw’s writing! He does have a way of drawing you in and not giving any clues until the last moment of who the real villain is is beautiful. I almost want to go back and read it and see if he did embed clues!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles. I really not the opportunity!

I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

The Game is a dark, twisted, psychological suspense novel that plays out like a game. Beware - readers will be hooked! Imagine receiving a text message from an unknown number saying you must participate in a game and win or the person you love most will die. There can only be one winner. To what lengths would you go to keep the person you love most alive? The most horrifying scenario plays out like a nightmare. The characters are fantastic and the writing will hook you. Highly recommended!!

I have had my eyes on Scott Kershaw's debut novel, The Game, for quiet awhile before it was released. The synopsis was not my normal type of read, yet I found myself intrigued and wanting to read this book. There are A LOT of trigger/content warnings in this book that I will not list in my review, but readers that are sensitive to triggers and content should beware.

To start we have five strangers from three countries who have all received the same message "The person you love most is in danger." In order to save their person, they must play The Game, if they lose their person dies, if they seek help they lose, if they go to the police they lose. In the end there can be only one winner.

WOW! The Game sounds equally intriguing and horrifying, and let me tell you, IT WAS!

The Game kept me turning the pages in anticipation, driven to to know what The Game was and who this unknown entity that was so cruel could be and why these specific players and their loved ones were chosen.

I was a little disappointed in the ending, with how hooked I was through the entire book to get to the conclusion, while it works and makes sense, it felt a little lackluster, but overall it was still a great read.

Oh, and as that micro Gen-X/Millennial generation, I absolutely lost The Game, which receives a call out in the book, after being on a winning streak for so long! (If you know, you know ;-))

<b>Note:</b> I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley.

<b>3.5 Stars</b>

Across the globe, five strangers receive a horrifying message from an unknown number.

THE PERSON YOU LOVE MOST IS IN DANGER. To save them, each must play The Game – a sinister unknown entity that has a single rule: there can only be one winner.

IF YOU LOSE, YOUR LOVED ONE WILL DIE. But what is The Game – and why have they been chosen? There’s only one thing each of them knows for sure: they’ll do anything to win…

This was an interesting thriller with a twist type of book. I liked all of the different characters personalities. I also especially liked how I was intrigued until the end and did not figure it out.

I had to DNF (Did Not Finish) this book because it just wasn't vibing with me. I wasn't too fond of the format the author decided to go with and all the many players and side characters you had to remember was too much. I liked the thought of the concept of a game going on but the beginning just wasn't pulling me into it, like I stated the format just wasn't the best.

Although concepts like this strain credulity, I love this sort of thing. I will take a bold, propulsive plot over endless talk about feelings any day. ANY. DAY.

This book goes by at a furious pace. There is many different narrators that fill you in on the story as it moves along. Expertly plotted, it’s hard to believe this is the author’s first book. And, like 5he best boos that make you think, there is @ message to the reader at the end as it really makes you think. 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

What a unique plot and executed really good! Definitely wouldn't want to be part of this game but enjoyed reading the book. Well written and keeps you hooked