Reviews

The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz

sea_caummisar's review

4.0

Based off the description I did NOT get supernatural vibes on this one. I almost expected it to be a story beyond the realm of reality, but was hoping it wouldn't be.
It was revealed early on (first couple chapters) that there was more to this than evil humans.
Sometimes (most times) I'll put a book down. However, this one was written so well that I kept reading.
I enjoy writing, so I enjoy stories about writers.
Especially writers vying for fame and fortune in a game.
The game wasn't what I was expecting, but I did enjoy learning about all of the characters' pasts. There were a lot of names to keep up with, but this author handled that. It wasn't one of those books that ov erwhelmed me or intimidated me by having too many names/ characters to keep up with and separate.
It was most things that I usually avoid in a story, still I enjoyed it. So that's saying a lot. If someone loves supernatural stuff and having a lot of characters, each complete with exceptional background building, they'd love this book

nikkirene00's review

2.0

I’m just so glad it’s over. Weird, confusing, couldn’t keep track of the characters.

paperwitch's review

4.0

I have to admit this is the first Jonathan Janz book I’ve read and not being acquainted with his previous work, I didn’t know what to expect.

The premise of this book sounds awesome, essentially is like the hunger games for writers, um yes please count me in.

The book starts off with a small intro to all of the characters, 13 total to be exact, I have to admit I had no idea who was who for the longest time and since we only get a brief description of each and every one of them, the challenge is up there.

The story overall was pretty pleasant, I really couldn’t put the book down, although because of the short amount of time we spend with some of the characters some of them did felt a bit flat. The setting was great and I really enjoyed the direction the story headed, I really wasn’t expecting the turns it took and for that I am pleased, yet something bugs me and that is the fact that the transition from the halfway point to the end was a bit bumpy and rough, it could’ve been smoother, it slightly felt like two different stories from time to time and that messed me up. Other than that The dark game, is a grim, twisted, fast paced read that’s definitely worth checking out.

This book was kindly provided by Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

wiltedlavender's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

scarlettanomaly's review

4.0

I had to come back and fix my rating after letting it simmer, this was actually really good, like as in the story, some things irked me about the writing which I realized I don't care about that part a much as I first thought because this story has been on my mind a bit lol

I'd prob actually give it 4.5 stars, 4 is too low and 5 is too high
It's not perfect but it's good

romysvx's review

2.0

DNF @ 40%

petersenftleben's review

4.0

3.5 stars. Cool concept and some great horror references. But there were too many characters, plus their backstories/secrets, plus excerpts from their novels-in-progress, and it was hard to keep track of who was who and what they were working on. It got better as the cast thinned out, but I still didn't connect to anyone as much as I typically like.

heatheradoresbooks's review

3.0

I didn’t love it, but it kept me engaged enough to want to finish it.

zooloo1983's review

5.0

So this is a brand spanking new book for Mr Janz, not a reprint but a fresh story. This is not as scary or as gruesome as his other stories I have read but there was something a bit more clever about it and more fresh. Plus I have to say straight of the bat I LOVED LOVED LOVED all the references to his previous works and other stories. I picked up the nods to The Siren and the Spectre before they were obvious and the Sorrows. I am sure there were more, I have a feeling the Nightmare girl was alluded to.

For a change, I was not grossed out and I wasn’t completely petrified under my cover reading this, I actually sat back and enjoyed the story of 10 writers off on a retreat to win some money and meet the mysterious Roderick Wells, a legend, who is going to help make it all happen. I mean what possibly could go wrong?

I mean I know that I was not on edge for a change but it does not mean that there were not a few game-changing scenes where I sat catching flies I mean, I did just read that didn’t I, plus when gore was needed it was there! One bit in particular….that ending! In the midst of the macabre the way the characters carried on was surprising to me, I mean they did just see what I read but you wouldn’t know, the crazy kids!

I love in the midst of the creative retreat, with the “writers” all trying to write the next big thing, channelling all the inspiration they can, whilst fighting their secrets. Secrets that haunt them, secrets that take a life of their own. Things really do go bump in the night and manifestations do really exist in this closed-off corner of the world. Who or what is causing this darkness?

Fear! That is the theme, not just with the writers on the retreat, are they good enough? Will they make it? But the fear of the unknown, where will this story takes us? What is lurking in the dark?

This is such a hard review to write because I can’t spoil anything for you. This is a dark dark thriller and it keeps you turning the pages with the short snappy chapters. You get insights to all the characters, you witness their secrets, some were just horrifying but everyone got a voice. You got everyone’s story as they all tried to prove why they deserve the prestige. It felt like you were in charge of this book because as the story unfolds I agreed with the way the events played out. Man, there is so much more I want to say!!

I love the Q&A’s at the beginning of each book as you get an insight to the author and the book, and when reading this, you could sense like Janz said, that Rick was so loosely based on him, especially with the Jack Ketchum reference. The Dark Game seems quite a personal ride for Janz and an insight into the fear of a writers journey.

As everyone knows I have a HUGE fan of Mr Janz and his storytelling. As much as this may not be knocking the Siren and the Spectre off the top spot, the magic that Janz weaves on the page still makes this an enjoyable read and one I struggled to put down. Each different take he has done on a known genre just wins for me. Janz has such a distinct voice, that I would be able to tell it was his book I was reading, even if the cover said something different. He sucks you in, leaving you on edge, completely engrossed in the world laid out in front of you, never quite letting you go even after the last page.

smilesgiggle's review

5.0

I so enjoyed reading this book! The language was descriptive, lyrical while the plot moved quickly. Ten writers enter a contest - only one will win. It quickly becomes a game of survival - and terror!
Characters were realistic; the plot was exciting and kept me up to keep going!
I highly recommend this book.