Reviews

Endgame: The Calling by James Frey

thunderfaerie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

5.0

zemthings's review against another edition

3.0

Endgame: The Calling was an interesting read. However, there were a lot of characters to follow and a lot of information to process from the very beginning. The science fiction element of this "pit teens against each other in a game/competition/event for the fate of XXX" was a nice addition and was the real hook for me. If not for this, I would have put it down.

There was just enough action to keep me entertained, but I found the action too unreal, entire situations too strange for me to follow. Overall, a fun read that I finished quickly (I started it a few days ago). I don't have any real desire to continue the series, which is unfortunate, and picked this up based on the promotional material.

smateer73's review against another edition

4.0

This book was intriguing, masterful, dark. It was woven together in such a way that it captivated and controlled. The Players are all so unique, and each POV leaves you rooting for someone else. There is no way to know the ending, and the story is very intricate. The only thing I didn’t like is that there is a good amount of language and sexual content, especially coming from the character of Christopher, who I did not like. Overall an excellent read.

outoftheblue14's review against another edition

3.0

All'inizio sembrava che fosse una copia malriuscita di The Hunger Games.
In realtà non c'entra quasi niente con quella serie. E' vero, ci sono dodici adolescenti che "giocano" (sarebbe meglio dire combattono) fino alla morte, e ne sopravvivrà uno solo... ma manca l'aspetto del reality show e della società distopica. In compenso, abbiamo l'elemento apocalittico della fine del mondo e gli alieni.

A dire la verità, se avessi saputo fin dall'inizio che gli alieni avrebbero avuto un ruolo importante non avrei mai preso in mano questo libro. Ho provato a ignorare la cosa e a concentrarmi sui protagonisti umani. E ho cercato di ignorare anche i nomi delle varie "stirpi"... anzi, l'intero concetto di "stirpe". Ho cercato di prenderlo più nel senso di "antenati e memoria collettiva" che non in quello di "razza"... perché le razze 1) non esistono dal punto di vista scientifico, e 2) se anche fossero esistite in passato, al giorno d'oggi sarebbero completamente mescolate.

Il punto di vista cambia continuamente, alternandosi tra i vari Giocatori. I personaggi sono comunque ben caratterizzati, ed è facile distinguere le diverse voci.

Personaggi preferiti: Sarah, Jago, Christopher, Chiyoko. Anche An, da un certo punto di vista.

Personaggi odiati: Maccabee, il ragazzino donghu col nome impronunciabile... Baitsa-coso.

Spoiler

Per quanto Christopher si sia comportato in modo stupido, per quanto abbia passato l'intero libro a farsi rapire, malmenare, usare come ostaggio, e a ripetersi "Avrei dovuto dare retta a Sarah e restarmene a casa mia", sotto sotto mi stava simpatico e non volevo vederlo morire. Quanto al triangolo amoroso tra lui, Sarah e Jago... niente da fare, tifavo per Jago. Però storco il naso quando un triangolo amoroso viene risolto dalla morte di uno dei contendenti. Anche se non è affatto detto che Sarah e Jago stiano insieme nel resto della serie.

Anche Chiyoko mi piaceva molto e volevo che vivesse. E An? Non ho capito bene se è vivo o morto... presumo fosse solo svenuto.

robin947's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

evidasbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Not my style of the book. I dont like it . 

npar6790's review against another edition

1.0

This book is all action with no development of the characters and little detail making it hard for me to visualize most of the scenes. Very disappointing since the description really called out to me.

melanielund4's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

otter_artsy's review against another edition

adventurous

4.0

pause_theframe's review against another edition

4.0

The Story



We follow as twelve characters, chosen over 9,000 years ago, from their bloodline. Some have been eagerly awaiting this moment, some dreading the possibility. After having waited so long, surely they will not be chosen.

They only have until their 20th birthday to take part. After that, they must hand-off the burden/privilege to the next in line, and so it has gone for over 9K years. Then it happens. The first sign comes, a meteor striking the earth, to signal the beginning.

In the end, each player has their own invitation, brought by meteor, a meteor which has wreaked havoc on the world, destroying people, animals and nature alike. This is only the beginning.

With blood and screams all around them, the players are brought to two realisations:

1) Endgame has begun
2) They must not lose, or they will destroy everything they love.

Who will be first to solve the puzzle and win? At what cost?



What I Think about the Story and Game:


I found the story to be quite a good read. It does have a few 'flaws,' as mentioned by other reviewers. Namely being that the characters are meant to be chosen, but not anything more than human. However, they take on feats that are well beyond human ability. I took this in stride though, as one has to remember we are not in a world that is exactly like ours, so 'normal' people may be able to do slightly more. Also, when one is terrified and striving to save those they love, whilst avoiding death, it is not uncommon for humans to do things believed impossible.

I like the extreme, addicting pace of this book. It really is a read that is hard to put down. The action starts from page one and doesn't cease, leaving you aching for the second book.

I also liked the characters. They have enough depth to be very interesting. Plus, the characters are spread in traits, beliefs and wants. They all have different backgrounds, act differently and care about very different things. This means that some of the characters do not want to be a part of the game, but know they must, whilst others have yearned for this day, trained for it. These differences are held in the characters and ultimately decide how they act in certain situations.

The overall story is brilliant! As far as a dark fantasy/sci-fi blend it is epic and really does pull in all types of readers, making them a part of so much more.

The real Endgame is one of the most brilliant ideas I have seen in ages. Linking together a great read with a true puzzle is brilliant. It does mean that you have to switch your mind back and forth between the book and the world, but this is not the full aim. It is meant to really get you to absorb yourself into the world of Endgame, to be a part of it, striving to be like the players in the book...to be the first to solve the puzzle.

They have even made Endgame more real, with a link between the world puzzle and the book by have events that take place all over the world.