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runaps's review
2.0
I’m someone who really loves YA thrillers, it’s painful to say this: I kinda hated this one.
The characters felt cartoonish from the start and I realized who did it so early I almost convinced myself I was wrong, but the clues kept coming and they were pretty obvious, so there was not denying it, only going along for the ride.
Who was clueless tho? Our main character.
Tell me how you think you’re the one forgetting stuff and going crazy when you know for a fact that there’s someone out there manipulating you step by step into hurting your friends?
One thing did surprise me: the author wasn’t afraid to kill characters, and that caught me by surprise.
By the end I noticed my kindle notes resembled Randall’s lines a lot, and once or twice I typed something this character said before he said it, and that kind of made it fun I guess? I made it into a game of sorts.
Ps: is there such a thing as flirty snark? Genuine question.
The end is kinda open, so if there is a book 2 I’d probably give it a chance.
The characters felt cartoonish from the start and I realized who did it so early I almost convinced myself I was wrong, but the clues kept coming and they were pretty obvious, so there was not denying it, only going along for the ride.
Who was clueless tho? Our main character.
Tell me how you think you’re the one forgetting stuff and going crazy when you know for a fact that there’s someone out there manipulating you step by step into hurting your friends?
One thing did surprise me: the author wasn’t afraid to kill characters, and that caught me by surprise.
By the end I noticed my kindle notes resembled Randall’s lines a lot, and once or twice I typed something this character said before he said it, and that kind of made it fun I guess? I made it into a game of sorts.
Ps: is there such a thing as flirty snark? Genuine question.
The end is kinda open, so if there is a book 2 I’d probably give it a chance.
luey03's review
3.0
If I ever think about this book in the future, I’m pretty sure the only thing I’ll remember is that one of the characters said he was the human equivalent of a fart…
pyretic's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, Child death, and Alcohol
abbyl819's review
5.0
Once the plot started to really progress and the stakes started rising, they rose exponentially. Every time I had to stop reading seemed to be a cliffhanger and I was constantly thinking about it until I could continue reading. Each time that I thought “It’s a book, they’re fine, it wouldn’t go that far” IT DID.
Listening to the audiobook at double speed might have contributed to the pace and stakes feeling so high. But if that’s the case I’d recommend reading it that way.
I also appreciated how the ending wasn’t the typical “and then they got justice and everything was fine”. There were serious and permanent consequences as a result of what they went through.
I’ve loved both of Diana Urban’s books so far and can’t wait to read her next one. She integrates the story from the past with the current one so well in an way that keeps you guessing without revealing too much too early.
Listening to the audiobook at double speed might have contributed to the pace and stakes feeling so high. But if that’s the case I’d recommend reading it that way.
I also appreciated how the ending wasn’t the typical “and then they got justice and everything was fine”. There were serious and permanent consequences as a result of what they went through.
I’ve loved both of Diana Urban’s books so far and can’t wait to read her next one. She integrates the story from the past with the current one so well in an way that keeps you guessing without revealing too much too early.
julyborninjuly's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thepagelady's review
4.0
Intense, fast paced & addictive! Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think about this book! And thank God I have boys that love video games! Lol! Anyways, with the suspense & the twists & turns I was glued to this! Definitely the perfect YA thriller! The pace is non-stop & the minute you think it's about to settle down it's like a light switch & the action starts all over again! I haven't read anything by this author before but I love her unique writing style! Definitely a great book!
Thank you Turn The Page Tours for having me on this tour!
Thank you Turn The Page Tours for having me on this tour!
atvreads's review
5.0
A gripping and horrifying page turner, THESE DEADLY GAMES will keep you guessing until the very last chapter! I was completely spellbound and terrified! 10/10 highly recommend! Put this one on your TBR and in your classroom library STAT!
lynguy1's review
4.0
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adult psychological thriller with a game trope is a standalone novel and the first book that I have read by this author. What a first sentence! Then a reader’s emotions settle when they realize what’s going on. But the calm doesn’t last long.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper?
The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper?
The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022.
babs_reviews's review
4.0
An absolute compulsive read!
I found myself unable to set this one down for any length of time. The decision making of teenagers made this one where you occasionally yell at the characters, but name a teen who excels at making the right choice. . . I'll wait.
Crystal and her friends are all pro gamers, readying themselves for a tournament coming up and they all need that prize money. When a mix up has them form a team of 6 and they only need 5 they are forced to race to get points to secure their spot.
When her little sister gets kidnapped, games are the last thing on Crystal's mind, only that's exactly what the kidnapper has in mind. Play their game and win, or she dies. Fast paced and chilling in places, when at first it starts innocent and then turns deadly.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Diane Urban for the gifted copy for review.
I found myself unable to set this one down for any length of time. The decision making of teenagers made this one where you occasionally yell at the characters, but name a teen who excels at making the right choice. . . I'll wait.
Crystal and her friends are all pro gamers, readying themselves for a tournament coming up and they all need that prize money. When a mix up has them form a team of 6 and they only need 5 they are forced to race to get points to secure their spot.
When her little sister gets kidnapped, games are the last thing on Crystal's mind, only that's exactly what the kidnapper has in mind. Play their game and win, or she dies. Fast paced and chilling in places, when at first it starts innocent and then turns deadly.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Diane Urban for the gifted copy for review.