Oh boy. What happened there… I have to say that until 80% in I found The Game a compelling slow burn thriller and I couldn’t wait to get to the end to get all the answers! Unfortunately, this is a case of when a “twist” or ending makes or breaks a book and this one completely crumbled down. The action is almost nonexistent. So you’re left with a lot of background story about the characters for 2/3 of the book before the story really starts, which as it got me into the story from the very first chapter, I didn’t mind too much but I kept waiting for something to happen and it didn’t until the last 40 pages where it all spiralled down into nonsense. The ending was very convoluted and made no sense. I don’t even think this book should be called The Game. It seems like the title is all a marketing ploy and was added into the story as an afterthought rather than a comprehensive part of the story… Why is it the game? Unclear. What about the characters’ motivation? Flimsy at best but mostly nonsensical. Which brings me to the odd feeling that it gave me when reading from a POV of so many women, clearly written by a man. The thoughts and feelings felt very much like those of someone who never had to experience a period or childbirth. I’m sorry to say but at times it felt borderline misogynistic and the whole theme of the book revealed at the end left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not sure that it is the place for a man to discuss women’s experience of sexual abuse and rape in so much detail and with such gruesomeness, just to fit a plot and a twist. There were a few too many violent and truly visceral moments that made me sick and deeply disturbed.

If there is one thing that I was really impressed by, it is the ability of the author to write characters that have a very distinct voice. Considering that we get 5 main POVs plus additional chapters from minor characters, I was fully expecting to start mixing them up and being unsure of which storyline belonged to which person. However, their very distinct narration made it really easy to follow and switch between perspectives, and I have to say that this is a very hard thing to do so I’m really impressed.
Another thing that really made me surprised was the ease with which it was written and how easy it was to get into and not wanting to put it down.

Overall, I don’t think that this is bad and I did enjoy it until the 80% mark but the ending really ruined it for me. It felt rushed as if the author realised there was a deadline and scribbled some ending just to finish the book which made no sense after following the whole story. Pieces were not matching, and the puzzle seemed to have mixed a few different boxes making it impossible to put it all together in one comprehensive picture…

Scott Kershaw’s novel The Game has us hooked right from the start! Five strangers around the world each receive a mysterious message: their loved ones are in danger and the only way to save them is to play the unknown entity called The Game. Each character is willing to do whatever it takes to win, but will they make it? As the tension builds, so does the anticipation to discover the nature of The Game and the real motive behind it. Through his skillful use of mystery and suspense, Kershaw keeps readers on the edge of their seat until the end. Fans of psychological thrillers will definitely want to check out The Game!

Spread worldwide this 'game' had to be played with your full attention. The same goes for the reader. There's alot of names and information to keep track of but it's well worth it because the books a 5* thriller!

Wow, this was an amazing thriller. Definitely my best thriller read of the year. It had me hooked from beginning to end with plenty of twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming. One criticism is that I found it a bit difficult at times to remember each player as there were a few too many, especially at the start, which made flipping between them confusing at times. Other than that it was a great read and I'd definitely recommend.

Simply put a page turner that I couldn't put down; read it!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

Brilliant Debut!
This book had me hooked from beginning to end with plenty of twists that I didn't see coming. My only criticism is that maybe there were a few too many players as at times I did find the multiple povs slightly difficult to keep up with.

What an amazing thriller. Fast paced kept me gripped from the start. Unique to everything else I’ve read this year I thoroughly enjoyed this book & would highly recommended

What an absolutely cracking thriller! I loved the concept of this and found it to be fast paced and engaging from the start. Full of drama and twists and a very well written plot

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Five strangers in different parts of the world receive messages informing them that they have been selected to play a game. The person they love the most has disappeared and they have to play the game to get them back. But there can only be one winner. The loser loses their loved one.

Wow this had me hooked from the start. The twists and turns never stopped and the 'Games Master' was someone I definitely didn't see coming. A whole range of emotions and an ending that actually tied up some ends instead of things left without explanation or the reader wondering what happened afterwards.

Highly recommended.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 2*
Pace: 3*
Characters: 3*

If I was reviewing the last 25% I'd be rating this 5*, what a great ending! But unfortunately the first half had me fairly bored. I thought 6 different story lines far too much, and as soon you were getting to grips with one part of the story it ended, and you were following another plot with different characters. However when the story lines came together and you were only following one or two stories it was far more enjoyable, and the climax was really, really good. Overall a good story with massive 'Saw' and 'Squid Game' vibes. Solid 3 stars.

3.5

Really enjoyed seeing how the different threads of this story came together.

A twisty read that keeps you on the edge of you seat, unsure of what will happen next.

It was a little longer than it needed to be & was slow to set up the action due to the number of players but I still enjoyed the premise & was compelled to follow it through to the end.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

A pretty intense thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this book. I loved the sound of the description of The Game. Individuals from across the globe each receive a text to say their loved one has been taken and is in danger. These individuals must all follow the rules exactly in order to save their person. The first rule is not to tell anyone. This is an instantly gripping start to the book. When someone has been kidnapped, my first reaction would be to call the police, but if they did this then their person would die. I tried to put myself in their position to see what I would do. I soon stopped this, as it was to difficult to imagine being in that horrific situation. Instead I enjoyed this book for the thriller that it is.
Each character is unique and they alternated chapters so you got a good perception of all of the characters. As I read, I kept questioning why these people were chosen and how is it all linked because the people were from a variety of countries, UK, USA, France. I was happy that my questions were answered.
As far as I can tell, this is a debut book from the Author. An excellent first book and I hope more will come in time.

Not a new idea, forcing a group of protagonists to participate in a life or death game. Even the Hunger Games wasn't the first. The group work together, but always feel isolated from each other, not knowing who, if anyone is telling the truth. Most of them have no idea why they are participating, but are totally convinced if they don't compete, someone they love will die, and they have been given proof to convince them.
Compelling and trotting along at a reasonable pace, it seems to me that there were some weaknesses in the plotting, regarding time frames and distances, but perhaps that's only me. I also felt the the behaviours of some of the characters was not rational, with easier and more direct routes of avoiding becoming embroiled in "The Game".
With that small proviso the Mr. Kershaw has written a thoroughly acceptable thriller

A gripping story which delves into the lives of the players and how they become part of “The Game”.

I found this book brilliant from start to finish. The characters were written spot on and the story was great.

Definitely a book for fans of the series, Squid Game.

Fast-paced and thrilling, I struggled to put this down initially. I loved the fact that "The Game" starts off in different locations around the world. Scott Kershaw really brings those diverse settings to life. I preferred the first half of the book but felt it lost momentum as the plot progressed. Overall a good read though.

This book isnt what i thought it was going to be. Having said that I have no idea what I was expecting....Something more exciting. The blurb totally sold it to me and I feel let down because I have picked this book up a few times and just feel like it isnt for me. Normally I read a book from start to finish but something wasnt keeping my attention.
But we cant all like the same things can we?!

Fast paced thriller with so much potential but the ending felt a bit far fetched and rushed for me unfortunately

This was a unique reading experience. I really liked the writing style and plot. A very good thriller

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book