For me this book started off great and then slowly declined. I wasnt sure what the game actually was and didn't think leaving it to the last 10% to explain made me want to carry on reading.

Unfortunately it just wasn't for me

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Scott Kershaw. A fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout with an ending that I didn’t see coming. I look forward to reading more from this author. Would definitely recommend. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

When I went into this book I was expecting a fast-paced thriller, and there were elements of that, sure, but what I actually felt a lot of the time was...sad, I guess? The characters were mostly unlikeable, and while I enjoyed the twists and turns, I felt like the constant cliffhangers left a lot unresolved.

Overall the plotting and Kershaw's writing style were strong, but where this lost me was in its depiction of its characters, by leaning into stereotypes associated with women and PoC.

The premise really excited me, but after introducing the five players I really couldn't get on with the writing. I found the female characters clunky and predictable. I could tell that, even though some of the characters were from the US that the author wasn't, the description of location and buildings were very 'this is what I think the US is like'. I did not finish.

Interesting novel where 5 strangers from England, France and America have a loved one kidnapped and have to play timed games to get them back.

At first I thought this might be like the Netflix series Squid Game, but it wasn't at all. The players appear to be randomly selected and must do as the game says or their loved one will be hurt. They can't contact the authorities or tell their family, they must go to a location on the Moors.

The story alternates between the 5 players, their back stories and how they eventually meet each other at a remote hotel on the Moors before they are given their next game. There is also a pre-game that ties it all together.

i enjoyed this story and didn't see the twist coming at the end.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

The Game is a book with an intriguing concept, but for me just didn't work in execution. The story follows five different characters who receive a text message saying someone they love has been taken. They must play the game alongside four others and whoever wins will get their loved one back. I thought this sounded like such an addictive read, but I really struggled to get into it. It felt like a large chunk of the book was about them getting to the place where they would play the game - they don't actually meet until quite far into the story. The chapters alternate between all five players as well as some flashbacks to the past and because they're so short I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The characters are also all pretty unlikeable, making it difficult to root for them to succeed. The reveal at the end was surprising if a bit far fetched but by then I wasn't particularly invested. Overall this one might appeal to thriller fans but it just wasn't for me.

I have just spent about a week with five strangers from around the globe. Each one has received a text message inviting them to play a game, if they refuse the person they love the most will die. Why have they been chosen? What is the Game?, How do you play?... Stay fit, you never know when you will need to be strong, you never know when you will need to run...
An excellent, well crafted, edge of your seat, page turner of a tale. A story that is brutal both physically and emotionally, with emotionally developed characters..
A book that you won't want to put down!...Read it

The Game - well written and couldn’t put it down! Five strangers brought together from across the world after receiving a text message, someone has taken their loved ones - there will be only one winner of the game....

I liked the way each chapter was related to a character, it made it easy to follow and get involved in the personality of the individual and understand their story.

The concept reminded me a little of the Saw movies (but thankfully less horrific) which was great, you know someone is controlling all of this - but don’t know who that is, or their motivation for doing it.

I didn’t see the end coming and the twist surprised me a little as I didn’t think it was going in that direction. Personally I didn’t enjoy it, I’m sure others will - but it just wasn’t for me.

All in all, a good book and definitely worth a read as the concept is captivating.

#NetGalley #TheGame

A great story which has you gripped from the start, which is why I could stop reading it.
I look forward to reading more by Scott

A debut thriller from Scott Kershaw which sees five strangers facing a race against time. Each of the five is playing The Game to save one of their loved ones, each is aware the price of failure will mean the one they love will die. But what is The Game and how will they determine the winner?

That is a terrific hook for me - a thriller which introduces five characters and immediately throws them into the worst situation of their lives. It gives that instant gratifying feeling of grabbing the reader's attention from the outset then taking them on a breakneck journey into chaos. The "players" in the game come from around the world but are required to converge in the UK by a specificed time. For the players in the US and on mainland Europe this will present something of a challenge but with the stakes so high they simply can't even consider failure.

The action begins in America where a young child goes missing from the appartment through the night. His mother had been looking after him but the boy seems to have slipped out while she was distracted. It is only when she starts receiving text messages which make it clear where her son actually is that the reality of her predicament kicks in. Her son is gone and if she tells anyone then the people that have taken him will kill him.

While readers come to terms with this situation another drama is unfolding. A man who has been at a hockey match with his friend finds that friend is now in danger if he does not play The Game. A young mother who is struggling to keep her life under any form of control, her husband doesn't look at her any longer, her young children are constantly demanding and even the family dog seems to be making her life challenging. Then The Game lands and her understanding of challenging will really take on meaning.

That's just three of the players in the game but there are more and each knows that there can be only one winner - so what could happen when they all converge on a single point to see how the game is going to unfold? Well to tell would spoil the enjoyment of reading The Game but this is an intense ride and even when Scott Kershaw takes us away from the five players there are other plots (another Game?) to add depth and muddy the waters too.

Reading The Game was lots of fun with some moments which also caused me upset or an anxiousness for the predicament of the characters. I really enjoyed how the story resolved the threads and found I was still thinking about some of the characters a week or so after I had finished reading. All too often I put down a book, move on and don't give it a second thought - this means The Game managed to cut-through my "goldfish memory" and that's always a good endorsement. Well worth watching out for this one.

I wish I could give this book more than five stars it was so brilliant. Once I started it I just couldn’t put it down. Exciting and very interesting I really didn’t know how this one was going to turn out and I was so surprised by the ending, I didn’t see that one coming. A brilliant read and I highly recommended this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Incredibly gripping with great characters. I loved the way you gradually found out more and more about each of them and the reasons they were there. Great ending too.

- Dear Player. The person you love most is in danger. To save them, you must play THE GAME. The rules are - there can only be one winner. If you lose, your loved one will die. All players enter alone. Do not share this message. Do not seek help - welcome to THE GAME -

Scott Kershaw is the debut author of this incredibly original thriller and if I hadn’t of read for myself this was his first novel, I truly wouldn’t have believed it. Superbly plotted, intriguing storyline, interesting characters and a nail-biting denouement that thoroughly shocked and I didn’t foresee, made this one of the most entertaining thrillers I’ve read in a long time.

There are various different threads and themes throughout, some quite sensitive but they are paramount to the development of the story. To state what they are would spoil it but when the pieces of the puzzle start to connect, you fully understand why the author incorporated such emotional scenes.

Mind boggling twists make this a masterful, suspense classic and although logistically and theoretically implausible, this story sends you on an unforgettable ride of entertainment.

With the possibility of an opening for a second book, I do hope the author writes another, I for one would queue up to be the first to buy it and I can happily recommend “The Game” to thriller readers.

#TheGame - 5 stars

No option but to give five stars for this exciting debut novel. What a thriller! I could complain that the last few chapters were confusing but when I think back it was all clear enough but simply complicated.
I won’t say anything about the plot because it really is a book to be read with no idea wher3 it will take you.

Five people scattered across the globe receive the same text message informing them their loved one’s life is in danger, and in order to save them, they have to play ‘The Game’…

The participants seem to be randomly selected: they are of various ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. And yet they were invited to play this deadly game. As each player realises their loved one is missing, they have no choice, but to take part. Some need to make a treacherous journey in a back of a truck, some by plane and car.

They all end up in a remote location, where they await further instructions… What will happen next?

You have to read this book for yourselves to find out! I don’t want to give away too much of the plot.

I loved the idea behind the book: five seemingly unrelated people thrown into a stressful situation. They have to work together, but at the same time, they have to protect their own interest.

I also liked how the book was split into levels, as if you were playing a real game. The build up was full of tension and I was gripped trying to figure out where it was all heading. The ending however, didn’t live up to expectations, which is a shame.

Thank you to the publisher, HQ, for approving my NetGalley request.

5 people in 3 countries discover that their loved one is missing. They receive a text telling them that they must play The Game or their loved one will die. Told from each player's point of view, the game unfolds, slowly at first. Stick with it, though as more layers get revealed. The twist at the end pulls the threads together.. The scenarios depicted gives food for thought.
A debut novel and a little rough at the edges, but a good read.

A debut novel that from the synopsis sounded just what I like to read.

This was an interesting concept that hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't put down once I got into it.

A great fast paced read.

I look forward to reading more by Scott Kershaw

I really enjoyed this book!

It had a great premise (strangers have to play 'The Game' to save their loved ones), an interesting layout with it being told from different character's POV, as well as time periods & it holds an interesting overall message/depth to it.

The novel was also everything you'd want from a thriller: intriguing, fast-moving & it had a great twist that was shocking & perfect to tie everything together. It certainly had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

'The Game' was a brilliant debut novel, well done Scott Kershaw!

Thank you to Net Galley, Scott Kershaw & HQ for allowing me to read & review the ARC of 'The Game'; all views are honest & my own.

I was sent a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

OK, so I’ll say straight away that this book grabbed my attention very quickly and I found myself wanting to read it as often as I could….always the sign of a good book!

Good characters, an exciting story that flowed well and a good enough twist at the end that I hadn’t expected.

#NetGalley #TheGame

Can't believe this is a debut novel. I can't wait to see what they come out with next.
This was a gripping fast paced book.
Pick it up, you won't regret it