Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The game

sloooooow first 1/2 but i was invested and needed to see how this story panned out. Absolutely did not go the way I was expecting.. wish I had been more aware of some of the triggering topics. Well rounded ending that i was *mostly* satisfied with…… you’re never going to be 100% happy with a thriller lol

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hollyberry_books's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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tspice24's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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michelles_book_nook's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

⚠️ CW: kidnapping, domestic abuse, animal abuse, misogyny, addiction, miscarriage, stillbirth, violence, homophobia, racism, rape, suicide, murder and brief mentions of child abuse ⚠️ If you like the movies Taken and Saw, and you want a dark, tense and twisty read then this one is for you! Across the globe five strangers receive a horrifying message from an unknown number. The people they love the most are in danger and to save them they must play The Game. A sinister contest that only has a single rule, there can only be one winner. If you lose then your loved one will die. But what is The Game, and why have they been chosen? There's only one thing each of them knows for sure - they'll do anything to win. This book had me so incredibly gripped that I didn't want it to end. It kept me guessing until the very last page and the huge twist left me gobsmacked. I absolutely loved the alternating pov's between all of the characters that gave you small breadcrumbs of their individual stories to follow and piece together throughout, and their flawed personalities and back stories made it all the more riveting! The only reason I dropped it down a star is because I felt that the climax of the story was a bit rushed and I wanted a bit more from the 'post game' part. Overall, I highly recommend this book but please check the content warnings before going into it because it is quite a bit more graphic than your standard thriller in my opinion.

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ggallinot's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Pretty good - but kinda dark. Just be ready for that. Some interesting twists at the end. Not the BEST in the “play or die” genre but far from the worst.

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syd_syd's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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travelseatsreads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

The person you love most is in danger, to save them you must play the game, possibly risking the lives of others involved, what do you do?

The Game is a fast paced gripping thriller told from the perspectives of each of the 5 players. It's told in short snappy chapters that alternate between each character which kept me completely hooked and wondering what the hell was going to happen next.

As the story unfolds it appears there are many sinister things to come, just where will it all end and who if anyone will survive? Absolute fear and raw desperation ooze from each chapter as we see each individual question if there's any limit to what they will do to save the person the love?

I switched between audiobook and ebook and found both equally gripping. The narration was done by one narrator and I was surprisingly impressed with his different characterisations. While I was completely hooked throughout I can't say that I was overly fond of the ending, it felt a little bit messy and if anything a little bit unnecessary in a way.

Overall an interesting fast paced thriller that will keep you hooked.

TWs for animal death, rape and sexual assault.

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outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Five strangers each receive a mysterious text message telling them that a loved one is in danger & the only way to save them is to "play The Game". The five are then sent instructions which lead to them to a meeting place & they are given a time limit in which to travel. They are not to tell anyone what is happening or contact the authorities, & the abductors seem to be able to track them & see what they are doing as threats are made when a couple of the characters initially try to raise the alarm. If they don't follow the instructions, their loved ones will die.

The five main characters are a) Maggie. Young woman who gave her son up for adoption eight years ago. She is now back in his life but Jackson is kidnapped from her apartment whilst staying over. b) Brett, middle-aged male who works in the video gaming industry. His best friend of many years (who he happens to be in love with) has been taken. c) Sarah, mum of two. Addicted to online bingo & slowly disappearing under the weight of her SAHM responsibilities. Her oldest child, Hannah, is kidnapped. d) Linda - retired former police officer who now works airport security. One ex-husband. One teenage daughter who is the one who is kidnapped. & e) Noah - part-time waiter & drug dealer who lives in Paris. His fiancée is taken whilst Noah is at work trying to earn money to pay for an expensive wedding. The narrative alternates between the five characters above from just before they receive the first text message.

I must admit I was intrigued by the synopsis, & although the concept is great, I was expecting more of a contest-type game rather than just "Go here, do this, you have x hours to complete it in", however, the significance of the name "The Game" becomes clearer later on. I thought it was a gripping read up until the ending which didn't quite work after promising so much. I found Brett's character arc rather strange & when it came to Sarah & Maggie, I had to reminding myself who was who. Overall I feel it was a bit of a mixed bag & a missed opportunity but it was well worth reading if you enjoy tense thrillers.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.

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