Scan barcode
paperbackd's review against another edition
3.0
A compelling - although unfortunately not brilliantly written - story of revenge and corruption. End Game follows the recovery of a boy called Nick, who is hospitalised after a car crash and a family argument he’s struggling to remember. As Nick’s memories start to return he finds himself caught up in a net of secrets and lies, and must choose between protecting his family and confronting their mistakes.
The first few chapters are gorgeously written, setting End Game up to be a gripping page-turner of a mystery. Unfortunately, the intrigue of Gibbons’ story fades quickly as the reader is subjected to scene upon scene of painfully stilted dialogue and conveniently-timed flashbacks (as Nick remains hospitalised and unable to communicate for the majority of the novel, we find out about his life through long, convoluted monologues from the friends and family visiting him). The events that led to Nick’s accident are revealed piece by piece, but the truth is so clear from the start that the final reveal has little to no impact.
That’s not to say that End Game isn’t worth reading. Nick’s dilemma - whether to out his corrupt politician father to the press or not - is well-written, and his emotional journey as he loses faith and trust in the man who raised him is particularly moving. I also loved how English End Game was - so often in UKYA, the characters are Americanised in an obvious attempt to lure in an international audience - but Nick’s inner monologue and every character’s dialogue rang true for me.
I think the main reason why End Game appealed to me despite its flaws was that it’s an unfortunately timely subject for British readers today - with lying politicians and the depressing fallout from the EU referendum dominating the news headlines every day, I found it hard to empathise with Nick’s father the way I’m sure Gibbons intended me to, but I found the story gripping nonetheless.
Many thanks to Hachette Children’s Group for providing a copy of End Game. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publisher: Indigo
Rating: 2.5 stars | ★★★✰✰
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
The first few chapters are gorgeously written, setting End Game up to be a gripping page-turner of a mystery. Unfortunately, the intrigue of Gibbons’ story fades quickly as the reader is subjected to scene upon scene of painfully stilted dialogue and conveniently-timed flashbacks (as Nick remains hospitalised and unable to communicate for the majority of the novel, we find out about his life through long, convoluted monologues from the friends and family visiting him). The events that led to Nick’s accident are revealed piece by piece, but the truth is so clear from the start that the final reveal has little to no impact.
That’s not to say that End Game isn’t worth reading. Nick’s dilemma - whether to out his corrupt politician father to the press or not - is well-written, and his emotional journey as he loses faith and trust in the man who raised him is particularly moving. I also loved how English End Game was - so often in UKYA, the characters are Americanised in an obvious attempt to lure in an international audience - but Nick’s inner monologue and every character’s dialogue rang true for me.
I think the main reason why End Game appealed to me despite its flaws was that it’s an unfortunately timely subject for British readers today - with lying politicians and the depressing fallout from the EU referendum dominating the news headlines every day, I found it hard to empathise with Nick’s father the way I’m sure Gibbons intended me to, but I found the story gripping nonetheless.
Many thanks to Hachette Children’s Group for providing a copy of End Game. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publisher: Indigo
Rating: 2.5 stars | ★★★✰✰
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
claireyfairyr's review against another edition
4.0
I thought that the way this was told through the eyes of an unresponsive boy in hospital was ingenious. There was so much emotion portrayed through the words without trying to hard. I was hooked on every single one of Nicky's words and his internal conflicts.
lizziepurpleserenity's review
Read till chapter 5.
I was sucked in to the initial mystery, but when I began Chapter 5, it's another scene in hospital, this time his dad is left alone with him, which you'd think would be tense and interesting, but it looks like Dad is about to go into a monologue about himself and his life, and I closed the book - yawn.
I was sucked in to the initial mystery, but when I began Chapter 5, it's another scene in hospital, this time his dad is left alone with him, which you'd think would be tense and interesting, but it looks like Dad is about to go into a monologue about himself and his life, and I closed the book - yawn.
More...