Reviews

Убийство by L.J. Smith

gaymoonreader's review against another edition

4.0

This book was very creepy, I'll give it that. It was a scary experience, and I am convinced that this book is the reason I find my local amusement park so creepy, but it was just missing a certain element. The romance. One of the reasons I loved the first two books so much was the romance between Jenny and Julian. You could see how much he cared about her. You could see how much Jenny really did care about Julian. But that element was just missing from this book. It was in the first part of the book, so I really enjoyed the first part of the book, but then that element was just suddenly gone, and that was why I was dragging my feet when I was reading this. It was missing my favorite part about this series.

I would say the character element to this story was what was really lacking. You don't really get much character development because this time the story was plot-driven, and I just missed all of the character moments we got in the first two books. With this last one, it was just plot. And the storyline was really interesting, but it should not have taken precedence over the characters and their development, and I just feel like that is what happened. There was no chemistry between any of the characters in this book. I just didn't feel emotionally connected to anyone in the story except for Julian, even if I do think he was behaving off in this book.

I had problems with this book, compared to the other two books, but I still really enjoyed it, and I want to continue my reread of L.J. Smiths's other works! The writing was on point, as always, I still really enjoyed the first half, and I do think it was still a good conclusion to the series!

ameserole's review against another edition

3.0

The Kill is the third and final installment of The Forbidden Game series. I dove into this mostly because of a challenge but I also really wanted to finish at least one of L.J.'s series. Sorry for ghosting you vampire diaries!

Overall, this series was just okay for me. I just wasn't invested in Jenny or Julian throughout it and the games were okay but I wasn't completely invested in those either. I will admit that her having to go through another game with him just to save Tom and Zach was interesting. Not a big fan of creepy amusement parks though.

I will say that it's nice to finish one of her series but I also feel like I might need a break from L.J. Not sure when I will ever dive back into the Vampire Diaries.. but I'm just not feeling it right now.

bbrown1987's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective 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? No

4.0

sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Michael, Audrey, Dee and Jenny, the survivors of the previous book are intent on rescuing Zach and Tom from Julian in the Shadow World. They fly to Pennsylvania to Jenny’s grandfather’s house where many years ago he opened the door to the other world, the hunt is on to defeat Julian and rescue their friends. 

The third and final part of the trilogy and in my opinion the darkest story. They all know this may not end well, that putting themselves in the shadowland could be deadly but they all walk in knowing that. The majority of the story takes place in an amusement park, Joyland. They visit it by day whilst they’re waiting for access to her grandfathers house and when they go through the portal they enter the shadowland version. 

There are some really unsettling scenes in this story, which I was thrilled about, they evoke the primeval fears we all have of the dark, of confinement, of eternal torment, the fear is real for the characters. 

Jenny is more confident here and determined to end Julian’s reign of terror over her and her friends. You see a different side to Julian too as the other shadow creatures come into play and the rules of the shadowland are explained. A great end to a fantastic trilogy. 

toriedawn1's review against another edition

4.0

Ohhh I totally understand why teen me fell for Julian now. Adult me still thinks its stupid but I do get it. In this book we see Julians true colours shine through, he didnt kill summer or PC or whatever the other ones name was, he simply felt something he never meant to feel and really didnt know how to handle it. I liked Michael in this book, he pushed back a little more and seems to be learning to stand his ground. Audry has grown up, she is less the entitled princess and more real. Julian.... well Julian literally saccrificed himself so they could escape so he dies get some points for that, I however probhably couldnt forgive the mental and physical torture he has put them all through but perhaps that is just me. While this series wasn't the best I did enjoy the overall story.

lexyg's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

1.0

I was hoping for the best and got absolutely nothing. I mean, I’ll always love Julian because he was the only reason to keep reading this, but… that ending? Was awful for him. He deserved better. I know we’re supposed to think he died a hero and yeah, he did, but he was going to reign the shadow world not simply dissolve like fog. I’m upset and angry. Specially because for a moment, someone said that maybe Julian could be brought back into existence but the idea was dismissed as something stupid and that was sad. I’m sad. I was going to give it 2 stars, but I’m to sad for that.

vidu25's review against another edition

5.0

*ugly sobbing sound* FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL SERIES LISA

nicolaever's review against another edition

5.0

Rereading my fav childhood (adolescent tbh) book series has given me so much joy and nostalgia this week. Happy happy happy

readinginthegarden's review against another edition

3.0

I really lost interest in the series book one and two were okay but I honestly felt that this whole series was a cheese dream and the ending was really disappointing.

authorchrishelsmith's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. What an ending. This final book was so incredibly good. I often find that the last book on a trilogy falls flat, but that was not the case here at all. Our characters learned so much about themselves in this book and I truly think that changed them into better versions of themselves in the end. Especially Jenny. She was already pretty remarkable, but I think she found things black and white whereas toward the end she could see that it wasnt always the case. Things are shades or grey. Like julian. He taught her and the others so much about life and although it wasnt all good, I think they appreciated how he left his mark on the world. What a wild ride. I'm sad it's over.