Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

10 reviews

jennanaps's review

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Grief, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Gun violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Racism, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Addiction

sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

WHAT DID I JUST READ?!?!

I binged this over two days and now I am NOT OKAY. Everyone read this book right now.

This book was an absolutely wild ride. It was the sort of book that, maybe if I had the desire to put it down and think about it, that I may have seen a few things coming, but I was just so invested and the pace was so quick that I flew through this and was shocked by some of the things that happened at the end!

I don't want to give much away, as it is best to go into this knowing very little about it, I think. I will say that some of the reasons for people being there and doing things were a little weak, but whilst I was reading I didn't even care about that because I was so entertained and engrossed so I've given it a 4.75 stars.

This book may not be for everyone, but it was for me, and Adina will be living rent-free in my mind for a while to come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Classism, Murder, and Blood

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Vomit

on_my_bookshelf's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Bullying, Gun violence, Classism, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug use, Gaslighting, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Hate crime, and Death

evelynyle_88's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

For my Spooktober read, I finally take this book and read from start to finish. As someone who really love Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, I myself looking for another book who has the same vibes as that one. Dark academia vibes in this book is slightly felt; but this book bring me back when I read Ace of Spades.

Their Vicious Games just a brilliant debut novel that bring crossover between Ace of Spades and Squid Game. I love the plot is truly like the Korean drama Squid Game and with the spices and sprinkles of The Bachelor instead.

I love the story, I love the plot twist that left myself gasp at who were the main villains of this story. From thriller book, I tried to be a detective. Keep guessing and guessing. And my guess was wrong. That's why this book has a brilliant story and plot twist. I love it!

And thanks to Joelle Wellington who is the mastermind behind this book because I can see a Squid Game plot through Their Vicious Games. And of course. I love the ending. I love Adina, Toni and of course... Saint. Thank you, thank you!

5⭐ worthy!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, and Bullying

Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, Vomit, and Classism

caseythereader's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gore, Child abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Classism, Grief, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence

sharib's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, Classism, and Sexism

Minor: Misogyny, Drug use, Trafficking, and Sexual violence

imstephtacular's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Murder, Bullying, Gaslighting, Death, Violence, Racism, Classism, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Sexism, Alcohol, and Blood

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Xenophobia

Minor: Sexual content and Infidelity

bellebookcorner's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

The premise of this book sounds very interesting, fortunately this book did not disappoint me. In fact, I got hooked into the story pretty fast and really enjoy it!

If you wanted to read something where Hunger Games meet The Selection then I highly recommend picking up this contemporary thriller!
Don’t forget to read the trigger warnings below cause there are some parts that may be sensitive to some readers.

The first few chapters felt slightly confusing and it feels like I’m starting a book from the middle part but eventually there will be an explanation as it goes deeper.
Things started to get a lot more interesting once Adina (the FMC) enter the competition and the other girls were introduced as well.

I really like Adina’s character cause she feels relatable. She’s not a perfect character cause she didn’t make the best decisions at the beginning. But after going through a couple trials and see the true meaning of the competition, she powers through and started to grow into a badass intelligent girl!

I also love the growing friendship Adina and Saint has and I was rooting for them in every trial, at least Adina has one ally she can trust in this barbaric game where loyalty is rare.

As for the romance, I wasn’t rooting Adina with any of the love interests to be honest.
One guy was a psychotic and a narcissists, the other one was just too meek even though he has a good heart. I admire Adina for keeping her head on the game without getting swayed easily.

Overall, this is a fantastic read with great writing style and well developed characters which also comes with a satisfying ending.
The author raises several important topics that occur in the real world and I love the way he conveys these topics really well throughout the story.
I’m really looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Death, murder, violence, racism, cursing, drug use, confinement

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, and Confinement

Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Cursing

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Adina Walker had everything going for her: graduating from the prestigious Edgewater academy with acceptance to Yale. At least, until the incident with her ex-best friend Esme. Now, she has nothing to show for her work and no plans for after high school. Except for one thing: the Finish. A competition run by the Remington family, the richest family in New England, to welcome them in their fold.

When Adina is accepted into the Finish, at first she's ecstatic. It's her opportunity to gain back everything she's lost. But when she arrives to the competition, it's different than she expected. More vicious. A fight to the death. In order to win, she has to be the last woman standing. 
 

Thanks to SimonTeen for an advanced copy of Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington to review! This book is being pitched as Ace of Spades meets Squid Game with a little bit of The Bachelor. At first, I was skeptical of that combination, but it's actually true to the story. Once you get into the game, this book is difficult to put down!

There is a lot of commentary in this book about class and race and the advantages (and disadvantages) that can come with that. Honestly, the overall tone reminded me of a much darker Selection. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep you guess at every moment in Adina's story. As the Finish gets more and more dangerous towards the end, it also makes you want to keep reading. Despite being 400 pages, you'll fly through this book because you will be desperate to know what happens next.

The ending did feel a little bit rushed to me, but that's the main complaint that I had. Everything else, from the characters to the world building to the pacing, works well to keep you engaged all the way through the story. Are the characters the most likeable? Not necessarily, but they are so interesting to read about. It's kind of like dark academia with a twist.

All in all, if you're looking for an engaging thriller to pick up at the end of the summer, definitely keep this one on your radar! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Racism

Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, and Confinement

Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, and Drug use

taryn_g's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Classism, Death, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Confinement, Bullying, Misogyny, Vomit, and Gun violence

Minor: Drug use, Self harm, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol