Scan barcode
orla_h's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexism
mariluv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.75
<spoilers>
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a little skeptical about it at first because this is one of my first "crime" books. But I was captivated the whole time. I loved the fact that throughout the entire book, I was also trying to solve the puzzles with Dani. I honestly just love Dani so much. I really enjoyed the fact that she wasn't going to let anything really stand in her way. She was such a badass. There weren't any characters that I was supposed to like that I didn't like, if that makes sense.
My only issues with the book were the few times that I felt like there was a repeat information that didn't seem necessary. During those moments, the statements were usually almost identical which was a little agitating. However, it didn't happen often so it wasn't too much of an issue. My other issue was just a me thing. I think im so accustom to romance books that I was expecting a happy ending for Dani and Toro. Unfortunately we didn't get it, but I also understand why. I'm just stuck in the mindset of how (dark) romances would go.
But other than that, the book is amazing and I'll probably be reading it again sometime later this year or the next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a little skeptical about it at first because this is one of my first "crime" books. But I was captivated the whole time. I loved the fact that throughout the entire book, I was also trying to solve the puzzles with Dani. I honestly just love Dani so much. I really enjoyed the fact that she wasn't going to let anything really stand in her way. She was such a badass. There weren't any characters that I was supposed to like that I didn't like, if that makes sense.
My only issues with the book were the few times that I felt like there was a repeat information that didn't seem necessary. During those moments, the statements were usually almost identical which was a little agitating. However, it didn't happen often so it wasn't too much of an issue. My other issue was just a me thing. I think im so accustom to romance books that I was expecting a happy ending for Dani and Toro. Unfortunately we didn't get it, but I also understand why. I'm just stuck in the mindset of how (dark) romances would go.
But other than that, the book is amazing and I'll probably be reading it again sometime later this year or the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, and Blood
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Maldonado writes the best strong, brave, and resilient heroines. I loved Dani and especially love that she was an Army Ranger. So impressive.
The Killer's Game in this book was such a creative setting. I was so impressed with the clues, the danger, the competition, and Dani's code breaking skills.
I can't wait to see what she gets herself into in book 2!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
The Killer's Game in this book was such a creative setting. I was so impressed with the clues, the danger, the competition, and Dani's code breaking skills.
I can't wait to see what she gets herself into in book 2!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Gun violence, and Cursing
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Fast-paced, page-turner, and full of action. This is my first book from this author, and I was completely immersed. I was blown away by the author's attention to detail. I honestly felt like I was right there in the story with Dani and Toro. I loved the diversity in the characters and reading about Dani's background in the military. I'm always a fan of a badass FMC. The story could easily be adapted to a movie. It gave me Squid Game and Blacklist vibes.
Highly recommend for fans of stories with military, espionage, plot twists, survival of the fittest, and cryptography.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Highly recommend for fans of stories with military, espionage, plot twists, survival of the fittest, and cryptography.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder and Kidnapping
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.5
Finished reading: May 19th 2023
"In that moment, she knew she'd made a deal with the devil."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I knew I simply HAD to read A Killer's Game as soon as I first heard about it. I still can't believe I hadn't come across Isabella Maldonado's writing before, but it was hook, line and sinker long before I finished reading the blurb. I love a good high speed, high-octane thriller, and add a conspiracy and lethal puzzles to the mix and it sounded like the perfect exhilarating thriller cocktail. And WHAT a ride it turned out to be!
I admit that this story isn't for everyone, and you have to be able to suspend your belief to properly enjoy it. Sometimes it's just the best feeling to sit back and simply enjoy the ride, and this is EXACTLY what A Killer's Game offers. The plot itself might seem quite typical for a high-octane conspiracy slash action thriller, but things are definitely taken to the next level along the way. This isn't just a FBI agent going undercover to uncover a conspiracy, because the main character has an extensive army background including codebreaking and cryptology. Something that will become very useful once she is trapped in a very deadly situation...
The main character Daniela Vega is definitely one of the reasons this story worked so well for me. I warmed up to her immediately, and she makes for one fierce character to follow. I love her ability to assess and overcome high risk situations, using her training and brains to solve puzzles and neutralize threats. There isn't much time for character development with such a high-octane thriller, but what was given was more than enough for me to root for her from the beginning. Toro also made for a very interesting character, and I liked what he added to the plot.
A Killer's Game uses a multiple POV structure, but mainly switches between Daniela Vega and her boss Steve Wu. While I do have to say that Dani's POV was a tad stronger with everything that was happening in the labyrinth, I did like what Wu's POV added and how it enabled us to see what was done to track Dani down. It made the story feel more balanced, and it was a great way to introduce new information naturally. I loved the incorporation of the puzzles and codes, which definitely took Dani's POV to the next level for me... The mythology angle was great too.
A Killer's Game turned out to be a fantastic story that I simply couldn't put down. It reads like one of those action-packed Hollywood conspiracy movies, and I mean that only in the best possible way. High-octane, high speed, lethal and simply exhilarating: if you like this type of thrillers, you will be in for an absolute treat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Confinement, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
More...