Scan barcode
shhh_thisisalibrary's review
5.0
This. Book. Right. Here!
It had me on the edge of my seat, I was scared to walk around my house in the dark, I was creeped out, I was heart broken, I was angry (at characters), I was scared for the characters, I cheered for them, and that ENDING
It had me on the edge of my seat, I was scared to walk around my house in the dark, I was creeped out, I was heart broken, I was angry (at characters), I was scared for the characters, I cheered for them, and that ENDING
thenameslexel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Blood
kkeele's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Engrossing, mysterious, and haunting. After losing Shelby, Iylah doesn't want to be responsible for Cole. What if he suffers the same fate? They may have ruled what happened to Shelby as an accident but Iylah knows the truth. In her hopes that life is back to normal, she decides to watch Cole but quickly find out nothing is back to normal. Clayton really had my glued to this book, it's all written and easy to follow. The plot is rich and the characters are well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. As a matter of fact I liked it so much I want to read his other books.
capitollady2271's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
charmandareads's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
*I was provided a copy of this book by the author for an honest review. I thank the author for this opportunity*
I sped read this when I should have DNF’d. This is a horror retelling of Jumanji centering around a troubled relationship between two twin sisters - one alive and one not so alive. The premise of this book has potential and it is somewhat fun, but there is far too much going on. I feel this would have been better if more concise and as a short story or novella.
This has very short chapters bouncing across several timelines. There are also an incredible amount of characters with a lot of bits and pieces of backstory that I felt were unnecessary and made the story even harder to follow. This book may be for some, especially if you like things that are very busy and keep your head turning. I totally respect that, but this is not for me.
I’m a very critical reader and I found the references to teenage girl urination and other bathroom habits to be to be a major turn-off aside from downright unnecessary. I noticed a few things that were either misprints or things that should have been caught by an editor as well.
I wish I had more fun and I did see the book through to the end. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my bag but I do believe everyone should give this a try. My opinion may very well differ from yours!
I sped read this when I should have DNF’d. This is a horror retelling of Jumanji centering around a troubled relationship between two twin sisters - one alive and one not so alive. The premise of this book has potential and it is somewhat fun, but there is far too much going on. I feel this would have been better if more concise and as a short story or novella.
This has very short chapters bouncing across several timelines. There are also an incredible amount of characters with a lot of bits and pieces of backstory that I felt were unnecessary and made the story even harder to follow. This book may be for some, especially if you like things that are very busy and keep your head turning. I totally respect that, but this is not for me.
I’m a very critical reader and I found the references to teenage girl urination and other bathroom habits to be to be a major turn-off aside from downright unnecessary. I noticed a few things that were either misprints or things that should have been caught by an editor as well.
I wish I had more fun and I did see the book through to the end. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my bag but I do believe everyone should give this a try. My opinion may very well differ from yours!
books_nooks_spooks's review
4.0
3.5 stars (rounded up)
Remember those late 90’s/early 00’s vengeful ghost movies? Stir of Echoes, What Lies Beneath etc (the first being based on a book!) well if you take those and jumble them up with the original Jumanji……voila! You have Josephine’s Game. This book gave me strong supernatural YA fiction vibes. The story is told via multiple timelines and I found myself heavily invested in the past ones as they were character driven with the mystery unfolding slowly and had me looking forward to the next revelation whereas the present timeline was much more action packed, fast paced and felt a little more 2 dimensional. And the main character - I’m just going to say it - what a dick!!! I did not care for her at all, no siree. Consequently, I was delighted with the ending!! If you like board games, teenage drama and revenge seeking ghosts you should check this book out!!
Remember those late 90’s/early 00’s vengeful ghost movies? Stir of Echoes, What Lies Beneath etc (the first being based on a book!) well if you take those and jumble them up with the original Jumanji……voila! You have Josephine’s Game. This book gave me strong supernatural YA fiction vibes. The story is told via multiple timelines and I found myself heavily invested in the past ones as they were character driven with the mystery unfolding slowly and had me looking forward to the next revelation whereas the present timeline was much more action packed, fast paced and felt a little more 2 dimensional. And the main character - I’m just going to say it - what a dick!!! I did not care for her at all, no siree. Consequently, I was delighted with the ending!! If you like board games, teenage drama and revenge seeking ghosts you should check this book out!!
lee_readsbooks's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
that_bookaholic_gal's review
4.0
The lake waves splashed against her toes; a chilling sensation as the water hit her skin. She looked down into the murky illusion as the water stirred and saw something glimmer. She bent down and reached into the lake, grasping for the object. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled it loose… a black marble.
Josephine’s Game is a YA horror novel telling the story of Iylah who is dealing with repercussions of her past and trying very hard to keep those secrets and regrets hidden. But when a game appears while she’s babysitting… beckoning them to play or else… the past threatens to kill.
This was a very entertaining horror and I thoroughly enjoyed the game aspect of this story. The flashbacks into the past helped piece the story together as the game unfolded and made for a high stakes read. I would have loved for even more horror moments!
If you’re a fan of game related horror and multiple timeline narratives, then you may enjoy giving this book a read!
Josephine’s Game is a YA horror novel telling the story of Iylah who is dealing with repercussions of her past and trying very hard to keep those secrets and regrets hidden. But when a game appears while she’s babysitting… beckoning them to play or else… the past threatens to kill.
This was a very entertaining horror and I thoroughly enjoyed the game aspect of this story. The flashbacks into the past helped piece the story together as the game unfolded and made for a high stakes read. I would have loved for even more horror moments!
If you’re a fan of game related horror and multiple timeline narratives, then you may enjoy giving this book a read!
horror_haus_books's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I can honestly say that this was hands down my favorite indie read of the year. Actually forget the indie part - this is probably my actual favorite read of the year altogether. I’ve definitely read a lot of great indies this year, but man, does this one take the damn cake. I get asked to review books that don’t always fall into my preferred genre of reading, which is totally fine, I like stepping out of my comfort zone. BUT. The synopsis of the book alone was 100% something I would pick up and buy in a bookstore. I was not disappointed and I could NOT PUT IT DOWN. I am in love, obsessed, and infatuated with this book.
Think of this book as like a horror Jumanji game. You’ve got a creepy board game, a ghost girl basically forcing you to play and young lives at stake. It’s a wild ride. Taking place both over one night and tens years prior, this book gets all of the stars. Every. Last. One.
readbyashleyd's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Sometimes things happen in life that just make you want to pinch yourself to see if you’re dreaming. When I got approached by Clayton to beta read this novel I thought I must be hallucinating because who on earth could possibly care that much about my opinion?! Beta reading this was the best experience and to finally get my hands on a finished copy is wicked cool. I had to read it again now that it’s all wrapped up and polished and I think I enjoyed it even more this time. From the first draft to this the difference is incredible, even though it was stellar when I first read it, you can really tell that Tune polished the hell out of this story. I really love the alternating timelines and that none of our characters are really reliable, it makes for one hell of an action and twist packed story where you can’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending still gives me shivers, there’s two moments that really spook me and really drive the ending home for me. I can’t say much else without spoiling it, just read this book and enjoy the hell out of it like I did!
More...