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sage237's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, I really liked this book. Wow, the ending. Nico!!? Crazy. A 4.5/5
mymoonflower's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
4.0
Quick review for a quick read. "The Stranger Game" by Cylin Busby was an intriguing read from beginning to end, and I'll admit had me hooked to see how all the pieces of this fell into place. Nico Walker hated her older sister Sarah for the numerous times that Sarah tormented her in her youth, but when her sister goes missing one fateful night, it throws her entire family and community for a tailspin. Sarah becomes something of a tragic horror story, and while pieces of Nico's life fall into better turns as time passes on, the lingering shadow of her sister remains in some measures.
At least until her sister all of a sudden returns into their lives. With retrograde amnesia and no insight as to the things that happened to her during her time missing, Sarah is welcomed back into the family with open arms and a path towards healing. There are many truths told here to Sarah's horror and experiences in the mix, but the questions remain as to truly what happened and what secrets lie underneath the surface of Sarah's sudden reappearance.
I thought the use of unreliable narrator in this tale was well played. While I had an idea that the ending would be what it was, I still thought the way all the pieces of the narrative fell into place were satisfying and intriguing, even if it meant some suspension of disbelief (there were still a few times when I thought that there were pieces of the case that should've been checked, but then again - it wouldn't have ended in the way it did had those inquiries been made.) I'll admit that while this narrative took some dark turns and ends on a rather eerie resolutions, I still found myself really rooting for the characters here. The narrative gives a sympathetic eye to both Nico and Sarah's perspectives here, and as the narrative moves forward, you get the idea that each girl is holding something important back, taking their time in telling their stories up until the reveal that allows the reader to see the truth behind the smoke and mirrors of the case. It's a well plotted and crafted mystery that had me hooked even long after I finished the story. I definitely want to read more of Cylin Busby's works in the future.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
At least until her sister all of a sudden returns into their lives. With retrograde amnesia and no insight as to the things that happened to her during her time missing, Sarah is welcomed back into the family with open arms and a path towards healing. There are many truths told here to Sarah's horror and experiences in the mix, but the questions remain as to truly what happened and what secrets lie underneath the surface of Sarah's sudden reappearance.
I thought the use of unreliable narrator in this tale was well played. While I had an idea that the ending would be what it was, I still thought the way all the pieces of the narrative fell into place were satisfying and intriguing, even if it meant some suspension of disbelief (there were still a few times when I thought that there were pieces of the case that should've been checked, but then again - it wouldn't have ended in the way it did had those inquiries been made.) I'll admit that while this narrative took some dark turns and ends on a rather eerie resolutions, I still found myself really rooting for the characters here. The narrative gives a sympathetic eye to both Nico and Sarah's perspectives here, and as the narrative moves forward, you get the idea that each girl is holding something important back, taking their time in telling their stories up until the reveal that allows the reader to see the truth behind the smoke and mirrors of the case. It's a well plotted and crafted mystery that had me hooked even long after I finished the story. I definitely want to read more of Cylin Busby's works in the future.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
srousseau's review against another edition
3.0
I was looking forward to a thriller, but this one provided little suspense. I figured out most of it before the end and I wasn't all that interested in the characters. Sarah was interesting only because she had disappeared and I wanted to know what had happened to her.
camelle's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one of the best reads I had, there were two POVs, I thought at first that this was a horror type of book because of it's cover but then I found out that this is full of mystery and twisted! I seldom read this type of book but this one catches my attention.
What made me interested in the book? It's the title. I would love to know why it was called The Stranger's Game. Who's the stranger and why? Luckily this book answered the questions in my head. I guess I could say mind blown, as I mentioned it was twisted but I loved how the two different character stories met at this book. How Nico found out about the stranger, how everything changed when she came in to Nico's life. Somehow it was a good thing that the stranger became the part of their lives.
Good news readers! It has a happy ending and no cliff-hangers. The book was straightforwardly written. You might get lost on some parts of the book but hang in there! You'll get the whole story once you've read everything. I swear it's worth it! :)
What made me interested in the book? It's the title. I would love to know why it was called The Stranger's Game. Who's the stranger and why? Luckily this book answered the questions in my head. I guess I could say mind blown, as I mentioned it was twisted but I loved how the two different character stories met at this book. How Nico found out about the stranger, how everything changed when she came in to Nico's life. Somehow it was a good thing that the stranger became the part of their lives.
Good news readers! It has a happy ending and no cliff-hangers. The book was straightforwardly written. You might get lost on some parts of the book but hang in there! You'll get the whole story once you've read everything. I swear it's worth it! :)
vaniushka's review against another edition
2.0
A pretty-little-liars-type-secret, a missing girl and a grieving family. I was very invested in the story throughout the first half of the book, then I got a bit bored, that's why the three stars.
authorheatherw's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the book, but didn’t love the ending. I liked the chapters told from Sarah and Nico’s POVs and I was surprised over the twist. The book was fast-paced with a compelling mystery: What exactly happened four years ago to Sarah? There’s lot of red herrings, but the author does tie everything together in the end. The characters aren’t particularly likable so I think my enjoyment was hindered because I wasn’t very invested in the outcome. I definitely love the author’s work, especially her other YA novel Blink Once.
emilygrn's review against another edition
4.0
Such a gripping novel, I did not see the twist at the end coming at all. Besides the necessary swearing The Stranger Game was very well written and enjoyable!
ritikaj1's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be a really quick, addictive read. I personally really liked the different perspectives and found the ending pretty satisfying. Overall was an enjoyable read.
pavi_fictionalworm's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Harper Collins India. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are however my own.
Ooh this was such a brilliant book – a book that had my attention right till the moment I got till the end.
This is the book that falls under the category of a book having a twist within a twist – One sister missing and One sister returned. What is the truth?
Nico’s sister went missing; and as you go through the plot, the book, you realise that Sarah, the sister who went missing wasn’t one who was liked by anyone; she was a bully and an abusive person but years later; Sarah the sister who came back, is quite the different from the one who went missing.
It turns the world that Nico has created upside down. What is the truth anymore?
We get two very different POVs – Nico and Sarah’s – while Nico’s in the present, Sarah’s starts from the beginning. The beginning of what, you ask? Well you will just have to read and find out!
I loved the writing style of the author – it is wonderfully deceptive; you believe that you will be getting one mystery when the author turns around and shocks with a totally different one from what you envisioned and you can’t do anything but hold along for the ride. And what an exhilarating ride it was!
I would definitely recommend this beauty for readers who love getting lost for a few hours into mysteries that have the ability to awe you!
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