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abbyl819's review against another edition
5.0
Once the plot started to really progress and the stakes started rising, they rose exponentially. Every time I had to stop reading seemed to be a cliffhanger and I was constantly thinking about it until I could continue reading. Each time that I thought “It’s a book, they’re fine, it wouldn’t go that far” IT DID.
Listening to the audiobook at double speed might have contributed to the pace and stakes feeling so high. But if that’s the case I’d recommend reading it that way.
I also appreciated how the ending wasn’t the typical “and then they got justice and everything was fine”. There were serious and permanent consequences as a result of what they went through.
I’ve loved both of Diana Urban’s books so far and can’t wait to read her next one. She integrates the story from the past with the current one so well in an way that keeps you guessing without revealing too much too early.
Listening to the audiobook at double speed might have contributed to the pace and stakes feeling so high. But if that’s the case I’d recommend reading it that way.
I also appreciated how the ending wasn’t the typical “and then they got justice and everything was fine”. There were serious and permanent consequences as a result of what they went through.
I’ve loved both of Diana Urban’s books so far and can’t wait to read her next one. She integrates the story from the past with the current one so well in an way that keeps you guessing without revealing too much too early.
julyborninjuly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
Intense, fast paced & addictive! Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think about this book! And thank God I have boys that love video games! Lol! Anyways, with the suspense & the twists & turns I was glued to this! Definitely the perfect YA thriller! The pace is non-stop & the minute you think it's about to settle down it's like a light switch & the action starts all over again! I haven't read anything by this author before but I love her unique writing style! Definitely a great book!
Thank you Turn The Page Tours for having me on this tour!
Thank you Turn The Page Tours for having me on this tour!
atvreads's review against another edition
5.0
A gripping and horrifying page turner, THESE DEADLY GAMES will keep you guessing until the very last chapter! I was completely spellbound and terrified! 10/10 highly recommend! Put this one on your TBR and in your classroom library STAT!
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adult psychological thriller with a game trope is a standalone novel and the first book that I have read by this author. What a first sentence! Then a reader’s emotions settle when they realize what’s going on. But the calm doesn’t last long.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper?
The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper?
The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022.
babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
An absolute compulsive read!
I found myself unable to set this one down for any length of time. The decision making of teenagers made this one where you occasionally yell at the characters, but name a teen who excels at making the right choice. . . I'll wait.
Crystal and her friends are all pro gamers, readying themselves for a tournament coming up and they all need that prize money. When a mix up has them form a team of 6 and they only need 5 they are forced to race to get points to secure their spot.
When her little sister gets kidnapped, games are the last thing on Crystal's mind, only that's exactly what the kidnapper has in mind. Play their game and win, or she dies. Fast paced and chilling in places, when at first it starts innocent and then turns deadly.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Diane Urban for the gifted copy for review.
I found myself unable to set this one down for any length of time. The decision making of teenagers made this one where you occasionally yell at the characters, but name a teen who excels at making the right choice. . . I'll wait.
Crystal and her friends are all pro gamers, readying themselves for a tournament coming up and they all need that prize money. When a mix up has them form a team of 6 and they only need 5 they are forced to race to get points to secure their spot.
When her little sister gets kidnapped, games are the last thing on Crystal's mind, only that's exactly what the kidnapper has in mind. Play their game and win, or she dies. Fast paced and chilling in places, when at first it starts innocent and then turns deadly.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Diane Urban for the gifted copy for review.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5.5
Felt like it was interesting but it waa missing something
Felt like it was interesting but it waa missing something
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
We all know how much fun the game trope is, but we also know how easily it can slip and slide. You have to hold back some belief for this one, but it is definitely a fun read.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
julierambaeck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Fast paced, fun but also very young.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Eating disorder, Death, Child death, Toxic friendship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Medical trauma and Death of parent
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal Donavan is a gamer. A major gamer. She and her group of 5 friends are obsessed with the game Mortal Dusk, and are determined to qualify for a tournament with a huge payout. This tournament is all she can think about, and anything distracting is just a nuisance.
Until the ultimate distraction: a message on her cell phone. A video of her little sister Caelyn, bound and gagged. Her kidnapper wants to play the ultimate game. Play, or your sister dies. And each seemingly innocuous task paints a bigger picture. The kidnapper doesn't just want Crystal to suffer. They're going after her entire team.
This is definitely a YA thriller.
That's not to say it's a BAD thriller. But YA has the ignominious stereotype of being "less than" the more adult counter parts. And this one feels like it's on the bottom of the YA half of the spectrum. As in, we're dancing in Christopher Pike territory, not Courtney Summers.
And Christopher Pike clearly has his place in YA thrillers, even if he hasn't been well known since I was in high school back in the dark days, before accessible internet and when mobile phones were the size of a brick.
But I digress.
This book is less stand alone YA, and more gateway YA. The pacing and realism are off quite a bit, and while the story is enjoyable, you do get taken out of the moment regularly. The red herrings are extremely clunky.
Though I will say, while I did figure out whodunnit pretty quickly, the twisty bits were a welcome surprise, and that is always a plus with any thrillers, no matter the genre.
Great for someone just getting into the world of suspense and thrillers, but maybe not for someone who's already dived into the pool.
Until the ultimate distraction: a message on her cell phone. A video of her little sister Caelyn, bound and gagged. Her kidnapper wants to play the ultimate game. Play, or your sister dies. And each seemingly innocuous task paints a bigger picture. The kidnapper doesn't just want Crystal to suffer. They're going after her entire team.
This is definitely a YA thriller.
That's not to say it's a BAD thriller. But YA has the ignominious stereotype of being "less than" the more adult counter parts. And this one feels like it's on the bottom of the YA half of the spectrum. As in, we're dancing in Christopher Pike territory, not Courtney Summers.
And Christopher Pike clearly has his place in YA thrillers, even if he hasn't been well known since I was in high school back in the dark days, before accessible internet and when mobile phones were the size of a brick.
But I digress.
This book is less stand alone YA, and more gateway YA. The pacing and realism are off quite a bit, and while the story is enjoyable, you do get taken out of the moment regularly. The red herrings are extremely clunky.
Though I will say, while I did figure out whodunnit pretty quickly, the twisty bits were a welcome surprise, and that is always a plus with any thrillers, no matter the genre.
Great for someone just getting into the world of suspense and thrillers, but maybe not for someone who's already dived into the pool.