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valkyriecain82's review
dark
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Gore, and Death
Minor: Car accident
lhart2222's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
The idea of this book is great, but unfortunately in my opinion the execution of the idea is slightly off the boil.
The Players is a book about a mysterious Host who meticulously plans a game involving two unsuspecting players. Each have an ultimatum, kill and live, or do nothing and die. Choosing the victims based on their morals, The Host pushes peoples selflessness to see how far they’d go to save themselves. All while toying with police leaving clues and posting videos of his “Games” online for all to see, terrorising the city Peterborough.
We have two perspectives in this book, obviously The Host and second is DI Karen Holt, a currently suspended police detective who comes all to close to the case when she’s on the brink of losing her job. For me these contrast so much, the host was fresh and exciting, but Karen was soo cliche and a bit predictable throughout. Too many female detective tropes rolled into one, making certain parts of her story very frustrating.
The plot was well paced and kept me engaged and wanting to find out what was next. On the contrary certain thing just felt lazy, a few too many coincidences and some obvious solutions just being ignored to further the story made the realism elements of the book disperse the more you read. I must say I really wanted to find out what the main motivations were for the host, I’ll be honest I was underwhelmed at both the reasons and person who was behind it all.
Overall the players is a bad book, that with a lot of tweaks would have been a lot better.
The idea of this book is great, but unfortunately in my opinion the execution of the idea is slightly off the boil.
The Players is a book about a mysterious Host who meticulously plans a game involving two unsuspecting players. Each have an ultimatum, kill and live, or do nothing and die. Choosing the victims based on their morals, The Host pushes peoples selflessness to see how far they’d go to save themselves. All while toying with police leaving clues and posting videos of his “Games” online for all to see, terrorising the city Peterborough.
We have two perspectives in this book, obviously The Host and second is DI Karen Holt, a currently suspended police detective who comes all to close to the case when she’s on the brink of losing her job. For me these contrast so much, the host was fresh and exciting, but Karen was soo cliche and a bit predictable throughout. Too many female detective tropes rolled into one, making certain parts of her story very frustrating.
The plot was well paced and kept me engaged and wanting to find out what was next. On the contrary certain thing just felt lazy, a few too many coincidences and some obvious solutions just being ignored to further the story made the realism elements of the book disperse the more you read. I must say I really wanted to find out what the main motivations were for the host, I’ll be honest I was underwhelmed at both the reasons and person who was behind it all.
Overall the players is a bad book, that with a lot of tweaks would have been a lot better.
vdavies97's review against another edition
4.0
Such a fantastic book, I tend to guess what happens throughout a thriller but then end twist in this I did not see coming!
arieanstar's review against another edition
4.0
[4]
The entire concept of the book gave me Squid Game meets Saw (less SG, more Saw) and it's utter chills!
The Host pushes the morality of each player, and reaches into the darkest ends of the reader's worst nightmares as the characters are all forced to kill or be killed.
While I didn't like how abrupt the ending was, I loved how fast-paced the entire story was. I definitely did not want to put this down at all.
The entire concept of the book gave me Squid Game meets Saw (less SG, more Saw) and it's utter chills!
The Host pushes the morality of each player, and reaches into the darkest ends of the reader's worst nightmares as the characters are all forced to kill or be killed.
While I didn't like how abrupt the ending was, I loved how fast-paced the entire story was. I definitely did not want to put this down at all.
nickyskene's review against another edition
5.0
Kill or be killed? What choice would you make?
An absolutely fantastic book that certainly will not disappoint! Darren O’Sullivan brings us a very dark cat and mouse chase between DI Karen Holt and The Host of the “games“. At one point my partner actually asked me if I was ok - I think I may have looked shocked. Had me gripped and needing to know who the Host was and how people would react when it was their turn to play.
I loved the police/detective element of the book and adored DI Karen Holt I hope she makes a reappearance in further books. This brought out many emotions - shock, admiration, sadness, hope amongst others.
Quickly has become one of my top reads of the year and there has been quite a few! Also.... the cover was just perfect.
An absolutely fantastic book that certainly will not disappoint! Darren O’Sullivan brings us a very dark cat and mouse chase between DI Karen Holt and The Host of the “games“. At one point my partner actually asked me if I was ok - I think I may have looked shocked. Had me gripped and needing to know who the Host was and how people would react when it was their turn to play.
I loved the police/detective element of the book and adored DI Karen Holt I hope she makes a reappearance in further books. This brought out many emotions - shock, admiration, sadness, hope amongst others.
Quickly has become one of my top reads of the year and there has been quite a few! Also.... the cover was just perfect.
miss_red's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amazing. Highly recommend.
nickymaund's review against another edition
4.0
This is a rather ingenious thriller; the whole premise and the mastermind who’s behind it. I really liked the main character of DI Karen Holt, and her ex army partner Coulson. Given the premise of The Players, there are some standout moments in O’Sullivan’s latest offering. But for me the most standout was a particular emotional scene (I don’t want to spoil it for you!) I did lose my way a bit in the middle, but the ending pulled it back in for me.
I would have liked to learn more about Holt; her back story, the details of a particular case, but maybe O’Sullivan has more outings planned for Holt. If that’s the case, he’s made a cracking start.
I would have liked to learn more about Holt; her back story, the details of a particular case, but maybe O’Sullivan has more outings planned for Holt. If that’s the case, he’s made a cracking start.