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simplykatherina's review against another edition
5.0
This book is everything! I loved All Your Twisted Secrets, and Urban built on all of those elements to craft this amazing story!
I have never been so stressed while reading a book before, I had to take breaks in the middle of chapters just to catch my breath.
The way that Urban flips between past and present times is flawless and happens at the most inconvenient times so you have to keep reading to find out what happens next. This is why she is the queen of cliffhangers.
I loved the way that as a reader you thought you knew what was happening, and then Urban would twist that on its head in the next paragraph.
The whole premise of this book was amazing and I loved every nail biting moment of it. These Deadly Games is the perfect combination of revenge, forgiveness, family, and breaking points. It shows just how far we'll go for the people we love, and that the past can't stay buried forever.
I have never been so stressed while reading a book before, I had to take breaks in the middle of chapters just to catch my breath.
The way that Urban flips between past and present times is flawless and happens at the most inconvenient times so you have to keep reading to find out what happens next. This is why she is the queen of cliffhangers.
I loved the way that as a reader you thought you knew what was happening, and then Urban would twist that on its head in the next paragraph.
The whole premise of this book was amazing and I loved every nail biting moment of it. These Deadly Games is the perfect combination of revenge, forgiveness, family, and breaking points. It shows just how far we'll go for the people we love, and that the past can't stay buried forever.
booksonthecouch's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal and her friends are preparing for an esports tournament that might result in life-changing award money when her sister is kidnapped. The kidnapper engages Crystal in a “game,” which Crystal quickly realizes that everything she’s been asked to do is designed to hurt or kill her friends. Crystal is faced with a difficult choice: save her friends and risk her sister’s life, or lose everything to save her sister?
Urban’s sophomore novel is fast-paced, twisty, and dark. Though I often struggle with a premise where the villain threatens harm if the victim involves the police or seeks help otherwise, the way technology was used here helped me to suspend my disbelief here. And then I was along for the ride for sure.
Without giving anything away, I enjoyed the factors that influenced Crystal’s decision making, the impact of the past, and the involvement of esports. The pacing made this hard to put down, and though I predicted some of the twists, it didn't impact my enjoyment of the novel.
Though I do think that this sometimes veered into less-than-believable territory, likely won’t be a book that sticks with me long-term, and may not be the best fit for people who read a good amount of YA thrillers, I certainly enjoyed it while I was reading it. I look forward to picking up other books by Urban in the future.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Urban’s sophomore novel is fast-paced, twisty, and dark. Though I often struggle with a premise where the villain threatens harm if the victim involves the police or seeks help otherwise, the way technology was used here helped me to suspend my disbelief here. And then I was along for the ride for sure.
Without giving anything away, I enjoyed the factors that influenced Crystal’s decision making, the impact of the past, and the involvement of esports. The pacing made this hard to put down, and though I predicted some of the twists, it didn't impact my enjoyment of the novel.
Though I do think that this sometimes veered into less-than-believable territory, likely won’t be a book that sticks with me long-term, and may not be the best fit for people who read a good amount of YA thrillers, I certainly enjoyed it while I was reading it. I look forward to picking up other books by Urban in the future.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
charvi_not_just_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars
I think I liked the book overall. There were some things I was really uncomfortable with and other writing issues. Will write a full review soon.
I think I liked the book overall. There were some things I was really uncomfortable with and other writing issues. Will write a full review soon.
kaixia's review against another edition
3.0
We need a sequel. Please, I have too many unanswered questions.
Overall,
This book was really good. The plot twist (holy shit) was totally unexpected and wow is all I can say about it. However, (big however), the ending was not satisfactory. Big ick.
The conclusion was lacking finality and conclusion-ness. I need my questions answered.
Also, I feel like there were several inconsistencies in the story. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say what, but there were several characters and said characters plot lines that had some holes in it.
I did really enjoy reading this book and I would definitely recommend it. If you are a fan of mystery/thriller/suspense novels, I would highly recommend. Also, there is a decent amount of gaming (I think the main video game played in this is a first-person shooter or something, my game knowledge is limited) in this book so if you are into that, I would check this out.
But that ending...
damn.
Overall,
This book was really good. The plot twist (holy shit) was totally unexpected and wow is all I can say about it. However, (big however), the ending was not satisfactory. Big ick.
The conclusion was lacking finality and conclusion-ness. I need my questions answered.
Also, I feel like there were several inconsistencies in the story. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say what, but there were several characters and said characters plot lines that had some holes in it.
I did really enjoy reading this book and I would definitely recommend it. If you are a fan of mystery/thriller/suspense novels, I would highly recommend. Also, there is a decent amount of gaming (I think the main video game played in this is a first-person shooter or something, my game knowledge is limited) in this book so if you are into that, I would check this out.
But that ending...
damn.
cpsipe's review against another edition
5.0
Full review to come, but MAN OH MAN SHOULD I HAVE FINISHED THIS IS BROAD DAYLIGHT!
marzipan9's review against another edition
5.0
Crystal and her esports team are desperate to win the state tournament, and each of them has plans for the $250.000 prize. There are 5 spots and 6 players…and they are all dying to make the team. Literally. Someone has kidnapped Crystal’s little sister and is telling her she must complete the tasks set for her or her sister dies…but then her teammates start dying, too. Can Crystal choose between her sister and her teammates?
This book was crazy and I loved it! Tons of twists to keep you guessing—who kidnapped Crystal’s sister? Why is this group being targeted? How many of them will die? I also liked that it involved esports! I absolutely could not put this down, I think I read it in under 5 hours in one sitting.
*I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This book was crazy and I loved it! Tons of twists to keep you guessing—who kidnapped Crystal’s sister? Why is this group being targeted? How many of them will die? I also liked that it involved esports! I absolutely could not put this down, I think I read it in under 5 hours in one sitting.
*I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
bookishlychar's review against another edition
4.0
These Deadly Games is a twisty novel with high stakes and shocking turns. It pulls you in right from the beginning and leads you down a path you thought it would never take you. I read Diana Urban's first novel, and enjoyed it. Her second novel though, she really steps up her game and keeps you reading page after eerie page.
The lead character, Crystal, wasn't a character that we were made to love, but I found myself feeling for her with decisions she had to make. She came off as selfish and thinking only about herself, but when it came down to it, she really cared about her family and her friends. The author does a good job of making us feel the intense stress and worry that Crystal is feeling with her sister kidnapped and having to make decisions that you never want to make. The twists in the story are varied, some are predictable, and others more surprising. The novel is fast paced, keeping you on the edge of your seat about what will come next. Everything that the author puts into the story is well crafted and has meaning for the story. I enjoyed some of the hints of what was happening sprinkled throughout and enjoyed Crystal figuring out what was happening even more.
This is a good book, especially for those who like to read YA Thrillers. Diana Urban is a master as writing these types of YA thrillers and makes me want to keep turning the page. I will continue to read the books that she comes out with. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
The lead character, Crystal, wasn't a character that we were made to love, but I found myself feeling for her with decisions she had to make. She came off as selfish and thinking only about herself, but when it came down to it, she really cared about her family and her friends. The author does a good job of making us feel the intense stress and worry that Crystal is feeling with her sister kidnapped and having to make decisions that you never want to make. The twists in the story are varied, some are predictable, and others more surprising. The novel is fast paced, keeping you on the edge of your seat about what will come next. Everything that the author puts into the story is well crafted and has meaning for the story. I enjoyed some of the hints of what was happening sprinkled throughout and enjoyed Crystal figuring out what was happening even more.
This is a good book, especially for those who like to read YA Thrillers. Diana Urban is a master as writing these types of YA thrillers and makes me want to keep turning the page. I will continue to read the books that she comes out with. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
kenzie_s04's review against another edition
2.0
I did not enjoy this book. It hopped around so much and had chunks of scene that I just did not care about - which made me want to skim over them.
And Crystal just made me mad. So did Dylan. I was just angry at the characters the whole time. I didn't really resonate with any of them either... None of them were super fleshed out. It was just small facts about each character; Crystal wasn't familiar enough to me for me to really root for her.
I didn't finish it for the characters, I just wanted to know the how and why of the mystery that I hadn't figured out.
Personal opinion - It was our book club book and others enjoyed it.
And Crystal just made me mad. So did Dylan. I was just angry at the characters the whole time. I didn't really resonate with any of them either... None of them were super fleshed out. It was just small facts about each character; Crystal wasn't familiar enough to me for me to really root for her.
I didn't finish it for the characters, I just wanted to know the how and why of the mystery that I hadn't figured out.
Personal opinion - It was our book club book and others enjoyed it.
kgnade's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced reader copy of These Deadly Games from St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is a story about friendship, family and trusting your instincts. Crystal Donavan loves playing games especially video games. This weekend Crystal and her close friends will be competing in a tournament that has a large cash prize- each team member has a different reason why they want to win the tournament.
The day before the tournament, Crystal receives a video of her younger sister bound and gagged. The anonymous kidnapper tells her she has 24 hours to save her sister’s life, as long as she plays the kidnapper’s game and follows the rules. Crystal can’t tell the police or her sister dies. Crystal can’t tell anyone or her sister dies. Crystal has to complete each game or task in the allotted time or her sister dies. The kidnapper is targeting Crystal’s friends, with each game she has to choose between her sister and one of her friends, while the kidnapper stays one step ahead. Soon Crystal doesn’t know who she can trust including herself but will stop at nothing to save her sister.
This was a fast, easy read perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus. These Deadly Games is available now.
#dianaurban #thesedeadlygames #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #ya #yabooks #youngadult #youngadultbooks #mystery #mysterybooks #thriller #thrillerbooks #mysterythriller #mysterythrillerbooks #readin2022 #stmartinspress #wednesdaybooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is a story about friendship, family and trusting your instincts. Crystal Donavan loves playing games especially video games. This weekend Crystal and her close friends will be competing in a tournament that has a large cash prize- each team member has a different reason why they want to win the tournament.
The day before the tournament, Crystal receives a video of her younger sister bound and gagged. The anonymous kidnapper tells her she has 24 hours to save her sister’s life, as long as she plays the kidnapper’s game and follows the rules. Crystal can’t tell the police or her sister dies. Crystal can’t tell anyone or her sister dies. Crystal has to complete each game or task in the allotted time or her sister dies. The kidnapper is targeting Crystal’s friends, with each game she has to choose between her sister and one of her friends, while the kidnapper stays one step ahead. Soon Crystal doesn’t know who she can trust including herself but will stop at nothing to save her sister.
This was a fast, easy read perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus. These Deadly Games is available now.
#dianaurban #thesedeadlygames #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #ya #yabooks #youngadult #youngadultbooks #mystery #mysterybooks #thriller #thrillerbooks #mysterythriller #mysterythrillerbooks #readin2022 #stmartinspress #wednesdaybooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.