hazyskyys 's review for:

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

3.75

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

I may get crucified for saying this, but I enjoyed this far more than I did The Secret History. That being said, it’s far from perfect and I have my qualms with it. I agree with most of the other reviewers that many intriguing plot points were left unexplored.

Game Soc was so interesting, and they expanded on this minimally, for like a few pages at the end. I find that I don’t really grasp why the characters were that afraid of game soc/ playing a follow up game. And if they had reason to be truly afraid, why did Chad give up so easily, after waiting for 14 years?

I also wish we saw more of the game playing and consequences overall. There were only brief mentions of the structure of the game, something with cards and dice, but I don’t understand how they were using “strategy” as the author discussed multiple times (playing a hand poorly, etc.). I think

Game Soc

and the game overall were the most interesting selling points of the book, but were disappointingly brushed over. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Suicide, Murder

Moderate: Stalking