A review by thirdeyeangel23
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If Squid Games and Knives Out had a baby, it would be this book. Their Vicious Games may be one of the most suspenseful and insidious novels I’ve read to date. Adina had a promising future after graduating high school until a conflict with the school’s “it” girl drained her prospects and saw her Yale acceptance revoked. As a last ditch effort to reclaim her future, Adina secures a spot in a top secret game held by one of the town’s most prestigious families in order to gain their favor. But when the game is put into play, Adina realizes just how devilish these people’s games really are. This story is gripping in a way that chilled me to the bone while also pulling on every stitch of hope I had for the main character. The commentary on class, race, misogyny, and privilege throughout was poignant in a way that many fail to get just right. This book gave me heart palpitations, but it was so good I’d do it all over again.
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