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A review by btwnprintedpgs
It's Only a Game by Kelsea Yu
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I haven't had a YA thriller hook me in a while, so this was a great surprise. A fast-paced thriller/mystery with an added layer of in-game puzzle solving makes this book feel similar to Slay crossed with Love 020.
I will say that this book takes on a lot, but it does it well, overall. We have the foundational thriller - someone dies and now our MCs have to race against the clock to solve the mystery and save the people and things they care about. Then, we have the gaming elements superimposed over the real world mystery. Adding in Marina's secret past, a dash of romance, and nods to Chinese history and Asian culture (particularly filiel piety and Asian guilt culture), this story held my attention right from the start.
I really love books that mix with video games, and Kelsea Yu did it in a way that felt organic and necessary to the story. I liked how the video game aspects built on the secrets, the mystery, and the character development - it was an essential part of the story and was fleshed out so well!
Additionally, I enjoyed our MCs - all four had distinct personalities and lives and the way they became friends through life and video games felt so true to life.
All in all, a twisty thriller of a book that had me flying through the pages! I'm so excited for more people to pick this one up.
Rep: Chinese lesbian MC, queer SC, Trans SC
TW: gaslighting, injury detail, murder, blood, stalking, mutilation, child abuse, gun violence, kidnapping, drugging, fire/fire injury; mentions transphobia, death of a child, death, animal abuse, suicidal ideation
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Bloomsbury YA via Colored Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I will say that this book takes on a lot, but it does it well, overall. We have the foundational thriller - someone dies and now our MCs have to race against the clock to solve the mystery and save the people and things they care about. Then, we have the gaming elements superimposed over the real world mystery. Adding in Marina's secret past, a dash of romance, and nods to Chinese history and Asian culture (particularly filiel piety and Asian guilt culture), this story held my attention right from the start.
I really love books that mix with video games, and Kelsea Yu did it in a way that felt organic and necessary to the story. I liked how the video game aspects built on the secrets, the mystery, and the character development - it was an essential part of the story and was fleshed out so well!
Additionally, I enjoyed our MCs - all four had distinct personalities and lives and the way they became friends through life and video games felt so true to life.
All in all, a twisty thriller of a book that had me flying through the pages! I'm so excited for more people to pick this one up.
Rep: Chinese lesbian MC, queer SC, Trans SC
TW: gaslighting, injury detail, murder, blood, stalking, mutilation, child abuse, gun violence, kidnapping, drugging, fire/fire injury; mentions transphobia, death of a child, death, animal abuse, suicidal ideation
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Bloomsbury YA via Colored Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia