The God Game by Danny Tobey

The God Game by Danny Tobey

Published by St. Martin's Press

Published on January 7, 2020

Genre(s): Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense, Mystery, Adult

Page Count: 496

Source: Publisher

Format: ARC

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Book Description:

You are invited!

Come inside and play with G.O.D.

Bring your friends!

It’s fun!

But remember the rules. Win and ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.™ Lose, you die!

With those words, Charlie and his friends enter the G.O.D. Game, a video game run by underground hackers and controlled by a mysterious AI that believes it’s God. Through their phone-screens and high-tech glasses, the teens’ realities blur with a virtual world of creeping vines, smoldering torches, runes, glyphs, gods, and mythical creatures. When they accomplish a mission, the game rewards them with expensive tech, revenge on high-school tormentors, and cash flowing from ATMs. Slaying a hydra and drawing a bloody pentagram as payment to a Greek god seem harmless at first. Fun even.

But then the threatening messages start. Worship me. Obey me. Complete a mission, however cruel, or the game reveals their secrets and crushes their dreams. Tasks that seemed harmless at first take on deadly consequences. Mysterious packages show up at their homes. Shadowy figures start following them, appearing around corners, attacking them in parking garages. Who else is playing this game, and how far will they go to win?

And what of the game’s first promise: win, win big, lose, you die? Dying in a virtual world doesn’t really mean death in real life—does it?

As Charlie and his friends try to find a way out of the game, they realize they’ve been manipulated into a bigger web they can’t escape: an AI that learned its cruelty from watching us.

God is always watching, and He says when the game is done.

Hello Readers.

I read The God Game for a buddy read with some of my closest friends. I was sent a copy of it and this was the perfect opportunity to read it. What a book! This one was nothing like I thought it would be. I was drawn into it and could not wait to see what happened next. I have said it before but that truly is a rare thing for me. I read a lot of books and only a small percentage of them grab my full attention. This one did just that. Creepy at moments. Intense. Left me wanting more. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because I was torn on how to rate it. This would be one of those that I would rate with half books if I had that system. It was not quite a Five but it was more than a Four. I have purchased the other book by this author and look forward to reading it. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare and Leave No Scone Unturned by Denise Swanson

Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Published by Skyhorse

Published on November 20th 2018 (October 11th 2016)

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller

Page Count: 304

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

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Description: Since the 1970s, FantasticLand has been the theme park where "Fun is Guaranteed!" But when a hurricane ravages the Florida coast and isolates the park, the employees find it anything but fun. Five weeks later, the authorities who rescue the survivors encounter a scene of horror. Photos soon emerge online of heads on spikes outside of rides and viscera and human bones littering the gift shops, breaking records for hits, views, likes, clicks, and shares. How could a group of survivors, mostly teenagers, commit such terrible acts?

Presented as a fact-finding investigation and a series of first-person interviews, FantasticLand pieces together the grisly series of events. Park policy was that the mostly college-aged employees surrender their electronic devices to preserve the authenticity of the FantasticLand experience. Cut off from the world and left on their own, the teenagers soon form rival tribes who viciously compete for food, medicine, social dominance, and even human flesh. This new social network divides the ravaged dreamland into territories ruled by the Pirates, the ShopGirls, the Freaks, and the Mole People. If meticulously curated online personas can replace private identities, what takes over when those constructs are lost?

FantasticLand is a modern take on Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale that probes the consequences of a social civilization built online.

Hello Readers.

I encountered this book in an online book group chat. A member wanted to read it and I was intrigued so we did a buddy read. With my love of both Lord of the Flies and Battle Royale, the premise interested me. I had to see the author's approach on such a macabre concept. 

Wow. Yes, you read that right. My response to this story is "Wow." I could not stop reading this book once I started it. It pulled me in and refused to let me go. It haunted my thoughts when I wasn't reading it. There were moments that I am not sure I will ever forget. 

The author's mastery of the story is impressive. The format might throw some people but the flow of the story is so captivating that I completely forgot about it. Rich, complex characters. Perfect examples of mob mentality and overall herd logic. This is a powerful book. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because I read it months ago and it has stayed with me. I purchased the other book by this author and hope to read it in the nexrt month or so because I have to know if it is even half the book that Fantasticland is. A reread may also be in order soon. Highly recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Pines by Blake Crouch, She Died Famous by Kyle Rutkin, and Lucky Caller by Emma Mills

Dread Nation

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Published by Blazer + Bray

Published on April 3, 2018

Genre(s): Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Young Adult

Page Count: 464

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardcover

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Book Description:

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever.

In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead.

But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It's a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston's School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose.

But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies.

And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.


Hello Readers.

I had heard about this book long before I read it. I was hesitant because I was not sure how a book of this nature would work. Zombies and the Civil War? What?! Inserting zombies into any real life situation has the potential to just fall apart. I definitely was not sure how one would insert zombies into one of the most intense and important periods in America's history. The room for error was great.
I started this book with some apprehension. Would the author pull it off?

Wow! She did! Beautifully melding the elements together, the author made the story come alive. (Yes, pun intended.) Strong characters. I found myself truly hating some of them and wishing them harm. Other characters warmed my heart and I wanted nothing more than for them to succeed. So many components that could have caused the story to fall apart but they were brought together in such a way that I was blown away.

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it was such an incredible read. I cannot wait for the sequel! It cannot come out soon enough!  Highly recommend!


InkedBookDragon

Be Careful What You Wish For by A.C. Hutchinson

Be Careful What You Wish For: A Short Story by A.C. Hutchinson

Published by Amazon Digital Services LLC

Published on October 31, 2015

Genres: Horror, Short Story

Page Count: 13

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

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Description: When David Patzpowski takes his breakfast at a motorway diner, he discovers the clientele to be a little on the strange side.

Hello again.

Yes. I know that I just reviewed a different short story by this author but I can't review that one and not review this one. I have to share this one with you. Another great piece from this author. Well written with excellent characters. Definitely one that was thought out. Surprising end.

I am rating this short story Four Red Books because I found myself a little upset about the length. Well developed to be so short. I wholeheartedly feel that the premise could have been used towards a longer piece. Once again impressed with the way that the author draws the reader in. Will be keeping an eye on him. It will be interesting to see what he has for us later on. Will be recommending.

InkedBookDragon

Hotel Z: A Short Story by A.C. Hutchinson

Hotel Z: A Short Story by A.C. Hutchinson

Published by Amazon Digital Services LLC

Published on March 25, 2017

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

Page Count: 18

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

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Description: Welcome to Hotel Z, the best place to sample merchandise anywhere in town. We catch them fresh and don't keep them too long – that's the secret. But be careful, sometimes they bite!

Hello Again!

Zombies. Need I say more? Yes, zombies are every where and many people think that they have been done to death. (Pun intended.) I am one that enjoys a good zombie story. I have never really been able to pinpoint exactly why I enjoy them to the extent that I do. I guess some things cannot be explained.

I am rating this Four Red Books because it was a great read. The premise was not something that you see often and I really liked that. Very well written. It was predictable but that did not take from the story. I wish it had been longer. There was definitely the potential there to be a longer story. I look forward to reading more of the author's work.


InkedBookDragon

The Breathless by Tara Goedjen

The Breathless by Tara Goedjen

Published by Delacorte Press

Published on October 10, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal, Gothic, Historical

Page Count: 368

Source: Publisher

Format: Hardback

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Description:No one knows what really happened on the beach where Roxanne Cole’s body was found, but her boyfriend, Cage, took off that night and hasn’t been seen since. Until now. One year—almost to the day—from Ro’s death, when he knocks on the door of Blue Gate Manor and asks where she is.

Cage has no memory of the past twelve months. According to him, Ro was alive only the day before. Ro’s sister Mae wouldn’t believe him, except that something’s not right. Nothing’s been right in the house since Ro died.

And then Mae finds the little green book. The one hidden in Ro’s room. It’s filled with secrets—dangerous secrets—about her family, and about Ro. And if what it says is true, then maybe, just maybe, Ro isn’t lost forever.

And maybe there are secrets better left to the dead.

Hello Readers.

This book completely slipped by me. I am usually pretty on top of book releases. I like to know what books are coming and when they come out. I missed this one and had no idea of its existence until I was sent a copy. I took one look at it and thought that it looked pretty interesting. The cover was eerily beautiful so I figured that I would give the book a try.

Wow! How can this be a debut novel? It definitely does not feel like one. The premise was excellent and the execution was near flawless. I was captivated within the first couple pages. The characters were so rich and multilayered. Nothing can put me off of a book quicker than characters that do not evolve at all. We tend to evolve and adapt to the world around us. It is refreshing when I read about characters that truly progress. Stagnant characterizations annoy me so much.

This novel was one of those that I had to fight with myself about sleeping because I did not want to stop reading. Creepy yet lovely. Complicated. Full of suspense. Sad yet fun. Romantic and heartbreaking. A truly enchanting read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am rating this book Four Red Books because it did have occasional moments here and there that were predictable. With that being said, it was a true delight to read. I will be recommending it. 

InkedBookDragon

Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

Published by Cemetery Dance Pubns

Published on May 16, 2017

Genre: Horror

Page Count: 180

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

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Decription: The little town of Castle Rock, Maine has witnessed some strange events and unusual visitors over the years, but there is one story that has never been told... until now.

There are three ways up to Castle View from the town of Castle Rock: Route 117, Pleasant Road, and the Suicide Stairs. Every day in the summer of 1974 twelve-year-old Gwendy Peterson has taken the stairs, which are held by strong (if time-rusted) iron bolts and zig-zag up the cliffside.

At the top of the stairs, Gwendy catches her breath and listens to the shouts of the kids on the playground. From a bit farther away comes the chink of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball as the Senior League kids practice for the Labor Day charity game.

One day, a stranger calls to Gwendy: "Hey, girl. Come on over here for a bit. We ought to palaver, you and me."

On a bench in the shade sits a man in black jeans, a black coat like for a suit, and a white shirt unbuttoned at the top. On his head is a small neat black hat. The time will come when Gwendy has nightmares about that hat...

Journey back to Castle Rock again in this chilling new novella by Stephen King, bestselling author of The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, and Richard Chizmar, award-winning author of A Long December. This book will be a Cemetery Dance Publications exclusive with no other editions currently planned anywhere in the world!


Hello again!

I am reviewing Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. It was a novella and a quick read. Any quotes that may appear below are from the text and are not my words.

Imagine being in possession of something that can make dreams come true. It can give you everything that you want but at a great cost. Would you still want to own it? How would it affect the future and the people around you? All your wildest fantasies could be yours. Could you ever trust a person that would offer you such a thing? These questions and more ran through my mind as I read this book. When something seems to be too good to be true, it usually is.

I read this book in one setting. I could not put it down. I am rating it Four Red Books because some of the events in it were predictable. Overall, it is a great read and I would definitely recommend it.


InkedBookDragon

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Published on April 21, 2008 (reissue edition)

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Horror
Page Count: 192

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

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Description: Twelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, Michael, have never liked their seven-year-old stepsister, Heather. Ever since their parents got married, she's made Molly and Michael's life miserable. Now their parents have moved them all to the country to live in a house that used to be a church, with a cemetery in the backyard. If that's not bad enough, Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and warning Molly and Michael that Helen is coming for them. Molly feels certain Heather is in some kind of danger, but every time she tried to help, Heather twists things around to get her into trouble. It seems as if things can't get any worse.

But they do---when Helen comes.

Hello.

Tonight, I am reviewing Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn. It is written more towards children in grades 5-7. I stumbled upon this book and thought that I would give it a shot. It looked interesting. What did I have to lose?

I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It may have been written for the younger crowd but it doesn't always feel that way. It deals with very serious issues such as adapting to blended families, severe guilt, communication, fear of abandonment, and forgiveness. Add in the ghost of a child hellbent on finding a new playmate and you have a creepy read.

I find myself intrigued by this author. The style of this book was quite refreshing. I wonder if her other works leave the reader with the great sense of contentment that I experienced with this book. Yes, it read like a book written for children but it felt like more. It was full of moments that left me shuddering a little. Hahn definitely has this grasp on the human mind and fear.

I am giving this book the rating of Four Red Books because it did feel rushed. Hahn wanted to get as much story in there as possible which is tricky for a book of this length (192 pages). She is definitely a true master of the ghost story. Overall, very enjoyable read.

InkedBookDragon