Forbidden Game, Collector's Omnibus Edition [Paperback]

L.J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

To capture the love of Jenny Thorton, Julian--a visitor from a dark world--draws Jenny and her friends into forbidden games; the contest for a human soul. The prize is Jenny's freedom. The stakes are all of their lives. Jenny's friends are determined to help her win. But Julian is the master of the Game. Jenny's most desperate fight will be with him, this eerily handsome boy with electric blue eyes. He knows her deepest secrets, her darkest fears. He has almost infinite power. And the only thing he wants is for Jenny to surrender to him--body and soul.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Archway; 1st Archway edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671017160
• ISBN-13: 978-0671017163
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #709,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Let's see, I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I was about six, when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written. I wrote my first book in high school, finishing it in my first year of college. Then I became a special ed teacher before I was able to become a writer full-time. That's about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS TRILOGY WAS TOTALLY ROCKIN!!!!!!!, September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Forbidden Game, Collector's Omnibus Edition (Paperback)

The Forbidden Game is the best set of books I have ever read. (And the Night World rulz too! Please read my review of Daughter of Darkness and e-mail me if u like it) It is wonderfully written and draws you straight into it so you can feel the emotions of all the charcters. I had always loved the Night World. I remember one day looking at the back page and thinking about all the times I had seen an advertisment for the books. Since my bookstore didn't carry it, I had to order it. I recieved the large book complete w/ all 3 stories. From the opening page I was unable to put it down untill the end. Throughout the book I found myself falling in love w/ Julian. (Just like Ash in Daughters of Darkness) Julian was a cocky, smart mouthed trouble maker, but like a hurt child underneath it all. A hurt child that could strike out w/ lethal accuracy. Handsome and slick as a cobra, he lived a life full of excitment, and sadly, etched w/ pain. He was amazing and loveable despite his hard exterior through most of the book. The chacacters were great and well formed. Jenny is a strong herione and that makes the book great. Dee was a great charatcter w/ her goddess looks and strong mind. In real life she would go far. Audrey was of course was the fashion diva, but it went deeper that that. She was a young lost women w/ a heart of gold. Micheal was a wonderful character. Cuddly like a teddy bear and completly lovable. Audrey has good taste. Zach sounded like a wonderful artist and a terrific abstract thinker. A brain as fast as a whip and a heart that was warm underneath all his protective ice. Summer was the sweet flower, and the poor child was small but had a heart w/ the determintaion of a little lion just learning to be brave. And of course how could we forget Tom. The arrogant Tom Locke who was taught a very important lesson. You never no what you have untill you lose it. I have to say my favorite part is in the last book, in the cavern after Jenny almost drowns. How she resisted Julian then, I will never know. It was the most amazing transformation of Julian throughout the entire book. I could see his haunted eyes in the firelight as I read that part over and over again. This was also the first AND ONLY book to ever make me cry. The end was very sad, and as I look back, I see it was enevitable. Like Jenny said, Julian was too dangerous to live. But he was a spirit of fire that would live on forever, even after death. I laughed, I cried, I was amazed. The Forbidden Game are the best series I have ever read. Each time I read it, it's like the first time. An emotional rollercoaster all over again. A true masterpeice. My best regards and wishes to L.J. Smith for the excellent series.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy comes to Life!, September 26, 1999

By 

Christy ([e-mail]) (Ransom Canyon... really(:) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forbidden Game, Collector's Omnibus Edition (Paperback)

It is truly amazing... this series blew me away when I first read it. I had heard fabulous things about it, but never expected them to be more then true! It is a darker side of the fantastical realm, but it is sheer genius in concept. Who hasn't had that tingly feeling they are being watched or feared that some day their worst nightmares may come true. Julian is an flawless demonstration of an unforgettable villain who is desperately struggling between his natural corruption and his love for Jenny. Jenny, the innocent heroine, who is pulled in two between her morality and Julian's ruthless attraction. Both trapped in a deadly game of dreams and nightmares. You cannot read this and not be challenged, rethinking your standards and questioning your strongest beliefs. So who made the right choice? Only you can decide. So take time out to read this book and just let your imagination soar and your fears come alive. The World of Shadows and all it's wonders await...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The devil is in love with you, so now what do you do?, December 9, 2001

By 

Scriber_scouse "scriber_scouse" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forbidden Game, Collector's Omnibus Edition (Paperback)

First of all this is probably one of L J Smith's better trilogies. It's well thought out and all of the characters have full roles to play and real personalities to match (something the writer is sometimes guilty of leaving out-see Secret Circle.) The beautiful unearthly Julian is an immortal being, a shadow man who inspires nightmares and doesn't have feelings, until he sees Jenny Thornton and falls in love with her. Jenny and her friends are kidnapped by Julian and taken to the Shadow world, if she won't love Julian he will make her love him through a series of games using her friends as bargainning chips against her.

The books are well plotted above average Young Adult fare that I still read at the age of 20. Smith draws on Norse mythology and the psychology of nightmares to make the books as real as possible. You can't help but feel for the characters as they face their worst nightmares:the loss of a friend, and the tangles of love to grow stronger. Typically of Smith's books Jenny must choose between the good Tom,the love of her life since kindergarten, or the exotic Julian a devil who has watched and loved her since she was 5, who desires her light for his darkness. I won't give the ending away, but six years after reading it for the first time I still grieve over the ending and the choice Jenny must make, now that's the sign of a damn good book. This is quirkier and less formulaic than some of L.J Smith's newer series but if you enjoy it check out Dark Visions, it's also a keeper!!