Customer Reviews

The Forbidden Game: The Hunter; The Chase; The Kill

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, this is the weirdest review I have ever done, so don't give me a hundred "not helpful votes" please. I am just trying to be honest.

The first part of the book Jenny is looking to buy a game (at a game store) because she is having a group of friends coming over to her house to hang out. At the game store she chooses the most "unusual" game to buy because the "guy" at the game store talks her into buying this particular game. Fast forward a little - Julian (the guy at the store) is actually from the dark world. He has been watching Jenny for years, from a far and is totally in love with her. He wants her with him in his world. Jenny's boyfriend thinks differently. Any hoo...Jenny's friends start the game not knowing that it is a "forbidden game". It turns out that the game is magical... and here are the rules - if Julian wins, he gets Jenny - if Jenny and her friends win, they go free. Simple right? - Wrong - because Julian is in charge of the game.

The characters are all likeable. Julian (the villain), you have a love/hate kind of thing going on. This book takes you thru 3 books. This book is the most unique book I have ever read! Smith did an excellent job of making this a book so that you are so far drawn in, you will stay up till 4 in the morning to see how it ends.

I think it is a possibility that it is one of the best books I have ever read.

** *Possible Spoiler***-
However, to do it all over - I would not have read the book!!! The ending broke my heart, literally. I cried so much at the ending that I was dripping tears on the pages. I have never reacted to a book this strongly. I finished reading it at 4am and cried in bed until 6am. The next morning my husband asked me what was wrong and I just started crying all over again and then I had to explain to him I was crying over a "fiction book". He hugged me and asked me to tell him the story and then he let me cry some more. (I have the best husband in the world!!) So...............I know this is a weird review. I wish I had never opened the book because it haunts me.

**Update to Spoiler**
I read this book back in July of 2009 - nearly a year ago when I first wrote my review. I feel differently now. I am so glad I read the book. Since then I have learned sometimes to make a great book, you don't necessarily have to have a perfect "Happily Ever After". Actually - not having a perfect "Happily ever After" is what sometimes makes the most excellent and memorable books!!! So - looking back - I am very glad I did read it!!!!

The book starts off with Jenny wanting a game for her boyfriend tom's birthday party. So she goes to this shop and this blue eyed boy named Julian pursuades her into getting the game. She gets it but little does she know it's a real life game when they get sucked into it. There they meet Julian again he is a shadow man who's in love with Jenny and has been watching over her. Some might consider Julian a "bad guy" but I found him very apealing I was drawn to him like Gabriel in Dark visions. Well the book take on a roller coaster when they enter the shadow world. I don't wan't to spoil anything but Jenny did grow up from beggining to end I was shocked at her choice. Then I was shocked toward the end. Sometimes L.J smith doesn't choose the man I want her too and it actually leaves me in tears. Like another customer said she cried. I cried too because it was not what I was expecting. But anybody who's an L.J smith should read this book it is by far one of her best.

Well, I do have to thank the Twilight phenomena for one thing at least, and that's that the collected trilogies of Lisa Jane Smith have been pulled out of the Simon and Schuster publishing vault, given brand spanking new covers, and re-released for both a new reading audience, and old-time fans who are ready to fill in the gaps on their bookshelves.

Out of all Smith's body of work, it was "The Forbidden Game" that I was least familiar with. First published as a trilogy, the middle book was on the shelf of my school library, but the preceding and concluding installments were impossible to get hold of. For the last six years or so, all I had experienced was a story with no beginning and no end. As such, it was with immense satisfaction that I settled down with all three books handily bound together in one omnibus volume, previously published separately as The Hunter, The Chase and The Kill.

Jenny Thornton is preparing a party for her boyfriend Tom, and is exploring the neighborhood in search of a game that will entertain her core group of friends. Escaping from a couple of intimidating young men leads her into an unusual shop that seems to have exactly what she's looking for: a unique and unforgettable game: or so the shop owner promises her. Unnerved by his white hair and intense gaze, Jenny buys the game and hurries home where her friends await: sophisticated Audrey, spunky Dee, introverted Zach, cheerful Mike, winsome Summer, and of course, her football star and ruggedly handsome boyfriend. Though Jenny is having second thoughts, her friends immediately pounce on the mysterious game.

They're going to get more than they bargained for. Though I don't want to give away the specifics of a marvelously twisty plot, the teenagers find themselves sucked into a real-life game in which they are forced to confront their darkest fears, all of which has been planned by the Shadow Man, a mysterious and malignant youth who gets a kick out of tormenting them, but has a particular interest in Jenny...

Divided into three books, each one is based on a particular type of game that the protagonists are forced into: a race, hide-and-seek, and finally a treasure hunt, with the stakes escalating each time. Amazingly, this formula avoids getting repetitive, mainly because the characters grow and change over the course of their adventures, the format of each game is radically different, and the prize at the end of the game changes each time.

In terms of genre, "The Forbidden Game" sits squarely between Smith's usual paranormal-romance fare, and her earlier (and less known) work: two fantasy-adventure stories for children; in this case it's also quite reminiscent of the cult-classic Labyrinth. Since I still harbor suspicions that Stephanie Meyer was very heavily influenced by the writing of L.J. Smith, it's safe to say to any young YA reader who slavishly worships at the shrine of Edward Cullen will also find something to enjoy here. Smith uses the same storytelling elements to great effect: love triangles, a basis in well-known myths and legends, the power of friendship, and the melding of teenage issues with the supernatural realm. She also excels in her creation of what is generally known among literary types as "the cute but troubled bad boy". Put a supernatural spin on an insanely good-looking suitor who is completely undone by our young heroine and you'll have your target audience swooning in the aisles.

I must say however, that I found myself slightly puzzled over Julian's obsession over Jenny; not because she wasn't a strong and likeable female character, but because she was flanked by two best friends that were far more interesting: Dee, the brave and reckless Amazonian, and Audrey, the worldly yet sensitive Intellectual. If I was an immortal with a fascination for humanity, I'd have my eye on those two...

Still, Jenny deserves the title "heroine," particularly by the end of the three parts. Amusingly though, Julian admits to Jenny at one stage that he's been watching her throughout her lifetime, even at night when she's sleeping. Being a sensible young woman, Jenny is hardly impressed by this; rather she feels disturbed and violated. Are you listening, Bella Swan? Despite my uneasiness about the *entire* mindset (not just here, but in YA books in general) that postulates that a dangerous, abusive, malevolent male can be "saved" or "redeemed" by the love of an innocent young woman, I appreciate that Jenny's entire story arc is ultimately summed up in the mantra: "I am my only master." I can get behind that message for young girls.

"The Forbidden Game" ends up being Smith's best trilogy since The Secret Circle, a frantic and exciting story, littered throughout with clever riddles and twists, in which the teens must rely on their wits, courage and each other in order to survive the ordeal ahead of them. Smith can make situations truly frightening without veering off into gore or vulgarity, and has a wonderful grasp of these characters and what they're capable of. The bittersweet ending is handled well, and like many others have admitted, I too was up reading till the early hours of the morning.

As far as lightweight YA reading goes, L.J. Smith's nineties material is still relevant, and a welcome re-addition to the bookstores.

The Hunter: Jenny Thornton's boyfriend, Tom Locke, is turning seventeen. For his birthday, Jenny has their closest friends over to celebrate. Summer is the sweetest of the group. Zach is the geek. Dee is an ebony huntress. Michael is the huskiest. Audrey has been Jenny's friend the longest and still competes with Dee (the newest member of their group) for Jenny's friendship. While searching for an interesting game they can all play together, Jenny finds herself in a bad part of town with two thugs stalking her. She flees into a strange game store and meets a teen boy with the strangest blue colored eyes and white hair. He convinces Jenny to purchase a special game, promising her that all the players will be treated to mystery, suspense, seduction, temptation, and secrets will be revealed. Once together and the adults out of the house, Jenny and her friends construct a Victorian house and paper dolls to represent themselves as the game instructions dictates. Then they pledge the oath on the box that the game is real and that they understand that by playing the game they put their lives at risk.

But this is no ordinary game. The players soon find themselves actually within the Victorian house they made. The Shadow Man, named Julian, is the boy from the game store. He informs Jenny that her friends have been scattered around the house, with has three stories and a turret on the top. Jenny is the main player. She must locate each friend's room and then help them face their greatest nightmare. If Jenny reaches the top, the door out of the game is there, waiting for them. However, Julian also informs Jenny that not all of her friends may survive and the game has a time limit. It began at nine o'clock in the evening. Jenny has until sunrise, at six-eleven, to get out of the game with her friends. If she loses, Jenny will be trapped in the Shadow World and belong to Julian.


The Chase: Jenny and her friends are still haunted by what happened to them while in Julian's game. One of her friends did not survive and they feel the loss. They told the truth of events to their parents and the police, but no one believes them. However, the nightmare is not really over. The two thugs who stole the game from Jenny's house had opened the game's box and played. Julian has been released and he wants Jenny. Another game is to be played. Julian will hunt each friend, one-by-one, and take them back to his secret base. Jenny must figure out where the base is hidden and reach it before Julian stops her, who is to be taken last. If Jenny wins, she will be released from the binding vow she made Julian previously. If she loses, Jenny must go with Julian to his world and stay with him forever.


The Kill: With Julian holding two of her friends in the Shadow World as hostage, Jenny and the others must go on a treasure hunt at a carnival. But horrible creatures await the teens as they fight for their survival and Jenny's freedom from Julian.



***** FIVE STARS! This volume includes the entire trilogy of the series. The stories are as seductive as silver and as deadly as a cobra. If there is an author more suspenseful in teen paranormal stories than L.J. Smith, I don't want to know about him! *****


Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

okay i just want to tell every one that this is a book that can't be missed, i fell in love with all the characters and the story line was amazing! the only problem was... it ended. okay so im not going to do a summary im just going to share my thoughts on the book, and there may be some hints to whats happened but no big spoilers and if there are ill warn you.
i loved Jen the main character and how she was always growing through out the book, her choice in friends is spot on ( unlike mine). i loved the secondary characters as well Dee and Audrey where great the only one i found annoying was summer, she was like a wimp but no one perfect. Zach was weird to my eyes, i mean hello your cousins and all, and he was just a bit creepy. tom killed me, i don't know why but i never really liked him and i think she should get a better boyfriend (like Julian *sigh*).
Julian was the best character in the whole book, his mood swings and good bad sides, oh i loved him. he was sweet and thoughtful in a bad boy, villain kinda way. Oh My God the ending it ripped my heart out and stomped on it, really i was crying for like hours after wards. the worst thing was i read it on a PLANE i mean it was such bad luck because every one was staring at me and the flight attenuate was like "are you okay?" she was really concern. my dad was watching a movie and like completely ignored me, and started laughing after a while i mean he really did not feel my pain, the ending was just so sad really i could go on for ever but i wont.
all in all it is one of those books that you never forget, that follows you to school and in your bedroom. i think this book should get an award for how amazing it was and now i have a new thing that i say to people.
"I AM MY ONLY MASTER!!!!"

I for one am a big fan oo L.J. Smith. I love of the books that she writes. This book is full of suspense. I just love following Jenny in finding herself in all three of these books. These three books in one kept my attention from the very beginning to the very end. I was not dissapointed in these books. The only thing that I would change was how clingy and needy Jenny was in the beginning of the first book. I would reccomend this book to anyone

This is a really amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries, Dark Visions, and Night World. This was no let down. There was no sex or bad language so, parents, not too bad for your children to read. However there were some ...er... disturbing scenes. They did only add to the suspense though. Not any more disturbing than The Hunger Games. Less so. But still amazing. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It's so well written that you DO feel like you're in the book. You will be up till 4 am reading this. A book for people that don't like to read. That's all you can ask for in a book. There was a love triangle, as there usually is in all the good books. Sometimes, readers will cheer for the bad guy and want the good guy out of the way. It is truly an wonderful book, that leaves you thinking. Beautiful.

PS
Personally, I have an issue with carnivals now. That part freaked me out. But, I'll save LOADS never going to one again.

PSS
I an a wimp. So the carnival thing might just be me, (=

In the style of Vampire Diaries, LJ Smith delivers a book of such romance, it makes your heartbreak in the end. Jenny meets Julian at the game store he works at when she goes there to find a game to play with her boyfriend and friends. In love with Jenny for years, Julian has been watching her and wants her to join her in the Dark world. He recommends the Forbidden Game, a game that he created and which if Jenny wins, she and her friends can go free, if Julian wins, he gets Jenny. Julian is the villain, but he is also so attractive, you want him to win. Like Vampire Diaries, this series from LJ Smith draws you in until the very shocking end.

The bad and the neutral:
- Originally published in the 90s, LJ Smith went ahead and used some slang and details from the time period where more generic terms would have worked and made it feel less dated now. Still, how would she have known that all of these years later they'd be doing reprints of all of her books? So while it feels wrong now... eh... It worked when she wrote it.

- Yes, they do seem to be on a crazy spree, reprinting all of her books. Now we're all human. I expect us all to goof, especially me, I'm the queen of typos. But with editors and reprints and the like, it feels like somehow LJ Smith's books are the ones I read that always keep having silly errors even after multiple re-prints and a decade or more of people reading and re-reading them. Yet they never get caught / fixed in new versions? Things like: "But we got her back from him last time, Michael. We'll get HERE back now."

- You'll probably want to keep telling yourself "This is the omnibus version. This is three books, not one." Otherwise it'll feel really repetitive as you re-meet some of the characters over and over, their descriptions repeated almost word for word several times.


The good:
- Well that'd be one thing, the most important thing, the story itself. Jenny goes in search of a game for her boyfriend's birthday party. While trying to find the store she's followed by two shady looking men and stumbles into the the nearest door to escape them. A game store. Not the one she'd been looking for. Still, convenient... a little too convenient. Turns out she'd been led to the store by the boy who runs it, Julian. The game he sold her, it was real. Jenny and her friends become trapped in it. If they win, they get out and that is that. If they lose, Julian gets to keep Jenny. Along the way they'll all face their worst nightmares.

In typical LJ Smith fashion the villain is someone we end up rooting for. He's got to redeem himself. He's fun! So he's done some bad things, he couldn't help it, really. The good guys are so dull. They don't appreciate the girl! Etc. Usually, you're not supposed to hope the bad guy wins and get the girl in the end, but in LJ Smith's books, you do. So will he? That'd be telling...

I'm just going to start out saying that I read this book all the way to 7:30 AM because it was that amazing. This is the BEST book you will EVER read. I spent countless hours laughing, in anger, in hopeless love, of being scared and countless hours crying. This book (rather, a triology) sparked every emotion I had. This book is a definite buy!! I don't want to add any spoilers or plot to my review but i would like to say something about Julian; He was so heartbreaking that I basically fell in love with a fictional character. I just finished the book about ten minutes ago and signe on my amazon account to write this review. I can't even elaborate on how much I enjoyed this book! I recommend this book to people of all ages who look for a heartbreaking story that has a tragic ending. I completly agree with one of the previous reviewers who said that they would not reread this book again. It's just such a beautiful heartbreaking story that can only be read once unless you wanted to go through the rides of emotions. This book makes the twilight saga look like a Captain Underpants comic. I've never been more moved by a book than this, once again L.J Smith, you do amazing job on all your books, expecially this one, my favorite book! I will be recommending this booj to my friends! If anyone is wavering on their decisions on whether or not you should get this book, i got 4 words for you: THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!