The Hunter (The Forbidden Game, Vol. 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

L.J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994

When Jenny Thorton and her friends open the mysterious white box given to her by Julian, they discover a mysterious game and enter a house of horrors full of their worst nightmares.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The first installment of the Forbidden Game horror trilogy pits a clique of California teenagers against the villainous Julian, an ancient, ruthless spirit disguised as a drop-dead gorgeous guy. Searching for sophisticated party entertainment, Jenny buys a strangely compelling game from Julian, salesman at a spooky new store. Soon after they begin playing, Jenny and her guests are transported to Julian's enchanted mansion, where each must face his or her worst nightmare. Julian's malicious magic is motivated by his longstanding crush on Jenny. Torn between her beloved mortal boyfriend and her fiendishly attractive suitor, Jenny and her vacillations kindle a sort of teasing tension. Hints of dangerous and forbidden romance abound, providing plenty of shivers for those who can swallow the fairly hokey premise. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

L.J. Smith is the bestselling author of the Night World and The Vampire Diaries series, and has written over twenty-five books for young adults. She lives in the Bay Area of California where she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. Her favorite place is a cabin in Point Reyes National Park. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; First Edition edition (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671874519
• ISBN-13: 978-0671874513
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,743 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There should be more star choices., November 28, 1999

By 

Amelia (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hunter (The Forbidden Game, Vol. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I almost never comment on books, but this one I had to have my say. I own every one of LJ Smith's books (including the two that are out of print), and love them all. The Forbiden Game Trilogy was the first thing of hers that I had ever read, and I instantly fell in love with Julian, then instantly went out to buy everything else of hers I could find. I just published my first book last spring, and can truthfully say that LJ Smith is one of my major role models. I hope I can someday be half the author she is.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of the Trilogy!, June 8, 2004

By 

Vicky Matthews (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hunter (The Forbidden Game, Vol. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

This entire Trilogy is just amazing. I was given a present of the first book when I was about 7 (10 years ago), and I immediately wanted the next two! I fell in love with Julian there and then, and was never able to understand why Jenny didn't just choose him! I've read these books over 20 times, and they're all falling apart. Everybody in the entire world should read them, because you're missing out if you don't. I highly recommend them. The last book is a nice finish, but it's incredibly sad. I wish it had ended differently! Anyone who would like to discuss these books, I've set up a Yahoo! group for it called theforbiddengame. Please join, I really like to talk about these books!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Young Adult books around..., May 17, 2001

By 

Alaria (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hunter (The Forbidden Game, Vol. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Desperate to find the perfect game for her boyfriend's birthday, Jenny strays into a bad part of town. Followed by tow suspicious men, she escapes into the mysterious "More Games" shop. Here she meets Julian, the enigmatic owner with frost white hair and brilliant blue eyes, who persuades her to buy "The Game". Despite the fact it appears nothing more than a cardboard house, Jenny and her friends decide to put it together, little knowing that it will draw them into the shadow world. Trapped in Julian's realm, Jenny, Tom and the others must confront their worst nightmares as they move through the house. The shadow man has promised that if they reach the top they can go free, but in the shadow world, Julian makes the rules. One of the group will not survive, and will Jenny have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to let her friends escape?

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I recently picked it up again after first reading it three years ago and could see exactly why I loved it so much. The author combines romance, fantasy and action skilfully and the result is one of the best young adult series I have ever read. The plot is fast paced and suspenseful and will keep you reading right until the end. The characters are likeable, realistic and well drawn and Julian is one of the most compelling, mysterious and fascinating characters I have ever encountered in any book.

I've read the Forbidden Game Trilogy so many times I've lost count now. The Hunter is actually my least favourite of the three but each is so good they all deserve five stars easily. If you liked this book, I would recommend the remaining two books in the trilogy, which are just as good if not better.

~Jenna~