Customer Reviews

The Hunter: 1 (Point Horror Forbidden Game)

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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~

I must admit to being surprisingly impressed by this book. After reading the Vampire Diaries, I was expecting an average to middling book, something that was quick and had some horror and teen romance. Well, two thirds of the way through the book, I realized I was in love with the villain, frightened by the story, and enraptured with the setting.

Julian, the villain of the books, has a very charming side that makes you want to like him. In fact, it makes you want to like him a lot more than you like the main character's boyfriend and "hero".

I was originally planning to give this book five stars, but after careful consideration - a few things made me change my mind. First, I feel that certain secondary characters were terribly underused. This is in stark contrast to some of LJ Smith's other works. Second, though I liked Jenny and thought she was a strong character, she was also entirely too wimpy in certain parts of the book. I would have loved to seen her tell her boyfriend off for the way he took her for granted.

Of the Forbidden Game trilogy, I feel this was the best book.

I read this series when I was 14 and I am 22 now. I still consider it the most life changing phase I have ever had when it comes to a book. Read it, get it for your kids. The book has an important message about life: Eventually you will have to figgure out things on your own and it is not always pleasant. Things tend to turn out not as you planned, however, you come out of it changed and a better person for it. Sappy enough for you guys?

Jenny Thorton wanted to find the perfect entertainment for her boyfriend's birthday party. She stumbles upon a strange game store and the even stranger boy who works there sells her a mysterious game. Jenny is apprehensive about the game but it turns out to be a big hit with her friends until they are sucked into the game and forced to live out their worst nightmares.

The Hunter is a fast paced blend of horror, action, mystery, and romance. It's different from any other teen horror I've ever read and I was so hooked on it that I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed many of the characters, especially Julian who is the villain of the book. The end is great and leaves you wanting more. If you are even remotely interested in teen horror then you should seriously consider reading this book.

I read this book several years ago while I was still in high school, but still when I remember it, it moves me. I'm tempted to reread it as I await the next JV Jones and George R.R. Martin novels. I remember, when I finished the 3rd book I was in study hall. I came out crying!! Imagine how weird people thought I was!!

this trilogy is still my favorite set of books ever! i'm 20 years old now and i can't even stress how much i... love these books!! they are still my favorite and forever will be. i read them when i was like in jr. high and influenced me to base my final project of my senior year in high school on nordic mythology because of them. and i'm in college right now and i'm about to read them again. their greatness reaches beyond any level of maturity for me, b/c i'll probably still read them again when i'm 30!
my favorite 2 scenes (it's a tie) of the series are in the beginning when jenny mistakes julian for her cousin in the dark room and i just get the vivid image of the darkness surrounding them. then my other fave is in the last book when the gang has to pass into the other worlds or something and she's describing each of the worlds in full detail. i love it!!!
and since all of you guys love it too, it makes me wonder why hasn't there been an attempt at any movies of these books. i'm pretty sure that if they were done well and with integrity they'd definitely be a success. anyways, i hope u all agree with my thinking, and maybe oneday we'll all be seeing it on the big screen. D*

This book is the beginning of a three part series and I can't find enough good words to describe it. If you want a really good young adult book to read, I would recommend this. L.J. Smith hasn't disappointed me yet (well, except that she hasn't written another series). You'll love Julian, the Shadowman, and probably end up like me, thinking that Jenny should....oops, I don't want to ruin it for you. My recommendation? READ IT!!!

Ever since I read the Forbidden Game Series in 7th grade, I have never forgotten these books. I am in college now and something sparked my memory of these books. I re-read them and was again brought into the fantasy world of Julian and the Shadow World. I loved the plot! This series and the other L.J. Smith books I have read are very well-written and creative. I loved the thought of a sexy guy from another world watching over me. I did begin to resent Tom a little, I wish Jenny would have gone with Julian who obviously loved her more. I would recommend this series and all other L.J. Smith books. These books are definitely worth buying!