Customer Reviews

The Game

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I was perusing the Kindle store last week, and downloaded a few sample chapters for books that looked interesting. It was an eclectic mix of titles - that's one of the things I like most about the Kindle - the ability to sample a wide range of titles to try and find something new and interesting. I had just finished my last book, and needed something new to read, so I gave the first chapter of "The Game" a chance. I was intrigued by what I read, and the entire book was only $1, so I thought - "why not?" - and downloaded the title. Little did I know that I had embarked upon my first romance novel.

At its core, this is the story of a love triangle between three participants in "the Game". This game has been played for thousands of years and is the only thing keeping the world in balance, or so the participants are led to believe. In the story, the three main players - Victor, Victoria, and Max - must not only work out their relationships with each other, they must decide if they will accept their place in "the Game", and then deal with the repercussions of those decisions.

There are pieces of a Science Fiction novel here - transporters, computers, robots. etc. There are pieces of a classic Fantasy novel here - swords, gods, medieval taverns, etc. There are pieces of Romance novel here - longing, desire, and some surprisingly graphic sex scenes. You have all of the components of what could be an entertaining book, and therein lies the ultimate problem for me - you have ALL of them.

This book doesn't know what it wants to be. Killough-Walden tries to provide a sweeping epic to under gird the romantic narrative. On the surface, it works - much like the sets on a Hollywood film. That surface is what drew me in and, quite frankly, sustained me for the entire book. Much like those film sets, however - when you look deeper at the book you find that some of the substance that you want is missing. There was no exploration of the true motivation behind the Game's creation. There was no discussion on how the Gamers themselves were chosen or trained. There was no look at how the Game itself was played. The next layer that I was looking for, the one that would have made me a fan of the story, was missing.

So, where does the book land - Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Romance? It lands firmly in the Romance category. How did I determine that, you may ask? Here's a helpful tip. One of the nice things about the Kindle is that you can search the text for certain words. If you download this book, do a search for the word "taut" - (adj. - not loose or flabby). You'll find that it's used eleven times in the story - all to describe various body parts on the main characters. Once you've used "taut" more than twice like that in a story, you've officially crossed over in to "Romance" status. That's not a criticism, it's just simple math.

That's not to say that the book was without merit. As I said, it grabbed me with the first chapter, and a never found myself bored when reading it. It was a quick, easy read, and well worth the $1.00 that I paid for it. I just wanted more. I wanted it to feel like it was a science fiction/fantasy novel in it's own right - not just a romance novel with a science fiction/fantasy theme. I believe, based on the other titles available from Killogh-Walden here on Amazon, that a Romance novel was her intention. (I have seen her comment on other reviews here so, if I am wrong, I would welcome her feedback. I always relish a good discussion about books and ideas. )

I freely admit that I am not the target demo for this novel. Did my lack of enthusiasm for the Romance genre influence my rating here? I would be lying if I said it didn't on some level - I am, after all, human. Having said that, I tried very hard to rate this just on it's merits as a novel - regardless of the genre. On that account - I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. Its central premise was intriguing, but I didn't feel that it was executed as well as it could have been. Still, I enjoyed the diversion that it provided me for a few days, and as I said before - it was well worth the $1 that I paid for it. If you are looking for a Romance novel, this might be your cup of tea. If you are looking for more traditional Science Fiction or Fantasy, you might want to look elsewhere.

What is your reality? Can you believe in it? You trust your government to tell you the truth and to protect you.... But what if it was all a lie? Welcome to "The Game" where nothing is as it appears to be and your every move has been programmed and repeated for many lifetimes by Game Control.

This story is very well layered, with mystery, suspense, science fiction, and tight, sexual tension between the main players. It is not your usual romance story... it is also mixed with a surprising dose of mythology and magic. The story is well crafted and will keep you wanting to turn the page.

Victor Black is a `Team' leader with an agenda of his own. He knows the truth and will stop at nothing to expose those who are in control. And to protect the woman he loves, he will face any danger, even the woman herself. He is sexy, tough, smart, in control... a true hero.

Victoria Red is a champion, tough, sure of herself and her ability, but she does not know the extent that the "Game" has ruled her life. She is a very beautiful woman who has never explored her sensual side and she doesn't like the way Victor Black makes her feel. She will fight him both on the field and the bedroom.

Mix the two together in a wild wager and everything explodes.... Including the intense sexual tension that ignites whenever these two are together. Together they embark on a quest to save the world and find a love that conquerors all obstacles in its way. It is a wonderful fantasy that keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book.

I really can not write anything not already stated by the other reviews but I do want to add my voice to those who have sung the praises of "The Game".
I think the key to any writer who delves into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy is to have the capacity to create a believable but enticing world. Heather K-W does this with ease. Her characters are not one dimensional nor simply good and evil but as with all of us multifaceted.
"The Game" was a wonderfully fun and exciting the journey the first time and I find need to take it once more. This is quite simply a great read and a place and world to get lost in.

Heather Killough-Walden has written an intriguing book which transcends the Geek Game genre and combines Science Fiction and Fantasy in a very new way. I bought the book with some trepidation thinking I was going to read another in a long series of "Books Written That Should Be Made Into a Video Game". You know the ones, each chapter seems like a different level which one has to punch through to get to the next level which may or may not have a really germaine reason for being there in terms of getting to the end of the story. Nope, not this one. There is plotting of the highest water, there is science fiction and futuristic gadgets, there are people with awesome mental powers and there is even some magic thrown in just to confuse the reader.
For the first twenty or thirty pages I was wondering just what I was reading. It certainly was not what I was expecting. There was clearly a plot being laid, but underlying the plot was a mystery of origins, not only the people but the place. There was some great character development going on and some rules of the game that were outside anything I have read. And yes there was a sexual tension being built up from virtually page one that extended right through to the end of the book.
I will go on the record at this point and declare once and forever that men should never attempt to write a sexual scene in a book. Men are too clumsy and awkward when attempting to describe what they are feeling during the sex act, much less, what a woman is feeling. Leave it to the women guys. Or maybe just leave it to Heather. Wow!
As the plot thickens in this short but very action packed book, Heather introduces more great charaters, Nordic Gods, evil genious computer geeks, who, by the way, want to rule the world, extremely hunky men and extremely beautiful women. She has written mysteries within mysteries and plots within plots. By far, one of the best Game books I have ever read. I think Heather meant this as a one time story, but has worked so hard to introduce us to this new world and develop her charaters, I would find it sad if she could not contrive a way to extend this story line into an on-going series. But maybe she has too many other ideas in play to consider it.
I wish I could say just where this book belongs in a catalogue. It has too much science and computer geekiness to be pure fantasy, too much telekinesis, mind reading and pyrokinesis to be pure science and when combined with the Norse Mythologies, well, you see what I mean. I enjoy Richard K. Morgon, Simon R.R. Green Nightfall and Shadowfall series, Justina Robson's Quantum Gravity Series, and Charles Stross. This book fits into that group nicely.

Action. Thrills. Suspense. Sc-Fi. Fantasy. Romance. If you're looking for it this book has it! Once I started I couldn't stop and I admit this was the first time I ever fell in love with Sci-Fi. Heather Killough-Walden crafts worlds like no other and this one is no exception. If you're tired of the same old predictable plots then this is the book for you. Just when you think you have this figured out.. forget it. Unless you're psychic it's not going to happen.

This story blew me away and kept me so excited I was disturbing my neighbors. I could read it a million more times and I'd love it every bit as much as the first time I laid my eyes on it. Get this book! You'll be glad you did!

This reader is madly in love with The Game!!!

Don't start this book at night because you won't get any sleep. I couldn't stop reading this! The characters are intriguing and the twist is brilliant! Awesome author I'll definitely have to read more of her stuff!

When I first read the description, I admit I was a little skeptical. But I was intrigued enough to buy it and read it. Best decision ever! This book kept me up all night trying to see what happened next. I kept telling myself I would stop at the end of this chapter, and before I knew it I was at the end. It was a very well-written story, and I highly recommend it.

The Game is the sexiest sci-fi story I've ever read. Victoria is far from a damsel in distress. She's powerful, commanding, and clever; all of which make her an unbeatable Captain. But it's her trusting and innocent nature that makes her the target for dangerous men.

There are no good-guys or bad-guys in the game, but the story that unfolds outside of the playing field is littered with secrets and surprises. And what starts as a thrilling challenge between beautiful Victoria and ruthless Black quickly becomes a fight for freedom.

Who can you trust when your greatest ally is your enemy? Victoria begins to question all she's ever known and leads the reader through an action packed, mysterious, and supernatural roller coaster.

As soon as I saw that Heather Killough-Walden put The Game on Amazon I had to write a review! This is a brilliant fantasy novel that you will not be able to put down. As in all of Heather's writing, the characters are relatable and incredibly well-written. Get The Game, you will not be disappointed.

As a reader for most of my life, when I bought my Kindle, it was one of the greatest buys of all time. However, the dollar that I paid for The Game was appropriate; if it were more expensive, I would have demanded my money back. The beginning had real promise, with the idea of the Game where people fight for the entertainment of others. I absolutely loved the Hunger Games but this was a sad disappointment.
About half way through, the story takes off running, I believe without the author, because it is such a far distance from the true plot line that I was concerned if I was reading the same book at all. After about the third or forth ridiculous plot twist, the book became so insane that the only reason I finished it was to see if it could get any worse. As a lover or true science fiction and fantasy, this book was a rough draft of four or five different books, all copy and pasted together, regardless of plot.
Long and short, if you want a mindless read, go for this one. If you want a book you will actually remember and recommend to friends, read Ender's Game or The Hunger Games - they at least stick to a "game" in the entire plot.