teah_jilly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
A sampling of the review and publicity comparisons for this book: Agatha Christie-meets-George Orwell, Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game," The Hunger Games, Eggers' The Circle, and The Handmaid's Tale. Some are more apt than others, but they do set a level of expectation that is difficult to meet.
Set in a future Sweden under martial law, the story establishes a cruel yet somehow credible premise: candidates for a top secret government position are unknowingly subjected to a psychological test to evaluate their suitability. Sent to an isolated island, one will appear to be murdered and the others will be assessed on how they respond. Anna, our viewpoint character, is the one who will be 'killed' and then observe secretly. As anyone would expect, complications arise.
The narrative is intriguing, but the characters are difficult to truly grab on to. That's partly by design and is often a hallmark of European storytelling, but it is also where the comparisons to those well-known titles above break down. With periodic revelations and doubling-back and time-jumps, the reader needs a grounding which is only sort of present.
An interesting idea and a partially satisfying one. The coda has some punch, but it is unfortunately undermined by how quickly it is broached before the curtain falls.
Set in a future Sweden under martial law, the story establishes a cruel yet somehow credible premise: candidates for a top secret government position are unknowingly subjected to a psychological test to evaluate their suitability. Sent to an isolated island, one will appear to be murdered and the others will be assessed on how they respond. Anna, our viewpoint character, is the one who will be 'killed' and then observe secretly. As anyone would expect, complications arise.
The narrative is intriguing, but the characters are difficult to truly grab on to. That's partly by design and is often a hallmark of European storytelling, but it is also where the comparisons to those well-known titles above break down. With periodic revelations and doubling-back and time-jumps, the reader needs a grounding which is only sort of present.
An interesting idea and a partially satisfying one. The coda has some punch, but it is unfortunately undermined by how quickly it is broached before the curtain falls.
emadisonc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
briarsreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Dying Game by Asa Avdic is such a unique read! I wasn't sure what I was in for and I loved it!
This wild ride takes place in 2037 where 7 people have been chosen to participate in a 48-hour challenge for an intelligence, top-secret position for the "Union of Friendship." Anna Francis, our lead, is one of them. She has her issues - she has a daughter but doesn't see her that much. Why? Well she worked for a non-profit and did some kind of intelligence work and she SAW stuff. Bad stuff. And she did bad stuff too. You'll find out more when you read the book...
But things take a strange turn. Not everything is as it seems... and can we even trust our narrator?
This suspenseful book was SO GOOD. I normally guess the endings and I did not see this one coming. I love a great surprise! Definitely a must read for readers who love thrillers but want something a little unique and different.
Four out of five stars.
This wild ride takes place in 2037 where 7 people have been chosen to participate in a 48-hour challenge for an intelligence, top-secret position for the "Union of Friendship." Anna Francis, our lead, is one of them. She has her issues - she has a daughter but doesn't see her that much. Why? Well she worked for a non-profit and did some kind of intelligence work and she SAW stuff. Bad stuff. And she did bad stuff too. You'll find out more when you read the book...
But things take a strange turn. Not everything is as it seems... and can we even trust our narrator?
This suspenseful book was SO GOOD. I normally guess the endings and I did not see this one coming. I love a great surprise! Definitely a must read for readers who love thrillers but want something a little unique and different.
Four out of five stars.
spottyg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
marinaasofthesea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gvbooksandmore's review against another edition
3.0
Mar 30, 2021. 3.5 stars
If you like futuristic thrillers this is your book! I really enjoyed this book, more than I though I would. I have my reasons for the rating, I will not mention them here because the best way to enjoy this book is to go into it without any expectations at all.
If you like futuristic thrillers this is your book! I really enjoyed this book, more than I though I would. I have my reasons for the rating, I will not mention them here because the best way to enjoy this book is to go into it without any expectations at all.
gabschaf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Started off a little slow, but picked up quick. Ending was super unexpected but in a way that made sense overall. Read in 1 hour, 56 minutes
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this one. In the style of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, this novel sets seven characters on an island as one by one they die or disappear. The characters are imperfect and make some terrible decisions, just like in real life. I was completely drawn in and I was surprised by the ending. All in all, a good read.
BTW - Terrible title, but that was probably a publisher choice one the book was translated into English.
BTW - Terrible title, but that was probably a publisher choice one the book was translated into English.