megshelton's review
5.0
can’t wait for book 2
I chose this book as part of the kindle challenge for reading a novel by a Hispanic author. I’m glad I picked this one! Maldonado did a great job building visuals for both the world around the characters, as well as the characters. It was refreshing to read about a badass FMC that is insanely smart but also can kick anyone’s ass. Toro had a great character arc and I liked reading about their challenges and teamwork throughout the game. I was upset at first with the ending and the loose ends, then realized that a second book is coming out. I’m looking forward to reading more about Daniella Vega!
I chose this book as part of the kindle challenge for reading a novel by a Hispanic author. I’m glad I picked this one! Maldonado did a great job building visuals for both the world around the characters, as well as the characters. It was refreshing to read about a badass FMC that is insanely smart but also can kick anyone’s ass. Toro had a great character arc and I liked reading about their challenges and teamwork throughout the game. I was upset at first with the ending and the loose ends, then realized that a second book is coming out. I’m looking forward to reading more about Daniella Vega!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
3.0
Book Summary:
Daniela "Dani" Vega is an ex-Army Ranger and current FBI Agent. She's also a talented codebreaker...and she just so happened to be in the right place at the right time to witness a murder. This sets off a chain of events that nobody could have predicted.
In a whirlwind of events, Dani finds herself going deep undercover to get to the bottom of this murder investigation. Unfortunately for her and everyone else involved, it's all a trap. Somebody has spent a long time planning their revenge, and they don't care about who they hurt in the process.
My Review:
If you're a fan of dramatic FBI thrillers with a twisted (read: SAW-esque) bend, you'll love A Killer's Game. In truth, as this is the first of the series, I have to wonder if they'll all end up being that lethal.
Dani's story is dangerous, to say the least. She's going up against absurd odds, all in the name of justice (and answers). Granted, she didn't know those odds when she signed up for the undercover job, so there's that.
A Killer's Game is actually told through multiple perspectives, though the primary one is obviously Dani's. We also get to look into the mind of the killer (well, the "mastermind" behind all of this) and one of Dani's coworkers. This does help to round out the picture, even if it does slow down the pace a bit.
This was admittedly not my favorite read. It was really heavy on the action and torture/labyrinth elements. It lost the plot at some point, but maybe that's just me? I think a better balance could have been struck to still make it feel more like an FBI/mystery novel.
Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller
SAW meets FBI Agents
Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Injuries/Death
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Daniela "Dani" Vega is an ex-Army Ranger and current FBI Agent. She's also a talented codebreaker...and she just so happened to be in the right place at the right time to witness a murder. This sets off a chain of events that nobody could have predicted.
In a whirlwind of events, Dani finds herself going deep undercover to get to the bottom of this murder investigation. Unfortunately for her and everyone else involved, it's all a trap. Somebody has spent a long time planning their revenge, and they don't care about who they hurt in the process.
My Review:
If you're a fan of dramatic FBI thrillers with a twisted (read: SAW-esque) bend, you'll love A Killer's Game. In truth, as this is the first of the series, I have to wonder if they'll all end up being that lethal.
Dani's story is dangerous, to say the least. She's going up against absurd odds, all in the name of justice (and answers). Granted, she didn't know those odds when she signed up for the undercover job, so there's that.
A Killer's Game is actually told through multiple perspectives, though the primary one is obviously Dani's. We also get to look into the mind of the killer (well, the "mastermind" behind all of this) and one of Dani's coworkers. This does help to round out the picture, even if it does slow down the pace a bit.
This was admittedly not my favorite read. It was really heavy on the action and torture/labyrinth elements. It lost the plot at some point, but maybe that's just me? I think a better balance could have been struck to still make it feel more like an FBI/mystery novel.
Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller
SAW meets FBI Agents
Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Injuries/Death
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
monarcadelibros's review
4.0
A fun intriguing read, a tad predictable but still entertaining and quite page-turner!
afox98's review
4.0
Dani Vega is a former Army Ranger now FBI agent that sees an assassination happen in broad daylight on her way to work one morning. As the FBI starts to investigate the killing, it quickly becomes apparent that there's a lot more to it than it seems. Dani is sent in undercover with the assassin to investigate the people behind the killing and quickly becomes entangled in a deadly game being shown on the dark web, along with several assassins associated with the original killer. As their captive manipulates the environment to force them to fight each other to the death, Dani is in increasing danger and the FBI and joint task force have trouble finding her. Creative and suspenseful plot and an intense and interesting read.
justina73's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.0
toreadistovoyage's review against another edition
3.5
This was entertaining. There were a few twists with different levels of predictability. The main character was strong. I'm not sure that all of the perspectives were successful (specifically those from the perpetrators).
chadee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I started listening to the book originally but I just wasn’t feeling it. I wasn’t sure if it was the book or the narrators. I stopped listening and started reading. Thankfully the book got better. Much better. This book had my heart racing and made me cry too. Time for book 2.
antoinetteo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jerica_mercado's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
fearthetoaster's review
5.0
This was the first book by Isabella Maldonado, and man did I love it! Easy 5 stars!
This book followed former Army Ranger, and current FBI agent Daniela Vega, as she goes undercover as a contract killer. The book started off with a bang, and kept me reading until I got until the end. The "game" that was put together was supposed to be a training session for other contract killers to participate in, however, the twists started as soon as they got into the facility. It turned out that they had all been lured their into a escape room style game, only it is deadly.
So many twists and turns in this book, and it kept my heart pounding and coming back for more each page. I can’t wait for the next book to come out in March!
This book followed former Army Ranger, and current FBI agent Daniela Vega, as she goes undercover as a contract killer. The book started off with a bang, and kept me reading until I got until the end. The "game" that was put together was supposed to be a training session for other contract killers to participate in, however, the twists started as soon as they got into the facility. It turned out that they had all been lured their into a escape room style game, only it is deadly.
So many twists and turns in this book, and it kept my heart pounding and coming back for more each page. I can’t wait for the next book to come out in March!