Reviews

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

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howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. Six college students in England decide they should play a game of high stakes. Things start off simply enough - you accept a "consequence," which kind of works like a dare. They range from being silly to embarrassing to life-changing. The consequences are supposed to make people drop out until there is only one winner, but the game doesn't end while everyone's still in school - it won't end until 14 years later, which is when the bulk of the book takes place. It's told through flashbacks, as one of the students, now 34 years old, is writing about that year of college. There is a lot of foreshadowing, but the payoff isn't that great, so I didn't really feel all the ominous talk was warranted. I also think I read it too close to Lauren Oliver's Panic, which has a similar premise but way more suspense. I'd recommend that one, if suspense is what you're looking for.

v1rtua's review against another edition

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3.0

I want to say that I enjoyed it, I really do, but honestly I only finished this book out of spite because of how long it took for me to capture interest. Cleverly written though.

leighgoodmark's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 stars, because I forced myself to finish it. I hate-read this book. Not particularly well written, and I've read the same story before and better (The Secret History, anyone?). I guess it might make a decent movie, but I won't see it.

janey's review against another edition

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4.0

I felt a tiny bit let down at the end -- it's hard to take a story with that kind of momentum and bring it to a really satisfying close. But I would certainly read Yates's next book in a heartbeat.