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A review by booksandbacon
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Winning a gaming contest and getting the prize money is what Crystal and her friends are counting on to solve their problems. Crystal is forced to complete a series of tasks to save her sister's life after she is abducted.
Diana Urban is a master at using language. Reading becomes exciting with her clever sentences, Urban's meticulousness ensured no plot point was left unanswered. As someone older than the intended readers of THESE DEADLY GAMES, I found it hard to connect with the online gaming and its portrayal as an esport, although I don't think this would be an issue for teenagers. My understanding of AI is basic, and I failed to comprehend all of the technology.
THESE DEADLY GAMES is both a psychological/thriller, as well as a mystery. Often, books advertised as thrillers are really just mysteries that lack tension. Heart-thumping moments fill the pages.
I find many characters to be sympathetic, but I don't think any of them are truly good or nice. The friendships didn't make sense to me as the teens didn't seem to enjoy each other's company. Almost everyone treated others unkindly.
The theories I had about the kidnapping were incorrect. I didn't correctly guess who was responsible.
Diana Urban is a master at using language. Reading becomes exciting with her clever sentences, Urban's meticulousness ensured no plot point was left unanswered. As someone older than the intended readers of THESE DEADLY GAMES, I found it hard to connect with the online gaming and its portrayal as an esport, although I don't think this would be an issue for teenagers. My understanding of AI is basic, and I failed to comprehend all of the technology.
THESE DEADLY GAMES is both a psychological/thriller, as well as a mystery. Often, books advertised as thrillers are really just mysteries that lack tension. Heart-thumping moments fill the pages.
I find many characters to be sympathetic, but I don't think any of them are truly good or nice. The friendships didn't make sense to me as the teens didn't seem to enjoy each other's company. Almost everyone treated others unkindly.
The theories I had about the kidnapping were incorrect. I didn't correctly guess who was responsible.