4.5 Stars!

Thank you to Jonathan Janz, Flame Tree Press and NetGlley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Jonathan Janz read, I had heard lots of good things so was super excited to get started on this.

The premise of a group of authors unknowingly being entered into a twisted game against each other, while being confronted by demons from their pasts had me hooked and I wasn’t disappointed!

The story starts quite briskly, with the authors arriving at the retreat separately, over the first few chapters there are many characters introduced, I must admit it took me several chapters to recognize the individual characters and their back stories.

Having said that I felt that the characterization was brilliant! They were all well rounded and mostly likable, I found it really impressive that they all had such distinct personalities and stories, which is no mean feat for a book with so many! I loved the way each character had individual writing styles, there were 10 books within this book! I thought the snippets from their manuscripts and diaries gave a really clever insight into each of them.

The setting was perfect; creepy mansion in the middle of woods that seem to go on for ever, check! Eerie corridors, rooms and basements, check! The deranged and creepy host, check! What’s not to love right?!

Janz writing was original and at the same time this book gave me a real ‘classic horror’ feeling and I couldn’t help but imagine Wells as Christopher Lee at times!

This was a solid 4.5 stars for me, the only reason I shaved half a star off was due the initial confusion with so many characters, the horror aspect of the book was really good, I felt there could have been a little more suspense surrounding those elements.

Overall the book was fast paced and was full of creepy imagery, gore and dark humor. I LOVED it!

I would definitely recommend you check out The Dark Game in April 2019!!

I can’t wait to read more from Jonathan Janz!

"#1 Internationally Bestselling Author 
MR. RODERICK WELLS 
Requests the honor of your presence at his estate on May 26th for a six-week writing retreat. You and nine others have been selected for the opportunity of a lifetime. One of you will become the next Legendary Author.
Please find enclosed:
One airline ticket
A contract* outlining Mr. Wells's expectations
*Contract must be returned by mail no later than May 1st. Any mention of the retreat will automatically void the contract. Absolute secrecy is required."

3.5 stars rounded to 4.
I don't read as much horror as I did in my teens, and as such I'm sure that the parameters of what is included in such has evolved drastically, but if I had to describe this in a simple buzz phrase, I would call it "light horror". Not that this book didn't have numerous instances of disturbing content and graphic violence, but I think the only aspect that separates The Dark Game from the thriller genre would be the paranormal aspect. All that to say, if you're a reader looking for a nice bridge from the general thriller genre to something darker, but are concerned you can't handle the more unsettling stories found in the horror genre, this is a great novel to pick up. 

Let me just say upfront, I adore novels that feature writers, especially ones at retreats who are working on manuscripts. Throw in a good mystery and I'm sold. This was my first experience with the author, but it certainly won't be my last. Janz knows how to grip the reader from the opening page, and the fact that he has sprinkled in Easter eggs with nods to his previous works (much like Stephen King does with his novels set in the same universe) really grabbed my attention. The plot here is very straight forward, and you'll mostly know what's going to happen from the beginning, but that's because at heart, this isn't a mystery novel, it's more of a heart-pounding suspense with a few nuggets of mystery thrown in along the way. 

I had such a blast watching the plot unfold; it was like a more gruesome version of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None if said novel leaned to the supernatural side of the spectrum. While we know early on what is happening and roughly who is behind it, we don't really have all the intimate details of the why until the end, which I found kept the suspense high and my interest engaged. I do wish that we had a little more at the end, because I had quite a few questions that weren't answered, but I do appreciate that the author decided to leave some of those details up to the reader's imagination. This was a wicked fun little read that I highly recommend for those looking to be slightly scared, but wholly entertained!

First of all I want to thank Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz. 

I’ve read more than one of his work and I enjoyed every one of them. If I want something dark and creepy I turn to him. And The Dark Game is exactly that: dark, creepy horror story which keeps you up through the night. 

Highly recommended.

I so enjoyed reading this book! The language was descriptive, lyrical while the plot moved quickly. Ten writers enter a contest - only one will win. It quickly becomes a game of survival - and terror! 
Characters were realistic; the plot was exciting and kept me up to keep going! 
I highly recommend this book.

You want to know a sad reality?  Like, a reality we’re living in that will possibly make you cry once you read it?  OK – maybe grab some tissues.  Got ‘em?  OK – here we go.  (Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

THE DARK GAME IS ONLY MY SECOND JANZ READ EVER!!!

I know right!  This is the reality of 2019 and you know frankly I’ll just go sit quietly in the corner and wait for you all to settle down.  (Wow eight DM’s already yelling at me about that.  You guys are fast.  But passionate and that’s acceptable.)

You see, last year I only managed to read Children of the Dark and it was stunning.
I’d not heard of Janz before (again, yes blasphemous) and was drawn in by the cover for that novel.  Once done reading it, I ordered Exorcist Falls and then pre-ordered The Siren and The Spectre.  But I just never got to them.  They’re coming, but I’m ashamed I haven’t read them yet!

So – The Dark Game.  10 writers are invited to the mystery house of living legend Roderick Wells.  At the end, one of them will be selected as the grand prize winner.  Fame, fortune, publishing contract; what all writers dream about.

It isn’t hard to think that this was conjured up during a feverish dream Janz had.  We’ve all been curious about visiting our literary hero’s houses, and I suspect every horror fan out there has seen Stephen King’s gothic abode.  I haven’t come across who Janz considers his literary God, but I’m sure that person played a role in Mr. Wells’s demeanor.

The principle of the story is that straight forward.  10 writers of varying skill and success arrive at Well’s massive house, far off the beaten trail.  None of the competitors has any idea what to expect.  All they know is that the last winner of such a contest became one of the more sought after authors in the world.

From here out Janz shows his chameleon ability as a writer.  We get 11 stories running throughout – Roderick Wells and each of the writers.  Janz does a superb job of jumping back and forth and maintaining continuity.  Even the add-in lesser characters have purpose and he ensures that they’re placement isn’t simply to write himself out of a corner.  

As the pace quickens and the story unfolds, Janz doesn’t back off.  We go from drama to horror and back within a few paragraphs and then back again.  Suspense is high and the grounds around the house work well to keep the reader on their toes.

Without going further into detail, and keeping this review spoiler free, The Dark Game works amazingly as both a further addition to Janz’ output as well as the perfect introduction to his body of work.

Can’t recommend it enough!
(This review will be featured on Kendall Reviews - date TBA)

A definite page turner from beginning to end! A new classic for the horror genre!

Thanks to NetGalley and FLAME TREE PRESS for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a fair review.

I just finished this book and I’m in awe of its sheer creepiness!!!  As I was reading it late into the night, I was legitimately scared, and I’m no rookie when it comes to horror!  

My synopsis of the story:
10 writers head to a secret writer’s retreat in the woods; the location is never explicitly disclosed.  They’re blindfolded and led to a decrepit mansion where their seminar teacher, a beloved horror writer, is to help them craft the perfect horror novel during their 6-week stay.  One of them, the best of the best, will walk away with $3 million and a publishing contract.

Soon, tension is high and competition is fierce!  The 10 contestants are at each other’s throats and their mentor, Mr. Wells, is a cruel and grueling teacher.  They begin to lose sleep and fear the humiliation and degradation each class entails.  The more they write, the higher the expectations.

Slowly, we learn that each author has a secret and the secret will be the key to their success, or their undoing.  As each truth is revealed, their novels begin to emerge.  Parts of their stories begin to shape their stay at the retreat, as well as their behavior.  

Will they uncover the truth behind Mr. Wells and his sinister household?  Or will it destroy them first?

My thoughts:
The characters, for me, jumped out of the page.  I could also imagine each and every scene!!!!  It was so real and so powerful!

Highly recommended!  I’ll be adding this author to my horror must-read list!  5 stars!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC prior to publication.

Excellent thriller/horror from Janz!  Seemingly a  tried-and-true "who done it" featuring a writing contest and wildly dissimilar characters along with the requisite menacing host.  However, that's where the cliches end and the reader is taken on a dark, horrific ride that promises to stay on your mind for a very long time!

Highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley and FlameTree Press for this eARC.

Holy moley was this a great read. The Dark Game was my first Jonathna Janz novel, and it WILL NOT be my last! It was a wild ride, and I couldn't determine at all what was going to happen.

A crew of down on their luck writers, who may or may not have some terrible secrets, are given the opportunity of a lifetime. A contest that will end with one winner gaining fame and fortune. The plot was fantastic. Spooky mansion, weird staff, awful people, a deadly competition...I was sold from the get go. This trope is perfect, and Janz does a wonderful job. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed hating some of the characters. I desperately want Janz to write Lucy's novel now xD. 

It was just really, really good. I totally recommend it!

What would happen if you chose ten writers, send them on a writing retreat, and pitted them against each other for a competition where the winner takes all…. some damn interesting things, I would say. But what if all the writers were not chosen for their writing skill, but for the dark secrets they harbour, and the host is a psychopath hell-bent on power and control…. now you have the makings of an interesting story.
The Dark Game is a fast-paced horror/thriller with perfectly timed plot twists. Right at the beginning of this book, Janz already makes it known that all is not what the authors believed it would be. The Wells Estate has a sinister edge to it and the host Roderick, is not what he seems ….in fact, he is hiding one hell of a big secret. From there on, of course, everything just goes downhill for these writers with all hell breaking loose.
I absolutely loved this story, with the author taking me to a place I never expected to end up in… a place of magic and a bit of the supernatural. Quite frankly, I shouldn’t have been so surprised since there where so many clues throughout the book pointing in that direction (hindsight is always 20/20 as these things go ...lol). Well-written, great plot, characters with great backstories (I’m an absolute sucker for a good backstory) and a lot of fabulous twisty twists!
Things I didn’t like about the book though:
The romance angle…. This certainly was the raunchiest horror novel I’ve ever read and I’m not a big fan of romance or romantic scenes, in fact I avoid them like the plague. I suppose this is the reason I mainly stick to horror novels. However that’s just me ….so, if you’re a person that likes a bit of romance with your horror, I would absolutely recommend it.
The pace…. I’m more of a slow burn type of reader and I like being gently eased into a story. The Dark Game is quite fast-paced, and I had to make some notes in the beginning to keep all the characters straight in my head, but once again, that’s just me. If you like fast-paced, this one is a definitely for you with writers being eliminated in rather quick succession.
Would I recommend this book…Hell yeah, I would!! I love this man’s writing style and how he can conjure up images in my mind’s eye with his use of well-chosen words and phrases. In fact, I like Jonathan Janz so much that he has just been added to my author auto-buy list along with the likes of King, Malfi, Kealan Patrick Burke and Ania Ahlborn. That’s how I roll…..
Favourite quote from The Dark Game….” Because in real life, everyone lies. Only in fiction do people tell the truth.” *heart*
Thank you to Jonathan Janz, Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read and review.

The Dark Game was great read from Jonathan Janz and a hard book to put down. We’re given multiple excellent storylines. I really dug the way Jonathan Janz created ten unique engaging characters and gave them all a distinct voice. Each writer’s history was a nightmare all its own. Many were centered around a personal trauma or bad string of events. As for the antagonist, Mr. Wells, he was nothing short of a monster, an egomaniac. Again, another well crafted character.
The lines of reality were blurry, the atmosphere claustrophobic, and the horror brutal. This was my early impression, and that intensity didn’t stop, nor did my enjoyment of this book. The Dark Game gave me a serious The Haunting of Hill House vibe, making it a hell of a good read. Deep in the plot, Jonathan Janz maintained an excellent awareness for continuity in his story. Where it can be easy to forget key plot points and facts, the plot was firmly upheld. This I appreciated as much as the high quality of character development. The Dark Game is a book I would highly recommend and sits high on my list of favorite reads this year.

Whilst the premise for this book is brilliant, and the writing is unique, I just couldn't get a handle on all the different characters, and that kept me from feeling much for any of them. I definitely think this author has got the horror genre down, and I look forward to seeing what else he has on offer, but this book just wasn't ideal for me. 

I liked the storyline and thought it was interesting the way things played out throughout the novel, but there was just too much going on and too many characters for me to keep up with. This is my failing, not the authors. I'm saying I might be too simple minded for such a complex story. :)

The elements of terror are well handled and this story build to quite a climax at the end. I did think there were some parts that were a bit reminiscent of Stephen King, and how awesome is that? Any author that can pull that off is really working their talent. 

Overall, I didn't think this was a bad book and I encourage others to read it, but for me, there was just too much going on. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

10 writers are invited to a retreat, only one will win, and their story book villians, once created, are stepping out of the pages of their stories to wreak havoc in the real world. 

This book was unique and fun to read. I can't go into a lot of detail without giving away plot points that would spoil the story, but it's a fast paced, creepy tale with multiple narrators, life secrets that will prove to be ruinous, and just a romping good spin on vampiric people/houses.

How easy it is for all of us to hard the darkness that lurks in every heart, but seldom comes out to play in the bright sun.  Just imagine a group of highly talented writers confined together in a "contest" they didn't know they were entering...and the winner really won't be a winner at all.  A truly diabolical theme that'll have ghost fingers tickling your spine.  Great book for a dark, rainy night!

** I thank the publisher and/or author for allowing me to read this novel as an ARC, without recompense, in exchange for my honest review. **

If you happened to be one of the lucky ones who read Kill Creek by Scott Thomas, you're in for a treat. A reclusive author invites 10 writers to his mansion in the woods for a competitive retreat. The winner receives three-million dollars, and a hell of a publishing contract. That's all that can be said without, without spoiling the whole thing! Janz skillfully weaves elements of cosmic horror, Agatha Christie's everyone-is-locked-in-a-room-but-someone's-the-killer trope, metafiction, lost-in-the-woods-but-I'm-being-chased-by-a-psycho a-la Jack Ketchum and Richard Laymon...and more. It seems like an impossible feat, but Janz nails it. Again. 2019 is the Year of the Janz!

Janz keeps getting better! What you think is a typical book featuring a contest and disparate characters along with an ominous host quickly twists and turns into a dramatic, horrific and spellbinding work!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jonathan Janz and Flame Tree Press for a free ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

And Then There Were None meets Nanny McPhee meets The Hunger Games meets GORE!

Check GoodReads for a plot summary!

This book for me was just an enjoyable gory read. There are a lot of characters, each having their own voice, not overly likeable but it doesn’t take away from the book. The book has plenty of suspense and tension. Throughout you get small snippets of each of the writers work, which is enjoyable to read… and adds a bit of depth to the book. The setting is really well described and I felt like I was there the whole time.

The thing that bugged me about the book, was that when referencing other horror writers work, it felt like Janz was citing an author like you would in a university report… but I might be the only one that feels that way… bit of a random thing but I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

I am really intrigued to read more from Janz!!

4 stars from me!

After hearing so much about Jonathan Janz from trusted horror fans, I've finally read my first book from him—and I'm glad to say it was not a disappointment. Between the fucked up characters and the Hunger Games-esque writing retreat, this will keep any horror fan entertained.

This starts rather abruptly and throws the characters at you all at once, which was my only issue with this novel. I found it to be quite confusing as there are more than 10 characters introduced in the first few chapters, and it took me roughly a third of the book to clearly distinguish each character from the others.

My enjoyment of the first third was dampened by the confusion, and it wasn't until after I got the hang of the characters that I was able to truly enjoy the story. But once I did, I really liked each character—good and bad—and especially enjoyed each of their backstories.

The setting was perfect for the spooky vibe, but it wasn't what I would consider scary. And I really enjoyed the bring-your-monsters-to-life aspect as well.

The novel, overall, was definitely interesting and entertaining, but nothing that'll keep you up at night. That may just be me though as I'm not someone who's often truly scared by books. I'm so happy to have read my first Jonathan Janz, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Another winner from Jonathan Janz.
If you read the plot summary, I’m sure many readers will feel like they’ve read this book before (A group of writers meet up for a writer’s retreat but the goal is a competition to be the last man standing). Although the premise might be common, what happens next, is certainly not.  Although this is not my favorite Janz novel, what fascinated most was the concept that a writer’s characters and worlds could come to life.  Not only that, each writer was chosen for this contest because of their hidden secrets. (“Not everyone has a reason to fear the dark”).  This was the compelling part of the novel; reliving each writers guilt and shame over past events.  How those secrets become an integral part of their writing, and understanding that the monsters they create are really a part of themselves. This book is much deeper than your typical horror.  

Other interesting tidbits: 
Each character had a unusual name and I almost wondered if Janz based them on real horror writers. This occurred to me when Will Church was writing the book titled “The Siren and the Spectre” which is Jonathan Janz’s own novel.
Another character, Rick tells the story of meeting horror legend, Jack Ketchum. Ketchum ultimately tells him that if he wants to be a great writer he had to “F**k Fear”.  
There is a scene near the end of the novel when Lucy says: “Stay safe” and Will replies:  “Don’t die!”  Very mémorable lines.

The only negative I have to offer about this novel is that I thought some of it could have been pieced together a bit better.  I enjoyed the flashbacks immensely but felt that some of the action that took place in the present didn’t always seem logical or perhaps felt too contrived.  

However, this is a pleasurable read.  It will have you thinking about our inner demons; how the monsters we create and imagine ourselves, are somehow the scariest.

The Dark Game has got to be the best book that I've read by Jonathan Janz. It scared the s**t out of me! I can't wait to see what he has coming up next! Highly recommended. Read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flametree Press for my  ARC copy.