*I received this arc from the publisher via NetGalley for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Many thanks to the publisher for granting me access to this ARC!
The Dark Game
by Jonathan Janz
Publication Date: April 11, 2019
by Flame Tree Press
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Pages: 304
Source: ARC from publisher via NetGalley
Ten writers are selected for a summer-long writing retreat with the most celebrated and reclusive author in the world. Their host is the legendary Roderick Wells. Handsome, enigmatic, and fiendishly talented, Wells promises to teach his pupils about writing, about magic, about the untapped potential that each of them possesses. Most of all, he plans to teach them about the darkness in their hearts. The writers think they are signing up for a chance at riches and literary prestige. But they are really entering the twisted imagination of a deranged genius, a lethal contest pitting them against one another in a struggle for their sanity and their lives. They have entered into Roderick Wells's most brilliant and horrible creation.
Ten writers go to a writing retreat and stay at a creepy mansion with a strange reclusive author in the middle of nowhere. What could possibly go wrong?
One of my favorite genres is horror. I love to be scared and The Dark Game definitely had it's scary moments. There's also plenty of gore and gruesomeness that is sure to please any horror fan. This is the first book that I've read by Janz. I've heard great things about his horror novels, so I was very eager to read his latest. I enjoyed his writing style and this book was a pretty fast-paced read. I loved the creepy old house setting and the overall eerie feel of the story.
The main problem I had with the story was the numerous main characters. I had a difficult time trying to keep all the writers straight, and it got a little confusing, especially in the beginning. The chapters were short (which I tend to like), but each chapter switched to a different perspective, and there were so many narrators that it became overwhelming. I also had a hard time connecting to any of the characters, and by the end I really didn't care who survived. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. I found the characters to be rather annoying.
I do look forward to reading Janz's other horror novels, even though I wasn't blown away by this one. If you love horror stories featuring plenty of characters and plenty of gruesome moments, I definitely recommend checking this book out.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
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