"The God Game"

"The God Game"
Written by Danny Tobey
Reviewed by Diana Iozzia


This confusing and ridiculous story is a true combination of all the things I like. However, this combination felt more like Frankenstein's monster than a blessing in disguise. Unfortunately, I felt myself strongly dislike this book, but I understand where the author was coming from.

Attempting to appeal to those interested in his interests, Tobey creates an artificial intelligence game, played primarily using private internet connections, cell phones, and the dark web.

To easily map up my likes and dislikes of this story and author, I will be separating the two using numbered thoughts. Sadly, most of my likes are also mirrored. In finding one positive aspect, there is usually a dislike relating to that aspect.

Likes: (Not many.)
1. This book reminds me of "Gossip Girl" mixed with "Black Mirror".
2. I like horrors and thrillers that use a small group of nerdy friends.
3. By page 225, the book becomes interesting, as we finally see the drastic consequences of trying to play and leave the game.
4. I liked that this story is not told in first person. I feel that to have a creepy, "Big Brother"-like game, you'd need an omniscient narrator.
5. Once we finally arrive at the scary consequences, the action does pick up.
6. The God Game is interesting, due to the strange tasks and religious symbolism.

Dislikes:
1. In creating teen characters, the author has not encompassed the magic of friendship. The characters feel like they are constantly fighting and disagreeing with each other.
2. The characters clearly should have not begun playing this game in the first place. There are truly not enough appealing reasons to play.
3. I feel like the characters could have tried a few different ways to exit the game. Since one of the main characters stops playing early on, asking their advice might have been useful.
4. It takes 225 pages for the book to become interesting and appealing to read.
5. I feel disappointed in the character descriptions. I feel that many of the characters do not have interesting hobbies or descriptors. It's quite unfortunate to have a larger group of characters. I feel that most of the characters are not very appealing to learn about.
6. Is pantsing a form of bullying in 2019?
7. I CANNOT stand the vulgar language. Teens do not need to speak 5 curses a page to be current and modern.

In conclusion, this is not the worst book I have ever met, but dear God, was it difficult to finish this. I do not plan to read this author again.