My thanks to Flame Tree Press and Netgalley.
It's just one of those things I suppose. A book description sometimes sounds way more exciting than the actual book. This was the case with me. I've only read 4 or 5 books by Mr. Janz, and I plan on reading more. But, this book in particular was almost the same book as another I've read by this author. Which one? Heck if I know! 😬 But, it was on an island, and shit was weird. Here? Yep, maybe not an island, but definitely lost, and definitely strange! As soon as I started reading the story I knew how it would go. I had hoped I was wrong, "as I often am," but this book was exactly as I expected. So, a familiar storyline, too many people and the weird, the "Big Bad?" Too confusing. Mixing a lot of people and scary element's are usually a good thing, but the characters were hard to keep 👣 track of, and the bad was just too over the top! This just isn't a book I'd recommend, unless it's one of your firsts by this author. Still, Janz is a pretty intense storyteller, so I'll be waiting for the next book.

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!

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!

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!

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 latest novel from horror juggernaut Jonathan Janz, one of my favourite writers, kicks off with a writer, Lucy, who is on her way to a writers’ retreat and it doesn’t take long for the tension to kick right in. The novel quickly turns into Survivor the television series meets Battle Royale the film (2000) but for writers, and it’s intense to say the least.

The egos of many of the writers in this book were one of the most truly frightening things for me (seriously), and this is definitely one of those novels where the human element is far scarier than any monster. Writers and non-writers alike will definitely feel tense and uncomfortable throughout as the story advances and the stakes get increasingly higher. Just when you think things couldn’t possibly get worse, they keep going and the tension becomes unbearable at points.

Personally, I have always found the idea of some writers’ retreats to be disquieting and not something I would feel comfortable doing, and I’m not going to get into all of the reasons why, but let’s just say it was difficult for me to read through a manifestation of all those fears amplified to the nth degree.

The scares in this book are downright terrifying while the growing madness that enfolds these writers is palpable and all too real. Additionally, the creativity and inventiveness of the trials that the writers endure is notable.

All of the deepest, most sinister things these writers thought they had safely tucked away come screaming to the forefront and they will not be denied.

In addition, the diary entries were a cool narrative device and went into interesting directions. This enhanced the feeling of tension in this book, which is a constant, and it’s unrelenting. It pulls no punches.

There’s a danger of books like this revolving around petty feuds and overdramatic nonsense that belongs in a reality show, but Jonathan Janz has achieved a new level of mastery in horror with The Dark Game. Equal parts Lord of the Flies mixed with The Girl on the Train with a cast of unreliable and shifty personalities, this novel belongs with the best thrillers on the bookshelf and should be on yours, stat.

Janz’s writing has a way of pulling rabbits out of hats with his plots that fit well within the confines of his story whilst giving nods to genre fiction and films along the way. Anyone who can mix Agatha Christie, Robert Marasco with a splash of Richard Laymon and Richard Connell to keep it interesting and juggle it together to become coherent has my admiration in a nutshell.

The novel does have a tongue in cheek aspect with Easter eggs scattered about which fans of this genre will know but he also name checks lesser authors who are somewhat forgotten today like Flannery O’Connor. There is an art to Janz’s work and this is often a regular trope of his but one that makes things a bit more real to the reader and doesn’t feel falsely added.

The characters are a mix bag and although they are all very well written and interesting, they wouldn’t really be added to I wish they were my friends pile. Their interworking mechanics in the story are natural. Janz is able to take a large number of characters and give each of them their own voice and their own place. No two characters merge together and this is an incredible feat to be able to do this. I have read novels where most authors have difficulties differentiating between three characters and my hats off to Janz for carrying this off. For the most part, they are very unlikeable but they are very interesting and keep you engaged throughout.

The plot in the world that Janz built is very plausible and works. There is a gothic dark Disneyesque approach that takes place which gives credence to the strange goings on. The drama which unfolds is very organic but at the same time there is a sinister quality that chills the reader to the bones whilst urging the reader to try to look away. The grand finale of the work is fantastically written and a book that tends to stay in the subconscious long after the final pages are read.

The books themes of what it takes to be a writer and this is where the book adds that something different from the normal ilk of this genre. Stephen King often implements himself into his stories when he is using a character that writes and most authors do this, often to the point where they think they are being clever but in fact, they are divulging their own insecurities onto the page to somewhat a disconcerting manner. Janz outdoes this by giving us ten writers through various stages of success, genres, personalities and writing styles. He even has the balls to engage and show us their different writing styles which was hugely impressive and pays off to an even a higher extent. I applaud the author who is able to do this convincingly and he pulls this off.

Overall, this is an excellent book from one of up and coming authors of horror genre. He is the voice of the new generation which has been lacking for a number of years and good to see someone who is able to carry the torch forward and hold it proudly. This is about the fourth work of Janz that I have read and I have never been disappointed. The Dark Game is a richly woven story full of interesting characters, great plot points and a totally engrossing story that pushes the reader forward to its amazing climax. Thank god for new publisher New Flame Press for keeping the genre alive with the new blood as I have been reading their output for a while now and I have never been disappointed.

A number of books have explored the use of writers and their fictional characters coming to life to wreak havoc on their creators, but none have been so diverse and plentiful in number as those which appear in The Dark Game.

The premise of this horror is a genre staple; a bunch of people of varying socio-economical standing are invited to a house off the grid to participate in a contest which will reward the victor handsomely. If they can survive the secluded retreat that is.

The contest revolves around a writers retreat. 10 fortunate (or unfortunate) aspiring writers have been selected to showcase their talent to a renowned published author. He'll choose the writer whose work impresses him the most and award him/her a publishing deal and a cool 3 million dollars. It's a prize most of the contestants would kill for; however, this being horror and not murder mystery, it's their characters along with some nasty surprises which aim to kill them!

Full of wicked imagery and precision placed scare tactics, The Dark Game doesn't disappoint on the spooky scale.

My rating: 4/5 stars. This was my first book by Jonathan Janz and I have to say, I'm very impressed by what I read, so much so, that I rushed out and bought 3 of his other novels. If horror is your thing, I highly recommend reading The Dark Game.