**Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday/St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changed my rating**

This is my first finished book in 2022 that wasn't a rollover. I was feeling really bummed after finishing China Room (capital D depressing) and thought back to All Your Twisted Secrets and how fun and twisty that book was. I can't say I liked this one nearly as much, but there are elements I liked.

To begin with, I really liked Crystal. I, too, have a younger sister (not as big of a difference between Crystal and Caelyn), so I relate to wanting to do whatever I could to protect her as an older sister when we were younger. She's put between a rock and a hard place as she's forced to play horrific games that will hurt her friends if she goes along with it, but will kill her sister if she doesn't. You really feel her emotions as she's forced to pick sides and is gaslit into thinking maybe she misremembered something or is remembering inaccurately. This makes her an interesting POV character. The friends weren't super fully fleshed out, so I won't really delve into them. I think there are a lot of aspects that could have been explored more thoroughly (Crystal's relationship with her dad, the dynamics between the group, etc.). Just like AYTS, Urban's writing and clues give you pause while you try to parse them out.

That said, I had narrowed it down to two characters early on in the book and had figured out who the person was behind the games by 15% of the way in. Less than 100 pages. So that took some of the fun out and left me wondering how this would be revealed more than it left me wondering "whodunnit". I'm not a super huge Thriller reader, so if I figured it out, it was probably too easy. The twist in AYTS genuinely took me by surprise, so this one was a let down when it was so early on. Figuring that out also lead to some pacing issues in the middle for me, where I was starting to feel like there really was no way it could get any higher stakes and like we should be wrapping up about 50% of the way in. I did enjoy the second half more, but it still left some weird pacing for me.

I would read another of Urban's books as I do enjoy her writing and her debut showed me that she's capable of writing things that surprise me. I just didn't like this one as much. I'm chalking that up to the easy identity of the person behind the games and personal preference. I'm sure there are many readers who will like this and have fun figuring it out.

3.5 stars

A brand new YA heart pounding thriller that will definitely keep you guessing until the end!

I literally can’t compose myself enough to type out this review. I’ve been in a thriller slump for a bit and These Deadly Games is exactly what I needed to pull me out of it! As soon as I saw a this game-inspired trope while scrolling on my instagram feed, I knew I NEEDED to read it. Not only was I able to read it, but I was lucky enough to read it early and now I’m here to tell all of my fellow thriller fans, PICK THIS UP (once the book releases or course.)

We follow a crew of six friends who’s only worries are seeing which of the five of them will compete in a gaming tourney for a chance to win three million dollars— but is that their only worry? Or do they all of something at stake if they’re not one of the five? Or .. maybe.. is there a deeper darker secret? One that’s been haunting them? BUT THEN Crystal (our main characters, little sister goes missing and she is forced to play a game with deadly consequences.

Never have I ever doubted what I knew about a story as much as I did this one. Even when I was pretty sure I THOUGHT I knew what was going on, I still couldn’t trust myself to be thinking right and putting things together right. I will say, I did guess who was behind everything but I never figured out why until later on in the story. This book is full of plot twists and a ton of doubt which made for a fantastic thriller.

There are TW that Diana has listed herself in the review section on Goodreads of her book in case you were curious about any!

I’m 100% a believe that Diana Urban is the kind of author that only gets better with each of her book releases and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Sure to be a popular title in the vein of One of us is Lying and We Were Liars. A good crossover title for teens and new adults who want a classic mystery.

When Crystal gets a message showing her sister bound and gagged and telling her to do exactly what they tell her or she dies, she thinks it’s a joke. But as she plays along and the tasks and consequences become more deadly, Crystal realizes more than just her sister’s life is at stake with this game. Who is trying to kill her and her friends? And why?

The plot of this book was way out there but if you don’t think about that, then you can sit back and enjoy the mystery, adventure and suspense of it. Urban does a great job creating mystery and drawing you into her story. I could not figure out who the culprit was until it was revealed. It was a quick read. Lots of action.

Diana Urban writes an excellent thriller in "These Deadly Games". Early on something dramatic happens to the narrator and she must patiently "play the game" in order to rescue a family member she thinks is in peril. The book has many twists and turns, many hurtful and scary things happen and it is a race to not just play the game, but try to figure out the mastermind of the events that are part of it. This is one she must win to save the lives of those special to her. A must-read for young people that enjoy gaming.

Thank you to Netgalley, Diana Urban and St. Martin’s press for the ARC copy!

I rate this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. It was definitely a wild ride, and I can totally see this book becoming a huge hit when it is released. It definitely kept me reading, and invested in the storyline. There were also a few parts where I didn’t see the twist coming. However, I would say more so than not, I guessed what was going to happen. However, I still really enjoyed reading the book, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a fast paced YA mystery/thriller.

I did find the book a bit lacking though in character like ability, I didn’t really connect with any of them, especially Crystal the main character, so it was sometimes hard to root for her and want her to win “the game”. I also found the video game stuff a bit much- especially for someone who doesn’t play video games, it was sometimes hard to understand and I skimmed over it. I also think this book was a bit intense for a YA book. There are A LOT of trigger warnings for this book, so make sure you look into those before reading it.

Overall, this was a good read and I would read something else by this author for sure!

Thank you to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Diana Urban's newest book, These Deadly Games. This YA thriller will be published February 1, 2022. All opinions are my own.

Crystal is a gamer. She's looking forward to this weekend's competition and a chance to win enough money to help her family keep their house. Then, she gets a mysterious message from an app she never installed on her phone: "Let’s play a game. You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies. Are you ready?" This message launches Crystal into a game to save her kidnapped sister's life. At first the tasks seem harmless and absurd, but Crystal soon realizes that each task is a brick building to something larger and more dangerous than she could have imagined. It becomes clear that the kidnapper is someone that she knows and that something deeper and more sinister is at play.

This book was absolutely captivating. I'll admit that when I started the first chapter, I wasn't into it but as soon as that message came in, I was hooked. The novel is well-paced and the plot well developed. There are really two plots in the book, the current situation and a past trauma. I enjoyed how the back story of the friend group was used to strengthen the suspense and build anticipation. I will admit that I figured out who the kidnapper was and why they were targeting Crystal and her friend group long before Crystal did. What kept me into the book at that point was that I didn't know how they'd managed it or what was going to happen to Crystal's sister. This book was so engaging that I read it in a single day. I didn't want to put it down because I had to know how the kidnapper had accomplished what they did and whether or not they'd get away with it. Overall, this book is suspenseful and thrilling. It's a great YA read. There is violence, death, and discussion of underage drinking but overall, in my opinion, it is mild enough for mature middle school readers.

This is a super faced paced thriller that takes place over just a couple day period. It had me completly sucked flipping through the pages trying to figure out how on earth Crystal is going to survive the game and save her sister.
When we begin the story Crystal and her friends are playing a online line role playing game. Preparing for a tournament where the winning team wins money. When Caitlin gets to school she gets the text that her little sister has been kidnapped and she must play the game or sister will die.. I really liked the gaming aspect of the story, and we catch glimspes of an event that happened in the past, that has put a strain on a couple of the friendships and may or may not have anything to do with whats happining right now..

Each task, at least in the beginning seems innocuous.. steal a test, make some brownies make a phone call, but each of these things leads to one of her friends being put in danger. Caitlin has to decide how far she will go to make sure her sister is safe, and if shes able to twist the game in her favor..
If your looking for a new psychological thriller that wont let you put it down until you reach the end, then you should definitely check this book out.

I received this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and I loved it! When our main character, Crystal Donavan, receives a picture of her little sister bound and gagged, she’s forced to play the kidnapper’s sick, twisted game. The catch? She can’t tell anyone about the messages or go to the police; if she does, her sister dies. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved Crystal’s drive and her dedication for wanting to save her sister. Although the plot twist was unexpected, it didn’t seem logical to me, but it was still enjoyable. Diana Urban is an author I will continue to support and whose books I will continue to read.

*let’s play a game*

if that doesn’t immediately trigger you, you’ve been watching the wrong movies (jk lol).

when crystal receives a text from a mysterious app she certainly did not put on her phone, she did not expect to see her sister gagged and kidnapped. in order to save her sister’s life, she must play the psychopath’s game. the instructions seem harmless enough - until crystal realizes that the consequences have bigger implications than she initially thought. can crystal save her sister while simultaneously figure out who her kidnapper is? or will she be forced to play the game?

there were so many things I loved about this book:
- books about serious gamers
- important messages about general house safety
- a lovable diverse group of friends (and their names!! I’ve always loved the name crystal but now I’m obsessed with akira!!!)
- the mind twisting ways the game ended up playing out

however, the ending seemed a bit of a letdown. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting - a happy ending?? definitely not, but still. maybe I was just putting myself in crystal’s shoes too much, because I would not have made half the decisions that she did.

either way, I found the ending a bit rushed to tie up everything with a tight bow, when I think I would have actually preferred a bit more ambiguous ending. (who am I right?)

overall, I loved this one so much more than diana’s debut last year - and I cannot wait to read what she has in store next!!!!

rating: 3.75 stars
wine pairing: piedmont moscato

Whoa! That was some ride! These Deadly Games is a first person psychological thriller that focuses on the events surrounding Crystal Donovan. Crystal is a very talented video gamer who aspires to win a Mortal Dusk video game tournament. Crystal and her five other friends must vie for a position on a five member team to enter the Mortal Dusk video game competition. The ultimate prize being $3 million dollars. And split five ways that could still easily help her single mom pay for their mortgage and keep them afloat for a while. But there are sinister forces at work. Someone has threatened Crystal and is forcing her to play games within a 24-hour period or else her younger sister Caelyn will be eliminated for good.

Harmless at first, the games become increasingly sinister and eventually leads to mortal danger and death to Crystal’s teamates. Can Crystal outsmart the anonymous threat before time runs out? Crystal will need every ounce of her gaming and deductive reasoning skills to outsmart and thwart her anonymous opponent.

These Deadly Games is a helluva read! I was skeptical at first, so I dove in not expecting much. But, boy was I wrong. The character development isn’t quite there as the characters are not as deep or complex. But, hey, they are teenagers into gaming. What more can be said about that? Besides, the storyline is primarily plot driven, and what a plot it is.

Diana Urban has brilliantly composed a gripping YA psychological thriller that conjures up thoughts of gaslighting, and psychological warfare. There is enough action and plot twists that make this novel a sure page turner. Five unputdownable stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Exciting and surprising mystery read. I am not a big mystery reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed this page-turner about one sister trying her best to save another.

If you’re looking for a twisty psychological thriller offering unexpected surprises, These Deadly Games certainly checks those boxes.

Crystal is an easy character to root for. Her parents went through a messy divorce after her father became a physically abusive alcoholic, she’s trying to win prize money in a computer game tournament to help pay the overdue mortgage on their house, and she’s fiercely protective of her younger sister. Then her world is turned upside down when her sister is kidnapped, and Crystal is required to play a deadly game to save her. If she seeks help, tells anyone, or calls the police, her sister dies. She’s thrust into an impossible situation. The first couple assignments from the kidnapper seem bizarre, but it quickly becomes obvious he’s trying to hurt or even kill Crystal’s friends. And it all may be related to the secret she and her friends are keeping from five years ago.

Although I didn’t understand all of it, I really enjoyed the gaming angle in this story. These teens are well-versed in computer technology, and it’s something that figures prominently into the plot. I guessed part of who was behind the kidnapping, but was then thrown for a loop with the final reveal. Plenty of red herrings are offered, and at one point I even wondered if Crystal was an unreliable narrator. I’m pretty sure this is a standalone, but I didn’t get the resolution I’d hoped for at the end. There’s definitely potential for a sequel.

If you can suspend your disbelief just a tad, this a compelling YA thriller that will have you glued to the pages and keep you guessing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-arc of These Deadly Games by Diana Urban in exchange for an honest review. I don’t think I realized this book was YA when I requested it and, after discovering it was first person, I knew it probably wasn’t going to be for me. The implausibility of the plot and how young it read had me struggling to be engrossed in the story. I never felt connected to the main character and found her frustratingly ignorant and downright unintelligent at times. Despite the stakes being as high as possible and people stating to die, the main character felt as though she had little to no urgency. Despite her sister being kidnapped, she stops in the park to argue with someone while being timed to complete a different task. Where I had a ton of problems with the plot and simple writing that I couldn’t connect with, I loved the past timeline dispersed throughout the novel. Anytime those chapters appeared, I felt engrossed and wanted to know how the past timeline would conclude. Another thing that I appreciated from the novel was how fast I was able to get through it. Despite having a frustrating time reading, the pacing was lightening speed and I was therefore able to sit for hours without stopping. Not a book for me but might be a book for younger teens.

The premise sounded implausible and exciting and bananas in a good way, but the the plot went sideways into the rough side of crazytown really fast.

My biggest issues were that the main character was a dummy with a bad personality, and that the end reveal was simultaneously super obvious and super convoluted, It felt like a 60s-era Batman villain trapping Batman and Robin in a slowly-filling hourglass to kill them instead of just being efficient and blowing them up already.

I love YA thrillers and mysteries, and this one has a lot of good reviews, but it wasn't great for me.

Crystal Donavan loves to play games but when her real life turns into a game, one that is deadly, will she be able to outsmart the game master and save her friends?

This is quite a fun book with a lot of twist and turns. The background story is so expertly intertwined in the current day that it really helps to drive the story forward. I also enjoy how Crystal is able to realize that people she saw previously as enemies, or friends who in the past have betrayed her have another side to their story. This is such a great example of while you think someone or something is one way that there is always another side to the story. Sometimes getting that side of the story and truly listening to your friends can lead to a deeper understanding and allow for a stronger or new friendship. I also really hope that there is a sequel to this book. I would love to see what Crystal does to find the game master.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this game.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! I was really looking forward to this book after seeing it on a BuzzFeed list.

The book really focuses on one girl, Chrystal, who basically gets blackmailed by a “stranger” into doing weird and crazy things that end up harming her friends. Throughout all of these “challenges” we get some back story with Chrystal and her relationship with her friends, her father, and a kid named Brady who apparently died accidentally when the kids were playing a game late at night.

Chrystal tries to figure out who is doing this to her to get the upper hand but she doesn’t figure it out until it’s really too late. Her friend, Matty, dies. Her other fried falls off a cliff and almost dies. She feels like she’s losing her mind and no one will really believe her, especially her shit ass friend, Zoey.

But she eventually figures out that her friend Dylan is actually Andrew, the brother of Brady and he’s out for vengeance for his brother’s death. She confronts him (I find it hard to believe that no one would recognize him when all he did was cut his hair and wear different clothes). Eventually the police catch up and lock her up thinking she’s crazy because her friend Zoey lied to the police about there being nothing on Dylan’s laptop. But Chrystal knows zoey lied (she really sucks) and basically gets her to admit she tampered with evidence as a ploy for revenge. And then they all learn that Dylan didn’t die and he’s out there probably waiting for them.

This book is fast paced and it is interesting but honestly not very believable. And no one is really likable so you don’t really root for anyone. But the whole thing with Dylan/Andrew was a surprise but just not believable.

This is a book that is very suspenseful, shocking, and will pull at your heart strings. This YA psychological thriller will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. There are a few twists to the story, a few kind of predictable. Overall, I found this book to be creative, full of action and twists that will keep you glued to the book and the story.

Crystal Donovan is ready to game...in the MortalDusk tournament, that is. What she wasn't ready for is the game in which she has to engage in increasingly more bizarre tasks in order to save her sister's life. That's right - Crystal's been receiving messages from a mysterious app on her phone from someone called An0nym0us1 - with tasks she must complete in order to keep An0nym0us1 from killing her sister. It quickly becomes clear that Crystal's friends are the targets of the tasks - with increasingly deadly outcomes. But who would want to target Crystal and her group of gamer friends? And why?

This is a fun, fast-paced YA thriller that I had a hard time putting down (and as a result, finished in two days). While you definitely have to suspend some belief to get into the story, you will be turning pages quickly so you can figure out if you've solved the mystery - which I did, but this didn't take away from my enjoyment. I have enjoyed both of Diana Urban's books and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

When Crystal gets an anonymous message asking her to play a game, she has two choices: go along with it and her kidnapped sister lives; ignore it and she dies. That's when Crystal embarks in a game of life and death in which her five gamer friends get entangled.

I was captivated by this story, no matter how far-fetched it often got. It was a super fun and quick read. The protagonists are teenagers and often make dubious choices, but overall they are quite likeable.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced copy. I offer my review freely. Publication date: 01 Feb 2022.