I struggled to engage with this one. In part because I couldn't understand the character motivation. The central premise is a weak. Most of the text is focused on shocking the reader rather than building any sort of rapport or making us care about what is happening.

What a fun book! I had a blast with this! This is the kind of addictive horror novel that teens will gobble right up and be so hungry for more.

There is so much about this book that will appeal to teens. It has short, fast-paced chapters with differing points of view, and in between each is a "Deddit" forum post or text messages that offers a really fun way to experience the narrative. The mystery was great, the horror was real. I tried reading this at night and had to stop because it scared me. I really enjoyed this book so much and I know that teens will absolutely love it.

It's written for a younger teen audience, in terms of writing style and vocabulary, but content is for an older teen audience. I was hoping I could talk to an 8th grade class about it, but don't feel quite comfortable in terms of the sexual innuendo/actions, and the drug/alcohol content. They could handle the violence, though. Maybe that's a "me" problem. This book definitely has so much teen appeal, though.

"The Midnight Game" by Cynthia Murphy is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that skillfully combines elements of supernatural horror with a gripping mystery. Murphy's atmospheric writing and well-developed characters create a tense, page-turning experience as the protagonist unravels a series of dark and dangerous events. The novel’s eerie setting and clever plot twists make it a captivating and unsettling read.

"Do you want to play a game?"

A seemingly innocent sentence that will have repercussions the six teenagers gathered to play The Midnight Game could never imagine. Our intrepid group gathers in an unused school as midnight draws near and they begin their game. They've read the rules, lit the candles, written down their darkest secrets, and loaded themselves with matches and salt to ward off the invisible evil, The Midnight Man. What starts as a conversation on Deddit as a creepypasta discussion quickly spirals into something much darker in the still of the night. What the players once took to be a joke seems, suddenly, much more real as their candle flames flicker and the cold bears down on them.

Six players, three hours, the mysterious specter of the Midnight Man, and one question, "Who will survive the night?"

The Midnight Game was a phenomenal and spooky YA thriller. Perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus or Maureen Johnson, this is a must-purchase for any middle or high school library. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Delacorte Press for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Midnight Game in exchange for an unbiased review.

A group of teens meet at night to partake in a ritual to summon Midnight Man. They aren't sure if he is real, but they don't want to find out. However, soon they realize there is a threat, but it is not supernatural.

This was really fast-paced and easy to read! *Spoilers follow* I was sad Mei was the first to die because she was so likable. However, I realize that is probably the point and to emphasize the real human threat. I do think two of the "twists" were pretty obvious, but I still enjoyed the read. Definitely some spookiness though so I wouldn't suggest reading at night!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When 6 strangers meet online and find they have a shared interest, they decide they want to meet in real life and test out the "game" they've read about. There are only a few rules to the game: Once the game begins, don't leave the building, don't fall asleep, and don't turn on the lights - not even a flashlight. Can these six strangers survive the Midnight Man and make it through to see the next morning?

This was a decent thriller with plenty of twists and turns that were revealed as the night progressed. The setting was perfectly creepy and definitely added to the ambiance of the tale as the time got later and later and the suspense kept building. The characters were a little hard to keep straight at times, especially the boys, but as the story progressed that became a little easier to follow.

Overall, a good addition for anyone who enjoys a quick thriller with a hint of the paranormal.

"Do you want to play a game?"

This is a six POV book, told by the POV´s of Ellie, Mei, Callum, Toni, Hugo and Reece.

I think out of the six main characters I definitely liked Ellie and Mei the best. Ellie is really headstrong and really stood up for the others, which is something I relate to a lot. With Mei we have the smart cookie, with Callum the mysterious quiet guy, Toni is the goth girl, Hugo the posh boy and Reece the jock. I loved their interactions and seeing how each of them behaved. I loved how as the book progressed you slowly get to know more about their backstories and why each of them ended up playing the game.

There were not really any side characters in this book, so I can´t judge it on that.

The writing style of this book was a bit different. Between each POV chapter you get a typ of chat log or blog entry that tells you more of the backstory. The book switches a bit between past and present so to speak. It was fast paced and really action packed. I originally wanted to save half of the book for tomorrow to read, but I just couldn´t stop reading. By a third of the book I was really hooked to the story. I liked the plot twists and kept guessing along. I manage to guess two or three but a few I didn´t see coming.

Overall it was an entertaining read that kept me hooked until the end.

trigger warnings: mentions of suicide, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of rape, murder

As a pretty frequent Reddit lurker, every instance of "Deddit" made me laugh out loud. This was a fun and creepy urban legend thriller, with a well-done atmosphere and a fun plot. This was also so fast-paced, which I really loved. I will say that this story was definitely graphic at times, which was fine with me and I imagine a lot of teens won't even bat an eye, but for younger readers it may be a bit much at times. I would like more from this author right now because this was great and I really enjoyed it.

Prepare to be enthralled by Cynthia Murphy's pulse-pounding thriller, "The Midnight Game." In this captivating tale, six strangers, drawn together by the enigmatic world of online forums, take a leap of faith into the unknown as they decide to meet in person. Their shared venture? Playing The Midnight Game, a ritual that promises a night of spine-tingling terror and unimaginable consequences.

As the rules of the game dictate, the group plunges into darkness, bound by a pact to stay awake and face whatever horrors the night may bring. Cynthia's skillful storytelling ensnares readers in a web of suspense as they follow the characters through a labyrinth of fear and uncertainty.

What sets "The Midnight Game" apart is Cynthia's ability to craft characters who are as complex as they are relatable. Each member of the group brings their own baggage and secrets, adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. As tensions mount and alliances shift, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in the tale.

Beyond its heart-pounding plot, "The Midnight Game" delves into deeper themes of fear, resilience, and the fragile bonds that connect us. Through the lens of this chilling adventure, Cynthia explores the blurred lines between reality and the digital realm, offering insights into the ways technology shapes our lives and relationships.

With its gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and atmospheric setting, "The Midnight Game" is sure to captivate fans of horror and suspense alike. Cynthia Murphy has crafted a riveting masterpiece that will leave readers spellbound from beginning to end. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey into the shadows of the night.

Perfect for those who like creepy urban legends and stories with a gloomy atmosphere. The writing was okay, mostly just appropriate for a young adult book. I'd read more from this author.

This is a quick, engaging novella that I know my horror and suspense readers will love! It has great pacing and just the right amount of action without being too over the top. Some parts were a bit more graphic than I was expecting, so maybe keep this one for older/more mature readers, but overall this thriller was hard to put down and would engage even the most reluctant of readers. Thanks so much for the ARC!

I can see this novella being a hit at Halloween. It's just the right length and vibe for spooky season. The story follows a group of six teenagers who through an online chat meet up and play a ritual called The Midnight Game. A game that involves summoning an entity called the Midnight Man and trying to avoid being killed before 3:33 a.m. I gave this title 3.5 stars, rounded up to four. It has a slasher vibe so don't go getting attached to any of the characters. Not that you need to. Many of the characters are written to be intentionally unlikeable and the story doesn't need them to be. There is a lot of space taken up by descriptions of other unrelated creepypasta ritual games which I didn't personally enjoy, but all and all I had a fun time reading The Midnight Game and guessing at what was going on. I would recommend this to people who like fun, short, little horror stories and maybe spend too much time on r/nosleep.

Have you played The Midnight Game? Six strangers, a deadly game with a demon, and a killer amongst them. When a group of six strangers decide to meet up to play The Midnight Game and summon the Midnight man meet, they are starting to realize that meeting up with strangers you've only ever talked to online is not a good idea... especially if you are all going to try and summon a demon together. When they start being killed off, it begs the question... is the game real or is one of them the real killer? This was a quick and fast paced read, it definitely would make a really fun one to read during spooky season. It's got predictable twist and turns but if you are new to thriller/mysteries, I think this would definitely be a fun time for you.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

First of all, this was not my type of book, but as a YA librarian I decided to read it. Second, my students will LOVE this book. It is just the right amount of scary and bloody without being to heavy on profanity and sexual content. My students love the horror genre, but so much of it is too adult, so this was a perfect find. The writing is good, not great, but right on par for a good YA title that is accessible to teens. The characters are a little simplistic, but the action of the book distracts from that fact. Overall, this is a book that I will not be able to keep on the shelf for long.

Fast-paced and entertaining. A recommended purchase for YA and HS collections where thrillers are popular.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I devoured it from the very beginning. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this genre. It grabbed me in the best ways. I couldn't put it down.