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The Kill Factor
A brand-new gameshow that offers young criminals the chance at freedom has been greenlit. Little do they know, winning is their only chance at survival. A captivating examination of the dark truths around the criminal justice system, Ben Oliver, critically acclaimed author of The Loop trilogy, delivers an action-packed thrill ride with deadly high stakes.
Fifty contestants. Five mental and physical challenges. One winner.
In a near-future where a virtual currency of digital content fuels a fame-hungry society, a brand-new experiment that combines social media and reality TV has been greenlit.
Voted on, and contestants are sent to a maximum-security reform camp on an island where they can have no contact with the outside world. To lose means prison. But to win is to be free. The most popular young offender with the most upvotes by the end is given both a second chance in society and a cash prize.
This kind of money could mean everything to Emerson and her family who live in the Burrows, one of the subterranean villages where the government have buried affordable housing. It's more than freedom. It could mean the chance to change her family’s circumstance and finally find a place in the society they’ve never been allowed into.
But what Emerson doesn’t know, what the viewers don’t know, is that the prison on the island is empty. Those who lose, those who are voted off aren’t incarcerated. Each challenge will leave more and more contestants to die. And the only choice they have is to win over viewers before it’s too late.
Fifty contestants. Five mental and physical challenges. One winner.
In a near-future where a virtual currency of digital content fuels a fame-hungry society, a brand-new experiment that combines social media and reality TV has been greenlit.
Voted on, and contestants are sent to a maximum-security reform camp on an island where they can have no contact with the outside world. To lose means prison. But to win is to be free. The most popular young offender with the most upvotes by the end is given both a second chance in society and a cash prize.
This kind of money could mean everything to Emerson and her family who live in the Burrows, one of the subterranean villages where the government have buried affordable housing. It's more than freedom. It could mean the chance to change her family’s circumstance and finally find a place in the society they’ve never been allowed into.
But what Emerson doesn’t know, what the viewers don’t know, is that the prison on the island is empty. Those who lose, those who are voted off aren’t incarcerated. Each challenge will leave more and more contestants to die. And the only choice they have is to win over viewers before it’s too late.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2024
67 people are currently reading
4475 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
February 4, 2024
This book was incredible! It was such a fun adventure, despite the heavy themes. I found myself rooting for Emerson, so hard by the end! She irritated me at first, but I adored her by the end of the book. It was such a good story and really kept me sucked in. The author was absolutely masterful at setting the scene without too much detail and making me not want to put the book down. It was a fantastic ride, and I loved every second of it!
January 27, 2024
I was hooked right away when I started this book. I did not see the twists or the ending coming. Hoping for a sequel!! The deeper meanings and reflections on society in this story are very important. Quick read. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
November 5, 2023
Oh my gosh, this book was AMAZING. I literally could not put it down! I loved all the suspense involved, and the plot twist at the end was insane!
March 31, 2024
This book was one of the most horrifying things I’ve ever read. Which was probably the author’s intention, so goal achieved. I’m effectively horrified. This concept is basically Hunger Games but prison reform camp version. Though this wasn’t exactly much of a futuristic dystopia so much as social commentary, it definitely had high stakes.
I was expecting this to be very Hunger Games-y but it turns out this was much more like Black Mirror. A big chunk of this is a social commentary about how modern society has become dependent on likes and follows on social media. Yet, this concept has been twisted into a life or death situation, where it’s basically, get followers or get voted off this twisted reality show and die. Contestants with more followers get easier challenges and are more likely to survive their challenges than ones with fewer followers, who get harder tasks. Your life quite literally becomes dependent on your follower count and views, so it feels very much like a Black Mirror episode. Then you have teens who are so brainwashed that they think the reality show is a good thing, despite all the death that they themselves are at risk of, because they can gain followers and brand deals and sponsorships from the press of being on the show. Some of the teens on the top of the leaderboard genuinely twist it into, this evil producer killing teenagers is trying to “help them” since they are all felons with “broken brains” and he is trying to “save them”. After witnessing all of the horrors from their first challenge, some of them genuinely have this mindset.
This book does a good job at the social commentary aspect. We all know social media is fake and tons of things we see online, especially on tikok, are staged for views. But it’s even crazier to see it in this setting where views and followers are the difference between life or death. You see teenagers staging fake stuff, staging pranks, a discussion of faking a love triangle for the cameras, even going as far as harming themselves, anything to get followers to be likable enough to not end up at the bottom of the leaderboard. Seeing all this going on in a life or death kind of situation just makes the whole, society as a whole being obsessed with getting attention on social media, thing feel even more superficial and ridiculous. The perfect analogy of young teens putting too much stock into online validation is the scene where one of the teens quite literally starts hurting himself in desperation on camera in hopes of getting followers because he does not have the charisma or skill to be popular online, and followers are the difference between life or death on this reality show, so he thinks he has no other choice. It’s horrific. And the scene where two teens at risk of being voted off the show have to follow a series of dance moves, like something similar to TikTok dances I guess? And viewers vote and evaluate the dances and the best dancer who gets more votes gets to stay on the show. These kids who are being killed for entertainment are forced to literally dance for their lives. It’s completely insane. I think it makes for an effective social commentary, especially for young teens. The more you read on the more and more shocking it gets.
I genuinely wondered how they were going to get out of this one, because stakes were not only high but impossible. I really had no clue how these characters were going to get out of this. It’s also a super quick read; I felt like I’d barely started and I looked up and was already 40% in. I started this book at around 11 pm and ended up staying up late to finish it because I just couldn’t stop reading. It just got more and more horrific and terrible as it went on and I just had to know how this book ended. Which, that ending, I can’t believe it ended like that! We gotta get a sequel now, surely? This was one of the most horrifying books I’ve ever read and it’s literally YA so if it’s meant to be a social commentary for teens to not place too much stock into online popularity because it’s not actually life or death like it is in this book, message achieved lol.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
I was expecting this to be very Hunger Games-y but it turns out this was much more like Black Mirror. A big chunk of this is a social commentary about how modern society has become dependent on likes and follows on social media. Yet, this concept has been twisted into a life or death situation, where it’s basically, get followers or get voted off this twisted reality show and die. Contestants with more followers get easier challenges and are more likely to survive their challenges than ones with fewer followers, who get harder tasks. Your life quite literally becomes dependent on your follower count and views, so it feels very much like a Black Mirror episode. Then you have teens who are so brainwashed that they think the reality show is a good thing, despite all the death that they themselves are at risk of, because they can gain followers and brand deals and sponsorships from the press of being on the show. Some of the teens on the top of the leaderboard genuinely twist it into, this evil producer killing teenagers is trying to “help them” since they are all felons with “broken brains” and he is trying to “save them”. After witnessing all of the horrors from their first challenge, some of them genuinely have this mindset.
This book does a good job at the social commentary aspect. We all know social media is fake and tons of things we see online, especially on tikok, are staged for views. But it’s even crazier to see it in this setting where views and followers are the difference between life or death. You see teenagers staging fake stuff, staging pranks, a discussion of faking a love triangle for the cameras, even going as far as harming themselves, anything to get followers to be likable enough to not end up at the bottom of the leaderboard. Seeing all this going on in a life or death kind of situation just makes the whole, society as a whole being obsessed with getting attention on social media, thing feel even more superficial and ridiculous. The perfect analogy of young teens putting too much stock into online validation is the scene where one of the teens quite literally starts hurting himself in desperation on camera in hopes of getting followers because he does not have the charisma or skill to be popular online, and followers are the difference between life or death on this reality show, so he thinks he has no other choice. It’s horrific. And the scene where two teens at risk of being voted off the show have to follow a series of dance moves, like something similar to TikTok dances I guess? And viewers vote and evaluate the dances and the best dancer who gets more votes gets to stay on the show. These kids who are being killed for entertainment are forced to literally dance for their lives. It’s completely insane. I think it makes for an effective social commentary, especially for young teens. The more you read on the more and more shocking it gets.
I genuinely wondered how they were going to get out of this one, because stakes were not only high but impossible. I really had no clue how these characters were going to get out of this. It’s also a super quick read; I felt like I’d barely started and I looked up and was already 40% in. I started this book at around 11 pm and ended up staying up late to finish it because I just couldn’t stop reading. It just got more and more horrific and terrible as it went on and I just had to know how this book ended. Which, that ending, I can’t believe it ended like that! We gotta get a sequel now, surely? This was one of the most horrifying books I’ve ever read and it’s literally YA so if it’s meant to be a social commentary for teens to not place too much stock into online popularity because it’s not actually life or death like it is in this book, message achieved lol.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
February 3, 2024
This is going to be WILDLY popular w fans of hunger games. It incorporates social media and influencer culture into a reality show w kid and teen criminals set in a dystopian world. A driving plot with interesting twists makes for a fun read. Couldn’t put it down!
May 1, 2025
If The Hunger Games and Squid Game had a baby…it would be this.
To me, this book lacked the emotional impact of either of the above (and I’m not really a die-hard fan of either of those series). So, if you’re here for plot, then buckle up. Plot is what you shall have. If you’re here for horrifying ways to die, then buckle up again. That’s here, too.
But, for me, I can’t really care about the plot if I don’t at least somewhat care about the characters. And that’s what happened here. There’s not much depth. Or really any depth. But, the plot moves forward at a steady pace, so I kept reading simply because I was somewhat interested in seeing where it was going and had nothing better to do.
Really, the only thing I care about now is whether or not this is meant to be a standalone. The ending left me like 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨. Not really pleasantly satiated or screaming to the gods for a sequel. Just….🤨.
All I’m saying is, if this is meant to be a standalone, I’d lower my rating to 2 stars. It will stay at 3 if there’s a sequel. 😂 No higher than that. (No one asked for that walkthrough, but you’re welcome all the same.)
To me, this book lacked the emotional impact of either of the above (and I’m not really a die-hard fan of either of those series). So, if you’re here for plot, then buckle up. Plot is what you shall have. If you’re here for horrifying ways to die, then buckle up again. That’s here, too.
But, for me, I can’t really care about the plot if I don’t at least somewhat care about the characters. And that’s what happened here. There’s not much depth. Or really any depth. But, the plot moves forward at a steady pace, so I kept reading simply because I was somewhat interested in seeing where it was going and had nothing better to do.
Really, the only thing I care about now is whether or not this is meant to be a standalone. The ending left me like 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨. Not really pleasantly satiated or screaming to the gods for a sequel. Just….🤨.
All I’m saying is, if this is meant to be a standalone, I’d lower my rating to 2 stars. It will stay at 3 if there’s a sequel. 😂 No higher than that. (No one asked for that walkthrough, but you’re welcome all the same.)
April 15, 2025
FINALLY!!! RTC sometime tomorrow,
Nvm lol. I'm going to rant right now bc I have nothing better to do and I don't have the patience for tomorrow when my book club meets.
Sooooo. I hated this book with my soul, one of the biggest plot twists in this book was a character named Kodi being the son of the Producer who is the host of the Kill Factor and is a serial killer himself. I called that plot twist from like the first 25% of the book!!
Emerson Ness: THIS BIT-- I gotta calm down this girl has that MC plot armor. Because in this if you get the lowest followers and you completed the challenges last you had a vote off is the only way I can think to describe it where you had to do something against the other person and the viewers would vote for which one was better and in the first vote off thingy THE KID JUST SUDDENLY DIED AFTER SMASHING HIS HEAD INTO A ROCK MULTIPLE TIMES!! LIKE BEN OLIVER YOU WOULD'VE PASSED OUT FROM BLOOD LOSS AND HEAD TRAUMA LONG BEFORE YOU DIE FROM SMASHING YOUR HEAD INTO A ROCK!!!! OH AND YOUR FREAKING HYPOCRITE EMERSON!! YOU SAID THAT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO PURSUE KODI AS A ROMANTIC PARTNER AND YOU SHOT MY BOY TELLER DOWN BECAUSE YOU SAID THAT IT WAS HEALTHIER BECAUSE OF YOUR ALL'S CIRCUMSTANCES!! YET HERE YOU GO AND FALL IN LOVE WITH KODI AND HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!!!!!
THE ROMANCE (yes there was a romance sub-plot I wish this was fake) it was between Kodi and Emerson!! It sucked!!! Like picture yourself in a life or death game situation thing, would you go around falling in love with a boy you've known for what, a handful of days? And you only learn about his father right before he dies??? Like huh?! It also felt like there was literally no chemistry between Kodi and Emerson
THE LOVE CORNER THING THAT HAPPENED: 😭 😭 😭 MY BOY TELLER LIKE WHY'D YOU HAVE TO DISRESPECT HIM LIKE THAT BEN OLIVER??!! I get that he was being a little weird with him telling Emerson to not go and fall in love with Kodi, and how he suddenly confessed his feelings to Emerson and said that he want something between them. Why was this love corner thing in this, it wasn't even necessary and it really killed the vibe for me.
The idea: okay the idea to this book is actually a good idea the idea is 50 minors facing life imprisonment will be given a second chance through a new reality show, The Kill Factor. Contestants will be led through a series of games, each aimed to teach and reform. But only one will win the prize, while the rest will face life in solitary confinement. You cannot convince me that this isn't a good idea, but it was just executed so poorly 😭😭😭😭😭😭
The writing style: in the words of my friend who said this today "It felt like a very educated four year old wrote this book." And I couldn't agree more with that statement, the writing was so basic and boring. It felt quite choppy and the thing other than the romance that I despised the most was probably the writing.
IT'S HYPE!!! My librarian who runs my school book club and an IRL friend of mine along with many Goodreads users hyped this book up so much, so when I started this book I was sooo excited and had really high hopes for this book, but it was such a flop as mentioned above. *sigh* OH AND DID I MENTION THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SERIES?? YAY🙄🙄🙄 (gotta go find out when the sequel is being released so I can hate read the rest of the series)
MORE THOUGHTS!!!!: Kodi's death scene most likely was supposed to make the reader sad, but it just felt more, eh. I don't care, you were an unlikable side character. Another thing is it felt like a some of the deaths in there were made for shock value. Along WITH THE FACT THAT EMERSON STABBED HERSELF IN THE WRIST AND DID NOT DIE, FROM THE WAY THE INJURY WAS DESCRIBED AS WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE STABBED DEEP INTO HER WRIST!!! Your wrist has like some veins that are really important to your body and stabbing it, can kill you from blood loss. AGAIN EMERSON HAD FREAKING PLOT ARMOR!!!!!
Nvm lol. I'm going to rant right now bc I have nothing better to do and I don't have the patience for tomorrow when my book club meets.
Sooooo. I hated this book with my soul, one of the biggest plot twists in this book was a character named Kodi being the son of the Producer who is the host of the Kill Factor and is a serial killer himself. I called that plot twist from like the first 25% of the book!!
Emerson Ness: THIS BIT-- I gotta calm down this girl has that MC plot armor. Because in this if you get the lowest followers and you completed the challenges last you had a vote off is the only way I can think to describe it where you had to do something against the other person and the viewers would vote for which one was better and in the first vote off thingy THE KID JUST SUDDENLY DIED AFTER SMASHING HIS HEAD INTO A ROCK MULTIPLE TIMES!! LIKE BEN OLIVER YOU WOULD'VE PASSED OUT FROM BLOOD LOSS AND HEAD TRAUMA LONG BEFORE YOU DIE FROM SMASHING YOUR HEAD INTO A ROCK!!!! OH AND YOUR FREAKING HYPOCRITE EMERSON!! YOU SAID THAT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO PURSUE KODI AS A ROMANTIC PARTNER AND YOU SHOT MY BOY TELLER DOWN BECAUSE YOU SAID THAT IT WAS HEALTHIER BECAUSE OF YOUR ALL'S CIRCUMSTANCES!! YET HERE YOU GO AND FALL IN LOVE WITH KODI AND HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!!!!!
THE ROMANCE (yes there was a romance sub-plot I wish this was fake) it was between Kodi and Emerson!! It sucked!!! Like picture yourself in a life or death game situation thing, would you go around falling in love with a boy you've known for what, a handful of days? And you only learn about his father right before he dies??? Like huh?! It also felt like there was literally no chemistry between Kodi and Emerson
THE LOVE CORNER THING THAT HAPPENED: 😭 😭 😭 MY BOY TELLER LIKE WHY'D YOU HAVE TO DISRESPECT HIM LIKE THAT BEN OLIVER??!! I get that he was being a little weird with him telling Emerson to not go and fall in love with Kodi, and how he suddenly confessed his feelings to Emerson and said that he want something between them. Why was this love corner thing in this, it wasn't even necessary and it really killed the vibe for me.
The idea: okay the idea to this book is actually a good idea the idea is 50 minors facing life imprisonment will be given a second chance through a new reality show, The Kill Factor. Contestants will be led through a series of games, each aimed to teach and reform. But only one will win the prize, while the rest will face life in solitary confinement. You cannot convince me that this isn't a good idea, but it was just executed so poorly 😭😭😭😭😭😭
The writing style: in the words of my friend who said this today "It felt like a very educated four year old wrote this book." And I couldn't agree more with that statement, the writing was so basic and boring. It felt quite choppy and the thing other than the romance that I despised the most was probably the writing.
IT'S HYPE!!! My librarian who runs my school book club and an IRL friend of mine along with many Goodreads users hyped this book up so much, so when I started this book I was sooo excited and had really high hopes for this book, but it was such a flop as mentioned above. *sigh* OH AND DID I MENTION THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SERIES?? YAY🙄🙄🙄 (gotta go find out when the sequel is being released so I can hate read the rest of the series)
MORE THOUGHTS!!!!: Kodi's death scene most likely was supposed to make the reader sad, but it just felt more, eh. I don't care, you were an unlikable side character. Another thing is it felt like a some of the deaths in there were made for shock value. Along WITH THE FACT THAT EMERSON STABBED HERSELF IN THE WRIST AND DID NOT DIE, FROM THE WAY THE INJURY WAS DESCRIBED AS WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE STABBED DEEP INTO HER WRIST!!! Your wrist has like some veins that are really important to your body and stabbing it, can kill you from blood loss. AGAIN EMERSON HAD FREAKING PLOT ARMOR!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
4.5*
Look, I am going to be straight with you: this book does require a bit of suspension of disbelief. It just does. But it is so worth it, because once I was able to do that, I could not put the book down. It was so delightfully messed up, and there were so many questions to be answered. Also, the stakes were immensely high, as the author made it very clear from early on that no one would be safe.
Here's the gist: Emerson was arrested for some shenanigans that resulted in a fire and death. She's obviously facing prison time if convicted, even though she swears she did not do it. This guy comes to her and makes an offer: join some messy reality show, win and earn your freedom and some money for your struggling family. Lose and it's life in solitary confinement. Now- this is where my suspension of disbelief came in, because who the everloving heck would accept this offer?! I mean, you have a 98% chance of being imprisoned for life, or worse. And in fairness, Emerson does at least scoff at the offer for awhile, though based on the entire premise of the book, you know she eventually acquiesces. So you just have to go into it accepting that she is making this terrible life choice, and move on.
Because once you do, things get wild. She meets 49 otherfools kids who are willing to take this chance, too. Some for fame, some for freedom, but the result remains the same, they find themselves on a cruise ship to hell, where even the winners are losers. Because this is not set up for success, it is set up to be horrifying, and it's also set up for views. Certainly, you can see the relevance in our current culture, yeah? There is a lot of great commentary on current societal problems, which was fabulous too.
The premise was wild, the execution even more so. It's a pretty dark concept, but there were some lighter moments, a hint of romance (that was a little insta-lovey but also was not at all the main focus so it was fine) and a lot of very solid friendships being made. Of course, there was also backstabbing and awfulness, but it's a reality show about teen murder, so. I thought I had figured some stuff out, and I had, but the stuff I had figured out was just the tip of the iceberg, and there were so many twists and turns and secrets that I had no idea were coming!
It ends in a sort of satisfying way, but it also very much lends itself to a sequel. Like, it definitely seems like it was designed for one, so fingers are very much crossed!
Bottom Line: Truly could not put this book down- it was so messed up in the very best way!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Look, I am going to be straight with you: this book does require a bit of suspension of disbelief. It just does. But it is so worth it, because once I was able to do that, I could not put the book down. It was so delightfully messed up, and there were so many questions to be answered. Also, the stakes were immensely high, as the author made it very clear from early on that no one would be safe.
Here's the gist: Emerson was arrested for some shenanigans that resulted in a fire and death. She's obviously facing prison time if convicted, even though she swears she did not do it. This guy comes to her and makes an offer: join some messy reality show, win and earn your freedom and some money for your struggling family. Lose and it's life in solitary confinement. Now- this is where my suspension of disbelief came in, because who the everloving heck would accept this offer?! I mean, you have a 98% chance of being imprisoned for life, or worse. And in fairness, Emerson does at least scoff at the offer for awhile, though based on the entire premise of the book, you know she eventually acquiesces. So you just have to go into it accepting that she is making this terrible life choice, and move on.
Because once you do, things get wild. She meets 49 other
The premise was wild, the execution even more so. It's a pretty dark concept, but there were some lighter moments, a hint of romance (that was a little insta-lovey but also was not at all the main focus so it was fine) and a lot of very solid friendships being made. Of course, there was also backstabbing and awfulness, but it's a reality show about teen murder, so. I thought I had figured some stuff out, and I had, but the stuff I had figured out was just the tip of the iceberg, and there were so many twists and turns and secrets that I had no idea were coming!
It ends in a sort of satisfying way, but it also very much lends itself to a sequel. Like, it definitely seems like it was designed for one, so fingers are very much crossed!
Bottom Line: Truly could not put this book down- it was so messed up in the very best way!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
March 31, 2024
So, if you are a fan of death games as I am, you know there’s a checklist of things that make or break the death game and I’m here to tell you that Ben Oliver hit every single one with the Kill Factor.
This book is essentially dystopian Real Account (the manga) with a bit of Battle Royale flair. And it works SO well.
This death game is intense and has a succinct and engaging theme: “rehabilitating criminals” - I loved that each game centered around a different noble attribute. And the games themselves, while pretty simple, were unique and original. I felt panic at each one. The stakes were always there!
And Emerson? She was perfect. In death games, you need a main character who sees the beauty in humanity, who doesn’t want others to die and who is willing to help others. You also need someone who doesn’t want to die themselves and will fight for their place in the games. Finally, you need someone who wants to make a difference and bring the games down. Emerson is allllll of these things and Oliver portrayed her so beautifully. I loved watching her in these games.
If I had one qualm and it’s a minor one because the focus of the book is the death game… is the romance. It was not quite as developed as I would have liked. I wish we had gotten more interaction between the two before their first kiss but I was still invested in their relationship so I’ll give Oliver a small pass for this. I loved the found family aspect and the friendships Emerson found along the way.
I also thought Oliver did a good job working with all 50 kids! He didn’t do as much as Battle Royale did, but I was impressed with his ability to give many of them a personality where I saw their name and knew them for something at least. Major props for this!
Ultimately, this was a spectacular addition to the death game genre and I hope that he continues writing in this world! I would love a sequel!
This book is essentially dystopian Real Account (the manga) with a bit of Battle Royale flair. And it works SO well.
This death game is intense and has a succinct and engaging theme: “rehabilitating criminals” - I loved that each game centered around a different noble attribute. And the games themselves, while pretty simple, were unique and original. I felt panic at each one. The stakes were always there!
And Emerson? She was perfect. In death games, you need a main character who sees the beauty in humanity, who doesn’t want others to die and who is willing to help others. You also need someone who doesn’t want to die themselves and will fight for their place in the games. Finally, you need someone who wants to make a difference and bring the games down. Emerson is allllll of these things and Oliver portrayed her so beautifully. I loved watching her in these games.
If I had one qualm and it’s a minor one because the focus of the book is the death game… is the romance. It was not quite as developed as I would have liked. I wish we had gotten more interaction between the two before their first kiss but I was still invested in their relationship so I’ll give Oliver a small pass for this. I loved the found family aspect and the friendships Emerson found along the way.
I also thought Oliver did a good job working with all 50 kids! He didn’t do as much as Battle Royale did, but I was impressed with his ability to give many of them a personality where I saw their name and knew them for something at least. Major props for this!
Ultimately, this was a spectacular addition to the death game genre and I hope that he continues writing in this world! I would love a sequel!
April 7, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the advanced copy.
I want to start by saying I wasn't expecting or wanting something original or that's not derivative because the summary is clear that this is a Hunger Games/Battle Royale story. That's what I was expecting and wanting to read and that is exactly what The Kill Factor is.
Unfortunately, Oliver is a little too derivative, while also writing this story, featuring multiple gruesome deaths, as if it's for children? When it's meant to be YA? The writing is too simplistic in comparison to the content. It then handles various hot button topics with the absolutely no finesse, and so clumsily, that when the incel topic came up I just had to laugh??
Oliver tries to make develop some substance in The Kill Factor by attempting to comment on late stage capitalism, mob mentality, desensitization from the internet, radicalization on the internet, the shallowness of influencers and digital "content", but at the same time... like, this book comes across as a clear attempt to cash in on topics of concern to kids by an adult who doesn't fully understand why these topics concern kids.
A forgettable fumble in the Battle Royale genre.
I want to start by saying I wasn't expecting or wanting something original or that's not derivative because the summary is clear that this is a Hunger Games/Battle Royale story. That's what I was expecting and wanting to read and that is exactly what The Kill Factor is.
Unfortunately, Oliver is a little too derivative, while also writing this story, featuring multiple gruesome deaths, as if it's for children? When it's meant to be YA? The writing is too simplistic in comparison to the content. It then handles various hot button topics with the absolutely no finesse, and so clumsily, that when the incel topic came up I just had to laugh??
Oliver tries to make develop some substance in The Kill Factor by attempting to comment on late stage capitalism, mob mentality, desensitization from the internet, radicalization on the internet, the shallowness of influencers and digital "content", but at the same time... like, this book comes across as a clear attempt to cash in on topics of concern to kids by an adult who doesn't fully understand why these topics concern kids.
A forgettable fumble in the Battle Royale genre.
April 5, 2024
HOLY. CRAP. HOLY. CRAP.
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book that had my heart POUNDING with suspense, but Ben Oliver absolutely delivered!!
The world, the characters, the horror, the conspiracies…it was all so incredible. I felt such a wide variety of emotions throughout this book and I’m soooo hoping this is the start to a series, because I need more!
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book that had my heart POUNDING with suspense, but Ben Oliver absolutely delivered!!
The world, the characters, the horror, the conspiracies…it was all so incredible. I felt such a wide variety of emotions throughout this book and I’m soooo hoping this is the start to a series, because I need more!
July 31, 2023
I read an ARC of this on Edelweiss. It was not what I was expecting at all. It was so much better. There was a lot of depth and development in the major characters. I enjoyed it so much, and will be buying a physical copy when it comes out.
April 6, 2024
I didn't want to like this book. The premise just seems so contrived, Emerson starts off pretty boring, and it seems like a setup for a classic love triangle. I almost quit around 30%, but managed to push through. Then I didn't stop reading until I finished and wanted to start all over again. It's very reminiscent of and inspired by the Hunger Games and Black Mirror, especially its commentary on society. Maybe not the most original, but until these sorts of stories stop teaching us about our reality, they're worth telling. Also the ending!!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2024
1/5
There were many tiny things that bothered me with this book. The writing first off, didn't make me feel like I was in this intense dystopian future, I was just left with many questions on how multiple things were possible. On top of this, the ages didn't reflect the actions/writing for me. The whole time I found it hard to believe some of the characters thought process's and actions. I don't know how I was able to finish this one.
There were many tiny things that bothered me with this book. The writing first off, didn't make me feel like I was in this intense dystopian future, I was just left with many questions on how multiple things were possible. On top of this, the ages didn't reflect the actions/writing for me. The whole time I found it hard to believe some of the characters thought process's and actions. I don't know how I was able to finish this one.
April 13, 2024
This is the start of what appears to be a series which I predict will be popular among middle and high school students. Fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner and Divergent will love this! The twist in Kill Factor is the underlying commentary on social media’s impact on the world. A great choice for book club discussions!
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.
April 5, 2024
The Kill Factor was so interesting. I found myself reading so quickly, and when I couldn’t read I was thinking about this book. It combined elements from The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, culminating in a ya dystopian novel that hit the spot.
In the world of The Kill Factor, social media and influencers rule the world. The amount of followers a person has directly impacts the amount of money they have. The rich and famous live lavishly while the unfollowed and poor live under the city in the burrows. I found the topic of social media to be so entertaining. It made me think while being very entertaining. I couldn’t put it down. This book also hit me right in the heart, with so many twists, turns, and heart wrenching moments I was invested. I’m excited to see what else is in store for the world of The Kill Factor.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
In the world of The Kill Factor, social media and influencers rule the world. The amount of followers a person has directly impacts the amount of money they have. The rich and famous live lavishly while the unfollowed and poor live under the city in the burrows. I found the topic of social media to be so entertaining. It made me think while being very entertaining. I couldn’t put it down. This book also hit me right in the heart, with so many twists, turns, and heart wrenching moments I was invested. I’m excited to see what else is in store for the world of The Kill Factor.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2024
The Hunger Games x Squid Game. A real page turner!
February 18, 2024
This dystopian novel combines elements of The Maze Runner with elements of The Hunger Games, and adds a twist from the present: internet influencers. In the possibly not-so-distant future, influencer credit is more valuable than mere money, and people spend their lives trying to gain enough followers to earn a decent living - but of course, only a few can do that, and those who can't fall to the bottom of the social and financial structure.
One such person at the bottom is Emerson Ness, a 17 year-old Burrower - a person who lives in the tunnels below the city, originally built by the homeless to gain some warmth from the heated floors of the wealthy, but later expanded by the government as a cheap and convenient way to both house and hide the poorest of the poor where they wouldn't bother the rest of society. Emerson has scraped and dug and, yes, stolen, trying to support herself and her brother, with minimal help from her father, a would-be influencer convinced that someday, his cast will take off. Caught in a fire at her school, Emerson is charged with arson and manslaughter, and sentenced to 15 years incarceration - but she's given a chance to participate in the Redemption Games, trading her guaranteed 15 years for a chance at freedom, balanced against the risk of a lifetime in prison. Upon reaching the guarded location of the Redemption Games, Emerson and her 49 fellow competitors find out that the Redemption Games are really a game show called The Kill Factor - and only the last survivor can win. Recommended for older teens and adults, due to dark themes and repeated deadly violence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One such person at the bottom is Emerson Ness, a 17 year-old Burrower - a person who lives in the tunnels below the city, originally built by the homeless to gain some warmth from the heated floors of the wealthy, but later expanded by the government as a cheap and convenient way to both house and hide the poorest of the poor where they wouldn't bother the rest of society. Emerson has scraped and dug and, yes, stolen, trying to support herself and her brother, with minimal help from her father, a would-be influencer convinced that someday, his cast will take off. Caught in a fire at her school, Emerson is charged with arson and manslaughter, and sentenced to 15 years incarceration - but she's given a chance to participate in the Redemption Games, trading her guaranteed 15 years for a chance at freedom, balanced against the risk of a lifetime in prison. Upon reaching the guarded location of the Redemption Games, Emerson and her 49 fellow competitors find out that the Redemption Games are really a game show called The Kill Factor - and only the last survivor can win. Recommended for older teens and adults, due to dark themes and repeated deadly violence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 2, 2024
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of The Kill Factor. Given the success of Ben Oliver's other books in my library, I knew I had to read this one to prepare for book talking with my students. I know they won't be disappointed in the thrills, twists, and turns that come with The Kill Factor. From the televised competition aspect that will attract fans of Squid Game to the dystopian society that will draw in a different subset of readers, I anticipate that The Kill Factor will be a hit with my students.
February 4, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for an Arc of The Kill Factor. After Chapter 1 I wanted to stop reading this book, then chapter 5, then a few more chapters but then next thing I knew I had finished the book. The Kill Factor is a mix of Hunger Games, Squid Games, and a horrible car wreck that you can not look away from. If our world ever relies on social media for its currency we are doomed. Let's just keep that idea within The Kill Factor. I will be patiently waiting for this to be published to share with my students.
June 2, 2024
In a world where popularity equals success, Emerson Ness does what she has to do to give a life for her brother.
She enters a reality show to get her charges of 15+ years in jail dropped and for the popularity that will give her and her family the life they need. If she can survive and make it to the end, which is a very slim chance out of 50 other competitors, she will be a free woman. The downside is, if she fails, is that she will be locked in solitary confinement for the rest of her life with no contact with any other person. But as you can imagine, the show isn’t quite what was promised…
This book for sure gives me Squid Games /The Hunger Games vibes for sure.
I honestly picked up this book randomly and didn’t really look into the synopsis. Which in this case kind of helped me get into this book a lot more quickly.
It was for sure a change up from what I have been usually reading. I was really impressed with how the action, the harsh reality show aspect, and the believability of the characters played out over the course of 350+ pages.
There are so many times where I literally was cringing because of some of the harsh aspects of the story. But it’s sad to say that a lot of the things done with this book are not out of the possibility if this was a real life show.
I really ended up enjoying this book overall. For sure a platte cleanser of a book that has me wanting to go read a happy book right about now lol.
If you were looking for a high stakes/ hunger/games kind of book. this book for sure will get your blood pumping and leave you speechless. That ending for sure had me intrigued enough for sure. Pick up the sequel if there happens to be one.
Thanks to folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
She enters a reality show to get her charges of 15+ years in jail dropped and for the popularity that will give her and her family the life they need. If she can survive and make it to the end, which is a very slim chance out of 50 other competitors, she will be a free woman. The downside is, if she fails, is that she will be locked in solitary confinement for the rest of her life with no contact with any other person. But as you can imagine, the show isn’t quite what was promised…
This book for sure gives me Squid Games /The Hunger Games vibes for sure.
I honestly picked up this book randomly and didn’t really look into the synopsis. Which in this case kind of helped me get into this book a lot more quickly.
It was for sure a change up from what I have been usually reading. I was really impressed with how the action, the harsh reality show aspect, and the believability of the characters played out over the course of 350+ pages.
There are so many times where I literally was cringing because of some of the harsh aspects of the story. But it’s sad to say that a lot of the things done with this book are not out of the possibility if this was a real life show.
I really ended up enjoying this book overall. For sure a platte cleanser of a book that has me wanting to go read a happy book right about now lol.
If you were looking for a high stakes/ hunger/games kind of book. this book for sure will get your blood pumping and leave you speechless. That ending for sure had me intrigued enough for sure. Pick up the sequel if there happens to be one.
Thanks to folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
October 30, 2024
Highlighting the worst of the influencer culture, this book managed to creep me out and fascinate me. Imagine a bunch of kids with a criminal past thrown into dangerous situations and forced to "perform" to gain followers. The one with the least amount of followers is killed.
The book is set in a world where creating a brand is everything and collecting followers is not a hobby, it's a life or death situation. Money is basically worthless, everything revolves around creating content - the more followers you have, the more "credits" you can use to buy stuff, so if you aren't popular, you can end up homeless, without food, education, etc. Terrifying.
I absolutely loved the way this world was created to resemble some parts of the real one. That's why it's so horrific - you can imagine something like that in our future.
Emerson is a character who hates the world she lives in but she can't change it. She is constantly torn between wanting a better future for herself and her brother, but also not wanting to be a puppet - performing and humiliating herself just to succeed in life.
Every other character is fleshed out as well - you hate some, you love some but they all bring out a certain emotion. Of course, nothing is black and white and each character has their flaws.
The reality show was brutal and no one is safe, you never know who's gonna get hurt or die. You can only hope your faves die a quick death.
Lots of shocking things happened and the ending surprised me a lot. I won't spoil it, but there was a tiny bit of an open ending which you can interpret in various ways.
The book is set in a world where creating a brand is everything and collecting followers is not a hobby, it's a life or death situation. Money is basically worthless, everything revolves around creating content - the more followers you have, the more "credits" you can use to buy stuff, so if you aren't popular, you can end up homeless, without food, education, etc. Terrifying.
I absolutely loved the way this world was created to resemble some parts of the real one. That's why it's so horrific - you can imagine something like that in our future.
Emerson is a character who hates the world she lives in but she can't change it. She is constantly torn between wanting a better future for herself and her brother, but also not wanting to be a puppet - performing and humiliating herself just to succeed in life.
Every other character is fleshed out as well - you hate some, you love some but they all bring out a certain emotion. Of course, nothing is black and white and each character has their flaws.
The reality show was brutal and no one is safe, you never know who's gonna get hurt or die. You can only hope your faves die a quick death.
Lots of shocking things happened and the ending surprised me a lot. I won't spoil it, but there was a tiny bit of an open ending which you can interpret in various ways.
March 25, 2025
Hear me out—I think this book would’ve been better as a graphic novel.
RATING: 2.5/5
I can’t ignore it! This book isn’t that old and I’m a millennial, I couldn’t shake how many movies and books clearly inspired its story and concept. I still love the premise, but the more I read, the more familiar it felt. Having grown up with The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, this felt like a mix of those with elements of Gamer thrown in. Because of that, the book became somewhat predictable for me, leaving me with the feeling that it was just alright. Well barely.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have its moments. There are sections that really pull you in, and the character development is decent. However, I initially found it hard to like the main character. She clearly sensed something was off about the TV show she was entering, yet she still went through with it. Even stranger, it was her younger brother who encouraged her to join, all under the premise of making money for their family while serving out her sentence through this reality competition.
Undeniably, the concept itself is the strongest part of the book. The idea of young adults—on the verge of being locked away—getting a chance to compete on a high-stakes show has a lot of potential. But even with so many references the author could have pulled from, the execution didn’t bring anything new to the table. I thought with having so many reference points across film and literature, the author would’ve been inspired enough to push those old ideas further or knew what concepts to avoid. From the brooding, misunderstood male lead to the potential love triangle, it was impossible not to compare it to The Hunger Games. The large number of contestants and their unruly, unpredictable nature echoed Battle Royale. And the way the game tied into social media and viewer involvement reminded me of Gamer.
Because of that, I think this story would’ve worked better as a graphic novel. Strong illustrations could have helped the story stand out and given it a fresh perspective, especially since so much of the dialogue and character interactions felt reused. That said, the book does raise interesting conversations about the direction our world is heading—particularly how social media plays into quick rises to fame and public manipulation. The idea of social media influencing who gets saved and who ranks highest in the competition is compelling.
Ultimately, while the concept had potential, the execution fell flat.
RATING: 2.5/5
I can’t ignore it! This book isn’t that old and I’m a millennial, I couldn’t shake how many movies and books clearly inspired its story and concept. I still love the premise, but the more I read, the more familiar it felt. Having grown up with The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, this felt like a mix of those with elements of Gamer thrown in. Because of that, the book became somewhat predictable for me, leaving me with the feeling that it was just alright. Well barely.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have its moments. There are sections that really pull you in, and the character development is decent. However, I initially found it hard to like the main character. She clearly sensed something was off about the TV show she was entering, yet she still went through with it. Even stranger, it was her younger brother who encouraged her to join, all under the premise of making money for their family while serving out her sentence through this reality competition.
Undeniably, the concept itself is the strongest part of the book. The idea of young adults—on the verge of being locked away—getting a chance to compete on a high-stakes show has a lot of potential. But even with so many references the author could have pulled from, the execution didn’t bring anything new to the table. I thought with having so many reference points across film and literature, the author would’ve been inspired enough to push those old ideas further or knew what concepts to avoid. From the brooding, misunderstood male lead to the potential love triangle, it was impossible not to compare it to The Hunger Games. The large number of contestants and their unruly, unpredictable nature echoed Battle Royale. And the way the game tied into social media and viewer involvement reminded me of Gamer.
Because of that, I think this story would’ve worked better as a graphic novel. Strong illustrations could have helped the story stand out and given it a fresh perspective, especially since so much of the dialogue and character interactions felt reused. That said, the book does raise interesting conversations about the direction our world is heading—particularly how social media plays into quick rises to fame and public manipulation. The idea of social media influencing who gets saved and who ranks highest in the competition is compelling.
Ultimately, while the concept had potential, the execution fell flat.
August 20, 2024
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Dystopian / Horror
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Ben Oliver's The Kill Factor is a twisted young adult centered dystopian horror mash up featuring 16-year-old Emerson Ness who is a Burrower. A Burrower is a person who lives in the tunnels below the city. Emerson has scraped and dug and, yes, stolen, trying to support herself and her brother Kester, with minimal help from her father, a would-be influencer convinced that someday, his cast will take off and they can become one of the Topsiders living in luxury.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Dystopian / Horror
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Ben Oliver's The Kill Factor is a twisted young adult centered dystopian horror mash up featuring 16-year-old Emerson Ness who is a Burrower. A Burrower is a person who lives in the tunnels below the city. Emerson has scraped and dug and, yes, stolen, trying to support herself and her brother Kester, with minimal help from her father, a would-be influencer convinced that someday, his cast will take off and they can become one of the Topsiders living in luxury.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 26, 2024
3.5 stars
I'll say it over and over, I absolutely love books with deadly games. It keeps me engaged and nervous and ramps up the tension in the story. The setting of this was also interesting, in a not-so-far future where social credit means more than actual money and most people make their living through online content. It's scary to think that we aren't far from something like this happening.
The main character didn't really make an impression on me other than her connection with her younger brother. I thought Emerson was a bit irritating in how she kept trying to be better than other contestants by not following the rules, even when it hurt herself and others. She also came across as kind of weak and helpless a lot of the time and wasn't the lead I wanted.
The ending wasn't quite what I expected and I enjoyed the extra twist. Maybe there will be a sequel at some point?
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Chicken House for the copy.
I'll say it over and over, I absolutely love books with deadly games. It keeps me engaged and nervous and ramps up the tension in the story. The setting of this was also interesting, in a not-so-far future where social credit means more than actual money and most people make their living through online content. It's scary to think that we aren't far from something like this happening.
The main character didn't really make an impression on me other than her connection with her younger brother. I thought Emerson was a bit irritating in how she kept trying to be better than other contestants by not following the rules, even when it hurt herself and others. She also came across as kind of weak and helpless a lot of the time and wasn't the lead I wanted.
The ending wasn't quite what I expected and I enjoyed the extra twist. Maybe there will be a sequel at some point?
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Chicken House for the copy.
April 16, 2024
An exciting and creative foot forward into a story that falls into both horror and dystopian genre’s.
It is a story about the choices we make, good or bad and the consequences that follow.
The Kill Factor is a unique approach of pushing the envelope of bad choices and the reactions of others afterwards.
High energy, unique characters, intense action, keep the story flowing at a fast pace.
Easy to get lost between the pages and become invested in some likable characters.
Emerson is a personal favorite and it was thrilling to watch her grow in the story, and realize that in order to survive, make it to freedom, it’s all about choices.
Thanks to Scholastic for this arc and read something daring and fun.
It is a story about the choices we make, good or bad and the consequences that follow.
The Kill Factor is a unique approach of pushing the envelope of bad choices and the reactions of others afterwards.
High energy, unique characters, intense action, keep the story flowing at a fast pace.
Easy to get lost between the pages and become invested in some likable characters.
Emerson is a personal favorite and it was thrilling to watch her grow in the story, and realize that in order to survive, make it to freedom, it’s all about choices.
Thanks to Scholastic for this arc and read something daring and fun.
September 19, 2024
Okay, first: I hate when books that are not horror are labeled horror. This was a thriller. A mystery. It wasn’t horror.
Secondly, how does this book have so many 4-and-5-star reviews? Did I read a different book??
The writing was fine. Not bad. Not great, but fine. The plot was the plot: obviously a twist on the whole “survival games” genre, which you knew going in so don’t complain about it being a Hunger Games rip-off. It wasn’t; that’s not a new plot and it wasn’t new when Suzanne Collins did it.
The problem for me were the characters. What characters? No one had … anything. Anything to make them likable or not. Even the ones who were supposed to be disliked didn’t give enough to make me care. Near the end of the book she mentions her friend who died and I was like “who? Oh duh right okay.” This was supposedly her best friend but?? There was nothing at all to her.
And god. Her “falling in love” with Kodi. Are you kidding me? I know feelings arise in intense circumstances and they’re young blah blah, but once again, there was NOTHING THERE. She fell in love with a cardboard cutout of a person!
Yes, I did compare this to THG as I read, and in every single instance THG was shown to be far, far superior. I’m not talking about the trilogy; you can’t compare a trilogy to one book; but rather just The Hunger Games book 1 vs this and like ????
I don’t care that this was YA. So was THG. Just because something is written with teenagers in mind doesn’t mean it can’t have actual characters and people you root for and against. This was just…tropes projected on a screen.
Also the gimmick of calling him “the Producer” was old by like the second or 3rd time it happened.
Secondly, how does this book have so many 4-and-5-star reviews? Did I read a different book??
The writing was fine. Not bad. Not great, but fine. The plot was the plot: obviously a twist on the whole “survival games” genre, which you knew going in so don’t complain about it being a Hunger Games rip-off. It wasn’t; that’s not a new plot and it wasn’t new when Suzanne Collins did it.
The problem for me were the characters. What characters? No one had … anything. Anything to make them likable or not. Even the ones who were supposed to be disliked didn’t give enough to make me care. Near the end of the book she mentions her friend who died and I was like “who? Oh duh right okay.” This was supposedly her best friend but?? There was nothing at all to her.
And god. Her “falling in love” with Kodi. Are you kidding me? I know feelings arise in intense circumstances and they’re young blah blah, but once again, there was NOTHING THERE. She fell in love with a cardboard cutout of a person!
Yes, I did compare this to THG as I read, and in every single instance THG was shown to be far, far superior. I’m not talking about the trilogy; you can’t compare a trilogy to one book; but rather just The Hunger Games book 1 vs this and like ????
I don’t care that this was YA. So was THG. Just because something is written with teenagers in mind doesn’t mean it can’t have actual characters and people you root for and against. This was just…tropes projected on a screen.
Also the gimmick of calling him “the Producer” was old by like the second or 3rd time it happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
If you enjoyed #MURDERTRENDING, oh do I have a book I think you're going to love the hell out of. THE KILL FACTOR was dark and FUN. It was like SQUIDGAMES but if you were in the games because you're a teenager heading to prison.
The MC lives in a world where money is almost obsolete, but your popularity on social media is the best currency around. The more followers you have, the higher your chances of living outside of poverty. She's given the opportunity to play in this gameshow-like experience in exchange for her freedom and countless followers. And man, Ben Oliver DELIVERS.
Not for the squeamish, THE KILL FACTOR was such an awesome exploration of the obsession behind social media and how it can alter our behaviour just so we get that next dopamine hit. We also get to see human nature, both at its best and at its worst. The chaos of teenage emotions mixed with the absolute need to survive makes everything in this book all that more dire and desperate.
I agree with those comparing this to the HUNGER GAMES, I think this would do really well if it catches the attention of bigger book bloggers. I love these honest explorations and discussions of social media and society as a whole. I THE KILL FACTOR is incredibly timely and just an all-around entertaining time (even if it can definitely be scarring.)
Happy reading!
The MC lives in a world where money is almost obsolete, but your popularity on social media is the best currency around. The more followers you have, the higher your chances of living outside of poverty. She's given the opportunity to play in this gameshow-like experience in exchange for her freedom and countless followers. And man, Ben Oliver DELIVERS.
Not for the squeamish, THE KILL FACTOR was such an awesome exploration of the obsession behind social media and how it can alter our behaviour just so we get that next dopamine hit. We also get to see human nature, both at its best and at its worst. The chaos of teenage emotions mixed with the absolute need to survive makes everything in this book all that more dire and desperate.
I agree with those comparing this to the HUNGER GAMES, I think this would do really well if it catches the attention of bigger book bloggers. I love these honest explorations and discussions of social media and society as a whole. I THE KILL FACTOR is incredibly timely and just an all-around entertaining time (even if it can definitely be scarring.)
Happy reading!
June 17, 2025
If you want to read the Hunger Games but with inane writing, flat characters, nonsensical social media based world building, and the most cold instalove I’ve ever read, this is the book for you!
Sad because this did have potential to explore some great themes around how we dehumanize incarcerated people. But oh well.
Sad because this did have potential to explore some great themes around how we dehumanize incarcerated people. But oh well.
December 12, 2024
I am a big fan of Ben Oliver. Since I read it the first time ”The Loop“ is still my favorite book series and the only one I have reread as often as I did (just finished the first book for the fifth time)
He manages to write in a manner that younger readers will be able to understand complex issues that we have in today’s world. It is the latest tragedies of our world that he somehow puts in an exciting and twisting story full of adventure, friendship, fear, pain, and hope.
I cannot know what his real intentions with this book were. I am aware that he was trying to point out important issues of the modern world, but as someone who has been so extremely influenced by what has been going on in Palestine ever since October 2023 (and long before) I cannot imagine that he had not once had them in mind when he wrote this book. The mention of genocide and children being locked up, talking about protests and boycotts that people are doing who are not accepting the fact that the killing of innocent children is broadcasted throughout the whole world with everybody watching. However all the noise still not doing any good, as it’s not these people who hold the power but the leaders, who are in charge and decide to do as they will. It cannot just be coincidence.
The story was once again an exaggerated depiction of injustice, and the real problems of this world. There was no way that you didn’t feel for these children and felt just as scared as them to what their fate will turn out to be like.
Throughout the book characters loose hope and the further the story continues the more the reader starts to loose it too. The desperate fight for survival, trying to hold on but getting one hit after the other is a quest barely possible to win.
The talk about greed, balance of power, the entertainment of rich people who want to see others having less and never as much as them, is something we’re all well aware of but still a reminder how mad today’s society is.
The games having different goals, such as teaching “empathy” was interesting to watch. I was wondering how that particular game would play out and seeing how it did I was really surprised until the end. I did not expect the contestants to behave the way they did until
I understood that it was yet again not people actually being empathetic towards others, but trying to get the empathy OF other people for THEMSELVES. That was more like it, if you ask me.
You’ll understand once you read it.
More to the story itself in comparison to “The Loop”.
I really enjoyed how there were elements of “The Loop”, showing that they played in the same world with the mention of Ebb or inmates who were promised reduced sentences if they took part in medical experiments.
There were some characters that reminded me of each other, such as Pander and Tiger. The two young ones who love to sing and are way too full of life to be put into places as they were. Or Alistair, who reminded me a little of Pod. I cannot really explain it, but something about the two of them really reminded me of each other. Maybe it was the wisdom or the sense of responsibility both of them showed more or less in their own stories. Or maybe it was the mention of stars that especially Pod will always be remembered for by me.
I can only repeat myself by saying that I cannot wait for the following books by the author. I firmly believe that Ben Oliver, if finally appreciated accordingly, will change the mindset of coming generations by writing books that do not just display injustice that we have in this world, but also making them accessible by writing interesting and important stories that will appeal to the younger audience, who will hopefully use that knowledge to bring change to the world.
He manages to write in a manner that younger readers will be able to understand complex issues that we have in today’s world. It is the latest tragedies of our world that he somehow puts in an exciting and twisting story full of adventure, friendship, fear, pain, and hope.
I cannot know what his real intentions with this book were. I am aware that he was trying to point out important issues of the modern world, but as someone who has been so extremely influenced by what has been going on in Palestine ever since October 2023 (and long before) I cannot imagine that he had not once had them in mind when he wrote this book. The mention of genocide and children being locked up, talking about protests and boycotts that people are doing who are not accepting the fact that the killing of innocent children is broadcasted throughout the whole world with everybody watching. However all the noise still not doing any good, as it’s not these people who hold the power but the leaders, who are in charge and decide to do as they will. It cannot just be coincidence.
The story was once again an exaggerated depiction of injustice, and the real problems of this world. There was no way that you didn’t feel for these children and felt just as scared as them to what their fate will turn out to be like.
Throughout the book characters loose hope and the further the story continues the more the reader starts to loose it too. The desperate fight for survival, trying to hold on but getting one hit after the other is a quest barely possible to win.
The talk about greed, balance of power, the entertainment of rich people who want to see others having less and never as much as them, is something we’re all well aware of but still a reminder how mad today’s society is.
The games having different goals, such as teaching “empathy” was interesting to watch. I was wondering how that particular game would play out and seeing how it did I was really surprised until the end. I did not expect the contestants to behave the way they did until
I understood that it was yet again not people actually being empathetic towards others, but trying to get the empathy OF other people for THEMSELVES. That was more like it, if you ask me.
You’ll understand once you read it.
More to the story itself in comparison to “The Loop”.
I really enjoyed how there were elements of “The Loop”, showing that they played in the same world with the mention of Ebb or inmates who were promised reduced sentences if they took part in medical experiments.
There were some characters that reminded me of each other, such as Pander and Tiger. The two young ones who love to sing and are way too full of life to be put into places as they were. Or Alistair, who reminded me a little of Pod. I cannot really explain it, but something about the two of them really reminded me of each other. Maybe it was the wisdom or the sense of responsibility both of them showed more or less in their own stories. Or maybe it was the mention of stars that especially Pod will always be remembered for by me.
I can only repeat myself by saying that I cannot wait for the following books by the author. I firmly believe that Ben Oliver, if finally appreciated accordingly, will change the mindset of coming generations by writing books that do not just display injustice that we have in this world, but also making them accessible by writing interesting and important stories that will appeal to the younger audience, who will hopefully use that knowledge to bring change to the world.
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