The Amnesty Games

by K.A. Riley

From the author of Recruitment and the Cure comes an exciting new Young Adult / New Adult dystopian series for fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Maze Runner.

Seventeen-year-old Alora is a Hawker, and she’s been training her whole life for this.

This is the week of the annual Amnesty Games.

Accompanied by her five fellow Hawkers, Alora is about to do battle with a hundred of the Hopefuls, the most violent and dangerous convicts from the Ward. It’s five days of hand-to-hand combat, physical challenges, mazes, traps, and obstacle courses, all followed by a two-day Pursuit through the Netherwoods where Alora and the Hawkers will track down any of the Hopefuls who’ve managed to make it that far.

If the Hopefuls succeed, they get their freedom. If not, it’s back to prison for the rest of their lives. It’s been this way since the start of the New States.

But what happens when buried secrets are revealed and the two sides stop playing the game by the same rules?

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2023

About the author

K. A. Riley is a writer of speculative and science fiction, dedicated to creating worlds just different enough from our own to be entertaining, intriguing and a little frightening all at once. For Riley, writing isn't a job. It's a laboratory where readers can wander into a land of ideas; it's a playground where they can scamper around, giggling, gasping, and freaking out to their hearts' content.

Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I would not necessarily compare it to Hunger Games. The only comparison is that is has a game but this has a totally different game and story line.

I love the main character. She was someone you could relate to. At least more than the other six. Obviously you know something isn’t right but I didn’t expect what we found out in this book. I didn’t see the betrayals.

I was shocked at some parts of this book and others I did see a little but still, KA Riley is a Dystopian genius.

I cannot stand Amira’s brother. I love Nico. I can’t wait to see what happens in the second book. So much drama happened within this book. From the moment they step into the arena for the amnesty games to the end of the book, it is so good.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this as I was a fan of the Cure books. This book was compared to The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze - all books that I loved. It was sadly not to be. I found myself struggling until around the 27% mark. I couldn't connect to the main character and the friendship between Alora and the other three MCs just wasn't believable. It may be because the book starts the day prior to the start of the games so we don't get to experience their friendships ahead of this. The book then gets more exciting but then slows down again with a predictable setup for the sequel. I will read the next book to see if it gets better.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Amnesty Games series by K.A. Riley - a thrilling and enjoyable read that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. This action-packed adventure spans 491 pages and is perfect for fans of young adult dystopia.

Every year, 100 of the most dangerous criminals from the Ward, known as the Hopefuls, are given a chance to earn their freedom by participating in the deadly Amnesty Games. The world-building and complex social structure are well-crafted and described in detail, making it a fascinating read.

The characters are intriguing and multifaceted, each driven by their own motivations as they struggle to survive in this ruined world. You may even find yourself rooting for some of them. I won't spoil the rest - it's best to read it yourself with an open mind. If you enjoyed K.A. Riley's previous works, you are sure to love this one too.


Next Book in the Series:
Middlegame: A Dystopian Novel (The Amnesty Games Book 2)
Book 2 of 2: The Amnesty Games

5 Star Rating
2 Skull Dread Rating


Like Always:
Check Your Triggers 😊

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had quite a few thoughts while reading this book and most of them weren’t that positive. Overall, it’s needlessly wordy and repetitive, slowing down the overall plot with pointless details. While it might be YA, it’s extremely juvenile between the insults and banter. There was clearly a lot of inspiration from some of the leading dystopian novels and it felt like an attempt to lump all of those themes together. There were basic inconsistencies that irritated me that could’ve been avoided with a proper editor. The story did open up around the halfway mark and while I think the concept was interesting, the execution just wasn’t there. It shouldn’t take half a book to get to the point of your story. I’m intrigued to see where it goes, but I’m also annoyed, so I feel like I’m finishing the series out of spite because I’m nosy.

[April Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fantastic start to this series!!!! If you are a fan of The Hunger Games, The Purge, and 1984, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading this.
This follows Alora as she joins the elite Hawkers to participate in the yearly Amnesty Games. The games are designed and run by her parents, and she grew up watching previous games as a spectator.
Each year the hopefuls, who are the areas prisoners, are given a chance at Amnesty if the manage to survive being tagged out by a Hawker. 100 start the games, and 6 Hawkers must hunt and tag them all out before the end of the games.
However, this year the hunters become the Hunted. Alora and fellow Hawker Nico discover more about the games than they should and they must face off with the other 4 Hawkers as a form of punishment.
Another fantastic novel by @karileywrites

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes I am so glad I pushed through the lull in the beginning because it was WORTH IT. I don't remember the last time a book made me cry, and this one made me cry three times. I have high expectations for the rest of the series that I desperately hope will carry the same intensity. Top tier series potential.

[Grant Bauder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35 ⭐️

This books was very interesting. Oddly reminiscent of Marie Lu’s dystopian works, this book was filled with twists and a plot that kept me (for the most part) on the edge of my seat. I don’t see why this series isn’t as popular as the likes of Divergent or the Maze Runner. All in all it was a solid, entertaining read and I will be reading the sequel.

[clint shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

I already read the resistance trilogy and the other books of K.A. Riley!
She really is an amazing author. I've been obsessed with Dystopian fiction and this definitely met my needs. Continue to make more books K.A. Riley!

[Lauren Werley Lankford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah. It begins as a blatant ripoff of The Hunger Games. It varies only mildly except with less depth and fewer likable characters. I managed to finish book one, but there’s no way I would invest more time in this.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into it. The characters felt flat and I was bored. Not for me.

[Rebecca Bentham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amnesty

Behind every curtain there’s another secret, another game to play. Just when you think you’ve learned the truth, you realize you were only told lies.

[Jessica Dominy · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow to start, but finishes strong

The beginning of the book is a bit predictable, but about halfway through it picks up and takes several unexpected turns!

[Sandra Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Loved the book and it’s a great story line. Don’t believe anything you see, hear or are trained to do. I’d definitely recommend!

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read Middle Game

Hard to keep my attention in the beginning but I was all in by the end. Read it. You will like it.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice ideas with weak execution

Interesting ideas. Execution very weak. I tried to like this book, but the writing was too simple. No interest in finishing the series.

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much unnecessary information. Repetition of the same few things over and over again. I DNFed it around 70%. What was even the point of this again?

[Ivy Dalley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not get into this book. It was painful.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Almost did not finish multiple times. Gave divergent vibes, but was so boring.

[Goldilor]

DNF at 25%

[Chelsea Babin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly loved this book! It’s similar to the Hunger Games but very different and shouldn’t be compared. However, if you’re a fan of the hunger games, I’d recommend! Lots of twists.

[Lindsay McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can is wow. Book 1 definitely didn’t end the way I thought it would. So far I think this book series is definitely better than the Hunger Games. Who you thought were the enemy is one of the good people. Some of the people who you thought were good are the enemy.

[Mandy Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dystopian storyline with Hunger Games vibe. Interesting characters and plot that keeps you guessing on who to trust all the way to the end. Lots of action and violence, but not gory.

[Estie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be better I was so excited to dive in but I found myself really struggling to get through the first part it doesn’t start to get maybe a little bit interesting until half away through and then drops a little again. The friendships don’t seem genuine and I hate that they talk about points but never mention the score through out the “games.” Yes there was a plot twist and the truth was very underwhelming. This had so much potential. Not sure if I’ll be reading book two.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant start to this new series! I was totally captivated from start to end, and it was such a good read.
The world building was fantastic, I could really picture the arenas and games! I couldn't predict any of the twists or surprises which always makes a book more enjoyable for me! I highly recommend this book if you like YA dystopian. I can't wait for book 2!

[tessa elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a frigging roller coaster, with a MAJOR plot twist🤯 im very excited for book 2😊