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The Game #3
Crash
A thrilling action/suspense novel for fans of The Fifth Wave about contemporary teens pulled in and out of an alternate reality where battling aliens is more than a game—it's life and death.
Miki’s life is falling apart around her. Her dad and best friend are lying in the hospital. The Game is glitching, making missions more frequent and more deadly. And someone close to her is waiting for the right moment to betray her.
Miki feels like she’s hanging on by a thread and the only thing keeping her tethered is Jackson’s hand in hers. Yet telling him how much she needs him, how much she loves him, feels like the biggest challenge of all. And if Miki really wants the missions to end for everyone, she’ll have to let go and be ready to fight when the walls between the Game and reality come crashing down. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that she’s got a whole lot left to lose.
Crash is the pulse-pounding conclusion to the Game trilogy fans won’t want to miss.
Miki’s life is falling apart around her. Her dad and best friend are lying in the hospital. The Game is glitching, making missions more frequent and more deadly. And someone close to her is waiting for the right moment to betray her.
Miki feels like she’s hanging on by a thread and the only thing keeping her tethered is Jackson’s hand in hers. Yet telling him how much she needs him, how much she loves him, feels like the biggest challenge of all. And if Miki really wants the missions to end for everyone, she’ll have to let go and be ready to fight when the walls between the Game and reality come crashing down. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that she’s got a whole lot left to lose.
Crash is the pulse-pounding conclusion to the Game trilogy fans won’t want to miss.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2015
About the author
Eve Silver
40 books1,592 followersNational bestselling author Eve Silver has been praised for her "edgy, steamy, action-packed" books, darkly sexy heroes and take-charge heroines. Her work won the OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award, was shortlisted for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy, was listed as an American Bookseller's Association Best Book for Children and a Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens. She has garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Quill and Quire, two RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards, Library Journal's Best Genre Fiction Award, and she was nominated for the Romance Writers of America® RITA® Award.
Eve lives with her husband and two exuberant border collie/Australian shepherds.
Contact Eve through her website at http://www.evesilver.net
Eve lives with her husband and two exuberant border collie/Australian shepherds.
Contact Eve through her website at http://www.evesilver.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
September 15, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
“Death’s a form of evolution, isn’t it?”
This was an action-packed story, with some interesting answers.
Miki was a strong character in this story, and she was obviously upset over her father and Carly having been in such a bad accident. She held it together though, both in real life, and in the game, and even held up against mental assault by the Drau.
“We need to do this, Jackson… it’s the only way.”
The storyline in this was about the final battle against the Drau, and we did get plenty of action. We also got some very interesting answers as to what the whole game was about though, and they weren’t what I expected at all!
“He didn’t just die,” I whisper.
“He was murdered.”
There was a touch of romance, but just a little bit.
“You take too many chances, Jackson. I know you want me safe, but does it occur to you that I need you safe, too?”
The ending to this was interesting in that I’m not sure that this is the end of the story? I’m think this is supposed to be a trilogy, but the ending was definitely left open for future tales!
6 out of 10
“Death’s a form of evolution, isn’t it?”
This was an action-packed story, with some interesting answers.
Miki was a strong character in this story, and she was obviously upset over her father and Carly having been in such a bad accident. She held it together though, both in real life, and in the game, and even held up against mental assault by the Drau.
“We need to do this, Jackson… it’s the only way.”
The storyline in this was about the final battle against the Drau, and we did get plenty of action. We also got some very interesting answers as to what the whole game was about though, and they weren’t what I expected at all!
“He didn’t just die,” I whisper.
“He was murdered.”
There was a touch of romance, but just a little bit.
“You take too many chances, Jackson. I know you want me safe, but does it occur to you that I need you safe, too?”
The ending to this was interesting in that I’m not sure that this is the end of the story? I’m think this is supposed to be a trilogy, but the ending was definitely left open for future tales!
6 out of 10
November 30, 2014
I can't believe I finished this series, it was just too good to be true. I am happy with how it ended and I highly recommend this series. You wont stop reading until the very end and trust me, you will love the characters.
If you haven't heard of the series, it's about a girl named Miki who sacrifices herself to save a girl who is about to get hit by a truck. When this happens, she gets hurt and closes her eyes, but after she wakes up, she has no bruises and she isn't hurt anymore. Miki is dragged into something called the Game and she is trying to figure out what is going on. In this game, Miki is forced to kill a bunch of Drau-alien creatures and fight for her life. The team leader's name is Jackson and he is the one with all or most of the answers about the Game. The whole story follows Miki who is trying to survive the Game and looking for answers to what she is doing in this Game.
If this summary hasn't caught your interest, I don't know what will. This series is so interesting and different, it will have you sitting at the edge of your seat til the very end. I finished all the books in one sitting and I didn't realize the book was done until I turned the page to acknowledgements. These books are all fast-paced and so good!
The characters were one of the things I loved about this book. Miki was so strong but at times she could be very selfish and doesn't understand how other people feel. She is really easy to relate to and I really like her. Jackson is so supportive and protective and I really like how honest he is. Their relationship is really sweet and I like how both of their characters developed into strong human beings who know how to handle crazy situations.
The world in this book feels so real because of how realistic the situation feels. When I read this, I get so into the book that I forget I am reading and I start screaming in frustration or crying about something that happens. That's another one of the things I love about these books, they affect me in a good way.
I highly recommend this book, if you want a fast-paced series with action-packed adventures, you NEED to read this book.
If you haven't heard of the series, it's about a girl named Miki who sacrifices herself to save a girl who is about to get hit by a truck. When this happens, she gets hurt and closes her eyes, but after she wakes up, she has no bruises and she isn't hurt anymore. Miki is dragged into something called the Game and she is trying to figure out what is going on. In this game, Miki is forced to kill a bunch of Drau-alien creatures and fight for her life. The team leader's name is Jackson and he is the one with all or most of the answers about the Game. The whole story follows Miki who is trying to survive the Game and looking for answers to what she is doing in this Game.
If this summary hasn't caught your interest, I don't know what will. This series is so interesting and different, it will have you sitting at the edge of your seat til the very end. I finished all the books in one sitting and I didn't realize the book was done until I turned the page to acknowledgements. These books are all fast-paced and so good!
The characters were one of the things I loved about this book. Miki was so strong but at times she could be very selfish and doesn't understand how other people feel. She is really easy to relate to and I really like her. Jackson is so supportive and protective and I really like how honest he is. Their relationship is really sweet and I like how both of their characters developed into strong human beings who know how to handle crazy situations.
The world in this book feels so real because of how realistic the situation feels. When I read this, I get so into the book that I forget I am reading and I start screaming in frustration or crying about something that happens. That's another one of the things I love about these books, they affect me in a good way.
I highly recommend this book, if you want a fast-paced series with action-packed adventures, you NEED to read this book.
May 23, 2015
3.5 stars
I’ve been oddly fond of this trilogy from the very start. It was one of those strange situations when you can see the flaws in something quite clearly, and yet they do nothing to diminish your enjoyment or affection. Something about Silver’s story just clicked with me, and while I admit that it’s time, it saddens me to say goodbye.
Unexpectedly, Crash was an emotion-oriented novel. Based on the previous two books, I expected it to have much more action and suspense. But really, this book was about Miki’s fears and struggles, her uncertainties and her fight with depression. In Crash, Miki finally has to learn to trust Jackson completely, even though she was abandoned in one way or another by everyone else who ever mattered to her.
Things we suspected from the beginning, truths we dreaded the whole time, finally come to light. Accepting them is hard for Miki, but it’s much harder for Jackson after five years in the game and so many people lost. Even in such an action-filled trilogy, Silver didn’t botch her characterization. It was very difficult not to feel Jackson’s pain and hopelessness as everything he thought he knew slowly turned to ashes.
Silver gave us no easy solutions, no deus ex machina fixes for Miki and Jackson. Some things can’t just be taken away, and those pulled into the game suffered too much and changed far too much to just go back to their lives overnight. There are grave losses in this book and so many reasons for Miki to just give up and give in to her depression, but she never does. I have to say I admired her spirit throughout.
This is Eve Silver’s first trilogy for young adults, but I hope she’ll continue writing YA, and not just adult. She truly knows how to create characters we can love even when they’re not perfect and especially when they make difficult or even wrong choices.
I’ve been oddly fond of this trilogy from the very start. It was one of those strange situations when you can see the flaws in something quite clearly, and yet they do nothing to diminish your enjoyment or affection. Something about Silver’s story just clicked with me, and while I admit that it’s time, it saddens me to say goodbye.
Unexpectedly, Crash was an emotion-oriented novel. Based on the previous two books, I expected it to have much more action and suspense. But really, this book was about Miki’s fears and struggles, her uncertainties and her fight with depression. In Crash, Miki finally has to learn to trust Jackson completely, even though she was abandoned in one way or another by everyone else who ever mattered to her.
Things we suspected from the beginning, truths we dreaded the whole time, finally come to light. Accepting them is hard for Miki, but it’s much harder for Jackson after five years in the game and so many people lost. Even in such an action-filled trilogy, Silver didn’t botch her characterization. It was very difficult not to feel Jackson’s pain and hopelessness as everything he thought he knew slowly turned to ashes.
Silver gave us no easy solutions, no deus ex machina fixes for Miki and Jackson. Some things can’t just be taken away, and those pulled into the game suffered too much and changed far too much to just go back to their lives overnight. There are grave losses in this book and so many reasons for Miki to just give up and give in to her depression, but she never does. I have to say I admired her spirit throughout.
This is Eve Silver’s first trilogy for young adults, but I hope she’ll continue writing YA, and not just adult. She truly knows how to create characters we can love even when they’re not perfect and especially when they make difficult or even wrong choices.
November 5, 2014
4.5 Stars!
Like every thing the synopsis promised, Crash, was one heck of a conclusion to what turned out to be one fun, wild, thrill ride of a trilogy. I never thought I would love something so much that had a sci fi theme and not only that, but something any gamer (something I am not) would die to be a part of! Truly, The Game trilogy has become one of my most favorite trilogies out there.
It is original, unique and so much darn fun. Action packed, mysterious, and a sweet slow building romance that constantly had me on edge.
I already loved Miki and Jackson, but now? Now. I care for them more too. Once like friends, now like family. I didn't realize how much I had invested in their outcome until picking this up. I love when a series can consume you. Make you crave a happy ending. Hope for it so much you are nervous to begin because what if it doesn't work out like you want it to? What if one of them dies? What if, what if, what if?
I won't go into too much detail about things that happened because I don't want to give anything away from any of the books but I will say that a whole lot happens. Some good, some bad. But most importantly, all those questions I had about the game, the Committee, the Drau, all of them were answered. Every single one of them and really, what more could you ask for than that?
I loved how things came about, how much Miki and Jackson both grew, as a couple and individually. The chain of events that had to transpire to make everything else make sense in the story. The fast moving plot. The danger, the mystery, and even the romance were all done so nicely and believable to the rest of the story arc.
Truly this was a fabulous ending and, I actually loved that even though this was the ending, it could very well be the beginning for a new series, a spin off as well, which I will be holding my breath that we might actually get, because it would be fabulous to be immersed in this world that Silver created again.
Like every thing the synopsis promised, Crash, was one heck of a conclusion to what turned out to be one fun, wild, thrill ride of a trilogy. I never thought I would love something so much that had a sci fi theme and not only that, but something any gamer (something I am not) would die to be a part of! Truly, The Game trilogy has become one of my most favorite trilogies out there.
It is original, unique and so much darn fun. Action packed, mysterious, and a sweet slow building romance that constantly had me on edge.
I already loved Miki and Jackson, but now? Now. I care for them more too. Once like friends, now like family. I didn't realize how much I had invested in their outcome until picking this up. I love when a series can consume you. Make you crave a happy ending. Hope for it so much you are nervous to begin because what if it doesn't work out like you want it to? What if one of them dies? What if, what if, what if?
I won't go into too much detail about things that happened because I don't want to give anything away from any of the books but I will say that a whole lot happens. Some good, some bad. But most importantly, all those questions I had about the game, the Committee, the Drau, all of them were answered. Every single one of them and really, what more could you ask for than that?
I loved how things came about, how much Miki and Jackson both grew, as a couple and individually. The chain of events that had to transpire to make everything else make sense in the story. The fast moving plot. The danger, the mystery, and even the romance were all done so nicely and believable to the rest of the story arc.
Truly this was a fabulous ending and, I actually loved that even though this was the ending, it could very well be the beginning for a new series, a spin off as well, which I will be holding my breath that we might actually get, because it would be fabulous to be immersed in this world that Silver created again.
June 11, 2013
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Crash by Eve Silver
Book Three of the Game series
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Publication Date: June 9, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A thrilling action/suspense novel for fans of The Fifth Wave about contemporary teens pulled in and out of an alternate reality where battling aliens is more than a game—it's life and death.
Miki’s life is falling apart around her. Her dad and best friend are lying in the hospital. The Game is glitching, making missions more frequent and more deadly. And someone close to her is waiting for the right moment to betray her.
Miki feels like she’s hanging on by a thread and the only thing keeping her tethered is Jackson’s hand in hers. Yet telling him how much she needs him, how much she loves him, feels like the biggest challenge of all. And if Miki really wants the missions to end for everyone, she’ll have to let go and be ready to fight when the walls between the Game and reality come crashing down. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that she’s got a whole lot left to lose.
Crash is the pulse-pounding conclusion to the Game trilogy fans won’t want to miss.
What I Liked:
Guys, I'm so sad! This series is over... the Game series has become one of my favorite YA science fiction/thriller series! Rush blew me away and I liked Push, and now Crash has solidified an overall feeling of sanctification. I was highly impressed with this series - I've never read any of Silver's books before Rush, but given what I've read from this series, I'm sure the lady is quite talented! She is a very prolific writer, especially in adult novels, so I will be checking out some of those adult romance novels for sure!
In this final novel of the Game trilogy, Miki, Jackson, the team, and some unexpected allies fight to understand how to escape the game and its Committee. Miki knows something isn't right, and that the Drau may not be enemy. What if the Committee is orchestrating everything? With her father and best friend unconscious in the hospital and her getting pulled into the game more and more often, Miki's nerves are frayed. Is there any way to stop the game, to go back to her "normal" life?
This book had me on pins and needles as I was reading! There was no way to read fast enough. Miki's father is in the hospital, as well as Carly. I had no idea if either of them would survive, or if they wouldn't make it... the game has spilled into Miki's real life, and the threat is now present in all aspects of her life, including her innocent loved ones. The suspense was killing me!
Meanwhile, in terms of the game itself, we finally start to get answers about many things throughout this book. The Drau, the Committee, Lizzie, the next level(s) of the game, the bigger picture. A lot of things come together, and it's been a long time coming. I hate finishing a series and feeling like questions haven't been addressed. Not so, with Crash!
Miki remains an awesome and likable heroine. She is tough, yet she is fragile. She panics and has anxiety, and isn't always clear-headed. Yet she is willful and stubborn and determined, intelligent and can think for herself. In this book, she must rely on Jackson even more, for emotional stability as well as trust in the game.
Just like Miki, Jackson remains a kickbutt and badboy-fabulous hero. He's stubborn and macho and protective, but not in a disgustingly caveman way. He trust Miki and lets her in, and he values her opinion, game matters and non-game matters. He cares about everyone on the team, and watches everyone's back, even if he preaches "every man for himself". I like a macho guy (who's surprised? I love alphas, can't you tell from all the romance novels I read?), but I also like a sweet guy, a sensitive guy, an intelligent guy. Jackson is all of those things, even if it doesn't seem that way at first. I love that he is not a love interest first - he is a male protagonist and primary character, and THEN a love interest.
The romance is so solid and present and alive in this book, I loved it! The romance in Rush really worked, and the romance in Push was good too, but I think I liked the romance in this book the best. No love triangle throughout the entire series, and Miki and Jackson made me smile and swoon and laugh. The two of them have really fiery chemistry (Silver write romance novels too, so this makes sense), and I love how they bicker and fight with each other (not in an annoying way to readers).
The science fiction/thriller part of this book is so great! You don't find too many science fiction novels like THIS in YA. Too many of them are dystopias or medical thrillers. This series is all about aliens and a video-game-like alternate dimensions. To be fair, aliens are now popping up more and more in YA these days - but this particular combination of aliens, alternate dimensions, and thriller-like action is pretty unique. Props to Silver! I love the world she has created I love the "bigger picture" that we readers finally get in this novel. Very satisfying, in my opinion.
I won't say too much more because I don't want to spoil anything. Towards the end of this book, the story kind of blew my mind a little - it got complex and larger than life and just crazy! I'm very happy with the ending, though it is a bit of a surprising ending. I kind of like how Silver ends things - it isn't an ending anyone expects, and yet, it is an ending that fits. Trust me, the ending is great! Just surprising. Which is a good thing, you'll be surprised no matter what I say!
What I Did Not Like:
I don't really have any complaints! When I first finished the book, I was a bit shocked, and for a second, I was searching for a second epilogue or something. But the more I thought about it, the more the ending fit. Silver was leading us towards this particular ending, and while it wasn't the ending I expected, it was a good ending nonetheless. Be prepared for anything!
Would I Recommend It:
I truly loved this series, and I would recommend this book - and series! Definitely one of my favorite YA science fiction/thriller series, and definitely one I could see myself reading again. If I collected different sets of the books (ARCs, hardcovers, etc.), then that's how you KNOW I loved the series. I highly recommend this series to anyone! Pick up at least Rush if you have not yet done so!
Rating:
4 stars. This was an excellent conclusion novel! The series was very intriguing, engrossing, satisfying. I love Silver's worldbuilding, character development, storytelling, romance. The romance especially. There are so many ways to fall in love with this series!
Crash by Eve Silver
Book Three of the Game series
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Publication Date: June 9, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A thrilling action/suspense novel for fans of The Fifth Wave about contemporary teens pulled in and out of an alternate reality where battling aliens is more than a game—it's life and death.
Miki’s life is falling apart around her. Her dad and best friend are lying in the hospital. The Game is glitching, making missions more frequent and more deadly. And someone close to her is waiting for the right moment to betray her.
Miki feels like she’s hanging on by a thread and the only thing keeping her tethered is Jackson’s hand in hers. Yet telling him how much she needs him, how much she loves him, feels like the biggest challenge of all. And if Miki really wants the missions to end for everyone, she’ll have to let go and be ready to fight when the walls between the Game and reality come crashing down. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that she’s got a whole lot left to lose.
Crash is the pulse-pounding conclusion to the Game trilogy fans won’t want to miss.
What I Liked:
Guys, I'm so sad! This series is over... the Game series has become one of my favorite YA science fiction/thriller series! Rush blew me away and I liked Push, and now Crash has solidified an overall feeling of sanctification. I was highly impressed with this series - I've never read any of Silver's books before Rush, but given what I've read from this series, I'm sure the lady is quite talented! She is a very prolific writer, especially in adult novels, so I will be checking out some of those adult romance novels for sure!
In this final novel of the Game trilogy, Miki, Jackson, the team, and some unexpected allies fight to understand how to escape the game and its Committee. Miki knows something isn't right, and that the Drau may not be enemy. What if the Committee is orchestrating everything? With her father and best friend unconscious in the hospital and her getting pulled into the game more and more often, Miki's nerves are frayed. Is there any way to stop the game, to go back to her "normal" life?
This book had me on pins and needles as I was reading! There was no way to read fast enough. Miki's father is in the hospital, as well as Carly. I had no idea if either of them would survive, or if they wouldn't make it... the game has spilled into Miki's real life, and the threat is now present in all aspects of her life, including her innocent loved ones. The suspense was killing me!
Meanwhile, in terms of the game itself, we finally start to get answers about many things throughout this book. The Drau, the Committee, Lizzie, the next level(s) of the game, the bigger picture. A lot of things come together, and it's been a long time coming. I hate finishing a series and feeling like questions haven't been addressed. Not so, with Crash!
Miki remains an awesome and likable heroine. She is tough, yet she is fragile. She panics and has anxiety, and isn't always clear-headed. Yet she is willful and stubborn and determined, intelligent and can think for herself. In this book, she must rely on Jackson even more, for emotional stability as well as trust in the game.
Just like Miki, Jackson remains a kickbutt and badboy-fabulous hero. He's stubborn and macho and protective, but not in a disgustingly caveman way. He trust Miki and lets her in, and he values her opinion, game matters and non-game matters. He cares about everyone on the team, and watches everyone's back, even if he preaches "every man for himself". I like a macho guy (who's surprised? I love alphas, can't you tell from all the romance novels I read?), but I also like a sweet guy, a sensitive guy, an intelligent guy. Jackson is all of those things, even if it doesn't seem that way at first. I love that he is not a love interest first - he is a male protagonist and primary character, and THEN a love interest.
The romance is so solid and present and alive in this book, I loved it! The romance in Rush really worked, and the romance in Push was good too, but I think I liked the romance in this book the best. No love triangle throughout the entire series, and Miki and Jackson made me smile and swoon and laugh. The two of them have really fiery chemistry (Silver write romance novels too, so this makes sense), and I love how they bicker and fight with each other (not in an annoying way to readers).
The science fiction/thriller part of this book is so great! You don't find too many science fiction novels like THIS in YA. Too many of them are dystopias or medical thrillers. This series is all about aliens and a video-game-like alternate dimensions. To be fair, aliens are now popping up more and more in YA these days - but this particular combination of aliens, alternate dimensions, and thriller-like action is pretty unique. Props to Silver! I love the world she has created I love the "bigger picture" that we readers finally get in this novel. Very satisfying, in my opinion.
I won't say too much more because I don't want to spoil anything. Towards the end of this book, the story kind of blew my mind a little - it got complex and larger than life and just crazy! I'm very happy with the ending, though it is a bit of a surprising ending. I kind of like how Silver ends things - it isn't an ending anyone expects, and yet, it is an ending that fits. Trust me, the ending is great! Just surprising. Which is a good thing, you'll be surprised no matter what I say!
What I Did Not Like:
I don't really have any complaints! When I first finished the book, I was a bit shocked, and for a second, I was searching for a second epilogue or something. But the more I thought about it, the more the ending fit. Silver was leading us towards this particular ending, and while it wasn't the ending I expected, it was a good ending nonetheless. Be prepared for anything!
Would I Recommend It:
I truly loved this series, and I would recommend this book - and series! Definitely one of my favorite YA science fiction/thriller series, and definitely one I could see myself reading again. If I collected different sets of the books (ARCs, hardcovers, etc.), then that's how you KNOW I loved the series. I highly recommend this series to anyone! Pick up at least Rush if you have not yet done so!
Rating:
4 stars. This was an excellent conclusion novel! The series was very intriguing, engrossing, satisfying. I love Silver's worldbuilding, character development, storytelling, romance. The romance especially. There are so many ways to fall in love with this series!
November 8, 2014
The Game trilogy by Eve Silver is the perfect type to binge read. We are given a fascinating concept, a fast and perfectly paced plot, a swoony new book boyfriend, and a romance that made my heart race. I didn't really know what to expect going into this series - except that it's completely triangle free - but Eve Silver definitely has a new fan. I read these books so quickly, dying to know what would happen next and to spend more time with Miki and Jackson.
Rush, the first book in the trilogy, introduces us to sixteen year old Miki, a girl who, ever since her mom died, has a desperate need to be in control of every aspect of her life. She feels anger and grief so heavily, that all other emotions have been completely smothered. That is, until she's forced into a whole new reality... literally. A car hits her, she's supposed to be dead, but instead she's transported into a parallel dimension, thrust into a war zone that is so completely out of her control. She's told that aliens have invaded Earth, and it's up to her and her team to destroy them before they cross over entirely into her "real world".
While reading, I thought this was such a cool concept. I loved the idea of combining a sort of virtual reality (their battles replicate what it would be like to play in a video game) with scary paranormal creatures. I'm not much of an action girl, but it's really intense here and also readable. I found myself wholly invested in that part of the story line. It helps that Miki is such a relatable character. Her response to the situation is neither too dramatic nor too naive. She's level-headed and fierce, which I really admired. But, this is a series that also takes its time revealing answers. Nothing will quite make sense until the final book, Crash, but everything does eventually come together wonderfully. I can't say much - obviously - but I felt like I was watching a Christopher Nolan movie.
It's in the "game" that Miki meets Jackson Tate (*swoon*), a boy who has been fighting aliens for the last five years. At first he's very closed-off and secretive. He doesn't reveal much about himself or even about the game willingly, not for lack of trying on Miki's part. I was nervous I'd grow frustrated with Jackson's non-answers in the beginning, but the thing is, it works in the context of the story. There's reasons for his silence and for the walls he has put in place. His character development is one of my favorite parts of the book, seeing him slowly and painstakingly letting Miki inside.
Which brings me to the romance. I will say that, though there is not a love triangle, in the first book there are a couple of tropes that annoyed me at the time. There's one point when it seems as if two boys are fighting over Miki, and I was just sitting there rolling my eyes. Especially because Miki wouldn't just come out and say she didn't like the other one. He was clearly just a friend, but I wanted her to be more vocal about it. But all of that disappears about halfway into Rush, and from there it's a romance that I wish way more YA series would follow suit. For one, the romantic tension and chemistry between Jackson and Miki is delicious. The pair is somewhat hot and cold at first, but it's done in an endearing fashion. They play off each other well. There also isn't any unnecessary drama or a frustrating separation. In fact, I'd say Jackson and Miki share at least 80% of the trilogy together, almost all of that time spent working together or being adorable or talking through their issues. They are a force to be reckoned with, and the way they always look out for each other is so freaking perfect. There's also lots and lots of romantic/sexy/swoony moments, in the last two books especially. It's beautiful, I tell you.
I highly recommend giving this series a try! It's unique and engaging and will have your heart pounding for several reasons. I'm excited to see what Eve Silver has in store for us in the future!
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
Rush, the first book in the trilogy, introduces us to sixteen year old Miki, a girl who, ever since her mom died, has a desperate need to be in control of every aspect of her life. She feels anger and grief so heavily, that all other emotions have been completely smothered. That is, until she's forced into a whole new reality... literally. A car hits her, she's supposed to be dead, but instead she's transported into a parallel dimension, thrust into a war zone that is so completely out of her control. She's told that aliens have invaded Earth, and it's up to her and her team to destroy them before they cross over entirely into her "real world".
While reading, I thought this was such a cool concept. I loved the idea of combining a sort of virtual reality (their battles replicate what it would be like to play in a video game) with scary paranormal creatures. I'm not much of an action girl, but it's really intense here and also readable. I found myself wholly invested in that part of the story line. It helps that Miki is such a relatable character. Her response to the situation is neither too dramatic nor too naive. She's level-headed and fierce, which I really admired. But, this is a series that also takes its time revealing answers. Nothing will quite make sense until the final book, Crash, but everything does eventually come together wonderfully. I can't say much - obviously - but I felt like I was watching a Christopher Nolan movie.
It's in the "game" that Miki meets Jackson Tate (*swoon*), a boy who has been fighting aliens for the last five years. At first he's very closed-off and secretive. He doesn't reveal much about himself or even about the game willingly, not for lack of trying on Miki's part. I was nervous I'd grow frustrated with Jackson's non-answers in the beginning, but the thing is, it works in the context of the story. There's reasons for his silence and for the walls he has put in place. His character development is one of my favorite parts of the book, seeing him slowly and painstakingly letting Miki inside.
Which brings me to the romance. I will say that, though there is not a love triangle, in the first book there are a couple of tropes that annoyed me at the time. There's one point when it seems as if two boys are fighting over Miki, and I was just sitting there rolling my eyes. Especially because Miki wouldn't just come out and say she didn't like the other one. He was clearly just a friend, but I wanted her to be more vocal about it. But all of that disappears about halfway into Rush, and from there it's a romance that I wish way more YA series would follow suit. For one, the romantic tension and chemistry between Jackson and Miki is delicious. The pair is somewhat hot and cold at first, but it's done in an endearing fashion. They play off each other well. There also isn't any unnecessary drama or a frustrating separation. In fact, I'd say Jackson and Miki share at least 80% of the trilogy together, almost all of that time spent working together or being adorable or talking through their issues. They are a force to be reckoned with, and the way they always look out for each other is so freaking perfect. There's also lots and lots of romantic/sexy/swoony moments, in the last two books especially. It's beautiful, I tell you.
I highly recommend giving this series a try! It's unique and engaging and will have your heart pounding for several reasons. I'm excited to see what Eve Silver has in store for us in the future!
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
September 5, 2014
https://martinabookaholic.wordpress.c...
Meine Gedanken zum Buch:
Mögliche Spoiler für alle, die Teil 1und 2 noch nicht gelesen haben!
Erneut geht eine Reihe für mich zu Ende, die ich mit Skepsis begonnen, die mich aber bald von sich überzeugen und schließlich verzaubern konnte. Hier im dritten Teil beginnt es direkt nach dem zweiten, nachdem Mikis Vater und ihre beste Freundin den Autounfall hatten. Erneut wird ihr Leben vom möglichen Tod geliebter Menschen überschattet, doch der Unterschied zu früher ist, dass sie es nicht mehr alleine durchstehen muss, sondern Jackson immer an ihrer Seite bleibt – ihr Fels in der Brandung, was ich unglaublich süß fand. ♥ Von wegen eiskalter Arsch, der nur seine eigene Haut retten will – Pustekuchen.^^ Wir wissen zwar schon lange, dass Jackson nicht so hart ist, wie er sich gerne gibt, aber hier setzte er noch mal einen Cuteness-Faktor oben drauf und ja, er ist einfach nur süß und lieb und ja, auch verdammt sexy :D
Aber nicht nur, dass Miki in ihrer realen Welt die Sorge um ihren Vater und Freundin durchmachen muss, lässt auch das allwissende Komitee im Spiel ihr keine Zeit, um das alles zu verdauen, bzw. gibt es auch noch eine dritte Partei, deren Miki sich stellen muss, was das Ganze zusätzlich verwirrt, aber umso spannender macht, was mir super gut gefallen hat und auch dazu führte, dass ich das Buch innerhalb von zwei Tagen gelesen bzw. inhaliert habe. Wobei ich wirklich anderes zu tun hatte. ^^
Im Spiel werden sie nicht nur immer wieder auf gefährliche Missionen gegen die Drows geschickt, sondern Miki und Jackson müssen sich auch anderen Dingen stellen – vor allem der Auflösung einiger kniffliger Rätsel, dem Entschlüsseln des Hintergrunds des Ganzen und vieles, vieles mehr.
Es war wirklich ein heftiger Book-ride, den ich gerne miterlebt habe, auch wenn mir einiges schon vorher in den Sinn gekommen ist: wer Feind oder Freund ist und was das alles soll. Aber das hat dem Lesevergnügen keinen Abbruch getan und ich bin froh, dass es sich so entwickelt hat, wie ich schon vorher gehofft und geahnt habe.
Die Charaktere und die Schreibweise waren wie in den Vorgängern wieder top und gut zu lesen, wodurch man richtig durch die Seiten geflogen ist. Warum mir die Charaktere so nahe gehen und ich sie so toll finde, kann ich gar nicht so genau sagen, das ist wohl immer einfach eine Gefühls-/ Bauchsache. Jedenfalls fand ich Mikis kämpferische Ader und Mut toll und wie oben schon erwähnt, ist Jackson sowieso einfach klasse. :D
Nur die Nebencharaktere blieben leider etwas blass und das Ende war man dann leider zu rasch da und zu schnell abgehandelt. Außerdem hätte ich mir mehr sexy-mexy-time zwischen dem Liebespaar gewünscht, kann aber gerade noch damit leben…. dann muss eben meine eigene Fantasie das etwas weitgehender durchspielen. :p
(Mehr dazu auf meinem Blog)
Meine Gedanken zum Buch:
Mögliche Spoiler für alle, die Teil 1und 2 noch nicht gelesen haben!
Erneut geht eine Reihe für mich zu Ende, die ich mit Skepsis begonnen, die mich aber bald von sich überzeugen und schließlich verzaubern konnte. Hier im dritten Teil beginnt es direkt nach dem zweiten, nachdem Mikis Vater und ihre beste Freundin den Autounfall hatten. Erneut wird ihr Leben vom möglichen Tod geliebter Menschen überschattet, doch der Unterschied zu früher ist, dass sie es nicht mehr alleine durchstehen muss, sondern Jackson immer an ihrer Seite bleibt – ihr Fels in der Brandung, was ich unglaublich süß fand. ♥ Von wegen eiskalter Arsch, der nur seine eigene Haut retten will – Pustekuchen.^^ Wir wissen zwar schon lange, dass Jackson nicht so hart ist, wie er sich gerne gibt, aber hier setzte er noch mal einen Cuteness-Faktor oben drauf und ja, er ist einfach nur süß und lieb und ja, auch verdammt sexy :D
Aber nicht nur, dass Miki in ihrer realen Welt die Sorge um ihren Vater und Freundin durchmachen muss, lässt auch das allwissende Komitee im Spiel ihr keine Zeit, um das alles zu verdauen, bzw. gibt es auch noch eine dritte Partei, deren Miki sich stellen muss, was das Ganze zusätzlich verwirrt, aber umso spannender macht, was mir super gut gefallen hat und auch dazu führte, dass ich das Buch innerhalb von zwei Tagen gelesen bzw. inhaliert habe. Wobei ich wirklich anderes zu tun hatte. ^^
Im Spiel werden sie nicht nur immer wieder auf gefährliche Missionen gegen die Drows geschickt, sondern Miki und Jackson müssen sich auch anderen Dingen stellen – vor allem der Auflösung einiger kniffliger Rätsel, dem Entschlüsseln des Hintergrunds des Ganzen und vieles, vieles mehr.
Es war wirklich ein heftiger Book-ride, den ich gerne miterlebt habe, auch wenn mir einiges schon vorher in den Sinn gekommen ist: wer Feind oder Freund ist und was das alles soll. Aber das hat dem Lesevergnügen keinen Abbruch getan und ich bin froh, dass es sich so entwickelt hat, wie ich schon vorher gehofft und geahnt habe.
Die Charaktere und die Schreibweise waren wie in den Vorgängern wieder top und gut zu lesen, wodurch man richtig durch die Seiten geflogen ist. Warum mir die Charaktere so nahe gehen und ich sie so toll finde, kann ich gar nicht so genau sagen, das ist wohl immer einfach eine Gefühls-/ Bauchsache. Jedenfalls fand ich Mikis kämpferische Ader und Mut toll und wie oben schon erwähnt, ist Jackson sowieso einfach klasse. :D
Nur die Nebencharaktere blieben leider etwas blass und das Ende war man dann leider zu rasch da und zu schnell abgehandelt. Außerdem hätte ich mir mehr sexy-mexy-time zwischen dem Liebespaar gewünscht, kann aber gerade noch damit leben…. dann muss eben meine eigene Fantasie das etwas weitgehender durchspielen. :p
(Mehr dazu auf meinem Blog)
October 13, 2016
Rating: 3/5
***Minor spoilers, spoilers for book 1 & 2***
Miki and Jackson must return to the Game as if everything is alright. This is even harder for Miki, since her father and best friend are in the hospital, and she has so much knowledge she has to keep a secret if she doesn't want dire consequences from the Committee. However, on the first mission of the novel, things are pretty glitchy. There are times when everyone feels as if they're trying to walk through a wall of water, and times when things become pixelated before coming back into focus. Miki soon learns that this disturbance is Lizzie - or the person who claims to be Lizzie. Miki must find a way to cope with what's happening in the real world while managing the strange happenings within the Game, which is becoming more and more complex, with more secrets being revealed as the book continues.
I think that The Game is the sort of series that you know is above average, but still just doesn't do it for you completely. You like it, but you don't love it. You keep reading, but you're not on the edge of your seat wondering what's next. It's satisfying, but not overly so. That's how I felt for this book, and what I remember feeling throughout the series. I stuck with it because I got the first two books for free so I bought the third book because I liked it enough. But I can't say I'm positive that I would continue with this series if it weren't for getting them for free. However, I will say that the best part about this book is how everything finally comes together. Things make sense (for the most part), and we get the answers we've been wondering about the entire series. I was super glad that I didn't really have any more questions at the end of the book, since sometimes at the end of a series you're still left with unanswered questions. But not in this case.
It's been a while since I've read the last two books, but I remembered enough so that I could read this one without being confused. There were subtle reminders here and there to help with that. I enjoyed the romance between Miki and Jackson, but to me there wasn't anything that stood out about that. It was sweet, but also typical. Both characters grew throughout the book, as did their relationship, but not overly so. The rest of their team also had some nice character development, but I wish we saw more of Tyrone since he's one of my favourites out of the group.
Overall, I would say that this book satisfied my questions and was a good way to spend my time. It wasn't spectacular, but it was good. It wrapped the series up nicely, and for a moment there at the end I was about to become pretty upset if things went the way they could've possibly gone, but thankfully didn't. I'd definitely recommend it to you if you've read the previous two books in the series, because it really does answer a lot of the questions that you probably had before. If you haven't read this series at all, I'd tell you to at least try the first book since I found it pretty unique, and if you enjoy that one then going.
***Minor spoilers, spoilers for book 1 & 2***
Miki and Jackson must return to the Game as if everything is alright. This is even harder for Miki, since her father and best friend are in the hospital, and she has so much knowledge she has to keep a secret if she doesn't want dire consequences from the Committee. However, on the first mission of the novel, things are pretty glitchy. There are times when everyone feels as if they're trying to walk through a wall of water, and times when things become pixelated before coming back into focus. Miki soon learns that this disturbance is Lizzie - or the person who claims to be Lizzie. Miki must find a way to cope with what's happening in the real world while managing the strange happenings within the Game, which is becoming more and more complex, with more secrets being revealed as the book continues.
I think that The Game is the sort of series that you know is above average, but still just doesn't do it for you completely. You like it, but you don't love it. You keep reading, but you're not on the edge of your seat wondering what's next. It's satisfying, but not overly so. That's how I felt for this book, and what I remember feeling throughout the series. I stuck with it because I got the first two books for free so I bought the third book because I liked it enough. But I can't say I'm positive that I would continue with this series if it weren't for getting them for free. However, I will say that the best part about this book is how everything finally comes together. Things make sense (for the most part), and we get the answers we've been wondering about the entire series. I was super glad that I didn't really have any more questions at the end of the book, since sometimes at the end of a series you're still left with unanswered questions. But not in this case.
It's been a while since I've read the last two books, but I remembered enough so that I could read this one without being confused. There were subtle reminders here and there to help with that. I enjoyed the romance between Miki and Jackson, but to me there wasn't anything that stood out about that. It was sweet, but also typical. Both characters grew throughout the book, as did their relationship, but not overly so. The rest of their team also had some nice character development, but I wish we saw more of Tyrone since he's one of my favourites out of the group.
Overall, I would say that this book satisfied my questions and was a good way to spend my time. It wasn't spectacular, but it was good. It wrapped the series up nicely, and for a moment there at the end I was about to become pretty upset if things went the way they could've possibly gone, but thankfully didn't. I'd definitely recommend it to you if you've read the previous two books in the series, because it really does answer a lot of the questions that you probably had before. If you haven't read this series at all, I'd tell you to at least try the first book since I found it pretty unique, and if you enjoy that one then going.
September 12, 2013
i was kind of disappointed while i really enjoyed this it had some flaws that stopped me from loving it as much as its predecessors. Miki in the beginning annoyed me i hate how long it took her to tell jackson things and how she never asked the right questions. i hated how the whole series we were building up to this huge reveal about why we have the games and the reason was so underwhelming and not what i expected i felt like it was a crap reason and left me really disappointed. I liked how fast the plot was as always but there wasn't nearly as much action as the first two. Also i understand how serious the stuff with the dad and Carly were but i felt like it took away from the world building and kind of was there just to make things harder for Miki for the heck of it. I LOOOVED JACKSON he is bae and i will never ever have any problem with him he was kind and sexy and assertive and was constantly there for Miki he never left her side and he took care of her when she couldn't take care of herself. I loved the romance and moments we got between them and wished there was more in this book the romance took a huge backseat. The plot although pulse pounding and fast seemed all over the place and made no sense and not in a good way like the last two books. i found myself less sympathetic towards the characters thats to say i cared but just not as much basically the only ones i cared about was Jackson of course and Miki which sucked. Nothing to be said about the writing style amazing and easy to follow as always i flew through this book. I don't know for the conclusion i expected more so much more I'm disappointed I'm going to miss Miki and Jackson...
June 11, 2014
**I received this book for free from (Katherine Tegen Books) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Crash is an appropriate title for the last book in The Game Trilogy. The story itself picks up right where Push left off, and pushes ahead like a tidal wave rushing to shore without restraint. There are so many interesting secrets revealed, that you have to pay attention so that you don't miss anything. 16-year old Miki Jones has a whole lot of emotions left over from Push. Her best friend Carly is in a coma, her father has suffered serious injuries, and Miki believes that eventually everyone she knows will leave her behind, including Jackson who has wormed his way deep into Miki's soul.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews on 06/09/2015*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 01/29/2015 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: June 9th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
*Genre* Young Adult, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Crash is an appropriate title for the last book in The Game Trilogy. The story itself picks up right where Push left off, and pushes ahead like a tidal wave rushing to shore without restraint. There are so many interesting secrets revealed, that you have to pay attention so that you don't miss anything. 16-year old Miki Jones has a whole lot of emotions left over from Push. Her best friend Carly is in a coma, her father has suffered serious injuries, and Miki believes that eventually everyone she knows will leave her behind, including Jackson who has wormed his way deep into Miki's soul.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews on 06/09/2015*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 01/29/2015 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: June 9th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
November 18, 2018
A great ending to a great series.
February 13, 2015
After the ending of Push, I was super eager to see how it was all going to end.
Miki and Jackson are still epic badasses. They're adorable when they're not fighting and I loved all of their sweet, swoony scenes. I still wish we could have gotten a bit of Jackson POV, but Miki knows him so well, it's almost like we do.
This story did have a bit of a slow start, but once the action begins and the answers get peeled back, it's delicious. I loved the reason everything was happening; it wasn't too far fetched to be believable.
All in all, this was a fantastic series with characters I liked and a fast plot that kept me intrigued.
**Huge thanks to Katherine Tegen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Miki and Jackson are still epic badasses. They're adorable when they're not fighting and I loved all of their sweet, swoony scenes. I still wish we could have gotten a bit of Jackson POV, but Miki knows him so well, it's almost like we do.
This story did have a bit of a slow start, but once the action begins and the answers get peeled back, it's delicious. I loved the reason everything was happening; it wasn't too far fetched to be believable.
All in all, this was a fantastic series with characters I liked and a fast plot that kept me intrigued.
**Huge thanks to Katherine Tegen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
May 24, 2015
Review to come.
June 24, 2015
Reread August 2016: Jackson Tate continues to hold the world record for fastest character to melt my heart consistently. All he has to do is breathe for my heart to start doing funny things. And when he speaks, or is in action? Might as well be having a heart attack.
Original review:
Words cannot--will not--describe my feelings for this book. I'm currently suffering from a book hangover, which includes a lot of wailing about the fact that my favourite series is over. The devastation. Is. Real.
Where to start? Crash picks right up where we left off with in Push and everything is a mess. Heck, I was in a mess just thinking about it. I was armed with sweaty palms and an over-reactive imagination from start to finish. The number of times I paused to simply scream or flail for a moment before reading again is probably somewhere around 500. And the number of times I physically put the book down, because my mind couldn't come to terms with what just happened? 5 times. 5 times I paced around my house, wailing, flopping on a couch or bed or just the floor, because I was so overcome with emotions.
What is this book? It is butt-kicking action. It is swoon-worthy romance. It is very real issues, some which might hit close to home. It is mind-boggling revelations that will leave you breathless and scared for the characters. It is also Jackson Tate. Jackson. Tate. More on him later.
Miki Jones, our fantastic and amazing and downright pure awesome protagonist, faces a lot of adversary in this book. More so than any. It's not just the Game that's making her life difficult, it's herself. Grief, anxiety, depression: they're aspects, consequences, of the Game. And we get to see her battle each and every one of them, and I am truly happy that these battles were included. It makes her character more complex, the entire story more complex, and I loved it. It's not like unhappiness is only when she's in the Game; it's in real life, too. Miki shows fortitude time and time again, pulling through every hardship thrown against her. She's smart, both emotionally and physically strong, strategic, wise, and she has Jackson. (In my opinion, having Jackson is more than enough, but I am merely a love-struck and extremely biased person.)
I did not think that the action in this book could get be better than the books before, but I was proved wrong. It is exemplary. So many missions, so many risks, so many heart-stopping (and heart-breaking) moments. Everyone is fierce, because everyone wants to live. Everyone is determined, because again, everyone wants to live. So it should go without saying that everyone kicks butt.
***And this is where it gets spoilery. So don't read it unless you're read this book!***
ALL. THOSE. PLOT. TWISTS. Okay, okay, to be fair, I did see some of them coming. Just not to that extent. The Committee being evil? Okay, I figured that might have been the case ever since Lizzie appeared in Push. But that evil? Evil in the sense that they've basically engineered the whole human-vs-Drau thing? Raising generations of humans and Draus with the intention of pitting the kids of both species against one another with lies? EVIL TO A NEW LEVEL. It's an evil that surpasses both time and space! And let's not forget the whole rumour about reaching 1000 points. Supposedly, once you do that, you're free, free from the Game. But upon confrontation about whether that is true or not, the Committee answers cryptically that "change" happens with 1000 points is reached. Now, what is this "change" they speak of? DEATH. Hello. That's not change! That's evil! And same how they kill off members who grow too old. No adults are allowed to participate, remember? So for those members who survive, and thus grow to be somewhere over 20? Again, DEATH. That's right. They kill them off simply for surviving. They were going to do that to Tyrone! I just... Does anyone know where I can buy an Anti-Committee t-shirt?
I never considered myself one of those people who has an intense fear of those fraying rope bridges connecting cliffs, but after what happens in Crash, I think my fear has been renewed. Tyrone makes it. Kendra makes it. Lien makes it. Miki makes it. Luka doesn't, and neither does Jackson. Jackson. Didn't. Make. It. Did my heart stop when that chapter ended with Jackson free falling towards the jagged rocks below? Yes. Was this one of the 5 times I put the book down and started pacing and wailing for a good 10 minutes? Absolutely. And there are people who can attest to my moment of "insanity." (If they were reading the book, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have called it "insanity." But since they weren't, they just didn't get it.) So all I will say: Eve Silver knows how to sever my heartstrings. And I also never want to walk on a rope bridge, because it will bring back memories of Luka dying and of Jackson falling. And then I'll have to relive the moment when I thought Jackson had been killed off. *Shivers* Never again, you hear me? Never. Again.
Speaking of Luka...I had my suspicions about him, ever since Push. But I was sincerely hoping that I was being a paranoid reader, and that everyone would make it out all right. HA. How naive of me. Do I feel bad for Luka? Yes. He was a good friend to Miki and Jackson. He decided to give Miki answers when he wasn't supposed to during the first book. And he showed up to keep Miki company when Jackson had to leave her after visiting Miki's dad in the hospital, so that Jackson could go home and pick some stuff up. Luka is a great friend. Should I have mourned him longer? Yes. But, like Miki and Jackson, there's no time to mourn him. There's a Committee to stop, and everyone needs to focus on the real problem. Or, as Miki likes to say, to keep the grey fog of grief at bay. But think about it: the Committee was using him to spy on Miki and Jackson. Basically hijacking Luka's mind. That is twisted and wrong, which is exactly why the Committee needed to be stopped. This is what I meant when I said that the Committee evilness had been upped a level. Luka did not deserve to die, and it's unfair. But I know that one day, the Committee will indeed be put to a stop and Luka's death will be avenged.
I know I mentioned before about internal issues, but I want to bring them up again. In this book, we get a taste of what it's like to go through a few mental issues: anxiety/panic attacks, grief, depression due to grief, alcoholism, guilt, and PTSD. The Game isn't kind; it leaves scars on the mentality of its players. And I think the fact that Miki battles these things is what makes the story realistic. But it's not just Miki. Yes, she's the one who deals with anxiety (see: father in the hospital), depression (no thanks to the Committee, who was trying to get into her head), and grief (aka LUKA). But it's also her father that's dealing with alcoholism, and Jackson who deals with guilt and PTSD. Now, these issues don't take over the plot, but they're there, serving as very real issues that can happen to anyone. And I really liked how they were addressed, and how the characters were able to pull through. And not just pull through alone, but with supporting people that everyone should have. Like I said, it makes them all better people.
JACKSON TATE. From the first day I met (cough, read about) him, he has been right up there on my boyfriend list. The listing changes with my mood, but Jackson is always, always, in my top three no matter what. I don't think it's ever possible for me to read about him without pausing for a moment to sigh or squeal a little in pure giddiness. It happened when I read Rush, it happened again in Push, and it by no means was an exception in Crash. I mean, Jackson makes a whole bunch of sweet declarations for always being there for Miki. Who wouldn't stop to sigh? Dangerous boy who likes cereals with marshmallows in it? Who, being unable to do anything to help Miki get through her grief, declares that the least he can do is to physically take care of her? Who helps Miki battle her panic and anxiety attacks? My heart is melting for this boy. Why isn't he in my life???
I loved the events leading up to the grand finale. Jackson, using his Drau DNA to send out a massive message to make both human and Drau stop fighting? And Miki, being his amplifier? YES. They did it together. That is beautiful. But it kept getting better! The confrontation with the Committee? Lizzie's I-can-and-will-follow-you-wherever-you-go-and-put-a-stop-to-your-plans-once-and-for-all attitude? Again, YES.
And then the ending. Miki chooses to go back, to enter the Game again. To go though grief, yes, but also to do her part in putting a stop to the Committee. That is the mark of a true hero: someone who will continue on the same path they were on before, because it's right. And also because that's where Jackson is, and to me, that's reason enough to go for it. Again, I might be biased.
I'm really happy that everyone in Miki's team chooses to stay together to form the new rebellion. Tyrone, Lien, Kendra, Miki, and Jackson have been through quite a lot together, and they're a close-knitted team. It would have been sad to see one of them leave. Add Lizzie and the other 10 Draus willing to fight, and I'm more than sure that 26 of them are, without a doubt, going to take the Committee down. The story ends a little open-ended, but I think that allows us, the readers, dream up our own versions of their final triumph. And if anything is certain, it's that the Committee is on the run, and that they don't stand a chance against Miki and her new team.
The last three sentences of the book:
"So what's the game now?
No game.
It's my life."
*Falls and cries.* The story has come full circle, truly. Miki ends up back at the very first scene in Rush, and ends up making the exact same decision. And the initial question of "What's the game now?", a question that has been asked since Rush, is answered, but instead of it being "This, or the life I used to know?", the answer is simple and clear: "No game. It's my life." The answer this time is a set and definite. One with certainty, one that leaves little room for argument. One that ends the story perfectly.
Originally posted from Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.
Original review:
Words cannot--will not--describe my feelings for this book. I'm currently suffering from a book hangover, which includes a lot of wailing about the fact that my favourite series is over. The devastation. Is. Real.
Where to start? Crash picks right up where we left off with in Push and everything is a mess. Heck, I was in a mess just thinking about it. I was armed with sweaty palms and an over-reactive imagination from start to finish. The number of times I paused to simply scream or flail for a moment before reading again is probably somewhere around 500. And the number of times I physically put the book down, because my mind couldn't come to terms with what just happened? 5 times. 5 times I paced around my house, wailing, flopping on a couch or bed or just the floor, because I was so overcome with emotions.
What is this book? It is butt-kicking action. It is swoon-worthy romance. It is very real issues, some which might hit close to home. It is mind-boggling revelations that will leave you breathless and scared for the characters. It is also Jackson Tate. Jackson. Tate. More on him later.
Miki Jones, our fantastic and amazing and downright pure awesome protagonist, faces a lot of adversary in this book. More so than any. It's not just the Game that's making her life difficult, it's herself. Grief, anxiety, depression: they're aspects, consequences, of the Game. And we get to see her battle each and every one of them, and I am truly happy that these battles were included. It makes her character more complex, the entire story more complex, and I loved it. It's not like unhappiness is only when she's in the Game; it's in real life, too. Miki shows fortitude time and time again, pulling through every hardship thrown against her. She's smart, both emotionally and physically strong, strategic, wise, and she has Jackson. (In my opinion, having Jackson is more than enough, but I am merely a love-struck and extremely biased person.)
I did not think that the action in this book could get be better than the books before, but I was proved wrong. It is exemplary. So many missions, so many risks, so many heart-stopping (and heart-breaking) moments. Everyone is fierce, because everyone wants to live. Everyone is determined, because again, everyone wants to live. So it should go without saying that everyone kicks butt.
***And this is where it gets spoilery. So don't read it unless you're read this book!***
ALL. THOSE. PLOT. TWISTS. Okay, okay, to be fair, I did see some of them coming. Just not to that extent. The Committee being evil? Okay, I figured that might have been the case ever since Lizzie appeared in Push. But that evil? Evil in the sense that they've basically engineered the whole human-vs-Drau thing? Raising generations of humans and Draus with the intention of pitting the kids of both species against one another with lies? EVIL TO A NEW LEVEL. It's an evil that surpasses both time and space! And let's not forget the whole rumour about reaching 1000 points. Supposedly, once you do that, you're free, free from the Game. But upon confrontation about whether that is true or not, the Committee answers cryptically that "change" happens with 1000 points is reached. Now, what is this "change" they speak of? DEATH. Hello. That's not change! That's evil! And same how they kill off members who grow too old. No adults are allowed to participate, remember? So for those members who survive, and thus grow to be somewhere over 20? Again, DEATH. That's right. They kill them off simply for surviving. They were going to do that to Tyrone! I just... Does anyone know where I can buy an Anti-Committee t-shirt?
I never considered myself one of those people who has an intense fear of those fraying rope bridges connecting cliffs, but after what happens in Crash, I think my fear has been renewed. Tyrone makes it. Kendra makes it. Lien makes it. Miki makes it. Luka doesn't, and neither does Jackson. Jackson. Didn't. Make. It. Did my heart stop when that chapter ended with Jackson free falling towards the jagged rocks below? Yes. Was this one of the 5 times I put the book down and started pacing and wailing for a good 10 minutes? Absolutely. And there are people who can attest to my moment of "insanity." (If they were reading the book, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have called it "insanity." But since they weren't, they just didn't get it.) So all I will say: Eve Silver knows how to sever my heartstrings. And I also never want to walk on a rope bridge, because it will bring back memories of Luka dying and of Jackson falling. And then I'll have to relive the moment when I thought Jackson had been killed off. *Shivers* Never again, you hear me? Never. Again.
Speaking of Luka...I had my suspicions about him, ever since Push. But I was sincerely hoping that I was being a paranoid reader, and that everyone would make it out all right. HA. How naive of me. Do I feel bad for Luka? Yes. He was a good friend to Miki and Jackson. He decided to give Miki answers when he wasn't supposed to during the first book. And he showed up to keep Miki company when Jackson had to leave her after visiting Miki's dad in the hospital, so that Jackson could go home and pick some stuff up. Luka is a great friend. Should I have mourned him longer? Yes. But, like Miki and Jackson, there's no time to mourn him. There's a Committee to stop, and everyone needs to focus on the real problem. Or, as Miki likes to say, to keep the grey fog of grief at bay. But think about it: the Committee was using him to spy on Miki and Jackson. Basically hijacking Luka's mind. That is twisted and wrong, which is exactly why the Committee needed to be stopped. This is what I meant when I said that the Committee evilness had been upped a level. Luka did not deserve to die, and it's unfair. But I know that one day, the Committee will indeed be put to a stop and Luka's death will be avenged.
I know I mentioned before about internal issues, but I want to bring them up again. In this book, we get a taste of what it's like to go through a few mental issues: anxiety/panic attacks, grief, depression due to grief, alcoholism, guilt, and PTSD. The Game isn't kind; it leaves scars on the mentality of its players. And I think the fact that Miki battles these things is what makes the story realistic. But it's not just Miki. Yes, she's the one who deals with anxiety (see: father in the hospital), depression (no thanks to the Committee, who was trying to get into her head), and grief (aka LUKA). But it's also her father that's dealing with alcoholism, and Jackson who deals with guilt and PTSD. Now, these issues don't take over the plot, but they're there, serving as very real issues that can happen to anyone. And I really liked how they were addressed, and how the characters were able to pull through. And not just pull through alone, but with supporting people that everyone should have. Like I said, it makes them all better people.
JACKSON TATE. From the first day I met (cough, read about) him, he has been right up there on my boyfriend list. The listing changes with my mood, but Jackson is always, always, in my top three no matter what. I don't think it's ever possible for me to read about him without pausing for a moment to sigh or squeal a little in pure giddiness. It happened when I read Rush, it happened again in Push, and it by no means was an exception in Crash. I mean, Jackson makes a whole bunch of sweet declarations for always being there for Miki. Who wouldn't stop to sigh? Dangerous boy who likes cereals with marshmallows in it? Who, being unable to do anything to help Miki get through her grief, declares that the least he can do is to physically take care of her? Who helps Miki battle her panic and anxiety attacks? My heart is melting for this boy. Why isn't he in my life???
I loved the events leading up to the grand finale. Jackson, using his Drau DNA to send out a massive message to make both human and Drau stop fighting? And Miki, being his amplifier? YES. They did it together. That is beautiful. But it kept getting better! The confrontation with the Committee? Lizzie's I-can-and-will-follow-you-wherever-you-go-and-put-a-stop-to-your-plans-once-and-for-all attitude? Again, YES.
And then the ending. Miki chooses to go back, to enter the Game again. To go though grief, yes, but also to do her part in putting a stop to the Committee. That is the mark of a true hero: someone who will continue on the same path they were on before, because it's right. And also because that's where Jackson is, and to me, that's reason enough to go for it. Again, I might be biased.
I'm really happy that everyone in Miki's team chooses to stay together to form the new rebellion. Tyrone, Lien, Kendra, Miki, and Jackson have been through quite a lot together, and they're a close-knitted team. It would have been sad to see one of them leave. Add Lizzie and the other 10 Draus willing to fight, and I'm more than sure that 26 of them are, without a doubt, going to take the Committee down. The story ends a little open-ended, but I think that allows us, the readers, dream up our own versions of their final triumph. And if anything is certain, it's that the Committee is on the run, and that they don't stand a chance against Miki and her new team.
The last three sentences of the book:
"So what's the game now?
No game.
It's my life."
*Falls and cries.* The story has come full circle, truly. Miki ends up back at the very first scene in Rush, and ends up making the exact same decision. And the initial question of "What's the game now?", a question that has been asked since Rush, is answered, but instead of it being "This, or the life I used to know?", the answer is simple and clear: "No game. It's my life." The answer this time is a set and definite. One with certainty, one that leaves little room for argument. One that ends the story perfectly.
Originally posted from Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.
February 22, 2015
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
The final book in The Game trilogy wasn’t exactly a disappointment, but it wasn’t 100% satisfying either.
Crash picks up where Push left off. Miki and Jackson have just come back from a mission to find that her father and best friend Carly have been in a terrible accident. But her families life being on the precipice doesn’t stop the committee from pulling Miki and her team into the game against the Drau to save mankind. Its on these missions and through quick and intense conversations with Jacksons sister Lizzie that Miki starts to question what they’re actually doing, if the committee is being honest, and if the Drau are actually the enemy. Between fighting for her life, trying to figure out what is going on while keeping the committee in the dark and being strong for her father and Carly, secrets and agendas are revealed that may shatter everything Miki and Jackson thought they knew about the game.
I have to say this is my least favorite book in this trilogy but I can’t exactly pinpoint why. It kind of felt like Eve Silver ran out of new and exciting things to write about and so she filled the chapters with slightly repetitive emotional drama. There’s nothing I love more than amazing character development and relationship building. But when you’ve become accustomed to a story being action packed and intense, it gets boring when there’s page after page of a character going on about how they must overcome a dark cloud or let someone help them by letting them take care of them.
I like Miki and Jackson, but the constant back and forth between them over the same things got old really fast. I was more interested in what was going on with the war they were fighting and the people responsible for putting them in that war. Its frustrating because even with all of that dialogue and exploration of personal feelings and demons, some of my questions still weren’t answered when the book ended. And I can’t help but feel like some of the pages where Miki is waxing philosophical about why Jackson is the way he is or how hard it was for her to fight the fog constantly surrounding her, could have been dedicated to quickly answering those questions.
For this to be a finale (I think) to a trilogy, it was extremely subdued. There was more action and craziness in the first book than there was in this one. Crash was lacking that feeling of thrill and urgency that the past two books had which is disappointing because a finale should end with a BANG! Instead it just left me hanging...confused and annoyed. YOU LEFT ME HANGING EVE!! WHAT ABOUT LUKA! WHAT.ABOUT.LUKA!!?!
With all that being said, I did enjoy this book. I think what I enjoyed the most was just the relationship between Jackson and Miki and the amount of love and support they constantly show one another and their friends. They’re these two very different people, but they both care so much about the people around them and I think that makes them perfect for one another.
Overall I really did like this series. I’m glad I went out on a limb and decided to buy the first book off of bookoutlet last year. I do wish some things could have been expounded upon and explained better but in the end I’m okay with how thing were wrapped up. Eve Silvers writing is definitely fast paced and easy to read and i’ve already got my eyes on another series of her that I would like to read.
The final book in The Game trilogy wasn’t exactly a disappointment, but it wasn’t 100% satisfying either.
Crash picks up where Push left off. Miki and Jackson have just come back from a mission to find that her father and best friend Carly have been in a terrible accident. But her families life being on the precipice doesn’t stop the committee from pulling Miki and her team into the game against the Drau to save mankind. Its on these missions and through quick and intense conversations with Jacksons sister Lizzie that Miki starts to question what they’re actually doing, if the committee is being honest, and if the Drau are actually the enemy. Between fighting for her life, trying to figure out what is going on while keeping the committee in the dark and being strong for her father and Carly, secrets and agendas are revealed that may shatter everything Miki and Jackson thought they knew about the game.
I have to say this is my least favorite book in this trilogy but I can’t exactly pinpoint why. It kind of felt like Eve Silver ran out of new and exciting things to write about and so she filled the chapters with slightly repetitive emotional drama. There’s nothing I love more than amazing character development and relationship building. But when you’ve become accustomed to a story being action packed and intense, it gets boring when there’s page after page of a character going on about how they must overcome a dark cloud or let someone help them by letting them take care of them.
I like Miki and Jackson, but the constant back and forth between them over the same things got old really fast. I was more interested in what was going on with the war they were fighting and the people responsible for putting them in that war. Its frustrating because even with all of that dialogue and exploration of personal feelings and demons, some of my questions still weren’t answered when the book ended. And I can’t help but feel like some of the pages where Miki is waxing philosophical about why Jackson is the way he is or how hard it was for her to fight the fog constantly surrounding her, could have been dedicated to quickly answering those questions.
For this to be a finale (I think) to a trilogy, it was extremely subdued. There was more action and craziness in the first book than there was in this one. Crash was lacking that feeling of thrill and urgency that the past two books had which is disappointing because a finale should end with a BANG! Instead it just left me hanging...confused and annoyed. YOU LEFT ME HANGING EVE!! WHAT ABOUT LUKA! WHAT.ABOUT.LUKA!!?!
With all that being said, I did enjoy this book. I think what I enjoyed the most was just the relationship between Jackson and Miki and the amount of love and support they constantly show one another and their friends. They’re these two very different people, but they both care so much about the people around them and I think that makes them perfect for one another.
Overall I really did like this series. I’m glad I went out on a limb and decided to buy the first book off of bookoutlet last year. I do wish some things could have been expounded upon and explained better but in the end I’m okay with how thing were wrapped up. Eve Silvers writing is definitely fast paced and easy to read and i’ve already got my eyes on another series of her that I would like to read.
April 28, 2015
The full review can be found at The Book Bratz!
I was terrified how this trilogy was going to end, it was unpredictable, fast paced and could go in any direction. I thought it was all wrapped up nicely leaving the reader with a clear picture of what is going to happen long after you've read the last page. Eve didn't fail to deliver in the conclusion of The Game trilogy, giving her readers an awesome mix of action, suspense, and romance.
Miki had it together in this book, though with the events that were happening in her life I wouldn't have be all that surprised if she didn't. At the end of book two both Miki's dad and Carly are in a car crash, leaving both terribly injured. The committee doesn't care though, and pulls both Miki and Jackson into the game. Where this time everything is different. Miki comes face to face with a Drau, where it dropped its weapon and begged for mercy. The rules of The Game has changed and as Miki and Jackson come closer to learning how Jackson's sister can still be alive in The Game, they will unwrap the secrets to the war they thought they were fighting.
I compared my notes from Miki in Rush to Miki in the end of Crash and she has come a long way. She fell in love, became a leader, stood up for what she believed in, saved countless amounts of lives. Miki was pretty much on top of the world during this book. She handled her father and Carly's hospitalization, The Game, The Committee and countless other things with out even batting her eyelashes. One thing that stands out to me is that Miki kept true to herself through out all three novels, she questioned in what she wasn't sure in and protected those she cared about. Things that were valuable to her retained their importance among other things.
Jackson seemed a little soft in this book. Which I appreciated because we mainly got the cocky ass in Push and Rush. We see Jackson vulnerable and unguarded a few times in Crash which really added to my love of Him. The romance was perfectly done, it wasn't too much or not enough. Eve got the mix perfect, I even had butterflies when I read the last page of Crash. There are so many "WTF" moments in Crash. Betrayal. Lies. Nothing is what it seems. The rug was literally ripped out from beneath Miki and Jackson when they find out that maybe the committee isn't the good guys. After the death of a good friend, they realize that nothing was what they thought it was.
As I said, Eve ended The Game trilogy off beautifully, I am sad it is over but it ended on a bittersweet note. I found the ending a bit open, that maybe it could be expanded on someday (Please!) but as a reader I was content. Crash deserves more then five stars, it was full of suspense and action making it perfect for Science Fiction and Alien junkies!
I was terrified how this trilogy was going to end, it was unpredictable, fast paced and could go in any direction. I thought it was all wrapped up nicely leaving the reader with a clear picture of what is going to happen long after you've read the last page. Eve didn't fail to deliver in the conclusion of The Game trilogy, giving her readers an awesome mix of action, suspense, and romance.
Miki had it together in this book, though with the events that were happening in her life I wouldn't have be all that surprised if she didn't. At the end of book two both Miki's dad and Carly are in a car crash, leaving both terribly injured. The committee doesn't care though, and pulls both Miki and Jackson into the game. Where this time everything is different. Miki comes face to face with a Drau, where it dropped its weapon and begged for mercy. The rules of The Game has changed and as Miki and Jackson come closer to learning how Jackson's sister can still be alive in The Game, they will unwrap the secrets to the war they thought they were fighting.
I compared my notes from Miki in Rush to Miki in the end of Crash and she has come a long way. She fell in love, became a leader, stood up for what she believed in, saved countless amounts of lives. Miki was pretty much on top of the world during this book. She handled her father and Carly's hospitalization, The Game, The Committee and countless other things with out even batting her eyelashes. One thing that stands out to me is that Miki kept true to herself through out all three novels, she questioned in what she wasn't sure in and protected those she cared about. Things that were valuable to her retained their importance among other things.
Jackson seemed a little soft in this book. Which I appreciated because we mainly got the cocky ass in Push and Rush. We see Jackson vulnerable and unguarded a few times in Crash which really added to my love of Him. The romance was perfectly done, it wasn't too much or not enough. Eve got the mix perfect, I even had butterflies when I read the last page of Crash. There are so many "WTF" moments in Crash. Betrayal. Lies. Nothing is what it seems. The rug was literally ripped out from beneath Miki and Jackson when they find out that maybe the committee isn't the good guys. After the death of a good friend, they realize that nothing was what they thought it was.
As I said, Eve ended The Game trilogy off beautifully, I am sad it is over but it ended on a bittersweet note. I found the ending a bit open, that maybe it could be expanded on someday (Please!) but as a reader I was content. Crash deserves more then five stars, it was full of suspense and action making it perfect for Science Fiction and Alien junkies!
February 27, 2014
The Game series by Eve Silver has been my guilty pleasure. It features aliens and video games, two things I don’t usually enjoy, but for some reason I have loved this series. The first two books were edge of your seat thrill rides and I went in to Crash expecting a grand finale. While I did enjoy this novel it wasn’t the epic finale I was hoping for and the conclusion to this trilogy left me feeling underwhelmed.
Crash picks up rwhere Push left off. Miki’s father and best friend are in the hospital and the Game is glitching pulling Miki and Jackson more frequently. Their real lives are starting to overlap with their game lives and the committee is getting more ruthless.
This entire series has read like a Hollywood movie. It was completely action packed and I once again found myself flipping through the pages. That was my favorite part of this novel and the entire series.
Miki and Jackson, and their relationship, were another aspect of the previous two novels that I enjoyed. Miki goes through such great character growth in Push that I wanted to see more of that from her in Crash. Unfortunately, the majority of the plot was spent trying to get answers, fighting the committee, and revealing plot twists; there wasn’t a lot of time left for character growth.
Overall, while this wasn’t the strongest installment in the series I still enjoyed it. I am sad to see everything come to an end. These were the first books I’ve read by Eve Silver but I know they won’t be my last!
Crash picks up rwhere Push left off. Miki’s father and best friend are in the hospital and the Game is glitching pulling Miki and Jackson more frequently. Their real lives are starting to overlap with their game lives and the committee is getting more ruthless.
This entire series has read like a Hollywood movie. It was completely action packed and I once again found myself flipping through the pages. That was my favorite part of this novel and the entire series.
Miki and Jackson, and their relationship, were another aspect of the previous two novels that I enjoyed. Miki goes through such great character growth in Push that I wanted to see more of that from her in Crash. Unfortunately, the majority of the plot was spent trying to get answers, fighting the committee, and revealing plot twists; there wasn’t a lot of time left for character growth.
Overall, while this wasn’t the strongest installment in the series I still enjoyed it. I am sad to see everything come to an end. These were the first books I’ve read by Eve Silver but I know they won’t be my last!
February 27, 2015
Full Review on The Candid Cover
The highly anticipated conclusion to the Game series by Eve Silver has finally been released! It definitely does not disappoint. This book has an amazing balance between contemporary and sci-fi. Crash is so fast-paced and is the perfect ending to the series.
The Game series is a perfect mix between sci-fi and contemporary! I love how the setting of all three books takes place during the characters’ normal lives and another part in a sci-fi alien-fighting real-life video game. Eve Silver has created a really unique series by incorporating both genres, as it is appealing to a wider audience. There is no previous gaming experience required to grasp the storyline. I am a big fan of both the contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy genres, so this series definitely satisfies both of those tastes.
This last book in the Game series is action-packed and full of plot twists. It includes scenes that will blow readers’ minds! There are multiple battle scenes between the characters and the Drau, the aliens that they must defeat, that will keep the readers on the edge of their seats. This non-stop action makes for a fast read, as it is hard to put down.
Crash is the perfect conclusion to the Game series. It ties up all the loose ends and is sure to fulfill the wishes of the reader. It is a double edged sword, as it is also sad to have this incredible series come to a conclusion. The sign of a well-written series!
Crash is the ultimate sci-fi book that I would recommend to fans of the genre. Eve Silver has created a series so unique and guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever read. If you are new to the series, you should check out book one, Rush, and book two, Push.
The highly anticipated conclusion to the Game series by Eve Silver has finally been released! It definitely does not disappoint. This book has an amazing balance between contemporary and sci-fi. Crash is so fast-paced and is the perfect ending to the series.
The Game series is a perfect mix between sci-fi and contemporary! I love how the setting of all three books takes place during the characters’ normal lives and another part in a sci-fi alien-fighting real-life video game. Eve Silver has created a really unique series by incorporating both genres, as it is appealing to a wider audience. There is no previous gaming experience required to grasp the storyline. I am a big fan of both the contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy genres, so this series definitely satisfies both of those tastes.
This last book in the Game series is action-packed and full of plot twists. It includes scenes that will blow readers’ minds! There are multiple battle scenes between the characters and the Drau, the aliens that they must defeat, that will keep the readers on the edge of their seats. This non-stop action makes for a fast read, as it is hard to put down.
Crash is the perfect conclusion to the Game series. It ties up all the loose ends and is sure to fulfill the wishes of the reader. It is a double edged sword, as it is also sad to have this incredible series come to a conclusion. The sign of a well-written series!
Crash is the ultimate sci-fi book that I would recommend to fans of the genre. Eve Silver has created a series so unique and guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever read. If you are new to the series, you should check out book one, Rush, and book two, Push.
July 22, 2014
Crash is a fantastic ending to this trilogy. It's fast paced and full of action and adventure. The characters grow even more, and the ending itself is satisfying. The romance is sweet, and there are a lot of plot twists. I've been a fan of this trilogy from the beginning because of its unique premise, and Silver finishes the series as strongly as she started it.
Miki is a great narrator and a completely relatable character. She is flawed and battles with depression and anxiety, which I love. She shows her strength differently than characters who don't have these problems, but she is still very strong. I think it's so important for people to know you can be strong, even if you do have to fight a mental illness. Sometimes you're stronger because of that than you would be if you didn't have the illness. Jackson opens up some in this book, and I really enjoyed getting to know more about him. Lizzie is an intriguing character, and she added some mystery to the last two novels.
The plot itself is full of twist, turns, and action. There is a lot going on in this book, and Silver does a good job keeping the mystery alive. The big reveal didn't surprise me that much, but it wasn't completely obvious either. It made perfect sense. One part bothered me, and that was when Jackson changes his mind suddenly. I don't want to say more than that to spoil it for anyone, but that part doesn't seem very realistic. Other than that, the plot was solid and the ending was satisfying.
Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who is looking for a fun, exciting, and unique sci-fi read.
Miki is a great narrator and a completely relatable character. She is flawed and battles with depression and anxiety, which I love. She shows her strength differently than characters who don't have these problems, but she is still very strong. I think it's so important for people to know you can be strong, even if you do have to fight a mental illness. Sometimes you're stronger because of that than you would be if you didn't have the illness. Jackson opens up some in this book, and I really enjoyed getting to know more about him. Lizzie is an intriguing character, and she added some mystery to the last two novels.
The plot itself is full of twist, turns, and action. There is a lot going on in this book, and Silver does a good job keeping the mystery alive. The big reveal didn't surprise me that much, but it wasn't completely obvious either. It made perfect sense. One part bothered me, and that was when Jackson changes his mind suddenly. I don't want to say more than that to spoil it for anyone, but that part doesn't seem very realistic. Other than that, the plot was solid and the ending was satisfying.
Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who is looking for a fun, exciting, and unique sci-fi read.
February 6, 2015
A thrilling conclusion to the series, Crash was a fantastic YA read. It upped the stakes, revealed many more secrets, and completed the series with a great ending. I really liked it and I thought it was a top-notch read.
Miki was at the top of her game in this book. Even with the mix of trouble in the Game and tragedy in the real world, she kept it together as best she could and still managed to kick ass. As in the previous books, I think she's awesome.
Jackson was just as badass as Miki was. He was learning to act as a team rather than take everything on by himself, though still as determined to protect everyone that he possibly could. He was also so sweet in the moments where it was just him and Miki and I still thought he was a totally swoon-worthy, absolutely adorable character.
The romance was great. I've always though Miki and Jackson were great together but this book really showed how much stronger they were as a team. And their romance added a lightheartedness to all the doom and gloom going on, which made the book even better.
The plot was fast paced and had me hooked right from the start. There were tons of thrills and secrets along the way, along with a game-changing secret that shed a lot of light on what was happening. I loved the story and the ending was a great conclusion to the series.
Crash was a perfect end to The Game series. It had twists, turns, romance, and an excellent story. I really liked this book. Fans of the series, you won't be disappointed with the final book. And, YA lovers, this is a series worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Miki was at the top of her game in this book. Even with the mix of trouble in the Game and tragedy in the real world, she kept it together as best she could and still managed to kick ass. As in the previous books, I think she's awesome.
Jackson was just as badass as Miki was. He was learning to act as a team rather than take everything on by himself, though still as determined to protect everyone that he possibly could. He was also so sweet in the moments where it was just him and Miki and I still thought he was a totally swoon-worthy, absolutely adorable character.
The romance was great. I've always though Miki and Jackson were great together but this book really showed how much stronger they were as a team. And their romance added a lightheartedness to all the doom and gloom going on, which made the book even better.
The plot was fast paced and had me hooked right from the start. There were tons of thrills and secrets along the way, along with a game-changing secret that shed a lot of light on what was happening. I loved the story and the ending was a great conclusion to the series.
Crash was a perfect end to The Game series. It had twists, turns, romance, and an excellent story. I really liked this book. Fans of the series, you won't be disappointed with the final book. And, YA lovers, this is a series worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 1, 2014
Really enjoyed how this book ended the series, with the Committee, and with Lizzie, and everything there, it was a pretty fantastic ending, and they won, so yeah, that was fantastic! Hope Eve Silver writes more YA books!
August 15, 2025
I’m not ready for this series to be overrrr 😭
June 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I can't get enough of this gripping writing-style.
Though this book wasn't as thrilling as Rush and Push. I think the reason is mainly because the first half of the book was… how to put it… not slow or boring but compared to Rush and Push… nothing much happened in the first half. It was mostly focused on Miki and Jackson being in the hospital and Miki trying to navigate between her panic and depression, can't stop worrying and thinking about her dad and Carly.
While I understand the importance of it, I think it took too much from the book. And from Miki, who needed her focus more than ever.
But the action was on in the second half of the book. I didn't feel the same rush I felt in books 1 and 2 but I still really enjoyed it.
*spilers from now on. don't continue reading unless you've read Crash*
Throughout the book I was constantly terrified Jackson was going to die. Eve Silver doesn't seem to me like the kind of author who kills the main character or the main character's love interest *a spoiler to allegiant. You are not allowed to read it unless you read allegiant or got the *big spoiler* for that book: *spioler* but neither did Veronica Roth until she did it and destroyed my trust *spoiler*
The scene on the bridge put me on edge. It really seemed like he was going to die. He almost did die.
But then Luka died.
Luka:
It wasn't a big shock that he turned out to be some sort of spy, But I didn't suspect him in book 1 and 2 at all. I started to suspect he was hiding something when he and Miki ate alone in her house.
It's hard to blame him. It was more or like a situation of: either spy or die.
Even when Miki and Jackson felt betrayed, I knew that in time they would have forgiven him.
I wasn't connected to him enough that his death would have affected me like if Jackson died, but I liked his character. He was always there to help Miki. He would be missed in the new team.
Lien and Kendra:
I disliked them in book 2. But they really started growing on me on this book and I found myself wishing them not to die during that horrific bridge scenario.
I was glad to hear they both joined the new team. Giving how terrified they both were in book 2… they really came a long way.
Tyrone:
We don't know him that much so there isn't much to say about him but I always liked him. Whenever Richelle was mentioned in the book my heart went for him.
Miki and Jackson:
Their relationship is one of my favorites. I loved that they didn't fight during this book. It's not that they didn't have arguments – Miki and Jackson who aren't arguing aren't Miki and Jackson at all - But their feelings for each other were obvious. They were united, a team, partners.
In the midst of all the angst and the action they created their own moments… beautiful and sweet moments.
Before I'll reach the ending, there are 2 things I found myself wondering about:
1. Kelley. I might not have thought much about her after we found out Luka was the spy but… I couldn't stop thinking about her odd behavior. Even if it was just the author's way of leading us off Luka's trail, her behavior was still too odd; she was suddenly watching Miki constantly (when she didn't bother with her before), talking to her like they are friends (when they are definitely not), and the part that I can't shake off: the last time Miki saw Kelley, when she had that blank look on her face and kept repeating the things they said.
I'm probably reading too much into it but I can't shake off the feeling this might be important.
2. it's not as important as number one but we never got an answer for it. when Miki's dad suddenly slipped into an unexpected coma, Miki was positive it was the committee, but we were never told whether it was something medical or the committee with their mind tricks.
The important thing though is that her father's O.K. at the end of the book.
The ending:
I'm still pondering about it.
It's the last book in the trilogy but the ending sure doesn't say that.
It isn't a happily ever after exactly and not quite a bitter-sweet one. It feels like the book before the last in a series. But the author said it's the last book so I'm not sure what to make of it.
I'm happy that Jackson and Miki are happy and together, but until almost the end I thought they would be safe in the real world. I never expected the committee to be alive and kicking and them having to form a group to stop them. I'm glad that they did and didn't simply let them go after everything they did but until the committee is defeated… Crush doesn't feel like the end.
Not to mention Carly hasn't woken up yet and Kelley's weirdness.
All this makes me wonder if Eve is planning a continuation to the trilogy or some sort of spin-off. Or maybe her plan is to just leave things open like that?
Hopefully not.
All in all, I really enjoyed Crush. This trilogy is one of my favorites.
I'll be waiting now for Eve's next book.
My blog: http://magiverse.blogspot.co.il/
Though this book wasn't as thrilling as Rush and Push. I think the reason is mainly because the first half of the book was… how to put it… not slow or boring but compared to Rush and Push… nothing much happened in the first half. It was mostly focused on Miki and Jackson being in the hospital and Miki trying to navigate between her panic and depression, can't stop worrying and thinking about her dad and Carly.
While I understand the importance of it, I think it took too much from the book. And from Miki, who needed her focus more than ever.
But the action was on in the second half of the book. I didn't feel the same rush I felt in books 1 and 2 but I still really enjoyed it.
*spilers from now on. don't continue reading unless you've read Crash*
Throughout the book I was constantly terrified Jackson was going to die. Eve Silver doesn't seem to me like the kind of author who kills the main character or the main character's love interest *a spoiler to allegiant. You are not allowed to read it unless you read allegiant or got the *big spoiler* for that book: *spioler* but neither did Veronica Roth until she did it and destroyed my trust *spoiler*
The scene on the bridge put me on edge. It really seemed like he was going to die. He almost did die.
But then Luka died.
Luka:
It wasn't a big shock that he turned out to be some sort of spy, But I didn't suspect him in book 1 and 2 at all. I started to suspect he was hiding something when he and Miki ate alone in her house.
It's hard to blame him. It was more or like a situation of: either spy or die.
Even when Miki and Jackson felt betrayed, I knew that in time they would have forgiven him.
I wasn't connected to him enough that his death would have affected me like if Jackson died, but I liked his character. He was always there to help Miki. He would be missed in the new team.
Lien and Kendra:
I disliked them in book 2. But they really started growing on me on this book and I found myself wishing them not to die during that horrific bridge scenario.
I was glad to hear they both joined the new team. Giving how terrified they both were in book 2… they really came a long way.
Tyrone:
We don't know him that much so there isn't much to say about him but I always liked him. Whenever Richelle was mentioned in the book my heart went for him.
Miki and Jackson:
Their relationship is one of my favorites. I loved that they didn't fight during this book. It's not that they didn't have arguments – Miki and Jackson who aren't arguing aren't Miki and Jackson at all - But their feelings for each other were obvious. They were united, a team, partners.
In the midst of all the angst and the action they created their own moments… beautiful and sweet moments.
Before I'll reach the ending, there are 2 things I found myself wondering about:
1. Kelley. I might not have thought much about her after we found out Luka was the spy but… I couldn't stop thinking about her odd behavior. Even if it was just the author's way of leading us off Luka's trail, her behavior was still too odd; she was suddenly watching Miki constantly (when she didn't bother with her before), talking to her like they are friends (when they are definitely not), and the part that I can't shake off: the last time Miki saw Kelley, when she had that blank look on her face and kept repeating the things they said.
I'm probably reading too much into it but I can't shake off the feeling this might be important.
2. it's not as important as number one but we never got an answer for it. when Miki's dad suddenly slipped into an unexpected coma, Miki was positive it was the committee, but we were never told whether it was something medical or the committee with their mind tricks.
The important thing though is that her father's O.K. at the end of the book.
The ending:
I'm still pondering about it.
It's the last book in the trilogy but the ending sure doesn't say that.
It isn't a happily ever after exactly and not quite a bitter-sweet one. It feels like the book before the last in a series. But the author said it's the last book so I'm not sure what to make of it.
I'm happy that Jackson and Miki are happy and together, but until almost the end I thought they would be safe in the real world. I never expected the committee to be alive and kicking and them having to form a group to stop them. I'm glad that they did and didn't simply let them go after everything they did but until the committee is defeated… Crush doesn't feel like the end.
Not to mention Carly hasn't woken up yet and Kelley's weirdness.
All this makes me wonder if Eve is planning a continuation to the trilogy or some sort of spin-off. Or maybe her plan is to just leave things open like that?
Hopefully not.
All in all, I really enjoyed Crush. This trilogy is one of my favorites.
I'll be waiting now for Eve's next book.
My blog: http://magiverse.blogspot.co.il/
January 20, 2022
3.5 Stars. While the ending was good, it didn’t feel like this is where the series should have ended. It would have been nice to have a little more closure to the story.
April 14, 2022
finished this series in a day...if that tells you anything
December 20, 2018
I pretty much inhaled this series, reading the entire trilogy in 2 days. It was fun, with lots of action, and not too much angst, which is pretty much all I want in a YA series.
May 30, 2026
honestly felt like a whole bunch of nothing happened for the first 20 chapters and then suddenly, everything felt so rushed.. not to mention, the ending was ASS
June 19, 2020
Jeez, this series was so good. Hooked from page 1. Eve did such a fantastic job wrapping up this series with a sad but beautiful ending. Highly recommend; nothing negative to say. Big thanks to such a talented author for taking me on a whirlwind on an adventure.
February 29, 2016
Achtung! Teil Drei der Trilogie!
Was habe ich mich auf diesen letzten Band der "Das Spiel-Reihe" gefreut. Von Anfang an habe ich Miki begleitet und war natürlich dementsprechend neugierig, wie diese Trilogie ihr Ende finden würde. Ich habe ehrlich gesagt absolut keine Ahnung gehabt. Keinerlei Idee, wie man die Spielewelt, die Gegner und die Realität hätte miteinander kombinieren, oder in irgendeiner Art und Weise aufklären können, wie es überhaupt dazu kommen konnte. Umso eifriger verfolgte ich den Lauf der Dinge und wurde von Seite zu Seite mehr überrascht.
Zuerst von Miki selbst: Sie ist so viel reifer und selbstbewusster geworden, als zu der Zeit, in der sie gerade erst ein paar Mal spielen musste. Nun hat sie wirklich die Charakterzüge einer Anführerin, die ihr in Kill sehr nützlich sein werden.
Es geht von der ersten Seite an sehr rasant zur Sache. Zwar befasst sich die Geschichte erst einmal nur mit der Tatsache, dass Mikis wichtigste Menschen im Krankenhaus liegen und die Ärzte nicht so recht wissen, wie es mit ihnen weiter gehen wird - wenn überhaupt - aber selbst dieser doch eher ruhiger wirkende Part tut der Spannung absolut keinen Abbruch, eher wiegt sie diese noch einmal auf, denn man möchte nun nicht nur erfahren, wie "Das Spiel" endet, sondern natürlich auch, ob Vater und beste Freundin überleben werden.
»"Lenke den Albtraum", sage ich und sehe Jackson in die Augen. "Pack mit beiden Händen zu und lenke ihn dahin, wo du ihn hinhaben willst. Du kannst ihm nicht entfliehen, aber die kannst ihm eine andere Richtung geben."«
Zitat aus: "Kill"
Die Geschichte ist von vorne bis hinten sehr spannend und enthält natürlich auch wieder eine Liebesgeschichte, die den eigentlichen Plot aber zum Glück nicht in den Hintergrund drängt. Es hat mir Freude bereitet zu lesen, wie Miki mit Jackson umgeht, wie die beiden sich entwickeln und zusammen, unter diesen Umständen, ihren Weg gehen.
Überdies möchte und muss ich ebenfalls das fantastische Setting hervorheben. Gerade die gesamte "Spielwelt" fand ich über alle drei Bände hinweg extrem gut beschrieben.
Bis man als Leser die alles entscheidenden Antworten auf die zig Fragen bekommt, die man sich über die gesamte Trilogie gestellt hat, begleitet man Miki ins Spiel, erfährt noch viele Dinge, die allesamt total überraschend sind. Man dreht und wendet sich so sehr, dass einem regelrecht schwindelig wird. Vieles, was ich gelesen habe, hat mich wirklich sprachlos gemacht, denn es ist einfach absolut fantastisch, was sich Eve Silver als Aufklärung aus dem Ärmel geschüttelt und anschließend zu Papier gebracht hat. Dabei wirkt die gesamte Geschichte, inklusive dem Ende zu keiner Zeit zu überzogen. Durch die Science Fiction Elemente, die eh schon einen großen Platz in dieser Trilogie haben, passte es alles sehr gut zusammen und kam mir auch sehr einleuchtend vor.
Fazit:
Eve Silver ist mit Kill ein rundes, sehr spannendes Ende der "Das Spiel"-Trilogie gelungen. Als Leser hat man kaum Zeit Luft zu holen, denn es geht Schlag auf Schlag. Viele Wendungen haben mich sehr überrascht, da diese mehr als nur unvorhersehbar waren. Für mich ist diese Reihe ein echter Geheimtipp.
Die Reihe:
1. Jump
2. Run!
3. Kill
© www.mybooksparadise.de
Was habe ich mich auf diesen letzten Band der "Das Spiel-Reihe" gefreut. Von Anfang an habe ich Miki begleitet und war natürlich dementsprechend neugierig, wie diese Trilogie ihr Ende finden würde. Ich habe ehrlich gesagt absolut keine Ahnung gehabt. Keinerlei Idee, wie man die Spielewelt, die Gegner und die Realität hätte miteinander kombinieren, oder in irgendeiner Art und Weise aufklären können, wie es überhaupt dazu kommen konnte. Umso eifriger verfolgte ich den Lauf der Dinge und wurde von Seite zu Seite mehr überrascht.
Zuerst von Miki selbst: Sie ist so viel reifer und selbstbewusster geworden, als zu der Zeit, in der sie gerade erst ein paar Mal spielen musste. Nun hat sie wirklich die Charakterzüge einer Anführerin, die ihr in Kill sehr nützlich sein werden.
Es geht von der ersten Seite an sehr rasant zur Sache. Zwar befasst sich die Geschichte erst einmal nur mit der Tatsache, dass Mikis wichtigste Menschen im Krankenhaus liegen und die Ärzte nicht so recht wissen, wie es mit ihnen weiter gehen wird - wenn überhaupt - aber selbst dieser doch eher ruhiger wirkende Part tut der Spannung absolut keinen Abbruch, eher wiegt sie diese noch einmal auf, denn man möchte nun nicht nur erfahren, wie "Das Spiel" endet, sondern natürlich auch, ob Vater und beste Freundin überleben werden.
»"Lenke den Albtraum", sage ich und sehe Jackson in die Augen. "Pack mit beiden Händen zu und lenke ihn dahin, wo du ihn hinhaben willst. Du kannst ihm nicht entfliehen, aber die kannst ihm eine andere Richtung geben."«
Zitat aus: "Kill"
Die Geschichte ist von vorne bis hinten sehr spannend und enthält natürlich auch wieder eine Liebesgeschichte, die den eigentlichen Plot aber zum Glück nicht in den Hintergrund drängt. Es hat mir Freude bereitet zu lesen, wie Miki mit Jackson umgeht, wie die beiden sich entwickeln und zusammen, unter diesen Umständen, ihren Weg gehen.
Überdies möchte und muss ich ebenfalls das fantastische Setting hervorheben. Gerade die gesamte "Spielwelt" fand ich über alle drei Bände hinweg extrem gut beschrieben.
Bis man als Leser die alles entscheidenden Antworten auf die zig Fragen bekommt, die man sich über die gesamte Trilogie gestellt hat, begleitet man Miki ins Spiel, erfährt noch viele Dinge, die allesamt total überraschend sind. Man dreht und wendet sich so sehr, dass einem regelrecht schwindelig wird. Vieles, was ich gelesen habe, hat mich wirklich sprachlos gemacht, denn es ist einfach absolut fantastisch, was sich Eve Silver als Aufklärung aus dem Ärmel geschüttelt und anschließend zu Papier gebracht hat. Dabei wirkt die gesamte Geschichte, inklusive dem Ende zu keiner Zeit zu überzogen. Durch die Science Fiction Elemente, die eh schon einen großen Platz in dieser Trilogie haben, passte es alles sehr gut zusammen und kam mir auch sehr einleuchtend vor.
Fazit:
Eve Silver ist mit Kill ein rundes, sehr spannendes Ende der "Das Spiel"-Trilogie gelungen. Als Leser hat man kaum Zeit Luft zu holen, denn es geht Schlag auf Schlag. Viele Wendungen haben mich sehr überrascht, da diese mehr als nur unvorhersehbar waren. Für mich ist diese Reihe ein echter Geheimtipp.
Die Reihe:
1. Jump
2. Run!
3. Kill
© www.mybooksparadise.de
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