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The Jolvix Episodes #6
The Slaying Game
“It’s playtime.”
Leela’s enemies are dying. They appear to be unrelated suicides, but she refuses to believe in mere coincidence. Someone is targeting these victims. But why?
A single clue emerges, leading her to believe these deaths are linked to a cover-up job she did when she worked PR for the tech goliath Jolvix. It involves a high-tech novelty weapon, shrouded in secrecy, one she’s legally forbidden from discussing with anyone—including the hungry writer publishing an exposé on Jolvix who’s itching to get the full scoop.
The body count is rising. And the further this deadly game goes, the more Leela becomes implicated as a possible suspect. To find the real killer, Leela must return to the sinister web of her former company and dive deep into the dark secrets buried in her past.
Because if she doesn’t find the serial killer soon, it’s game over for Leela, too.
Leela’s enemies are dying. They appear to be unrelated suicides, but she refuses to believe in mere coincidence. Someone is targeting these victims. But why?
A single clue emerges, leading her to believe these deaths are linked to a cover-up job she did when she worked PR for the tech goliath Jolvix. It involves a high-tech novelty weapon, shrouded in secrecy, one she’s legally forbidden from discussing with anyone—including the hungry writer publishing an exposé on Jolvix who’s itching to get the full scoop.
The body count is rising. And the further this deadly game goes, the more Leela becomes implicated as a possible suspect. To find the real killer, Leela must return to the sinister web of her former company and dive deep into the dark secrets buried in her past.
Because if she doesn’t find the serial killer soon, it’s game over for Leela, too.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2023
397 people are currently reading
5468 people want to read
About the author
Faith Gardner
20 books918 followersFaith Gardner is the author of adult suspense and YA novels. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 6, 2023
This was excellent, magnificent and overwhelmingly good. I love Gardner and this might be my favorite book by her so far.
The plot follows a former jolvix employee, trying to live a silent, comfortable life after loosing her fiancé. Soon someone she knows dies and she gets a message apologizing for how she was treated back then. It is ruled a suicide, but there really is more to it, which soon becomes all too clear.
This is definitely an intense read, but what made it stand out for me was the main character, her personality was divine. She was snarky, gutsy and very likable. The humorous interactions were a perfect remedy to the sombre events, and I felt supercool just reading about her thought processes because I wanted to be like her. Even if her life was messy and complicated she just interacted with the world in the most interesting way. Her relationship to teddy was also a joy. Her hate/love relationship with Teddy made the whole reading experience even more pleasant, I wanted to know more and that need never wavered. My only misgivings is that the book eventually ended, which I was sad about.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
The plot follows a former jolvix employee, trying to live a silent, comfortable life after loosing her fiancé. Soon someone she knows dies and she gets a message apologizing for how she was treated back then. It is ruled a suicide, but there really is more to it, which soon becomes all too clear.
This is definitely an intense read, but what made it stand out for me was the main character, her personality was divine. She was snarky, gutsy and very likable. The humorous interactions were a perfect remedy to the sombre events, and I felt supercool just reading about her thought processes because I wanted to be like her. Even if her life was messy and complicated she just interacted with the world in the most interesting way. Her relationship to teddy was also a joy. Her hate/love relationship with Teddy made the whole reading experience even more pleasant, I wanted to know more and that need never wavered. My only misgivings is that the book eventually ended, which I was sad about.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
September 6, 2023
Happy Publication Day!
September 6,2023
4.5⭐️
After a personal tragedy resulted in a downward spiral for Leela Crowe, her deceased fiancé’s brother Teddy Lindmark offered her a job working in PR in the VR sector at tech giant Jolvix. Leela’s two-year stint at Jolvix ended after she burnt out after a hush job for what could have been a PR disaster for the company revolving around a controversial Virtual Reality game that was ultimately never released. Leela has changed the direction of her career, presently working as Volunteer Coordinator at Feline Better, a cat café/shelter. Her equilibrium is shattered when she starts receiving apology messages from people from her past - people who had wronged her in some way- each of whom has taken their own life within minutes after sending her the text message. When details of the deaths begin to emerge, Leela suspects that these were not suicides and that the deadly game that was never made public might have been instrumental in the killings. Leela enlists the help of Teddy, who still heads the PR for the VR division, and a former journalist who is writing an expose on Jolvix (someone fans of the series have met before!) to find out the truth behind these deaths. Whoever it is seems to know a lot about her and Leela is unsure of whom to trust. The narrative follows Leela as she embarks on her search for the killer. Who is the killer and why is the person targeting people connected to Leela? How did the killer access technology that is supposed to be under lock and key at Jolvix? Will Leela be able to identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt?
With its gripping narrative, well-thought-out characters and an intricately plotted whodunit at the core, The Slaying Game by Faith Gardner is an absorbing read. I loved the plot development and the multiple red herrings and surprises that lead to a thrilling end. I did find the pacing a tad uneven but not so much that would detract from the overall reading experience. The dynamic between Teddy and Leela made for an interesting read, and I thought the author has presented sensitive issues such as addiction, grief and much more insightfully and realistically. There is no doubt about the fact that Faith Gardner is a master storyteller, and her creativity made her stories addictive, entertaining and unique. I love how the author strikes a balance between the futuristic elements and interpersonal aspects in all her stories. Overall, this is a worthy addition to the author’s Jolvix Episodes series!
Loved the Bonus Epilogue (available on the author's website, once you sign up for the newsletter) that continues the story from Teddy’s perspective! That ending! For fans of the author’s Jolvix Episodes series, this one is a must-read! This book can be read as a standalone, but I think those familiar with the Jolvix series would appreciate and enjoy the context a bit more.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the gifted eBook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
September 6,2023
4.5⭐️
After a personal tragedy resulted in a downward spiral for Leela Crowe, her deceased fiancé’s brother Teddy Lindmark offered her a job working in PR in the VR sector at tech giant Jolvix. Leela’s two-year stint at Jolvix ended after she burnt out after a hush job for what could have been a PR disaster for the company revolving around a controversial Virtual Reality game that was ultimately never released. Leela has changed the direction of her career, presently working as Volunteer Coordinator at Feline Better, a cat café/shelter. Her equilibrium is shattered when she starts receiving apology messages from people from her past - people who had wronged her in some way- each of whom has taken their own life within minutes after sending her the text message. When details of the deaths begin to emerge, Leela suspects that these were not suicides and that the deadly game that was never made public might have been instrumental in the killings. Leela enlists the help of Teddy, who still heads the PR for the VR division, and a former journalist who is writing an expose on Jolvix (someone fans of the series have met before!) to find out the truth behind these deaths. Whoever it is seems to know a lot about her and Leela is unsure of whom to trust. The narrative follows Leela as she embarks on her search for the killer. Who is the killer and why is the person targeting people connected to Leela? How did the killer access technology that is supposed to be under lock and key at Jolvix? Will Leela be able to identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt?
With its gripping narrative, well-thought-out characters and an intricately plotted whodunit at the core, The Slaying Game by Faith Gardner is an absorbing read. I loved the plot development and the multiple red herrings and surprises that lead to a thrilling end. I did find the pacing a tad uneven but not so much that would detract from the overall reading experience. The dynamic between Teddy and Leela made for an interesting read, and I thought the author has presented sensitive issues such as addiction, grief and much more insightfully and realistically. There is no doubt about the fact that Faith Gardner is a master storyteller, and her creativity made her stories addictive, entertaining and unique. I love how the author strikes a balance between the futuristic elements and interpersonal aspects in all her stories. Overall, this is a worthy addition to the author’s Jolvix Episodes series!
Loved the Bonus Epilogue (available on the author's website, once you sign up for the newsletter) that continues the story from Teddy’s perspective! That ending! For fans of the author’s Jolvix Episodes series, this one is a must-read! This book can be read as a standalone, but I think those familiar with the Jolvix series would appreciate and enjoy the context a bit more.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the gifted eBook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 15, 2023
Leela is a former PR executive for Jolvix that now makes her living at the Feline Fine cat rescue. It may sound like a step backwards from her high flying executive days but she'll take cats over people and AI any day.
One day she receives an email from her former nemesis in high school apologizing to her for the way she behaved toward her. She then finds out that right after sending the email she committed suicide by a gun shot to the head.
Then she receives another apology email, and another, and another - and all of these people have taken their own life soon after sending them. What is going on?
With her panic and anxiety cranked up she enlists the help of her dead fiancé's twin brother, Teddy, for help in solving this mystery. She believes VixSpex, a virtual reality slaying game, is behind the *suicides* and since Teddy is COO of Jolvix he seems like the only viable option to help her.
Will Leela and Teddy agree to not butt heads long enough to succeed in taking this perpetrator down? You'll have to read this to find out.
I had a lot of fun with this one as I have with all the other books in the Jolvix series. I just get Faith Gardner's humor and I feel like she and I are kindred spirits in that regard. A few early reviewers didn't take to Leela but I actually liked her a lot. Though, I admit, it's Teddy that really stole the show for me. He's just so perfectly, dorkably (new word?) loveable. Did I mention he has a dog named Pickles? His little gherkin? Swoon! 😍 The banter between the pair of them was just so smile worthy. So not only did I enjoy both characters individually but together they are the bee's knees. So cute!
Like all the other books in this series this can be read as a stand-alone but on this occasion I am going to recommend reading Eve in Overdrive first because she makes an appearance here and to know her background will be helpful. Not totally necessary but definitely helpful.
If you subscribe to Faith Gardner's newsletter you can receive a free copy of the epilogue for this which is written from Teddy's perspective. And it was fantastic! A perfect ending and even an Easter Egg or two for us faithful readers to enjoy. 😉 Faith Gardner you slayed it! 5 stars!
My only niggle is the expression "Arms akimbo" was used 6 different times throughout the story which was enough times for me to take notice. Maybe switch that descriptor up next time.
One day she receives an email from her former nemesis in high school apologizing to her for the way she behaved toward her. She then finds out that right after sending the email she committed suicide by a gun shot to the head.
Then she receives another apology email, and another, and another - and all of these people have taken their own life soon after sending them. What is going on?
With her panic and anxiety cranked up she enlists the help of her dead fiancé's twin brother, Teddy, for help in solving this mystery. She believes VixSpex, a virtual reality slaying game, is behind the *suicides* and since Teddy is COO of Jolvix he seems like the only viable option to help her.
Will Leela and Teddy agree to not butt heads long enough to succeed in taking this perpetrator down? You'll have to read this to find out.
I had a lot of fun with this one as I have with all the other books in the Jolvix series. I just get Faith Gardner's humor and I feel like she and I are kindred spirits in that regard. A few early reviewers didn't take to Leela but I actually liked her a lot. Though, I admit, it's Teddy that really stole the show for me. He's just so perfectly, dorkably (new word?) loveable. Did I mention he has a dog named Pickles? His little gherkin? Swoon! 😍 The banter between the pair of them was just so smile worthy. So not only did I enjoy both characters individually but together they are the bee's knees. So cute!
Like all the other books in this series this can be read as a stand-alone but on this occasion I am going to recommend reading Eve in Overdrive first because she makes an appearance here and to know her background will be helpful. Not totally necessary but definitely helpful.
If you subscribe to Faith Gardner's newsletter you can receive a free copy of the epilogue for this which is written from Teddy's perspective. And it was fantastic! A perfect ending and even an Easter Egg or two for us faithful readers to enjoy. 😉 Faith Gardner you slayed it! 5 stars!
My only niggle is the expression "Arms akimbo" was used 6 different times throughout the story which was enough times for me to take notice. Maybe switch that descriptor up next time.
August 25, 2023
Careful about wishing your enemies dead…it may come true!
Leela finally made the decision to leave her job at Jolvix, thinking she put the stress and craziness of the futuristic company behind her.
But once gone, people who wronged her in the past mysteriously start sending her apologies. Followed by killing themselves! Leela knows full well that Jolvix and their latest technologies are somehow behind these deaths. How can she find the killer before the next person dies? After all, Leela had a rather lengthy list of enemies!
This latest release reads as a stand-alone, but there are numerous references to the previous novels in the series, (Including one huge cameo.) I suggest reading all the books in this series for the best experience!
I love the author’s writing style with her bits of humor interspersed throughout. The characters were well developed and a bit quirky in only that way that Faith Gardner can do!
Don’t forget to sign up for the author’s newsletter to get a bonus epilogue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press
Leela finally made the decision to leave her job at Jolvix, thinking she put the stress and craziness of the futuristic company behind her.
But once gone, people who wronged her in the past mysteriously start sending her apologies. Followed by killing themselves! Leela knows full well that Jolvix and their latest technologies are somehow behind these deaths. How can she find the killer before the next person dies? After all, Leela had a rather lengthy list of enemies!
This latest release reads as a stand-alone, but there are numerous references to the previous novels in the series, (Including one huge cameo.) I suggest reading all the books in this series for the best experience!
I love the author’s writing style with her bits of humor interspersed throughout. The characters were well developed and a bit quirky in only that way that Faith Gardner can do!
Don’t forget to sign up for the author’s newsletter to get a bonus epilogue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press
September 17, 2023
In “The Slaying Game” you are a Victim-running from a Slasher in black..
How Do You Win?
You Don’t.
Leela’s enemies are all committing Suicide, one by one, and sending her an apology email before they do. But, when a single clue emerges, linking the deaths to a cover-up job she did when she was in charge of PR for the VR sector of Jolvix, she begins to questions if they really were suicides.
The clue points to the possibility that the deaths may involve a high tech novelty weapon called a VixSpex, a headset that could kill a player by shooting a bullet into their brain when they lose.
But Leela has signed a NDA ensuring that she doesn’t speak to anyone about the “murder goggles”.
To prove that the VixSpex is being used against her enemies, she”ll need help, so she breaks the NDA and turns to Eve, a hungry journalist who would do anything to expose Jolvix, after what she has endured because of the company.
And, she will be forced to work with Teddy, her fiancée’s twin brother, who she shares a complicated history with.
It’s been said that TRUE LOVE means you would be willing to DIE for someone, but that’s not quite true. TRUE LOVE is being willing to KILL for someone.
Who LOVES Leela enough to kill for her?
The “Slaying Game” is Jolvix episode #6 -a series of highly original “near futuristic” interconnected standalone novels which can be read in ANY order although “EVE IN OVERDRIVE” is a prequel to this one, which you may want to read first.
When you finish this one, signup for the author’s newsletter to read a bonus epilogue from Teddy’s POV.
And, write a REVIEW!
Faith Gardner is an INDIE author, and I for one want her to be able to continue writing these stories for us-and nothing spreads the word about these stories more than a review on Amazon!
Available NOW!
How Do You Win?
You Don’t.
Leela’s enemies are all committing Suicide, one by one, and sending her an apology email before they do. But, when a single clue emerges, linking the deaths to a cover-up job she did when she was in charge of PR for the VR sector of Jolvix, she begins to questions if they really were suicides.
The clue points to the possibility that the deaths may involve a high tech novelty weapon called a VixSpex, a headset that could kill a player by shooting a bullet into their brain when they lose.
But Leela has signed a NDA ensuring that she doesn’t speak to anyone about the “murder goggles”.
To prove that the VixSpex is being used against her enemies, she”ll need help, so she breaks the NDA and turns to Eve, a hungry journalist who would do anything to expose Jolvix, after what she has endured because of the company.
And, she will be forced to work with Teddy, her fiancée’s twin brother, who she shares a complicated history with.
It’s been said that TRUE LOVE means you would be willing to DIE for someone, but that’s not quite true. TRUE LOVE is being willing to KILL for someone.
Who LOVES Leela enough to kill for her?
The “Slaying Game” is Jolvix episode #6 -a series of highly original “near futuristic” interconnected standalone novels which can be read in ANY order although “EVE IN OVERDRIVE” is a prequel to this one, which you may want to read first.
When you finish this one, signup for the author’s newsletter to read a bonus epilogue from Teddy’s POV.
And, write a REVIEW!
Faith Gardner is an INDIE author, and I for one want her to be able to continue writing these stories for us-and nothing spreads the word about these stories more than a review on Amazon!
Available NOW!
November 10, 2023
3.5 Stars. I have read the entire Jolvix series and enjoyed them. This one had a mystery based on a high-tech game, a mysterious killer, and much human drama and intrigue. I found this one the least enjoyable of the series due to my dislike of the protagonist Leela. Leela once held a responsible position in Jolvix but quit and is now working in a cat shelter. I found her rude and crude. Her mother attempted to make Leela into a child actress and star, which Leela hated. She had been engaged to the reserved, moody Jack. While drinking heavily with his cheerful twin brother, Teddy, Jack commits suicide, and she carries the guilt of his death. Teddy has always supported her through her bad moods, and she resents his optimistic nature.
It is a mystery why Jolvix designed the VixSpex Slaying game unless it was just to prove they could. It is a virtual reality game with a 3D gun attached to the headpiece. When a player loses, the gun discharges and kills them. Leela realizes that her perceived enemies from the past are being listed as death by suicide. They have gunshots to the head. They were forced to play the game and lost. Eve from a previous book, Eve In Overdrive, wants to cooperate with Leela and is writing a book exposing Jolvix's dark secrets. Her self-drive car was hacked, and she is lucky to have survived. How does that work out for her? A CEO removed the prototype of the VixSpex, but there are many copies to be found on the dark web with instructions on how to make them functional.
Leela and Teddy decide to try to stop the killer, who seems to have an unhealthy interest in Leela. They have no idea of his identity. Teddy works for Jolvix, and Leela reluctantly returns. It is evident that Teddy is in love with Leela and devoted to her. He sets himself as bait to expose and stop the killer. Despite Leela's sharp insults toward Teddy, she decides to go along with the plan to capture and kill the man forcing victims to play the Slaying game. She announces publicly how much she hates Teddy, and now the killer will come after him. There is action and unbearable suspense as they carry out their plan.
After reading this book, the author offers an extra chapter to be downloaded. It is an epilogue told from Teddy's perspective. The publication date is September 6.
It is a mystery why Jolvix designed the VixSpex Slaying game unless it was just to prove they could. It is a virtual reality game with a 3D gun attached to the headpiece. When a player loses, the gun discharges and kills them. Leela realizes that her perceived enemies from the past are being listed as death by suicide. They have gunshots to the head. They were forced to play the game and lost. Eve from a previous book, Eve In Overdrive, wants to cooperate with Leela and is writing a book exposing Jolvix's dark secrets. Her self-drive car was hacked, and she is lucky to have survived. How does that work out for her? A CEO removed the prototype of the VixSpex, but there are many copies to be found on the dark web with instructions on how to make them functional.
Leela and Teddy decide to try to stop the killer, who seems to have an unhealthy interest in Leela. They have no idea of his identity. Teddy works for Jolvix, and Leela reluctantly returns. It is evident that Teddy is in love with Leela and devoted to her. He sets himself as bait to expose and stop the killer. Despite Leela's sharp insults toward Teddy, she decides to go along with the plan to capture and kill the man forcing victims to play the Slaying game. She announces publicly how much she hates Teddy, and now the killer will come after him. There is action and unbearable suspense as they carry out their plan.
After reading this book, the author offers an extra chapter to be downloaded. It is an epilogue told from Teddy's perspective. The publication date is September 6.
January 8, 2025
Jolvix Episode #6 DID NOT SLAY.
I read these books out of order so that I could listen to the audiobook narrated by the fantastic Raquel Beattie. Each book is a stand alone from the same universe so I didn’t need to read 3, 4, or 5 (but I will be reading them at some point!)
A serial killer is murdering Leela’s enemies while passing them off as suicides. A clue emerges connecting the deaths with a cover-up job for a novelty weapon she did as head of PR at Jolvix, a tech company responsible for creating the Maxine.
Leela must follow the clues in order to figure out who is behind the murders.
It appears that Ms. Gardner may have run out of steam by book 6 because I don’t think I have ever been so UNDERWHELMED by the reveal of a serial killer!
This book was significantly longer than the two that I read previously, and it really dragged in the middle. And there was NO PAYOFF in the end. While Raquel Beattie’s narration was terrific, I am confused as to why she chose to use identical voices for Leela and the serial killer. This was perplexing and problematic for me. Also, I get that we wouldn’t have this genre without amateur sleuths, but NO POLICE at all? I don’t buy it.
I will eventually read the last three ebooks from this series, but after this clunker I will be taking a break!
2.5/5 stars rounded up
I read these books out of order so that I could listen to the audiobook narrated by the fantastic Raquel Beattie. Each book is a stand alone from the same universe so I didn’t need to read 3, 4, or 5 (but I will be reading them at some point!)
A serial killer is murdering Leela’s enemies while passing them off as suicides. A clue emerges connecting the deaths with a cover-up job for a novelty weapon she did as head of PR at Jolvix, a tech company responsible for creating the Maxine.
Leela must follow the clues in order to figure out who is behind the murders.
It appears that Ms. Gardner may have run out of steam by book 6 because I don’t think I have ever been so UNDERWHELMED by the reveal of a serial killer!
This book was significantly longer than the two that I read previously, and it really dragged in the middle. And there was NO PAYOFF in the end. While Raquel Beattie’s narration was terrific, I am confused as to why she chose to use identical voices for Leela and the serial killer. This was perplexing and problematic for me. Also, I get that we wouldn’t have this genre without amateur sleuths, but NO POLICE at all? I don’t buy it.
I will eventually read the last three ebooks from this series, but after this clunker I will be taking a break!
2.5/5 stars rounded up
July 27, 2024
Games can kill you. Especially virtual ones...
Leela Crowe is living a quiet life after leaving her PR job at Jolvix two years ago.
Then, she receives an apology and the person who sent the apology dies. When this happens to other people who have wronged Leela, she knows this is associated with Jolvix and the VisPex goggles.
Leela with the help of her dead fiancee's brother, Teddy Lindmark, and Eve (someone we know from a prior book) will help her in trying to uncover the identity of the serial killer and hopefully stop him before another death occurs.
The Slaying Game had an interesting premise that hooks the reader from the very beginning.
Regarding the characters, I must admit that Leela sometimes annoyed me. She spent too much time in her head and she was rude to Teddy quite a bit. I couldn't help but love Teddy. I did like that both had pets and that no harm came to them.
There is one thing I disliked about this book and it was the author's dig at Florida. What the heck? Is she trying to upset her Florida readers? Even Taylor Swift loves FL...
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Leela Crowe is living a quiet life after leaving her PR job at Jolvix two years ago.
Then, she receives an apology and the person who sent the apology dies. When this happens to other people who have wronged Leela, she knows this is associated with Jolvix and the VisPex goggles.
Leela with the help of her dead fiancee's brother, Teddy Lindmark, and Eve (someone we know from a prior book) will help her in trying to uncover the identity of the serial killer and hopefully stop him before another death occurs.
The Slaying Game had an interesting premise that hooks the reader from the very beginning.
Regarding the characters, I must admit that Leela sometimes annoyed me. She spent too much time in her head and she was rude to Teddy quite a bit. I couldn't help but love Teddy. I did like that both had pets and that no harm came to them.
There is one thing I disliked about this book and it was the author's dig at Florida. What the heck? Is she trying to upset her Florida readers? Even Taylor Swift loves FL...
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
September 4, 2023
I had initially passed over this book when I first came across it. However, after reading a couple of reviews of fellow GR members that I follow, I decided to check it out. The reviews were so much better than the book summary. I feel like something should be said about that. Not sure what it is, but there’s definitely something important in that statement.
Anyway, I had my concerns that this seemed to be the sixth installment in a series; I’m really particular about reading series installments in order, but the author states (on her website) that they are standalones. Gardner is a good writer and storyteller and I have added to my to-read list the epilogue that Gardner sent me when I signed up for her newsletter. This review will include this installment as well as the epilogue that was not included in The Slaying Game installment. I’m sure Gardner and Mirror Press have a good reason why the two were not included in the same book, but what do I know? I’m neither a writer nor a publisher; I’m just an avid reader.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary premise of the story: Leela’s enemies are dying from violent suicides. Before each death, the victims sent emails to Leela apologizing for the way they treated her or some wrong they inflicted on her. However, the one line in the apologies that confirms to Leela that the deaths are connected to her and the cover up she did for Jolvix is, “it’s been a real pleasure”. This was the slogan for the VR game that she did the cover up for.
Most of the story revolves around Leela trying to figure out what happened to the game (after the cover up, it was discontinued) and the headset that possessed the game. Initially, she finds out that the former CEO took it with him, and what a creepy weirdo he turned out to be. As far as I’m concerned, he’s suspect #1. However, Teddy, the twin brother of Jack, Leela’s deceased fiancé, is someone that Leela seeks out to help her find out who is killing her enemies, one of which was Teddy’s former fiancé. There’s a lot going on here, but Gardner organizes and presents it all pretty well. However, it’s not long after he’s introduced that, for me, Teddy became suspect #2.
The story flips back and forth between Leela and the Game, who is the killer. The dead bodies of the people that Leela knows are piling up and the last one sent Leela spiraling and hitting the bottom, again. Well into the second half, the Game/killer is revealed, but it takes Leela and Teddy a little longer to figure it out. The end comes fast after that, in a disturbing yet very satisfying and kind of funny ending.
I don’t know why the Teddy epilogue wasn’t included in the book. That would have made for a perfect ending to this installment. However, I’m not sure if it’s a really creepy lead-in for the second installment, Violet is Nowhere, or another epilogue for that installment. I guess I should add that one to my to-read list too. For the record (and a response to Gardner's poll for her next book), I vote for another installment of the Jolvix series!
It took me a long time to read this book. Every time I picked up the book (at night before going to bed), I found myself nodding off after just 30-40min, instead of the two hours that I would typically read at night. At one point, I actually set the book aside for a couple of days to read something else before coming back to it and committed to finishing it. That probably says more about me and my life, at the moment, than anything else. I did like the story though, hence the 4star rating, and I have already added another Jolvix installment to my to-read list, a really creepy Christmas story for my holiday reading binge (coming soon).
I want to thank NetGalley and Mirror House Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #MirrorHousePress #TheSlayingGame
Anyway, I had my concerns that this seemed to be the sixth installment in a series; I’m really particular about reading series installments in order, but the author states (on her website) that they are standalones. Gardner is a good writer and storyteller and I have added to my to-read list the epilogue that Gardner sent me when I signed up for her newsletter. This review will include this installment as well as the epilogue that was not included in The Slaying Game installment. I’m sure Gardner and Mirror Press have a good reason why the two were not included in the same book, but what do I know? I’m neither a writer nor a publisher; I’m just an avid reader.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary premise of the story: Leela’s enemies are dying from violent suicides. Before each death, the victims sent emails to Leela apologizing for the way they treated her or some wrong they inflicted on her. However, the one line in the apologies that confirms to Leela that the deaths are connected to her and the cover up she did for Jolvix is, “it’s been a real pleasure”. This was the slogan for the VR game that she did the cover up for.
Most of the story revolves around Leela trying to figure out what happened to the game (after the cover up, it was discontinued) and the headset that possessed the game. Initially, she finds out that the former CEO took it with him, and what a creepy weirdo he turned out to be. As far as I’m concerned, he’s suspect #1. However, Teddy, the twin brother of Jack, Leela’s deceased fiancé, is someone that Leela seeks out to help her find out who is killing her enemies, one of which was Teddy’s former fiancé. There’s a lot going on here, but Gardner organizes and presents it all pretty well. However, it’s not long after he’s introduced that, for me, Teddy became suspect #2.
The story flips back and forth between Leela and the Game, who is the killer. The dead bodies of the people that Leela knows are piling up and the last one sent Leela spiraling and hitting the bottom, again. Well into the second half, the Game/killer is revealed, but it takes Leela and Teddy a little longer to figure it out. The end comes fast after that, in a disturbing yet very satisfying and kind of funny ending.
I don’t know why the Teddy epilogue wasn’t included in the book. That would have made for a perfect ending to this installment. However, I’m not sure if it’s a really creepy lead-in for the second installment, Violet is Nowhere, or another epilogue for that installment. I guess I should add that one to my to-read list too. For the record (and a response to Gardner's poll for her next book), I vote for another installment of the Jolvix series!
It took me a long time to read this book. Every time I picked up the book (at night before going to bed), I found myself nodding off after just 30-40min, instead of the two hours that I would typically read at night. At one point, I actually set the book aside for a couple of days to read something else before coming back to it and committed to finishing it. That probably says more about me and my life, at the moment, than anything else. I did like the story though, hence the 4star rating, and I have already added another Jolvix installment to my to-read list, a really creepy Christmas story for my holiday reading binge (coming soon).
I want to thank NetGalley and Mirror House Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #MirrorHousePress #TheSlayingGame
November 18, 2023
I've come to spread the good word about this series again. Ahem.
She's outdone herself this time. I am admittedly obsessed with the Jolvix series. I like her other books too but this series is my favorite. This has probably replaced Maxine as my new favorite, although it's tough to choose!
I love how they're all standalones but we see nods to the other stories here and there like Easter Eggs. This time we got a whole character. Eve from her own novella Eve in Overdrive. That was a great story so I was happy to hear from her again, but if you hadn't read that one, you'd still be good.
This one was really raw, like Maxine. Suspenseful, tense, yet oddly hopeful with whip smart wit. I don't usually like too much character-driven dialogue in my mystery/thrillers but she is so freaking funny.
In conclusion, read this entire series because it's amazing but this is definitely one of the stars of the bunch.. of other stars. Okay bye. -Also, if you like Black Mirror this is a good series to check out and recommend.
She's outdone herself this time. I am admittedly obsessed with the Jolvix series. I like her other books too but this series is my favorite. This has probably replaced Maxine as my new favorite, although it's tough to choose!
I love how they're all standalones but we see nods to the other stories here and there like Easter Eggs. This time we got a whole character. Eve from her own novella Eve in Overdrive. That was a great story so I was happy to hear from her again, but if you hadn't read that one, you'd still be good.
This one was really raw, like Maxine. Suspenseful, tense, yet oddly hopeful with whip smart wit. I don't usually like too much character-driven dialogue in my mystery/thrillers but she is so freaking funny.
In conclusion, read this entire series because it's amazing but this is definitely one of the stars of the bunch.. of other stars. Okay bye. -Also, if you like Black Mirror this is a good series to check out and recommend.
September 6, 2023
I’ve enjoyed all these stories surrounding the Jolvix technology giant. All the books are fun and uniquely different and do not need to be read in any order, they are all stand alone. In this one, Leela is close to being considered a suspect involving a string of suspicious suicides; all people she considered enemies. To make matters worse, all of these deaths appear to be related to a top secret project she worked on while employed at Jolvix. Can she discover who the real killer is before he, or she, gets to her too? If you enjoy futuristic technology and a twisty mystery to solve then pick up this or any of Gardner’s novels in this series. Thank you Netgalley, Mirror House Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on September 6, 2023
August 14, 2023
Leela has a problem. A big one. People she knows keep dying. But before they do, they send her an apology note, as all of them are someone from her past that she had beef with. But are they really all committing suicide, or is something more sinister going on?
I loved this book! Definitely one of my favorites so far this year. This book is part of the Jolvix universe, all written by the same author. Each book revolves somehow around a different piece of technology made by a company called Jolvix. This one happens to involve an interesting twist on VR.
I don’t want to give away anything about the story, but I do enjoy how the characters are well-developed, including both Leela and those around her. There are some tidbits dropped early on that we aren’t given information about until later in the book, but that’s what kept me hanging on to find out more. I needed all the details in addition to finding out how the story was going to end!
Faith Gardner is quickly making it to my favorite author list. If you are into thrillers, she is definitely an up-and-comer to add to your reading list, including The Slaying Game, out next month.
I loved this book! Definitely one of my favorites so far this year. This book is part of the Jolvix universe, all written by the same author. Each book revolves somehow around a different piece of technology made by a company called Jolvix. This one happens to involve an interesting twist on VR.
I don’t want to give away anything about the story, but I do enjoy how the characters are well-developed, including both Leela and those around her. There are some tidbits dropped early on that we aren’t given information about until later in the book, but that’s what kept me hanging on to find out more. I needed all the details in addition to finding out how the story was going to end!
Faith Gardner is quickly making it to my favorite author list. If you are into thrillers, she is definitely an up-and-comer to add to your reading list, including The Slaying Game, out next month.
January 26, 2024
Just such an insane plot that it was kind of hard to believe. But the writing was great.
October 21, 2023
Nope, this book did not slay.
I'm a Faith Gardner fangirl who has binged every Jolvix Episode eagerly... until now. Maybe it was wrong mood wrong time, but it took me ages to finish this and I was left unimpressed.
Not only is The Slaying Game longer in length than its counterparts in the universe, the plot and premise didn't draw me in too. The only reason I continued turning the pages was because I had confidence in Gardner and I wanted to know whodunit. The latter was an immense disappointment;
But wow, I wasn't expecting Gardner to do *that*! 👏 Not that she has ever shied away from a challenge and I respect that. Definitely didn't see it coming! 😱 Bonus points for the sarcastic wit + incisive commentary about womanhood, technology and society as always.
As a thriller, this was just fine, but the author's talent is undeniable. Am I looking forward to her next release, whether Jolvix Episode or not? Absolutely.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the Netgalley ARC.
I'm a Faith Gardner fangirl who has binged every Jolvix Episode eagerly... until now. Maybe it was wrong mood wrong time, but it took me ages to finish this and I was left unimpressed.
Not only is The Slaying Game longer in length than its counterparts in the universe, the plot and premise didn't draw me in too. The only reason I continued turning the pages was because I had confidence in Gardner and I wanted to know whodunit. The latter was an immense disappointment;
But wow, I wasn't expecting Gardner to do *that*! 👏 Not that she has ever shied away from a challenge and I respect that. Definitely didn't see it coming! 😱 Bonus points for the sarcastic wit + incisive commentary about womanhood, technology and society as always.
As a thriller, this was just fine, but the author's talent is undeniable. Am I looking forward to her next release, whether Jolvix Episode or not? Absolutely.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the Netgalley ARC.
October 4, 2023
This book was like none other that I’ve ever read before(in the most amazing way)! It was definitely out of my comfort zone sub-genre wise, but I’m glad I gave it a chance because let me tell you👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Let’s first start with the dedication, it made me laugh sooo hard and set me up to absolutely love the author’s writing style and tone😂
This was a super fast-paced, high stakes, high tech, drama filled thriller suspense that could easily make the transition to any streaming service as a series or a film (that is, after the striking is over, and the studios reach a fair agreement with all the writers and actors).
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, the execution of that premise, the writing style, and the unraveling of all the suspenseful/mysterious parts. The plot flowed well and was very wonderfully crafted gave me the same vibes as as some of the novels of Ruth Ware, John Marrs and/or Harlan Coben!
*If you need, definitely check out content warnings as this book may not be perfect for everyone*
**I should also mention this book is part of a series but I read it as a stand-alone as it was super easy to dive into and get caught up with the fact.**
4.50⭐️
Special thanks to Mirror House Press and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book on its publication day!
This was a super fast-paced, high stakes, high tech, drama filled thriller suspense that could easily make the transition to any streaming service as a series or a film (that is, after the striking is over, and the studios reach a fair agreement with all the writers and actors).
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, the execution of that premise, the writing style, and the unraveling of all the suspenseful/mysterious parts. The plot flowed well and was very wonderfully crafted gave me the same vibes as as some of the novels of Ruth Ware, John Marrs and/or Harlan Coben!
*If you need, definitely check out content warnings as this book may not be perfect for everyone*
**I should also mention this book is part of a series but I read it as a stand-alone as it was super easy to dive into and get caught up with the fact.**
4.50⭐️
Special thanks to Mirror House Press and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book on its publication day!
February 18, 2025
ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜: E-Book
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖: Low
ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥��: Medium
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕪𝕡𝕖: Resolved/Happily Ever After
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: This was such a fun thriller/mystery to read! The writing was so well written, being very easy to read with great pacing keeping me intrigued!
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤: “Look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t.”
& “He was like the Florida of people: an embarrassment yet oddly compelling.”
& “There’s something unequivocally gorgeous about potential and that’s the true allure of youth—being in a place where the future is unwritten and could contain anything. The world is infinite.”
& “Yeah. A lot of things feel good for a few minutes. Doesn’t mean they’re good ideas.”
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 24 & 28 & 55
𝔽𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣: Teddy! He was hilarious and I felt for him so much. Such a great side character!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: This is the sixth installment in the Jolvix Episodes series but it can definitely be read on its own! This story had me so into the story! I found the concept to be so unique and the story to be absolutely perfect from beginning to end! The story is a thrilling, fast-paced mystery that combines elements of suspense and horror. Overall, it’s a compelling thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖: Low
ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥��: Medium
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕪𝕡𝕖: Resolved/Happily Ever After
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: This was such a fun thriller/mystery to read! The writing was so well written, being very easy to read with great pacing keeping me intrigued!
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤: “Look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t.”
& “He was like the Florida of people: an embarrassment yet oddly compelling.”
& “There’s something unequivocally gorgeous about potential and that’s the true allure of youth—being in a place where the future is unwritten and could contain anything. The world is infinite.”
& “Yeah. A lot of things feel good for a few minutes. Doesn’t mean they’re good ideas.”
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 24 & 28 & 55
𝔽𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣: Teddy! He was hilarious and I felt for him so much. Such a great side character!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: This is the sixth installment in the Jolvix Episodes series but it can definitely be read on its own! This story had me so into the story! I found the concept to be so unique and the story to be absolutely perfect from beginning to end! The story is a thrilling, fast-paced mystery that combines elements of suspense and horror. Overall, it’s a compelling thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
August 19, 2023
This was my first Faith Gardner book and man was it a rollercoaster! This is such a fast paced thriller and I was immediately hooked! I found myself truly connected to Leela and was on edge waiting to find out who was tormenting her life!
September 24, 2023
The title gives you an accurate idea of what goes on in this latest Faith Gardner novel. The mystery of the killer's identity kept me interested. I had a few suspects at various points, but really didn't know for sure.
August 22, 2023
They always say true love means you'd be willing to die for someone, but that's not quite it; true love is being willing to kill for someone.
The Slaying Game is another exciting, fast-paced installment in Faith Gardner's Jolvix Episodes. Like the others, it is set in the future, though not so far ahead that it's implausible. In fact, that's the creepy part: The invasive, too-smart technology—and the ways it can be misused in the wrong hands—is scary easy to imagine.
That's how technology works. You put something out there, you know soon it'll be corrupted. That's how humans work. They're corruptive little creatures."
The characters are all a little bit broken, but they're so real and relatable that you can't help but like them in spite of—or maybe because of—those flaws. As the reader, you can't help but root for them, faults and all, as they're forced to deal with a killer on their own, concocting a dangerous plan that could easily backfire. And it very well might: As Faith has proven, she's not above torturing or even killing off main characters... so you really don't know who will survive to the end!
Faith has become an auto-read author for me. She could give me a book with no cover, no title, and no blurb, and I would read it, no questions asked!
August 17, 2023
Oh my gosh! This book was something else! And in all honesty, it freaked me out! It was sooooo good!
I love that the story starts will something you would never think could happen, only to continue on multiple times. I loved how Leela was always honest and didn’t try to hide the crappy life situations she’s been through. And as always, for every negative Nancy, you have to have a positive Polly (aka Teddy in this story). Their characters had a unique relationship with the right amount of tension.
Overall, just an amazing plot with lovable characters and plot twists to keep you guessing! I will definitely be buying the hard copy once it’s published!
Thank you Net Galley and Mirror House Press for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love that the story starts will something you would never think could happen, only to continue on multiple times. I loved how Leela was always honest and didn’t try to hide the crappy life situations she’s been through. And as always, for every negative Nancy, you have to have a positive Polly (aka Teddy in this story). Their characters had a unique relationship with the right amount of tension.
Overall, just an amazing plot with lovable characters and plot twists to keep you guessing! I will definitely be buying the hard copy once it’s published!
Thank you Net Galley and Mirror House Press for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
What if you started getting apology messages from your enemies right before they died? What if the way they died was suspicious and pointed towards a sinister device that the company you used to work for made and you covered up? Leela’s life spirals as an unknown killer slowly takes off her enemies. As the bodies pile up, so does the tension because you don’t know who they will target next.
I loved this one!! I went back and forth between the audiobook and ebook for this one. It was thrilling and very easy to binge. Leela was such a unique character and I loved her personality. I was invested in her character and Teddy’s character the whole story. Intense, witty, thrilling, and shocking are just a few words I’d use to describe this book.
I loved this one!! I went back and forth between the audiobook and ebook for this one. It was thrilling and very easy to binge. Leela was such a unique character and I loved her personality. I was invested in her character and Teddy’s character the whole story. Intense, witty, thrilling, and shocking are just a few words I’d use to describe this book.
September 14, 2023
First of all I want to say thank you to NetGalley, Mirror House Press, and Faith Gardner for my ARC. I had no idea this was part of a series but I definitely added the rest of them to my TBR after reading The Slaying Game! This was definitely a rollercoaster and had me guessing till the end. I love the futuristic aspects of this book. I personally found most of the characters very likable a few that weren’t meant to be disliked were painted in that picture. The back and forth perspective kept the book interesting and kept my attention. I didn’t want to put it down because I just had to know how it ended! Can’t wait to read more from Faith! :)
June 16, 2025
If you like black mirror then you’ll definitely like this. This is the second book I’ve read from the Jolvix series, I definitely preferred this to the other book that I read.
The plot was unique and there was a lot going on to keep things interesting. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next or who the killer was. The ending was funny but also kind of satisfying, and I felt like everything was tied together pretty nicely.
Overall a decent book.
The plot was unique and there was a lot going on to keep things interesting. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next or who the killer was. The ending was funny but also kind of satisfying, and I felt like everything was tied together pretty nicely.
Overall a decent book.
October 28, 2023
I really was looking forward to reading this book. After reading Amen Maxine, one of the best books hands down, I knew I’d love this book. But. Not the case. I was bored - besides the actual games part itself - I couldn’t get into the story.
Will keep reading this author because I know she’s great - this book just wasn’t for me.
Will keep reading this author because I know she’s great - this book just wasn’t for me.
March 8, 2024
A fantastic fast paced psychological thriller with intense action. Everything that you look for is a devious, twisted psychopath with unexpected twists. Each of the books in the series involves the company Jolvix, but each differs in the ending. A must-read!
September 2, 2023
"Time and time again, I’ve learned I’m not really the lead in my own life. I’m a player in someone else’s game."
I truly enjoy reading Faith Gardner's books but this was my least favorite of the Jolvix series and it simply didn't work for me. In a story of revenge based on a game of Russian Roulette involving killer VixSpex VR goggles, Leela's enemies were dying one by one, supposedly by suicide, following Leela receiving apology messages from the victims. Something didn't add up and Leela wanted answers. Who was actually pulling the strings?
I liked Leela as the protagonist. Her story was highly compelling and it showcased her sarcastic wit. I never stopped rooting for her as she tried to stop these murders staged as suicides from happening while she was still processing the grief from losing her fiancée, Jack. Mental health issues, not just suicide, but also alcoholism and unhealthy obsession, were brought to the forefront and I appreciated the focus on their importance.
"The fiercest love might be revenge."
On the other hand, I did not care for Teddy, Jack's twin brother, who played a significant role in this story. I often found his actions and thoughts to be somewhat off-putting and I felt unsettled by his relationship with Leela even with everything the two of them had gone through. The characters were an odd mix of individuals, most notably Leela's mother, Shasta. I did, however, like Leela's friend, Ricky, and I thought he was a fun addition to the story.
I loved getting to see the cameo from Eve, the journalist from Eve in Overdrive who almost died behind the wheel of her fancy Sunray that was controlled by an unhinged psychopath. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the way her story arc progressed and I would have liked to see it further developed.
The Slaying Game showed plenty of potential but ultimately it just didn't resonate with me. It spoke to the overreaching power of technology and its potential for destruction when found in the wrong hands, much like the other installments of the Jolvix series do. Twists were frequently predictable and parts of the story felt somewhat repetitive. The denouement seemed too easily reached, highly unlikely to occur in the way that it did, thereby requiring quite a bit of suspension of disbelief.
"Look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t."
How do you define justice? How would you right your wrongs? What would you be willing to do for someone you love? How far would you go? When you unlock the secrets you keep hidden inside, what will you discover about yourself? While this turned out to be different than I expected, it continued to be thought provoking and unique. It made me wonder if we're always being watched and if anything is ever really private. Regardless of my rating, I will continue to read the author's books as I'm always fascinated by the imaginative depth of her writing.
* Special thanks to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 6, 2023. *
I truly enjoy reading Faith Gardner's books but this was my least favorite of the Jolvix series and it simply didn't work for me. In a story of revenge based on a game of Russian Roulette involving killer VixSpex VR goggles, Leela's enemies were dying one by one, supposedly by suicide, following Leela receiving apology messages from the victims. Something didn't add up and Leela wanted answers. Who was actually pulling the strings?
I liked Leela as the protagonist. Her story was highly compelling and it showcased her sarcastic wit. I never stopped rooting for her as she tried to stop these murders staged as suicides from happening while she was still processing the grief from losing her fiancée, Jack. Mental health issues, not just suicide, but also alcoholism and unhealthy obsession, were brought to the forefront and I appreciated the focus on their importance.
"The fiercest love might be revenge."
On the other hand, I did not care for Teddy, Jack's twin brother, who played a significant role in this story. I often found his actions and thoughts to be somewhat off-putting and I felt unsettled by his relationship with Leela even with everything the two of them had gone through. The characters were an odd mix of individuals, most notably Leela's mother, Shasta. I did, however, like Leela's friend, Ricky, and I thought he was a fun addition to the story.
I loved getting to see the cameo from Eve, the journalist from Eve in Overdrive who almost died behind the wheel of her fancy Sunray that was controlled by an unhinged psychopath. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the way her story arc progressed and I would have liked to see it further developed.
The Slaying Game showed plenty of potential but ultimately it just didn't resonate with me. It spoke to the overreaching power of technology and its potential for destruction when found in the wrong hands, much like the other installments of the Jolvix series do. Twists were frequently predictable and parts of the story felt somewhat repetitive. The denouement seemed too easily reached, highly unlikely to occur in the way that it did, thereby requiring quite a bit of suspension of disbelief.
"Look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t."
How do you define justice? How would you right your wrongs? What would you be willing to do for someone you love? How far would you go? When you unlock the secrets you keep hidden inside, what will you discover about yourself? While this turned out to be different than I expected, it continued to be thought provoking and unique. It made me wonder if we're always being watched and if anything is ever really private. Regardless of my rating, I will continue to read the author's books as I'm always fascinated by the imaginative depth of her writing.
* Special thanks to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 6, 2023. *
September 2, 2023
Leela’s world is imploding. After leaving her stressful job at Jolvix Enterprises, she needed a completely different pace. Cue working in Feline Better, a café come cat sanctuary. But something weird is taking place. People who she considered “enemies” from before in her life are sending her texts saying they are sorry before they land up dead. Supposedly a suicide. But Leela knows in her gut it’s connected to the VixSpex – a novelty lethal virtual reality headset designed to kill the user when they lose the game they are playing. But this isn’t supposed to be in the general population. So who has one?
Still mourning her fiancé's death, Leela reluctantly teams up with his twin brother Teddy to get to the bottom of this. When Leela realises how deeply involved in this she is, she needs to end it. But how far is she willing to go to do that?
This is the third of Faith Gardener’s novels that I have read and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. She gives a real depth to her characters and makes you feel very uneasy about Jolvix Enterprises and the work they do. Leela’s character embodies so many emotions. You get to see glimpses of her past and the author has utilised issues like addiction and a mother living vicariously through her child with subtlety and delicacy. In that the issues are not glossed over but treated with respect. The changing dynamic between her and Teddy makes for an interesting thread that holds the story together. Knowing that Jack is gone you are rooting for them and annoyed that Leela can be so obstinate when it’s clear that Teddy is a good guy!
Another character I loved to hate was Leela’s boss at the cat café, Daisy. Her passive aggressive smiley attitude and constant reminders to Leela about her work contract made me infuriated. I have met a few like her and boy did she get under my skin! And let’s not even get into Barnett Briggs – absolute shudder there.
The fact that you get to “understand” things from the killer’s mind helps to make the story more cohesive and when the author proves that no character is safe, I was shocked. To go through so much and then...
The author has a wonderful writing style and the book is well edited (apart from some missing vocative commas again!) which makes it comfortable to read without being jolted between POVs or finding inconsistencies. I will definitely be looking out for the ones I’ve missed in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpressobooktours
Still mourning her fiancé's death, Leela reluctantly teams up with his twin brother Teddy to get to the bottom of this. When Leela realises how deeply involved in this she is, she needs to end it. But how far is she willing to go to do that?
This is the third of Faith Gardener’s novels that I have read and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. She gives a real depth to her characters and makes you feel very uneasy about Jolvix Enterprises and the work they do. Leela’s character embodies so many emotions. You get to see glimpses of her past and the author has utilised issues like addiction and a mother living vicariously through her child with subtlety and delicacy. In that the issues are not glossed over but treated with respect. The changing dynamic between her and Teddy makes for an interesting thread that holds the story together. Knowing that Jack is gone you are rooting for them and annoyed that Leela can be so obstinate when it’s clear that Teddy is a good guy!
Another character I loved to hate was Leela’s boss at the cat café, Daisy. Her passive aggressive smiley attitude and constant reminders to Leela about her work contract made me infuriated. I have met a few like her and boy did she get under my skin! And let’s not even get into Barnett Briggs – absolute shudder there.
The fact that you get to “understand” things from the killer’s mind helps to make the story more cohesive and when the author proves that no character is safe, I was shocked. To go through so much and then...
The author has a wonderful writing style and the book is well edited (apart from some missing vocative commas again!) which makes it comfortable to read without being jolted between POVs or finding inconsistencies. I will definitely be looking out for the ones I’ve missed in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpressobooktours
August 29, 2023
The Slaying Game is the latest entry in Faith Gardner's excellent "Jolvix" series. These are set in the very near future with Jolvix being a huge corporation constantly inventing new tech. Everything from driverless taxis to "companion bots" Yes, companion bot is everything you think it is.
This one stars Leela, a twenty something who use to work PR for Jolvix, but seperated for undisclosed reasons. She now works at a cat rescue shelter. Then out of nowhere people she once knew start dying and she is convinced there is something very sinister going on.... In the form of a serial killer. That's pretty much everything I needed: A jolvix book with a serial killer!
Long story short: This book is incredible. There are no flashbacks or dual POVs.... Just one linear progression with Leela from start to finish. Hardly nothing is given to you. You learn about everything through Leela's conversations and actions and I can't count how many "Aha" moments there are as you learn something new. You are placed right in the middle of this world as Leela is placed in one messed up situation to the next. Mainly from dealing with a serial killer who's thought process and rationale on what they think is right is just terrifying.
And the tension! After this book I had to do a quick check with myself. I'm pretty easy and there are plenty of thrillers that entertain me. But how many actually "thrill" me? As in I'm literally scared to read the words on my e-reader like the ending of this one. Because this one did.
Any negatives? Actually one of this books biggest strengths may be it's biggest weakness. As in you are piecing together the plot of this book from a linear progression with Leela and her interactions so you have no back story for the first part of the book. But this is only for a few chapters and you will get roped in fast.
But overall this book rocked my world and I have no trouble giving it five stars. To the next Jolvix book!
I really appreciate Mirror House Press for giving me a free copy to read for a honest review and it has a publication date of September 6, 2023.
This one stars Leela, a twenty something who use to work PR for Jolvix, but seperated for undisclosed reasons. She now works at a cat rescue shelter. Then out of nowhere people she once knew start dying and she is convinced there is something very sinister going on.... In the form of a serial killer. That's pretty much everything I needed: A jolvix book with a serial killer!
Long story short: This book is incredible. There are no flashbacks or dual POVs.... Just one linear progression with Leela from start to finish. Hardly nothing is given to you. You learn about everything through Leela's conversations and actions and I can't count how many "Aha" moments there are as you learn something new. You are placed right in the middle of this world as Leela is placed in one messed up situation to the next. Mainly from dealing with a serial killer who's thought process and rationale on what they think is right is just terrifying.
And the tension! After this book I had to do a quick check with myself. I'm pretty easy and there are plenty of thrillers that entertain me. But how many actually "thrill" me? As in I'm literally scared to read the words on my e-reader like the ending of this one. Because this one did.
Any negatives? Actually one of this books biggest strengths may be it's biggest weakness. As in you are piecing together the plot of this book from a linear progression with Leela and her interactions so you have no back story for the first part of the book. But this is only for a few chapters and you will get roped in fast.
But overall this book rocked my world and I have no trouble giving it five stars. To the next Jolvix book!
I really appreciate Mirror House Press for giving me a free copy to read for a honest review and it has a publication date of September 6, 2023.
August 26, 2023
Droppin' like flies......
You start to take notice when people you've known in the past begin to send you apology texts. Out of nowhere and for no known reason. Until there is. Now they are no longer part of your present, your past, and certainly not in your future....or there's.
Leela Crowe is an unsettled young woman trying to move away from her prior days with not much of a plan. She's a volunteer coordinator at a cat rescue facility. It's not quite a challenge for her after leaving her job in PR at Jolvix in the Virtual Reality sector. She'd been there two years. But she's been in a downward spiral after the death of her fiance, Jack. And strangely, she had to sign a NDA with Jolvix upon leaving. Leela knew too much about a new project.
And so we catch up with Leela after the front window is shattered at the cat facility. No suspects or evidence. And then came the eerie texts from those people that Leela knew. They all ended up dead.
Leela reaches out to her best friend Ricky from high school and Teddy, Jack's twin brother, who still works at Jolvix. Someone is pullin' the weeds in Leela's garden. But why?
Faith Gardner injects another voice here and it's lined with enough creep to register high on the Creep-O-Meter. Each of these chapters are entitled The Game. This individual has the VixSpex virtual reality headset in their possession. But it has a newly added element attached with a mental note: Game Over. We'll be running the gamut trying to figure out just who this person is along with the why. Not 'til the end, kiddies.
The Slaying Game has all the earmarks of another slam dunk for the talented Faith Gardner. It can be read as a standalone without any problems. But do yourself a favor and grab Maxine (my favorite) from the beginning. You'll be hooked, too, and you'll then know what all the buzz is about when you hear the name Faith Gardner.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror House Press and to the talented Faith Gardner for the opportunity.
You start to take notice when people you've known in the past begin to send you apology texts. Out of nowhere and for no known reason. Until there is. Now they are no longer part of your present, your past, and certainly not in your future....or there's.
Leela Crowe is an unsettled young woman trying to move away from her prior days with not much of a plan. She's a volunteer coordinator at a cat rescue facility. It's not quite a challenge for her after leaving her job in PR at Jolvix in the Virtual Reality sector. She'd been there two years. But she's been in a downward spiral after the death of her fiance, Jack. And strangely, she had to sign a NDA with Jolvix upon leaving. Leela knew too much about a new project.
And so we catch up with Leela after the front window is shattered at the cat facility. No suspects or evidence. And then came the eerie texts from those people that Leela knew. They all ended up dead.
Leela reaches out to her best friend Ricky from high school and Teddy, Jack's twin brother, who still works at Jolvix. Someone is pullin' the weeds in Leela's garden. But why?
Faith Gardner injects another voice here and it's lined with enough creep to register high on the Creep-O-Meter. Each of these chapters are entitled The Game. This individual has the VixSpex virtual reality headset in their possession. But it has a newly added element attached with a mental note: Game Over. We'll be running the gamut trying to figure out just who this person is along with the why. Not 'til the end, kiddies.
The Slaying Game has all the earmarks of another slam dunk for the talented Faith Gardner. It can be read as a standalone without any problems. But do yourself a favor and grab Maxine (my favorite) from the beginning. You'll be hooked, too, and you'll then know what all the buzz is about when you hear the name Faith Gardner.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror House Press and to the talented Faith Gardner for the opportunity.
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