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Bad Games #2
Vengeful Games
PLAYTIME IS NOT OVER...
In Autumn of 2008, the Lambert family headed to western Pennsylvania for a weekend getaway to the family cabin.
They visited hell instead...
The Fannelli brothers. Two psychopaths who believed themselves exceptional, put on this Earth for the soul purpose of tormenting others for their own amusement. To make people play their twisted games.
Except the Lamberts managed the impossible. They played the game and survived. Showed the Fannelli brothers that they'd messed with the wrong family.
However, the game is far from over. There are some new players in town. Players who appear to have close ties to the Fannelli brothers. Players who are taking things very personally...and promising results that are very deadly.
Vengeful Games is the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed thriller Bad Games. If you thought you'd glimpsed evil before, prepare to plummet headfirst into the abyss as author Jeff Menapace shows you a new level of fear and heart-stopping suspense.
Let the vengeful games begin...
In Autumn of 2008, the Lambert family headed to western Pennsylvania for a weekend getaway to the family cabin.
They visited hell instead...
The Fannelli brothers. Two psychopaths who believed themselves exceptional, put on this Earth for the soul purpose of tormenting others for their own amusement. To make people play their twisted games.
Except the Lamberts managed the impossible. They played the game and survived. Showed the Fannelli brothers that they'd messed with the wrong family.
However, the game is far from over. There are some new players in town. Players who appear to have close ties to the Fannelli brothers. Players who are taking things very personally...and promising results that are very deadly.
Vengeful Games is the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed thriller Bad Games. If you thought you'd glimpsed evil before, prepare to plummet headfirst into the abyss as author Jeff Menapace shows you a new level of fear and heart-stopping suspense.
Let the vengeful games begin...
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2013
938 people are currently reading
1727 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Menapace
42 books707 followersA native of the Philadelphia area, Jeff has published multiple works in both fiction and non-fiction. In 2011 he was the recipient of the Red Adept Reviews Indie Award for Horror.
In March of 2014, his novel BAD GAMES was a #1 Kindle bestseller and is now being optioned as a feature film.
Free time for Jeff is spent watching horror movies, The Three Stooges, and mixed martial arts. He loves steak and more steak, thinks the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the greatest movie ever, wants to pet a lion some day, and hates spiders.
In March of 2014, his novel BAD GAMES was a #1 Kindle bestseller and is now being optioned as a feature film.
Free time for Jeff is spent watching horror movies, The Three Stooges, and mixed martial arts. He loves steak and more steak, thinks the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the greatest movie ever, wants to pet a lion some day, and hates spiders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
January 18, 2015
Ahh, revenge is sweet, isn't it?
This sequel to Bad Games: A Novel follows the story of the Lamberts, a loving family who experienced torture and terror at the hands of the psychotic Fannelli brothers while vacationing at Crescent Lake. The family was fortunate enough to survive the harrowing ordeal and even managed to kill one of the brothers. The other brother, Arty, has been imprisoned far from the Lamberts and is awaiting trial. The nightmare is finally over...right?
Well...not quite. It turns out that Arty's biological family members have located him at last. And though he may be unable to exact revenge for his brother's death, they are free to continue the games and plot the ultimate vengeance. Cunning and cruel, they are determined to make the Lamberts suffer for what they have done.
I enjoyed becoming reacquainted with the Lamberts--especially the husband and wife, Patrick and Amy. Menapace does an exceptional job characterizing them as a genuinely loving couple--so much so, that you grow attached to them and begin to worry about them.
The story is well-paced, in my opinion, particularly since it weaves between the lives of the Lamberts (who are still in the healing process) and the psychopaths (Arty's relatives who find new and interesting ways to toy with the Lamberts). It was a bit slower than the first book, but I can appeciate Menapace's attempt to offer the full picture from multiple perspectives.
It was toward the end of the book, the last fifteen percent, when the suspense really begins to build. I grew so frustrated with the characters' actions--first Amy's foolish decision and then Patrick's carelessness. Momentary lapses in judgment, perhaps...but for me, a big disappointment. And I know I shouldn't rate a book based on the fact that it didn't end the way I would have ended it or the way I wanted it to end. But because I didn't find the ending all that satisfying, it really does influence my opinion of the overall story. Because of that, I may have given this story a three-star rating. But people are complex and the fact that the characters reacted the way they did actually lends credence to their humanity. I suppose it's more realistic that way and I can accept that.
The story is well-written and engrossing. I will definitely read the final installment, Bad Games: Hellbent - A Dark Psychological Thriller, and see what is in store for newly-introduced character, Domino.
July 3, 2020
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
So not as good as the first book. It lost its scare in this one. In the first book, the things they did were meant to terrify and terrorize. In this one, it just caused them grief and because it was so out of nowhere it understandably took them forever to figure it out. I'm still going to continue the series with the hope that it gets its original terror from the first book back.
So not as good as the first book. It lost its scare in this one. In the first book, the things they did were meant to terrify and terrorize. In this one, it just caused them grief and because it was so out of nowhere it understandably took them forever to figure it out. I'm still going to continue the series with the hope that it gets its original terror from the first book back.
May 23, 2025
4.0 stars
December 8, 2016
Ich hab es abgebrochen.. :/
Nicht, weil es super schlecht ist. Es ist noch nicht mal wirklich langweilig an sich, aber eben doch für einen Thriller, und vor allem dann, wenn man den ersten Teil kennt...
Nicht, weil es super schlecht ist. Es ist noch nicht mal wirklich langweilig an sich, aber eben doch für einen Thriller, und vor allem dann, wenn man den ersten Teil kennt...
April 28, 2016
***** 5 "Family Must Stick Together" Stars *****
FIRST AND FOREMOST.......
This really should be the end of my review because there are no words that can say how freaking AWESOME this book & series is!!
Jeff Menapace you out did yourself with the Bad Games Series .
Taking right off from the end of book 1 Bad Games The Lambert's are left trying to get past he horrible ordeal they survived at the hands of the evil brothers Jim and Arty. Life is somewhat back to a normal they once had until once again things start happening, "bad luck" strikes again.
Only their bad luck is the family of deceased Jim and locked up Arty. A family lead by the their beautiful and evil sister. A family with nothing but revenge running thru their veins!!
"We will have extracted a vengeance of unthinkable horror on those who dared to cross our family."
The Lambert's are once again tossed into the throws of evil and horror and a battle for their lives that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat to read what happens next.
The ending...well....
A female voice behind him said: "I would agree, Patrick."
Mr. Menapace you left me beyond words. I can't believe you went there with my favorite Patrick.
***********************************************
Absolutely one of my fave series of all times!! WOW just WOW!!!
Every character that is introduced gets you more and more addicted to this story!
Book 3....I can NOT wait to dive into you!!!
FIRST AND FOREMOST.......
This really should be the end of my review because there are no words that can say how freaking AWESOME this book & series is!!
Jeff Menapace you out did yourself with the Bad Games Series .
Taking right off from the end of book 1 Bad Games The Lambert's are left trying to get past he horrible ordeal they survived at the hands of the evil brothers Jim and Arty. Life is somewhat back to a normal they once had until once again things start happening, "bad luck" strikes again.
Only their bad luck is the family of deceased Jim and locked up Arty. A family lead by the their beautiful and evil sister. A family with nothing but revenge running thru their veins!!
"We will have extracted a vengeance of unthinkable horror on those who dared to cross our family."
The Lambert's are once again tossed into the throws of evil and horror and a battle for their lives that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat to read what happens next.
The ending...well....
A female voice behind him said: "I would agree, Patrick."
Mr. Menapace you left me beyond words. I can't believe you went there with my favorite Patrick.
***********************************************
Absolutely one of my fave series of all times!! WOW just WOW!!!
Every character that is introduced gets you more and more addicted to this story!
Book 3....I can NOT wait to dive into you!!!
July 17, 2017
3.5 STARS
I'm going to be generous and give it four stars, mostly because I like the writing style and the ending was good.
I had to give myself some time to figure out why I felt a little disappointed with this story. Perhaps I was expecting too much because I loved BAD GAMES so much.
In the end, I've decided that it comes down to personal preference.
This book had a solid story and, on its own, was probably well worth the read.
However, what I loved about the first book was the fact that you had an average Joe and his family, struggling against the odds and fighting for survival against two bad men who seemed to hold all the cards. That's what made it such a great thriller.
Personally, though, when you bring in these trained military guys and covert connections, the feel of the story starts to shift from a thriller to an action.
Whether you might agree with me or think I'm just full of shit, this book didn't give me the satisfaction the first one did. It didn't turn me off the writer, though, which is a good thing, because I have the third one lined up on my kindle.
I'm going to be generous and give it four stars, mostly because I like the writing style and the ending was good.
I had to give myself some time to figure out why I felt a little disappointed with this story. Perhaps I was expecting too much because I loved BAD GAMES so much.
In the end, I've decided that it comes down to personal preference.
This book had a solid story and, on its own, was probably well worth the read.
However, what I loved about the first book was the fact that you had an average Joe and his family, struggling against the odds and fighting for survival against two bad men who seemed to hold all the cards. That's what made it such a great thriller.
Personally, though, when you bring in these trained military guys and covert connections, the feel of the story starts to shift from a thriller to an action.
Whether you might agree with me or think I'm just full of shit, this book didn't give me the satisfaction the first one did. It didn't turn me off the writer, though, which is a good thing, because I have the third one lined up on my kindle.
January 31, 2021
Kann die Kritiken nicht verstehen! Fand den 2. Teil um Längen besser als den 1.! Und was ein Showdown am Ende! Mir ist die Kinnlade runtergefallen.
March 18, 2017
Was für ein Showdown. Die letzten drei Seiten haben mich nochmal voll überrascht.
Generell war dieser zweite Teil weniger brutal als der erste, aber dennoch sehr gelungen.
Ich mag Domino :)
Ich freu mich auf den abschließenden Teil, der im Mai herauskommt.
Generell war dieser zweite Teil weniger brutal als der erste, aber dennoch sehr gelungen.
Ich mag Domino :)
Ich freu mich auf den abschließenden Teil, der im Mai herauskommt.
July 17, 2013
Even better than the first! Fast paced, great new characters. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next
October 3, 2013
The novel ‘Vengeful Games’ kicks off exactly at the time when the first novel ‘Bad Games’ ends. In the beginning we meet two sick-minded murderous sociopaths, this time, a gorgeous young woman and her father. Their primary aim is now to play their sick games with the poor Lambert family as vengeance for what they did to the Fannelli brothers.
All members of the Lambert family are still recovering, both physically and psychologically from the ordeal through which they have been passed by the Fannelli brothers and they have sought counselling and therapy. Carrie and Caleb, the kids, were the most badly affected.
Unfortunate events start to happen one after the other to the unsuspecting Lambert family and at first they believe that bad luck has just struck them, however when the severity of these events increases dramatically, they realise that once again, someone with the intention to harm them must be behind all this. They realise that the Games have actually never ended.
This book is really a fast page turner with frequent twists and turns. When I was reading, especially through the last quarter of the book I could not put it down and I found myself really concerned for the Lambert family and wanting to know what will happen next.
The finale is spectacular. In part I did not expect that it would end as it did and I was both happy and frustrated at the end, (you’ll know why when you finish this book). Don’t take me wrong, I was impressed by the author’s ability to create the final scenes. Also, the finale does not reveal anything on how the story might continue in the third novel of this series, to be soon issued by the author.
Once again, a deserved “Hip-Hip Hooray!!!” to Jeff Menapace.
All members of the Lambert family are still recovering, both physically and psychologically from the ordeal through which they have been passed by the Fannelli brothers and they have sought counselling and therapy. Carrie and Caleb, the kids, were the most badly affected.
Unfortunate events start to happen one after the other to the unsuspecting Lambert family and at first they believe that bad luck has just struck them, however when the severity of these events increases dramatically, they realise that once again, someone with the intention to harm them must be behind all this. They realise that the Games have actually never ended.
This book is really a fast page turner with frequent twists and turns. When I was reading, especially through the last quarter of the book I could not put it down and I found myself really concerned for the Lambert family and wanting to know what will happen next.
The finale is spectacular. In part I did not expect that it would end as it did and I was both happy and frustrated at the end, (you’ll know why when you finish this book). Don’t take me wrong, I was impressed by the author’s ability to create the final scenes. Also, the finale does not reveal anything on how the story might continue in the third novel of this series, to be soon issued by the author.
Once again, a deserved “Hip-Hip Hooray!!!” to Jeff Menapace.
March 19, 2017
Meine Meinung:
Der erste Teil fand ich unglaublich gut, sodass ich mich sehr auf den Teil 2 gefreut habe.
Das Buch spielt einige Zeit nach dem ersten Teil. Die Familie versucht mit den Ereignissen aus den ersten Teil klar zu kommen. Alle 4 gehen damit sehr unterschiedlich um und für die Eltern Amy und Patrick ist nicht einfach, vor allem nicht für die Kinder.
Der Schreibstil ist, wie ich finde, wieder ein typischer Schreibstil für dieses Genre. Er lässt sich unheimlich gut lesen und verbreitet eine düstere Atmosphäre. Das Buch hat sehr
kurze Kapitel, sodass man umso schneller durch das Buch fliegt.
Die Spannung in dem Buch war okay. Ich fand es in diesem Punkt deutlich schwächer als der Vorgänger. Es passierten zwar immer wieder Wendungen, nur für mich war das zu unrealistisch und zu einfach.
Generell fand ich den Handlungsverlauf zu vorhersehbar und zu unrealistisch. Es gab viele Handlungen, der Charaktere, wo ich mich einfach gefragt habe, wie man so reagieren kann.
Die Brutalität ist aber noch in einem angemessen Rahmen. Für zarte Gemüter nicht geeignet, aber für alle die kein Problem haben, wenn es blutiger wird, ist das Buch auf jeden Fall etwas.
Das Ende des Buches ist abgeschlossen, daher frage ich mich, was im dritten Teil passiert. Dennoch werde ich diesen lesen und freue mich sehr darauf.
Fazit:
“Das Spiel – Rache” ist leider deutlich schwächer als sein Vorgänger. Es war für mich zu unrealistisch und die Charaktere zu merkwürdig. Leider lediglich ein durchnittliches Buch.
Der erste Teil fand ich unglaublich gut, sodass ich mich sehr auf den Teil 2 gefreut habe.
Das Buch spielt einige Zeit nach dem ersten Teil. Die Familie versucht mit den Ereignissen aus den ersten Teil klar zu kommen. Alle 4 gehen damit sehr unterschiedlich um und für die Eltern Amy und Patrick ist nicht einfach, vor allem nicht für die Kinder.
Der Schreibstil ist, wie ich finde, wieder ein typischer Schreibstil für dieses Genre. Er lässt sich unheimlich gut lesen und verbreitet eine düstere Atmosphäre. Das Buch hat sehr
kurze Kapitel, sodass man umso schneller durch das Buch fliegt.
Die Spannung in dem Buch war okay. Ich fand es in diesem Punkt deutlich schwächer als der Vorgänger. Es passierten zwar immer wieder Wendungen, nur für mich war das zu unrealistisch und zu einfach.
Generell fand ich den Handlungsverlauf zu vorhersehbar und zu unrealistisch. Es gab viele Handlungen, der Charaktere, wo ich mich einfach gefragt habe, wie man so reagieren kann.
Die Brutalität ist aber noch in einem angemessen Rahmen. Für zarte Gemüter nicht geeignet, aber für alle die kein Problem haben, wenn es blutiger wird, ist das Buch auf jeden Fall etwas.
Das Ende des Buches ist abgeschlossen, daher frage ich mich, was im dritten Teil passiert. Dennoch werde ich diesen lesen und freue mich sehr darauf.
Fazit:
“Das Spiel – Rache” ist leider deutlich schwächer als sein Vorgänger. Es war für mich zu unrealistisch und die Charaktere zu merkwürdig. Leider lediglich ein durchnittliches Buch.
June 6, 2017
Chilling, brilliantly cunning, what a twisted reunion. Welcome to the family straight from hell!
Book two of the Bad Games series is about a barrage of psychological warfare aimed at the Lamberts. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong, and not insignificant things, but each one a life changing event. Life changing in horrible ways. The first chunk of the book was a little bit of a chore for me to get through because of the ... sadness ... but I'm glad I stuck with it.
The story then speeds up and never takes its foot off the gas, driving you right into your worst nightmare. Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse, it does. Then you think that it's over, but it's not. When you think there can't be any more twists, there are. You won't want to miss this one. I'm sitting here trying to write this review but find myself drifting off, speculating what could happen in book three, which I am going to start in just a few minutes. I can't get enough of this series.
Book two of the Bad Games series is about a barrage of psychological warfare aimed at the Lamberts. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong, and not insignificant things, but each one a life changing event. Life changing in horrible ways. The first chunk of the book was a little bit of a chore for me to get through because of the ... sadness ... but I'm glad I stuck with it.
The story then speeds up and never takes its foot off the gas, driving you right into your worst nightmare. Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse, it does. Then you think that it's over, but it's not. When you think there can't be any more twists, there are. You won't want to miss this one. I'm sitting here trying to write this review but find myself drifting off, speculating what could happen in book three, which I am going to start in just a few minutes. I can't get enough of this series.
July 27, 2020
Loved it cat and mouse horror bring on the next one
August 21, 2020
Broken hearted. To the next one!
May 17, 2022
Im Gegensatz zum ersten Band doch leider Enttäuschend.
Vorallem der Showdown ging am Ende viel zu schnell, für den ganzen Aufbau zuvor.
Vorallem der Showdown ging am Ende viel zu schnell, für den ganzen Aufbau zuvor.
December 7, 2020
Satisfying sequel
Though not as good as Bad Games, there's enough tension in this sequel to keep fans of the first book turning the pages. In the sequel, we are introduced to Arty and Jim's biological father and sister. Monica, the sister, is more sick and twisted than Arty and Jim combined. She's also smarter, which makes her deadly and you will hate her from the get go. I have no idea how Menapace managed a third part to this story with Bad Games: Hellbent based on the ending to the sequel, but i don't want to include spoilers. I'm just going to have to read the third book and find out.
Though not as good as Bad Games, there's enough tension in this sequel to keep fans of the first book turning the pages. In the sequel, we are introduced to Arty and Jim's biological father and sister. Monica, the sister, is more sick and twisted than Arty and Jim combined. She's also smarter, which makes her deadly and you will hate her from the get go. I have no idea how Menapace managed a third part to this story with Bad Games: Hellbent based on the ending to the sequel, but i don't want to include spoilers. I'm just going to have to read the third book and find out.
December 7, 2021
Wow! Just wow!
Absolutely jam packed with psychopathic tendencies, some real messed up situations and one awesome family!
Even though these are so far fetched, o bloody love them!
Fantastic bit of writing that pulls you in, tortured you and leaves you a weeping mess at the end with that bloody twist 😭
Brilliant!
Absolutely jam packed with psychopathic tendencies, some real messed up situations and one awesome family!
Even though these are so far fetched, o bloody love them!
Fantastic bit of writing that pulls you in, tortured you and leaves you a weeping mess at the end with that bloody twist 😭
Brilliant!
January 13, 2023
Great follow up book to the first. This one really gave the characters a chance to develop. I don’t mind stories that don’t always end great- but this one had some messed up things happening at the end, and I was kind of sad about some of the events that happened. I cannot wait to continue with the series to see what happens next.
May 22, 2021
Another fantastic book! Loved this one as much as the 1st book, had me totally gripped from start to finish!
February 19, 2017
Klappentext/Inhalt:
Im Herbst 2008 wurde die Lambert-Familie im amerikanischen Hinterland Opfer der Fannelli-Brüder. Von den beiden Verbrechern überwältigt, mussten die Lamberts buchstäblich durch die Hölle gehen. Sie haben überlebt – und zurückgeschlagen. Doch es ist noch nicht vorbei, denn die Fannellis haben Freunde, sehr gute Freunde. Das Spiel geht weiter …
Meine Meinung:
Auf diese Fortsetzung habe ich mich so unglaublich gefreut. Vor allem hatte ich einige Erwartungen, da ich den Auftakt spannend, aufwühlend und vieles mehr fand. Leider habe ich nicht ganz das bekommen, was ich gerne gewollt hätte.
Der Familie Lambert wurde durch die Fannelli-Brüder schreckliches angetan. Diese Erlebnisse versucht die ganze Familie zu verarbeiten. Dies ist natürlich nicht so einfach aber sie versuchen das Beste daraus zu machen. Eines Tages passieren rund um die Familie einige unschöne Ereignisse. Patrick und Amy sowie die Kinder müssen damit fertigwerden. Dies ist gar nicht mal so leicht. Die beiden glauben nicht, dass es einen Zusammenhang gibt aber bald wird ihnen so einiges klar. Das Spiel hat nie geendet und sie müssen sich auf einiges gefasst machen.
Patrick ist ein wirklich toller Mann. Er hat Witz, Charm und sorgt sich immer um seine Mitmenschen. Natürlich ist er auch mal wütend und versteht die Welt nicht mehr aber er versucht immer positiv zu sein. Die Ereignisse am See haben ihn sehr mitgenommen und die Wunden müssen jetzt heilen. Als gewisse Dinge passieren, denkt sich Patrick nichts dabei aber schnell merkt er, dass nicht alles in Ordnung ist. Als er den großen Zusammenhang sieht, hat er große Angst aber auch Zweifel. Dennoch stellt er sich der Gefahr und beweist großen Mut.
Amy hat sich durch den Vorfall am See etwas verändert. Sie sieht gewisse Dinge mittlerweile mit anderen Augen. Sie macht sich große Sorgen um ihre Kinder und will nur das Beste für sie. Als sie die nächsten Schicksalsschläge erleidet, kommt sie mit gewissen Dingen nicht mehr klar. Sie lässt sich gehen und begibt sich dadurch immer wieder in Gefahr. Als auch sie das große Ganze sieht, ist es schon zu spät. Sie muss wieder ums Überleben kämpfen und hat große Angst. Dennoch ist sie entschlossen dem Ganzen endlich ein Ende zu bereiten.
Als ich den Anfang gelesen habe, war ich total überrascht. Damit habe ich absolut nicht gerechnet aber im Nachhinein war ja irgendwie klar, dass es in irgendeiner Weise weitergehen muss. Ich möchte jetzt nicht sagen, was sich noch so ergeben wird, da ich ansonsten spoilern würde. Der Verlauf der Geschichte hat mir ganz gut gefallen aber mich konnte der zweite Band nicht so richtig überzeugen. Es gab einige Längen in dem Buch und die ganze Geschichte um Arty war mir zu flach. Man hätte daraus so viel mehr machen können. Außerdem fand ich den Showdown gegen Ende total abgehandelt. Plötzlich geht es voll zur Sache und dann ist es auch schon wieder vorbei. Das fand ich so ein wenig schade. Vor allem das Ende war für mich so ernüchternd. Dennoch gab es auch spannende und aufwühlende Kapitel in dem Buch. An manchen Stellen war ich auch ein wenig sprachlos. Ich freue mich dennoch total auf das Finale und hoffe einfach, dass es wieder so grandios wird, wie der erste Band.
Fazit:
Der Anfang war vielversprechend aber dann gab es immer wieder Längen in dem Buch. Außerdem hätte man aus vielen Sachen einfach viel mehr herausholen können. Manche Sachen waren mir zu abgehackt. Gegen Ende geht es dann richtig zur Sache aber mir war dies viel zu schnell abgehandelt. Dennoch gab es aufwühlende, sprachlose und spannende Momente. Deshalb freue mich sehr auf das Finale und hoffe, dieses kann mich wieder mehr überzeugen.
Bewertung:
Cover: 5/5
Klappentext: 4/5
Inhalt: 3,5/5
Schreibstil: 4/5
Gesamtpaket: 3,5/5
3,5 von 5 Sterne
Im Herbst 2008 wurde die Lambert-Familie im amerikanischen Hinterland Opfer der Fannelli-Brüder. Von den beiden Verbrechern überwältigt, mussten die Lamberts buchstäblich durch die Hölle gehen. Sie haben überlebt – und zurückgeschlagen. Doch es ist noch nicht vorbei, denn die Fannellis haben Freunde, sehr gute Freunde. Das Spiel geht weiter …
Meine Meinung:
Auf diese Fortsetzung habe ich mich so unglaublich gefreut. Vor allem hatte ich einige Erwartungen, da ich den Auftakt spannend, aufwühlend und vieles mehr fand. Leider habe ich nicht ganz das bekommen, was ich gerne gewollt hätte.
Der Familie Lambert wurde durch die Fannelli-Brüder schreckliches angetan. Diese Erlebnisse versucht die ganze Familie zu verarbeiten. Dies ist natürlich nicht so einfach aber sie versuchen das Beste daraus zu machen. Eines Tages passieren rund um die Familie einige unschöne Ereignisse. Patrick und Amy sowie die Kinder müssen damit fertigwerden. Dies ist gar nicht mal so leicht. Die beiden glauben nicht, dass es einen Zusammenhang gibt aber bald wird ihnen so einiges klar. Das Spiel hat nie geendet und sie müssen sich auf einiges gefasst machen.
Patrick ist ein wirklich toller Mann. Er hat Witz, Charm und sorgt sich immer um seine Mitmenschen. Natürlich ist er auch mal wütend und versteht die Welt nicht mehr aber er versucht immer positiv zu sein. Die Ereignisse am See haben ihn sehr mitgenommen und die Wunden müssen jetzt heilen. Als gewisse Dinge passieren, denkt sich Patrick nichts dabei aber schnell merkt er, dass nicht alles in Ordnung ist. Als er den großen Zusammenhang sieht, hat er große Angst aber auch Zweifel. Dennoch stellt er sich der Gefahr und beweist großen Mut.
Amy hat sich durch den Vorfall am See etwas verändert. Sie sieht gewisse Dinge mittlerweile mit anderen Augen. Sie macht sich große Sorgen um ihre Kinder und will nur das Beste für sie. Als sie die nächsten Schicksalsschläge erleidet, kommt sie mit gewissen Dingen nicht mehr klar. Sie lässt sich gehen und begibt sich dadurch immer wieder in Gefahr. Als auch sie das große Ganze sieht, ist es schon zu spät. Sie muss wieder ums Überleben kämpfen und hat große Angst. Dennoch ist sie entschlossen dem Ganzen endlich ein Ende zu bereiten.
Als ich den Anfang gelesen habe, war ich total überrascht. Damit habe ich absolut nicht gerechnet aber im Nachhinein war ja irgendwie klar, dass es in irgendeiner Weise weitergehen muss. Ich möchte jetzt nicht sagen, was sich noch so ergeben wird, da ich ansonsten spoilern würde. Der Verlauf der Geschichte hat mir ganz gut gefallen aber mich konnte der zweite Band nicht so richtig überzeugen. Es gab einige Längen in dem Buch und die ganze Geschichte um Arty war mir zu flach. Man hätte daraus so viel mehr machen können. Außerdem fand ich den Showdown gegen Ende total abgehandelt. Plötzlich geht es voll zur Sache und dann ist es auch schon wieder vorbei. Das fand ich so ein wenig schade. Vor allem das Ende war für mich so ernüchternd. Dennoch gab es auch spannende und aufwühlende Kapitel in dem Buch. An manchen Stellen war ich auch ein wenig sprachlos. Ich freue mich dennoch total auf das Finale und hoffe einfach, dass es wieder so grandios wird, wie der erste Band.
Fazit:
Der Anfang war vielversprechend aber dann gab es immer wieder Längen in dem Buch. Außerdem hätte man aus vielen Sachen einfach viel mehr herausholen können. Manche Sachen waren mir zu abgehackt. Gegen Ende geht es dann richtig zur Sache aber mir war dies viel zu schnell abgehandelt. Dennoch gab es aufwühlende, sprachlose und spannende Momente. Deshalb freue mich sehr auf das Finale und hoffe, dieses kann mich wieder mehr überzeugen.
Bewertung:
Cover: 5/5
Klappentext: 4/5
Inhalt: 3,5/5
Schreibstil: 4/5
Gesamtpaket: 3,5/5
3,5 von 5 Sterne
December 11, 2014
Hmmm? What can I say about this book? Let me just start by saying I loved the first in the series, "Bad Games!" That book scared the crap out of me. It reminded me of a cross between the movies Natural Born Killers meet Deliverance! OMG that book was amazing! And then there's this, Vengeful Games! I was torn as to give this book three or five stars. I'm settling on three and you'll soon discover why.
I do not believe in putting 'spoilers' in a review, and I will keep with that promise, however, having said that, the ending angered me BEYOND belief! I just couldn't believe Jeff went there after hooking me on the Lambert family.
First off, this book was just a bit too much to believe! That was my first and foremost biggest problem. I know there are spies in the world and I know there's hell-fine technology and surveillance, but this was just too damn unbelievable. There's no way in hell someone could follow a person and know their every waking moment down to the time they passed flatulence to eating their meals and all their conversations. That just was too damn much for me. I'm exaggerating, though, the author didn't let his sociopath killers know that much, but damn there!
Second, the conversations the sociopaths had with some of the sane characters, didn't quite make any sense to me. It's not the way I would imagine a crazy person to speak. They were super sociopaths and that bothered me to no end. I just kept thinking how in the hell did they know this families' every single solitary moment? Is that even humanly possible?
Lastly, how much pain can YOU inflict on one poor family trying-to-get-their-minds-right-after-the-Fanelli brothers incident at Crescent Lake? OMG, they just went from the frying pan into the damn fire! I kept thinking you've got to be kidding me, right? All these things happening and all the Lamberts manage to say is well it's just bad luck. It's not until about 80% of the story line when they begin to put two and two together. Seriously? I mean, for real, if what the Fanelli brothers had done to my family in the first book, anything that happened after the fact, I'd find suspect. But not the Lamberts! Had to get to the end to figure something just wasn't quite right!
My favorite family, the Lamberts, to me, were made to look like idiots. How do you go from banding together in the first book and learning you had strength you didn't know you had, to surviving one of the most horrific experiences anyone could possibly endure, and then in this sequel, you become suddenly dumb and a bit naive? I just don't get it. I really, really don't. I was so spent with this book! As I said, it was hard for me because the story is so well written and it deserves five stars for that, but that ending--OMG, I was quite upset and I will not be finishing the series. I just can't go on. I feel terrible because I loved Bad Games and the Lamberts, but what they've been reduced to, I just can't deal with it. I think Mr. Menapace didn't do the family justice to me.
So readers,you're on your own with this one.
I do not believe in putting 'spoilers' in a review, and I will keep with that promise, however, having said that, the ending angered me BEYOND belief! I just couldn't believe Jeff went there after hooking me on the Lambert family.
First off, this book was just a bit too much to believe! That was my first and foremost biggest problem. I know there are spies in the world and I know there's hell-fine technology and surveillance, but this was just too damn unbelievable. There's no way in hell someone could follow a person and know their every waking moment down to the time they passed flatulence to eating their meals and all their conversations. That just was too damn much for me. I'm exaggerating, though, the author didn't let his sociopath killers know that much, but damn there!
Second, the conversations the sociopaths had with some of the sane characters, didn't quite make any sense to me. It's not the way I would imagine a crazy person to speak. They were super sociopaths and that bothered me to no end. I just kept thinking how in the hell did they know this families' every single solitary moment? Is that even humanly possible?
Lastly, how much pain can YOU inflict on one poor family trying-to-get-their-minds-right-after-the-Fanelli brothers incident at Crescent Lake? OMG, they just went from the frying pan into the damn fire! I kept thinking you've got to be kidding me, right? All these things happening and all the Lamberts manage to say is well it's just bad luck. It's not until about 80% of the story line when they begin to put two and two together. Seriously? I mean, for real, if what the Fanelli brothers had done to my family in the first book, anything that happened after the fact, I'd find suspect. But not the Lamberts! Had to get to the end to figure something just wasn't quite right!
My favorite family, the Lamberts, to me, were made to look like idiots. How do you go from banding together in the first book and learning you had strength you didn't know you had, to surviving one of the most horrific experiences anyone could possibly endure, and then in this sequel, you become suddenly dumb and a bit naive? I just don't get it. I really, really don't. I was so spent with this book! As I said, it was hard for me because the story is so well written and it deserves five stars for that, but that ending--OMG, I was quite upset and I will not be finishing the series. I just can't go on. I feel terrible because I loved Bad Games and the Lamberts, but what they've been reduced to, I just can't deal with it. I think Mr. Menapace didn't do the family justice to me.
So readers,you're on your own with this one.
June 30, 2013
In Jeff Menapace's terror novel Bad Games, the Lambert family - Patrick and Amy and their children Carrie and Caleb - endured a nightmare of gruesome torture and murder at the hands of the psychopath Fannelli Brothers. They survived, and now the only live Fannelli was in jail waiting to come to trial. The trauma still haunted them, but at least they were now safe.
Or were they? It soon becomes evident that someone else is messing with their lives. It can't be Arty Fannelli, he's in jail. But once again, the Lamberts find themselves fighting for their lives against a pair of killers who make Norman Bates look like a choirboy. And these two twisted fiends are a lot smarter and deadlier than the Fannellis ever dreamed of being.
The climax of Vengeful Games was just as gut-wrenching as it was in Bad Games. And if they lost, this time the Lamberts had no illusions about their fate. Once again, Jeff Menapace has demonstrated his mastery of the modern terror story. I often find sequels to be disappointing compared to the original story, but with Vengeful Games, Menapace is clearly at the top of his game. This one will scare the daylights out of you.
The surprise ending was out of the blue, but was very satisfying.
Or were they? It soon becomes evident that someone else is messing with their lives. It can't be Arty Fannelli, he's in jail. But once again, the Lamberts find themselves fighting for their lives against a pair of killers who make Norman Bates look like a choirboy. And these two twisted fiends are a lot smarter and deadlier than the Fannellis ever dreamed of being.
The climax of Vengeful Games was just as gut-wrenching as it was in Bad Games. And if they lost, this time the Lamberts had no illusions about their fate. Once again, Jeff Menapace has demonstrated his mastery of the modern terror story. I often find sequels to be disappointing compared to the original story, but with Vengeful Games, Menapace is clearly at the top of his game. This one will scare the daylights out of you.
The surprise ending was out of the blue, but was very satisfying.
June 24, 2013
With 'Bad Games', Jeff Menapace pulled an ace out of the pack.
It was a hard act to follow, and, to be honest, I didn't think this sequel quite matched up to it.
I read it, but not in one fell swoop this time. 'Bad Games' drew in the reader instantly. 'Vengeful Games', less so. Fans of the first book, like me, would have read on, but I'm not so sure about new readers.
My rating (veering on the generous side) is lower than the 5* I gave to 'Bad Games' for several reasons:
I felt that to begin with, the plot was quite disjointed, the characters of and relationship between Monica and her father were less believable than that of Arty and Jim in the first book (as were some of the actions) and this one would have benefited from a final edit - I noticed several typos.
Having said that, Menapace delivered the twists, the menace and the black creativity of 'Bad Games'. I shall continue to look out for his work and can't imagine what he has got planned for the next book in the series.
It was a hard act to follow, and, to be honest, I didn't think this sequel quite matched up to it.
I read it, but not in one fell swoop this time. 'Bad Games' drew in the reader instantly. 'Vengeful Games', less so. Fans of the first book, like me, would have read on, but I'm not so sure about new readers.
My rating (veering on the generous side) is lower than the 5* I gave to 'Bad Games' for several reasons:
I felt that to begin with, the plot was quite disjointed, the characters of and relationship between Monica and her father were less believable than that of Arty and Jim in the first book (as were some of the actions) and this one would have benefited from a final edit - I noticed several typos.
Having said that, Menapace delivered the twists, the menace and the black creativity of 'Bad Games'. I shall continue to look out for his work and can't imagine what he has got planned for the next book in the series.
August 10, 2013
Vengeful Games was just as good as its predecessor, Bad Games, in my opinion. The characters were the same except for a co-employee of Patrick's and Patrick's scary friend Domino and his security company crew. The story was similar, though it was more of a psychological war for quite a while.
The idea in this book is that the bad guys from the first story (who were adopted) have family, and said family consists of a psychopath father and a psychopath sister who happens to be drop dead gorgeous. And when said family realizes that Patrick and Amy had killed one of their sons/brothers, and put the other in the hospital (and soon in prison), they come to get their own revenge. And they're just as crazy and violent as the brothers from Bad Games, but the sister is way smarter.
This story worked just as well as the first. It may be a slightly better effort as far as writing and formatting, but the storytelling is still excellent.
Now I have to wonder what's left to tell of this story in the upcoming third book. Looking forward to it.
The idea in this book is that the bad guys from the first story (who were adopted) have family, and said family consists of a psychopath father and a psychopath sister who happens to be drop dead gorgeous. And when said family realizes that Patrick and Amy had killed one of their sons/brothers, and put the other in the hospital (and soon in prison), they come to get their own revenge. And they're just as crazy and violent as the brothers from Bad Games, but the sister is way smarter.
This story worked just as well as the first. It may be a slightly better effort as far as writing and formatting, but the storytelling is still excellent.
Now I have to wonder what's left to tell of this story in the upcoming third book. Looking forward to it.
February 7, 2016
The Lamberts thought that they had lived through their worst nightmare. . . but they were wrong. After moving on from their horrific incident at the family cabin and the Fannelli brothers, the Lamberts felt they had survived the game. The Lamberts were wrong and oh boy were they ever. There are new players in this book's adventure and revenge is sought. This second book is just as good as the first. I couldn't put it down and finished it within just a day or two. Jeff Menapace has a real talent for writing thrillers. If you're looking for a quick reading thriller series, this is the series for you!
February 7, 2016
I haven't considered going back to finish reading this book. Definitely would not recommend it.
I have read about 109 of 371 pages on the Kindle version of this book. It seems to have the same problems that the first book had. There doesn't seem to be a lot of effort put into developing the characters. The new characters introduced int his book as just as flat and artificial as the characters in the first book. I haven't decided if I'm going to bother reading this one all the way through.
I have read about 109 of 371 pages on the Kindle version of this book. It seems to have the same problems that the first book had. There doesn't seem to be a lot of effort put into developing the characters. The new characters introduced int his book as just as flat and artificial as the characters in the first book. I haven't decided if I'm going to bother reading this one all the way through.
May 12, 2014
And again, terrific! I love the way these characters have become part of my life as I'm reading. I really hated for this book to end...but I was thrilled to see there's a 3rd! I immediately started it, and am already 4 chapters in. The suspense and twists are well thought through. I am looking forward to reading more by Mr. Menapace!
July 22, 2013
A great thriller that picks up right where "Bad Games" ends. A sick twisted game played on the survivors of the first book, it was an intense, edge of your seat ride and I am looking forward to the next book!
December 2, 2015
I absolutely love this trilogy. I'm hooked. And now I want to read everything Jeff Menapace has ever written!
February 2, 2021
Page Turner
A book that is hard to put down. Twists and turns that make you not want to put it down. Getting ready to start the third book in the series.
A book that is hard to put down. Twists and turns that make you not want to put it down. Getting ready to start the third book in the series.
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