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The Challenge
The Challenge by Tom Hoyle, bestselling author of Thirteen, is a gripping adventure thriller about an online game gone wrong. Ben's been grieving for his best friend, Will, who suddenly disappeared from their tiny village a year ago. But when twins Sam and Jack begin at the school, things start to look up. Cool, good-looking and popular, they draw Ben into their world and introduce him to The Challenge. What first appears to be a fun internet game quickly turns sinister as Ben's tasks become wilder and more dangerous, starting to raise questions over Will's disappearance. But once you're involved with The Challenge, it's very hard to get out ...
252 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2017
19 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 11, 2020
The best book I have ever read
May 7, 2022
The Challenge by Tom Hoyle, bestselling author of Thirteen, is a gripping adventure thriller about an online game gone wrong. Ben's been grieving for his best friend, Will, who suddenly disappeared from their tiny village a year ago. But when twins Sam and Jack begin at the school, things start to look up. Cool, good-looking and popular, they draw Ben into their world and introduce him to The Challenge. What first appears to be a fun internet game quickly turns sinister as Ben's tasks become wilder and more dangerous, starting to raise questions over Will's disappearance. But once you're involved with The Challenge, it's very hard to get out.....
December 30, 2024
The plot was already clear from the first few chapters unfortunately, but still the story was quite entertaining
May 12, 2018
At first it was all cool. Like you don't expect a thing. And then it starts. Basically you just don't know what's happening. Actually, you suspect something's going to happen but then it turns out that you had no idea what's gonna happen. Amazing read. Once in a lifetime read. Keeps you thrilled. A must read novel.....
March 19, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5 stars. Review to come.
Read
July 14, 2017Great book but hard to follow. Wait brb my pizza rolls are done. Absolutely amazing. Surprises. Suggest for fans of cherub and gone.
August 5, 2017
Definitely my favourite book I have ever read and can't wait to read more books from this author. I would recommend this for anyone who loves thrillers and love cliff hangers. The age I would recommend this for would probably be 12-24. I would definitely read this book, hope you enjoy it.
September 24, 2017
Plot - 3.5
Characters - 4
Writing Style - 3.5
Front cover - 3
Overall - 3.5
Based around some older themes.
Included some very tense scenes.
Very easy to read writing style.
Sympathised a lot with Ben - he's very likeable.
Really relatable teen issues - friendships, popularity etc..
Left me with a lot of questions - cliffhanger ending.
Good to teach older children/teens about issues such as peer pressure.
Characters - 4
Writing Style - 3.5
Front cover - 3
Overall - 3.5
Based around some older themes.
Included some very tense scenes.
Very easy to read writing style.
Sympathised a lot with Ben - he's very likeable.
Really relatable teen issues - friendships, popularity etc..
Left me with a lot of questions - cliffhanger ending.
Good to teach older children/teens about issues such as peer pressure.
August 27, 2017
The Challenge is a fast-paced, slick thriller from the bestselling author Tom Hoyle.
Ben has lived in a tiny village all his life. Nothing had ever happened there until Will, his best friend, vanished a year ago. Grief hits Ben like a tidal wave, consuming him until twins Sam and Jack arrive. Suddenly life is looking up for Ben, as he is drawn into their world of parties, popularity and The Challenge. At first, it appears to be a fun online game of dares but events soon take a sinister turn as Ben’s tasks grow ever more wild and dangerous. Questions from the past follow as the mystery around Ben’s disappearance deepens…
Hoyle has a knack for tugging his readers to the edge of your seat and, once again, he shows his mastery of tension. I loved how there was this menacing tone throughout the book that slowly built to the dramatic finale.
It was dark and captivating with twists around every corner. Even when you think it’s all over, the last page delivers one final twist.
The Challenge is a book that drags you into the drama and is packed full of secrets, dares and danger.
June 7, 2018
Half decent book with a disappointingly predictable ending, don't read this if you hate predictable storylines; other than that it was enjoyable but i could easily foresee how it was going to end which made it far less enjoyable to read with such transparent characters it can make their actions predictable and laughable. Still a fun read but not for real story seekers. (try something else)
August 2, 2021
This is my first book by the author and it was defeo an interesting one for me, now did i love i dont think so but i did like it cause it kept hooked and entertained.
The reason why this book kept me hooked which i think would be true for a lot of reader, is the challenges themselves and seeing how far they can go which is pretty far with these challenge taking a really dark turn. What i mean by this is that these challenges started off as innocent enough, with them just being harmless fun but slowly and surely these challenges more dangerous and more daring in a destructive manner.
These challenges resulted in three death that i was shocked with, so this book was not afraid to go their and really show this book was not messing around and these characters were messing around. The death shocked me because i did not expect it to be the answear to the mystery that was in the book,which was what to happened to will which was an aspect of this book that i nether loved or hated but just bared with but it was still good to get answer. The second and third death i did not think it would happen, even though everything was in plan but i did not think the book would go through with it so i was shocked
The third act of the book very quickly became very sinister when it comes to what the characters were going through, with me using the word sinister due to the other characters lack of regard over human life and using the word sinister seeing the they have them right where they want them and are not just loving it but bragging about it which is so inhuman which is i use the word sinister. The third act though very quickly becomes then a game of cat and mouse, seeing that our character is able to use something that has been part of his character which is magic which is an detail that i appreciated seeing that it was made so a big deal so it was nice to see it being used. This then concluded in a game of chase, which i thought was okey in the sense that i it was nerves wrecking seeing that if they found him well then everything is gone to shit but i thought it came across as too easy for our character at times seeing that he always seemed to end up in the right place in the house, but that was minor thing for me. Their was another death at the ending of this book that i was also surprised by
This book came off to as commentary when it comes to cults and how intoxicating they can be for people and how enticing they can be for people, how they can easily draw you without you realizing that you just signed an contract that says you are owned who will eventually lose control of their decision with the cult being the decision makers in your life. This is the purpose of sam and jack characters for me, seeing that in my eyes they dont exactly have a lot of depth or character development which is why i looked beyond the characters and the purpose of their characters with them in my eyes being a gateway through us as the reader regarding the power and danger of being part of a cult which is what the challenge are to me.
The ending of this booked really made this book stand out for me seeing that it left on a note that was quite chilling, seeing that book ended in a manor that spine chilling seeing that the book really left on a grim tone with the main character being very stupid in my eyes agreeing to jack terms and condition. Now this did i think Ben thought it would end like this for me, then my answer would be no seeing that i think Ben thought he could have dealt with jack but it looks like he lost when it comes to jacks.
The reason why this book kept me hooked which i think would be true for a lot of reader, is the challenges themselves and seeing how far they can go which is pretty far with these challenge taking a really dark turn. What i mean by this is that these challenges started off as innocent enough, with them just being harmless fun but slowly and surely these challenges more dangerous and more daring in a destructive manner.
These challenges resulted in three death that i was shocked with, so this book was not afraid to go their and really show this book was not messing around and these characters were messing around. The death shocked me because i did not expect it to be the answear to the mystery that was in the book,which was what to happened to will which was an aspect of this book that i nether loved or hated but just bared with but it was still good to get answer. The second and third death i did not think it would happen, even though everything was in plan but i did not think the book would go through with it so i was shocked
The third act of the book very quickly became very sinister when it comes to what the characters were going through, with me using the word sinister due to the other characters lack of regard over human life and using the word sinister seeing the they have them right where they want them and are not just loving it but bragging about it which is so inhuman which is i use the word sinister. The third act though very quickly becomes then a game of cat and mouse, seeing that our character is able to use something that has been part of his character which is magic which is an detail that i appreciated seeing that it was made so a big deal so it was nice to see it being used. This then concluded in a game of chase, which i thought was okey in the sense that i it was nerves wrecking seeing that if they found him well then everything is gone to shit but i thought it came across as too easy for our character at times seeing that he always seemed to end up in the right place in the house, but that was minor thing for me. Their was another death at the ending of this book that i was also surprised by
This book came off to as commentary when it comes to cults and how intoxicating they can be for people and how enticing they can be for people, how they can easily draw you without you realizing that you just signed an contract that says you are owned who will eventually lose control of their decision with the cult being the decision makers in your life. This is the purpose of sam and jack characters for me, seeing that in my eyes they dont exactly have a lot of depth or character development which is why i looked beyond the characters and the purpose of their characters with them in my eyes being a gateway through us as the reader regarding the power and danger of being part of a cult which is what the challenge are to me.
The ending of this booked really made this book stand out for me seeing that it left on a note that was quite chilling, seeing that book ended in a manor that spine chilling seeing that the book really left on a grim tone with the main character being very stupid in my eyes agreeing to jack terms and condition. Now this did i think Ben thought it would end like this for me, then my answer would be no seeing that i think Ben thought he could have dealt with jack but it looks like he lost when it comes to jacks.
November 12, 2023
This is my first book by the author and it was defeo an interesting one for me, now did i love i dont think so but i did like it cause it kept hooked and entertained.
The reason why this book kept me hooked which i think would be true for a lot of reader, is the challenges themselves and seeing how far they can go which is pretty far with these challenge taking a really dark turn. What i mean by this is that these challenges started off as innocent enough, with them just being harmless fun but slowly and surely these challenges more dangerous and more daring in a destructive manner.
These challenges resulted in three death that i was shocked with, so this book was not afraid to go their and really show this book was not messing around and these characters were messing around. The death shocked me because i did not expect it to be the answear to the mystery that was in the book,which was what to happened to will which was an aspect of this book that i nether loved or hated but just bared with but it was still good to get answer. The second and third death i did not think it would happen, even though everything was in plan but i did not think the book would go through with it so i was shocked
The third act of the book very quickly became very sinister when it comes to what the characters were going through, with me using the word sinister due to the other characters lack of regard over human life and using the word sinister seeing the they have them right where they want them and are not just loving it but bragging about it which is so inhuman which is i use the word sinister. The third act though very quickly becomes then a game of cat and mouse, seeing that our character is able to use something that has been part of his character which is magic which is an detail that i appreciated seeing that it was made so a big deal so it was nice to see it being used. This then concluded in a game of chase, which i thought was okey in the sense that i it was nerves wrecking seeing that if they found him well then everything is gone to shit but i thought it came across as too easy for our character at times seeing that he always seemed to end up in the right place in the house, but that was minor thing for me. Their was another death at the ending of this book that i was also surprised by
This book came off to as commentary when it comes to cults and how intoxicating they can be for people and how enticing they can be for people, how they can easily draw you without you realizing that you just signed an contract that says you are owned who will eventually lose control of their decision with the cult being the decision makers in your life. This is the purpose of sam and jack characters for me, seeing that in my eyes they dont exactly have a lot of depth or character development which is why i looked beyond the characters and the purpose of their characters with them in my eyes being a gateway through us as the reader regarding the power and danger of being part of a cult which is what the challenge are to me.
The ending of this booked really made this book stand out for me seeing that it left on a note that was quite chilling, seeing that book ended in a manor that spine chilling seeing that the book really left on a grim tone with the main character being very stupid in my eyes agreeing to jack terms and condition. Now this did i think Ben thought it would end like this for me, then my answer would be no seeing that i think Ben thought he could have dealt with jack but it looks like he lost when it comes to jacks.
The reason why this book kept me hooked which i think would be true for a lot of reader, is the challenges themselves and seeing how far they can go which is pretty far with these challenge taking a really dark turn. What i mean by this is that these challenges started off as innocent enough, with them just being harmless fun but slowly and surely these challenges more dangerous and more daring in a destructive manner.
These challenges resulted in three death that i was shocked with, so this book was not afraid to go their and really show this book was not messing around and these characters were messing around. The death shocked me because i did not expect it to be the answear to the mystery that was in the book,which was what to happened to will which was an aspect of this book that i nether loved or hated but just bared with but it was still good to get answer. The second and third death i did not think it would happen, even though everything was in plan but i did not think the book would go through with it so i was shocked
The third act of the book very quickly became very sinister when it comes to what the characters were going through, with me using the word sinister due to the other characters lack of regard over human life and using the word sinister seeing the they have them right where they want them and are not just loving it but bragging about it which is so inhuman which is i use the word sinister. The third act though very quickly becomes then a game of cat and mouse, seeing that our character is able to use something that has been part of his character which is magic which is an detail that i appreciated seeing that it was made so a big deal so it was nice to see it being used. This then concluded in a game of chase, which i thought was okey in the sense that i it was nerves wrecking seeing that if they found him well then everything is gone to shit but i thought it came across as too easy for our character at times seeing that he always seemed to end up in the right place in the house, but that was minor thing for me. Their was another death at the ending of this book that i was also surprised by
This book came off to as commentary when it comes to cults and how intoxicating they can be for people and how enticing they can be for people, how they can easily draw you without you realizing that you just signed an contract that says you are owned who will eventually lose control of their decision with the cult being the decision makers in your life. This is the purpose of sam and jack characters for me, seeing that in my eyes they dont exactly have a lot of depth or character development which is why i looked beyond the characters and the purpose of their characters with them in my eyes being a gateway through us as the reader regarding the power and danger of being part of a cult which is what the challenge are to me.
The ending of this booked really made this book stand out for me seeing that it left on a note that was quite chilling, seeing that book ended in a manor that spine chilling seeing that the book really left on a grim tone with the main character being very stupid in my eyes agreeing to jack terms and condition. Now this did i think Ben thought it would end like this for me, then my answer would be no seeing that i think Ben thought he could have dealt with jack but it looks like he lost when it comes to jacks.
June 30, 2021
Will Capling, Ben’s best friend, vanished. Found drowned. What happened to him?
Two new boys arrive at school, twins, who win everyone over and Ben is thrilled to be part of the ‘popular’ group. It’s a first.
Things start going a bit off for Ben. He deliberately hurts a boy, poisons his neighbour’s dog and sets out to get revenge for the death of his friend Will Capling. What was the role of the twins? What is their story?
Recommended for YA who enjoy a twist and stories about adults and young people who manipulate others. A dark story about human nature.
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books 2017
Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin.
Two new boys arrive at school, twins, who win everyone over and Ben is thrilled to be part of the ‘popular’ group. It’s a first.
Things start going a bit off for Ben. He deliberately hurts a boy, poisons his neighbour’s dog and sets out to get revenge for the death of his friend Will Capling. What was the role of the twins? What is their story?
Recommended for YA who enjoy a twist and stories about adults and young people who manipulate others. A dark story about human nature.
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books 2017
Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin.
December 18, 2018
It was okay. It wasn't as good as the other books (Thirteen and The Survivor) that I have read by him. However, saying that I do like his writing style and find they are easy to get into and quick to read which still applied.
The story was okay and you could kind of see where it was leading. Without giving anything away the end kind of annoyed me.
3 stars - ending up being sort of mediocre.
The story was okay and you could kind of see where it was leading. Without giving anything away the end kind of annoyed me.
3 stars - ending up being sort of mediocre.
July 24, 2023
DAMNN 🔥🔥... Tom Hoyle has done it again with publishing his latest book yet... challenge. You will be hooked following Ben's spectacular adventure. This book sure was a 'CHALLENGE' to put down!! I now have read evry one of Tom Hoyles books back to back (that's tow much I love them)!!! I will miss his writing style very much but I guess your always moving onto bigger and better things!!! Goodbye Tom Hoyle 😥😥.
August 23, 2024
It's a great book. It confuses you at start but then you quickly understand. The story goes slow, but then a lot starts happening and it keeps you on your toes. You don't expect a lot of things which happen, but they keep you hooked to the story. It's thrilling and awesome.
It's a must read.
It's a must read.
March 14, 2025
read this when i was a little younger but remember being super impressed by it. not much to add, a good read that involves a bit of imagination. engaging from the off with the premise. just short of 5 because i read it ages ago and don’t remember it being flawless
October 23, 2017
Fast and tense and frightening
October 10, 2018
very confusing and hard to follow, although very ambitious story about popularity, it doesn't have a lot of clarity.
February 22, 2019
DNF. Read just over half but nothing much was happening and I felt no connection to the characters.
March 31, 2020
3.5 stars
May 19, 2021
I was invested in the story almost immediately and so interested to see how it would all play out. I didn’t love it as I thought I would, but it was worth the read.
September 12, 2021
A good book for teaching kids about peer pressure.
March 16, 2024
It is a good book, some of the in-between chapter parts is a little confusing though
Read
November 5, 2025''
July 17, 2017
Okay, so reasons I like reading Tom Hoyle books.
- They come in pretty colours and the page edges also match the book
- Tom Hoyle isn't his real name and I want to work out who it really is.
I was so excited to read a new Tom Hoyle book. I loved his last three and really had high hopes for this one. Now I was slightly let down. I'm not sure why perhaps I went into it with too high of hopes.
But I found the story dragged a little and that at times it didn't make all that much sense. The challenge is a "game" played but some crazy twins who it turns out is a game passed down through generations of the same family. The twins, are drawn to Ben and as a boy who isn't one to stand out he enjoys the attention they give him. The fact he no longer beomes invisable. But things aren't always what they seem. The twins know what happened to Bens' friend Will and how he died. But can Ben work out the truth before they take another victim.
As I said I do like this writer alot but I just couldn't get into this book all that much.
- They come in pretty colours and the page edges also match the book
- Tom Hoyle isn't his real name and I want to work out who it really is.
I was so excited to read a new Tom Hoyle book. I loved his last three and really had high hopes for this one. Now I was slightly let down. I'm not sure why perhaps I went into it with too high of hopes.
But I found the story dragged a little and that at times it didn't make all that much sense. The challenge is a "game" played but some crazy twins who it turns out is a game passed down through generations of the same family. The twins, are drawn to Ben and as a boy who isn't one to stand out he enjoys the attention they give him. The fact he no longer beomes invisable. But things aren't always what they seem. The twins know what happened to Bens' friend Will and how he died. But can Ben work out the truth before they take another victim.
As I said I do like this writer alot but I just couldn't get into this book all that much.
May 23, 2017
Sam and Jack are twins. They are also cool and popular almost instantly when they join Ben’s school. They kind of take Ben under their wings making life feel different for the better. Almost good enough to make Ben think much less about his friend Will’s disappearance. It is Sam and Jack who introduce him to ‘The Challenge’, an online game. Ben takes to it immediately as it seems like a fun and harmless game. But things soon turn dangerous… The game is more than it seems at a glance. What will happen to Ben and what has happened to Will? Will the book give you the answers? Well, read it to find out.
Ben is an interesting character. Like more adolescents, Ben has his share of flaws but, his strength of character not only pulls him through but also, in a way, pulls the story through. It takes some time to really know and understand Ben, but once you do, it is quite easy to warm up to him. The book also has other character who add to the story. They are varied and interesting. As for the plot, it intrigued me right from the moment I read the blurb of the story. It does have a few twists to offer to its readers. It takes a while for the plot to really take off, but once it does - the book is sprinkled with action and drama to keep the readers engaged.
The author has kept his language and narrative simple and so this book might appeal to much younger (teens) audience along with the not so young crowd like me. It is a complete entertainer that will make it difficult for you to put the book down.
Ben is an interesting character. Like more adolescents, Ben has his share of flaws but, his strength of character not only pulls him through but also, in a way, pulls the story through. It takes some time to really know and understand Ben, but once you do, it is quite easy to warm up to him. The book also has other character who add to the story. They are varied and interesting. As for the plot, it intrigued me right from the moment I read the blurb of the story. It does have a few twists to offer to its readers. It takes a while for the plot to really take off, but once it does - the book is sprinkled with action and drama to keep the readers engaged.
The author has kept his language and narrative simple and so this book might appeal to much younger (teens) audience along with the not so young crowd like me. It is a complete entertainer that will make it difficult for you to put the book down.
March 6, 2017
Tom Hoyle always writes books that are so dark and yet so captivating. I read this in a day and wish I could continue reading!
August 27, 2020
Woah *plot twists*!! This book is amazing and crazy but I really enjoyed it!
February 28, 2017
Loved this. As did my 13 year-old son. Page-turning stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews