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The V Games #1
V Games
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B074WCV558
LAST ONE TO THE GRAVE, WINS.
Being a killer wasn't what eighteen year old Selena Grey ever expected she'd become. But with her stepfather's blood fresh on her hands, she finds herself walking into an eight by six prison cell where she'll live out the next twenty five years of her life.
Or so she thought...
When a man as beautiful as he is terrifying walks into the prison, Selena is the only one seemingly unaffected by his charms. But Varick's impossibly dark eyes are trained on her and her alone, frightening Selena of what his presence forewarns. It's not long before she finds out as she wakes on a ship in the dead of night, a captive of the forbidding Varick who seems more beast than man.
But when she arrives at a barren and isolated island in the stormy north sea, she soon realises that the obnoxious Varick may be her only hope of survival. Because, in a place where polar night reigns for the next six months, a powerful and cruel family are about to start this year's season of the V Games. And Selena is marked to participate in the blood sport, hunted by ravenous vampires and surviving the harsh terrain of the bleak island. And, not only that, but Selena just became the highest bid on contestant in a century...Find out why in Book 1 of the V Games Trilogy - 0.99 release price for a limited time only!
LAST ONE TO THE GRAVE, WINS.
Being a killer wasn't what eighteen year old Selena Grey ever expected she'd become. But with her stepfather's blood fresh on her hands, she finds herself walking into an eight by six prison cell where she'll live out the next twenty five years of her life.
Or so she thought...
When a man as beautiful as he is terrifying walks into the prison, Selena is the only one seemingly unaffected by his charms. But Varick's impossibly dark eyes are trained on her and her alone, frightening Selena of what his presence forewarns. It's not long before she finds out as she wakes on a ship in the dead of night, a captive of the forbidding Varick who seems more beast than man.
But when she arrives at a barren and isolated island in the stormy north sea, she soon realises that the obnoxious Varick may be her only hope of survival. Because, in a place where polar night reigns for the next six months, a powerful and cruel family are about to start this year's season of the V Games. And Selena is marked to participate in the blood sport, hunted by ravenous vampires and surviving the harsh terrain of the bleak island. And, not only that, but Selena just became the highest bid on contestant in a century...Find out why in Book 1 of the V Games Trilogy - 0.99 release price for a limited time only!
414 pages, ebook
First published October 30, 2017
1130 people are currently reading
7781 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Peckham
119 books29.7k followersI'm a #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Zodiac Academy series. I write all things dark romance, from fantasy to contemporary, high school bully to mafia, there's bound to be a book for you!
Me and my sister Susanne Valenti now write books together and we've built the most amazing, fun, crazy reader group on Facebook which we would LOVE you to join. Be the first to get teasers of upcoming books, plus interact with us daily, asks us questions, make friends with other book junkies and find your reader home.
Join here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/19697...
Sign up to our newsletter here >>
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
For all business inquiries please contact us at>>
mail@kingshollow.co.uk
For more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>
www.kingshollow.co.uk
Me and my sister Susanne Valenti now write books together and we've built the most amazing, fun, crazy reader group on Facebook which we would LOVE you to join. Be the first to get teasers of upcoming books, plus interact with us daily, asks us questions, make friends with other book junkies and find your reader home.
Join here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/19697...
Sign up to our newsletter here >>
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
For all business inquiries please contact us at>>
mail@kingshollow.co.uk
For more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>
www.kingshollow.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
September 13, 2023
** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for sending me a copy of your book, Caroline!! =) It was a pleasure to read it! **
”There was a new, tantalising feeling growing in my chest. One that had evaded me for so long, it took me some time to figure out what it was.
Hope.”
If I had to describe “V Games” in one sentence I’d say it’s a mixture of “The Hunger Games” and “Resident Evil”. *lol* Yes, you read right: “Resident Evil”!!! The movies, not the games. ;-P
To say it was a book that had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning would actually be the understatement of the century. And this is putting it mildly!!! XD I’ve always been a sucker for vampire stories and when Caroline offered me to read her book I didn’t even hesitate before I said “yes”. *lol* When I accepted to read “V Games” as an ARC I didn’t expect to be swept off my feet so thoroughly though.
And oh boy, did this book cause me to fall!!! There was so much action and suspense it was really hard to put it down and with every round that followed Caroline only raised the stakes even higher. Uh oh, no pun intended, I swear. ;-P There are a lot of literal stakes in the “V Games” though and the beautiful girls on the island that take part in the competition aren’t the squeamish kind of type at all. They certainly made sure to make good use of their stakes and their minds were at least as sharp as their tongues. Especially Kite’s, but that’s another story. XD
Anyway let’s get back to the main review so I can tell you how amazing this book was! ;-) I have to admit that this was probably one of the best, if not the best, ARC I’ve received so far. Sure the plot is rather simple (The motto is: survive!) and the love story is barely there (they are too busy with the motto ;-P) but how Caroline executed it, is the real treat! XD The storyline was intriguing and I just couldn’t help it but I found myself pulling for Selena! *lol* And if we’re already speaking about the plot, I might as well use this chance to brief you on it! ;-)
The plot:
After killing her abusive stepfather Selena Grey finds herself in a prison cell in an English jail, her only ally her new inmate named Cass. Selena is just getting used to the daily routine of her new “home” when a mysterious man appears and takes her and some of the other prisoners to a barren island in the North Sea. Little did she know that she’d become a part of the “V Games” and soon would struggle to survive. On an island that’s dipped into darkness and with a bunch of other girls that won’t hesitate to feed her to the Vs, Varick might actually be her only hope to get out of this alive. ;-)
The characters:
This is where I go into detail about the characters and might drop a few spoilers! So you better ignore my excessive ramblings if you don’t aim to be spoiled! ;-P
”Nothing could come of this. It was a brief moment of light in an eternity of darkness.”
Selena:
I dropped my eyes. “I’m a killer.”
“Killing a man who tormented you and your mother isn’t much of a crime.”
This girl is such a good person! She always tried to help the others and this even though some of them definitely didn’t deserve it. Despite the fact that she was brought to the island and given a stake, she still fought to keep her humanity and in my opinion this really made her special. While the other girls only aimed to survive and sacrificed others in order to achieve their goal Selena tried her best to save as many girls as possible. Sure this kind of mentality caused her a lot of trouble and almost got her killed a few times, Selena never second guessed her decisions though! Or at least not much. *lol* The story about her past broke my heart and I really hope that she was able to make it off the island!!! (There wouldn’t be a book two if she really made it, I’m aware of that, but still how can you not hope for the best? *lol* ;-P)
”I don’t know,” I hissed. “But I’d be grateful if you stopped trying to worm your way into my head.”
“I can’t read your mind.”
“No? Well I guess that’s ten points to Edward Cullen then, isn’t it?”
”I’d envied the rich growing up, of their nice things, their easy lives. But now I despised them for it. Money bred power and power bred evil. Nothing was ever enough. And even if they’d burned the entire world down for their own entertainment, no happiness awaited them. Only a pit that could never be filled.”
Varick:
”He was breathtaking, his skin golden and perfect, his eyes two endless mossy pits. His hair was overly long and twisted at the nape of his neck, a thin, black bandanna holding it in place.”
Ohh don’t even get me started! XD I loved him right from the minute he entered the scene! Dark, mysterious, handsome, direct, serious and sarcastic, what’s not to love? *lol* At the beginning of the game he was pretty detached but the more blood he drank, the more human he became. I loved that he fell for Selena without him even noticing and the conversation they had at the end of the book was just so… so human. I have no other word for it. To read how he began to feel again, how he reacted to her blood, it was so damn bittersweet. T_T My poor sexy-pie Varick!!! I hated that he wasn’t able to escape the island and if those damn Helsings and their stupid daughter Mercy torture him even more I’m going to save him myself!! <3 What else? I liked the fact that Varick was a pirate in his former life and I can’t wait to find out more about his past! Especially now that Jameson is with him!!! XD
”I was broken, then trained like a damned animal, and every day since I’d had to fight the sickness in my gut. The torture of being so close to their heavenly scent and yet forced under their thumb, unable to acquire a single taste.”
”Selena was trying to suss me out. For what purpose, I had no idea. But it felt good to be seen by her. Even if all she saw was a monster.”
”I hadn’t felt desire for a girl since I’d been changed. I didn’t know it was possible. But even if I were blind, I couldn’t miss the light of her. She shone with the power of a thousand suns, brightening the shadowy corners of my black heart, perhaps even enough to return to me the ability to love.”
My conclusion:
I loved the book and it was so fast paced that it never got boring! =) There wasn’t much of a love story in book one but the promise of it was already tangible and I really can’t wait to see how Caroline is going to continue with what she began! XD
I’m sure it’s going to be intriguing! ;-P
”There was a new, tantalising feeling growing in my chest. One that had evaded me for so long, it took me some time to figure out what it was.
Hope.”
If I had to describe “V Games” in one sentence I’d say it’s a mixture of “The Hunger Games” and “Resident Evil”. *lol* Yes, you read right: “Resident Evil”!!! The movies, not the games. ;-P
To say it was a book that had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning would actually be the understatement of the century. And this is putting it mildly!!! XD I’ve always been a sucker for vampire stories and when Caroline offered me to read her book I didn’t even hesitate before I said “yes”. *lol* When I accepted to read “V Games” as an ARC I didn’t expect to be swept off my feet so thoroughly though.
And oh boy, did this book cause me to fall!!! There was so much action and suspense it was really hard to put it down and with every round that followed Caroline only raised the stakes even higher. Uh oh, no pun intended, I swear. ;-P There are a lot of literal stakes in the “V Games” though and the beautiful girls on the island that take part in the competition aren’t the squeamish kind of type at all. They certainly made sure to make good use of their stakes and their minds were at least as sharp as their tongues. Especially Kite’s, but that’s another story. XD
Anyway let’s get back to the main review so I can tell you how amazing this book was! ;-) I have to admit that this was probably one of the best, if not the best, ARC I’ve received so far. Sure the plot is rather simple (The motto is: survive!) and the love story is barely there (they are too busy with the motto ;-P) but how Caroline executed it, is the real treat! XD The storyline was intriguing and I just couldn’t help it but I found myself pulling for Selena! *lol* And if we’re already speaking about the plot, I might as well use this chance to brief you on it! ;-)
The plot:
After killing her abusive stepfather Selena Grey finds herself in a prison cell in an English jail, her only ally her new inmate named Cass. Selena is just getting used to the daily routine of her new “home” when a mysterious man appears and takes her and some of the other prisoners to a barren island in the North Sea. Little did she know that she’d become a part of the “V Games” and soon would struggle to survive. On an island that’s dipped into darkness and with a bunch of other girls that won’t hesitate to feed her to the Vs, Varick might actually be her only hope to get out of this alive. ;-)
The characters:
This is where I go into detail about the characters and might drop a few spoilers! So you better ignore my excessive ramblings if you don’t aim to be spoiled! ;-P
”Nothing could come of this. It was a brief moment of light in an eternity of darkness.”
Selena:
I dropped my eyes. “I’m a killer.”
“Killing a man who tormented you and your mother isn’t much of a crime.”
This girl is such a good person! She always tried to help the others and this even though some of them definitely didn’t deserve it. Despite the fact that she was brought to the island and given a stake, she still fought to keep her humanity and in my opinion this really made her special. While the other girls only aimed to survive and sacrificed others in order to achieve their goal Selena tried her best to save as many girls as possible. Sure this kind of mentality caused her a lot of trouble and almost got her killed a few times, Selena never second guessed her decisions though! Or at least not much. *lol* The story about her past broke my heart and I really hope that she was able to make it off the island!!! (There wouldn’t be a book two if she really made it, I’m aware of that, but still how can you not hope for the best? *lol* ;-P)
”I don’t know,” I hissed. “But I’d be grateful if you stopped trying to worm your way into my head.”
“I can’t read your mind.”
“No? Well I guess that’s ten points to Edward Cullen then, isn’t it?”
”I’d envied the rich growing up, of their nice things, their easy lives. But now I despised them for it. Money bred power and power bred evil. Nothing was ever enough. And even if they’d burned the entire world down for their own entertainment, no happiness awaited them. Only a pit that could never be filled.”
Varick:
”He was breathtaking, his skin golden and perfect, his eyes two endless mossy pits. His hair was overly long and twisted at the nape of his neck, a thin, black bandanna holding it in place.”
Ohh don’t even get me started! XD I loved him right from the minute he entered the scene! Dark, mysterious, handsome, direct, serious and sarcastic, what’s not to love? *lol* At the beginning of the game he was pretty detached but the more blood he drank, the more human he became. I loved that he fell for Selena without him even noticing and the conversation they had at the end of the book was just so… so human. I have no other word for it. To read how he began to feel again, how he reacted to her blood, it was so damn bittersweet. T_T My poor sexy-pie Varick!!! I hated that he wasn’t able to escape the island and if those damn Helsings and their stupid daughter Mercy torture him even more I’m going to save him myself!! <3 What else? I liked the fact that Varick was a pirate in his former life and I can’t wait to find out more about his past! Especially now that Jameson is with him!!! XD
”I was broken, then trained like a damned animal, and every day since I’d had to fight the sickness in my gut. The torture of being so close to their heavenly scent and yet forced under their thumb, unable to acquire a single taste.”
”Selena was trying to suss me out. For what purpose, I had no idea. But it felt good to be seen by her. Even if all she saw was a monster.”
”I hadn’t felt desire for a girl since I’d been changed. I didn’t know it was possible. But even if I were blind, I couldn’t miss the light of her. She shone with the power of a thousand suns, brightening the shadowy corners of my black heart, perhaps even enough to return to me the ability to love.”
My conclusion:
I loved the book and it was so fast paced that it never got boring! =) There wasn’t much of a love story in book one but the promise of it was already tangible and I really can’t wait to see how Caroline is going to continue with what she began! XD
I’m sure it’s going to be intriguing! ;-P
August 22, 2019
I received this ARC by the lovely and talented Caroline Peckham in exchange for an honest review, and I'm happy to oblige :)
No matter what they say, Selena Grey is not a killer.
After being sent to a maximum security prison for killing her abusive step-father, Selena gets kidnapped in the middle of the night and dragged into a gory and twisted game of blood and money, she's not ready to play.
Along with other prisoners and helped by the vampire Varick, Selena is in a run for her survival, once again. She has a week to reclaim her freedom.
The other option? The grave.
Want the truth? This book was a complete surprise.
I’ve never had great times with vampire novels, but I’ve got to admit with a pinch of smugness that V Games is the vampire novel I didn’t know I needed until I started reading it.
The first thing that strikes you for good is the cover. The color palette choice is stunning! It this book were a color, it’d definitely be dark red.
The writing is terrifically good, clean and straight to the point, and it sucked me in right from the very first moment. The writer can create a scene and a setting from the ground up. Not anybody can do that.
About the stabby-stab aspect: gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood.
V Games is fast-paced, blood-dripping and action-packed enough for months.
I’ve read other reviews often refer to it as a Hunger Games with Vampires, and I must agree, but with an exception: this is soooo much better.
Selena is a fighter, a careless, brave and kick-ass main character that is easily likeable and relatable. Basically, a slightly older Katniss Everdeen who smiles more and has a little more fire in her veins.
I like how she’s not afraid of showing her own flaws or how she’s never ashamed to stay away from danger. Sometimes being brave is all about knowing when it’s time to run away from the threats, and Selena gets that.
Her male counterpart, is equally as great, and equally as obscure. Varick, is not your typical good-looking“bad buy”, but that’s only because he actually is The Very Much Good-Looking Bad Guy Who Has Literal Blood On His Hands™.
You feel me? Oh, well, we love him that way, anyway.
The romance is niiiiiiice, snarky and sexy. Before you start yelling “insta-love”, let me stop you right there. The characters are smart enough not to waste their time pining against each other instead of finding a way to survive. Yes, there’s attraction –there’s tons of it-, but it stops there. At least at the start. Then you better brace yourself because a storm of feels approaches your way.
Whoever knows me even just a little, knows how much of a sucker I am for a well-written double POV, and Caroline Peckham nailed it. I liked knowing all those things about Varick’s backstory, it was really interesting and it wouldn't have been the same without his voice.
There are a bunch of secondary characters, mostly girls and villains, and each one of them has something to prove the reader. Also...Looking for some girls supporting girls? You’ll find it in here.
The vampires are a real pain in the neck (pun totaly intended, I have no regrets). Those fuckers got really scary, at times.
The plot is okay, overall. The book in its entirety is a quick, entertaining read, but the last 30% of the book will completely sweep you off your feet.
Wow, what a race!
Thank you so much for the opportunity, Caroline!
I’m really looking forward to the second book.
“How did you manage that?” he breathed, almost to himself.
“I don't know,” I hissed. “But I'd be grateful if you stopped trying to worm your way into my head.”
“I can't read your mind.”
“No? Well I guess that's ten points to Edward Cullen then, isn't it?”
He grimaced at me. “Vampires are a bit grimmer in real life, sweetheart.”
No matter what they say, Selena Grey is not a killer.
After being sent to a maximum security prison for killing her abusive step-father, Selena gets kidnapped in the middle of the night and dragged into a gory and twisted game of blood and money, she's not ready to play.
Along with other prisoners and helped by the vampire Varick, Selena is in a run for her survival, once again. She has a week to reclaim her freedom.
The other option? The grave.
Want the truth? This book was a complete surprise.
I’ve never had great times with vampire novels, but I’ve got to admit with a pinch of smugness that V Games is the vampire novel I didn’t know I needed until I started reading it.
The first thing that strikes you for good is the cover. The color palette choice is stunning! It this book were a color, it’d definitely be dark red.
The writing is terrifically good, clean and straight to the point, and it sucked me in right from the very first moment. The writer can create a scene and a setting from the ground up. Not anybody can do that.
About the stabby-stab aspect: gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood.
V Games is fast-paced, blood-dripping and action-packed enough for months.
I’ve read other reviews often refer to it as a Hunger Games with Vampires, and I must agree, but with an exception: this is soooo much better.
Selena is a fighter, a careless, brave and kick-ass main character that is easily likeable and relatable. Basically, a slightly older Katniss Everdeen who smiles more and has a little more fire in her veins.
I like how she’s not afraid of showing her own flaws or how she’s never ashamed to stay away from danger. Sometimes being brave is all about knowing when it’s time to run away from the threats, and Selena gets that.
Her male counterpart, is equally as great, and equally as obscure. Varick, is not your typical good-looking“bad buy”, but that’s only because he actually is The Very Much Good-Looking Bad Guy Who Has Literal Blood On His Hands™.
You feel me? Oh, well, we love him that way, anyway.
The romance is niiiiiiice, snarky and sexy. Before you start yelling “insta-love”, let me stop you right there. The characters are smart enough not to waste their time pining against each other instead of finding a way to survive. Yes, there’s attraction –there’s tons of it-, but it stops there. At least at the start. Then you better brace yourself because a storm of feels approaches your way.
Whoever knows me even just a little, knows how much of a sucker I am for a well-written double POV, and Caroline Peckham nailed it. I liked knowing all those things about Varick’s backstory, it was really interesting and it wouldn't have been the same without his voice.
There are a bunch of secondary characters, mostly girls and villains, and each one of them has something to prove the reader. Also...Looking for some girls supporting girls? You’ll find it in here.
The vampires are a real pain in the neck (pun totaly intended, I have no regrets). Those fuckers got really scary, at times.
The plot is okay, overall. The book in its entirety is a quick, entertaining read, but the last 30% of the book will completely sweep you off your feet.
Wow, what a race!
Thank you so much for the opportunity, Caroline!
I’m really looking forward to the second book.
October 31, 2017
I have never hidden the fact that I love vampire stories. I have read stories about bad vampires, about good vampires, about vampire warriors, about vampire victims, about vampires who were born like that, about vampires who were transformed against their will. There are so many combinations in the literature. I love these monsters. What I don’t love are the humans who can keep these magnificent monsters as prisoners and who do not feed them properly.
So in this book we have some really hungry vampires. And some very nasty humans. You may notice that I did not say anything about whether the vampires are bad or good. Vampires in this book are plainly hungry all the time. When someone is hungry to the point of no return, he/she will a very bad creature and he/she will attack anything that moves.
Imagine there is an island which is occupied mostly by hungry vampires and the mean powerful human beings, the Helsings ,who like to play with them for centuries. Add to the equation a few desperate girls who are kidnapped by the prison where they were detained because all of them have committed murder. In most of the cases they are really nice girls, but still they have killed. So, the society will not miss them when they disappear from their prison and are considered dead. These girls will end up in this island which is full of hungry vampires and Helsings will promise them freedom if they survive.
What they are not told is that ALMOST NOBODY SURVIVES these twisted games.
Selena is one of these girls.
Varick is the vampire who keeps the girls in line and prepares them for the games. So, basically he is the Helsings’ bitch and the vampires' traitor.
Selena is desperate and innocent. Varick is hungry and tired with the games that he has watched for hundreds of years.
When feelings kick in, Varick will be very confused and Selena will be almost broken down.
The book tests the limits of morality and ethics. It focused mainly on the games and the various ways of survival. The girls will try to survive and kill before they are killed.
One of the most sympathetic characters actually has killed the most innocent people before she ended up in the island.
And my poor vampires, the Vs. Hungry, weak and desperate will try to get some food. Behaving like mindless zombies most of the time, they will stop at nothing until they are fed.
I loved the first part of this trilogy, but I would like a bit more development in the relationship between Selena and Varick. I think the chemistry was missing for the majority of the book which is fine I suppose because this world had to be established firstly. I expect much more in the second book of the trilogy.
When is book 2 out? I am dying to know what happens next.
(I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review)
The damn Helsings had me right where they wanted me. Not quite hungry enough to lose my mind, but desperate enough that I did as they said without question. All in the hopes of being fed.
So in this book we have some really hungry vampires. And some very nasty humans. You may notice that I did not say anything about whether the vampires are bad or good. Vampires in this book are plainly hungry all the time. When someone is hungry to the point of no return, he/she will a very bad creature and he/she will attack anything that moves.
Imagine there is an island which is occupied mostly by hungry vampires and the mean powerful human beings, the Helsings ,who like to play with them for centuries. Add to the equation a few desperate girls who are kidnapped by the prison where they were detained because all of them have committed murder. In most of the cases they are really nice girls, but still they have killed. So, the society will not miss them when they disappear from their prison and are considered dead. These girls will end up in this island which is full of hungry vampires and Helsings will promise them freedom if they survive.
“Selena Grey, you are offered the privilege of competing in the V Games. If you agree, you will have the chance to erase your criminal record and return home with a clean slate.”
What they are not told is that ALMOST NOBODY SURVIVES these twisted games.
Selena is one of these girls.
Varick is the vampire who keeps the girls in line and prepares them for the games. So, basically he is the Helsings’ bitch and the vampires' traitor.
Selena is desperate and innocent. Varick is hungry and tired with the games that he has watched for hundreds of years.
When feelings kick in, Varick will be very confused and Selena will be almost broken down.
The book tests the limits of morality and ethics. It focused mainly on the games and the various ways of survival. The girls will try to survive and kill before they are killed.
One of the most sympathetic characters actually has killed the most innocent people before she ended up in the island.
And my poor vampires, the Vs. Hungry, weak and desperate will try to get some food. Behaving like mindless zombies most of the time, they will stop at nothing until they are fed.
Someone placed a stake in my hand and directed the V in my direction. He was skin and bones, barely human beneath his long hair and anorexic body.
“Kill it,” Dawn instructed, wafting me toward the Vampire.
I shuddered in horror, taking a step back. “No,” I demanded.
“Oh why must you be so difficult?” Dawn muttered. “It's all for show. This one's weak. It'll only take a quick stab.”
I loved the first part of this trilogy, but I would like a bit more development in the relationship between Selena and Varick. I think the chemistry was missing for the majority of the book which is fine I suppose because this world had to be established firstly. I expect much more in the second book of the trilogy.
When is book 2 out? I am dying to know what happens next.
(I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review)
October 27, 2017
Okay, so this author asks me to read and review her book and I say "yes" only because it sounded interesting to me. But, once again, she didn't even try to bribe me for a good review. What the hell? Who do I have to bribe to get someone to try and bribe me? I just want to be bribed once in my life. Is that asking too much?
But, then I give the book a 4-star rating, and it LOOKS like I've been bribed. When I haven't!! Dammit! If I give the appearance of a bribee, shouldn't I get the pay-off?
gimme, gimme, gimme
*Sigh*
Anyway, this book is a vampire Hunger Games, but don't expect too much of the Hunger Games or you might be disappointed. It's almost cruel to try to say that a book is like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games or any of the other huge best-sellers because not many books live up to those standards. That's why they were so successful. BUT, this book is definitely entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Just be careful. You want to avoid a disaster like this. That haircut with those color choices? Please! Everyone knows that blondes have a winter color story.
The story alternates first-person narratives betweenEdward and Bella Varick and Selene. Selene is chosen to play in the Hunger Games V Games, which is basically a survival game with people watching and betting while vampires try to kill them. The girls are all chosen from prisons and if any of them survive, they are promised freedom and the memory of their crimes wiped-out from the minds of people around them.
And, these girls show us that not all killy prison chicks are that street smart. You actually believe that you will have an inside look at the sick fuckery going on and then will just be allowed to go free?
um.. yeah... sure...
Varick is the vampire who takes care of the girls during the games. The people who run the show are some sick assholes named the Helsing family. Yes, that Helsing. Not Joe Helsing who has a tire shop in Alabama. They keep a bunch of starving vamps on this island where they run these games and allow Varick to be their house-slave-vampire by feeding him occasionally to keep him in line. Varick finds out that Selena has special blood. Her blood makes him all thirsty and shit. Like more than he's ever felt before. It's magical blood. Her smell is so enticing that he can hardly stand it.
Yes, it's hold-your-nose good. mmm!
Oh, there will be insta-love between a teenage girl and hundreds-of-years-old vampire. Bet on it!
So, how does a book that has any resemblance to Twilight at all turn out to be an enjoyable read? Well, this thing was fast-paced, bloody, and imaginative in the game portion of the story. And, that was most of the story. It was great fun watching the girls get killed, the girls killing the vamps, and all of the accidental death and killing. It's was stabbingly fun.
But, then I give the book a 4-star rating, and it LOOKS like I've been bribed. When I haven't!! Dammit! If I give the appearance of a bribee, shouldn't I get the pay-off?
gimme, gimme, gimme
*Sigh*
Anyway, this book is a vampire Hunger Games, but don't expect too much of the Hunger Games or you might be disappointed. It's almost cruel to try to say that a book is like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games or any of the other huge best-sellers because not many books live up to those standards. That's why they were so successful. BUT, this book is definitely entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Just be careful. You want to avoid a disaster like this. That haircut with those color choices? Please! Everyone knows that blondes have a winter color story.
The story alternates first-person narratives between
And, these girls show us that not all killy prison chicks are that street smart. You actually believe that you will have an inside look at the sick fuckery going on and then will just be allowed to go free?
um.. yeah... sure...
Varick is the vampire who takes care of the girls during the games. The people who run the show are some sick assholes named the Helsing family. Yes, that Helsing. Not Joe Helsing who has a tire shop in Alabama. They keep a bunch of starving vamps on this island where they run these games and allow Varick to be their house-slave-vampire by feeding him occasionally to keep him in line. Varick finds out that Selena has special blood. Her blood makes him all thirsty and shit. Like more than he's ever felt before. It's magical blood. Her smell is so enticing that he can hardly stand it.
Yes, it's hold-your-nose good. mmm!
Oh, there will be insta-love between a teenage girl and hundreds-of-years-old vampire. Bet on it!
So, how does a book that has any resemblance to Twilight at all turn out to be an enjoyable read? Well, this thing was fast-paced, bloody, and imaginative in the game portion of the story. And, that was most of the story. It was great fun watching the girls get killed, the girls killing the vamps, and all of the accidental death and killing. It's was stabbingly fun.
December 4, 2017
Oh good gravy this book was AMAZEBALLS. It was like the Hunger Games with vampires. I was so sucked into this story I skipped my lunch and lord knows I love my food. Thanks heaven's I have book two lined up and ready to go or I might have been stalking the author Misery style (lol).
The writing was fantastic. The pace was perfect. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. The world building was good but because of that, I felt the "romance" took a backseat. I wasn't overly bothered by this as this is a trilogy and the author had to set the stage. As this was a YA novel there isn't much in the physical relations department (just a kiss). I am kind of hoping that maybe we will get some sexy times between Selena and Varick in upcoming books but I guess that depends if the author will stay with the YA theme or not. This one also had a great cast of secondary characters. All flawed in their own ways. Some you will love more than others and I hope that maybe something didn't happen like we were lead to believe as I sort of thought the author implied that a certain wolf may have a connection with a certain other person. I guess we will see. Both main characters were great. I felt like Varick was the slightly more developed of the two as we get a touch more background for his character. But Selena was equally engaging and I can't wait to see her getting her revenge. Last, we are left with a nice little cliffhanger. And like I said above I am SO glad I have book two lined up and ready to go. All in all, I enjoyed this one immensely, and it gets two HUGE thumbs up from yours truly.
April 6, 2019
Full Review on my blog!
*a copy was provided by the author*
I wasn't sure what to except at first, I mean I’ve read a lot of vampire books in the past. But this, this was quiet a surprise; this is a very unique vampire book! And I can't wait for what the author has in store for the rest of this series!
I felt like the first few chapters were kind of slow, but I’m happy I continued.
The V Games was a riveting read, the whole aspect of the book was really amazing; I loved the different challenges and such. Although, this story is similar to The Hunger Games, it is different and the whole concept is very distinct. I thought it was well-written and Caroline Peckham did a great job at making it her own.
Fast pace, action, vampires, romance, what more could you want? This book is perfect and I highly recommend it.
_________________________
Season 1:
V Games | Review
V Games: Fresh from the Grave | Review
V Games: Dead Before Dawn | Review
Season 2:
Wolf Games | Review
Wolf Games: Island of Shade | Review
Wolf Games: Severed Fate | Review
Season 3:
Hunter Trials | Review
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
*a copy was provided by the author*
I wasn't sure what to except at first, I mean I’ve read a lot of vampire books in the past. But this, this was quiet a surprise; this is a very unique vampire book! And I can't wait for what the author has in store for the rest of this series!
I felt like the first few chapters were kind of slow, but I’m happy I continued.
The V Games was a riveting read, the whole aspect of the book was really amazing; I loved the different challenges and such. Although, this story is similar to The Hunger Games, it is different and the whole concept is very distinct. I thought it was well-written and Caroline Peckham did a great job at making it her own.
Fast pace, action, vampires, romance, what more could you want? This book is perfect and I highly recommend it.
_________________________
Season 1:
V Games | Review
V Games: Fresh from the Grave | Review
V Games: Dead Before Dawn | Review
Season 2:
Wolf Games | Review
Wolf Games: Island of Shade | Review
Wolf Games: Severed Fate | Review
Season 3:
Hunter Trials | Review
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
July 11, 2018
5/5 Stars
"I look like a Disney Princess."
"You better show them how well Beauty can kick the Beast's ass then."
Selena Grey is sentenced to twenty-five years in maximum security prison after killing her abusive step-father. Before Selena can get used to her new life she is kidnapped by a mysterious man along with another twenty-four women from the prison. They are forced to compete in 'The V Games' that are held by a powerful family where girls are pitted against starved vampires. She soon realizes her terrifying, yet beautiful kidnapper might be her only hope in surviving the games.
⤷ To summarise this book in a few words it would be 'The Hunger Games' meets vampires. Even though the plot of this book is quite similar, 'The V Games' still unique and different in many ways!
⤷ Selena was such a badass heroine! She was kind and brave. Selena fought for her humanity and survival and did not let anyone take that away from her. What I admired most about Selena was that she tried to help others and be a good person no matter what dangerous situation she was in! She was compassionate, determined and strong. A very enjoyable character read about!
⤷ Varick was dark and mysterious. He was enslaved to be the game moderator. Varick was starved, tortured and forced to watch the games for centuries unable to escape until Selena came along. I really liked reading in his point of view and his character development throughout the novel!
⤷ The romance was perfect. It wasn't rushed nor was it too slow. The characters had much more important things to focus on but the touch of romance was still there!
⤷ What I liked about this book was that it was no good guys vs bad guys. Everyone in this book was somewhat bad, some more than others. With either being criminals or had very dark pasts. It made the story more intriguing!
⤷ The cover was the first thing that grabbed my interest, it was very eye-catching. It really captured the story beautifully!
"How did you manage that?" he breathed, almost to himself.
"I don't know," I hissed. "But I'd be grateful if you stopped trying to worm your way into my head."
"I can't read your mind."
"No? Well I guess that's ten points to Edward Cullen then, isn't it?"
He grimaced at me. "Vampires are a bit grimmer in real life, sweetheart."
'The V Games' was filled with kick-ass action, thrill, suspense, murder, surprises and romance! This book is so good, could not put down!! Highly recommend this book to any vampire lover out there!!!
"I look like a Disney Princess."
"You better show them how well Beauty can kick the Beast's ass then."
Selena Grey is sentenced to twenty-five years in maximum security prison after killing her abusive step-father. Before Selena can get used to her new life she is kidnapped by a mysterious man along with another twenty-four women from the prison. They are forced to compete in 'The V Games' that are held by a powerful family where girls are pitted against starved vampires. She soon realizes her terrifying, yet beautiful kidnapper might be her only hope in surviving the games.
⤷ To summarise this book in a few words it would be 'The Hunger Games' meets vampires. Even though the plot of this book is quite similar, 'The V Games' still unique and different in many ways!
⤷ Selena was such a badass heroine! She was kind and brave. Selena fought for her humanity and survival and did not let anyone take that away from her. What I admired most about Selena was that she tried to help others and be a good person no matter what dangerous situation she was in! She was compassionate, determined and strong. A very enjoyable character read about!
⤷ Varick was dark and mysterious. He was enslaved to be the game moderator. Varick was starved, tortured and forced to watch the games for centuries unable to escape until Selena came along. I really liked reading in his point of view and his character development throughout the novel!
⤷ The romance was perfect. It wasn't rushed nor was it too slow. The characters had much more important things to focus on but the touch of romance was still there!
⤷ What I liked about this book was that it was no good guys vs bad guys. Everyone in this book was somewhat bad, some more than others. With either being criminals or had very dark pasts. It made the story more intriguing!
⤷ The cover was the first thing that grabbed my interest, it was very eye-catching. It really captured the story beautifully!
"How did you manage that?" he breathed, almost to himself.
"I don't know," I hissed. "But I'd be grateful if you stopped trying to worm your way into my head."
"I can't read your mind."
"No? Well I guess that's ten points to Edward Cullen then, isn't it?"
He grimaced at me. "Vampires are a bit grimmer in real life, sweetheart."
'The V Games' was filled with kick-ass action, thrill, suspense, murder, surprises and romance! This book is so good, could not put down!! Highly recommend this book to any vampire lover out there!!!
November 11, 2021
"If you kill yourself on my watch, I'll get the blame.”
“If I wanted to kill myself, don't you think I would have tried hugging a Vampire earlier?”
Varick regarded me with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Well if you do make the decision to kill yourself, I'd be grateful if you let me do the honours.”
May the odds be ever in your favor! Oh, wait, that's a different story. But this book is definitely The Hunger Games meeting a dystopia of Vampires and Hunters. My overall rating? 3.75 stars.
“You are about to be part of an age-old tradition, Selena.”
》》The Plot《《
Eighteen years-old Selena Grey is sentenced to 25 years in a security prison for the murder of her abusive step-father. The only way out: accepting to be a part of the V Games. Kidnapped and transported on an island owned by the Van Helsings, an old family of Hunters, Selena is faced with a hard and unbelievable truth: men aren't the only monsters roaming this earth. Vampires, strong and bloodthirsty creatures of the night, are real, held and used by the Van Helsings for their own gains. Forced to compete in five deadly tasks, Selena spends each day as if it were her last, fighting for her freedom, trying to protect Cass, her red-headed and unlikely friend she made along the way and wishing she could be as far away as possible from Varick, the Vampire with emerald green eyes that got her into this. In other words, let the games begin!
“Are there wolves on the island?” I asked Varick.
“Wolves, snakes, bears. You name it, it's probably here.”
》》Characters and Relationships《《
♦️Selena Grey
One thing I liked about her from the beginning is that she's rather unapologetic. She's hot headed, speaks up and gets into trouble, but she has a good heart and a right sense of justice, leading her to protect her friends and family.
♦️Selena and Cass ( Cassandra)
“When I came here last year, they replaced my coffee with vinegar every day for a week.”
“What did you do?”
“Drank it with a smile on my face.”
I liked their friendship from the start, when they met each other as cellmates, in prison, only to grow even closer while being forced into the V Games. Non of them was perfect, or the portrayal of innocence and goodness, but they definitely brought the best out of each other.
♦️Varick Cartwright
"Well, if you discounted the fact Varick looked like an Armani model with the temperament of an angry polar bear."
The green-eyed, dark-haired, brooding, hot vampire who starts discovering parts of his humanity he thought he has lost forever. Saying about him that he's morally grey just doesn't cover it all, but he goes from a heartless brute to someone who begins to rediscover his life purpose.
♦️Varick and Selena
“If we're going to be allies, Varick, I'd rather you were honest with me.”
“Allies?” he questioned. “Is that what you think we are?”
“What would you call it?” I challenged.
He shrugged. “Friends maybe.”
I gave him a small smile. “Let's not over-do it.”
They go from enemies to allies to friends to caring about each other and damn, their relationship still has places to go. Started more like a predator and prey and ended up feeling like the damned and the salvation. There wasn't exactly a tone of romance here, but I think it has potential and I like the way their connection is developed slowly, believable. I'm definitely curious about these two in the rest of the trilogy.
"To say they'd actually done something with the time they'd been given. But if you're given forever, what did it matter? No one would remember me, because I had no expiration date to be remembered beyond."
》》Notes and Highlights《《
♣️ I loved the way immortality is viewed here, as well as the new vision regarding the love story between a human and a vampire
♣️ I obviously enjoyed this Hunger Games vibe, the trials and the merging of a modern day Europe and this secluded island with fantastic creatures and brutal games.
♣️ The chapters were split between Varick and Selena, offering us insights from them both. While I felt it was reducing the mystery a bit, it also gave us a better understanding of these two main characters and, just like in Zodiac Academy, I found it really refreshing to have this variety in POVs.
♣️ I find myself, once again, hooked by the writing style and display of imagination proven by Caroline Peckham. I think I really need to binge read her entire works.
♣️ The ending left me wanting more, bringing a little surprise and some heartbreak (I was already used from Zodiac Academy, but still...)
"Without time, life had lost meaning. The things I'd once wanted had lost their allure. My friends were gone. My family. All that had remained was me and an eternity of serving a family I despised.
But then she showed up. The little survivor. And I now had a purpose again."
The V Games
V Games - 3.75 stars
V Games: Fresh From The Grave - 4 stars
V Games: Dead Before Dawn - 4.5 stars
“If I wanted to kill myself, don't you think I would have tried hugging a Vampire earlier?”
Varick regarded me with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Well if you do make the decision to kill yourself, I'd be grateful if you let me do the honours.”
May the odds be ever in your favor! Oh, wait, that's a different story. But this book is definitely The Hunger Games meeting a dystopia of Vampires and Hunters. My overall rating? 3.75 stars.
“You are about to be part of an age-old tradition, Selena.”
》》The Plot《《
Eighteen years-old Selena Grey is sentenced to 25 years in a security prison for the murder of her abusive step-father. The only way out: accepting to be a part of the V Games. Kidnapped and transported on an island owned by the Van Helsings, an old family of Hunters, Selena is faced with a hard and unbelievable truth: men aren't the only monsters roaming this earth. Vampires, strong and bloodthirsty creatures of the night, are real, held and used by the Van Helsings for their own gains. Forced to compete in five deadly tasks, Selena spends each day as if it were her last, fighting for her freedom, trying to protect Cass, her red-headed and unlikely friend she made along the way and wishing she could be as far away as possible from Varick, the Vampire with emerald green eyes that got her into this. In other words, let the games begin!
“Are there wolves on the island?” I asked Varick.
“Wolves, snakes, bears. You name it, it's probably here.”
》》Characters and Relationships《《
♦️Selena Grey
One thing I liked about her from the beginning is that she's rather unapologetic. She's hot headed, speaks up and gets into trouble, but she has a good heart and a right sense of justice, leading her to protect her friends and family.
♦️Selena and Cass ( Cassandra)
“When I came here last year, they replaced my coffee with vinegar every day for a week.”
“What did you do?”
“Drank it with a smile on my face.”
I liked their friendship from the start, when they met each other as cellmates, in prison, only to grow even closer while being forced into the V Games. Non of them was perfect, or the portrayal of innocence and goodness, but they definitely brought the best out of each other.
♦️Varick Cartwright
"Well, if you discounted the fact Varick looked like an Armani model with the temperament of an angry polar bear."
The green-eyed, dark-haired, brooding, hot vampire who starts discovering parts of his humanity he thought he has lost forever. Saying about him that he's morally grey just doesn't cover it all, but he goes from a heartless brute to someone who begins to rediscover his life purpose.
♦️Varick and Selena
“If we're going to be allies, Varick, I'd rather you were honest with me.”
“Allies?” he questioned. “Is that what you think we are?”
“What would you call it?” I challenged.
He shrugged. “Friends maybe.”
I gave him a small smile. “Let's not over-do it.”
They go from enemies to allies to friends to caring about each other and damn, their relationship still has places to go. Started more like a predator and prey and ended up feeling like the damned and the salvation. There wasn't exactly a tone of romance here, but I think it has potential and I like the way their connection is developed slowly, believable. I'm definitely curious about these two in the rest of the trilogy.
"To say they'd actually done something with the time they'd been given. But if you're given forever, what did it matter? No one would remember me, because I had no expiration date to be remembered beyond."
》》Notes and Highlights《《
♣️ I loved the way immortality is viewed here, as well as the new vision regarding the love story between a human and a vampire
♣️ I obviously enjoyed this Hunger Games vibe, the trials and the merging of a modern day Europe and this secluded island with fantastic creatures and brutal games.
♣️ The chapters were split between Varick and Selena, offering us insights from them both. While I felt it was reducing the mystery a bit, it also gave us a better understanding of these two main characters and, just like in Zodiac Academy, I found it really refreshing to have this variety in POVs.
♣️ I find myself, once again, hooked by the writing style and display of imagination proven by Caroline Peckham. I think I really need to binge read her entire works.
♣️ The ending left me wanting more, bringing a little surprise and some heartbreak (I was already used from Zodiac Academy, but still...)
"Without time, life had lost meaning. The things I'd once wanted had lost their allure. My friends were gone. My family. All that had remained was me and an eternity of serving a family I despised.
But then she showed up. The little survivor. And I now had a purpose again."
The V Games
V Games - 3.75 stars
V Games: Fresh From The Grave - 4 stars
V Games: Dead Before Dawn - 4.5 stars
October 12, 2017
4.5*
This is a different take on the usual vampire read, think Hunger Games but with vampires, half starved feral vampires kept like animals.
Vampires were once powerful but now years after the vampire/hunter wars they're reduced to little more than dogs. They're kept hungry and controlled with capsules of silver imbedded in their necks and released at the wimp of the Helsings. Yes we're talking about the Van Helsings and they rule with fear and cruelty.
The games consist of kidnapped young women, they now use prisoners because it's easier and involves less work. They're taken to an island, Raskdød then forced to compete in a competition for their lives. They are pitted against starving vampires while rich humans watch the action on huge screens and bet on who will win.
It truly is cruel and inhuman.
First we meet eighteen year old Selena as she enters prison after being sentenced to twenty five years for the murder of her abusive stepfather. It soon becomes apparent that there's something slightly different about Selena.
Varick is next and we meet him back in 1803 while he's still human. As the book progresses we catch glimpses of his past, how he became a vampire and the hell that is his life has become under the Helsings.
'Abraham knew I was getting desperately hungry. He saw it in my eyes the second I walked in the door. The Helsings were Hunters at heart, but nearly three hundred years had passed since they and the other Hunters had gotten the Vampire population under control. The modern-day Helsings were a figment of what they'd once been. But the blood was there, the power they held in their veins. It wouldn't take much for a Hunter to return to his roots.'
Several pages in and I thought I might struggle with this purely because generally vampires (well romance ones anyway) are powerful alluring alpha males and here Varick while incredibly attractive is controlled to the extent he's a slave to the Helsings and I wasn't sure I'd like that but I did.
Anyone familiar with my reviews knows how rare it is for me to give 5* but this came very very close. I enjoyed this book, way more than I expected in fact and while it's not perfect (I know but seriously what book is?) and I personally struggled early on with Selena's reason for being in prison, twenty five years for an eighteen year old who's mother would have corroborated her story seemed crazy (I'm far too picky I know and once something bothers me I find it hard to let go) but I realised (yes, it took me a while) that it didn't really matter it was just the means for getting Selena to the island and that's where the book truly comes to life.
This book held me from the first page to the last and now I can't wait for the next one.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author.
This is a different take on the usual vampire read, think Hunger Games but with vampires, half starved feral vampires kept like animals.
Vampires were once powerful but now years after the vampire/hunter wars they're reduced to little more than dogs. They're kept hungry and controlled with capsules of silver imbedded in their necks and released at the wimp of the Helsings. Yes we're talking about the Van Helsings and they rule with fear and cruelty.
The games consist of kidnapped young women, they now use prisoners because it's easier and involves less work. They're taken to an island, Raskdød then forced to compete in a competition for their lives. They are pitted against starving vampires while rich humans watch the action on huge screens and bet on who will win.
It truly is cruel and inhuman.
First we meet eighteen year old Selena as she enters prison after being sentenced to twenty five years for the murder of her abusive stepfather. It soon becomes apparent that there's something slightly different about Selena.
Varick is next and we meet him back in 1803 while he's still human. As the book progresses we catch glimpses of his past, how he became a vampire and the hell that is his life has become under the Helsings.
'Abraham knew I was getting desperately hungry. He saw it in my eyes the second I walked in the door. The Helsings were Hunters at heart, but nearly three hundred years had passed since they and the other Hunters had gotten the Vampire population under control. The modern-day Helsings were a figment of what they'd once been. But the blood was there, the power they held in their veins. It wouldn't take much for a Hunter to return to his roots.'
Several pages in and I thought I might struggle with this purely because generally vampires (well romance ones anyway) are powerful alluring alpha males and here Varick while incredibly attractive is controlled to the extent he's a slave to the Helsings and I wasn't sure I'd like that but I did.
Anyone familiar with my reviews knows how rare it is for me to give 5* but this came very very close. I enjoyed this book, way more than I expected in fact and while it's not perfect (I know but seriously what book is?) and I personally struggled early on with Selena's reason for being in prison, twenty five years for an eighteen year old who's mother would have corroborated her story seemed crazy (I'm far too picky I know and once something bothers me I find it hard to let go) but I realised (yes, it took me a while) that it didn't really matter it was just the means for getting Selena to the island and that's where the book truly comes to life.
This book held me from the first page to the last and now I can't wait for the next one.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author.
October 22, 2017
But there's only so far a girl can be pushed before she becomes her own hero.What a thrilling ride!
Eighteen-year-old convicted murderer Selena finds herself kidnapped along with 24 other young women from prison and being thrust into a twisted game of survival against abused and starving vampires.
6 stars for the fast-paced plot! There was not a wasted moment in this one. Be warned: once you start, you'd better have the time to finish, because you won't want to put it down.
4 stars for the way 'game' events tested my limits of believability. But who needs believability when you're sitting on the edge of your seat?
I really enjoyed V Games. Selena made for a great heroine who had strength and determination in spades despite life doing its best to keep her down at every turn. And I loved the way the relationship between Selena and Varick progressed. It felt natural and by the end I wanted nothing more than for them to exact their revenge and live happily ever after together. But of course this is a trilogy so I'll have to wait for a bit. :)
I'm sooo looking forward to continuing this journey!
April 2, 2019
GUUUYYYYSSS
V Games is so original and action-packed. This is what twilight could've been and wasn't. I mean the concept of Twilight was good but no action at all. This is really really really really really GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! Hope the sequels are good as well.
#mustread
V Games is so original and action-packed. This is what twilight could've been and wasn't. I mean the concept of Twilight was good but no action at all. This is really really really really really GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! Hope the sequels are good as well.
#mustread
January 1, 2021
The start of this certainly drew me in, especially as I was expecting it start differently, yay to the surprise. The book alternates between first person POV of the main characters, human Selena and vampire Varick.
So, Selena’s life is going from worse to much worse – incarcerated for killing her douchebag stepfather and vilified by society, she is then selected to play in the V Games - survival games where people for entertainment watch and make bets as vampires try to kill their prey – humans. The humans selected like Selena are all from prisons. If Selena and any of the women survive, they have been promised freedom and that their crimes will be wiped from the minds of the people around them/the society they reside in.
My introduction to the Van Helsing hunters made me dislike them and that didn’t change by the end of this book – they’re definitely not the heroes in the world the author has created.
I really liked Selena, she is resilient, fierce in wanting to survive and has a heart. Varick was unexpected and I see him and Selena kicking some serious ass in the next book. The progression of Varick and Selena’s relationship in this first book felt realistic and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
This book has a really fast paced plot, which I enjoyed, there were no wasted moments.
V Games does end on a small cliffy, thank goodness all the books are available via KU.
99p on Amazon 5th April 2019
So, Selena’s life is going from worse to much worse – incarcerated for killing her douchebag stepfather and vilified by society, she is then selected to play in the V Games - survival games where people for entertainment watch and make bets as vampires try to kill their prey – humans. The humans selected like Selena are all from prisons. If Selena and any of the women survive, they have been promised freedom and that their crimes will be wiped from the minds of the people around them/the society they reside in.
My introduction to the Van Helsing hunters made me dislike them and that didn’t change by the end of this book – they’re definitely not the heroes in the world the author has created.
I really liked Selena, she is resilient, fierce in wanting to survive and has a heart. Varick was unexpected and I see him and Selena kicking some serious ass in the next book. The progression of Varick and Selena’s relationship in this first book felt realistic and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
This book has a really fast paced plot, which I enjoyed, there were no wasted moments.
V Games does end on a small cliffy, thank goodness all the books are available via KU.
99p on Amazon 5th April 2019
March 4, 2020
What a ride
What an imagination Author Caroline Peckham has, this book was amazing. Full of action, a sick game and wonderful characters. I absolutely loved Selena and Varik, both are survivors, I hope they’re in the next book and I find out what happens next.
What an imagination Author Caroline Peckham has, this book was amazing. Full of action, a sick game and wonderful characters. I absolutely loved Selena and Varik, both are survivors, I hope they’re in the next book and I find out what happens next.
December 4, 2023
that was addictive 😭 it’s like the vampire version of the hunger games 😩
Read
November 18, 2018It's been ages since I read a vampire book! This one had a dark adventure that took it to the next level. Really enjoyed!
October 30, 2017
5+ stars!
I hate comparing new books to well-known and mainstream novel-turned-movies because the comparisons tend to carry so much weight. People--readers and non-readers alike--tend to form very strict and personal opinions about them, so comparing new books to these beloved or hated works can create some undue prejudice and deter some readers from even giving a book a chance (no matter how amazing it is). That being said, I think I'm going to take a chance on this kickass book and hope it intrigues you just enough to read a snippet, wherein you will then be sucked into the story as I was...muahaha!
As other reviewers have noted, this book is a delicious and heart-pounding mixture containing 1 cup of Hunger Games, half a cup of Divergent [amount subject to change as the series progresses], and 2 tablespoons of Twilight [these vampires don't sparkle].
However even though I'm comparing V-Games to these other rock-solid books, it still managed to stand its ground and carve out its own space as a paranormal/horror/suspense/survivalist/slightly romantical novel filled with memorable characters and nonstop, anxiety-inducing action and suspense. Selena was SUCH a breath of fresh air of a heroine. She's not perfect, she's not quiet, she's not completely innocent. And best of all, she's not TSTL. She takes what is handed to her and uses it to continue to fight for her life, refusing to give up. I also really enjoyed following all of the other girls, especially Kite. They were all such complex characters, and it was nice to see girls who weren't perfectly poised and who had done unspeakable things in order to survive [or maybe just because they wanted to]. They were interesting and Peckham did an awesome job making us sympathize with people who were considered "murderers" and general outcasts of society.
And then there was Varick, who I probably loved the most. The vampires in this novel veer more toward the traditional, blood-sucking hunters, and he was no exception. He is the epitome of a tortured soul--forced into servitude by the Hunters who use his thirst to control him while hating himself for his weakness and inability to change his circumstances. He struggles with this even more as Selena forces him (and vice versa) to really see how the girls and Vs are both just pawns for the Hunters, used merely for entertainment and blood-sport. Morality also plays a huge part in this novel as we get to see "good" people behaving horrifically and "bad" people behaving decently, while some had no control in the matter as they are being ruled by more baser instincts. There was also some political battles going on in the background that I expect to play a much bigger role in the subsequent books.
Overall, this novel was an amazing and intriguing first book, and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series! Definitely recommend starting this one :)
My Varick, the tortured and thirsty but still good vampire..
Varick and Selena, during their midnight rendezvous outside (just add snow)....
**eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
Side note: It took me SO LONG to find the right actor/picture to represent Varick, but I could have saved LOADS of unnecessary searching if I'd have just checked Caroline's Pinterest board earlier.. Also, I believe this is the first time I've used a GIF, but it's just too perfect not to include here :)
I hate comparing new books to well-known and mainstream novel-turned-movies because the comparisons tend to carry so much weight. People--readers and non-readers alike--tend to form very strict and personal opinions about them, so comparing new books to these beloved or hated works can create some undue prejudice and deter some readers from even giving a book a chance (no matter how amazing it is). That being said, I think I'm going to take a chance on this kickass book and hope it intrigues you just enough to read a snippet, wherein you will then be sucked into the story as I was...muahaha!
As other reviewers have noted, this book is a delicious and heart-pounding mixture containing 1 cup of Hunger Games, half a cup of Divergent [amount subject to change as the series progresses], and 2 tablespoons of Twilight [these vampires don't sparkle].
However even though I'm comparing V-Games to these other rock-solid books, it still managed to stand its ground and carve out its own space as a paranormal/horror/suspense/survivalist/slightly romantical novel filled with memorable characters and nonstop, anxiety-inducing action and suspense. Selena was SUCH a breath of fresh air of a heroine. She's not perfect, she's not quiet, she's not completely innocent. And best of all, she's not TSTL. She takes what is handed to her and uses it to continue to fight for her life, refusing to give up. I also really enjoyed following all of the other girls, especially Kite. They were all such complex characters, and it was nice to see girls who weren't perfectly poised and who had done unspeakable things in order to survive [or maybe just because they wanted to]. They were interesting and Peckham did an awesome job making us sympathize with people who were considered "murderers" and general outcasts of society.
And then there was Varick, who I probably loved the most. The vampires in this novel veer more toward the traditional, blood-sucking hunters, and he was no exception. He is the epitome of a tortured soul--forced into servitude by the Hunters who use his thirst to control him while hating himself for his weakness and inability to change his circumstances. He struggles with this even more as Selena forces him (and vice versa) to really see how the girls and Vs are both just pawns for the Hunters, used merely for entertainment and blood-sport. Morality also plays a huge part in this novel as we get to see "good" people behaving horrifically and "bad" people behaving decently, while some had no control in the matter as they are being ruled by more baser instincts. There was also some political battles going on in the background that I expect to play a much bigger role in the subsequent books.
Overall, this novel was an amazing and intriguing first book, and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series! Definitely recommend starting this one :)
My Varick, the tortured and thirsty but still good vampire..
Varick and Selena, during their midnight rendezvous outside (just add snow)....
**eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
Side note: It took me SO LONG to find the right actor/picture to represent Varick, but I could have saved LOADS of unnecessary searching if I'd have just checked Caroline's Pinterest board earlier.. Also, I believe this is the first time I've used a GIF, but it's just too perfect not to include here :)
December 15, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 Stars!
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
I loved the beautiful cover of this book it’s obviously the first thing that grabbed my interest. I picked this up for fun and I couldn’t resist myself after reading its interesting premise. The V games was such an entertaining read. It’s like Hunger Games meets the Vampires. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I’m so glad it wasn’t another cheesy YA vampire romance novel. This book was totally an entertaining read filled with kickass action, engaging plot, and a slice of romance. I really liked the concept of the book even though it was a bit bloody. There are some flaws in the book, but despite that, it still was an enjoyable read.
The story follows Eighteen Year Old Selena Grey who was sentenced for 25 years in jail for killing her abusive step father. She didn’t know how she could survive alone in a jail but soon she makes a new friend named Cassandra aka Cass who is also her cellmate. One night, all the prisoners are woken up for a sudden inspection which Selena found a bit strange. After everyone was gathered, She’s surprised to find that their inspector is quite young and handsome but Selena’s instincts told her that he’s very dangerous. Next time, she wakes up to find herself in a ship with the same guy who calls himself Varick. Selena soon comes to learn that she’s been kidnapped along with another 6 young girl prisoners who are from the same jail. They’re all taken to an isolated island with high security. Selena confused about why they’ve been kidnapped but later she’s horrified to learn that they’re contestants in a blood sport held by a powerful family in which they’re hunted by hungry blood thirsty vampires. To win the game they need to survive the island for one week but it’s not an easy task if the island is surrounded by hungry vampires. With no choice left, every contestant should learn to fight the V’s or else get killed by them. The last one to the grave wins the grand prize which is their freedom.
Selena was a pretty likable character! She’s strong, brave, and very compassionate. Even though some of the other contestants were a total bitch to her, she never held a grudge against them. She helped the other girls whenever they’re in danger. Since young, she led a tough life especially with her step father being abusive and when he finally crossed the limit, she did a great thing by putting a stop to it. I also enjoyed her character development. With each checkpoint, Selena begins to grow more strong and more badass against vampires. Varick is a mysterious and very intriguing character. He’s a powerful vampire and also a reluctant slave to the powerful Van Helsing’s family. I really liked his character. I actually thought he was a bad guy but soon we get to see the good side of him. He loathes the Van Helsing’s family and their ruthless tradition where innocent girls gets killed for their entertainment. I enjoyed the light romance between Varick and Selena. The first time Varick meets Selena he gets totally captivated by her scent and his strange attraction to her makes him feel confused because he’s a vampire and the only thing that he should care about is the blood flowing in her veins but something about her awakens feelings inside him that he thought he has lost forever. I know it does sound a bit cliched and insta-lovish but trust me, it’s really not that bad. Both of them don’t get along well from the start. So it’s kinda like hate to love relationship. The secondary characters that I liked are Cass and Kite. Cass was a sassy and fun character. I really enjoyed the friendship between her and Selena. Kite is a queen bee bully from Selena’s jail and I really didn’t expect to like her.
The plot was engaging, action-packed, and totally entertaining! I was hooked to the story right from the very first page. The writing style of the author was pretty good and I’m so glad that this book was written in dual POV because it brought more insight to the story. The plot moved in a fast pace filled with action, thrill and light romance. I really liked the unique take on vampire novels. We know that the Van Helsing’s are the famous Vampire Hunters, the good guys who hunts vampires to save humans but in this book, they’re actually the villains who’re uber rich and they’ve got nothing to do but organizing blood sport games for their entertainment. I enjoyed the V-games concept where every girl needs to reach the checkpoints in order to get to the next level and also not to forget the ticking time bomb that is placed on the back of their heads. Before entering the game, all the girls are dolled up in beautiful gowns. With limited food supplies and a wooden stake as their only weapon, they fight for their lives against the vampires and being weak will get you killed. I loved the world building! The island is a perfect setting for the V-games.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed reading this book! It might not be a total perfection but it’s still a good read and I’ll definitely be checking out the next one.
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
I loved the beautiful cover of this book it’s obviously the first thing that grabbed my interest. I picked this up for fun and I couldn’t resist myself after reading its interesting premise. The V games was such an entertaining read. It’s like Hunger Games meets the Vampires. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I’m so glad it wasn’t another cheesy YA vampire romance novel. This book was totally an entertaining read filled with kickass action, engaging plot, and a slice of romance. I really liked the concept of the book even though it was a bit bloody. There are some flaws in the book, but despite that, it still was an enjoyable read.
The story follows Eighteen Year Old Selena Grey who was sentenced for 25 years in jail for killing her abusive step father. She didn’t know how she could survive alone in a jail but soon she makes a new friend named Cassandra aka Cass who is also her cellmate. One night, all the prisoners are woken up for a sudden inspection which Selena found a bit strange. After everyone was gathered, She’s surprised to find that their inspector is quite young and handsome but Selena’s instincts told her that he’s very dangerous. Next time, she wakes up to find herself in a ship with the same guy who calls himself Varick. Selena soon comes to learn that she’s been kidnapped along with another 6 young girl prisoners who are from the same jail. They’re all taken to an isolated island with high security. Selena confused about why they’ve been kidnapped but later she’s horrified to learn that they’re contestants in a blood sport held by a powerful family in which they’re hunted by hungry blood thirsty vampires. To win the game they need to survive the island for one week but it’s not an easy task if the island is surrounded by hungry vampires. With no choice left, every contestant should learn to fight the V’s or else get killed by them. The last one to the grave wins the grand prize which is their freedom.
Selena was a pretty likable character! She’s strong, brave, and very compassionate. Even though some of the other contestants were a total bitch to her, she never held a grudge against them. She helped the other girls whenever they’re in danger. Since young, she led a tough life especially with her step father being abusive and when he finally crossed the limit, she did a great thing by putting a stop to it. I also enjoyed her character development. With each checkpoint, Selena begins to grow more strong and more badass against vampires. Varick is a mysterious and very intriguing character. He’s a powerful vampire and also a reluctant slave to the powerful Van Helsing’s family. I really liked his character. I actually thought he was a bad guy but soon we get to see the good side of him. He loathes the Van Helsing’s family and their ruthless tradition where innocent girls gets killed for their entertainment. I enjoyed the light romance between Varick and Selena. The first time Varick meets Selena he gets totally captivated by her scent and his strange attraction to her makes him feel confused because he’s a vampire and the only thing that he should care about is the blood flowing in her veins but something about her awakens feelings inside him that he thought he has lost forever. I know it does sound a bit cliched and insta-lovish but trust me, it’s really not that bad. Both of them don’t get along well from the start. So it’s kinda like hate to love relationship. The secondary characters that I liked are Cass and Kite. Cass was a sassy and fun character. I really enjoyed the friendship between her and Selena. Kite is a queen bee bully from Selena’s jail and I really didn’t expect to like her.
The plot was engaging, action-packed, and totally entertaining! I was hooked to the story right from the very first page. The writing style of the author was pretty good and I’m so glad that this book was written in dual POV because it brought more insight to the story. The plot moved in a fast pace filled with action, thrill and light romance. I really liked the unique take on vampire novels. We know that the Van Helsing’s are the famous Vampire Hunters, the good guys who hunts vampires to save humans but in this book, they’re actually the villains who’re uber rich and they’ve got nothing to do but organizing blood sport games for their entertainment. I enjoyed the V-games concept where every girl needs to reach the checkpoints in order to get to the next level and also not to forget the ticking time bomb that is placed on the back of their heads. Before entering the game, all the girls are dolled up in beautiful gowns. With limited food supplies and a wooden stake as their only weapon, they fight for their lives against the vampires and being weak will get you killed. I loved the world building! The island is a perfect setting for the V-games.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed reading this book! It might not be a total perfection but it’s still a good read and I’ll definitely be checking out the next one.
August 21, 2019
This book is very fantastic.
October 8, 2017
Whew. I feel like I need to watch hours of Disney and give my dogs a cuddle to come down from this. I have not been this affected by a book in years. I was so stressed out/on the edge of my seat the entire time. This was one of those books where you didn't know if anyone would survive, trilogy or not. At one point I stayed up past midnight reading it and then had to go outside to unplug Halloween lights. I. Was. Terrified. Logically I knew emaciated vampires weren't out on my front porch, waiting to pounce. But tell that to my fight or flight drive. I managed to get the lights shut off and make it back in the house when one of my lovely neighbors guided their drone to hover outside my kitchen window. Again, logically I knew it was an awful neighbor peeping Tom, but as I pressed against the wall and sunk to the floor in an attempt to hide, all I could think about was the horrible men in this book watching the girls on camera as they got ripped apart by vampires. This book seriously messed with my head. And I could not put it down.
Selena was AMAZING. I loved the bond she had with Cass, and how she was always trying to help others. But this was all about survival, and horrible things happen in those situations. Varick definitely grew on me as the book progressed. I ship it. So much was revealed at the end that was so huge... I really need the next book ASAP. I am so ready for Selena to go full Kill Bill.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.***
Selena was AMAZING. I loved the bond she had with Cass, and how she was always trying to help others. But this was all about survival, and horrible things happen in those situations. Varick definitely grew on me as the book progressed. I ship it. So much was revealed at the end that was so huge... I really need the next book ASAP. I am so ready for Selena to go full Kill Bill.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.***
October 4, 2018
Coming soon...the V Games Trilogy.
The Hunger Games meets True Blood.
Subscribe to the ARC team now - ARCs available soon!
http://eepurl.com/cZkI9b
The Hunger Games meets True Blood.
Subscribe to the ARC team now - ARCs available soon!
http://eepurl.com/cZkI9b
December 14, 2021
Welcome to the vampire edition of The Hunger Games: V Games.
In it, you will meet Selena Grey. She was sentence to 25 years in prison due to killing her stepfather. Honestly, the world is much better place without the abusive piece of shit. Just when she's about to get cozy in this new life, she's kidnapped. Luckily, she's not alone because 24 lucky winners are with her as well.
May the odds be ever in their favor.
Welcome to the island of hell. Where you have options on how you may or may not die or get injured. If you are lucky, it will be a quick death. If you aren't, then you better start planning your escape now. Selena goes through so much during these little trials but she's not alone. She makes friends with some of the other girls, but she also has Varick.
Now he's the dark and mysterious guy that helped kidnap her. He's a moderator of the games but he's also intrigued in Selena. A little too much because people catch on pretty quickly. The romance was okay, but I wasn't completely focused on it. I was mostly here to see who was going to survive.
Spoiler alert: A lot died and I'm still not okay over certain deaths.
In the end, I need so much freaking revenge in the sequel.
In it, you will meet Selena Grey. She was sentence to 25 years in prison due to killing her stepfather. Honestly, the world is much better place without the abusive piece of shit. Just when she's about to get cozy in this new life, she's kidnapped. Luckily, she's not alone because 24 lucky winners are with her as well.
May the odds be ever in their favor.
Welcome to the island of hell. Where you have options on how you may or may not die or get injured. If you are lucky, it will be a quick death. If you aren't, then you better start planning your escape now. Selena goes through so much during these little trials but she's not alone. She makes friends with some of the other girls, but she also has Varick.
Now he's the dark and mysterious guy that helped kidnap her. He's a moderator of the games but he's also intrigued in Selena. A little too much because people catch on pretty quickly. The romance was okay, but I wasn't completely focused on it. I was mostly here to see who was going to survive.
Spoiler alert: A lot died and I'm still not okay over certain deaths.
In the end, I need so much freaking revenge in the sequel.
October 25, 2018
Selena Grey is selected/kidnapped from prison to participate in the V games, run by the Helsing family. The Helsings are an ancient family of vampire hunters. In the past, they killed off most of the vampires, leaving a few alive to create these games. In the games, Selena and her fellow prisoners are forced to try to survive trials usually involving traversing parts of the island while avoiding or killing the vampires that are hunting them. Rich people (guests of the Helsings) bet on who will survive and win.
Average first book in a series - I liked some of the character development. Selena is haunted by her past, but it makes her strong enough to succeed in the games. She forms a friendship with Varick, a "pet"/slave vampire of the Helsings. Varick's character development was still being fleshed out, but I like what we've gotten so far. The friendship between Varick and Selena still needs some work - too much explanation was left up to fate. As for the plot, it is confusing. We get a general idea that the Helsings are just bad people exploiting both the girls in the games and the vampires, but we still don't understand why they are so nasty or why they have so much power in the world. I think more will likely come out in the second book and the premise here is good enough that I'm interested in continuing the series.
Average first book in a series - I liked some of the character development. Selena is haunted by her past, but it makes her strong enough to succeed in the games. She forms a friendship with Varick, a "pet"/slave vampire of the Helsings. Varick's character development was still being fleshed out, but I like what we've gotten so far. The friendship between Varick and Selena still needs some work - too much explanation was left up to fate. As for the plot, it is confusing. We get a general idea that the Helsings are just bad people exploiting both the girls in the games and the vampires, but we still don't understand why they are so nasty or why they have so much power in the world. I think more will likely come out in the second book and the premise here is good enough that I'm interested in continuing the series.
Want to read
December 12, 2017
Free on Amazon!
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B074WCV55...
November 29, 2021
When I started this book, I expected a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy novel and that is exactly what I got. The action is nearly none stop, our main character, Selena, has to face one obstacle after another and tries to get through alive. The whole concept of this worldbuilding was fascinating and I loved getting to know it
I liked the characters. Selena and Varick were interesting leads, and I enjoyed their backstory as much as the current events. The side characters were also fun to read, I liked Cass and I think Kite was one of my favorite characters to read about, I can’t say why exactly but I thought she was very intriguing.
My only complaint has to be the romance, there wasn’t that much to begin with, which is a plus in my book but even the little there was I didn’t fully understand. I didn’t feel much of a connection between Selena and Varick and a lot of it felt like insta-love for various reasons. Maybe this will be more flashed out in the next books, I’m looking forward to it.
I liked the characters. Selena and Varick were interesting leads, and I enjoyed their backstory as much as the current events. The side characters were also fun to read, I liked Cass and I think Kite was one of my favorite characters to read about, I can’t say why exactly but I thought she was very intriguing.
My only complaint has to be the romance, there wasn’t that much to begin with, which is a plus in my book but even the little there was I didn’t fully understand. I didn’t feel much of a connection between Selena and Varick and a lot of it felt like insta-love for various reasons. Maybe this will be more flashed out in the next books, I’m looking forward to it.
May 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this story! At first it seemed like it was going to sort of be like twilight, then I thought it was going to a be a hunger games... and though some ideas where similar. It truly was its own story! The way the relationship progressed between Varick & Selena was perfect to me. Selena was the idealistic heroine in my eyes.
December 12, 2017
I keep finding series that aren't complete! I know I keep saying that but I couldn't pass this one up. Love the cover! The story inside matches! I'm only 25% through with book two so will update this once finished.
I've got this marked as YA because of the whole one kiss that happened but I have no clue what future books may hold. Although we get dual POV (and occasionally other characters POV) I wished the MCs had spent more actual time together. Book 2 at 25% they still haven't been in a scene together (no spoilers) Drives me nuts but still so far NEED to keep reading.
Full RTC once series is finished.
I've got this marked as YA because of the whole one kiss that happened but I have no clue what future books may hold. Although we get dual POV (and occasionally other characters POV) I wished the MCs had spent more actual time together. Book 2 at 25% they still haven't been in a scene together (no spoilers) Drives me nuts but still so far NEED to keep reading.
Full RTC once series is finished.
April 2, 2020
3 I’m not sure this writing style is for me Stars
I’m not sure if the entire series is YA, but the first book is definitely YA, there’s nothing wrong with that, so if you are looking for a book for a tween, they can read this one. Other than the gore, it’s pretty tame.
Like what most reviews state, it’s a Hunger Games feel type of book with Vampires, so I was of course interested in the book.
When I started the book I realized this book is HIGHLY descriptive. I mean, my kindle told me it would take over 6 hours to read the book. That is a clear sign of what kind of writing style the author writes.
Honestly 30% of the book could have been edited out. There was WAY too much detail in some scenes and not enough character development in other scenes.
The author puts a lot of emphasis in the game itself, which is fine, but the game is played with 20 other girls. The hero isn’t really in the game, so you get a glimpse of interaction between the Heroine and Hero sprinkled here and there, which is okay, BUT it makes the chemistry or lack of chemistry between the Heroine and Hero non existent.
Selena and Varick’s friendship / “relationship” was mega forced and hard to believe. I was more interested in Selena’s relationship between her and the other girls to be honest.
Another thing about the book I didn’t like was the Debbie downer aspect. The villains seem to always have the upper hand it was very frustrating. Selena is pitted against 50 vampires and Varick can’t step out of line or he dies. I felt like where was the relief? It was too much tension for my taste.
With all that is said and done, I don’t think I will continue with the series. I’m not invested into the characters enough, the books are way too long and the writing is too descriptive. I wouldn’t be opposed to look at different series from the author, but not this one.
I’m not sure if the entire series is YA, but the first book is definitely YA, there’s nothing wrong with that, so if you are looking for a book for a tween, they can read this one. Other than the gore, it’s pretty tame.
Like what most reviews state, it’s a Hunger Games feel type of book with Vampires, so I was of course interested in the book.
When I started the book I realized this book is HIGHLY descriptive. I mean, my kindle told me it would take over 6 hours to read the book. That is a clear sign of what kind of writing style the author writes.
Honestly 30% of the book could have been edited out. There was WAY too much detail in some scenes and not enough character development in other scenes.
The author puts a lot of emphasis in the game itself, which is fine, but the game is played with 20 other girls. The hero isn’t really in the game, so you get a glimpse of interaction between the Heroine and Hero sprinkled here and there, which is okay, BUT it makes the chemistry or lack of chemistry between the Heroine and Hero non existent.
Selena and Varick’s friendship / “relationship” was mega forced and hard to believe. I was more interested in Selena’s relationship between her and the other girls to be honest.
Another thing about the book I didn’t like was the Debbie downer aspect. The villains seem to always have the upper hand it was very frustrating. Selena is pitted against 50 vampires and Varick can’t step out of line or he dies. I felt like where was the relief? It was too much tension for my taste.
With all that is said and done, I don’t think I will continue with the series. I’m not invested into the characters enough, the books are way too long and the writing is too descriptive. I wouldn’t be opposed to look at different series from the author, but not this one.
October 19, 2017
Disclosure: I was given this book for an honest review
Having said that when I agreed to this I wasn't sure what I would find. Most of the time new authors drive me insane. The last time I tried a new book by an author I hadn't heard of I had to put the book down. I just couldn't finish it. However there was no such issue with this book. This is a love story, a vampire story, a werewolf story, a pirate story all rolled into one. With nonstop action this book will keep you riveted to edge of your seat from the beginning until the end. Once you finish you will be left wanting more. To me the worst part of this book is that I have to wait for Caroline to write the next one.
There are no clear cut good and evil people in this story, only varying shades of grey. I liked that about this book because you don't have the syrupy sweet good "guy/gal" vs the granite bad guy/gal. It was a breath of fresh air knowing that their was a possibility of not having the "Hollywood" ending. You become invested with several characters wanting them to do well and others you will root for them to die a slow and painful death. And yet for others you will think that death is too easy a way out. The characters have depth and actually grow throughout the book.
If you can get this book for less than $9.99 usd then you have gotten yourself an excellent deal. If you get it for less than $4.99 you have gotten a steal. At any price this book is well worth the money and the time you take to read it.
Having said that when I agreed to this I wasn't sure what I would find. Most of the time new authors drive me insane. The last time I tried a new book by an author I hadn't heard of I had to put the book down. I just couldn't finish it. However there was no such issue with this book. This is a love story, a vampire story, a werewolf story, a pirate story all rolled into one. With nonstop action this book will keep you riveted to edge of your seat from the beginning until the end. Once you finish you will be left wanting more. To me the worst part of this book is that I have to wait for Caroline to write the next one.
There are no clear cut good and evil people in this story, only varying shades of grey. I liked that about this book because you don't have the syrupy sweet good "guy/gal" vs the granite bad guy/gal. It was a breath of fresh air knowing that their was a possibility of not having the "Hollywood" ending. You become invested with several characters wanting them to do well and others you will root for them to die a slow and painful death. And yet for others you will think that death is too easy a way out. The characters have depth and actually grow throughout the book.
If you can get this book for less than $9.99 usd then you have gotten yourself an excellent deal. If you get it for less than $4.99 you have gotten a steal. At any price this book is well worth the money and the time you take to read it.
January 1, 2020
this definitely had the potential to be a solid 4 star rating, but i found the story to be too simplistic and uninspired. this felt like every other hunger games/the testing knock off, just with vampires. i was in the mood for vampires and i really enjoyed that aspect of it (varick is such an intriguing character), so theres that. there were also little carrots of mystery dangled here and there that held my interest, so we will see if i continue the series.
↠ 3.5 stars
↠ 3.5 stars
May 5, 2020
Intriguing
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