Play the Game

by Charlene Allen

From debut author Charlene Allen comes a captivating YA contemporary mystery and coming-of-age story, celebrating the power of friendship, first love, and exploring the criminal justice system from the lens of restorative justice. Perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, and Maureen Johnson.

In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since his best friend Ed was killed by a white man in a Brooklyn parking lot.

When Singer, the man who killed Ed, is found dead in the same spot where Ed was murdered, all signs point to Jack, VZ’s other best friend, as the prime suspect.

VZ’s determined to complete the video game Ed never finished and figure out who actually killed Singer. With help from Diamond, the girl he’s crushing on at work, VZ falls into Ed’s quirky gameiverse. As the police close in on Jack, the game starts to uncover details that could lead to the truth about the murder.

Can VZ honor Ed and help Jack before it’s too late?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Audiobook, Social Justice, Thriller, Realistic Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2023

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting one! I only knew about it after selecting a copy for my library's collection, but I was surprised at how quickly I read this one and connected to the story. This is definitely for fans of restorative justice.

Play the Game follows VZ who is coping with the loss of his best friend Ed who was killed by a White cop. At the beginning of the novel, readers quickly learn that the White cop was found dead and VZ's other best friend, Jack, is the prime suspect. VZ must work through an unfinished video game that Ed created to discuss who really is responsible for the murder.

What Worked: I LOVE THAT THIS BOOK FOCUSED ON RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. Too many times do I see people, especially those in the Black community, get caught up in a system that punishes them after they've served time. There was also this complexity in the character development that manifested through VZ. He wasn't perfect and I loved that in some ways, VZ, maintained a thought process that was similar to the system that he was attempting to push back against. This was especially true in how he handled Jack's supposed innoncence throughout the course of the novel. Allen also writes the story in a way that's not only fast paced, but engaging that prevented me from identifying the killer in the story. Anyone who knows me knows that when it comes to mysteries and thrillers, I do not do well when the killer is easily identified so the reveal in this particular novel was a treat.


What Didn't Work: I'm not a big gamer. I used to be when I was little, but since then I haven't had the time or energy to play video games. This book contains a lot of discussion related to that game because of it's connection to Ed, but I struggled with the gaming elements. This definitely isn't any fault of Allen, but it is something that made me connect with the book less. I didn't penalize or detract any stars from my rating for this because it's clearly my fault for not reading a synopsis of the book before diving into ti.

[Darin Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing novel which opens with a murder mystery premise and ends in a rather unconventional way, bending expectations within the genre and raising important questions about race, justice, and coping with loss.

Allen's writing style here is smooth and engaging, with no noticeable awkwardness. Each sentence feels purposeful and yet natural -- whether chronicling the narrator's (VZ) internal monologue as he searches for clues on the streets of New York, or when used for building tension between VZ's friends and ever circling law enforcement, for example. The pacing of this book is overall well crafted, although at a few points the urgency of the whodunnit is muddled a bit due to subplots.

The characters, notably VZ's friends Chela and Ed, are compelling by themselves> I would say that Play the Game is equally plot and character driven. There are typical YA love triangle shenanigans as well, if you enjoy it, but personally I felt the characters who were most central to the unraveling of the plot to be the most likable.

Although the book deals with mature themes, I found the characters and the writing style in general to be very relatable as a young person 🧑‍🦲🧑‍🦲 Would absolutely recommend for both YA and adult audiences!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! As a restorative justice program director at a community nonprofit, people occasionally ask me if I have any restorative justice-themed book recommendations that would be engaging for young adults--and I'm thrilled to finally be able to say yes.

Play the Game weaves the vision and reality of restorative practices into the lives of young people who are living with the pain and complexities of personal loss, racism, the criminal legal system, and love. Through a story that can be both gripping and amusing, we connect with characters who are recognizable in their oh-so-human responses to tough situations, and bear witness to the possibilities of reckoning with harm in a way that holds people close.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were three best friends - but Ed was shot in the parking lot of the restaurant where he and VZ worked, and Jack is a suspect in the murder of Singer, the man who killed Ed. VZ knows the biases police have, but can playing the game Ed created for a contest help VZ think creatively enough to put together the clues and discover who really caused Singer’s death? Plenty to like for gamers, and mystery fans, plus an intriguing look at restorative justice. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Jaime | Bound by the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠
Bound by the Book

Let's Be Friends on IG

“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐮𝐩? 𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐩, 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 [𝐡𝐞] 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥.”

𝙩𝙬: drug use (marijuana), murder, prejudice & racism

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞
A fast-paced exploration of restorative justice and its role in a teenager’s persistence on solving the murder of his best friend's killer while completing the coding of that friend’s unfinished video game. Unexpectedly, the video game offers insight that may lead to what happened that night.

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
★★★★★  
Play the Game was a novel that I was absolutely immersed in from beginning to end. Following VZ as he continued to grieve the loss of his best friend was heart wrenching. Through his grief, he navigated his day-to-day life while trying to solve the murder of his best friend’s killer on his own because how could he rely on the systems in place when the killer was white and everything appears to point to VZ’s other best friend, Jack? The complexity of VZ’s character and his persistence despite all really stuck (and still sticks) with me.

The inclusion of Ed’s video game and its role in VZ’s actions was one of my favorite aspects of this novel. It felt like Ed was speaking to VZ through his video game in order to help him solve the murder and became another way for Ed’s memory to live on. The video game itself was also interesting because of Ed’s interests and how that played into its creation.

My favorite aspect of this book was the inclusion of restorative justice and its impact on the characters.

Charlene Allen’s debut is a must read for young adults and those that work with them in any capacity.

[Eva Apelqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will go places! The writing is fresh, even humorous, and the characters distinct and memorable. The gaming component is brilliantly woven into the story. Play the Game rolls across the pages like a movie you can't stop watching. And a backdrop of racism and a severely broken criminal justice system gives it substance and depth and makes it an important book, in addition to a good read.

[Pine Reads Review]

“Because it’s time Jack and I got out of the mess we’re in. And this time, I’m taking the lead. Plus, on top of it all, I’m finishing Ed’s game for him.”

VZ’s best friend Ed was killed months ago by a man named Singer. Singer seemingly walked free, but now Singer’s been found dead right where Ed was shot. When police investigate, all clues point to VZ’s friend Jack as Singer’s killer. With his confidence in Jack wavering, VZ sets out to clear Jack’s name. VZ is also splitting his investigation time with completing a custom video game Ed started before being murdered. If VZ can finish Ed’s game, then it can be submitted in a coveted video game contest. VZ is set against formidable foes – corrupt justice systems and unfinished virtual monsters – but he’s determined to overcome both for Ed.

The best part of Charlene Allen’s debut is the theme of restorative justice, which is rarely seen in YA literature. On Allen’s website, restorative justice is explained as “a set of principles that people and communities can use to address conflict and harm” rooted in “leading people to accountability and healing, rather than punishment.” Restorative justice is incorporated into VZ’s story with nuance and care, juxtaposing empathy with the racial biases and harm of the current justice system. This ultimately created a satisfying ending to the story; we see a path to real change in the lives of VZ, VZ’s friends, and Singer’s family.

Now, with that said… I also think that Play the Game had a few too many things going on. The two main conflicts of the book are Singer’s murder and VZ trying to finish Ed’s video game. Because we split time between the two, the jumps between investigating and coding felt choppy. The last major moment with the video game at the contest even feels glossed over compared to the Singer plotline. There’s also smaller plotlines that felt like they took away from the characters. For example, VZ blows off school and his parents multiple times with no real resolution. I suppose these actions point to VZ dealing with grief in his own way, but these felt more like distractions than additions to the story.

Play the Game may not be a book I choose to read again, but I appreciate the detailed attention to the theme of restorative justice. Books with this theme are so important to have on shelves today. I am hopeful for Allen’s next project, one I am sure will be equally compelling and relevant.


(Pine Reads Review would like to thank the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Play the Game is a very well written YA mystery by Charlene Allen. Due out 31st Jan 2023 from HarperCollins on their Katherine Tegen imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a powerhouse of a YA coming of age novel. The writing is unvarnished and often emotionally raw. One of a trio of teenaged friends in NYC has been murdered in a racist attack. When the murderer is found dead in the same spot, evidence points at Jack, one of the two left behind. VZ, the third friend, has more than enough to deal with at the moment, still reeling and trying to process the loss of Ed, his best friend. He's also trying to navigate a crush at his job, keep his grades up, find his way with his family problems, as well as a last tribute to his friend, to finish writing the game Ed left behind and enter it into a game programming contest.

Much of the plot is given over to the process of restorative justice. It's a fascinating process and the author expends quite a lot of effort to make it relatable and understandable to the reading audience. The language is R-rated, and there is some frank discussion of gender identity and nonconformity, as well as light sexual content (nothing explicit).

This is an important book, very well written and relevant. It would be a good choice for public and school library acquisition (with codicils for rough language), as well as for book club or classroom discussion.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Cameron Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible debut! I can’t say more how much I loved this book, the way that it weaves in the most beautiful and painful life experiences, the racism of the criminal legal system, the suffering of loss and grief, the power of friendship and belonging and so much more. The book also offers a look at the possibilities of restorative justice in addressing harm, violence, and racism. This is an excellent book for the YA crowd but also for anyone interested in the lives of young people, restorative justice and the stories that help us get in better relationship with each other.

[lapetitepritt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am going to start a petition to ban marketing from making comparisons with other books, because I am tired of being tricked into reading something that it’s not what its description says. Had I started this book not having read “Perfect for fans of Maureen Johnson”, I think I would have given it a bit of a higher rating, because I would have not been expecting a true murder mystery. I mean, Maureen Johnson writes traditional mysteries, not contemporary book featuring a murder and a vague mystery about who committed it.

The main issue for me was exactly that there was not enough mystery and not enough investigation. It was much more a coming of age story about racism, friendships and dealing with grief than anything else. Which would have been fine, if it were what I was looking for or even just expecting. Unfortunately, marketing has ruined this for me…

In general, I found the writing to be a bit too amateurish for my taste, making it really hard for me to like the characters. They had a lot of potential, especially the secondary ones, but the writing style was really too surface level, in my opinion, and the potential has been lost.

Moreover, the plot was not engaging, because the author did try to put a mystery and some romance into what could have been a great contemporary novel about friendship, grief and racism; I firmly believe that not all stories have to have a romance subplot to work, and this is a clear example of the fact. The couple had no chemistry and the love triangle was only useful because I can use this book for the Popsugar Challenge prompt featuring one.

The mystery was extremely basic, and there was not a real investigation to speak of. The main character played his dead friend’s videogame, and while he played it he made absurd connections between what was happening in game and what was happening in real life (sometimes while high). I wish I was kidding, but I swear that’s true. Read to believe.

I have given this book 2 stars and not just 1, because as I said, this would have been a great hard-hitting coming of age novel: the discourse about dealing with grief, especially when racism is concerned, was interesting and I liked how the author showed different ways people can react to the same event, both the younger ones and the adults (or adult, here).

Overall, if you go into this knowing it’s going to be a contemporary and not a mystery, I do believe you might like it more than I did. I think especially if this is your first time approaching this kind of story, you can totally find it more original and entertaining than I did. The comparisons with Tiffany D. Jackson and Nic Stone are way more accurate than the one with Maureen Johnson, and I have no idea why they did not stick to that. I would have given this book at least a three stars rating, were it not being sold wrongly. Listen and learn, dear publishers, listen and learn, especially when you send out ARCs to early readers.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four months ago, VZ's best friend Ed was killed in a Brooklyn parking lot outside the restaurant where VZ works. The man who killed Ed wasn't brought to justice, conveniently a white man claiming self defense. But anyone who knew Ed would know he wasn't a threat and since then the community has been caught up in protest, especially VZ's other best friend Jack. When Singer, the man who killed Ed, is found dead in the same neighborhood, all signs point to Jack. VZ has been out of it, but when Jack disappears and the evidence against him continues to mount up, he decides to get back in the game. He's ready to to figure out who killed Singer and finish the video game Ed was building when he died. Determined not to lose another friend and honor the one that died, VZ will have to fight for truth and justice in a system that wasn't built for him to succeed.

There are some really compelling elements to this novel when it comes to looking at friendship, first love, family, and criminal justice through the eyes of teens today. VZ is an interesting narrator and feels like a pretty authentic teen. I think Allen does a really compelling job of taking readers through different stages of VZ's grief following the death of Ed and how it affects his ability to relate to friends and family. There are complex relationships explored with those living and dead as VZ attempts to finish Ed's computer game. Ed's computer game sounds really cool and I love how readers get to play along and solve various riddles with VZ along the way. I liked that this book introduced and explored the idea of restorative justice. For something that would play such a pivotal role in the resolution of the book, I wish it would have been explored more thoroughly. I thought the end was a little too neatly wrapped up, but still a good read!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows VZ, who's best friend has just been murdered by a white man. In a turn of events, the murderer, is then also murdered in the same place. VZ struggles with the grief of loosing his best friend, and struggling the right-and-wrong of their emotions with the second murder. Throughout this book, he aims to uncover the real murderer, whilst also entering his best friend's game into an event competition to honour his legacy.

I really liked the complexity of this book and the different ways grief and justice were explored. So often with these types of books it's either a murder mystery novel or focuses solely on the justice process. Rarely do you get both aspects together, which I felt this one had. And it did a good job.

I loved the video game aspect of the book, and I felt that more of this would've elevated the book for me, and made it more immersive. Especially with the clues/gaming levels. I felt that if they're going to be on page for the reader to visually see, there needs to be more of an element of clues and understanding for the reader to have the chance to guess and solve the clues.

There was little change for this as by the time the clue was read, the main character had the solution. More of their train of thought would have given this book an extra dimension I wanted to be immersed and playing along with it. It would've made my reading experience more enjoyable, but also connected me to the characters a little more.

[Jacqueline Ambrosini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlene Allen’s book is a very engaging and clever coming of age story. It is also very moving. I read the book to see if it would be a good novel to give a few of my teenage nieces and nephews Not only will I be sending this novel to them but I will be keeping my own copy as I truly loved the story. It's a good read for adults too. I worked with adolescents for years and all the characters were so real especially the main character VZ. Allen captures the complexity of being a teenager and more specifically a young black man contending with loss as a result of racism and not know what to do with all the feelings connected to it.

What is special about this book is that the reader gets to experience the excitement of being young, the power of friendship and love, along side a murder mystery to be solved that is both so personal and speaks to the racial injustice of our times. It is VZ’s challenge of how to be fully alive and connected to life with the people who love him while dealing with the painful realities that confront him. This book should be read by every young American. It is a great story that will sweep you in and will give you insight into what it’s like young and Black in America. And it is also a universal story of youth that everyone can relate to.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

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This book felt like a love child of THUG and Tomorrow X3. Similar themes as those books, I just feel the narrative and story has a bit of maturing to do to match them.

The author has some very important things to say, about restorative justice, the criminal system, grief, racism etc. This was an accessible way of putting those things across for a YA audience. The gaming helped make it relatable, and was an interesting way of getting into the mystery.

I think some parts just needed a bit more room to breathe, and the characters a little more exploration to make them relatable. I found it hard to empathise with the main character as he seemed very quick to reach conclusions/opinions that to me seemed unfounded. If we were given more insight into why he thought the way he did, I think it would have been stronger.

As others have said, the love story felt a bit unnecessary. But again, I wonder if that was because we weren't given enough background or insight into characters' feelings?

I just felt I needed more, but I guess that also means I liked it enough to want to stay with the characters and story. I'd really like a prequel actually!!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex mystery involving two murders, race relations, a puzzling video game, and a plethora of complicated relationships and emotions.

Ed, Jack, and VZ were inseparable friends until Ed was shot and killed by a white man who found the black teen's appearance threatening. The man was found not guilty of murder by the courts, but now, a year later, has turned up dead himself in the same location--and the police are focusing their investigation on Jack. VZ has always run from his feelings and difficult situations, but can't escape this time. He wants to prove Jack's innocence, but Jack has disappeared and is avoiding all contact, so he must figure things out for himself. That means finally starting to deal with his grief about Ed, trying to support the friends who are helping him, and learning about the process of Restorative Justice.

If not entirely believable in all the legal details, the book certainly deals authentically with situations, issues, and emotions. It's a gripping and compelling story.

[DeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book was quite a ride and ended up being so much more than I originally thought it would be. It is an excellent debut, with amazing writing and an engaging story that tackling real world issues.

I found the characters very engaging and their stories to be very compelling, which really drove the story forward for me. The murder mystery aspect was engaging at the same time as being a very serious story components. There are a number of subplots that are sprinkled in, most were good contributions to the story but perhaps there could have been a little more focus on the main aspects of the story and less subplots.

I feel like the discussions of loss, the criminal justice system and especially racism were well handled and written and very important conversations to have. All in all I would definitely recommend this book as it's a fantastic read.

[Ellen Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book for young people who are facing the challenges of loss, grief and anger over the death of friends and loved ones in their lives. Allen's writing is fast-paced and engaging, holding the reader's attention until the satisfying conclusion. Without being pedantic or preachy, Charlene weaves in restorative practices and helps readers to discover the power of restorative justice. The novel will appeal to a wide audience, and bring insight to the struggles of young people, particularly young men, in coping with deep loss and the impact of race and racism in their lives. Should be available in school libraries everywhere.

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a mystery, the bulk of this story was given over to VZ, our main character, who is grieving his friend Ed, who was killed a few months before. When the man (Singer) who killed Ed is found dead, the police suspect VZ's friend Jack, who goes on the ruin (not a good look for someone who is claiming innocence). The story pretty much focuses on VZ playing and trying to beat the video game that Ed had created, so that he can enter it in a gaming contest. Instead of chapter after chapter of VZ playing the game, I would have preferred for more focus on the mystery of who killed Singer.

[Trinh Duong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just binge-read Play the Game. This is an easy-to-read, fast-paced story of Brooklyn teens navigating the line between living and dying and the uncertainties of love and loss on subway rides, through BQE traffic, in cluttered apartments, and on fire escapes. There are stories that are enjoyed while reading, and there are stories that stir questions that persist long after the conclusion. To me, this is the difference between entertainment and art, and Charlene Allen brilliantly achieves both with Play the Game.

[H. Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book! VZ is a loyal friend trying to avoid the hard parts of life, but he’s forced to explore them to save one friend from unjustly being arrested for murder. At the same time, he’s vying for the affections of a fellow gamer, and his hormones are flaring. It’s interesting to see inside a young man’s head. I also appreciate the introduction to the concept of restorative justice. Plus the writing flows!

[Cristi Smith-Jones]

This debut YA novel incorporates social justice, video games, and a bit of whodunit mystery.

I enjoyed the relationship dynamics between characters and the exploration of restorative justice. I'd recommend this for readers of This is My America by Kim Johnson and SLAY by Brittney Morris.

Song that came to mind reading this book:
🎵 Silly Sam - Tierra Whack

📱🎧 Read using ebook and audiobook

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real rating 3.5. It was ok, but it kind of got a little slow in the middle. And that really can't happen with a mystery about a murder. Real review to come to my Blog

[Erin C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not great. I felt like it was doing too much. I wish the author would’ve just focused on grief and restorative justice because I felt like the romance and the mystery subplot were distractions.

[Kat Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful writer. An an essential piece of work for everyone, not just young people. She offers a new pathway for society ✨

[Business Idlestuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was such a fun read!!!

[Joyreadsbuku · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars - The plot was okay. The reveal was good. How everything played out was meh. Didn't really like or was interested in the characters apart from one.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read! Fast-paced, deep and moving characters, smart and provocative language, and so much to learn.

[Julia]

I will leave this unrated as there aren't that many ratings yet.

The romance and mystery subplots were not needed and it might have been a better book, if they weren't there.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot to unpack in this, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

[Goobyloo Gobyloby the 5ths Yamma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story/plot but I did not like the writing style.