Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories

Book Info

Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: December 3rd 2013 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books (first published August 24th 2010)
ISBN 1476712883 (ISBN13: 9781476712888)
original title Geim (Game)
series HP Pettersson #1
Source:Netgalley EARC


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BOOK SYNOPSIS

The first novel in a groundbreaking international thriller trilogy about a deadly game that blurs the line between reality and fiction. After a long night of partying, Henrik “HP” Pettersson, a slacker with a big ego and no impulse control, heads home on the train. Finding a mobile phone from an unknown company, HP begins receiving messages—addressed to him—inviting him to play a game by a secret and insistent master. HP doesn’t hesitate and agrees to play.


HP is the perfect contender: he is alienated from society, devoid of morals, and wants to be a star. The assignments, ranging from childish pranks to criminal acts, are all filmed and uploaded onto a protected server where viewers rate the players’ performances. Everything is coordinated by a mysterious Game Master, unknown to the players or the viewers. But before long, the game spills out into the real world and threatens innocent people.


HP’s sister, Rebecca, is a bodyguard with the Swedish Security Police. The opposite of her brother, she is haunted by traumatic memories and dark secrets from her past. As the game continues, Rebecca begins to realize that her past may not be so secret after all. HP’s assignments become increasingly risky, and he pushes beyond acceptable limits, determined to become a superstar. In the hunt for bigger risks, HP loses touch with reality and puts his own sister in danger. Will HP’s loyalty to the game win out over his love for his family? Or will he come back to reality and save his sister?


With an intriguing blend of break-neck suspense, humor, and informed commentary on social media, Game takes international crime fiction to the next level.

My Thoughts

Although I cannot say that ever really warmed up to HP’s character have to admit reading Game, the first book in the trilogy, was as addictive to me as playing became to HP once he allowed himself to become immersed in the action.

Touted as a thriller this book truly is full of the kind of shenanigan’s that make one of my favorite movies The Game, starring Michael Douglas, seem like a series of childish pranks in comparison. The author portrays HP’s character to be knowledgeable about action thriller movies and even mentions two that have common elements in them that coincide with the type of events that take place in Game. Conspiracy Theory starring actor Mel Gibson and Enemy of The State starring Gene Hackman and Will Smith both brilliantly illustrate onscreen what the author brings alive in the pages of his book. The intense drama, the suspense, the intrigue, the interwoven past and present that shape the actions taken by both HP and his sister Rebecca all come together to create a very well paced/plotted and chilling look at what could really be happening in our world without our knowledge every day!

The secondary characters are as endearing as they are eccentric as they add their talents towards helping HP who is soon quickly over his head as he begins to understand exactly what it is is that he has become involved with. Rebecca almost becoming a casualty as a result of his absurd devotion to mischief and mayhem is the wake up call that shows HP the error of his ways. What follows at that point is nothing short of being worthy of being called a miracle as HP finds himself at a crossroads where his decision in how to participate in the game can lead to riches beyond belief or the end of everything. What choice do you think his final play will be? Read the book and like myself be amazed if not totally surprised at the ironic twist at the end!


This proved to be something more than what expected when came across it on Netgalley and proved upon reading in full that as the beginnings to a series or trilogy it started off as well as ended on a promising note so looking forward to going on the next phase of the journey in book 2 Buzz.

Reading order of the Trilogy: Game, Buzz and Bubble.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]