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It's Only a Game
In this twisty, fast-paced YA thriller, a dangerous game becomes all too real when Marina and her friends are framed for murder.
When Marina Chan ran from her old life, she brought nothing with her-not even her real name. Now she lives in fear of her past being discovered. But when her online gaming team is offered a tour of their favorite game company, Marina can't resist accepting, even though she knows it might put her fake identity at risk.
Then the creator of the game is murdered during their tour. Whoever killed him plans to frame Marina and her friends for the murder unless they win four rounds of a dangerous game. A game that requires them to lie, trespass, and steal. A game that could destroy everything Marina's worked so hard to build…. A game that she might not survive.
When Marina Chan ran from her old life, she brought nothing with her-not even her real name. Now she lives in fear of her past being discovered. But when her online gaming team is offered a tour of their favorite game company, Marina can't resist accepting, even though she knows it might put her fake identity at risk.
Then the creator of the game is murdered during their tour. Whoever killed him plans to frame Marina and her friends for the murder unless they win four rounds of a dangerous game. A game that requires them to lie, trespass, and steal. A game that could destroy everything Marina's worked so hard to build…. A game that she might not survive.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2024
47 people are currently reading
9421 people want to read
About the author
Kelsea Yu
14 books233 followersKelsea Yu is a Taiwanese Chinese American writer who is eternally enthusiastic about sharks and appreciates a good ghost story. Over a dozen of her short stories and essays appear in Clarkesworld, Apex, Nightmare, PseudoPod, Fantasy, and elsewhere. Her debut novella, Bound Feet, was a Shirley Jackson Award nominee, and her next novella, Demon Song, will be published by Titan Books in 2025. Kelsea’s first novel, It’s Only a Game, is published by Bloomsbury. Find her on Instagram and Twitter as @anovelescape or visit her website kelseayu.com. Kelsea lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, and a pile of art supplies.
Photograph: ©Katy Weaver Photography
Photograph: ©Katy Weaver Photography
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
February 20, 2025
Decent YA mystery with some good and some not as good.
Marina is part of a group of online gamers playing the game Darkitect. They meet in person for the first time to go on a tour of the tech game's headquarters. While they're there, someone is murdered and the teens have to play--and win--a game in order to save the lives of those they care about.
Overall, if you're a gamer you will probably enjoy this one more than I did. I didn't quite "get" the in game sequences and I kind of zoned out while those were happening. Also, the secret from Marina's past was not revealed soon enough for me to really care about her and the secrets she was holding. But to reveal it would have given everything away, so it was kind of a Catch-22.
You do have to suspend a LOT of disbelief about the coincidences, the plausibility of Marina just skipping off to live on her own at 15, and how the people who own the restaurant don't seem to have any problems with harboring a runaway.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Marina is part of a group of online gamers playing the game Darkitect. They meet in person for the first time to go on a tour of the tech game's headquarters. While they're there, someone is murdered and the teens have to play--and win--a game in order to save the lives of those they care about.
Overall, if you're a gamer you will probably enjoy this one more than I did. I didn't quite "get" the in game sequences and I kind of zoned out while those were happening. Also, the secret from Marina's past was not revealed soon enough for me to really care about her and the secrets she was holding. But to reveal it would have given everything away, so it was kind of a Catch-22.
You do have to suspend a LOT of disbelief about the coincidences, the plausibility of Marina just skipping off to live on her own at 15, and how the people who own the restaurant don't seem to have any problems with harboring a runaway.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 25, 2024
Speechless. I am just speechless. So so many twists and turns. I had no clue about most of them. I'm shocked. I had to read it all in one sitting. It's that good. I literally LOVED the friend group and Bette & Jimmy. Plus Slate 🥹🥹 I'm so glad I read this, truly suspenseful, and makes you on the edge of your seat. Also, bonus points if you're into gaming this is gaming related. Loved all of this. So many parts had me gasping, then worried, then stressed, then sad, then strong alongside the characters. Just so many emotions, I can not put them into words. Go pre-order this!!! It's definitely one of my top 3 favorite books that I've read this year.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Bloomsbury to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Bloomsbury to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
June 1, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
This debut YA thriller is about online gamers fighting for their lives in a very twisted cat-and-mouse game.
The things I liked:
✔ It was fast-paced and the chapters were relatively short.
✔The author incorporates her Chinese heritage into the plot.
✔ I liked Marina and her group of friends that played Darkitect
✔ The story got a little dark, especially with the mother and daughter relationship.
The things I didn't like:
(1) I wasn't completely sold on Marina's crush on another character.
(2) I am not an online gamer. It was hard for me to visualize what was going on during the game and I couldn't grasp some of the vocabulary.
(3) The ending felt a little lacklustre and left me with questions.
#ItsOnlyaGame #NetGalley
Expected Publication 09/07/24
Goodreads Review 01/06/24
This debut YA thriller is about online gamers fighting for their lives in a very twisted cat-and-mouse game.
The things I liked:
✔ It was fast-paced and the chapters were relatively short.
✔The author incorporates her Chinese heritage into the plot.
✔ I liked Marina and her group of friends that played Darkitect
✔ The story got a little dark, especially with the mother and daughter relationship.
The things I didn't like:
(1) I wasn't completely sold on Marina's crush on another character.
(2) I am not an online gamer. It was hard for me to visualize what was going on during the game and I couldn't grasp some of the vocabulary.
(3) The ending felt a little lacklustre and left me with questions.
#ItsOnlyaGame #NetGalley
Expected Publication 09/07/24
Goodreads Review 01/06/24
May 16, 2024
I'm not usually a thriller reader, but I ended up enjoying this!
The ending was extremely cliche and predictable (so was the villain reveal tbh), but lbr, I was here for the dark, bloody vibes, and the vibes delivered. If you're someone who's looking for a more grown-up read, probably skip this one.
I loved how parts of the novel takes place in an MMORPG with a 4 person party, which includes a tank, mage, rogue, and healer. I haven't played video games in a while and the entire time I was reading this, I really wanted to get back into gaming. No lie, it's been a long time where I've had a reading experience where I felt compelled to pick up an old hobby of mine.
Some readers might find the whole gaming aspect contrived, but to me, it brings another layer of depth to the plot.
Marina/Night was a compelling FMC. I absolutely loved how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into this novel's plot. It created depth for the FMC's arc and made her history and personality a lot more interesting to read about.
I love unreliable narrators, even though they can be very frustrating to deal with. I found myself feeling all sorts of way for Marina, from sympathy for her situation to annoyance at how she keeps valuable information to herself.
I had a lot of fun with the mystery/whodunnit plot, and I really appreciated how the author strung the reader along with the MC without revealing too much at once. It kept me on my toes and was compelling enough that I devoured this novel in one weekend.
I'm excited to read more from Kelsea Yu!
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for this arc.
The ending was extremely cliche and predictable (so was the villain reveal tbh), but lbr, I was here for the dark, bloody vibes, and the vibes delivered. If you're someone who's looking for a more grown-up read, probably skip this one.
I loved how parts of the novel takes place in an MMORPG with a 4 person party, which includes a tank, mage, rogue, and healer. I haven't played video games in a while and the entire time I was reading this, I really wanted to get back into gaming. No lie, it's been a long time where I've had a reading experience where I felt compelled to pick up an old hobby of mine.
Some readers might find the whole gaming aspect contrived, but to me, it brings another layer of depth to the plot.
Marina/Night was a compelling FMC. I absolutely loved how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into this novel's plot. It created depth for the FMC's arc and made her history and personality a lot more interesting to read about.
I love unreliable narrators, even though they can be very frustrating to deal with. I found myself feeling all sorts of way for Marina, from sympathy for her situation to annoyance at how she keeps valuable information to herself.
I had a lot of fun with the mystery/whodunnit plot, and I really appreciated how the author strung the reader along with the MC without revealing too much at once. It kept me on my toes and was compelling enough that I devoured this novel in one weekend.
I'm excited to read more from Kelsea Yu!
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for this arc.
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November 3, 2024
It pains me to rate this three stars.
It was enjoyable, but I've got to admit—I'm just not a thriller reader.
Overly elaborate games characters must play in order to escape from needlessly complex plots are not for me. It's why I didn't enjoy any of the Saw movies, because I spent the entire time going, "Why?"
Also, I'm not the fondest of books where something has happened in the lead's super secret past but we can't spell it out until the 90% mark because that would ruin the twist—instead it must be teased along in breadcrumbs.
Again, not the book for me because I'm a curmudgeon who hates fun, but this is definitely going to be the book for a bunch of others!
It was enjoyable, but I've got to admit—I'm just not a thriller reader.
Overly elaborate games characters must play in order to escape from needlessly complex plots are not for me. It's why I didn't enjoy any of the Saw movies, because I spent the entire time going, "Why?"
Also, I'm not the fondest of books where something has happened in the lead's super secret past but we can't spell it out until the 90% mark because that would ruin the twist—instead it must be teased along in breadcrumbs.
Again, not the book for me because I'm a curmudgeon who hates fun, but this is definitely going to be the book for a bunch of others!
December 26, 2024
'Cis people don't have to work up the nerve to tell everyone they're cis, then wait to be supported or judged. My response shouldn't be up for debate. It's a messed-up world we live in.'
The found family of it all 🥹😭 This was so full of twists, fast-paced, diverse and queer eeee I loved it. 10/10 will reread
The found family of it all 🥹😭 This was so full of twists, fast-paced, diverse and queer eeee I loved it. 10/10 will reread
July 10, 2024
Review coming soon.
August 23, 2025
4.75 stars⭐️
This book was insane bro omg
I can’t get into details about characters, because I might accidentally spoil something, but they were all pretty good and had depth to them. You learn a lot about the main characters past and why she is the way she is pretty early on in the book, but you also never really stop learning about what’s going on with her because there’s so many layers to the story.
I definitely recommend this book🙂↕️
This book was insane bro omg
I can’t get into details about characters, because I might accidentally spoil something, but they were all pretty good and had depth to them. You learn a lot about the main characters past and why she is the way she is pretty early on in the book, but you also never really stop learning about what’s going on with her because there’s so many layers to the story.
I definitely recommend this book🙂↕️
May 17, 2024
4 Stars, maybe 4.5
As out-of-left-field as some of these plot points are, this book... just really worked for me? I can't put my finger on why. Melodramatic, ultra-high stakes thrillers aren't usually my favorite reads, but Kelsea Yu really nailed it here. It's a good balance between wild teen thriller and great characters, solid mystery, and just plain fun read, you know? I loved it. I'm glad I got to read it early, and I can't wait for it to actually hit the shelves so I can tell other people to read it.
Anyway, my full review will be live June 28, 2024 at Gateway Reviews. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
As out-of-left-field as some of these plot points are, this book... just really worked for me? I can't put my finger on why. Melodramatic, ultra-high stakes thrillers aren't usually my favorite reads, but Kelsea Yu really nailed it here. It's a good balance between wild teen thriller and great characters, solid mystery, and just plain fun read, you know? I loved it. I'm glad I got to read it early, and I can't wait for it to actually hit the shelves so I can tell other people to read it.
Anyway, my full review will be live June 28, 2024 at Gateway Reviews. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
June 27, 2024
I've known Kelsea on IG for a while now and I was beyond thrilled to see her getting published with Bloombury, especially seeing the topics of her short stories.
I loved Marina and this core group of characters. All four of them are smart and loyal and a great example of found family. There are a lot of characters here and they all serve a purpose.
Plot wise, it was fast paced and a slow unfolding all at the same time. The past and present chapters helped bring the backstory while the "game" provided the present mystery. I loved having so many twists that just when I thought I had it figured out, something shifted.
Overall, it was an intriguing story that kept me captivated from the start. I can't wait to see what Kelsea does next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Marina and this core group of characters. All four of them are smart and loyal and a great example of found family. There are a lot of characters here and they all serve a purpose.
Plot wise, it was fast paced and a slow unfolding all at the same time. The past and present chapters helped bring the backstory while the "game" provided the present mystery. I loved having so many twists that just when I thought I had it figured out, something shifted.
Overall, it was an intriguing story that kept me captivated from the start. I can't wait to see what Kelsea does next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
March 12, 2025
This book has so many of my favorite things! Heists, puzzles, wild twists, and found-family friendships full of heart. Marina is on the run and trying to keep a low profile when she gets caught up in a strange murder at her favorite gaming company. Cue a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase that threatens to expose Marina's darkest secrets and destroy her new life. Thrilling and fun whether you're a gamer or have never picked up a controller!
Want to read
April 8, 2023I'm so excited Kelsea Yu has a full length novel coming out, I've heard such incredible things about her previous novella that I know this is going to be so so good.
Blackmailed into a dangerous video game??? dfksafjksdl I CANT WAIT
Blackmailed into a dangerous video game??? dfksafjksdl I CANT WAIT
July 29, 2024
This was a fast paced murder mystery with the twist of revolving around a video game. I liked the modern take and that the characters were mostly strangers who had bonded over playing together.
The mystery sort of hit out of nowhere and I enjoyed the clues and missions the characters had to complete to stay safe. I did think the reveal was a bit lackluster and easy to see coming though.
I enjoyed the cultural representation, as well as having several LGBTQ+ characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for the copy.
The mystery sort of hit out of nowhere and I enjoyed the clues and missions the characters had to complete to stay safe. I did think the reveal was a bit lackluster and easy to see coming though.
I enjoyed the cultural representation, as well as having several LGBTQ+ characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for the copy.
July 9, 2024
*I received an early copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
4.5 rounded up!
Holy cow! This book was impossible to put down, absolutely bonkers, and had some fantastic characters to root for!
As a non-gamer, I still managed to get fully sucked into the game in this story and the twists and suspense kept me on my toes.
A fantastic thriller for YA fans!
Pub Date: July 9
4.5 rounded up!
Holy cow! This book was impossible to put down, absolutely bonkers, and had some fantastic characters to root for!
As a non-gamer, I still managed to get fully sucked into the game in this story and the twists and suspense kept me on my toes.
A fantastic thriller for YA fans!
Pub Date: July 9
May 26, 2024
Oh man, this YA thriller is so GOOD. So twisted, but also so fun! I raced through the pages and devoured this book in two days. I particularly enjoyed the gaming aspect with the nightly “challenges”, and also all the descriptions of Chinese food (yum).
October 17, 2024
Read this book if you're in the mood for something: dark, emotional, mysterious, tense, & medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
A Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Book Rating: Book Rating: 3.25 stars
Wow, this book was A LOT darker than I was expecting. It deals with some very intense issues. I think if I had been in a different headspace I may have enjoyed it more. I just wasn't prepared for the emotional intensity of the book.
I did figure out two smallish parts of the mystery pretty early on. But that didn't ruin that element for me.
Overall, it was a good book, I just didn't find it that enjoyable to read because of a lot of subject matter.
Narrator Rating: 5.0 stars
The narrator did an amazing job. Great tonal shifts and inflections, as well as accents.
Content Warnings
May 28, 2024
2.5 stars
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about a girl named Marina, who is running from her past and starting a new life. She and her group of friends she met through an online game get invited to play exclusive levels made by someone going by the name Cixi. If they don’t complete the levels in time, their loved ones may be in danger.
I was very excited to start this book as I love plots with a video game involved, but this one fell a little flat for me. I did like the characters for the most part, but Marina was a bit frustrating when she kept withholding helpful information from her friends. I did enjoy the descriptions of the game and the levels. I liked how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into the story as well.
A big part of the reason I didn’t like this as much I thought I would is because of the writing. I know it’s YA but it feels a little too juvenile for the concepts being discussed. I really disliked the overuse of exclamation points and words in all caps. It made this feel like something written on Wattpad. It was also very repetitive with certain phrases.
The overall idea of the book was interesting and thrilling, but the execution made it a little predictable and cheesy.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about a girl named Marina, who is running from her past and starting a new life. She and her group of friends she met through an online game get invited to play exclusive levels made by someone going by the name Cixi. If they don’t complete the levels in time, their loved ones may be in danger.
I was very excited to start this book as I love plots with a video game involved, but this one fell a little flat for me. I did like the characters for the most part, but Marina was a bit frustrating when she kept withholding helpful information from her friends. I did enjoy the descriptions of the game and the levels. I liked how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into the story as well.
A big part of the reason I didn’t like this as much I thought I would is because of the writing. I know it’s YA but it feels a little too juvenile for the concepts being discussed. I really disliked the overuse of exclamation points and words in all caps. It made this feel like something written on Wattpad. It was also very repetitive with certain phrases.
The overall idea of the book was interesting and thrilling, but the execution made it a little predictable and cheesy.
December 13, 2024
It has been a while since I enjoyed a YA book as much as this one. It's a fast paced, action filled thriller with a lot of twists and turns. I loved the found family aspect as well the use of video games in the plot line. I definitely recommend it.
July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed It’s Only A Game! I’ve followed Kelsea on bookstagram for a long time and it’s so fun to now hold her book in my hands.
This story caught me from the start and kept bringing me back to find out what happens. The concept of the main character being caught up in being framed for murder with her local gaming friends was unique and a great concept that I think the author did well exploring. I really loved the gaming aspect and, even though I’m not really a gamer, I could tell this will go over really well with gamers AND it still totally made sense to me.
I also liked Marina’s arc a lot in this book. She went through some STUFF but the friendships she finds via gaming (and what they are thrown into) really helps her change and grow. The interspersing of her past as short chapters was such a fun and unique way to show us more of who she was. I loved that it helped fill the reader in without giving it all away (and that they were just quick snapshots).
The mystery/thriller aspects were also well done and had me guessing through most of the book! Plus the unique cultures of the characters and the Seattle setting was also a favorite of mine! I could easily “feel” the vibes of Seattle on every page. And Slate was a favorite!!!
Notes: Some mild language, F/F light romance thread, some violence & depictions of it.
My rating: 5*
___
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own!
This story caught me from the start and kept bringing me back to find out what happens. The concept of the main character being caught up in being framed for murder with her local gaming friends was unique and a great concept that I think the author did well exploring. I really loved the gaming aspect and, even though I’m not really a gamer, I could tell this will go over really well with gamers AND it still totally made sense to me.
I also liked Marina’s arc a lot in this book. She went through some STUFF but the friendships she finds via gaming (and what they are thrown into) really helps her change and grow. The interspersing of her past as short chapters was such a fun and unique way to show us more of who she was. I loved that it helped fill the reader in without giving it all away (and that they were just quick snapshots).
The mystery/thriller aspects were also well done and had me guessing through most of the book! Plus the unique cultures of the characters and the Seattle setting was also a favorite of mine! I could easily “feel” the vibes of Seattle on every page. And Slate was a favorite!!!
Notes: Some mild language, F/F light romance thread, some violence & depictions of it.
My rating: 5*
___
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own!
July 7, 2024
This is a thrilling YA debut by Kelsea Yu. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Bloomsbury, but that doesn’t cloud my review any more than how much I love her Novella, Bound Feet does 🫣
I’ll preface by saying I don’t usually seek out YA and only read it when it is coming highly recommended by someone I trust- so I don’t think I would have grabbed this without enjoying her work already- and that would have been a shame! In this, a Chinese-American online gamer girl is swept into a real life game, where the stakes are as high as they get- her family and her freedom. I really liked the pace of it, it never slowed and kept me wondering the whole time. I did NOT expect the ending at all- which I loved.
The only con I found was that I wasn’t specifically fond of the FMC a lot of the time. It felt that she was withholding info unnecessarily and I struggled to understand if she was an unreliable narrator or not.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ easily
I’ll preface by saying I don’t usually seek out YA and only read it when it is coming highly recommended by someone I trust- so I don’t think I would have grabbed this without enjoying her work already- and that would have been a shame! In this, a Chinese-American online gamer girl is swept into a real life game, where the stakes are as high as they get- her family and her freedom. I really liked the pace of it, it never slowed and kept me wondering the whole time. I did NOT expect the ending at all- which I loved.
The only con I found was that I wasn’t specifically fond of the FMC a lot of the time. It felt that she was withholding info unnecessarily and I struggled to understand if she was an unreliable narrator or not.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ easily
July 1, 2024
I loved this book! The twists kept me guessing and the pacing made this a perfect read for my current mood. There was at least one twist where I suspected but it was way more complicated then I thought! I gasped out loud and had to keep going haha loved it!
I’m not a gamer but I actually really enjoyed the gaming aspects of the book and I was trying to figure out the motivation/murder mystery aspect of this story all throughout! Loved how the author brought in aspects of her Chinese heritage into the book. It’s always refreshing to see representation done well in books. Would highly recommend for thriller and mystery fans. ❤️
I’m not a gamer but I actually really enjoyed the gaming aspects of the book and I was trying to figure out the motivation/murder mystery aspect of this story all throughout! Loved how the author brought in aspects of her Chinese heritage into the book. It’s always refreshing to see representation done well in books. Would highly recommend for thriller and mystery fans. ❤️
August 5, 2024
I haven’t had this much fun with a thriller in…what feels like forever. What makes this book stand out is the excellent characters. Yu did an amazing job of making everyone in this book feel real. The amount of growth in each character and the bonds they had with each other made this really easy to lose myself in. I am so excited for more from Kelsea Yu. She has proved herself as a strong, capable author (both with this and Bound Feet) and I hope people begin to recognize her talent.
July 27, 2024
This was a really fun twisty thriller. I loved the gaming aspects that Kelsea included in this story. It made me want to get back into gaming with friends. I thought the details were explained well but as a gamer I might be biased because I knew the verbiage. Marina was a really interesting character and I loved how mysterious she was. The dual timeline narrative was done well and wasn’t confusing or jarring. I thought that it helped give us insight into Marina’s past and current situation. I was able to guess the big reveal but it didn’t make the story any less fun. The side characters were also written well and the tiny bit of romance was nice but never overshadowed the story. I really appreciate the AAPI rep and Mandarin throughout the story. Overall this was a really fun debut gaming thriller, I’m excited to see what Kelsea Yu writes next!
Thank you Bloomsbury for gifting me an ARC
Thank you Bloomsbury for gifting me an ARC
September 9, 2024
Predicable at times, but lots of twists. Fast paced read.
February 11, 2025
4.5 stars
June 26, 2024
This was a great thriller that has you wondering “who did it?!” the entire time.
I really enjoyed the gaming aspect of this story. As someone who plays MMORPGs, I was definitely really into this plot.
The ending ended up being a tad predictable, but over all I thought this was a great book!
I really enjoyed the gaming aspect of this story. As someone who plays MMORPGs, I was definitely really into this plot.
The ending ended up being a tad predictable, but over all I thought this was a great book!
June 30, 2025
This was a pretty fun debut YA thriller - murder mystery, found family, gamer culture, and of course...a sweet dog. I guessed some of the twists but not all, or at least not how they were accomplished. The ending felt satisfying. Content warnings for violent content.
September 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this YA thriller! It was fast paced and action packed. As I enjoy playing games myself, I could relate to the game and the camaraderie of a group of players. I like that it shows how good friends you can become even if you only see each other through a game and think it's nice that good examples of online friendship can be seen in books.
The story is exciting and you are quickly thrown into the action where the characters have to make a quick and difficult decision. Then it continues at a fast pace and keeps the reader on edge until the end. I could eventually guess who their mysterious enemy was, long before they knew it themselves, but it didn't matter much and I still enjoyed the story.
The story is exciting and you are quickly thrown into the action where the characters have to make a quick and difficult decision. Then it continues at a fast pace and keeps the reader on edge until the end. I could eventually guess who their mysterious enemy was, long before they knew it themselves, but it didn't matter much and I still enjoyed the story.
June 11, 2024
Thanks to Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and NetGalley for an ARC of It's Only a Game by Kelsea Yu in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
This book beautifully conveyed the message of belonging and the joy of finding family amidst an adventurous story. The main character's relationships with friends throughout the book were truly heartwarming. The story was filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping me constantly engaged. If you enjoy tales of video games and the camaraderie of playing alongside friends, then this book is perfect for you. There were definitely some dark moments, so I suggest reading the trigger warnings.
Rating: 4/5
This book beautifully conveyed the message of belonging and the joy of finding family amidst an adventurous story. The main character's relationships with friends throughout the book were truly heartwarming. The story was filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping me constantly engaged. If you enjoy tales of video games and the camaraderie of playing alongside friends, then this book is perfect for you. There were definitely some dark moments, so I suggest reading the trigger warnings.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews