Ten writers are selected for a summer-long writing retreat with the most celebrated and reclusive author in the world. Their host is the legendary Roderick Wells. Handsome, enigmatic, and fiendishly talented, Wells promises to teach his pupils about writing, about magic, about the untapped potential that each of them possesses. Most of all, he plans to teach them about the darkness in their hearts. The writers think they are signing up for a chance at riches and literary prestige. But they are really entering the twisted imagination of a deranged genius, a lethal contest pitting them against one another in a struggle for their sanity and their lives. They have entered into Roderick Wells's most brilliant and horrible creation. The Dark Game.
"Once a reader holds a book, the story belongs to her." - Jonathan Janz, The Dark Game
This is one of those moments as a reviewer where I don't have the words to adequately describe my connection with a book.
On the surface, The Dark Game is a great read. It's Jonathan Janz! The characters are over the top, the horror is fun, the reader has no idea what's coming next.
Under the surface, though, it's something much more. There is so much of a writer's heart in this one. We are given insights into a writer's process, thoughts, fears, and struggles, references to Janz's personal work, a beautiful scene featuring Jack Ketchum...
I'm currently celebrating the year of the Janz. Not only is Flame Tree Press reprinting Janz's previous releases, but we've been gifted with a brand new release with The Dark Game!
Hopefully you will connect with The Dark Game like I did. If not, it's still a wickedly fun read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐★
Review copy provided by publisher
I really liked this one as well and am looking forward to reading more from this author. I was so pleased to be part of the blog tour for this one.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun tour! You are going to dig a lot of Janz's books, Barb.
DeleteIt was a wickedly fun read!
ReplyDeleteYeess!!
DeleteI'd probably read any book about a group of writers at a retreat...but I want to read it even more because Janz wrote it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. He takes it to a whole new level!
DeleteYou've totally got me wanting to read this! I love the idea of a writer's retreat/horror story😁
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun one, Tammy. :)
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ReplyDeleteHi spam-a-lot! *-waves-*
DeleteGreat review Jen! I don't read the genre but I can see you really liked what the author put "under teh surface" LOL
ReplyDeleteI did, Sophie. :) It made me happy.
DeleteWow, this sounds awesome. Not only a good horror read but the writing stuff too!
ReplyDeleteDouble treat!
DeleteThis looks like a really horrifying prospect for would be writers! What a great idea for a novel. I wonder if it was inspired by a genuine writing workshop?!
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