[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]

DEADLY GAMES by Thom Racina Signet, December 2003 384 pages $7.50 ISBN: 045121706X

There has been a rash of mayhem going on around the world. Suicide killers are murdering influential religious leaders all over the globe. They will snuff the life out of notable clergymen and once the mission is complete, they will kill themselves. What makes this rather bizarre is that it is children who are committing these heinous acts and no one has a clue why. These young assassins are devout in their faith and well-liked and respected in their communities. What could have made them snap? Someone thinks she knows why. Her name is Quinn Bryant and she is scared.

Quinn is married to Tyler Bryant, the founder of Zzyxx (pronounced see-six) and creator of Practice Run, one of the most popular computer games in the market today. It is an educational and action game that has received accolades from parents' and teachers' groups for its focus on promoting reading and literacy.

It is also popular because of the game's incentives. If any player manages to complete the game, they get the opportunity to play one-on-one against the head of Zzyxx for the ultimate prize -- their own exclusive personally-designed game. The game has been going off the shelves and getting to the last level is like a holy grail to all players. At some time or another all of the child killers played the game and now they are dead by their own hand. Could the game have something to do with this? Did Quinn marry a monster or are there more sinister forces at work. By the time the book ends, would you really care?

The novel takes from the template for all formulaic novels where a wife suspects her husband of evil; a nonsensical scheme to exert one's control over the entire world; and an unconvincing romance with someone trying to help the heroine to stop a madman. If you knew who the identity of Quinn's lover is, you will need a crowbar to remove the book embedded in your wall. Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. The characters are so naïve and flat that it is hard to take any one of them seriously. There are better ways to relax with a book than with this one.

If this is the type of book you like where everything is spoon-fed, the characters have sex, and there's an over-the-top predictable, and cheesy conclusion plus aftermath, go for it. Otherwise, look elsewhere. Reading is not meant to be just a time-killer, one needs mental nourishment or a good time. This provides neither.

Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, March 2004

[ Top ]

QUICK SEARCH:

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)

[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]