Let’s play a game.
You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.
Are you ready?
When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.
But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…
As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.
Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.
If you’re looking for a twisty psychological thriller offering unexpected surprises, These Deadly Games certainly checks those boxes.
Crystal is an easy character to root for. Her parents went through a messy divorce after her father became a physically abusive alcoholic, she’s trying to win prize money in a computer game tournament to help pay the overdue mortgage on their house, and she’s fiercely protective of her younger sister. Then her world is turned upside down when her sister is kidnapped, and Crystal is required to play a deadly game to save her. If she seeks help, tells anyone, or calls the police, her sister dies. She’s thrust into an impossible situation. The first couple assignments from the kidnapper seem bizarre, but it quickly becomes obvious he’s trying to hurt or even kill Crystal’s friends. And it all may be related to the secret she and her friends are keeping from five years ago.
Although I didn’t understand all of it, I really enjoyed the gaming angle in this story. These teens are well-versed in computer technology, and it’s something that figures prominently into the plot. I guessed part of who was behind the kidnapping, but was then thrown for a loop with the final reveal. Plenty of red herrings are offered, and at one point I even wondered if Crystal was an unreliable narrator. I’m pretty sure this is a standalone, but I didn’t get the resolution I’d hoped for at the end. There’s definitely potential for a sequel.
If you can suspend your disbelief just a tad, this a compelling YA thriller that will have you glued to the pages and keep you guessing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
These Deadly Games sounds like a YA version of Michaelbrent Collings’ Scavenger Hunt which I thoroughly enjoyed. Good review, Teri, and congrats to Urban on this upcoming release!
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I’m not familiar with that one, but if it’s anything like this book I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks, Priscilla! BTW – finished The Hat Bale yesterday. Congrats on creeping me out, lol!
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You know me and YA, but how cruel to put a teen in such an impossible situation. I’m intrigued by this one, but the gaming angle is making me hesitate. Thanks for sharing this, Teri.
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There was gaming, but it’s something this group did together. It was their knowledge about all the computer tech that goes along with it that figures into the story. You’d do fine with it. Just assume they know what they’re talking about – that’s what I did, lol.
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It definitely sounds like an edge-of-the-seat plot, Teri. I bet fans of YA gobble this one up quickly!
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It sure kept me guessing, Mae. The MC was put in an impossible situation.
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This sounds like a tense read, Teri. Interesting about the tech angle – something that the YA audience will get, but maybe not the older folks like me. Lol. It’s interesting how that may play in part in the choices of future readers.
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Same here, Diana. I just assumed they knew what they were talking about and went with it, lol.
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I quite enjoyed her previous release, so definitely want to check this one out!
Great review!
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This is my first experience with her, but I’d definitely look into her backlist.
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Gaming part sounds interesting and I’m already curious to know what they did and who was kidnapper. Great review!
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Sounds like you should add this one, Yesha. Bet you’d never guess that ending.
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I think I wouldn’t have followed everything about gaming either Teri! I am hopeless!
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It’s something the gamer teens will no doubt understand, Sophie. It really added a nice angle to the story.
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This sounds exciting, Teri. Admittedly it gives me pause that you found the ending rather unresolved — but that’s what I appreciate about the honesty of your reviews. The cover is unique and evocative too. Yes, I’m intrigued. 😀 Hugs on the wing.
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The ending certainly leaves a thread for a sequel, but I’m not sure if one is in the works. Glad you enjoy the reviews, Teagan – hugs!
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I’ll be reading this one soon and it sounds right up my alley. Excellent review, Teri! I can’t wait to delve in ❤️
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I think you’ll be caught up in it in no time, Tessa. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it become a Netflix movie.
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Adding it to my tbr pile. Nice review!!
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