Small Game
Ratings21
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings21
Average rating3.5
A gripping debut novel about a survival reality show gone wrong that leaves a group of strangers stranded in the northern wilds Four strangers and six weeks: this is all that separates Mara from one life-changing payday. She was surprised when reality TV producers came knocking at Primal Instinct--the survival school where she teaches rich clients not to die during a night outdoors--and even more shocked to be cast in their new show, Civilization. Now she just has to live off the land with her fellow survivors for long enough to get the prize money. Whisked by helicopter to an undisclosed location, Mara meets her teammates: The grizzled outdoorsman. The Eagle Scout. The white-collar professional. And Ashley, the beautiful but inexperienced one who just wants to be famous. Mara's unusual, rugged childhood has prepared her for the discomforts and hard work ahead. But trusting her fellow survivors? Not part of Mara's skill set. When the cast wakes one morning to find something has gone horribly wrong, fear ripples through the group. Are the producers giving them an extra challenge? Or are they wrapped up in something more dangerous? Soon Mara and the others face terrifying decisions as "survival" becomes more than a game. A provocative exploration of the comforts, rituals, and connections we depend upon, Small Game is a gripping page-turner and a poignant story about finding the courage to build a new life from the ground up.
Reviews with the most likes.
I loved this book! Thrillers aren't my preferred genre, and I rarely find them memorable - I tend to enjoy them enough as I'm reading them, but forget them almost as soon as I'm done. Small Game was an exception: in fact, as soon as I finished it, I started again. A few reasons it stood out for me:
- Braverman is a strong writer - again, with thrillers I often find the actual writing to be secondary (if not tertiary) to the conceptual plot, and I was pleasantly surprised that wasn't at all the case here. (This is her debut novel, though she's written two nonfiction books - one a memoir that I've added to my TBR.)
- The story itself was propulsive and immersive. Another pleasant surprise: I felt like I got a stronger-than-usual sense for most of the characters, especially Mara, the protagonist - but in a slow and semi-stunted way, which feels appropriate given Mara's personality. She's quite introverted, and connection doesn't come naturally to her, but when it does it's real and deep. I found her not just believable but relatable.
- The blurb teases that “the cast wakes up one morning to find something has gone horribly wrong.” I personally loved the process of finding out what exactly it was that had gone so off-the-rails, and I was very satisfied with the resolution. I won't say more for fear of spoilers!
- I've seen a few reviews complaining that the ending felt rushed. Yes, it wasn't fleshed out, but I don't think it should have been. The story was about a specific experience from start to finish. I'd argue anything else doesn't belong.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone curious about survivalism in search of a well-written thriller they'll get lost in (metaphorically, though a bit on-the-nose considering the plot!). 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for my ARC.
This might not be the book for you if you need something to have all the loose ends tied off into pretty little bows. However, if you want something that will make you feel every emotion and struggle with character developments, and maybe feel a little drained emotionally at the end... then this book is perfect for you.
I really enjoyed each character. Their trials and tribulations. Every nook and cranny of the forest. There was always a wonder of what would be around the next corner. And to be frank, the book ended perfectly with how you never really knew what would happen next.
