The Dark Game Blog Tour

Today I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for one of Flame Tress Press' latest releases - The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz.  Flame Tree has been releasing some pretty great horror/thriller titles and I'm always pleased when they ask me to participate and help promote some awesome authors!  

TITLE: The Dark Game
AUTHOR: Flame Tree Press
PUBLISHER:  Flame Tree Press
PUBLISHING DATE: April 11, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: 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. 

MY THOUGHTS: This is the first Jonathan Janz novel I've read, although I have to admit to having a few others already on my shelf.  I can honestly say, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

In "The Dark Game," ten authors have won a chance in a contest being held by renown author Roderick Wells.  They will spend six weeks on his reclusive estate, working on a new book under his guidance and tutelage and the author who produces the best work will win three million dollars and a publishing contract.  Each of the contestants arrive and soon learn that not only are they harboring secrets of their own but the one Wells harbors may be their downfall.

I really disliked some of the characters in this book which is probably Janz's intention.  He has filled the book with highly flawed individuals, yet a few did stand out whom I could cheer on to the end.  I also enjoyed how the book developed and finding out more about the horrible secrets each character held.  And Roderick Wells?  It's hard to describe this man in words.  And I use the term man loosely.  I eagerly turned the pages the last 20% of the book waiting to see what Janz would drop on readers next and how everything would finally unravel.  Also, one of the best characters in the book in my opinion is the estate itself.  As the book progresses, it takes on a life of itself.  I sort of got "The Haunting of Hill House" vibes at one point.

Last but not least I have to say Janz has really capitalized on one of my favorite tropes in horror books - being in a remote survivalist setting and hoping to make it out alive.  He also mentions some pop culture references such as "IT" and Shirley Jackson, which I always find fun.   If you love horror, tension and flawed characters then chances are you will find something to enjoy in "The Dark Game."

RATING: 4 Paws

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories. His work has been championed by authors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, and Brian Keene; he has also been lauded by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year. Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children. You can sign up for his newsletter (http://jonathanjanz.us12.list-manage....), and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.