Title: Game of Fear
Author(s): Glede Browne Kabongo
Series: Fearless, #1
Also in this series: Autumn of Fear , Winds of Fear
Published by Self-published on February 24th 2016
Pages: 300
Genre(s): Mystery, Young Adult
Source: Purchase
Format: eBook
Purchase: Amazon
Rating:
A desperate act, an explosive secret, and a diabolical enemy—all part of a treacherous game, with no limits.
Overachieving good girl Abbie Cooper has her future all planned out. As senior year at her elite private school kicks off, she has one simple goal: get into the Ivy League. But at St. Matthews Academy, nothing is ever simple. The pressure is overwhelming, the secrets are dirty, and the games are wicked. Abbie has a dirty secret—one that could destroy her chances of getting admitted into Princeton, and the lives of those closest to her.
One morning, she discovers a note in her locker with the warning, “I know what you did”. Then a photo arrives in the mail. It captures her most shameful deed—the shocking blunder she can never erase, in glorious detail. Someone is out to ruin her, but who and why? The answer lies with the sender of the photo, a mysterious girl known only as The Avenger. For a price, she assures Abbie her secret will remain safe. There’s only one problem: The Avenger may not exist at all. If Abbie doesn’t uncover her true identity before acceptance decisions are made, it’s game over…
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Game of Fear, book one in the Fearless series, was never on my radar. However, when I signed up to review Autumn of Fear, I discovered that this was the third book in the series. Readers can read each book as a standalone, however, I think it’s best to read the books in order.
Abbie, a high school senior, is looking forward to graduation and attending the college of her dreams. Everything is going well, but it all comes crashing down when she found a cryptic note in her locker. The person behind the note is blackmailing her for a mistake she made in the past. A mistake which, if found out, would lead to expulsion and destruction of her chances of attending a prestigious University. Can Abbie find out the identity of her blackmailer before times runs out?
The story plunged me into the world of rich students. It had me hooked from the first page. Curious to learn the identity of the blackmailer and the motive behind the blackmail, I eagerly flipped through the pages to get the answers. Also, I needed to know the mistake Abbie made that had the potential to destroy her future. I spent most of the story trying to figure out the identity of the blackmailer. To say it surprised me to learn who was responsible would be an understatement. It flabbergasted me. It goes to show not everyone who eats and drink with you can be trusted.
I admired Abbie. I found her to be smart, strong and determined. She refused to let the blackmailer control her and would do everything in her power to stop the person destroying her life. She wasn’t perfect, which made it easy to relate to her. I watched her attempt to navigate a relationship while trying to handle her problems on her own.
In typical high school fashion, there was the mean girls’ clique. A group of girls who made their mission to destroy fellow students who they thought were beneath them. The leader had her own issues dealing with, and for some reason she hated Abbie.
Although classified as a psychological thriller I would consider it such. It is more of a mystery as the pacing was slow for a thriller. Despite the slow pacing, there was never a dull moment. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and what made them tick.
Overall, I enjoyed the time spent in the world created by Glede Browne Kabongo. I already have book two, which follows Abbie as she navigates college, queued on my Kindle. I recommend this to fans of young adult mystery.
About Glede Browne Kabongo
Gledé Browne Kabongo writes intense psychological thrillers—unflinching tales of deception, secrecy, danger and family. She is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Fearless Series, Swan Deception, Conspiracy of Silence, and Mark of Deceit. Her love affair with books began as a young girl growing up in the Caribbean, where her town library overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. She was trading books and discussing them with neighbors before Book Clubs became popular. Gledé holds both an M.S. and B.A. in communications. She was a featured speaker at the 2016 Boston Book Festival and has led workshops on publishing and the craft of writing. She hopes to win an Oscar for screenwriting. Gledé lives outside Boston with her husband and two sons
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I know how you feel about a series in order Nadene I feel the same way and it’s why I get so mad when a review sounds good and it’s book like 17 in a series LOL xo
This sounds really good. I hope you like the next book too.
Yes, I liked it.
This is a new one to me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks, Stormi.
This looks intense
This sounds fun to read.
It was fun.
Not familiar with the book but it sounds fab. Great review.
new to me author and book.. enjoyed the review
Thank you.
Sounds great!
Adding to my TBR immediately
Enjoy.
Abbie definitely sounds like a character to root for. I’m super curious about this blackmailer too!! Glad you loved this one.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Ooohh, I think I would like this.