Publishers Weekly
01/31/2019
A promising premise—fictional characters inspired by indiscretions in their authors’ pasts coming to life and preying on their creators—is undermined by the meandering pace of this horror novel’s events. World-renowned author Roderick Wells has invited 10 writers to his Indiana mansion to participate in a six-week contest from which (he promises) only one will emerge “the next Legendary Author.” When he autocratically demands that they all write horror stories (“Everything begins with horror!” he proclaims), the authors begin channeling emotions aroused by “terrible secrets” from their pasts—betrayals, derelictions, even murders—into characters who acquire enough physical substance to begin picking them off in and-then-there-were-none fashion. It eventually becomes clear that the participants were chosen for their secrets as much as for their writing prowess, but not until readers endure chapter upon chapter of the writers flagellating themselves for their psychic wounds. A pyrotechnic finale that reveals the true reason for Wells’s contest shows a vitality and focus unfortunately lacking from earlier chapters. Janz (The Sorrows) fails to make this anything more than a clever idea. (Apr.)
Frank Michaels Errington
I'm sure we've all heard authors explain how, often as they write a character will take over the story and will take it in directions the author never intended. Well, The Dark Game is this idea on acid.
Horror After Dark
"In THE DARK GAME Janz showcases this ability to virtually bring his characters to life."
Kendall Reviews
"The game he plays may be dark, but his writing shines brightest in the shadows."
The Scary Reviews
"The Dark Game is a book I would highly recommend and sits high on my list of favorite reads this year."
Booklist
"In his latest pulp horror gem, Janz channels early Stephen King to twist the story of a secluded writers’ retreat into something unique and thought-provoking."
Booklist Online
"This novel is a treat for horror fans, yes, but it will have wider appeal as it manages to both scare and comment on the joy of reading. Many will be drawn into this fast-paced thriller, readers who love the pulp horror of Brian Keene, the dark twists of Sarah Pinborough, or the terrifying and emotional storytelling of Paul Tremblay."
Splattergeist
If someone told you this is actually a novel Stephen King had written and forgotten about [...] this is without a doubt the end result of that long-winded metaphor.
Reclusive Reads
Janz spins a nasty little tale of psychological and supernatural horror
A.E Siraki
"Equal parts Lord of the Flies mixed with The Girl on the Train with a cast of unreliable and shifty personalities, this novel belongs with the best thrillers on the bookshelf and should be on yours, stat."
Lit Podcast
Janz’s writing has a way of pulling rabbits out of hats with his plots that fit well within the confines of his story
Real Dead Review
Jonathan Janz may be rising above the “rising star” of horror status with several highly regarded novels under his belt. The Dark Game is another great novel to add to his list.
Terror Tree
If you enjoy reading books with eeriness and suspense, then pick up this book.
Little Miss Zombie
"The Dark Game is a creepy and fast-paced read with excellent characterization"
Howling Libraries
...incredible whirlwind of nightmarish suspense...
High fever Books
The end result is a story showcasing an author at the top of his own dark game.
The Most Sublime
"...fast-paced, gory and psychologically horrifying"
The Haunted Reading Room
"Mr. Janz has a fine eye for the layers of personality and character usually hidden from the world."
Brian Keene
"One of the best writers in modern horror to come along in the last decade. Janz is one of my new favorites."
Just a Guy Who Liked to Read
"Full of wicked imagery and precision placed scare tactics, The Dark Game doesn't disappoint on the spooky scale."
Tara’s Book Addiction
If you love horror stories featuring plenty of characters and plenty of gruesome moments, I definitely recommend checking this book out.
John M. Murray Foreword Reviews
"Dark, violent, and twisted, The Dark Game blends horror with a character study to disturbing effect."
Tara’s Book Addiction
If you love horror stories featuring plenty of characters and plenty of gruesome moments, I definitely recommend checking this book out.
From the Publisher
"One of the best writers in modern horror to come along in the last decade. Janz is one of my new favorites." - Brian Keene
"Mr. Janz has a fine eye for the layers of personality and character usually hidden from the world." - The Haunted Reading Room
"Equal parts Lord of the Flies mixed with The Girl on the Train with a cast of unreliable and shifty personalities, this novel belongs with the best thrillers on the bookshelf and should be on yours, stat." - A.E. Siraki
"Full of wicked imagery and precision placed scare tactics, The Dark Game doesn't disappoint on the spooky scale." - Just a Guy Who Likes to Read
"Dark, violent, and twisted, The Dark Game blends horror with a character study to disturbing effect." - John M. Murray Foreword Reviews
"In his latest pulp horror gem, Janz channels early Stephen King to twist the story of a secluded writers’ retreat into something unique and thought-provoking." - Booklist
"The Dark Game is a book I would highly recommend and sits high on my list of favorite reads this year." - The Scary Reviews
"This novel is a treat for horror fans, yes, but it will have wider appeal as it manages to both scare and comment on the joy of reading. Many will be drawn into this fast-paced thriller, readers who love the pulp horror of Brian Keene, the dark twists of Sarah Pinborough, or the terrifying and emotional storytelling of Paul Tremblay." - Booklist Online
"The game he plays may be dark, but his writing shines brightest in the shadows." - Kendall Reviews
"The Dark Game is a creepy and fast-paced read with excellent characterization" - Little Miss Zombie
"...fast-paced, gory and psychologically horrifying" - The Most Sublime
"In THE DARK GAME Janz showcases this ability to virtually bring his characters to life." - Horror After Dark
“Jonathan Janz may be rising above the “rising star” of horror status with several highly regarded novels under his belt. The Dark Game is another great novel to add to his list.” - Real Dead Review
“...incredible whirlwind of nightmarish suspense...” - Howling Libraries
“If you love horror stories featuring plenty of characters and plenty of gruesome moments, I definitely recommend checking this book out.” - Tara’s Book Addiction
“If you enjoy reading books with eeriness and suspense, then pick up this book.” - Terror Tree
“I'm sure we've all heard authors explain how, often as they write a character will take over the story and will take it in directions the author never intended. Well, The Dark Game is this idea on acid.” - Frank Michaels Errington
