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I'm not doing the chosen topic this week as it would just be another list of my favourite books so I'm doing one of my own! I do enjoy a bookish nightmare game, game show, trial or contest!
1) Rick Jones-The Valley
Convicted criminals in a harsh world are selected for a game-make your way through an Argentinian lush valley but watch out for the dinosaurs and each other. I loved this book! The Running Man meets Jurassic Park!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25131915-the-valley
2) Joelle Charbonneau-The Testing
If you want an education and job, you must survive The Testing. Those chosen have no idea how deadly it will be to get a test wrong. This book was great and it had all kinds of tests as well as a survival hike where rivals get a chance to kill each other. Hunger Games style book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17711954-the-testing
3) Wren Cavanagh-The Last Flag
Teams compete to find flags and survive a zombie filled town for the chance at big money in a reality tv game show. Lots of zombies, backstabbing contestants and side plots of interest in this fun zombie romp.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33778735-the-last-flag
4) Suzanne Collins-The Hunger Games
Two children from each district are taken to a game zone to fight to the death for the big prize for the entertainment of those in the capital. This was such a great trilogy and I really need to get the films watched!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12885649-the-hunger-games
5) Brian Keene-Castaways
Contestants on the island for a reality TV show are being murdered by whovever is living in the forests of the not so uninhabited island. This was the one book by the author that I liked.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5214006-castaways
6) Catt Dahman-Dinosaur 65 Million
65 miles, 65 pounds of gear, 7 team mates. All you need to do is beat the other team for 65 million dollars! Oh and avoid all the deadly dinosaurs of course! This was another fun twisted gameshow that I'd watch on a Saturday night...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18687577-dinosaurs
7) Richard Laymon-In The Dark
Jane finds a 50 dollar bill and a clue to more money. So begins a treasure hunt that gets more dangerous as it goes on. How far will she go to get the money? This is one of my favourite Laymon books and I recommend it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1842825.In_the_Dark
8) SM Wilson-The Extinction Trials
Get through the trials and be selected for a dinosaur egg hunt on another continent that could give your family food and health care. Get an egg and you could win but most will die. I loved this Hunger Games meets Jurassic Park adventure!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34865995-the-extinction-trials
9) Richard Bachman-The Running Man
Ben needs medicine for his sick child and signs up to a deadly game. He must evade hunters and the public who want to report his movements in the hope of winning. Enjoyable Stephen King book that bears little relation to the Hollywood film but I like both!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66369.The_Running_Man
10) Matthew Reilly-Contest
An ordinary doctor and his daughter are locked in a library overnight in a fight to the death game with warrior contestants from other planets. Great action thriller with SF and monster elements to it. First book I've read by the author.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7459168-contest
Ah, yes, more books like that, please. I really enjoyed The Testing.
ReplyDeleteI really need to finish the trilogy as I loved book one!
DeleteSuch an intense list, Chuckles -- and inventive in turn a game or contest into something bloody and action-packed.
ReplyDeleteI'd watch these on a Saturday night!
DeleteWe've both been going off script lately huh. I really need to read some Matthew Reilly. I could handle being locked in a library all night but I really wouldn't want to be fighting in a death game.
ReplyDeleteContest was really kickass! I also enjoyed his Great Zoo of China and both would make great films!
DeleteI love these kinds of books. Have you read Battle Royale? I want to reread it, but I need to find a better translation. The one I have confused me a few times.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I bought it in a charity shop years ago so it must be lurking on a shelf somewhere in my room. My dad read it (he loves the films) but said he found the names confusing. I'm a bit worried about that so I'll need to take plenty notes! Must go and find it tonight...
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