THE GAME OF DEATH

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵
𝗕𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝘂 𝗥𝗮𝗶
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟐𝟖𝟎
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟑𝟏𝘀𝐭 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓










Set against the picturesque backdrop of Vattakanal, a tranquil hill station near Kodaikanal, this story begins with Aliza Gomes returning home from her school farewell party only to find a mysterious diary waiting at her doorstep. Upon opening it, she discovers photocopied handwritten pages from the personal diary of her friend and classmate, Amrit Kapoor. As she delves into its contents, she realises that the diary is not merely a collection of Amrit’s thoughts but also a series of tasks she must complete. As soon as Aliza opens the book, she comes face-to-face with a chilling revelation - Amrit has gone missing. His safety depends entirely on her willingness to follow the diary’s instructions. Torn between fear and determination, she embarks on a journey that gradually entangles her—and the reader—in a web of secrets and suspense. An enigmatic figure, Robin, lurks in the shadows, orchestrating a sinister game that stretches far beyond the present.
As Aliza, along with David, Mr and Mrs Kapoor, Bernard, Jess, Inspector Selva, and others, becomes embroiled in this unfolding mystery, an unsettling truth begins to surface. Their parents' past intertwines with a perilous present, and Robin is more than a name. It is a secret that has remained hidden for over three decades. With each revelation, the stakes escalate. Who is Robin? What is their connection to Amrit? And most crucially, will Aliza save her friend before it’s too late?

This book is a suspense thriller, and I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot, so let's look at other aspects of the story. It took me some time to write this review because I have read 5-6 books by the author, every one of which has been an excellent read. Naturally, my expectations were quite high for this one. However, I found myself in a dilemma about how to provide constructive feedback when a book by one of my favourite authors didn’t entirely meet my expectations.
Starting with the positives, the language is simple, making it accessible to a broad audience, and the narration, as always, is fast-paced. Those familiar with the author’s writing style will admit how smoothly he weaves the story. The plot is intriguing, but I believe the story would have been more realistic if the protagonists had been college students rather than school-going students. One aspect that slightly hindered my reading experience was the timeline. At times, it felt unclear, which led to some confusion. I had to reread certain sections to ensure I fully understood the flow of events. Moreover, while the book is undoubtedly gripping and suspenseful, I found the ending somewhat unsatisfactory. Given how engaging the story was throughout, I expected a more impactful conclusion.

Now, turning to the most significant aspect of the book—the message it conveys. The author presents a powerful commentary on the virtual world, online gaming, and the impact of technology on younger generations. It represents our society, illustrating how early exposure to mobile devices affects children. Many parents introduce screens to their children at a very young age—whether to entertain them during meals, soothe them when they cry, or avoid disturbances while watching television. However, when children become addicted to these devices, the blame often falls solely on them rather than addressing the root cause of the issue.
One of the most impactful moments in the book is Mr. Kapoor’s letter at the end, which starkly reflects modern parent- child relationships. Additionally, the thought-provoking conversations between Mr. Kapoor and Inspector Selva add depth to the narrative, especially as the inspector grapples with raising a child in "the new era". These are some of the key reasons I would still recommend this book despite the issues I've mentioned above.
My last read from the author was She Erased Her, another thought-provoking thriller about openness on the Internet. It explored how everything—literally everything—is readily available online and the consequences this has on the younger generation.

Having read multiple books by the author and rated them between 4.5 and 5 stars, I must admit that this one felt comparatively weaker. It had the essence of a Bollywood thriller—entertaining, fast-paced, and dramatic. If you enjoy Bollywood-style thrillers, you will likely enjoy this book too. The concept of blending fiction with social commentary is commendable, and I truly appreciate the effort to highlight real-world issues. However, there are some loopholes that an avid reader or a thriller enthusiast can smoothly notice. This book would be well-suited for novice readers and readers looking for a gripping and engaging read that keeps them hooked until the end.

My Rating:

3.5/5

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