The Survival Game Review

Title: The Survival Game
Author: Nicky Singer
Series: Not Applicable
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Publication Date: 26 July 2018
Source: Pan Macmillan South Africa
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reading Timeline: 21 November 2018


Goodreads Synopsis:


In a world full of checkpoints and controls, can love and hope defy the borders? A searing, timely story, as arresting as it is beautiful. 

Mhairi Anne Bain owns only two things: a gun with no bullets and her identity papers.
The world is a shell of what it once was. Now, you must prove yourself worthy of existence at every turn, at every border checkpoint. And if you are going to survive, your instincts will become your most valuable weapon.
Mhairi has learnt the importance of living her own story, of speaking to no one. But then she meets a young boy with no voice at all, and finds herself risking everything to take him to safety.
And so Mhairi and the silent boy travel the road north. But there are rumours that things in Scotland have changed since she has been away. What Mhairi finds there is shocking and heart-breaking, but might finally re-connect her to her sense of self and to the possibility of love.
An extraordinary story about survival and what it costs, about the power of small kindnesses to change everything.



Book Review:
Pre-reading Thoughts:

I received this a while ago and honestly, it was a surprise. I haven't heard a lot about this book but I think that the premise is exciting and honestly a little close to home considering the global warming that happenings now.

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. Just a small disclaimer for those reading this review. I have received this for free. Please note that this does not affect my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own. 

Writing Thoughts:

The writing wasn't the type that I typically enjoy because it was to the point and lacked detail. There was also not a lot of world building. We were just kind of thrown into this world. I still didn't really grasp the full concept the world or its rules. However, I did like two to the point the dialogue was. It showed the strain of the world quite well.

Plot Thoughts:

I liked the plot. This book is close to home because the environment that Mhairi walks through is a huge possibility for us. I think that this book has a few wake-up calls throughout. However, in terms of the actual content of the book, the main theme is essentially perseverance. The main characters are faced with multiple obstacles which seem impossible to move past. 

Character Thoughts:

Mhairi is a young girl who is forced to grow up quickly and make her way to her grandmother. Her determination is admirable and her ability to shed the hard shell she has been forced to create. Her relationship with the boy is interesting because you can see how Mhairi struggles to accept him and yet she does everything she can to help him.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I liked this book. It has some likeable elements that pull you into the story but I felt like this book almost missed me in a hit or miss situation. The writing didn't pull me into the story and the world building was lacking. The plot had some moments that pulled me in but then there were other moments that seemed to push me out. The characters were the strongest elements of the book. They are what make you keep reading because do they make it? Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Yours in Reading,
Melleny

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