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DNF Review: The Survival Game

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DNF Review: The Survival Game

Yes, I’ve done it. For the first time in my reading life, I DNFed (Did Not Finish) an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). Don’t get me wrong, I’m no stranger to book breakups, I’ve put down quite a few, but this is the first time I DNFed an ARC. I will share the thoughts I had during my mental freak out in a different post, so here is my DNF review for The Survival Game.

The Survival Game Cover

Title: The Survival Game

Author: Nicky Singer

Rating: DNF 2 Stars

Pages: 384

Format: Uncorrected Advanced Readers Copy

Release Date: 26 July 2018

Goodreads Description: 

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 heartbreaking, 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.

I was given a free copy by Pan Macmillan South Africa. 

What I didn’t like

I figured I would start off this review with what I didn’t like and why I decided to DNF this book.

It was mainly the writing style.

Nicky Singer writes with lyricism. The short sentences, although they were beautifully written, just annoyed me. Her writing didn’t pull me into the book at all. It was not a style I enjoyed and I couldn’t connect to anything written.

I read about fourteen chapters, and for a normal book that would have been a lot, but I was only 40 pages in. Then I skipped to the end of the book, because I felt bad for wanting to put it down, and I felt like I didn’t miss a thing.

The pace of the book was also a little slow, mainly due to the short chapters and sentences, and I couldn’t connect to Mhairi. She was a 14-year-old with the voice of a 35-year-old. Granted she did grow up quickly thanks to the apocalypse, but I still felt like she could have had some traits that make her more relatable. This is a YA book, but I felt like it would rather connect with older readers.

What I liked

The ending more than made up for the book. It was emotional even for me and I skipped most of the book. The issues covered in the book also feel alarmingly and believably close. Euthanasia to control population, climate change displacing millions of people, borders tightening and even children abused simply because they are from the wrong side of the border.

Sound familiar? The book tackles very real issues, which makes it a relevant and a little scary.

This is a good book, there’s no doubt about that. It’s written beautifully and heartbreaking, with emotional twists that will leave you sobbing. The cover is gorgeous as well. It just was not for me. 

I can’t like every book I read, unfortunately. But if you like deep, emotional, apocalyptic fiction, then this is the book for you.

Gen Thoughts

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on DNFing a book?

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24 thoughts on “DNF Review: The Survival Game”

  1. I DNF books all the time. I can say though I have never DNFed an ARC before. I admire you for that. I would feel so guilty. Great review!

  2. Shame that you didn’t finish this book, but not every book is for everyone. I hope the next book you read makes up for it! I struggled my way through Bram Stoker’s Dracula last year, and then I read Rich Amooi five minutes late and it got me through my slump!

  4. This sounds interesting though really short sentences and chapters would annoy me, too bad you had to DNF – great review anyway though!

  7. Those chapters sound crazy short, although the premise of this book does sound interesting. I feel like the super short sentences would probably bother me too, but I might check it out just to see!

  9. I really struggle to DNF and so far have avoided it with an arc. It does sound like you did the right thing and you still found positives with the book.

    1. I struggled as well, but in the end, I didn’t want to place any unnecessary stress on myself.

  10. I need to be better at the DNF game, I waste too much time reading books that may not be for me, and all it does is stress you out! (like missing a deadline bc another book moves too slow)

  12. I’ve had to DNF a review book too, and I hate it, but sometimes you’re right – it’s not always the book, it’s just. We aren’t going to like every writing style or every type of book, so I think it’s best to be honest! Thanks for sharing!

    -Lauren

  17. It has taken me a long time to get to the point where I’ll DNF books, but I finally just accepted that not every book is for every reader. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one. I hope your next read is a better fit 🙂

  18. Great honest review, I might need to check this one out because I am really intrigued by the concept and plot of this book. I am really sorry this book wasn’t for you I hope your next read is a much better one. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post and for putting this book on my radar.

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