Hello people of Earth! Sorry for taking so long but here it is! My review of James Frey's newest book of his newest series, and also the book that he promoted during his book signing here in the Philippines, Endgame: The Calling! One of the main things this book is about is puzzles so I decided to spice up this review by adding a puzzle of my own. You just have to solve some puzzles in order to continuously read this review. And I know that sounds like a lot of work so I'll just place the answers right next to the the puzzle. They're written in white font color so just highlight them with the cursor to see them or... whatever. Haha. So without further ado, let us begin!
- Title: Endgame: The Calling
- Author: James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton
- Genre: young adult, fantasy, dystopia
- Pages: 477 pages (hardbound)
- Published: 7 October 2014
- Series: Endgame #1
"Twelve thousand years ago, they came. They descended from the sky amid smoke and fire, and created humanity and gave us rules to live by. They needed gold and they built our earliest civilizations to mine it for them. When they had what they needed, they left. But before they left, they told us someday they would come back, and when they did, a game would be played. A game that would determine our future.
This is Endgame.
For ten thousand years the lines have existed in secret. The 12 original lines of humanity. Each had to have a Player prepared at all times. They have trained generation after generation after generation. In weapons, languages, history, tactics, disguise assassination. Together the players are everything: strong, kind, ruthless, loyal, smart, stupid, ugly, lustful, mean, fickle, beautiful, calculating, lazy, exuberant, weak. They are good and evil. Like you. Like all.
This is Endgame.
When the game starts, the players will have to find three keys. The keys are somewhere on earth. The only rule of their Endgame is that there are no rules. Whoever finds the keys first wins the game. Endgame: The Calling is about the hunt for the first key. And just as it tells the story of the hunt for a hidden key, written into the book is a puzzle. It invites readers to play their own Endgame and to try to solve the puzzle. Whoever does will open a case filled with gold. Alongside the puzzle will be a revolutionary mobile game built by Google’s Niantic Labs that will allow you to play a real-world version of Endgame where you can join one of the lines and do battle with people around you.
Will exuberance beat strength? Stupidity top kindness? Laziness thwart beauty? Will the winner be good or evil? There is only one way to find out.
Play.
Survive.
Solve.
People of Earth.
Endgame has begun."
1. Character 344488833777|77774448999 (ANS: Diversity)
The first thing I loved about Endgame: The Calling is that it featured characters from all over the world. I could really see the culture in which these characters are from, which made me know their countries a little bit better. What was good about it too was that they weren't too stereotyped. Now let me head on to the next item before I accidentally "sound racist".
2. 9666777555394443|33 Setting (ANS: Worldwide)
Endgame was set in locations all over the world. It felt like an international field trip. There were many sights to see or on this case, read. 12 characters were moving around all over the globe and it really made the world look like such a small place to be in. One chapter they were in China, the next, they were in Iraq. Talk about a small world.
3. 333277778-72|22233|3 Reading (ANS: Fast-Paced)
One thing I loved about Endgame was that it wasn't such a snooze-off. I kept on turning pages because I always wanted to know what happens next. It kept me hooked with all its - you guessed it - twists and turns. And with more than 12 POV's, you'd might want to stay tuned to know what happens to each one of them. That's enough to get me hooked.
4. 2|2228444666|66-72|2225533|3 (ANS: Action-Packed)
Explosions? Check. Martial arts? Check. Poison dart-shooting Japanese girls? Check! Endgame was full of so much action, it almost felt like watching a movie! And before I move on to the final item, let's just set things straight. Can everyone who thinks it's just a Hunger Games rip-off cut the crap? BECAUSE IT'S NOT. There are 12 players, not 24. There's no Arena. No districts. No Capitol. Hunger Games =/= Endgame! But I do love both series!
5. 88667|77733|344422282|224445554448999 (ANS: Unpredictability)
The best thing about Endgame? Anything goes. You won't know what to expect. Plus, the POVs are written in such a way that you wouldn't root for anyone. Anyone could be your bet. That's why it is so unpredictable. Who'll go a step forward? Who'll die? Nothing's certain. And with 12+ POVs, each with different personalities and abilities, there's bound to be some unexpected alliances, traitors, and even love interests! I don't know about you but in my opinion, cliche's not on Endgame's vocabulary.
BONUS!
6. You could win 500,000 freaking dollars!
This is legit. There are puzzles hidden within Endgame, and the one who solves the puzzle will know the location of a certain key. This key will unlock a box located in some hotel in Vegas that's filled with $500,000 worth of gold coins! And from what I've heard, the sequels also have puzzles and prizes of their own, and the prizes increase in value with every sequel. How awesome is that? $500,000 could get me through college easy-breezy. Heck, $500,000 dollars could get my kids to college!
Therefore, I am giving Endgame: The Calling...
The only thing I disliked about Endgame was that I had a hard time figuring out who people were since I was confused by the 12+ names in the book. Haha. But I thought it was great, and I can't wait for the next book. If you enjoy those things listed above, give Endgame a shot! Happy reading!
The first thing I loved about Endgame: The Calling is that it featured characters from all over the world. I could really see the culture in which these characters are from, which made me know their countries a little bit better. What was good about it too was that they weren't too stereotyped. Now let me head on to the next item before I accidentally "sound racist".
2. 9666777555394443|33 Setting (ANS: Worldwide)
Endgame was set in locations all over the world. It felt like an international field trip. There were many sights to see or on this case, read. 12 characters were moving around all over the globe and it really made the world look like such a small place to be in. One chapter they were in China, the next, they were in Iraq. Talk about a small world.
3. 333277778-72|22233|3 Reading (ANS: Fast-Paced)
One thing I loved about Endgame was that it wasn't such a snooze-off. I kept on turning pages because I always wanted to know what happens next. It kept me hooked with all its - you guessed it - twists and turns. And with more than 12 POV's, you'd might want to stay tuned to know what happens to each one of them. That's enough to get me hooked.
4. 2|2228444666|66-72|2225533|3 (ANS: Action-Packed)
Explosions? Check. Martial arts? Check. Poison dart-shooting Japanese girls? Check! Endgame was full of so much action, it almost felt like watching a movie! And before I move on to the final item, let's just set things straight. Can everyone who thinks it's just a Hunger Games rip-off cut the crap? BECAUSE IT'S NOT. There are 12 players, not 24. There's no Arena. No districts. No Capitol. Hunger Games =/= Endgame! But I do love both series!
5. 88667|77733|344422282|224445554448999 (ANS: Unpredictability)
The best thing about Endgame? Anything goes. You won't know what to expect. Plus, the POVs are written in such a way that you wouldn't root for anyone. Anyone could be your bet. That's why it is so unpredictable. Who'll go a step forward? Who'll die? Nothing's certain. And with 12+ POVs, each with different personalities and abilities, there's bound to be some unexpected alliances, traitors, and even love interests! I don't know about you but in my opinion, cliche's not on Endgame's vocabulary.
BONUS!
6. You could win 500,000 freaking dollars!
This is legit. There are puzzles hidden within Endgame, and the one who solves the puzzle will know the location of a certain key. This key will unlock a box located in some hotel in Vegas that's filled with $500,000 worth of gold coins! And from what I've heard, the sequels also have puzzles and prizes of their own, and the prizes increase in value with every sequel. How awesome is that? $500,000 could get me through college easy-breezy. Heck, $500,000 dollars could get my kids to college!
Therefore, I am giving Endgame: The Calling...
The only thing I disliked about Endgame was that I had a hard time figuring out who people were since I was confused by the 12+ names in the book. Haha. But I thought it was great, and I can't wait for the next book. If you enjoy those things listed above, give Endgame a shot! Happy reading!
P.S. The puzzle can be solved with the help of a cellphone keypad. Knowhumsayn? ;D
