The Forbidden Game: The Hunter; The Chase; The Kill
Jun 2010 · Sold by Simon and Schuster
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24 reviews
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768
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About this ebook
A board game unleashes a supernatural force determined to claim its players in this thrilling young adult trilogy by New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Diaries series, L.J. Smith. All three books now available together in one bind-up!
Jenny Thornton’s mission to make her boyfriend’s seventeenth birthday memorable brings her to a game store on the seedy side of town, where the strange and preternaturally gorgeous owner sells her the Game. He promises the Game is no ordinary experience but will reveal players’ secrets and tempt them with dark desires. Despite her misgivings, Jenny shares the game with her friends. Once they open the box, it’s too late to turn back.
The Game comes to life and pulls the teens into its world, run by the alluring and enigmatic Shadow Man—the one who sold Jenny the Game. The Shadow Man, Julian, brings the group’s nightmares to life and dares them to survive, all while making it clear that the goal of his game is to claim Jenny as his own.
Unable to quit without forfeiting their lives, Jenny and her friends have no choice but to play by Julian’s rules, but he doesn’t play fair, and their first challenge is only the beginning…
Jenny Thornton’s mission to make her boyfriend’s seventeenth birthday memorable brings her to a game store on the seedy side of town, where the strange and preternaturally gorgeous owner sells her the Game. He promises the Game is no ordinary experience but will reveal players’ secrets and tempt them with dark desires. Despite her misgivings, Jenny shares the game with her friends. Once they open the box, it’s too late to turn back.
The Game comes to life and pulls the teens into its world, run by the alluring and enigmatic Shadow Man—the one who sold Jenny the Game. The Shadow Man, Julian, brings the group’s nightmares to life and dares them to survive, all while making it clear that the goal of his game is to claim Jenny as his own.
Unable to quit without forfeiting their lives, Jenny and her friends have no choice but to play by Julian’s rules, but he doesn’t play fair, and their first challenge is only the beginning…
A board game unleashes a supernatural force determined to claim its players in this thrilling young adult trilogy by New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Diaries series, L.J. Smith. All three books now available together in one bind-up!
Jenny Thornton’s mission to make her boyfriend’...
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Ratings and reviews
24 reviews
Rebecca Lewis
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June 23, 2026
I enjoyed The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith. It's a mix of fantasy, horror, and romance that kept me interested the whole way through. The story follows Jenny and her friends as they're pulled into a dangerous supernatural game created by Julian, who is the most interesting character in the series. He's creepy, powerful, and obsessed with Jenny, which makes him both a great villain and a complicated love interest. What I liked most was the concept of the game itself. Each character has to face their worst fears, which creates a lot of suspense and some creepy moments. The Shadow World is also imaginative and adds a dark, dreamlike atmosphere to the story. The books are fast-paced and easy to read, so I never felt bored. That said, some parts feel a little dated since the series was written in the 1990s, and a few of the side characters could have been developed more.
Cheryl Cevallos
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March 13, 2020
Oh my god i was obsessed with this book i first read when i was 10 and i must have read it 100 times through my teens. I am 30 now i saw it and just couldnt resist going back into the game.
2 people found this review helpful
Destiny Burns
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February 2, 2018
AMAZING ❤❤❤ I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. HER WRITING IS FANTASTIC! I HAVE RE READ IT SO MANY TIMES!
4 people found this review helpful
About the author
L.J. Smith (1958–2025) was the New York Times bestselling author of the Night World and Vampire Diaries series. She wrote over twenty-five books and lived in California.
L.J. Smith (1958–2025) was the New York Times bestselling author of the Night World and Vampire Diaries series. She wrote over twenty-five books and lived in California.
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