A New Game is a bloody-knuckled relentless action-heavy thriller that is easily the best and darkest Elle Anderson adventure yet. It’s vicious, emotionally-charged, and determined in its mission to grip you with its icy tendrils to hold you steadfast as you follow Elle and her team down a darker path than you could have anticipated.
After the events of Shadow War, we were relieved to know Elle survived the worst that was thrown at her. Little did we know all that she faced in the explosive finale damaged her big time. Now she runs and guns around under the veil of having died, taking assassination contracts to exact her own brand of justice. Undeterred by her vengeful spree, her team continues to search for her. It’s only when they catch up to her when they realize their Elle is a ticking time bomb and as she undertakes an undercover mission unofficially sanctioned by her boss, it may be sending her down a path that will destroy both her and her team.
A.M. Adair takes a meaningful approach to the evolution of her protagonist, validating her trauma with a darkness that reeks of unhinged rage and terror. Where Elle Anderson could easily have been a superhero-like assassin, Adair takes great pains to root Elle in the harsh reality of what happens when one looks into the abyss too long. This makes for a powerful narrative that doesn’t shy away from putting its characters into a truly uncomfortable arena and it’s one of the essential elements that make make A New Game my favorite book in the series so far.
It would not be fair if I didn’t praise the brutal action sequences in copious amounts throughout the narrative which go a long way in keeping all the cylinders firing. Elle is a one-woman army and she continues to get more and more badass and I dare say scary when she makes quick and frightening work of her enemies. From handling firearms to bashing enemies in close quarters, Elle’s combat techniques and skillset carry a genuine weight of authenticity.
A New Game is a fantastic shoot-em-up thriller that makes you excited for tons of gritty action to follow as Elle continues her vengeful rampage but also gives you pause with the emphasis Adair places on the price of violence and betrayals that come with living a life of shadows. Beware, the cliffhanger will make it super hard to await the sequel but I can tell it’ll be worth it based on everything Adair has set up.
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Purchase A New Game
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Barrington Books
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Once Upon A Crime
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