The Calling (Endgame #1) by James Frey (2014)
YA Fiction | Sci-Fi
Blurb:
“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.”
–Goodreads
pooled ink Review:
This book was pretty fast paced for the most part, contained loads of almost too detailed detail which sometimes made the events seem more real and other times made it seem like he’s trying a wee bit too hard.
Interesting characters and cool overall story idea.
Some of the violence is downright cringe worthy and gross but, although I hate to admit it, probably realistic.
That is one thing I appreciated about this book. The authors didn’t shy away from the reality of the characters’ positions or situations. The amount of research and work that was put into creating this book is evident and appreciated.
Overall I really enjoyed this book although I didn’t read it in one sitting.
I’m not really into aliens so that part of the storyline sort of lost my interest but I get it so whatever really.
Is this my favorite book? No. Is what they’re doing with the contest, multi-media, etc pretty cool? Hell yes.
Oh and this book is nothing like Hunger Games. I’ve seen plenty reviews claiming and complaining about it being a derivative of the Hunger Games trilogy and I just don’t see it so if that’s your concern about whether or not you want to read this book then don’t worry about it.
Alright. Awesomesauce. (:
Cheers.
Posted on Goodreads on January 13, 2015
Purchase here: Endgame: The Calling
Similar recommended reads: Last Light Falling: The Covenant by J.E. Plemons; Sleeping Giants by Sylvaun Neuvel
Meet James Frey!
James Frey is the author of A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard. After battling with alcohol addiction and spending time in rehab, he wrote A Million Little Pieces which was published in 2003 in America and the following year in the UK to critical acclaim. He wrote the sequel, My Friend Leonard about life after rehab, which was published in 2005 in the US and the year after in the UK.
James Frey now lives in New York with his wife, daughter and dog. He is still writing.
-Goodreads
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