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Games
Three teenage girls spending a weekend in an isolated country house probe the secrets of its past and trigger a series of bizarre events, which may be caused by a mischievous boyfriend or supernatural forces.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Robin Klein
79 books75 followersWinner of the Dromkeen Medal (1991).
Robin Klein was born 28 February 1936 in Kempsey, New South Wales into a family of nine children. Leaving school at age 15, Klein worked several jobs before becoming established as a writer, having her first story published at age 16. She would go on to write more than 40 books, including Hating Alison Ashley (adapted into a feature film starring Delta Goodrem in 2005), Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (adapted into a television series for the Seven Network in 1992), and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (adapted into a film directed by Richard Lowenstein in 1993).
Klein’s books are hugely celebrated, having won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in both the Younger Readers and the Older Readers categories, as well as a Human Rights Award for Literature in 1989 for Came Back to Show You I Could Fly. Klein is widely considered one of Australia’s most prolific and beloved YA authors.
Robin Klein was born 28 February 1936 in Kempsey, New South Wales into a family of nine children. Leaving school at age 15, Klein worked several jobs before becoming established as a writer, having her first story published at age 16. She would go on to write more than 40 books, including Hating Alison Ashley (adapted into a feature film starring Delta Goodrem in 2005), Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (adapted into a television series for the Seven Network in 1992), and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (adapted into a film directed by Richard Lowenstein in 1993).
Klein’s books are hugely celebrated, having won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in both the Younger Readers and the Older Readers categories, as well as a Human Rights Award for Literature in 1989 for Came Back to Show You I Could Fly. Klein is widely considered one of Australia’s most prolific and beloved YA authors.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 2, 2011
What happens when three teenage girls are alone in a 100 year old house, with a dark past?
I first read this book when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old, and had stolen it from my older sister. And boy, did it scare the pants off me! Robin Klein really does have an amazing talent for descriptive writing, which captivates the audience.
It's a book that I pull out every two years or so, and each time I do the familiar chills run up my spine, even though I know what the conclusion is. That this book can still evoke such a response is a credit to Robin's writing.
Storywise, it concerns Patricia a lonely and social awkward teenager who is invited to spend a weekend with the schools most popular duo in a fleeting moment of gratitude. She's clearly not welcome, however can't do anything about this situation as the house they're staying is is miles away in the bush.
What develops is a thriller of a tale with elements of horror, psychological warfare and self-examination. The backstories for the main characters really make this book come alive, and it's something that can be related to by teens today. It's a quick read, and you need to keep in mind that it's YA, but the story, characters, and feeling will stick with you for a while.
I'm not sure if it's included in each edition, but the book that I have depicted the plans of the actual house which really aided the story.
I first read this book when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old, and had stolen it from my older sister. And boy, did it scare the pants off me! Robin Klein really does have an amazing talent for descriptive writing, which captivates the audience.
It's a book that I pull out every two years or so, and each time I do the familiar chills run up my spine, even though I know what the conclusion is. That this book can still evoke such a response is a credit to Robin's writing.
Storywise, it concerns Patricia a lonely and social awkward teenager who is invited to spend a weekend with the schools most popular duo in a fleeting moment of gratitude. She's clearly not welcome, however can't do anything about this situation as the house they're staying is is miles away in the bush.
What develops is a thriller of a tale with elements of horror, psychological warfare and self-examination. The backstories for the main characters really make this book come alive, and it's something that can be related to by teens today. It's a quick read, and you need to keep in mind that it's YA, but the story, characters, and feeling will stick with you for a while.
I'm not sure if it's included in each edition, but the book that I have depicted the plans of the actual house which really aided the story.
January 25, 2024
It’s not a horror story or a scary one, or maybe it is if you are 12. But even as an adult, it’s an entertaining reading.
May 21, 2020
This was one of the first and most memorable books in the "horror" genre I read as a young teen. I loved it, but it also scared the sh** out of me at the time! Would it have the same impact now? I don't know... Might have to read it again one day.
February 20, 2024
Diving into the world of "Games" by Robin Klein, with illustrations by Melissa Webb, is like embarking on a captivating journey into imagination and creativity. This masterfully crafted book combines engaging storytelling with stunning visuals, making each page a delightful adventure. Webb's illustrations perfectly complement Klein's narrative, bringing the tales to life in a way that's both enchanting and inspiring. For anyone looking to explore this magical world further, venturing into the digital realm through platforms like apk1xbet.in can offer an extension of the adventure, blending the joy of reading with the excitement of interactive experiences. "Games" is truly a gem in literature and art, providing a rich, immersive experience for readers of all ages.
August 21, 2019
I think this is one of my favourites of hers. Same precocious adolescent protagonist with adult responsibilities from absent or neglective parents.
Read this alone at night and jumped every time the house settled.
Well-written if full of slurs.
Read this alone at night and jumped every time the house settled.
Well-written if full of slurs.
April 8, 2022
Scary teen novel
November 30, 2016
I'm so sad, Hating Alison Ashley is a childhood favourite of mine, so I'm so disappointed that this book didn't live up to that. I'm also now scared to re-read Hating Alison Ashley because I found the writing in this book so annoying. The similes just killed me.
"Not letting well enough alone, she heard herself babbling on, filling the silence with tinkling words like insubstantial notes played at random on a piano."
"No thinking of home at all, no letting that awful despair intrude to tinge everything he same colour as dust."
There were some inappropriate jokes in there, and I am also highly against the use of the word 'retard' as an insult. It was rather clichéd, and none of the good clichés either. There was only the "I don't think I'm pretty but actually am", "beautiful mean girl", and clichés. I also managed to accidentally call out a major plot point. I was just telling myself that that thing was going to happen to make myself feel better, but then it actually did, so I don't know whether I can say this book is predictable or not.
It did manage to scare me, however, I am very easily scared so it's not much of a feat (curse you vivid imagination, you're great for stories but also for explaining shadows and strange noises in the worst possible way). I am glad that I finally got around to finishing this book, because it's been sitting on my shelves for years and I've even picked it up a few times. I can now say that I have read the whole thing and never plan to do so again.
"Not letting well enough alone, she heard herself babbling on, filling the silence with tinkling words like insubstantial notes played at random on a piano."
"No thinking of home at all, no letting that awful despair intrude to tinge everything he same colour as dust."
There were some inappropriate jokes in there, and I am also highly against the use of the word 'retard' as an insult. It was rather clichéd, and none of the good clichés either. There was only the "I don't think I'm pretty but actually am", "beautiful mean girl", and clichés. I also managed to accidentally call out a major plot point. I was just telling myself that that thing was going to happen to make myself feel better, but then it actually did, so I don't know whether I can say this book is predictable or not.
It did manage to scare me, however, I am very easily scared so it's not much of a feat (curse you vivid imagination, you're great for stories but also for explaining shadows and strange noises in the worst possible way). I am glad that I finally got around to finishing this book, because it's been sitting on my shelves for years and I've even picked it up a few times. I can now say that I have read the whole thing and never plan to do so again.
June 24, 2013
I remember reading this as a child/early teen. Yeah. I call this story, "Teenage girls can be horrible nasties, but there's always some dude locked in the closet waiting for you! YAY!"
No, but on the idea of a thriller and the teenage joy of the ouija board at parties in abandoned houses (I really need to have some more of those, by the way!), I thought this was a fun book. You know, as a teenager who had been bullied as a child by other girls I felt a connection with the main character, save the trying to please her bullies. I never wanted to please anyone I just wanted them to leave me alone, but I can understand that point of view.
So yeah, young teens enjoy stories that are a little freaky and might trigger you, by all means. Ahahaha
Chaos out.
No, but on the idea of a thriller and the teenage joy of the ouija board at parties in abandoned houses (I really need to have some more of those, by the way!), I thought this was a fun book. You know, as a teenager who had been bullied as a child by other girls I felt a connection with the main character, save the trying to please her bullies. I never wanted to please anyone I just wanted them to leave me alone, but I can understand that point of view.
So yeah, young teens enjoy stories that are a little freaky and might trigger you, by all means. Ahahaha
Chaos out.
October 11, 2016
Was an enjoyable short read. It honestly creeped me out at some parts.
Although, It gave the game away. And when it was I gave a frustrated sigh. Why introduce a character out of nowhere and then get him out of the picture just as soon? I was suspicious from the start and therefore I was not as puzzled and creeped out as I should have been.
The discovery at the end though was rather macabre. That made me shiver.
Also, Patricia was awesome. :D
Although, It gave the game away. And when it was I gave a frustrated sigh. Why introduce a character out of nowhere and then get him out of the picture just as soon? I was suspicious from the start and therefore I was not as puzzled and creeped out as I should have been.
The discovery at the end though was rather macabre. That made me shiver.
Also, Patricia was awesome. :D
Read
May 23, 2016The best book Robin Klein has written! Patricia is such an interesting character, and the story has stayed with me for such a long time. Those horrible queen bees and Aunt Maud made for fascinating characters. The best character of all, was of course, the house.
It is great that this book captures just one weekend. You never know whether Patricia will go back to her old life as a changed girl, or whether she will revert back to her old ways. I was cheering for her the whole way through.
It is great that this book captures just one weekend. You never know whether Patricia will go back to her old life as a changed girl, or whether she will revert back to her old ways. I was cheering for her the whole way through.
July 21, 2009
Don't remember much but I remember I enjoyed its eerie intensity! Read this when I was about 10 or 11.
November 16, 2012
I remember reading this in primary school and loving it. Recently found it again and, though as an adult it lost some of its sheen, I still enjoyed being transported back to my Aussie childhood!
November 11, 2013
Games is one of those books that you never forget. I read this when I was about 10 or 11 and just looking at the cover brings back the spooky feeling I had reading it all those years ago.
Want to read
March 4, 2015Listed as Q4 = Exceptional!, P4 = A book everyone wants to read
August 13, 2017
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews