The Resurrection Game

Shadowside #3

by Michelle Belanger

Calling upon his abilities as one of the Anakim—a tribe of angels trapped on Earth—Zack dispatches the hideous creatures and seeks to depart before the police can arrive. Then he sees something that chills him to the bone… A man wearing his face.

When a connection emerges between Zack’s doppelganger and a series of ritualistic murders, Zack must call upon his every ally to find this murderer before he can strike again. For all of them are targets, and the sadistic serial killer won’t stop until all are dead.

Genres: Fantasy

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

M. Belanger is a prolific author, performer, creator, and game designer. Since the 90s, you've seen their work through Marvel AR, the History Channel, Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, Onyx Path, Nox Arcana, Osbourne Media, Llewellyn Books, Crossed Crow, Titan, Tenebrous Press, and their own imprints. Belanger specializes in paranormal, Gothic, and atmospheric horror.

Reviews

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this and I did not read it at once, because I had not read book 2, so I was unsure. I mean UF should be read in order. But then I thought, why not and gave it a go. And it did work, and mostly cos the main character has amnesia, so he is rather clueless about his place in the order of things.

Zach is an angel, but, he does not really know a lot. There are different tribes. They usually kill each other. He has made friends from different ones. Something happened and he does not what.

But right now he has other things to think about. Someone looking like him is going around killing people. His friends are in danger and someone sure wants his attention.

I mean sure, yes it would have been much better to read in order, now I had a review book and did not do that. So totally start with book 1, obviously.

And I so wonder about things. What was he? I mean, angel, duh, but what else is going on. WHy doesn't he know anything?

Good. But should be read in order.

[Sinensis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all four books currently out in this series really fast. I truly enjoyed reading this series and can't wait for the next book in the series. This review is for all of the books in the series of which I highly recommending reading them all and in order.

The world that the author has created is a compelling and vivid assault of images after images that just drew me in until I couldn't stop reading until I finished the series. From the characters and the complex relationships between each, Zach's amnesia at the start of the series allowed me as the reader to be drawn into the world of immortals without feeling alienated from the characters. It was refreshing to be as perplexed, clueless, lost, disgusted, etc. along side Zach, as he sought answers for everything that was taken from him.

I especially loved how this books reminds me of the quote by Friedrich Nietzsche:
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

The struggle of Zach to cling to the humanity, which he has gained from the loss of all his memories, effectively makes him a relatable character to empathise and sympathise with. Yet the author does not sugar coat Zach into the stereotype of a knight in shining armour, which makes the story ever more realistic and believable. He is flawed and the devastating depth of the emotion evoked in Zach, as he struggles help and save those he cares about shines through without loosing himself, is what kept me turning page after page unable to put the books down.

The mystery of what else makes me very excited to see what will happen in the next book (which will hopefully be published, cause I still have so many questions about Zach's past and the pasts of a lot of the other characters such as Remy, Lil, etc.).

[Travis Stacey Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar outing

This author gets better with every outing in this series. The concept for the books is original, the descriptions of magic and psychic experience are nuanced and elegant and the characters are well wrought and multi-dimensional. Add that to the writer’s talent for bringing you into the location and walking you around and the book is a complete winner.

[Rebecca Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story interesting. The author caught your attention in the first chapter. Fast paced and unique characters. We believe we each has a double somewhere out there but what would you do if you came face to face with your double? How this double exists will keep you reading.

[Stuart Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, this is a supernatural thriller and to be honest "had me on the edge of my seat" wondering what would happen. The characters are well developed throughout and it is full of intrigue and surprises.

[Aisling Van Dam LaBauve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, as well as the whole series it’s a part of. This is an unsung series; it hasn’t gotten enough recognition, and I wish it would because this author is talented and, also, I want her to write another one!

[Diane]

I have no words right now to describe this book. Amazing and wow and all of those don't even come close. I'll try to write a review in a few days once my brain stops spinning.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the series out of order but it still seemed to work. This is a story with the key figure an angel not comfortable in his own skin. He struggles with his angelic nature, frequently embracing humanity as a way to ground himself. I sense he has seen many of his brethren slide down the slope of absolute power into darkness. Definitely the driving theme in this story as his fellow Anakim has totally lost the battle. This 3rd book is easily set up to birth a 4th book...not sure if the author ever did one or not. The end raises more questions about Zack and his past than it answers. Book was a bit too long, with quite a few superfluous and repetitive scenes that could have been pared away to make the story more focused...I put this more on the editor than on the author.
All in all, a decent read and one that I would take up again for book 4

[Katy Lohman · Rating 4 out of 5]

...and I thought the Nephilim, Gibburim and Rephaim were creepy. This new Anakim we meet is worse than all the rest combined!

However, the story is excellent, and the characters, as always, interesting.

Now I have to wait to see if any more books come. *fingers crossed*