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The Forbidden Game #2
The Chase
Jenny's friends are lost one by one to a ghostly wolf and a phantom snake, instruments of the sinister but attractive Shadow Man, who has returned from the Shadow World with a deadly game called "Lambs and Monsters." Original.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
40 people are currently reading
1861 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Smith
337 books112k followersSmith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
September 11, 2020
My thoughts while reading this book, in a nutshell: Oh Julian, you little vicious, captivating bastard.
July 31, 2022
اتمام
۹/مـرداد/۰۱
13:59
در ادامهی کتاب قبلی، توی این جلد جنی و دوستانش با عواقب ترک کردن و دور زدن جولین روبهرو میشه! اینبار جنی باید تا قبل از اینکه دیر بشه راهی برای جلوگیری از ناپدید شدن تک تک دوستاش پیدا کنه و جلوی مرد سایه رو بگیره!
جولیــن، بیا منو با خودت ببر، بدون هیچ دردسری میاما. این دختره لیاقتتو نداره!🚶🏻♀️
نیدنیدینسژمصمژمسپژمسپ
ماجرای هیجانی این جلد درست مثل قبلی شمارو وادار به ادامه دادن و تموم کردنش میکنه
شخصیت سازی واقعا خوبه! اینو باید تو ریویو جلد قبلی میگفتم یادم رفت🫠
شما از همون جلد اول با تک تک شخصیتا و خصوصیاتشون آشنا میشین و هرچی جلوتر میاین بهتر و دقیق تر درکشون میکنین!
داشتم فکر میکردم نویسنده ها واقعا کرم دارن😂 از عمد شخصیت ویلن داستان رو جذاب و خفن بهوجود میارن که عاشقشون شی و بعدشم شکست عشقی بخوری و نابود شی!
وگرنه خیلی راحت میتونستن یه آدم کریه و زشت و ترسناک بسازن که تازه فحش خورشونم ملس باشه!
این مجموعه کتاب چون نسبتا قدیمیه و حتی ترجمه شم قدیمیه خیلی سانسور خورده!
البته اصلا صحنه های بدی نداره فقط در حد کیس که کاملا با ساتور سانسور خورده😂
پس ترجیحا یا زبان اصلی بخونین یا با زبان اصلی بخونیدش!
۹/مـرداد/۰۱
13:59
در ادامهی کتاب قبلی، توی این جلد جنی و دوستانش با عواقب ترک کردن و دور زدن جولین روبهرو میشه! اینبار جنی باید تا قبل از اینکه دیر بشه راهی برای جلوگیری از ناپدید شدن تک تک دوستاش پیدا کنه و جلوی مرد سایه رو بگیره!
جولیــن، بیا منو با خودت ببر، بدون هیچ دردسری میاما. این دختره لیاقتتو نداره!🚶🏻♀️
نیدنیدینسژمصمژمسپژمسپ
ماجرای هیجانی این جلد درست مثل قبلی شمارو وادار به ادامه دادن و تموم کردنش میکنه
شخصیت سازی واقعا خوبه! اینو باید تو ریویو جلد قبلی میگفتم یادم رفت🫠
شما از همون جلد اول با تک تک شخصیتا و خصوصیاتشون آشنا میشین و هرچی جلوتر میاین بهتر و دقیق تر درکشون میکنین!
داشتم فکر میکردم نویسنده ها واقعا کرم دارن😂 از عمد شخصیت ویلن داستان رو جذاب و خفن بهوجود میارن که عاشقشون شی و بعدشم شکست عشقی بخوری و نابود شی!
وگرنه خیلی راحت میتونستن یه آدم کریه و زشت و ترسناک بسازن که تازه فحش خورشونم ملس باشه!
این مجموعه کتاب چون نسبتا قدیمیه و حتی ترجمه شم قدیمیه خیلی سانسور خورده!
البته اصلا صحنه های بدی نداره فقط در حد کیس که کاملا با ساتور سانسور خورده😂
پس ترجیحا یا زبان اصلی بخونین یا با زبان اصلی بخونیدش!
September 15, 2020
(Source: I own a copy of this book.)
Jenny and her friends thought they’d won the game, but with the game missing, and Julian possibly on the loose, are any of them really safe? Or is this just the pause before a new game begins?
This was a great second instalment in this paranormal trilogy.
I love the way Julian always aims big, he doesn’t just want Jenny, he wants to make sure that her friends suffer too!
I loved the little clues, even the ones that didn’t make sense, and Julian. Oh my! Julian I really love! He is just perfection! Got to love that bad boy with those beautiful blue eyes! Yes please!
The ending was good, even though we got a cliff-hanger, so it is on to book 3!
Overall; great second instalment,
8.5 out of 10.
Jenny and her friends thought they’d won the game, but with the game missing, and Julian possibly on the loose, are any of them really safe? Or is this just the pause before a new game begins?
This was a great second instalment in this paranormal trilogy.
I love the way Julian always aims big, he doesn’t just want Jenny, he wants to make sure that her friends suffer too!
I loved the little clues, even the ones that didn’t make sense, and Julian. Oh my! Julian I really love! He is just perfection! Got to love that bad boy with those beautiful blue eyes! Yes please!
The ending was good, even though we got a cliff-hanger, so it is on to book 3!
Overall; great second instalment,
8.5 out of 10.
August 27, 2018
jenny thought she contained Julian at the end of the last book, but when she and her friends are chased by strange creatures and no one can sleep without having a nightmare, it is clear that Julian has escaped and is pissed! The game is clearly not over but has changed. Julian gives Jenny one chance to play this new game - if she wins, she is released from the oath she made at the end of book 1, if she loses, she belongs to him.....dun, dun, duuuunnnn!
This series is great. It's scary, but not too scary. I think it would be great for grades 7 and up. As I mentioned in my review for book 1 - I read a lot of young teen books to preview them for our school library, and I think this series would be a great addition. There is no bad language. The characters are juniors in high school and have paired up into boyfriend/girlfriend, but really only kissing occurs between them (i.e. no sex). As far as violence goes, there is a little more in this book than in book 1. One of the opening scenes is about a guy that enjoys killing animals (reminded me about the warning signs of serial killers) and he is killed by some shadow animal. It wasn't overly graphic, but it certainly hinted to it. There are a few more times when violent things occur, but they aren't graphic at all. I still think a 7th grader could handle it just fine.
This series is great. It's scary, but not too scary. I think it would be great for grades 7 and up. As I mentioned in my review for book 1 - I read a lot of young teen books to preview them for our school library, and I think this series would be a great addition. There is no bad language. The characters are juniors in high school and have paired up into boyfriend/girlfriend, but really only kissing occurs between them (i.e. no sex). As far as violence goes, there is a little more in this book than in book 1. One of the opening scenes is about a guy that enjoys killing animals (reminded me about the warning signs of serial killers) and he is killed by some shadow animal. It wasn't overly graphic, but it certainly hinted to it. There are a few more times when violent things occur, but they aren't graphic at all. I still think a 7th grader could handle it just fine.
December 14, 2025
Nostalgia re-read, because I just found out L.J. Smith passed away earlier this year, in March 2025. I re-read the first in this series months ago, but all her books were years ago burned into my formative teen brain so that I can pick them up at any point and dive right back in.
No doubt, this is a middle-y sort of book. This second book is much more focused on Jenny and her friend group in the real world than Julian - and they're all kind of falling apart after their experiences in the first book, The Hunter. Tom in particular, Jenny's sort-of boyfriend, has isolated himself and is on his own journey, which on this read, I wished we followed more closely. (I mean, can you imagine romantically competing with Julian??)
About halfway through the book Julian stops scaring our heroes by proxy via the Creeper (snake) and Lurker (wolf) and shows up to announce a new game, "lambs and monsters." There's no hint of tender or weak Julian in this book, he's merciless and coercive. It makes Jenny's journey to recognize that she likes some of his danger but to stand up for herself anyway a bit easier to accomplish.
So, if you like the bad boy romance, Julian is at his baddest in this entry. I would have enjoyed a bit more character moments from the supporting cast, but who am I kidding? Despite giving this particular book 3.5 stars, I still love the thing.
No doubt, this is a middle-y sort of book. This second book is much more focused on Jenny and her friend group in the real world than Julian - and they're all kind of falling apart after their experiences in the first book, The Hunter. Tom in particular, Jenny's sort-of boyfriend, has isolated himself and is on his own journey, which on this read, I wished we followed more closely. (I mean, can you imagine romantically competing with Julian??)
About halfway through the book Julian stops scaring our heroes by proxy via the Creeper (snake) and Lurker (wolf) and shows up to announce a new game, "lambs and monsters." There's no hint of tender or weak Julian in this book, he's merciless and coercive. It makes Jenny's journey to recognize that she likes some of his danger but to stand up for herself anyway a bit easier to accomplish.
So, if you like the bad boy romance, Julian is at his baddest in this entry. I would have enjoyed a bit more character moments from the supporting cast, but who am I kidding? Despite giving this particular book 3.5 stars, I still love the thing.
August 3, 2025
Review to follow
July 20, 2021
4 stars. I didn't love this one as much as the first book. It has definite second book syndrome and I hate Tom. I don't get why Jenny wants to be conformed and molded into his perfect woman. *Gag me with a spoon* I did like the exploration of all the characters' PTSD post-nightmare dreamscape. Review to come.
August 29, 2020
I wasn’t quite as hooked to this one as I was the first but the ending really picked it up for me. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
August 25, 2023
Jenny and her friends thought they had won and freed themselves from the Game but now they are being picked off one by one by a snake and wolf in ghostly form. Can Jenny save her friends this time?
This is the second in the trilogy and feels a little like a filler but it is a fun story and I liked the clues aspect of who would be captured next. Julian is as enticing and creepy as usual, he’s a great villain! I also really liked the change in Jenny, she seems more aware of her own power than in the first book and her boyfriend Tom really can’t handle it 😂
All of the characters seem to be more rounded and I loved Aba so much with her stories and wisdom. This ends setting up for the final book, and as it is only this story that is the tales point horror book club read this time, I resisted not jumping to the finale but it was hard!
This is the second in the trilogy and feels a little like a filler but it is a fun story and I liked the clues aspect of who would be captured next. Julian is as enticing and creepy as usual, he’s a great villain! I also really liked the change in Jenny, she seems more aware of her own power than in the first book and her boyfriend Tom really can’t handle it 😂
All of the characters seem to be more rounded and I loved Aba so much with her stories and wisdom. This ends setting up for the final book, and as it is only this story that is the tales point horror book club read this time, I resisted not jumping to the finale but it was hard!
September 1, 2018
I really, really like Julian, if I was Jenny I’d have gone to him a long time ago.
Jenny however fights Julian at every turn, putting her friends in danger. I find her selfish, especially when she knows that everyone is in danger, she still chooses not to give in.
I really hope she gets her friends back and she will be with Julian in the end.
Jenny however fights Julian at every turn, putting her friends in danger. I find her selfish, especially when she knows that everyone is in danger, she still chooses not to give in.
I really hope she gets her friends back and she will be with Julian in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
LJ Smith is one of the more interesting 90s YA horror writers and this is dripping in the 'teenage girl discovers sexuality' trope. Always fun to read.
I read this for our podcast Teenage Scream, which dissects the best (and worst) of 90s Teen Horror.
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
I read this for our podcast Teenage Scream, which dissects the best (and worst) of 90s Teen Horror.
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
June 16, 2012
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I have to admit, I thought The Chase was headed down the path of that book. You know, the Second-Book-in-a-Trilogy Syndrome where the middle novel drags and becomes unusually boring. Thankfully, Smith managed to turn that around and prove me wrong a little before the half-way mark and I'm glad to report that I found myself more spooked, more frightened, and more terrified by this fantastic sequel.
The Chase picks up right where The Hunter left off as Jenny, Tom, Audrey, Dee, Michael and Zach struggle to come to terms with what happened the night of Tom's birthday. Strange shadows seem to be lurking around and the six friends constantly find themselves looking over their shoulders in fear. The doll house which holds Julian has been stolen and Jenny has a strange feeling that he has been let loose. When that proves true, she unknowingly agrees for another game - one that will free her from her promise and bond to him. Now they must play again but this times, the stakes are higher, the rules are harder, and more than just one of them may not make it out alive...
If I'm being totally honest, the beginning of The Chase was definitely boring. Nothing much seemed to be happening until, of course, the dollhouse was found and Julian returned. As much as I hate Julian, I have to admit that he makes everything more interesting. I think what I loved the most about this book though, was that we got to see everyone's perspective. The Chase was primarily told from Jenny's POV, but we also saw Tom, Michael, Zach, Audrey, and Dee's POVs as well which was great! Also, we got the see the impact the previous game had on the characters and how much they had changed and grown since. Plus, this was the book that made me absolutely love Tom, despite all his flaws. Was he whiny, annoying, and petulant because Julian loved Jenny? Yes, he was. Yet, despite all that, he had the best of intentions at heart, which is a lot more than I can say for creepy-dude-from-another-world Julian.
Ultimately though, The Chase was a phenomenal sequel to The Hunter - one which left me flipping the pages faster, making my imagination go to even more terrifying extremes, and taking me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I can't wait to see how Smith intends on wrapping up this heart-pounding series, but I have no doubt that it'll be great! :D
I have to admit, I thought The Chase was headed down the path of that book. You know, the Second-Book-in-a-Trilogy Syndrome where the middle novel drags and becomes unusually boring. Thankfully, Smith managed to turn that around and prove me wrong a little before the half-way mark and I'm glad to report that I found myself more spooked, more frightened, and more terrified by this fantastic sequel.
The Chase picks up right where The Hunter left off as Jenny, Tom, Audrey, Dee, Michael and Zach struggle to come to terms with what happened the night of Tom's birthday. Strange shadows seem to be lurking around and the six friends constantly find themselves looking over their shoulders in fear. The doll house which holds Julian has been stolen and Jenny has a strange feeling that he has been let loose. When that proves true, she unknowingly agrees for another game - one that will free her from her promise and bond to him. Now they must play again but this times, the stakes are higher, the rules are harder, and more than just one of them may not make it out alive...
If I'm being totally honest, the beginning of The Chase was definitely boring. Nothing much seemed to be happening until, of course, the dollhouse was found and Julian returned. As much as I hate Julian, I have to admit that he makes everything more interesting. I think what I loved the most about this book though, was that we got to see everyone's perspective. The Chase was primarily told from Jenny's POV, but we also saw Tom, Michael, Zach, Audrey, and Dee's POVs as well which was great! Also, we got the see the impact the previous game had on the characters and how much they had changed and grown since. Plus, this was the book that made me absolutely love Tom, despite all his flaws. Was he whiny, annoying, and petulant because Julian loved Jenny? Yes, he was. Yet, despite all that, he had the best of intentions at heart, which is a lot more than I can say for creepy-dude-from-another-world Julian.
Ultimately though, The Chase was a phenomenal sequel to The Hunter - one which left me flipping the pages faster, making my imagination go to even more terrifying extremes, and taking me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I can't wait to see how Smith intends on wrapping up this heart-pounding series, but I have no doubt that it'll be great! :D
April 10, 2021
The Chase is the second book in the forbidden game series. Just like the previous book, I thought this one was just okay. Not sure if this trend of reading okay books will continue when it comes to L.J.'s books but I hope I find one (in any series) that I really enjoy. I'm not necessarily looking for a wow factor but just a genuinely good book.
I'm also not a big fan of Julian and Jenny being together. They definitely make me cringe and some of their scenes definitely rubbed me the wrong way. It just felt like he was manipulating her a bit so her friends don't die. I just kept waiting for something horrible to happen to Julian to bring me a little justice/redemption but sadly - I got none.
In the end, I guess I'm going to dive into the next book just to see what's going to happen next. But I'm also really hoping that I find these two somewhat likable as well.
I'm also not a big fan of Julian and Jenny being together. They definitely make me cringe and some of their scenes definitely rubbed me the wrong way. It just felt like he was manipulating her a bit so her friends don't die. I just kept waiting for something horrible to happen to Julian to bring me a little justice/redemption but sadly - I got none.
In the end, I guess I'm going to dive into the next book just to see what's going to happen next. But I'm also really hoping that I find these two somewhat likable as well.
February 6, 2023
I don’t like Jenny! I can’t stand Jenny, yet here I am, reading this! Julian is the only character I care about at this point.
May 31, 2020
Auch im zweiten Band gibt es keinen Charakter, den ich besonders sympathisch oder interessant finde. Die Protagonistin Jenny empfinde ich sogar inzwischen als recht nervig. Das Ganze ist so übertrieben dargestellt: immer noch ein Tacken heroischer und anscheinend unzerstörbar geht sie aus den Geschehnissen hervor. Insgesamt ist auch der Verlauf der Story zu gewollt. Es wird immer noch eins obendrauf gesetzt; so dass man man Ende des Buches denkt: 'echt jetzt?! Es nervt!'
Ich hoffe, dass der finale Band besser wird.
Ich hoffe, dass der finale Band besser wird.
June 17, 2020
3.5 stars
October 15, 2017
I reviewed the first book a while ago and my recap for it just went up last month at The Devil’s Elbow. This month I’m recapping THE CHASE and having never read it before, of course it needed to be reviewed here too. Oh such Labyrinth-y goodness.
Granted I was a bit torn with THE CHASE. The pacing was a little all over the place and the first sentence in that blurb is really misleading. Jenny doesn’t have dudes falling all over her now. One guy asked her to the prom who wasn’t Tom. The blurb could have started with the second sentence and have been fine. Anyway, pacing. It lingers on minutiae in this book where it didn’t in the last, giving me drawn out scenes when they were postering (as in handing out posters with Summer’s face on it because everyone thinks she’s just missing) that didn’t really advance the plot at all, or the whole thing with this guy pursuing Jenny, which really wasn’t much of a thing. There’s a fair amount of cigarette lighting in the book and things don’t really start to get rolling until a little more than halfway into the book, which is far. I often felt like telling Smith to get on with it up to that point.
However, I did like the total mindfuck going on up to Game #2. They were just spaced far enough apart in that first half that they didn’t connect too well and too much time passed between them to really maintain interest. Plus Smith likes to drag on with unnecessary physical details and expounding a little too much on what’s going on in people’s heads so that slowed the plot down too. But the mindfucking was good. I wish she spent more time there.
About a third of the way through the book I started having real issues with the type of focus Smith was giving Dee, her Aba, and then a Polynesian woman. It seemed like every POC that popped up in her books were in some way otherworldly and deserving of this . . . other type of description that no one else got. Then I remembered Wing from DE mentioning not liking Smith’s othering of Dee. Not sure what that meant I looked it up. Yup. That’s it. That’s what was really bothering me. It’s almost like Smith’s overcompensating by making all of the POC in her book mystical and gorgeous and unreachable . . . except that just plays into typecasting, doesn’t it? Dee, the angry but beautiful black girl who’s regularly described as having lioness and panther-like qualities, who wants to fight constantly, and who is regularly described as having a savage or barbaric smile (OMG NO). Aba, the mystical black grandma offering pearls of wisdom to help the children along. And the Polynesian women, a cop and there for a second, was described as being model beautiful. It was just so glaring and off-putting.
Meanwhile Michael has some variety of spaniel eyes, Audrey has spiky lashes and bangs, and everyone else kinds of blends in. Smith has a real bad habit of using rather unique descriptors repeatedly. They stand out “nicely.”
Anyway, I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers and horror and THE CHASE fits better into that arena than anything else. I really, really liked the mind games Julian played, wearing the group down before taking them one by one. Truly, it’s perfect. But then we get sort of a repeat ending from book one and I want to say it’s lazy but it also plays into Julian’s character so I’m not sure which way to sway on that one. But I like that Smith went with the brain game with book two. Considering how mentally mangled those kids would be after what they went through, and with losing Summer (I have a feeling she’s not actually dead . . .) their brains would be ripe for poking. And Julian did just that. It’s demented and dark and it made me like the story even more. Jenny is standing more on her own two feet and barreling headfirst into things. Tom is no longer her crutch. Instead she stands on her own and that’s kind of awesome.
I’m looking forward to working my way through book 3 next month. Be sure to check out my recap going up at The Devil’s Elbow on the 23rd!
4
Granted I was a bit torn with THE CHASE. The pacing was a little all over the place and the first sentence in that blurb is really misleading. Jenny doesn’t have dudes falling all over her now. One guy asked her to the prom who wasn’t Tom. The blurb could have started with the second sentence and have been fine. Anyway, pacing. It lingers on minutiae in this book where it didn’t in the last, giving me drawn out scenes when they were postering (as in handing out posters with Summer’s face on it because everyone thinks she’s just missing) that didn’t really advance the plot at all, or the whole thing with this guy pursuing Jenny, which really wasn’t much of a thing. There’s a fair amount of cigarette lighting in the book and things don’t really start to get rolling until a little more than halfway into the book, which is far. I often felt like telling Smith to get on with it up to that point.
However, I did like the total mindfuck going on up to Game #2. They were just spaced far enough apart in that first half that they didn’t connect too well and too much time passed between them to really maintain interest. Plus Smith likes to drag on with unnecessary physical details and expounding a little too much on what’s going on in people’s heads so that slowed the plot down too. But the mindfucking was good. I wish she spent more time there.
About a third of the way through the book I started having real issues with the type of focus Smith was giving Dee, her Aba, and then a Polynesian woman. It seemed like every POC that popped up in her books were in some way otherworldly and deserving of this . . . other type of description that no one else got. Then I remembered Wing from DE mentioning not liking Smith’s othering of Dee. Not sure what that meant I looked it up. Yup. That’s it. That’s what was really bothering me. It’s almost like Smith’s overcompensating by making all of the POC in her book mystical and gorgeous and unreachable . . . except that just plays into typecasting, doesn’t it? Dee, the angry but beautiful black girl who’s regularly described as having lioness and panther-like qualities, who wants to fight constantly, and who is regularly described as having a savage or barbaric smile (OMG NO). Aba, the mystical black grandma offering pearls of wisdom to help the children along. And the Polynesian women, a cop and there for a second, was described as being model beautiful. It was just so glaring and off-putting.
Meanwhile Michael has some variety of spaniel eyes, Audrey has spiky lashes and bangs, and everyone else kinds of blends in. Smith has a real bad habit of using rather unique descriptors repeatedly. They stand out “nicely.”
Anyway, I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers and horror and THE CHASE fits better into that arena than anything else. I really, really liked the mind games Julian played, wearing the group down before taking them one by one. Truly, it’s perfect. But then we get sort of a repeat ending from book one and I want to say it’s lazy but it also plays into Julian’s character so I’m not sure which way to sway on that one. But I like that Smith went with the brain game with book two. Considering how mentally mangled those kids would be after what they went through, and with losing Summer (I have a feeling she’s not actually dead . . .) their brains would be ripe for poking. And Julian did just that. It’s demented and dark and it made me like the story even more. Jenny is standing more on her own two feet and barreling headfirst into things. Tom is no longer her crutch. Instead she stands on her own and that’s kind of awesome.
I’m looking forward to working my way through book 3 next month. Be sure to check out my recap going up at The Devil’s Elbow on the 23rd!
4
August 8, 2025
Poor Jenny. I think I'd have just given in to Julian by now. Done him some kind of deal where he let her live in the normal world, and let her friends go free, but she was still his. I mean he's not that bad really. She already thinks he's gorgeous, and hypnotic, and sexy. She even wants to give in to him at times. I mean, having a paranormal wolf and weirdo paranormal snake following you and your friends around all the time isn't bad enough, you sign up to walk through fire as well?! Think I'd rather be kissing Julian to be honest 😊
January 11, 2011
One of my faves as a kid growing up. Julian is probably the most memorable male character from ANY book I've read. Also, the occult and mystic aspects have a very unique slant to them (including Norse runic elements), as does the obsession Julian has for Jenny, whom he has shadowed since her childhood. Smith heavily researches her topics and it's admirable; this is evident in many of her series including my favorite "Secret Circle" books. All Smith books are entertaining for women of any age!
December 20, 2017
If he wasn’t going to throw her over, then maybe she ought to jump, because dying fast would be better than whatever he was going to do with her. . . . “Just go ahead and do it. Just get it over with.”
“All right,” he said, and kissed her.
Oh.
August 24, 2015
Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom as great – You have no power over me.
I swear, If Jenny had uttered those beautiful words to Julian he would've disappeared forever (much to my dismay).
This is what Labyrinth would have been like if Jareth was a teenager.
Anyhow, if that quote up there sounds at all familiar to you, and if you loved that movie as a child, teenager, or an adult, you are going to like this trilogy.
It's so good. Better than I expected.
In the second installment of this trilogy,Jareth Julian is back. He wants to play a different game this time around, however. Julian is kidnapping Jenny's friends one by one and it is up to her to find his base before they perish.
“This is a game for the original players, for everyone who was in the paper house. No more and no less. On my side, myself and the Creeper and the Lurker. On your side– everyone who helped betray me. I'm going to catch them one by one...”
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. You obviously like Julian! And don't give me that crap about how you love Tom because, if I recall correctly (and I do), one look at Julian and you forgot your beloved Tom even existed. You yourself said that you respond to Julian's touch and kisses in a way you don't respond to Tom's. So, do us both a favor. SURRENDER TO JULIAN!
I'll go ahead and give you the pros and cons, Jenny.
Pros:
-He'll stop trying to kidnap/kill your friends
-He'll give you anything your heart desires
-You won't have to go to school anymore
-No more chores!
-You get to spend eternity with Julian and his “electric blue eyes”
Cons:
-You won't ever see your friends or family ever again
-You'll have to live in the Shadow World, probably
…
…
…
That's it.
So when it comes down to it, the choice is obvious. Live out the rest of your days with Julian!
You won't ever get to see you friends and family again, but, the way I see it, you'll eventually drift apart from them anyway. Why not cut the ties off now?!
Do you seriously think you'll stay in touch with your friends after High School? HA, that's a laugh! Take it from someone who's graduated HS, slowly but surely you'll drift away. But don't worry, you'll make new friends. They might only be the century old demons,but they're better than nothing!
Plus you get to be with Julian. JULIAN!
All joking aside, though, I'm glad I discovered this trilogy. It's not exactly original, but it's fun, entertaining, engaging, and just an all-around good time.
Like I mentioned in my review of the previous book, the characters each have their own voice and the dialogue makes me laugh.
There were only a couple of things that bugged me. One was the fact that Audrey always wants to end a sentence in a different language. I get it, Audrey, you are smarter than me!
The other was that Jenny cried quite a bit in this book. After a while it started bothering me. Then I remembered that there was a handsome maniac demon/alien/fairy thing kidnapping her friends and I decided to shut my mouth about it. She does cry a lot, though.
Like I said before, I love L.J. Smith because she always writes about the power of friendship. Once again, the gang worked together and escaped danger. Well, most of them escaped danger, at least.
I felt as if the characters grew a little in this book. They're all a little braver, a little more loving, and ready to face evil without flinching away.
Except Michael, of course.
Love you, Michael!
Julian is still up to his old tricks. Always coming up with something last minute to prevent them from wining, but it cracks me up every time! Oh, that Julian!
I want to talk about this awesome cover, too. It's just so.... awesome. It's colorful and weird and it looks so melodramatic. I love it! It just screams 90s.
Whoever drew this is talented. Jenny is on the cover looking beautiful. I can see why Julian likes her.
Tom looks very handsome, too. But why is he giving us the thumbs-up? And while we're at it, what is up with Jenny's facial expression? Tom looks like he's about to crap his pants and Jenny's just pulling him along like she doesn't have a care in the world.
Julian looks evil. And for some reason his face makes me think he talks with a lisp lmao, I love it!!!
I'll end this by saying I'm both anxious and excited to find out how the author will end this trilogy. Ms. Smith, please don't tell me that Jenny will end up with Tom. My heart is set on her having cute little blonde, blue eyed shadow babies with Julian!
I am going to be sad if she stays with Tom. She doesn't really love him, dammit!
You broke my heart once before when you told me Cassie ended up with Adam and not my beloved Nick.
Please don't put me through that again. I'm not sure I can survive it this time around. I will die from heartbreak and it will all be your fault. So, you know, no pressure!
I kid, I kid, I'll be happy with whoever she ends up with. I just hope the ending is awesome. Deep down, though, I think I really do want her to end up with Julian's evil-ass. But I refuse to get my hopes up anymore.
Quotes:
“So what do you do, she thought, floating, when you've sold your soul to the devil?” -pg. 55
“We were meant to be together. It's our destiny. You've put up a good fight, but it's over now. Give in, Jenny. Let me love you.” -pg. 108
“If Darkness had taken on a face and a voice, if the powers of night had gathered themselves together and formed themselves into a human being, they would have made something like Julian.” -pg. 109
“Why isn't there anything in this refrigerator except mayonnaise and Diet Coke?” Audrey called.
“There should be some cream cheese in there somewhere,” Michael said. “And there's Cracker Jack in the cupboard; Dad bought a case at the Price Club. If you love me at all, bring me a Coke and tell me what's going on. I was asleep.” -pg. 122
“Gonna stay with Dee for a few days, dad! We're working on a big physiology project!”
“Call us occasionally to let us know you're alive.” -pg. 141
“You lied to me,” Michael said. He still had the hamster look, only now his lower lip was pushed out pathetically, too. “You said it wouldn't get me, and it did.” -pg. 202
“You didn't believe me?”
“Well– ”
“Then why did you go with me?”
He looked at her, then, with eyes that were green and gold and brown like autumn leaves swirling on a pool. “I wanted to,” he said simply. “Whatever happened, I wanted to be with you.” -pg. 218
“I'm free. Know anybody who wants one girlfriend, low maintenance, good sense of humor?”
“God, Jenny.” his arms tightened rushingly. “Nope, guess you'll have to put an ad in the classifieds.” -pg. 219
I swear, If Jenny had uttered those beautiful words to Julian he would've disappeared forever (much to my dismay).
This is what Labyrinth would have been like if Jareth was a teenager.
Anyhow, if that quote up there sounds at all familiar to you, and if you loved that movie as a child, teenager, or an adult, you are going to like this trilogy.
It's so good. Better than I expected.
In the second installment of this trilogy,
“This is a game for the original players, for everyone who was in the paper house. No more and no less. On my side, myself and the Creeper and the Lurker. On your side– everyone who helped betray me. I'm going to catch them one by one...”
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. You obviously like Julian! And don't give me that crap about how you love Tom because, if I recall correctly (and I do), one look at Julian and you forgot your beloved Tom even existed. You yourself said that you respond to Julian's touch and kisses in a way you don't respond to Tom's. So, do us both a favor. SURRENDER TO JULIAN!
I'll go ahead and give you the pros and cons, Jenny.
Pros:
-He'll stop trying to kidnap/kill your friends
-He'll give you anything your heart desires
-You won't have to go to school anymore
-No more chores!
-You get to spend eternity with Julian and his “electric blue eyes”
Cons:
-You won't ever see your friends or family ever again
-You'll have to live in the Shadow World, probably
…
…
…
That's it.
So when it comes down to it, the choice is obvious. Live out the rest of your days with Julian!
You won't ever get to see you friends and family again, but, the way I see it, you'll eventually drift apart from them anyway. Why not cut the ties off now?!
Do you seriously think you'll stay in touch with your friends after High School? HA, that's a laugh! Take it from someone who's graduated HS, slowly but surely you'll drift away. But don't worry, you'll make new friends. They might only be the century old demons,but they're better than nothing!
Plus you get to be with Julian. JULIAN!
All joking aside, though, I'm glad I discovered this trilogy. It's not exactly original, but it's fun, entertaining, engaging, and just an all-around good time.
Like I mentioned in my review of the previous book, the characters each have their own voice and the dialogue makes me laugh.
There were only a couple of things that bugged me. One was the fact that Audrey always wants to end a sentence in a different language. I get it, Audrey, you are smarter than me!
The other was that Jenny cried quite a bit in this book. After a while it started bothering me. Then I remembered that there was a handsome maniac demon/alien/fairy thing kidnapping her friends and I decided to shut my mouth about it. She does cry a lot, though.
Like I said before, I love L.J. Smith because she always writes about the power of friendship. Once again, the gang worked together and escaped danger. Well, most of them escaped danger, at least.
I felt as if the characters grew a little in this book. They're all a little braver, a little more loving, and ready to face evil without flinching away.
Except Michael, of course.
Love you, Michael!
Julian is still up to his old tricks. Always coming up with something last minute to prevent them from wining, but it cracks me up every time! Oh, that Julian!
I want to talk about this awesome cover, too. It's just so.... awesome. It's colorful and weird and it looks so melodramatic. I love it! It just screams 90s.
Whoever drew this is talented. Jenny is on the cover looking beautiful. I can see why Julian likes her.
Tom looks very handsome, too. But why is he giving us the thumbs-up? And while we're at it, what is up with Jenny's facial expression? Tom looks like he's about to crap his pants and Jenny's just pulling him along like she doesn't have a care in the world.
Julian looks evil. And for some reason his face makes me think he talks with a lisp lmao, I love it!!!
I'll end this by saying I'm both anxious and excited to find out how the author will end this trilogy. Ms. Smith, please don't tell me that Jenny will end up with Tom. My heart is set on her having cute little blonde, blue eyed shadow babies with Julian!
I am going to be sad if she stays with Tom. She doesn't really love him, dammit!
You broke my heart once before when you told me Cassie ended up with Adam and not my beloved Nick.
Please don't put me through that again. I'm not sure I can survive it this time around. I will die from heartbreak and it will all be your fault. So, you know, no pressure!
I kid, I kid, I'll be happy with whoever she ends up with. I just hope the ending is awesome. Deep down, though, I think I really do want her to end up with Julian's evil-ass. But I refuse to get my hopes up anymore.
Quotes:
“So what do you do, she thought, floating, when you've sold your soul to the devil?” -pg. 55
“We were meant to be together. It's our destiny. You've put up a good fight, but it's over now. Give in, Jenny. Let me love you.” -pg. 108
“If Darkness had taken on a face and a voice, if the powers of night had gathered themselves together and formed themselves into a human being, they would have made something like Julian.” -pg. 109
“Why isn't there anything in this refrigerator except mayonnaise and Diet Coke?” Audrey called.
“There should be some cream cheese in there somewhere,” Michael said. “And there's Cracker Jack in the cupboard; Dad bought a case at the Price Club. If you love me at all, bring me a Coke and tell me what's going on. I was asleep.” -pg. 122
“Gonna stay with Dee for a few days, dad! We're working on a big physiology project!”
“Call us occasionally to let us know you're alive.” -pg. 141
“You lied to me,” Michael said. He still had the hamster look, only now his lower lip was pushed out pathetically, too. “You said it wouldn't get me, and it did.” -pg. 202
“You didn't believe me?”
“Well– ”
“Then why did you go with me?”
He looked at her, then, with eyes that were green and gold and brown like autumn leaves swirling on a pool. “I wanted to,” he said simply. “Whatever happened, I wanted to be with you.” -pg. 218
“I'm free. Know anybody who wants one girlfriend, low maintenance, good sense of humor?”
“God, Jenny.” his arms tightened rushingly. “Nope, guess you'll have to put an ad in the classifieds.” -pg. 219
May 19, 2019
We are onto book 2 in the series!!!
Thinking they were free and stopped Julian they were wrong.. Jenny and the gang are being stalked and hunted.. but they dont know by who.. until Julian makes a appearance to Jenny another game.. Lamb and Monsters.. one by one rhe orginal players are being taken.. and i gotta say i had mixed feelings on jenny this time.. i felt more annoyed with her and tom.. the whole break up/make up push and pull..was annoying.. i kinda felt bad for Julian i know i am so wrong lol he's evil and i feel bad for him.. he's been in love with jenny.. even if he's dark.. 😭😭😭..
Idk how the 3rd book shall be.. i have a feeling i won't enjoy it.. ugh
Drama, secondary charas..
Cliffhanger
Thinking they were free and stopped Julian they were wrong.. Jenny and the gang are being stalked and hunted.. but they dont know by who.. until Julian makes a appearance to Jenny another game.. Lamb and Monsters.. one by one rhe orginal players are being taken.. and i gotta say i had mixed feelings on jenny this time.. i felt more annoyed with her and tom.. the whole break up/make up push and pull..was annoying.. i kinda felt bad for Julian i know i am so wrong lol he's evil and i feel bad for him.. he's been in love with jenny.. even if he's dark.. 😭😭😭..
Idk how the 3rd book shall be.. i have a feeling i won't enjoy it.. ugh
Drama, secondary charas..
Cliffhanger
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2019
This one was definitely not as good as the first book. I was instantly thrown by L.J. Smith opting to use the same descriptive phrases verbatim for the characters at the very start. Its normally 50/50 when a sequel starts with a summary of the first book but ripping entire sentences is definitely cheating.
The game wasn't as good this time and I felt like it took a really long time to get going. And some of Julian's scenes this time made me really uncomfortable. Demanding kisses as payment for clues so he doesn't murder Jenny's friends might have flown in the nineties, but not today Mister.
I ended it definitely looking forward to Book Three.
The game wasn't as good this time and I felt like it took a really long time to get going. And some of Julian's scenes this time made me really uncomfortable. Demanding kisses as payment for clues so he doesn't murder Jenny's friends might have flown in the nineties, but not today Mister.
I ended it definitely looking forward to Book Three.
July 10, 2018
Significantly better than the first book.
I still wish the weird romance element wasn't there. I think it is a weak trope-ish hook. Would be better if Julian was playing the game simply out of a love of games, a love of winning, a love of chaos... anything but loving a Mary-Sue teenager...
That being said, the actual horror and suspense was executed well, and I loved that Smith wove the real-world problems in to complicate the game for the teens. It ended with a huge cliffhanger, and I look forward to seeing it wrap up.
I still wish the weird romance element wasn't there. I think it is a weak trope-ish hook. Would be better if Julian was playing the game simply out of a love of games, a love of winning, a love of chaos... anything but loving a Mary-Sue teenager...
That being said, the actual horror and suspense was executed well, and I loved that Smith wove the real-world problems in to complicate the game for the teens. It ended with a huge cliffhanger, and I look forward to seeing it wrap up.
Read
December 31, 2018He’d always liked killing.
Good god this was like fucking Final Destination where the survivors of a freak tragedy are now being tortured and killed off one by one. Also, got a bit of It-vibes as well.
Also these books are creepy af. I'm never sleeping again. And I still love my psycho devil demon blue eyed goblin king Julian.
Side note: I know this book was written in the 90s but isn't saying things are "Oriental" a tad racist?!
TW: violence, murder
October 3, 2022
This was a re-read from 1994, 28 years ago, when I was 13 years old! The series is less scary than I remembered it being, but still fun and thrilling and clever. I especially appreciate the references to art and artists throughout. The very last few chapters are a nod to surrealism, most especially that of Magritte’s paintings and the concept behind the treachery of images. A few years following this exposure to surrealism, I’d fall in love with Dali’s artwork in my high school Art I class and follow a path toward becoming an art teacher. Looking back, I don’t know that I knew the artwork referenced in this book, but it was intriguing to make these connections.
The pacing of the book is a bit slow, but the imagery and descriptions have stayed in my mind all these years later. The ending was a thrill to re-read and, of course I’m going to re-read the final book of this trilogy next!
The pacing of the book is a bit slow, but the imagery and descriptions have stayed in my mind all these years later. The ending was a thrill to re-read and, of course I’m going to re-read the final book of this trilogy next!
January 21, 2021
loved the energy of the second in this trilogy, there is much describing of golden dresses and glowing wolves and snakes which is FUN and also lots of exploration of myth and childhood games, motoring on to book three!!!
August 29, 2018
En esta segunda entrega, el grupo de amigos trata de sobreponerse a las consecuencias del juego, especialmente a la desaparición de Summer. Pero es muy difícil seguir adelante cuando todavía los persiguen las sombras.
Julian, liberado de la casa donde Jenny lo encenrró en el primer libro, regresa por ella y le propone un nuevo juego. Si ella gana, no tiene que cumplir con su promesa. Pero si pierde, ella y sus amigos serán arrastrados al mundo de las sombras.
El libro termina con un final abierto así que habrá que leer el que sigue...
Julian, liberado de la casa donde Jenny lo encenrró en el primer libro, regresa por ella y le propone un nuevo juego. Si ella gana, no tiene que cumplir con su promesa. Pero si pierde, ella y sus amigos serán arrastrados al mundo de las sombras.
El libro termina con un final abierto así que habrá que leer el que sigue...
October 22, 2025
2.5 stars. It’s fine!
February 13, 2019
"Its not over till it's over..."
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