Hooked on Books discussion
Toys/Objects Roundup
>
C: The Cursed Jacks
message 201:
by
Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors
(new)
Nov 12, 2025 06:37AM
Mod
reply
|
flag
Wait, I thought you were Mountain Time?
Donna wrote: "I read the comments here. Danielle checked in and you both had 2 more books to go. It shows time stamps. "
We were referring to two more Toys/Tasks to finish. 10 & 14.
Donna wrote: "I read the comments here. Danielle checked in and you both had 2 more books to go. It shows time stamps. "
We were referring to the tasks, not books!
Jessica wrote: "Wait, I thought you were Mountain Time?"OMG. I AM in mountain time. See? I'm not fully awake yet.
Mod
Mod
Mod
Nightmare (known as Atmosfear in some regions) is a horror-themed interactive VHS board game released in the early 1990s, blending traditional gameplay with a live-action video experience that evolves in real-time.
The game comes with a haunting VHS tape (later DVD versions), featuring The Gatekeeper, a decaying, sinister figure who serves as the game’s host. Players must race against the clock(typically 60 minutes) as the Gatekeeper appears on screen at intervals to issue commands, curses, and sudden challenges. His interruptions are unpredictable and increasingly aggressive as time ticks on, heightening the tension and sense of urgency.
The goal is simple yet chilling: collect keys from different regions of the board, confront your fears, and reach the Well of Fears at the center before time runs out. However, only one player can win, and only if they draw and conquer their secretly written fear.
With its eerie soundtrack, sudden video interruptions, and ever-changing instructions, Nightmare/Atmosfear is less about strategy and more about immersion and dread. It transforms a living room into a haunted game space, where players are never quite sure what horror the Gatekeeper will unleash next.
Darkly theatrical and wonderfully nostalgic, Nightmare is a cult classic that turns game night into an unforgettable, spine-tingling experience.
📼👁️ VHS DESCENT: The Tape Is Watching You
You found a tape. You pressed play.
Now you’re inside it. And the only way out… is through.
This mini-game will take your team through three levels of cursed reading. Each level pulls you deeper into the static. Complete one task per level—but beware: the Gatekeeper might glitch into your feed at any time.
You MUST read Level 1, then Level 2, then Level 3 in order, BUT not at the same time. If a glitch is added while you are working through it, you have to change the book you are reading (unless it works for the new prompt, too).
🎮 LEVEL 1: PLAY
The screen flickers. The laughter sounds canned, but wrong.
Choose one:
Read a book under 250 pages. Quick, like your nerves.
Read a book tagged “humor” or “camp.” You’ll need the relief.
Read a book with a game or game-like concept—something with rules, puzzles, or dangerous dares.
🎮 LEVEL 2: DISTORTION
Your reflection is wrong. The book isn’t what you thought it was.
Choose one:
Read a book where a character questions reality (e.g., gaslighting, strange rules, or dreamlike confusion).
Read a book where the main character is isolated—mentally, emotionally, or physically.
Read a book with a mixed media format (emails, articles, interviews, found footage vibes).
🎮 LEVEL 3: DESCENT
The screen blinks. You’re not watching the tape anymore. It’s watching you.
Choose one:
Read a book with an eye on the cover.
Read a book with “eye(s), watch, vision, look, or see” in the title, subtitle, or series name.
Read a book where someone is being watched, followed, or surveilled.
Mod
The Koh-i-Noor (meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian) has a long and bloody history. The diamond passed through many hands—rulers of Persia, Afghanistan, India, and the British Empire—often during violent wars, betrayals, or assassinations. These transitions, coupled with the downfall of many of its male owners, fed the myth of a curse.
Many male rulers who possessed the diamond suffered tragic fates—defeat, dethronement, or death. Among them:
*Emperor Nader Shah of Persia, who stole it, was later assassinated.
*Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Maharaja of Punjab, who owned it, died soon after.
*Duleep Singh, his son, was forced to give it to the British as a child and lived in exile, disconnected from both British and Indian identities.
After the British took the diamond in 1849, it was presented to Queen Victoria. Perhaps to respect the curse (or just superstition), it was only worn by female royals afterward—including Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). It has never been worn by a king, reinforcing the legend.
The Koh-i-Noor is now part of the British Crown Jewels (in the Queen Mother’s crown), though it's steeped in controversy due to colonial appropriation and repeated demands for its return by India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
To Catch the Koh-i-noor Diamond
Read a book with a character named Victoria
Read a book with a crown on the cover
Read a book set in India, Pakistan, Iran, or Afghanistan
Mod
Mod
OMG. I AM in mountain time. See? I'm not fully awake yet."
ROFL, Danielle doesn't know where she is. Wake up, it's time to play Nightmare.
Mod
Donna wrote: "Good luck!"Why did I read that as a warning. lol
Mod
Ooh a bonus! How does this work. Do we each take one? It says its not a chain, so i am guessing we don't all do all three.
Mod
You each take one.
We got our first bonus!! I think we should totally do it. But... as I read the instructions for our new toy... time is of the essence. I think I want to tackle it first, then do the bonus?Before I look for books for the bonus, let me know which one you guys want. I'm assuming no belle's rule for bonus books, right?
Mod
Mod
Mod
danielle wrote: "We got our first bonus!! I think we should totally do it. But... as I read the instructions for our new toy... time is of the essence. I think I want to tackle it first, then do the bonus?Before ..."
I am all for the bonus! and doing after we clear all 3 levels!
Jessica wrote: "danielle wrote: "We got our first bonus!! I think we should totally do it. But... as I read the instructions for our new toy... time is of the essence. I think I want to tackle it first, then do th..."Ok, agreed. When it comes to the bonus, I could probably take this one. I think I can use something like it for another challenge:
Read a book set in India, Pakistan, Iran, or Afghanistan
But I'm fine with whichever one since nothing I have started that works for any of them. Not anything on my soon-to-do TBR either.
Ok... off to [wake up properly] and tackle LEVEL 1!
If we do the bonus, i think we need to read books that are over 300 pages for it to be worth it.
I found a Victoria book! Dede are you good with Crown on cover?
Jessica wrote: "If we do the bonus, i think we need to read books that are over 300 pages for it to be worth it."I agree with this.
And I don’t think we can try for BRs for this toy. Too many variables with those glitches. But definitely should try with the next one since it’ll be our last opportunity.
I found a book for the bonus.
. I wanted to do book 1 (although they are standalone), but there is a longer wait in libby for it. It's been on my tbr a long time... but I always procrastinate starting a historical fiction. Except the last couple of months! 🤣 I wonder why! (*cough* Belle's Rule *cough*)
Added to SS, but won't start until I finish our current toy/object.
Meanwhile... I just finished my super short LEVEL 1 book!!! Woot woot! ... off to find a book for LEVEL 2.
Started Level 2! I am surprised and happy you were able to get A Thousand Splendid Suns. I had to wait for a while when i wanted read it.
Jessica wrote: "I found a Victoria book! Dede are you good with Crown on cover?"Yep! Found the book!
2 levels down! heading out to dinner. loved my mixed media book!
Mod
At any point, the Gatekeeper may interrupt your descent. If this happens, you must apply the posted glitch to the next book you read in this game.
STATIC BURN
The signal crackled. Something burned into your eyes.
👉 Read a book that includes fire—in the title, on the cover, or in the plot.
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I had 1:15 left in my book. No fire so far... so I'm guessing unless one shows up in the next hour my book will not work for the glitch. 😭😭😭I'll finish it since I'm so close to being done and NEED to know what happens. But.. I'll go looking for a new book for this level.
My ongoing book that I put aside to get thru this round works for fire, but not for the prompts 😔
Ok.. I found a short book (too afraid to go too long and get burned again... see what I did there?). Anyway, found this one that seems like it works. And it's only 388 and I can get it on libby. Plus it works for a task I have in bookopoly.Will start a little later.
I have found books for Level 2 and the bonus.. Guess I'm looking for the "glitch" book and start it.
Mod
One book should fit the level task & the glitch. Not two separate books.
Mod
Donna wrote: "Soooo are you guys feeling lucky yet? How is the Nightmare mini game going?"Well... I'm 86% done with a book I can't use now! Grrrr LOL
Mod
Mod
Donna wrote: "Aren't you glad it isn't the entire challenge? Ooh now isn't that an idea???"Honestly, I’ve loved the game. But this particular one is decisively evil! 😈
Mod
Donna wrote: "LOL! I will remind you of the title of the challenge... Sinister Toys and Haunted Objects."Touché 🤣
I am back from dinner! I finished Level 2 in the nick of time. Off to look for a book for Level 3.
Jessica wrote: "I am back from dinner! I finished Level 2 in the nick of time. Off to look for a book for Level 3."yeah yeah... show off. LOL
I am just now finishing up my book that I can't use. Will switch to my new level 2 soon.
How much fire do you think needs to be involved for it to be part of the plot?
Jessica wrote: "How much fire do you think needs to be involved for it to be part of the plot?"Not sure... I mean, I would think 1. there has to be a fire.
,.. seriously, I don't know.
Ooh!!! I just so happen to be on book seven of Ruby Dixon's dragon series! It's named Fire in Her Eyes! woot woot.
Jessica wrote: "Ooh!!! I just so happen to be on book seven of Ruby Dixon's dragon series! It's named Fire in Her Eyes! woot woot."Excellent!!!
I'm going to start my second attempt at a LEVEL 2 book now!
Jessica wrote: "I am back from dinner! I finished Level 2 in the nick of time. Off to look for a book for Level 3."Lucky you, guess I am looking for a whole new book.
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book of Fire (other topics)A Thousand Splendid Suns (other topics)
The Wish Collector (other topics)
The Shell Seekers (other topics)
The Wish Collector (other topics)
More...
