The Forbidden Game Series by L.J. Smith: A Complete Guide to Downloading and Reading as an EPUB
The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith: A Review and Guide to Download the Epub Version
If you are looking for a thrilling and captivating young adult fantasy series that combines suspense, horror, romance, and adventure, you might want to check out The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith. This series consists of three books: The Hunter, The Chase, and The Kill, which were originally published in 1994 and have been reissued twice as an omnibus edition, in 1997 and 2010. In this article, I will give you a summary and analysis of The Forbidden Game series, as well as show you how you can download and read it as an epub on your device.
the forbidden game lj smith epub download
What is The Forbidden Game series and who is L.J. Smith?
The Forbidden Game is a series written by L.J. Smith, who is also the author of other popular young adult fantasy series such as The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle, Night World, and Dark Visions. She has written over two dozen books for children and young adults, and has enjoyed writing every one of them. She lives in the Bay Area of California, with a backyard that is full of flowers, which she adores, especially with many different shades of roses.
The Forbidden Game is a series that follows the adventures of Jenny Thornton, a high school student who buys a mysterious game for her boyfriend Tom's birthday party. She soon discovers that the game is actually a portal to a nightmare world ruled by Julian, the Prince of Shadows, who has a sinister obsession with her. Jenny and her six friends have to play the game and survive its challenges, while also dealing with their own fears, secrets, and feelings.
Why is The Forbidden Game a popular and captivating young adult fantasy series?
The Forbidden Game is a series that has many elements that appeal to young adult readers, such as:
A strong and relatable heroine who has to make difficult choices and face her own flaws.
A complex and charismatic villain who is both charming and dangerous, and who challenges the heroine's morals and emotions.
A love triangle that is not clichéd or superficial, but rather explores the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and destiny.
A fast-paced and gripping plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, with twists and turns, surprises and shocks.
A rich and imaginative world-building that blends fantasy, horror, and mythology, creating a dark and fascinating atmosphere.
A diverse and dynamic cast of characters who have their own personalities, backgrounds, and motivations, and who grow and change throughout the series.
The Forbidden Game is a series that has received many positive reviews from critics and readers alike, who praise its originality, creativity, and depth. Some of the reviews are:
"A master of YA horror/thriller/suspense." - Kirkus Reviews
"L.J. Smith is one of the best writers of paranormal fiction around." - The Guardian
"The Forbidden Game trilogy is a rare treasure...compelling, suspenseful, funny, scary, romantic, and genuinely moving." - Amazon.com Review
What are the main themes and elements of The Forbidden Game series?
The Forbidden Game is a series that explores many themes and elements that are relevant and meaningful to young adult readers, such as:
Free will vs. fate: The series questions whether we have control over our own lives or whether we are bound by a predetermined destiny. It also examines how our choices affect ourselves and others, and how we can overcome our limitations and circumstances.
Morality vs. temptation: The series challenges the notions of good and evil, right and wrong, and shows how they are not always clear-cut or easy to follow. It also shows how we can be tempted by things that seem appealing or beneficial, but that may have hidden costs or consequences.
Identity vs. illusion: The series explores how we perceive ourselves and others, and how we can be deceived by appearances or expectations. It also shows how we can discover our true selves and express them authentically.
Summary of The Forbidden Game series
In this section, I will give you a brief summary of each book in The Forbidden Game series. Be warned that there may be some spoilers ahead!
The Hunter
Jenny Thornton is a sweet and innocent girl who loves her boyfriend Tom Locke, a star athlete and student. She decides to buy him a game for his birthday party at her house, where she invites her six friends: Audrey, Michael, Zach, Dee, Summer, and Tom's cousin Chuck. She goes to a strange store in the mall, where she meets a handsome but creepy guy who sells her a game called "The Game". He tells her that it is a game of wishes and dreams, where anything can happen.
Jenny takes the game home and sets it up in her living room. She opens the box and finds a paper house with different rooms inside. She also finds a booklet with instructions that say: "To win you must find the key hidden in one of the rooms. To lose is to die." She thinks it is a joke, but soon realizes that it is not when she and her friends are sucked into the paper house by a powerful force.
They find themselves in a dark and twisted world where they have to face their worst nightmares in each room. They also meet Julian, the guy from the store, who reveals himself as the Prince of Shadows, the ruler of this world. He tells them that he has been watching Jenny for a long time, and that he loves her and wants her to be his queen. He also tells them that he is the hunter, and they are his prey. He gives them two hours to find the key before he kills them all.
Jenny is shocked and terrified by Julian's obsession with her. She also feels guilty for putting her friends in danger because of her curiosity. She tries to find a way to escape from this nightmare with Tom's help. However, she also feels strangely drawn to Julian's pale eyes and bleached-blond hair. She wonders why he chose her out of all the girls in the world.
They finally reach the last room, where they find the key hidden in a dollhouse that resembles Jenny's house. However, Julian appears and tells them that he has rigged the dollhouse with explosives, and that if they take the key, they will blow up the real house and everyone in it. He also tells Jenny that he will spare her friends if she agrees to stay with him forever. He gives her a choice: Tom or him.
Jenny is torn between her love for Tom and her curiosity for Julian. She also feels sorry for Julian, who seems lonely and misunderstood. She decides to sacrifice herself for her friends and chooses Julian. However, Tom refuses to let her go and grabs the key from the dollhouse. He throws it to Jenny and tells her to run. The dollhouse explodes, but Jenny and her friends manage to escape through a portal that leads them back to the living room.
They are relieved to see that the real house is intact and that no one is hurt. They also find out that only two hours have passed in the real world, even though they felt like they spent days in Julian's world. They think that everything is over and that they have won the game. However, Jenny notices that Julian's face is still on the game box, and that he is smiling wickedly at her. She realizes that he is still alive and that he will come back for her.
The Chase
A week after the events of The Hunter, Jenny and her friends are trying to resume their normal lives and forget about their ordeal. However, they soon discover that Julian is not done with them yet. He has found a way to enter their dreams and torment them with their worst nightmares. He also tells Jenny that he has a new game for her: a treasure hunt where she has to find him before he kills her friends one by one.
Jenny is determined to stop Julian and save her friends. She also wants to find out why he is so obsessed with her and what his true intentions are. She enlists the help of her grandfather, who is an expert on ancient myths and legends. He tells her that Julian is not human, but a shadow man, a creature of darkness who feeds on fear and pain. He also tells her that Julian has a weakness: sunlight.
Jenny and her friends decide to stay awake as much as possible and avoid sleeping alone. They also try to find clues about Julian's whereabouts and his next moves. They discover that he is hiding in an abandoned amusement park called Dragonland, where he has set up his own twisted version of the game. They also learn that he has a special interest in Jenny because she is his soulmate, a rare person who can share his powers and emotions.
Jenny is shocked and confused by this revelation. She wonders if there is any good in Julian, or if he is just a monster who wants to use her for his own purposes. She also feels guilty for being attracted to him, even though she loves Tom. She decides to confront Julian at Dragonland and end his game once and for all.
Jenny and her friends manage to sneak into Dragonland at night and face Julian's traps and challenges. They also encounter some of Julian's allies, such as Audrey's ex-boyfriend Mick, who has been turned into a shadow man by Julian. They realize that Julian is not only playing with their lives, but also with their minds and hearts.
They finally reach Julian's lair, where he awaits them with a final test: a carousel of death where they have to choose between saving themselves or saving someone else. He also tells Jenny that he has a surprise for her: he has brought Tom as his hostage, and he will kill him unless Jenny agrees to join him.
Jenny is faced with an impossible choice: Tom or Julian? She decides to choose neither of them, and instead tries to destroy the carousel with sunlight. However, Julian anticipates her move and stops her. He tells her that he loves her more than anything, and that he will never let her go. He kisses her passionately, making her feel his emotions and power.
Jenny feels a strange connection to Julian, but she also remembers Tom and her friends. She breaks free from Julian's kiss and grabs Tom's hand. She tells Julian that she will never love him, and that he can't force her to be with him. She also tells him that she pities him, because he is alone and unhappy. She then activates the carousel, hoping to escape with Tom and her friends.
The carousel spins out of control, throwing Jenny and her friends off their horses. They land on the ground, bruised but alive. They see that Julian is still on the carousel, holding on to his horse. He looks at Jenny with a mix of anger, sadness, and love. He tells her that he will always love her, and that he will always find her. He then lets go of his horse and falls into the darkness below.
Jenny and her friends run out of Dragonland and back to their car. They are relieved to see that they have survived Julian's game and that he is gone for good. They hug each other and promise to stick together no matter what. They also decide to forget about Julian and move on with their lives.
The Kill
Two months after the events of The Chase, Jenny and her friends are preparing for their senior prom and graduation. They have tried to put Julian and his game behind them, but they still have nightmares and flashbacks about their experience. They also wonder if Julian is really dead, or if he will come back to haunt them again.
Jenny is especially troubled by her feelings for Julian. She loves Tom more than ever, but she can't deny that she felt something for Julian, too. She wonders if he was telling the truth about being her soulmate, and if there was any chance for them to be happy together. She also feels guilty for hurting him, even though he tried to kill her and her friends.
Jenny's doubts are confirmed when she receives a mysterious package in the mail. It contains a letter from Julian, who tells her that he is alive and that he has a new game for her: a rematch where she has to find him before he destroys the world. He also tells her that he still loves her, and that he wants her to be his queen in his new world.
Jenny is shocked and terrified by Julian's letter. She doesn't know how he survived the carousel, or how he plans to end the world. She also doesn't know why he still wants her, or what she should do about him. She decides to keep the letter a secret from Tom and her friends, hoping that Julian is bluffing or lying.
However, Jenny soon realizes that Julian is serious and that his game has already begun. She notices that strange things are happening around her, such as earthquakes, storms, fires, and accidents. She also sees that people are acting weirdly, becoming more violent, greedy, or fearful. She suspects that Julian is behind these events, and that he is using his powers to manipulate reality.
Jenny decides to tell Tom and her friends about Julian's letter and his game. They are shocked and angry by Julian's return and his threat. They also worry about Jenny's safety and sanity, as they think that Julian is trying to drive her crazy or lure her away from them. They decide to help Jenny find Julian and stop him before it's too late.
Jenny and her friends follow the clues that Julian has left for them, leading them to different places around the world where he has caused chaos and destruction. They also encounter some of Julian's enemies, such as the shadow men who want to overthrow him, and the guardians who want to stop him. They realize that Julian is not only playing with them, but also with the fate of the world.
They finally reach Julian's hideout, where he awaits them with a final challenge: a chess game where they have to choose between saving the world or saving themselves. He also tells Jenny that he has a surprise for her: he has brought Tom as his pawn, and he will kill him unless Jenny agrees to join him.
Jenny is faced with an impossible choice: Tom or the world? She decides to choose both of them, and instead tries to outsmart Julian and win his game. However, Julian anticipates her move and stops her. He tells her that he loves her more than anything, and that he will never give up on her. He kisses her passionately, making her feel his emotions and power.
Jenny feels a strange connection to Julian, but she also remembers Tom and the world. She breaks free from Julian's kiss and grabs Tom's hand. She tells Julian that she can't love him, because he is evil and selfish. She also tells him that she hates him, because he has hurt her and everyone she cares about. She then activates the chess board, hoping to escape with Tom and save the world.
holding on to a piece that resembles Jenny. He looks at Jenny with a mix of love, hate, and despair. He tells her that he will always love her, and that he will always wait for her. He then lets go of the piece and falls into the abyss below.
Jenny and Tom run out of Julian's hideout and back to their car. They are relieved to see that they have survived Julian's game and that he is gone for good. They also see that the world has returned to normal and that the people are happy and peaceful. They hug each other and promise to love each other no matter what. They also decide to forget about Julian and move on with their lives.
Analysis of The Forbidden Game series
In this section, I will give you an analysis of The Forbidden Game series, focusing on how L.J. Smith creates suspense, horror, and romance in the series, how she develops the characters of Jenny, Tom, and Julian, and their relationships, and how she explores the themes of free will, morality, and identity in the series.
How does L.J. Smith create suspense, horror, and romance in the series?
L.J. Smith is a master of creating suspense, horror, and romance in her books, and The Forbidden Game series is no exception. She uses various techniques to keep the reader engaged and entertained throughout the series, such as:
Cliffhangers: She ends each chapter and each book with a cliffhanger that leaves the reader wondering what will happen next and eager to find out.
Mystery: She creates a sense of mystery and intrigue by revealing information gradually and selectively, making the reader curious about Julian's origins, motives, and plans.
Conflict: She creates a sense of conflict and tension by putting the characters in dangerous and difficult situations, where they have to face physical, emotional, or moral challenges.
Contrast: She creates a sense of contrast and irony by juxtaposing the normal and the supernatural, the light and the dark, the good and the evil, the familiar and the unfamiliar.
Symbolism: She uses symbolism and imagery to enhance the mood and meaning of the story, such as the game box, the paper house, the carousel, the chess board, etc.
Humor: She uses humor and sarcasm to lighten the mood and add some comic relief to the story, especially through the dialogue and interactions of the characters.
L.J. Smith also balances suspense, horror, and romance in her books, making them appealing to a wide range of readers. She creates a thrilling and captivating plot that keeps the reader on edge with twists and turns. She creates a dark and frightening atmosphere that makes the reader feel scared and uneasy. She also creates a passionate and complex love story that makes the reader feel emotional and invested.
How does she develop the characters of Jenny, Tom, and Julian, and their relationships?
and dynamic, and that grow and change throughout the series. She also creates relationships that are believable, compelling, and nuanced, and that reflect the themes and conflicts of the series. She does this by:
Giving each character a distinct personality, background, and motivation, and showing their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and fears, their likes and dislikes.
Giving each character a voice and a point of view, and showing their thoughts and feelings, their actions and reactions, their choices and consequences.
Giving each character a role and a purpose in the story, and showing how they contribute to the plot and the theme, how they interact with other characters and the setting, how they influence and are influenced by the events.
Giving each character a growth and a transformation in the story, and showing how they learn from their experiences, how they overcome their challenges, how they change their attitudes and behaviors.
L.J. Smith focuses especially on the characters of Jenny, Tom, and Julian, who are the main protagonists and antagonists of the series. She develops them as follows:
Jenny Thornton
Jenny is the heroine of the series. She is a sweet and innocent girl who loves her boyfriend Tom and her friends. She is also curious and adventurous, always looking for new experiences and challenges. She is loyal and brave, always willing to help others and stand up for what she believes in. She is also smart and resourceful, always finding solutions to problems and ways to escape from danger.
Jenny undergoes a major transformation in the series. She starts as a naive and sheltered girl who lives in a comfortable and safe world. She then becomes a trapped and terrified girl who faces a nightmare world where nothing is as it s
