The Hunter

This book is the beginning of a three part series and I can't find enough good words to describe it. If you want a really good young adult book to read, I would recommend this. L.J. Smith hasn't disappointed me yet (well, except that she hasn't written another series). You'll love Julian, the Shadowman, and probably end up like me, thinking that Jenny should....oops, I don't want to ruin it for you. My recommendation? READ IT!!!

Desperate to find the perfect game for her boyfriend's birthday, Jenny strays into a bad part of town. Followed by tow suspicious men, she escapes into the mysterious "More Games" shop. Here she meets Julian, the enigmatic owner with frost white hair and brilliant blue eyes, who persuades her to buy "The Game". Despite the fact it appears nothing more than a cardboard house, Jenny and her friends decide to put it together, little knowing that it will draw them into the shadow world. Trapped in Julian's realm, Jenny, Tom and the others must confront their worst nightmares as they move through the house. The shadow man has promised that if they reach the top they can go free, but in the shadow world, Julian makes the rules. One of the group will not survive, and will Jenny have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to let her friends escape?This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I recently picked it up again after first reading it three years ago and could see exactly why I loved it so much. The author combines romance, fantasy and action skilfully and the result is one of the best young adult series I have ever read. The plot is fast paced and suspenseful and will keep you reading right until the end. The characters are likeable, realistic and well drawn and Julian is one of the most compelling, mysterious and fascinating characters I have ever encountered in any book.I've read the Forbidden Game Trilogy so many times I've lost count now. The Hunter is actually my least favourite of the three but each is so good they all deserve five stars easily. If you liked this book, I would recommend the remaining two books in the trilogy, which are just as good if not better.~Jenna~

Ever since I read the Forbidden Game Series in 7th grade, I have never forgotten these books. I am in college now and something sparked my memory of these books. I re-read them and was again brought into the fantasy world of Julian and the Shadow World. I loved the plot! This series and the other L.J. Smith books I have read are very well-written and creative. I loved the thought of a sexy guy from another world watching over me. I did begin to resent Tom a little, I wish Jenny would have gone with Julian who obviously loved her more. I would recommend this series and all other L.J. Smith books. These books are definitely worth buying!

I almost never comment on books, but this one I had to have my say. I own every one of LJ Smith's books (including the two that are out of print), and love them all. The Forbiden Game Trilogy was the first thing of hers that I had ever read, and I instantly fell in love with Julian, then instantly went out to buy everything else of hers I could find. I just published my first book last spring, and can truthfully say that LJ Smith is one of my major role models. I hope I can someday be half the author she is.

Hello, my name is Alycyia, and I am begging, no IMPLORINGyou to read this book. I promise you that for the duration, your attention will not lag, your thoughts won't wander and, if you're female atleast, you will fall madly in love ith a book character.If that hasn't caught your interest, read on. Once upon a time there was a pretty teenaged girl named Jenny. Now Jenny had to find something to do for her BF's birthday, so she decides to buy a game. In the game shop she goes to, the clerk is a mesmerizing young man with the most amazing blue eyes. He seems to be friendly, if rather gently mocking. Needless to say, Jenny thinks about him. And after the party starts, she and ome friends are transported into the Shadow World, where they have to face there worst nightmares to win free of the Shadow Man, Julian, who just happens to be the game store guy. Of course, the only one he really wants is Jenny. Interested yet ? If not, don't bother, because it takes imagination to appreciate a book like this.