Little geek brag. Author Antonie Revoy liked my review on a certain site I count my books on for The Harrowing Game (or at least the person/people who take care of their social media). Still, that’s a pretty cool brag.
Me and graphic novels had an unusual relationship. It was not until I read three different ones that I really understood how a book that is in the graphic novel format can be as powerful as the novel without images could be. And when I read The Harrowing Game I had a few things going for me. I had gotten used to thriller and horror graphic novels, especially if they were a bit “tame” and for the young adult (at least 13 and up) crowd. And I had read some stories that were similar so I had a base for what might happen so there were not too many sudden surprises. Still it is thriller/horror and Revoy has a way with words and images. I had forgotten I had read Animus by them. Therefore, when I realized that I realized why it felt familiar as they have similar, but are totally separate, works.
The publisher description says for fans of Junji Ito, and yes, I did find Ito influences or similarities. It helped that I had seen his name, but I think it would have reminded me of his books that I had read and other books that were Japanese mythology based without that nudge. Yet, the book is set anytime or anywhere. There are a few timelines when stories are told by the character, but otherwise it is “now” and it is “here.” Whenever or wherever that is. Though I would say that Revoy’s book is slightly younger than Ito’s readers. With that said, it is spooky, creepy, edgy and oddly humorous. Things are not what they seem, things are dark and damp (it is set in a bathroom after all) and there are some really big, bad meanies! The illustrations are mostly black and white, but have hints of other colors.
Medium to fast paced, this is a book you read with all the lights on and don’t turn off after finishing.