Small Game: A Novel

Written by Blair Braverman

Narrated by Kristen Sieh

A gripping debut novel about a survival reality show gone wrong that leaves a group of strangers stranded in the northern wilds

 Four strangers and six weeks: this is all that separates Mara from one life-changing payday. She was surprised when reality TV producers came knocking at Primal Instinct—the survival school where she teaches rich clients not to die during a night outdoors—and even more shocked to be cast in their new show, Civilization. Now she just has to live off the land with her fellow survivors for long enough to get the prize money.

Whisked by helicopter to an undisclosed location, Mara meets her teammates: The grizzled outdoorsman. The Eagle Scout. The white-collar professional. And Ashley, the beautiful but inexperienced one who just wants to be famous. Mara’s unusual, rugged childhood has prepared her for the discomforts and hard work ahead. But trusting her fellow survivors? Not part of Mara’s skill set.

When the cast wakes one morning to find something has gone horribly wrong, fear ripples through the group. Are the producers giving them an extra challenge? Or are they wrapped up in something more dangerous? Soon Mara and the others face terrifying decisions as “survival” becomes more than a game.

A provocative exploration of the comforts, rituals, and connections we depend upon, Small Game is a gripping page-turner and a poignant story about finding the courage to build a new life from the ground up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063066236

Blair Braverman

BLAIR BRAVERMAN is a writer, dogsledder, and adventurer who uses innovative storytelling to make the outdoors accessible. She is the author of Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube, a contributing editor to Outside magazine, and a contributor to The New York Times, Vogue, This American Life, and elsewhere. She lives in the northwoods with her husband, Quince Mountain, and their team of sled dogs.

Reviews for Small Game

[Traci · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Pretty decent most of the way - I probably would have gone with a 4 most of the way through. But then the ending just makes the whole thing feel so pointless and I wish I'd spent my time on something else. I was expecting a twist akin to The Most Dangerous Game or something to shake everything up and put the earlier parts of the story into a new light, but, nope, the book just... stopped. As if the author ran out of space and squashed a partial epilogue into a couple sentences and called it good enough. Really disappointing.

[Kathryn Robbs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The majority of the book was enjoyable but it was rough at moments, and then the ending was completely lazy. It was like the author ran out of time to write and edit and just ended it before the final act.

[Ellen Kennedy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall a good book with a interesting plot. A little dark and anti-climactic.

[Ashley Webb · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was waiting for shit to actually hit the fan and it was a total waste of time. I had to double check and make sure it was actually the end.

[Rian K · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a compulsively readable delight. Definitely for fans of Survival or outdoor reality shows.

[Angel White · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

More of a 2.5 rounded to 3.

I was excited to read this one as the premise sounded really great. Sadly, this one was a huge let down. It was boring, drawn out and overly dramatic when nothing was happening. I expected there to be something thrilling or, anything really, to happen.

It's also crazy to me how this ended. I get where the author was going with what happened, but seriously?! Not in any way, shape or form is that believable. If this was a dystopian or fantasy type read, then maybe....but this being a "suspense thriller"...just no.

I'm glad so many others enjoyed this book. It just wasn't for me.

[Brennan Lux · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a fun read! Loved the characters, pacing, and writing a lot.

[Alyssa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely love this book. Extremely captivating, I hung on every word. I heard about this book on a Your Wrong About podcast featuring Blair Braverman. If you enjoy this book, I recommend you listen to her podcast episodes too!

[Shannon Whitt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was really excited to start this book. Right up my alley. I did enjoy it except for the ending. Without spoiling it I just wish they would have dealt with HOW this could have happened. An explanation. Not what the cast thought could have happened.

[Gayotri Saikia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kinda wanted closure tbh. It's a brilliantly paced novel with compelling enough characters but WHY DOES NOTHING HAPPEN AT THE END

[Melvin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this! It's not at all dense and despite things going wrong I'd say it's sort of a light read as it doesn't tackle many heavy themes or goes deep into the characters personalities and background stories, so if you're looking for a book that keeps you reading but isn't super tense or literary this is perfect. I finished it quickly and really like it for what it is but I understand that it not being super tense, literary or psychological would mean that others might not like it as much. I think it would be a good summer read

[nicholas wiley · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was not impressed. The story has a lot of potential but never delivered .

[Sarah Williams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I like the story but found the ending a let down. Also, this audiobook is very glitchy and goes out quite often

[Denise Bond · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the storyline of this book and enjoyed some of the characters and the changing of their roles. The end felt very rushed and neatly tucked away though in comparison with the rest of the story.

[Lisa Bradley · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Worst ending ever. The whole book is a build up with no resolution. Zero stars.

[poisonous · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Narrator was brilliant but the plot sucked
Don’t waist your time