Dread Rating: 2 Skulls

The Amnesty Games: A Dystopian Novel 
Book 1 of 2: The Amnesty Games
by K. A. Riley

They’re getting played to death.

Every year, one hundred of the most dangerous convicted criminals from the impoverished Ward are given a chance to earn their freedom and to live a life of luxury in Nova Heights, the walled-in city of glass and steel estates built into the side of a mountain.

They’re getting played to death.

Every year, one hundred of the most dangerous convicted criminals from the impoverished Ward are given a chance to earn their freedom and to live a life of luxury in Nova Heights, the walled-in city of glass and steel estates built into the side of a mountain.

All that’s standing between the Hopefuls and a full pardon are the Amnesty Games, a seven-day barrage of challenges, puzzles, mazes, traps, obstacles, contests, and competitions.

The games are wild, dangerous, and beamed by satellite onto every crumbling surface of the Ward where they are enjoyed by thousands of rowdy fans.

This electrifying global phenomenon makes World Cup football hooliganism look like a church picnic.
In an added twist, at the Usurper Stage of the Amnesty Games, some of the Hopefuls are digitally “taken over” by selected Warders, who get to compete as avatars for the chance to win medicine, food, and water rations for themselves and for their families.

As trained warriors and defenders of Nova Heights, seventeen-year-old Alora and her team of Hawkers are assigned to oppose the Hopefuls in their quest for amnesty. Alora is confident in herself, in her team, and in the importance of the games for the ongoing stability of the elite members of Nova Heights.

But what happens when buried secrets are revealed and the two sides stop playing the game by the same rules?

For fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Maze Runner by the author of Recruitment and the Cure

Robin's Review: This is the first book in The Amnesty Games series by K.A. Riley - a thrilling and enjoyable read that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. This action-packed adventure spans 491 pages and is perfect for fans of young adult dystopia. 
Every year, 100 of the most dangerous criminals from the Ward, known as the Hopefuls, are given a chance to earn their freedom by participating in the deadly Amnesty Games. The world-building and complex social structure are well-crafted and described in detail, making it a fascinating read. 
The characters are intriguing and multifaceted, each driven by their own motivations as they struggle to survive in this ruined world. You may even find yourself rooting for some of them. I won't spoil the rest - it's best to read it yourself with an open mind. If you enjoyed K.A. Riley's previous works, you are sure to love this one too.

Next Book in the Series:
Middlegame: A Dystopian Novel (The Amnesty Games Book 2) 
Book 2 of 2: The Amnesty Games


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