As a harrowing account of smoky, itchy, bloody wilderness survival, Small Game is extremely enjoyable. On a deeper level, it’s also a deeply satisfying exploration of how humans persevere and adapt in the era of constant intrusion, whether from cameras or social media. And ultimately, it’s a hopeful read, because even in the face of almost certain disaster, Braverman’s characters still find moments of connection and joy.
... uses a Survivor-type reality show called Civilization to pose questions about authenticity, competition and resilience. Unfortunately, the novel often encounters the same problems as the shows it’s criticizing: It’s repetitive, its shallowness resists any close scrutiny, its surface is too cold and shiny for any depth of feeling ... In following the life-or-death challenges the contestants face alone in the extreme wilderness, Braverman ably depicts the exploitative aspects of reality TV, how nothing actually transpires the way it’s presented to the viewer, how the producers have the final say on who are the heroes and villains ... Braverman’s book sheds an important light on the awful offscreen costs to those who sacrifice their privacy for our entertainment. The people who tend to succeed on these shows are those who are content to allow themselves to be fictionalized.
... skillfully blends psychological suspense with some nuanced modern-day themes, including the concept of life as a never-ending performance ... Braverman draws on her extensive outdoors experience to bring alive the gritty details of the survival camp, and her characters are simultaneously engaging and terrifying as they battle nature and each other to stay alive ... This slim novel will appeal to fans of adventure and psychological fiction and would make a refreshing change for reading groups.
... chilling and intense, exposing the horror of a 'safe' situation gone wrong. With tension and fear strung throughout, this is a perfect readalike for Erika Ferencik’s The River at Night (2017).
... spellbinding ... Braverman does a good job demonstrating how Mara’s expertise is constantly undermined by touchy would-be survivalists both on and off the show, and how the cast members’ relationships change once things get real and the crew mysteriously disappears. With danger setting in, the author keeps up a terrific sense of suspense about whether the crew’s abandonment is intentional. Like the best TV, readers won’t want this to end.
Braverman does a great job of developing the characters, building suspense and raising the stakes, but leaves the reader unhappily perplexed about some critical matters ... A propulsive read marred by unanswered questions.
