Deadly Little Games: A Touch Novel (A Touch Novel, 3)

I waited eagerly for Deadly Little Games to be released following Deadly Little Secrets and Deadly Little Lies. I have to say Deadly Little Games was a wonderful addition to the series! Ms. Stolarz adds more depth to characters that we have seen and grow throughout the two previous books and with character depth comes relationship complexities that had me jittering nervously waiting for events to unfold.Our main character, Camelia, for once is not a "damsel in distress" and has grown into a stronger overall person. With the development of her new powers, she has a new sense of responsibility. She makes difficult choices when it comes to helping someone she knows is in danger, and potentially jeopardizing her relationship with her boyfriend Ben because of it. While I found myself wishing Camelia would have made slightly different choices, I also understood when she said she was human as we all are, and makes mistakes. What I could not understand was why Camelia would choose to hide things from Ben given Ben's "Touch Power". I know Ben wasn't being completely open with her about what he was sensing but, given that he could feel what she felt, hiding stuff from him was a very poor choice. Camelia has known of Ben's power from the very beginning so she should know better. Trying to get back at him for with holding info by with holding things herself was a recipe for disaster. Ben at times was infuriating. He insisted on keeping things from Camelia which only ended up pushing her closer to what he feared. I understood his insecurities and his denial of what he saw in the future, but could not accept his reaction to it. Things might have been very different had he simply confided in Camelia (who he hints at is his soul mate). At the same time, having known many guys who make similar choices, I felt his character remained true to who he was. Ben is a bad boy, completely used his seclusion from the rest of the world. He hides to protect himself and he obviously still doubts many things. Ben's realistic good/bad character has always been something I have admired. It made him more relatable and while I wish he had taken a different approach to dealing with Camelia, I did see that his behavior is a part of who he is. Ben and Camelia's relationship is typical of an any high school relationship, with the underlying drama and insecurities, only with some supernatural glimpses into the future. I know this sounds like a contradiction but the realism of who they are, the drama they are dealing with and the choices they are making are pretty close to the ones real people make in the world every day. Ben and Camelia may be making choices about divulging info they sensed with a "power" but the choice to tell it is what makes this so easy to relate to.The introduction of Adam in Deadly Little Lies, introduced a new plot twist and new stress to the Ben/Camelia saga which becomes key in what unfolds in this book. Adam is the character that creates conflict, and is a constant reminder to Ben of a past he is still struggling to put behind him. I'm eager to see what happens next between these three.I was also very intrigued by the development of Camelia's aunt Alexia's character. Aunt Alexia, went through and is still struggling with the same kind of power that Camelia has and is an important figure for Camelia to have while she is managing her new abilities. It is ironic that the one person everyone deems crazy, is the one person Camelia can totally understand and relate to. Their relationship is still growing and is becoming more and more important as time goes on and I hope it continues to be.The plot of this book was typical of the series. There's mysterious notes (in this case puzzles) that gives hints to what's coming next, a person with less than good intentions, the illusion of violent events through either Ben or Camelia's power and excerpts from outside sources (like from a diary but in this book it was an audio transcript) that constantly have the reader wondering who the person in the transcript is. The use of the audio transcript succeeds in the same way the letters and diary entries in the first two books did: it created twists and doubts and constantly had the reader flipping back and forth between who they thought the voice was. It was great! I loved the mystery the audio transcript posed and thought it was well executed. I have loved the method in the two previous books and loved it in this one!While the events between Ben and Camelia wasn't one of my favorite things of the three books, I know that it was necessary. People can't have everything be great all the time and these bumps in the road are what determine whether couples will break or conquer. I am eager to see what happens next for all of these characters and am hoping for the best for Ben and Camelia. Can't wait for Deadly Little Voices!

Discovering her new psychometric abilities has been hard for our poor little Chameleon. (Her nickname, which I love!) Not only does she not understand her abilities or when she sculpts "premonitions" from the future, but she also fears that she will not be able to handle it and will end up crazy because of it like her Aunt Alexia.Camelia and Ben are back to sort of dating again (not really clear to me) even though he is STILL keeping secrets. Soon Camelia starts sculpting thing about Ben's ex-best friend Adam, (and Camelia's almost ex-boyfriend) like his eyes and lips. Even worse is the fact that when Ben touches her, he can sense that Camelia has been thinking a lot about Adam and he starts pulling away again.Turns out that through her sculptures, Camelia can sense that Adam is in danger. But will she help him and risk her relationship with Ben? Ben agrees that helping Adam is right thing to do, but he doesn't want to get involved. As Camelia and Adam spend more time together as she tries to find clues as to who might want to hurt him, she and Ben start drifting further apart. Will she be able to save Adam in time? And how much is she willing to risk doing so?A big problem I have with this series it that even though Camelia and Ben have some great moments, there aren't that many and their relationship never seemed that serious. I still find more chemistry between Camelia and Adam and I'm sort of leaning on Adam's side.The story was great because for once Camelia wasn't the one in danger so it wasn't a repeat of the last two books. The book is a quick read and the mystery and suspense are great. Even better are the crossword puzzles in between chapters that are left for Adam. They are ridiculously easy (that's the point). There is also therapy transcripts between a patient and a doctor that are super creepy but its adds a little extra zing to the book.The same people are also there with Camelia. Her dysfunctional friends Kimmie and Wes, her pre-occupied parents and even Aunt Alexia makes some very important appearances which make Camelia realize that her and her aunt have a lot more in common than art, will she end up crazy like her too? Deadly Little Games is a great book in the Touch series that will leave you wanting to get your hands on the next book, Deadly Little Voices.4 out of 5 sparkly stars!***Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Deadly Little Games:-DOCTOR: "What's so funny?"PATIENT: "Maybe you're right. Maybe I do like puzzles. Maybe I like them a whole lot.DOCTOR: "And why is that funny?"PATIENT: "Because with every game, there can only be one winner."DOCTOR: "Sometime's there's a tie."PATIENT: "That's what sudden death is for."-"Good answer.""I thought you said I should back off.""I did, but that wouldn't be like you, which is precisely the reason I allow you to be my best friend."-Wes shrugs and drinks Kimmie's juice down to the pulp. "I mean, she's cute and all-in a wildflower sort of way-but I'm not sure she does it for me.""Because you're far more interested in weeds?"-"I know, I know." She sighs, before I can even say anything. "I may have gone a little overboard, but what can I say? I'm a dorkus extremus. Hence my outfit du jour."***Check out more of my reviews at Mostly YA Book Obsessed:BooksandSparkles <dot> Blogspot <dot> com

The book is a good continuation of the series. Really good teen read fore when you want drama and romance but without too much thought.

Arrived as described