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Game of Mass Destruction
Yuzuko's perfect world is disturbed when she is forced to take part in the 30th season of Game of Mass Destruction, a reality tv show where twenty contestants have to fight robots and each other for a chance to become a billionaire. Each robot they destroy gives points, but extra points are rewarded for acts of sex and murder. Whilst Yuzuko is united with online friends, she discovers dark secrets about her family as she confronts the gameshow's owner the notorious Sia Bucks. Will she survive and become victorious or will it be a comedy of errors with violence and chaos?
206 pages, paperback
Published June 1, 2020
About the author
Chloe Gilholy
24 books20 followersI am a writer from Oxfordshire. I am here as both a writer and a reader.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 28, 2021
Full review to come!
May 4, 2022
Welcome to Game of Mass Destruction, the one and only reality show I would watch with near-religious zeal if it ever became, well, reality. Not that I’m much of a fan of the hateful Sia Bucks, but then I doubt anyone could ever be.
The story is relatively short, making it quite a fast read and one well-worth the time. What made the story for me, aside from what I kept thinking of as A.I.-powered-shortcircuited-zombie-robots, was the way the players themselves interacted with and against each other, with some preferring to pursue their own pleasures and greed over self-preservation, mirroring real life. I also enjoyed the role-playing game feel the whole thing had, complete with randomized weapons extracted from loot ‘boxes’ and the impact each character’s choices during the game had on themselves, those around them, and the game itself.
There are, however, quite a few mistakes, giving the book an unpolished feel. Thankfully the mistakes are related to grammar rather than plot so, although they’re glaring and sometimes pull you out of the story, at no point did I feel like I had missed or misunderstood something.
Still, the story is enjoyable and entertaining to a point I would love to see it turned into a movie. It’s almost a pity that it’s so short as I think the possibilities were endless. Would definitely recommend it.
The story is relatively short, making it quite a fast read and one well-worth the time. What made the story for me, aside from what I kept thinking of as A.I.-powered-shortcircuited-zombie-robots, was the way the players themselves interacted with and against each other, with some preferring to pursue their own pleasures and greed over self-preservation, mirroring real life. I also enjoyed the role-playing game feel the whole thing had, complete with randomized weapons extracted from loot ‘boxes’ and the impact each character’s choices during the game had on themselves, those around them, and the game itself.
There are, however, quite a few mistakes, giving the book an unpolished feel. Thankfully the mistakes are related to grammar rather than plot so, although they’re glaring and sometimes pull you out of the story, at no point did I feel like I had missed or misunderstood something.
Still, the story is enjoyable and entertaining to a point I would love to see it turned into a movie. It’s almost a pity that it’s so short as I think the possibilities were endless. Would definitely recommend it.
May 5, 2022
My opinion is mixed, and have given 4 stars for the creativity, the plot, the coincidences, and the pacing. Did I like it? Not my robotic cup of tea, I but can imagine others liking every word.
Example of the quirkiness layered in:
“My son is a hero. Every cent he earns from his endorsements goes
straight into the community. He’s also helping his son’s presidential
campaign. What a great man he is.”
― Winifred “Winnie” Bucks (Sia’s mother), inventor of flying
wheelchairs.
p88, "in the coffee shop within the military base, four robots, known as the
Coffee Shop Quartet, had gathered around a table. Unlike the other
robots, they resembled sex dolls, were waterproof, and had improved
digestive systems." Ok...
Throughout, the robots' banter is priceless and realistic.
The author kindly helped the reader. At the end of chapters, totals of how the game is going.
"Sook-Jo & Chang-Hoon – 50 points
Mariangela & Pedro – 50 points
856 robots remaining"
I found that the dialog moved the story, and is useful, more so than straight descriptions would have been.
Warning: if you are squeamish about female bodily functions, well, you've been warned.
Example of the quirkiness layered in:
“My son is a hero. Every cent he earns from his endorsements goes
straight into the community. He’s also helping his son’s presidential
campaign. What a great man he is.”
― Winifred “Winnie” Bucks (Sia’s mother), inventor of flying
wheelchairs.
p88, "in the coffee shop within the military base, four robots, known as the
Coffee Shop Quartet, had gathered around a table. Unlike the other
robots, they resembled sex dolls, were waterproof, and had improved
digestive systems." Ok...
Throughout, the robots' banter is priceless and realistic.
The author kindly helped the reader. At the end of chapters, totals of how the game is going.
"Sook-Jo & Chang-Hoon – 50 points
Mariangela & Pedro – 50 points
856 robots remaining"
I found that the dialog moved the story, and is useful, more so than straight descriptions would have been.
Warning: if you are squeamish about female bodily functions, well, you've been warned.
June 23, 2020
A most wondrous poem preludes the prose of Gilholy's Games of Mass Destruction. A depiction of the fatelessness and meaninglessness of life itself, the poem gives a broad outline of the sort world Gilholy's characters are soon to inhabit, as well as providing a wonderful insight into how generally hopeless life carrying on can feel. The poem itself is quite nice, and worth its own read.
The book itself is about the poet's relative Yuzuko, and her meandering of this violent and unpredictable world. Gilholy creates a Hunger Games-like situation in which contestants fight robots for the sake of fame, notoriety, and wealth. The prose is surprisingly lyrical for a sci-fi novel, and I found the narrative quite easy to read.
I will say that I rarely read in this genre, and so it is hard for me to comment on how successful the plot of the book is compared to Gilholy's more successful competition. I will say that the book had enough qualities to attract a more literary reader, and the prose was fairly smooth. I'd say it's worth a read, but probably not a book of great innovation or mindfulness.
The book itself is about the poet's relative Yuzuko, and her meandering of this violent and unpredictable world. Gilholy creates a Hunger Games-like situation in which contestants fight robots for the sake of fame, notoriety, and wealth. The prose is surprisingly lyrical for a sci-fi novel, and I found the narrative quite easy to read.
I will say that I rarely read in this genre, and so it is hard for me to comment on how successful the plot of the book is compared to Gilholy's more successful competition. I will say that the book had enough qualities to attract a more literary reader, and the prose was fairly smooth. I'd say it's worth a read, but probably not a book of great innovation or mindfulness.
May 7, 2021
Kyoto (utopia). Yuzuko (widow) kept Kiki’s last poem she had written before she disappeared.
She was not really Yuzuko’s Aunt.
Sia Bucks (52, ruler) despised Professor Takeshi Denki (grandfather, scientist, Robots Have Feelings Cooperation president, table tennis champ).
Harumi Denki (Yuzuko’s mother) strongly suggested everyone needs to play Sia's 30th season Game of Mass Destruction.
Bobby/Todd (paired); Lavender “Unicorn” Knickers, Pieter (Netherlands)/Hendrik (Pieter’s BMF, paired); Pedro Primera (Italy)/Mariangela Pedro's wife, paired); Fan/Yanyu (paired); Sook-Jo/Chang-Hoon (paired) Hassin/Nila (paired); Rós/Aron (paired).
Sia explained the 3 simple rules: destroy a robot = 25 Points; Sexual intercourse = 50 Points; Kill another contestant = 100 Points.
Robots are intelligent, dangerous, & WMD, but they do not like water.
Day 1
The pistol clicked, but there were no more bullets, Pieter was eliminated.
Pedro & Mariangela got 275 points. 989 robots left.
Hendrik got 125 points. 986 robots left.
Fan & Yanyu got 325 points;
Sook-Jo & Chang-Hoon got 150 points. 967 robots left.
Bobby & Todd got 25 points. 966 robots left.
Sakura & Yuzuko got 50 points
Christian & Lavender got 125 points
Hassin & Nila got 200 points
Rós & Aron got 225 points. 944 robots left
Hendrik dead
Sakura & Yuzuko got 150 points
930 robots remain
908 robots left
Tie 9 Team Bobby 173.11 points
Tie 9 Team Catherine with 173.11 points
8 Team Sook-Jo with 198.11 points
7 Pieter/Hendrik's final score 217 points
6 Team Lavender with 223.11 points
5 Team Rós with 273.11 points
4 Team Hassin with 298.11 points
3 Team Fan with 373.11 points
2 Team Sakura with 623.11 points
1 Team Mariangela 665.11 points
Day 2
Sook-jo & Chang-Hoon got 50 points
Mariangela & Pedro got 50 points. 856 robots remaining.
Pedro dead Mariangela got 100 points
845 robots remain
Rós & Aron got 50 points
Bobby & Todd got 50 points. 775 robots remaining.
Sia called a meeting with Sergeant Dust, Daz, & the whole production team.
Mi Chang-Hoon & Yanyu Wei Shang got married.
GAME OVER! Who will perish or who will win the 30th season Game of Mass Destruction?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Dystopian/Sci-Fi book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great Dystopian/Sci-Fi movie, an animated cartoon or better yet a mini-TV series. It wasn’t 1984, but I liked it so I will still rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
She was not really Yuzuko’s Aunt.
Sia Bucks (52, ruler) despised Professor Takeshi Denki (grandfather, scientist, Robots Have Feelings Cooperation president, table tennis champ).
Harumi Denki (Yuzuko’s mother) strongly suggested everyone needs to play Sia's 30th season Game of Mass Destruction.
Bobby/Todd (paired); Lavender “Unicorn” Knickers, Pieter (Netherlands)/Hendrik (Pieter’s BMF, paired); Pedro Primera (Italy)/Mariangela Pedro's wife, paired); Fan/Yanyu (paired); Sook-Jo/Chang-Hoon (paired) Hassin/Nila (paired); Rós/Aron (paired).
Sia explained the 3 simple rules: destroy a robot = 25 Points; Sexual intercourse = 50 Points; Kill another contestant = 100 Points.
Robots are intelligent, dangerous, & WMD, but they do not like water.
Day 1
The pistol clicked, but there were no more bullets, Pieter was eliminated.
Pedro & Mariangela got 275 points. 989 robots left.
Hendrik got 125 points. 986 robots left.
Fan & Yanyu got 325 points;
Sook-Jo & Chang-Hoon got 150 points. 967 robots left.
Bobby & Todd got 25 points. 966 robots left.
Sakura & Yuzuko got 50 points
Christian & Lavender got 125 points
Hassin & Nila got 200 points
Rós & Aron got 225 points. 944 robots left
Hendrik dead
Sakura & Yuzuko got 150 points
930 robots remain
908 robots left
Tie 9 Team Bobby 173.11 points
Tie 9 Team Catherine with 173.11 points
8 Team Sook-Jo with 198.11 points
7 Pieter/Hendrik's final score 217 points
6 Team Lavender with 223.11 points
5 Team Rós with 273.11 points
4 Team Hassin with 298.11 points
3 Team Fan with 373.11 points
2 Team Sakura with 623.11 points
1 Team Mariangela 665.11 points
Day 2
Sook-jo & Chang-Hoon got 50 points
Mariangela & Pedro got 50 points. 856 robots remaining.
Pedro dead Mariangela got 100 points
845 robots remain
Rós & Aron got 50 points
Bobby & Todd got 50 points. 775 robots remaining.
Sia called a meeting with Sergeant Dust, Daz, & the whole production team.
Mi Chang-Hoon & Yanyu Wei Shang got married.
GAME OVER! Who will perish or who will win the 30th season Game of Mass Destruction?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Dystopian/Sci-Fi book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great Dystopian/Sci-Fi movie, an animated cartoon or better yet a mini-TV series. It wasn’t 1984, but I liked it so I will still rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 15, 2021
Game of mass destruction is a dystopian sci-fi book written about Yuzuko. She is forced to take part in the game of mass destruction. It is a reality tv show hosting twenty contestant fighting robots. As Yuzuko participates in the 30th season, she has a chance to become a billionaire, but the route is not easy, and as she kills every robot, she gains points.
Yuzuko reminded me of the hunger games. As much as she tries to survive, she also stands up to Sia, the destruction game owner. The dynamic of the game was intense, and it was designed to win no matter what. For this reason, the story contained violent scenes, chaos, and death.
I found the book to be suspenseful and thrilling. The robots were exciting, and the game itself was fun to read; however, as nature was in a no-mercy- state, I found it hard to see how things were panning out. Secrets are revealed when Yuzuko faces the game show host, which affects her behavior as it is about her family.
I recommend this book to sci-fi readers and people who like the hunger games style of story.
Yuzuko reminded me of the hunger games. As much as she tries to survive, she also stands up to Sia, the destruction game owner. The dynamic of the game was intense, and it was designed to win no matter what. For this reason, the story contained violent scenes, chaos, and death.
I found the book to be suspenseful and thrilling. The robots were exciting, and the game itself was fun to read; however, as nature was in a no-mercy- state, I found it hard to see how things were panning out. Secrets are revealed when Yuzuko faces the game show host, which affects her behavior as it is about her family.
I recommend this book to sci-fi readers and people who like the hunger games style of story.
November 29, 2020
Every year, twenty contestants are “nominated” for the popular television show, Game of Mass Destruction. The goal is simple: kill robots or be faced with certain death. When Yuzuko and her partner, Sakura, are nominated, her entire world is turned upside. She soon discovers her family history is more entwined with the game than she ever imagined. But can knowing that stop the game for good?
With a diverse and large cast of twenty characters, used as Sia Bucks’s pawns in the Game of Mass Destruction, Chloe Gilholy draws us into an addictive world of violence reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Battle Royale. It is almost impossible to look away as the players succumb to violence and desire, racking up points as they destroy the robots. This in itself is the beauty of the novel: Gilholy writes it in such away that you keep reading, even as the bodies pile up, just as what would happen if the Game was broadcasted on national television.
Sia Bucks makes the game even more fascinating. A unique villain with curly purple hair and a lust for chaos, she commands the story. Each time she appeared, I reveled in her chaotic evil and melodramatic diatribes. Characters tried to rationalize what she did, but the reality is simple: Sia Bucks is evil for the sake of it, and it is fun to watch!
Yet, while the pace of the story lent itself to the game, making each seen move with the anxiety and intensity of an adrenaline-fueled game, it falls the characters short. With such a large, named cast, we don’t have time to really get to know the characters. Even the protagonist, Yuzuko, is only glanced at briefly. What did I know about her? Not much. There were elements mentioned: she didn’t like violence, she loves Sakura, she loves her “Aunt Kiki” – a robot, and she has a son who wasn’t mentioned much. There were other interesting characters: Ros and Aron, Todd and Bobby, Magiangela, and more, and to an extent I knew more about them in their brief appearances that Yuzuko.
I think if the cast was smaller, or the book was longer, it would have given us a chance to really get to know these characters. Some odd moments and interactions appeared between the characters (such as Sakura running off, Alfie’s interaction with his mother, Yanyu and Chang-Hoon’s romance, and the constant affairs among the cast), and I think getting into the heads of the characters more, or focusing on just a couple, might have helped us understand these events. Gilholy does not lack the talent to characterize her cast, as shown Sia, and even characters like Magiangela. But with so many moving parts, it makes it hard for the audience to really get to know this unique and diverse cast before some of their unfortunate demise.
That being said though, I really had a lot of fun reading this book! It was exciting, while also examining some innate human desires – such as how danger brings out the best, and worst, in us. My recommendation for picking up this book is simple: imagine you’re watching a reality TV show while reading it, because that’s how it plays out. The fact that Gilholy can capture that feeling in a book deserve applause of its own.
So if you want a fast, entertaining, and fun read, I definitely think you should check out Game of Mass Destruction. It might make you second guess your reality TV show habits though.
With a diverse and large cast of twenty characters, used as Sia Bucks’s pawns in the Game of Mass Destruction, Chloe Gilholy draws us into an addictive world of violence reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Battle Royale. It is almost impossible to look away as the players succumb to violence and desire, racking up points as they destroy the robots. This in itself is the beauty of the novel: Gilholy writes it in such away that you keep reading, even as the bodies pile up, just as what would happen if the Game was broadcasted on national television.
Sia Bucks makes the game even more fascinating. A unique villain with curly purple hair and a lust for chaos, she commands the story. Each time she appeared, I reveled in her chaotic evil and melodramatic diatribes. Characters tried to rationalize what she did, but the reality is simple: Sia Bucks is evil for the sake of it, and it is fun to watch!
Yet, while the pace of the story lent itself to the game, making each seen move with the anxiety and intensity of an adrenaline-fueled game, it falls the characters short. With such a large, named cast, we don’t have time to really get to know the characters. Even the protagonist, Yuzuko, is only glanced at briefly. What did I know about her? Not much. There were elements mentioned: she didn’t like violence, she loves Sakura, she loves her “Aunt Kiki” – a robot, and she has a son who wasn’t mentioned much. There were other interesting characters: Ros and Aron, Todd and Bobby, Magiangela, and more, and to an extent I knew more about them in their brief appearances that Yuzuko.
I think if the cast was smaller, or the book was longer, it would have given us a chance to really get to know these characters. Some odd moments and interactions appeared between the characters (such as Sakura running off, Alfie’s interaction with his mother, Yanyu and Chang-Hoon’s romance, and the constant affairs among the cast), and I think getting into the heads of the characters more, or focusing on just a couple, might have helped us understand these events. Gilholy does not lack the talent to characterize her cast, as shown Sia, and even characters like Magiangela. But with so many moving parts, it makes it hard for the audience to really get to know this unique and diverse cast before some of their unfortunate demise.
That being said though, I really had a lot of fun reading this book! It was exciting, while also examining some innate human desires – such as how danger brings out the best, and worst, in us. My recommendation for picking up this book is simple: imagine you’re watching a reality TV show while reading it, because that’s how it plays out. The fact that Gilholy can capture that feeling in a book deserve applause of its own.
So if you want a fast, entertaining, and fun read, I definitely think you should check out Game of Mass Destruction. It might make you second guess your reality TV show habits though.
August 10, 2021
This is an imaginative Battle Royale story about people selected for an island showdown with robots. Think, adult Hunger Games with sex. The characters are varied and flawed, as are the family dynamics where the main character in the games is pulled into it by the bloody showrunner who is her grandmother as a way to get revenge on her grandfather. There's some robot human rights debate thrown in as a bonus!
May 13, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Game of mass destruction is a dystopian sci-fi book about a reality tv show where twenty contestants fight robots. In the 30th season, the contestant has a chance to become a billionaire. It reminded me of the hunger games, except it was designed to have a winner no matter what. The story itself contained violent scenes, chaos, and death.
Game of mass destruction is a dystopian sci-fi book about a reality tv show where twenty contestants fight robots. In the 30th season, the contestant has a chance to become a billionaire. It reminded me of the hunger games, except it was designed to have a winner no matter what. The story itself contained violent scenes, chaos, and death.
March 26, 2021
Great read. If you loved Battle Royale, Hunger Games and The Running Man, you'll love this book. Very quick read, action packed and well done!
April 20, 2021
Escapism. Would make a great video game with the big cast of characters.
October 10, 2022
Very interesting read. The description of "Hunger Games on steroids" is fitting but also had echoes of Squid Games too. This is the first time I've read about robots and I like how the author has depicted them as quasi-humans.
Just a word of warning with regards to a lot of profanity, if you're sensitive.
Just a word of warning with regards to a lot of profanity, if you're sensitive.
August 19, 2023
Con la scusa di catapultarci dentro un reality show televisivo che vede i protagonisti in carne ed ossa misurarsi in una lotta per la sopravvivenza con un gruppo di robot l'autrice ci porta ad esplorare, una volta di più, l'animo umano parlandoci di amore, amicizia e tolleranza.
April 30, 2022
Thank you for the readers copy @chloboshoka.
The book stars with a beautiful poem about robot and their desire in the year of horses (2062). Robots and electronic devices could socialize.
Kiki a robot - known as Aunt of Yuzuko(since robots ian have emotions) disappears. Yuzuko , mother of an infant son works for her grandfather’s IT firm.
Sia Bucks wanted everyone to know that she is the boss of island “Iale of Hakai” which is just below the Artic Circle
She is planning to conduct the 30th reality show ,The game of mass distructions” in which people will be taken from UK by making them sleep to the destination.
There were 20 different nationalities were choosen to participate.
Once they reach the destination, they were given rule book and the game starts.
The contestants should fight with robots and also among themselves.
Yuzuko finds out the secret of Sia during the game.
The author created story among the characters during the contest for the reason to kill or to have sex since the story started directly with the contest.
What happened at the end? All the robots are killed? How many contestants survived?
What is the secret of Sia Bucks?
It's a advanced version of hunger games. Could have more twist and plots. Just plain.
The book stars with a beautiful poem about robot and their desire in the year of horses (2062). Robots and electronic devices could socialize.
Kiki a robot - known as Aunt of Yuzuko(since robots ian have emotions) disappears. Yuzuko , mother of an infant son works for her grandfather’s IT firm.
Sia Bucks wanted everyone to know that she is the boss of island “Iale of Hakai” which is just below the Artic Circle
She is planning to conduct the 30th reality show ,The game of mass distructions” in which people will be taken from UK by making them sleep to the destination.
There were 20 different nationalities were choosen to participate.
Once they reach the destination, they were given rule book and the game starts.
The contestants should fight with robots and also among themselves.
Yuzuko finds out the secret of Sia during the game.
The author created story among the characters during the contest for the reason to kill or to have sex since the story started directly with the contest.
What happened at the end? All the robots are killed? How many contestants survived?
What is the secret of Sia Bucks?
It's a advanced version of hunger games. Could have more twist and plots. Just plain.
May 7, 2022
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews