Book Review: The Gameshow by Alexander Raphael

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alexander Raphael to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book, The Gameshow.

In a waiting room hidden high away from everyone, six disgraced celebrities are desperate to recover their heavily tainted reputations. An incredibly controversial new gameshow is offering them a route back to the big time, along with a $7.2 million cash prize.

But with no consolation prizes and serious consequences every time someone loses out, will signing up prove their salvation or their downfall?

*****

In an attempt to rehabilitate their images, six celebrities agree to go on a brand new gameshow. If they win, they get millions, more fame and maybe a new start. If they fail, something worse awaits them. Standing between each of them and the prize are each other, mixed with pure luck. WIll they come out the other side unscathed or will they have to face what they fear most?

You know that moment when you read the blurb of a novel and you know immediately you are going to completely get pulled into the story before you even begin? That was the case with me and The Gameshow.

This novel features TV executive, Selina and six disgraced celebrities, Linda, Nate, Madison, Denzel, Yasmeen and Jed. All six have been cancelled in the eyes of the public and have nothing to lose and everything to gain when they sign up to a new gameshow. Between rounds, they are forced to live in one apartment and are completely cut off from the outside world – think Black Mirror and Big Brother crossed with a big splash of the I’m a Celebrity Bush Tucker Trials.

One of the main themes of this novel is the world of celebrity and this was an interesting insight. Nothing with these people is black and white and I feel that, with the rise of social media, AI and 24-hour news comment sections, naunce, critical thinking and empathy have disappeared. This novel provides a good commentary on this. No-one knows what people are going through away from what we present publicly but somehow we are judged purely by the public image. I am not condoning the behaviour of these characters but I liked how the narrative presented all sides and explained situations. It really had me thinking.

The plot indeed had me gripped from page one and didn’t let go until I finished. I lost out on sleep and it was totally worth it. Each person bought something to the story. I really didn’t want the story to end. I had moments where I gasped out loud, got white knuckles from holding the kindle too tightly and other moments where I wanted to reach in and give people a hug.

This book was a very clever novel that is going to stay with me for a long time. If you’re looking for a compelling glimspe into the world of celebrity, cancel culture, the need to face your fears and the consequences of your actions, this book is perfect.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what this author does next.

(Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Alexander Raphael –

Half-Mexican, half-Welsh and growing up in London, Alex Raphael was surrounded by different influences and interests. But it was always books that spoke to him most and had the greatest impact.

He started writing when at college, where his love of reading evolved into a desire to write, in particular focusing on poetry and short stories. Studying English and American Literature at university meant he took a break from writing, as well as giving him the chance to see more of Mexico on his travels. He concentrated on his journalistic career while working on different writing projects, but his favourite genre of literature has always been short stories as they are what first inspired him to write.

That’s why his first book was The Summer of Madness, a romantic short story that tells of a guy who goes out to try to win his ex-girlfriend back. Will you be rooting for Kurt and his big public gesture or is it more complicated than that and you don’t want her to date him again? Either way you’ll get to know a memorable set of characters along for the ride.

His second book Illusions, Delusions reflects Raphael’s love of alternative short stories from the writers of his childhood and challenges the idea of the narrative. Will your favourite be the story in the form of a questionnaire, a poem or a set of jokes, among the seven very different styles?

Alexander Raphael’s third book is Always Never, Rarely Sometimes, featuring original premises and distinctive characters with his trademark imagination, humour and memorable dialogue. Among others, meet a sinister magician with an array of pranks, a long-suffering husband finally becoming more decisive and a group of young guys intrigued by a pretty woman on another table.

Alexander Raphael’s latest offering is The Gameshow, about six disgraced celebrities who are unaware of just how much trouble they are in, having signed up for the most provocative of television shows. His satirical debut novel is a look at the constant decision-making needed by stars to remain popular and relevant, and just how desperate they can become when the wrong decisions are made.

Say hello to Alexander via his website, Instagram and X. 

The Gameshow is available to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.