Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre thriller
Review: On the good side, Zero Game DOES have a lot of action, and decent characterization. The problem is that the plot is so far-fetched that it's really hard to get into this story. It borders on ridiculous. I got the impression the author had a pretty good idea for a book, then was determined to carry it out even when it didn't work. I did finish the book, but it was certainly not Mr. Meltzer's best effort. For those who feel driven to read every one of his books, you'll make it through this winding road of absurdity, but at the end you'll ask yourself whether it was worth the ride.
Rating: 
Summary: If They're Not Careful, the Zero Game Will Zero Them Out
Review: Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler have spent years working on Capitol Hill, they're hip and they're bored. Harris has a cure for the boredom. There's a game staffers on the Hill are playing called the Zero Game, where they bet on the outcome of a bill. Our heroes get the inside track on a piece of legislation that authorizes a gold mine in South Dakota and they bet the store.Matthew is responsible for passing the checks to finance their gamble through to the shadowy masters of the Game. He hands the envelope to a page, but something seems wrong to him, so he pursues the page with fatal consequences. Harris finds the identity badge of a page, seventeen-year-old Viv Parker, and believes she can help in finding out the fate of his friend. They travel to South Dakota and manage to uncover just what is happening in the depths of the mine as they are stalked by an almost invincible killer, who uses a tiny little machine powered by AA batteries to induce heart attacks. In THE ZERO GAME, Mr. Meltzer gives us an insider's look at politics a world, where nothing is as it seems, duplicity is a must, favors, bargains and quid quo pro are the order of the day and power is the prize sought by all. And I have to say that I just loved this story. Haley Lawford, S/V Cheerleader Too
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible Book
Review: Zero Game actually starts off pretty good. A very interesting idea for a political game being played by politicians. But after about 50 pages it gets terrible. I can honestly say this is the worst book I have ever read. Page after page of nothing. Note to author - books are so much more enjoyable when you make an attempt to get and/or keep the interest of the reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying Political Thriller
Review: What if staff members of U.S. Congressmen placed bets on whether certain portions of bills before Congress would be passed? And just what happens when the stakes become too high, resulting in murder? That is precisely what author Meltzer explores in his latest novel of political thrills and chills when Congressional staffers Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler bet on the passage of a former South Dakota gold mine sale in an Appropriations bill. When a Congressional page absconds with Matthew and Harris' betting money, one of them makes the mistake of following the "page" and becomes the murder victim of wildcard hit man Martin Janos. But the suspenseful journey really commences when the remaining staffer finds Senate Page Viv Parker's stolen nametag near the site of the murder. Fearing for his life, he enlists the help of seventeen-year-old Viv Parker, as together, the two attempt to find the significance of the land deal, traveling to South Dakota to solve the mystery behind the formerly defunct gold mine, all the while eluding the wily Janos. The pulse pounding adventures of this duo are imbued with a sense of realism from author Meltzer, who once served as an intern on Capitol Hill. Full of twists and turns, Meltzer's latest is a thriller complete with the scary reality of the underbelly of politics.
Rating:
Summary: What was Brad Thinking?
Review: This book was so childish, it felt as if I should be reading it to my kids! Over 200 pages of a long boring dragged out chase, an ending that's not particularly interesting, characters that never, ever get developed- I'm sorry, but this book was just awful! Read Meltzer's other books and you'll see why I'm so shocked as to why this was so bad! Also, the book jacket was 100% wrong as to what occurs! That was so surprising!
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best.
Review: Just finished "The Zero Game" and John Grisham's "The Pelican Brief" kept popping up in my mind. Not to say that this book is a retread but once you finish, you have a "been there, done that" kind of feel. I couldn't really invest in the story as the character development was pretty sparse (along with the jacket summary being wrong!!!). And is Mr. Meltzer trying to redeem the bad guy at the end??!! Wait on this one...it will hit the remainder bins.
Rating:
Summary: SO disappointing
Review: What a disappintment. This book was like a 400 page version of Seasame Street for adults. Half of the book is a chase scene that is so dragged out, you're absolutely not missing ANYTHING by skipping 200 pages. It's not a political thriller even though it starts off taking place in the House. Coupled with the fact that the book jacket is completely wrong as to what occurs in the book- it's like they lied to make the book MORE interesting. Save your money- what a waste.
Rating:
Summary: Wait for paperback
Review: Don't go by the book jacket when selecting this book. For whatever reasons, the description on the jacket doesn't match the book. The plot was intriguing, however it never built up steam for the climax. I'd wait for paperback.
Rating:
Summary: fast start...slow finish
Review: was really excited about a new meltzer book!! the description on the back sounded great...started it, and yes, a "political intrigue" novel. then...what started as a really interesting idea soon turned into a "spy kids" chase. zero game...how about zero character development. totally lost me when the two characters hop a private jet and head off to a mine in south dakota...really disappointing...
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars
Review: I, for one, thought this was one of Meltzer's best. Fiction with a high entertainment value.
Along with a good look at the workings of the political machine, it provided a suspenseful plot that moved very fast. A very enjoyable getaway. Highly recommended.
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