Pivot’s Game throws readers straight into a gripping urban-fantasy killing game where every choice matters and survival isn’t guaranteed. At its core, the story is about a group of people who voluntarily participate in a deadly game — a series of events where they must follow strict rules to gain strength and advance, with failure meaning immediate elimination.

The first chapter, Change of Plans, does a great job of setting the tone. It introduces Kiyoshi Iroko, a flight attendant whose ordinary life gets turned upside down by a supernatural disaster mid-flight. When a mysterious explosion should have caused a crash, something impossible intervenes — and a stranger with strange powers named Kuroki appears. That early mix of the mundane (airplane routines) and the bizarre (explosion repairs done by supernatural grid-like powers) already hints at the dangerous, unpredictable world the characters are about to enter.

What makes this novel stand out is its blend of everyday characters and extraordinary circumstances. Iroko isn’t a trained fighter or chosen hero — he’s an ordinary person thrust into a situation that demands far more than average courage. The introduction of other players with unique abilities, the dark premise of a game where powers come with drawbacks and risks, and the uneasy camaraderie that forms among them create a tense and engaging narrative.

The pacing and tone balance mystery, action, and character development well. Even in early chapters, you feel both the physical danger and psychological pressure of being trapped in a world where the rules aren’t fully explained and trust is a luxury.

✨ Overall: Pivot’s Game is a compelling start for fans of dark urban fantasy and strategic survival stories. If you enjoy tense, rule-based games, character growth under pressure, and supernatural battles with real stakes, this novel sets up a promising journey worth following.