My Comments
There are two things that immediately occurred to me as I started reading this book. One, the main character is a teen boy and there are very few books Ive read from a guys perspective. I really liked it. Two, this book is the first of a trilogy and I want to read the entire series. Im also into video games even though Im a casual gamer and Ive never set any records, I play because its fun or I return the game. Even though you dont have to appreciate video games to enjoy this book, I do believe you should have a tiny interest in them or this book may not have the same affect on you as the reader.
Rick is a special teen. He loves his family dearly and he once had faith in God, but hes had a rough time lately and everything he knows has changed. First his dad left their family with only a note explaining his absence. Then he gets in a car accident that paralyzes his legs. Now he sits in his room all day avoiding his kid brother, Raider, who adores everything about him despite his moodiness and his mom mopes around the house quietly watching him, with gentle suggestions about going outside for fresh air and shaving once in a while. Rick, who was once the star football player in high school, is no longer interested in sports, in talking to his girlfriend who is also an athlete going to college on a scholarship, or in forgiving his dad.
One day, he finally goes out for a brief walk instead of yelling at his adorable kid brother and he literally runs into Ms. Ferris and Juliet Seven (am I even allowed to mention their names?? This is SOOOOOOO top secret) and life as he knows it is forever changed once again. Little does he know that the offer he gets from the MindWar Project will lead him to self-discovery and strength he didnt know he had. Is Rick really the hero they say he is or will he fail this too?
This is my first time reading Klavan, but wow did I enjoy it! Its easy to read in one sitting, the chapters are short for those of us who only like to take breaks when finishing a chapter, and even though its a thriller, its also got LOTS of heart in it. One other thing, the characters in this story NEED faith in order to survive both physically and emotionally. Without faith, the characters are in danger of becoming evil corrupt, obsessed, paranoid, lost, and danger of losing hope. That may not sound bad, but when youre in a desperate situation trying to save the world and everyone you love, faith is the most important thing you can have.
There are two settings in this book. Real life, RL, and the Realm. The Realm is the computer/mad mans imagination/video game/controlled by evil/guarded by evil/the only place to find answers to stop the bad guy and shut him down. I really loved the Realm despite the danger it presented! Its so beautiful, Rick is able to use his legs (think Avatar) and he finds his faith while inside the Realm!! I found it interesting that the government trained soldiers and their finest to make it in the Realm and none of them could complete it successfully. However, an 18 year old kid who has been playing video games for 4 months nonstop has what it takes to get the job done.
There ARE monsters in this book that are tangible and creepy, but theres also good in this book that is equally tangible (I considered both sides rightly balanced). I didnt consider anything in the story to be graphic or horrific, but my heart did beat faster as I read what happened to Rick. The second time he goes into the Realm, he stays too long accidentally and briefly loses his mind. That had me nervous for his sake. There is one character who becomes demonic in the Realm, but hes a terrorist/assassin in RL so what he becomes in the Realm suits him.
Character I liked least in this one..Commander Jonathan Mars. The only thing I like about this guy is his last name. Hes one of the good guys and is in charge of MindWar, but he is not a nice man. At one point, he threatens Ricks loved one. So when Mars has one last conversation with Rick, he makes it clear to the Commander that he understands the man is a patriot, but that if he ever threatens Ricks family again he will beat him to death. After all Rick has been through, its a threat he will definitely follow through with!
I truly enjoyed Favian and Mariel in this book. I have an idea of who they are, but Ill have to wait for the next book to figure that out because this one doesnt explain them. They help save Ricks life several times and they are his companions in the Realm.
This was one of the best things about the book for me. Each section are named referencing video games, SOOOOOO clever!!!
Tutorial
On the Scarlet Plain
Intruders
*lastly* Boss Level (and it REALLY was!!)
It was utterly amazing to me how Rick sacrifices himself for his family, for Favian and Mariel. His character does a complete transformation and it was a total pleasure reading his journey. After being bitter for months, it was beautiful how he is able to forgive and make peace. He also does some amazing stunt work in the Realm that had my eyes wide. I was rooting for him the entire time and Im so glad how things concluded in Book 1 :) I wasnt sure Id like this book, but Im so glad I took a chance on it and now truly looking forward to the next book!
I want to thank BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
There are two things that immediately occurred to me as I started reading this book. One, the main character is a teen boy and there are very few books Ive read from a guys perspective. I really liked it. Two, this book is the first of a trilogy and I want to read the entire series. Im also into video games even though Im a casual gamer and Ive never set any records, I play because its fun or I return the game. Even though you dont have to appreciate video games to enjoy this book, I do believe you should have a tiny interest in them or this book may not have the same affect on you as the reader.
Rick is a special teen. He loves his family dearly and he once had faith in God, but hes had a rough time lately and everything he knows has changed. First his dad left their family with only a note explaining his absence. Then he gets in a car accident that paralyzes his legs. Now he sits in his room all day avoiding his kid brother, Raider, who adores everything about him despite his moodiness and his mom mopes around the house quietly watching him, with gentle suggestions about going outside for fresh air and shaving once in a while. Rick, who was once the star football player in high school, is no longer interested in sports, in talking to his girlfriend who is also an athlete going to college on a scholarship, or in forgiving his dad.
One day, he finally goes out for a brief walk instead of yelling at his adorable kid brother and he literally runs into Ms. Ferris and Juliet Seven (am I even allowed to mention their names?? This is SOOOOOOO top secret) and life as he knows it is forever changed once again. Little does he know that the offer he gets from the MindWar Project will lead him to self-discovery and strength he didnt know he had. Is Rick really the hero they say he is or will he fail this too?
This is my first time reading Klavan, but wow did I enjoy it! Its easy to read in one sitting, the chapters are short for those of us who only like to take breaks when finishing a chapter, and even though its a thriller, its also got LOTS of heart in it. One other thing, the characters in this story NEED faith in order to survive both physically and emotionally. Without faith, the characters are in danger of becoming evil corrupt, obsessed, paranoid, lost, and danger of losing hope. That may not sound bad, but when youre in a desperate situation trying to save the world and everyone you love, faith is the most important thing you can have.
There are two settings in this book. Real life, RL, and the Realm. The Realm is the computer/mad mans imagination/video game/controlled by evil/guarded by evil/the only place to find answers to stop the bad guy and shut him down. I really loved the Realm despite the danger it presented! Its so beautiful, Rick is able to use his legs (think Avatar) and he finds his faith while inside the Realm!! I found it interesting that the government trained soldiers and their finest to make it in the Realm and none of them could complete it successfully. However, an 18 year old kid who has been playing video games for 4 months nonstop has what it takes to get the job done.
There ARE monsters in this book that are tangible and creepy, but theres also good in this book that is equally tangible (I considered both sides rightly balanced). I didnt consider anything in the story to be graphic or horrific, but my heart did beat faster as I read what happened to Rick. The second time he goes into the Realm, he stays too long accidentally and briefly loses his mind. That had me nervous for his sake. There is one character who becomes demonic in the Realm, but hes a terrorist/assassin in RL so what he becomes in the Realm suits him.
Character I liked least in this one..Commander Jonathan Mars. The only thing I like about this guy is his last name. Hes one of the good guys and is in charge of MindWar, but he is not a nice man. At one point, he threatens Ricks loved one. So when Mars has one last conversation with Rick, he makes it clear to the Commander that he understands the man is a patriot, but that if he ever threatens Ricks family again he will beat him to death. After all Rick has been through, its a threat he will definitely follow through with!
I truly enjoyed Favian and Mariel in this book. I have an idea of who they are, but Ill have to wait for the next book to figure that out because this one doesnt explain them. They help save Ricks life several times and they are his companions in the Realm.
This was one of the best things about the book for me. Each section are named referencing video games, SOOOOOO clever!!!
Tutorial
On the Scarlet Plain
Intruders
*lastly* Boss Level (and it REALLY was!!)
It was utterly amazing to me how Rick sacrifices himself for his family, for Favian and Mariel. His character does a complete transformation and it was a total pleasure reading his journey. After being bitter for months, it was beautiful how he is able to forgive and make peace. He also does some amazing stunt work in the Realm that had my eyes wide. I was rooting for him the entire time and Im so glad how things concluded in Book 1 :) I wasnt sure Id like this book, but Im so glad I took a chance on it and now truly looking forward to the next book!
I want to thank BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
