Rick's high school football team couldn't be stopped when he was leading them as their quarterback. He was going to Syracuse on a scholarship. But then his dad abandoned them and a terrible accident left him crippled.
Certain his old life is completely lost, Rick spends months hiding away in his room playing video games. He achieves the highest scores on so many games that he's approached by a government agency who claims to be trying to thwart a cyber attack on America that would destroy the technological infrastructure of the entire country. The agents say that the quick-thinking of a quarterback coupled with Nick's gaming experience make him perfect for this assignment. The problem is that there are no extra lives and this isn't just a game . . . but Rick doesn't have many other options at the moment.
Entering "The Realm" gives Rick the one thing he thought he'd never have again: a body that's as fast and as strong as he ever was before the accident. But the more time he spends in The Realm, the more questions he has. What secrets are these agents keeping from him? What really happened to his father? How many others have gone into The Realm already . . . and failed? And perhaps most important, is he the hero they think he is?
My review:
I think Andrew Klavan is the best juvenile fiction author writing on the Christian market. Every book he has written for that age group has been a terrific read.
This book is the first book in a new trilogy, and he again has hit one out of the park. The plot is totally different than his other books, using modern technology and gaming to weave an exciting plot. As with his other novels I have read, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting, wishing that the next book was out so I could start it.
The book isn't overtly Christian, though it does have some Christian content, but it is a clean book that has great moral lessons in it. The main character is likable and has great character and willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of others.
I tend to enjoy good juvenile fiction, but this is the kind of books that most adults would enjoy, and definitely teenagers. After I read Mindwar, I passed it onto my fourteen year old niece who loved it and announced she can't wait til the next book comes out.
Unlike The Homelanders Series, this book did not have an ending that leaves the reader hanging, but has a very cool ending. It is obvious though that the story isn't over and will pick up in the next book.
About the author:
Andrew Klavan has been nominated for the Mystery Writer of America's Edgar award five times and won twice. He is the author of several bestselling novels, including Don't Say A Word, filmed starring Michael Douglas, True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Empire of Lies. He is currently writing a series of thrillers for young adults called The Homelanders. The first two novels in the series are The Last Thing I Remember and The Long Way Home. Klavan is a contributing editor to City Journal and his essays have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other places. His satiric video commentaries can be seen on PJTV.com
Mindwar is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Thanks to BookLookBloggers.com for the review copy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment