Source: From Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Series: Otherworld #1
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: October 31, 2017
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
The company says Otherworld is amazing—like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They say it’s addictive—that you’ll want to stay forever. They promise Otherworld will make all your dreams come true.
Simon thought Otherworld was a game. Turns out he knew nothing. Otherworld is the next phase of reality. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted.
And it’s about to change humanity forever.
Welcome to the Otherworld. No one could have seen it coming.
Review:
I was hearing about this book long before I happened upon it myself, and after reading the synopsis I could only think of the show West World. If you are an adult, you might know what I am talking about. I am not sure how many Young Adult readers would have been (are) watching West World but this book is out to give them their own version with some tweaks. (I have also read a few posts saying that is is very similar to an older sci-fi book series called Otherland, but I have not looked into it or read those books).
The book follows Simon, a wealthy kid that is trying to re-gain a friendship. He decides to buy her, Kat, expensive video game components just so he can maybe talk to her in the game. His plan doesn't go quite right and then a horrible accident happens and Kat gets put into the game without her approval and knowledge. With Kat forced into this world, Simon has made it his mission/ adventure to get inside the game and bring his friend out safely. He is obsessive about it, which just means that his life just got more interesting.
There is a lot of weird, awesome, scary technology in this book. It all sounds very cool but mostly terrifying. The story overall is very cool though, and it is made all the better by Simon. That being said, I didn't really like him. He is a flawed character with the best of intentions, most of the time, but only those that favor him. It was interesting to read from his perspective. He just wants Kat's approval and will do anything to get it, including throwing himself into this immersive game without fulling thinking about what could happen to him.
The world building throughout is very good. I liked reading about the different zones of the game and think that the overall idea of the game is pretty cool. I haven't read many books like this one, mostly because sci-fi isn't my go-to for young adult reading, but there are a few out there now.
I enjoyed the book, but because of all the world building and conspiracy building it all felt bogged down. It was a quick but slow read for me, I know that might sound odd - let me explain. When I sat to read, I blasted through about 3-4 chapters, but making myself sit to read was hard. It wasn't at the top of my list at any point. I expected this action packed ride all the way through and it just wasn't that. There were some days where it was just too difficult to get into it or want to get into it. (Might be me... Might be the book... sometimes you just can't tell).
If you are into sci-fi, this book it a great one. It does build well and I think the game-building was really great.
There is a lot of weird, awesome, scary technology in this book. It all sounds very cool but mostly terrifying. The story overall is very cool though, and it is made all the better by Simon. That being said, I didn't really like him. He is a flawed character with the best of intentions, most of the time, but only those that favor him. It was interesting to read from his perspective. He just wants Kat's approval and will do anything to get it, including throwing himself into this immersive game without fulling thinking about what could happen to him.
The world building throughout is very good. I liked reading about the different zones of the game and think that the overall idea of the game is pretty cool. I haven't read many books like this one, mostly because sci-fi isn't my go-to for young adult reading, but there are a few out there now.
I enjoyed the book, but because of all the world building and conspiracy building it all felt bogged down. It was a quick but slow read for me, I know that might sound odd - let me explain. When I sat to read, I blasted through about 3-4 chapters, but making myself sit to read was hard. It wasn't at the top of my list at any point. I expected this action packed ride all the way through and it just wasn't that. There were some days where it was just too difficult to get into it or want to get into it. (Might be me... Might be the book... sometimes you just can't tell).
If you are into sci-fi, this book it a great one. It does build well and I think the game-building was really great.
- I might add additional thoughts as I let this one sink in-
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