Trapped in a Video Game

Sly, Funny, and Action-Packed

This is the fourth book in the planned five book series. I started here and didn't have a problem getting into the flow. Each book slips our heroes into a different perilous video game, so they work almost as standalones. But there's also an overall mystery/thriller arc, and it looks like that will get wrapped up in book five. (Each book concludes its individual story, but leaves behind a cliff hanger that leads to the next book and relates to the overall arc.)

The general idea is that an evil supervillain has an evil supervillainous plan, and our guys keep getting in his way. This time around they escape his clutches by dropping into a blocky, retro, 80's, side scrolling, island adventure game. They have to survive and then get out, while avoiding a robot assassin who has followed them into the game and then surviving the villain's attempts to erase them when they do get out.

Here's the thing. This is one of the funnest sets of heroes I've encountered in some time, and this is one of the smartest MG action/adventure tales I've read, ever. Our heroes are the quiet and shy kid, Charlie, (whose genius programmer dad is being held hostage by the villain), the sort of goofy and obtuse comic relief kid, Eric, and our first person narrator, the regular type kid, Jesse. Jesse is the heart and soul of the book, and he is an appealing mix of resourceful, antic, funny, observant, deadpan and puckish. His narrative voice, alternately dry and then manic, sells the premise and the story and keeps the reader engaged. I mean, I could totally see him being my best friend. Eric is both a bit dim and totally psyched, and so offers a nice balance to Jesse.

But above and beyond that, the book is loaded with sly humor and with inside 80's gamer jokes. For example, at one point the villain starts monologuing about his devious plan for world domination. Eric keeps egging on the villain with inane questions. Jesse keeps trying to get Eric to be quiet because absolutely everybody knows that once the villain has disclosed his plan he has to eliminate the people he just told it to. But Jesse is also torn because the plan really is sort of especially evil and Jesse is sort of curious. Now that strikes me as a pretty knowing joke on the whole structure of action/adventure thrillers, and I would expect a middle grade reader to get that joke and be pretty pleased to get that joke. That's what I mean about the book being "smart". It's entertaining but it also brings the reader into the fun of reading this kind of stuff, (without ever mocking the genre). And the whole book has that kind of generous, knowing, upbeat, Boy's Own, vibe.

So, while the premise looked a little gimmicky at the outset, it really was handled very well, and the book delivered a ripping and amusing adventure in the company of some fine heroes. A nice find.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

This is a mystery/thriller/sci fi for older kids 8+. It is the continuing story of Jesse, Eric and Charlie. It all starts with the boys realizing Mr. Gregory (Charlie's Dad) is not Mr. Gregory anymore. The boys then through the real Mr. Gregory to to Doom Island and the story goes on from there. I found the fantasy aspect of the story very interesting and it would hold a child's interest. The story ends with a cliff hanger to the next book. This is definately a book for older children especially if they like video games. I think some parts would scare the younger children. I especially liked the binary information at the end of the book. It is good for the future computer programer as a starting point.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Andrews McMeel and Net Galley for the free review copy. This is exactly the kind of book my 10-year-old son likes. I think kids who have trouble finding something they like to read will love this book. It's exciting and fast-paced, and the video game setting is interesting and fun for kids. There is enough room for kids to make predictions about what is going to happen to make it great read for middle grades.