Thirteen-year-old Oliver has moved to a new town and school with his mom after his dad disappeared two years earlier. Leaving his best friend David behind, he’s begun a tentative friendship with his classmate Logan, who spend time together playing the world’s most popular video game series, Razer. But when fellow gamers start falling into comas—more than sixty million worldwide—they learn that the artificial intelligence of the game has become massively powerful and impossible to control. The AI has gone rogue and is harnessing the neural brain power of gamers through their headsets,launching an attack to take over the world’s infrastructure and holding everyone hostage in its wake.
Their only hope to save humanity is to eradicate the AI by beating it at its own game. And who better to accomplish that than the teen gamers obsessed with Razer. A secret agency of the government has been aware of the AI war, such as it is, and has launched an offensive by using the very segment of the population that the AI is targeting, teens, and recruiting them to fight on a virtual video game battlefield with an enemy consisting of cyborgs led by a ruthless and ganglike AI leader of the same name, Razer. Now Oliver and Logan are part of those teens recruited into gaming assault troops, launching a coordinated global strike to force their way into the AI’s mainframe and take it down…before it’s too late.
A thought-provoking and intellectual story about our existence among and reliance on computers, technology, and the rising use of artificial intelligence.
Oli’s insecurities get tested in multiple high-intensity battles. Speakes wastes no time setting up the nail-biting action and inviting readers into the unique story world. The virtual game mirrors reality with cityscapes that riff on our own but adds a funky comedic undertone with silly road names (“Fishin’ is Squishin’) and Razer’s unique speech style—the villain calls himself “Big Daddy Razer” and refers to Oli and his friends as “all my brothers from all those cute little fleshy mothers.” Rockets, cyborgs, and drones pose threats as Oli and his friends navigate the simulation, and while some may find the fight sequences a tad repetitive at times, the overall tension and mystery surrounding the AI’s origins keep readers engaged.
While Oli’s bravery helps him learn the valuable lesson of sacrificing for the greater good, his hacker friend Sparky shines bright in the spotlight. Sparky’s intelligence and quick thinking play pivotal roles in saving the day and keeping Oli safe. Her tenacity solidifies her as a strong young female role model many readers will connect with. Within the cautionary tale of putting too much trust in AI, the two develop a tight bond that exemplifies the importance of teamwork and friendship. Young readers interested in video games, AI, and sci-fi will plug into this thrilling adventure.
Takeaway: Thrilling middle grade sci-fi with rogue AI, cyborgs, and memorable characters.
Comparable Titles: James Dashner’s The Eye of Minds, Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller’s Otherworld.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
