Though you'll see I'm giving this book a rather low rating, that's not to say I'm not a James Dashner fan. I loved Dashner's Maze Runner series and am really looking forward to the movie. However, this book just didn't do it for me.
Michael lives in a world where they hover between the virtnet and the real world. Their gamers in the virtnet. The virtnet, being the virtual world. Picture Avatar. Sitting inside coffin type boxes sleeping while your core and mind are running around in a virtual world. The government wants Michael. They want him and his friends to stop a terrible gamer who is destroying people in this virtual world and taking them hostage. Michael and his friends find themselves in a trip that might end their lives, virtual and in the real world.
The plot sounds amazing. Its a fairly unique idea (though maybe seen in movies) but something I wanted to read, especially given how much I enjoyed The Maze Runner.
But, disappointed. Because of several reasons:
1. The Logistics: Okay, so we have this virtual world. But we know nothing about it, how it became to be, how it really even works, who are these government? Why do you get hungry in a world that's virtual? Half the time I really found myself forgetting Michael was actually in this virtual world and not in a Dystopian real life situation.
2. The Details: All plot, no detail. Some of this mentioned above. How did things start, why did they create a virtual world? What age is Michael and his friends, he has a Nanny so I imagine middle school, but no real idea. What do these creatures and tangents looks like? I couldn't imagine half the things happening because I felt like Dashner told more rather than explained and went wild with imaginative.
3. Confusing: Plot twists throughout that didn't make much sense. And again, this has to do with the fact that their isn't much detail. We don't learn exactly how the Virtual world works making the twists seem strange and unrealistic even in this kind of world.
Though, my review may seem harsh, I do think this book has its purpose. It's perfect for middle school boys. They'll love the action, not an inkling of romance and they don't have to pay attention to detail. Reluctant readers, I have found the novel for you. Therefore, it is something I will keep on my readers advisory...