Christopher Keene

Stuck in the Game

Sam Kiszonka

Stuck in the Game tells the story of Noah. 
Noah’s friends have become immersed in a virtual reality game, played via the Dream Engine, which Noah and his girlfriend would like nothing to do with. After a tragic accident that leaves Noah paralysed in hospital, the doctors keep him from slipping into a coma by hooking him up to the Dream Engine. Noah has one life in the game, dying in the game may result in Noah slipping into a coma.

The book starts of slow with Noah undertaking the tutorial, like in any game, but once Noah passes that the story starts to pick up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; Christopher Keene has created an expansive gaming world that mirrors the characteristics of real games. All aspects within the game are explained to Noah by various characters, this allows you to learn about the game along with the main character. Stuck in the Game is a well written cyber adventure that appeals to gamers and non-gamers alike. 
I would recommend this book to video gamers, science fiction fans & fantasy fans.

 I received a copy of Stuck in the Game from Future House Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Stuck in the game is available on Amazon from August 4th – 11th for $2.99.
 Readers can enter to win an autographed copy of Stuck in the Game on launch day on our blog (August 4th)
We'll be giving away some physical copies too on our Goodreads giveaway 
Additionally, it would be super helpful if everyone could help us vote it up on some Goodreads lists here: https://www.goodreads.com/list/user_v...

Jolie

Before I start my review, I would like to thank Future House Publishing for allowing me to review Stuck in the Game by Christopher Keene.

**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Stuck in the Game from Future House Publishing as an ARC for my honest and unbiased review**

Now onto my review:

This book was great!! As a long time gamer (former WoW….well until the new expansion is released and then I will reactivate my account…haha), I loved that the author picked an MMORPG game to set this story in. Call me a huge nerd but I really liked that he did that.

I did feel for Noah. See, he is stuck in Dream Engine while in a coma after being in a car crash with his girlfriend, Sue….who happens to be an activist against the Wona Company. According to data that she found, the Wona Company is hiding information about the drug that is being used to connect people to the Dream Engine.

So when Noah awakens in Dream Engine, he was a little confused. I mean, wouldn’t you be if you were awakened in an online, virtual reality game? When his mom gets in contact with him and explains what happened, he sucked it up. His parents also hired one of Wona’s employees to “protect” him and to help him level up while he was being brought back to health in real life.

I had to laugh when I started reading the areas Noah was going to quest/level up/grind. Totally reminded me of the different areas of WoW. Duskshire was a main one. I got the giggles when Noah was hunting spiders for silk to make a robe. Been there, done that. The other areas reminded me of (and in no particular order): Kalimdor, Northrend, Pandaria and Booty Bay.

 

The elitist attitudes portrayed in this book was hilarious and very on point. As well as the views that Noah’s friends have when they realized that Data is running him through dungeons to get better gear. If you have ever sat in trade chat, then you know what I am talking about.

There is a huge twist in the story that did take my breath away. Not giving too much away because you really need to read the book, but I cried and then got mad.

This book ended with one of my biggest pet peeves, a cliffhanger. I hate them with a passion but it did grab my attention and make me wish that book 2 was there. I want to find out what happens to Noah after he wakes up and if things get resolved!!!

How many stars will I give Stuck in the Game? 4

Why? This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that amused me to no end. The characters were likable and the plot was engaging. Only complaint that I had was that it ended in a cliffhanger.

Will I reread it? Yes

Will I recommend it to family and friends? Yes

Age Range? Teen

Why? Very clean. No sex, violence is not graphic and there is no bad language

Stuck in the Game

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