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maisymaze's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about a girl named Marina, who is running from her past and starting a new life. She and her group of friends she met through an online game get invited to play exclusive levels made by someone going by the name Cixi. If they don’t complete the levels in time, their loved ones may be in danger.
I was very excited to start this book as I love plots with a video game involved, but this one fell a little flat for me. I did like the characters for the most part, but Marina was a bit frustrating when she kept withholding helpful information from her friends. I did enjoy the descriptions of the game and the levels. I liked how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into the story as well.
A big part of the reason I didn’t like this as much I thought I would is because of the writing. I know it’s YA but it feels a little too juvenile for the concepts being discussed. I really disliked the overuse of exclamation points and words in all caps. It made this feel like something written on Wattpad. It was also very repetitive with certain phrases.
The overall idea of the book was interesting and thrilling, but the execution made it a little predictable and cheesy.
This book is about a girl named Marina, who is running from her past and starting a new life. She and her group of friends she met through an online game get invited to play exclusive levels made by someone going by the name Cixi. If they don’t complete the levels in time, their loved ones may be in danger.
I was very excited to start this book as I love plots with a video game involved, but this one fell a little flat for me. I did like the characters for the most part, but Marina was a bit frustrating when she kept withholding helpful information from her friends. I did enjoy the descriptions of the game and the levels. I liked how the author incorporated her Chinese heritage into the story as well.
A big part of the reason I didn’t like this as much I thought I would is because of the writing. I know it’s YA but it feels a little too juvenile for the concepts being discussed. I really disliked the overuse of exclamation points and words in all caps. It made this feel like something written on Wattpad. It was also very repetitive with certain phrases.
The overall idea of the book was interesting and thrilling, but the execution made it a little predictable and cheesy.
turtleofhades's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
**Free ARC recipient, has no influence on review**
This book!! It's so dang good. From the flashbacks to the present, the plot and characters thrive and expand into a gloriously thrilling tale of abuse and survival. Great for fans of The Hunger Games, There's Someone Inside Your House, and Monday's Not Coming. Be prepared for secrets, mystery, and MMORPGs!
This book!! It's so dang good. From the flashbacks to the present, the plot and characters thrive and expand into a gloriously thrilling tale of abuse and survival. Great for fans of The Hunger Games, There's Someone Inside Your House, and Monday's Not Coming. Be prepared for secrets, mystery, and MMORPGs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Torture, Stalking, Child death, Death, Grief, Blood, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
thebookwormadventures's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
jaeru33's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was a gripping story with a few twists. I guessed some of them before the reveals, but others were definitely more of a surprise!
It was well written, although I did find the main character to be a bit more naive than I would have expected given her backstory.
Overall I quite enjoyed the story
It was well written, although I did find the main character to be a bit more naive than I would have expected given her backstory.
Overall I quite enjoyed the story
mk_pagano's review
5.0
I was lucky enough to read this early, and AHHHH what a book!!
Marina is running from her past, and meets a group of fellow gamers in person for the first time. They're almost instantly thrown into a real-life game with dire consequences for each of them should they fail. There were twists and turns throughout this book that kept me guessing, and an ending I did NOT see coming. Marina was an incredible protagonist whose side I was on the entire time.
So excited for the world to get this incredible thriller in their hands!!!
Merged review:
I was lucky enough to read this early, and AHHHH what a book!!
Marina is running from her past, and meets a group of fellow gamers in person for the first time. They're almost instantly thrown into a real-life game with dire consequences for each of them should they fail. There were twists and turns throughout this book that kept me guessing, and an ending I did NOT see coming. Marina was an incredible protagonist whose side I was on the entire time.
So excited for the world to get this incredible thriller in their hands!!!
Marina is running from her past, and meets a group of fellow gamers in person for the first time. They're almost instantly thrown into a real-life game with dire consequences for each of them should they fail. There were twists and turns throughout this book that kept me guessing, and an ending I did NOT see coming. Marina was an incredible protagonist whose side I was on the entire time.
So excited for the world to get this incredible thriller in their hands!!!
Merged review:
I was lucky enough to read this early, and AHHHH what a book!!
Marina is running from her past, and meets a group of fellow gamers in person for the first time. They're almost instantly thrown into a real-life game with dire consequences for each of them should they fail. There were twists and turns throughout this book that kept me guessing, and an ending I did NOT see coming. Marina was an incredible protagonist whose side I was on the entire time.
So excited for the world to get this incredible thriller in their hands!!!
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