Gamescape: Overworld

Gr 9 Up—Miguel Anderson spends all his free time playing Chimera, a virtual reality game, just like everyone else in his dying world, a futuristic Earth. But whereas others are playing for fun, fame, or prizes, Miguel is trying to save his life. He is in need of a biometric heart and the only way to get one is to earn it through the game. When the mysterious Gamerunners announce a team-based competition to test a new version of Chimera, Miguel knows this is his chance. As the protagonist and his team progress through the new Chimera, they start to uncover the sinister truth behind it. First in a duology, this fast-paced story keeps readers guessing until the end. Although answers to most questions are slowly unraveled, a fantasy twist leaves the narrative far from complete. While readers looking for a straight science fiction novel may be let down by the ending, others might find that this differentiates it from other, similar stories. The portrayal of the game is complex and inventive, but the secondary characters don't have this same level of depth. Names and minor physical descriptions imply a racially diverse cast, but any sense of culture seems to be a thing of the past. Relationships all feel underdeveloped.