Gamescape: Overworld

Description

In a futuristic version of Earth, society is mostly controlled by a company that produces an addictive virtual reality game called Chimera. Everyone plays Chimera. Defeating the levels is how you earn enough points for clothes, food, even medical attention. Miguel Anderson is good at Chimera. In fact, he's better than anyone he knows. He spends all his free time playing, hoping to reach Level 25. At Level 25 you can pick any prize you want-and Miguel needs a new biometric heart. When the game runners announce a global competition launching a new version with untold prizes, Miguel enters and becomes a team leader. That's new-playing on a team. And it's complicated, as the game becomes a delicate power play between wholly unexpected players. This is the first of two books and features gorgeous writing, compelling action, and a flawed and memorable hero.

Emma Trevayne Collector of Auditory Oddities, Whimsical Words, and Cryptic Cyphers. Pays special attention to petrichor, things that glimmer, and mechanical body parts.

"A teen gamer plays for his life. . . . In this dystopian future the planet is coming undone, and society distracts itself with virtual-reality games. . . . Trevayne [crafts] elaborate action sequences and a dread-filled mood." -- Kirkus Reviews