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MetaWars #1
MetaWars: Fight for the Future
In an unforgiving future, two warring factions - the MILLENIALS and the GUARDIANS - are locked in a brutal battle over control of an online virtual world called the Metasphere. Jonah Delacroix has always known which side he's on - the same side as his dead father. But when he assumed his father's avatar, he learns that things aren't as black and white as he once believed. He's catapulted into a full-throttle race through both worlds - but can he find the truth?
MetaWars : Fight for the Future is the first installment in a fantastic futuristic adventure series with fast-paced, cinematic narrative. Set in the near future MetaWars suggest a fascinating - but also scary - prediction of what might be to come, covering already topical issues such as fuel shortage, climate change and economic meltdown.
MetaWars : Fight for the Future is the first installment in a fantastic futuristic adventure series with fast-paced, cinematic narrative. Set in the near future MetaWars suggest a fascinating - but also scary - prediction of what might be to come, covering already topical issues such as fuel shortage, climate change and economic meltdown.
371 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2012
9 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Norton
23 books41 followersJeff is the author of the award-winning MetaWars series for young adult readers and 'Memoirs of a Neurotic Zombie' and 'Alienated: Grounded At Groom Lake' for middle-grade readers.
Jeff is also a writer and Executive Producer in television, including 'Geek Girl' and 'Finding Her Edge' for Netflix.
His new book series is 'Dino Knights', a chapter book series about brave knights riding into adventure on the backs of dinosaurs!
A reluctant reader as a youth, Jeff is passionate about creating stories that will turn reluctant readers into lifelong ones.
Before writing novels, Jeff managed the Enid Blyton literary estate. Jeff moved to London from Los Angeles where he'd developed and produced the critically acclaimed interactive movie Choose Your Own Adventure, based on the best-selling books.
Jeff recently moved back to his homeland of Canada from London, UK where he lives with his wife, two sons, and a fluffy Bernedoodle.
Jeff is also a writer and Executive Producer in television, including 'Geek Girl' and 'Finding Her Edge' for Netflix.
His new book series is 'Dino Knights', a chapter book series about brave knights riding into adventure on the backs of dinosaurs!
A reluctant reader as a youth, Jeff is passionate about creating stories that will turn reluctant readers into lifelong ones.
Before writing novels, Jeff managed the Enid Blyton literary estate. Jeff moved to London from Los Angeles where he'd developed and produced the critically acclaimed interactive movie Choose Your Own Adventure, based on the best-selling books.
Jeff recently moved back to his homeland of Canada from London, UK where he lives with his wife, two sons, and a fluffy Bernedoodle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 14, 2014
I can honestly say that I adored this book. Because I read it on Wattpad, the actual time it took me to read it is spread over a few days - it was supposed to be my book to read on the train/bus but it ended up being so much more than that. There were times when I was doing something else and I'd just have to stop and pick up my mobile again because I was unable to put the book down.
When I first picked it up I wasn't sure what to expect and the first few chapters reminded me of the Disney Film Treasure Planet. But after that it took a completely different turn and invited me into a world that I've grown to love in the past few days. Jeff Norton's description creates vivid worlds where I can't help but want to live; his characters are admirable and unlike mans fictional characters they have flaws, which ultimately makes them more believable. His plot is interesting and brings together an action-packed sci-if thriller, which has just been what I've been searching for in a book. My only fault was that I don't have book 2 so naturally I've ordered it online and I'm excitedly anticipating the arrival so I continue to follow Jonah on his adventure.
When I first picked it up I wasn't sure what to expect and the first few chapters reminded me of the Disney Film Treasure Planet. But after that it took a completely different turn and invited me into a world that I've grown to love in the past few days. Jeff Norton's description creates vivid worlds where I can't help but want to live; his characters are admirable and unlike mans fictional characters they have flaws, which ultimately makes them more believable. His plot is interesting and brings together an action-packed sci-if thriller, which has just been what I've been searching for in a book. My only fault was that I don't have book 2 so naturally I've ordered it online and I'm excitedly anticipating the arrival so I continue to follow Jonah on his adventure.
January 4, 2013
This review first appeared on The Book Zone(For Boys) blog
You would have to be some kind of hermit living in a shack on a remote Pacific island not to have noticed the glut of YA dystopian novels that have flooded the market of the past couple of years. If I'm brutally honest, I'm getting more than a little bored of them, but there is still one sub-genre of this that still excites me - tech. Over the past year or so I have had the pleasure of reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (written for the adult market but potentially just as exciting for older teen boys); Bzrk by Michael Grant; Insignia by S.J. Kincaid; and now Metawars: Fight for the Future by Jeff Norton. Every one of these books has the potential to turn a certain type of reluctant reader boy (or girl) on to reading, as they all have huge appeal for gamers.
Metawars starts off with protagonist Jonah Delacroix racing through the night time streets of London on his trusty rollerblades, desperate to win the sizeable meta-dollar prize that will keep him and his mother in food foe the next few months. Unfortunately for Jonah, as he is in spitting distance of the finish line he is thrown off his feet by an huge explosion - the terrorist Guardians that he hates so much have struck again. Meanwhile, across the other side of the Atlantic the US government has fallen, and Matthew Granger, creator of the Metasphere and long incarcerated leader of the Millennials is released from his prison by his armed supporters. Jonah does not yet know it, but both of these events are about to change his life immeasurably.
The world in which Jonah lives is not hugely different to ours in many ways. Millions live in poverty and can't help but see their future as being particularly bleak. To escape the day-to-day depression of their lives they spend increasingly more hours plugged into the Metasphere, a virtual world where people have jobs, socialise with each other, and in Jonah's case, attend school. Every person who enters the Metasphere has their very own avatar, constructed for them by the software, based upon the owner's own sub-consciousness. There are unicorns, dragons, robots, animals, and some even more bizarre avatars, but Jonah is stuck with a humatar, i.e. his avatar looks just like his real world self.
In discussions at school Jonah is always the first to defend the Millennials (his father used to be Granger's personal pilot) and just as quick to damn the Guardians, who he believes murdered his father in a terrorist attack some years ago. However, very soon Jonah's world is going to be rocked as everything he believes is challenged, and the lines between good and evil become increasingly blurred. As events begin to unfold he finds himself on the run with the people he previously hated, not really knowing who to trust as he crosses both the virtual and real worlds, fleeing for his life.
Metawars is a super fast-paced and well plotted story that sucks readers in from the very first chapter, and I would have finished it in a single sitting if I hadn't already made plans to go out with friends. As it was, we were late arriving as I kept on telling my wife I wanted to read one more chapter. And then another. And another.
Jeff Norton has filled his story with a great number of cracking concepts and ideas that will fire up the imaginations of young people, and I think it would make a really good class reader for English lessons as there are so many elements that make great points for discussion. Both the Millennials and the Guardians feel that they are morally right, and every action they make is justified, whatever the collateral damage, and readers will find themselves challenged just as much as Jonah does. Although it is science fiction, many of the concepts are only a few jumps on from web and gaming technology that so many people, young and old, enjoy today and this makes the story all that more credible as a possible future world that may be experienced by today's teens.
If you have boys or girls that prefer sitting in front of a screen with a game controller in their hand to reading then this might be the book that gets them turning their console off, even if just for thirty minutes at a time. It is the first in a series, and although Jeff Norton brings this instalment to a satisfying end, it leaves enough questions to make kids hungry for more.
You would have to be some kind of hermit living in a shack on a remote Pacific island not to have noticed the glut of YA dystopian novels that have flooded the market of the past couple of years. If I'm brutally honest, I'm getting more than a little bored of them, but there is still one sub-genre of this that still excites me - tech. Over the past year or so I have had the pleasure of reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (written for the adult market but potentially just as exciting for older teen boys); Bzrk by Michael Grant; Insignia by S.J. Kincaid; and now Metawars: Fight for the Future by Jeff Norton. Every one of these books has the potential to turn a certain type of reluctant reader boy (or girl) on to reading, as they all have huge appeal for gamers.
Metawars starts off with protagonist Jonah Delacroix racing through the night time streets of London on his trusty rollerblades, desperate to win the sizeable meta-dollar prize that will keep him and his mother in food foe the next few months. Unfortunately for Jonah, as he is in spitting distance of the finish line he is thrown off his feet by an huge explosion - the terrorist Guardians that he hates so much have struck again. Meanwhile, across the other side of the Atlantic the US government has fallen, and Matthew Granger, creator of the Metasphere and long incarcerated leader of the Millennials is released from his prison by his armed supporters. Jonah does not yet know it, but both of these events are about to change his life immeasurably.
The world in which Jonah lives is not hugely different to ours in many ways. Millions live in poverty and can't help but see their future as being particularly bleak. To escape the day-to-day depression of their lives they spend increasingly more hours plugged into the Metasphere, a virtual world where people have jobs, socialise with each other, and in Jonah's case, attend school. Every person who enters the Metasphere has their very own avatar, constructed for them by the software, based upon the owner's own sub-consciousness. There are unicorns, dragons, robots, animals, and some even more bizarre avatars, but Jonah is stuck with a humatar, i.e. his avatar looks just like his real world self.
In discussions at school Jonah is always the first to defend the Millennials (his father used to be Granger's personal pilot) and just as quick to damn the Guardians, who he believes murdered his father in a terrorist attack some years ago. However, very soon Jonah's world is going to be rocked as everything he believes is challenged, and the lines between good and evil become increasingly blurred. As events begin to unfold he finds himself on the run with the people he previously hated, not really knowing who to trust as he crosses both the virtual and real worlds, fleeing for his life.
Metawars is a super fast-paced and well plotted story that sucks readers in from the very first chapter, and I would have finished it in a single sitting if I hadn't already made plans to go out with friends. As it was, we were late arriving as I kept on telling my wife I wanted to read one more chapter. And then another. And another.
Jeff Norton has filled his story with a great number of cracking concepts and ideas that will fire up the imaginations of young people, and I think it would make a really good class reader for English lessons as there are so many elements that make great points for discussion. Both the Millennials and the Guardians feel that they are morally right, and every action they make is justified, whatever the collateral damage, and readers will find themselves challenged just as much as Jonah does. Although it is science fiction, many of the concepts are only a few jumps on from web and gaming technology that so many people, young and old, enjoy today and this makes the story all that more credible as a possible future world that may be experienced by today's teens.
If you have boys or girls that prefer sitting in front of a screen with a game controller in their hand to reading then this might be the book that gets them turning their console off, even if just for thirty minutes at a time. It is the first in a series, and although Jeff Norton brings this instalment to a satisfying end, it leaves enough questions to make kids hungry for more.
May 29, 2017
Even better the second time round! Powering onto the next one now :D
Also posted on my blog here
This is actually a reread for me. I read this book back in the beginning of the year and absolutely adored it. However, my library didn’t hold the rest of the series and this made me sad. However, thanks to the lovely Jeff Norton and people at Orchard Books, I now have the first three in the series!
Metawars takes place in a futuristic world where people plug into a virtual world; the Metasphere. Although this book is heavily sci-fi based, it is so easy to relate to. Although virtual reality never really took off (yet), it is a very realistic possibility. And because of that, I found myself getting immersed in the story.
If you love action books, then Metawars is definitely for you. There is never a dull moment in the battle for control of the Metasphere by the Guardians and the Millenials. However, a deeper war is raging inside of Jonah. Jonah’s dad was killed by the Guardians when he was little. However, when he accidentally absorbs his father’s avatar, he discovers everything is not as he thought. His father was actually a Guardian in disguise. So does that mean Jonah should now switch his alliance?
I found this whole concept of good suddenly becoming bad really interesting. What if you found out your government was actually really evil? We know from history that it is quite easy to brainwash people and recruit others to your cause. This harsh reality is so raw and true and it really strikes at the heart of the Metawars books. We fight for what is right; but what if that right is actually wrong?
Jonah as a character is very conflicted but his heart is in the right place. He wants what is best for the people as a whole, the Metasphere and freedom. He’s just not entirely sure which side is fighting for that.
The world that Jeff has created is very visual, with everyone having their own unique avatar, from humanoids to dragons, penguins and much, much more. It would make a great movie, as the level of detail is amazing. However, not once did I feel overwhelmed by the technology or the world. I caught on straight away and the storyline is just so addictive I’ve moved straight onto the second one!
Metawars is a compulsively addictive action thriller that explores the line between good and evil. It made me want to learn more about the realistic futuristic virtual reality world, and to explore more of Jonah’s story. If Metawars is a book that passed you by, you need to backtrack and pick this up! 4.5 sofas.
Also posted on my blog here
This is actually a reread for me. I read this book back in the beginning of the year and absolutely adored it. However, my library didn’t hold the rest of the series and this made me sad. However, thanks to the lovely Jeff Norton and people at Orchard Books, I now have the first three in the series!
Metawars takes place in a futuristic world where people plug into a virtual world; the Metasphere. Although this book is heavily sci-fi based, it is so easy to relate to. Although virtual reality never really took off (yet), it is a very realistic possibility. And because of that, I found myself getting immersed in the story.
If you love action books, then Metawars is definitely for you. There is never a dull moment in the battle for control of the Metasphere by the Guardians and the Millenials. However, a deeper war is raging inside of Jonah. Jonah’s dad was killed by the Guardians when he was little. However, when he accidentally absorbs his father’s avatar, he discovers everything is not as he thought. His father was actually a Guardian in disguise. So does that mean Jonah should now switch his alliance?
I found this whole concept of good suddenly becoming bad really interesting. What if you found out your government was actually really evil? We know from history that it is quite easy to brainwash people and recruit others to your cause. This harsh reality is so raw and true and it really strikes at the heart of the Metawars books. We fight for what is right; but what if that right is actually wrong?
Jonah as a character is very conflicted but his heart is in the right place. He wants what is best for the people as a whole, the Metasphere and freedom. He’s just not entirely sure which side is fighting for that.
The world that Jeff has created is very visual, with everyone having their own unique avatar, from humanoids to dragons, penguins and much, much more. It would make a great movie, as the level of detail is amazing. However, not once did I feel overwhelmed by the technology or the world. I caught on straight away and the storyline is just so addictive I’ve moved straight onto the second one!
Metawars is a compulsively addictive action thriller that explores the line between good and evil. It made me want to learn more about the realistic futuristic virtual reality world, and to explore more of Jonah’s story. If Metawars is a book that passed you by, you need to backtrack and pick this up! 4.5 sofas.
July 22, 2012
Jeff Norton is a writer-director turned author who aimed to write a book for the current generation of teenagers obsessed with video games and living in a technology fuelled society. 'Metawars' is Norton's debut YA novel and is a roller coaster ride through a virtual world where people go to escape the humdrum existence of their real lives.
Elements of the story reminded me of the film The Matrix, with people plugging themselves into a virtual reality which is more real to them that their own day to day existence. I could feel the sense of escapism that they experienced and the freedom they had to experience things which they wouldn't normally be able to do. The main character Jonah for example, delights in the sensation of flying which is mentioned several times throughout the book. I mean who wouldn't want to be able to do that whenever they wanted to.
Those visiting the virtual world are represented by avatars. These are created by the person's subconscious and can be pretty much anything and everything. It was slightly strange at first to see a dragon, unicorn and elephant conversing with each other, but after a while I didn't think much about it at all. It just seemed to be normal!
One of the most interesting ideas in 'Metawars' is that you can upload your virtual self and all your memories. This means that even if you die in the real world, you can in effect live forever in a virtual state. I thought this was a fascinating idea and one which is explored through Jonah's grandmother who he visits even after her death.
There is an exciting climax to the story with plenty of questions left unanswered. I'm sure there is a planned sequel to the book which hopefully will deal with many of these things.
This book will appeal hugely to male readers but there's lots to catch the eye of a female audience too. There is pretty much non-stop action from the word go and the drama never lets up. I found the plot a little bit complicated in places but on the whole Norton has come up with a terrific storyline which screams excitement and adventure.
Elements of the story reminded me of the film The Matrix, with people plugging themselves into a virtual reality which is more real to them that their own day to day existence. I could feel the sense of escapism that they experienced and the freedom they had to experience things which they wouldn't normally be able to do. The main character Jonah for example, delights in the sensation of flying which is mentioned several times throughout the book. I mean who wouldn't want to be able to do that whenever they wanted to.
Those visiting the virtual world are represented by avatars. These are created by the person's subconscious and can be pretty much anything and everything. It was slightly strange at first to see a dragon, unicorn and elephant conversing with each other, but after a while I didn't think much about it at all. It just seemed to be normal!
One of the most interesting ideas in 'Metawars' is that you can upload your virtual self and all your memories. This means that even if you die in the real world, you can in effect live forever in a virtual state. I thought this was a fascinating idea and one which is explored through Jonah's grandmother who he visits even after her death.
There is an exciting climax to the story with plenty of questions left unanswered. I'm sure there is a planned sequel to the book which hopefully will deal with many of these things.
This book will appeal hugely to male readers but there's lots to catch the eye of a female audience too. There is pretty much non-stop action from the word go and the drama never lets up. I found the plot a little bit complicated in places but on the whole Norton has come up with a terrific storyline which screams excitement and adventure.
December 18, 2012
Fight for the future is a constant thrill ride that kept me riveted from the first page all the way until the last. It's full of excitement and action right the way through as Jonah is thrust into the middle of a war and has to choose his side, but everything's not as black and white as you originally think, and as you follow Jonah on his journey you find out and become just as confused as he does about which is the right side.
The best boy heroes are always the ones that aren't perfect, and who make mistakes and Jonah fits the bill perfectly, I really enjoyed meeting him and getting to know him throughout the book, I think young boys would find him someone to look up to.
I loved the world Jeff Norton has built up and he gives some vivid descriptions that really made me feel included in the story, I love the idea of the Metasphere, it feels like a future we could live in and the problems that come along with it were really realistic too.
There are also some great secondary characters, I really liked Sam, in getting to know Jonah I think she's starting to question some things too and she has the potential to be a great character and a great love interest for Jonah, I would love if book two was written from her point of view too so we could see how she feels.
Fight for the future was a brilliant book and I really can't fault it, I'm so glad I have book two to start right away and find out what happens next in this promising series.
Favourite quotes
'Each of Jonah's five senses slipped away as his mind was pulled deeper into the computer network. It would take his brain a moment to adjust to its new reality, a virtual reality. He closed his blind eyes, and was dimly aware of his real-world body slumping in his seat. Jonah wouldn't need it where he was going.
''There is no one else,' said Sam. 'There's just you and me. It's down to us, Jonah, the two of us. The attack on the Southern Corner is scheduled for tomorrow night. we have to lead it.''
The best boy heroes are always the ones that aren't perfect, and who make mistakes and Jonah fits the bill perfectly, I really enjoyed meeting him and getting to know him throughout the book, I think young boys would find him someone to look up to.
I loved the world Jeff Norton has built up and he gives some vivid descriptions that really made me feel included in the story, I love the idea of the Metasphere, it feels like a future we could live in and the problems that come along with it were really realistic too.
There are also some great secondary characters, I really liked Sam, in getting to know Jonah I think she's starting to question some things too and she has the potential to be a great character and a great love interest for Jonah, I would love if book two was written from her point of view too so we could see how she feels.
Fight for the future was a brilliant book and I really can't fault it, I'm so glad I have book two to start right away and find out what happens next in this promising series.
Favourite quotes
'Each of Jonah's five senses slipped away as his mind was pulled deeper into the computer network. It would take his brain a moment to adjust to its new reality, a virtual reality. He closed his blind eyes, and was dimly aware of his real-world body slumping in his seat. Jonah wouldn't need it where he was going.
''There is no one else,' said Sam. 'There's just you and me. It's down to us, Jonah, the two of us. The attack on the Southern Corner is scheduled for tomorrow night. we have to lead it.''
October 18, 2012
For those of you who don't read YA fiction because you think it's only for novice readers, this book will have you thinking again. From the very first page I was hooked, and not just because this novel is ACTION ACTION ACTION. The characters, the intensely high-conflict scenerios, the world-building, the plot - all were well-crafted and exciting. Megawars offers a great read for people of all ages. If you love politics and future dystopias (with a whole lot of people fighting for a better future), this book is for you!
October 4, 2012
Amazing concept and packed with action.
A real page-turner combining elements of Avatar with the ever-present survival instincts of The Hunger Games and Mission Impossible (film) with the lines between good and evil shifting and blurring.
Thought-provoking and rich world that we're not so far away from...
A must-read for YA & Adult fans alike and HUGE potential for forthcoming instalments.
A real page-turner combining elements of Avatar with the ever-present survival instincts of The Hunger Games and Mission Impossible (film) with the lines between good and evil shifting and blurring.
Thought-provoking and rich world that we're not so far away from...
A must-read for YA & Adult fans alike and HUGE potential for forthcoming instalments.
June 6, 2013
Really Cool story. Based in the future and the future it predicts in the book seems one of the most likely futures to come. Global warming takes affect, wars have ruined the landscape and governments failing, rich indivinduals are the only ones doing well. Really intresting and original "virtual world" concept. One of those books you can't stop readong until the end.
July 19, 2012
Very nice concept and thrilling story! I'm curious about the second book, because the ending of this book predicts some pretty nice twists in that one.
June 7, 2013
Not usually my cup of tea but really enjoyed this. It's fast paced and action packed - ideal for encouraging young readers.
May 11, 2017
Jonah Delacroix har nyligen förlorat sin pappa i en terrorattack. Det var Väktarna som låg bakom attacken och Jonah avskyr dem. Väktarna och Millenianerna, två rivaliserande grupper, kämpar om vem som ska kontrollera metasfären. Det är online-livet, Internet som kallas metasfären och för Jonah är det den riktiga världen. Det är i metasfären han går i skolan, det är där hans föräldrar hade sin lilla affär och det är där han fortfarande kan träffa sin döda farmor. Jonahs farmor visste att hon snart skulle dö och innan dess laddade hon upp alla sina minnen i metasfären och ”finns” därför kvar.
Frågan är dock om allt är så svart och vitt som Jonah trott. En oväntad (och våldsam) händelse kastar omkull hela Jonah värld och snart flyr han för sitt liv samtidigt som han försöker ta reda på sanningen om Väktarna och Millenianerna.
Kampen för framtiden är i stort sett action från sida ett. Framtiden som målas upp är dyster. Förutom online i metasfären är det rätt eländigt i världen. Orättvist och fattigt. Boken är också full av intressanta detaljer. Exempelvis har alla människor en avatar i metasfären och hur den ser ut bestämmer man inte själv, det styrs av det undermedvetna.
För den actionsugne som tycker det är intressant att fundera över hur Internet kan se ut om x antal år är Metawars – Kampen för framtiden ett måste.
En cool grej är att jag hittade en "reklamfilm" gjord av Millenianerna, alltså en av grupperna som vill styra över metasfären i Kampen om framtiden på YouTube. Snygg detalj!
Frågan är dock om allt är så svart och vitt som Jonah trott. En oväntad (och våldsam) händelse kastar omkull hela Jonah värld och snart flyr han för sitt liv samtidigt som han försöker ta reda på sanningen om Väktarna och Millenianerna.
Kampen för framtiden är i stort sett action från sida ett. Framtiden som målas upp är dyster. Förutom online i metasfären är det rätt eländigt i världen. Orättvist och fattigt. Boken är också full av intressanta detaljer. Exempelvis har alla människor en avatar i metasfären och hur den ser ut bestämmer man inte själv, det styrs av det undermedvetna.
För den actionsugne som tycker det är intressant att fundera över hur Internet kan se ut om x antal år är Metawars – Kampen för framtiden ett måste.
En cool grej är att jag hittade en "reklamfilm" gjord av Millenianerna, alltså en av grupperna som vill styra över metasfären i Kampen om framtiden på YouTube. Snygg detalj!
October 13, 2018
There is a virtual world called the MetaSphere which everyone is connected to. There are two people who compete over ruling the MetaSphere, and they both make someone called Jonah Delacroix (the protagonist) help them.
This is similar to the concept of Ready Player One, so this could be an ideal book for you if you liked that.
This is similar to the concept of Ready Player One, so this could be an ideal book for you if you liked that.
December 6, 2020
Ready Player One meets Conspiracy 365! Another gripping series for tweens/teens, especially those who love their online world - and who wonder how our virtual world might end up in the future.
November 8, 2020
This book isn't for me, and I don't mean that in the "Not for me, thank you!" sense before you walk out of the post-modern ballet or accidental stumble into the red room at a party. I mean it's targeted at an audience of pace and action loving readers, of a younger age - more on that later.
So. The structure of MetaWars is a little familiar. Our teenage hero is thrust from an established reality to a shocking hidden one, and joins up with a ragtag bunch to fight for/against/over its freedom.
If I wanted to be absolutely glib, I'd call it Neuromancer for kids. It lacks the rich, cohesive world-building of William Gibson and other cyberpunk (Why specifically are there no planes to England? How does carbon rationing work when all transport is electronic and all leisure is online? How is there pro-meal and Internet everywhere when poverty is also rife?) and there's slips of unreal psychic distance where our hero appears briefly omnipotent or expositional, like when the physics of a sky-diving scene seem more important than the feeling of it, and we're told about the danger of approaching trucks more than we're lead to feel it.
However! What MetaWars has massively in its favour is a rushing sense of pace, where each chapter ending is like being thrown through a plate glass window onto the next page. At times it can feel a little staccato and like everything isn't properly knitted together in terms of tone, but it still takes time for a few "Look how far we've come" moments, and these are the moments when the emotional, exhaustive sense of the tone comes out, albeit surrounded by rather cold descriptions of rooms and ships and table contents but nothing about the feelings they envoke.
I really wanted to read more about the de-localising, social negatives of a life lived entirely online, or of the problems of an unevenly distributed future, but these are sidelined for our hero's narrative, which to be fair is how I imagine his narrowed perspective on the world would focus anyway.
You can't keep pace while stopping to look at and consider the world around you, and you don't get pulled into a fast-paced underworld narrative (and basically join a war) because of your ability to calmly weigh up social issues.
So the things I felt were missing were probably things that didn't belong, and that's why it's "not for me" as such.
Oh! and there's too! Many! Exclamation! Marks! Thanks!
One thing I do like - love even - is that none of the soundbite reviews on the inside cover (and there are many) are from anyone over the age of 16. From a publishing point of view, that's a stroke of genius. Young readers don't want to know what Stephen Fry or the New York Times thought of books they want to read. They want to know what other young readers thought, and now they do.
And this is what I thought.
Nick
xx
So. The structure of MetaWars is a little familiar. Our teenage hero is thrust from an established reality to a shocking hidden one, and joins up with a ragtag bunch to fight for/against/over its freedom.
If I wanted to be absolutely glib, I'd call it Neuromancer for kids. It lacks the rich, cohesive world-building of William Gibson and other cyberpunk (Why specifically are there no planes to England? How does carbon rationing work when all transport is electronic and all leisure is online? How is there pro-meal and Internet everywhere when poverty is also rife?) and there's slips of unreal psychic distance where our hero appears briefly omnipotent or expositional, like when the physics of a sky-diving scene seem more important than the feeling of it, and we're told about the danger of approaching trucks more than we're lead to feel it.
However! What MetaWars has massively in its favour is a rushing sense of pace, where each chapter ending is like being thrown through a plate glass window onto the next page. At times it can feel a little staccato and like everything isn't properly knitted together in terms of tone, but it still takes time for a few "Look how far we've come" moments, and these are the moments when the emotional, exhaustive sense of the tone comes out, albeit surrounded by rather cold descriptions of rooms and ships and table contents but nothing about the feelings they envoke.
I really wanted to read more about the de-localising, social negatives of a life lived entirely online, or of the problems of an unevenly distributed future, but these are sidelined for our hero's narrative, which to be fair is how I imagine his narrowed perspective on the world would focus anyway.
You can't keep pace while stopping to look at and consider the world around you, and you don't get pulled into a fast-paced underworld narrative (and basically join a war) because of your ability to calmly weigh up social issues.
So the things I felt were missing were probably things that didn't belong, and that's why it's "not for me" as such.
Oh! and there's too! Many! Exclamation! Marks! Thanks!
One thing I do like - love even - is that none of the soundbite reviews on the inside cover (and there are many) are from anyone over the age of 16. From a publishing point of view, that's a stroke of genius. Young readers don't want to know what Stephen Fry or the New York Times thought of books they want to read. They want to know what other young readers thought, and now they do.
And this is what I thought.
Nick
xx
March 22, 2014
Fight for the Future is a fast paced and action packed adventure story set in a future where the real world is so bleak that people have chosen to take refuge in the virtual one. When people live in squalor it is no wonder that they spend the majority of their time plugged into the Metasphere, a vibrant virtual world where anything is possible. The Metasphere has become such an important part of people's daily lives that it shouldn't be surprising that different factions are fighting for control over it. There are two major players in this war, the Millennials and the Guardians, one on the side of the creator of the Metasphere and the other a group of terrorists, but are either of them really what they seem? When Jonah is unexpectedly caught in the battle he must decide who to trust and it isn't as easy as he thought it would be.
Jonah is a fabulous and very realistic character who I think people of all ages will be able to relate to on some level. He reminded me a lot of my brother at that age and I really enjoyed getting to see the world Jeff Norton has created through his eyes. Jonah finds himself in an impossible position when he is forced to rely on the people who he always thought murdered his father in a terrorist attack. He is reluctant to believe their story but he needs their protection so he has to go along with their plans, at least temporarily. I love the fact that Jonah doesn't just take things at face value, he is constantly questioning what is happening and reconsidering his goals and alliances. He quickly comes to realise that nothing he grew up believing was the complete truth but he doesn't let that blind him to his current reality and he trusts his instincts as well as the information he is given.
The author has done a fantastic job of creating a world that is scarily believable, a shortage of natural resources combined with wars and the collapse of various international governments have created a worldwide crisis of epic proportions. People are struggling just to survive, overcrowding and food shortages have made real life pretty unbearable so it is easy to see why people are so seduced into a perfect virtual world where they can do anything they want. Although I find the idea of actually plugging myself in to the Metasphere incredibly creepy it isn't so hard to believe that something like this will be possible in the future and I was fascinated by the virtual world where people can be anything they dream of. Your avatar is something that is created by your subconscious the first time you log in and I loved the idea of seeing unicorns and dragons walking alongside elephants or even normal people. Who wouldn't be seduced by the idea of a world where anything is possible?
I don't want to say too much about the plot other than it captured my attention from the first page and had me completely gripped to the end. I was actually annoyed that I had to put the book down to get some sleep but I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to finish it in one sitting. There are plenty of twists and turns and nothing is quite what it seems so as a reader you're constantly being surprised by the actions of the characters. Along with Jonah we're introduced to an interesting selection of side characters all of whom I'm looking forward to getting to know better as the series continues. I'm excited that I've picked up this series at a point where all four books are already available so I'll leave this review here so I can go and get started on The Dead are Rising!
Jonah is a fabulous and very realistic character who I think people of all ages will be able to relate to on some level. He reminded me a lot of my brother at that age and I really enjoyed getting to see the world Jeff Norton has created through his eyes. Jonah finds himself in an impossible position when he is forced to rely on the people who he always thought murdered his father in a terrorist attack. He is reluctant to believe their story but he needs their protection so he has to go along with their plans, at least temporarily. I love the fact that Jonah doesn't just take things at face value, he is constantly questioning what is happening and reconsidering his goals and alliances. He quickly comes to realise that nothing he grew up believing was the complete truth but he doesn't let that blind him to his current reality and he trusts his instincts as well as the information he is given.
The author has done a fantastic job of creating a world that is scarily believable, a shortage of natural resources combined with wars and the collapse of various international governments have created a worldwide crisis of epic proportions. People are struggling just to survive, overcrowding and food shortages have made real life pretty unbearable so it is easy to see why people are so seduced into a perfect virtual world where they can do anything they want. Although I find the idea of actually plugging myself in to the Metasphere incredibly creepy it isn't so hard to believe that something like this will be possible in the future and I was fascinated by the virtual world where people can be anything they dream of. Your avatar is something that is created by your subconscious the first time you log in and I loved the idea of seeing unicorns and dragons walking alongside elephants or even normal people. Who wouldn't be seduced by the idea of a world where anything is possible?
I don't want to say too much about the plot other than it captured my attention from the first page and had me completely gripped to the end. I was actually annoyed that I had to put the book down to get some sleep but I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to finish it in one sitting. There are plenty of twists and turns and nothing is quite what it seems so as a reader you're constantly being surprised by the actions of the characters. Along with Jonah we're introduced to an interesting selection of side characters all of whom I'm looking forward to getting to know better as the series continues. I'm excited that I've picked up this series at a point where all four books are already available so I'll leave this review here so I can go and get started on The Dead are Rising!
November 12, 2013
I want to say this first, I am in love with this cover. I love how it portrays both worlds, the real world and the virtual world, the Metasphere. Seeing the stark reality of how these worlds differ from each other made it so much easier to picture the struggle humans have that live and then chose to work in the real world, and how vastly different it is from our own world we live in now, but also what our world could become.
Now that's out of the way I can get on with my review. I have no idea how MetaWars passed me by on its publication, and the following publications of the next two books in the series, I have now rectified this problem and I am awaiting the delivery of book two and three to my house.
The minute I picked up MetaWars I was hooked, I was immediatley drawn into the action in the middle of a race and a bombing (so there's no quiet introduction) but this is what made the book stand out, it grabbed hold and I had to keep reading, I had to know what was going to happen next. As I got the end of the first few chapters MetaWars reminded me of a few books I had previously read, with a similar type of future Earth, and just like them I devoured every page of MetaWars. I hung on every single word I read.
The synopsis of MetaWars does not do it justice, yes there is futuristic fighting, and downloading other avatars (which is very illegal and can get you banned from the Metasphere) and wars fought on both sides of the Earth, normal and virtual. There are so many layers to MetaWars, but while there is a lot going on, it doesn't feel overwhelming at all, and each tiny speck of detail only adds to the book. I loved the descriptions of not only the world, but also the characters and the avatars, it actually feels like you can shut your eyes and picture this game, this world, playing right in front of you.
I fell head first into the world Jeff has created and I reluctantly put the book down when I had reached the end. If my book hadn't been signed I would have lent it out to my brother, instead he will just have to hear from me how much I enjoyed MetaWars.
Now that's out of the way I can get on with my review. I have no idea how MetaWars passed me by on its publication, and the following publications of the next two books in the series, I have now rectified this problem and I am awaiting the delivery of book two and three to my house.
The minute I picked up MetaWars I was hooked, I was immediatley drawn into the action in the middle of a race and a bombing (so there's no quiet introduction) but this is what made the book stand out, it grabbed hold and I had to keep reading, I had to know what was going to happen next. As I got the end of the first few chapters MetaWars reminded me of a few books I had previously read, with a similar type of future Earth, and just like them I devoured every page of MetaWars. I hung on every single word I read.
The synopsis of MetaWars does not do it justice, yes there is futuristic fighting, and downloading other avatars (which is very illegal and can get you banned from the Metasphere) and wars fought on both sides of the Earth, normal and virtual. There are so many layers to MetaWars, but while there is a lot going on, it doesn't feel overwhelming at all, and each tiny speck of detail only adds to the book. I loved the descriptions of not only the world, but also the characters and the avatars, it actually feels like you can shut your eyes and picture this game, this world, playing right in front of you.
I fell head first into the world Jeff has created and I reluctantly put the book down when I had reached the end. If my book hadn't been signed I would have lent it out to my brother, instead he will just have to hear from me how much I enjoyed MetaWars.
August 8, 2012
The focus of MetaWars is the battle between the Millenials and
Guardians for control of the Metasphere - in both the virtual and the real world.
The Metasphere is a strange online world in which people are represented by their avatars. These are normally shapes or animal forms. Even news presenters are shown through their virtual representations on TV screens in the real world. So that current affairs are narrated by say, a flamingo or elephant.
Sounds crazy, but with the amount of time we all spend on computers and social networking it's not difficult to imagine a future in which people log on for hours and in some cases days, to live lives that seem to them to be more vibrant than anything reality can offer.
In Jonah's real world human greed, and environmental pollution have caused catastrophic events - oceans have flooded out islands and shrunken continents. He loves the Metasphere, but his mother's wariness of the Metasphere is the first signal that as with anything virtual - things are rarely what they seem.
MetaWars is action packed adventure, that sends the reader racing across the globe. Wherever Jonah is there's only one thing missing...and that's relaxation!.
Jonah is a younger teen hero than I usually read about, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the plot. He's in the same age bracket as Jack Fletcher from Young Samurai and Marcus Cornelius Primus of Gladiator.
Jonah starts out lacking in confidence, and his uncertainty is highlighted by the self-assuredness of Sam; a kickass girl who thinks of danger as the norm and knows exactly which side she's on.
Overall, Metawars is thought-provoking without being preachy, it's bang up to date with all the issues that young adults face - and will face in the future as adults - and it's action packed.I love books where I can truly connect with the character, so I would have liked for Jonah to have a moment or two to contemplate some of the changes in his life.
Guardians for control of the Metasphere - in both the virtual and the real world.
The Metasphere is a strange online world in which people are represented by their avatars. These are normally shapes or animal forms. Even news presenters are shown through their virtual representations on TV screens in the real world. So that current affairs are narrated by say, a flamingo or elephant.
Sounds crazy, but with the amount of time we all spend on computers and social networking it's not difficult to imagine a future in which people log on for hours and in some cases days, to live lives that seem to them to be more vibrant than anything reality can offer.
In Jonah's real world human greed, and environmental pollution have caused catastrophic events - oceans have flooded out islands and shrunken continents. He loves the Metasphere, but his mother's wariness of the Metasphere is the first signal that as with anything virtual - things are rarely what they seem.
MetaWars is action packed adventure, that sends the reader racing across the globe. Wherever Jonah is there's only one thing missing...and that's relaxation!.
Jonah is a younger teen hero than I usually read about, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the plot. He's in the same age bracket as Jack Fletcher from Young Samurai and Marcus Cornelius Primus of Gladiator.
Jonah starts out lacking in confidence, and his uncertainty is highlighted by the self-assuredness of Sam; a kickass girl who thinks of danger as the norm and knows exactly which side she's on.
Overall, Metawars is thought-provoking without being preachy, it's bang up to date with all the issues that young adults face - and will face in the future as adults - and it's action packed.I love books where I can truly connect with the character, so I would have liked for Jonah to have a moment or two to contemplate some of the changes in his life.
March 20, 2015
I actually really liked it. Didn't know it was aimed at a younger audience but I can see how it could be.
Plot developed nicely. A lot of action but not a lot of casualties which is why I guess it's for 9-12. The concept of something like the Metasphere I've seen before but this one's not bad.
Some of the thought processes like how Jonah got uploaded again was pretty good. Same with how he dies and doesn't die and dies and doesn't die.
It'll be cool to see how the other 3 corners fare with the Chang Bridge.
I would've liked more background info. Meta dollars worth? How do you get? Just in general more information to make it seem more detailed.
Plot developed nicely. A lot of action but not a lot of casualties which is why I guess it's for 9-12. The concept of something like the Metasphere I've seen before but this one's not bad.
Some of the thought processes like how Jonah got uploaded again was pretty good. Same with how he dies and doesn't die and dies and doesn't die.
It'll be cool to see how the other 3 corners fare with the Chang Bridge.
I would've liked more background info. Meta dollars worth? How do you get? Just in general more information to make it seem more detailed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. It had an interesting premise - set in the future, when the norm is to literally plug oneself into the Meta World (like the internet only better), which is a lot better for many than the real world.
However for some reason, and I can't say why as it should have ticked all the boxes for me, I just couldn't get into it. It was a bit difficult to understand at first, and I also found it difficult to like any of the characters much.
Overall it was okay, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
However for some reason, and I can't say why as it should have ticked all the boxes for me, I just couldn't get into it. It was a bit difficult to understand at first, and I also found it difficult to like any of the characters much.
Overall it was okay, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
Read
June 12, 2013In an unforgiving future, two warring factions - the MILLENIALS and the GUARDIANS - are locked in a brutal battle over control of an online virtual world called the Metasphere. Jonah Delacroix has always known which side he's on - the same side as his dead father. But when he assumed his father's avatar, he learns that things aren't as black and white as he once believed. He's catapulted into a full-throttle race through both worlds - but can he find the truth?
February 17, 2014
I didn't particularly like it but I can see how people would. it is well written but not my kind of book im afraid.
April 22, 2013
A decent and enjoyable read.
August 13, 2016
I think the idea was really creative; two worlds side by side, but for some reason it didn't really catch my attention; it wasn't a page turner.
February 11, 2016
The book that was boring to read, dull and cheap story lines!
July 24, 2015
Книга забавная, но конечно детская и местами наивная. Наши книги про Макса Громова примерно про то же, но намного лучше :)
August 9, 2015
The book is squarely aimed at gamers but the characters grew on me and I would like to find out what happens next.
Read
September 4, 2015It was interesting and exciting which talks about a ordinary boy which get puzzled by a virtual war which effects real life.
Read
September 18, 2015This book was really interesting with a great plot.
January 24, 2016
Interesting ideas, good fast movie plot with lots of action. Found it hard to connect to or care about the main characters as much as I believe I was meant to.
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