Dangerous Reality

by Malorie Blackman

Controlled by a single glove and a special pair of glasses, the Virtual Interactive Mobile System, created by Dominic’s scientist mum, can disarm a bomb, search through underground pipes – or hold a baby. But then, VIMS attacks violently and without warning.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Family, Young Adult, Adventure

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

An award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.

More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box

Reviews

[Julian King · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10-year-old son says that this is one of the best books he has ever read. For sure, it's the first time I've ever seen him choose, of his own volition, book over iPad! He read the 200-odd pages over just a couple of days, in I suppose about 2 hours. Thank you, Malorie Blackman!

[Maree Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUDIO. A good story albeit not really believable, likeable characters, good twists.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great novel for kids, who will learn lessons about who controls AI and the nature of family and friendship. Blackman's very good at that sort of thing, and it's a good companion to Pig Heart Boy.

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The protagonist was super annoying and I warned to knock some sense into him, but he was a kid after all and he did eventually come to his senses.

I alewady figured out who culprit was when the first big event was announced, but I did not expect the plot twist. I still enjoyed it a lot.

[C.W. Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book with my English class and it's not what I expected. I thought it was going to be a bit more virtual reality, but either way, it was a very good message. I pretty much suspected Jack the whole time, ever since he was near the control panel. And Dominic....I'm happy he realised the important thing.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book and it actually succeeded unlike some books for me. It had a nice build up with an unexpected ending. Another Malorie Blackman thriller. Perfect for modern technology/technicians enthusiasts from age 9/10+.

[Apple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Malorie Blackman really could do better as the person sabotaging VIMS is rather obvious, by the way they were acting. I really think that the object blocking Ray's pipes was very surprising and I did not think that it would have been pulled out of it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The person I suspected of being the sabateour was in fact behind the issues with VIMS, but I was not expecting the twist at the end. Another good book from Malorie Blackman

[Mariami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool!

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

another holiday read, not quite what i wanted tho sorry eirini

[Megan ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a gripping book - I remember really enjoying it when I read it.

[Elysse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've loved this book when I was 15/16. It's still a very interesting read and I would highly recommend it for children!

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense at every corner. When I read the last page, i sat there for, like, 10 minutes staring at that page

[Arjun · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not engaging enough. i think there is going to be something shocking or exciting but nothing really jumps at me with this book :(

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was published 20 years ago, and it shows! It all felt a bit formulaic and obvious, rather than the exciting thriller promised on the cover.

[Shego · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the protagonist of this book to be pretty annoying, but the ending did have a surprising twist.

[Jacqueline Baah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this on my blog as part of Malorie Blackman month- during March 2013 reviews are of books by her- click here for them all- you can see the GIF's that aren't included in the review there!

I was sort of bordering between 2.5 and 3 stars for this one as I can't really think of as much to say...
I finally decided on 3 stars as it did hook me from the one-page 1st Chapter. I did get an idea from page 1 of the book and that was nice even it didn't all ring true after that. It wasn't just 'there's not something right here...' as detail was put into other things that maybe only confused me! :L

Dominic wasn't exactly a reliable narrator. He was quite honest but sometimes it got confusing as you didn't understand it- the drive from the character just didn't work as effectively in this book. Human nature was explored and it was interesting to discover Dominic's motives and also his disability. I did pretty much wish that Dominic was my little brother. Then again if I was I'd probably stop him doing half the stuff as urgent as it was!

The technology is at least slightly more realistic (I gather that this is because it was written as futuristic but I've been wrong!) I mean technology being a slight failure as it's quite advanced mechanically...
I can't fault that as I don't think it'll mean it's as dated as other books!

...GIF... the review continues on my blog as linked above!

[MBookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, gripping book.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

An interesting storyline, that really only picks up in the final chapters. I found the narrative voice hugely irritating and just found myself getting increasingly annoyed with the sometimes overly obvious and overly stupid narrator. Whilst I realise this is aimed at children, it will not be my choice to teach it in my English lessons, as I feel it would only be patronising to my pupils. It was endurable, but not something I would want to endure again.

[Leo Margetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This great book is all about a boy calledDominic and how his mun invents a machine that nearly kills him. At the beginning Dominic and his best friend decide to go and spy on his mum when she is doing a presentation of her new invention which is called VIMS. Firstly, VIMS is thought to be a harmless machine but when a unknown person manages to take control of VIMS Dominig and his mum just escape with their lives. At the end of the story VIMS's hacker is found out to be Dominic's dad- Jack.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominic is a typical teenager with far from typical issues - his Mum's robot tries to kill him!
I guessed fairly early who was behind the sabotage, and that it was to do with the pipes, but I'll confess I hadn't worked out the exact root of the motive.
A well-paced story, full of action and intrigue.

[Ellafran5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and takes a very unexpected twist at the end.

[Emilie G. rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

God bog efter min mening. Jeg gad godt at den var længere, eller at der var en 2'er :)

[Katrine Schroll · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most horrible books i have ever read, i only finished it Because it was mandatory. Just don't read it. Seriously this is the worst book ever!!!

[BlueHummingbirds · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of her best.

[Varun Cairae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book and I couldn't put it down.

[Shahanafazal123]

engaging fast paced the perfect Sunday night novel