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Echo's Revenge #1
Echo's Revenge
The entire gaming community, including top competitor Claire Hamilton, is in awe of fourteen-year-old Reggie King who can take just minutes to destroy the demonic game boss, ECHO-6, in the bestselling video game, ECHO’S Revenge. Reggie can’t wait to test himself against the game’s new and improved monster: ECHO-7. To Reggie, ECHO’S Revenge is more than just a game; it’s his way to escape the harsh reality at home.
But there’s a glitch in the new release of ECHO-7. The game developers release a live version of the monster into the real world and now a 35-foot tall extreme predator clad in impenetrable armor with the power to shape-shift and turn invisible is hunting down every elite gamer who ever defeated it in previous versions. One by one, elite ECHO gamers are disappearing. And now, ECHO-7 is after Reggie.
Reggie fears that the monster will also go after his younger brother Jeremy who’s been steadily racking up plenty of monster-kill points himself. Determined to keep him safe, Reggie hatches a plot to destroy the monster and save fellow gamers. But can he figure out how to use his gaming instincts in the real world? And, can Claire help Reggie understand who he really is, so he can reach the next level?
Echo’s Revenge delivers non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action with a hero who is learning that it takes action to bridge the gap between fantasy and the real world—and that family loyalty is sometimes the trickiest game of all.
But there’s a glitch in the new release of ECHO-7. The game developers release a live version of the monster into the real world and now a 35-foot tall extreme predator clad in impenetrable armor with the power to shape-shift and turn invisible is hunting down every elite gamer who ever defeated it in previous versions. One by one, elite ECHO gamers are disappearing. And now, ECHO-7 is after Reggie.
Reggie fears that the monster will also go after his younger brother Jeremy who’s been steadily racking up plenty of monster-kill points himself. Determined to keep him safe, Reggie hatches a plot to destroy the monster and save fellow gamers. But can he figure out how to use his gaming instincts in the real world? And, can Claire help Reggie understand who he really is, so he can reach the next level?
Echo’s Revenge delivers non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action with a hero who is learning that it takes action to bridge the gap between fantasy and the real world—and that family loyalty is sometimes the trickiest game of all.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2011
8 people are currently reading
2742 people want to read
About the author
Sean Austin
28 books23 followersSean Austin (aka Hart Getzen) is a father of avid gamers as well as a writer and producer of simulation and gaming entertainment for companies such as IMAX, Hitachi and Universal Studios. Using ECHO's Revenge as a springboard, Getzen guest lectures on writing and STEM career development at middle-grade and high schools. The author has also lectures on design and production of Location Based Entertainment at universities such as the Rhode Island School of Design.
"The ECHO's Revenge series provokes gamers to consider the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on both designing and playing games - what happens when a group of people work together to create a game, and imbue it not only with its own intelligence, but with their own spirit? What are the political and interpersonal dynamics of that team enterprise, and what challenges may game designers face when their AI evolves in an unanticipated direction?"
"The ECHO's Revenge series provokes gamers to consider the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on both designing and playing games - what happens when a group of people work together to create a game, and imbue it not only with its own intelligence, but with their own spirit? What are the political and interpersonal dynamics of that team enterprise, and what challenges may game designers face when their AI evolves in an unanticipated direction?"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 25, 2012
"Suspend your disbelief," said the little voice inside my head.
When I listened to that little voice I was able to enjoy The Ultimate Game, and there are elements of this book that truly deserve to be enjoyed. Unfortunately, that little voice wasn't always loud enough to make me suspend my disbelief, and the sound of that voice couldn't drown out the dissonance. Those moments couldn't be overlooked or enjoyed (not, at least, by me).
3 Things That Deserve to be Enjoyed --
The Cliffhanger-- I didn't look into what this book was about before I started reading it, so the cliffhanger at the end of the book, the set up for the sequel, was somewhat unexpected, although I could tell quite early on that another book or two had to be coming if Sean Austin was going to make his story approach completeness. It was good enough that I want to read the sequel.
Two Brothers -- I quite liked Reggie and Jeremy, despite the fact that I bought very little that came out of their mouths. They didn't act their ages, for instance. Still, my like for them existed, and it came down to their love for each other, their loyalty, and the way their emotions rang true. I believed the way they felt about each other and how that translated into the actions they were forced to take, so I cared what happened to them (which is probably the key to the cliffhanger and my desire to see where this story is going).
Echo-7 -- Badass super transformer, Echo-7, is a pretty convincing front-man villain (I suspect someone else is in Echo-7's driver's seat ). He cloaks, he transforms, he tortures, he swallows people whole, he does impersonations, he thinks, he ejects still living boys from his body in plastic bags, he has an army of taser-bots, and he wants to rule the world (perhaps). But wow do you need to roll with his presence (suspend, suspend, suspend) because if you don't you may as well read something else.
Things That Are Hard to Enjoy --
The Militarism -- All boys like guns and violence and military lingo and knives and military philosophies -- and that's okay. More than okay, actually (at least that's what it felt like this book was trying to sell me). It's just fine to fill a book with violence, apparently, and sell that violence to boys ... cause, hey, the US is a peaceful place, the most militarized peaceful place in Earth's history, and militarism's a good thing, a thing that keeps us safe, not something that endangers us, not something we should ever worry about, at least not as much as we should worry about sex and hormones.
The "Token" Girl -- Claire's gamer handle is "Claw," and she's as beautiful as a super-model, and she makes Reggie feel funny in his stomach and then in his heart. Reggie's fourteen. When I was fourteen there was another funny feeling that went along with the stomach and the heart, and that could be found, quite uncontrollably, in my pants. Nothing stirred for Reggie, however. Never even crossed his mind. Couple Reggie's hormonal impossibility with his puppiest of loves, and the fourteen year old he was supposed to be felt about eleven. There was no suspending disbelief here, and it was more frustrating still because Claire was actually an appealing character. She was wasted. Big time.
Violence vs. Hormones -- Couple the glorification of violence for young adults with the chastity of the piece, and the result was an unrealism I was came to despise. The willing ignorance of parents when it comes to their children's hormones, hormones that they once had, makes me despair.
*
The Cliffhanger -- I know I said this was one of the things to like about the book, but it has to reside here as well. Sean Austin set up expectations, he teased and hinted at something more, and he failed to deliver. Had he taken more care to avoid the tease, the ending would have been much more satisfying. But I still want to read what's next, so the cliffhanger can't be all bad.
When I listened to that little voice I was able to enjoy The Ultimate Game, and there are elements of this book that truly deserve to be enjoyed. Unfortunately, that little voice wasn't always loud enough to make me suspend my disbelief, and the sound of that voice couldn't drown out the dissonance. Those moments couldn't be overlooked or enjoyed (not, at least, by me).
3 Things That Deserve to be Enjoyed --
The Cliffhanger-- I didn't look into what this book was about before I started reading it, so the cliffhanger at the end of the book, the set up for the sequel, was somewhat unexpected, although I could tell quite early on that another book or two had to be coming if Sean Austin was going to make his story approach completeness. It was good enough that I want to read the sequel.
Two Brothers -- I quite liked Reggie and Jeremy, despite the fact that I bought very little that came out of their mouths. They didn't act their ages, for instance. Still, my like for them existed, and it came down to their love for each other, their loyalty, and the way their emotions rang true. I believed the way they felt about each other and how that translated into the actions they were forced to take, so I cared what happened to them (which is probably the key to the cliffhanger and my desire to see where this story is going).
Echo-7 -- Badass super transformer, Echo-7, is a pretty convincing front-man villain (I suspect someone else is in Echo-7's driver's seat ). He cloaks, he transforms, he tortures, he swallows people whole, he does impersonations, he thinks, he ejects still living boys from his body in plastic bags, he has an army of taser-bots, and he wants to rule the world (perhaps). But wow do you need to roll with his presence (suspend, suspend, suspend) because if you don't you may as well read something else.
Things That Are Hard to Enjoy --
The Militarism -- All boys like guns and violence and military lingo and knives and military philosophies -- and that's okay. More than okay, actually (at least that's what it felt like this book was trying to sell me). It's just fine to fill a book with violence, apparently, and sell that violence to boys ... cause, hey, the US is a peaceful place, the most militarized peaceful place in Earth's history, and militarism's a good thing, a thing that keeps us safe, not something that endangers us, not something we should ever worry about, at least not as much as we should worry about sex and hormones.
The "Token" Girl -- Claire's gamer handle is "Claw," and she's as beautiful as a super-model, and she makes Reggie feel funny in his stomach and then in his heart. Reggie's fourteen. When I was fourteen there was another funny feeling that went along with the stomach and the heart, and that could be found, quite uncontrollably, in my pants. Nothing stirred for Reggie, however. Never even crossed his mind. Couple Reggie's hormonal impossibility with his puppiest of loves, and the fourteen year old he was supposed to be felt about eleven. There was no suspending disbelief here, and it was more frustrating still because Claire was actually an appealing character. She was wasted. Big time.
Violence vs. Hormones -- Couple the glorification of violence for young adults with the chastity of the piece, and the result was an unrealism I was came to despise. The willing ignorance of parents when it comes to their children's hormones, hormones that they once had, makes me despair.
*
The Cliffhanger -- I know I said this was one of the things to like about the book, but it has to reside here as well. Sean Austin set up expectations, he teased and hinted at something more, and he failed to deliver. Had he taken more care to avoid the tease, the ending would have been much more satisfying. But I still want to read what's next, so the cliffhanger can't be all bad.
May 10, 2012
There’s a lot of stuff going on in this young adult novel by Sean Austin. Having read the description from the back, as I am wont to do before starting on a book, it purports to be an ongoing investigation by the author on the activities of a now defunct video game company. It’s like reading molasses from the first two chapters, as the events were pretty mundane and hard to get excited about. This is a story of two brothers who enjoyed playing video games, their favorite being the eponymous Echo series. The gamers’ language was struggle initially, but quite easily remedied with a few keystrokes in Google search for the urban dictionary. Once I got my reading going and into the flow, I realized this book wasn’t as shallow as it appeared.
The brothers Stone, Reggie and Jeremy, play computer games to escape a troubled household with an abusive stepfather and their mother who’s too busy to care for her own kids. The irony here is that their mother is a social worker who helps other families stay together but is blind to the abuses her freeloading boyfriend heaps on her kids. She remains blind while her family is crumbling around her. It got to the point that the brothers decided to escape to their biological father a thousand miles away... But not before Reggie gets involved in the beta test of a revolutionary new upgrade of their favorite game that promises to add a “dimension of fear.”
This is where the book gets interesting, when the brothers run away from home to hitchhike all the way to their escape. They meet some interesting people but they get a sense that they are being stalked by a dangerous predator. They are away from their comfort zones and as with the readers, they never know what would happen next. This unexpected journey becomes a crucible where their faith in each other and their brotherhood are tested. Their body and mind are stretched to the breaking point as they are sucked into a bizarre situation that there almost no escape from.
The book is very easy to read, given that it is targeted to a young adult audience. Like the game in the book, the author adds a lot of extra dimension to his product. He adds himself as a character with a small but key role to play. It also has a lot of extra material that can be accessed from the book’s internet site once it is online. This is the first of a series and the seeds for sequels are planted in the last chapter. There are still unanswered questions that can only be answered with the follow up books.
The brothers Stone, Reggie and Jeremy, play computer games to escape a troubled household with an abusive stepfather and their mother who’s too busy to care for her own kids. The irony here is that their mother is a social worker who helps other families stay together but is blind to the abuses her freeloading boyfriend heaps on her kids. She remains blind while her family is crumbling around her. It got to the point that the brothers decided to escape to their biological father a thousand miles away... But not before Reggie gets involved in the beta test of a revolutionary new upgrade of their favorite game that promises to add a “dimension of fear.”
This is where the book gets interesting, when the brothers run away from home to hitchhike all the way to their escape. They meet some interesting people but they get a sense that they are being stalked by a dangerous predator. They are away from their comfort zones and as with the readers, they never know what would happen next. This unexpected journey becomes a crucible where their faith in each other and their brotherhood are tested. Their body and mind are stretched to the breaking point as they are sucked into a bizarre situation that there almost no escape from.
The book is very easy to read, given that it is targeted to a young adult audience. Like the game in the book, the author adds a lot of extra dimension to his product. He adds himself as a character with a small but key role to play. It also has a lot of extra material that can be accessed from the book’s internet site once it is online. This is the first of a series and the seeds for sequels are planted in the last chapter. There are still unanswered questions that can only be answered with the follow up books.
February 16, 2012
I read this book ,and loved it. It was good to read a book about video games by someone who knows about video games. The book centres on two brothers, Reggie and Jeremy, who are hardcore gamers, and have divorced parents.
The characters are well rounded, Reggie seems quite analytical and this comes through in the story. He's also very protective of his brother. They use the survival skills they have learnt in daily life (and games) to get through the challenges they face.
The final confrontation was very exciting, I was reading it on the train (and didn't finish it), then got home and realised my heart was pounding and that I _really_ wanted to finish the book.
I'm looking forward to the next novel, the Echo world is quite compelling.
I'll be recommending this to a friend, his boy is eight and I'm sure would like this book since both of them are gamers. Its a good book to get boys into reading. I'm sure I'll be reading it to my boy when he gets old enough, though he's only one and a half at the moment, so I might have a while to wait!
Full disclosure: I was asked to read this book to do a review on Goodreads. I only read books I like, and after reading a 20 page sampler I'd found online, I was happy to read the rest and review this book.
The characters are well rounded, Reggie seems quite analytical and this comes through in the story. He's also very protective of his brother. They use the survival skills they have learnt in daily life (and games) to get through the challenges they face.
The final confrontation was very exciting, I was reading it on the train (and didn't finish it), then got home and realised my heart was pounding and that I _really_ wanted to finish the book.
I'm looking forward to the next novel, the Echo world is quite compelling.
I'll be recommending this to a friend, his boy is eight and I'm sure would like this book since both of them are gamers. Its a good book to get boys into reading. I'm sure I'll be reading it to my boy when he gets old enough, though he's only one and a half at the moment, so I might have a while to wait!
Full disclosure: I was asked to read this book to do a review on Goodreads. I only read books I like, and after reading a 20 page sampler I'd found online, I was happy to read the rest and review this book.
May 15, 2012
Imaginative, unique and extraordinarily creepy, Echo's Revenge is a book that will captivate a wide audience range of readers from the young to the young at heart.
With gaming and reality television such a wide-spread and all-encompassing issue in society today, Echo's Revenge is a tale that does not seem overly far-fetched. Perhaps, even, a possibility within the near future. This is the story of two brothers who have grown up within a very unstable family, complete with an abusive, alcoholic caretaker - otherwise known as their mother's live-in boyfriend. Their mother is never around and is basically clueless as to what goes on with both boys and their father lives a long distance away and is not an active part of their lives. The only things that they have to rely on is one another - and the online video game Echo. Echo is a social game where everyone is known by a code name and they all come together to battle Echo through different stages and scenarios. Those who survive are Masters and held in pretty high regard. Reggie, the oldest of the brothers is a Master and invited to attend a focus group for the game. What Reggie doesn't know when he forges a parent signature on the permission form to join the group, is that his life was about to get a whole lot worse.
After a particularly explosive confrontation with their mother's boyfriend, Reggie and Jeremy decide to hit the road and go to their father's house to live. Both boys soon find out the other gamers are being kidnapped and that Echo-7 is a very real threat that will stop at nothing to capture all those that have played his game - only this is no game, but real life. Who will survive and who will become the real life victim of Echo-7? Can anyone be trusted?
To be completely honest, I have not read many books along this genre - reality games/sci-fi - I was very curious, however, when I heard about it and read the description. I can say that I was not disappointed. I loved "Sean Austin's" style of writing, the ability to draw the readers into the world of Reggie and Jeremy, as well as how he managed to add "life lessons" throughout, which actually aided the boys in their adventure. Another aspect that I really enjoyed is that there were hints of a governmental conspiracy that was very intriguing and also lent to the idea that such a thing isn't all that unrealistic.
Echo's Revenge is a book to appeal to young male readers who love gaming, as well as to young females and those of all ages. Take note - there is also one lone girl within the story and she is a butt kicker, without a doubt. I loved her character and how she was a very brave person and played as a bit of a buffer at times - and an inspiration at times, particularly to Reggie. This is also a book to get the imagination revving and the "what-ifs" flowing.
To add to the book's experience, there is also a website: Echo Hunt which adds to the overall appeal of this series. On the website, readers will find out more about the investigation, collections of evidence, book excerpts and just a unique continuation of this "ongoing investigation". Very clever and highly appealing.
Echo's Revenge is the first book in the series and I anxiously look forward to the following books (I am not sure exactly how many there will be in the series). I highly encourage and recommend this book to readers of all ages and those with or without an interest in reality gaming. Echo's Revenge is very intriguing and an incredibly enjoyable read!
Favorite Quote: Maybe life was a game sometimes, and you just had to play the cards you were dealt the best you could. Instead of complaining about how things are, maybe you need to stop, take a hard look, and think about what you can do to make it work for you. If you did that, maybe you could always improve your life and you'd never be a loser.
With gaming and reality television such a wide-spread and all-encompassing issue in society today, Echo's Revenge is a tale that does not seem overly far-fetched. Perhaps, even, a possibility within the near future. This is the story of two brothers who have grown up within a very unstable family, complete with an abusive, alcoholic caretaker - otherwise known as their mother's live-in boyfriend. Their mother is never around and is basically clueless as to what goes on with both boys and their father lives a long distance away and is not an active part of their lives. The only things that they have to rely on is one another - and the online video game Echo. Echo is a social game where everyone is known by a code name and they all come together to battle Echo through different stages and scenarios. Those who survive are Masters and held in pretty high regard. Reggie, the oldest of the brothers is a Master and invited to attend a focus group for the game. What Reggie doesn't know when he forges a parent signature on the permission form to join the group, is that his life was about to get a whole lot worse.
After a particularly explosive confrontation with their mother's boyfriend, Reggie and Jeremy decide to hit the road and go to their father's house to live. Both boys soon find out the other gamers are being kidnapped and that Echo-7 is a very real threat that will stop at nothing to capture all those that have played his game - only this is no game, but real life. Who will survive and who will become the real life victim of Echo-7? Can anyone be trusted?
To be completely honest, I have not read many books along this genre - reality games/sci-fi - I was very curious, however, when I heard about it and read the description. I can say that I was not disappointed. I loved "Sean Austin's" style of writing, the ability to draw the readers into the world of Reggie and Jeremy, as well as how he managed to add "life lessons" throughout, which actually aided the boys in their adventure. Another aspect that I really enjoyed is that there were hints of a governmental conspiracy that was very intriguing and also lent to the idea that such a thing isn't all that unrealistic.
Echo's Revenge is a book to appeal to young male readers who love gaming, as well as to young females and those of all ages. Take note - there is also one lone girl within the story and she is a butt kicker, without a doubt. I loved her character and how she was a very brave person and played as a bit of a buffer at times - and an inspiration at times, particularly to Reggie. This is also a book to get the imagination revving and the "what-ifs" flowing.
To add to the book's experience, there is also a website: Echo Hunt which adds to the overall appeal of this series. On the website, readers will find out more about the investigation, collections of evidence, book excerpts and just a unique continuation of this "ongoing investigation". Very clever and highly appealing.
Echo's Revenge is the first book in the series and I anxiously look forward to the following books (I am not sure exactly how many there will be in the series). I highly encourage and recommend this book to readers of all ages and those with or without an interest in reality gaming. Echo's Revenge is very intriguing and an incredibly enjoyable read!
Favorite Quote: Maybe life was a game sometimes, and you just had to play the cards you were dealt the best you could. Instead of complaining about how things are, maybe you need to stop, take a hard look, and think about what you can do to make it work for you. If you did that, maybe you could always improve your life and you'd never be a loser.
August 25, 2012
Video games have become a part of life in the twenty-first century; younger and younger children are growing up playing video games that cover everything from baking cupcakes to hunting down the latest space alien. Gamers of all ages are becoming more common as the games they play become more complex. 'Echo's Revenge: The Ultimate Game" by Sean Austin imagines a world where the game being played isn't just life-like; the villain actually comes to life.
Without revealing too much of the plot, they boys encounter many unbelievable obstacles in their efforts to reach their father. They must rely on their gaming know-how and one another if they want to escape from the clutches of a video game monster bent on their destruction.
Those that are into video games and the closeness one can feel to a stranger known only through the computer screen will love this book. The descriptions of the various elements of the game are technical and imaginative enough to keep readers interested. The several life-and-death moments the characters experience will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens to Jeremy, Reggie and their other gaming pals. Echo's minions are nearly as deadly as he is and it takes Reggie and Jeremy a while to figure out what makes the mini-robots operate.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Read the rest of this review in the column I write about children's fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/review/review...
Without revealing too much of the plot, they boys encounter many unbelievable obstacles in their efforts to reach their father. They must rely on their gaming know-how and one another if they want to escape from the clutches of a video game monster bent on their destruction.
Those that are into video games and the closeness one can feel to a stranger known only through the computer screen will love this book. The descriptions of the various elements of the game are technical and imaginative enough to keep readers interested. The several life-and-death moments the characters experience will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens to Jeremy, Reggie and their other gaming pals. Echo's minions are nearly as deadly as he is and it takes Reggie and Jeremy a while to figure out what makes the mini-robots operate.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Read the rest of this review in the column I write about children's fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/review/review...
Read
May 19, 2012Fourteen year old Reggie and his younger brother Jeremy are expert on-line gamers, but when the line between fantasy and reality disappears, they find themselves caught in a fight they don't know how to win.
Echo's Revenge combines gaming with science fiction in an easy flowing young adult read that keeps you guessing to the very end. Readers should be aware that it contains physical
abuse of children by an adult (hitting, shaking, banging against the wall, death threats, etc...), injuries such as burns and cuts, bullying, electrocution, a bare butt, farting, urinating, name calling and use of the phrase "wuss out". Divorce and a dysfunctional home-life factor prominently into the backdrop of this story. Parents should be aware that while the story itself is aimed at readers age 10 and up, the content may be disturbing for some.
Go to Sarah's Reviews for more content based book reviews!
Echo's Revenge combines gaming with science fiction in an easy flowing young adult read that keeps you guessing to the very end. Readers should be aware that it contains physical
abuse of children by an adult (hitting, shaking, banging against the wall, death threats, etc...), injuries such as burns and cuts, bullying, electrocution, a bare butt, farting, urinating, name calling and use of the phrase "wuss out". Divorce and a dysfunctional home-life factor prominently into the backdrop of this story. Parents should be aware that while the story itself is aimed at readers age 10 and up, the content may be disturbing for some.
Go to Sarah's Reviews for more content based book reviews!
March 22, 2012
This book earns five out of five stars. Austin crafted great, creative, independent characters. Jeremy and Reggie leave home to escape their mother’s cruel boyfriend. While hitchhiking to find their biological father in California, they learn that their fellow gamers were kidnapped by a video game predator that has come to life called ECHO. This villain is hoping to hunt down the boys and kidnap them in the real world. The boys are strong and look out for each other. Reading about brothers with such a strong bond was really nice. They are protective of each other, their relationship is admirable. The reader may come to really care about the characters.
Echo’s Revenge is ideal for gamers, thrill lovers, and adventure fans. Boys would love this book and have fun on the website that accompanies the novel (echohunt.com). The author had a unique style that was really enjoyable. The next books in the series promise to be as exciting and fun as this first book.
Echo’s Revenge is ideal for gamers, thrill lovers, and adventure fans. Boys would love this book and have fun on the website that accompanies the novel (echohunt.com). The author had a unique style that was really enjoyable. The next books in the series promise to be as exciting and fun as this first book.
July 7, 2013
Echo's Revenge is a quick, action-packed read that teens and adults can both enjoy. To see a predator from a game come to life in your own world would be horrific, especially knowing that it's hunting you and your online friends down. Austin's characters are modern and quick-witted, and the bond of brothers and friends truly shines through. Reggie and Jeremy want to not only free their friends that have been kidnapped but also put the predator to rest, or back in it's own world.
I'm looking forward to volume two. As a previous gamer, I found extreme enjoyment in Echo's Revenge, but non-gamers will find adventure, a strong plot and clever writing. Thumbs up!!
I'm looking forward to volume two. As a previous gamer, I found extreme enjoyment in Echo's Revenge, but non-gamers will find adventure, a strong plot and clever writing. Thumbs up!!
July 15, 2012
This book is a very unique, I never read anything like it. The character Reggie and his younger brother is trying to get to their father to escape for their loser step father with serious anger management issue. The two brother are really special characters, I loved the relationship these two have with each other. The sibling both make a amazing team, both bring the best out of each other. One of my my favorite parts was big Pete. I don't want to give to much of the story, wouldn't want to ruin the book for people who are going to read it with spoilers. Waiting for book 2.
June 16, 2018
Echo's Revenge is a fast paced story about gamers Jeremy and Reggie who run away from home to escape their mother's abusive boyfriend. Before they go, Reggie is invited to visit the company that created his favorite game, ECHO. Reggie meets other gamers, who like him, have beaten the game several times. The creator of the game wants to know what makes them scared in real life. In order to create that fear, he accidentally unleashes a real live 35 foot tall ECHO who kidnaps gamers like Reggie who have beaten it in the virtual world. Reggie and Jeremy escape that fate when they go on the road trying to get to their dad's house in California. On the road, they meet many interesting people, all of whom seem to know something about their lives. Eventually, Reggie figures out that they are being stalked by the real life ECHO and they not only have to survive him, but also warn other gamers of what might happen to them if continue to master the game.
This was a very well written story with lots of action and suspense. It just wasn't my kind of story, but for someone who likes video games and futuristic science fiction stories, this book would be perfect.
This was a very well written story with lots of action and suspense. It just wasn't my kind of story, but for someone who likes video games and futuristic science fiction stories, this book would be perfect.
August 30, 2019
This book was totally excellent.
August 30, 2019
The book unquestionably outstarding.
February 23, 2020
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
January 11, 2015
This was a 3 1/2 star review.
WHAT I LIKED THE MOST: This was a cool concept. Austin put both himself and the publisher, AAA Reality Games, directly into the story. AAA is the company that created Echo Hunt and Reggie is invited to their offices for a focus group. They continue to pop up throughout the story as Reggie and Jeremy try to figure out what in the world is going on. And Austin makes a cameo appearance early in the story, providing Reggie with a vital clue to how to defeat Echo. It’s a novel concept and Austin pulls it off with style.
Since this book really was written for gamers, Austin does an excellent job of incorporating online gaming into the story. Throughout the book Reggie and Jeremy have to draw upon their gaming knowledge and the strategies they used in the virtual world in order to fight Echo in the real one. And while I can’t comment on how accurate the science is Austin does incorporate a lot of tech and weaponry into the book, the same kinds of tech and weaponry you might find in your average video game – from rocket fueled cars to grenade launchers.
WHAT I LIKED THE LEAST: The writing itself was fairly weak. Lots of word repetition, clumsy phrasing, and telling us what everyone was thinking instead of just showing it. The degree to which all this is annoying will depend on how much you get hung up on quality of writing versus story.
I also have to admit that the basic premise made it a little hard to take this book seriously. I couldn’t fully get into the idea that AAA Reality Games actually created a 35’ robot with advanced AI programming, insane shape shifting technology, and a cloaking device, rather than just setting up an advanced VR suite for gamers who really want to put themselves into the action. This is crazy technology, and the idea of it being developed here and now by a small gaming company felt so far-fetched that it was hard to buy into the rest of the story. But, as with the writing, whether or not this is really a problem depends on the reader. If you can suspend disbelief enough in order to buy into the idea of a real Echo, then you’ll have yourself an excellent time.
AN INTERESTING ISSUE: As part of gearing his writing towards gamers, Austin made a strategic choice to incorporate head-hoping into the book. So while most of the story took place from Reggie’s point of view, it was not uncommon to suddenly find myself in another character’s head for a paragraph or even a sentence before jumping back to Reggie. I both liked this and disliked it at the same time.
According to Austin, “One thing gamers are good at is multiplexing and absorbing information from many directions at once, and acting on that stream of information immediately. Since gamers hop around from numerous perspectives, into the avatars of friends and enemies alike, bounce between levels, and respawn to escape immediate peril or change their location for tactical purposes, this multi-perspective style was chosen for the books.”
I appreciate Austin sincere efforts to write to his target audience, and for gamers the style may be perfect – hence why I like it. But for me, it was jarring and made the book harder to read – hence why I don’t.
HOW GOOD WAS THE ACTION? Some of the chases and fights with Echo provide a real adrenaline rush. There’s a particularly good chase through the storm sewers, and the final battle with Echo is tense and exciting. But the scenes can get a little confusing because of all the head hopping. During the final battle I kept getting pulled out of the action by sentences and paragraphs trying to tell me what everyone was thinking as they watched Echo fight Reggie and Jeremy.
HOW ENGAGING WAS THE STORY? I was drawn to Reggie and Jeremy’s characters, with their horrific home life, their strong relationship, and their profound desire to escape to something better – heading out on the road with no one to rely on but each other. And knowing Echo was out there, hunting for them, tracking them, only added to the story. Some of the supporting characters are pretty thin, but Reggie and Jeremy were strong enough to carry most of the story on their own. And once Echo captures them, the excitement keeps ramping up.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT: A cool concept that blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Gamers everywhere will be in their element.
Check out more of my reviews at www.yaactionadventurenovels.com
February 6, 2014
I was recently asked (and by recently I mean over a year ago) if I would be interested in reviewing a YA (young adult) book which was due for release in May 2012. Even though I don’t read young adult fiction I replied to the email anyway and said I would check it out. Here I am, writing a review, hundreds of days later, simply because I finally got around to reading it and thought it was actually pretty good.
The book is about two brothers, 11-year-old Jeremy, and 14-year-old Reggie, who are stuck in a life which they believe to be a far cry from normality – living in an unstable home with an abusive and alcoholic step father – something that sadly a lot of kids can relate to. These kids are too young to do drugs, and so their method of escape is online video games. The video game of choice for them is a first person shooter called Echo Hunt, which allows them to enter a temporary world where they can excel and be praised for their skills rather than be put down and told to take out the trash.
The ultimate purpose of the game is to find and destroy a shape-shifting cyborg mutant called Echo, which is described in the book as a ’35-foot tall extreme predator clad in impenetrable armor’ that can de-cloak and materialise ‘out of nowhere, like a nightmare of shiny, sharp, shifting, glass like scales’. Sounds pretty scary, right? Well not for Reggie, who is somewhat of a master at the game and has built a reputation among his fellow gamers for being able to destroy this virtual tyrant with ease. Word of Reggie’s skills spreads like fire and soon he receives a letter by the game’s creators asking him to meet with several other kids just as good at the game to help with the brainstorming of an update to Echo Hunt. All the while Reggie feels a strange presence around him, like he’s being followed. As each of his gamer friends mysteriously disappear one by one, Reggie soon discovers that Echo is stalking him for real and that it is a lot different when you’re not playing a video game.
The premise of the book lends itself to the idea of blurring of the lines between the virtual world and the real world and does it quite well. As it’s aimed at a younger audience its involvement with video games makes it more relatable to kids today, but then again they are probably too busy playing games to read anything that doesn’t stimulate their attention in short meaningless bursts (e.g. anything that isn’t Facebook or a top 10 list of something). Unfortunately it doesn’t help that the book is a bit too long for most attention spans roaming the planet today. If you write and market a book for kids growing up with TV, computers, internet, iPhones and games, and not so much books, it better be a quick read, which this is not. Overall I rate this as a decent book that has the potential to become popular, and hopefully might encourage the youth of today to unplug themselves from the matrix for a while and sit down and read.
The book is about two brothers, 11-year-old Jeremy, and 14-year-old Reggie, who are stuck in a life which they believe to be a far cry from normality – living in an unstable home with an abusive and alcoholic step father – something that sadly a lot of kids can relate to. These kids are too young to do drugs, and so their method of escape is online video games. The video game of choice for them is a first person shooter called Echo Hunt, which allows them to enter a temporary world where they can excel and be praised for their skills rather than be put down and told to take out the trash.
The ultimate purpose of the game is to find and destroy a shape-shifting cyborg mutant called Echo, which is described in the book as a ’35-foot tall extreme predator clad in impenetrable armor’ that can de-cloak and materialise ‘out of nowhere, like a nightmare of shiny, sharp, shifting, glass like scales’. Sounds pretty scary, right? Well not for Reggie, who is somewhat of a master at the game and has built a reputation among his fellow gamers for being able to destroy this virtual tyrant with ease. Word of Reggie’s skills spreads like fire and soon he receives a letter by the game’s creators asking him to meet with several other kids just as good at the game to help with the brainstorming of an update to Echo Hunt. All the while Reggie feels a strange presence around him, like he’s being followed. As each of his gamer friends mysteriously disappear one by one, Reggie soon discovers that Echo is stalking him for real and that it is a lot different when you’re not playing a video game.
The premise of the book lends itself to the idea of blurring of the lines between the virtual world and the real world and does it quite well. As it’s aimed at a younger audience its involvement with video games makes it more relatable to kids today, but then again they are probably too busy playing games to read anything that doesn’t stimulate their attention in short meaningless bursts (e.g. anything that isn’t Facebook or a top 10 list of something). Unfortunately it doesn’t help that the book is a bit too long for most attention spans roaming the planet today. If you write and market a book for kids growing up with TV, computers, internet, iPhones and games, and not so much books, it better be a quick read, which this is not. Overall I rate this as a decent book that has the potential to become popular, and hopefully might encourage the youth of today to unplug themselves from the matrix for a while and sit down and read.
May 12, 2012
ECHO’s Revenge by Sean Austin is set to be released May 15th. I had the opportunity to read an ARC copy from the author before its release date. I’m really glad Sean Austin approached me about reviewing his book, because it’s probably not something I would have discovered on my own. You know- so many books, so little time, etc. I really enjoyed this story about brother’s Reggie and Jeremy. Reggie is 14 and Jeremy is 11. Their home life isn’t so great. Their mom is never around and their stepdad is a jerk. The brother’s love this video game called ECHO’s revenge. It’s a game about this being, that can mutate, turn invisible and terrorize. It’s the kind of game you can play online against other gamers. Reggie is really good at it – so good in fact that he gets invited to attend a focus group for the next version of the game, along with the other elite players. While there Reggie meets Sean Austin (the author) who gives him a cheat code for the game. This book is the first volume in an investigation by Sean Austin about the events that really occur after this focus group.
Reggie and his brother decide to run away from home and go to their dad’s house. Along the way they meet a series of interesting people that help them find their way. While the boys are traveling, ECHO is kidnapping the gamers from the focus group as well as other gamers. Reggie and Jeremy have no idea ECHO is following them at first. By the time they realize that ECHO is real, it’s too late. I won’t spoil the experience for you by telling you what happens next – you should definitely read it for yourself.
I really liked this story, because it is an interesting read, that kids and teens will enjoy – especially with all the interest in video games in today’s world – but it also contains lessons. One lesson is to pay attention to the things going on around you. When you are constantly glue to your computer, ipod, games, etc you are missing out on real life and the things happening around you. Another lesson is about loyalty and being there for your friends and family. I won’t give them all away – but it’s great to read a book that is entertaining and has some substance.
The characters of Jeremy and Reggie are well developed and relatable. It’s easy to understand where they are coming from. I also really liked Scratch – the lone female gamer amidst all these boisterous males. She has some excellent words of wisdom. My favorite is Big Pete. When you read the book, watch for him. He has interesting wisdom to impart.
ECHO’s Revenge is a fun fast-paced adventure that is appropriate for middle grades and young adults. The book is an interactive experience with an on-going investigation going on at http://echohunt.com/ . There are some questions in the book that remain unanswered – but if it’s not on the website, I expect it will be book 2 in the series.
Reggie and his brother decide to run away from home and go to their dad’s house. Along the way they meet a series of interesting people that help them find their way. While the boys are traveling, ECHO is kidnapping the gamers from the focus group as well as other gamers. Reggie and Jeremy have no idea ECHO is following them at first. By the time they realize that ECHO is real, it’s too late. I won’t spoil the experience for you by telling you what happens next – you should definitely read it for yourself.
I really liked this story, because it is an interesting read, that kids and teens will enjoy – especially with all the interest in video games in today’s world – but it also contains lessons. One lesson is to pay attention to the things going on around you. When you are constantly glue to your computer, ipod, games, etc you are missing out on real life and the things happening around you. Another lesson is about loyalty and being there for your friends and family. I won’t give them all away – but it’s great to read a book that is entertaining and has some substance.
The characters of Jeremy and Reggie are well developed and relatable. It’s easy to understand where they are coming from. I also really liked Scratch – the lone female gamer amidst all these boisterous males. She has some excellent words of wisdom. My favorite is Big Pete. When you read the book, watch for him. He has interesting wisdom to impart.
ECHO’s Revenge is a fun fast-paced adventure that is appropriate for middle grades and young adults. The book is an interactive experience with an on-going investigation going on at http://echohunt.com/ . There are some questions in the book that remain unanswered – but if it’s not on the website, I expect it will be book 2 in the series.
March 2, 2016
" Im waiting for you"
fourteen year old Reggie and his brother Jeremy are online expert gamers,they caught themselves on a fight there is no way to win.The genre of this book is fiction.This book deserves five stars because of how well explained and written it is.
Echo's Revenge is a book about some teens that are really good at this online game and how Reggie gets invited to this gaming event and how his step father doesnt let him go. So Reggie decides to run off and go to the gaming event with two of his friends. This event is taking place in San Francisco,California. One major event of this story is when Reggie and Jeremy get to the gaming event and find themselfs into trouble and have no way out of it. When Reggie and Jeremy were trying to leave the gaming event theres a hacker that kidnaps kids and he doesnt want to get kidnapped so hes trying to find a way back home. As Reggie is finds a way he gets into more trouble.
The author builds tension when,Luca doesnt reply to Reggie after him telling Reggie to contact him if he was introuble,"Call me if you ever need to" is what Luca told Reggie.Reggie found out people are thinking he was kidnapped when he saw "AMBER ALERT AGE 14 AND 11" then Reggie and Jeremy were just left stranded because the guy that was giving them a ride because he didnt want to get into any trouble with the police.
The authors tone is serious. The author creates this tone by getting Reggie and Jeremy into trouble. When Reggie and jeremy find out about the hacker or the kidnapper they are scared that they will actually get kidnapped. So they go into this store and go to the bathroom and lock themselves in there and they try contacting Luca once again and no response,so they emailed Luca to see if he responded threw there but he didnt so they started thinking if he got kidnapped by the hacker.
I liked the way the author made the story with a hacker as a kidnapper because when Reggie and Jeremy were introuble they were so scared they would get kidnapped. Cause they had no idea it would ever be a hacker because why would it be a gamer. The hackers name is Echo 7 and kids claim that they have been kidnapped by the real Echo 7. Those kids were never actually kidnapped by Echo 7 they just really wanted attention.
In conclusion I rate this book three out of five stars , the reason why i say three stars is because honestly this book was a type of a gaming book with a huge plot twist which i was not expecting at all. I would recommend this book to somebody that likes games of all types because i think it will fit them cause sinse this book is pot twist. Honestly i really think this book was amazing, so if you like plot twist books i really think you should check this book out. This book is a really good book for all types of gamers.
fourteen year old Reggie and his brother Jeremy are online expert gamers,they caught themselves on a fight there is no way to win.The genre of this book is fiction.This book deserves five stars because of how well explained and written it is.
Echo's Revenge is a book about some teens that are really good at this online game and how Reggie gets invited to this gaming event and how his step father doesnt let him go. So Reggie decides to run off and go to the gaming event with two of his friends. This event is taking place in San Francisco,California. One major event of this story is when Reggie and Jeremy get to the gaming event and find themselfs into trouble and have no way out of it. When Reggie and Jeremy were trying to leave the gaming event theres a hacker that kidnaps kids and he doesnt want to get kidnapped so hes trying to find a way back home. As Reggie is finds a way he gets into more trouble.
The author builds tension when,Luca doesnt reply to Reggie after him telling Reggie to contact him if he was introuble,"Call me if you ever need to" is what Luca told Reggie.Reggie found out people are thinking he was kidnapped when he saw "AMBER ALERT AGE 14 AND 11" then Reggie and Jeremy were just left stranded because the guy that was giving them a ride because he didnt want to get into any trouble with the police.
The authors tone is serious. The author creates this tone by getting Reggie and Jeremy into trouble. When Reggie and jeremy find out about the hacker or the kidnapper they are scared that they will actually get kidnapped. So they go into this store and go to the bathroom and lock themselves in there and they try contacting Luca once again and no response,so they emailed Luca to see if he responded threw there but he didnt so they started thinking if he got kidnapped by the hacker.
I liked the way the author made the story with a hacker as a kidnapper because when Reggie and Jeremy were introuble they were so scared they would get kidnapped. Cause they had no idea it would ever be a hacker because why would it be a gamer. The hackers name is Echo 7 and kids claim that they have been kidnapped by the real Echo 7. Those kids were never actually kidnapped by Echo 7 they just really wanted attention.
In conclusion I rate this book three out of five stars , the reason why i say three stars is because honestly this book was a type of a gaming book with a huge plot twist which i was not expecting at all. I would recommend this book to somebody that likes games of all types because i think it will fit them cause sinse this book is pot twist. Honestly i really think this book was amazing, so if you like plot twist books i really think you should check this book out. This book is a really good book for all types of gamers.
March 3, 2012
Take pieces of The Maze Runner, add them to the fantastic movie from the 1980’s - War Games - and mix in a little HALO for the fun of it, and you have this extremely interesting novel.
Jeremy and Reggie are brothers. They live a slightly hard existence, to say the least, because of their mother’s new boyfriend - Asa - who likes to shout and hit first, then talk later. The guy is beyond a jerk, and the boys want nothing more than for their mother to either ‘wake up,’ or to run to California and live with their father.
The one thing they do a lot of is play an internet game called, Echo. Echo involves many players around the globe who go up against ghouls, mechs (robots that take you out), and do their best to try and wipe out the ‘big man’ - Echo-7. He just happens to be a thirty-five-foot extreme predator who wears body armor and hides behind a cloaking device.
Reggie has become one of the top three players of the game. He took out Echo-7 online, and soon receives a letter from AAA Games asking him to be a part of their focus group for the new version of Echo that they are putting together to bring out to the populace.
As readers move forward with Reggie they begin to see some very odd things, such as warnings that flash on Reggie’s computer very briefly saying: I’m Watching You! As well as rooms that he walks into that almost seem to sparkle, like he’s inside the game and no longer in reality. Soon, the adventure begins.
Jeremy and Reggie run away from the trouble at home and take to the road in order to get to their father. What they don’t understand is why all the rest of the focus group kids are being kidnapped. It’s all over the news and their faces are all over milk cartons, as Reggie and Jeremy learn that a game has become reality.
This is a story that certainly keeps teens reading and believing in the power of the internet games out there. Goodness knows, they prove every day that they are becoming more and more real with every push of the button. The writer has given the YA scene a seriously adventurous and intriguing plot that, apparently, is going to continue on until the world can identify Echo-7 in each and every bookstore across the land! The points of this story are very real, such as the fact that life is perhaps just a game where we must play the cards we’re dealt and hope for the best…a very believable plot set in an unbelievable world!
Computer games have become the wonder of the world and it ill be no surprise to see Echo-7 become a household name.
March 14, 2012
I was honored to be offered this first-ever opportunity of reading and reviewing an advanced copy of a work. This book will be released in 2 months, and if GoodReads permitted half-star increments, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5.
As a thriller, this is well plotted and paced. Reggie is 12-year old gaming virtuoso, total master of this series of virtual reality games called ECHO. His younger brother Jeremy is an aspiring gamer and loves watching Reggie show off his stuff. Reggie and several other master gamers on the west coast are invited to a conference, to be part of a focus group for a new "different" version of the game. Against his alcoholic and abusive step-father's wishes, Reggie sneaks off to this meeting and meets the real life people behind the avatars he had been playing against for years.
Two things happen at this point: Upon returning home, Asa (his stepfather) becomes violent with the brothers. Reggie and Jeremy implement a plan called Operation:Thunderbolt, running away from their Washington home to find their biological father in Los Angeles. While in route, and helped by a variety of strangers, they discover that all the other children from the conference are being kidnapped. As runaways, the brothers are already considered to be kidnapped. They also discover that the pattern of disappearances is coinciding with their route, and that the abductor is getting close.
I won't say what happens from this point, but I had a good idea of how to explain it all in the end. The author, however, doesn't go that route. This is normally a big positive but, in this case, the direction of the second half of the story strained my ability to suspend disbelief. Calling it far-fetched (considering the genre) is a bit of an overstatement, but as a reader, you'll need to keep the mind wide open throughout. I also was disadvantaged by the fact that I don't have much personal gaming experience. The book compensates with pacing and just enough character development to keep it real.
It is a bit mysterious that the company in this book "AAA Reality Games" is the publisher of the book, and that one of its employees in the book, Sean Austin, is also the author. This appears to be a self-publishing marketing ploy as any attempt to see AAA Reality Games website takes you to a page for this book.
For avid gamers and/or readers of YA thrillers in the age 10-18 range, I think this book would be very entertaining and satisfying.
As a thriller, this is well plotted and paced. Reggie is 12-year old gaming virtuoso, total master of this series of virtual reality games called ECHO. His younger brother Jeremy is an aspiring gamer and loves watching Reggie show off his stuff. Reggie and several other master gamers on the west coast are invited to a conference, to be part of a focus group for a new "different" version of the game. Against his alcoholic and abusive step-father's wishes, Reggie sneaks off to this meeting and meets the real life people behind the avatars he had been playing against for years.
Two things happen at this point: Upon returning home, Asa (his stepfather) becomes violent with the brothers. Reggie and Jeremy implement a plan called Operation:Thunderbolt, running away from their Washington home to find their biological father in Los Angeles. While in route, and helped by a variety of strangers, they discover that all the other children from the conference are being kidnapped. As runaways, the brothers are already considered to be kidnapped. They also discover that the pattern of disappearances is coinciding with their route, and that the abductor is getting close.
I won't say what happens from this point, but I had a good idea of how to explain it all in the end. The author, however, doesn't go that route. This is normally a big positive but, in this case, the direction of the second half of the story strained my ability to suspend disbelief. Calling it far-fetched (considering the genre) is a bit of an overstatement, but as a reader, you'll need to keep the mind wide open throughout. I also was disadvantaged by the fact that I don't have much personal gaming experience. The book compensates with pacing and just enough character development to keep it real.
It is a bit mysterious that the company in this book "AAA Reality Games" is the publisher of the book, and that one of its employees in the book, Sean Austin, is also the author. This appears to be a self-publishing marketing ploy as any attempt to see AAA Reality Games website takes you to a page for this book.
For avid gamers and/or readers of YA thrillers in the age 10-18 range, I think this book would be very entertaining and satisfying.
January 8, 2015
ECHO’s Revenge is a riveting start to a new young adult series in which two brothers must quickly adapt and overcome their darkest fears if they are to defeat the terrorizing real-world game predator, Echo-7.
The story begins with two brothers who play the online video games series ECHO’s Revenge. Reggie, with fellow ECHO gamers, is invited to participate in a research discussion group hosted by the developers to discuss the next version of the ECHO series. After Reggie strictly disobeys his mother’s live in boyfriend by going to the event, he is faced with a decision which ultimately results in Reggie and his brother travelling to their father’s house. As Reggie and Jeremy are heading down to Southern California from Washington, they begin to encounter very unusual phenomena involving the disappearance of the ECHO gamers. These events lead up to the unveiling of what has been stalking them the entire time. If Reggie and Jeremy are to defeat the real-world game predator Echo-7, they must use all the information they have learned through playing the ECHO series and rely on each other if they are to win the toughest battle of their lives.
Sean Austin did a terrific job not only with an original storyline but with a nonstop action pace which left me guessing what direction Mr. Austin would go. With such vivid word choice, it allowed me to envision each event Reggie and Jeremy faced as if I was there. This fast and easy read would be a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys video games, adventures, strong young-adult protagonists, and a strange futuristic technology embedded within a story. As a gamer myself, I enjoyed the fast paced shifting of characters which to me added a new layer of story-telling perspective. I also admired the subtle uses of moral standards, the importance of protecting one’s personal information online, and the STEM education inclusion in the book. Though I may be older than the books age range, I still found the plot, characters, and writing style thoroughly enjoyable.
The story begins with two brothers who play the online video games series ECHO’s Revenge. Reggie, with fellow ECHO gamers, is invited to participate in a research discussion group hosted by the developers to discuss the next version of the ECHO series. After Reggie strictly disobeys his mother’s live in boyfriend by going to the event, he is faced with a decision which ultimately results in Reggie and his brother travelling to their father’s house. As Reggie and Jeremy are heading down to Southern California from Washington, they begin to encounter very unusual phenomena involving the disappearance of the ECHO gamers. These events lead up to the unveiling of what has been stalking them the entire time. If Reggie and Jeremy are to defeat the real-world game predator Echo-7, they must use all the information they have learned through playing the ECHO series and rely on each other if they are to win the toughest battle of their lives.
Sean Austin did a terrific job not only with an original storyline but with a nonstop action pace which left me guessing what direction Mr. Austin would go. With such vivid word choice, it allowed me to envision each event Reggie and Jeremy faced as if I was there. This fast and easy read would be a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys video games, adventures, strong young-adult protagonists, and a strange futuristic technology embedded within a story. As a gamer myself, I enjoyed the fast paced shifting of characters which to me added a new layer of story-telling perspective. I also admired the subtle uses of moral standards, the importance of protecting one’s personal information online, and the STEM education inclusion in the book. Though I may be older than the books age range, I still found the plot, characters, and writing style thoroughly enjoyable.
June 21, 2012
I was excited to be offered this first-ever opportunity of reading and reviewing an advanced copy of a book. I think that the release date is this year and my son tells me that they are releasing a video game of some sort in the future too, that is based on the book. He and I read it together. Had I read it on my own I would have given the book two stars, but since the book is really geared towards "gamers" his age, he convinced me to give it at least three stars since it was a three or four star book in his opinion.
I would go as far as saying that ONLY gamers in the 10-18 year age range would be interested in this book. I was incredibly confused at many points in the book because I don't play video games. Because it is written for gamers, names like Hacker are written as Hakr and the characters all have real names and screen names.
The main character, Reggie, is a 12-year old gaming expert especially in the game called ECHO. As the story progresses, the line between ECHO being a game and becoming their reality becomes blurred. They end up being hunted by ECHO while running away from their abusive stepfather.
This switch takes place gradually and for the entire first half of the book, I was a little confused about what was happening, partially because the book needs a good editor to make it flow better. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly, the story just feels a bit choppy.
Also, unlike many young adult stories that imply abusive home situations, this one describes it literally which may be a bit much for some young adults. I found myself wanting to soften the rough edges a bit.
There is a letter from the author supposedly setting the scene for the book (and a prologue too). Both could be skipped. They just make the beginning more confusing and I didn't really understand how they fit in with the story.
I did like the character development of both Reggie and his brother Jeremy.
I would go as far as saying that ONLY gamers in the 10-18 year age range would be interested in this book. I was incredibly confused at many points in the book because I don't play video games. Because it is written for gamers, names like Hacker are written as Hakr and the characters all have real names and screen names.
The main character, Reggie, is a 12-year old gaming expert especially in the game called ECHO. As the story progresses, the line between ECHO being a game and becoming their reality becomes blurred. They end up being hunted by ECHO while running away from their abusive stepfather.
This switch takes place gradually and for the entire first half of the book, I was a little confused about what was happening, partially because the book needs a good editor to make it flow better. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly, the story just feels a bit choppy.
Also, unlike many young adult stories that imply abusive home situations, this one describes it literally which may be a bit much for some young adults. I found myself wanting to soften the rough edges a bit.
There is a letter from the author supposedly setting the scene for the book (and a prologue too). Both could be skipped. They just make the beginning more confusing and I didn't really understand how they fit in with the story.
I did like the character development of both Reggie and his brother Jeremy.
May 10, 2012
This book was fun. Probably not the best written book out there but I still enjoyed. I find it funny that so many books lately have been breaking the rules to what is considered good writing. I have found the rules were too stuffy anyway. I love the chaos of this book. There are so many characters but two main characters – Reggie and Jeremy. I love that you get perspective from multiple characters. I didn’t think it made it confusing but it definitely added to the chaos which was perfect for this book. Reggie lives with his mom, her boyfriend and his brother Jeremy. Life is just about surviving the day to day – his mom is a total flake and her boyfriend is an abusive jerk. Reggie and his brother escape into ECHO’s Revenge, an online interactive game. Reggie is a master at the game and is invited to be part of a focus group. He goes feeling like he’s got something positive in his life. The group is not the best experience but he still feels special. His mom’s boyfriend discovers his trip and the punishment is severe. Time for escape, Reggie and his brother run away. The boys don’t realize that their running away have saved their lives. ECHO is real and he is working his way through the gamers. (The book gets a little hooky here as the pictures of the missing gamers appear on milk cartons the next day but it’s just requires a little belief suspension.) The boys now have two things they are running from – their mom’s boyfriend and ECHO. They are not without support and with each new person, Reggie learns something new. It is this knowledge that helps him survive when ECHO finally catches up to him and his brother. It’s almost a coming of age book as we watch Reggie grow during this ordeal. It’s a fun and exciting book. The style is easy to read and engaging. I’m glad this is the first of a series and I get to watch it blossom as well. For more fun echohunt.com offers interactive play with the characters and books.
September 6, 2011
I read this book after my video gaming 10 year-old read it in a few days and recommending it. What I found was a quickly paced, rich narrative centering on two video game-addicted brothers (sons of divorced parents) who run away from home, only to be hunted by a real world version of the game monster they endlessly beat in the online game. They soon realize that they and all the other "game masters" they know are being kidnapped as they race down the west coast to their father's house. The two brothers encounter all kinds of colorful characters during their journey as they are confronted by not only the terrifying creature pursuing them, but various ethical dilemmas associated with their strategy of evasion. I appreciated the interwoven ethical issues (trust, loyalty, social responsibility, military codes of conduct, etc.) which are so often forgotten in the real world of technology innovation.
I won't reveal the second and third acts, but it is ultimately a harrowing, but heartwarming story of survival, persistence and loyalty.
I didn't realize it when I read the novel, but "Echo's Revenge" is a multi-media experience offering endless possibilities for entertainment and exploration of robotics, science and technology. As well as being a scary, thrilling novel and a quick read, the novel's website, http://www.echohunt.com/ , links to external resources which provide real information about how the technologies in the novel are currently being developed in the real world.
There's a lot more at the website, but I'll end this here and just mention the endless links to emerging technology companies related to robotics, game theory, programming and summer programs for future technologists.
I won't reveal the second and third acts, but it is ultimately a harrowing, but heartwarming story of survival, persistence and loyalty.
I didn't realize it when I read the novel, but "Echo's Revenge" is a multi-media experience offering endless possibilities for entertainment and exploration of robotics, science and technology. As well as being a scary, thrilling novel and a quick read, the novel's website, http://www.echohunt.com/ , links to external resources which provide real information about how the technologies in the novel are currently being developed in the real world.
There's a lot more at the website, but I'll end this here and just mention the endless links to emerging technology companies related to robotics, game theory, programming and summer programs for future technologists.
February 21, 2012
ECHO'S Revenge, The Ultimate Game
by Sean Austin
This book is a highly intelligent, well-written adventure and a valuable experience for boys and girls ages 10 to 16. It is a reflection of the times regarding family life, science fiction, computer gaming, good and evil.
As a grandmother, always looking for quality gifts for my grandchildren, I was thrilled while reading "Echo's Revenge". This tale of the journey of two brothers who run away from a miserable home life with their indifferent, if loving, mother and her boorish boyfriend is imaginative, dramatic, exciting, witty, full of horror and surprises. The boys run away to escape the cruel boyfriend's vicious beatings. En route, they discover that all the gamers they know have been kidnapped and that they must not allow themselves to be next. Many lessons are learned as they hitchhike from Seattle to southern California, while dodging the insanely evil ECHO, a game predator fiend. The close calls while attempting to outsmart ECHO keep the boys terrified, stunned and exhausted. However, each time they are desperate for a ride, eerily strange but sympathetic characters magically appear. While riding along the highways, these creatures quietly manage to impart a few meaningful words of advice which the boys subconsciously absorb into their minds. At critical times, as they near their goal of rejoining their father in Pasadena, these kind words rise from memory and prove to be instructive and valuable. These interludes of gaining rest and the words of encouragement from their drivers help the boys as they develop loyalty, and appreciation for each other.
This is a great gift for young readers!
ESGLITREVIEW
by Sean Austin
This book is a highly intelligent, well-written adventure and a valuable experience for boys and girls ages 10 to 16. It is a reflection of the times regarding family life, science fiction, computer gaming, good and evil.
As a grandmother, always looking for quality gifts for my grandchildren, I was thrilled while reading "Echo's Revenge". This tale of the journey of two brothers who run away from a miserable home life with their indifferent, if loving, mother and her boorish boyfriend is imaginative, dramatic, exciting, witty, full of horror and surprises. The boys run away to escape the cruel boyfriend's vicious beatings. En route, they discover that all the gamers they know have been kidnapped and that they must not allow themselves to be next. Many lessons are learned as they hitchhike from Seattle to southern California, while dodging the insanely evil ECHO, a game predator fiend. The close calls while attempting to outsmart ECHO keep the boys terrified, stunned and exhausted. However, each time they are desperate for a ride, eerily strange but sympathetic characters magically appear. While riding along the highways, these creatures quietly manage to impart a few meaningful words of advice which the boys subconsciously absorb into their minds. At critical times, as they near their goal of rejoining their father in Pasadena, these kind words rise from memory and prove to be instructive and valuable. These interludes of gaining rest and the words of encouragement from their drivers help the boys as they develop loyalty, and appreciation for each other.
This is a great gift for young readers!
ESGLITREVIEW
April 23, 2012
Set for release in mid May, Echo’s Revenge is the first book in the YA adventure series Echo Hunt and an exciting introduction into what could potentially be some kind of cross-over book/gaming interactive genre. The book is about two young brothers, both skilled gamers who get caught up in a reality game of Echo when the ultimate villain Echo-7 becomes part of real life. When the boys decide to flee their abusive home, they (like their fellow Echo gamers) are kidnapped, put to work underground and must find a way to defeat the monstrous Echo-7.
This is a well paced action rich book with plenty twists and surprises to keep the reader guessing at what was really going on. I thoroughly enjoyed the brother characters Reggie and Jeremy, particularly when they acted more like kids than heroes. Other characters also come across as fairly true to life. They forget or ignore important information, have individual personalities and don’t always make the best choices (like trapping their self in a room full of angry ‘shockers’ when attempting a stealthy escape). In those ways the characters come across as very realistic in a story where virtually nothing else is realistic. Of course the unreality isn’t a negative in my opinion. The book is fiction, great fun with plenty of unbelievable but thrilling action.
I think this book would appeal to the young adult reader who likes adventure with highly improbable scenarios and those who enjoy some online gaming. The story is gripping and makes me think the book might be a good choice for teen boys who don't read very much.
For me, the story did become a little thin and murky toward the end. Plus there was a bit of a confusing character name change. However, it was not enough to really detract from the overall tale.
This is a well paced action rich book with plenty twists and surprises to keep the reader guessing at what was really going on. I thoroughly enjoyed the brother characters Reggie and Jeremy, particularly when they acted more like kids than heroes. Other characters also come across as fairly true to life. They forget or ignore important information, have individual personalities and don’t always make the best choices (like trapping their self in a room full of angry ‘shockers’ when attempting a stealthy escape). In those ways the characters come across as very realistic in a story where virtually nothing else is realistic. Of course the unreality isn’t a negative in my opinion. The book is fiction, great fun with plenty of unbelievable but thrilling action.
I think this book would appeal to the young adult reader who likes adventure with highly improbable scenarios and those who enjoy some online gaming. The story is gripping and makes me think the book might be a good choice for teen boys who don't read very much.
For me, the story did become a little thin and murky toward the end. Plus there was a bit of a confusing character name change. However, it was not enough to really detract from the overall tale.
June 20, 2012
[I received my copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads]
Ever since reading “Ready Player One” and becoming completely entranced by it, I have been on the lookout for books revolving around the concept of video games. Being an avid gamer myself I was super excited to dive right in!
Reggie and Jeremy are two gaming brothers stuck in a tragic situation at home with their mother’s abusive boyfriend. When they decide to leave and take a journey to meet their dad in California, things get interesting along the way. Little do they know they are being pursued by an evil video game villain who has plans of his own.
Props to Sean Austin for writing a fast paced, entertaining read with realistic characters. I found it interesting how the book focused a lot on the brothers bond with one another rather than on the game aspect, which worked in its favour. The relationship between the two brothers had me going AWWW! the way the cared and looked after one another seemed so realistic and loving.
Another great thing was the gathering of all the gamers (all boys, 1 girl) in the second half, which reminded me a lot of one of a favourite books “The Maze Runner” The setting, the work load and exhausting experience the group lived through was brutal. One thing I had a bit of trouble with was with the book starting off as an investigation. Why not just exclude that part since the book was written as a while story and not kept notes or evidence? Overall I enjoyed this read and can’t wait for book 2 to clear all the mysteries up :)
Ever since reading “Ready Player One” and becoming completely entranced by it, I have been on the lookout for books revolving around the concept of video games. Being an avid gamer myself I was super excited to dive right in!
Reggie and Jeremy are two gaming brothers stuck in a tragic situation at home with their mother’s abusive boyfriend. When they decide to leave and take a journey to meet their dad in California, things get interesting along the way. Little do they know they are being pursued by an evil video game villain who has plans of his own.
Props to Sean Austin for writing a fast paced, entertaining read with realistic characters. I found it interesting how the book focused a lot on the brothers bond with one another rather than on the game aspect, which worked in its favour. The relationship between the two brothers had me going AWWW! the way the cared and looked after one another seemed so realistic and loving.
Another great thing was the gathering of all the gamers (all boys, 1 girl) in the second half, which reminded me a lot of one of a favourite books “The Maze Runner” The setting, the work load and exhausting experience the group lived through was brutal. One thing I had a bit of trouble with was with the book starting off as an investigation. Why not just exclude that part since the book was written as a while story and not kept notes or evidence? Overall I enjoyed this read and can’t wait for book 2 to clear all the mysteries up :)
March 30, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads ARC giveaway. (And only just finished it, 4-5 months later. Sorry.) It was... weird. It definitely confused me and messed with my head a bit. Basically a game robot becomes real and tracks down the kids who have played the games. What bugs me most about this book was the fact that certain things just worked out for Reggie and Jeremy. It was too easy. And I don't trust one thing about anything that happened. Basically this whole book has my brain confused. If that was the purpose of this book, then it was very well done. I would also like to know who this "Hakr" person is and why he's so angry with Reggie and happy to see bad things happen to him.
April 4, 2012
RTS IRL (Real Time Strategy In Real Life)
5 out of 5 tiara wearing bats
Echo's Revenge is a great read, it keeps you guessing. You never are a hundred percent sure what's going on.
The game descriptions in the book had me picturing online Echo's Revenge the game as a mix of Team Fortress Two and Half-Life. Being an MMO player myself, I like that they show the interactions between the people playing and actually have personalities come through. It just gets better when they meet in real life.
It's every gamers nightmare/dream to see things like this happen. I spent most of the book questioning if it was all a game and even at the end I'm not sure. The setting feels realistic and really none of it is completely unfeasable. Lets just say, crazy hackers and an android slowly behaving like it wants to take over the world = a bad situation.
Everything will keep you guessing. It's well worth the time spent reading and is an easy fun read. My favorite character is a draw between Scratch/Claw and Snake. Scratch because you have to love the girl gamer among the guys who can hold her own and Snake because his personality is just easy to connect to. I want the next book NOW!!!
* Check out http://www.echohunt.com/ for more information and cool features.
5 out of 5 tiara wearing bats
Echo's Revenge is a great read, it keeps you guessing. You never are a hundred percent sure what's going on.
The game descriptions in the book had me picturing online Echo's Revenge the game as a mix of Team Fortress Two and Half-Life. Being an MMO player myself, I like that they show the interactions between the people playing and actually have personalities come through. It just gets better when they meet in real life.
It's every gamers nightmare/dream to see things like this happen. I spent most of the book questioning if it was all a game and even at the end I'm not sure. The setting feels realistic and really none of it is completely unfeasable. Lets just say, crazy hackers and an android slowly behaving like it wants to take over the world = a bad situation.
Everything will keep you guessing. It's well worth the time spent reading and is an easy fun read. My favorite character is a draw between Scratch/Claw and Snake. Scratch because you have to love the girl gamer among the guys who can hold her own and Snake because his personality is just easy to connect to. I want the next book NOW!!!
* Check out http://www.echohunt.com/ for more information and cool features.
January 25, 2015
I read this book as a request and as a result, it was not my type of book. The beginning was slow and it took a while to get into it. The way it was set up to be told was a little weird. I was not sure if the author was part of the story or not, it was made to seem that he was. Only towards the end did the book get interesting. Towards the beginning it dealt with parental abuse, while that is not something to be taken lightly, it does not suck you into a story like kidnapping does. In this book Reggie and his brother Jeremy both love to play video games, the only thing that ever stops them from playing is their mother's partner, Asa. He is abusive and likes to drink. Reggie is invited to go to a focus group with the other top gamers and gets to meet some of the people behind it all. When a lot of the other top gamers start disappearing, they know that something is wrong. Towards the end of this book it became very similar to the Maze Runner by James Dasher, at this point it got really good. In the end this book was good, it was just not my cup of tea considering it was about video games coming to life. The conclusion was not what I wanted it to be. This book also seemed like a younger version of Daemon by Daniel Suarez.
November 30, 2014
Actually, I haven't totally finish the book. I stopped on page 154.
The plot is really interesting. It's about two brothers, Reggie and Jeremy, who loves to play a video game called Echo's Revenge. So in the new version of the game, the game designers merged the reality and ECHO's Revenge together and got Reggie and Jeremy stuck in it, as well as the other kids who play it.
I'm not really a video game kind of girl but the plot is exciting and also it's a short read. The thing is, I've been stuck with this book for so long that I cannot bring myself to continue reading it. It's supposed to be a fast-paced kind of a story as Reggie and Jeremy tried to run away to Echo but no, the writing needs a lot of improvement.
I really like Reggie and Jeremy's character in the story. They are so tight and the bromance is really awesome. My least favorite is Asa and their useless mother, Jeda.
I am also not a fan of the cover.
I WILL READ THIS AGAIN SOME OTHER TIME. I WILL GIVE THIS BOOK A 2ND CHANCE. This book still have a potential. Recommend this to gamers and nerds.
The plot is really interesting. It's about two brothers, Reggie and Jeremy, who loves to play a video game called Echo's Revenge. So in the new version of the game, the game designers merged the reality and ECHO's Revenge together and got Reggie and Jeremy stuck in it, as well as the other kids who play it.
I'm not really a video game kind of girl but the plot is exciting and also it's a short read. The thing is, I've been stuck with this book for so long that I cannot bring myself to continue reading it. It's supposed to be a fast-paced kind of a story as Reggie and Jeremy tried to run away to Echo but no, the writing needs a lot of improvement.
I really like Reggie and Jeremy's character in the story. They are so tight and the bromance is really awesome. My least favorite is Asa and their useless mother, Jeda.
I am also not a fan of the cover.
I WILL READ THIS AGAIN SOME OTHER TIME. I WILL GIVE THIS BOOK A 2ND CHANCE. This book still have a potential. Recommend this to gamers and nerds.
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