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Virtually Reality
Alexander Heron - gamer handle 'Wingspan' - finds himself, along with his guild mates, locked in a virtual reality fantasy game as the quests take on a horrific twist, and escape means enduring trials that will break each and every one of them down.
- GenresHorror
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 24, 2014
Wow, gosh, how do I review this? Well, definitely on the side facing toward fucking awesome rather than train wreck. Read in one afternoon, couldn't put it down.
The story has a fresh and original feel. It's weird fiction with LGBTQI sprinkles, in that it raises issues of gender identity as a naturally evolving concern arising from the main plot. The best I could describe it as is, maybe, Otherland meets John Dies at the End?
The writing is very confident and assured, despite a few errors (clamoring used to mean crowding, and staunch used in place of stanch). Fantastic ending: couldn't have been any other way. That's a lie, it could: many authors would have given it a completely different ending, and then I'd want to hurt them. Great imagery, and very beautiful scenes of creative violence and horror.
I thought structurally this could have been tightened and . . . hmm, enhanced, maybe? It had slowly building tension, which was effective, but I think there's room for improvement here, to avoid the sense of a long list of stuff happening, consecutively, without an overall sense of design and purpose.
Very effective use of the MMORPG as a story vehicle. Nothing here was unbelievable or jarring.
This is my first read by this author and I'll be auto-buying their next book. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Recommended for weird fiction and horror enthusiasts, particularly if they are gamers.
**
admittedly the author bio makes me a little . . . um, apprehensive?
But I have a feeling this will either be fucking awesome, or a train wreck.
Have faith, ems, have faith.
EDIT: Foiled. Not on amazon or smashwords.
The story has a fresh and original feel. It's weird fiction with LGBTQI sprinkles, in that it raises issues of gender identity as a naturally evolving concern arising from the main plot. The best I could describe it as is, maybe, Otherland meets John Dies at the End?
The writing is very confident and assured, despite a few errors (clamoring used to mean crowding, and staunch used in place of stanch). Fantastic ending: couldn't have been any other way. That's a lie, it could: many authors would have given it a completely different ending, and then I'd want to hurt them. Great imagery, and very beautiful scenes of creative violence and horror.
I thought structurally this could have been tightened and . . . hmm, enhanced, maybe? It had slowly building tension, which was effective, but I think there's room for improvement here, to avoid the sense of a long list of stuff happening, consecutively, without an overall sense of design and purpose.
Very effective use of the MMORPG as a story vehicle. Nothing here was unbelievable or jarring.
This is my first read by this author and I'll be auto-buying their next book. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Recommended for weird fiction and horror enthusiasts, particularly if they are gamers.
**
admittedly the author bio makes me a little . . . um, apprehensive?
But I have a feeling this will either be fucking awesome, or a train wreck.
Have faith, ems, have faith.
EDIT: Foiled. Not on amazon or smashwords.
November 9, 2019
Wow!
5/5 absolutely amazing.
This book starts off fast and just gets better. This has some of the most visceral and intense descriptions I've seen in a long time. So many parts I truly felt like I was THERE. The horror aspect is definitely intense in both gore and psychological. I was physically reacting to some of the "quests" the characters had to endure. The story, setting, plot, and characters are all so, so REAL it is incredible. One of the best horror novels I've read in a long time.
I definitely recommend this to horror junkies, just be warned, this story sticks with you for a long, long time.
5/5 absolutely amazing.
This book starts off fast and just gets better. This has some of the most visceral and intense descriptions I've seen in a long time. So many parts I truly felt like I was THERE. The horror aspect is definitely intense in both gore and psychological. I was physically reacting to some of the "quests" the characters had to endure. The story, setting, plot, and characters are all so, so REAL it is incredible. One of the best horror novels I've read in a long time.
I definitely recommend this to horror junkies, just be warned, this story sticks with you for a long, long time.
May 18, 2014
This is one of those books that consumes you entirely. If you are anything like me, you will start resenting things like work and eating ...and it will be all you think about while falling asleep. Forget about socializing or basically anything that normal, healthy people do.
But it will be worth it. Trust me.
Virtually Reality was SO much sadistic fun and was incredibly unique. It had much going for it and is the ideal book for glbt readers who second as gamers. That may be a niche market, but it is a real treat for those who fit the bill. I believe many more would enjoy it, especially those intrigued by horror and taboo.
The cast was so strong that I became borderline nosey! I wanted to learn as much as I could about the people behind the avatars; all the details, secrets, perfections, and flaws. And when you finally do find out who they are, you will want to go back and look for all those subtle hints. The cast was easily the best part of the book, and that says a lot because the story and setting was extremely ironed out.
I’ll definitely be re-reading Virtually Reality again in the future because you simply can’t find anything else quite like it, but I certainly want more of it.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of the book and am reviewing the unpublished draft (it is currently in the editing stages). While I designed the cover, I want to assure readers that I keep my reviews completely unbiased to maintain integrity. Honestly, I had no idea how amazing this book was when I started the project …and now I’m beyond thrilled to even have a small association with it.
If this is the first draft then oh my god the publication will be phenomenal. I’m beyond excited for all of you.
But it will be worth it. Trust me.
Virtually Reality was SO much sadistic fun and was incredibly unique. It had much going for it and is the ideal book for glbt readers who second as gamers. That may be a niche market, but it is a real treat for those who fit the bill. I believe many more would enjoy it, especially those intrigued by horror and taboo.
The cast was so strong that I became borderline nosey! I wanted to learn as much as I could about the people behind the avatars; all the details, secrets, perfections, and flaws. And when you finally do find out who they are, you will want to go back and look for all those subtle hints. The cast was easily the best part of the book, and that says a lot because the story and setting was extremely ironed out.
I’ll definitely be re-reading Virtually Reality again in the future because you simply can’t find anything else quite like it, but I certainly want more of it.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of the book and am reviewing the unpublished draft (it is currently in the editing stages). While I designed the cover, I want to assure readers that I keep my reviews completely unbiased to maintain integrity. Honestly, I had no idea how amazing this book was when I started the project …and now I’m beyond thrilled to even have a small association with it.
If this is the first draft then oh my god the publication will be phenomenal. I’m beyond excited for all of you.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews