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Futureland #3
The Architect Games
Mazes and mind games await in this epic third book about the theme park of your dreams, where Cam Walker goes head-to-head with the villains who have been after Futureland from the start. An electrifying illustrated series for fans of Miles Morales."Hold on tight, Futureland will be the ride of your life . . . and maybe the last!" —Kwame Mbalia, #1 New York Times bestselling authorTeam Futureland. Their archenemies. A showdown in spectacularly futuristic Egypt.After Futureland emerges from back-to-back scandals, Cam Walker and his family are ready to confront the people who keep targeting their flying park. A group called the Architects has been after them since Futureland made its Atlanta stop, and the Walkers have had enough.To settle things, the Architects propose the very first Architect Games, where the Walkers and the Architects will battle in a series of challenges. If the Walkers win, then the Architects will leave them alone once and for all. But if Cam and his family lose, they will lose everything—including Futureland and its prized tech.The Architects can't be trusted, but Cam doesn't have a choice. If he can lead his team to victory, his family and friends will be free. Otherwise, there's no telling what the Architects will do once they get their hands on Futureland. . . .
- GenresMiddle Grade
336 pages, Hardcover
Published November 19, 2024
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
H.D. Hunter
8 books72 followersHugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller and community organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the winner of several indie book awards for multicultural fiction.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 17, 2025
Initial reaction: Feel good about giving this a solid 4 stars. Nice end to the trilogy (and honestly wouldn't mind reading more books if this series had a follow-up). Seeing Cam, his fam and friends show up against the Architects was worth the journey, with a few caveats.
Full review:
The final book in the Futureland trilogy, "The Architect Games", was definitely well worth being able to dive into. This installation of the futuristic, middle grade sci-fi series has Cam (C.J.) Walker facing off against the hidden threat that's been the mastermind of all the sabotages plaguing Futureland. Fed up with the nonsense, the Walker family agrees to do one final showdown with the Architects in the first ever "Architect Games" - taking place overseas in Egypt. Cam and his family are putting it all on the line (by all, ownership of Futureland, their home) to defeat the Architects.
I think the main reason why this didn't get a higher rating from me was because the pacing wasn't as tight as the last book; it's on the level of the first book for developing things, so still consistent. But in the moments where it lands, it lands well. Cam grapples with a number of things here, between the return of an old friend (thanks to Cam's Uncle Trey) and learning what the Architects really want, there are a number of surprises to be had in this work. I liked being able to see the trials for what they were, the illustration, the grappling that Cam has on whether he can really be the next person to bear the responsibility of Futureland (that was heartening) - and what happens even after the games are concluded. This ended in a satisfying way for the overarching trilogy. I wouldn't mind reading more from this series if more installments were made or from the author. It was a wonderful read, and a series I'm definitely going to recommend to more MG readers who love sci-fi and mixed media novels.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Full review:
The final book in the Futureland trilogy, "The Architect Games", was definitely well worth being able to dive into. This installation of the futuristic, middle grade sci-fi series has Cam (C.J.) Walker facing off against the hidden threat that's been the mastermind of all the sabotages plaguing Futureland. Fed up with the nonsense, the Walker family agrees to do one final showdown with the Architects in the first ever "Architect Games" - taking place overseas in Egypt. Cam and his family are putting it all on the line (by all, ownership of Futureland, their home) to defeat the Architects.
I think the main reason why this didn't get a higher rating from me was because the pacing wasn't as tight as the last book; it's on the level of the first book for developing things, so still consistent. But in the moments where it lands, it lands well. Cam grapples with a number of things here, between the return of an old friend (thanks to Cam's Uncle Trey) and learning what the Architects really want, there are a number of surprises to be had in this work. I liked being able to see the trials for what they were, the illustration, the grappling that Cam has on whether he can really be the next person to bear the responsibility of Futureland (that was heartening) - and what happens even after the games are concluded. This ended in a satisfying way for the overarching trilogy. I wouldn't mind reading more from this series if more installments were made or from the author. It was a wonderful read, and a series I'm definitely going to recommend to more MG readers who love sci-fi and mixed media novels.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
August 15, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Having defeated Blaise Southmore and his rev replications in Futureland: Battle for the Park and Clare White Bourne and her gliders in Futureland: The Nightmare Hour, Cam Walker and his family and friends are now faced with their most formidable opponents: the Architects. After a lengthy vacation to rest from their travails, Cam's parents tell him they are heading to Italy. This doesn't happen when Gordon Torrance challenges them to a very public battle in Egypt. Uncle Trey is injured, so stays behind in Atlanta, but Futureland heads out with Cam, his parents, Grandma Ava, her best friend Aunty Maxine, Yusuf, Angel, Rich, Earl, and even a refurbished Dooley! Dooley's still coming back online after having been tampered with, so Cam still has to reconnect with his former robotic best friend. The gaming commission in Cairo doesn't waste time in getting the competition set up; the news is all over the newspapers, and tickets are sold. There are some surprises, like the members of the Architects' team, which include former Futureland workers. There are puzzles, as well as feats of skill, but team Futureland starts at a deficit because Cam opened a puzzle box before he was supposed to. He eventually confesses and apologizes, and his mother lets him know that he doesn't have to win the whole competition by himself; everyone is there to help. There's a trip to the virtual Great Library of Alexandria, a fierce double dutch competition, and lots of cheating by the Architects, who are even rude to the gaming commissioners. Team Futureland doesn't do well, but there's a final journey through the desert that they can hopefully win. Cam is the member chosen to do this leg of the competition, but doubts himself, thinking he fails every time. Even though the Architects cheat, when Torrance is injured, Cam makes sure he brings his competitor back safely. Team Futureland wins by a narrow margin... but then the Architects try to steal Futureland! What will the Walkers end up doing as Cam gets ready to start 7th grade?
Strengths: This had a lot of interesting illustrations, vlog entries, and additional information that was fun to see. It was good that the whole gang got to go along on the adventure, and their inclusion also made the ending (which I don't want to spoil) make sense. It was fun to see the grandmother come along, and while she was portrayed as taking the occasional nap, she also did a great job at double dutch! This wraps the series up nicely, and I'll be curious to see if Hunter comes out with any more exciting titles.
Weaknesses: I knew right away who one of the villains was, and this was on the long side. I would have punched up the action and had a little bit less about Cam's emotional state. (The competition didn't start until we were about 100 pages into the book.)
What I really think: This is a good fantasy adventure series for fans of Chen's Ultraball, Dao's Team Chu or McCulloch's Jinxed.
Ms. Yingling
Having defeated Blaise Southmore and his rev replications in Futureland: Battle for the Park and Clare White Bourne and her gliders in Futureland: The Nightmare Hour, Cam Walker and his family and friends are now faced with their most formidable opponents: the Architects. After a lengthy vacation to rest from their travails, Cam's parents tell him they are heading to Italy. This doesn't happen when Gordon Torrance challenges them to a very public battle in Egypt. Uncle Trey is injured, so stays behind in Atlanta, but Futureland heads out with Cam, his parents, Grandma Ava, her best friend Aunty Maxine, Yusuf, Angel, Rich, Earl, and even a refurbished Dooley! Dooley's still coming back online after having been tampered with, so Cam still has to reconnect with his former robotic best friend. The gaming commission in Cairo doesn't waste time in getting the competition set up; the news is all over the newspapers, and tickets are sold. There are some surprises, like the members of the Architects' team, which include former Futureland workers. There are puzzles, as well as feats of skill, but team Futureland starts at a deficit because Cam opened a puzzle box before he was supposed to. He eventually confesses and apologizes, and his mother lets him know that he doesn't have to win the whole competition by himself; everyone is there to help. There's a trip to the virtual Great Library of Alexandria, a fierce double dutch competition, and lots of cheating by the Architects, who are even rude to the gaming commissioners. Team Futureland doesn't do well, but there's a final journey through the desert that they can hopefully win. Cam is the member chosen to do this leg of the competition, but doubts himself, thinking he fails every time. Even though the Architects cheat, when Torrance is injured, Cam makes sure he brings his competitor back safely. Team Futureland wins by a narrow margin... but then the Architects try to steal Futureland! What will the Walkers end up doing as Cam gets ready to start 7th grade?
Strengths: This had a lot of interesting illustrations, vlog entries, and additional information that was fun to see. It was good that the whole gang got to go along on the adventure, and their inclusion also made the ending (which I don't want to spoil) make sense. It was fun to see the grandmother come along, and while she was portrayed as taking the occasional nap, she also did a great job at double dutch! This wraps the series up nicely, and I'll be curious to see if Hunter comes out with any more exciting titles.
Weaknesses: I knew right away who one of the villains was, and this was on the long side. I would have punched up the action and had a little bit less about Cam's emotional state. (The competition didn't start until we were about 100 pages into the book.)
What I really think: This is a good fantasy adventure series for fans of Chen's Ultraball, Dao's Team Chu or McCulloch's Jinxed.
Ms. Yingling
February 13, 2025
After the chaos in Atlanta and New York City, Cam Walker and his family are done waiting for the next attack. Futureland - a giant flying amusement park of wonders and their home - is under constant threat, and the only way to ensure its safety is a direct strike on the assailants, the nefarious Architects, who have already derailed Cam’s life twice. They propose a deal: the Walkers compete in the Architect Games in Egypt, where the two groups battle it out in a series of competitions, all-or-nothing. If the Walkers win, the Architects will leave them alone for good. If the Architects win, however, they take Futureland, all its tech, and the only home Cam has ever known. It’s the final showdown that will put everyone’s skills, abilities, and smarts to the test, and Cam must prevail if he wants to keep everything and everyone he loves.
Futureland: The Architect Games is the thrilling and exciting conclusion to the Futureland series, and it doesn’t disappoint. Filled with high-stakes actions, nefarious schemes, dangerous traps, betrayals, and fierce competition, readers will not put down the book until they know of Cam’s and Futureland’s fate. This entry is set in a futuristic Egypt, combining ancient monuments and iconography with robotics and gadgets, creating a cool techno-mythic environment of hoverboards, automated tombs, and mechanical gods. Cam is back and ready to take on the toughest challenge yet, working with all his friends and family, learning how to be both a team-player and a good leader, and stepping up to the fight, even when there’s little hope. Overall, Futureland: The Architect Games is an energetic and satisfying conclusion to an amazing science fiction series, mixed with intense action and mystery-solving, and I definitely recommend the series to kids looking for books that read like action comics/manga or movies. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Futureland: The Architect Games is the thrilling and exciting conclusion to the Futureland series, and it doesn’t disappoint. Filled with high-stakes actions, nefarious schemes, dangerous traps, betrayals, and fierce competition, readers will not put down the book until they know of Cam’s and Futureland’s fate. This entry is set in a futuristic Egypt, combining ancient monuments and iconography with robotics and gadgets, creating a cool techno-mythic environment of hoverboards, automated tombs, and mechanical gods. Cam is back and ready to take on the toughest challenge yet, working with all his friends and family, learning how to be both a team-player and a good leader, and stepping up to the fight, even when there’s little hope. Overall, Futureland: The Architect Games is an energetic and satisfying conclusion to an amazing science fiction series, mixed with intense action and mystery-solving, and I definitely recommend the series to kids looking for books that read like action comics/manga or movies. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
October 26, 2024
C.J. And friends face their biggest battle yet with Team Architect, their arch nemesis. The family bonds, playful friendships, and imaginative tech help move the excitement along. Fun read that our students will love!
March 30, 2025
This was so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the way they took down the Architects. And the weaving of future tech and Ancient Egyptian mythology together was great!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews