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Control Alter Delete
Not yet published
Expected 5 Feb 26What would you choose - a beautiful untrue life, or a broken true one?
Hal is living a fairy tale - almost. Thanks to tech genius Francis Knox and her company's pioneering work building the perfect World 2.0, the universe is available at a swipe, and Hal has everything she wants. (Except for her family, which fell apart after her dad's disappearance years ago.)
Except, perhaps, winning the notoriously competitive Knox Cup. That's a dream even World 2.0 can't fulfil, not when Hal doesn't have the funds to enter.
Then out of the blue Hal's guardian challenges her to prove herself, arranging for Hal to compete. It's an opportunity she can't waste. If she wins, she'll meet Francis Knox herself - then all of Hal's deepest, secret wishes might really come true. But as the competition progresses, Hal discovers decay hidden beneath the world's perfect veneer - and, as the cracks begin to grow, she is forced to make a choice about what it is she truly wants.
HUNGER GAMES meets BLACK MIRROR - a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power dynamics, for fans of Malorie Blackman, Louise O'Neill, READY PLAYER ONE and THE UPPER WORLD.
Hal is living a fairy tale - almost. Thanks to tech genius Francis Knox and her company's pioneering work building the perfect World 2.0, the universe is available at a swipe, and Hal has everything she wants. (Except for her family, which fell apart after her dad's disappearance years ago.)
Except, perhaps, winning the notoriously competitive Knox Cup. That's a dream even World 2.0 can't fulfil, not when Hal doesn't have the funds to enter.
Then out of the blue Hal's guardian challenges her to prove herself, arranging for Hal to compete. It's an opportunity she can't waste. If she wins, she'll meet Francis Knox herself - then all of Hal's deepest, secret wishes might really come true. But as the competition progresses, Hal discovers decay hidden beneath the world's perfect veneer - and, as the cracks begin to grow, she is forced to make a choice about what it is she truly wants.
HUNGER GAMES meets BLACK MIRROR - a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power dynamics, for fans of Malorie Blackman, Louise O'Neill, READY PLAYER ONE and THE UPPER WORLD.
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Expected publication February 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 19, 2025
It was the blurb that first attracted me to this book, but I have to say I did really like the cover, too, but when the significance of the bird featured on it is explained I loved it even more!
Control Alter Delete is a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power. As the first line in the blurb says, What would you choose - a beautiful untrue life or a broken true one?
I loved the character of Halcyon Greene, nickname Bliss, called Hallie by her godfather, as well as being called Hal by friend, too. I could understand why Hal chose to live the way she did at the start of the book. With her father disappearing, then her mother having dementia and being taken away from her, it's no wonder she wanted to escape from her rather sad, lonely existence. At the beginning of the book, Hal was basically living in World 2.0, not really interacting with real life. World 2.0 is literally escapism at its best and worst all at the same time. Hal feels closer to her father in the games as he designed some of them. She also gets a buzz from the attention those watching give her. Though its a double-edged sword as the attention and interaction aren't always positive.
Her end goal for entering the Knox Cup was for the possibility of meeting Francis Knox, the creator of World 2.0 and the new updated World 3.0. However, she soon discovers that her parents were involved in the creation of World 2.0. Unfortunately its not as easy as her just asking them about it as her dad disappeared years ago, and her mother has frontal temporal dementia and has been whisked away to a hospital called 'the hotel of dreams' (which is ironic as no one dreams anymore) by her 'uncle'/godfather, Simon. Simon replaces Hal's mum with a computerised version, which he controls. Hal quickly becomes attached to, as it looks like her mum, sounds like, and acts like her mum. Simon controls this version of Hal's mum, as well as the real version that lays in a bed in the hotel of dreams. There are a few occasions where Simon threatens both versions of Hal's mum to get Hal to do what he wants. Simon can literally turn off or change the way that Hal's virtual mum interacts with Hal, and he threatens to completely turn it off on more than one occasion, leaving Hal devastated at just the thought of being totally without any version of her mum.
Hal and the majority of the people 'live' in this virtual world, never really interacting with each other, so when Simon suddenly starts visiting and then helps Hal with the money to enter the Knox Cup, she is a little curious as to what he wants from her, but she is so desperate to enter the Knox Cup she brushes off her concerns. Hal competes in the Knox Cup and looks for mysterious components hidden by her dad that could fix the virtual world that is falling apart and answer the increasing amount of questions about who actually created the world and the games within it, such as Altercation, Cosmic Explorer
Tumbleweed and Gauntlet. Hal discovers the truly dangerous, darker side of World 2.0, and what happens to those who disagree with Francis Knox? She becomes determined to bring the whole system down. She has a mysterious friend called Elpis/Go, whilst it is never fully explained who they are. I believe they were kind of an imaginary friend, whether they were created by her parents or Hal herself. Elpis/Go was sealed in a book by Hal's father when he said Hal was too old for them anymore. During the Knox Cup, Elpis/Go returns and helps Hal in the different games she has to take part in to try to win the cup. When teams have to be chosen, Hal is chosen by her ex and current Knox Cup champion Hunter.
It's quite a detailed, complex plot with interesting characters that choose to live in a virtual world that they perceive as a perfect world, preferring that than living in the world of reality. I found the book really well written with some things explained and other things left for you to come to your own conclusions on. Within the chapters, there are sections text/audio notifications in bubble style like you're looking at a phone, which add to the immersion feel of the book.
I loved the character of Halcyon Greene, nickname Bliss, called Hallie by her godfather, as well as being called Hal by friend, too. I could understand why Hal chose to live the way she did at the start of the book. With her father disappearing, then her mother having dementia and being taken away from her, it's no wonder she wanted to escape from her rather sad, lonely existence.
I loved some of the finer details in the book such as Altercation one if the games Hal's dad had designed that had a place called Trouble Time within it had a logo of a sunrise between two columns with a kingfisher in silhouette taking off from the centre of the sun. The kingfisher is known as the halcyon bird - aka Hal's name.
As her parents loved puzzles, Hals theory was that the logo was more than an 'in joke' and maybe a clue from her dad as to where he had gone & why. There's so many details that suddenly become huge clues to the answers Hal seeks in her attempts to first save World 2.0, and then when she decides to bring it all down. The ending of the book is sort of dream-like, quite cryptic, and has Hal giving sort of alternative endings as to what has happened that are open to your own interpretation as to what they mean. It wasn't what I was anticipating, I expected a more decisive, clean cut ending.
My immediate thoughts were, what a unique book, that it was such an alternate, strange, futuristic yet strangely believable world Hal lived in. did enjoy the book a lot, though I did find some parts such as the different endings a little confusing. I really enjoyed reading this one, even though my technical gaming knowledge isn't what it used to be.
Summing up, the book had some great characters and amazing world building. You quickly become absorbed by Hal's quest to find the hidden components and what they reveal about her parents. There's so much packed into this book, I honestly think it could have been a series or at least a duology, then the other characters back stories could have been explored more as well as the strange world they were all living/existing in. I personally think Control Alter Delete would make a really good book to film or TV series adaptation.
Control Alter Delete is a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power. As the first line in the blurb says, What would you choose - a beautiful untrue life or a broken true one?
I loved the character of Halcyon Greene, nickname Bliss, called Hallie by her godfather, as well as being called Hal by friend, too. I could understand why Hal chose to live the way she did at the start of the book. With her father disappearing, then her mother having dementia and being taken away from her, it's no wonder she wanted to escape from her rather sad, lonely existence. At the beginning of the book, Hal was basically living in World 2.0, not really interacting with real life. World 2.0 is literally escapism at its best and worst all at the same time. Hal feels closer to her father in the games as he designed some of them. She also gets a buzz from the attention those watching give her. Though its a double-edged sword as the attention and interaction aren't always positive.
Her end goal for entering the Knox Cup was for the possibility of meeting Francis Knox, the creator of World 2.0 and the new updated World 3.0. However, she soon discovers that her parents were involved in the creation of World 2.0. Unfortunately its not as easy as her just asking them about it as her dad disappeared years ago, and her mother has frontal temporal dementia and has been whisked away to a hospital called 'the hotel of dreams' (which is ironic as no one dreams anymore) by her 'uncle'/godfather, Simon. Simon replaces Hal's mum with a computerised version, which he controls. Hal quickly becomes attached to, as it looks like her mum, sounds like, and acts like her mum. Simon controls this version of Hal's mum, as well as the real version that lays in a bed in the hotel of dreams. There are a few occasions where Simon threatens both versions of Hal's mum to get Hal to do what he wants. Simon can literally turn off or change the way that Hal's virtual mum interacts with Hal, and he threatens to completely turn it off on more than one occasion, leaving Hal devastated at just the thought of being totally without any version of her mum.
Hal and the majority of the people 'live' in this virtual world, never really interacting with each other, so when Simon suddenly starts visiting and then helps Hal with the money to enter the Knox Cup, she is a little curious as to what he wants from her, but she is so desperate to enter the Knox Cup she brushes off her concerns. Hal competes in the Knox Cup and looks for mysterious components hidden by her dad that could fix the virtual world that is falling apart and answer the increasing amount of questions about who actually created the world and the games within it, such as Altercation, Cosmic Explorer
Tumbleweed and Gauntlet. Hal discovers the truly dangerous, darker side of World 2.0, and what happens to those who disagree with Francis Knox? She becomes determined to bring the whole system down. She has a mysterious friend called Elpis/Go, whilst it is never fully explained who they are. I believe they were kind of an imaginary friend, whether they were created by her parents or Hal herself. Elpis/Go was sealed in a book by Hal's father when he said Hal was too old for them anymore. During the Knox Cup, Elpis/Go returns and helps Hal in the different games she has to take part in to try to win the cup. When teams have to be chosen, Hal is chosen by her ex and current Knox Cup champion Hunter.
It's quite a detailed, complex plot with interesting characters that choose to live in a virtual world that they perceive as a perfect world, preferring that than living in the world of reality. I found the book really well written with some things explained and other things left for you to come to your own conclusions on. Within the chapters, there are sections text/audio notifications in bubble style like you're looking at a phone, which add to the immersion feel of the book.
I loved the character of Halcyon Greene, nickname Bliss, called Hallie by her godfather, as well as being called Hal by friend, too. I could understand why Hal chose to live the way she did at the start of the book. With her father disappearing, then her mother having dementia and being taken away from her, it's no wonder she wanted to escape from her rather sad, lonely existence.
I loved some of the finer details in the book such as Altercation one if the games Hal's dad had designed that had a place called Trouble Time within it had a logo of a sunrise between two columns with a kingfisher in silhouette taking off from the centre of the sun. The kingfisher is known as the halcyon bird - aka Hal's name.
As her parents loved puzzles, Hals theory was that the logo was more than an 'in joke' and maybe a clue from her dad as to where he had gone & why. There's so many details that suddenly become huge clues to the answers Hal seeks in her attempts to first save World 2.0, and then when she decides to bring it all down. The ending of the book is sort of dream-like, quite cryptic, and has Hal giving sort of alternative endings as to what has happened that are open to your own interpretation as to what they mean. It wasn't what I was anticipating, I expected a more decisive, clean cut ending.
My immediate thoughts were, what a unique book, that it was such an alternate, strange, futuristic yet strangely believable world Hal lived in. did enjoy the book a lot, though I did find some parts such as the different endings a little confusing. I really enjoyed reading this one, even though my technical gaming knowledge isn't what it used to be.
Summing up, the book had some great characters and amazing world building. You quickly become absorbed by Hal's quest to find the hidden components and what they reveal about her parents. There's so much packed into this book, I honestly think it could have been a series or at least a duology, then the other characters back stories could have been explored more as well as the strange world they were all living/existing in. I personally think Control Alter Delete would make a really good book to film or TV series adaptation.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Little Tiger for this arc!
Wow. The detail and complexity of technology and world building in this book needs to be applauded.
The whole book gave me strong vibes of Ready Player One albeit for the next generation - the competition element and looking for components reminded me especially of this book.
Our main character continually encounters situations that make us question the power of technology but also question what technology masks/what aren't we noticing.
I have to mention the great chapter/section headings. I loved this. The whole book felt like a video game.
Overall a great read and one that fans of Ready Player One, Black Mirror and any speculative thrillers will love.
Wow. The detail and complexity of technology and world building in this book needs to be applauded.
The whole book gave me strong vibes of Ready Player One albeit for the next generation - the competition element and looking for components reminded me especially of this book.
Our main character continually encounters situations that make us question the power of technology but also question what technology masks/what aren't we noticing.
I have to mention the great chapter/section headings. I loved this. The whole book felt like a video game.
Overall a great read and one that fans of Ready Player One, Black Mirror and any speculative thrillers will love.
December 12, 2025
This is a fantastic read - one that had me hooked from the first page. It feels like a mix of The Matrix and Harry Potter, with its blend of high-concept twists, magic and horcrux-like elements. The storyline is unique and engaging, and the characters are wonderfully portrayed. This is an epic book, and I’m giving it 4 stars. I would highly recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Little Tiger Group for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Little Tiger Group for the ARC.
January 18, 2026
What would you choose - a beautiful untrue life, or a broken true one?
Talk about a hook to draw you in. After finishing control alter delete I find the first line of the blurb to give a great summary of the book. CAD is a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power. Great for fans of ready player one and that likes magic and puzzles.
Our main character Hal lives in World 2.0 a virtual world which she has made into the perfect life for herself where she can shut off from her devastating past and exist in peace. That is until that perfect life is threatened with being taken away from her, the Knox Cup is her chance to stop that. However, once she enters the games not all is as it seems. Within the games are clues hidden by her lost dad and puzzles to solve to find the hidden components and what role they play in the not only the Alter but her life.
The world building is complex and intriguing once you begin to understand it which took me a bit of time but eventually as the story plays out and you gather more information it will all become clear. The way the chapter headers are laid out with days left creates a good amount of tension and build up. There is a great use of fonts and texts to show adverts, streams and code allowing you to immerse yourself in this video game world.
Centred around hope and friendship Hal has to question the power of technology, the use of a real vs virtual world and what she thinks is right.
Talk about a hook to draw you in. After finishing control alter delete I find the first line of the blurb to give a great summary of the book. CAD is a speculative YA thriller, tackling themes of technology and power. Great for fans of ready player one and that likes magic and puzzles.
Our main character Hal lives in World 2.0 a virtual world which she has made into the perfect life for herself where she can shut off from her devastating past and exist in peace. That is until that perfect life is threatened with being taken away from her, the Knox Cup is her chance to stop that. However, once she enters the games not all is as it seems. Within the games are clues hidden by her lost dad and puzzles to solve to find the hidden components and what role they play in the not only the Alter but her life.
The world building is complex and intriguing once you begin to understand it which took me a bit of time but eventually as the story plays out and you gather more information it will all become clear. The way the chapter headers are laid out with days left creates a good amount of tension and build up. There is a great use of fonts and texts to show adverts, streams and code allowing you to immerse yourself in this video game world.
Centred around hope and friendship Hal has to question the power of technology, the use of a real vs virtual world and what she thinks is right.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC from the publisher in preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.
I'm not sure why, but I really struggled to get into this book. It's got good pacing, interesting ideas, and more, but I just didn't click into the tale. I ended up feeling pretty lost by the twists and turns at points, unable to remember key plot points just pages before that were crucial to following the overall story development.
The world is an interesting one. It reminded me of READY PLAYER ONE where everyone lives in a virtual reality instead of the real world, except here the VR is less of a voice and more of an absolute as it's harder to turn off. And of course there are all sorts of subtle issues that this causes. Some, the book tackles directly, others it leaves in the background as an unaddressed niggle - like the scrolling ads about how an algorithm will vote on your behalf or how you have to pay to turn off ads long enough to sleep.
I'm not sure why, but I really struggled to get into this book. It's got good pacing, interesting ideas, and more, but I just didn't click into the tale. I ended up feeling pretty lost by the twists and turns at points, unable to remember key plot points just pages before that were crucial to following the overall story development.
The world is an interesting one. It reminded me of READY PLAYER ONE where everyone lives in a virtual reality instead of the real world, except here the VR is less of a voice and more of an absolute as it's harder to turn off. And of course there are all sorts of subtle issues that this causes. Some, the book tackles directly, others it leaves in the background as an unaddressed niggle - like the scrolling ads about how an algorithm will vote on your behalf or how you have to pay to turn off ads long enough to sleep.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
not fully my cup of tea as a lot of it is set in a gaming world but I just know the right reader is going to love it. had a lot of clever things to say about reliance on technology
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews