Playing Dead

by Bronson Palmer

In the halls of Andrew Jackson High School, Jenaiya is a nobody. Less than a nobody. She's practically invisible. An awkward, shy freshman, she very rarely gets any attention at all, unless she's being harassed by the school's multitude of bullies. In short, she's not anyone's idea of a hero.

But in 'Age of Z,' a post-apocalyptic multiplayer zombie game, she's a gun-wielding, fast-talking GOD. She's one of the top ten players in the online dystopia, and she doesn't suffer fools lightly. It's just the way she plays, and she likes it that way. She can become the person she wishes herself to be in the real world.

However, when the game gets overrun by trolls and n00bs who threaten to destroy the game by turning it into yet another online shooter, Jenaiya cannot sit still and let that happen. The very existence of the game is on the line, as people leave in droves, and she gathers a rag-tag group of players to fight back against this new kind of 'brainless' horde. They have wildly different personalities but one goal: rid the game of the real monsters.

Jenaiya will have to outsmart her enemies, outplay the bullies, and return 'Age of Z' to its former glory. Otherwise, it's game over, and she'll have to confront the real world that awaits her on the other side of the computer screen.

Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook

Unknown Binding

Published November 7, 2017

Reviews

[Adrienne Nairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one who is addicted to candy crush and can hardly follow the grandchildren playing Mario games, I was a little dubious about this novel. However it is intriguing and absorbing. There are a couple of parallel story lines: Jenaiya playing the computer game, Age of Z, fighting to survive as she has for so long, and her real life at school and at home. At school she faces bullies and retaliates. This is a subject many can identify with and it is interesting how she deals with the situation. Then there are the problems at home with her parents. No wonder she loses herself in her computer. The stories intertwine excellently, hopping backwards and forwards, not giving the reader a chance to get bored with any one situation. I am not sure how Age Of Z identifies with any computer games out there but one thing I know for sure, I don't think I'll search for any.

[Lynn Zagrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this audiobook free for an honest review. Even though I'm not a gamer and not a YA, I thought this book was awesome. It taught me a little bit about the "Age of Z" type of computer games. Although it is said a lot of these games teach kids how to be bullies and killers, there are lessons to be learned by the normal person. I makes you think and strategize. There is also a great story of relationships within and outside of the game. The author depicts a number of issues that are currently happening to the kids in school. The narrator did an excellent job with the characters and their personalities. Loved this book.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing Dead, by Bronson Palmer, is a young adult novel that chronicles the daily life of a teen gamer. It is also a hauntingly realistic look at American culture in the age of online, multi-player video games that are immersive and addictive. And along with the fantasy world of the game, there is also the real world that protagonist Jenaiya lives in. A story that will suck young readers in just as quickly as the lastest viral video, tweet or video-game craze will - this is a novel of that explores not only our increasingly electronic culture, but other issues as well: bullying, racism and family issues.

As a mother of of son who has just started to enter the gaming culture, I was quickly attuned to the similarities between the game Jenaiya plays in the story - “Age of Z” - and the massively popular game-of-the-moment, Fortnite. A game that features maps with “drop” locations, items to scavenge and other players in a multiverse to either team up with or kill - this is a game that has taken over the lives of many in the last year. Having seen the affects that such an addictive game has on my 9-year-old son, whose screen time I closely monitor - I am only too aware of how games completely dominate the lives of many teens I know. And many, like Jenaiya - have been victims of bullying, and see themselves as outsiders. The world of the game becomes a safe zone, a place to disengage from real life and live out fantasies. While this is worrying to many parents, the world of the game can be a positive one too - where teens can freely express themselves, and find others they identify with. Playing Dead does credit to both sides, depicting Jenaiya as a teen who desparately wants to continue gaming because she craves the freedom and expression it allows her.

What Playing Dead forces readers to examine is not only how we are affected by the internet age, but also why we are so drawn to it. It also makes us look at the diverse world around us, and reconsider relationships - students, teachers, parents - and question which relationships are most authentic. Perhaps most important is that this story is one of diversity and perseverance, with a teen protagonist who isn’t a shrinking violet. In a culture where violence (both in our schools and games) is prevolent, Playing Dead feels like a warning inside of a thriller that will hook young readers from start to finish.

[Becky Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Dead is a story with multiple layers that explores complex emotions such as bullying, sexuality and relationships. Jenaiya, a teenage gamer, is a loner who is frequently bullied at her high school. In her favorite game, Age of Z, she is a fierce character who has garnered a lot of respect for her playing abilities. At school, unless she is being picked on, she is pretty much anonymous--at least until she meets Rory. Rory loops her into a falsified sense of heroism as together they try to take down the bullies by turning the tables and revealing their weaknesses. Simultaneously, Jenaiya is battling to save Age of Z from outsiders who are trying to change the game for--in her opinion--the worse. As the two stories unfold, Jenaiya is forced to come to terms with her own demons and morality. She must decide if it's okay to win at all costs.

I'm not a gamer, but the marriage between the world of A of Z and the reality-based storyline created an intriguing story that moved fast and spurred many memories of the battles of being a teenager. It's a great story for today's young adults who face pressures both online and off and for adults who are looking for a fun read.

[Bikram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received audiobook version of this book for free from the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book is very relevant to the times we are currently living in. It delivers a important social msg without being too preachy. The protagonist Jenaiya is an African American teenager, who is awesome in her online gaming world. But then she faces the toxic sexism / racism there and decides to stand up to the online bullying. Her character is written with a whole lot of sensitivity and not as a caricature; and it will inspire others in similar situation. I do hope though that readers will be able to separate the rights from the wrongs.

Other characters in this book are written well too; but not as powerful as Jenaiya. Some of the "villains" are sometimes stereotypical. But they are mostly convincing. The author Bronson Palmer has good grip on how to create different conflicts and take the characters through them.

The narration by Ramona Master was well done as well. The different character voice acting was good and engaging. The audio quality has no issues.

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I started reading this book my first impression was that it was a teenager’s fantasy story – lots of fighting with zombies everywhere – and definitely not a genre that I would choose to read. However, I ploughed on to find it was actually a contemporary tale about high school bullies with a young teenage girl, Jenaiya, as the main character. So I was partially correct as it was definitely aimed at very young adults/teens. This meant that I had to rapid read through very many passages about the computer game that Jenaiya was obsessed with, and I found very tedious. This is probably understandable as I am well past pensionable age. But at the same time I think reading such long descriptions about a video game would not be of much interest to, and far less exciting for, youngsters than actually playing a game – even this one. This observation is based upon my own experience as a father, grandfather and high school teacher over 3 decades. At the same time there was no mention in the book of contemporary products like eBooks, tablets or smartphones, which may not appeal to modern YA or teen readers. The book was well written but did contain a few typos throughout it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, it was a good mix between entertaining and carrying a strong moral lesson about hat behavior is bulling and what it means when you cross that line.

I thought that the mix of real life and gaming was well done and it did a good job of showing how online behavior and treatment by others can affect you in real life.

Interesting and well written.

Then narration is well done, I liked the character voices and othe overall delivery is a good match for the story.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

[Kate B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows what teens really go through these days. Coming-of-age story featuring a diverse cast of characters. It was refreshing to read.