Trapped in a Video Game: Return to Doom Island

Trapped in a Video Game #4

by Dustin Brady, Jesse Brady

Alistair Gregory, the man who figured out how to put people into video games, is not what he seems. Jesse Rigsby is sure of that. Jesse’s sure of something else, too—he’s being watched. To unravel the mystery, Jesse’s going to have to transform himself into a superspy with serious retro-gaming skills. Can he pull it off before the bad guys catch on?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Science Fiction, Middle Grade

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have now read four of the five books in this excellent series. And with each volume the series gets better. We picked up the first book in this series, Trapped in a Video Game, after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home, and my son devoured it. My son was enjoying them so much we picked up the whole series. He reads to me from his iPod and I follow on my iPhone. My son read this to me as part of his daily reading. He often reads well beyond the minimum 20 minutes a day, when reading this series, because he wants to finish the chapter, or find out what happens next. We are well into book four. Any book that inspires my son to keep reading when the timer goes off is a big winner in my opinion. And because of that it got a solid 5/5 stars from both of us.

This is the fourth installment in a five-book series. We are a late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released. It just means we can read them back to back. Without having to wait for the next volume.

This is a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. And in this one the video game elements have changed. And there is more action outside the game. This time they are in an old 8bit 2D game. And through their friend knows the game, Jesse and Eric have never even heard of it. This time instead of having the help of Mr. Gregory helping and guiding them, they are trying to find out where he is and how to rescue him. And they know that every move they make is being watched. Both in the real world and once they are inside the game.

The story draws you in and keeps your attention. It is interesting seeing the mix of cutting edge and retro technology and how both kids and adults interact with it. The story is well written. The characters after 4 stories is like visiting old friends. And it ends on a cliff hanger leaving you desperate to find out what will happen with The Final Boss.

It is a great read in an excellent series. Our family gives it top marks and highly recommends the series and this specific book!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Dustin Brady.

[Carter Ciaccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Eric is crazy because he enjoys violence and being stuck in video games.

I can focus on moments and find vivid details

I like this book because the villain in the story is more than evil.

[Ann Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child of the 80s I loved the throwback game the kids found themselves in, but I would have like a little more of the video game! The robot dad was super creepy, we enjoyed this one!

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd to the last

We are almost done with the series. The kids are digging it but they felt really sad in one point. Spoiler: a little toddler gets thrown into a game. It made everyone feel really emotional. But the story moves fast enough that we got some closure. On to the next one!

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sly, Funny, and Action-Packed

This is the fourth book in the planned five book series. I started here and didn't have a problem getting into the flow. Each book slips our heroes into a different perilous video game, so they work almost as standalones. But there's also an overall mystery/thriller arc, and it looks like that will get wrapped up in book five. (Each book concludes its individual story, but leaves behind a cliff hanger that leads to the next book and relates to the overall arc.)

The general idea is that an evil supervillain has an evil supervillainous plan, and our guys keep getting in his way. This time around they escape his clutches by dropping into a blocky, retro, 80's, side scrolling, island adventure game. They have to survive and then get out, while avoiding a robot assassin who has followed them into the game and then surviving the villain's attempts to erase them when they do get out.

Here's the thing. This is one of the funnest sets of heroes I've encountered in some time, and this is one of the smartest MG action/adventure tales I've read, ever. Our heroes are the quiet and shy kid, Charlie, (whose genius programmer dad is being held hostage by the villain), the sort of goofy and obtuse comic relief kid, Eric, and our first person narrator, the regular type kid, Jesse. Jesse is the heart and soul of the book, and he is an appealing mix of resourceful, antic, funny, observant, deadpan and puckish. His narrative voice, alternately dry and then manic, sells the premise and the story and keeps the reader engaged. I mean, I could totally see him being my best friend. Eric is both a bit dim and totally psyched, and so offers a nice balance to Jesse.

But above and beyond that, the book is loaded with sly humor and with inside 80's gamer jokes. For example, at one point the villain starts monologuing about his devious plan for world domination. Eric keeps egging on the villain with inane questions. Jesse keeps trying to get Eric to be quiet because absolutely everybody knows that once the villain has disclosed his plan he has to eliminate the people he just told it to. But Jesse is also torn because the plan really is sort of especially evil and Jesse is sort of curious. Now that strikes me as a pretty knowing joke on the whole structure of action/adventure thrillers, and I would expect a middle grade reader to get that joke and be pretty pleased to get that joke. That's what I mean about the book being "smart". It's entertaining but it also brings the reader into the fun of reading this kind of stuff, (without ever mocking the genre). And the whole book has that kind of generous, knowing, upbeat, Boy's Own, vibe.

So, while the premise looked a little gimmicky at the outset, it really was handled very well, and the book delivered a ripping and amusing adventure in the company of some fine heroes. A nice find.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Robert Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Return to Doom Island," is the fourth book in the " Trapped in a Video game," in which Jesse must fight to save his very family from the very robots that want to steal their world. So what's does Jesse does, he goes back to where it all happened.

I can honestly say, this was a fun little story, for all ages. There is nothing inappropriate in the book, besides a kid about to get his nose cut off. But that's normal for most kids these days. I would definitely recommend this great book to all kids, who still has an imagination.

[Andre Despain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, “Trapped in a Video game Return to Doom Island by Dustin Brady”, is a pretty good book so far. I'm not all the way through the book yet. I like this book because it shows a sort of an adventure for a couple of kids, and throughout their adventures it shows all types of resilience. My favorite character in the book right now is probably Eric, Jesse’s friend.I like Eric because one of the people where he could be in a very serious situation and still be able to joke around. I also like the point of view in this book because it is like if the video game company was used to keep people from disobeying the government. My favorite quote in this is when Charlie realises that the party invitation is a message from his dad, and he says,” I think my dad is trying to send a message.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

We had so much fun reading this series. My son Max loves these books. We started reading them before I deployed and picked right back up when I got back. We both like the concepts of the stories.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Physical book
Oh man, I dont know if this one or book 3 has been my fave in the series so far :) they're both a lot of fun. The last in the series just came off hold for us at the library... let's see how this wraps up!

[Brandon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!! It even had a cliffhanger at the end off the book that made me interested in the 5th book. Read it. That's all I have to say about this book, but read the first 3 books before this. If not then you will be confused. But read them.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better than 3 in that I actually paid attention to at least half. Really tired of hearing all the screaming, yes we're listening to the audiobooks and will finish out the series because my youngest loves the series 😉

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

9 stars! My 11 year-old son Thomas and I enjoyed this 4th book in the series. Although, he said the plot was somewhat confusing. It moved around a bit too much for his taste. I look forward to starting book 5 next.

[Pardis Baradar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, I like it a lot.

I liked the book very much. The author put a lot of work into this book because this book is very creative storyline.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one the most of the series.

[David Spindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, started from the first one all the way to the finish, I hope they make a 6th book!!

[Nathan Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good on doom island.

[Angeline Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves this series. This book was so interesting and a real page-turner.

[Keefe Sencen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nolan Brendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because Jesse went superpower mode and killed all the suits. And I liked when the saved Jesse when he almost drowned.

[Christopher Ballou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author gives such good suspension!

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun. The Audiobook is really great. My 9 year old and I couldn't stop listening.

[Demarae · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are great! And end with terrible cliff hangers, so I’m off to grab the next one for Brooks and I to finish off the series.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that the villain in this was too creepy for the recommended age group for this book. my kids however, loved the suspense. it was definitely an edge-of-your-seat book.

[Kendra M Layden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating feom my 7 yr old. Loved listening to these audiobooks with him.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

The one thing that I’ve noticed is regardless of the order of this series, I have been able to jump in and completely catch onto what is happening. Each book could be a standalone.

The series continues with these two main characters, Jesse and Eric, Jesse being the Protagonist and Eric, his trusty side-kick secondary character entering yet another video game with a crazy robot close on their heels.

There’s drones, sharks, robots and a nasty villain that is determined to erase them. The action and adventure never ends, and with Jesse’s level-headedness and Eric’s goofy wit, this story is just another hit to an incredible concept.

This book is geared toward middle-grade readers and I think it would appeal to both boys and girls alike. The writer’s style is fun and vivid with excellent challenges for our characters to meet.
Fast-paced and entertaining! Excellent gamer quality intrigue.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystery/thriller/sci fi for older kids 8+. It is the continuing story of Jesse, Eric and Charlie. It all starts with the boys realizing Mr. Gregory (Charlie's Dad) is not Mr. Gregory anymore. The boys then through the real Mr. Gregory to to Doom Island and the story goes on from there. I found the fantasy aspect of the story very interesting and it would hold a child's interest. The story ends with a cliff hanger to the next book. This is definately a book for older children especially if they like video games. I think some parts would scare the younger children. I especially liked the binary information at the end of the book. It is good for the future computer programer as a starting point.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Breanne Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Andrews McMeel and Net Galley for the free review copy. This is exactly the kind of book my 10-year-old son likes. I think kids who have trouble finding something they like to read will love this book. It's exciting and fast-paced, and the video game setting is interesting and fun for kids. There is enough room for kids to make predictions about what is going to happen to make it great read for middle grades.