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The Game is Life #3
Interlude - Brandon
Brandon Strayne Brilliant computer programmer, businessman, and world leader.Where did this mysterious man come from? Before there was the Game, there was a boy...This takes the story of the Game even further by showing you how it all started! "A must read for all fans of the Game is Life Series."
334 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2013
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891 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 5, 2013
I put off reading this book for awhile, I'll admit it. I was CRAZY into the first two books, and wanted the story to continue, but honestly just the story of Brandon didn't seem interesting to me. Well, I'm glad I changed my mind because I really really loved it. Interlude-Brandon has all the elements of the other books, with great storytelling and weaving of characters. It was fascinating to find out how things happened, and mind blowing when you realized certain things I won't mention! I kind of wish there was a second book to this one, because it could just go on and on. Hopefully the final book in the Game series will answer all the questions I have! Loved it!!
February 2, 2015
Unfortunately for me, this is the book in the series that didn't need to be written. I absolutely loved the first two books and couldn't put them down from start to finish, but this book just couldn't get into. While several key characters are introduced in this book, the majority of this book is spent giving background on Brandon that has no relation to the main plot. The author could have easily included the most important and actually interesting information regarding Brandon and "The Game" into a few chapters in one of his other novels. Additionally, the biggest reveal within this book isn't that exciting and was easy to figure out. I'm sure that a majority of readers were able to figure our major plot points before they were revealed in the book.
June 23, 2021
1. The Game, ★★★★★
2. Digital Heretic, ★★★★★
3. Interlude-Brandon, ★★★★★
Updated review 2018: This is a must-read book in the series, do not let the title fool you! It is not a "between the numbers" kind of story, it provides necessary and exciting backstory to the series so far and propels the s narrative forward.
This is a dream, and you are leaving this place to go back to your other dream...you are simply moving from one dream into another.
"Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream" the nursery rhyme says. Interlude-Brandon is the third installment in the Game is Life series, and rather than picking up where Danni left off in the previous book we go back in time to see how Brandon got to where he is today. What is reality, and how do we know what is real? Brandon and his friends struggle to keep their bearings as they move between the Game and the Dream.
What if life is a big computer simulation? Brandon has always treated life as a game, and this book show how his worldview has driven his successes. Watch his rise to power, see how the technology was developed, and learn more about the Timeless. Time is still running out... and by the end of this book you will know what that means!
Original review in 2015:
This was the best book so far in the series! I love where the author takes it and how he weaves the past into the narrative. I almost skipped the "interlude" book but am so glad that I didn't!
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March 25, 2015
My mind hurts. A LOT. Um. I knew some things ~ ~ but my mind is still trying to wrap itself around others ~ .
Whatever's going on, it's fantastic!
Whatever's going on, it's fantastic!
October 18, 2019
I honestly wasn’t sure how much I’d like this book bc I thought I’d miss trew and danni too much but I think this is my favorite book of the series so far!! I lost my mind many times and I have so many questions but it was so so good
July 10, 2017
Again my only complaint is with the many typos that could have easily been avoided. Other than that, this series is wonderfully complex and captivating.
January 18, 2017
YES!!! I read the first two books and enjoyed them, but in the back of my mind I couldn't help thinking "this better not get stupid"... book 3 pays EVERYTHING off, well mostly. Seeing who Brandon is, whom this mystery man he calls father is and understanding what he know is a huge key to understanding the world. I am impressed anytime an author can drag me to book three and keep me wild eyed with curiosity, and then to pay off this well... LOVE IT! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series, narration is too good not to wait for the audible release, can wait to Schott myself again over the next book. (sorry about the pun... I had to).
January 30, 2015
Questions answered!
As a reader, I'm not big on interludes in series, but in this particular one it couldn't have been done better. It answers so many questions and suspicions from the first two books and it didn't pull away from the original story. I cannot figure out why an editor or large publisher hasn't picked this series up. I cannot stop reading it and I'm not even a huge fan of this genre.
As a reader, I'm not big on interludes in series, but in this particular one it couldn't have been done better. It answers so many questions and suspicions from the first two books and it didn't pull away from the original story. I cannot figure out why an editor or large publisher hasn't picked this series up. I cannot stop reading it and I'm not even a huge fan of this genre.
June 14, 2014
I didn't really like Ender's Game the first time I read it. This was only saved by my investment in the series so far.
July 17, 2017
I liked it better the first time when it was called Ender's Game.
November 14, 2018
The Matrix + Enders Game + Inception… and much, much more.
Terry Schott’s The Game is Life series explores the potential of VR technology on an entire culture. Interlude – Brandon (The Game is Life #3) ties together all of the loose ends from the first two novels and forms a solid base for what is to follow in Virtual Prophet. (The Game is Life #4)
Sometimes writers stretch their narrative / story to the edge of the breaking point. Some of those writers will pull back, uncertain where the narrative should go from that point. Some will become unsettled by the scope of the concept they originally visualized, continue on anyway, and there is less coherence in what follows. Terry Schott takes you to the point where you can only let go and just live the story as you wait for what happens comes next. His concepts will surpass your imagination, and he makes them work.
His “theology” will anger those who are afraid to let Schott’s narrative challenge what they have learned to believe in. They may well lash out, forgetting that is a very creative work of fiction. In any case, putting God in a box is not a reasonable way to learn more and draw closer.
If you are nicely settling in with The Game is Life, check out how Michael John Grist carried forward his Last Mayor in America series – a full nine volumes deep.
Terry Schott’s The Game is Life series explores the potential of VR technology on an entire culture. Interlude – Brandon (The Game is Life #3) ties together all of the loose ends from the first two novels and forms a solid base for what is to follow in Virtual Prophet. (The Game is Life #4)
Sometimes writers stretch their narrative / story to the edge of the breaking point. Some of those writers will pull back, uncertain where the narrative should go from that point. Some will become unsettled by the scope of the concept they originally visualized, continue on anyway, and there is less coherence in what follows. Terry Schott takes you to the point where you can only let go and just live the story as you wait for what happens comes next. His concepts will surpass your imagination, and he makes them work.
His “theology” will anger those who are afraid to let Schott’s narrative challenge what they have learned to believe in. They may well lash out, forgetting that is a very creative work of fiction. In any case, putting God in a box is not a reasonable way to learn more and draw closer.
If you are nicely settling in with The Game is Life, check out how Michael John Grist carried forward his Last Mayor in America series – a full nine volumes deep.
February 18, 2018
( Format : audiobook )
"Most think life owes them something, but it doesn't."
As suggested by the title, this book steps away from the ongoing story of The Game to look at its creator, Brandon, and the establishment and motives behind it. Having greatly enjoyed the immersive earlier books, at first this reader was reluctant to look outside, to perhaps have preconceived expectations dashed. Instead, the opposite occured and ideas were given even greater interest, the concepts, as well as Brandon, written large.
As always, the narration by Luke Daniels was excellent, read with good pace, clarity and intonation. The various characters, too, were well voiced, distinctive and appropriate. His reading enhances the experience of the book.
Interlude: Brandon could easily be read earlier in the series but, placed as it is as book three, this is definitely the optimum position. Having read the first two stories, the reader will surely have formed their own ideas of the Game and what it is from both information given and that deduced. This book the steps in to add to the understanding of what it really is, at the same time introducing new speculations.
Well written, gently building character and tensions, this is an excellent, unmissable part of the entire series.
"Most think life owes them something, but it doesn't."
As suggested by the title, this book steps away from the ongoing story of The Game to look at its creator, Brandon, and the establishment and motives behind it. Having greatly enjoyed the immersive earlier books, at first this reader was reluctant to look outside, to perhaps have preconceived expectations dashed. Instead, the opposite occured and ideas were given even greater interest, the concepts, as well as Brandon, written large.
As always, the narration by Luke Daniels was excellent, read with good pace, clarity and intonation. The various characters, too, were well voiced, distinctive and appropriate. His reading enhances the experience of the book.
Interlude: Brandon could easily be read earlier in the series but, placed as it is as book three, this is definitely the optimum position. Having read the first two stories, the reader will surely have formed their own ideas of the Game and what it is from both information given and that deduced. This book the steps in to add to the understanding of what it really is, at the same time introducing new speculations.
Well written, gently building character and tensions, this is an excellent, unmissable part of the entire series.
February 11, 2020
Interlude Brandon
This is a must-read book in the series, do not let the title fool you! It is not a "between the numbers" kind of story, it provides necessary and exciting backstory to the series so far and propels the s narrative forward.
What if life is a big computer simulation? Brandon has always treated life as a game, and this book show how his worldview has driven his successes. Watch his rise to power, see how the technology was developed, and learn more about the Timeless. Time is still running out... and by the end of this book you will know what that means!
Interlude-Brandon is the third installment in the Game is Life series, and rather than picking up where Danni left off in the previous book we go back in time to see how Brandon got to where he is today. What is reality, and how do we know what is real? Brandon and his friends struggle to keep their bearings as they move between the Game and the Dream.
This is a must-read book in the series, do not let the title fool you! It is not a "between the numbers" kind of story, it provides necessary and exciting backstory to the series so far and propels the s narrative forward.
What if life is a big computer simulation? Brandon has always treated life as a game, and this book show how his worldview has driven his successes. Watch his rise to power, see how the technology was developed, and learn more about the Timeless. Time is still running out... and by the end of this book you will know what that means!
Interlude-Brandon is the third installment in the Game is Life series, and rather than picking up where Danni left off in the previous book we go back in time to see how Brandon got to where he is today. What is reality, and how do we know what is real? Brandon and his friends struggle to keep their bearings as they move between the Game and the Dream.
November 26, 2017
I want to give it a higher mark but there are issues with too many things in this book.
First, a five-year-old is not as smart as made out. don't care, never happens.
Second, problems in the narrative and repetition - needs a good edit
Third, logic issues - one that sticks out is Brandon's five years younger than the other kids in his group, but near the end, all of a sudden he is only three years younger. Big flaw!
Sorry, other things are causing issues and I really have to finish something, but I know people are following some of my reviews so here it is. This book cannot be skipped in order to follow the series. Not sure why Terry didn't start with this one, it would have laid down the foundation for the first two and explained a lot that we really needed at the beginning of everything.
To me, sorry, this book should have been in editing a little longer before being released.
First, a five-year-old is not as smart as made out. don't care, never happens.
Second, problems in the narrative and repetition - needs a good edit
Third, logic issues - one that sticks out is Brandon's five years younger than the other kids in his group, but near the end, all of a sudden he is only three years younger. Big flaw!
Sorry, other things are causing issues and I really have to finish something, but I know people are following some of my reviews so here it is. This book cannot be skipped in order to follow the series. Not sure why Terry didn't start with this one, it would have laid down the foundation for the first two and explained a lot that we really needed at the beginning of everything.
To me, sorry, this book should have been in editing a little longer before being released.
October 2, 2023
If you like complex layers in scifi, this is for you. Congrats to Terry Schott for having the imagination and depth to think this series through. I can imagine the extensive notes he had to accumulate to keep track of the times, places and characters....oh, I forgot.....technology....but still. My advice for the casual reader like me: make note of the slang and abbreviations used from the first book as they will come up again and again. I had to go back to find their meaning, ie NPC = Non Player Characters. In Interlude-Brandon, we discover so much more about all the characters in this series as well as enlightening info about Tygon. I just started reading #4 Virtual Prophet. I'm hoping the story continues to keep my interest rather than get derailed by being just to stupid as many scifi books and movies do.
March 8, 2019
An excellent edition in this series!! Obviously a side novel; and well worth the time to learn SO MUCH about what is REALLY happening in the overall storyline and who exactly the main characters and some side characters TRULY are and how they came to be. And then the HUGE revelation about Trew at the end of the book!! Wow!! No spoilers here. But must wonder how one deals with such a personal revelation about oneself. Seriously!! How do you go on?!? Well, this book and others still make me wonder about our own world. Also, this book in a way reminds me somewhat of the movie "The Thirteenth Floor". Though that is more simplistic than this whole storyline. Wow! In SO many ways the best book of the series thus far.
June 17, 2022
wow! a great read! i read using combo of kindle and audible. My wife listened to a lot of it with me. Gave us great conversations.
The first half had themes of Enders Game & Enders Shadow. I know some ppl complain about that in the reviews but how many books are using themes from wonderland or Tolkien? I love that this author appreciates many of the same books that I do! He pulls inspiration from many different places and also has added some stuff I’ve not seen before.
This book answered about half of the questions and confusion from Books 1&2. I have a much better understanding of the world building - it’s so complicated- simulations inside simulations.
Still kinda spinning from a reveal at the end of book 3. I think I need a couple days to digest this before starting book 4.
The first half had themes of Enders Game & Enders Shadow. I know some ppl complain about that in the reviews but how many books are using themes from wonderland or Tolkien? I love that this author appreciates many of the same books that I do! He pulls inspiration from many different places and also has added some stuff I’ve not seen before.
This book answered about half of the questions and confusion from Books 1&2. I have a much better understanding of the world building - it’s so complicated- simulations inside simulations.
Still kinda spinning from a reveal at the end of book 3. I think I need a couple days to digest this before starting book 4.
January 29, 2021
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I feel like this book could be a 4 star but im going to give it 3. It was very slow in my opinion but i pushed through because i enjoyed the first two. The ending was what made be give it a 3.5 instead of anything lower simply because of the dramatic twist it took for the future and even past books. it took what i thought i knew from the first two and warped my brain. That being said it was slow till the end so if your someone to push through a book simply for the detail in the series then itll be a good book for you. i do however think if you want to read the whole series this book has important information that you cant just pass up. Enjoy your reading 😁
I feel like this book could be a 4 star but im going to give it 3. It was very slow in my opinion but i pushed through because i enjoyed the first two. The ending was what made be give it a 3.5 instead of anything lower simply because of the dramatic twist it took for the future and even past books. it took what i thought i knew from the first two and warped my brain. That being said it was slow till the end so if your someone to push through a book simply for the detail in the series then itll be a good book for you. i do however think if you want to read the whole series this book has important information that you cant just pass up. Enjoy your reading 😁
March 16, 2021
I liked this book much better than the last. It reminded me why I liked the author’s writing to begin with. He’s a good story teller! Despite the continual disappearance and reappearance of the main characters under different names, bodies, ages, and descriptions. And having characters of similar ages, sexes, names and descriptions who play other roles in the story make or a somewhat confusing narrative. But it advanced the plot and filled in Brandon’s backstory. Kind of like reading a comic book without a color illustration. Still, I have read my way through four books like an addict. So thereby is the reason for all the stars.
April 25, 2021
I'm not even done yet, I'm like 80% done and have just been hit by a Whhhhaaaaattt moment that has blown my mind!!! This is SUCH a great book and series! Now I want to re-read the first with this new info! Cannot wait to see how this book ends and dive into the next! So. Freaking. Good!
I just finished book 3 and all I can say is WOW!!! What a mind warp! Its like inception but with virtual reality. I literally just took some notes so that I could piece together what happened in the previous books with what I just learned. Such great story telling!!! Im about to dive into the next book!!
Absolutely recommend this series!!!
Ps, I listened via Audible and the narration is GREAT.
I just finished book 3 and all I can say is WOW!!! What a mind warp! Its like inception but with virtual reality. I literally just took some notes so that I could piece together what happened in the previous books with what I just learned. Such great story telling!!! Im about to dive into the next book!!
Absolutely recommend this series!!!
Ps, I listened via Audible and the narration is GREAT.
October 22, 2021
This book is a great addition to the series. This is where the plot of the story is really fleshed out and we are given a lot of the back story that is really needed to understand the context of events that have been happening in the previous two books. Very well done. It built up what was already established and didn't do any rehashing of story which often happens when an author goes into another character's perspective to visit backstory. Very well written. The characters continue to be very realistic and well fleshed out. Loving this series as it continues to pleasantly surprise me.
November 3, 2021
This is the best one so far - finally some answers, which felt good. Im stopping there for a bit as the story seems to be getting over complicated and there doesnt seem to be a concluding book yet, I have enjoyed the series so far, especially this one (book 3) but I am not really up for reading 9 books on the same story! In any event, these books are better than average - like a cross between Enders Game and Ready Player One.
I am listening to these rather than reading them and the performance is EXCELLENT so well done there too. Right man for the job it seems.
I am listening to these rather than reading them and the performance is EXCELLENT so well done there too. Right man for the job it seems.
December 26, 2021
In my opinion this book was slow to start, I paused it for quite a while because I was very unsure about it. However when I gave it more of a chance I really liked it: it was fun finding out about Brandon’s past and the past of some other characters such as Carl. You really have to stick with it because there’s a lot of world within a world within a world within a world and sometimes you have no idea which world they’re currently talking about. I feel like that just adds to the effect of the book, it almost gives a blurry effect which is kind of cool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
This book was good. Not as good as the first two but it kept my interest and explained how the game was created. It makes sense that it was supposed to be a military training program. But then when it was given to the public it destroys the economy because no one wants to live their regular life, so Brandon high jacks the program and create the game. It was interesting to see how pple originally came to be and how some pple who you might think are bad aren’t really bad.
June 30, 2023
This was the lesser book for the series in my opinion. I had no drive to finish once started aside from the fact I am a completionist through and through. I do enjoy a good backstory but at the point of this series it feels almost like an escape from writers block and a diversion to determine which path the next books would play. It was interesting and engaging. However, I would have been fine not reading this book and continuing with the series with no feelings of remorse.
October 11, 2017
Absolutely excellent it filled in a lot of the gaps but I still have some questions but I don’t want to write any spoilers, I just like to put in my 2 cents and let the author know that his writing is well timed and absolutely spectacular in this venue. Well it’s on to Virtual Prophet for me, until then have a good day. Again, thank you Terry! Rob B
February 14, 2018
I enjoyed this more than the second in the series. It made the series as a whole more interesting, and Brandon was a much more likeable character after reading this. It did seem a little similar to Enders Game in some ways, but given that is one of my favourite books, this was not an issue for me!
November 6, 2019
I’ve decided that I just really love this series.
This book is a bit of a prequel to the original two, filling in some blanks about how the world came to be the way it is. Some of this was fairly easy to guess based on the past two books, but still super interesting.
Now I can’t wait to jump back in with the rest of the series.
This book is a bit of a prequel to the original two, filling in some blanks about how the world came to be the way it is. Some of this was fairly easy to guess based on the past two books, but still super interesting.
Now I can’t wait to jump back in with the rest of the series.
June 8, 2021
Will someone please make this into a tv series
I wasn't sure I was going to like this as much as the first two books because it was about Brandon and his backstory. Silly me. The author is a genius and the story is beyond fantastic. Don't skip ahead as it will make sense and answer some questions. The plot twists will make your head spin.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this as much as the first two books because it was about Brandon and his backstory. Silly me. The author is a genius and the story is beyond fantastic. Don't skip ahead as it will make sense and answer some questions. The plot twists will make your head spin.
September 18, 2021
I have the omnibus edition of this series and found the 'interlude' fascinating and cleverly done. It explains numerous things to do with the story overall and its characters' motivations and backgrounds.
It's an intelligent and thought-provoking read, its meaning, twists and turns stretching the mind to incredible possibilities.
I loved it.
Highly recommended.
It's an intelligent and thought-provoking read, its meaning, twists and turns stretching the mind to incredible possibilities.
I loved it.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews