The Missing

Final Kingdom #1

by Steven K. Smith

The virtual world is calling…Bryce would never have just left. Thirteen-year-old Zach knows that deep in his bones. Something terrible must have happened to his older brother. So when the green-eyed fox leads him to a hidden message from Bryce deep within their favorite game’s virtual universe, Zach knows he must act quickly.

Teaming up with his best friend, a skillful classmate, and Bryce’s girlfriend, Zach races into a real-world mission to decode his brother’s mysterious warning. But when a deadly Ranger leaves the computer-generated landscape to come after Zach and his friends, they may run out of lives before finding the truth. Can Zach discover the bridge between the worlds and bring Bryce back before he’s lost forever?

The Missing is the first book in the mind-bending Final Kingdom middle grade virtual adventure trilogy.

"Sure to keep Fortnite fans reading late into the night!"

Final Kingdom TrilogyThe MissingThe RecruitThe Bridge

Also by Steven K.

The Virginia Mysteries - Adventures with a twist of historyBook 1 - Summer of the WoodsBook 2 - Mystery on Church HillBook 3 - Ghosts of Belle IsleBook 4 - Secret of the StaircaseBook 5 - Midnight at the MansionBook 6 - Shadows at JamestownBook 7 - Spies at Mount VernonBook 8 - Escape from MonticelloBook 9 - Pictures at the ProtestBook 10 - Pirates on the Bay

Brother WarsBrother WarsCabin ElevenThe Big Apple

Genres: Fantasy

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2019

About the author

Steven K. Smith writes the middle grade series The Virginia Mysteries, Brother Wars, and Final Kingdom.

Steven lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and three sons. Born and raised in rural northwestern New Jersey, he moved to Virginia in 2011 and quickly fell in love with its history and charm. Visit his website at www.stevenksmith.net.

When he's not writing, Steven enjoys coaching his boys in sports, hiking, kayaking, naps, and taking away his kids' screen time. Some of his favorite children's books include Where the Red Fern Grows, Rascal, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Bridge to Terabithia, and the Chronicles of Narnia series.

The Virginia Mysteries - Adventures with a twist of history
(Ages 7-12)

Book 1 - Summer of the Woods
Book 2 - Mystery on Church Hill
Book 3 - Ghosts of Belle Isle
Book 4 - Secret of the Staircase
Book 5 - Midnight at the Mansion
Book 6 - Shadows at Jamestown
Book 7 - Spies at Mount Vernon
Book 8 - Escape from Monticello

Brother Wars (Ages 7-12)
Brother Wars
Brother Wars: Cabin Eleven
Brother Wars: The Big Apple

Final Kingdom Trilogy (Ages 10+)
Book 1 - The Missing
Book 2- The Recruit
Book 3 - The Bridge

Reviews

[Book - Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yowch-

This was a let down and a sad disappointment to my younger self, who's been looking forward to reading this for a few years now.

My local library sucks and never got a copy plus I refuse to buy a book I've never read in case I hate it so, I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Until December of 2022 when I received this as a gift for Christmas.

*sighs*

I really should have read this when I was like...twelve or eleven.
My younger mind would have liked it better, plus I read this after I had just finished Ready Player One which has similar-ish bits in its plot so this was like...
A child's version of that.

There wasn't really anything I had issues with in this book, or hated.

I'm just not the right age anymore to enjoy it.

It was very boring to me, the characters were flat, the plot moved too fast, the world in the story was very simple (then again, it is for younger kids), and it just...

Yeah that's about it.

It all boils down to I'm just too old for it.

Sad.

But I think there are younger kids out there who will enjoy it much more than I did.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dupe of Tron Legacy for young kids.

[Tracey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my eleven year old son. I wasn’t looking forward to it because I dislike video games, but we really loved The Virginia Mysteries so thought we’d give it a try. We both loved it! It was well written, action packed, definitely had my son’s imagination on overdrive trying to figure out what was going to happen next. We are definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. Great job to the author for keep a middle school aged child and a fifty year old Mom both entertained and engaged.

[TheAurelius_Archives · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fine, the world building is interesting which is something I like. Some of it though felt a bit glossed over, like the author tried to just explain it as too complicated to explain, but it is a kids book so that not that big of a fault. The characters are alright. I don't think I could get attached to them enough to care about their well-being

The whole book kind of felt like it had been written in the early 2000s which isn't a bad thing it just felt like it was written in that style.
The book kind of reminded me of the Jumanji remake mixed with Percy Jackson(in regards to characters dynamics)

[Steven Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast moving middle grade mystery, sure to appeal to teen aged lovers of video games. The scenario requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but nothing that will be troubling to most readers. There is some violence and at least one killing in this, so it may not be appropriate for the younger readers.

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Aubree Groves · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book a lot and found it really hard to read thought I do really like the main character in this book I don’t like his brother in this or the later books he was just not an enjoyable main character I did however really like the plot and would have found it a much better read if I liked the main character and writing style better overall not a good book

[Samantha Linsenbigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good read. It really grabbed my attention from the start. I love the premise that there is an alternative dimension that also happens to be an actual video game. The ending kinda annoyed me with them just basically going back to normal. Definitely need to read the next book to see what happens.

[Gary Crayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read his Virginia Mysteries and thought that they were pretty good but was blown away by this book. I am not a fantasy reader but this book had me hooked from the first page. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Sharon Loves to Read · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super impossible idea, and that from a person who likes fantasy. Not only impossible, but I found these books very hard to get through...like slogging through a marsh. Also, too much foul language for kids/young teens.

[Ashley Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this wondering if my son was ready for it. He’s not. It’s for a Divergent/Stranger Things feel… it’s interesting but not amazing.

[Walker Yow · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend

Great book not going to spoil But just amazing I have to keep typing I have 4 more words to go now I can submit

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very fast-paced, a real page-turner. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of this trilogy.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟 Completed book The Missing (Final Kingdom, #1) by Steven K. Smith.
Short audiobook but is not lacking.
HOOPLA BONUS BORROW
SERIES WORTHY

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10

[Julia Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. A nice middle grade palette cleanser. If I had enjoyed sci-fi books more as a kid, this probably could have made it to my favorites.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is PHENOMENAL! While books about gaming aren’t typically my style, this high-intensity mystery kept me pulled in and reading the entire time. Unlike the Smith’s other mysteries, this one is not elementary age appropriate (content and some language). I will be fervently waiting for the next book in this series to read.

[Julie Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down - you won't want to miss the adventure. Video game components are high interest for gamers and non-gamers alike.

[Florence Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could have done without some mild crass language in a book for kids. Otherwise, my boys will love it.