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Digital Wasteland
When Will Anders agreed to alpha test the sequel to his favorite post-apocalyptic videogame, he didn’t sign on for pain and suffering.
After finding himself trapped in the game, Will knows it’s only a matter of time before his body succumbs to thirst and starvation and his only salvation lie in the Multiplayer Zone, where he hopes to enlist the aid of fellow gamers. Problem is, he doesn’t know how to get there and it doesn’t help that bloodthirsty bandits, feral beasts, and impossible perils await at every turn.
Good thing nobody knows more about the apocalypse than Will. He’s read all the post-apocalyptic classics and watched all the doomsday flicks, so navigating a wasteland taken straight out of one of his favorite movies should be a piece of cake.
Only Will’s about to discover the apocalypse isn’t all it’s cooked up to be.
After finding himself trapped in the game, Will knows it’s only a matter of time before his body succumbs to thirst and starvation and his only salvation lie in the Multiplayer Zone, where he hopes to enlist the aid of fellow gamers. Problem is, he doesn’t know how to get there and it doesn’t help that bloodthirsty bandits, feral beasts, and impossible perils await at every turn.
Good thing nobody knows more about the apocalypse than Will. He’s read all the post-apocalyptic classics and watched all the doomsday flicks, so navigating a wasteland taken straight out of one of his favorite movies should be a piece of cake.
Only Will’s about to discover the apocalypse isn’t all it’s cooked up to be.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2020
44 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2022
'the bed sitting room' British reference is just one of many obscure literary comments that make this story rise up above others in the genre. The MC's ability and maturity developments make this an excellent YA novel.
November 30, 2021
homage to all that is syfy
Even though this story is an homage to all that is syfy and post-apocalyptic, it is an integral part. I was surprised at how many references I didn't recognize. Loved the story, cute, easy to read.
Even though this story is an homage to all that is syfy and post-apocalyptic, it is an integral part. I was surprised at how many references I didn't recognize. Loved the story, cute, easy to read.
June 3, 2020
Very good I want more
Instead of following all the level up pages like you have in other books of this type JD wrote a story that takes place in the game with real word consequences.
Instead of following all the level up pages like you have in other books of this type JD wrote a story that takes place in the game with real word consequences.
June 10, 2020
This was a super fun time. Being a huge fan of the book, Ready Player One, I was immediately ready to start this slant on the future of VR, and I appreciated the world-building that was done to create the physical space outside of the game. I was, however, left wondering as to any progress on a sequel.. Why build the Parks, and spend such time on the Greater Chicago area, if not to setup a second or third book? I want more, and if you end the story on that cliff-hanger I'll never forgive you.
Being an even bigger fan of the anime, Sword Art Online, I was sucked deeper into this story as it progressed. My fascination with the future-reality of being locked within fanciful or terror-wrought virtual spaces is unending, and the adventures of Will, TIM3, and Monk did not disappoint.
My only regret in reading this book is that I finished it across two sittings and I don't know anyone else who has read it! So now I have to seduce my peers into reading so I'll be able to talk to someone about it.. if only the author worked days, then maybe I could wander over on my lunch breaks to pick at his brain.
Write another, please and thank you.
Being an even bigger fan of the anime, Sword Art Online, I was sucked deeper into this story as it progressed. My fascination with the future-reality of being locked within fanciful or terror-wrought virtual spaces is unending, and the adventures of Will, TIM3, and Monk did not disappoint.
My only regret in reading this book is that I finished it across two sittings and I don't know anyone else who has read it! So now I have to seduce my peers into reading so I'll be able to talk to someone about it.. if only the author worked days, then maybe I could wander over on my lunch breaks to pick at his brain.
Write another, please and thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2021
Tough to rate
I gave this book a 5 star rating for the classic b movie references. This author is obviously a movie buff and this book has hundreds of movie references. That part was a real treat and amazing. My struggle was with the MC who supposedly completed all the main quests and side quests of the previous game and yet was a bumbling idiot as an Alpha Tester for the new game. Unfortunately it would be a major spoiler to get into that. I want a competent MC dealing with challenges or at worst a young MC growing. I just couldn't finish it.
I gave this book a 5 star rating for the classic b movie references. This author is obviously a movie buff and this book has hundreds of movie references. That part was a real treat and amazing. My struggle was with the MC who supposedly completed all the main quests and side quests of the previous game and yet was a bumbling idiot as an Alpha Tester for the new game. Unfortunately it would be a major spoiler to get into that. I want a competent MC dealing with challenges or at worst a young MC growing. I just couldn't finish it.
May 12, 2020
This book was an amazing read, I loved it a lot! the entire book is full of suspense, action, and some pretty crazy plot twists. this book will really make you think... is your best friend even you friend
January 14, 2022
Author seemed heavily inspired by apocalyptic fiction and Ready Player One. However, rather than weaving the nostalgia in as an integrated part of the book, it was more like name dropping a bunch of movies and books.
May 12, 2020
Wow. Like damn, I literally got a headache from this book. I get it. You were raised in an 80’s then but damn.
This book is more of an 80’s reference book rather than a fictional story.
I should mention one thing. Just because Will’s grandfather raised him with an 80’s genre, why would the game, “a futuristic game from well into the future be using 80’s genre?
I mean seriously. The MC takes a single step and sees a building, open his mouth (80’s movie to describe it) takes another step and sees a yellow car (80’s cartoon to describe it+ description of the show, when he saw it and why). Sees a statue, “80’s tv show replica+description of the show” then he comes across a group of kids, all name after a...yeah, you guessed it... 80’s book+ description of the book.
This book should be called digital wasteful Wikipedia of 80’s genre. Everything pointless you need to know about the 80’s;)
Gave it two stars because I liked the cover, which is the only thing it has going for it.
This book is more of an 80’s reference book rather than a fictional story.
I should mention one thing. Just because Will’s grandfather raised him with an 80’s genre, why would the game, “a futuristic game from well into the future be using 80’s genre?
I mean seriously. The MC takes a single step and sees a building, open his mouth (80’s movie to describe it) takes another step and sees a yellow car (80’s cartoon to describe it+ description of the show, when he saw it and why). Sees a statue, “80’s tv show replica+description of the show” then he comes across a group of kids, all name after a...yeah, you guessed it... 80’s book+ description of the book.
This book should be called digital wasteful Wikipedia of 80’s genre. Everything pointless you need to know about the 80’s;)
Gave it two stars because I liked the cover, which is the only thing it has going for it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews