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Chase: The Boy Who Hid
Don’t hide from your feelings. Hide from the giant robot trying to kill you.
I always knew I’d inherited my grandad’s mind for science and technology, but when he goes missing, I get his spot in a top-secret government game of hide and seek. The military camouflage challenge, DARPA’s game where shapeshifters, mechs, and telepaths hide from a robot seeker, is also where Grandad vanished.
To find out what happened, I’ll play along- gain the team’s trust, master the tech, and avoid catching feelings for the team navigator. If I can do all that, then maybe I can survive the dangerous game. But if it comes down to winning or finding Grandad, I’ll ditch the game and betray my team in a millisecond. Even if it means I go missing, too.
Book One in the Hide & Seek Series, the action-packed coming of age stories of STEM-minded queer kids getting their hands on the tech of the future.
I always knew I’d inherited my grandad’s mind for science and technology, but when he goes missing, I get his spot in a top-secret government game of hide and seek. The military camouflage challenge, DARPA’s game where shapeshifters, mechs, and telepaths hide from a robot seeker, is also where Grandad vanished.
To find out what happened, I’ll play along- gain the team’s trust, master the tech, and avoid catching feelings for the team navigator. If I can do all that, then maybe I can survive the dangerous game. But if it comes down to winning or finding Grandad, I’ll ditch the game and betray my team in a millisecond. Even if it means I go missing, too.
Book One in the Hide & Seek Series, the action-packed coming of age stories of STEM-minded queer kids getting their hands on the tech of the future.
- GenresScience FictionLGBT
215 pages, ebook
Published October 15, 2020
85 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 16, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
If you’re looking for a title that will please young readers, here you go!
The author provides lots of interesting elements in this book – inventions, science, gadgets, all leading to a competition. The opening scenes will capture the reader’s attention.
If you have a gamer in your house or classroom and need a book to recommend, again, here you go!
Paintball, cloaking, mind games, flying through the air and dodging robots… Oh my – exciting! Bravo to the author for his action scenes. So vivid. So well done. The story leads up to a three day competition. During those three days, the reader gets ample, detailed game play. In fact, I’d say the novel is roughly 60% action.
I went back and checked the author’s dedication and thank you pages. I needed to see if it was a prepublication version and not the final draft. Why? I believe it needs additional editing. I encourage the author to run this by fresh eyes if I did have the final version as I saw typos, odd spacing gaps and weird scene jumps.
The author shared lessons on ageism, racism, gender identity, ethnic stereotypes, etc. I felt there were too many topics. Some of the corrections made were very forced and clunky. I feel picking one or two areas to focus on, then incorporating them with story and action throughout the novel would have been a better learning tool. The writing tool of ‘show, don’t tell’ comes to mind.
Some problems have me awarding Chase: The Boy Who Hid a three. The outstanding action was a clear five…. therefore I landed on a rating of four.
Jeffries already has two more books in the series:
Miss: The Girl in Disguise, out now
Gamble: One Champion Wins, released 7th January 2021
If you’re looking for a title that will please young readers, here you go!
The author provides lots of interesting elements in this book – inventions, science, gadgets, all leading to a competition. The opening scenes will capture the reader’s attention.
If you have a gamer in your house or classroom and need a book to recommend, again, here you go!
Paintball, cloaking, mind games, flying through the air and dodging robots… Oh my – exciting! Bravo to the author for his action scenes. So vivid. So well done. The story leads up to a three day competition. During those three days, the reader gets ample, detailed game play. In fact, I’d say the novel is roughly 60% action.
I went back and checked the author’s dedication and thank you pages. I needed to see if it was a prepublication version and not the final draft. Why? I believe it needs additional editing. I encourage the author to run this by fresh eyes if I did have the final version as I saw typos, odd spacing gaps and weird scene jumps.
The author shared lessons on ageism, racism, gender identity, ethnic stereotypes, etc. I felt there were too many topics. Some of the corrections made were very forced and clunky. I feel picking one or two areas to focus on, then incorporating them with story and action throughout the novel would have been a better learning tool. The writing tool of ‘show, don’t tell’ comes to mind.
Some problems have me awarding Chase: The Boy Who Hid a three. The outstanding action was a clear five…. therefore I landed on a rating of four.
Jeffries already has two more books in the series:
Miss: The Girl in Disguise, out now
Gamble: One Champion Wins, released 7th January 2021
September 7, 2025
4 solid stars!!
This book had just the correct balance of action, intrigue, maturing "on the job" and romance. The plot was tight and kept this reader turning the pages. I hope this is the beginning of a series; I would definitely love to read further adventures of Chase.
No plot disclosures, as this book must be read to be truly appreciated.
This book had just the correct balance of action, intrigue, maturing "on the job" and romance. The plot was tight and kept this reader turning the pages. I hope this is the beginning of a series; I would definitely love to read further adventures of Chase.
No plot disclosures, as this book must be read to be truly appreciated.
October 12, 2020
Five Reasons to Ignore My Rating and Read This Book
Rep: bi mc, nonbinary character, Black lesbian character, Indian American side characters, Latino amputee side character
CWs: misgendering
Rep: bi mc, nonbinary character, Black lesbian character, Indian American side characters, Latino amputee side character
CWs: misgendering
October 12, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Chase: The Boy Who Hid
When Chase’s grandfather disappears, he is presumed dead. But Chase doesn’t want to give up hope. After all his grandfather was the captain of a team that excels at the high tech hide and seek competition, MC2. A title that now falls to Chase to fill. But with only three weeks to train, can Chase get up to speed in time? And can he discover the truth behind what happened to his grandfather?
Chase is a sci-fi novel that is pure fun to read. I loved the nod to pop culture references and the overall tone of the story. Many times when I encounter a novel that involves training, the plot stalls out and the scenes are repetitive. Not with Chase. Settings rapidly change, new challenges arise and all the time in between training sessions, Z Jefferies maintains the air of mystery over what exactly happened to Chase’s grandfather. Altogether this makes a book that encourages the reader to put the pieces together and root for Chase as he does his best to carry on his grandfather’s legacy.
I also appreciated the author showing how a boy growing up in an all white neighborhood begins to learn how to interact with people of other nationalities and sexual orientations. It’s pretty clear Chase is learning as he goes, as these topics never came up around him in order to learn. He stumbles, he makes assumptions in his mind and the characters correct him each in their own way. His acceptance and development of character relationships was uplifting.
Geared towards young adults, Chase is an age appropriate book that teens will enjoy. It is filled with action and teaches young adults about social biases. Teens will be on the edge of their seats as Chase engages with his competitors and unravels the mystery of his grandfather’s disappearance.
When Chase’s grandfather disappears, he is presumed dead. But Chase doesn’t want to give up hope. After all his grandfather was the captain of a team that excels at the high tech hide and seek competition, MC2. A title that now falls to Chase to fill. But with only three weeks to train, can Chase get up to speed in time? And can he discover the truth behind what happened to his grandfather?
Chase is a sci-fi novel that is pure fun to read. I loved the nod to pop culture references and the overall tone of the story. Many times when I encounter a novel that involves training, the plot stalls out and the scenes are repetitive. Not with Chase. Settings rapidly change, new challenges arise and all the time in between training sessions, Z Jefferies maintains the air of mystery over what exactly happened to Chase’s grandfather. Altogether this makes a book that encourages the reader to put the pieces together and root for Chase as he does his best to carry on his grandfather’s legacy.
I also appreciated the author showing how a boy growing up in an all white neighborhood begins to learn how to interact with people of other nationalities and sexual orientations. It’s pretty clear Chase is learning as he goes, as these topics never came up around him in order to learn. He stumbles, he makes assumptions in his mind and the characters correct him each in their own way. His acceptance and development of character relationships was uplifting.
Geared towards young adults, Chase is an age appropriate book that teens will enjoy. It is filled with action and teaches young adults about social biases. Teens will be on the edge of their seats as Chase engages with his competitors and unravels the mystery of his grandfather’s disappearance.
July 27, 2022
Chase: The Boy Who Hid is a sci-fi adventure story for all ages!
Featuring Chase, a seemingly normal boy who is forced to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps when he mysteriously disappears, this story throws you right into the thick of the action, leaving you eager to find out more every time you’re forced to put the book down.
Chase is joined by a team of colorful characters, all eager to help him succeed in this newfound world he’s been dumped into. Each person is uniquely crafted, making for an enjoyable cast of people that are easy to fall in love with. I especially appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation.
I loved the pacing of the story. There were no boring moments but I also wasn’t overwhelmed by the action either. The author does a great job of balancing out everything which makes for a very enjoyable read.
This story has something for everyone. I can see people from age 12-92 finding joy in this book. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
Featuring Chase, a seemingly normal boy who is forced to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps when he mysteriously disappears, this story throws you right into the thick of the action, leaving you eager to find out more every time you’re forced to put the book down.
Chase is joined by a team of colorful characters, all eager to help him succeed in this newfound world he’s been dumped into. Each person is uniquely crafted, making for an enjoyable cast of people that are easy to fall in love with. I especially appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation.
I loved the pacing of the story. There were no boring moments but I also wasn’t overwhelmed by the action either. The author does a great job of balancing out everything which makes for a very enjoyable read.
This story has something for everyone. I can see people from age 12-92 finding joy in this book. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
January 2, 2021
cw: misgendering
Firstly, I want to thank the author for aproaching me and providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book could be fun for the age demographic it's aimed at (that's not to say that it can't be fun for anyone else!!¡¡). I actually love when the story lets the imagination run wild and doesn't stick to basic science in a way that may damage the story. In this case, I think it's cool. From the first scene where our main protagonists basically flies, the reader is informed that they are in for a wild ride.
What I'm trying to say with this is that I appreciate the ideas a lot. It tries to be engaging in many fun ways. And this is highlighted by the cast of characters we have around, which may be where the problems start for me.
On one hand, I do love the found family feel of the team dynamic and books being diverse are always a winning situation for me. On the other hand, it is not my place to say if it's good representation or not. I do love how casual the lgbtq+ themes were, because they were wonderful, I cheered at that last scene with Harla and I loved how the story makes the point that Diamonds being misgendered is not okey to move on from just because. Nevertheless, I have to say that the way the Black characters are first used as a learning experience for Chase was yikes-worthy to say the least. Again, it is not my place, but I think it has to be discussed.
Furthermore, and this might as well be the formating of the arc but at the same time not really, I think there's an issue with the way the dialogue was written. There were times where there wasn't any space left between each time a character spoke. This made the story tought to follow, accompanied with some pacing issues at the beginning of the story. Not knowing what was really going on made a barrier between me and my investment in the story.
In conclusion, I don't know if I can recommend this one.
//
Creo que este libro podría ser divertido para la edad a la que está dirigido (eso no quiere decir que no pueda ser divertido para nadie más !! ¡¡). De hecho, me encanta cuando la historia deja volar la imaginación y no se apega a la ciencia básica de una manera que pueda dañar la historia. En este caso, creo que es genial. Desde la primera escena en la que nuestro protagonista básicamente vuela, se informa al lector de que les espera un viaje tremendo.
Lo que intento decir con esto es que aprecio mucho las ideas. Intenta innovar de muchas formas divertidas. Y esto se destaca por el elenco de personajes que tenemos a nuestro alrededor, que puede ser donde empiecen los problemas para mí.
Por un lado, me encanta la sensación de la familia encontrada de la dinámica del equipo y la diversidad de libros siempre es una situación ganadora para mí. Por otro lado, no me corresponde decir si es una buena representación o no. Me encanta lo informales que eran los temas lgbtq+, porque eran maravillosos, me encantó la última escena con Harla y me gustó cómo la historia señala que el hecho de que cuando Dimonds sea misgendereado no está bienseguir así no más. Sin embargo, debo decir que la forma en que los personajes negros se usan al principio como una experiencia de aprendizaje para Chase fue digna de un yikes por lo menos. De nuevo, no es mi lugar, pero creo que hay que discutirlo.
Además, y esto bien podría ser el formato del arc, pero al mismo tiempo no realmente, creo que hay un problema con la forma en que se escribió el diálogo. Hubo momentos en los que no quedaba espacio entre cada vez que un personaje hablaba. Esto hizo que la historia fuera difícil de seguir, acompañada de algunos problemas de ritmo al comienzo de la historia. No saber lo que realmente estaba pasando creó una barrera entre mí y mi inversión en la historia.
En conclusión, no sé si puedo recomendar este.
Firstly, I want to thank the author for aproaching me and providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book could be fun for the age demographic it's aimed at (that's not to say that it can't be fun for anyone else!!¡¡). I actually love when the story lets the imagination run wild and doesn't stick to basic science in a way that may damage the story. In this case, I think it's cool. From the first scene where our main protagonists basically flies, the reader is informed that they are in for a wild ride.
What I'm trying to say with this is that I appreciate the ideas a lot. It tries to be engaging in many fun ways. And this is highlighted by the cast of characters we have around, which may be where the problems start for me.
On one hand, I do love the found family feel of the team dynamic and books being diverse are always a winning situation for me. On the other hand, it is not my place to say if it's good representation or not. I do love how casual the lgbtq+ themes were, because they were wonderful, I cheered at that last scene with Harla and I loved how the story makes the point that Diamonds being misgendered is not okey to move on from just because. Nevertheless, I have to say that the way the Black characters are first used as a learning experience for Chase was yikes-worthy to say the least. Again, it is not my place, but I think it has to be discussed.
Furthermore, and this might as well be the formating of the arc but at the same time not really, I think there's an issue with the way the dialogue was written. There were times where there wasn't any space left between each time a character spoke. This made the story tought to follow, accompanied with some pacing issues at the beginning of the story. Not knowing what was really going on made a barrier between me and my investment in the story.
In conclusion, I don't know if I can recommend this one.
//
Creo que este libro podría ser divertido para la edad a la que está dirigido (eso no quiere decir que no pueda ser divertido para nadie más !! ¡¡). De hecho, me encanta cuando la historia deja volar la imaginación y no se apega a la ciencia básica de una manera que pueda dañar la historia. En este caso, creo que es genial. Desde la primera escena en la que nuestro protagonista básicamente vuela, se informa al lector de que les espera un viaje tremendo.
Lo que intento decir con esto es que aprecio mucho las ideas. Intenta innovar de muchas formas divertidas. Y esto se destaca por el elenco de personajes que tenemos a nuestro alrededor, que puede ser donde empiecen los problemas para mí.
Por un lado, me encanta la sensación de la familia encontrada de la dinámica del equipo y la diversidad de libros siempre es una situación ganadora para mí. Por otro lado, no me corresponde decir si es una buena representación o no. Me encanta lo informales que eran los temas lgbtq+, porque eran maravillosos, me encantó la última escena con Harla y me gustó cómo la historia señala que el hecho de que cuando Dimonds sea misgendereado no está bienseguir así no más. Sin embargo, debo decir que la forma en que los personajes negros se usan al principio como una experiencia de aprendizaje para Chase fue digna de un yikes por lo menos. De nuevo, no es mi lugar, pero creo que hay que discutirlo.
Además, y esto bien podría ser el formato del arc, pero al mismo tiempo no realmente, creo que hay un problema con la forma en que se escribió el diálogo. Hubo momentos en los que no quedaba espacio entre cada vez que un personaje hablaba. Esto hizo que la historia fuera difícil de seguir, acompañada de algunos problemas de ritmo al comienzo de la historia. No saber lo que realmente estaba pasando creó una barrera entre mí y mi inversión en la historia.
En conclusión, no sé si puedo recomendar este.
July 25, 2020
Chase by Z Jeffries is a fun, fast-paced sci-fi novel.
I love that this book is targeted to the lower-YA crowd. My son is 12, and he read it in 2-3 days! He found it to be a page-turner and wants to read the next one.
My son really appreciated all the LGBTQ representation in the book—as did I! I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of a non-binary character and the honest portrayal of people struggling with that character’s pronouns. I think so many teens and adults will relate when reading this.
The action is a lot of fun, as are the over-the-top (in a good way) sci-fi elements. I really enjoyed the main character, who is struggling with various identity issues...as most 14-year-olds are.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
4.5 stars
I love that this book is targeted to the lower-YA crowd. My son is 12, and he read it in 2-3 days! He found it to be a page-turner and wants to read the next one.
My son really appreciated all the LGBTQ representation in the book—as did I! I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of a non-binary character and the honest portrayal of people struggling with that character’s pronouns. I think so many teens and adults will relate when reading this.
The action is a lot of fun, as are the over-the-top (in a good way) sci-fi elements. I really enjoyed the main character, who is struggling with various identity issues...as most 14-year-olds are.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
4.5 stars
May 31, 2021
Disclaimer, I don’t normally read YA books, but this one caught my imagination. It made me wish I was a teenager again!
Chase has just lost his grandfather, but can't move on with his life. Everyone else thinks he is dead, but Chase knows otherwise. Misunderstood by his mother and made unhappy by his father, his life pretty much sucks. The only think that keeps him going is his love of inventions and the hope that he will one day find out what happened to his beloved grandfather.
When a crate arrives on the front lawn seemingly by accident, little does Chase realize that its top-secret contents will change his life.
The opening of this novel grabs you, it’s both moving and intriguing in equal parts. Straight away there is enough pathos, without being mawkish, that Chase is clearly defined as a very human teenager. His curiosity gets the better of him, in a very teenager like way, and he doesn’t question what he is getting into, only what he is getting out of, in the hopes that he will find out what has happened to his grandfather, just like a teenager.
The action is there from the first chapter, and really grabs the attention with Chase’s first encounter with the "throne".
Once into the main story, the characters come out of the woodwork, each bringing their own motives, their own relationship with his grandfather and their own foibles. I enjoyed the growth of Chase as a character through his interaction with the hide and seek team, but I found the multiple nicknames for each character a little confusing at one point, leading to a loss of focus on the story while I sorted out who was speaking to who.
After the game started however, there were no problems, with everyone into their roles performing as they should, the game was fast paced and read well.
Overall, a great sense of pacing, action and quiet moments intertwined. There were a few places where I felt the descriptions were a little vague, particularly when they get to their main practice hangar, which was so complex that it lacked only for a more detailed description but the action more than made up for that. The characters were well defined without exhausting their back story, and I was left wanting to know more about each of them.
The ending was unexpected and as a result a nice surprise, and clearly indicates that this is the first book in a series, one that I hope to read the rest of! A fantastic and potentially deadly twist on the game of hide and seek!
Chase has just lost his grandfather, but can't move on with his life. Everyone else thinks he is dead, but Chase knows otherwise. Misunderstood by his mother and made unhappy by his father, his life pretty much sucks. The only think that keeps him going is his love of inventions and the hope that he will one day find out what happened to his beloved grandfather.
When a crate arrives on the front lawn seemingly by accident, little does Chase realize that its top-secret contents will change his life.
The opening of this novel grabs you, it’s both moving and intriguing in equal parts. Straight away there is enough pathos, without being mawkish, that Chase is clearly defined as a very human teenager. His curiosity gets the better of him, in a very teenager like way, and he doesn’t question what he is getting into, only what he is getting out of, in the hopes that he will find out what has happened to his grandfather, just like a teenager.
The action is there from the first chapter, and really grabs the attention with Chase’s first encounter with the "throne".
Once into the main story, the characters come out of the woodwork, each bringing their own motives, their own relationship with his grandfather and their own foibles. I enjoyed the growth of Chase as a character through his interaction with the hide and seek team, but I found the multiple nicknames for each character a little confusing at one point, leading to a loss of focus on the story while I sorted out who was speaking to who.
After the game started however, there were no problems, with everyone into their roles performing as they should, the game was fast paced and read well.
Overall, a great sense of pacing, action and quiet moments intertwined. There were a few places where I felt the descriptions were a little vague, particularly when they get to their main practice hangar, which was so complex that it lacked only for a more detailed description but the action more than made up for that. The characters were well defined without exhausting their back story, and I was left wanting to know more about each of them.
The ending was unexpected and as a result a nice surprise, and clearly indicates that this is the first book in a series, one that I hope to read the rest of! A fantastic and potentially deadly twist on the game of hide and seek!
December 7, 2020
Reviewing from https://bookswithraven.wordpress.com/...
Chase loves science, technology and making things, he got that from his Grandad. Chase never liked school, he preferred learning from his Grandad. Although, his Grandad went missing, his family arranged a funeral as they presumed he passed away. Chase never believed that, he knew his Grandad could not be dead. After the funeral, Chase gets enlisted into a top secret government hide and seek game. To his parents, he was getting school credits for attending this top secret mission.
When he arrives at the government building where he will be training for the hide and seek games, he met his team. His team includes all different people, non-binary, LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority characters. They are all highly trained individuals who help their Captain, Chase, to survive in this intense game of hide and seek. He has to hide from a giant robot called the Seeker, while hiding from other Captains. Chase is hoping to find out what happened to his Grandad and he will do anything to find out.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. It was very fast paced and action packed. I liked the world the author build which surrounds science. There was so much left to the unknown throughout the book which made it so interesting. All the events in this book were well thought out and they made the book flow. I also love the cover of this book, so simplistic yet I feel like it can tell you a lot.
This book is aimed for young teens but I enjoyed it at the age of 22. I loved the science aspect of the book and it was not confusing at all. The author also tackled the topics of sexuality and gender identity and I believe it was done in a great way. I have never read a book about a non-binary person people but I hope this is not the last time. This book is very inclusive for all minorities in society. It is good the book is aimed at a younger population as it can educate them about these terms which they might not have heard about before. It can also make people who identify as LGBTQ+ or non-binary to feel like they are included.
Chase loves science, technology and making things, he got that from his Grandad. Chase never liked school, he preferred learning from his Grandad. Although, his Grandad went missing, his family arranged a funeral as they presumed he passed away. Chase never believed that, he knew his Grandad could not be dead. After the funeral, Chase gets enlisted into a top secret government hide and seek game. To his parents, he was getting school credits for attending this top secret mission.
When he arrives at the government building where he will be training for the hide and seek games, he met his team. His team includes all different people, non-binary, LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority characters. They are all highly trained individuals who help their Captain, Chase, to survive in this intense game of hide and seek. He has to hide from a giant robot called the Seeker, while hiding from other Captains. Chase is hoping to find out what happened to his Grandad and he will do anything to find out.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. It was very fast paced and action packed. I liked the world the author build which surrounds science. There was so much left to the unknown throughout the book which made it so interesting. All the events in this book were well thought out and they made the book flow. I also love the cover of this book, so simplistic yet I feel like it can tell you a lot.
This book is aimed for young teens but I enjoyed it at the age of 22. I loved the science aspect of the book and it was not confusing at all. The author also tackled the topics of sexuality and gender identity and I believe it was done in a great way. I have never read a book about a non-binary person people but I hope this is not the last time. This book is very inclusive for all minorities in society. It is good the book is aimed at a younger population as it can educate them about these terms which they might not have heard about before. It can also make people who identify as LGBTQ+ or non-binary to feel like they are included.
November 14, 2021
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
The thing that keep niggling me throughout the book, and why I could never sink into it, was because the book failed to satisfactorily answer a lot of "why" questions.
Why is Chase involved? The "his grandfather died and so this experienced team decided his inexperienced grandson would take his place" was about all the reasoning I got. It simply didn't make sense to me why he was picked last minute for this super top secret game that amounts to hide and seek, but with fancy tech.
Why is this competition happening? (Honestly what the purpose it had been set up for, because it felt like it just was a competition with tech for no real purpose. The contestants seemed to be getting a chance at a contract for something, but the organisers, whoever they were, didn't seem to get anything out of it. It was a top secret game, so there was no income from viewers. It appeared that the tech used didn't change year on year, so they weren't getting new tech out of it. So what was prompting them to put this on?)
This meant that I had no idea what the stakes were in the game (beyond the personal "maybe find out about what happened to granddad.") But what the stakes behind the game were? No clue, and that reduced the tension because there was no real benefit or loss to winning (until it gets dangerous.) But given the game starts at about 60%, it simply felt like a set of fun training montage scenes before without a purpose. And honestly, that's what the book overall felt like - some cool scenes slapped together without much of a point/explanation for why they were happening.
As I wasn't able to answer these questions, couldn't understand the what and how and why of the central premise, I simply couldn't engage.
The thing that keep niggling me throughout the book, and why I could never sink into it, was because the book failed to satisfactorily answer a lot of "why" questions.
Why is Chase involved? The "his grandfather died and so this experienced team decided his inexperienced grandson would take his place" was about all the reasoning I got. It simply didn't make sense to me why he was picked last minute for this super top secret game that amounts to hide and seek, but with fancy tech.
Why is this competition happening? (Honestly what the purpose it had been set up for, because it felt like it just was a competition with tech for no real purpose. The contestants seemed to be getting a chance at a contract for something, but the organisers, whoever they were, didn't seem to get anything out of it. It was a top secret game, so there was no income from viewers. It appeared that the tech used didn't change year on year, so they weren't getting new tech out of it. So what was prompting them to put this on?)
This meant that I had no idea what the stakes were in the game (beyond the personal "maybe find out about what happened to granddad.") But what the stakes behind the game were? No clue, and that reduced the tension because there was no real benefit or loss to winning (until it gets dangerous.) But given the game starts at about 60%, it simply felt like a set of fun training montage scenes before without a purpose. And honestly, that's what the book overall felt like - some cool scenes slapped together without much of a point/explanation for why they were happening.
As I wasn't able to answer these questions, couldn't understand the what and how and why of the central premise, I simply couldn't engage.
January 19, 2022
Chase is angry. While everyone believes his grandad is dead, he knows the truth: Grandad is just missing. Since no one believes him, it's up to him to lead the search. Unfortunately, that means taking his spot in a top-secret government game of hide and seek, gaining the trust of the team, and maybe even interviewing the enemy. All without getting himself killed. Piece of cake, right?
While I found this book entertaining, the worldbuilding was a little confusing. I understood the need to keep the descriptions of the Lack vague, but there were other elements I would have like to have explained a little more. For example, if the ball was for only the team captains, who were all the other people present? And, I was confused by some of the technology used by other teams during the game. I would have liked if the author had spent a little more time describing that for me.
I would have also liked to have seen a little more character development. This book had a large cast, especially once the game began. I had trouble remembering who was who and I didn't feel as if I really understood most of the characters. Although the author gives a brief description when introducing each of them, I had a difficult time figuring out whether most of them were closer to Chase's age or part of an older generation. I knew their backstory, but I didn't feel as if I really knew most of the characters.
The story was also difficult to read due to the numerous grammatical and proofreading errors.
That said, I enjoyed the overall story. I liked watching Chase's growth and progress. I was as anxious as Chase to discover what really happened to Grandad. And, although he found a few answers, I would probably continue reading the series to see whether Grandad returns or is truly dead.
While I found this book entertaining, the worldbuilding was a little confusing. I understood the need to keep the descriptions of the Lack vague, but there were other elements I would have like to have explained a little more. For example, if the ball was for only the team captains, who were all the other people present? And, I was confused by some of the technology used by other teams during the game. I would have liked if the author had spent a little more time describing that for me.
I would have also liked to have seen a little more character development. This book had a large cast, especially once the game began. I had trouble remembering who was who and I didn't feel as if I really understood most of the characters. Although the author gives a brief description when introducing each of them, I had a difficult time figuring out whether most of them were closer to Chase's age or part of an older generation. I knew their backstory, but I didn't feel as if I really knew most of the characters.
The story was also difficult to read due to the numerous grammatical and proofreading errors.
That said, I enjoyed the overall story. I liked watching Chase's growth and progress. I was as anxious as Chase to discover what really happened to Grandad. And, although he found a few answers, I would probably continue reading the series to see whether Grandad returns or is truly dead.
November 4, 2021
Chase: The Boy Who Hid (Hide & Seek Book 1) written by Z Jeffries was an enjoyable way to pass my time.
I highly recommend this book, you should give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
The story started with a young teenage boy named Chase who had lost his granddad he was presumed dead, so there was a funeral for him, but Chase did not believe he was dead, he never gave up hope that he would find him alive and well.
What Chase does find is a high tech game of hide and seek, a military game that involves inventions gadgets, robots, cloaking, flying mutating blocks and high tech game of paintball. The author has surrounded Chase with a colourful array of guest stars, all with difficulties and challenges of their own, who help Chase to learn the way of the game, they have 3 weeks to train him and get him ready for the challenges ahead. The not so nice characters were easy for me to not want them to come out on top, they were all working against Chase and his team, and they did not always play fair.
Spending time with his team, he learns about his missing grandad and how he went missing, but Chase’s believes he will find him alive and well.
This novel will be enjoyed by young adults and old adults alike, the author has built a world that is believable, written to draw any reader in. I was drawn into this story very early on, it had enough excitement to keep me reading and not wanting to put it down. I found the characters to be interesting and as the book progressed I learnt more about them, saw them grow and develop as individuals and as a team working towards the same end game.
I was gifted an electronic copy of this book by the author.
I highly recommend this book, you should give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
The story started with a young teenage boy named Chase who had lost his granddad he was presumed dead, so there was a funeral for him, but Chase did not believe he was dead, he never gave up hope that he would find him alive and well.
What Chase does find is a high tech game of hide and seek, a military game that involves inventions gadgets, robots, cloaking, flying mutating blocks and high tech game of paintball. The author has surrounded Chase with a colourful array of guest stars, all with difficulties and challenges of their own, who help Chase to learn the way of the game, they have 3 weeks to train him and get him ready for the challenges ahead. The not so nice characters were easy for me to not want them to come out on top, they were all working against Chase and his team, and they did not always play fair.
Spending time with his team, he learns about his missing grandad and how he went missing, but Chase’s believes he will find him alive and well.
This novel will be enjoyed by young adults and old adults alike, the author has built a world that is believable, written to draw any reader in. I was drawn into this story very early on, it had enough excitement to keep me reading and not wanting to put it down. I found the characters to be interesting and as the book progressed I learnt more about them, saw them grow and develop as individuals and as a team working towards the same end game.
I was gifted an electronic copy of this book by the author.
February 14, 2021
Never a Dull Moment
“Chase: The Boy Who Hid” entertained me the whole way through (well, besides the acid. You’ll see.) It was so much fun that I read everything in one day. I admit I’m a fast reader, but I was also sick. I figure that means the Z. Jeffries did a great job keeping his story adventurous and interesting with adequate doses of humor and other believable emotions amidst the excitement.
A few tidbits from book 1: Young Chase is an inventor like his Grandad. So, of course, Chase’s world has a bunch of way-cool science and technology, like the hoverboard Chase invented that really flies. But in a quest to find his missing granddad (who everybody swears is dead,) Chase’s world expands to include even more: Humongous robots. Cloning. Soldiers. Secrets. Mystery. Telepathy. Shapeshifting. A ninja. Among other stuff -- I kept wondering what oh-so-imaginative surprise I would “see” next. (The writing really brings everything to life.) All, in the midst of an unusual “game” of hide-and-seek with extremely high stakes. Thank goodness Chase has the help of his new teammates.
As an AVID reader, I noticed several missing words and at least one misspelling (I’m prone to catch ‘em, lol) but nothing like I’ve unfortunately seen in way too many publications these days. And certainly not enough to dissuade me from eagerly moving on to the next books in the series. In fact I’ve already read book 2 and will read the others.
“Chase: The Boy Who Hid” entertained me the whole way through (well, besides the acid. You’ll see.) It was so much fun that I read everything in one day. I admit I’m a fast reader, but I was also sick. I figure that means the Z. Jeffries did a great job keeping his story adventurous and interesting with adequate doses of humor and other believable emotions amidst the excitement.
A few tidbits from book 1: Young Chase is an inventor like his Grandad. So, of course, Chase’s world has a bunch of way-cool science and technology, like the hoverboard Chase invented that really flies. But in a quest to find his missing granddad (who everybody swears is dead,) Chase’s world expands to include even more: Humongous robots. Cloning. Soldiers. Secrets. Mystery. Telepathy. Shapeshifting. A ninja. Among other stuff -- I kept wondering what oh-so-imaginative surprise I would “see” next. (The writing really brings everything to life.) All, in the midst of an unusual “game” of hide-and-seek with extremely high stakes. Thank goodness Chase has the help of his new teammates.
As an AVID reader, I noticed several missing words and at least one misspelling (I’m prone to catch ‘em, lol) but nothing like I’ve unfortunately seen in way too many publications these days. And certainly not enough to dissuade me from eagerly moving on to the next books in the series. In fact I’ve already read book 2 and will read the others.
August 17, 2023
One of the closest people in Chase’s life is gone. Everyone believes Chase’s grandpa is dead, except Chase. Something about the story just doesn’t fit. So when a mysterious crate shows up in the driveway and Chase activates shape-shifting technology, he knows his Grandpa is behind it. Chase is swiftly swept away to a secret training facility where he begins to practice with his team for one of the most important games of his life.
I was immediately sucked into this book, wanting to know what Chase knew and where Grandpa went. The author does a great job developing the characters in the first half of the book, and I really enjoyed reading the interactions between the team members. Being a science fiction book, I did get bogged down a little in the middle with all of the “science” even though some of it is fictional. Instead, I focused on the relationships and how those were moving the story forward. That being said, I would probably recommend this book to upper middle school and high school students, particularly ones who enjoy science fiction. As a bonus, it is part of a series, so I am excited to find out more about their stories. There is also a character which uses the pronouns they/them, so be aware of that when reading the story.
I was immediately sucked into this book, wanting to know what Chase knew and where Grandpa went. The author does a great job developing the characters in the first half of the book, and I really enjoyed reading the interactions between the team members. Being a science fiction book, I did get bogged down a little in the middle with all of the “science” even though some of it is fictional. Instead, I focused on the relationships and how those were moving the story forward. That being said, I would probably recommend this book to upper middle school and high school students, particularly ones who enjoy science fiction. As a bonus, it is part of a series, so I am excited to find out more about their stories. There is also a character which uses the pronouns they/them, so be aware of that when reading the story.
August 26, 2020
Chase (as you might anticipate from the title) is a fast-paced, action adventure that doesn’t quit. The title character is immediately drawn into a mystery surrounding the disappearance of his beloved grandfather and mentor who, unbeknownst to Chase, has secretly been competing in an underground game of high tech hide and seek. His grandfather’s teammates, left without an operator (captain) for their tech, turn to Chase as his replacement. Though he doesn’t exactly understand why they feel so confident in him, he sees this as his only opportunity to find out the truth about what happened to his grandfather. Z Jeffries does a really nice job making each member of the team unique and interesting. A lovely relationship develops between Chase, raised in a conservative southern household, and his transgender navigator named Diamond, who is endlessly patient in teaching Chase about their identity. Fans of Ready Player One will love this book as well as anyone into SciFi, future tech, and gaming. I can’t wait to get back to these characters and the continuing mystery in the next book of the series!
June 13, 2022
After his grandfather's death, Chase is recruited to take his place in a high-tech game of hide and seek. Fast-paced and action-packed, the story pits Chase against other teams using cutting-edge technology. Toss in a mess of politics and side deals, family tensions and a sassy rival, and the plot gets tangled quick. In a good way. I especially loved watching the teams (captain + support crew) work together.
This is upper middle grade, edging toward YA as the series progresses. The action comes with lots of tension and violence. Jeffries keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Also, this is a good series to choose if you're looking for a cast that includes LGBTQIA+ characters.
I read the first four books in the series all in one go, which helped with continuity. I'm eager for the fifth (and final) book to release.
This is upper middle grade, edging toward YA as the series progresses. The action comes with lots of tension and violence. Jeffries keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Also, this is a good series to choose if you're looking for a cast that includes LGBTQIA+ characters.
I read the first four books in the series all in one go, which helped with continuity. I'm eager for the fifth (and final) book to release.
November 23, 2020
Chase by Z Jeffries is a fast-paced sci-fi geared towards the lower-YA genre. Think along the lines of Percy Jackson.
The LGBTQ+ representation is highly appreciated and I think something that is super important to normalize especially at these younger reading levels. It’s actually quite difficult to find good books with non-binary characters so that was even more exciting.
Many kids this age struggle with identity issues and I believe they’ll really relate to this book. I’m 34 and I did!
Chase is drawn into the disappearance of their grandfather and mentor. Little did they know that their grandfather had been competing in a secret underground game of high-tech hide and seek.
This book brings together identity issues, STEM, and fast-paced sci-fi action.
The LGBTQ+ representation is highly appreciated and I think something that is super important to normalize especially at these younger reading levels. It’s actually quite difficult to find good books with non-binary characters so that was even more exciting.
Many kids this age struggle with identity issues and I believe they’ll really relate to this book. I’m 34 and I did!
Chase is drawn into the disappearance of their grandfather and mentor. Little did they know that their grandfather had been competing in a secret underground game of high-tech hide and seek.
This book brings together identity issues, STEM, and fast-paced sci-fi action.
November 5, 2020
This is the story of a teenage boy that misses his Grandad a lot since he disappeared. His parents think Grandad is dead but the boy has other ideas and refuses to go to the funeral. While his parents are at the funeral, the boy breaks into a conex box that mysteriously showed up in the driveway of their home. The boy finds a device his Grandad had designed and he's off on the adventure of a lifetime. Recommended for YA readers of all ages.
I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2025
A very different game of Hide and Seek.
The journey is its own reward. Spending time with Chase and the whole crew was very much worth while. The themes of lose, grief, competition and fairness are tightly wound in the fabric of a game a seemingly simple as Hide and Seek. My rating reflects the slow start, but the ending not only encapsulates the entirety of the story, but sets us up for the coming continuation of the series. I'm looking forward to the future journeys with Chase and his team.
The journey is its own reward. Spending time with Chase and the whole crew was very much worth while. The themes of lose, grief, competition and fairness are tightly wound in the fabric of a game a seemingly simple as Hide and Seek. My rating reflects the slow start, but the ending not only encapsulates the entirety of the story, but sets us up for the coming continuation of the series. I'm looking forward to the future journeys with Chase and his team.
August 31, 2020
Chase: the boy who hid is an exciting diverse adventure full of feelings and amazing characters to love. Cool tech and a high stakes military game of hide and seek creates an action packed plot for a book that, at its heart, is about a boy looking for his grandad and finding himself.
I love lower ya and there needs to be more of it. This is the perfect book for young teens looking for awesome adventure about characters their age dealing with real feelings.
I love lower ya and there needs to be more of it. This is the perfect book for young teens looking for awesome adventure about characters their age dealing with real feelings.
December 19, 2020
This book is an exciting story about a boy who likes to tinker and build hover boards. He happens to share the same interest with his grandfather. Chase enters a contest that will take all his ingenuity to survive. He is hoping to find his missing grandfather, so does he?
February 16, 2021
I Loved this Book and did not know if I would like it but I read it from beginning to the end. The story line was so good it kept me reading it until the end. The characters were so instrumental to the story and I would read more from this author.
July 28, 2025
This book started out strong for me but some of the meat was a little bit of a let down. Could have used some more action and more maturity. The mc is young but at that level of genius more maturity was expected. Overall a middle grade reader would probably enjoy it the most.
October 8, 2020
Wow I started reading this story I was getting really in to it then the sample stopped now have got to buy the book so I can follow the rest of it I think its great please keep up the good work 👍😎
March 7, 2021
(Review to follow.)
January 27, 2024
It kept me up until I finished it
I read this book for at least 5-6 hours started it a 10pm I stayed up until three reading this amazing book that I related to very much.
I read this book for at least 5-6 hours started it a 10pm I stayed up until three reading this amazing book that I related to very much.
October 16, 2020
This was a fun and fast-paced novel with a diverse cast of characters. I definitely felt a Rick and Morty vibe when I first started reading (there was even a reference to the animated series so I felt pretty justified after that), considering Chase’s grandad was known for his inventions and risky behavior. The story takes a more serious turn, and Chase gets involved in a military game in the style of Ready Player One while searching for his grandad.
There are a lot of action-packed sequences as the story progresses, and I think this is a great book for young teens who want to escape into a book right now.
My LGBTQ take:
I really appreciated the presence of a nonbinary character and other queer folx in this story (I won’t identify everyone because spoilers). Chase struggled with using they/them pronouns for his mentor initially. Overall, the early exchanges with his mentor felt pretty realistic since Chase was still learning about nonbinary people and they/them pronouns.
For an action-packed adventure with queer SFF elements, check out Chase: The Boy Who Hid. Great escapist reading for uncertain times.
There are a lot of action-packed sequences as the story progresses, and I think this is a great book for young teens who want to escape into a book right now.
My LGBTQ take:
I really appreciated the presence of a nonbinary character and other queer folx in this story (I won’t identify everyone because spoilers). Chase struggled with using they/them pronouns for his mentor initially. Overall, the early exchanges with his mentor felt pretty realistic since Chase was still learning about nonbinary people and they/them pronouns.
For an action-packed adventure with queer SFF elements, check out Chase: The Boy Who Hid. Great escapist reading for uncertain times.
October 15, 2020
A great story
Jeffries pens a smart and interesting story in Chase: The Boy Who Hid. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed this story. It's a fast paced story, revolving not only around Chase, but also intelligence for science and technology. I like how the author was able to bring in STEM-related connections, while giving a grand YA sci-fi story. It's about survival in a fantasy world, where survival depends on intelligence and learning the game of hide and seek. It has a mash up of not just science, but futuristic tones, and adventure. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. It was an enjoyable journey. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I have fast become a big fan of Jeffries. This author has such a grand imagination. What a fantastical, and magical read! I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Jeffries pens a smart and interesting story in Chase: The Boy Who Hid. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed this story. It's a fast paced story, revolving not only around Chase, but also intelligence for science and technology. I like how the author was able to bring in STEM-related connections, while giving a grand YA sci-fi story. It's about survival in a fantasy world, where survival depends on intelligence and learning the game of hide and seek. It has a mash up of not just science, but futuristic tones, and adventure. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. It was an enjoyable journey. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I have fast become a big fan of Jeffries. This author has such a grand imagination. What a fantastical, and magical read! I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
July 22, 2020
What a great debut novel for Z Jeffries! Chase: The Boy Who Hid is a great young adult adventure tale. The story is fun, and unique, and the author manages to seamlessly incorporate the feelings and emotions of a young teen (including thoughts/questions regarding his sexuality) without losing sight of the overarching story line. The supporting characters are diverse and interesting in their own right.
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next installment. Although Chase: The Boy Who Hid is a complete and resolved story in itself (no cliffhanger), it absolutely leaves the reader wanting the adventures to continue, and wondering what will come next.
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next installment. Although Chase: The Boy Who Hid is a complete and resolved story in itself (no cliffhanger), it absolutely leaves the reader wanting the adventures to continue, and wondering what will come next.
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