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Last Gamer Standing
Twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players alike. But despite Reyna's rising popularity and skills, no one know who she is. Gaming is still a boy's club and to protect herself against trolls, she games as the mysterious TheRuiNar.
When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament sponsored by her favorite team, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize.
But when she's blackmailed and threatened to be doxed, having her personal identity revealed, by an anonymous troll, Reyna will have to deal with a toxic gaming community, family complications, and the increasing pressure to win as the tournament gets underway.
When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament sponsored by her favorite team, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize.
But when she's blackmailed and threatened to be doxed, having her personal identity revealed, by an anonymous troll, Reyna will have to deal with a toxic gaming community, family complications, and the increasing pressure to win as the tournament gets underway.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
33 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
December 5, 2020
This book is basically sports anime meets sci-fi and gaming culture. you're welcome
September 5, 2021
Read my full book review on my book blog, The Quiet Pond.
If you are a gamer and have always craved a good book about gaming, then you definitely want to pick up Last Gamer Standing! I really enjoyed this!
- Set in 2067, follows Reyna, a Chinese-American girl who plays the biggest battle royal video game, Dayhold - but uses a male avatar. When Reyna participates in a tournament and starts getting through the rounds, she receives a threat: quit the tournament or her identity will be revealed to everyone.
- I love that this game just gets gamers. One of my frustrations with the gaming books that I've read is that video games often provide a context, but the games don't feel like games with mechanics or limitations. Last Gamer Standing doesn't make this mistake.
- I loved Reyna and really enjoyed her character arc - and I loved her family dynamic, particularly when her father is reluctant to support her gaming ambitions and wants her to pursue a more lucrative and 'stable' career instead (whilst her ailing mum is supportive).
- Importantly, this book honestly explores misogyny in the gaming community and how it is rife with sexism, making gaming communities and careers challenging and sometimes harmful for women - but the story also offers an empowering message too.
Content warning: threat of doxxing, misogyny, sexism
I was provided an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you are a gamer and have always craved a good book about gaming, then you definitely want to pick up Last Gamer Standing! I really enjoyed this!
- Set in 2067, follows Reyna, a Chinese-American girl who plays the biggest battle royal video game, Dayhold - but uses a male avatar. When Reyna participates in a tournament and starts getting through the rounds, she receives a threat: quit the tournament or her identity will be revealed to everyone.
- I love that this game just gets gamers. One of my frustrations with the gaming books that I've read is that video games often provide a context, but the games don't feel like games with mechanics or limitations. Last Gamer Standing doesn't make this mistake.
- I loved Reyna and really enjoyed her character arc - and I loved her family dynamic, particularly when her father is reluctant to support her gaming ambitions and wants her to pursue a more lucrative and 'stable' career instead (whilst her ailing mum is supportive).
- Importantly, this book honestly explores misogyny in the gaming community and how it is rife with sexism, making gaming communities and careers challenging and sometimes harmful for women - but the story also offers an empowering message too.
Content warning: threat of doxxing, misogyny, sexism
I was provided an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2025
first bob book of the academic year!
strong themes of diversity, family, and friendship, but the gaming-tournament scenes could have been longer and more detailed. the twists weren't too surprising. but it had proper pinyin!! with the tones!!
3.5 stars rounded up 🎮
strong themes of diversity, family, and friendship, but the gaming-tournament scenes could have been longer and more detailed. the twists weren't too surprising. but it had proper pinyin!! with the tones!!
3.5 stars rounded up 🎮
September 22, 2021
4.5 stars
This was so fast paced and so much fun, Katie's middle grades continue to be some of my favourites! I love Reyna as a character (and her friends are adorable too), and I really think this is going to be a book that young girls are really going to relate to a lot. Reyna is spunky, resilient, and unapologetically Chinese American, and I would've loved to have seen a character like her when I was younger. This book tackles misogyny and racism in the gaming industry head on - there's no sugarcoating the fact that this is rampant in the gaming community, but the message is still delivered in a way that is still hopeful, and I think is very suitable for the target age demographic. I personally had a lot of fun reading this and found it very cathartic to read at a time in my life where I'm really fed up and burnt out from working in a very white male dominated industry, so this was just the perfect book for me at the moment. The sports anime vibes in this book are also top notch, so if you're a fan of those, I think you would really enjoy this!
This was so fast paced and so much fun, Katie's middle grades continue to be some of my favourites! I love Reyna as a character (and her friends are adorable too), and I really think this is going to be a book that young girls are really going to relate to a lot. Reyna is spunky, resilient, and unapologetically Chinese American, and I would've loved to have seen a character like her when I was younger. This book tackles misogyny and racism in the gaming industry head on - there's no sugarcoating the fact that this is rampant in the gaming community, but the message is still delivered in a way that is still hopeful, and I think is very suitable for the target age demographic. I personally had a lot of fun reading this and found it very cathartic to read at a time in my life where I'm really fed up and burnt out from working in a very white male dominated industry, so this was just the perfect book for me at the moment. The sports anime vibes in this book are also top notch, so if you're a fan of those, I think you would really enjoy this!
August 31, 2021
this lowkey deserves so much more hype.
Last Gamer Standing follows Reyna Cheng, a twelve-year-old gamer who goes by the alias TheRuiNar to protect herself from sexist comments, as gaming is majorly dominated by boys. Many female gamers who compete in the VR battle royale are a target of constant trolling so Rayna decides she's better off concealing her identity.
When she qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament and gets a chance to win $10,000 and the championship title, she's confident that she has the skills to do and the cash prize would be more than helpful for her family who struggle to make ends meet while paying for her mother's medical bills. But when an anonymous person threatens to reveal her identity and dox her, she has to deal with all the pressure, whilst trying to win the tournament.
-Rayna was a wonderful MC to follow. She had a brilliant voice and was such an inspiring person.
-I'm personally not into gaming but I still enjoyed Last Gamer Standing because Katie Zhao's writing was perfect to understand what was going on.
-While on the point of Zhao's writing, I would like to say that she has one of the most amazing writing styles I've ever seen. Though this is only the second book I've read from her, the other being HOW WE FALL APART, I can easily see her being on my favourite authors list.
-I loved the portrayal of misogyny in the gaming sphere in this book as it is a pretty big issue.
-Overall, I highly recommend this to people who love gaming and are craving a powerful middle grade novel.
Representation: Chinese-American MC, Asian-coded SCs, Chinese SCs
Content Warnings: Sexism, misogyny, threat of doxing, loved one with cancer.
I received an arc from the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This did not impact my review or thoughts in any way
Last Gamer Standing follows Reyna Cheng, a twelve-year-old gamer who goes by the alias TheRuiNar to protect herself from sexist comments, as gaming is majorly dominated by boys. Many female gamers who compete in the VR battle royale are a target of constant trolling so Rayna decides she's better off concealing her identity.
When she qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament and gets a chance to win $10,000 and the championship title, she's confident that she has the skills to do and the cash prize would be more than helpful for her family who struggle to make ends meet while paying for her mother's medical bills. But when an anonymous person threatens to reveal her identity and dox her, she has to deal with all the pressure, whilst trying to win the tournament.
-Rayna was a wonderful MC to follow. She had a brilliant voice and was such an inspiring person.
-I'm personally not into gaming but I still enjoyed Last Gamer Standing because Katie Zhao's writing was perfect to understand what was going on.
-While on the point of Zhao's writing, I would like to say that she has one of the most amazing writing styles I've ever seen. Though this is only the second book I've read from her, the other being HOW WE FALL APART, I can easily see her being on my favourite authors list.
-I loved the portrayal of misogyny in the gaming sphere in this book as it is a pretty big issue.
-Overall, I highly recommend this to people who love gaming and are craving a powerful middle grade novel.
Representation: Chinese-American MC, Asian-coded SCs, Chinese SCs
Content Warnings: Sexism, misogyny, threat of doxing, loved one with cancer.
I received an arc from the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This did not impact my review or thoughts in any way
Want to read
March 14, 2021March 13, 2021: "the story of Reyna Cheng competing in a VR battle royale tournament where she’ll have to fend off the anonymous troll threatening to dox her" p e r f e c t, especially with that cover uff.
October 21, 2021
I expected more.
March 17, 2022
3.5
To the layman, Last Gamer Standing lends a voice to underrepresented Asian girls—a necessary addition to another male-dominated space. To people who are relatively well-versed in the competitive gaming scene, this barely scratched the surface. The way pro players were put on a pedestal was uncomfortably glamorized; it felt disingenuous to the sinister nature of how players in real life get recruited. Kids are tricked into signing contracts they don't understand the minute they're legal adults and, if they're not on a top-tier sponsored team, they get to run their mental and physical limits into the ground while getting paid a pittance. All the while companies make hella money off of them by pitting players against one another for entertainment only to get a small prize pool that they have to split between a gargantuan team of players, coaches, etc. Not to mention, trying to deal with their budding independence as new adults and learning to grapple with fame at such a young age. I know it's a whole other issue entirely, but it's an issue worth mentioning. As it stands, this book and so many other media downplay how much this industry capitalizes on young talent (minors at that) and how poorly regulated it is because, to the public eye, "it's just video games."
Last Gamer Standing would have easily been a 5-star read for me as a kid and I wish I grew up with it. As an adult, it was too much like a direct-to-DVD Disney movie—too much telling about the issues (especially because a lot of the same lines were used) and not enough showing, too pristine an image for the gaming community despite the issues raised, and too much focus on the sexism; it was very "all women" and not specific enough to Chinese American girls because our experiences are waaaay different. There were a few moments where we were told Reyna experienced things differently as a Chinese American girl, but we were never shown how she, or any person of color, were targeted for their race. Little things like that would have gone a long way.
To the layman, Last Gamer Standing lends a voice to underrepresented Asian girls—a necessary addition to another male-dominated space. To people who are relatively well-versed in the competitive gaming scene, this barely scratched the surface. The way pro players were put on a pedestal was uncomfortably glamorized; it felt disingenuous to the sinister nature of how players in real life get recruited. Kids are tricked into signing contracts they don't understand the minute they're legal adults and, if they're not on a top-tier sponsored team, they get to run their mental and physical limits into the ground while getting paid a pittance. All the while companies make hella money off of them by pitting players against one another for entertainment only to get a small prize pool that they have to split between a gargantuan team of players, coaches, etc. Not to mention, trying to deal with their budding independence as new adults and learning to grapple with fame at such a young age. I know it's a whole other issue entirely, but it's an issue worth mentioning. As it stands, this book and so many other media downplay how much this industry capitalizes on young talent (minors at that) and how poorly regulated it is because, to the public eye, "it's just video games."
Last Gamer Standing would have easily been a 5-star read for me as a kid and I wish I grew up with it. As an adult, it was too much like a direct-to-DVD Disney movie—too much telling about the issues (especially because a lot of the same lines were used) and not enough showing, too pristine an image for the gaming community despite the issues raised, and too much focus on the sexism; it was very "all women" and not specific enough to Chinese American girls because our experiences are waaaay different. There were a few moments where we were told Reyna experienced things differently as a Chinese American girl, but we were never shown how she, or any person of color, were targeted for their race. Little things like that would have gone a long way.
September 26, 2021
Ok HOLD UP... where did this book come from and how come I haven't heard more about it? Why didn't I hear about it sooner than its RELEASE WEEK? EXCUSE ME?
Please, go buy this book. Make is a success. Put it in the hands of everyone you can. This is such a powerful, poignant story about a twelve year old Chinese American girl making a place for herself in a world dominated by males. She's a gamer girl, but she's actually here to win and show the boys that gender has nothing to do with skill. Set in a VR universe, this story delivered hit after hit and didn't slow down until everything was the way it should be. I can't believe I hadn't heard of Katie Zhao before this. I must read more from her ASAP.
Please, go buy this book. Make is a success. Put it in the hands of everyone you can. This is such a powerful, poignant story about a twelve year old Chinese American girl making a place for herself in a world dominated by males. She's a gamer girl, but she's actually here to win and show the boys that gender has nothing to do with skill. Set in a VR universe, this story delivered hit after hit and didn't slow down until everything was the way it should be. I can't believe I hadn't heard of Katie Zhao before this. I must read more from her ASAP.
November 1, 2021
Way too much focus on racism and gender equality for the age group that would be reading this material.
The truth is that someone reading this would be bored. There is no reason to bring such a serious topic to a young audience that simply wants to have fun reading. Go write strong literature if that's how serious you want to get with writing.
I wouldn't recommend it because it's too predictable as well. The father bit, the enemy, the whole who will win at the end.
I mean it's in the tittle.
I was expected a light, fun read.
Did not get that
Can't recommend.
The truth is that someone reading this would be bored. There is no reason to bring such a serious topic to a young audience that simply wants to have fun reading. Go write strong literature if that's how serious you want to get with writing.
I wouldn't recommend it because it's too predictable as well. The father bit, the enemy, the whole who will win at the end.
I mean it's in the tittle.
I was expected a light, fun read.
Did not get that
Can't recommend.
May 7, 2025
This was a fun, fast-paced story with a strong message about sexism and racism in gaming communities. I liked Reyna and her friends and the side plot with Reyna's family was nice. The game they played seemed a bit simple and there weren't any surprises in the book, but I enjoyed listening.
September 7, 2025
I would have ATE THIS UP in 4th grade. As someone older with a more refined palette 😌, I still enjoyed it. They were a lot of times where the author would drop a bombshell but then not trust 10 year olds to remember why it was a bombshell so it would be over explained,
like: “I have something to confess, I’m actually blahblabblah” “blahblabblah??? You mean, you’re the girl who stabbed me in the throat during the second round of the tournament 2 weeks ago???”
Idk, maybe I’m putting too much faith in 10 year olds, but I think they’re smart enough to get it without the explanation.
like: “I have something to confess, I’m actually blahblabblah” “blahblabblah??? You mean, you’re the girl who stabbed me in the throat during the second round of the tournament 2 weeks ago???”
Idk, maybe I’m putting too much faith in 10 year olds, but I think they’re smart enough to get it without the explanation.
October 5, 2021
This book is everything I wanted it to be. Funny and packed with action, a gaming world I'm desperate to explore (even though I've never played a battle royale game) and characters I fell in love with. Watching Reyna grow and go up against the challenges of being a young Chinese girl in a white male dominated space was inspiring and infuriating and I rooted for her so hard.
While Last Gamer Standing is set in the future, it still felt grounded and current in a way I loved. It has all the excitement and adventure you’d expect from a story about gaming, without feeling purely fantastical. For me, this makes the story even stronger because it manages to balance the sci-fi elements with very real issues in the gaming community that Reyna faces. She isn’t just battling in-game enemies and demons, but fellow players who want to harm her in the real world, too.
In general, Katie is wonderful at layering different plot threads and conflicts that intertwine and are resolved in satisfying ways!
I also deeply appreciated the complex family dynamics and how conflicts were resolved in this story! If you want a book that had plenty of action, humour and substance, read Last Gamer Standing.
you can read my full review here.
While Last Gamer Standing is set in the future, it still felt grounded and current in a way I loved. It has all the excitement and adventure you’d expect from a story about gaming, without feeling purely fantastical. For me, this makes the story even stronger because it manages to balance the sci-fi elements with very real issues in the gaming community that Reyna faces. She isn’t just battling in-game enemies and demons, but fellow players who want to harm her in the real world, too.
In general, Katie is wonderful at layering different plot threads and conflicts that intertwine and are resolved in satisfying ways!
I also deeply appreciated the complex family dynamics and how conflicts were resolved in this story! If you want a book that had plenty of action, humour and substance, read Last Gamer Standing.
you can read my full review here.
January 13, 2023
Rating - 4.5 stars
Full RTC!
Full RTC!
August 30, 2024
This was a pretty fun book. I didn’t connect with the characters as well as I’d like, but I’m also not a huge gamer. The book also felt a little off at times because of its references to real world things. However, I did like how it dealt with racism and sexism in the gaming community. It was fun to read about and I will definitely be reading some of the authors other works
May 30, 2022
While Katie Zhao's The Last Gamer Standing has some exciting scenes of gaming action, she paints a very pessimistic view of the future, specifically the year 2067.
The novel also has an excellent-looking cover of the determined-looking main character: Reyna Chang. As hinted above, the pessimism specifically related by gamer Reyna makes the character (and the future as mentioned above) sad.
Frequently, Reyna talks about gamers online being sexist to her and other females or racist to her and other 'people of color.'
This sexism and racism are why she plays under the guise of a guy and keeps her identity under wraps until she wins the big tournament towards the end of the novel.
In my experience, as a black male gamer: While there were players (of all colors) that can get out of hand in chat, some gaming chat areas have moderators.
Not to mention, there are many female gamers. Some of these female gamers post their gaming on YouTube or Twitch.
Too many male gamers play as female characters, or those male gamers who like games with female protagonists (e.g., Silent Hill 3).
While the author, Zhao, does have Reyna briefly mentioning the male gamers as females, she doesn't follow up on it.
I believe it won't support the author's narrative that there are extremely few women gamers, and the gaming world will never be suitable for 'people of color.'
Again, one only has to look online, specifically on YouTube, to find men and women of all ages and racial backgrounds talking about games and doing playthroughs to see the gaming world is diverse.
Reyna's father and her pro gaming heroes, Asian-American women, with one being Mexican-American, support her feelings about the gaming world of 2067.
While Reyna constantly thinks about sexism and racism, this seems to affect her self-esteem. For example, when Reyna reveals her identity as a girl to the world after winning the big tournament, she wonders how her friends, Henry and Nell, will act.
They're both happy about her win and are fanboying for her. Yet, Reyna is still wondering if her friends will hate her.
Furthermore, the author perpetuates the idea that white guys in this future primarily commit racism, sexism, and online bullying.
As a black man on social media, I've dealt with racism from various people of different genders and racial backgrounds, and I'm not an anomaly.
Now, let's talk about some issues that don't revolve around racism or sexism:
For instance, onlookers that watch these matches cannot see the dialogue between the players until after said matches. Yet, we have our villain, Flex, telling Reyna about his cheating and how he plans to dox her.
Also, the players at this unique gaming school Reyna attends mainly do matches from their dorm rooms. They put on VR helmets that transport them to realistic environments where they jump, kick, and block against opponents.
Reyna, at various points, talks about how her muscles ache.
I'm assuming these dorms are not huge since players have to run distances and jump and roll out the way. So how are these moves made without the players running into their walls or furniture?
The author doesn't go into that.
During the big tournament, the players get a platform to stand on (in their dorms). This platform encloses them in a pod before transporting them to their gaming environments.
This platform obviously won't give them room to make all the moves they need to.
With all that said, the in-game descriptions were pretty cool. I think this could have been a solid book with a strong female character without all the heavy-handedness (often inaccurate given how the gaming environment is today).
The novel also has an excellent-looking cover of the determined-looking main character: Reyna Chang. As hinted above, the pessimism specifically related by gamer Reyna makes the character (and the future as mentioned above) sad.
Frequently, Reyna talks about gamers online being sexist to her and other females or racist to her and other 'people of color.'
This sexism and racism are why she plays under the guise of a guy and keeps her identity under wraps until she wins the big tournament towards the end of the novel.
In my experience, as a black male gamer: While there were players (of all colors) that can get out of hand in chat, some gaming chat areas have moderators.
Not to mention, there are many female gamers. Some of these female gamers post their gaming on YouTube or Twitch.
Too many male gamers play as female characters, or those male gamers who like games with female protagonists (e.g., Silent Hill 3).
While the author, Zhao, does have Reyna briefly mentioning the male gamers as females, she doesn't follow up on it.
I believe it won't support the author's narrative that there are extremely few women gamers, and the gaming world will never be suitable for 'people of color.'
Again, one only has to look online, specifically on YouTube, to find men and women of all ages and racial backgrounds talking about games and doing playthroughs to see the gaming world is diverse.
Reyna's father and her pro gaming heroes, Asian-American women, with one being Mexican-American, support her feelings about the gaming world of 2067.
While Reyna constantly thinks about sexism and racism, this seems to affect her self-esteem. For example, when Reyna reveals her identity as a girl to the world after winning the big tournament, she wonders how her friends, Henry and Nell, will act.
They're both happy about her win and are fanboying for her. Yet, Reyna is still wondering if her friends will hate her.
Furthermore, the author perpetuates the idea that white guys in this future primarily commit racism, sexism, and online bullying.
As a black man on social media, I've dealt with racism from various people of different genders and racial backgrounds, and I'm not an anomaly.
Now, let's talk about some issues that don't revolve around racism or sexism:
For instance, onlookers that watch these matches cannot see the dialogue between the players until after said matches. Yet, we have our villain, Flex, telling Reyna about his cheating and how he plans to dox her.
Also, the players at this unique gaming school Reyna attends mainly do matches from their dorm rooms. They put on VR helmets that transport them to realistic environments where they jump, kick, and block against opponents.
Reyna, at various points, talks about how her muscles ache.
I'm assuming these dorms are not huge since players have to run distances and jump and roll out the way. So how are these moves made without the players running into their walls or furniture?
The author doesn't go into that.
During the big tournament, the players get a platform to stand on (in their dorms). This platform encloses them in a pod before transporting them to their gaming environments.
This platform obviously won't give them room to make all the moves they need to.
With all that said, the in-game descriptions were pretty cool. I think this could have been a solid book with a strong female character without all the heavy-handedness (often inaccurate given how the gaming environment is today).
June 10, 2023
I would have enjoyed this book so much more if it didn't lie about racial issues.
While I agree that there is an issue with people being rude to female gamers, I don't understand the racial commentary. I had several friends go pro while we were in high school: 4 were Asian and 1 was white. I had times where I was not only the only female, but also the only white person. (I'm nowhere near good enough to go pro, but I would sometimes play with my friends who did.)
Also I have two friends who work in the gaming industry, both are black and both never mention any racial comments against them. All of my friends in the industry have commented on the way females are treated, but many have admitted that the video game industry on rare occasion makes anti-white comments while leaving Asian and black communities alone. I have no insight to how other groups may be treated, though my Hispanic friends have never mentioned any problems when this topic comes up in conversation.
While I agree that there is an issue with people being rude to female gamers, I don't understand the racial commentary. I had several friends go pro while we were in high school: 4 were Asian and 1 was white. I had times where I was not only the only female, but also the only white person. (I'm nowhere near good enough to go pro, but I would sometimes play with my friends who did.)
Also I have two friends who work in the gaming industry, both are black and both never mention any racial comments against them. All of my friends in the industry have commented on the way females are treated, but many have admitted that the video game industry on rare occasion makes anti-white comments while leaving Asian and black communities alone. I have no insight to how other groups may be treated, though my Hispanic friends have never mentioned any problems when this topic comes up in conversation.
October 2, 2021
Oh this was great and wonderful, but it was beating me over the head with the themes. Why am I older than everyone in this book what the heck this is strange—
Reyna Cheng’s life—dang it—reflects mine a lot (minus the splendid ending and gaming). There’s something about seeing your culture and way of life put into words, y’know? Makes it feel real.
I love how this opens up a new world to the younger peeps about the racial and gender inequality, but omg I know the constant beating about it is intended for kids but my bruises are hurting.
Isn’t for me, but at the same time it is.
Just Katie Zhao things to write something exhilarating.
Reyna Cheng’s life—dang it—reflects mine a lot (minus the splendid ending and gaming). There’s something about seeing your culture and way of life put into words, y’know? Makes it feel real.
I love how this opens up a new world to the younger peeps about the racial and gender inequality, but omg I know the constant beating about it is intended for kids but my bruises are hurting.
Isn’t for me, but at the same time it is.
Just Katie Zhao things to write something exhilarating.
March 7, 2022
3.5 stars. It was enjoyable. Predictable. But fast paced enough to keep me coming back until it was finished. Lots of talk of sexism and racism, almost blatantly so. But for kids, I think it’s an important thing for them to realize that certain people feel marginalized or not taken seriously. And for those who identify with Reyna, to know they aren’t alone. It’s normal and it’s worth the fight and struggle to be treated equally. Family struggles too. Made her very relatable.
I’ll definitely recommend it to my kiddos. Probably grade 3-5, which makes sense because I got it from a scholastic book fair.
I’ll definitely recommend it to my kiddos. Probably grade 3-5, which makes sense because I got it from a scholastic book fair.
September 7, 2023
Gorgeous cover. Whoever designed that cover is amazing. As for the book, it was somewhat wish fulfillment but fun n as well. I loved the futuristic day hold virtual reality. F3lx was interesting. The message was somewhat heavy handed though. That just my opinion though . Other people have their own definition and tolerance of preachyness. Overall , the book was a fun easy read and Reyna was a likable character as she climb to the top of the e-sports world.
Youtube, please play Eye of the Tiger.
Youtube, please play Eye of the Tiger.
June 4, 2022
Last Gamer Standing was a quick read and while I enjoyed the gaming aspects I didn't really connect with any of the characters. However, I did appreciate how the author wove the misogyny a woman gamer might face. Overall, the book is more of a plot driven story with great themes.
March 11, 2023
3.5 stars
March 3, 2022
I am of the opinion that Katie Zhao's writing shines the brightest in her middle-grade novels, and Last Gamer Standing can be held as further proof. This story is fun, immersive, and thoroughly engaging.
Final Impressions:
• I was initially skeptical on how the VR battle royale component would translate into text, but the author did a great job in establishing the game and enveloping readers into the experience.
• Reyna Cheng is an admirably brave protagonist with big dreams - and I was rooting for her from start to finish.
• I greatly appreciated how this book tackles the toxic gaming community - and how it is often steeped in racism and sexism.
• Really, really loved the family and friendship dynamics. Particularly how her parents wanted to be wholeheartedly supportive of Reyna's dreams but also sought to protect her.
• Admittedly, I have a few misgivings towards the latter part of the book, especially when it became a little harder to suspend disbelief.
• Overall, this Last Gamer Standing is a fun and action-packed romp into online gaming culture, especially from a refreshing perspective. While it delves deeply into misogyny, the book still manages to offer a hopeful message where change is possible.
Recommended!
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Final Impressions:
• I was initially skeptical on how the VR battle royale component would translate into text, but the author did a great job in establishing the game and enveloping readers into the experience.
• Reyna Cheng is an admirably brave protagonist with big dreams - and I was rooting for her from start to finish.
• I greatly appreciated how this book tackles the toxic gaming community - and how it is often steeped in racism and sexism.
• Really, really loved the family and friendship dynamics. Particularly how her parents wanted to be wholeheartedly supportive of Reyna's dreams but also sought to protect her.
• Admittedly, I have a few misgivings towards the latter part of the book, especially when it became a little harder to suspend disbelief.
• Overall, this Last Gamer Standing is a fun and action-packed romp into online gaming culture, especially from a refreshing perspective. While it delves deeply into misogyny, the book still manages to offer a hopeful message where change is possible.
Recommended!
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January 28, 2022
4.5
THIS IS SO GOOD! I loved the fast pace and the very simple straight forward plot yet it packed in so much of sexism and prejudice against female players like WHY EVEN DID THIS HAPPEN??? CAN GIRLS NOT GAME AND BE GOOD AT IT??? But I loved this book so much I flew through it in like a couple hours! Highly recommend it!!
THIS IS SO GOOD! I loved the fast pace and the very simple straight forward plot yet it packed in so much of sexism and prejudice against female players like WHY EVEN DID THIS HAPPEN??? CAN GIRLS NOT GAME AND BE GOOD AT IT??? But I loved this book so much I flew through it in like a couple hours! Highly recommend it!!
February 21, 2022
This is a perfect book for middle grade gamer girls, although I enjoyed it myself as an adult. It wasn't over complicated, but I did miss a depth to the characters that would have made them more memorable, whether they were good or bad
175/365
175/365
August 30, 2022
A Maine Student Book Award Nominee for 2022|2023
Reyna Chang is a young amateur virtual gamer. When she goes to summer camp and enters a tournament to win big prize money, she has to keep her identity a secret; because the gaming world isn't always kind to female Asian American gamers.
This book was full of heart, and had a fantastic heroine. I loved it.
Reyna Chang is a young amateur virtual gamer. When she goes to summer camp and enters a tournament to win big prize money, she has to keep her identity a secret; because the gaming world isn't always kind to female Asian American gamers.
This book was full of heart, and had a fantastic heroine. I loved it.
January 14, 2024
A fun, exciting book about a Chinese American girl smashing racism and sexism in the gaming world. As someone who was asked (by a man) recently if I was “even a real gamer,” I related to the sexism.
May 28, 2022
This is a great book for young female gamers out there. It was fun, while hitting all the right serious notes.
November 14, 2021
💙💜🌌🎮LAST GAMER STANDING💙💜🌌🎮
In twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng's world, gaming is everything. Professional esports teams are the mainstream celebrities. Kids begin training from a young age, aspiring for the big leagues. Reyna is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players. But despite Reyna's rising popularity and skills, no one knows who she is. Gaming is still a boys' club and to protect herself against trolls and their harassment, she games as the mysterious TheRuiNar. When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize. It's a chance to make a step forward towards her professional esports dreams and to help her family with the costs of her mother's hospital bills. But when she's blackmailed and threatened with doxxing by an anonymous troll, Reyna has to confront the toxic gaming community head.
( Short version of Synopsis )
Reyna is a inspiring, hard working, and amazing young girl, and character. People are both sexist and Racist to her for being a female Chinese gamer, and to keep her self safe from all the bullying she makes a account called TheRuiNar as a boy avatar. Juggling how to keep her identity hidden, Reyna does not want but needs to win the Dayhold competition in hopes to win enough money to help her family pay her mother's medical bills. Reyna's mother has breast cancer, and her father is pleading her to come home, telling her to give up on her dreams of being a gamer. But Reyna is determined, this is not just a hobby it is a dream a passion. The game that they play, is so cool, though I don't play video games ( reading most of the time ), this sounded so fun and like a actual game in real life. I love how we see the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which is a weapon in Chinese mythology also in The Dragon Warrior and The Fallen Hero ( other amazing books by Katie Zhao ). Reyna is trying to survive under the pressure, when a mysterious player threatens to reveal her identity, which will makes thing only harder for Reyna. A player in the game, has also been cheating and playing nasty. Reyna must stay noble
and true to herself. I loved the diversity, and bravery, and how amazing this book is. Reyna is a brave protagonist and I loved this book, it was quite interesting! All of Katie Zhao's books have all been amazing and I can't wait to see what she has in store next! I loved how it dealt with racism, sexism, and a Reyna's relationship with her father.
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT
✅PLOT-TWISTS
💙💜🌌🎮CHARACTERS💙💜🌌🎮
✅REYNA
💙💜🌌🎮CONCLUSION💙💜🌌🎮
A great book 🤗
In twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng's world, gaming is everything. Professional esports teams are the mainstream celebrities. Kids begin training from a young age, aspiring for the big leagues. Reyna is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players. But despite Reyna's rising popularity and skills, no one knows who she is. Gaming is still a boys' club and to protect herself against trolls and their harassment, she games as the mysterious TheRuiNar. When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize. It's a chance to make a step forward towards her professional esports dreams and to help her family with the costs of her mother's hospital bills. But when she's blackmailed and threatened with doxxing by an anonymous troll, Reyna has to confront the toxic gaming community head.
( Short version of Synopsis )
Reyna is a inspiring, hard working, and amazing young girl, and character. People are both sexist and Racist to her for being a female Chinese gamer, and to keep her self safe from all the bullying she makes a account called TheRuiNar as a boy avatar. Juggling how to keep her identity hidden, Reyna does not want but needs to win the Dayhold competition in hopes to win enough money to help her family pay her mother's medical bills. Reyna's mother has breast cancer, and her father is pleading her to come home, telling her to give up on her dreams of being a gamer. But Reyna is determined, this is not just a hobby it is a dream a passion. The game that they play, is so cool, though I don't play video games ( reading most of the time ), this sounded so fun and like a actual game in real life. I love how we see the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which is a weapon in Chinese mythology also in The Dragon Warrior and The Fallen Hero ( other amazing books by Katie Zhao ). Reyna is trying to survive under the pressure, when a mysterious player threatens to reveal her identity, which will makes thing only harder for Reyna. A player in the game, has also been cheating and playing nasty. Reyna must stay noble
and true to herself. I loved the diversity, and bravery, and how amazing this book is. Reyna is a brave protagonist and I loved this book, it was quite interesting! All of Katie Zhao's books have all been amazing and I can't wait to see what she has in store next! I loved how it dealt with racism, sexism, and a Reyna's relationship with her father.
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT
✅PLOT-TWISTS
💙💜🌌🎮CHARACTERS💙💜🌌🎮
✅REYNA
💙💜🌌🎮CONCLUSION💙💜🌌🎮
A great book 🤗
July 18, 2022
Reyna Cheng is 12, Chinese and a girl -- not that any player in the Junior Dayhold Tournament would know the girl part, because all they ever see is her avatar, TheRuiNar (Get the pun? Love it!), a teen-age boy.
Why not play using an avatar that's a girl? Because the gaming world is full of misogyny -- contempt for and ingrained prejudice against women players. There's only one girl player in the Tournament, and Reyna sees how the other players gang up on her, the fans treat her and how hard she has to play.
Reyna's determined to win the Tournament, but her mother is sick and her father's not convinced his daughter should focus on gaming. He asks her to quit and come home to her mom, but if Reyna wins the Tournament, the winnings could pay for her mother's medical treatments.
As TheRuiNar progresses in the Tournament, defeating ever-more-skilled players and gaining more and more fans, it becomes more and more difficult for Reyna to keep her avatar's identity a secret from her best and most loyal friends at school.
And it's hard to know who her friends are, when some of them parrot the hurtful language they hear from older (boy) gamers.
It's almost too late before she realizes who're her best allies in the Tournament, the gaming world, and at school and home.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Why not play using an avatar that's a girl? Because the gaming world is full of misogyny -- contempt for and ingrained prejudice against women players. There's only one girl player in the Tournament, and Reyna sees how the other players gang up on her, the fans treat her and how hard she has to play.
Reyna's determined to win the Tournament, but her mother is sick and her father's not convinced his daughter should focus on gaming. He asks her to quit and come home to her mom, but if Reyna wins the Tournament, the winnings could pay for her mother's medical treatments.
As TheRuiNar progresses in the Tournament, defeating ever-more-skilled players and gaining more and more fans, it becomes more and more difficult for Reyna to keep her avatar's identity a secret from her best and most loyal friends at school.
And it's hard to know who her friends are, when some of them parrot the hurtful language they hear from older (boy) gamers.
It's almost too late before she realizes who're her best allies in the Tournament, the gaming world, and at school and home.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
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