Head Games

by Mariah Fredericks

From the author of the bestselling The True Meaning of Cleavage comes a suspenseful tale of teenage angst and terror, as an online role-playing fantasy game becomes all too real for one of its players.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Teen

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2004

About the author

Mariah Fredericks was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in history. She is the author of the Jane Prescott mystery series as well as The Lindbergh Nanny, which Nelson DeMille called, "a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining." The Wharton Plot, was named one of the best mysteries of 2024 by Library Journal. "An Edith Wharton scholar could read Ms. Frederick’s novel with profit and amusement."—Wall Street Journal. Her next novel, The Girl in the Green Dress, featuring Zelda Fitzgerald and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, is out September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some years ago I went through a spell where I was addicted to an on-line multi-player D&D inspired game. I first picked this book because of the on-line gaming angle. I was curious about how that would play out in print.

But, after I started I realized that this was much different than what I expected. Oddly, while my addiction to on-line gaming ended because of the events of 9/11, this girl's seem to have started with a traumatic event. While it's only hinted at in the beginning, as the girl reveals more about herself and begins to get comfortable in her own skin again, we learn more about the event that led to her looking to escape to a fantasy world and her propensity to assume a male identity.

To those that have already read this, I'd like to recommend Target by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson which also deals with recovery from an assault, this time from a male perspective.

Overall, this is a fast and easy read and it's pretty light-hearted with the darker elements just hinted at and not dwelt upon. There seems to be so much dysfunctional teenager fiction out there these days that I'm beginning to wonder if the terms dysfunctional and teenager aren't redundant; but then, happy, well adjusted people don't make for great fiction.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg i HATE the ending! uuuhhgg i lovvvve the book tho:) it was really good and i could relate to it.... in a sense.

Yeah but anyway ita bout this girl and how she lives in (in her mind) a virtual reality her life just doesn't matter to her as much as the GAME- but then she meets this guy (who everyone knows is dangerous including her mom) and she finds out he was playing The Game as well.

They quit the Game and make one of their own, bt hes falling for her, her mom freaks when the Jonathan (the guy) keeps showing at her apartment (they live acrossth e hall from each other i mean chill:P). He halps her get over the fear of a door (no i shall not explain) and she fills up his time doing other things than smoke pot (thats be a good thing). She's also tutoring the skool airhead, and between miss airhead and Jonathan, Judith (the girl) Her life becomes less of a virtual reality and back to The Reality.

but still the ending sucks. its a total cliff hanger:(

READ IT ITS A REALLY GOOD BOOK!

[laaaaames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why isn't Mariah Fredericks more famous than she is? Hardly anyone I know has even heard of her but she just consistently knocks it the eff out of the park. This book is sweet and sad and thought-provoking, and I must say that on a personal level it explains a lot in others' lives. Like, I've seen friends slip into something almost other-worldly, but also I've had friends yank away with only confusion and loss to explain the separation. I dunno, I feel like I'm not making any sorts of sense but godDAMN Fredericks nails friendship dynamics, and hovering-around-attraction dynamics. And some other writers do too, and for them I am super grateful. But what Fredericks does as well that I am not sure anyone else is doing with so much skill is the examination of geekitude and when it's awesome and when it's covering. Because, you know, sometimes you submerge yourself in an interest because you genuinely love it and it brings joy to your life, but sometimes it's because other things are really effed up and it's easier than reality. Except sometimes maybe it's OK if it is, for at least awhile. OK, seriously, I still am not sure I'm making any sense, but that's how I see this one, and I love Fredericks for tackling this stuff.

(read: 112)

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given it five stars, but the ending made me knock it down to four. All in all, I really loved this book.

Judith Ellis is obsessed with a computer role-playing game to the point that every where she goes and every action she takes, she imagines it's just part of the it. Then, she finds out one of the players is closer to her than she thinks, and the game is brought into real life. This is a story about friendship and coming to grips with reality, no matter how scary it is. Such a great read - I will have to check out Fredericks' other one after this. Thanks to goodreads for recommending!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book. I've read so many other amazing books that are exciting or romantic, but I have never found anything that I loved more than this. I'll admit that it's a little slow, but I still enjoy everything. Judith's view of the world, and all of her thoughts just keep pulling me back. I think anyone who really loves reading can relate to her- not because she loves reading, but because she needs to get out of reality sometimes, too. I would recommend this book to anyone. And if any of you are thinking about reading it, but just aren't sure, feel free to ask me any questions. :)

[Nur Fadilla Octavianasari · Rating 2 out of 5]

ceritanya rada-rada membingungkan. mungkin karena alih bahasa itu kali yaa

sinopsisnya begini. . .
Judith Ellis cewe yang suka maen game online, nah suatu ketika karaktenya dibunuh sama karakter lain yang bernama Irgan otomatis lah dia sebel banget karena mnurutnya itu games yg bisa bkin dia lupa ama temennya yang namanya Leia. beberapa lama menyelidiki dan (sdikit maksa kali yaa) taulah Jude (judith) kalo Irgan itu sbenernya Jonathan heitman tetangga apartmennya yang terkenal anak bermasalah dn harus skolah di skolah khusus.setelah mengaku bahwa dirinya (jonathan) adalah Irgan, Jude dan Jo semakin akrab karena mereka bikin games baru tapi bedanya yang ini gak online alias bener2 nyata mereka sendiri yang maen tapi untuk karakter mereka terserah mereka mau jadi apa.semakin dekat dan dekat tau akan hal ini Mrs.Ellis ibu jude tak senang dan meminta Jo untuk menghindari puterinya (wajar sih khawatir kayanya hhi)
di sekolah jude termasuk siswi cerdas dan masuk kelas math untuk anak2 cerdas , karena ini ia di minta untuk menjadi tutor Katie cewe yg masuk sekolah Connola dengan duit sogokan bonyoknya yang seabrek #alay
akhirnya jude menemui jo untuk menjelaskan bahwa bukan dia yang tak ingin bertemu tapi ibunya yang bodoh itulah yang khawatir.
ujian akhirpun usai jude berlibur ke seattle sedangkan Jonathan ikut pindah bersama orang tuanya karena akhirnya ayahnya mendapat pekerjaan. selama libur musim panas jude mencoba mencari dimana lamat Jo dengan mengirimi cowok iku surat dan email, smpai musim panas usaipun jude belom mendapat balasan tapi saat dia asyik berkirim e-mail dengan katie ada satu email masuk

dari: jonathan@connect.com
subject: Aku di sini

nah udahan deh ceritanya , rada sdikit gak asyik yaah endingnya hehehe

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters in this book were well rounded and the book was indeed well written, with continual progression, no lose ends, and an interesting premise. However, the blurb on the back of the book was the reason I picked this one up, and it left me with a great deal of false expectations - I expected the book to focus on the video game. The Game had a very intriguing premise and I wanted to know more about it - so I was very disappointed when it shifted to being about human relationships and completely ignored the gaming aspect starting at the halfway point. It was a decent little read, but it could have been so much better if the focus of the first half of the book stayed constant throughout the book.

[Chantell Petrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

SUCH a good book, im really glad i read it. :) it is now one of my favorites. there should be more like it.

[Dorothy J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this back when I was in high school. At the time it was my favorite book and I can remember re-reading it about 7 times before giving it to my school library. I don't think I could read it again, but I remember loving it.

[Komm mit ins Bücherwunderland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Das Buch ist ganz nett, aber nichts besonderes. Man erwartet sich einfach viel mehr von dieser Geschichte.

[Arystha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yuhuuuuu asik, seru!

[yosann]

the way she give me head is no game press post

[Smiley08 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Head Games is a book by Mariah Fredricks. It was about a girl with no friends. She used to have one her name was Leia. They stopped being friends because Judith started getting into the online games a little too much. Her friend Leia didn't like that kind of stuff. Well there is this guy his name Jonathan Heitman. He is a typical bad boy. Jonathan got expelled like twice and does drugs. He lives in like close to her.
They are both in this game about surviving. She is known as Terryn. In the game rolling dices in what decides your future. She wasn't to lucky and was about to get killed by some guy known as Irgan. He was about to kill her because those were the rules of the game. The weird thing is that he didn't. Everyone is telling him that he has to do it. He refuses so he quits. She quits too because she thinks it is so unfair.
She wants to figure out who Irgan is and why he did that. Well she finds out it's Jonathan. He wnt to her house to talk to her about the game and everyhting. He suggests to make a new game with no rules. She agrees so they were goign to meet up in the 13th floor, but what happens when a game turns into reality...
I like this book. Is like suspense and horror. Suspense part is like when she is likt trying figure out where is that person. It is a really good book though.

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Ellis shuns reality. She'd rather be playing online multiplayer fantasy games than interact with the real world, where she is friendless and misunderstood. After all, why would want to communicate in a society where she lies to her father over the phone once a week and where her best friend dumped her? Fantasy is obviously better.

That is, until an annoying character named Irgan starts to harass her character. A quick investigation leads her to discover that Irgan is actually Jonathan, the trouble druggie boy in the next apartment who her mother hates. Jonathan and Judith decide to form their own game.. face-to-face.

Meanwhile, Judith's math teacher has asked her to tutor Katie, a self-proclaimed richdumbfat girl. Gradually the two become friends as Judith realizes Katie is actually pretty funny. At the same time, things with Jonathan get more intense. Does he like her or simply think of her as a character in their "game"? When does the game end and reality begin?

With her signature insight and writing skill, Mariah Fredericks has written another novel with a protagonist you wish was real. This book is a good follow-up to her debut novel, the excellent The True Meaning of Cleavage.

[Mike Herron]

Head Games by Mariah Fredericks the genre is realistic fiction. So far Judith has been describing the people in her school. She has also been describing the game that she is in love in. the only problem is that she had to stop playing because the other player was going to kill her but he decided not to. Since he did that Judith and the other character had to leave the game. She meets the other character and his name is Jonathan he is the drug addict in the apartment building they live in. They decide to make their own game but in real life and Jonathan is the leader since he the creator. I think they are going to get a lot of people to join the game because it would get boring with only two people. Why wouldn't they just make a new character and start the game all over instead of making one in the real world from scratch?

[Jaemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was another quick read, although in terms of its title, for me it didn't entirely hold up.

Head Games is the story of a girl who prefers to spend her time in Virutal Reality, gaming. In the world of Role Playing games, you can be whoever you choose. Therein lies the appeal. But what happens when the world you've come to trust and know even more so than the one you live in, also suddenly becomes unstable? And then on top of that turns out to be much closer than you think? Here are the head games. Realities twisting and mixing.

By no means did I dislike this book. It was not as psychological as I was expecting it to be, but the story it told was still held its own merit. If you're looking for something quick and enjoyable, give this one a shot.

[Emily M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just say that this book it ok. There was really nothing special about it. It was really confusing in the beginning but then got a little better in the second half. Judith is in high school and is addictied to this game where no one knows who you are. but this weird kid Jonathan lives in the same building as Jude and he also plays the game,they figure it out after Jonathan doesn't kill judith in the game. Both of them are going through a hard time and they just talk and act out stuff on the roof where no one bothers them. they help each other over come their fears, and all they really needed was someone to talk to and that listens. The ending really disappointed me though I wish they went into detail of what the email said that Jonathan sent.

[Kate Shanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Head Games" started very strong and I was intrigued by Judith's ability to live in reality and in her virtual world online. When she is almost killed off in her virtual video game, Judith becomes intrigued and curious about the player who almost took her out. Surprisingly this "online player" is actually quite close in proximity in Judith' real world. Later in the book, we discover more about Judith's background and why she lost a close girlfriend. The book just has too many problems and internal struggles for the protagonist. It became difficult to buy into Judith's issues. We also are left very confused as to whether or not she has really worked through them. The ending felt very rushed.

[amandolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Head Games was dropped into my lap by a librarian who knew very well the situation I was in at that point in my life. I'd turned to literal role-play games much like the one Judith immersed herself in, except that we chose to write everything out in novel-like detail instead of participating in any graphic virtual reality.

In short: I related to Judith quicker than any other character I'd fallen in love with at the time, and Jonathan... years later, I still think about Jonathan and his quirks. Everything from his unique spurts of anger to his witty charm stuck with me, and now as a writer, I aspire to create someone as memorable as him.

[Maggie MacGirr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judith Ellis is unlike most fifteen year old girls. She takes gaming seriously and acts less than feminine. She is introduced to Jonathan, another high school guy from her online world. They conduct a video based adventure seeking duo, playing out scenarios after school. She also makes an unlikely friend while tutoring a girl in mathematics. Judith's mom is overprotective in every aspect of her life and tries to break off her friendship with Jonathan.

I gave this book three stars because in parts it was easily predictable and the writing style was more for like a junior high audience, so it didn't affect me as much as it would've when i was 13.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book. I've read so many other amazing books that are exciting or romantic, but I have never found anything that I loved more than this. I'll admit that it's a little slow, but I still enjoy everything. Judith's view of the world, and all of her thoughts just keep pulling me back. I think anyone who really loves reading can relate to her- not because she loves reading, but because she needs to get out of reality sometimes, too. I would recommend this book to anyone. And if any of you are thinking about reading it, but just aren't sure, feel free to ask me any questions. :)

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Very different from the usual teen drama. The characters are dealing with very real,serious issues, and it could be a very dark book, but it isn't. I like that it has a happy ending, but not "the" happy ending. I like that her relationship with her father improves, but feel that she and her Mom need more work, but that they can still work it all out. I love that He contacts her-in his own name-and feel that they can be good friends for each other. He needed her and she was there, and vice versa.

[Alarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judith has withdrawn into an online computer game to recompense for the fear she's still suffering over an incident in the real world. A new boy moves into her apartment, and challenges her on a game and personal level. I really liked this book for the way it delves slowly into Judith's past year, how both children have this teenaged voice and view of the way things are, and how their relationship grows and ebbs into friendship and trust.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit while I was reading this book I kept on thinking, this girl seems kinda weird. Both the character and the way the story was written was something I wasn't really used to. But all in all I'm really glad I stayed with it. What I liked was the personally journey Judith goes through.I love how the guy helps her with overcoming her fears. Although he seemed like he didn't care. That's his charm I guess.

[Nancy]

This book is ok. The girl is in her Virtual Reality, gaming. It was confusing in the beginning, but then it started getting good in the middle. There's a lot of imagery between Judith and Jonathan. They both are going threw a hard time. Nobody listens to them so they have each other, and they over come their fears. They both live in their own little world. At the end it deserves way more with the part where Jonathan writes the letter.

[Merredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

in this book, a girl buries herself in a computer game after losing her best friend and other big events in her life. she progesses to a real life fantasy game (like the ones my brother and sister used to play when we were little), and eventually has to figure out her life. it was good seeing her going from living in a fantasty world to living in her own self.

[Alicia Fioretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about Judith, a 15 year old girl.Her dad and mom divorce and her dad moves far away.If thats not bad enough she and her best friend stop talking, you find out why thoughout the novel.Her neighbor jonathan,is a bad boy and shes kinda scared of him, but finds out they have a little something in common.I enjoyed reading this book.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

cerita cinta remaja yang ga biasa sih buatku. si cowo bukan tipe cowo populer di sekolah malah anak badung yang pake narkoba terus si cewe adalah cewe pinter yang lebih seneng hidup di dunia maya bahkan jadi cowo. cerita bermula dari game online yang mereka mainin, overall keren deh cuma perlu konsentrasi penuh waktu baca ini

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book. The summary of it sounded really good, only the summary lied...it definitely didn't go the way I was expecting. It was beyond boring. I normally try to finish books I start, no matter how bad, but this was just too boring to continue.

[Miakoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gonna give this one a five but the ending was written like "meh".
I was crazy in love with this book until then...
basically I thought the book deserved way more.
I definitely recommend for anyone looking to read a different kind of YA book.