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Game Over
"Game Over" is the story of video game lover Stuart Maxwell. In between dealing with his life problems Stuart escapes by immersing himself in a fantasy world of video games where he can be the confident hero he wishes he could truly be. It is only when terrorists strike his father's army base that he finally gets the chance to prove himself in his real life as well. Although Stuart excels in taking charge and defeating foes in his games, it is his real life that is the challenge for him. Not only does he struggle through frustration and humiliation at the hands of school bullies, but he also has to deal with his rigid, old-fashioned, military father who is trying to mold Stuart into the athlete that he has no desire to become. His best friend Mark's moment of poor judgement causes Stuart to have to intervene, which ends up being nothing but yet more trouble for Stuart. And of course there is Becki, the beautiful girl who Stuart dreams of having for his own, but who he can't seem to interact with without something always going wrong.
215 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2014
About the author
Joe Krakovsky
6 books287 followersWe got married right out of high school and have been together ever since. Most things we have done together and we prefer it that way. We worked together at a private club and ran a very successful martial arts program for 15 years. Now we are trying our hand at writing books. Oh, did I mention the kids and grandkids? And there is a donkey, goat and cat too!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 8, 2018
'Generously provided by Author in exchange for an unbiased review'
**'Creative nonfiction is not making something up but making the most of what you as a writer have..'
Good read!
I am no electronic gamer but this was nicely written with an interesting storyline. Recommended to everyone!
**'Creative nonfiction is not making something up but making the most of what you as a writer have..'
Good read!
I am no electronic gamer but this was nicely written with an interesting storyline. Recommended to everyone!
March 27, 2016
I received this book from the publisher as a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Well, starting out and reading the back of the book, I was intrigued by a husband and wife team that wanted to live out their dream of writing. I have to say, however, that I don't understand why they chose this subject matter. It reads like someone that has never played video games. The story is rather played out--the nerdy, awkward teenager in love with the girl that doesn't know he exists and the meathead gym teacher in cahoots with the bully.
The scenes with the WWII aircraft had promise, as did the zombie mission, but they seemed disjointed in relation to the character's progression throughout the book. Otherwise, the premise is just not feasible, and the ending falls flat. Unfortunately, the way the characters speak is dated and stunted, like the way adults assume teenagers talk but don't.
Also, the cover bugged me, as the story largely contained computer-based gaming and the cover is a console game.
The book should've been aimed at gamers and geeks, as illustrated in the Star Wars cover font and subject matter. Why, then, do the authors lambaste tabletop gamers? "...a group of friends spending an entire evening sitting around a table, keeping track of their character's movements on graph paper as they created a map of the dungeon they were exploring...and they would fight their pretend battles with little painted lead figures where the outcome was determined by a roll of the various multisided dice. Hah! How lame can you get?" Game Over, p. 20. This insults an entire sub-culture of gamers, which would alienate and repel a chunk of the readers that could enjoy this book.
Well, starting out and reading the back of the book, I was intrigued by a husband and wife team that wanted to live out their dream of writing. I have to say, however, that I don't understand why they chose this subject matter. It reads like someone that has never played video games. The story is rather played out--the nerdy, awkward teenager in love with the girl that doesn't know he exists and the meathead gym teacher in cahoots with the bully.
The scenes with the WWII aircraft had promise, as did the zombie mission, but they seemed disjointed in relation to the character's progression throughout the book. Otherwise, the premise is just not feasible, and the ending falls flat. Unfortunately, the way the characters speak is dated and stunted, like the way adults assume teenagers talk but don't.
Also, the cover bugged me, as the story largely contained computer-based gaming and the cover is a console game.
The book should've been aimed at gamers and geeks, as illustrated in the Star Wars cover font and subject matter. Why, then, do the authors lambaste tabletop gamers? "...a group of friends spending an entire evening sitting around a table, keeping track of their character's movements on graph paper as they created a map of the dungeon they were exploring...and they would fight their pretend battles with little painted lead figures where the outcome was determined by a roll of the various multisided dice. Hah! How lame can you get?" Game Over, p. 20. This insults an entire sub-culture of gamers, which would alienate and repel a chunk of the readers that could enjoy this book.
January 10, 2016
For those who like video war games, and for those who like young friendships, this book is for you. It puts a young man in an important military situation, just by his internet game ability. An older, inept video game player, I enjoyed it.
August 24, 2019
A captivating beginning for me, with some mystery around being in the character's actual world or in a game; although I gathered it was a game from reading the book’s blurb and title! It was an interesting way to start a book. For me, I enjoyed the coming of age themes in this book the most… I am not a real gaming fan and during some of the gaming scenes, I found them a little long-winded, however, I am sure a gamer would embrace the scenes wholeheartedly!
I liked Stuart the main character… he was endearing and empathetic to the other characters, and I found myself rooting for him. His experiences and challenges took me back to my own high school days – both the good and bad times and I truly felt his struggles. I thought at times the dialogue seemed a little unnatural for a teen with his family, however, felt more genuine with his friends.
Game Over is easy to read, teaches valuable life lessons and has a lovely feel-good ending. Overall I think that teens will really enjoy this book - particularly teens that like gaming!
I liked Stuart the main character… he was endearing and empathetic to the other characters, and I found myself rooting for him. His experiences and challenges took me back to my own high school days – both the good and bad times and I truly felt his struggles. I thought at times the dialogue seemed a little unnatural for a teen with his family, however, felt more genuine with his friends.
Game Over is easy to read, teaches valuable life lessons and has a lovely feel-good ending. Overall I think that teens will really enjoy this book - particularly teens that like gaming!
November 3, 2022
It looks like Mark is running late for the bus again. If he isn't here today maybe I can build up the nerve to sit next to Becki, or at least talk to her without sounding like a moron. (PG. 120)
I was so excited to read Joe and Ruth Krakovsky's, husband and wife duo, novel. It was such a fun read and the video games even drew me in. I would put it in the YA genre though. I would be comfortable with my kids reading this as it is very wholesome and clean.
For me, it's hard to pin kids at the right age from an adult's perspective and voice. I am reading another YA now and am having the same problems. I felt that Stuart was thinking and deciding certain things as how an adult would view them. I also had a problem with the political viewpoints through the father figure. We should all have different viewpoints but I don't feel it flowed with the story line.
All in all, it was an easy and quick read. Thank you, Joe and Ruth, for bringing us into your imaginations and I hope to read more of your work soon. Best of luck!
(I am friends with the author and he never asked for a review and our friendship has no impact on my review or star rating.)
I was so excited to read Joe and Ruth Krakovsky's, husband and wife duo, novel. It was such a fun read and the video games even drew me in. I would put it in the YA genre though. I would be comfortable with my kids reading this as it is very wholesome and clean.
For me, it's hard to pin kids at the right age from an adult's perspective and voice. I am reading another YA now and am having the same problems. I felt that Stuart was thinking and deciding certain things as how an adult would view them. I also had a problem with the political viewpoints through the father figure. We should all have different viewpoints but I don't feel it flowed with the story line.
All in all, it was an easy and quick read. Thank you, Joe and Ruth, for bringing us into your imaginations and I hope to read more of your work soon. Best of luck!
(I am friends with the author and he never asked for a review and our friendship has no impact on my review or star rating.)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews