TLC Book Tours presents... EVE 2.0: THE ULTIMATE GAMING EXPERIENCE by Winter Lawrence!

HI guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Now, I know a lot of you out there have hobbies and interests outside of reading (no, I'm not kidding....stop laughing!)...and for a good portion of the population, it's GAMING.  Hold back that scoff because if it isn't you, yourself, then it's probably a friend, sibling, or child in your life, and THAT'S OKAY as there's much to be learned from that virtual world...provided you don't get in too deep like our friends here.  Then again, it DOES have ties to government ops, so go figure, right?  Anywho, I'm gaming, I mean GETTING ahead of myself.  Allow me to help you make the acquaintance of today's book of choice...

Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience

by

Winter Lawrence

Paperback: 338 pages

Publisher: Melange Books - Fire and Ice YA

Release Date:  August 14, 2019

 

About the book...

Just when Gwen thought she could beat any video game hands down, her boyfriend goes and gets her stuck in a top-secret government simulator named Eve 2.0. Being trapped within a couple of her favorite video games doesn't seem so bad at first, but as time becomes a factor and the A.I. program begins to get smarter, Gwen soon realizes that winning or losing isn't just about pride anymore; it's about making it out alive. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Okay, let's address the obvious here first...the cover image SCREAMS Lara Croft Tomb Raider along with a dash of Resident Evil...and that's coming from a non-gamer!  You see it too, right?  Yeah...not a bad choice though because it allows those that aren't up to their virtual elbows in gaming lingo, images, or experience to catch of glimpse and think...hmm...I wonder what THAT'S about.  Moving forward...

I admit, I was curious to see just where things would lead when we first started out as I wasn't really buying Gwen's ambivalence towards her several months/years ago EX, nor actually thinking she was serious about this gamer guy across the country, and the random accident that threw them together was a bit awkward for a meet-cute even in YA lit.  I know, it sounds like I didn't enjoy myself, but wait...THERE'S MORE.  Once we move beyond the history building and scene setting, we get to the good stuff...but I have to warn you, if you had an aversion to virtual reality games or worlds before, this one will definitely turn that from hesitation to full blown GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!  I mean, when the gear for the mysterious game went on, it was creepy enough with the "instant blindness", but when all the DNA sequencing begins, well...let's just say that it definitely reminded me why I don't put my hands or my head in unknown places.  *ahem*  Admittedly, I was turning pages faster and faster JUST to see if she'd make it out alive, let alone solve the mystery, and save the day!

All in all, I was quite surprised by the depth of the story, the advanced gaming technology (though that part could just be my non-gamer POV), and the levels to which everything escalates.  Gwen may not have started out as my BFF, but by book's end, I would be glad to call her friend because she is hardcore to the floor about saving those she cares for from a self destructive GAME OVER.

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About the author...

Winter [Lawrence] lives in the moment and loves nothing more than being surrounded by her family, her fur-babies, and a ton of great reads! When she doesn't have her nose stuck in a book, she's usually thinking up far away, fantastical worlds or she's cooking up a storm in the kitchen! Because of her love for all things literary, Winter pursued a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Professionally, she is a manuscript editor and, in her spare time, she enjoys hosting author spotlights, posting book reviews, and teaching workshops. In her private time, she is an avid reader of science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romances, and one day she hopes to inspire young readers in the same way her favorite authors continue to inspire her today. Find out more about Winter at her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Special thanks to Trish at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title just celebrated its book birthday the end of last month, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Virtual or Reality?: Fable Nation by Joy Kita

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're swinging the book spotlight over to a title for the Middle Grade to Young Adult set that will have a particular appeal to gamers.  Yes, that's right, I said gamers, and it's not because it's written in code or an add on to an already in wide use virtual world type series, but simply because...well, I'm pretty sure EVERY true gamer has imagined at least PART of the scenario that's about to play out for our young potential hero-to-be.  So, stretch your thumbs and put your best game face on because here comes today's book of choice...

Fable Nation

by

Joy Kita

9780997455105

Lands Atlantic Publishing

About the book...

Getting sucked into the latest and greatest video game, FABLE NATION, isn't the worst of Mitch's problems. Realizing there's no way out until he beats all the levels might be.

Battling Montezuma in a Mexican jungle isn't hard when you're doing it from your bedroom, but inside the game is a different story.

Mitch better think fast as he teams up with a new side-kick and killer pet.

They'll have to work together to defeat headless spirits, ginormous spiders, and even creepy viruses that may also be trying to escape the game. Log in and join their mission, where reality and gaming collide!

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I came.
I saw.
I played....

Right from the start, you're immersed in gamer heaven as Mitch and his dad battle it out to achieve the highest level in their latest virtual foray with their limited screen time...limited thanks to dear old mom, but I really like the limits she imposed.  It's great to see a family so connected, both on and offline, because really, how often do we get to spend good quality time together without a screen in our hands anymore.  Am I right?  Agreed...moving on.

One fateful day, father and son went to see a rare exhibit and the next thing you know, our boy wonder is flying...into a wall.  No, really!  He was knocked right off his feet (quite literally) by what he saw, which led to the funniest (or perhaps not) of experiences not so many hours later.  Picture it.  You're playing a new-to-you or favorite video game, and in the blink of an eye, you're sucked into the game.  Now, I'm not talking about being so focused on the action that you ignore all else.  I mean REALLY sucked into the game, from head to toe.  Sound unbelievable?  Yeah, that's what Mitch and I thought too until we were battling right alongside our potential young heroes-and-heroine-to-be (he makes a few friends along the way, though trusting them will be a harder task than the introduction), seeking out quests to gain access to some dragon that must me defeated to move to the next level.  I mean, who's life IS that?  Apparently, our man Mitch's at the moment...and here's hoping he can keep his head about him long enough to pass the tests because I do believe if his life ends while he's in the game, it may not be so pretty in the outside world either...

I TOTALLY forgot about this show until I
was looking for a pic for this post! Anyone
remember FREAKAZOID? ^-^

It's a scenario every gamer has pondered at some time or another, I'm sure.  WWYD if the action on screen was no longer virtual but REALITY?  Depending on what game we're talking about (and I'm SO not a gamer), I'd probably be climbing the nearest tree (don't ask me how, I'm depending on my virtual self to be more agile than my real self) and waiting things out.  Then again, there are some games that that would only place you in MORE danger, so alternative action would definitely need to be sought out.  Hmm...let me get back to you on MY course of action, but in Mitch's case, I think he made the right call.  He sought to push forward, seeking a cure to his current predicament, and tackling challenges as they came.  I will say this though, I had more trouble trusting some of the "extras" than HE did...and while I wasn't proven TOTALLY wrong, I was still left eating a little sample tray of crow.  *pass the salt*

In the end, it was a curious adventure through the screen (literally) and onto the page, leaving us with a big enough window to crawl through once again should the author put pen to paper and indulge us with another installment.  (*hint hint*)  As for the writing, there were a few spots where the story just sorta petered out, but they were spans of maybe a few paragraphs, not pages, as well as a few typos that missed the final edits, but they didn't manage to detract from my enjoyment of the read, so I still call it a win.  Definite recommendation for the little (or not) gamer in your life this holiday season, as well as those readers simply looking for a great adventure.

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About the author...

Joy Kita worked for Budge Studios as a scriptwriter creating the My Little Pony game. She works at Forde-Ferrier publishing writing stories for public school children. She writes for Global Girls. And is the creative writer behind GrimeStoppers Children's Health Initiative. She is the author of FABLE NATION.

She has four children who constantly provide material for her stories. She is married to the love of her life-Stan Kita. What a lucky man he is ;)

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to the author for the tree copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so stop by your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!