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Multiplayer

by John C. Brewer (Goodreads Author)

4.48 of 5 stars 4.48 · rating details · 27 ratings · 12 reviews

Hector’s father is dead. Killed fighting in Iraq.

So his mother moved the family back to her boring hometown where Hector can’t connect. Worse, his new next door neighbors, the Zahedis, are from Iran, and the son, Sanjar is Hector’s age. But Sanjar is the last person Hector is interested in hanging out with. Trapped in a world of rules and reality, he escapes into the large...more

Kindle Edition, 403 pages

Published December 19th 2011 by PlotForge, Ltd.

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Jan 27, 2012 Noah Murphy rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Multiplayer starts out with a decent premise, that terrorists are using an MMORPG to train for real world attacks, fair enough. Then the book becomes an entire mess.

1. Hector West, the main character, is an unlikable fuckwad who deserves to be beaten senseless for his borderline criminal actions, which usually get explained away as "his dad got killed" or "Hector's right all along!"

2. The MMORPG in question, Omega Wars is absurb. Its supposed to be a class-based post apocalyptic PVP-style game,...more Multiplayer starts out with a decent premise, that terrorists are using an MMORPG to train for real world attacks, fair enough. Then the book becomes an entire mess.

1. Hector West, the main character, is an unlikable fuckwad who deserves to be beaten senseless for his borderline criminal actions, which usually get explained away as "his dad got killed" or "Hector's right all along!"

2. The MMORPG in question, Omega Wars is absurb. Its supposed to be a class-based post apocalyptic PVP-style game, but by the end of the book, its some second life like sci-fi mumbo-jumbo. The book even trots out the "The game is more real than real life" line at one point. HAH

The terrorists create a real-scale recreation of their target scenario, right down the street signs. If the terrorists can do it, why haven't the players recreated the entire world too? Then there's this class, called the empath in which the game via this special headset, reads you brainwaves and uses it activate powers... I'm serious. Oh and the game requires anything you build to follow to real world physics principals, except there's this giant floating battle stations, mechs and you never get tried unless you sprint... right. Also strange is the developers are a mysteriously absent party. You'd think they'd be concerned about the uses of their game... nothing.

3. The entire plot breaks down at the end as the "main villain" Mal-X seeming to be able to play the game and hunt the players at the exact same time. It is never explained how he's able to pinpoint player's locations. Did he hack the game? Were there complicit developers? And a few FBI agents also play the game and know whats going on, but explain away getting the devs help as "they're not a US company," like the FBI hasn't ever had to gain foreign assistance on an issue, and so the fate of the entire free world rests on the back of unlikable whiny retard and his bratty clan-mates.

No matter where and when you set a novel it has to be consistent. If you're going to ground the novel in real world politics and issues as the book does, then the MMO in question better not be some scifi-ish otherworld thingy that doesn't make a lick of sense with a plot that stretches the bounds of plausibility(with a main character who is not likable in the least).

The book might be enjoyable if one doesn't use a single brain cell trying to comprehend it. Otherwise, steer clear from this teenage-fantasy garbage.
(less)

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Jan 22, 2012 Anastasia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. All I can say is wow.

I got a Kindle for Christmas. We were going on vacation right after that, and I decided to throw a book or two on it to keep my little brother busy. Multiplayer popped up and seemed like it'd be his thing and, for under five bucks, I figured I couldn't go wrong. My brother DEVOURED it (I didn't SEE my Kindle for three days) and then wouldn't leave me alone until I read it, too. I was pretty skeptical. I'm not into the whole video game thing, and the plot summary he was...more Wow. All I can say is wow.

I got a Kindle for Christmas. We were going on vacation right after that, and I decided to throw a book or two on it to keep my little brother busy. Multiplayer popped up and seemed like it'd be his thing and, for under five bucks, I figured I couldn't go wrong. My brother DEVOURED it (I didn't SEE my Kindle for three days) and then wouldn't leave me alone until I read it, too. I was pretty skeptical. I'm not into the whole video game thing, and the plot summary he was giving sounded iffy. But, I got tired of him bugging me, so I grabbed some tea and hunkered down.

This book ROCKS. Let me repeat that: This. Book. Rocks.

Characters: I loved them. Hector, especially, is complex. Mr. Brewer has succeeded in doing what few authors manage: making an unlikable character likable. Hector is abrasive, but you still find yourself caring more and more about him, and the more you read, the more you understand. It reminded me a lot of Cathy and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, or Bathsheba from The Mill on the Floss. It is a level of complexity that few writers are able to pull off, but Mr. Brewer rocks it.

I was pretty worried about the game thing. My brother is really into them but they've never been my thing. The author made it really accessible for people who aren't gamers. The game itself is really interesting, allowing characters to build anything that obeys the laws of physics. I read Mr. Brewers bio after reading the book, and this is where it's really obvious that he's a rocket scientist. He doesn't just stick to the hum-drum things that we physically have now. He thinks up things that are impractical to currently build in real life, but still stay within the bounds of physical laws. He really challenges the reader's intellectual and creative mind. I also liked the social set-up of the game. The clan set-up allowed for in-game conflicts beyond the basic plot, and really deepened the overall experience.

So, plot. I was pretty concerned about this part, too. My brother described it to me and, frankly it sounded kind of cheesy. NOT so. Mr. Brewer takes a plot that could have easily fallen into the realm of cliche and far-fetched, and makes it into something real. After discovering a terror cell using the game to train and plot, Hector finds himself in a position that so many young people do: no one believes him, and they discredit him as a young boy in mourning, seeing things that aren't there in the face of his father's death. Mr. Brewer captures this time of life flawlessly. I think that's one of the reasons my brother loved the book so much. He knows exactly how Hector feels, and it makes Hector a very sympathetic character. The plot deepens and Mr. Brewer addresses most of the questions that arose while I was reading, like wouldn't the FBI have gotten flagged by something like this. Without spoiling anything, the book concludes in an appropriately epic and satisfying way, while still leaving the door open for more books in the future.

Mr. Brewer has written an incredible book that challenges an audience that isn't usually challenged. My brother is fourteen and the few books that are written for guys like him are dribble. But this one is incredible. Not only is it a great book on a surface level, but it is creative, engaging, and has deeper underlying themes: war, prejudice, grief, and an overall commentary on our society. This book might not be for absolutely everyone. I can see it going over the heads of some younger gamers. But if you have a tween or early teen guy in your life who's smart and needs a book that won't bore him, definitely pick this one up. And, honestly? Even if you don't... still pick this up! I'm a twenty-year-old girl, and I INHALED this. I can't wait for the next one! (less)

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Jan 22, 2012 Andrew Smiles rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a really good book. I enjoyed it thoroughly, though some parts of it do reflect the younger audience that it is intended for.

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Nov 21, 2012 Terri-Lynne Smiles rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: male-authors

John C. Brewer’s Multiplayer immerses the reader into the life of Hector West, a teen struggling to deal with his father’s death in Iraq, and into the online video game world of Omega Wars where Hector retreats. This book is fast paced, dealing equally with the trials of being a teen in our modern society, prejudices that are both understandable and abhorrent, and learning to be responsible for yourself and the world around you. I am a nut for well-crafted characters and the primary characters i...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Tony Bertauski rated it 4 of 5 stars

Gamers, unite!

John Brewer immerses readers into the world where gaming and terrorism leach into the real world. The characters are high schoolers that find respite in the alternative reality of Omega Wars, not unlike some of the today's kids. The characters deal with real life issues: death, dysfunction and parents. He brings the story into modern day, introducing the issue of Muslim prejudice in the wake of 911 and the result of losing loved-ones serving in the military.

Brewer's gaming knowled...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Oghafoerkhan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the main character! I have a soft spot for the unreliable narrator, and for this reason I could have done without the prologue, but that might just be me. All the characters in this book were very well-written.

My other favorite part of the novel is how the online game becomes a second setting. This was done very deftly and with amazing detail. I read one review by someone who complained about that, all I can think is he must not read much. It's beautifully done. Part of reading or watch...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Mook rated it 5 of 5 stars

What are you talking about? Multiplayer was awesome, and I enjoyed it thoroughly from start to finish! This guy is certainly entitled to his opinion, but goodness - it sounds like he has a massive chip on his shoulder! The point of the game was to act as a mechanism to convey the story; can you imagine having to read a novel where more focus is placed on the rules of the virtual world than the actual plot? Bleh, no thanks! The premise and time period of the game, Omega Wars, was never fully outl...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love playing video games, so it was fun entering a video game world. I liked the gaming lingo sprinkled throughout. I don't play MMOs so a few were unfamiliar. So looking up their meaning was educational and good for future online gaming use.
One of the plots of this novel is Hector coming to terms with his father's death and moving on. However, his hatred of the Middle East, while to a point understandable, was overdone. His repetitious, adamant statements of hate-filled prejudice dragged on...more I love playing video games, so it was fun entering a video game world. I liked the gaming lingo sprinkled throughout. I don't play MMOs so a few were unfamiliar. So looking up their meaning was educational and good for future online gaming use.
One of the plots of this novel is Hector coming to terms with his father's death and moving on. However, his hatred of the Middle East, while to a point understandable, was overdone. His repetitious, adamant statements of hate-filled prejudice dragged on for 3/4 of the book. He was unreasonable. Had his father been murdered in the streets of the USA, would he have hated every American? I doubt it. I wish he would have grown as a character sooner. It just showed the depth of his immaturity and ignorance.
Yet it's not to say that Hector is a bad kid. He shows that deep down he has a good heart - by discussing what plans he had before his dad died, by displaying guilt (albeit briefly) after he did or said things he knew were actually wrong. Also in how he responded when his first impressions of the other characters in his class proved wrong. He befriended them, realizing they were so much more than his perceived stereotype. He's just blinded by hate and heartache, so it took him a long time to get there. Maybe too long...
In this regard, he came across kind of young, especially when he stuck his tongue out at his sister, or when his mother kissed his forehead and cleaned his wounds. He also wasn't very bright for all his second-hand military knowledge. I put the puzzle pieces together long before he did.
There were some spelling errors, and at times, overuse of the word "pwn." The writing was not as descriptive as it could have been. Most of it was surface description, weapon and tech babble. Yet the locale of the story was different and interesting. There were bits of suspense and intrigue, in the real world as well as the world of Omega Wars. In addition to the main plot, the book highlighted math's importance and usefulness quite frequently, so that it seemed like a subplot. The climax (especially one of the villains) as well as the actual ending was very Hollywood and quite ridiculous.
Yet Multiplayer, despite its flaws, was a fun read.

I received a free copy from the author for a fair and honest review.(less)

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Dec 15, 2012 Shawn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 20, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

Recommended for young adult males & others who enjoy video gaming & political thrillers! First part of a trilogy.

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Oct 26, 2012 Chaka rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The reason I read this book because it's about video games; something I'm interested in.I think this book is great for me.It has vocabulary I can understand and great dialouge I can relate too.

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May 23, 2012 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked Multiplayer by John Brewer. It's not the normal genre I read (Mystery or any teen book my daughter recommends) but after all the good things I heard about Ready Player One, I thought I'd give Multiplayer a try. As a mom of a teen boy who games, I really enjoyed a glimpse into what goes on in the mind of gamers. But the book is much more than that dealing with current social issues. I think the premise is very creative as well (but I won't spoil it for you; read it and see if you a...more

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About John C. Brewer

John C. Brewer was born in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada but moved constantly since his father was in the Navy. John grew up in New Mexico, Washington St., Virginia, and Florida and then went to Auburn University for college where he studied physics and aerospace engineering. Eventually he moved to Huntsville, Alabama where he worked as a rocket scientist.

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