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Gameworld
Dylan Rudee's life is an epic fail. He's bullied at school and the aunt who has raised him since he was orphaned as a child just lost her job and their apartment. Dylan's one chance to help his family is the only thing he's good at: video games. The multibillion-dollar company Mee Corp. has announced a televised tournament to find the Game-Changers: the forty-four kids who are the best in the world at playing Xamaica, a role-playing fantasy game that's sweeping the planet. If Dylan can win the top prize, he just might be able to change his life.
It turns out that Dylan is the greatest gamer anyone has ever seen, and his skills unlock a real-life fantasy world inside the game. Now actual monsters are trying to kill him, and he is swept up into an adventure along with his too-tall genius sister Emma, his hacker best friend Eli, and Ines Mee, the privileged daughter of Mee Corp.'s mysterious CEO and chief inventor. Along the way they encounter Nestuh, a giant spider who can spin a story but not a web; Baron Zonip, a hummingbird king who rules a wildly wealthy treetop kingdom; and an enchantress named Nanni who, with her shadow army, may be bent on conquering Xamaica and stealing its magic.
In order to save his sister and his friends, Dylan must solve a dangerous mystery in three days and uncover secrets about Xamaica, his family, and himself. But will he discover his hidden powers before two worlds--Xamaica and Earth--are completely destroyed?
It turns out that Dylan is the greatest gamer anyone has ever seen, and his skills unlock a real-life fantasy world inside the game. Now actual monsters are trying to kill him, and he is swept up into an adventure along with his too-tall genius sister Emma, his hacker best friend Eli, and Ines Mee, the privileged daughter of Mee Corp.'s mysterious CEO and chief inventor. Along the way they encounter Nestuh, a giant spider who can spin a story but not a web; Baron Zonip, a hummingbird king who rules a wildly wealthy treetop kingdom; and an enchantress named Nanni who, with her shadow army, may be bent on conquering Xamaica and stealing its magic.
In order to save his sister and his friends, Dylan must solve a dangerous mystery in three days and uncover secrets about Xamaica, his family, and himself. But will he discover his hidden powers before two worlds--Xamaica and Earth--are completely destroyed?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
11 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 13, 2019
A story about a down-on-his-luck kid risking everything to win the ultimate gamer challenge in a dangerous and bewitching virtual world? It could have been a Ready, Player One for the middle-grade crowd, but for me, although it seemed promising it didn't quite get there.
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I liked the idea of the game and there are glints here and there that are kind of beautiful. The scenery of Xamaica seemed really fully realized. The creatures of Xamaica are fascinating and I enjoyed the threads that were inspired by Jamaican Rastafari beliefs and legends--so much so that I wish we could have seen even more of those backstories. I also really liked that we had a diverse group of kids at the center of the story, though the way some of Eli's Spanish was incorporated in the dialogue didn't always feel super organic, I appreciated there was an effort.
That being said though, the logistics of the world and the game and intrigue were just a little dense and convoluted to follow. There were also almost too many fires to put out, so much so that the hero's search for his missing sister, which seemed like it was going to be the crux of his journey feels kind of lost. The brother-sister dynamic in particular is really confusing. I didn't ever entirely buy the depth of Dylan's animocity towards his sister (who comes across consistently as an extremely sympathetic character) so any chance of reconciliation just didn't have the drama that it could have. Major developments felt hastily tied up and unearned. All in all, I feel like this might have been more coherent had the same events evolved across a trilogy instead of packed into a single book. I'd like to see more of this world though.
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I liked the idea of the game and there are glints here and there that are kind of beautiful. The scenery of Xamaica seemed really fully realized. The creatures of Xamaica are fascinating and I enjoyed the threads that were inspired by Jamaican Rastafari beliefs and legends--so much so that I wish we could have seen even more of those backstories. I also really liked that we had a diverse group of kids at the center of the story, though the way some of Eli's Spanish was incorporated in the dialogue didn't always feel super organic, I appreciated there was an effort.
That being said though, the logistics of the world and the game and intrigue were just a little dense and convoluted to follow. There were also almost too many fires to put out, so much so that the hero's search for his missing sister, which seemed like it was going to be the crux of his journey feels kind of lost. The brother-sister dynamic in particular is really confusing. I didn't ever entirely buy the depth of Dylan's animocity towards his sister (who comes across consistently as an extremely sympathetic character) so any chance of reconciliation just didn't have the drama that it could have. Major developments felt hastily tied up and unearned. All in all, I feel like this might have been more coherent had the same events evolved across a trilogy instead of packed into a single book. I'd like to see more of this world though.
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July 17, 2017"Another positive for me was the actual treatment of Eli as a disabled character. As a wheelchair user (his specific disability not being stated in the book), Eli is never isolated or excluded from any of the action or fight scenes. He is always fighting alongside Dylan and Ines. Eli is ferociously independent and his disability is never shown to limit him or his contribution to the story, nor do the characters treat him differently, which was fantastic to read. In short, his disability is not made the focus of his character. It is evident when Eli moves around—the movement of his chair is described, for example, but it is never made anything more than that, unless Eli himself jokes about it, which is handled well and fits the narrative and character. His wheelchair is as much a part of him as his hair or eye colour."
Read contributor Chloe Smith's full review at Disability in Kidlit.
Read contributor Chloe Smith's full review at Disability in Kidlit.
September 22, 2017
Gameworld is a fiction book in which the characters go into to a video game to save their sister. but then the king of the world tries to kill them and take over earth.
The thing i liked about this book is that there is an end goal that gets solved in the ending during a final battle. I also like the "final battle" because it is described in great detail. a character that i really liked was Eli. Eli was the smarts of the group, and he also knew how to hack because he always carried a computer with him and his wheelchair.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an adventure and video games, i say this because the whole story is an adventure in a video game. at first the book is a bit boring, until they have to jump into the game world to start their unknown quest.
The thing i liked about this book is that there is an end goal that gets solved in the ending during a final battle. I also like the "final battle" because it is described in great detail. a character that i really liked was Eli. Eli was the smarts of the group, and he also knew how to hack because he always carried a computer with him and his wheelchair.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an adventure and video games, i say this because the whole story is an adventure in a video game. at first the book is a bit boring, until they have to jump into the game world to start their unknown quest.
May 16, 2014
Well, I want to love this book, with its diverse cast and elements drawn from Jamaican folklore.
I think my main problem is the pacing: the outline of a plot is there, but somehow it's just a string of one thing after another in ridiculously rapid succession without any sense of urgency. Lacking momentum, I'd need an emotional connection to the characters or some gorgeous writing to keep me interested. There are some fun one-liners, but one-liners alone do not delicious prose make; and while the author has set up formulaically sympathetic characters, I don't actually care about any of them. (Except for pirate-obsessed Emma, who spends most of the story offpage and suddenly re-appears in the most awesomely badass manner possible.) All the emotional reveals are too sudden, too little, too late for me to really get invested.
Still, props for the bountiful variety of characters.
I think my main problem is the pacing: the outline of a plot is there, but somehow it's just a string of one thing after another in ridiculously rapid succession without any sense of urgency. Lacking momentum, I'd need an emotional connection to the characters or some gorgeous writing to keep me interested. There are some fun one-liners, but one-liners alone do not delicious prose make; and while the author has set up formulaically sympathetic characters, I don't actually care about any of them. (Except for pirate-obsessed Emma, who spends most of the story offpage and suddenly re-appears in the most awesomely badass manner possible.) All the emotional reveals are too sudden, too little, too late for me to really get invested.
Still, props for the bountiful variety of characters.
March 16, 2016
This book is really really good he unlock his gaming thing witch open a real life game trying to save his sister and monsters are trying to kill him this relates to me because one time at Kroger me my mom and my sister were attacked by pit bulls and I had to beat them up but I got bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2018
Game World is sort of like a Jamaican spin on Jumangi to me. Dylan and his friend Eli get sucked into their favorite video game with the makers daughter Ines and Dylan’s sister Emma. They get separated from Emma and go on an amazing journey to find her and save the game world called Xamaica. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in science fiction or Jamaican folklore as this book includes a lot of it!
Want to read
May 10, 2021He is a protector
January 29, 2014
I won this book in a good reads giveaway.
So reading the summary of the game, my first thought was this series:
For people who do not know, it is Log Horizon.Yes, I am using Log Horizon as a comparison instead of SAO(on a random note, I dislike this anime a lot) or .hack(do younger people even know what .hack is? >_>).
Well anyway, after reading it I can say it is quite different than any of those! Unlike those, these kids actually willingly go into the world(at first). In fact, this can be seen more like the kids willingly go into the other world(albeit because Emma, the youngest character gets kidnapped...)
The storyline is pretty simple and pretty fast paced however I felt like some of the scenes did drag a little and it took a while from characters to get from one place to the next. The climatic fight was interesting however I did feel like there was more talking than actual battle.
The ending plot twist I felt was great however I felt like it could have been executed a bit better.
Anyway, moving on to the characters themselves. We have the main trio.
Dylan is the main guy of the trio. Unfortunately I will say it up front he is a complete ass to his sister. I know that older siblings do not get along well with their younger siblings(as one with two younger sisters I can understand) but the way he treats Emma just annoyed me. It was the same amount of rage I felt to this guy during his arc in Clannad:
Besides this though he is your typical male lead and not really remarkable. Like I don't really understand why he is the main lead. He just didn't speak to me, I dunno.
Other than him, we have his best friend Eli, the nerdy one who can hack into systems and is bound by a wheelchair. I really do enjoy his character, he was more down to earth than Dylan was. However, what I didn't understand is how he was able to travel through Xamaica in a wheelchair without much help. Something tells me that going through a rainforest and such might be a bit difficult. But hey, if doing this is possible:
What am I to say a guy can't wheelchair his way through a rainforest.
The final one of the main trio is Ines. Now out of the trio, I think I disliked Ines more than Dylan. She fell flat to me in terms of character. In fact, looking back on it, I think this is the issue I had with all three of the main characters, I think all three of them didn't have enough dept for me. They just all seemed one-noted and not real.
Heck, I was more upset by a scene involving a Jamaican spider than with these guys.
Now, there is one more important character I forgot to talk about. Emma, Dylan's kid sister. Now, I will say this, I LIKED Emma. I actually liked her. She is a child prodigy who knows way more than a nine year old should know.
Her smartness is what made me like her I guess. She was also missing for more than half of the book which probably lent to me liking her. I did not see her so I did not see her growth and development(which that girl did have and I liked the plot twist involving her). Honestly, if the rest of the characters were like Emma I would have been content.
Anyway, to wrap this review up, as I am very tired right now, this book has a great overall premise. I liked the world of Xamaica however I felt like a lot was missing. The creatures were great but if asked to draw a map of the place...I got nothing. I just finished the book but I don't really recall where all of the actions took place. The characters needed a bit more polishing(and I have to say, I hate it when writers try to throw in a romance when it isn't really needed) but it is a fun read.
So reading the summary of the game, my first thought was this series:
For people who do not know, it is Log Horizon.Yes, I am using Log Horizon as a comparison instead of SAO(on a random note, I dislike this anime a lot) or .hack(do younger people even know what .hack is? >_>).
Well anyway, after reading it I can say it is quite different than any of those! Unlike those, these kids actually willingly go into the world(at first). In fact, this can be seen more like the kids willingly go into the other world(albeit because Emma, the youngest character gets kidnapped...)
The storyline is pretty simple and pretty fast paced however I felt like some of the scenes did drag a little and it took a while from characters to get from one place to the next. The climatic fight was interesting however I did feel like there was more talking than actual battle.
The ending plot twist I felt was great however I felt like it could have been executed a bit better.
Anyway, moving on to the characters themselves. We have the main trio.
Dylan is the main guy of the trio. Unfortunately I will say it up front he is a complete ass to his sister. I know that older siblings do not get along well with their younger siblings(as one with two younger sisters I can understand) but the way he treats Emma just annoyed me. It was the same amount of rage I felt to this guy during his arc in Clannad:
Besides this though he is your typical male lead and not really remarkable. Like I don't really understand why he is the main lead. He just didn't speak to me, I dunno.
Other than him, we have his best friend Eli, the nerdy one who can hack into systems and is bound by a wheelchair. I really do enjoy his character, he was more down to earth than Dylan was. However, what I didn't understand is how he was able to travel through Xamaica in a wheelchair without much help. Something tells me that going through a rainforest and such might be a bit difficult. But hey, if doing this is possible:
What am I to say a guy can't wheelchair his way through a rainforest.
The final one of the main trio is Ines. Now out of the trio, I think I disliked Ines more than Dylan. She fell flat to me in terms of character. In fact, looking back on it, I think this is the issue I had with all three of the main characters, I think all three of them didn't have enough dept for me. They just all seemed one-noted and not real.
Heck, I was more upset by a scene involving a Jamaican spider than with these guys.
Now, there is one more important character I forgot to talk about. Emma, Dylan's kid sister. Now, I will say this, I LIKED Emma. I actually liked her. She is a child prodigy who knows way more than a nine year old should know.
Her smartness is what made me like her I guess. She was also missing for more than half of the book which probably lent to me liking her. I did not see her so I did not see her growth and development(which that girl did have and I liked the plot twist involving her). Honestly, if the rest of the characters were like Emma I would have been content.
Anyway, to wrap this review up, as I am very tired right now, this book has a great overall premise. I liked the world of Xamaica however I felt like a lot was missing. The creatures were great but if asked to draw a map of the place...I got nothing. I just finished the book but I don't really recall where all of the actions took place. The characters needed a bit more polishing(and I have to say, I hate it when writers try to throw in a romance when it isn't really needed) but it is a fun read.
October 28, 2021
Never have I been so upset to DNF a book. This book has an interesting world, plot, and genuinely lovable characters, but the pacing is so off, that I just can't get through it. It feels like there is a lack of tension, or purpose, or something connecting the scenes together, making it seem like things are happening for the sake of them happening.
November 2, 2014
I tried to like this book, but I finally had to give up at the halfway point (at about page 150). The writing is extremely simplistic, the plot - confusing and not fleshed out, and the characters one dimentional.
There were so many questions I had within the first few pages. The children - who are orphans of sorts - are being bullied. The whole school including all the staff know about it, yet encourage it to happen.
After school the kids learn of this tournament for a video game. Their aunt tells them they can't go, so they sneak out while she is sleeping. Okay what children's tournament is held at night, while all the parents are sleeping? Jump forward and the kid wins the tournament and is wisked away to some mystery house. Yet no one goes 'ummm maybe we should tell our aunt where we are going?'. Nope, they just ignore it.
The kids play this virtual avatar game, but the author tends to blur when its is real and when it isn't. Sometimes the kids are playing it, but all of a sudden they are in the game. So, is this virtual reality or magic or what? It was very confusing.
This combined with the seemingly pointless comparisons (my mind is racing like a billion browser windows open) or the not-so-funny fart jokes made me have to stop reading. I just couldn't take it any longer.
There were so many questions I had within the first few pages. The children - who are orphans of sorts - are being bullied. The whole school including all the staff know about it, yet encourage it to happen.
After school the kids learn of this tournament for a video game. Their aunt tells them they can't go, so they sneak out while she is sleeping. Okay what children's tournament is held at night, while all the parents are sleeping? Jump forward and the kid wins the tournament and is wisked away to some mystery house. Yet no one goes 'ummm maybe we should tell our aunt where we are going?'. Nope, they just ignore it.
The kids play this virtual avatar game, but the author tends to blur when its is real and when it isn't. Sometimes the kids are playing it, but all of a sudden they are in the game. So, is this virtual reality or magic or what? It was very confusing.
This combined with the seemingly pointless comparisons (my mind is racing like a billion browser windows open) or the not-so-funny fart jokes made me have to stop reading. I just couldn't take it any longer.
January 15, 2016
Review by Karen, intended for young readers:
I was first attracted to Game World by C.J. Farley because of its concept: A group of kids get sucked into the universe of their favorite video game, where they encounter all the characters and dangers they only faced digitally before. Cool idea, right?
Well, it turns out that Game World is more of a good old-fashioned fantasy adventure than I expected — and I loved it for that. You don’t have to be an expert gamer to enjoy this book. Once Dylan, Inez, Eli, and Emma are in the world if Ximaica, you’re immediately drawn in too.
To be totally honest, I had a little trouble getting into the beginning of the book, which takes place in the real human world (you know, Earth). But I was captivated by the world of Ximaica: a hummingbird baron and his feathered army, a sweet-natured spider who can’t spin a proper web, shadow spirits, vegetable zombies, an evil(?) witch — this world is full of colorful creatures and characters.
I recommend this book to fans of Piers Anthony, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, and the Secret Zoo series.
This review also appears on Kidsmomo.com.
I was first attracted to Game World by C.J. Farley because of its concept: A group of kids get sucked into the universe of their favorite video game, where they encounter all the characters and dangers they only faced digitally before. Cool idea, right?
Well, it turns out that Game World is more of a good old-fashioned fantasy adventure than I expected — and I loved it for that. You don’t have to be an expert gamer to enjoy this book. Once Dylan, Inez, Eli, and Emma are in the world if Ximaica, you’re immediately drawn in too.
To be totally honest, I had a little trouble getting into the beginning of the book, which takes place in the real human world (you know, Earth). But I was captivated by the world of Ximaica: a hummingbird baron and his feathered army, a sweet-natured spider who can’t spin a proper web, shadow spirits, vegetable zombies, an evil(?) witch — this world is full of colorful creatures and characters.
I recommend this book to fans of Piers Anthony, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, and the Secret Zoo series.
This review also appears on Kidsmomo.com.
August 11, 2016
Dylan, although bullied at school, finds his strength in being the best video gamer when playing Xamaica. Dylan enters a contest and he is chosen as one of the best players of the game...little does he know that that talent will earn him a trip INTO the game. A mixture of Jamaican folklore, fantasy, and dangerous adventures awaits Dylan and friend Eli as they embark into the reality of the game and face dangers they never dreamed of. The aloof teenage daughter of the game's maker, Ines, accompanies them into this strange world with her own hidden agenda.
GameWorld is a action-filled adventure which pits teenagers against almost-mythical like creatures into order to 'win' the game and achieve their desires. Who will be the hero? Who will succeed at the game? What will be the outcome? Lots of questions await Dylan, Eli, and Ines as they explore a another world far from home.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Akashic Books, Black Sheep Publishing, Susannah Lawrence, and C.J. Farley for this ARC copy.
GameWorld is a action-filled adventure which pits teenagers against almost-mythical like creatures into order to 'win' the game and achieve their desires. Who will be the hero? Who will succeed at the game? What will be the outcome? Lots of questions await Dylan, Eli, and Ines as they explore a another world far from home.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Akashic Books, Black Sheep Publishing, Susannah Lawrence, and C.J. Farley for this ARC copy.
March 12, 2014
C.J. Farley's YA sci-fi novel "Game World" should hold immediate appeal for children and teenagers who enjoy spending hours in virtual video game worlds. Although whether or not that particular audience will be inclined to pick up a book, I don't know. Just as I didn't recognize some of the slang and phrases used in "Game World"!
Some YA books like "Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter" are written in a manner that appeals to children but can be just as involving for adults. I'm not sure "Game World" quite accomplishes that, but I can imagine a younger version of myself getting a kick out of it.
There's a lot going on in this story; kids travel into a world they thought existed only in the video game Xamaica, and it seems with every chapter comes a new life form, army, or impending disaster. At about 280 pages, the pace is fast, but sometimes I wish more time was spent on certain scenes. There's enough material in this book for a couple of books.
This novel is ideal for ten-to-fifteen-year-olds who enjoy a good video game as well as an exciting novel.
Some YA books like "Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter" are written in a manner that appeals to children but can be just as involving for adults. I'm not sure "Game World" quite accomplishes that, but I can imagine a younger version of myself getting a kick out of it.
There's a lot going on in this story; kids travel into a world they thought existed only in the video game Xamaica, and it seems with every chapter comes a new life form, army, or impending disaster. At about 280 pages, the pace is fast, but sometimes I wish more time was spent on certain scenes. There's enough material in this book for a couple of books.
This novel is ideal for ten-to-fifteen-year-olds who enjoy a good video game as well as an exciting novel.
January 25, 2016
I read a lot of young adult fiction, so I am accustomed to its somewhat less sophisticated nature. However, although I am rarely this blunt, I have to say that this book is just bad. Either it is being written 'down' a bit too much, or the author is a terrible writer. Sentence by sentence, it is *written* like a high schooler writes, not written as though a good author wrote it *for* a high schooler. The jokes are dumb, the metaphors and analogies that are used (constantly) are awkward and inaccurate. The plot line is rushed, the characters are hyper-stereotypical and pretty much uninteresting. The premise for the plot is overused, and although the actual setting of a Jamaica-like world is a cute idea, it doesn't save it. That's too bad, there are some neat ideas and it would be neat if kids could be exposed to some of the global/Caribbean mythology that comprises the characters and setting. Sadly, it falls flat. Terrible. I quit at about 100 pages.
September 4, 2016
Haven't received my copy yet, just received notice I had won. 1/17/14
Received my copy and hope to start soon. Have 3 others plus my current read in front. 1/18/14
Started 1/28/14
Finished 2/1/14
Dylan is in middle school but so is his younger sister, Emma, who skipped several grades because she is so smart. Dylan and Emma are being raised by their aunt since their parents died, and she has just told them they were going to have to move because her work has been pulled. Dylan's one chance to help his family is to enter the Mee Corp's tournament of Xamaica, a computer game that Dylan is great at. Turns out he is better than even he thought.
This was a cute book. Probably best for those around 10-13ish. My nephew that is 8 would probably like it too. Fast paced story, fun characters, weird crazy avatars/beings in Xamaica. Fast read.
Received my copy and hope to start soon. Have 3 others plus my current read in front. 1/18/14
Started 1/28/14
Finished 2/1/14
Dylan is in middle school but so is his younger sister, Emma, who skipped several grades because she is so smart. Dylan and Emma are being raised by their aunt since their parents died, and she has just told them they were going to have to move because her work has been pulled. Dylan's one chance to help his family is to enter the Mee Corp's tournament of Xamaica, a computer game that Dylan is great at. Turns out he is better than even he thought.
This was a cute book. Probably best for those around 10-13ish. My nephew that is 8 would probably like it too. Fast paced story, fun characters, weird crazy avatars/beings in Xamaica. Fast read.
February 5, 2014
I didn't mean to read this, but really glad I did.
I've been trying to track down novels for my niece to read, and came across this one. From the cover and title I was sold this was something she would like. Trying to be a good uncle I decided I'd read the first few chapters to get a feel for the book so I could have some talking points with her about the book.
Next thing I knew I was finishing the book.
I was hooked immediately by the characters and concepts and couldn't stop turning pages. Farley combines Jamaican folklore and video game culture to create a solid world for these engaging and human characters to quest through. Great characters. Great story. Great world building. Great read.
The target audience is young adult, but grips an older audience in the same way as Harry Potter. I loved this novel. I can only hope my niece likes it half as much as I did.
I've been trying to track down novels for my niece to read, and came across this one. From the cover and title I was sold this was something she would like. Trying to be a good uncle I decided I'd read the first few chapters to get a feel for the book so I could have some talking points with her about the book.
Next thing I knew I was finishing the book.
I was hooked immediately by the characters and concepts and couldn't stop turning pages. Farley combines Jamaican folklore and video game culture to create a solid world for these engaging and human characters to quest through. Great characters. Great story. Great world building. Great read.
The target audience is young adult, but grips an older audience in the same way as Harry Potter. I loved this novel. I can only hope my niece likes it half as much as I did.
August 4, 2016
The hook - kids go into a real-life video game - is so old and overused, it's almost refreshing to see it almost completely ignored. It seems the author wanted to tell a story about modern kids in a realm of Jamaican fantasy - which is very interesting! - but knew almost nothing about video games, using the game as a very simple device to get to the meat of the story. And the meat of the story is pretty good. Nonstandard protagonists, a fantasy world that is vastly underused, and a unique writing style all combine into a winner. Plotwise, the middle drags quite a bit, and the ending wraps things up a little too nicely.
January 27, 2015
Twelve-year-old Dylan, his sister, and his best friend end up in a video game world that is a parallel of Jamaica. Called Xamaica, filled with magic and multiple challenges, this world is not what they had expected. Each of them has their own agenda and despite promises that they would work on them together, it leads to anger and frustration. They meet people that help, hinder, and threaten along the way. Lots of action and adventure. Props for the Caribbean setting and one of the main characters in a wheelchair (but without feeling like a stereotype).
Overall, the writing was weak and the plot was very predictable.
Overall, the writing was weak and the plot was very predictable.
February 14, 2014
I super enjoyed this book. It was great to read a fantasy book that WASN'T based in European fantasy. Lots of incidentally funny one-liners, and a good story. I really appreciated how this book was different from other books like it. I was afraid it would be like Ready Player One because it was set inside a video game, but t definitely wasn't. Some of the best juvenile lit/YA lit I've read recently. Also, highly recommended for having non-white protagonists and even a disabled protagonist; that's sadly rare in much lit. (The cover even indicates this! Another sad rarity.)
April 29, 2014
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. Spoiler alert:
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy and fast read. The story of going into a video game has been done many times but this one was different. Not so much they were in a video game but a parallel universe to Jamaica and the game was the portal. I wondered if Emma was the pirate or perhaps Emma/Dylan's mom. I like the twist that Nanni wasn't the evil witch and also ended up being E/D mom.
I'm going to give it to my 11 year old and see what he thinks....
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy and fast read. The story of going into a video game has been done many times but this one was different. Not so much they were in a video game but a parallel universe to Jamaica and the game was the portal. I wondered if Emma was the pirate or perhaps Emma/Dylan's mom. I like the twist that Nanni wasn't the evil witch and also ended up being E/D mom.
I'm going to give it to my 11 year old and see what he thinks....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2015
I thought this book might entice my reluctant, video game-loving students to pick up a book. I hoped it would expand their horizons by immersing them in a folklore and mythology with which they are not immediately familiar. Unfortunately, Game World will not fit that bill. Although I was initially intrigued with the Jamaican folklore and instantly saw the ties to African tales with a decidedly new-world twist, all the dialect spellings would definitely frustrate a reluctant reader. All the flat characters and dragging plot frustrated me. I eventually gave up.
February 10, 2014
1. anti-capitalist message snuck in there. lol dogecoin, bitcoin, etc.
2. a little bit of representation in a lot of little and big ways. it's refreshing to have a crew of heroes in YA be all POC. not to mention there's representations of disability that buck the stereotypes.
3. MAGIC. wild and amazing creatures.
4. this is the first release for the black sheep imprint. I love their mission of reverse gentrifying the book world.
5. it's my kid-friend T approved.
2. a little bit of representation in a lot of little and big ways. it's refreshing to have a crew of heroes in YA be all POC. not to mention there's representations of disability that buck the stereotypes.
3. MAGIC. wild and amazing creatures.
4. this is the first release for the black sheep imprint. I love their mission of reverse gentrifying the book world.
5. it's my kid-friend T approved.
February 13, 2014
I won this book in a first reads giveaway. (in fact this is my first review ever)
This was a pretty good book. Some of the situations were reminiscent of a Harry Potter style of book. I don't think there are any gender barriers even though it is situated in a video-game world. I believe it is a good read for 4th graders and up. I personally enjoyed the inclusion of magic and descriptions of magical creatures throughout.
This was a pretty good book. Some of the situations were reminiscent of a Harry Potter style of book. I don't think there are any gender barriers even though it is situated in a video-game world. I believe it is a good read for 4th graders and up. I personally enjoyed the inclusion of magic and descriptions of magical creatures throughout.
May 25, 2015
This one was only okay for me. The premise sounded interesting, but it got a little muddy and I just didn't care about the characters very much. There was a lot of action happening, but not a lot of character development. It will likely be fun for middle grade readers who enjoy gaming and fast paced books.
October 14, 2014
At Persephone Magazine: Interview with a Middle-Grade Reader + Book Review: Gameworld by C.J. Farley
May 7, 2014
Diverse cast and lovely mythology, but a tired hook and flat writing. It's his first YA book - perhaps trying to write down a bit much? I don't know. This was meh to me- not even giving it to my video game loving 11 yo. 2.5 stars
January 3, 2015
The main premise (that a video game is real) has been done before, and done better. What made this different, and a little interesting, was the interjection of Caribbean and African mythology. Even better? The back matter for readers who want to learn more about the inspirations.
August 27, 2015
I did enjoy the book and the lessons that the book teach such as believing in yourself and making decision to improve yourself. I did read this book after Ready Player One, so I did feel that vibe, but it was a bit different. I enjoyed the book, but did not love it.
didn-t-finish
March 28, 2015Didn't get through it. Had a really unique approach, but parts of it just felt bizarre and I wasn't getting sucked in.
Want to read
December 22, 2015I like the idea of this book, but it probably would work best explored curricularly within the context of other dystopian novels.
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