Brainboy and the DeathMaster

by Tor Seidler

Darryl Kirby is an orphan. He is also a whiz at computer games -- especially those conceived by Keith Masterly, the greatest software guru of all time. But when Darryl plays a new prototype of his favorite game, StarMaster, strange things begin to happen. After he finds his way through a tortuous maze and answers questions that could stump a scientist, a mysterious message -- "WANT TO PLAY?" -- invites him into a game in which the stakes are higher than they first appear -- a game that eventually lands him in a luxurious laboratory where Masterly has enlisted a brain trust of children for a secret purpose of his own. Befriended by Nina, who suspects Masterly's motives, Darryl slowly uncovers a sinister plan and finds himself the star in his own real-life computer game. But will he and Nina be able to stop Masterly and escape before it is too late?

Brainboy and the Deathmaster is a fast-paced, high-tech mystery-adventure by National Book Award finalist Tor Seidler, author of the modern-day classic Mean Margaret.

Genres: Science Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Adventure

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking at the cover, I was thinking, ok, total boy book. It's got a picture of this boy sitting at a laptop and an evil leering face in the background behind him with a red glowing eye whose rays seem to come out and threaten the boy. My immediate reaction was “eh.” I read the inside cover, though, and it sounded interesting – brilliant computer game whiz kid is an orphan who gets picked to be part of a special team of research scientists, although he is only twelve, working on a secret project for Keith Masterly (a sort of Bill Gates-like figure, except more famous for games than software).

This was like Ender's Game, though, for a younger audience, who might then decide to try Ender and see how great a book that is. Which is not to say that this book has no merits of its own, other than being that kind of a stepping stone.

This story moves fast. When we meet Darryl Kirby, he's practically catatonic. His entire family has just perished in a fire, and he is the only survivor. He is staying at an orphanage while the state tries to place him. He meets BJ, a boy whose mom is the local librarian and brings books and movies to the orphanage so that the kids have something to do. BJ feels sorry for him, especially when he sees how Darryl's new roommate, Boris, is treating him. Since the kids are allowed to do things outside of the shelter, BJ talks his mom into bringing Darryl home with them for the weekend, and they become friends. Well, just as that starts to seem safe, and we think Darryl is going to be adopted by BJ's mom, he gets snapped up by Keith Masterly under suspicious circumstances. And Mr. Masterly offers him the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to study, with other brilliant youngsters, a molecule that can prevent or reverse the aging process.

Well, it ends up that Mr. Masterly is only doing this for selfish reasons and plans to destroy all of the evidence that his secret think tank ever exists.

So we have two stories going on – BJ and Boris join forces to try and locate Darryl (as well as Boris' sister Nina who also disappeared from a shelter under mysterious circumstances. They were both playing Masterly's computer game before it happened. They do some sleuthing and discover where the think tank is located. Meanwhile, Darryl meets Nina who is able to explain a few realities about their situation in the underground lab – such as the fact that their “vitamins” are actually pills to keep them from thinking too much about their former lives. They plan to escape.

It's a very exciting story. There's the computer game element, science background, adventure story, mystery, science fiction. And at the same time it's not too scary. I'd actually recommend this a bit lower. Maybe 10-young adult. The young adults may be turned off by the picture on the cover, which looks a bit young (they may want to revise this for the paperback), and the actual age of the main characters – 12. Also a bit young. The reading level, however, is on par with a young adult's. So it's a hard choice. Booktalk it and display it and advertise it so that it finds its audience.

[Sarot Busala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it back when I was in early grade school (maybe around 8-9 yrs old). I can still enjoy it as a kid even when I can’t understand anything related to sci mentioned.
The main story itself is fine but does not have anything depth. Everything just progress literally. A lot of things are too easy and unrealistic making the crisis looks too trivial. The antagonist seems stupid for me when I read it as an adult. He lacks dimension and his decisions aren’t reasonable and not depicting his character.

[Campbell T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way I was recommend the book is that it was gifted to me. I was intrigued by the cover so I picked it up. So to answer your question the book sleeve is what made me read the book.

I am almost finished with the book. I like the focus on knowledge and on the mental grasp of information. I like that because I strive to be smart and hard observant as the main character, Darryl.

[Mike Orta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because the title was so off the wall! I’m glad I did. This is a fun book to read. Interesting characters and fun science fiction storyline.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was in middle school.

[Máiréad Deacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this as my favorite book in elementary school, going to go back and read if it still holds true. Stay tuned :-)

[Mitch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I WANT THIS TO COUNT AS 2 BOOKS

Darryl Kirby is a orphan who is very good at Keith Masterly games. After Darryl one day completes a very diffucult game, he is sent to the Master Lab for Young Minds or whatever. Everyone except Darryl is being brainwashed there. Once himself and his friend Nina find a way to escape, they tro too do it. Will they get out?

I didn't like this. It didn't make any sense through the whole thing. I only read to see the ending, which was just as bad

I don't reccomend this to anyone unless they want a bad book

[Esmeralda Luz Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I just could not stop reading. It had a nice plot with a good twist at the end. Who would have thought that Mr. Masterly would blow up the whole place. But what made me happy was the part when the kids survive the pods and Mr. Masterly made Darrly think that everybody was going to die. Well, I really enjoyed this book.

[Bram Kyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about an orphan named darryl kirby who is a computer game whiz. he is adopted by kieth masterly, a computer game maker and is brought to a lab where he works on a medicine to make you younger when darryl and the other kids are betrayed by kieth masterly...what will happen to them?

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve year old Darryl, an orphan who excels at computer games, is kidnapped by Keith Masterly, a billionaire software developer. Darryl finds himself at a secret laboratory with other brainy children who are being manipulated to help Masterly with his sinister plans.

[1 Andrew E]

A very weird story about a boy named Darryl who goes to garfeild middle school. His friend ,BJ is trying to help him through his struggle as an orphan. Darryl plays lots of computer games and one time he plays a mysterious game that seems to be haunted.

[Dani O · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the book. An amzing page turner and mystery. Great! :D

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What fun!

[Amanda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but this book really makes you think!

[Sam]

It keeps you on your feet and it has a lot of adventure