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Deadlock
Listening Length: 8 hours and 9 minutes
Leave your body at home.
If you loved Ready Player One, you won’t want to miss this sleek, new virtual adventure!
The year is 2341 and Earth is a distant memory. Thousands of people from all over the world, and some from other worlds, enter a vast virtual reality on planet Zeta. Commonly known as the ALT, visitors hope to find what they can’t in their physical world—success, acceptance, pleasure, and above all else, credits, the universal form of money. Sport hacking, gambling, and pleasure houses are a few of the offerings of the ALT. But there are also dark dynamics lurking within the virtual city.
Seventeen-year-old Stass Tatum is a highly skilled human hacker from the futuristic city of Rourke. She is known on the grid as Deadlock for her dominant, lethal tactics in sport hacking. After meeting a popular elite player, she hatches a plan to jettison her rank into his.
But fate has other ideas. A deadly virus wreaks havoc on her plans, and now she must face what death means outside the virtual world.
From the Raven's Sphere world by Melissa Koberlein comes this new virtual adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Leave your body at home.
If you loved Ready Player One, you won’t want to miss this sleek, new virtual adventure!
The year is 2341 and Earth is a distant memory. Thousands of people from all over the world, and some from other worlds, enter a vast virtual reality on planet Zeta. Commonly known as the ALT, visitors hope to find what they can’t in their physical world—success, acceptance, pleasure, and above all else, credits, the universal form of money. Sport hacking, gambling, and pleasure houses are a few of the offerings of the ALT. But there are also dark dynamics lurking within the virtual city.
Seventeen-year-old Stass Tatum is a highly skilled human hacker from the futuristic city of Rourke. She is known on the grid as Deadlock for her dominant, lethal tactics in sport hacking. After meeting a popular elite player, she hatches a plan to jettison her rank into his.
But fate has other ideas. A deadly virus wreaks havoc on her plans, and now she must face what death means outside the virtual world.
From the Raven's Sphere world by Melissa Koberlein comes this new virtual adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Audiobook
Published October 26, 2020
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Seyler
11 books53 followersHello! I write rom-coms and light science fiction with humor and heart. I embrace my romantic 'geekiness' and enjoy sharing it with the world. My passion for stories comes from an imaginative childhood where every day ended with a book. If you're looking for romantic and funny, that's me.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 19, 2020
This is a Raven’s Sphere novel and is set on a world in the year 2341. People come from lots of different worlds to enter a virtual reality lifestyle on planet Zeta. Planet Zeta is where those that are not elites live, the elites made a life for themselves on another planet and are now at war with Zeta. Most people, especially the younger ones, spend their lives in this virtual world. Some do it for the experience, visiting as a tourist, whereas others do it for a living, whether that be gaming and challenging others with their computer hacking skills, playing in the casinos or plying the depths of the sex trade and its many commutations. To be able to afford anything in this reality called the ALT, people need credits, which can be used for whatever they want or whatever their pleasure is.
Stass is a world weary seventeen year old super hacker, who never leaves her accommodation cell. Her hacker label is ‘Deadlock’ ad she is at the top of her level, but unable to take that leap up to ‘elite’ and the lifestyle that she has always imagined. She has known about one of the elites, called Wraith and finally comes across him at one of her usual haunts. She is well known for her talents as a sports hacker, playing in tournaments, but also makes credits by using lots of different viruses against rich tourists, to lighten their wallets! Her attempts to meet Wraith and gain sponsorship to go up to his level or challenge him, puts her into danger.
Other characters in this tale are Kaden, her neighbour and also a whizz kid with computers and all aspects of hacking, but totally legally. Stass uses some of the patches he programs for her in her frequent challenges and he is very good at what he does. He is recruited for a cadet place in the force which polices this virtual reality world. His first case is to help his partner Siphon, keep an eye on Wraith, while he keeps an eye on Deadlock. Someone has been infecting people in this virtual world with a deadly virus, which leaves them unable to reconnect to their actual body. There are lots of dangers in this virtual world, from burners and viruses that can be caught from a simple touch, which she needs to avoid.
Deadlock is accused of a hideous crime and has to rely on Kaden and some of her fellow players, to help her find Wraith in the hidden underground part of the ALT, which is where burners and virtual reality characters spend their lives, if that’s what you can call it! Deadlock finds herself having to travel through numerous firewalls and down into the depths of this underworld, where real people are never seen and their virtual personas’ will be arrested and hard rebooted! She will discover what death really means for virtual characters and that there are far more devious schemes going on than many people are aware of.
An interesting look at people using virtual reality to escape their mundane lives, to gain money doing what they may be good at, playing challenges and hacking computer servers of opponents and to do things they could never do in the outside world. A hidden world, where you can be whoever you want to be, but you have to have the credits to enjoy this world! Players in this virtual world soon learn there is more behind the scenes than they could ever know and that this is more dangerous than they realise. Major corporations are hiding their power and money flows through this world. A modern take on hacking, game playing against opponents, virtual reality and the struggle to live in the real world. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Stass is a world weary seventeen year old super hacker, who never leaves her accommodation cell. Her hacker label is ‘Deadlock’ ad she is at the top of her level, but unable to take that leap up to ‘elite’ and the lifestyle that she has always imagined. She has known about one of the elites, called Wraith and finally comes across him at one of her usual haunts. She is well known for her talents as a sports hacker, playing in tournaments, but also makes credits by using lots of different viruses against rich tourists, to lighten their wallets! Her attempts to meet Wraith and gain sponsorship to go up to his level or challenge him, puts her into danger.
Other characters in this tale are Kaden, her neighbour and also a whizz kid with computers and all aspects of hacking, but totally legally. Stass uses some of the patches he programs for her in her frequent challenges and he is very good at what he does. He is recruited for a cadet place in the force which polices this virtual reality world. His first case is to help his partner Siphon, keep an eye on Wraith, while he keeps an eye on Deadlock. Someone has been infecting people in this virtual world with a deadly virus, which leaves them unable to reconnect to their actual body. There are lots of dangers in this virtual world, from burners and viruses that can be caught from a simple touch, which she needs to avoid.
Deadlock is accused of a hideous crime and has to rely on Kaden and some of her fellow players, to help her find Wraith in the hidden underground part of the ALT, which is where burners and virtual reality characters spend their lives, if that’s what you can call it! Deadlock finds herself having to travel through numerous firewalls and down into the depths of this underworld, where real people are never seen and their virtual personas’ will be arrested and hard rebooted! She will discover what death really means for virtual characters and that there are far more devious schemes going on than many people are aware of.
An interesting look at people using virtual reality to escape their mundane lives, to gain money doing what they may be good at, playing challenges and hacking computer servers of opponents and to do things they could never do in the outside world. A hidden world, where you can be whoever you want to be, but you have to have the credits to enjoy this world! Players in this virtual world soon learn there is more behind the scenes than they could ever know and that this is more dangerous than they realise. Major corporations are hiding their power and money flows through this world. A modern take on hacking, game playing against opponents, virtual reality and the struggle to live in the real world. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 16, 2021
I enjoyed this book. The main reason I got this book was because I love the narrator and know that anything is involved with is going to be great and I was right. This is part of a series and it wasn't until I was about half way through that I connected the two books and I realised I had met Stass before.The two books although set in the future are very different so you don't need to have listened to one to enjoy the other. Although not being a gamer and having no experience with the virtual world the author has crafted a clever story that was easy for me to follow along with, especially if you have a good imagination because this book will certainly test it and open your mind up to a whole new world. Its a bit like watching tv but crafted with words instead. I love the characters and the way they become friends over the course of the adventure.
Stass is an Agoraphobia and the only time she leaves her apartment is when she hooks up to the ALT, the virtual world is her playground. As a gamer and hacker she has reached the top of her league and if she wants to progress she needs to get noticed by an elite and secure sponsorship. She sets her sights on Rafe and not just because of his skills but when he notices her things start to go wrong and she is accused of something that could very well lead to get death in the real world. Someone is targeting player and infecting them so they are no longer connected to there real world bodies. Now Stass is being accused of the crime and the only one that knows she is not guilty is trapped. Stass has always been a loner but now she will have to find some people she can trust to help her prove her innocence?
As I said I got this book because the narrator is one of my favourites and she doesn't disappoint this time around either.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Stass is an Agoraphobia and the only time she leaves her apartment is when she hooks up to the ALT, the virtual world is her playground. As a gamer and hacker she has reached the top of her league and if she wants to progress she needs to get noticed by an elite and secure sponsorship. She sets her sights on Rafe and not just because of his skills but when he notices her things start to go wrong and she is accused of something that could very well lead to get death in the real world. Someone is targeting player and infecting them so they are no longer connected to there real world bodies. Now Stass is being accused of the crime and the only one that knows she is not guilty is trapped. Stass has always been a loner but now she will have to find some people she can trust to help her prove her innocence?
As I said I got this book because the narrator is one of my favourites and she doesn't disappoint this time around either.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 22, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"Hang on and hold your breath."
Though the writing is somewhat stilted and mundane, the story is exciting and the narratio, by Amy Deutchler, is very good making the audio experience of Deadlock, a Raven's Sphere novel a most enjoyable one. Set in the far future of 2841, many people come together from far and wide to live much of their lives in virtual reality world where they can over indulge without physical pay back. Stars Tatum is just 17, and an agrophobic, confined to her small cube of a room when in her human body but free to adventure when in the APT (Alternative Reality Transport). Already an acknowledged player, she aspires to go higher, to become an elite. But when a friend becomes engraved in the Shadow ALT.she's willing to risk everything to save him.
The fast paced action is matched by Ms.Deutchler's equally rapid narration which throughout remains clear, well modulaated, expressive and with all character voices individual and appropriate. Her performance adds greatly to the enjoyment of the book which is a little lacking in character development as a purely written experience. Howwever, once underway, the story comes to life with fascinating pictures drawn of the different landscapes through which Stass, also known as Deadlock, and her friends pass to reach into the prisons in the Shadow ALT.
I was fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Deadlock by the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you, it was an enjoyable listen and would !and an excellent film, lending itself to visual effects alongside a colourful action thriller story.
"Hang on and hold your breath."
Though the writing is somewhat stilted and mundane, the story is exciting and the narratio, by Amy Deutchler, is very good making the audio experience of Deadlock, a Raven's Sphere novel a most enjoyable one. Set in the far future of 2841, many people come together from far and wide to live much of their lives in virtual reality world where they can over indulge without physical pay back. Stars Tatum is just 17, and an agrophobic, confined to her small cube of a room when in her human body but free to adventure when in the APT (Alternative Reality Transport). Already an acknowledged player, she aspires to go higher, to become an elite. But when a friend becomes engraved in the Shadow ALT.she's willing to risk everything to save him.
The fast paced action is matched by Ms.Deutchler's equally rapid narration which throughout remains clear, well modulaated, expressive and with all character voices individual and appropriate. Her performance adds greatly to the enjoyment of the book which is a little lacking in character development as a purely written experience. Howwever, once underway, the story comes to life with fascinating pictures drawn of the different landscapes through which Stass, also known as Deadlock, and her friends pass to reach into the prisons in the Shadow ALT.
I was fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Deadlock by the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you, it was an enjoyable listen and would !and an excellent film, lending itself to visual effects alongside a colourful action thriller story.
October 27, 2022
An Okay Cyberpunk'ish Story
Story: **
Performance: ***
A typical YA drama set in a world reminiscent of ready player one/tron and a little matrix (since the virtual is supposed to follow the same rules as the real for some reason). You got the basic G rated good guy vs bad boy teen drama amidst an I was framed trope to give you a decent mystery to solve (somebody is killing people by using a virus to “unlink” them from their ALT avatars so they (or their mind) can’’t get back to their bodies … presumably leaving them to wander the virtual world as vulnerable echoes of who they used to be. Honestly … that was not explained very well so I might have that wrong. Add a Sword of Damocles trope over the heroine to jack a little tension to the plot conflict and things "suddenly get real.” Just go with it …
Outside of the drama, the techie facade is actually pretty shallow, frequently stretching “hacker” terms a tad too far, although you can still get the gist from the context … kinda of like many of the standard TV shows these days trying to be cool with their own white hat hacker that can literally compromise an air gapped system in the Cheyenne Mountain bunker. So to restate the obvious … Just go with it.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Deadlock #FreeAudiobookCodes
Story: **
Performance: ***
A typical YA drama set in a world reminiscent of ready player one/tron and a little matrix (since the virtual is supposed to follow the same rules as the real for some reason). You got the basic G rated good guy vs bad boy teen drama amidst an I was framed trope to give you a decent mystery to solve (somebody is killing people by using a virus to “unlink” them from their ALT avatars so they (or their mind) can’’t get back to their bodies … presumably leaving them to wander the virtual world as vulnerable echoes of who they used to be. Honestly … that was not explained very well so I might have that wrong. Add a Sword of Damocles trope over the heroine to jack a little tension to the plot conflict and things "suddenly get real.” Just go with it …
Outside of the drama, the techie facade is actually pretty shallow, frequently stretching “hacker” terms a tad too far, although you can still get the gist from the context … kinda of like many of the standard TV shows these days trying to be cool with their own white hat hacker that can literally compromise an air gapped system in the Cheyenne Mountain bunker. So to restate the obvious … Just go with it.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Deadlock #FreeAudiobookCodes
February 7, 2021
My review is based on the audiobook. The world the author created for this series is original & interesting. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I am not a fan of insta love or "loving" someone the character barely knows so the romance portion was not to my liking but that played only a small part in the story. The narrator was great bringing the story & characters to life.
May 10, 2021
What an amazing, adventurous, and mind blowing read!! If you are interested in sci-fi and tech then this is DEFINITELY the book for you! The story follows Stass (Raven's (former) friend in Raven's Sphere) as she navigates through the tech world known as the ALT. She is most comfortable there because she NEVER ventures out of her home due to being agoraphobic. She has just one friend in the real world named Kaden, who is now an Arta agent. She pushes everyone away who tries to get to close to her because her best childhood friend (Raven) betrayed her in a horrible way. She has been framed for a deadly virus called "Dark Drift" and the only person who can clear her name is an Elite named Wraith, who just so happens to be trapped in the Shadow ALT! Along her journey, she learns to trust others as her life depends on trusting them as well as them trusting her. Your heart will pound with adrenaline and excitement as Stass navigates through the Deep ALT to reach the Shadow ALT in what I can only explain as a "space mountain type of ride" on a railway of code. You will laugh at how the characters dialog with each other and really feel connected to them as well and to their story lines. A MUST READ for all. Excited to read even more from this author as her storytelling is magnificent!! xo
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews