SOLVED. Sci-Fi/ Thriller: Girl travels through many virtual worlds in search of her kidnapped brother whose mind remains stuck somewhere inside virtual reality. [s]

[Thomas]

Alright yall, first of all, thank you for your efforts. I read a book 10 years ago (that was probably at least 10 years old at the time) that I borrowed from a coworker, and it fully captivated me, yet I am unable to find it again! I believe the author was male.

So here goes: the story starts off with a young adult woman. I'm fairly certain that she was pursuing higher education, and she lives in a world that creates and indulges in virtual realities. She is neither poor nor rich.

One day the young woman discovers that her brother and one of his friends are in a coma, and she quickly discovers that they became kidnapped while exploring the dark-web equivalent of the online virtual worlds. The book follows her journey across a multitude of various virtual worlds.

Anyone with enough capital can create these virtual worlds, and they can be made either public or private. I think the protagonist somehow finds an exploit to travel freely among any of these worlds, but I'm not sure about that and could be wrong.

Nevertheless, these worlds vary from the mundane to the extravagant. Some worlds that I remember are: giant forested lands with oversized creatures and flying insects that transport humans, seedy sex clubs (obviously), and most prominently, a recreation of ancient Egypt. This latter Egyptian land plays some kind of important role in the story arc, and I remember the Nile river being often distinguished. The sun there was also placed into importance, and iirc, this is the meeting place world of the antagonists.

The bad guy(s) are essentially a group of ruling elites who use their money and influence to create and control worlds, and they have somehow unlocked code that traps a person's mind inside the virtual worlds. It could also be that they are pedophiles trapping children, but unfortunately my memory cannot distinguish this point from truth or fiction. Nevertheless, one of these antagonist I can remember having a sensory deprivation tank and state of the arc equipment through which he experiences virtual reality.

At one point in her search (in real life), she discovers a bunker in a mountain that somehow relates to finding her brother, but I can't remember any more details than this. I also believe she was being aided by either an uncle or a close family friend. Ultimately, I think she rescues her brother, but I remember that his friend dies inside.

I wish I had more for you all to go on, but this is basically all that I remember from the book. It could have been one book or a trilogy. By now the book was published anywhere from 20-30 years ago. If I begin remembering any more details, I will be sure to post them below. Thank you all and good luck!

[Marquesito]

City of Golden Shadow matches all the details you remember, this might be it.

[Thomas]

Marquesito wrote: "City of Golden Shadow matches all the details you remember, this might be it."

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar! This is it exactly, thank you very much