Michael spends most of his time in the virtual gaming world, the VirtNet. This totally immersive world allows him and many others to experience a virtual life -- without the deadly consequences. Michael discovers that some things are going wrong in the VirtNet. People are disappearing -- when they die, they are also dead in real life. Some are stuck in the VirtNet forever and can't return to the real world. That's not supposed to happen.
Michael is kidnapped by a government organization that wants him to help them find the hacker that's trying to take over the VirtNet. Michael and two best friends (virtual friends) begin a harrowing adventure to try to outsmart this bad guy and allow the government to catch him.
What The Eye of Minds has going for it is action. This book never stops. I almost felt breathless at times as I felt what these kids are going through.
The part that bothered me is the "cop out" plotting. It seems that almost every time the kids are in a dire situation they "look at the coding" and can program their way out of it. It just seemed to easy sometimes. But I don't think the intended audience will mind this at all, and I won't hesitate to put The Eye of Minds in the hands of Dashner fans.
It's a very quick read, and an excellent choice for reluctant readers who want nonstop adventure. Also, we get a bit of a surprise at the end that just makes it harder to wait for the second book, The Rule of Thoughts, which is already available!
Published by Delacorte, 2013
Copy obtained from the library
310 pages
Rating: 4/5
The Maze Runner was never a favorite of mine, not because of the book itself, but because of the slang used in it. However, I think I might give James Dashner another try because I think that was the only thing keeping me from enjoying it. The storyline here sounds wonderful. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteDaphne @ Reading Until Dawn