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brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
This was just a heck of a lot of fun. I really enjoyed reading it. If you're not into geek culture, you would probably hate this book. But if you like video games, sci-fi and fantasy books and movies, and that sort of thing, this might be right up your alley if you're looking for a bit of fluff.
Reader warning: there is a lot of swearing and overall crude humor.
Reader warning: there is a lot of swearing and overall crude humor.
celjla212's review
3.0
As a female who plays video games (I hate the term "girl gamer"), I should be offended by a lot of the things that happen in this book; after all, a girl uses her cleavage to her advantage in the very first chapter. While I definitely hated all the ridiculous stereotypes this book is filled with, I have to admit that this book did have an original twist on boy meets girl and romance.
First off, let me say if you aren't what some would call a nerd, you will not understand this book, much less enjoy it. There are references to nerd culture, video games, movies, books, and the like in practically every line. I would call myself a geek, and there were some parts even I didn't understand. This is one thing that massively bothered me, actually: every single character in this book has snarky, geeky comments to make, which are basically the only things that come out of their mouths. The main characters sounded more like 12 and 13 year olds with all the raunchy insults they were throwing around, and that is not good because they are supposed to be in college.
Let's talk a little about our main characters. Katie, George, and Lanyon are home during their respective semester breaks. Katie is a loner who would rather spend her time leveling up than dressing up. George and Lanyon are lifelong best friends who probably (definitely) spend way too much time together, to the chagrin of both their love lives. All three of these people are at the game store waiting on the midnight release of the hottest new MMORPG. When Katie and George both grab for the last copy of the game, it's not exactly a love at first sight moment. But as they spend more time together both in the real world and the online gaming one, sparks slowly start to fly and they begin dating--even if Lanyon is tagging along for every one.
As I said, this book is chock full of gamer stereotypes, so many so that I have to wonder if the authors are even gamers themselves. The characters in this novel subsist on Mountain Dew, Snickers, and Denny's, and regularly stay up for more than 24 hours at a time in front of their consoles. Not only does this sound more like the behavior of teenagers than college students, but I feel like these kids' parents would not be letting them get away with these kinds of things during their time at home and the holiday season. Maybe I'm just a pragmatist since I'm a parent myself.
The best thing about the book is that Katie and George's courtship was so sweet and unique. They both really have no romantic backgrounds and no idea how to let one another know how they really feel. But, they try their best, and with the help (and hindrance) of their friends they come together without the ton of drama that YA and NA romances usually have.
I think this may be best suited for an audience a bit younger than me, though I'm glad I had the chance to read a refreshing romance for a change.
First off, let me say if you aren't what some would call a nerd, you will not understand this book, much less enjoy it. There are references to nerd culture, video games, movies, books, and the like in practically every line. I would call myself a geek, and there were some parts even I didn't understand. This is one thing that massively bothered me, actually: every single character in this book has snarky, geeky comments to make, which are basically the only things that come out of their mouths. The main characters sounded more like 12 and 13 year olds with all the raunchy insults they were throwing around, and that is not good because they are supposed to be in college.
Let's talk a little about our main characters. Katie, George, and Lanyon are home during their respective semester breaks. Katie is a loner who would rather spend her time leveling up than dressing up. George and Lanyon are lifelong best friends who probably (definitely) spend way too much time together, to the chagrin of both their love lives. All three of these people are at the game store waiting on the midnight release of the hottest new MMORPG. When Katie and George both grab for the last copy of the game, it's not exactly a love at first sight moment. But as they spend more time together both in the real world and the online gaming one, sparks slowly start to fly and they begin dating--even if Lanyon is tagging along for every one.
As I said, this book is chock full of gamer stereotypes, so many so that I have to wonder if the authors are even gamers themselves. The characters in this novel subsist on Mountain Dew, Snickers, and Denny's, and regularly stay up for more than 24 hours at a time in front of their consoles. Not only does this sound more like the behavior of teenagers than college students, but I feel like these kids' parents would not be letting them get away with these kinds of things during their time at home and the holiday season. Maybe I'm just a pragmatist since I'm a parent myself.
The best thing about the book is that Katie and George's courtship was so sweet and unique. They both really have no romantic backgrounds and no idea how to let one another know how they really feel. But, they try their best, and with the help (and hindrance) of their friends they come together without the ton of drama that YA and NA romances usually have.
I think this may be best suited for an audience a bit younger than me, though I'm glad I had the chance to read a refreshing romance for a change.
quinnster's review
Just too much bro dude speak. Lots of talk about tits and punching/slapping/hitting friends in the crotch. I'm not looking to read a bro dude book just because it's about video game geeks.
lsp_ismyspiritanimal's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the format of switching back and forth through George & Katie's perspectives with each scene. The profane jabbing got a little silly, but it wasn't completely unbelievable because I actually know a few people like that. Overall, it was a light, fast-paced read.
surfmonkey01's review
4.0
I wouldn't call this the heaviest on plot, but damn was it funny. And fun. I read the whole thing in one sitting, something like 3 hours. And I laughed many, many times. I actually can't think of the last time I laughed at a book this much. So many funny quotes, and the references, my goodness, the references! If you're looking for a fast, light, and funny read, look no further.
hugbandit7's review
4.0
This was surprisingly a good story. If you are a gamer and around 20, you can probably identify with this book.
George, Laylon and Katie are the main characters with a few other supporting characters. All are in college but love to play online games and they meet by chance at a midnight release of a game where George "steals" Katie's copy of the game out from under her and that starts an interesting relationship.
I'm not big into role playing games, but found the descriptions very interesting and the awkwardness of the characters endearing. Most kids today spend most of their life online and figuring out relationships in the real world can be challenging. I was even rooting for them as they grew their friendships and their circle of friends (real life, not just online!)
worth reading.
George, Laylon and Katie are the main characters with a few other supporting characters. All are in college but love to play online games and they meet by chance at a midnight release of a game where George "steals" Katie's copy of the game out from under her and that starts an interesting relationship.
I'm not big into role playing games, but found the descriptions very interesting and the awkwardness of the characters endearing. Most kids today spend most of their life online and figuring out relationships in the real world can be challenging. I was even rooting for them as they grew their friendships and their circle of friends (real life, not just online!)
worth reading.
thelauramay's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really cute. Tbh it made a lot of references I didn't quite get - I don't think I play the same games as the author - but still really enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who likes gaming-based romances (hahaha and other people, too).
stacybethi's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book with many references to geek culture even though I am not a gamer and not familiar with those references. Basically a story about a group of college students on a video game quest over the holiday break with romances betw several couples in the group. A lot of bad language and sexual references, so parents be warned.
momwithareadingproblem's review
5.0
I can honestly say that I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. I literally woke my husband up from a dead sleep because I was laughing hysterically!
Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story by Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark takes a spin on romance and blends it with the gaming world and those who follow it. Katie is a hardcore gamer who while trying to buy a video game at a midnight release (which also included some cosplay) gets the game snatched out of her hands by George who happens to be a guy version of Katie (in my humble opinion).
I loved these characters and the alternating POV! Katie and George are both home from college for their Christmas breaks and with a new game release plan to spend the break beating this game. When the unfortunate turn of events leaves them fighting over the game (Katie won, playing dirty I might add), a very awkward relationship begins. Katie is awesome! She is awkward, never having dated much, but she is very comfortable in her own skin, not seeming to care what others think and an excellent gamer. George is definitely the insecure guy who has never socialized much, if at all, except for those he knows through Xbox live. In addition to the main characters there are some pretty awesome ancillary characters, such as Lanyon, George's best friend who reminds me a lot of a friend of mine growing up. He is constantly coming up with one liner jokes and bless him he doesn't know when to stop.
The plot of this story is fairly simple and two-fold. 1) Beat the mega-hidden-boss in new video game and be the first group to do it & 2) Get the girl. If you are not a hardcore gamer, that's ok. You will still understand some of what is happening in this book. If you are a hardcore gamer, you will not only understand what is going on but also get all the hidden jokes and similes which are quite funny. One of my favorite parts is where George, in a sleep-deprived state, decides to write a poem to Katie that basically equates her and his feelings for her to several different games (and I was quite proud of myself that I got them all!) And as a true geek/nerd myself, I think I may have found a new book boyfriend when George crafted Link's heart and gave it to Katie (((sigh)))
Is this your typical women's lit romance? Absolutely NOT!!! However, it is enough of a romance to fall into that category. Will you enjoy it? I did. I loved it! But I am also a geek/nerd/former-gamer myself so the jokes, the guy humor, and the all-out pop-culture references to things like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars I totally got and loved. This book must have been written for me because the authors nailed it, in fact I think this would be hilarious (if the authors were involved that is) on the big screen. Awkward at times and laugh so hard you snort this book is well worth the read.
Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story by Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark takes a spin on romance and blends it with the gaming world and those who follow it. Katie is a hardcore gamer who while trying to buy a video game at a midnight release (which also included some cosplay) gets the game snatched out of her hands by George who happens to be a guy version of Katie (in my humble opinion).
These are my kind of guys, and I am a girl in a game store. Since I know it won't result in actual violence, I have no problem playing the boob card. -Katie
I loved these characters and the alternating POV! Katie and George are both home from college for their Christmas breaks and with a new game release plan to spend the break beating this game. When the unfortunate turn of events leaves them fighting over the game (Katie won, playing dirty I might add), a very awkward relationship begins. Katie is awesome! She is awkward, never having dated much, but she is very comfortable in her own skin, not seeming to care what others think and an excellent gamer. George is definitely the insecure guy who has never socialized much, if at all, except for those he knows through Xbox live. In addition to the main characters there are some pretty awesome ancillary characters, such as Lanyon, George's best friend who reminds me a lot of a friend of mine growing up. He is constantly coming up with one liner jokes and bless him he doesn't know when to stop.
"Feel my openhanded rage, you petulant nad nibbler," he taunts me. We're educated college students. And this is how we spend our nights. Pretty sweet really. -George
The plot of this story is fairly simple and two-fold. 1) Beat the mega-hidden-boss in new video game and be the first group to do it & 2) Get the girl. If you are not a hardcore gamer, that's ok. You will still understand some of what is happening in this book. If you are a hardcore gamer, you will not only understand what is going on but also get all the hidden jokes and similes which are quite funny. One of my favorite parts is where George, in a sleep-deprived state, decides to write a poem to Katie that basically equates her and his feelings for her to several different games (and I was quite proud of myself that I got them all!) And as a true geek/nerd myself, I think I may have found a new book boyfriend when George crafted Link's heart and gave it to Katie (((sigh)))
Is this your typical women's lit romance? Absolutely NOT!!! However, it is enough of a romance to fall into that category. Will you enjoy it? I did. I loved it! But I am also a geek/nerd/former-gamer myself so the jokes, the guy humor, and the all-out pop-culture references to things like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars I totally got and loved. This book must have been written for me because the authors nailed it, in fact I think this would be hilarious (if the authors were involved that is) on the big screen. Awkward at times and laugh so hard you snort this book is well worth the read.