Reviews

Power Up by Sam Nisson

droar's review against another edition

3.0

Power Up has a good mix of videogame fun and friendship building/anti-bullying stuff going on, but it just didn't jive with me. I think it's something to do with the art style for the real world segments. The video game parts are all illustrated slightly differently and all look super nice which makes the reality sections look even worse in comparison unfortunately. Art aside the story is decent, but again a little uneven. We see a lot of Miles' time spent hanging out with 'the cool kids' which doesn't do much to serve the plot or characterize out tentative villains (we've already seen them bullying) and then we get basically nothing of Rhys outside of one trip to the grand canyon with his parents. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ In the end I think it's just not my jam, but I can see it really working for younger teens who are way into video games!

jaimek926's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

antoinettepowb's review

4.0

When video gaming collides with real life!! Power Up does a great job showing the need to remember there are people with feelings behind usernames, being kind to others is important and there is a need to resist peer pressure. I loved the relationships with both sets of parents; from wanting Miles to find interests beyond video games, to concern about Rhys socializing at school. I love this book for middle school gamers!

jamikaye1980's review

3.0

I'm not a big fan of graphic novels, but I did like the message that this one gives. So many people forget that behind a random username on the internet is a real person with real feelings. This graphic novel does a good job of showing how people can hurt each other without even realizing it.

ultranurd's review

4.0

Solid entry in the Fortnite era with some obvious nods to the game, right down to the mecha dabbing after a victory. I think it has a good balanced example of parenting and screen time management, and deals with online/school friendships with a touch of bullying. Battlecon certainly reminded me of PAX. I think my favorite part is when Gryphon plays a vintage arcade game and learns that his dad was a high scorer at it a long time ago.

malloriew's review against another edition

5.0

 I liked this book and if I could do a tournament and I'm a big gamer so I think I would be good. Miles didn't know that Ryhs is Backslash until the tournament and he sent a mean message to everybody in the school. This book is amazing and I would love to read more gaming books. I don't really know any so can anybody recommend any good gamer/gaming books? 

destdest's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really good! I enjoyed Miles and Rhys. They felt like real middle-school kids. I also loved their families, and how it acknowledges the landscape of videogames and middle-school friendships is mch different now. It's hard to compare it to the olden days. 

Now, the story resolutions were half-baked:

All is given rather quickly. There's no real apology, and Miles never explicitly realizes the kids he tryna kiss up to aren't real friends. Real friends don't put you up to bullying, make you feel small for not doing something, or disparage something you enjoy that's not harmful.

There's a second book coming, so hopefully those issues get address there.

raethereviewer's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was really nice and I can definitely see the appeal for young readers. This would be a great classroom addition for 3rd grade and up.