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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
For anyone who knows anything about gaming/cosplaying/"geek" culture or have "that guy" as a friend, this book is for you. It kept me laughing throughout the whole story.
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I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley, and it was released on January 7th. This book is not suited for children under the age of 14.
I really enjoyed this book, especially once the gaming aspect started to intensify. I thought it was a good book, but it didn't blow me away. I really liked the characters; they were quirky, fun, and they were real people. The main characters are Katie and George and the point-of-view alternates between them as the story of their romance is woven together. Their romance starts with the classic "I hate you" phase, which I am a fan of (no insta-love). This book does not suffer from "Missing Parent Syndrome", which is also nice in a YA book. Speaking of YA, this book does contain crude humor and is not suited towards younger teens.
One thing I personally didn't like was that I didn't get most of the video game references. I did get a few, but most of them flew right over my head. It was really cool to follow along as the characters played the fame and not just hear "we beat the boss after a long, stressful battle". Each chapter was a level - chapter one is level one, chapter two is level two, and so on - and had a picture of the graphics from Fatal Destiny X, the game the story centers around.
George and Katie's relationship was really cute, and mainly consisted of them playing FDX and making out. Even though they first met in the beginning of the book, their relationship did not progress to fast, and they were often unsure of themselves. After a while their insecurities got a little repetitive (Katie's in particular) but it all worked out in the end. Their relationship was not the main focus of the book, and George and Katie still hung out with their friends (Anna and Lanyon).
Lanyon was great, he was probably my favorite character. He's hilarious and he's just a weird guy. Lanyon's trademark food is Snickers which he has an endless supply of and he never shares them (until he meets Heather). He has very few social capabilities, and his interactions with strangers left me in tears. Lanyon was just very entertaining and I wish I knew him in real life. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, because it was enjoyable, the characters were great, but it just didn't blow me away.
"They take off quickly, which is good, because I try to skip up the walk to my house, only to slip on a patch of three snowflakes and fall on my ass."
"I see in Lanyon's eyes that he'd debating about giving up. He should give up. But his brow furrows and the Beeblebrox in him can't resist a final misguided attempt at love."
"You go over to that sink, splash some water on your face, do absolutely nothing to your hopeless hair, and go out there and jump on that boy who adores you. And the next time you worry about not being normal, just remember my words of wisdom. Fuck normal."
I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley, and it was released on January 7th. This book is not suited for children under the age of 14.
I really enjoyed this book, especially once the gaming aspect started to intensify. I thought it was a good book, but it didn't blow me away. I really liked the characters; they were quirky, fun, and they were real people. The main characters are Katie and George and the point-of-view alternates between them as the story of their romance is woven together. Their romance starts with the classic "I hate you" phase, which I am a fan of (no insta-love). This book does not suffer from "Missing Parent Syndrome", which is also nice in a YA book. Speaking of YA, this book does contain crude humor and is not suited towards younger teens.
One thing I personally didn't like was that I didn't get most of the video game references. I did get a few, but most of them flew right over my head. It was really cool to follow along as the characters played the fame and not just hear "we beat the boss after a long, stressful battle". Each chapter was a level - chapter one is level one, chapter two is level two, and so on - and had a picture of the graphics from Fatal Destiny X, the game the story centers around.
George and Katie's relationship was really cute, and mainly consisted of them playing FDX and making out. Even though they first met in the beginning of the book, their relationship did not progress to fast, and they were often unsure of themselves. After a while their insecurities got a little repetitive (Katie's in particular) but it all worked out in the end. Their relationship was not the main focus of the book, and George and Katie still hung out with their friends (Anna and Lanyon).
Lanyon was great, he was probably my favorite character. He's hilarious and he's just a weird guy. Lanyon's trademark food is Snickers which he has an endless supply of and he never shares them (until he meets Heather). He has very few social capabilities, and his interactions with strangers left me in tears. Lanyon was just very entertaining and I wish I knew him in real life. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, because it was enjoyable, the characters were great, but it just didn't blow me away.
"They take off quickly, which is good, because I try to skip up the walk to my house, only to slip on a patch of three snowflakes and fall on my ass."
"I see in Lanyon's eyes that he'd debating about giving up. He should give up. But his brow furrows and the Beeblebrox in him can't resist a final misguided attempt at love."
"You go over to that sink, splash some water on your face, do absolutely nothing to your hopeless hair, and go out there and jump on that boy who adores you. And the next time you worry about not being normal, just remember my words of wisdom. Fuck normal."
I have not yet finished this book, but it's not looking good.
I do appreciate the dialog, and the way the characters seem to fit together and interact.
The writing is smooth and keeps the story going.
And I will always appreciate a story that tried to advance the geek name. I mean look at that cover! Pure awesome.
HOWEVER
In the first scene (the very first scene!) the female character uses her boobs on some boy gamers - and it works! Not only is this giving female gamers everywhere a bad name, but it also takes place at a midnight release where there are no other women. Really? No other women? Is this 2002?
All the cultural references and nuances are very relevant... for 12 years ago. The character reference games and pop culture that has been done to death. One character even was speaking pretend Chinese like in Firefly. (Which came out in 2002, btw)
Jak and Daxter? 2001. Naruto? 2002.
Not to mention the rape jokes and the racial undertones that also went out with the 2000s.
The landscape has changed drastically since then, and that girl would have gotten called out for trying to use her double X chromosones to get what she wants (as she should be).
Not only that, but the characters seem more like they're 16 then 21 as they're supposed to be. As a millennial myself, I take a little offense at the aimlessness and... laziness that the characters display. I think I acted that way when I was 16.
You know, my 16-year-old self would have really liked this book. Back in 2002.
I do appreciate the dialog, and the way the characters seem to fit together and interact.
The writing is smooth and keeps the story going.
And I will always appreciate a story that tried to advance the geek name. I mean look at that cover! Pure awesome.
HOWEVER
In the first scene (the very first scene!) the female character uses her boobs on some boy gamers - and it works! Not only is this giving female gamers everywhere a bad name, but it also takes place at a midnight release where there are no other women. Really? No other women? Is this 2002?
All the cultural references and nuances are very relevant... for 12 years ago. The character reference games and pop culture that has been done to death. One character even was speaking pretend Chinese like in Firefly. (Which came out in 2002, btw)
Jak and Daxter? 2001. Naruto? 2002.
Not to mention the rape jokes and the racial undertones that also went out with the 2000s.
The landscape has changed drastically since then, and that girl would have gotten called out for trying to use her double X chromosones to get what she wants (as she should be).
Not only that, but the characters seem more like they're 16 then 21 as they're supposed to be. As a millennial myself, I take a little offense at the aimlessness and... laziness that the characters display. I think I acted that way when I was 16.
You know, my 16-year-old self would have really liked this book. Back in 2002.
Review based on an ARC received from www.netgalley.com
Katie and George meet after a brief scuffle over the last copy of the hottest new video game they waited in line all night long to purchase. Both certified geeks, will they overcome their awkwardness and find love, even if they are constantly blocked by video game playing and their equally geeky friends?
Cute story, but I often forgot these were 20 year olds in college and not high school students. Katie, George, and their friends are on winter break, but none of them have jobs. The also all live with their parents and need to constantly ask mom for money. I guess this is reality for some people, but not one character has a job?
They also seem to never be able to leave their 'best friends' behind, and the making out with others in the room is so high school I can't even stand it. If you are 20 something and HAVE NO JOB you can find time and places to be alone (and not have to go parking).
The word "douche" was also used to a bit of an excess. I'm no prude in the cussing department, but with all of the other creative geeky references I think we could find some better filth. The sex, the brief amount inferred, also not too sexy, but hey, these are awkward people so it is to be expected.
I think this would have been much better scaled down to high school age characters and for a bit of younger audience. The geeky references definitely hit home for someone of my generation (I'm 30) and I did get chuckles, but I much preferred Ready Player One by Ernest Cline for story, romance, and content.
Katie and George meet after a brief scuffle over the last copy of the hottest new video game they waited in line all night long to purchase. Both certified geeks, will they overcome their awkwardness and find love, even if they are constantly blocked by video game playing and their equally geeky friends?
Cute story, but I often forgot these were 20 year olds in college and not high school students. Katie, George, and their friends are on winter break, but none of them have jobs. The also all live with their parents and need to constantly ask mom for money. I guess this is reality for some people, but not one character has a job?
They also seem to never be able to leave their 'best friends' behind, and the making out with others in the room is so high school I can't even stand it. If you are 20 something and HAVE NO JOB you can find time and places to be alone (and not have to go parking).
The word "douche" was also used to a bit of an excess. I'm no prude in the cussing department, but with all of the other creative geeky references I think we could find some better filth. The sex, the brief amount inferred, also not too sexy, but hey, these are awkward people so it is to be expected.
I think this would have been much better scaled down to high school age characters and for a bit of younger audience. The geeky references definitely hit home for someone of my generation (I'm 30) and I did get chuckles, but I much preferred Ready Player One by Ernest Cline for story, romance, and content.
(From www.pingwings.ca)
Received from the publisher via Netgalley, for free, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
From Goodreads:
As a fan of Joss Whedon, The Big Bang Theory, and especially The Guild, as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew that this would be my kind of book.
This was a really funny, quirky, quick read. As a video game lover, I found myself cracking up at the references to various video games (and movies and TV shows) throughout the book. If you’re a gamer, you’ll enjoy these references! If you aren’t a gamer or are not familiar with video games, you may not catch the references or the jokes, and the authors don’t really explain the references they make either. There were some that I didn’t get, and it seems to me that as a reader, you’ll either understand them or you won’t. I think the authors expect that the readers will have some familiarity with the video game / geek world, and if you do, I think you’ll enjoy this book.
First of all, it was funny. I had a smile on my face pretty much the entire time that I read it. It was also a fun story that was easy to read, and so I was able to get through it fairly quickly.
I enjoyed the alternating perspectives, switching between George and Katie. I loved that they saw some situations so differently! The characters were likeable and funny and geeky, and I absolutely loved reading about them all teaming up to tackle an epic quest in their game.
I didn’t feel that the book went very deep, but it was definitely a fun read. I recommend this if you’re looking for something funny, geeky, and with a happy ending.
Received from the publisher via Netgalley, for free, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
From Goodreads:
A YA Gamer Geek Comedy in the vein of Scott Pilgrim and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Ideal for fans of The Big Bang Theory, The Guild, and all things Joss Whedon.
WARNING: There is no sex in this book. Your Kindle or other device will remain at a pleasant room temperature. At no point will your panties drop. Your significant other will be allowed to snore in peace as you read. You may, however, laugh yourself out of commission.
Not too long ago, in a town that, depending on your current location, is either not super far or actually quite close… (insert Star Wars theme music here…)
It is a time of chaotic hormones.
Two nerdy gents home for winter break have discovered a female gamer at a midnight release.
During the break, the gamer trio manages to reveal the game’s secret boss, a hidden enemy with enough power to destroy anything in its path.
Pursued by other gamers who want to be the first to beat this boss, George and Katie race to level up, and, in so doing, restore decency and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…
As a fan of Joss Whedon, The Big Bang Theory, and especially The Guild, as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew that this would be my kind of book.
This was a really funny, quirky, quick read. As a video game lover, I found myself cracking up at the references to various video games (and movies and TV shows) throughout the book. If you’re a gamer, you’ll enjoy these references! If you aren’t a gamer or are not familiar with video games, you may not catch the references or the jokes, and the authors don’t really explain the references they make either. There were some that I didn’t get, and it seems to me that as a reader, you’ll either understand them or you won’t. I think the authors expect that the readers will have some familiarity with the video game / geek world, and if you do, I think you’ll enjoy this book.
First of all, it was funny. I had a smile on my face pretty much the entire time that I read it. It was also a fun story that was easy to read, and so I was able to get through it fairly quickly.
I enjoyed the alternating perspectives, switching between George and Katie. I loved that they saw some situations so differently! The characters were likeable and funny and geeky, and I absolutely loved reading about them all teaming up to tackle an epic quest in their game.
I didn’t feel that the book went very deep, but it was definitely a fun read. I recommend this if you’re looking for something funny, geeky, and with a happy ending.