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erikbergstrom's review against another edition
4.0
I entered 'Save Game' by Joseph Sale already a fan of his fantasy and horror writing, though I knew I was about to engage in something entirely new. Once again, I'm in awe of Sale's shifting writing identities—here, he's mastered the gaming/virtual reality genre (if that's a thing). Yet there's one thing that remains in all his writing, which is his heart.
'Save Game' is the type of book that could be a quick one-day read or something to savor. Personally, I had to take my time with it. I'm not a gamer, and it took a bit to get myself centered in this Universe. I was hoping for more of a 50/50 split between Levi's real life and his virtual one, though it's clear where Sale's intentions and love was. His writing is strongest in the battle scenes—every detail was vivid, something I admire in a writer. Action scenes are very, very hard!
There was a time when I could get lost in video game adventures (Final Fantasy VIII being my jam) and by the end, I could remember that fond connection I had with the characters. After such an investment, they begin to feel like real family & friends, and Sale really brings that concept home.
I do think because of the little time spent on Levi's actual life, we don't get that same amount of love & connection with the actual family, which is what Levi's playing for in the first place. But then again, this could also be seen as a story of Levi's personal progression as he plays the game. He starts off feeling like he's "flunked" everything. The game represents one thing he can be good at, which is the kind of hope & promise I think we all look for when most of our life feels like one failed test after another.
In the end, it's a book with definite re-read qualities, and I look forward to time spent in this universe again—whether it's with another run at 'Save Game' or the next chapter in Levi's life!
'Save Game' is the type of book that could be a quick one-day read or something to savor. Personally, I had to take my time with it. I'm not a gamer, and it took a bit to get myself centered in this Universe. I was hoping for more of a 50/50 split between Levi's real life and his virtual one, though it's clear where Sale's intentions and love was. His writing is strongest in the battle scenes—every detail was vivid, something I admire in a writer. Action scenes are very, very hard!
There was a time when I could get lost in video game adventures (Final Fantasy VIII being my jam) and by the end, I could remember that fond connection I had with the characters. After such an investment, they begin to feel like real family & friends, and Sale really brings that concept home.
I do think because of the little time spent on Levi's actual life, we don't get that same amount of love & connection with the actual family, which is what Levi's playing for in the first place. But then again, this could also be seen as a story of Levi's personal progression as he plays the game. He starts off feeling like he's "flunked" everything. The game represents one thing he can be good at, which is the kind of hope & promise I think we all look for when most of our life feels like one failed test after another.
In the end, it's a book with definite re-read qualities, and I look forward to time spent in this universe again—whether it's with another run at 'Save Game' or the next chapter in Levi's life!
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