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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm waay too old for this. It's very nice for children though, I imagine.
If you enjoy a good mind twist, this book is for you. A boy is given a video game by one of his friends. The game's objective is to kill aliens. But what does a player do when the aliens ask to surrender? As a reader, this idea is fascinating.
2.5
I've had this book on my radar for awhile now, but was, for some reason, a bit hesitant to try a non-Discworld book by Pratchett since the only other one I've done was 'Good Omens' which, while I like well enough, didn't quite have the same panache as either Discworld or some of Gaiman's other work.
Anyway, I saw it in the library and figured, well, no harm in trying it for free, so I gave it a go.
It's a pretty decent story. Nothing mind-blowing or anything, but a nice sort of Tron-like sci-fi adventure story (what with the aliens being programs from a video game) with a few moral lessons thrown in - as many sci-fi stories do - without being overly heavy-handed.
Written during the time of the first Gulf War, it touches on issues of modern day war and how it's ever easier, with war almost looking like a video game, at least on TV, to forget that there are real people involved. There are also issues of personal responsibility and standing up for doing the right thing, even if it goes against what everyone else is telling you.
It's a short book, and a quick and easy read, and while it won't blow many adults away, I think it has some good things for kids in it - though they might not get some of the references to old video games. ;)
I've had this book on my radar for awhile now, but was, for some reason, a bit hesitant to try a non-Discworld book by Pratchett since the only other one I've done was 'Good Omens' which, while I like well enough, didn't quite have the same panache as either Discworld or some of Gaiman's other work.
Anyway, I saw it in the library and figured, well, no harm in trying it for free, so I gave it a go.
It's a pretty decent story. Nothing mind-blowing or anything, but a nice sort of Tron-like sci-fi adventure story (what with the aliens being programs from a video game) with a few moral lessons thrown in - as many sci-fi stories do - without being overly heavy-handed.
Written during the time of the first Gulf War, it touches on issues of modern day war and how it's ever easier, with war almost looking like a video game, at least on TV, to forget that there are real people involved. There are also issues of personal responsibility and standing up for doing the right thing, even if it goes against what everyone else is telling you.
It's a short book, and a quick and easy read, and while it won't blow many adults away, I think it has some good things for kids in it - though they might not get some of the references to old video games. ;)
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1879849.html
One of Pratchett's earlier YA novels, about a 12-year-old boy who is an enthusiastic player of computer games, which ws very much enjoyed by my 12-year-old son who is an enthusiastic player of computer games. Although Pratchett apologises in the introduction of the 2004 edition for how the story has dated since the original 1993 publication, I didn't spot any gross problems in that regard (and my expert advisor tells me that only the mention of Atari is particularly dated, plus perhaps old-fashioned descriptions of Nintendo).
Anyway, it's the story of what happens when the creatures in the game start to interact with the players as if they were real being living real lives and dying real deaths; and Pratchett injects it with his characteristica humanism, humanity, passion and humour. Very entertaining, and I now realise that perhaps the only gaps in our Pratchett library are the other two books in the Johnny Maxwell series.
One of Pratchett's earlier YA novels, about a 12-year-old boy who is an enthusiastic player of computer games, which ws very much enjoyed by my 12-year-old son who is an enthusiastic player of computer games. Although Pratchett apologises in the introduction of the 2004 edition for how the story has dated since the original 1993 publication, I didn't spot any gross problems in that regard (and my expert advisor tells me that only the mention of Atari is particularly dated, plus perhaps old-fashioned descriptions of Nintendo).
Anyway, it's the story of what happens when the creatures in the game start to interact with the players as if they were real being living real lives and dying real deaths; and Pratchett injects it with his characteristica humanism, humanity, passion and humour. Very entertaining, and I now realise that perhaps the only gaps in our Pratchett library are the other two books in the Johnny Maxwell series.
One of Sir Terry's more modest efforts but still very funny and thoughtful, though sometimes missing the mark: Johnny's speech in his SE class near the end comes off as a little forced and could have benefited from being handled maybe a little less as a set-piece and more like the scene with Bigmac at the accident site. That said, it works as an adventure and has some hilarious bits about growing up and trying to make sense of the world. There are some completely spot-on observations about fitting in and getting on, which make it bittersweet and perceptive. It's also - possibly - the sweariest solo Pratchett book, too, though I am prepared to be corrected on that one. Good fun, all around, though.
This is my first time ever reading Terry Pratchett. I know, everyone says to start with Discworld but I haven't gotten that far yet. While Discworld appears to be his most popular series, most of the people I know had never read or heard of the Johnny Maxwell trilogy, making me a pioneer in this particular series at least within my friends.
It's intelligent children's writing, though dated. How uncomfortable a feeling it is to start considering that all the aliens we killed in our first person shooters were actually living things we were tricked into slaughtering under the guise of a game. It's also proof positive, of what little we get of the real world, that while times may have changed some, they still have a lot more growth to undergo. It has a character of color named Yo-Less (a nickname, I'm not sure we ever got his real name) who has to flee the site of a car accident involving a stolen car he wasn't even in because he's worried the cops will assume he was involved. The female character, Kirsty, deals with sexism from every male character, forcing Johnny to reevaluate his understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of women. It also touches on a subject that still troubles children to this day: how to deal with parents who are divorcing.
While all these bits and pieces of the real world are good, the majority of the plot involves what happens in their dreams and, honestly, was not as enthralling as I'd hoped. It's a bit like Galaxy Quest lite. I don't want to spoil things, but it didn't quite hit the spot as far as sci-fi books go.
I don't know that I would recommend this book to friends, seeing as it was only okay. It certainly isn't among the best of the books I've read in the genre. However, I can't really say anything bad about it either. It's an okay book. It's definitely safe to read for all ages, that being said.
It's intelligent children's writing, though dated. How uncomfortable a feeling it is to start considering that all the aliens we killed in our first person shooters were actually living things we were tricked into slaughtering under the guise of a game. It's also proof positive, of what little we get of the real world, that while times may have changed some, they still have a lot more growth to undergo. It has a character of color named Yo-Less (a nickname, I'm not sure we ever got his real name) who has to flee the site of a car accident involving a stolen car he wasn't even in because he's worried the cops will assume he was involved. The female character, Kirsty, deals with sexism from every male character, forcing Johnny to reevaluate his understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of women. It also touches on a subject that still troubles children to this day: how to deal with parents who are divorcing.
While all these bits and pieces of the real world are good, the majority of the plot involves what happens in their dreams and, honestly, was not as enthralling as I'd hoped. It's a bit like Galaxy Quest lite. I don't want to spoil things, but it didn't quite hit the spot as far as sci-fi books go.
I don't know that I would recommend this book to friends, seeing as it was only okay. It certainly isn't among the best of the books I've read in the genre. However, I can't really say anything bad about it either. It's an okay book. It's definitely safe to read for all ages, that being said.
YA book by Pratchett about a kid who plays a computer game that blows up aliens, except that the aliens are real and want to surrender. Not bad, but not great either.
I. Going through a phase where I am catching g up on every missed Pratchett book. Except The Shepherds Crown.
I will NEVER read the final one. If I never read it, there is always one more.
Even though it was written in 1992, a part of me felt like this was a book written for children in 2011.
When things happen that children can’t understand, when the world seems like a grim place, in “troubled times” a book like this can be something to hold onto.
I will NEVER read the final one. If I never read it, there is always one more.
Even though it was written in 1992, a part of me felt like this was a book written for children in 2011.
When things happen that children can’t understand, when the world seems like a grim place, in “troubled times” a book like this can be something to hold onto.