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stacey332's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nightlight_reader's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
So much of this was too real, and I hope we eventually see this kind of change in the world of gamers.
Divya was incredible and always felt like she was fighting in some capacity, and I’m so glad she did.
Aaron allowing himself to be angry?? Incredible, I loved it, but also allowing himself to be kind and supportive.
They’re great for each other, and I felt this book had so much love in it. Friendship. Family. Lots of love for video games and nerd culture. The end felt like I could’ve been walking into GamesCon with them, and I loved it with all my heart.
Clearly this is a love letter to nerds and nerd culture. I recommend it to any nerd who has ever felt exiled or othered in a gaming space. This one’s clearly for us.
Divya was incredible and always felt like she was fighting in some capacity, and I’m so glad she did.
Aaron allowing himself to be angry?? Incredible, I loved it, but also allowing himself to be kind and supportive.
They’re great for each other, and I felt this book had so much love in it. Friendship. Family. Lots of love for video games and nerd culture. The end felt like I could’ve been walking into GamesCon with them, and I loved it with all my heart.
Clearly this is a love letter to nerds and nerd culture. I recommend it to any nerd who has ever felt exiled or othered in a gaming space. This one’s clearly for us.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
Got bored with the plot very quickly
Got bored with the plot very quickly
ladyinverse's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
this was fairly cute and I appreciated that it wasn't an overtly romantic plot. I also appreciated that Aaron did not become a white knight for Divya and that she stood up for herself. the characters were a little cringey but also, cringe is dead. all in all, not too bad.
mirareadsbooksforfun's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the characters and the story. Would I reread it? Probably not, but I had so much fun reading it! Video gaming isn't part of my life, but I sure enjoy peaking into that world! Big topics were discussed but the balance between the serious stuff and the rest of the story was just perfect. It made me think while still keeping me entertained and interested in the story. Would 100% recommend!
distant_ships's review against another edition
3.0
I rooted for these two so hard. Actually the secondary characters as well. The whole Scooby Gang.
bzliz's review
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? No
3.0
This audiobook was pretty average in every way. I liked Divya’s narrator more than Aaron’s, who dialed up a pretty stereotypical “gay” voice for Aaron’s best friend Ryan. That wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t mind either character though they both made frustrating choices. Be real, Aaron, that guy is never going to pay you. Don’t do work for free! And Divya, if you have a cop investigating the harassment you’ve been facing, it would probably help to share the threatening emails you’ve been getting so they can (get a load of this…) investigate them.
As for the story itself, it’s a YA book so it really skims the surface on how deep these issues can go. It tries to take on topics like bullying, harassment, sexual assault, doxxing, racism, etc. without really saying much of anything. It feels like the author is a little out of touch with the online world.
If the book world was a restaurant, this book would be some chicken tenders off the kid’s menu: tastes okay but kind of bland and the portion is pretty small.
As for the story itself, it’s a YA book so it really skims the surface on how deep these issues can go. It tries to take on topics like bullying, harassment, sexual assault, doxxing, racism, etc. without really saying much of anything. It feels like the author is a little out of touch with the online world.
If the book world was a restaurant, this book would be some chicken tenders off the kid’s menu: tastes okay but kind of bland and the portion is pretty small.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, Cursing, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault
jazzhands94's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I was in love with this book in the first chapter. Wow, simply an incredible read. I'll post a longer and more coherent review later, but for now, this one is a serious contender for my Top Reads of 2020 list.
kathlgpa's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I am not a gamer, so all of the plot which describes in detail an online RPG was tedious to read.
On the other, this book tackled a lot of hard issues in what I thought was a really realistic and thoughtful way (cyber bullying, sexism, assault and harassment).
The story has 2 protagonistsL one is Divya, a teenage gamer who is sponsored. She stresses about making ends meet with her mom with no help from her dad who left. The other is Aaron, a boy whose mom wants him to follow in her footsteps to become a doctor and neither his mom nor dad take his gaming life as more than a hobby.
I thought Divya was a more interesting character but I really liked both families. I wish there had been more plot with them involved.
There was also a really realistic scene of harassment when Divya and her best friend go to a pizza arcade. A group of college guys comes in and one guy gives them some quarters so they can keep playing. He then seems surprise at how well they do "for girls." He then asks for their number and when they say no and try to leave he gets violent.
It was eerie to me how realistic this situation was. As a woman (and most women have probably experienced this too) there is a certain type of guy who, if he buys you a drink, takes you out to dinner, etc. he then expects something in return.
So this book had a lot of good stuff but I just am not the target audience.
On the one hand, I am not a gamer, so all of the plot which describes in detail an online RPG was tedious to read.
On the other, this book tackled a lot of hard issues in what I thought was a really realistic and thoughtful way (cyber bullying, sexism, assault and harassment).
The story has 2 protagonistsL one is Divya, a teenage gamer who is sponsored. She stresses about making ends meet with her mom with no help from her dad who left. The other is Aaron, a boy whose mom wants him to follow in her footsteps to become a doctor and neither his mom nor dad take his gaming life as more than a hobby.
I thought Divya was a more interesting character but I really liked both families. I wish there had been more plot with them involved.
There was also a really realistic scene of harassment when Divya and her best friend go to a pizza arcade. A group of college guys comes in and one guy gives them some quarters so they can keep playing. He then seems surprise at how well they do "for girls." He then asks for their number and when they say no and try to leave he gets violent.
It was eerie to me how realistic this situation was. As a woman (and most women have probably experienced this too) there is a certain type of guy who, if he buys you a drink, takes you out to dinner, etc. he then expects something in return.
So this book had a lot of good stuff but I just am not the target audience.