The Eye of Minds: The Mortality Doctrine, Book 1
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cyberpunk series hits the ground running for gaming fans.
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What's the Story?
After he witnesses the online suicide of a fellow gamer in the VirtNet, Michael is recruited by government agents to track down a rogue player suspected of holding people hostage within the digital realm. Accompanied by his close friends and fellow hackers, Sarah and Bryson, Michael travels the hidden, dangerous byways of the online system, searching for the virtual location where everything will supposedly be revealed. The path to enlightenment is strewn with danger, however, and Michael must face the realization that his fantasy adventure might actually kill him and the people he cares about.
Is It Any Good?
To fans of The Matrix or other science fiction from the '90s, this book might feel a tad old-fashioned in the way it poses familiar game-or-reality questions. But younger readers coming to the novel without any preconceptions will undoubtedly enjoy the fast-paced plot, snappy dialog, and shifting layers of perception. Author James Dashner serves up a couple of neat reversals, and the book concludes with a narrative jolt sure to propel fans into the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why online gaming is so popular. What makes video games so compelling to such a large audience?
What dangers do online games present to young players?
Do you think technology will ever reach a point where players won't be able to distinguish between online fantasy and offline reality?
Book Details
- Author: James Dashner
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: October 8, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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