Andrew Klavan’s Mindwar trilogy was a fun, thrilling read with powerful, lifelike characters and a plot that kept me up late at night.
When Rick lost the ability to run, he came one step closer to becoming a hero.
New High Score! New Record Time!
Rick nodded with grim satisfaction. He laid the game controller aside on the sofa and reached for his crutches.
Rick Dial was the best quarterback Putnam Hills High School had ever seen. Unflappable. Unstoppable. Number 12. But when a car accident left him crippled, Rick’s life as he knew it ended. He disavowed his triumphant past. He ignored his girlfriend. He disappeared into his bedroom—and into the glowing video screen.
But Rick’s uncanny gaming skills have attracted attention. Dangerous attention. Government agents have uncovered a potentially devastating cyber-threat: a Russian genius has created a digital reality called the Realm, from which he can enter, control, and disrupt American computer systems . . . from transportation to defense. The agents want Rick, quick-thinking quarterback and gaming master, to enter the Realm and stop the madman—before he sends America into chaos.
Entering the Realm will give Rick what he thought he’d never have again: a body as strong and fast as it was before the accident. But this is no game, there are no extra lives, and what happens to Rick in the Realm happens to Rick’s body in reality.
Even after Rick agrees to help, he can’t shake the sense that he’s being kept in the dark. Why would a government agency act so aggressively? Can anyone inside the Realm be trusted? How many others have entered before him . . . and failed to return?
In the tradition of Ender’s Game and The Matrix, MindWar is a complex thriller about a seemingly ordinary teenager who discovers a hidden gift—a gift that could make him a hero . . . or cost him everything.
Amazon Blurb
This was a fun, fast-paced series with characters that hooked me and stakes that made me keep thinking ‘one more chapter.’ Spoiler alert, I’m still sore over the death of a certain character, but this was a great story with themes of heroism, patriotism, and trusting in God.
I’d recommend this story for teens — there’s fantasy gore, a light romance that doesn’t go any farther than a kiss, and fight scenes with blades, guns, and makeshift weaponry, all described in accurate, though not over-the-top, detail. There’s no language and the book keeps things on level with teens. I’m a sucker for military sci-fi, especially with philosophical underpinings, and if that’s your cup of tea too, go give the Mindwar trilogy a read!
Anyone read Mindwar? Did you enjoy it? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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The blurb was absolutely compelling. It’s rare that I read through a blurb, but that one sucked me in!
It was an excellent blurb! Definitely a good one to learn from!
Agreed. Great blurb. I almost forgot how fun this series was