So I’m not rating this for two reasons.

1. I’m a middle aged white lady. I’m just about as far from the target demographic as it can get. This book was NOT written for *me* and I don’t want my lower rating to affect the book’s overall rating in case that rating affects if people this WAS written for decide to pick it up or not.

2. I am not a gamer, I don’t understand VR stuff, and as an added bonus, I don’t see pictures in my head. So a lot of the world building, vibrant scenes, and game play stuff was like…not a thing I found engaging.

So I guess really reason 2 kinda just fits into reason 1, too. I read this book as part of a 2021 challenge to read a book about a game, this is def that.

I can absolutely understand why there’s a strong following for this book so if you think you might like it, please do pick it up.

Awesome kids book full of adventure!

3.5 stars. This was beautifully done but *wow* was it a challenge to read. Please look into trigger warnings if you are an DA/SA survivor or if that sort of content is a trigger for you. It's...brutal.

I’ve had a horrible time with books since March 2020 and this last year has been especially rough. This one, though? Man, it brought out all my favorite parts of reading.

Loved every second of the ride and wish I could hang out with Mari. Well, if it were 16 again instead of 36.

2.5? 3? I can't decide.

I fully expected to LOVE this book. I adore slashers. I wrote a final paper for college about slashers comparing the old school with the reboots etc. I really enjoyed The Only Good Indian, it was excellent.

This one sort of fell flat for me? Maybe I was expecting too much or something. The author's descriptions are absolutely vivid and the scenes are tense when they finally get there but...*shrug*

Don't mind me. I am just over here pouting. I think I've learned that this author just isn't for me. I had similar issues with Southern Bookclub's Guide, where in the manner of gore description just pulls me 100% out of the story. I can't place what it is. I am not new to horror. Gore doesn't bother me at all...but the WAY it's done in this book and SBG just does nothing for me.

Added to the fact that I adore slasher/final girl type stuff...maybe I've just done too much? This doesn't hold up and left me entirely underwhelmed. Sigh.

Another DNF for 2021. Sigh.

Gosh the language IMMEDIATELY took me out of the story. Gosh I was bored.

Great book. Pretty intense for the 6 and 4 (mostly her) year old. Lots of adventure and excitement. Also a lot of death and sadness with quite a bit of tension.