“Rosen adeptly explores memory and personal history as well as the loneliness of losing a parent, the complexity of biracial origins, and the metaphors of a quest and a divided city…Readers—gamers and nongamers alike—will cheer the resolution of Nick’s transformative journey. Thoughtful, earnest, and gratifying.” Kirkus Reviews
Description
There’s a fine line between real life and video games in this engrossing novel that’s part Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird, part Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls.
Severkin is an elf who slinks through the shadows of Wellhall’s spiraling stone towers, plundering ancient ruins and slaying mystical monstrosities with ease.
He’s also a character in a video game—a character that twelve-year-old Nick Reeves plays when he needs a break from the real world. And lately Nick has really needed a break. His mother had an “incident” at school last year, and her health has taken a turn for the worse.
Nick is convinced his mother’s illness has been misdiagnosed, but no one believes him. His only escape is the online world of Wellhall, where, as the elf character Severkin, he can face any problem. But when Nick finds himself fighting alongside another elf who reminds him of someone he knows in real life, his worlds begin to collide.
Praise
“Rosen adeptly explores memory and personal history as well as the loneliness of losing a parent, the complexity of biracial origins, and the metaphors of a quest and a divided city…Readers—gamers and nongamers alike—will cheer the resolution of Nick’s transformative journey. Thoughtful, earnest, and gratifying.” Kirkus Reviews
“A complex, emotional story about grief and acceptance…A strong, thought-provoking novel.” Publishers Weekly
“There are multiple layers and themes explored in this work. Nick’s mother’s family history links to East Berlin and the fall of the Berlin Wall. There are references to Germanic mythology. Themes about outsider experiences and racism are woven throughout. Most poignant, the details and realities of Alzheimer’s are depicted with care and accuracy… A complex and emotionally rich selection that offers a nuanced and needed perspective on the grieving process. A strong addition for middle and high school collections.” School Library Journal
“Prentice Onayemi’s subtle character creations intensify the complex life of biracial middle schooler Nick Reeves…Differentiating characters through accent and vocal pitch, Onayemi transitions between Nick’s dual worlds…Onayemi is an able interpreter of this emotionally charged novel.” AudioFile
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Sep 12, 2016 |
| Release Date | September 13, 2016 |
| Release Date Machine | 1473724800 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Children/YA, Children 8-12, Fiction - All, Fiction - Child |
Author Bio
Lev AC Rosen writes books for people of all ages, including Lavender House, named a best book of the year by Crime Reads and several other outlets. His young adult novel Camp was named a best book of the year by Forbes, Elle, and The Today Show, among others. You can find him online at LevACRosen.com and @LevACRosen.
Narrator Bio
Prentice Onayemi is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator and a voice and film actor who is known for his roles in The Steam-Room Crooner, AmeriQua, and as Joey in the Tony Award–winning play War Horse.
Overview
There’s a fine line between real life and video games in this engrossing novel that’s part Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird, part Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls.
Severkin is an elf who slinks through the shadows of Wellhall’s spiraling stone towers, plundering ancient ruins and slaying mystical monstrosities with ease.
He’s also a character in a video game—a character that twelve-year-old Nick Reeves plays when he needs a break from the real world. And lately Nick has really needed a break. His mother had an “incident” at school last year, and her health has taken a turn for the worse.
Nick is convinced his mother’s illness has been misdiagnosed, but no one believes him. His only escape is the online world of Wellhall, where, as the elf character Severkin, he can face any problem. But when Nick finds himself fighting alongside another elf who reminds him of someone he knows in real life, his worlds begin to collide.
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