Stuck in the Game (Dream State Saga, #1)

by Christopher Keene

Noah promised himself he would never play the world’s most popular MMORPG - the Dream State. He’d already lost too many friends to the addictive virtual world.
But after a devastating car crash leaves Noah paralyzed, he’s forced inside the game. The Dream State not only provides a connection with the outside world but also keeps his brain awake long enough for his body to heal. Dying in the game, however, could send Noah into a coma forever. To stay safe, he must remain in the lower levels, far away from the most dangerous monsters and players.
Meanwhile, doctors grow concerned when Noah’s girlfriend, Sue - who also sustained serious injuries in the crash - seemingly fails to connect to the game. When a mysterious avatar suggests to Noah that the last remnants of Sue’s consciousness are being held prisoner in the highest level, Noah decides to risk everything to save her.
Leaving the safety of the lower levels, Noah rises through the ranks and enters the most dangerous part of the game, allying with high-level players and unearthing clues to a sinister plot along the way. Now top players from across the world are hunting him.
With his life on the line, can Noah save Sue and uncover the mystery?

• ISBN10: 1950020525
• ISBN13: 9781950020522
• Publish Date: 2 August 2021 (first published 5 August 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 13 September 2022
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Future House Publishing
• Edition: New Edition
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 276
• Language: English

Reviews

[chymerra]

Before I start my review, I would like to thank Future House Publishing for allowing me to review Stuck in the Game by Christopher Keene.

**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Stuck in the Game from Future House Publishing as an ARC for my honest and unbiased review**

Now onto my review:

This book was great!! As a long time gamer (former WoW….well until the new expansion is released and then I will reactivate my account…haha), I loved that the author picked an MMORPG game to set this story in. Call me a huge nerd but I really liked that he did that.

I did feel for Noah. See, he is stuck in Dream Engine while in a coma after being in a car crash with his girlfriend, Sue….who happens to be an activist against the Wona Company. According to data that she found, the Wona Company is hiding information about the drug that is being used to connect people to the Dream Engine.

So when Noah awakens in Dream Engine, he was a little confused. I mean, wouldn’t you be if you were awakened in an online, virtual reality game? When his mom gets in contact with him and explains what happened, he sucked it up. His parents also hired one of Wona’s employees to “protect” him and to help him level up while he was being brought back to health in real life.

I had to laugh when I started reading the areas Noah was going to quest/level up/grind. Totally reminded me of the different areas of WoW. Duskshire was a main one. I got the giggles when Noah was hunting spiders for silk to make a robe. Been there, done that. The other areas reminded me of (and in no particular order): Kalimdor, Northrend, Pandaria and Booty Bay.



The elitist attitudes portrayed in this book was hilarious and very on point. As well as the views that Noah’s friends have when they realized that Data is running him through dungeons to get better gear. If you have ever sat in trade chat, then you know what I am talking about.

There is a huge twist in the story that did take my breath away. Not giving too much away because you really need to read the book, but I cried and then got mad.

This book ended with one of my biggest pet peeves, a cliffhanger. I hate them with a passion but it did grab my attention and make me wish that book 2 was there. I want to find out what happens to Noah after he wakes up and if things get resolved!!!

How many stars will I give Stuck in the Game? 4

Why? This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that amused me to no end. The characters were likable and the plot was engaging. Only complaint that I had was that it ended in a cliffhanger.

Will I reread it? Yes

Will I recommend it to family and friends? Yes

Age Range? Teen

Why? Very clean. No sex, violence is not graphic and there is no bad language