It's Only a Game
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
In this twisty, fast-paced YA thriller, a dangerous game becomes all too real when Marina and her friends are framed for murder.
When Marina Chan ran from her old life, she brought nothing with her-not even her real name. Now she lives in fear of her past being discovered. But when her online gaming team is offered a tour of their favorite game company, Marina can't resist accepting, even though she knows it might put her fake identity at risk.
Then the creator of the game is murdered during their tour. The killer plans to frame Marina and her friends for the murder unless they win four rounds of a dangerous game. A game that requires them to lie, trespass, and steal. A game that could destroy everything Marina's worked so hard to build…. A game that she might not survive.
This pulse-pounding YA thriller is perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Slay.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Seattle-based 15-year-old Marina Chan carries haunting secrets from her past. But when she plays Darkitect, an online role-playing game, under the username NightMar3 with her intersectionally diverse teammates—Rajesh Mukherjee, who goes by Rock; Andrew Hunt, aka Dreadnaughty; and Tamyra Johnson, or Syldara—she finds a sense of freedom she hasn't felt in a while. Soon Marina and her team are invited by Cixi, Darkitect's anonymous developer, to beta-test a new game. Before they begin, they meet the CEO of Apocalypta Games, Darkitect's parent company, who is unexpectedly shot and killed during their tour of the facility. A message from Cixi informs the teens that they now must beat the new game or risk being charged with the CEO's murder—or worse. As the team plays for their lives, Marina's enigmatic past unfolds via alternating chapters. While extensive gaming lingo and depictions of Darkitect's mechanics and fascinating gameplay add texture, they alsooccasionally draw focus away from the intricate unraveling mystery. Nevertheless, Yu anchors this whirlwind debut with a smart, courageous, loyal, and caring heroine who easily earns the trust of friends and readers alike. Ages 12–up.
