Adventures in a Video Game by Dustin Brady

 It's time for action and adventure! Today, I'm taking a peek at the first two books in a new series for middle graders. As you can see from the title, these rotate around video games and have the main character(s) entering various games (physically being sucked in?) and heading through various adventures. While this isn't a new idea, it is one that offers many possibilities...if done right. And I'm hoping that this series is as exciting as it could be.

Let's dive in and see!

DON'T CLIMB THIS MOUNTAIN

Adventures in a Video Game

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction/ Adventure

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

Archie Maloney’s obsession with YouTube sensation Sir Hype has reached an all-time high. Sir Hype just announced that he’s seeking contestants for his latest mountain challenge, which—thanks to a breakthrough in technology—is taking place inside of a video game. Archie will do whatever it takes to climb that mountain.

This is the second book in the Adventures in a Video Game series, a new series by bestselling author, Dustin Brady, where each book contains its own adventure in a different type of thrilling video game. ​

YouTube sensation Sir Hype is using groundbreaking technology to take his annual mountain challenge inside of a video game. One hundred contestants will battle digital monsters, glitching terrain, and backstabbing allies for a chance at fame and fortune atop the peak—or, at least, a chance to make it out alive. 

Thanks to some quick thinking and a willingness to bend the truth, Archie Maloney does make to the mountain. He also brings dozens of other contestants along for the ride, including his little cousin Mae, an ambitious girl named Naila, and the infamous Devil Doug. If the gang can survive a wild race to the mountain, fierce snowball fight against a robot yeti, and showdown with an avalanche, they’ll discover that the real danger has just begun. On this mountain, you can’t trust anyone. 

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY FRIEND FROM THE FUTURE

Adventures in a Video Game

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction/

Adventure

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

Two years ago, Bentley Carmone’s dad invented a deadly video game. Now, Bentley must team up with the hero of that game to fend off a new threat.  

This is the first book in the Adventures in a Video Game series, a new series by bestselling author, Dustin Brady, where each book contains its own adventure in a different type of thrilling video game. ​

Bentley Carmone’s twelfth birthday party has been—without question—his worst. For one thing, no one wanted to come. That wouldn’t be so bad if those that did come had a good time, but everyone seems to be bored stiff. Finally, (and arguably most importantly), the entire party has just been captured by video game aliens. 

Now, Bentley must team up with Polly, a gas station girl mascot turned video game hero, to hunt down the aliens. Armed with a blaster and laser sword, Polly would be the perfect partner for this job if she could ever stop invading mini-golf courses and blowing up semi-trucks. Over time, Bentley learns that Polly may not only hold the key to saving his friends, but also solving a mystery that has haunted the Carmone family for years. Can Bentley get through to her before it’s too late?

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Action fans are in for a treat as these books head from one dangerous situation into the next...and that from the beginning all the way to the end.

Each book leads a different main character into a video game, which works with the questionable technology from Bionosoft. The first book takes place with the first use of the software, and the second happens two years later when the software has evolved. Both pull the characters and those around them into the games and place all in difficult and dangerous situations. But it's not about winning the games as much as these characters must save the lives of all involved and find a way to exit the game...or in the second book, save the world. 

These are very fast-paced and tons of fun to read. There's never a boring moment as the tension remains high the entire way through. But it's not only action. The characters and those around them have their own flaws to work through, meaning that there are clear lessons to be learned. These cover more complicated themes. Book one looks at the difference between a Influencer's appearance online and their true personality in real life—how drastically different and disappointing this can be. Book two takes on the complicated theme surrounding achievement of goals versus the damage done in order to reach them, while spinning in the difficulty of the loss of a loved one. So, there is depth woven into the edge-of-the-seat action. Still, it never nears preachy and lets the adventure roll. In a way, these remind me of Spy Kids.

Even reluctant readers will enjoy these...well, those who enjoy super-hero like action scenes in video game settings. The length stays under 200-pages, there are several illustrations spread through-out the pages, and the font is larger than usual as is the spacing. These do work well for the younger end of the middle grade audience as well. I do need to mention that many characters 'die' during the game, but the author keeps this very kid-friendly and smooths everything over very nicely at the end of each book.