It was so much unessesary talking and characters that did not be there. Urgh.
I hoped it would be interesting and cool, but it fell like a dack of card.

Author Winter Lawrence (https://www.winterlawrence.com/) published the novel “Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience” in 2019. Ms. Lawrence has published two novels. This is the first in her "The Gamer" series.

I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains some scenes of Violence. The story is a combination of science fiction, romance, and action.

The primary character is High School student Guinevere "Gwen" or "Teddy" Nielson. Gwen is an avid gamer. Something she has in common with her boyfriend Pete Sampson. She isn't quite sure if he is really her boyfriend as they live hundreds of miles apart. They also have never met face-to-face.

Next door to Gwen lives Ryan, her ex-boyfriend, along with his eight-year-old brother Ben. Gwen tries to avoid Ryan, but she likes the rest of the family. Things become very tangled when all four of the kids end up inside a Virtual Reality game. The game company Pete's father owns developed it for the Department of Defense. Once inside, they go through many trials and tribulations as they attempt to survive. Meanwhile, their bodies have slipped into a deep coma.

I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 340-page young adult science fiction novel. The plot includes a little romance as well as factors that I don't want to give away as spoilers. While there is action, it is pretty light-hearted and veery much in line with a young adult novel. The Middle School or High School student who is also a gamer would find this book of interest. There is already a second novel to the series in development. I do like the selected cover art. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

3.75 stars

From the first 'balls', I immediately thought the author was paying homage to one - Bobby Singer. Then upon reaching the 'Wayward Son' chapter, it was conclusive. I approve! I also think that having an interactive playlist like that is really fun and clever. I was personally looking up every song before I read the chapter. It was interesting to get a gauge, as to the mood and tone the author was trying to project.

I'll be honest, I picked this up thinking that the picture on the front was Eve, the AI. Turns out it's the book's protagonist. I liked the story, it was a bit different to other lit-rpgs I've read. So far as, not just playing the game but actually being sucked into the simulator and being trapped with the AI. I also really enjoyed the secret government element, but wish it had been delved into more and made to feel more realistic. I struggled with some of the father's parts.

I was also left wanting more from the simulator itself, I was really wanting the author to go all out and push the boundaries but it was all pretty tame. Other than that, it was a smidge repetitive. By 70% I'd more than had my share of 'rosy cheeks' and 'parlor tricks'.

Overall, this was a fun read. I would recommend it to younger YA readers and kids interested in gaming.

I started reading this book excited that it might be more like Ready Player One and nostalgic for the Johnny Quest cartoons I watched as a child but I cannot slog through this any longer.

There are many things wrong here all of which seem to conspire with one another to make this a difficult book to finish. I am also not even sure about the target audience? YA Gamers? But the referenced video games are not even modern classics.

I think I should start off by saying this might have been a good script for a movie or a few episodes of a TV show because as a novel there are several issues.

- Hard to identify with the narrator
- The actual relationships between the narrator and her boyfriend, and her ex seem shallow - in fact, the only genuine believable concern I see is in the actions and reactions to the younger brother.
- It feels like a lot more telling, rather than showing by the actions and deeds of the characters
- The description of the in-game experience is quite bland
- The writing feels clunky and the humor does not land

I am thankful for the ARC from Netgalley, but this wasn't my cup of tea

This was such a fun book!
It was a fun fast and interesting read, the writing was good, the character building was good and the premise.
Looking forward to reading more from this author!!

Thank you NetGallery and the publisher for an opportunity to read this.

Eve 2.O is one of those books that grabs you instantly and draws you in. Essentially the concept is kids being trapped in video games and trying to work out how to get out by playing through the scenarios and winning the objectives. Catch Eve the AI in control of the game is self aware and reprograms herself.
The story unfolds from two points of views, the kids in the game and the parents simultaneously which adds an extra dimension to the character building and grounds you that this is the real world they are trapped inside the game.

Overall it was a fun fast and interesting read, the writing was good, the character building was good and the premise. Without spoiling anything in places it was a bit too predictable with situations/discussions being “forced” in order to get the story arc going again which was a struggle for me to read through.

Looking forward to seeing the next in the series!

I really liked the concept of this book, characters trapped in video games, it was intriguing. The chapters are alternated between the parents and the kids POV’ which helps you get to know each character quite well. I think it reminded me of Total Recall where the characters are basically put into unconsciousness and then live in a simulated world. It was really good.
It was well written and fast paced. I read it in a few days as it was so interesting.

Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience is not just for gamers. It has action, adventure and mystery. Gwen, her long-distance boyfriend, Pete and her ex-boyfriend Ryan end up stuck in a game along with Ryan’s younger brother Ben. However, this is not just your run-of-the-mill VR game. This game was invented by Pete’s dad as so much more than that. Unfortunately, Pete is not aware of the consequences of ‘borrowing’ this game for him and his girlfriend to play. Now, they are stuck in the game and must complete the objectives before they can get out. In the meantime, in the ‘real world’, being inside the game has had an interesting effect on their bodies. Fortunately, the characters learn to work together to accomplish their objectives, and there is a happy ending involved. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I requested this book because I am a gamer. It is a book that gamers and non-gamers would enjoy. It is all about Gwen and some "friends" going into the VR game. They have to go from task to task to get out of this game. They have to got work together regardless is going on outside the game. It is impressive. I want to read more of this story and others by this author in the future.

I could hardly put this one down. The story pulled me in right from the start and I will deffinatly be on the look6out fir a second book. I really enjoyed this and the idea of being pulled into a virtual reality game is a great concept I thoroughly enjoyed. This book is very well written and I loved both the concept and characters. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I highly recommend this book it's a fun quick read.

Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience by Winter Lawrence, 338 pages.
Fire & Ice Young Adult Books (Melange), 2019. $19.
Language: R (64 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The only two things that Gwen’s boyfriend and her neighbor’s little brother have in common are being in a coma for no apparent reason and playing with a new video game simulation immediately prior to falling into their comas. As Gwen explores this potential cause, she finds herself trapped in a video game with the others. They’re promised by the AI Eve that returning to their bodies is as simple as accomplishing an objective -- but that was before Eve adapted the code programmed into her.
I had fun reading this story, though the obvious strategies the author uses to get the main characters to work out their issues could be eye roll-inducing. When Lawrence’s predictable scenes made arguments and reconciling too easy, I had to force myself to continue before getting lost in the story again. The squabbles between the main characters kept the story lively, but my favorite parts were the scenes that shifted to the perspective of Gwen’s father. All in all, this scifi is enjoyable as long as you don’t take it too seriously. Mature content rating for underage drinking and mentions of sexual acts.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

An edge of your seat sci-fi thriller, Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience had my heart racing until the end. Winter Lawrence takes readers on a wild, twisty, and fun virtual adventure that will delight even those not familiar with the gaming world.

I honestly loved this book more than I thought I would. I’m not a gamer, but my brother is, so I’ve been exposed to the gaming world ever since I could remember and have played a little before. Reading this book brought back some of my fondest childhood memories when I would watch my brother play Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Final Fantasy, and some other ones I can’t remember. Yes… I was one of those kids who loves being scared and I still do. I love the supernatural, sci-fi and scary movies, and haunted mazes. So, I was definitely excited to read this book, enjoyed the gaming and sci-fi parts of this story, and loved all the thrills and chills that came with it. Even though the concept has been done before, I was very impressed with Lawrence’s creativity and the way she managed to make her story stand out and feel original. I love the writing and the different POVs which made the story even more interesting. The plot is fast-paced, complex, engaging, and filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout the story. I also enjoyed the humor, the lighthearted moments, the mysteries, the family drama, and the scenes that managed to warm my heart. I think the different virtual worlds are amazingly detailed and fascinating. I don’t want to spoil the fun and surprises, but be prepared for anything and everything. There’s just so much awesomeness in this book that it’s best if you experience it for yourself.

The characters are awesome. They’re intriguing, well-developed, and have their own insecurities and strengths that make them relatable and likeable. I like the tension, the drama, the bantering and the romance…okay maybe not the love triangle between Gwen(Teddy), Pete and Ryan, but the romance/OTP I was rooting for turned out to be quite sweet in the end. The story certainly didn’t need any romance, but I still enjoyed it and can’t wait to see more of it in the next book. I think Ben is super adorable and I enjoyed the scenes with him. I really liked how the characters all worked together as a team to beat the game and find a way to get home. Even the parents are interesting, have their own drama, and mission to help their children survive and escape Eve.

An addictive, thrilling, and unpredictable sci-fi story, this book enthralled me until the last page and I’m sure plenty of readers will be too. It’s a bit terrifying at times, but I loved all action, the nail-biting suspense, the tension filled scenes, the humor sprinkled here and there, the family drama, and the wonderful moments that made me smile. Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience by Winter Lawrence is such an entertaining and fun sci-fi thriller, but I also love that it’s also a nice story about bravery, trust, family, forgiveness, and second chances. This book is surprising in the best ways and I loved it. It’s full of adventure, interesting and loveable characters, and an amazing storyline that will keep you turning the pages. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a fantastic storytelling and awesome thrills.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review and for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by TLC Book Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A big thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me get an early release version of this book. The book was well written but it was a little bit more YA than I thought it was going to be. If I was just starting high school I would probably love this book but as I am a little bit older than that I can appreciate the story as it was well composed for a younger audience. So overall it was an OK read but I imagine the younger readers will enjoy a lot more.

Teddy loves gaming and even found her current boyfriend, Pete, on a gaming forum. They now regularly game together and send each other new games and tips. It helps to distract Teddy from her ex boyfriend, Ryan, who lives next door.

Things start to go wrong when her boyfriend, and her ex's brother Ben, fall into unexplained comas on the same day. Teddy discovers gaming equipment in Ben's bedroom and realises that Pete must have sent it to her. When she tries it, she finds herself dragged into the game, shortly followed by Ryan. Now they have to battle through a series of video games, overseen by a constantly learning AI, before time runs out...


What a fun read! At first, it kind of felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of a story, with all the references to Teddy and Ryan's shady past. But as the story progressed it all made sense, so do stick with it if you're worried about that.


I'm a very casual gamer, so I was worried how well I'd understand that part of it. I needn't have. Ryan must never have even read the back of a game box if he couldn't follow the terminology Teddy was using, but it worked well to make sure the audience were following along. I really liked that they worked through different types of games, too, it wasn't just the same thing over and over.


I don't want to give away the ending, so I'll just say that I have my suspicions about some things that happened, and I'm not absolutely sure I understand the end of Pete's storyline, which is dealt with in two throwaway sentences. But I'm sure that the next book will explain it, and I'm looking forward to reading it to see what happens next.



(Oh, and I know the cover makes it look very sexy. That's really not an issue in the actual story.)

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was disappointed with this sci fi YA novel. The writing was uninspiring and the story dragged. The characters were bland and the action slow. I could not get into it.

Gwen isn't your typical gamer girl. Or maybe she is... and she's just lucky to have an almost-boyfriend who gets insider access to the newest, coolest gaming systems. She didn't expect the latest game to leave her truly gaming for her life inside a super-secret government simulation, and the pressure is only just beginning.

A riveting YA novel, fun for anyone who likes RPG (on- or offline).

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eve 2.0 has a lot going on. There is a love triangle, a love of gaming, family drama, virtual reality that is a little too real, and a military conspiracy. Hang on for a ride through all of these stories, sometimes all at once! This is a YA book that is a fairly easy read without a ton of advanced words or ideas. Even if you aren’t an avid gamer, Eve 2.0 will not leave you confused about how games work, or how families work for that matter.

At it’s heart, Eve 2.o is a story about how a girl, two boys and a little brother with an avid gaming life end up in an overly immersive VR game that they were never meant to be playing. The way the game throws challenges at all of them leads the kids to grow up in ways they never foresaw and causes those outside of the game to solve even greater problems to keep everyone alive.

More to follow with a sequel!

This book was definitely a surprise... A good one. Action, suspense, lots of humor and some romance didn’t let much room to do something more than reading. The story is a roller coaster ride through different pc games and it was really easy to follow Gwen, I mean Teddy, getting sucked into what was happening. At times it was hard to stop biting my nail or even breath ‘cause everything is happening fast and merciless. I hope Gwen and Ryan gets a chance in the real world and I’m curious what is going on with Pete. It’s gonna be a long wait for the next book.

I didn’t enjoy this at all, not my kind of read at all, I thought it sounded good but I just found it all a bit too much, yeah I read a ton of fantasy and sci-fi so I know about suspension of belief, but this just wasn’t for me. No real substance.

This book had me finding free minutes during the day where I could read a little bit further. Needless to say I loved this book about 4 people getting sucked into a video game. Gwen, her ex-boyfriend Ryan, his little brother Ben and her current (online) boyfriend Pete.
The pov sometimes switches from Gwen to her dad outside in the real world and that worked real well in my opinion by giving you some clues about what was happening and how they got out. Not everything was explained but as it tunes out there will be a sequel so that makes sense.

As a girl gamer myself I have to say I liked that Gwen wasn't the stereo typical nerd girl you often come across in other books as soon as there is a girl and games and RPG involved.

Ofcourse the love triangle is a pretty standard ingrediënt, but it worked and didn't detract from the story in any way. The adventure and action is fun and this book, while certainly appealing to gamers, is definitely well worth your while if you haven't touched controller ever but do enjoy exciting storylines with realistic characters, lots of adventure and a little bit of mystery.

I'd give it 4,5 stars but upgrade to five since I cannot do half stars.