Imagine your delight at seeing that reluctant pupil in your class, finally managing to pick up and stick with a book, even if the cover is as delirious and neon as possible. Then imagine the horror when you see lines of dialogue spelled as how gamers might type, as in "srsly what am i sposd 2 do". You just can't win. And speaking of which, that is proving difficult for the heroes too – their chosen fantasy quest in the OW game world is proving awkward, on account of skeletal warriors they weren't expecting. Add to that, in real life (so sorry, irl – obvs) Mason is tasked with looking after his pest of a younger brother, as in spending time with him and fixing the evening meal.

Of course I am all for all kinds of book that could allow all kinds of reader to find their chosen material, but that said quality has to win out. And this is barely that. The plot (gaming proves to present the MC with real life skills and team-work attributes as helpful as any in the game) is evident really early on, the artwork is ugly as sin (sorry, but that's the truth), and the trope of using gamer chat typing is only going to encourage a certain brand of sub-literacy. This moves fast, but from simple A to simple B, and frankly if it was bought to be there ready for the most reluctant reader on the off-chance, I'd seriously consider putting a "last resort only" sticker on it as a reminder. Two stars is nothing but flattering.

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy