I had to DNF this book because there were too many curse words for me, and the main character also grated on my nerves. This book may very well be good (I've seen reviews saying that it picks up later in the story), but I just don't have the time to wait and see if it gets better.

I wasn't sure about this book at first. It was slow but intriguing. It quickly picked up the pace until it was pedal to the metal. Full of suspense and twisty thrills.

Miguel H. Villarreal’s Permdeath is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that fuses the high-stakes intensity of a battle royale video game with the chilling reality of life-and-death consequences. A gritty, suspenseful blend of Ready Player One and The Hunger Games, this novel is a must-read for fans of fast-paced action, gaming culture, and edge-of-your-seat twists.

The story follows Marcus, a struggling video game streamer whose career is circling the drain. Desperate for money and relevance, he seizes the chance to compete in a mysterious online tournament promising a $1 million prize. But the stakes escalate quickly when he discovers that players eliminated in the game are disappearing in real life. Trapped in a brutal deathmatch, Marcus must battle not just for the prize but for his survival, navigating deadly enemies, digital and human alike, while uncovering the terrifying secrets behind the tournament.

Villarreal’s writing is as sharp and fast-paced as the game Marcus is thrown into. The action sequences are visceral and cinematic, immersing readers in the intense, high-pressure world of the battle royale. Gamers will appreciate the detailed depictions of the tournament, from its ruthless mechanics to the vivid and dangerous digital arenas. Yet the story’s appeal isn’t limited to gamers—its universal themes of desperation, survival, and moral ambiguity make it a gripping read for anyone who loves a high-stakes thriller.

Marcus is a compelling protagonist, with his flawed, relatable nature making him an easy character to root for. His growth over the course of the story—from a struggling streamer to a determined survivor—is well-paced and satisfying. The secondary characters, including allies and enemies in the game, are equally intriguing, adding depth and unpredictability to the narrative.

What sets Permdeath apart is its chilling exploration of technology’s darker possibilities. The novel doesn’t shy away from tackling questions about greed, exploitation, and the fine line between entertainment and cruelty. Villarreal masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers guessing about the tournament’s true purpose and the sinister forces behind it. The revelations, when they come, are jaw-dropping and raise the stakes even higher.

If there’s a critique, it’s that the breakneck pace occasionally leaves little room for deeper exploration of some characters and plot threads. However, the relentless momentum is part of the novel’s appeal, and readers will likely be too engrossed to notice.

Permdeath is a gripping, adrenaline-fueled thriller that blends gaming culture with dystopian horror. Miguel H. Villarreal has crafted a story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked until the final, shocking page. Perfect for fans of high-octane suspense and video game-inspired fiction, this is a novel you won’t be able to put down.

Really great read.
But I wishes rhw ending wasn't so rushed and more of the characters could be expanded.

This book sucked me in from the very beginning and didn't let me go from its action-packed grasps until the very end.

Mason is a struggling streamer, hoping to make it big one day. Not fully dealing with the violent death of his parents, he throws himself into the world of online video games and poor financial decisions. When a million dollar opportunity arises for him to make it big as a streamer, he decides that the competition is worth his life, even if it results in permadeath.

I was drawn to PERMADEATH because I play videogames myself, my favorite genre being action RPGs. Ask me any day about my Fallout or Dead Space games. PERMADEATH starts off strong with references to popular games, such as Bioshock Infinite, and other online pop culture memes, making it highly relevant to today. From there, PERMADEATH turns into a full throttle action book that moves at a very fast pace. The stakes are high, the plot is tense, and the characters are relatable. Marcus is dealing with grief, and his struggles are handled with such delicacy that you can't help but grieve with Marcus.

Miguel H. Villarreal's writing is excellent, fully diving into his obvious passion for video games. What I didn't expect, and what I ended up loving most about PERMADEATH, was the commentary of how streaming culture can become toxic, the rise of AI, socio-economic disparities, and the ever present discussion of violence in video games. It was a very fresh take on the topics through a medium that will appeal to video game fans.

This is an excellent book for anyone who likes their books a little nerdy or a little thrilling. As a big fan of Squid Games, READY PLAYER ONE and READY PLAYER TWO, PERMADEATH is a very deserved spot on my bookshelf.

This book presents a compelling narrative that initially unfolds at a slower pace, but quickly gains momentum after the pivotal “game” scene. Once this moment occurs, the story captivates with its unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader hooked. The first major twist was particularly shocking, adding layers of intrigue that made it impossible to put the book down. Overall, this engaging read combines suspense and emotional depth, deserving of a solid 5 Star.

Permadeath is a fast-paced, high-stakes gamelit thriller that keeps the adrenaline pumping. The action sequences are intense, and the virtual world is immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story. While the premise is exciting, some of the character development and emotional depth take a backseat to the non-stop action. Still, if you’re looking for a fun, cinematic read with plenty of twists and gaming-inspired tension, this one delivers!

Permadeath by Miguel H. Villarreal is a high-stakes thriller that blurs the lines between virtual and real-world danger. Marcus, a struggling video game streamer, sees an online tournament offering a million-dollar prize as his last chance to turn things around. However, as players begin dying in both the game and in real life, Marcus realizes he’s trapped in a deadly competition orchestrated by a sinister force. As the tension ramps up, Marcus must navigate both the virtual battlefield and life-threatening consequences, uncovering a chilling conspiracy along the way. Fast-paced and gripping, Permadeath is a thrilling ride for fans of video games and suspense.

This was such a great read! The main character had me rooting for him right away. I just wish the author had put more into the ending and didn’t quickly wrap everything up in the last few pages. There were many characters that weren’t even mentioned, so you have no idea what happened to them. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

His bosses are faceless patrons that are eager for him to kill. Marcus Rhodes, a lonely, young streamer on Twitch, plays Warfield 3 as his alternative identity, Hexagone. He wants to be able to subsist, pay off his mortgage, and play video games at the same time. The few viewers and subscribers that he has just aren’t cutting the bills and he does not want to return to working for corporate America. What makes Marcus an interesting character and streamer is that he can use his “Shingles” to fully immerse himself into the game, in the way that he can actually see, taste, and smell his surroundings in-game. After an injury and fluke lands him in prison in the game, he has no hope for his future as a video game streamer. A glimmer of hope appears in a new game called Thermal Core, where he may have the chance to win $1 million dollars. After software updates, in-person interviews, facial expressions recorded, and a van outside his home full-time, he is ready to play Thermal Core. 8 streamers total on 2 teams of 4 for 3 days, does he have the chance to win a million dollars or will he fall flat?

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I had the opportunity to review read Permadeath by Miguel H. Villarreal. This book was released the 2nd of December.

I really wanted to read this one after I've read the description, it just wheeled me in. I enjoy reading thrillers, this being a bit different than what I normally read since it revolves around a game and a streaming community.

We're following Marcus in this story, a guy with way to much debt trying to climb the streaming ladder so he can live of the donations fans make. I have to say, the beginning threw me off a bit.. About a fifth of the book is about Marcus and his problems, him trying to reel in people for his streams and him online gaming / streaming and paying an obscene amount of money to get one on one sessions to learn how to get more viewers in stream.

After getting chosen to advance play a game with 7 other streamers the story really takes of. You only get to die once in game, so.. Permadeath. You don't get a second chance and parachute back in game. In fact, you die? The software will be deleted like it has never been there.

After the first to deaths in game, things get interesting.. The "losers" keep on streaming, but something about those streams seems off. Are they really streaming still? Is there a glitch? Is it AI?
Finding out people are really being eliminated in real life if they lose the game, Marcus runs.. He and another streamer will both be getting to the bottom of this.. But, will they survive? What will happen along the way? Find out!

This was decently entertaining. A little too gamelit for me and some of it felt a little YA. I loved the concept of the story though