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 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 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.