Book Review: Erebos

Erebos

By: Ursula Poznanski

Published By: Annick Press

Publication Date: January 2012

Page Count: 434

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Provided by Publisher

Genre: Young Adult - Science Fiction

This read a lot like I imagine World of Warcraft plays... it is a story about a game which is passed from player to player, in the uttermost secrecy. It is also a little like Fight Club... everyone knows who is in it, but they can't talk about it. They can't reveal their game identities, and Nick, the central character, spends a lot of time trying to work out which of his friends are which characters. The game sucks more and more of his peers in, and Nick can't understand how the game always knows when he tries to dig deeper about it.

The first half of the book takes place almost entirely within the game, Erebos. Nick's character Sarius goes on quests and picks up extra points, equipment and skill levels. The interesting thing here is not really the quests... it is Nick's descent into obsession. It is pretty understandable, and from someone who is not an avid gamer, I think that it was interesting. 

Inevitably, the plot of the book moves past the game, as it becomes clearer that the game's motives stretch into the real world, and it mobilizes it's players like an army... each receiving tasks which individually don't make sense. Nick sets out to work out what is going on, along with a couple of other players. 

What finally maps out, is a well considered and intricate plan. I was kept guessing by the plot and there were more than a few surprises. I am not sure if I really liked Nick at all; he was very morally flexible at certain points. In the end, I thought this was an enjoyable and different read, even if it isn't something I would normally pick up. 

Summary:

An intelligent computer game with a disturbing agenda. 

When 16-year-old Nick receives a package containing the mysterious computer game Erebos, he wonders if it will explain the behavior of his classmates, who have been secretive lately. Players of the game must obey strict rules: always play alone, never talk about the game, and never tell anyone your nickname. 

Curious, Nick joins the game and quickly becomes addicted. But Erebos knows a lot about the players and begins to manipulate their lives. When it sends Nick on a deadly assignment, he refuses and is banished from the game. 

Now unable to play, Nick turns to a friend for help in finding out who controls the game. The two set off on a dangerous mission in which the border between reality and the virtual world begins to blur. This utterly convincing and suspenseful thriller originated in Germany, where it has become a runaway bestseller. 

Ursula Poznanski is an award-winning children’s author. She lives in Vienna, Austria.