Otherworld

Simon’s world is turned upside down when his best friend, Kat, stops speaking to him. She says it’s to protect him, but what could possibly be so dangerous? The only chance he has to get through to her is a new virtual reality game called Otherworld, a game where everything feels real. So real that it leaves the player addicted. Simon knows Kat is in trouble. As he digs into Kat’s secrets, he discovers a deadly conspiracy. The only way to save his best friend is to go into the dangerous Otherworld, but he won’t stop until he saves her even if it costs his life.

Kirsten Miller and Jason Segel have created a stunning and dark world that has everything that makes for an exciting epic adventure. Simon is a complex protagonist with a gritty upbringing and a snarky attitude, but he’s the perfect hero for this world. He’s originally driven solely by the need to save Kat, but along the way he reveals his good heart. He’s a completely sympathetic and likable character who pulls you along for the adventure. There’s a fun balance between the epic fantasy virtual reality, where there are no morals and every indulgence is at the whim of the gamers, and the real world, which has a corrupt organization at the center of this conspiracy-driven thriller. Otherworld is masterfully written with a quest, a complicated anti-hero, and a conspiracy all rolled into one action-packed journey.