Adventures in a Video Game by Dustin Brady

 It's time for action and adventure! Today, I'm taking a peek at the first two books in a new series for middle graders. As you can see from the title, these rotate around video games and have the main character(s) entering various games (physically being sucked in?) and heading through various adventures. While this isn't a new idea, it is one that offers many possibilities...if done right. And I'm hoping that this series is as exciting as it could be.

Let's dive in and see!

DON'T CLIMB THIS MOUNTAIN

Adventures in a Video Game

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction/ Adventure

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

Archie Maloney’s obsession with YouTube sensation Sir Hype has reached an all-time high. Sir Hype just announced that he’s seeking contestants for his latest mountain challenge, which—thanks to a breakthrough in technology—is taking place inside of a video game. Archie will do whatever it takes to climb that mountain.

This is the second book in the Adventures in a Video Game series, a new series by bestselling author, Dustin Brady, where each book contains its own adventure in a different type of thrilling video game. ​

YouTube sensation Sir Hype is using groundbreaking technology to take his annual mountain challenge inside of a video game. One hundred contestants will battle digital monsters, glitching terrain, and backstabbing allies for a chance at fame and fortune atop the peak—or, at least, a chance to make it out alive. 

Thanks to some quick thinking and a willingness to bend the truth, Archie Maloney does make to the mountain. He also brings dozens of other contestants along for the ride, including his little cousin Mae, an ambitious girl named Naila, and the infamous Devil Doug. If the gang can survive a wild race to the mountain, fierce snowball fight against a robot yeti, and showdown with an avalanche, they’ll discover that the real danger has just begun. On this mountain, you can’t trust anyone. 

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MY FRIEND FROM THE FUTURE

Adventures in a Video Game

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction/

Adventure

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

Two years ago, Bentley Carmone’s dad invented a deadly video game. Now, Bentley must team up with the hero of that game to fend off a new threat.  

This is the first book in the Adventures in a Video Game series, a new series by bestselling author, Dustin Brady, where each book contains its own adventure in a different type of thrilling video game. ​

Bentley Carmone’s twelfth birthday party has been—without question—his worst. For one thing, no one wanted to come. That wouldn’t be so bad if those that did come had a good time, but everyone seems to be bored stiff. Finally, (and arguably most importantly), the entire party has just been captured by video game aliens. 

Now, Bentley must team up with Polly, a gas station girl mascot turned video game hero, to hunt down the aliens. Armed with a blaster and laser sword, Polly would be the perfect partner for this job if she could ever stop invading mini-golf courses and blowing up semi-trucks. Over time, Bentley learns that Polly may not only hold the key to saving his friends, but also solving a mystery that has haunted the Carmone family for years. Can Bentley get through to her before it’s too late?

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MY TIDBITS

Action fans are in for a treat as these books head from one dangerous situation into the next...and that from the beginning all the way to the end.

Each book leads a different main character into a video game, which works with the questionable technology from Bionosoft. The first book takes place with the first use of the software, and the second happens two years later when the software has evolved. Both pull the characters and those around them into the games and place all in difficult and dangerous situations. But it's not about winning the games as much as these characters must save the lives of all involved and find a way to exit the game...or in the second book, save the world. 

These are very fast-paced and tons of fun to read. There's never a boring moment as the tension remains high the entire way through. But it's not only action. The characters and those around them have their own flaws to work through, meaning that there are clear lessons to be learned. These cover more complicated themes. Book one looks at the difference between a Influencer's appearance online and their true personality in real life—how drastically different and disappointing this can be. Book two takes on the complicated theme surrounding achievement of goals versus the damage done in order to reach them, while spinning in the difficulty of the loss of a loved one. So, there is depth woven into the edge-of-the-seat action. Still, it never nears preachy and lets the adventure roll. In a way, these remind me of Spy Kids.

Even reluctant readers will enjoy these...well, those who enjoy super-hero like action scenes in video game settings. The length stays under 200-pages, there are several illustrations spread through-out the pages, and the font is larger than usual as is the spacing. These do work well for the younger end of the middle grade audience as well. I do need to mention that many characters 'die' during the game, but the author keeps this very kid-friendly and smooths everything over very nicely at the end of each book. 

Happy Book Birthday, Escape from a Video Game: Mystery on the Starship Crusader by Dustin Brady !

Today's read surprisingly...and I really do mean that I didn't expect this would happen...hit my possible favorite reads of 2021 list. I have read the first book in the series, but this one was even better than the first and left me wanting more. I'll admit, I was a fan of Choose-Your-Own-Adventure reads as a kid (which is strange if you knew my very heavy reading favorites at the time). I think it was because these tales allow the reader to explore what happens on their own and lighten things up for a bit.

Anywho, this one caught me off guard and had me caught up completely. Add the amazing quirky humor and extra puzzles...and yeah. Kids are going to love this one.

ESCAPE FROM A VIDEO GAME:

MUSTERY ON THE STARSHIP CRUSADER

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Mystery/ Choose Your Own Adventure

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

Young gamers control the action in this interactive series from the bestselling author of Trapped in a Video Game. With more than 30 endings and an unlockable bonus adventure, this second book in the series promises hours of screen-free fun.

This is one book that will super-power the interest of any "I'd rather be gaming" kid.  In this pick-your-path adventure, you join eight strangers inside a video game for a chance to win a million dollars. The challenge is simple: survive to the end, and you're rich. There's just one problem: A traitor is hiding among your group. One-by-one, crew members of the spaceship start disappearing. Can you "suss" out the traitor before it's too late? This whodunnit space adventure is perfect for fans of Among Us.

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BOOK BLINK

                                            * choose your own adventure style

                                            * video-game in a book setting

                                            * science fiction and mystery

                                            * tons of humor with adventure

                                            * adds visual puzzles and more to usual page turning

                   

MY TIDBITS

This one is going onto my favorite middle grade reads for 2021 list, which might be surprising (was for me, too). But this is the type of book I would have devoured as a kid and would have wished for this one even as a birthday present. 

This is the second book in the series but, by no means, does the other book need to be read first. Although it does hint at book one very, very briefly in the first pages, no knowledge of any kind is needed before diving into this one and joining in on the adventure.

As is typical with the choose your own adventure style, you (the reader) are the main character. You are dragged into a video game world on a starship named Crusader, meet a few other players, and need to find a treasure to escape. Along the way, you not only need to decide how you're going to react in order to continue to whatever page your adventure continues on (based on your decision), but there are puzzles to solve along the way, which go beyond the usual page-turning choices.

I was already smiling on the first page and immediately found myself grabbed in by the tale. It's not the adventure as much as it is the writing style. This one sets very firmly in the middle grade audience direction and incorporates mounds of fun, quirkiness, and ridiculous surprises. It's simply a high-tension, wonderfully humorous, and unexpected packed book. The choices aren't obvious and the outcome isn't easy to guess...and that makes it even more fun. 

But what also scores bonus points are the illustrations and puzzles worked into the tale. While the page-flipping is obviously a key attribute, it's these added riddles and searches, which really spruce things up, and add a whole new dimension. 

In other words, this is exactly the type of book even reluctant readers will enjoy picking up and exploring. It's not serious, adds the unexpected and is perfect for a summer read. Because it's simply plain fun.

Review: Escape from a Video Game by Dustin Brady

ESCAPE FROM A VIDEO GAME

The Secret of Phantom Island

by Dustin Brady

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction/

Choose Your Own Adventure

179 pages

ages 7 to 12

Young gamers control the action in this interactive new series from the bestselling author of Trapped in a Video Game. With more than 30 endings and an unlockable bonus adventure, The Secret of Phantom Island promises hours of screen-free fun.

Cooper Hawke and the Secret of Phantom Island is the greatest video game nobody has ever played. The treasure-hunting adventure was supposed to set a new standard for gaming. Then, just one month before its release date, it fell off the face of the earth. 

Now, for the first time, you get a chance to play the mysterious game—from the inside. As you outsmart enemies, solve puzzles, and explore the island’s hidden areas, you’ll discover that there’s more to this game than the world realized. 

Escape from a Video Game is an innovative pick-your-plot story that promises two adventures for the price of one! The main adventure builds critical thinking skills by rewarding young readers for solving puzzles and making sound choices with non-stop action and huge plot twists. Once readers beat the video game within the book, they’ll get a chance to hunt for every possible ending. Finding all the book’s endings reveals a code that readers can use to unlock a secret story online.

Fans of the best-selling Trapped in a Video Game series, as well as new readers, will quickly come to appreciate the page-turning action to uncover more secrets about the mysterious video game company Bionosoft.

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Choose Your Own Adventure takes on a new meaning in this exciting tale of adventure, puzzles and oh-so-many twists and turns.

This is the second book put out by Mr. Brady, which follows this CYOA style. I didn't get to read the first one, and that doesn't really matter (except for the fact that I'd now love to grab it up, too). This book goes right down the traditional CYOA alley but with a few new twists. The reader can interact a little more with the tale and is prompted to work out things with puzzles and such. It adds a new dimension and a lot more fun.

 The story telling itself is fine...nothing amazing, but then, that's not the point of something like this. The tale does draw the reader in and allow them to become part of the excitement as well as steer in unknown directions. Luckily, if the reader dies, they aren't prompted to have to return to page one (because who does that in a traditional CYOA anyway?) but simply leads them back one step to try the other route. If it wasn't this way, I could see frustration raking in quick...and that's also not the point of a 'fun' read.

The adventure suggests that the reader remember their steps, and there are little prizes along the way. In other words, this is so much more than a simple CYOA, and that's great. It isn't literature at its prime, but this does encourage kids to read while doing so much more. In other words, I'm a total fan and have no doubt middle graders will enjoy this one from beginning to end.

And here he is...

Dustin Brady writes funny, action-packed books for kids. Although he regularly gets locked out of his own accounts for forgetting passwords, Dustin still remembers the Super Mario Bros. 3 game genie code for infinite lives. It’s SLXPLOVS. Dustin lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, kids, and a small dog named Nugget.

Please see:

https://www.ampkids.com/book/escape-from-a-video-game-the-secret-of-phantom-island/

http://dustinbradybooks.com

https://www.amazon.com/Dustin-Brady/e/B01L9OYJG6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1597688347&sr=1-1