The Rundown
With its subtitle, “Ever Fallen in Love with An Avatar?” one would assume that this novel will focus on the computer game aspect; only to find such assumption wrong. The Treason Game is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who aspires to have a career designing games. But Lina Hammond is not without obstacles.
The demand on her dream job is not exactly high. Her mother does not approve of her working in the gaming industry and sees video games as a Work of the Devil. Her father, while more diplomatic, always sides with his wife. Lina’s older sister, and her only ally in the family, is living across the Atlantic. Not to mention her best and only friend left is gradually drifting away from Lina.
Treason, an MMO game, is Lina’s escape to an antagonistic reality. In it, she becomes a Princess and spends most of her time accomplishing missions alongside her very own Knight in Arms, Tyler. Lina relishes the time they play together and has even fallen head over heels for the avatar of a gamer she doesn’t even know—until Aron Taylor came along.
Aron Taylor looks like Tyler the game avatar and even helped in making the game. It is all too much of a coincidence. Curious and driven, Lina applies for an internship in Aron’s company only to find out that Aron seems unapproachable and so different from the helpful and caring Tyler.
The book’s plot is pretty straightforward. Likewise, its premise is simple: what would it be like to fall in love with a game’s avatar? And with all the simplicities, it would have been an interesting story. However, there didn’t seem much of a growth in Lina’s character and the Big Reveal promised in the novel’s blurb wasn’t so big at all. It was predictable in a sense that you know where it’s going, and that would have been okay, but it was also anticlimactic. And the ending felt rushed. Not to mention there were some notable parts throughout the book that needed editing.
But the story must be given credit for not delving too deep into its game aspect’s minutiae. It gives enough information for the reader to understand the business behind the gaming industry as well as the struggles both people and companies in this industry face. And while the end felt hurried, the beginning was enjoyable to read.
The Recommendation
The Treason Game will appeal to gaming fans as well as those who like reading a light and enjoyable New Adult coming-of-age story. However, if you want mystery identities to have that shocking big reveal, you may be disappointed.
The Rating
2.5 Stars (out of 5): Needs work. This book has promise, and with the help of an editing team, it could easily be reworked into a professional manuscript.
The Pros & Cons
Pros: Believable, Unique StyleCons: Character Developement, Predictable, Slow in Places
