Gauntlet

April 15, 2017

Virtual reality (VR) is all the rage in 2055, and professional video gamers enjoy the celebrity status of movie stars and millionaires. The first female captain of a pro team, Kali King also made history as the league's youngest owner when she bought Team Defiance. Now her world is not just fun and games, it's also media, sponsors, publicity, and negotiations. She faces her greatest challenge when the team is invited to an all-star tournament at the Wall, an exclusive and mysterious compound. The twist, however, lies in the new VR pods that actually adapt to gamers' actions and emotions. Team Defiance is used to fighting against the odds, but as things heat up through the training and the tournament levels, will Kali be able to handle the demands of team ownership and the strain on her personal relationships? VERDICT This sequel to Arena is just as action-packed and fast-paced as its predecessor. Fans of VR, gaming, and strong female leads will be interested in this futuristic novel.--KC

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Kali Ling, warrior and undisputed queen of the RAGE tournaments, is back! At the end of Arena (2016), Kali left the Virtual Gaming League to pursue her dream of cleaning up corruption in pro gaming. She sets up a house and training center for herself and her friends, becoming the youngest team owner in eSports history. As manager and captain, Kali is anxious about her new responsibilities to the team and its sponsors. Suddenly, a secretive Japanese company specializing in artificial intelligence announces a major competition and begins inviting elite teams from around the world to participate. The tournament will employ a new technological advance that could change professional gaming forever and be sponsored by VGL. When Kali receives an invitation, she is excited for Team Defiance, yet she is also very wary. The first-ever international tournament with a huge monetary prize, and her team can be part of it. Is there something sinister in play or will Kali lead Defiance to victory again? Fans eager for more battle action will be thoroughly entertained.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)