This is the first book of the second trilogy, and I thoroughly recommend starting with them, rather than this one. But this was part of a bundle, and being labelled book 1 I assumed it was the beginning rather then the start of the next middle. Not the biggest mistake in the world, but you definitely lose something by not knowing the world set-up. There are sufficient plot indicators to let you know what's going on, but each time I wish'd I'd read that book first - mostly because it is all such fun!

Great concept - not exactly original, but very well executed and enjoyable. Sometime in the future - grav cars, and immersive 3D computing - the latest and new 3D technology game is released FeyLand, a typical epic fantasy quest game. But there's a slight snag, sometimes the quests link through to the real realm of the fae. The traditional methods of entry - stone circles and the like - have long since been demolished, but the faeries still want influence in the modern world, and this is their chance.

The trilogy picks up with Spark, who's the poster girl for the game's publishing company, and also the latest recruit to the FeyGuard - 7 other morals charged with keeping the walls between the Fae and humans fully shut. She's a mega famous celebrity as no mere gamer could be today. Currently out on tour with the publishing company living the glam life - but finishing it hard to get sufficient sim time in Feyland to fulfil her 'other' job.
Meanwhile Aron is BlackHawk, game hacker and seller of cheats, making just about enough to get by on - and the one glaring mismatch he's apparently 'buff' even though he doesn't exercise at all, but lies around on sim couches drinking soda and eating chocolate. I don't think so. Anyway, obviously Feyland is the newest target for his cracking skills. He gets to the local convention, and he and Spark hit it off, so she gets him premature access to the game. Ideal he'll be the first on the market with the cheats. Unfortunately his cheats open that wall to faerie and it all gets a bit confused for him!

Well written - with one error when the wrong character's name is used, which is confusing - it's also fun. There's very little real world time so the anti-grav cars etc are little detailed, but what there is isn't utilised, so apart form the 3D simulation computers it could be set now. The characters bubble, the faeries are traditionally tricky, and it properly captures the magic of fantasy gaming. I think we'd all secretly like to have access to faerie!

Could be much longer! I will go and seek out the beginnings of the series, because it all sounds absolutely great. ( )

Sissy says--I don’t like gaming, I don’t like futuristic settings, and I don’t like weird made-up names, but I liked this book. And here's what I liked about it: Spark, the character, is an awesome girl! She is slightly tomboyish but can rock the spandex when needed. She is true to herself and is real. I liked the new character Aran, and how he struggles to do the right thing and go for the girl. I liked how much I hated the bad guys (evil twin gamers Roc and Cora Terabin). My favorite, though, was Niteesh--super little team-playing minuteman! And I think Anthea Sharp does a fantastic job with the Faerie realm. She describes things so vividly and fleshes out the inhabitants so fully, you feel like you are actually there.
Bubby says: I will continue to read Anthea Sharp’s books for as long as she writes them. All the magic and adventure I could ask for mixed with a dash of romance. Lovely. 4 bubbles from Bubby, the wannabe elf queen, and
Sissy the enchantress (current, not wannabe). Read full review at www.bubblebathbooks.net ( )