A dying boy on a dying planet plays a dangerous, sophisticated, and
addictive game that could save his life--if it doesn't kill him first. A
complex, gorgeous, literary thriller for fans for Ernest Cline, Brandon
Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, and M.T. Anderson.
In a futuristic version of Earth, society is mostly controlled by a
company that produces an addictive virtual reality game called Chimera.
Everyone plays Chimera. Defeating the levels is how you earn enough
points for clothes, food, even medical enhancements. Miguel Anderson is
good at it. In fact, he's better than anyone he knows. He spends all of
his free time playing, hoping to reach Level 25. At Level 25 you can
pick any prize you want--and Miguel needs a new biometric heart. When
the game runners announce a global competition to launch a new version
with untold prizes, Miguel enters and becomes a team leader. That's new
for him--playing on a team. And complicated, as the game becomes a
delicate power play between wholly unexpected players. This is the first
of two books and features gorgeous writing, compelling action, and a
flawed and memorable hero.