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Heir
Apparent
by Vivian Vande Velde
Date of Publication: 2002
ISBN: 0152051252
Number of Pages: : 315 |
REQUIRED READING ABILITY:
GENRES: Science Fiction
THEMES: Appearance versus Reality, Good
versus Evil, Life versus Death, Survival
SUMMARY:
Fourteen-year-old Giannine crosses a picket line formed by the
Citizens to Protect Our Children (CPOC) in order to enter a virtual reality
arcade called Rasmussem Enterprises. She uses her gift coupon to play
the game Heir Apparent. In it, she assumes the role of Janine, the illegitimate
daughter of the late king. Janine will become the new king if she survives
the constant threats, warfare, and a dragon.
While connected to the equipment,
a man claiming to be the arcade's CEO appears and tells Giannine that
the CPOC protesters have vandalized the equipment. Her only way out is
to successfully complete the game as quickly as possible or else risk
being personally injured.
Each time Giannine's character
dies in the quest, Giannine must start back at the beginning of the game
and make better informed choices, develop diplomacy to prevent war, and
win over the royal troops.
Giannine manages to win the
game and meets the 16-year-old CEO of Rasmussem Enterprises.
WHO
WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- likes Gameboy or arcade
games
- like fantasy and suspense
stories
- enjoys participating in
computer games
- likes medieval trappings
- is obsessed with playing
games
- would love to be caught
in a videogame
WHAT ELSE?
This is a large novel, so students should be good readers or
really interested, if they are going to take it on. The author has written
a number of fantasy books over the years, and has won a number of awards.
This book is nominated for five awards itself, as well as already winning
a number.
RELATED LINK:
Author's
Website
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