otherearth – A Gingerly Review

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About the Book:

Title: OTHEREARTH (Last Reality #2)

Author: Jason Segel, & Kirsten Miller

Pub. Date: October 30, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Return to the series BuzzFeed compared to Ready Player One in the second book in a new fast-paced trilogy from New York Times bestselling authors Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller that’s perfect for fans of HBO’s Westworld.

Simon would have done anything to save his best friend after a mysterious accident almost killed her–including follow her into a virtual world. And what he and Kat discovered there was more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. Unwitting hospital patients are being forced to test a device that lets VR be experienced with all five senses. The technology is so advanced that it’s deadly.

Now the world’s biggest tech corporation is hunting Simon and Kat while war rages in Otherworld, the virtual world it created. Determined to destroy the Company, Simon and Kat must join forces with a hacker, a gangster, and a digital entity. But as they battle to save two worlds, they uncover an all-new threat to our world: the Company’s latest creation, an augmented-reality game called OtherEarth. Not only does OtherEarth kill, it has the power to erase the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy.

Review

While I loved the first book, this one suffered from Middle Book Syndrome. It did a good job of recapping what happened but most of the book was spent with the characters within the game of OtherWorld itself. Many chapters were spent describing new simulated characters, new Children, new worlds within the game. I felt there was just too much time spent describing things that did not matter to the overall story. Hence the reason I said this was a true Second Book.

Regardless, this was such a fast paced read that it was over before I knew it. The story took twists and turns I was not prepared for. It certainly set up for the next book, which I hope promises to be big. If you are interested in a gripping read that has echos of Ready Player One and Warcross, you need to check out this book.

Praise for Otherworld

A New York Times Bestseller

“A potent commentary on how much we’re willing to give up to the lure of technology.”–EW.com

“A fantastic journey from start to finish.” –Hypable.com

“An engaging VR cautionary tale.” —AV Club

“Full of high stakes, thrillers, and fantastic twists and turns, fans of Ready Player One are sure to love this addictive read.” —BuzzFeed

About Book 1:

Title: OTHERWORLD (Last Reality #1)

Author: Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller

Pub. Date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 368

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Find it: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Audible, TBD, Goodreads

The company says Otherworld is amazing—like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They say it’s addictive—that you’ll want to stay forever. They promise Otherworld will make all your dreams come true.

Simon thought Otherworld was a game. Turns out he knew nothing. Otherworld is the next phase of reality. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted.

And it’s about to change humanity forever.

Welcome to the Otherworld. No one could have seen it coming.

About Jason:

New York Times bestselling author Jason Segel used to have nightmares just like Charlie, and just like Charlie, he’s learned that the things we’re most afraid of are the things that can make us strong…if we’re brave enough to face them. Jason likes acting, writing, making music, and hanging out with his friends. Sometimes he writes movies. Sometimes he writes songs for movies. Sometimes he stars in those movies and sings those songs. You might know him from The Muppets and Despicable Me. Your parents might know him from other stuff. Nightmares! is his first novel.

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

About Kirsten:

I write books.

Some of my books are what librarians call middle grade. (Kiki Strike, Nightmares!)

Some should be kept away from small children and people with weak stomachs. (How to Lead a Life of Crime, The Eternal Ones, Otherworld)

I write some books with Jason Segel.

I’ve written quite a few books on my own.

I’m an Aquarius.

My favorite food is cauliflower. (No joke.)

I will eat almost anything. And I’m weirdly proud of it.

I believe New York City is the most magical place on earth.

I love Dolly Parton and David Attenborough. Equally.

I cannot sing or play any musical instruments.

I’m obsessed with sewers and sanitation systems.

I once broke into a Mayan temple with my brother, Spike.

Spike is an alias. It’s not his real name.

I also have a sister. She prefers to remain anonymous.

We have the same birthday.

Yes, that sucks.

I think that’s all you need to know.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of OTHEREARTH, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2830/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/1/2018- A Gingerly Review– Review

11/2/2018- Jena Brown Writes– Review

Week Two:

11/5/2018- Zach’s YA Reviews– Review

11/6/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review

11/7/2018- YA Books Central– Interview

11/8/2018- The Pages In-Between– Review

11/9/2018- Moonlight Rendezvous– Review

Week Three:

11/12/2018- Mundie Moms– Excerpt

11/13/2018- Bri’s Book Nook– Review

11/14/2018- Book-Keeping– Review

11/15/2018- The Book Nut– Review

11/16/2018- Adventures Thru Wonderland– Review

Week Four:

11/19/2018- A Dream Within A Dream– Review

11/20/2018- Smada’s Book Smack– Review

11/21/2018- BookHounds YA– Interview

11/22/2018- Lisa Loves Literature– Review

11/23/2018- Savings in Seconds– Review

Week Five:

11/26/2018- Girl plus book– Review

11/27/2018- Book Briefs– Review

11/28/2018- The BookWorm Drinketh– Review

11/29/2018- Nay’s Pink Bookshelf– Review

11/30/2018- Christen Krumm, Writer– Review

I finished this a couple of days ago and still have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it is a very quick read and easy to get back into the story, on the other it felt unoriginal, as if it was a fanfic that combined Ready Player One and Warcross/Wildcard.

Short recap: Simon and his girlfriend, Kat, know the dark secret of OtherWorld – the creator has died and the Company is covering it all up. They also know that the patches or “disks” used to enter OtherWorld are not safe. If you die in OtherWorld, you die in real life. It is up to Simon, Kat, and two new friends to unravel the mysteries still hidden within OtherWorld before the new and improved Otherearth is released to the public.

While I loved the first book, this one suffered from Middle Book Syndrome big time. It did a good job of recapping what happened but most of the book was spent with the characters within the game of OtherWorld itself. Many chapters were spent describing new simulated characters, new Children, new worlds within the game. I felt there was just too much time spent describing things that did not matter to the overall story. Hence the reason I said this was a true Second Book.

On top of that, nothing really stood out to me. The characters did not have arcs like they should have, and if they did they were so slight that I missed it. Simon was still leading the misfit bunch of characters hellbent on discovering this secrets needed to bring The Company down. He would always walk around bold as brass in the game and sometimes in real life, but when it came to his girlfriend, he was still meek and shy. Either man up or don’t – quit going back and forth. Kat did not feel developed in this story. I knew she was there but she didn’t really stand out to me. As mentioned already, there are two new friends/characters added to the Simon/Kat team but I won’t spoil them here. Just know that they are very vague and felt like they were added for nothing more than convenience. They help the story line along but I never truly cared about them.

It is hard for me to say really what the plot of this story was about because again – vague. Most of this book is vague as if they authors were trying like hell to hook me (the reader) into sticking around for the final book. After what I read in this one, I’m not sure I will go on to the last book. This was overly cryptic for no reason I can figure out. Several ideas and concepts repeated many times over for some reason and that annoyed me. Plus, the ending made me wonder what the hell was happening because it made zero sense. NO SENSE. I’m quick to pick up on foreshadowing and repetition – this book was peppered with that. I’m not the biggest fan of books that constantly repeat themselves because it feels like filler, if that makes sense.

I’m not sorry I read this story but I am disappointed. This felt like someone read Ready Player One along with Warcross/Wildcard and decided to create their own fanfiction. The ideas within the story just did not feel original or originally done. I would read a scene and say, “Yep, that was done in RPO” or “Well, that is a scene straight from Warcross“. Talk about hurting my soul. Do I recommend this? EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH… not really. Will I pick up the third book? That remains to be seen. As of this review, I don’t care what happens next but my mind may change by this time next year.