The Mind War

“And why…?” Rick shook his head again, trying to dispel the last fog of the drug. “Why are you telling me these things? All this stuff about Kurodoar and how he’s trying to destroy everybody? Why are you telling ME?”

“Because we want you to stop him,” said Jonathan Mars.

“Me?” Rick actually laughed out loud. Now he was sure: This had to be some kind of joke. Or a dream or a hallucination. It had to be. “A mad scientist is trying to destroy our computer systems and you want me to stop him? What do I know about this stuff? I’m an athlete man. I was, anyway. When it comes to computers, I know how to send e-mails and watch videos and that’s pretty much it.”

Book: Mindwar, The Mindwar Trilogy Series #1 by Andrew Klavan, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2014

Genre: Speculative, Adventure

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Family Relationships, Trust in God, Physical disability

Summary: He may excel at video games but lately that’s the only thing he excels at. That’s the only thing he does in fact. Ever since the accident that destroyed his high school football career, Rick just sits in his room playing video games and shutting out the world. On a guilt trip from his mom and brother he goes for a walk one day and promptly finds himself the victim of an attack where a syringe is pressed into his neck and he is hauled away. When he awakes he finds himself in a room with impressive holographic technology where he learns of an evil genius’ plan to destroy the entire world. The crazy part is that the good guys think Rick is the key to stopping this plan! Rick reluctantly agrees and soon finds himself in a giant video game – the difference being he can die for real in this one!

Notes: The Mind War appears to be the first in a series. The premise is a teenage boy’s video game skills qualify him to participate in some kind of virtual reality world that an evil scientist has created to destroy The United States of America. In this world he will no longer have disabled legs. So he agrees to it and enters the world. The spiritual emphasis is the idea that since the accident that ruined his ability to be a football star and since his dad ran off with another woman, leaving himself, his mom and little brother behind, Rick has felt like God left too. There is just a tiny bit of focus on this. Then towards the end he feels like a voice from Heaven assures him that God is still there. Other than that it’s just the adventure though. Rick has to rely on himself and his abilities to achieve success. It does portray strong morals though – Rick will sacrifice to help others.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Thank you to Booklook for giving me a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.