Atlantyx : It Begins As a Game . . . And Ends As a Battle for Your Soul

Rating:
Summary: What is Real?
Review: ATLANTYX is a book that deals with some very complex issues, mainly drug and video game addictions. Also, though the book is a "Christian" novel, it doesn't read like the typical, watered-down "Christian" novel. Instead, the characters are presented with all their faults and redeeming qualities. The book explores the nature of reality and whether of not there is an ultimate reality where everything makes sense.

I found the novel to be a page turner and read it within two days (I could have completed it in one if I didn't have to work). The book reads like a movie and is full or great visual images. My only complaint is that the ending is rather hurried. The book's ending happens rather suddenly and there is no real closure to all that occurs. Neither is there any truly "final battle". The premise that the novel is based is so promising and there is so much more that could have been done with it. It's a little disappointing to see that the very talented and promising writer, Chase Dalton, take the easy road out.

Overall, a wonderful book recommended for anyone looking for some great Christian fiction or for anyone addicted to video games.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Atlantyx is an awesome book! Lots of action and suspense. It had me up all night from 12:00am to 7:00am reading the entire thing. I just couldn't put it down, and I'm not even much of a reader! Everything was described well for mental pictures, and yet it didn't drag on, explaining details. It was fastpaced and enjoyable to the end.

Rating:
Summary: Good book and would be a GREAT movie
Review: Surprisingly well-written Christian fiction! The premise - computer gaming addiction and designer drug abuse snaring college students into virtual reality - is an unexpected and intriguing juxtaposition.

The characters are two-dimensional; no one truly goes through any major changes. We don't even see any of the characters go through the obligatory conversion/salvation experience. Nevertheless, it is Christian fiction, albeit NON-preachy.

I heartily recommend this book to all audiences, not just Christian parents. I just wish it had been longer! I would have liked to see more of the backstory for the main characters (Valerie, Garland, Maddux, LaCroix, Teddy, Troy) and the development of Mainline, the game, and the drug. I would also have liked to see more of the psychological testing going on in Valerie's project as well as more of the addiction process/issues relating to the students, the game, the drug.

With some of these additional details added to a screenplay, this novel could be adapted into a *fantastic* movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great computer game thriller
Review: This is probably one of the better books I have read recently that tries to capture the addiction that is possible with computer games. It does so well without coming off with too much of the typical stereo types. The story moves along quickly and the characters are written so as to be very believable.

I would recommend this Christian book to anyone who is looking for a good novel to read, or anyone who wants to point out to some of the gaming generation out there, about the dangers of video game addictions.