The Imperium Game

Rating:
Summary: Job Reassignment: Computer Geek to Gladiator
Review: Time and place: New York City of the future, where role playing is taken to its pinnacle at a theme park using physically interactive computer holographic gods and goddesses. The colorful and occasionally gritty streets of ancient Rome come to life in Wentworth's intense imagery, the written equivalent of a Maxfield Parrish painting. But mystery and romance also color the pages.

A hapless programmer named Kerickson is framed for murder of the most important player of The Imperium Game, the Emperor Micio Metullus. It just so happens that Kerickson's ex-wife was Micio's wife in the game, the bewitching Demea, with emphasis on 'witch'. Kerickson soon discovers that Amaelia, the late Emperor's daughter is pursued by her jealous stepmother and by Quintis Gracchus, sinster Captain of the Praetorian Guards. Gracchus seems determined to become the next Emperor by any means and change the nature of the game to serve his own dark purpose. With the sometimes-helpful aid of the malfunctioning gods, Kerickson enters the game and strives to save both it and Amaelia as the programs run amok.

The happy ending hoist Kerickson out of his previous wretched state but leaves room for a fun sequel. The Imperium Game provides a winning combination of sci-fi, mystery and romance.

Rating:
Summary: Job Reassignment: Computer Geek to Gladiator
Review: Time and place: New York City of the future, where role playing is taken to its pinnacle at a theme park using physically interactive computer holographic gods and goddesses. The colorful and occasionally gritty streets of ancient Rome come to life in Wentworth's intense imagery, the written equivalent of a Maxfield Parrish painting. But mystery and romance also color the pages.

A hapless programmer named Kerickson is framed for murder of the most important player of The Imperium Game, the Emperor Micio Metullus. It just so happens that Kerickson's ex-wife was Micio's wife in the game, the bewitching Demea, with emphasis on 'witch'. Kerickson soon discovers that Amaelia, the late Emperor's daughter is pursued by her jealous stepmother and by Quintis Gracchus, sinster Captain of the Praetorian Guards. Gracchus seems determined to become the next Emperor by any means and change the nature of the game to serve his own dark purpose. With the sometimes-helpful aid of the malfunctioning gods, Kerickson enters the game and strives to save both it and Amaelia as the programs run amok.

The happy ending hoist Kerickson out of his previous wretched state but leaves room for a fun sequel. The Imperium Game provides a winning combination of sci-fi, mystery and romance.