Mindwar by Andrew Klavan

New High Score! New Record Time!

Rick nodded with grim satisfaction. He laid the game controller aside on the sofa and reached for his crutches.

Rick Dial was the best quarterback Putnam Hills High School had ever seen. Unflappable. Unstoppable. Number 12. But when a car accident left him crippled, Rick’s life as he knew it ended. He disavowed his triumphant past. He ignored his girlfriend. He disappeared into his bedroom—and into the glowing video screen.
But Rick’s uncanny gaming skills have attracted attention. Dangerous attention. Government agents have uncovered a potentially devastating cyber-threat: a Russian genius has created a digital reality called the Realm, from which he can enter, control, and disrupt American computer systems . . . from transportation to defense. The agents want Rick, quick-thinking quarterback and gaming master, to enter the Realm and stop the madman—before he sends America into chaos.
Entering the Realm will give Rick what he thought he’d never have again: a body as strong and fast as it was before the accident. But this is no game, there are no extra lives, and what happens to Rick in the Realm happens to Rick’s body in reality.
Even after Rick agrees to help, he can’t shake the sense that he’s being kept in the dark. Why would a government agency act so aggressively? Can anyone inside the Realm be trusted? How many others have entered before him . . . and failed to return?

Mindwar by Andrew Klavan was an interesting and intriguing young adult novel that delves into the virtual world of 'video games' ...video games that can have serious physical consequences. The plot line was well written and exciting with a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, danger, and romance. I liked how the author wove the real and virtual worlds together seamlessly as well as how repercussions in one world affected the other. The themes of the novel were clear and well developed and included topics such as trusting God and others, forgiving others, and being honest. The characters in Mindwar were also interesting and well developed. Rick was a very conflicted character who pushed away all of his friends and family after his accident and spent his time playing video games. However, his talents soon pulled him into a new game where his life and his family's lives hung in the balance. The other characters in this novel were less developed than Rick, but they still added important elements to the overall story and helped Rick's character stand out more. Overall, I enjoyed this first installment in the Andrew Klavan's new trilogy, and I look forward to reading the next two novels!

I received this novel from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.