Slum Online (Novel)

Gr 7 Up—In real life (RL), he is Etsuro Sakagami, a directionless slacker of a college student, floating through life without any real ambitions or even connections to those around him. Online he is Tetsuo, a fighter in "Versus Town," a virtual combat game. As Tetsuo, he has purpose and ambition (though still no interpersonal connections). He wants to be the best fighter in Versus Town. To do so, he must win the annual tournament, defeating the Big Four. But both of Etsuro's worlds are shaken by new arrivals—in RL by Fumiko, an attractive, conscientious student, and Versus Town by Ganker Jack, a mysterious and seemingly unbeatable fighter who attacks only the best combatants. Combined, the two newcomers may be either Etsuro's downfall or his salvation. The young man's ennui comes through very clearly—so clearly in fact that it is difficult for readers to care any more about him than he cares about real life. He is just not a very likable character. The online combat scenes provide some tension and excitement but most of the story is comprised of tedious descriptions of button-pushing and joystick movements. The protagonist's introspective musings on life are not only boring but also philosophically suspect. Even hardcore gamers will have trouble making it through this novel.—Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA