Lucky Ghost The Martingale Cycle Matthew Blakstad author 9781473624757 Books
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Lucky Ghost The Martingale Cycle Matthew Blakstad author 9781473624757 Books
Firstly a confession. I think I probably took about 8 weeks(ish) to read this book. For me, that is an exceptionally long time, especially when you consider that I normally get through at least two books per week. The reason for my slow reading wasn’t anything to do with the author’s writing, nor his expertise, but down to the actual subject matter of the book.You see, when it comes to technology I’m kind of hit and miss. Give me a computer or an iPhone and I’m fine. The gaming world though is not my forte, so where as the first book in the series was more aimed at my niche, this one wasn’t, but I was determined to finish it.
The book is set in some crazy near-future world when gaming has been taken to a whole new level, thanks to Dani Farr (protagonist from book one). This is a game that is played in the real world, where real emotions are exchanged for Emoticoins, a currency set in the digital world. To play the game you have to wear some sort of mesh that is an augmented reality device, over your face. This allows you to see the digital world.
Alex, the main character loves the game but soon realises that not everything is quite as it should be with it, and not as perfect as it is made out to be. When the game becomes dangerous Alex has only one person she can turn to for help, Lucky Ghost’.
The book is fast-paced (if I can say that!), and Mr. Blakstad has once again proven that his knowledge in this genre is superb, as well as his ability to weave together a great story. There is quite a bit of technical jargon in the book and if like me you are not techie, then this may prove hard to read, but stick with it and you will have read an amazing book.
This is a book that I was thankful for reaching the last page, but in a good way. It was hard work, but definitely enjoyable.
Reviewed on Whispering Stories Book Blog
*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed
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Lucky Ghost The Martingale Cycle Matthew Blakstad author 9781473624757 Books Reviews
I’ve been really looking forward to reading Lucky Ghost since winning it in a giveaway a few weeks ago. It’s a little different to my usual reads, but it had me intrigued, so I wanted to give it a try. I’m pleased to say I really enjoyed it.
I think the best way to describe this book is a cyberpunk thriller, but the kind of science fiction that feels like it is already becoming all too real, and not so very fiction at all.
At first I was fascinated by the virtual reality game, known as the Strange, where people placed a mesh on themselves and got to see a slightly different world to the real one. I felt lured in by the excitement of this game, although I’d personally use it to ensure I experienced at least five sunny days a week, especially during the winter months, as I’m sick of dreary Cornish mizzle.
As the story progressed, my excitement at such futuristic and fun technology started to waver, as I started to feel a little uncomfortable about the idea of being able to trade human emotions, as if they had monetary value. I realised the downsides to our obsession with such technology and the intense way much of it can impact on our lives personally, or how it can be used by those with great knowledge of it or those in power to manipulate others.
This book is thought provoking, tense, sometimes violent, and as the story progresses it becomes more and more action-packed.
On the subject of futuristic technology, I’d struggle to live without my , so I did find it entertaining that I was reading a high-tech novel in traditional hardback format. The hardest part about reading this book was coping with balancing a big book, turning pages, not losing my physical bookmark, and trying not to laugh at myself each time I tapped the bottom right corner of a page, expecting it to automatically switch pages for me. Yes, I did that numerous times while reading this book!
Lucky Ghost really made me think about my online interactions and consider how well I actually know some people. I would often dream of a life of virtual reality as a young girl, but I think for now, when I feel the need to escape reality, I’ll just stick to reading (mostly on my ), as that seems to keep me out of trouble.
Having enjoyed Lucky Ghost, I’m looking forward to reading Sockpuppet, which is the first book in this series.
This is a fun post-cyberpunk read, in which a virtual gaming world is not confined to the computer any more. On London streets, players called Strangers walk around wearing hats or masks from which mesh dangles in front of their faces. The mesh is real but it projects an augmented reality for them, called the Strange. In this world people can act out scenarios and interact with Strangers. However, it doesn't end there... Strangers don't pay to be in the Strange, and while there they can gain Emoticoin, like virtual currency called Rage, Shame, Desire etc for spending within the game. Once you've got your head around this aspect the rest is easy to follow.
Lucky Ghost is an online person, but nobody is sure who she is. She turned up in a chatroom for hackers and script kiddies, and a young Middle Eastern hacker known as Thimblerig took to her as his muse. A blogger/ journalist called Alex who is less careful than she should be about tip-offs and is recovering from a breakdown, gets a tip that a politician is being bribed with Emoticoin. Of course Alex wants to rush out with the scoop. But maybe it is a setup? If you don't know who your sources are or how they get information, how can you trust them? And if Alex knew who Thimblerig was she would not trust him either.
Alex is gay, but I didn't find this very meaningful; she argues with and ignores her partner, so it was just a way of ensuring she would not be a romantic figure during the tale. The hackers are all described as male, all not understanding women.
Some great scenes are set on an abandoned platform in the open North Sea. Otherwise most of the tale occurs around London. I had not read the previous book about the pig-masked hacker group but if you have read, say, Snow Crash, you will be fine with Lucky Ghost. Enjoy!
For a truly surreal experience, try reading this alongside McQuail's Mass Communication Theory.
Firstly a confession. I think I probably took about 8 weeks(ish) to read this book. For me, that is an exceptionally long time, especially when you consider that I normally get through at least two books per week. The reason for my slow reading wasn’t anything to do with the author’s writing, nor his expertise, but down to the actual subject matter of the book.
You see, when it comes to technology I’m kind of hit and miss. Give me a computer or an iPhone and I’m fine. The gaming world though is not my forte, so where as the first book in the series was more aimed at my niche, this one wasn’t, but I was determined to finish it.
The book is set in some crazy near-future world when gaming has been taken to a whole new level, thanks to Dani Farr (protagonist from book one). This is a game that is played in the real world, where real emotions are exchanged for Emoticoins, a currency set in the digital world. To play the game you have to wear some sort of mesh that is an augmented reality device, over your face. This allows you to see the digital world.
Alex, the main character loves the game but soon realises that not everything is quite as it should be with it, and not as perfect as it is made out to be. When the game becomes dangerous Alex has only one person she can turn to for help, Lucky Ghost’.
The book is fast-paced (if I can say that!), and Mr. Blakstad has once again proven that his knowledge in this genre is superb, as well as his ability to weave together a great story. There is quite a bit of technical jargon in the book and if like me you are not techie, then this may prove hard to read, but stick with it and you will have read an amazing book.
This is a book that I was thankful for reaching the last page, but in a good way. It was hard work, but definitely enjoyable.
Reviewed on Whispering Stories Book Blog
*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed
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