Author Thomas K. Carpenter published his written book Gamers in 2011 using Amazon's CreateSpace and Black Moon Books. In 2012, the audiobook version of Gamers was released on Audible. Narration is by the youthful-voiced Tisch Cistrunk-Parmelee.
This is a Young Adult title of 6 hours listening time that is suitable for ages 12 and older. The book contains no swearing, only perhaps a budding romance.
Gamers is Book 1 of The Gamers Trilogy (Gamers, Frags, and Coders) and is the first book of the trilogy to be available in audiobook format. It offers a look into a dystopian futureworld where reality combines with playing forms of computer games.
The high school setting, adventurous students, and gaming lingo keep it hip and fresh. But one doesn't need to be a teenager to find this an interesting teleportation for a few hours.
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The Storyline
LifeGame was started because the GSA (Greater States of America) needed to keep from losing its competitive edge in the world. It issues points for completing tasks which help one succeed in life. Its three rules are: What can be gained can be improved, Everything can be a gain, and Never look backwards, the past is a gain which has already been decided. Students must score high ranks within LifeGame to move on to be accepted by society.
Gabriella DeCorte (Gabby) is a very bright high schooler who is succeeding well according to LifeGame, giving her an opportunity for a solid future. Her best friend is Zaela. Zaela is the creative and artistic type, and not such a high rank at LifeGame. Since getting into university depends on a LifeGame ranking, Gabby decides to make sure she and Zaela can get into Blizzard University together. She hacks into LifeGame to make it happen.
Thinking the high school has caught on to one of her recent hacks to help out Zaela, Gabby discovers instead that in fact someone else has hacked into her own personal LifeGame files. This leads to Gabby learning about the Frags (so called because they are but Fragments of society, according to LifeGame). After secretly meeting with the Frags, Gabby is not so sure about LifeGame anymore. And what's the true nature of the Coders, who build and control reality according to the Frags?
More important, how does she help the Frags without sacrificing herself, her friends, or her chances of getting into University? How will she use the rules of LifeGame now?
Find The AudioBook
Vendors:
Audible.com