The Traitor Game
3 journalers for this copy...
I got this fair-condition ex-library softcover from Better World Books. It's about two boys who share a fantasy world, until one believes the other has betrayed him.
I found the story quite painful to read, in part because Michael, the main protagonist, is so deeply troubled - he suffered terrible bullying in his old school, and has become so withdrawn that he has no friends in his new school and won't even stir to help when he sees someone bullying a younger boy. He spends his energy in crafting an imaginary world, drawing maps and working out histories - and then one day his schoolmate Francis comes over and sees the maps, and the two strike up a tentative friendship. This deepens as they work on their world together - but then Michael finds a note in his locker revealing that someone else knows about Evgard. He assumes that Francis has told someone and has been ridiculing him this whole time, and in revenge - well, he takes a step that not only results in trauma for Francis but that shatters the only things Michael cares for.
As this goes on, we spend some time inside Evgard, in the character of Argent (clearly an alter ego for Michael), who's been captured and enslaved by his people's enemy. As things get worse for Michael, poor Argent's sufferings become even more grim - though, eventually, Argent comes to realize that there are people he can trust, and that there may be things worth risking his life for after all. And in the real world, Michael learns a very costly lesson as well...
Overall I enjoyed the story, though it is way high on the "angst" meter. But it offers some hope for the future, and some personal growth for our characters - and I love the idea of two outcasts bonding by world-building!
[There's a TV Tropes page for the book.]
I found the story quite painful to read, in part because Michael, the main protagonist, is so deeply troubled - he suffered terrible bullying in his old school, and has become so withdrawn that he has no friends in his new school and won't even stir to help when he sees someone bullying a younger boy. He spends his energy in crafting an imaginary world, drawing maps and working out histories - and then one day his schoolmate Francis comes over and sees the maps, and the two strike up a tentative friendship. This deepens as they work on their world together - but then Michael finds a note in his locker revealing that someone else knows about Evgard. He assumes that Francis has told someone and has been ridiculing him this whole time, and in revenge - well, he takes a step that not only results in trauma for Francis but that shatters the only things Michael cares for.
As this goes on, we spend some time inside Evgard, in the character of Argent (clearly an alter ego for Michael), who's been captured and enslaved by his people's enemy. As things get worse for Michael, poor Argent's sufferings become even more grim - though, eventually, Argent comes to realize that there are people he can trust, and that there may be things worth risking his life for after all. And in the real world, Michael learns a very costly lesson as well...
Overall I enjoyed the story, though it is way high on the "angst" meter. But it offers some hope for the future, and some personal growth for our characters - and I love the idea of two outcasts bonding by world-building!
[There's a TV Tropes page for the book.]
I'm adding this book to KateKintail's YA bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Hope someone enjoys it!
*** Released for the 2014 The release challenge, for books with "the" in the title. ***
*** Released for the 2014 The release challenge, for books with "the" in the title. ***
Took from the YA bookbox.
After suffering through bullying in his previous school, Michael isn't ready to trust anyone. But then he meets Francis and together they create a fantasy world, Evgard. But one day Michael finds a note in his locker: someone knows about their creation. Deciding that Francis has betrayed him, Michael takes his revenge, setting into motion incidents that spiral out of his control.
I ripped through this book, finishing it in a day. The angst is intense, but doesn't feel faked. Michael's almost crazed behavior somehow makes sense when viewed through his skewed mindset. The Evgard chapters hinted at events that happened in the real world very effectively and their occasional awkwardness was easily explained by being a teen fantasy.
The writing is low-key and suits the characters, with it's rambling, introspective tone giving us a sense of the chaos in Michael's head.
I ripped through this book, finishing it in a day. The angst is intense, but doesn't feel faked. Michael's almost crazed behavior somehow makes sense when viewed through his skewed mindset. The Evgard chapters hinted at events that happened in the real world very effectively and their occasional awkwardness was easily explained by being a teen fantasy.
The writing is low-key and suits the characters, with it's rambling, introspective tone giving us a sense of the chaos in Michael's head.
Added to lane88's sci fi and fantasy bookbox
Took book from lane1088's sci fi and fantasy bookbox.
