Blog Tour ~ "The Lazurus Game" by Stephen J. Valentine

The Lazarus Game by Stephen J. Valentine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy to review
Genre: Tween Action/Adventure/Mystery/Sci-Fi

Book Description:  An amazing new video game has the power to resurrect the brightest minds of the past and see what they’d create in the modern world. There’s just one catch—it requires another person’s soul. Carter Chance, who is a teenage genius, must find a way to stop his generation from exchanging their souls for a computer-generated fantasy. This action-packed thriller delves into the enticement and dangers of virtual reality.

My thoughts: Carter Chase is a genius. He is amazing when it comes to thinking on his feet. He is able to figure out how to handle situations in a logical manner. He is also a teenage boy, with teenage wants, and teenage friends. He also comes from a dysfunctional family. What Carter really wants is to feel loved and find happiness.

The book begins with excitement and Carter captures a Russian spy. The action keeps coming as Carter moves from one tense situation to another. I can see my sons loving this book. It has the right amount of action, mystery, adventure, and even a little bit of a romantic interest.

His small town becomes the focus of a new gaming store that carries and incredible game, The Lazurus Game. The major problem is that the game is VERY addictive. Carter has to choose between his conscience and wealth. For a fifteen year old boy, that is not an easy decision.

This book will leave you guessing. It will thrill young readers with the action and give them a mystery as Carter unravels clues to determine who is the good guy and who is the bad.  This book makes you think.  It also pulls you into a story and hopefully, less time playing video games. :)

There is some violence in the story. Overall, I would say that it is appropriate for a tween reader or older.

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About the Author:  Stephen J. Valentine received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Utah State University. He is Senior Program Manager for FamilySearch International, responsible for the online publication of billions of historical records. Stephen loves history, hiking, cooking, reading, and traveling, especially to Disneyland. Stephen resides in Utah with his beautiful wife, talented children, brilliant Schnauzer, and massive J.R.R. Tolkien collection.