Game World

December 2, 2013
In this fanciful adventure, a group of children are drawn into a mystical realm by way of a popular video game, where they must battle dark forces to save the world. Dreadlocked sixth-grader Dylan and his wheelchair-bound best friend Eli are selected as two Game Changers—the best players of the online RPG “Xamaica.” After winning a tournament, they have the opportunity to visit the magical world that inspired the game. Accompanied by famous teenage adventurer Ines Mee, Dylan and Eli venture into an unpredictable and often hazardous land filled with strange creatures and dangers. As Dylan searches for his younger sister, Emma, who went missing after also entering Xamaica, he discovers a startling family secret. Adult author/Wall Street Journal editor Farley’s middle-grade debut draws from Jamaican mythology and beliefs, as well as from other cultures, to weave a fast-paced, whimsical mixture of magic and action. An overabundance of coincidences and logic gaps undermine the story’s strengths, which include a diverse and intriguing cast. Xamaica may bear no resemblance to actual video games, but the setting lends itself well to memorable imagery and a fun experience. Ages 8–12.

April 1, 2014

Gr 5-8-A virtual game world called Xamaica becomes real for three Jamaican sixth graders, who embark upon a quest through a fantastical landscape laden with Caribbean mythology. Monsters, lush forests, giant talking spiders, morphing hummingbirds, ancient witches, plant people, and the overall obeah (magic) of Xamaica are vividly described, often employing the rule of three. For example, "The air smelled like parts of fish you don't eat, and garbage you forgot to take out, and armpits you had neglected to deodorize." Unfortunately, the elements of plot, character development, and pacing are not as strong. The plot fluctuates wildly, as characters' actions frequently contradict their motivations or they suddenly discover some game changer without any prior buildup. Scenes are unshaped and pile one upon the next without change in tone. On the plus side, here (finally!) is a middle-grade action novel that showcases West Indian mythology and features protagonists of color: an Afro-Caribbean boy, Hispanic-Caribbean boy who also is a wheelchair user, and a Korean girl. There may well be many readers whose drive to enjoy the novelty of this unique and vivid book will enable them to consider its flaws mere distractions.-Rhona Campbell, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC

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