Erebos (Erebos) - Ursula Poznanski

Nick is surprised when some of his classmates seem to be very interested in some mysterious CD going around school, all exchanging it very hush hush. Not only so, but some of them are skipping classes and even the basketball training, and it seems it is because of this CD. Nick, our 'cool young hero', tries to find a way into this mysterious world, and finally he does, when one of his classmates gives him a copy of the CD. But it is not a music CD, but a video-game... and playing it will change Nick's life forever... "Erebos" is an entertaining YA novel, where a mysterious game seems to be taking over the lives of some high school students with dangerous consequences. It is all light enough (well, there are some not so light moments in the book but they are not really dwelt into) and in general the story is quite simple and nothing becomes too complicated. Poznanski does an OK job in developing the story and the characters, and in making the plot engaging, even if one has to wonder why our 'hero' takes some of the decisions he takes, because in many cases his character (and some of the the other characters in the book) development is rushed and clumsily handed. And the book also expends too much time in the 'game' world. But it never becomes boring, and you will turn the pages waiting to see what will happen next. Don't go expecting anything that will change your life, but an entertaining book that will fill a couple of summer afternoons and you will be in for a threat. The best: easy to read; it becomes addictive, like the game; the mysterious atmosphere The worst: the writing; there doesn't really happen much; poor and superficial character development; too many pages expended on the "Erebos" world by Nick and the author The skinny: YA for the summer, without much depth or complications Other options: I've seen many people comparing it to "Ready Player One"; as I haven't read that one, I can't say anything about it; I think "The Hunger Games" series or "Harry Potter" are way better YA than this one, and with way better characters. 6.5/10 (Catalan Translation by Carlota Vallès Ferré & Michael Steinmetz )