Virtual War (The Virtual War Chronologs Series #1)

by Gloria Skurzynski

Overview

Imagine a life of virtual reality — a childhood contained in a controlled environment, with no human contact or experiences outside of the world of computer-generated images.

Corgan has been genetically engineered by the Federation for quick reflexes, high intelligence, and physical superiority. Everything Corgan is, everything he has ever seen or done, was to prepare him for one moment: a bloodless, computer-controlled virtual war.

When Corgan meets his two fellow warriors, he begins to question the Federation. Now Corgan must decide where his loyalties lie, what he's willing to fight for, and exactly what he wants in return. His decisions will affect not only these three virtual warriors, but all the people left on earth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416975779
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/14/2008
Series:	Virtual War Chronologs Series , #1
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	760L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Gloria Skurzynski is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including Virtual War, The Clones, and The Revolt. Her books have won numerous awards, among them the Christopher Award, the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, the Golden Kite Award, and the Science Book Award from the American Institute of Physics. She lives with her husband, Ed, in Boise, Idaho. You can visit her website at gloriabooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Taking place almost entirely in a shifting series of simulated environments," said PW, "this speed read could be just the ticket for cyberfiction enthusiasts." Ages 10-14. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 5-8In 2080, deadly viruses have wiped out most of the world's population and those who remain live in domed cities surrounded by virtual reality landscapes. Genetic engineering has created a few marvels, but has conceived even more mistakes. The Central Pacific Isles of Hiva have recently been declared decontaminated and safe for occupation. The three remaining world powers have agreed to fight a scientifically controlled, completely fair, eight-hour war for control of the islands, using only virtual soldiers. Corgan, a genetically engineered, test-tube wonder, has been bred to fight for the Western Hemisphere. Raised for all of his 14 years in sterile, isolated conditions by Mendor, a virtual parent figure, he is now at the peak of his physical and mental powers. When he finally meets his teammates, Sharla, a 14-year-old cryptographic genius; and Brig, a brilliant and physically mutated 10-year-old strategist, both of whom have been raised for the same purpose, everything changes. Like adolescents anywhere, they discover they have their own agenda to follow and must find a way to accomplish it while doing what they were created to do. This is a timely and familiar tale of adolescent rebellion set on an intriguing future Earth. Corgan, the ethical, honorable hero; Sharla, the intelligent, cynical rebel; and Brig, the bitter dwarf with a heart of gold, are stereotypical but still empathetic characters, and many readers will enjoy this fast-moving, easy read about a possible future where the best video-game player is the ultimate hero.Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA

School Library Journal

Members of the Nintendo generation gain a new perspective on electronic aggression in this taut, chilling, and finely crafted novel from Skurzynski (Cyberstorm, 1995, etc.).

By the year 2080, plague and nuclear war have driven the two million surviving members of the human race into a handful of domed cities, where they eat synthetic food, sleep in cramped dormitories, and wait for the world to become livable again. A few, like Corgan and Sharla, however, are pampered. Both 14, they have been genetically bred to fight in a virtual war waged among the world's superpowers: The winner will take possession of the Hiva Islands, which have become fit for human habitation. In her depiction of a society that prefers virtual reality to the real thing, Skurzynski plays a nice riff on appearance and reality: Although Corgan's team members appear fit and healthy in the virtual realm, he secretly meets them in person and discovers that the third member, Brig, is actually a crippled mutant. This discovery prompts the three of them to explore the city and discover how its genetic mutants are treated. While Corgan's team eventually wins the war, only Corgan opts to live and work on the Hiva Islands; Sharla and Brig decide to remain behind and help those less fortunate than themselves. It's an engaging, frightening realm that readers won't soon forget.

Kirkus Reviews