Frags (Gamers Series Book 2) - Thomas K Carpenter

Title: Frags (Gamers Series Book 2)
Author: Thomas K Carpenter
Genre: Sci-Fi
Published: 2011
Formats: Paperback/Ebook

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"Frags" by Thomas K. Carpenter is the sequel to "Gamers" a book I have previously reviewed here. It continues the entertaining and fast paced adventures of former High School student, Gabby as she attempts to locate her friend Zaela who was taken away at the end of the first novel by the GSA government. Together with the members of Frags, a group of people who have tried to escape the GSA and the LifeGame, they flee into the Freelands. There, they hope that others who have escaped from the GSA will be able to give them information on what happens to those who fail LifeGame and are taken away. However, the Freelands is full if many disparate groups some of whom have no intention of helping any escapees from the GSA.

As with “Gamers” some sections of the novel deal with reality whilst others take the reader on a journey through various forms of augmented realities that have been created by the residents of the Freelands. Whilst this may sound like it could get confusing I was happy to observe that the author has done a good job in using Gabby’s thoughts and actions in a manner that ensures the reader is usually aware of what is real and what isn’t. The use of augmented reality has been incorporated very well into the novel to show how the Freelands really does allow people to live in any way they want.

The story itself is both entertaining and action packed just like its prequel and I found myself struggling to put it down. One of the best improvements in this novel compared with “Gamers” is that Carpenter has tried to flesh out some of his characters a little bit more which was good to see and I actually began to learn and understand more about each of them. It was easier this time to actually feel something for them and will them on to succeed even with their flaws and imperfections.

Another nice aspect of this novel is that Carpenter has ensured that some of the questions raised in “Gamers” are given answers. I don’t know how many times I get irritated about books in a series that just seem to be filler without actually answering anything from previous instalments. The reader doesn’t get an answer to everything though and this along with the cliffhanger ending ensures that I am looking forward to what will be revealed in the next novel.

Overall, this is enjoyable instalment in the series and whilst I did note that the book does once again use some rather interesting gaming related slang, this isn’t any different from“Gamers”. Basically if you enjoyed the first novel then you should have no issue with “Frags”.