User Unfriendly

by Vivian Vande Velde

Book Overview

It's the most advanced computer role-playing game ever: When you play you're really there--in a dark dream teeming with evil creatures, danger-filled fortresses, and malevolent sorceries. The game plugs directly into your brain--no keyboard, no modem, no monitor. And for game hacker Arvin Rizalli and his friends, no cash up front, no questions asked . . . and no hope of rescue when the game goes horribly, deathly wrong.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152009604
• ISBN13: 9780152009601
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt P
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

One of VVV's different tales...

This story has to be given a lot of credit for the origanal take on the story line of "Kids go into a computer game and hell breaks loose!" The plot is full of brilliant twists and turns, and the characters, are all entertaining enough- especially when their competetive natures to win come out. It's a good journey of showing how in an hour our lives can change completely- for the better or for the worst. Friendships can be broken, lives can be taken, new friends can be made, people can be saved; it's a great book about choices and how they effect us all. It's really worth the read, though a lot of the RPG cliche moments aren't as entertaining if you don't get them. Check it out, it's one of my favorites from this author.

RPG/Fantasy Masterpiece

As I usually find Velde's stories captivating, not only did I find this one just as good as the last ones, but I also found it very realistic to the world of RPGs. Being a thirteen-year-old girl, you would not think that I'd enjoy many video games; quite the opposite. I found this story was staying true to its roots, having a variety of monster's, characters and weapons. The only thing I didn't get was the age limit on this; ages 9-12. Not only does it have some explicit moments of violence, it also uses words I probably wouldn't have known back then. Overall, good use of monsters, and fighting scenes. Only lacking an ending that doesn't leave anything to the imagination--but then, how many books do?

BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ

now this book is very good.it's descriptive.it's itresting.and it's a game. a tenth grader named arvin and his friends are unaware when the get sucked into a virtual reality game.now in this game they all are a generated charecter and are really that person the whole game with that persons memory and fellings.in there case a princess needs to be rescued.now your thinking how original.we'll if you said that read the book.they have tough challenges ahead like arvins mom has a headache the whole time.what's wrong? also they are stuck with computer players. that is until they start to loop. pros:descriptiveorginalpage turnercons:too shortno sequal[s] as of yetcan't find a book to match it

Good RPG Book

I think this is a very good Role Playing book. Personally, I like to RP, and I think the idea of practically living in the RP world would be really fun.User Unfriendly has very descriptive setting; it makes you feel like you're almost living there. One thing I don't understand is why all of Arvin's friends seem to despise him so much. I didn't find his comments, (maybe his thoughts), annoying so I don't understand why they act so bitterly toward him.

User Unfriendly...Friendly?

There is only one word for how good this book was...amazing. Possibly because I am a huge role-playing game (RPG) fan and this book illustrated the life inside of an RPG. The story was portrayed magnificently and the details sounded realistic in comparison to common RPGs in the world today, although much more interesting since it was like being inside of the game instead of just playing it.