Lucky Ghost by Matthew Blakstad – Book Review
Lucky Ghost by Matthew Blakstad – Book Review
Lucky Ghost
Martingale Cycle Book Two
Author – Matthew Blakstad
Publisher – Hodder & Stoughton
Pages – 400
Released – 27th July 2017
ISBN-13 – 978-1473624757
Format – ebook, paperback, hardcover, audio
Reviewer – Stacey
I received a free copy of this book
Post contains affiliate links
Early one morning, blogger Alex Kubelick walks up to a total stranger and slaps him across the face. Hard.
He smiles.
They’ve both just earned Emoticoin, in a new, all-consuming game that trades real-life emotions for digital currency. Emoticoin is changing the face of the economy – but someone or something is controlling it for their own, dangerous ends.
As Alex picks apart the tangled threads that hold the virtual game together she finds herself on the run from very real enemies. It seems only one person has the answers she seeks. Someone who hides behind the name ‘Lucky Ghost’.
But Lucky Ghost will only talk to a young hacker called Thimblerig – the online troll who’s been harassing Alex for months.
Will Lucky Ghost lead Alex and Thimblerig to the answers they seek – or to their deaths?
Review
Firstly a confession. I think I probably took about 8 weeks(ish) to read this book. For me, that is an exceptionally long time, especially when you consider that I normally get through at least two books per week. The reason for my slow reading wasn’t anything to do with the author’s writing, nor his expertise, but down to the actual subject matter of the book.
You see, when it comes to technology I’m kind of hit and miss. Give me a computer or an iPhone and I’m fine. The gaming world though is not my forte, so where as the first book in the series was more aimed at my niche, this one wasn’t, but I was determined to finish it.
The book is set in some crazy near-future world when gaming has been taken to a whole new level, thanks to Dani Farr (protagonist from book one). This is a game that is played in the real world, where real emotions are exchanged for Emoticoins, a currency set in the digital world. To play the game you have to wear some sort of mesh that is an augmented reality device, over your face. This allows you to see the digital world.
Alex, the main character loves the game but soon realises that not everything is quite as it should be with it, and not as perfect as it is made out to be. When the game becomes dangerous Alex has only one person she can turn to for help, Lucky Ghost’.
The book is fast-paced (if I can say that!), and Mr. Blakstad has once again proven that his knowledge in this genre is superb, as well as his ability to weave together a great story. There is quite a bit of technical jargon in the book and if like me you are not techie, then this may prove hard to read, but stick with it and you will have read an amazing book.
This is a book that I was thankful for reaching the last page, but in a good way. It was hard work, but definitely enjoyable.
Reviewed by Stacey
Amazon.co.uk – Amazon.com
About the Author
My first career was as a professional child actor. From the age of ten, I had roles in TV dramas on the BBC and ITV, in films and at theatres including the Royal Court. After graduating from Oxford with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, I began a career in online communications, consulting for a range of clients from the BBC to major banks.
Since 2008, I’ve been in public service, using my communication skills to help people understand and manage their money.
OOoh I really want to read this one!
This is an interesting premise and the synopsis immediately grabbed my attention, but I think I would also struggle a bit with the tech side of things. Want to try it anyway. Thanx for the review!
I’m not a gamer by any means, (but tech savvy, or so I like to think). Would it be a hard one to follow?
Your review is great and I like that you’ve mentioned it is fast paced.
Sounds pretty fun and crazy considering I’m partly gamer too