Head On by John Scalzi

 Head On by John Scalzi, 335 pages (456 minutes)

Hilketa is the fastest growing sport in the world and the future looks bright... until one of its players drops dead on the field. The player's tragic death is shrouded in mystery and sets off an unsettling chain of events, slowly unraveling a dark conspiracy lurking behind the sport. Once again, it's up to FBI Agents Chris Shane and Leslie Vann to expose the truth. 

This sequel completely stands on its own; in fact, the first time I read the Lock In series, I read them out of order with this one first. It does however cement just how bad Agent Chris Shane is at keeping a threep intact for any length of time. 

Lock In by John Scalzi

 

Lock In by John Scalzi, 336 pages (603 minutes)

From the MARC record: "Not too long from today, a new, highly contagious virus makes its way across the globe. Most who get sick experience nothing worse than flu, fever, headaches. But for the unlucky one percent, the disease causes 'Lock In.' Victims fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. The disease affects young, old, rich, poor, people of every color and creed. The world changes to meet the challenge."

Lock In is a novel I've revisited several times. The characters, the mystery, the worldbuilding, the final solution: all of the elements weave together in a satisfying way. Reading this novel post-Covid19 has added a new layer of understanding to the terror and randomness of being locked in. I really enjoy this novel, and the audiobook, narrated superbly by Wil Wheaton, is more than worth a listen, too. 

Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, Vol. 3 by Tomo Hirokawa and Reki Kawahara

 Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, Vol. 3 by Tomo Hirokawa and Reki Kawahara-160 pages

The adventures continue for Kirito, Asuna, and friends in Ainground. They continue to attempt to figure out just who Premiere really is and why she's a special NPC. They run into Kizmel the dark elf from Aincrad and they start a quest where they must defeat a demon lord. During this, Kizmel informs Kirito and friends that Premiere is a Priestess of the Sacred Stones and only she can help them defeat the demon lord. With Premiere's help they do indeed defeat the demon lord. Later, Lisbeth (one of their friends) buys and opens a Guild HQ. They also give Premiere a permanent place to stay since she doesn't have one like most NPCs do. This volume ends on something of a cliffhanger. There are three more volumes and I am eager to read them. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - 374 pages

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.