Open World for me felt dark and desolate, which is perfectly fine as it's an urban fantasy book. This is the first time in a while that I am really at a loss as to where to start with a review. Open World reads like a darkly erotic version of Tron with a rough edge. I have not read anything like this before and I am not so sure that this is my cup of tea. That's not to say that I did not appreciate what the book is, it's a unique, complex, and interesting read. If you are into coding or gaming with the added bonus of being set in a world ravaged by war and chaos then this fantasy book will definitely make sense to you. It is well written and the story, although different from what I normally read, did keep me turning the pages. If you are feeling courageous and want a unique read Open World will definitely take you on an adventurous ride. Just be warned that the sex scenes are graphic and rough and there are scenes that some may find disturbing.
**I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Open World – C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss
Erotic Urban Fantasy
Open World – C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss is an Editor’s Pick!
The world has broken out in wars. Las Vegas has been ravaged by chemical warfare and is now home to several clans and creatures.
Welcome to I-D-8 Entertainment’s newest game: Clans of Vegas—Endless Night.
Friends and family have gathered for a crunch time playtest of C.O.V.E.N.. When a horrible thunderstorm hits, everyone’s sucked into the game for real. In the MMORPG, Hope Collins is kidnapped by Buzz and forced to submit to his whims. Her boyfriend, Alden, has to delay his quest of defeating a clan’s prince to save her, but time and circumstance don’t seem to be on his side. Faith Collins is bombarded by strange dreams brought on by Buzz. Her boyfriend, Tavis, learns to dream walk, but can he help break the spell she’s under and save her before she’s lost to him?
C.O.V.E.N. is more than just a game. It’s a whole other world.
Hope appeared in the middle of what looked to be a homeless shelter. It wasn’t what she’d pictured back at…
She shook her head and scratched it. Where’d she come from? Where was it that she wanted to go? Her mind acted like a blank chalkboard being looked at through a fisheye lens. Writing appeared hazy and indecipherable on the outer edges of the sphere, but the blackness in the middle was clean.
Her body tensed, reacted as if she should run. With wide eyes, she surveyed the area. People on chairs and benches were scattered through the large room. Broken windows and shattered glass doors at the entrance looked out upon a gray day. The other way revealed an opening to a courtyard type parking lot with long carports on the perimeter.
A young, Goth-looking cashier with black hair, white makeup and piercings in her lips, eyebrows and ears, gaped at her as if she had grown a pair of horns and sprouted a third eye in the middle of her forehead.
Hope wavered, trying to reconcile what was happening. She knew her name, knew that she had a family and wanted to be a dancer? But anything else? “Where am I? How’d…how’d I get here?” Her voice faltered over the questions. She stared at the teen.
“You in the ol’ bus term.” The goth snapped the gum in her mouth. “How ya got ‘ere is beyon’ me. Ya jist kinda appeared outta nothing.”
Another teen in his goth phase came up to them. “Yeah. Poof. There you be. Totes mcgotes cray-cray.”
“But I don’t want to be here.” Tears of frustration pooled in Hope’s eyes. She swiped at them. She was tired. She was hungry. She was dirty and hot. In the time she’d been in the bus station, dry, oven-like air had sapped all the moisture from her skin. She believed she was a walking piece of water-depleted, brittle clay, which would crumble into dust and blow away with the slightest touch.
“Then flash on outta ‘ere like ya did to git ‘ere.” The goth’s voice was monotone with no vestige of sympathy.
Hope closed her eyes, did her best to picture a place to go to, but none came to mind. Try as she might to ‘flash on out,’ she continued to stand amongst a bunch of uncaring strangers.
The goth shook her head and ran her black-nailed fingers through her hair. “Guess ya usin’ the door like the rest o’ us.” She chomped on her gum a few times, then tilted her head toward the exit.
Open World for me felt dark and desolate, which is perfectly fine as it's an urban fantasy book. This is the first time in a while that I am really at a loss as to where to start with a review. Open World reads like a darkly erotic version of Tron with a rough edge. I have not read anything like this before and I am not so sure that this is my cup of tea. That's not to say that I did not appreciate what the book is, it's a unique, complex, and interesting read. If you are into coding or gaming with the added bonus of being set in a world ravaged by war and chaos then this fantasy book will definitely make sense to you. It is well written and the story, although different from what I normally read, did keep me turning the pages. If you are feeling courageous and want a unique read Open World will definitely take you on an adventurous ride. Just be warned that the sex scenes are graphic and rough and there are scenes that some may find disturbing.
**I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
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Casey Moss delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…
Website: http://caseymossbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyMoss_
I like rough ;) And urban fantasy ! Thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Iza! You crack me up!
DeleteThanks for having me on & reviewing my book! I really liked your line "darkly erotic version of Tron with a rough edge." & though it wasn't really your cup of tea, I'm glad it kept you interested. My next installment, Genesis, is much softer. Just thought i'd mention it. & Thank you Red for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteCasey
You're so welcome Casey! It's nice to be nudged outside of my box sometimes!
Delete