This novel was part of a monthly read in my group on Goodreads. A free copy was provided for my review. 
 This was a fun read. Deception Peak wasn't your typical fantasy being that it had elements of science fiction involved. It is geared toward young adults, mostly male, but I think fantasy fans at any age would enjoy this. 
 The story starts out introducing us to Ian who is a typical teenage boy is living with his father Alex. Ian's mother is deceased leaving Alex to raise his son on his own, which causes a lot of emotional issues for Ian. He has no self-confidence, and his sense of security is very lacking. Ian returns home from school one day to discover that the computer program he and his father had been working on had somehow magically come to life. Against his wishes Alex, Ian's father convinces Ian that they should travel to this new world and explore. Eventually Ian agrees only because he doesn't want to be left behind and with the use of a magical blue circle, and a remote, Ian and his father enter the computer and are transported to a whole new world. Things are fine at first and the pair make a few trips in and out of this strange realm, but that tragically changes. Father and son travel deeper into the realm than they have ever been and discover there are far worse things to be afraid of then wolves and bears. It is not until Alex disappears in the mountains that Ian finally makes contact with the inhabitants of the Realm. Now alone it is up to him to find his missing father and learn to survive with his new companions. It becomes the toughest trial of his life and the beginning of an adventure to find his dad and their way home. 
 I liked the characters in this book, all except Alex. I thought his lack of judgement and just all out cluelessness when it came to his son was very frustrating. He continually put Ian in harm's way and didn't seem to care much about Ian opinions. Ian on the other hand grew as a character. He started off very shy, whiny and recluse, but he grows up a lot and becomes the person he wants to be. 
 Deception Peak is the first in this series and I will be reading the next ones. The storyline is solid and I'm very interested to see what happens next. Great job Dianne.