I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads 
 5 Stars 
 Young Adult age-range: 12+: video game & irl violence | sexual content with kissing shown and more activity perceived. | Parental units, judge your child's maturity on this. But it's mild by comparison to most TV commercials and exactly like most video games. 
 Genre: Science Fiction | Dystopian | Young Adult romance | MMORPG | Action/Mystery/Suspense | 
 A long, long time ago, Erica (that's me) would become engrossed in a novel to the point she would feverishly read. After reading 1000s of books, and writing 20+, Erica lost that spark- the ability to immerse herself in a world without knowing what was going to happen next, to not see the threads her fellow author was weaving, which spoiled her reading experience. Erica has switched between genres, going far, far away from anything she would create, but to no avail. 
 Then came Nexis. A story so far removed from anything Erica had ever read before, she was ecstatic to be able to read the story as the author intended. 
 A L Davroe's world-building envisioned two separate universes: the domed cities offering protection from the almost inhabitable, war-ridden landscape, and a lifelike, virtual-reality MMORPG video game world the characters immerse themselves in. The descriptions in the book were perfectly written- not too much, but enough where I could imagine exactly how it looked. 
 Characterization: Still a junior/senior high school age, they are simultaneously selfish and selfless. Whereas the adults have had a lifetime to lock into their mindset, making them stubborn and unyielding. All of which is exactly how human nature would dictate. 
 Storytelling: Nexis is far from a humorous read, but I found myself laughing in pure delight on several occasions. Adventuring and Questing. I've been playing video games since birth, so reading the characters being gifted armor from their enemies leaving the playing field, or scavenging for loot, to accepting a bounty on a dragon... 
 You're my side quest 
 The gaming aspects, which were more than half of the book, truly delighted me. Detailed, thoroughly researched, and extremely engrossing. The concept sounds difficult to read and enjoy, but it heightened the story immensely. The detailing... the Freedom Quilt had me getting a bit choked up, tbh, because of it's origins in American History, and that is exactly the type of object you'd find hidden in an MMORPG/RPG game. 
 Romance: Ella is a seventeen-year-old girl, and she acts as such. Even a girl my age is prone to getting weak-kneed over a handsome face. I felt Ella a strong character, not at all boy-crazy, and I was even empathetic to her beginning moments of spoiled-brat-ness (under the circumstances (my age), I could understand both father and daughter's position). There is a romantic entanglement throughout the book, and by book's end, a mystery is still not revealed. UGH! I threw a temper tantrum when finished, but, boy, did that make me want to dive right into the next book. (I know how annoying what I'm about to do truly is) Author, when is the next in the series going to be released?" 
 Recommended: Young Adult girls and guys (especially gamers), adult gamers who will find this book delightful, and anyone willing to give this book a try. If you're not a gamer, have never played an RPG/MMORPG, aspects will most certainly confuse you. But, hey, you might decide to boot up your PC or a console after finishing the book to try out a game or two. 
 In all seriousness, Nexis has many plot threads woven together, keeping the reader on their toes all the way to the end of the book and beyond. I am waiting impatiently and with anticipation for the next in the series. The writer in me is already spinning my own web, trying to figure out how this author ticks, because I want to know the same question Elle asked. 
 Who played the game?