High Tech and Hard Science Fiction

Cybersona

Name: Cybersona
Author: Fred Yager
ISBN: 9781889262833

by Fred Yager

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Overview

In an extreme case of identity theft, a computer genius who has recently become a quadriplegic when caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout uses an Internet game called "Cybersona" to take over the body of another player, a recently-fired science teacher, to get revenge on those responsible for his paralysis. In an effort to get his body back, the teacher takes over the body of the next player who signs on; that player turns out to be a ten-year-old boy.

About the Author, Fred Yager

Fred Yager worked for the Associated Press for 13 years as a journalist including 4 years as an entertainment writer and film critic. His extensive media experience includes writing for major TV news shows and running Merrill Lynch business television for 7 years. He is the author or co-author of 9 books: 5 novels, 2 career books, and 2 poetry collections.

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Editorials

Heartland Reviews

"Cybersona is an upper YA to adult sci fi novel about a computer genius who gets caught in the crossfire of a gangstar shootout. Awakening in the hospital as a quadriplegic, Garland Daniels uses a voice-activated computer interface to live out his dreams of revenge in a web-based virtual reality game....The pace of this novel is frenetic. As fast as the story develops, it still allows the reader to reflect on the aspects of revenge and justice tempered by forgiveness and compassion. We rated this excellent story four hearts."

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Caught in a gang shoot-out and paralyzed by a stray bullet, a 25-year-old computer whiz plots revenge through an online game that's not entirely virtual. His body trapped in a hospital bed, Garland reworks the programming in a popular game, "pushes" his way into the brain of Paul, another player-bringing along such super powers as the ability to throw fireballs-and sets out to exact vengeance on everyone who Done Him Wrong. With the speed and superficiality reminiscent of B-grade comics, Yager sends the 50ish Paul, who has in turn "pushed" himself into the body of 10-year-old Kevin, in pursuit as Garland carries out his mission amid washes of flame, torture, killings, (barely) offstage sex scenes, and the succession of massive contrivances required to give this plot even a semblance of coherence. Garland's ultimate discovery that he could have used Cybersona to heal himself all along comes as more of a letdown than a final twist. Suddenly a good guy rather than a villain once he's back on his feet, he shrugs off all the terror and destruction he's caused, and goes off to marry his indifferently faithful girlfriend, leaving Paul, back in his own body, to click with Kevin's voluptuous baby-sitter. There's nothing here to tempt even GameBoy addicts.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.