Review: Nexis by A.L. Davroe

Nexis by A.L. Davroe
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Book Format: Paperback
# of Pages: 413
Synopsis:  
In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella

Review:

I purchased this book with my own money, and this is my honest review.

Nexis by A.L. Davroe follows main character Ellani on her quest to understand her late father's virtual reality video game as well as bringing meaning back to her life after an accident that changes her life forever. In the game she alters herself to help guide her on that quest. During her time in the game she meets Guster with whom is also essential to her game.

I don’t read dystopian novels very much but I find that when I do I LOVE them with that said and after reading the first book in this duology I believe I am going to start reading these kinds of books much more. This world takes place long after the original America has gone. The first date in the book reads June 13, 231. There were so many interesting quirks this world had that I really enjoyed. For example, outside was not liveable anymore, so those who were wealthy enough to afford it were able to stay inside to avoid becoming sick with radiation or anything else being spread about.

I also enjoyed the fact that robots were used frequently in different ways. Some families were using robots as extra family members that act both as family and as nannies. Some were strictly nannies or maids. These citizens were also known for changing their looks and appearances often with things called alterations and modifications. Those can be anything from changing their hair color to getting cheek implants. Very few people in this world are born natural without any changes. Most parents choose what they want their children to look like before they are even born and some allow their children to change themselves whenever they want after birth but very few are born and kept as naturals. Because of this, those who are naturals including Ellani are seen as lesser than everyone else.

I was almost immediately pulled into the story even only after reading a few chapters, I immediately loved Ellani and Guster not only for their unique relationship but as separate characters as well. Many novels include a love at first sight factor and although I can see that in some ways in this novel but at the same time Ellani and Guster really got to know each other before anything of that nature came about.

My favorite aspect of this novel was the time spent in the video game. Learning about their interesting and certainly different world comes in at a close second, but nothing was better than learning all of the cool things they could do in the video game. I also loved the fact that the video game was supposed to be portraying how America actually is now, and Ellani got to experience all of that.