From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—In this grim sci-fi tale, Earth is destroyed by pollution and technological progress. "Elusion," a virtual reality technology that transports users to "escapes," which mimic untainted landscapes, was created by Regan Welch's father and his teen protégé, Patrick. In a world where work and school take place seven days a week and air quality is so poor that oxygen shields are often required, Elusion was meant to offer recreational getaways from the abysmal daily grind. However, Regan's father is killed in an accident, and reports surface that Elusion may have life-threatening side effects. Patrick's feelings for Regan begin to shift, especially when his friend Josh becomes a romantic rival who encourages her to take a deeper look at Patrick, Elusion, and Orexis, the company responsible for its development. Given the current reliance on smartphones, readers will have no trouble believing that virtual escape is addictive. Orexis falsifying data and endangering users to protect their bottom line is sadly also realistic. These elements, combined with the teen romance, ground the book's more fantastical aspects, such as Patrick's redesigned trippy escapes and Regan's experiences within upgraded Elusion. Unfortunately, the young scientist's characteristics and actions take on a cartoonish quality. The occasional use of swear words makes this better suited for older readers. Pithy dialogue and a cliffhanger ending will leave fans in high anticipation for the sequel. Perfect for collections where sci-fi tempered with romance flies off the shelves.—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

From Booklist

More excited than scared, Regan dons a microlaser visor, audio buds, and a wristband as she joins her father for her first experience in Elusion, the advanced virtual-reality system that he invented. Five months later, her father is gone and her real world is falling apart. While rumors about teens harmed by Elusion fly, Orexis (the company that made it) struggles to minimize the damage to their product’s reputation. Regan must decide whether to trust Patrick, her childhood friend who works for Orexis, or Josh, whose sister is an Elusion victim. Regan follows cryptic clues as far as she can, but her central question keeps circling back to reality: who is lying? The stock characters deliver few surprises, though the plot twists in entertaining ways. This page-turner of a novel combines elements of dystopia, science fiction, adventure, and romance as well as mystery. Answers are revealed at the conclusion, but the story isn’t over, leaving the door open for sequels. The cover will draw readers, and many will stay for the fast-paced narrative. Grades 9-12. --Carolyn Phelan

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