My reading of it as compulsive as Nick’s immersion in the game’s alternate reality. Highly imaginative, original and psychologically authentic apropos the motivations of and the pressures on an adolescent mind. Then the one person in the school, who has never had anything to do with the game, becomes inextricably involved in solving the puzzle, and it becomes clear why only those displaying utmost and unquestioning loyalty to the game’s messenger are admitted to the inner circle. Clues are deciphered through mythological and geographical references in the game. The sense of threat is palpable and the tension at times unbearable. Nick joins forces with some anti-gamers to find out what is going on. Nothing he can do will reactivate it.īy this time, events in real life have turned sinister, with game opponents sustaining life-threatening injuries. His disobedience is punished, and he is shut out of the game. Nick, whose goal is to reach the inner circle, is eventually given a malevolent instruction that he cannot in good conscience carry out. It also causes divisions – those not in favour are seen as enemies – and the game seems intent on eliminating them ruthlessly. It seems to know the players and it knows if players carry out their instructions to the letter. The game is uncanny and bleeds into the real world. Promotions are gained only through gaming prowess or fulfillment of tasks set for them in real life. Players are fighting to become part of an inner circle. The instructions are clear – he must play only when he is alone and he must speak to no-one about the game, not even mentioning his game alias. Arriving home, he inserts the CD into his computer and begins to play the game, Erebos. Until one day, a girl with a crush on him hands him a package with strict instructions to discuss it with no-one. Something mysterious in the form of a flat package begins to circulate around Nick’s high school, but Nick cannot find out what it is.

I really hope someone joins me today, because this novel is absolutely fantastic!!! (My favourite read this #germanlitmonth.)Īlthough it is a young adult novel and winner of the 2011 German Jugendliteraturpreis, Erebos was also proclaimed the 2010 Summer Thriller of the Year by the very grown-up weekly paper Die Zeit. So it has broad appeal, though I suspect it would not be for you if you don’t like computer games. Eventually I chose it for my GLM V readalong title. Priya reviewed it during GLM III, and once again I thought I really must take up the challenge. Well, having made its way home to the TBR mountains, Erebos waited patiently for a couple of years. It was staring me down! Go on, I dare you to read me … Once upon a time a certain someone was browsing the German literature shelves in the wonderful Daunt Books in Marylebone, when one particular book bullied its way into my bookbag. Translated from German by Judith Pattinson.

Poznanski erebos