A good introduction to RPGs and Isekai for YAs

I love Isekai novels (where the protagonist gets trapped in a video game or gets reincarnated in a fantasy universe), so this seemed like a good fit. The main character is a girl who enters a VR video game when something goes wrong - she is trapped there until and unless she can get to the happy ending. But it's a hard game and she keeps dying, learning from her mistakes each time.

As I was listening, I found that I had the urge to listen to podcasts instead - it just wasn't grabbing my attention. Worse, at times I actively disliked listening to it. Now, my tastes are my tastes - it's not a bad book! But in case you and share our tastes, here's the things I disliked: 1) There were SO many times the main character felt stupid and ignorant and embarrassed. She was supposed to be a complete beginner to RPGs and fantasy, so it makes sense in context - but it was still painful to read. 2) The main character was VERY passive. No, she wasn't super powerful like many protagonists, so you can forgive her not fighting back effectively. But she didn't even talk back to people who were rude to her! It fits the character, again, but I found it aggravating.

That being said, the reader was fine - all the voices were distinct without sounding silly (with one or two exceptions) and the plot threads got wrapped up well. The end of the book was charming as well - both the epilogue and the last few chapters, when you realize everything is finally coming together. After the fact, I got the distinct impression that the book was designed for a younger reader - probably one who, like the protagonist, didn't have much experience with the genre. If you're in those shoes, I do recommend this book! But if, like me, you've read dozens - not so much.

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Love the story!

I had picked up the book several years ago and I've reread it dozens of times. My mom wanted to read the book but she's a bit audio book fan so i got the audiobook for her. The narrator's voice was a bit annoying to listen to for a while but after a while of listening to her it got better and we adapted to it. (which shouldn't be necessary but oh well)

The STORY is FANTASTIC! Even if you don't like the voice I highly recommend you pick up the book! #Audible1

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Beloved childhood story

Around 4th grade my teacher read us this book and I remember immediately getting sucked into it like no other book. The trials of this young girl having to outsmart a kingdom of treachery to save her life, and the frustration and suspense everytime she died when getting so close, I felt her anxiety. We sadly never finished the book and it stuck with me for years, this girl trapped in VR and this concept really wasn't around back in early 2000s and finally one day I sat and searched and found it and appreciated it more then I ever could when I was 10. But still it was easy enough to understand as well back then. It's an amazing book 11/10

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