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Cryptogram Chaos Blog Tour!


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Mami Tales is pleased to be a part of  the Blog Tour for the middle grade virtual reality adventure Cryptogram Chaos written by Linda Covella, coordinated by Beach Bound Books. The tour will run from May 23 – June 13, 2016

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About the Book

Cryptogram Chaos

Title: Cryptogram Chaos | Author: Linda Covella | Publisher: IngramSpark Publication Date: March 9, 2016 | Genre: Middle Grade Adventure | Number of Pages: 197

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Book Description:

What if you were 8, or 11, or 14, and you could race cars at 150 mph, bungee jump, fly, eat all the ice cream and candy you wanted, or become powerful avatars such as Robobug, Kulshedra the dragon, and Altai, the gryphon avatar?

All this and more is possible in the ultimate virtual reality game The Cryptogram Connection created by 14-year-old computer whiz Cody Reynolds and his two classmates, Nicole Nash and Kerry McCorkle. To advance to different levels in the game, players must solve cryptograms, or secret codes. (Readers also get to solve the cryptograms.)

They create their game to be used with the latest VR technology developed by local game manufacturer NuVision Games–a headset with biosensors that transmit signals to the brain, fooling it into tasting, hearing, feeling, seeing, and smelling what was programmed into the game. The games are as close to reality as reality itself.

The game becomes every kids’ virtual dream, and Cody, Nicole, and Kerry, besides becoming national celebrities, make more money than they ever imagined. But The Cryptogram Connection turns into “cryptogram chaos” when an evil presence inhabits Zazar, the laser avatar and the most powerful, and takes control of the game. It’s up to the three partners to enter the game and fight Zazar to save the gamers from virtual—and real—disaster.

My Review

To be able to eat as much ice cream and not put on weight… that’s just the type of virtual reality I’d love! But of course, for kids, having the chance to experience the adrenaline rush without real danger is probably the most alluring. Ms. Covella knows this well, as she goes deep into the wants and motives of young teens in this coming of age novel. Cody, a very talented, and very young. computer programmer learns about greed, friendship and loyalty in the span of this story. From being the geeky kid he ends up teaming up with the pop girl in school to develop the best virtual reality game out there: For kids, by kids. The team is conformed by Cody, the computer genius, Kerry, the designer, and finally Nicole, the idea and business part of the project. What these kids have to deal with is greed and jealousy from the adults, who end up hijacking their game and putting an entire community in danger. Cody, Nicole and Kerry need to go back and fix things, even if the stakes are too high and danger becomes real to them.

Cryptogram Chaos is a fast read, full of imagination, adventure and fully fledged characters. The motives and reasons for why Cody does what he does are deep and well thought-out. This is a virtual reality adventure in the vein of Big Hero 6, but even if the game is all fantasy and pretend, the feelings and reasons that move all the characters are real through and through. I think any boy or girl 10 or above, specially those who live day in and day out in their video games, would enjoy this read very much. And now, I’m just waiting for this game to become a reality to try it out!

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Take a look inside the book…

 
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Cryptogram Connection: Level 1

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Cryptogram Connection: Level 2

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Cryptogram Connection: Level 3

About the Author: Linda Covella

Linda Covella AUTHOR PHOTO

Linda Covella’s varied background and education (an AA degree in art, an AS degree in mechanical drafting & design, and a BS degree in Manufacturing Management) have led her down many paths and enriched her life experiences. But one thing she never strayed from is her love of writing.

Her first official publication was a restaurant review column for a local newspaper. But when she published articles for various children’s magazines, she realized she’d found her niche: writing for children. She hopes to bring to children the feelings books gave her when she was a child: the worlds they opened, the things they taught, the feelings they expressed.

She has published one young adult historical romance Yakimali’s Gift, and, besides Cryptogram Chaos, two other middle grade novels in The Ghost Whisperer Series: The Castle Blues Quake and The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge.

She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Charlie, and dog, Ginger.

No matter what new paths Linda may travel down, she sees her writing as a lifelong joy and commitment.

Learn more about Linda and her writing at http://lindacovella.com/.

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Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a 25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice

Giveaway ends: June 13, 11:59 pm, 2016

Open to: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Linda Covella and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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About Erika

Worked in film and TV for several years before having my two wonderful children. Now I try to bring that creative input into my home to raise my kids. Hope you enjoy following this journey!
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5 Comments

  1. Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks

    I must say I was drawn to the unlimited sweets without consequence idea too!! I agree, this is a fun fast paced adventure that will certainly appeal to the young gamers out there. Thanks for sharing your review on the blog tour.

  2. Erika, thanks so much for reading Cryptogram Chaos and for your wonderful review!

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