EmilySchm

By: Vivian Vande Velde
Life or death situations are always around the corner for Giannine. The fizz engulfs her and she starts again and again and again... Vivian Vande Velde's Heir Apparent was slow going at first, but once it picked up I couldn't put the book down!

Velde's style of writing isn't much different than other authors'. It's the topic he chose to write about and the events he incorporated in the story that surprised me. It is mostly science fiction.

Heir Apparent is about a girl named Giannine (Janine for short) Bellisario who gets a gift certificate from her dad to Rasmussem Enterprises, a gaming center. She picks Heir Apparent, a virtual reality game. She soon gets way over her head by wandering into death traps which end up with her back at the start of the game. Janine would be able to take all the time she needs to finish the game, but the system, CPOC, is in danger of failing, leaving her brain to overload and possibly kill her. Will she complete the game before it's too late?
 * __ Summary: __**

Janine's life outside the game was very similar to our world. Her life in Heir Apparent couldn't differ more. In that era, they had a King and Queen who lived in a castle.

Giannine is very brave and logical, but her pride overruled her reason sometimes. Her royal family members weren't thrilled when they heard that a peasant girl was suddenly going to become king. I think the characters' personalities really fit the story, but towards the end of the book they start to have more respect for Janine.

Heir Apparent is very unique and interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi and suspense twisted into one story!