This is one of the best science-fiction futuristic books there ever was. Unlike most other sci-fic books, this is a mix of fantasy and science-fiction, fantasy being the virtual world in which Erik and his friends are in in about half the book.

The action sequences are heart-pounding and suspenseful, and strange plot twists keep the reader turning the pages until the super-charged climax takes place at the end. The author describes the fantasy "Epic" scenes beautifully, and captures the very essence of virtual gaming in the future using new vocabulary such as "clipping" (and "unclipping").

In short, "Epic" is a book that will excite and pleasure all teen/young adult readers.

Are you kidding me?! This book won the Texas Bluebonnet Award! The book had some cool ideas to ad to the sci fi genre, and it could have been an amazing book. But this Conor Kostiock doesn't know how to write one. The characters are so flat and unreal that it's like they're mindless zombies. They have no personaility at all and just go around and try to save the world. There is no reason that there should be a sequel. It just doesn't lead you anywhere. The only hook that Kostick provides to lead on to the sequel is that the heroes haves to save their father from exile. That was the main reason through the whole dang book that they have an adventure. *Spoilers* Then after so much effort, this problem remains unsolved. It just didn't fit with the plot at all. Like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. He was just shoving the pieces into the wrong places. What does he do next? He destroys the computer game. (the computer game is like the Matrix but in fantasyland) He should of had the heroes rescue the guy from exile by the end of the book then make the computer game survive. That would've really give people a good motive to read the next book. They would wonder "will they destroy the evil computer game?"
What about the villains? The evil government is pathetic. They're just a bunch of rich nerds. The one villain that had REAL POTENTIAL was a vampire. Vampires always make excellent villains when done right. He was so cool, scary, and real. Well, as real as Kostick can get a villain. You could really be sympathetic with him because he had real motives. Then Kostick gives him the axe. What a shame. A good villain will hook the reader into the book. I felt as if Darth Vader died in Star Wars: A New Hope ,Voldemort got killed by Harry in the Sorcerer's Stone, and Sauron was destroyed in The Fellowship of The Ring. This Kostick guy needs to know how and where to take the book.

I feel guilty writing a 3-star review after several have deemed Epic a 5-star novel. However, I believe there's reason for criticism.

While the concept of RPG-based worlds is not exactly new, it is thrilling, especially for those of us who enjoy video games. Likewise, the political somewhat big-brother plot lines were intriguing. However, not only does the book fail to provide any compelling plot twits, but also the characters provided are practically made of cardboard. The understated romance between Erik & Injeborg is trite and uninspiring. The plan to rescue Erik's father is never properly fleshed out. The style of writing itself is quite mediocre and fails to submerge the reader in either the real-world aspect of Epic or the gameplay realm. Considering how much potential the book had, this is truly disappointed.

All this negativity aside, Epic is a fun summer read if you've nothing better to do. I don't regret buying the book - I simply regret that it could not live up to even meager expectations. For those seeking an RPG experience, I recommend actually playing a game -- Warcraft, Guild Wars, etc. Or watch the anime .Hack//sign. Or go out & swordfight/roleplay with your friends. Seriously, there are better ways to fulfill the lust for fantasy adventure than to read Epic. Sadly.

Being a lifelong gamer and someone who spent close to 2 1/2 years immersed in Final Fantasy online, I loved this book. You must enjoy RPG games to enjoy this book I feel. It's quite the different twist on the world being "destroyed" and a new form of government. In Epic the government is run by Central Allocations and everything takes place inside the game. People still live outside the game, but that's really only to get by. It's kind of scary to have it in writing how an online game can take over your life or the life of a world. What did throw me, was how the game came alive. I'll say no more to avoid spoiling it. I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and game loving folks. Young and old.