If you are a seasoned gamer (or newbie!) and also find yourself scrolling through #BookTok, then we are kindred spirits. When looking for a summer novel to remind you of your favorite video game and satisfy your #BookTok obsession, look no further. We have a list of recommended books video gamers will love. Keep reading to learn about five captivating reads that contain the magic of your favorite video game genre. . . .
Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
If you’re someone who’s just as comfortable playing the latest first-person shooter game as you are playing Harvest Moon, then we recommend reading Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto. It’s about seventeen-year-old gamer named Kiki who plays anonymously online as a guy to avoid harassment from other male players. Only problem is now she’s going to school with her online BFF, a cinnamon roll of a teen boy who goes by Sourdawg, and he doesn’t know she’s really a girl. Oh, and she just might be falling for him.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
If sci-fi is your favorite video game genre, look no further than Aurora Rising. The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the academy would touch. Get hooked by the ultimate sci-fi adventure ride as you speed through every page of Aurora Rising.
Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
For Zelda fans searching for the ultimate fantasy read, our top pick is Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim. From the author of Six Crimson Cranes comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever. One sister must fall for the other to rise. Your heart won’t stop pounding while reading this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
Horror Hotel by Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren
Fans of horror video games like Diablo IV will be absorbed by Horror Hotel. This addictive YA novel about a group of teen ghost hunters who spend the night in a haunted LA hotel is The Blair Witch Project for the TikTok generation. When the YouTube-famous Ghost Gang—Chrissy, Chase, Emma, and Kiki—visit a haunted LA hotel notorious for tragedy to secretly film after dark, they expect it to be just like their previous paranormal huntings. Maybe it’ll be scary enough to attract subscribers, but nothing truly terrifying will happen. But when they stumble upon something unexpected in the former room of a gruesome serial killer, they quickly realize that they’re in over their heads. Frights and thrills are around every corner when you enter the realm of summer’s scariest book—Horror Hotel.
Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
Otherworld is a perfect choice for gamers who get lost in thrillers and simulation video games alike (think: Sims)! New York Times bestselling authors Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller imagine a world in which you can leave your body behind and give into your greatest desires in a fast-paced trilogy perfect for fans of the hit HBO show Westworld and anyone interested in the terrifying possibilities of the future of technology. This is Otherworld—a virtual reality game so addictive you will never want it to end. And our protagonist Simon has just discovered that for some, it might not. If you’re searching for a mind-bending literary experience, this book will spark insights beyond anything you could have imagined.
Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian
As big fantasy gamers, Stardust in Their Veins completely entranced us. The second book in a fantasy trilogy series, this sequel to Castles in Their Bones is the story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Stardust in Their Veins has everything you want from a fantasy series.
