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    The Dark Realm
    The Dark Realm
    The Dark Realm
    Ebook302 pages4 hours

    The Dark Realm

    By Anthea Sharp

    4/5

    ()

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    About this ebook

    ~ Award-winning YA Urban Fantasy/Gamelit~ Book 1 in the USA Today bestselling Feyland series~
    WHEN A GAME...
    Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.
    TURNS REAL...
    Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.
    WINNING IS EVERYTHING...
    Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen... before it’s too late.
    RAVE REVIEWS for FEYLAND:
    "Jennet was a character that I fell in love with instantly. She is a girl who loves video games, has a great sense of competition, and is just tough enough without being overbearing." -- 5 Star review from Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
    "5 stars! If you like faeries, a touch of sci-fi and old ballads, this is definitely the story for you." --Watercolor Moods
    "Feyland was such a quick and engrossing read I couldn't help but read it in one sitting! It flowed seamlessly and was so vivid I felt like I was right there in the dark realm. It's packed with action, magic, and of course faeries! Does it get any better than that?! Nope, I can't wait to read the rest of this series!" -- Book Addict
    "With a fresh twist on the faery lore, Feyland: The Dark Realm will find its way into your mind - and your heart. Forget that this is a faery book. It's more than that. It's the story of a boy, a girl, and their brilliant strength." -- The Reviews News
    Start the FEYLAND series today and see why readers are saying: "Magnificent!" "Impressive." "Brilliant new concept of paranormal." "Exciting!" "Awesome!" -- Reviewers at Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFiddlehead Press
    Release dateDec 2, 2011
    ISBN9781465740281
    The Dark Realm
    Author

    Anthea Sharp

    ~ Award-winning author of YA Urban Fantasy ~Growing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.

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    Reviews for The Dark Realm

    4/5

    54 ratings14 reviews

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    • 4/5
      A very clever mix of sci-fi and fantasy. I appreciated the unique melding of fairyland with technology. I also appreciated the character development and world building. Particularly masterful was the updating of the Tamlin mythology and the thoughtful inclusion of the poem at the end of the novel. Ms. Sharp's style is clever and captivating. I strongly recommend this to high school students.
    • 4/5
      3.75 StarsA modern gamer interpretation of the Ballad of Tam Lin. The beginning throws the reader right into the gaming world, so if that's your thing, great. If not, push through the first couple of chapters. The story gets much better and focuses less on the video game details and more on a contemporary fairy tale romance.Net Galley Feedback
    • 4/5
      Feyland The Dark Realm by Anthea SharpJennet is new in town and lives in the walled secure area, The View for other people who work for Vitrumax, the ones that were creating a new game simulator. Problem is the man in charge is now dead from something he was working on for the game.She has gone into the game at home, without her dad knowing and her character is almost dead against the queen. She seeks out others who might be good at simming and she finds Manny, who leads her to Tam-who won national awards the previous years.Read the second book of this trilogy first as I was won it. Love the book so much as the family used to sim and bought the other 2 books.This book starts out with them finding one another, going into the game and she teaches him a bit about it. Til she finds an unlikely person inside the game to help them...they must do things so the world will survive and they have til Halloween night.We also learn of Tam's life at home.Loved hearing all about the characters in the game and the things they come across...
    • 4/5
      Had some misspelled words, but overall, was a good book.
    • 5/5
      Jennet was a character that I fell in love with instantly. She is a girl who loves video games, has a great sense of competition, and is just tough enough without being overbearing. Strong in the face of danger, Jennet is my kind of girl. I'll admit that I absolutely loved both Jennet and Tam in this story. They meshed perfectly as a duo, playing off strengths and weaknesses. Their stories were both built up beautifully alone, but it was when they came together that Feyland shined.

      I had never heard the story of Tam Lin before reading Feyland, but of course I had to research it once I was finished. Sharp has taken an age old fairy story and turned it into something that pulses with new life. Ready for a confession? I'm a gamer. A total nerd who loves MMO immersion and the story lines that come along with it. However I can honestly say that even if you aren't into the video game scene, the world that Anthea Sharp builds for her characters will easily come to life for you anyway. Her writing is fluid, easy to read, and definitely something that you'll be able to get lost in.

      Feyland definitely isn't hurting in the action department either. I personally think that this is one of the more perfectly paced stories that I've read lately. In fact I actually read this book straight through from beginning to end, simply because there just wasn't a good place to stop. I needed to know what happened to Jennet and Tam. That's how invested I was in their fight to save themselves, and ultimately all of humanity.

      If you enjoy fantasy stories, with a bit of science fiction thrown in, this is a read to pick up! I adored it and recommend Feyland wholeheartedly. I desperately hope that there is more in store for Jennet and Tam. I can't wait!
    • 5/5
      The book is boasted as an USA Today Bestselling Urban Fantasy novel. And I am not surprised by the claim.The back cover synopsis reads: WHEN A GAME… Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and fifteen-year-old Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn't suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries. TURNS REAL… Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her. WINNING IS EVERYTHING… Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.Sounds pretty intense, right? Sharp writes clean and concise prose and dialogue. She is gifted when it comes to narrative and description. She gives the reader plenty to paint the picture, but doesn't overdo it so as to take away from the pace and timing of the story. I enjoy her writing style very much.The main characters, Jennet Carter (a well off, well to do high class teen implanted in what is basically the inner-city school district), teams up with Tam Linn (a poor, lower class student with responsibilities of an adult). The two are gamers. Sim players. And the best at their art. Carter's father works for a tech company that is pre-beta-testing the Feyland Sim game. No one is supposed to have access to it. Carter does, and has been playing the game to the point of detriment. She lost part of her soul inside the system. She needs Tam's expertise to get that missing piece of herself back. The danger, of course, is subjecting Tam to the same dangers that she faced --where the threats are real. Together they must find and battle an evil queen, not just to save themselves, but to save the world. FEYLAND: The Dark Realm is a taut, action-packed fantasy novel. The chapters are short. I read the book in a few sittings because it was easy to keep turning pages and think, Well, one more chapter ...Okay, just one more chapter. The next thing I knew, I was done with the book, and wanting more. My hat is off to Sharp for creating such a clever gaming world, and a series of Feyland novels to go along with it!Phillip Tomasso,Author of Damn the Dead and Blood River
    • 5/5
      This is the 2nd book base on a Scottish ballad that I red this week (the 1st is about Scarborough fair) Soooo.... I had this kind of weird feeling...Anyway it's a perfect idea:"I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hairTo travel to Carterhaugh for young Tam Lin is thereNone that go by Carterhaugh but they leave him a pledgeEither their mantles of green or else their maidenheadJanet tied her kirtle green a bit above her kneeAnd she's gone to Carterhaugh as fast as go can she...."So of course the main characters are Tam lin ,Jennet and the dark fairy queen Add to this another character from another Scottish ballad - Thomas the Rhymer and you got another perfect combination:".....Oh no, oh no, Thomas, she saidThat name does not belong to meI am but the Queen of fair ElflandThat am hither come to visit theeHarp and carp, Thomas, she saidHarp and carp along with meAnd if you dare to kiss my lipsSure of your body I will be...."Now take all of this above and scatter it into artificial reality game and....Put it into "Sim-game" as the point of entry to Fey land - is just ingenious!Anthea Sharp’s choice of game levels to create a spiraling entry into the enchanted dark realm,are good ones.She also get over on few problem like the age of the characters (No pregnancy for Jennet). She replaced the time of encounters of the queen Janet before Tam lin (still the knight). She add a generous help from Thomas the Rhymer (Who happen to know Jennet from before and play heavy metal in the court of the queen)Now, Add to all this above ,Tam’s complicated family life- (His little brother, Bug, is a scene-stealer), and in contrast to it the near-perfect, over-protected world Jennet inhabits with her father.The writing is solid. The pacing is even; the story keeps moving and I couldn't stop reading till i reached to the surprising finish.... now what... do I really have to wait?Well I'll be happy to rest my hands on the next book.
    • 5/5
      You might not know it to look at me, but I'm a gamer. I love especially the games where I enter a fantasy world and can explore and go where I want. I would love to be able to enter some of my games for real. At least that was what I used to think. Feyland: The Dark Realm, by Anthea Sharp will make me think twice about what I wish for.Teen girl Jennett is living any gamer's dream-her father is a wealthy game developer in this futuristic novel set in our world, and Jennett has access to state of the art games that haven't even been released. After entering Feyland and losing a Boss fight with the Dark Queen, Jennett realizes that it isn't just a game. The Dark Queen takes her spoils in the form of a part of Jenett's soul. After Jennett leaves the game, she is seriously ill and needs to be hospitalized. She does come home, and knows that she must find a way to get that piece of herself back from the Dark Queen before she is completely sucked dry. When she re-enters the game, she can only get far enough in to be told that she won't be able to do it alone. She must find herself a champion to enter the game with her and defeat the Dark Queen.She and her father have just moved and she decides to attend the local high school so that she can stay near the game, at her father's home. It is there that she knows she must find her champion and searches for the top gamer in the school. Enter Tam Lin, the dark brooding hero (I have a soft spot for dark brooding heroes-what is it about them, anyway?). He is the top gamer, but is a complicated person with a lot of home issues. The lure of being able to try the top unreleased games proves too tempting for Tam and he enters Feyland with Jennett. Eventually he finds out that the game is real. Apparently, mankind has done such a bang up job of destroying the environment, that gone are the fairie rings, the circles of standing stones (like Stonehenge), and other places that the very real creatures of fairieland have always used to enter our world. They had to find a new way in, and they did-video games. But they want to do more than just enter our world. They want to open a gateway between our world and theirs, and it doesn't look too good for humans if they are able to pull it off. Tam soon realizes that he needs to save not just Jennett, but our whole world from Feyland-and now the Dark Queen wants him as a sacrifice.This is one of those books that had me laying awake at night thinking about it. I really loved the character Tam. Forced to grow up too soon by a mentally ill mother, he unfailingly takes care of his little brother Bug (who is an adorable character). They live in the worst part of town where bad things can happen to you if you don't know your way around (and even if you do), and Tam always performs admirably, always does the right thing. When Jennett needs him, he's there, and in the end willingly makes an unthinkable sacrifice in order to save her. We all want one of those guys, right? I think that's why books are so full of them, but they never get tiresome. I liked Jennett, too. she's a toughie, an excellent gamer (admirable quality in anyone, but particularly in a female), and she learns many lessons during the story that we should all take to heart. She too makes an incredible sacrifice at the end-but I don't want to say too much-I want you to read it yourself!I think it's a great YA novel and a take on fantasy unlike anything I have ever seen. I usually don't like fantasy, probably because I can't find a way to relate to it. But here-ah, the games! Now that, I get. I think it's a very unique idea to make the game turn out to be real, and this was well done and well written. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of YA fantasy or paranormal. I hope that in the next books we get to see Bug being more involved, and I'm sure the fey of Feyland are not done with Jenett, Tam , or our world.
    • 5/5
      Feyland: The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp takes you into the future of gaming. The Dark Realm is the first book in the Feyland series.The main character, Jennett, is moved from the city to a small town when her father's company relocates after lead developer of their new game is found dead. Jennett is an avid gamer and is allowed to play the Alpha version on the system her father has. She finds herself at the final boss battle against the Dark Queen of Feyland. I greatly enjoyed the mix of folklore, gaming, and fantasy that the author brought to the book. It was refreshing to see a self published novel that didn't have me wishing for a better editorial review. This is an excellent book that I would recommend for both fans of Fantasy as well as gamers. I give it a wholehearted five stars.Disclaimer: This book was received a member giveaway at LibraryThing.
    • 4/5
      I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for the review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

      In a quasi-modernistic world with hints of a post-apocalyptic society we meet Jennet Carter; the daughter of a director for a company that is creating a new virtual reality game, Feyland. Due to her unfettered access to the game in its beta format, Jennet discovered that the virtual land of the faeries is seeking to encroach on her real world, and that her loss of the game to the Dark Queen also means that she must find a knight to save her soul.

      Jennet is a new student at the school, one of the few from the corporation. She meets Tam Lin, the best sim gamer in the school, and seeks to enlist his help. What follows is a roller coaster ride that takes us through Jennet’s need to find a solution, and Tam’s need to find stability and safety for himself and his little brother, with or without his mother’s presence.

      This was an interesting concept, invoking a warning about not tampering with worlds you are unfamiliar with. Consequences abound throughout, and while the action is not only in fighting skills, the reason and logic needed by the pair to ultimately succeed in the quest to keep the door between the faerie world and the mortal world closed is truly the key to their success or failure. Where the stories from which the worlds were created come only from honest to goodness paper books, rare and no longer produced, the willingness of both characters to both use and appreciate the paper form is notable.

      It was a whole different approach to a paranormal faerie story: cleanly incorporating gaming technology and skill woven with lore and old tales to neatly present a virtual reality that is both tangible and menacing, even as it is described with beauty and wonder. While I don’t play games at all, this will appeal to those who are dabbling with the virtual reality worlds, as well as the online character driven games. It is, at the very edges a touch of romance in the ‘getting to know you’ stages that is so often found in teens, with a realization from both Jennet and Tam that teamwork and real friendship work hand in hand with sacrifice and trust. A truly enjoyable work, one that I hope takes us on many other adventures with this pair as they grow.

      I did, however, want to know more about the HOW the society got where it was, and why the "corporation" was held in such esteem or revulsion depending on the perspective of the viewer. I'm hoping that further stories that include Jennet and Tam explain some background that was missing.
    • 5/5
      Jennet Carter’s father is a program manager for a company called VirtuMax and they make video games. They’re working on a Full-D system where the gamer is completely immersed in the game. Full sensory simulation where it feels like the gamer is actually in the game world. When the lead game developer dies the company transfers Jennet’s dad to Crestview and Jennet moves with him even though the school is well below what she is used to. Jennet has to stay close to the prototype Full-D system her dad has because when she was gaming in Feyland something strange happened when she lost to the Dark Queen. Now, she needs a champion to go back into Feyland and win back what she lost. But in this poor technological wasteland of a school will she be able to find a champion capable of simming? She better because she only has until Halloween before the Dark Queen sucks all her energy until she dies and Feyland gate crashes into the real world. Will Tam Linn be that champion? Can he escape his messed up life long enough to save Jennet? And is he good enough to beat the Dark Queen and her champion, the Dark Knight? Jennet certainly hopes so.Well-written and smooth-flowing this story wastes no time with dilly dallying and proceeds along at a crisp pace. The plot is extremely interesting and I love the characters. With Feyland crouched on the other side of the Gate waiting to pounce on the unwary humans in the real world I’m very curious to see what the next book brings.*Many thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
    • 4/5
      Feyland is the story of a girl who has lost her "mortal essence" to the Dark Queen in a sim-game.  This was a fun read, but I am not the gamer type, so a connection with the protagonist was missing for me.  However, my 11 year old son read it and loved it.  This might be a great book for the kid that doesn't want to put the controller down to read.
    • 5/5
      Feyland: The dark Realm is an interesting updated take of an old Scottish folktale called Tam Lin, and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. Needless to say it was very hard to put the book down. I’m not too familiar with gaming, but the way the story is woven together, you really do not need to be a gamer to enjoy it or follow it. Another plus is that while this is the first of a trilogy the end of the book only leaves you wanting to experience more adventures in Feyland and not with a cliff hanger ending.I believe gamers and urban fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy this book. And while it does have a touch of romance, even the male gender will be able to identify with the characters and not get mushed out.With all that said I’m looking forward to reading the next adventure in Feyland.
    • 5/5
      Feyland is a fascinating realm of techno immersion gaming. The main characters are Jennet and Tam.(For fun, just go look up Tam Linn...you'll be surprised at what you find)Jennet was a difficult character for me to get to know. I don't have a great deal in common with a young gamer. She is the 15 year old game loving daughter of an electronic executive.She plays games constantly and has access to the best and the newest games because of her dad's position in the electronics company. She plays a game called, you guessed it--FEYLAND. Well she gets more than she bargained for. Feyland is not just any game, but an actual place where it's not a game but reality. This is where Tam comes in. I loved his character. Loyal, likable and responsible. He is a Knight in Shining Armor (well he doesn't really have the armor but you get the idea). He's had a rough life. This is where the fun begins. Remember earlier I encouraged you to look up and research Tam Linn? Well....Tam is an actual legendary character. I am not a gamer, I can't play my way around a Nintendo. I grew up with Atari (Atari? What's that? Again, look it up. May be boring to you guys but it was high tech to me) Ms. Sharpe has been able to use the techno jumble speak in such a way that her descriptions allowed me to understand and 'see' the gaming world. A great testimony to her writing skills. I do have to say, I'm one of those people who do, in fact, judge a book by the cover. I can't say I was overly thrilled with the cover. I know, I know...pretty lame of me, but don't let that stop you. If you like gaming and like a great story...read this book. It's great for YA. and gamers.

    Book preview

    The Dark Realm - Anthea Sharp

    Prologue

    Jennet faced the Dark Queen, her mage staff at the ready. Excitement fizzed through her blood like it was carbonated. This was it. She’d completed the quests, mastered each level of the game, and made it here. The final boss fight.

    Fair Jennet. The queen’s voice was laced with stars and shadow. You think to best me in battle? A faint smile crossed her pitiless, beautiful face. Her dress swirled around her like tatters of midnight mist.

    I plan on it, Jennet said. She tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear, then shook off the sudden anxiety that settled on her shoulders, cold as snow.

    She had no idea what this particular fight held. Feyland was the hardest sim she’d ever played, full of weird twists and turns. She thought about it all the time. The game filtered into her dreams, shaded the edge of her days. Sometimes the computer-generated world felt more real than her ordinary life.

    Very well, the queen said. I accept your challenge.

    Jennet couldn’t see any weapons on her opponent, and that dress was no substitute for armor. Safe bet that this was going to be a magical duel, spell-caster against spell-caster. Jennet flexed her fingers around the smooth wood of her staff. Anticipation spiked through her, tightening her breath.

    Fantastical creatures watched from the edges of the clearing: feral-faced women with gossamer wings, dark riders with red-eyed hounds at their heels. The sound of drums and pipes wove through the shadows. Overhead, a sliver of moon tangled in the black branches of the trees. Then, between one heartbeat and the next, silence fell.

    A dark figure stepped forward, forbidding in midnight armor and a wicked helm, and Jennet’s stomach clenched. The Black Knight. She’d barely beaten him in an earlier quest. If he got involved in this fight, she was in severe trouble.

    He held his gauntleted fist high and grated out a single word. Begin.

    It echoed eerily through the glade, and the fey-folk let out a rough cheer. There was no one to cheer for Jennet.

    Without hesitation, she tipped her staff and shot a bolt of fiery white light at the queen. A sphere of shadow appeared, blocking her attack and swallowing the fire into its dark depths. More spheres materialized and began floating toward her, called by the Dark Queen. Jennet ducked and wove, avoiding their deadly touch.

    Lightning crackled from her staff, illuminating the clearing with shocking white light, but the queen evaded her bolts. Still, Jennet kept pressing the attack. The dark spheres were multiplying now, bobbing in the air on all sides. A low, menacing hum surrounded her as she tried to find a clear shot.

    She couldn’t afford any mistakes - but the fight was pushing her to her limits. Worry started to nibble at the edges of her concentration. She just had to watch for an opening… there. She took aim and sent another bolt crackling through the air.

    White fire sizzled and Jennet heard the queen gasp. Yes! She could do it. She could beat this game. The first player ever to claim victory over Feyland.

    A dark sphere brushed against her shoulder. Ice stabbed into her skin, sent numbness down her arm until she could barely hold onto her staff. She stumbled back, trying to regain the rhythm of the battle. Keep breathing. Keep fighting. But where was the queen? The place where her opponent had stood was now filled with twisting shadows.

    Everything rippled, as though the clearing was made of cloth billowing in a sudden gust. Jennet heard high, chiming laughter as she fell backward…

    And landed in an ornate chair set before a feasting table. What? She jumped up, heart racing, and knocked the edge of the table. A goblet sitting in front of her shook, sending a drop of deep red liquid to stain the white tablecloth.

    Sit down, Fair Jennet, the queen said from her place across the table. This is the next stage of our battle.

    Pale candles in thorny candelabra illuminated the feast. Their silver flames reflected in the queen’s fathomless eyes.

    You changed the rules! You can’t do that. Jennet’s legs felt shaky as she edged back into her chair. She was so not prepared for this.

    The queen laughed. It was the sound of ice shattering on a black lake. Of course I can. This is my court. My realm. You are but a visitor. Please - drink. She waved one delicate hand at the goblet.

    No thanks.

    Jennet’s mouth said the words, but her hand reached out anyway and lifted the heavy silver goblet. A sweet, thick smell drifted from the cup. Roses and burnt sugar. The edge of metal touched her lips.

    No. She was not going to do this. The queen might try to control their battle, but she could still fight back. Fingers trembling from effort, Jennet forced the goblet away. The air around her was sticky and nearly solid, like dough. She pushed against it, her breath coming in gasps, until at last the cup touched the table.

    Very well. The queen’s voice was edged with frost. If you disdain my hospitality, then you must answer a riddle.

    That seemed safer than drinking whatever was in the goblet. And the game wasn’t giving her a lot of other options. A riddle? All right.

    The candles flared and the queen’s eyes glowed. Listen then, and listen well, the answer to this riddle tell, or forfeit of thyself will be, and never more wilt thou be free.

    Jennet shivered. The queen’s voice was ominous, her words intoned with deep meaning. Whatever happened, it was clear that failing to answer the riddle carried a price. Jennet curled her fingers tightly into her palms and tried not to show the fear flickering through her.

    Ask me your riddle, she said.

    As soon as it begins, it is ending. Without form, still it moves. When it is gone, it yet remains. The queen smiled, sharp as a blade. You have three guesses.

    Ah… Jennet’s mouth was dry. Her mind beat against the riddle like a bird trapped behind glass. Without taste or form. Something powerful, but insubstantial. Is it the wind?

    A low sighing went through the branches of the dark trees. The candle nearest her snuffed out, as though some invisible hand had abruptly doused the flame.

    The queen shook her head. One chance gone.

    A circle of watchers had formed around the table. Lithe women with gossamer wings gathered beside the queen. Gnarled brown creatures with sharp teeth and fingers that were too long for their hands swayed next to them. Red-capped goblins and capering sprites - they all watched her with avid, gleaming eyes.

    Freaky. This whole battle had turned beyond strange. Jennet pulled in a deep breath, though her chest felt tight, and gave another answer. Music?

    The second she said the word, she knew it was wrong. She shivered as a second candle flame went out. The watchers surrounding her tittered, and the low breeze rustled the branches.

    Jennet squeezed her eyes closed, blocking out the shadowy glade, the fantastical figures, the wicked curve of the Dark Queen’s smile. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, and she tasted the metal edge of fear on her tongue. Think. She had to figure this out.

    Your time has run, Fair Jennet. Speak your final answer.

    She opened her eyes, to see that the Dark Queen had risen to her feet. A single candle burned between them.

    I…

    Panic banged through her, like a hundred doors slamming shut. The watching creatures grew still and silent. Even the wind quieted, waiting. She had to answer.

    Is it… a dream? The words floated from her mouth and hovered there, just beyond her lips.

    In the silence that followed, Jennet felt shadows gathering closer. Dread crawled through her, carrying the awful sensation of failure.

    The last candle died. A high, wailing music started up, the keening cry of pipes swirling through the air. Slowly, the queen shook her head. Diamonds sparkled like frost in her dark hair.

    No, she said. You have lost. Now, mortal girl, I take my due.

    The queen held up a hollow crystal sphere in one hand. With the other, she scribed strange gestures in the air. Her fingers left glowing streaks of silver against the darkness. Then she pointed straight at Jennet.

    Ahh! A sharp pain speared through Jennet, as though the queen had stabbed her in the chest. She doubled over, gasping, while agony iced her blood. Oh god. It hurt.

    Behold, Fair Jennet, the queen said. The answer is Life. Your essence is captured here. It will serve us well.

    Jennet looked up, tears clouding her vision. The queen held the sphere aloft. It wasn’t empty any more. Inside was a bright swirl of color, like rainbow flames. They pulsed and danced, trapped inside their crystal prison. Wavering, calling to her.

    How, Jennet forced the words out through lips tight with pain, how do I get that back?

    Every game had a second chance, a third. You kept fighting the last battle until you finally won. Failure wasn’t permanent. Not like in real life.

    The queen laughed, and the sound carried a bitter chill. You cannot. Without a champion, you are lost. Now go. Go! I send thee, defeated, from the Dark Realm.

    Pain wrenched through Jennet and she screamed. Golden light blinded her senses and she swirled through a sickening vertigo. Blackness waited, merciful and dark, on the other side. She opened her arms to it, and fell.

    Jennet woke, aching, in the sim chair. Her fingers were stiff inside the gaming gloves, and when she sat forward, fire exploded in her shoulder. She could barely lift her arm, but it was impossible to take off the helmet one-handed. Trying not to whimper, she gritted her teeth against the agony and pulled off her gear.

    She had lost.

    Feyland was more than just a sim game. The clues had been there all along, but she hadn’t paid enough attention until now. Now, when it was too late. And she’d done worse than lose the game.

    There was an icy hollow in the middle of her chest. The Dark Queen had taken something from her - something she feared she couldn’t live without. Bright flames trapped inside a magical sphere. Her mortal essence, the queen had said.

    She had to get it back.

    Chapter 1

    Jennet leaned her forehead against the tinted window of the grav-car and watched as the unfamiliar neighborhoods went from decent to tattered. So much had changed in the last few weeks. She couldn’t believe she was here, friendless and alone, starting a new school.

    And no closer to winning back what the Dark Queen had stolen.

    She sighed, and her breath left a mist on the window glass, obscuring the boarded-up windows and graffiti-festooned buildings along Crestview’s main street. From what she’d seen so far, this decaying town in the middle of the country’s flatlands was barely wired. Did the kids here even know what a good sim-system looked like?

    Dad had offered to pay for her to stay as a boarding student at Middland Prep, back in their old town, when the company transferred him here. He thought she had a choice, but she didn’t. Not with part of her soul trapped inside a computer game. She couldn’t get it back without going into Feyland, and the only system that could even run the game was Dad’s prototype Full-D. Which no way was he leaving behind. So here she was, too.

    The car slid to a stop outside a blocky gray building with Crestview High stamped in concrete over the front doors. Students funneled into the school, trampling the thin grass out front.

    Here we are, Miss Carter, said George, her dad’s chauffeur.

    Great, she said.

    She wanted to make George turn the car around. Wanted to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over her head. Or power-up her system and lose herself in an easy game - some fluffy simulated world where the goals were catching butterflies and collecting candies. Something pretty and safe.

    But virtual worlds weren’t safe. She’d learned that the hard way.

    She still had nightmares about that final battle. Sometimes, in the deepest hours, she woke in a cold sweat with the Dark Queen’s laughter cutting through her. A computer game shouldn’t be able to affect the real world. But it did. Jennet pressed her lips together so hard she could feel the edges of her teeth.

    Whenever you’re ready, Miss Carter. George swiveled in the front seat to look at her. I would like to be able to inform your father you weren’t late for your first day.

    Her stomach clenched, as though she’d eaten rocks for breakfast instead of toast. She squeezed her eyes shut, then blinked them open. Staying in the back seat wasn’t going to solve her problems. She had to find a gamer here - someone who was even more skilled than herself. Someone adept at wielding a virtual sword. Someone who could help her win free of Feyland. Permanently.

    Without a champion, you are lost. The Dark Queen’s words echoed in her mind.

    Miss Carter? The car door slid open.

    All right, I’m going.

    Forcing her fingers to unclench, Jennet grabbed her satchel and stepped out. Late fall air lay clammy on her skin, and a wave of dizziness made her cling to the door.

    Breathe. Don’t let George see her weakness. She caught her balance and moved onto the sidewalk. The grav-car skimmed silently away, and she turned to face the school.

    A metallic beeping from the building made the few stragglers scramble for the doors. She swallowed back the dry fear lodged in her throat, and followed.

    Inside, it smelled like schools always smelled - a mix of cleaning products, sour lunch, and faintly, old-fashioned books. A security checkpoint loomed just inside the front doors. Her steps slowed. This was nothing like Middland Prep. Were the students here really that dangerous? Nervousness squeezed her lungs as the big guard waved her through the scanners.

    No alarms went off, and she began breathing again. When she asked where the office was, the guard pointed to the first door down the hall.

    The secretary, a thin, dark-haired man, peered at her through his glasses. Can I help you?

    I’m a new sophomore. Jennet Carter.

    One of the VirtuMax kids? He said the company name like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

    Right. Um, my dad has been in contact with the school?

    The secretary poked the screen in front of him. Ah yes, Carter. I’m transferring some additional forms over. Make sure you fill them out in full. The school will issue you a tablet so you can access your account.

    He pulled a battered tablet out of a drawer and set it in front of her. It was an old Epox, outdated beyond belief. Her hopes slipped another notch. This place was a technological wasteland. How was she going to find someone here who could help her?

    The secretary pushed a piece of paper toward her. If you’ll sign here—

    I have my own. She pulled out her brand-new tablet and watched the secretary’s eyebrows lift as if pulled up by strings. She scrolled through the menu until she found the red and blue Crestview High icon, and then tilted the screen toward him. This it?

    Yes. And you’ll want to be careful with that tablet. Make sure you don’t leave it unattended. The school takes no responsibility for lost or missing items. He dropped the battered Epox back into the drawer, then glanced at his own screen, his eyebrows settling. You have twenty-four seconds to get to class. Early World History with Ms. Lewis. End of the building, room 114. No running.

    Great. Like she needed to be late on her first day. She slung her satchel over her shoulder and pushed herself to move faster down the hall. A boy wearing a blue jacket dashed past, and a brown-haired girl disappeared into a nearby room. Other than that, the halls were deserted.

    There - room 114. Worry skittered up her spine as she pulled the door open.

    The plump, red-haired teacher standing by the desk glanced up as she entered. Miss Carter?

    Jennet nodded, her skin prickling as she felt the attention in the room shift. All the kids were looking at her. Sizing her up: her hair, her clothes, the way she stood. Her heart thumped against her ribs, but she forced her breathing to stay slow. She lifted one hand to smooth her hair back and heard a murmur as they caught sight of her wrist implant.

    A quick scan of the room confirmed there were only two other kids with wrist-chips. They met her gaze with serious relief. The rest either turned their heads away or narrowed their eyes, giving her you-don’t-belong-here-we-hate-you looks.

    Your desk is at the end of the row. The teacher pointed. Welcome to Crestview.

    Welcome. Sure. Jennet slid into her seat just as the second bell blared through the room.

    Class, Ms. Lewis said, please access file 73 in your history doc.

    Jennet pulled out her tablet and tried to ignore the whispers that followed. Maybe she should have taken the old Epox - but she shouldn’t have to be embarrassed that her gear was cutting-edge.

    She straightened her shoulders and scanned the room. The two VirtuMax kids smiled at her. One was a girl with dark hair, the other, a mousy-looking boy. Like herself, they held shiny, newer-model tablets. The rest of the class though…. Despair crawled through her.

    Almost none of the Crestview students had their own tablets. The clunky school-issued Epoxes were the standard. How could any of these kids be ‘leet players if they didn’t even have the most basic tech? This was like being transported back to the Middle Ages.

    Still, she had to consider the possibilities. For all she knew, that brown-haired boy in the back row was a flawless gamer. She thought he was watching her, his green eyes hostile behind the swag of hair in front of his face.

    If not him, what about the blond guy sitting two seats over? Seeing her looking, he winked and blew her a kiss.

    On second thought, no. Neither of them could be the sim hero she needed.

    Half of her wanted to put her head down on the desk and cry. The other half smoldered, ready to jump up and start yelling curses at the universe. Instead, she stared at the schedule glowing on her screen. Six classes. Six chances to find someone to help her.

    If she didn’t get to the Dark Queen soon, she was dead.

    Chapter 2

    Tam watched the new girl. Sure, it looked like he was taking notes while Ms. Lewis droned on about ancient civilizations, but under cover of his moving hand, under the hair he never bothered brushing out of his eyes, he was watching.

    He always watched. Everything. Never said much, but that was okay. It kept him invisible and out of trouble.

    So, the new girl. Jennet Carter. Everything about her screamed ‘elite.’ Elitist, too. She tucked a strand of pale hair behind one ear, and the chip implant in her wrist glinted. More proof that she didn’t belong here.

    Welcome to Crestview High, Ms. Lewis said.

    Jennet only nodded. She didn’t look too happy to be there, and for a moment, unwilling sympathy moved through him. Everyone was staring at her. It couldn’t be easy, coming into a new school after the year started - even if you were one of the privileged. Which, here in Crestview, made you a severe outsider.

    She sat down and pulled a shiny new-model tablet out of her bag. Clearly the school ones weren’t good enough for her. Though, to be honest, some of those tablets barely worked. If he had the option, he’d bring his own gear, too.

    She obviously lived in The View, the compound VirtuMax was building for their company employees. He’d heard the houses there were huge, that they were putting in specialty stores, a g-board park. Probably money falling off the bushes, too. All you needed to get in was a wrist-chip.

    What would that be like? Wave your arm and have the gates of paradise open. Instant access to a safe and sanitary little world, full

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