Faster paced than the first book, with an overtone of dark intentions about to pounce on the three main characters. This was a quick and dandy read, like book one, told in alternating chapters. I've already ordered book three so I can find out how these teens triumph. ( )

My hopes for the first book didn't pan out and this second book turns into a standard action adventure trope. Not sure if I'll bother with a third book if that is ever written. Positives of the series is a diverse cast of characters and world wide locations. ( )

Four computer whizzes from across the globe come together to compete in a high-stakes game. Rex is Mexican-American and seeking his brother who disappeared without a trace months earlier but fears his parents' lack of papers will be revealed. (He hacks into the competition). Tunde is a Nigerian engineering genius who must devise a machine for his country's despotic dictator. Painted Wolf, while living an upper middle class life in China is a master of disguises due to her espionage activities. She knows her father is involved in the game somehow. Kiran is the mastermind of the game: is he merely seeking recruitments for his world business or something more sinister? Don't let the sunglasses and cool look deceive you. All of this is very exciting but this reader did not feel drawn to any of the main characters and was even more alienated when more "geeks" joined the ranks. Good action but not emotionally satisfying AND, big NO-NO: it ends on a cliffhanger. A pale imitation of "Ready Player One." ( )

A good continuation of the series. The characters are a bit more developed. They are still in situations that are just beyond the bounds of plausible, but it's still enjoyable. ( )

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommended: Yes
Level: Young Adult

This Sci-Fic story is placed in New York. It is a multiple narrator story. Although it is the second book in the series, it could be read alone. There would be a deeper understanding of the characters if you read, Genius: The Game. They are definitely part of the programmer, hacker, coding, computer world that the kids struggle to save. ( )