FATAL GLITCH

Reform camp turns out to be a competition with extremely high stakes for one self-absorbed gamer.

Sofia Mendoza injures her sister (after accidentally-on-purpose tripping her), so her father sends her to Forestjaw to reflect on her behavior. Things get off to a weird start: Monarch, Forestjaw’s leader and seemingly only real adult, greets the campers (or “candidates,” as she calls them) with a terrifying mechanical vulture on her shoulder before confiscating their electronics and fitting them with mysterious pieces of wearable technology called rankles. The camp’s connections to the popular Sandbox online gaming world quickly become apparent, and Sofia’s excitement grows when she finds out they’ll all be participating in a game that involves ranking and elimination. She’s the best Sandbox player around and quite certain she’ll come out on top. When the first candidate is eliminated, carried off by one of Monarch’s vultures, the stakes ratchet up, and vicious Sofia is determined to do absolutely anything it takes to win. Readers searching for redemption will not find it here; the complications of Sofia’s abrasive personality and serially selfish decision-making build through a fast-paced, tightly written, high-action tale. Arroyo’s well-timed grayscale illustrations add depth, and Sandbox’s similarity to Roblox will make this creepy, witty techno-horror series opener a popular pick among kids. Names cue diversity among the cast.

An immensely thrilling story starring a disturbingly devious protagonist.