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When Danny reveals the dark underside of a company making a new fighting toy gadget, he has no idea of the danger he's in. A gripping sci-fi mystery from bestselling author Alastair Chisholm.
Everyone is desperate to have a Blitzer, the new fighting-game craze. But Danny's Blitzer is broken - it won't fight!
His classmates laugh at him. His brother tells him to wipe the code and start again. But Danny does something different ... and everything changes.
For the people behind Blitzers are hiding a deadly secret, and now everyone is in danger. Can Danny uncover the truth? Can he figure out what Blitzers are? And above all, can he save his best friend?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
About the author
Alastair Chisholm is the bestselling author of the sci-fi adventures Orion Lost, Adam 2 and The Consequence Girl, the fantasy Dragon Storm series and dystopian novels I Am Wolf and I Am Raven. His books have been shortlisted for major literary prizes including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award, the Biblio Buzz Award, the Inspire ELS Book Awards and Sakura Medal. Adam 2 was Blackwell’s Book of the Year and I Am Wolf was selected as Peters Junior Fiction Book of the Year.
Report
"A thoughtful, inspired idea, wrapped up in a pacey and exciting story. I loved it!" - Pádraig Kenny
"An engrossing and fast-paced sci-fi thriller that grips from the very first page, featuring fascinating STEM inventions a Pokémon-esque storyline that will grab the attention of young gamers." - LoveReading4Kids
"Pacy, thrilling adventure story perfect for young readers who also love gaming." - Books From Scotland
"Gone are the days of Pogs and Tamagotchis... the blitzers craze has taken over! ... thought-provoking and gripping ... a story perfect for Jamie Russell and Helena Duggan fans as it's a tech-adventure which also poses interesting discussions around corporate power and responsibility ... Original, surprising and tightly-paced, Blitzers offers an action-packed adventure with cool illustrations, which children will absolutely adore... and then no doubt question their tech choices!" - Check 'Em Out Books, blog
"The perfect book for modern, tech savvy kids who are charmed by social media influencers and must have the latest trends ... With references to Tamagotchi and Pokémon GO type character battles, it's a wonderfully current story older middle grade and teen readers will adore ... Through an incredibly appealing story, Alastair Chisholm explores the thought-provoking themes of toxic masculinity, the power of influencers, addictive on-line games, and the ethics of tech companies ... Is winning everything or is there still a place for caring in our world?" - Scope for Imagination, blog
"A high-octane, sci-fi adventure that crackles with fast-paced action, danger and discoveries in a world of virtual reality and real-life daring ... deals with a range of issues including bullying, toxic masculinity, the impact of online influencers, the ethics of big tech and the potential addictive nature of gaming. But I also think that this is brilliantly balanced with positive role models, especially in Danny's older brother." - Book Craic, blog
