I really enjoyed this book! It was on my son-in-laws wish list so I gave him a copy for his birthday, and he said it was his favourite book of the year (he might have been being polite! but I took him at his word and read the kindle copy I had and loved it).
Sadie and Sam met as children in hospital and bonded over playing Super Mario – Sam was devastated and uncommunicative after a car accident killed his mum and crushed his foot, and Sadie was at a loose end in hospital while her sister was receiving treatment for cancer.
There are lots of nostalgic nods to old video games (many of which I have played in my youth) which I liked, although lots of reviewers on Amazon said they loved the book even though they had previously had no interest in video games.
Sam and Sadie eventually set up a video game company and the book follows the highs and lows of their friendship, love, careers, health, etc. I don’t know what it is about the book that makes it so great – that magic alchemy that turns words on a page into real people who move you and become part of your world, if only for a while. I definitely want to read more from the author now.
Sarah Wray Writer 