When fifteen-year-old nerd and gamer Max Anderson thinks he’s sneaking a preview of an unpublished video game, he doesn’t realize that 1) He’s been chosen as a beta, an experimental test player. 2) He’s playing the ultimate history game, transporting him into the actual past: anywhere and anytime. And 3) Survival is optional: to return home he must decipher the game’s rules and complete its … complete its missions—if he lives long enough. To fail means to stay in the past—forever. Now Max is trapped in medieval Germany, unprepared and clueless. It is 1471 and he quickly learns that being an outcast may cost him his head. Especially after rescuing a beautiful peasant girl from a deadly infection and thus provoking sinister wannabe Duke Ott. Overnight he is dragged into a hornets’ nest of feuding lords who will stop at nothing to bring down the conjuring stranger in their midst.
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This book is such an exciting, intriguing, suspenseful adventure – and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
This book reminded me of the Movie “Jumanji,” (the original with Robin Williams!!!) meets the TV Show, “Reverie.”
This is the third book I’ve read from the incredible writer, Annette Oppenlander. A few months ago, I had the privilege of reading her book, “Where the Night Never Ends,” and I totally loved it, so I was very excited to read her latest work, “Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath.”
Mrs. Oppenlander’s writing continues to improve and grow with each book! I know she is an author I will remain following and reading over the years!
Mrs. Oppenlander has a style of writing that thrusts the reader into the story and makes them feel like they too, are walking those old, smelly, dirty, 1471 streets in medieval Germany alongside Max, Bero, and Juliana.
Unfortunately, I really didn’t connect with the main character, Max. He was nice and all, but he just seemed unrealistic and not the genuine article. He is supposed to be a 15-year-old gamer, teenager, but he doesn’t act like one and he knows things a typical kid his age most likely wouldn’t know. The author does provide insight to his special skills suggesting he learned his natural medical talents from his mom and from TV, and yes, I too, have learned quite a bit from all the TV shows I’ve watched. However, the extent of his skills and capabilities seem to far outreach what I’d assume someone could actually watch and learn and then apply for the first time in the field – and no less in a stressful medical emergency situation. But it was entertaining to hear someone else compare life situations with what they saw and learned on TV LOL!!! Guess I’m not the only one who does that LOL!!!
Perhaps that could have been enough to cover some of the extra knowledge points, but it continues on with him knowing other tidbits that seem unlikely for his proficiency and skill set. There were just too many gaps that needed further explanation and sadly detracted from the story and from me being able to share a bond with this character.
I really liked Bero and his sister, Juliana. They were likable, kind, and genuine. It was so nice that they took Max in even though they didn’t know him, and he was already getting a creepy, mysterious, odd/weird reputation – where anything but “normal” doesn’t fare well in 1471 and can have deadly consequences.
The author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed. She really provided so much detail in her writing that it is easy to picture! There were a few times I found myself completely caught up in the story!
I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of 1471’s Medieval Germany. This is honestly not a time-period that I am very familiar with. However, the author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
I enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved throughout the book and learning more about Medieval Germany. Mrs. Oppenlander found a way to include accurate, historical content that was fun, intriguing, and educational. I really liked that she used real-life characters and events in the book to help set the tone and create an even stronger and more realistic ambience.
I loved the story line and hearing how the author came up with it! It was exciting to read about the author’s concept and then read her actual finished product and see how it all came together! I’ve had friends that really get into those video games and you could set off fireworks next to them and they still might not realize you are there LOL!!! So, it wouldn’t be hard to get totally sucked into the game – let alone maybe one day be transported to another time LOL!!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
Please note this book ends with remaining questions unanswered and unknowns still unsolved. However, since this book is part of a book series, I assume (and hope!!!) there will be answers, solutions, and conclusions in book two.
This book is book one in the Escape from the Past Book Series. There are three books in this book series. All three books are currently available for sale at most book retail stores.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend not only this book, but this author as well! I was truly impressed with the quality of writing, and intriguing story line! I will definitely be continuing to follow this author and checking out her upcoming books! I think all young adult, time-travel readers will like this book too! So, be sure to add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Are you a big gamer? Have you ever wished you could be a beta gamer? Have you ever wished you could get your hands on a copy of a game before it was published? Well that is just what Max did in Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath. His best friend Jimmy’s dad is a game developer. So Max kept begging and begging Jimmy to get him a copy of his dad’s new game. Jimmy finally gave in and gave him a copy.
Max loaded the game into computer that night thinking he would only play for a couple of hours. It was not the first time he had pulled an all-nighter playing a game. To him it was no big deal. He was young and didn’t need that much sleep besides if and when it did eventually catch up with him he would sleep then. When he loaded it up it gave no options or clues as to what or how to play the game. Well I guess it did have a few options something like beginner or advance player. Max being the big gamer that he is of course he choose advance player thinking he with the time he has put in to games and seeing how he is good gamer then advance would be a piece of cake to him. But he was in for a big surprise.
When Max entered the game and he took a good look around him he realized that he may be playing a game but it was real. He had been transported to the past but where he had no idea. But he did hit it lucky though as he met a nice young man or boy who helped him out and became his best friend. Max’s new friend Bero took him home with him. Bero and his family didn’t have much but what they had they shared it with Max but of course Max was nice as well and helped Bero with his chores.
Max liked being with Bero and his family and spending time in the past but he soon became homesick. But he didn’t know how to get back home. He didn’t know what missions that he needed to complete in order for him to leave the game and return home again.
When I read the summary of The Duke’s Wrath I knew I had to read it. I like the idea of traveling back in time but to do it through a game is awesome. Just to think about time traveling and visiting places in the past is just amazing to me. I would love to travel back in time and visit lots of historical events in history but I don’t think I would like being stuck in a game not knowing when or if I would ever find my way home again. Now that would be scary. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read The Duke’s Wrath. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series The Kid. I know it will be just as amazing and The Duke’s Wrath.
If you like reading historical novels or playing games then I think you would probably enjoy reading The Duke’s Wrath. So go and grab your copy today!
Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath begins Annette Oppenlander’s series, Escape from the Past. I enjoyed this story. I found it to be fun, exciting and full of adventure. I loved the history, characters, setting and plot. I wanted to read just one chapter but ended up reading the whole book instead.
I give Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath four and a half stars. I can not wait to find out what happens next in the Escape from the Past series. I recommend this one.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.