Sci-Fi Review & Contest: THE MOON MAZE GAME by Larry Niven and Steven Barnes

Any RPGers out there? What if your RPG wasn’t online... but was on the moon? What if, thanks to some terrorists, it turned real? Pretty good novel premise, at least, huh? Today, we’re looking at The Moon Maze Game, by science fiction veterans Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, published by Tor Books. Want a copy? Read on!

THE OFFICIAL BLURB: The Year: 2085. Humanity has spread throughout the solar system. A stable lunar colony is agitating for independence. Lunar tourism is on the rise...Against this background, professional “Close Protection” specialist Scotty Griffin, fresh off a disastrous assignment, is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to shepherd the teenaged heir to the Republic of Kikaya on a fabulous vacation. Ali Kikaya will participate in the first live action role playing game conducted on the Moon itself. Having left Luna--and a treasured marriage--years ago due to a near-tragic accident, Scotty leaps at the opportunity.
            Live Action Role Playing attracts a very special sort of individual: brilliant, unpredictable, resourceful, and addicted to problem solving. By kidnapping a dozen gamers in the middle of the ultimate game, watched by more people than any other sporting event in history, they have thrown down an irresistible gauntlet: to “win” the first game that ever became “real.” Pursued by armed and murderous terrorists, forced to solve gaming puzzles to stay a jump ahead, forced to juggle multiple psychological realities as they do...this is the game for which they’ve prepared their entire lives, and they are going to play it for all it’s worth.

MY THOUGHTS: Every once in a while I like a good old thriller of a science fiction story, and this is one. Should start off by saying that this is a standalone novel even though it’s technically part of a series the coauthors began over a decade ago. It’s set in the same world but that’s about the only connection.

            Scotty Griffin is one of those standup guys who’s kind of on his last try (think some of those old Bruce Willis movies), still in pretty good shape but running out of options. He botches a seemingly simple protection job, so he jumps at the odd request to see the spoiled, rich prince-turned-gamer to the Moon game. He’s unaware, of course, that the prince and his corrupt daddy have amassed enemies who see the “game” as a chance for some serious anarchy.

            It’s a tense read, which means it’s fast and fun. And makes me think gaming is most definitely not for me.

Want to win a copy of The Moon Maze Game? Tell me if you'd want to play a "live action" RPG? Not me! I'm too big a chicken. It’s the usual the drill: +1 for comment, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and +1 for Tweet or Retweet. Now, start playing!