Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley

Mal is a streamer for a Virtual Reality video game in a dystopian future United States where two megacorporations have split the US between them and wage war over what's left. She stumbles upon secrets about the SecOps Operatives, genetically engineered heroes that are pop culture celebrities for refugees from the war between the corporations.

I really enjoyed this book, the way it portrays the relationships between Mal and her partner Jessa and between the operatives. There's a real message of "Your real friends and family are the people who've got your back" woven throughout the book. There's a lot of action and a lot of intrigue and the pace is pretty quick.

It reads to me like what Ready Player One could have been if it had done more of an exploration of the corporate-owned dystopia it envisioned.

This book has city wreaking mechs that are fought by super soldiers with swords and is fueled by the power of friendship. It's a great read.