Rush by Eve Silver (review)

On the day of her death, sixteen-year-old Miki Jones is recruited by forces unseen to fight alien invaders under the guise of a complex game simulation. In return, she'll be given a chance to continue her life as if she'd never died, as long as she survives her missions. Complicating her attempt to put the pieces of her new life together is team-leader Jackson, who knows more than he's willing to admit and harbors a terrible secret of his own. As they endure a series of deadly battles together, Miki finds herself drawn to her mysterious teammate and discovers in turn that he is willing to break the rules and risk everything, including the lives of their team and the future of the world, to keep her alive. Burdened by an overly complex premise that requires multiple narrative breaks for exposition, this science fiction adventure still manages to be fairly absorbing overall. The fight scenes offer unrelenting, pulse-quickening action, and Miki's personal struggle with her own need for control, even as she finds herself in an uncontrollable situation, provides the novel with an intriguing emotional core. Unfortunately, the impact of the novel is impaired by its awkward attempts to build suspense around the characters' backstory, and the romance between Miki and Jackson unfolds along overly familiar lines, leaving it frustratingly predictable. Readers looking for a life-or-death action story with a great fight scenes and a steamy romantic subplot are better served by Fine's recent Sanctum (BCCB 12/12), but those who find themselves drawn to Miki and Jackson's trials will be glad to hear this is the first of a planned series.