★★★★★

It’s time for another dive into the Gume-verse (IYKYK)! Gume Laurel III’s Life in Pixels delivers exactly the kind of engaging, high-stakes narrative I’ve come to expect.

Laurel attacks his writing in this middle-grade sci-fi adventure like a seasoned game designer operating on a strict pixel budget. Utilizing the specific constraints of the hi-lo verse format, he renders lush, detailed environments populated by complex, layered characters. The verse structure drives a swift pace while maintaining a sense of emotional depth.

The story centers on twelve-year-old Leo, who logs into the VR world of DreamWayz to build his ideal reality alongside his online bestie, Roxy, who attends a different school across town. Leo clashes with his twin sister, Loni, who is one of the early converts to a new, AI-generated DreamWayz competitor called Pixelated Penguins. But Pixelated Penguins turns out to be more than just a game, leading Leo toward the inevitable boss fight.

Leo’s character arc functions as the core engine of the story. For anyone who remembers the onset of puberty, feeling like an alien inside your own body and seeking refuge in imaginary mind palaces, Leo is a completely relatable protagonist. He feels entirely out of place among peers who have already leveled up into young adulthood, and he constantly clashes with Loni over his perceived immaturity.

Placing Leo in the role of the chosen one within a battle of good AI versus evil AI highlights the narrative’s ultimate objective: human connection. Playing solo is a losing strategy when the fate of the real world is at stake, forcing Leo to figure out who he can trust when everyone around him seems to be moving on and leaving him behind.

With a richly detailed world, a compelling story, and strong mechanics focusing on change and connectedness, Life in Pixels will surely appeal to young readers struggling with their own self-acceptance.