Hostage Run

By: Andrew Klavan

Narrated by: Andrew Kanies

In the second book in New York Times bestseller Andrew Klavan's MindWar Trilogy, Rick Dial is faced with an impossible choice: save the life of his best friend Molly . . . or save the free world. Perfect for fans of Ready Player One and The Matrix.

Rick Dial's career as a superstar quarterback ended when a car accident left him unable to walk. But his uncanny gaming ability caught the attention of a secret government organization trying to stop a high-tech terrorist attack on America. He's been to the fantastical cyber world called the MindWar Realm . . . and returned to Real Life victorious.

But the stakes have just gone up. Another attack is imminent, and Rick is the only one who can stop it. How can he, though, when terrorists have kidnapped his best friend Molly and are threatening to kill her if Rick returns to the Realm?

As Molly uses every resource of mind and body to outwit her brutal captors, Rick races against time inside a nightmare video game where a fate worse than death may be waiting for him.

Hundreds of miles apart, both will have to test the power of their faith and the strength of their spirits. They're being forced to a moment of sacrifice . . . one that could cost them everything.

Readers love The MindWar Trilogy's creative worldbuilding, high-stakes virtual reality battleground, relatable protagonist, and themes of morality, inner strength, redemption after personal failure, and good vs. evil.

Critic reviews

The second volume of Klavan’s genre-blending MindWar trilogy continues to deliver fast pacing. In this episode, readers follow Rick, teen hero and smart game player, and Molly, who was imprisoned by the villains in the first volume. Molly is no shrinking violet, and her eventual release from Smiley McDeath’s gang owes as much to her own wits and athleticism as it does to the intervention of male characters. Because of the complexity of the plot and the generous cast, readers new to the series should begin with the first volume. Those who loved MindWar (2014) will happily fall right into this.

Great characters and writing

Love this series! the characters come alive, it's funny, thought-provoking and good moral base. starting the third book immediately!

Riveting, Intense

Inspiriting. Portrays values worth imitating. Nip-and-tuck situations, incredible challenges for story’s heroes. Gripping suspense and intensity and little let up. Took me back to stories I’d loved in my youth and the pace got me moving on my daily tasks!!