New Reality: Truth

By: Michael Robertson

Narrated by: Matt Armstrong

When New Reality, a fully immersive, five-dimensional entertainment experience, was introduced to the world, everyone logged on.

Everyone except Jake and Tom.

It doesn't take long for the world to crumble into ruin, leaving Jake and Tom wandering through leveled cities occupied by New Reality dreamers. In order to find one gamer among many, they must risk everything - going up against Rixon, the corporation behind New Reality.

Facing starvation, the New Reality headsets offer sustenance from a synthesized sludge pumped directly into the gamer's body. With a headset, they'll get fed and their only limitations are their own imaginations. They can have paradise, comfort, and peace. They have the power to realize their deepest desires.

But for Tom, it'll mean sacrificing his son to the false reality masterminded by Rixon. For Jake, it'll mean sacrificing his dream of living a true existence, no matter how stark.

Wrestling with the decision, they soon find out they aren't the only ones living in the ruins. Someone…something else, has taken an interest in the pair.

Turning from scavengers to prey, they have to make a decision. Family or self? Faith or fear? Truth or New Reality?

©2014 Michael Robertson (P)2014 Michael Robertson

What's Your New Reality Like?

A new "gaming" experience has swept the world created by Rixon, the worlds biggest company. This new game allows you to experience anything that you can dream of, literally. You plug in and all of your cares or fears wash away. Everyone has plugged into it except Jake and Tom. These two are wandering the destroyed lands after the world was left to rot when everyone plugged in. Follow these unlikely travel partners as they try to find Tom's son in this new wasteland. Along the way they face off against an unknown enemy who is trying to kill them at what seems like every step.

The narration for this was done by Matt Armstrong. Matt does a great job voicing these ageless characters. We really don't know how old Jake is, and we only really know that Tom is older than Jake. Armstrong does a fantastic job with the voice and setting the stage for how the entire book feels like these two are seconds away from dying. His voice portrays the struggle well. The quality was good and I didn't notice any production issues.

After I finished this book last night, I knew that the review was going to be hard to write. Not because the book was bad, far from it. The book was interesting and unique in many ways. But, because there is no way to write about how I really feel because it is a HUGE spoiler. I can say this, the book did NOT end the way that I expected. I was really expecting a totally different angle to be take towards the end. With that being said, I think the ending is what a lot of others were expecting. It wasn't anti-climactic my any means, I think that some readers would feel like it was a cop out.

I couldn't help but drawing a ton of similarities from Wall-E. Minus the cute robots, the characters were similar in both disconnection and girth. Even the way the the city was supposed to be left made me think of this movie. I don't think this takes away from the book a ton, but the similarities are definitely there.

The two characters were lovable and hate-able which made this book so interesting to read. Jake is so optimistic and really tries to take their grim and crappy situation with a smile if he can. Tom was almost his voice of reason, while being a pessimist. It was almost like a big brother, little brother type of friendship.

By the end of this story, all I could think was "what's going to happen?" And I'm here to tell you, even though this is supposed to be part of a series--the book has a proper ending (yay!).

Overall, this book was a weird combination of dystopian, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic. It peaked my interest and kept it, and gave me a surprise ending, which isn't always easy to do.

Good Narration,Great World Building, OK Story

Would you try another book from Michael Robertson and/or Matt Armstrong?

Sure, this book was a one off, But i would consider another story

What do you think your next listen will be?

Re Listening to Jim Butcher Codex Alera Series

What does Matt Armstrong bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The Narrator is Great,Something you would not have experienced in the paper version, But at least i could have paged over some really boring parts of this if it were paper

Do you think New Reality: Truth needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, Let it Go

Any additional comments?

I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review. I found i had to trudge thru parts,But the author set the world up very well, but the actual characters were not very interesting and a little annoying.

6hr book / not sure if a blessing or a curse

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast

I liked the idea of the book ,
I felt lost the whole time . I didn't know anything about Jake or Tom.no back story ., although with the surprise ending , looking back actually makes since.
I could not stand tom (secretive bastard) and I did not have any feelings for Jeff.

I did like the post apocalyptic feel of the book , struggling to find food or drink. and the ominous observer. she showed up at the end of every chapter .

narration was pretty good . no complaints no comments

overall it was an ok listen / I did finish the book .

sorry Michael Robertson, I wanted to like it , it just wasn't for me , but heads up , its got pretty good reviews on amazon

Very interesting read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really liked both the main characters - but preferred Jake over Tom. The two are stuck in a present where they are supposedly the last two who are not hooked up to some videogame - a place where all your dreams come too. Add in some creepyness that is following them and a mission to find lost loves. It makes a good story. Without spoiling too much the ending did fit but left me subtly disappointed as I just wanted more.

Have you listened to any of Matt Armstrong’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I think the narrator was excellent. He helped make it into a pleasurable listen.

Any additional comments?

I received this book from the author via audio book blast.. for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book

Would you listen to New Reality: Truth again? Why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Great Story

What does Matt Armstrong bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The Narrator is Great,Something you would not have experienced in the paper version

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher