Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

Amisha | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9

Rating: ****

All Giannnine Bellisario’s father got her for her birthday was a gift card to Rassmusseum Enterprises. She could have asked for a gift card to something else such as a clothing store, yet she settled on the virtual reality video game arcade. Upon arrival she excitedly chooses Heir Apparent, a game about a lowly shepherd's daughter, Janine de st. Jehan, who finds out that she is the daughter of the recently deceased king and his mistress. The dying king’s last wish was to give the throne to Janine, so she is whisked away to claim the crown. However, problems arise when a protest group attacks Rassmusseum Enterprises and damages the virtual reality equipment while Giannine’s game is in progress. Now, with the stakes of the game higher, Giannine needs to beat the game and be crowned king in order to safely detach from the equipment. However, the question is: Will she be able to make it out in time?

This novel was very intriguing because the unique atmosphere and setting Velde created. It was fascinating to see how Giannine navigated through the virtual reality game as Janine de St. Jehan and how the butterfly effect was weaved into the novel. Each action Giannine took as Janine such as speaking with her foster parents or trusting one character over another changed the storyline in ways that were so interesting to explore and compelled me to keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and if you like to read sci-fi books that will keep you laughing, then Heir Apparent is the book for you!