The Leveller

Gamers and action fans of all types will dive straight into the MEEP, a virtual-reality gaming world, thanks to Julia Durango's cinematic storytelling. A touch of romance, constant twists, and a vivid, multidimensional journey through a tricked-out virtual city will keep readers flying through to the breathtaking end.

Nixy Bauer is used to her classmates being very, very unhappy to see her. After all, she's a bounty hunter in a virtual-reality gaming world—and she's frequently hired by irritated parents to pull kids out of the mazelike MEEP universe.

But when the game's billionaire developer loses track of his own son in the MEEP, Nixy is in for the biggest challenge of her bounty-hunting career. Wyn Salvador isn't some lazy kid looking to escape his homework: Wyn does not want to be found. And he's left behind a suicide note. Nixy takes the job but quickly discovers that Wyn's not hiding—he's being held inside the game against his will. But who is holding him captive, and why?

Nixy and Wyn attempt to fight their way out of a mind game unlike any they've encountered, and the battle brings them closer than either could have imagined. But when the whole world is virtual, how can Nixy possibly know if her feelings are real?

“Nixy Bauer, Home in an Hour”

Nixy Bauer is used to her classmates being very, very unhappy to see her. After all, she’s working with the enemy—she’s on their parents’ payrolls.

Nixy is a bounty hunter in a virtual-reality gaming world. Kids in the MEEP, as they call it, play entirely with their minds, while their bodies languish in a sleeplike state on the couch. Irritated parents, looking to wrench their kids back to reality, hire Nixy to jump into the game and retrieve them. Luckily for Nixy and her wallet, she’s the best leveller out there.

But when the game’s billionaire developer—and Nixy’s parents’ boss—loses track of his own son in the MEEP, Nixy is in for the biggest challenge of her bounty-hunting career. Wyn Salvador isn’t some lazy kid looking to escape his homework, and this is no ordinary levelling job: Wyn does not want to be found. And he’s left behind a suicide note.

Nixy takes the job but quickly discovers that Wyn’s not hiding—he’s being held inside the game against his will. But who is holding him captive, and why?

Nixy and Wyn attempt to fight their way out of a mind game unlike any they’ve encountered. And the battle brings them closer than either could have imagined. But when the whole world is virtual, how can Nixy possibly know what’s real?

“First-time YA novelist Durango has a winner here, especially since the technological world building is as engrossing as the novel’s game system. Readers will be pulled in and race to the adventurous finish along with Nixy and friends.” - Booklist

“A fast-paced techno-thriller.” - Kirkus Reviews

“An entertaining adventure that is sure to find fans, especially among gamers.” - School Library Journal

“A spicy romance set in an intriguing virtual world... even non-gamers will likely find plenty to appreciate.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books