How do we know we are real and not just some character in an elaborate game?
In the virtual world of Saga, Ghost is a fifteen-year-old airboarding anarcho-punk, with no past, no memories, only a growing realisation of her own strange abilities. But who is she really and why is she becoming embroiled in a battle with the warped leader of Saga -- the Dark Queen? How have Erik and Cindella Dragonslayer fared since their adventures in Epic?
And what happens if you dare to reach outside your world, or to question your identity? Is that simply the road to madness, death and destruction?
Praise for Epic, Cindella Dragonslayer's first adventure:
'The most important Irish novel of the year.' Sunday Independent
See the thrilling video trailer created for Saga by the US publisher, Viking Children's Books:
'This adventurous, intriguing, and entirely unsettling novel delivers an impeccable balance of philosophical debate about the limits of realness while still delivering enough chase scenes, battles, and twisty plot shifts to keep even the most action-driven SF fan engaged.' Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books
'The elegent conclusion will linger with readers' Publishers Weekly, Starred review
'Readers will find the adventures of anarchic teens on floating skateboards compelling ... [for] fans of video games and readers of James Patterson's "Maximum Ride" series. ' School Library Journal
'Futuristic fantasy can provide a powerful critique of dehumanization and help explore ideas about identity . . . sophisticated' Sunday Independent
'It is a rock'n'roll, helter-skelter time, a journey not for the faint-hearted but bound to enthrall wired-up skateboarders, the mathematically literate and those who just enjoy a well-written narrative' Village Magazine
'An exciting Matrix-style thriller that's not for the squeamish. A compelling fantasy take based on the idea that the world is a game called Saga, controlled by dark and sinister figures' Bookfest Magazine
'This novel, as well as having a brilliantly crafted structure and engaging
characters, begs the reader to question what it really means to be alive' Shane Hunt (age 15)
'Kostick’s achievement lies in the duality of the book, which can be read both as an excellently fast-paced action thriller and a commentary on very real modern issues. The engaging characters and the compelling plot allow for a great read, but at the core of the book lie deep questions concerning such grand issues as self-realisation, citizenship and societal inequality, conformism and the abuse of power. Kostick has made these accessible while never compromising the seriousness of the issues. It is a constant battle for authors of young peoples literature to balance this depth of writing with a gripping story, but Kostick has once again succeeded in creating a superb novel that can be enjoyed by older teenagers and adults alike.' Inis Magazine
