“When Michael woke up, he had the not-so-pleasant sensation of bile rising in his throat.”

From James Dashner’s The Mortality Doctrine: The Game of Lives.

After learning from the rogue AI Kaine that he is actually a computer Tangent, Michael has been desperately trying to stop the evil plans that Kaine has for humanity.  After repeatedly unintentionally playing into Kaine’s plans, even when working with VirtNet Security, Micheal was arrested for his actions in the world.  Still in the human body that Kaine placed his digital conscience into, Michael flees with his human friends, Bryson and Sarah, and Sarah’s parents.  Michael is tormented by a dream of his long-gone childhood nanny, which leaves him wondering if he can trust the group of freed Tangents that he and his friends have found themselves working with.  Kaine’s continued promise of eternal life for Michael and the other Tangents from VirtNet is tempting, but what Michael struggles with most is finding a way to stop the AI and his deadly Mortality Doctrine without knowing who he can and cannot trust, both in the digital and real worlds.    The deeper Michael goes in search for the truth, the more he must question his past, now that he knows he is a Tangent, because Michael’s past might just hold the key to saving the future.

The final book in Dashner’s sci-fi thriller trilogy is captivating from start to finish.  Some elements are familiar from other virtual-reality-based stories, but the genuine characters and fast-developing world keeps the book uniquely fresh.  The Game of Minds will fascinate readers and is a must-read for teen sci-fi fans.