Title: Questland

Author: Carrie Vaughn

Publisher: Mariner Books 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 304

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Literature professor Dr. Addie Cox is living a happy, if sheltered, life in her ivory tower when Harris Lang, the famously eccentric billionaire tech genius, offers her an unusual job. He wants her to guide a mercenary strike team sent to infiltrate his island retreat off the northwest coast of the United States. Addie is puzzled by her role on the mission until she understands what Lang has built: Insula Mirabilis, an isolated resort where tourists will one day pay big bucks for a convincing, high-tech-powered fantasy-world experience, complete with dragons, unicorns, and, yes, magic.

Unfortunately, one of the island's employees has gone rogue and activated an invisible force shield that has cut off all outside communication. A Coast Guard cutter attempting to pass through the shield has been destroyed. Suspicion rests on Dominic Brand, the project’s head designer— and Addie Cox's ex-boyfriend. Lang has tasked Addie and the mercenary team with taking back control of the island at any cost.

But Addie is wrestling demons of her own—and not the fantastical kind. Now, she must navigate the deadly traps of Insula Mirabilis as well as her own past trauma. And no d20, however lucky, can help Addie make this saving throw.

I grabbed this book on the recommendation of the local library. They post a round-up of their favorite books from the year and this one intrigued me. I am always up for a fantasy adventure story and this one was enjoyable. Instead of Jurassic Park crossed with Westward vibes, I got big Ready Player One vibes. I loved all the references to various stories and little references here and there. Once we got to the island, I loved the exploration of the land and the overall mystery. I wanted to spend more time in the exploration phase. But we had to hurdle forward toward the big boss battle at the end. I was slightly annoyed that the final showdown was quick and frantic. I almost felt that someone should have died earlier in the story to really up the ante. But it just didn’t happen that way. And ultimately, I wanted more from the ending.

Next up on the TBR pile: