An exceptional book for middle grade readers who enjoy games, puzzles, and tournaments! A Game of Noctis follows twelve-year-old Pia Paro through a society where your worth is determined by your player score. As Pia hunts for a way to bring her grandfather back from the Pawn Isles, she gains a greater insight into the ethical dilemmas of her nation’s class-based structure. Fagan does an incredible job at discussing pertinent social issues such as classism, law enforcement, and unionization in a manner that is easily digestible for younger readers. The lucid prose, complex world-building, and well-developed characters make A Game of Noctis a great choice for fans of The Hunger Games who want a recommendation for a similarly passionate reading experience.
A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan, (List Price: $8.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665930208, April 2025)
Reviewed by Catherine Pabalate, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina