Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith

Don't Read the Comments

Eric Smith

Inkyard Press · Paperback · April 6, 2021

"Wonderfully geeky and deeply compassionate." —Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author In this charming novel by Eric Smith, two teen gamers find their virtual worlds—and blossoming romance—invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

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Who it’s for
Online gaming, emerging romance, and the real-world harm of trolling meet in a teen-focused story.
Themes
Online harassment and doxxing, Family and financial pressure, Gaming and ambition
Pacing
Fast

About this book

"Wonderfully geeky and deeply compassionate." —Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author In this charming novel by Eric Smith, two teen gamers find their virtual worlds—and blossoming romance—invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community. We all need a place to escape the real world. For Divya and Aaron, it’s the world of online gaming.

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While Divya trades her rising-star status for sponsorships to help her struggling single mom pay rent, Aaron plays as a way to fuel his own dreams of becoming a game developer—and as a way to disappear when his mom starts talking about medical school. After a chance online meeting, the pair decides to team up. But they soon find themselves the targets of a group of internet trolls, who begin launching a real-world doxxing campaign, threatening Aaron’s dream and Divya’s actual life. They think they can drive her out of the game, but Divya’s whole world is on the line… And she isn’t going down without a fight. Looking for more from Eric Smith? Don't miss You Can Go Your Own Way!

Beyond the Game

Online gaming, emerging romance, and the real-world harm of trolling meet in a teen-focused story.

Come here for

  • A romance that grows through a shared gaming world
  • A grounded look at trolling and doxxing

Expect

  • Teen characters balancing ambition, family pressure, and online life
  • Real-world stakes intruding on virtual escape

Where it sits

YA Tech & Digital Life71%
Contemporary YA Romance59%
Bullying for Teens37%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • YA Adventure
  • YA Tech & Digital Life
  • YA Stories About Parents
  • Multicultural & Interracial YA Romance
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Bullying for Teens
  • Friendship for Teens
  • Peer Pressure for Teens
  • Finding Your Footing
Authors
Eric Smith
Publisher
Inkyard Press
Published
April 6, 2021
Format
Paperback
Theme
Online harassment and doxxing · Family and financial pressure · Gaming and ambition
Reading lane
YA Adventure