Reviews
“Costa updates War Games for the 21st century, asking teens to consider the ethics of private contractors, drone warfare, and collateral damage.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter, Ponyboy Curtis…add another name to the list of unforgettable teenage heroes: Tyler MacCandless. Ty will break your heart and make you cheer on this fast and furious thrill-ride.
A breathtaking new voice in young adult fiction, TL Costa weaves realistic adventure, heartache and first love in this amazing, fast-paced story.
Fresh. Thrilling. Heartfelt. I’m running out of adjectives, but trust me. You will love this book.”
-Kristan Higgins, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of THE BEST MAN
“One part Real Genius and one part War Games, PLAYING TYLER has voice for miles, two damaged yet driven main characters who will simultaneously shatter your heart and send your pulse into overdrive, and disturbing plot twists that could too easily be real. The emotionally riveting prose and genuine relationships draw you in and won’t let go until the final satisfying sentence. Costa is on my auto-buy list from this day forward!”
– A.G. Howard, author of SPLINTERED
“I read Playing Tyler in a state of breathless excitement. The chapters switch between the unique voices of player Tyler and game designer Ani, yet Costa keeps the tension high and the reader wholly engaged with both viewpoints. But I didn’t love Playing Tyler simply because the extremely filmic story kept me on the edge of my seat.
In addition to increasing my heart-rate and making me miss the children’s tea, Costa made me laugh and cry. Tyler and his brother, Brandon will remain with me long after I have closed the final page. I miss them already.”
-Bryony Pearce, author of Angel’s Fury, winner of the Leeds Book Award
“Wildly original storytelling that is as authentic as it is engaging. PLAYING TYLER is one of the best YA books of 2013.”
– Sean Cummings, author of Poltergeeks
“It reveals, if not the truth about the complicated world in which they will soon be living, then the idea that the truth can be hard to find. It suggests that what is right can also be wrong. It prompts the reader to think about the world they live in just a little bit more carefully. It does all this whilst being thoroughly entertaining. Playing Tyler is YA fiction at its absolute best.”
“It’s as if John Green channeled Cory Doctorow and wrote Ender’s Game.”
“This is a book you have to read, because it doesn’t just hit the spot, it tap dances all over it.”
“Playing Tyler reminded me to open my eyes and be more invested in the world at large. For that reason alone it will stay with me for a long time to come. I wholeheartedly recommend it!”
“Oh my goodness, you guys. This book was absolutely beautiful.”
“A book filled with so many twists and turns and excitement in every chapter, this is not a book to be missed. It features military action, blackmail, love and plenty of excitement to keep you turning the pages.”
“This is an awesome read.”
“Realistic and entertaining, Playing Tyler is a strong debut.”
“Really excellent read, I thoroughly recommend it.”
“There’s a good combination of thrills and intrigue, a very strong debut novel from a new author and an engaging read over all.”
”Sacrifice. Love. Family. And the occasional explosion. Oh. Yeah.”
“If you enjoyed War Games or Ready Player One and are looking for a bold new take on these that won’t let you look at Call of Duty in the same way again, or need a refreshing take on the young adult genre, I’d thoroughly recommended Playing Tyler.”
“Playing Tyler is a real page turner, I found myself at stupid o’clock in the morning with my eyes hanging out of my head while I continued to read, refusing to put it down so I could sleep.”
-Shona, Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom
“Playing Tyler is the type of book that keeps you up at night, turning the pages because you can’t stop.” – Galavanting Girl Books http://www.galavantinggirl.com/2013/06/playing-tyler-review.html
“The themes in the book are huge, nothing less than life and death.” – Sarah Watkins
http://andthenireadabook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“Playing Tyler is a fun, fast-paced read” – Michelle Ristuccia
http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/sffwrtcht/2013/07/02/ya-report-playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa/
“Costa transports the reader into the head of ‘the other’ as capably as I’ve ever experienced. I can thus only assume the author psychically connected a couple of teenagers to her keyboard in sad violation of child labor law.”
-Justin Landon
“The feel of The Hunger Games or Divergent without the “dystopian” plot …a fast and addicting read ...”
-Rebecca Kuitems, Hello Giggles
http://hellogiggles.com/my-recipe-for-not-so-peachy-beach-reads/#read
“I’ll read it again. Think my kids will too–and that doesn’t happen too often
”- Lisa Creane
http://lisa-creane.blogspot.com
http://booktrib.com/books/7513-thrill-a-day-playing-tyler/
“Tyler is smart yet he is also caring.” –Cheryl Koch
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com
“For me, it was brilliant.” –Aa’Ishah
http://readingunderthestars.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-playing-tyler.html
“Playing Tyler was a book that took me by complete surprise. I didn’t expect it to include such a huge focus on both Ani and Tyler’s family…”
-Hollie
http://musicbooksandtea.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“Costa’s respect for teens is apparent from the get-go. Nothing is sugar-coated.” -Melanie
http://melaniermeadors.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/review-playing-tyler-by-tl-costa/
“…it’s really awesome to see a supersmart gamer and computer programmer whose character isn’t undercut by the author’s compulsion to frame her as either hypersexualized or terrifyingly sociopathic.” –Rebecca
http://crunchingsandmunchings.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa/
“I felt like I got to know both of them personally through their own words and this helped me connect with both characters far better than I would have if I had only heard from one.”
http://bookcoverjustice.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“A thrilling and tautly told tale, a manic yet lovable main character, ghastly government secrets, and fractured family dynamics galore.”
http://booksbonesbuffy.com/2013/07/08/playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa-review/
“Playing Tyler by T.L. Costa is a fast-paced YA novel that is part thriller part treatise on modern warfare.
http://happyprettysweet.com/2013/07/08/playing-tyler/
“I loved the romance. Gamer or not you will enjoy this book.”
http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2013/07/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“I was hooked from the first page. I love a guy’s point of view, but reading Tyler’s point of view was just amazing. My 13 year old told me that was exactly how his mind worked, an alarming thing to know since he’s medicated for his ADHD. Tyler’s mind is like a whirling dervish and it makes for fascinating reading.”-Heather
http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa-review.html
“It’s Young Adult but not a fantasy novel, more modern day science fiction that acts as a cautionary tale about the current direction global warfare is heading. It’s pretty heavy stuff compared to most YA out there, but I would definitely encourage young readers to give this book a read.” – Ryan at Fantasy Book Review
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/book-reviews/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa/
“PLAYING TYLER is a quick, fun read.” – Liviana
“it was an interesting read” –Autumn
http://autumnbluesreviews.com/playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa/
“It reads quick and the pacing of the story works. I enjoyed it and think others will as well.” –Mari
http://networkedblogs.com/NgLy5
“I would suggest that teen boys struggling with the percieved lack of YA books “for boys” would probably enjoy this book with it’s fairly “masculine” focus. Obviously, there’s absolutely no reason for girls not to enjoy it either.” –Tsana
http://tsanasreads.blogspot.com/2013/07/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“I will look for more books by this Author. I enjoyed the relationship between Ani and Tyler, he was definitely in awe of her at the start.”- Bernadette
http://www.booksforcompany.com/2013/07/guest-review-playing-tyler-by-tl-costa_19.html
“Playing Tyler came across as a modern day war games. I loved the way how realistic the relationship between Tyler and Ani were. This book was a suspenseful mystery, one I enjoyed thoroughly. I also loved how they discussed the morality and ethics of what was really going on. Playing Tyler is a brilliantly written first novel, and I look forward to more from this author!” -http://inspirationsbysimone.blogspot.com/2013/07/playing-tyler-book-review-summer.html
“This novel is one for the books. Filled with conspiracies, three-dimensional characters, technology and a plot to die for, I highly recommend Playing Tyler.” –Kayla
http://thebookishowl.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa/
“”Playing Tyler” is a poignant look at the Generation Y kids and the lives that they lead. Author T.L. Costa brings a sense of empathy for her characters in this intriguing story of two brilliant kids who are caught up in a very adult situation that they soon find they have no control over.” – Sharon Galligar Chance
Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
http://networkedblogs.com/NDHNJ
“This writer totally captures the imagination of the gaming teen and their world. It was an exciting story and an absolute page turner. This is very modern day story with some twists which could make for a really good movie.”–http://www.karmaforlifechick.com/book-review-playing-tyler-by-t-l-costa/
· “I think the author dealt with the difficult subjects – drug addiction, depression, parental death, bombing – really well. Nothing is sugar-coated but at the same time not too heavy. Playing Tyler is TL Costa’s debut novel and after reading it I am really looking forward to seeing what she brings us next.”–http://what-should-i-read-next.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/blog-tour-playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“This riveting story presents elements of geeks, games and moral issues. Kept me guessing through the end.” – http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2013/08/playing-tyler-by-tl-costa.html
“Playing Tyler is an excellent book for teens (and adults who enjoy YA). It has romance, suspense and is an easy read. The author made me feel connected to the characters and I cared what was going to happen to them. There’s a point in the book where I even shed a tear. I’ll be recommending this book to my 15 year old daughter to read.”–http://www.simplystacie.net/2013/08/playing-tyler/
“Playing Tyler is a gritty and thrilling novel on how a game can be all too real. A wonderful debut novel from T.L. Costa! I will certainly read her next books!” – Diane at Oops! I read a Book Again
”TL Costa rocked the male teen voice and I was totally swept up in her stream-of-consciousness narrative style that put me squarely in Tyler’s ADHD brain.” – PJ Sharon Writing Secrets of the 7 Scribes
”Playing Tyler is T. L. Costa’s début novel, a unique, humourous and daring story about two genius teenages navigating the dark secrets behind a new flight simulator.” – Shaheen Speculating on Spec Fic
