Bryce would never have just left. Thirteen-year-old Zach knows that deep in his bones. Something terrible must have happened to his older brother. But Zach must question everything when a hidden message in his favorite video game connects Bryce to a top-secret government project and a bridge to the virtual world. Racing against a deadly Ranger dispatched to stop him, Zach and his friends begin a frantic quest to find the truth. But is Zach willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his brother?

Kids age 10-15 who are obsessed with Fortnite, Minecraft, and Ready Player One will quickly relate to this fast-paced modern-day story, the first installment of the Final Kingdom trilogy from Steven K. Smith, author of the popular middle grade series The Virginia Mysteries and Brother Wars.