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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The King of Gems is a work of fiction in the fantasy, science fiction, and adventure subgenres. It is intended for the general reading audience and was penned by author Jim Cronin. In this immersive and atmospheric world, we find ourselves following the exploits of protagonist Dr. Anthony Kennan. An intelligent man in both his day job as an astrophysicist and his free time as a master player of the titular King of Gems videogame, he is shocked to discover the presence of an alien race of real beings who have been trapped in the simulation of the game. What can he do for or against them? What should he do? The possibilities are almost as endless as the simulation itself.
As a D&D player myself, sometimes the simplest stories produce the most fun, without the need for highbrow complex over-plotting or allegorical theming that takes away from the root of the action. Author Jim Cronin has achieved this balance of simplicity and enjoyment in fantasy fiction whilst also delivering great cinematic writing and some really clever twists. That’s not to say that the work is without concept, for its underlying science fiction theories are well placed and cleverly unpacked, but they never detract from the fun, thrills, and action of the work, which keeps up the fast pace of the plot. I also felt that the attitudes toward gaming of all kinds were really celebratory of the format and inspiring for creative thinkers. Overall, I’d certainly recommend The King of Gems to any sci-fi or fantasy reader seeking a talented new author to discover.
