Tron meets Ready Player One in Jim Cronin’s sci-fi adventure novel, The King of Gems. Dr. Anthony Kennan is a brilliant astrophysicist who is based at the Starfinder facility on Dysnomia and is currently researching the role of intergalactic gravitational phenomena on star formation. As the only human in the research base, he is accompanied by a highly intelligent android named HAL. Aside from his work, another thing that matters to Kennan is engaging in a VR game called King of Gems, where he assumes the character of Ginhawk, shapeshifter and valiant wanderer. But things take a different turn when he discovers a trapped alien race within the game. The Chandrans have transmitted themselves into the network to be saved from imminent doom. In a virtual dog-eat-dog world, Kennan must decide whether to help the aliens or let them fend for themselves.

You may think that The King of Gems is yet another rehash of a familiar theme on virtual reality where the main protagonist is the key to unlocking the mysteries of our relationship in the virtual world. In a way, it is, but Jim Cronin’s plotting is so engaging and his human character so sympathetic in his concerns that it turns up a new twist. This novel is filled with bright ideas that give a unique invention. We need more fresh thinkers like Cronin in speculative fiction. The theme about virtual reality may be something that we have all heard before, but once you have become immersed in Kennan and HAL’s adventure, you will find surprises and unexpected dramas, and you realize that the reading time you have invested is worth it.

Sci-fi and fantasy lovers rejoice for Jim Cronin's invigorating novel, The King of Gems, is bound to entertain both sets of fans. Dr. Anthony Kennan, an astrophysicist conducting research at a remote moon in space, spends his free time in the VR simulation game, The King of Gems. However, when he discovers a group of Chandrans -- humanoid aliens -- trapped in the game, he feels honor-bound to help them get back to their own world. As Ginhawk, Anthony's avatar, helps the Chandrans fight the monsters and survive, one amongst them sets off on his own. With an ultimate battle with the Dragon Lord on the horizon, Ginhawk and his friends must embark on a dangerous quest while HAL, Anthony's loyal AI companion, works to free the Chandrans from the game.

Who doesn't love an epic adventure sci-fi fantasy tale filled with advanced aliens, powerful dragons, and brave knights? Author Jim Cronin mixes D&D roleplaying aspects with some conceptual scientific theories to create a wild rollercoaster of a tale that's devoid of a single dull moment and keeps you entertained until the end. Imagine Ready Player One set in space and featuring an advanced alien civilization. That's what The King of Gems feels like. The characters are likable and easy to root for. They have colorful personalities that pop out of the pages and keep you captivated all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves D&D-inspired fantasy and futuristic sci-fi stories.