Eventually they find something about it, but not in any of those dirty, scum-infested bars. On a few occasional nights since then they went to taverns and such and ask about this 'Game' that has capital letters. The group actually fares well for a while, until in a night bar they heard of something called 'The Game', and it perked their interest. I believe if the author had spent more time exploring this world and all of the interesting pieces of future culture, then the book would've been a lot better, but it was written over twenty years ago, so I doubt I can change her mind. That's how Invitation to the Game starts out: a group of teens trying to survive in a dark and savage world. They are given just enough government credits to survive every month, and are told that if they ever leave their DA, the Thought Police will track them down in mere moments. They are driven to a city (it never specifies which) and let off in their designated area. This leaves thousands, probably millions across the world, of people unemployed, and they're pretty much dumped in a designated area (DA for short) and told to stay there.Ī sixteen-year-old girl named Lisse, fresh out of school, fails to land a job, as does seven of her friends (which she's shocked about, since they're all such bright students). (Sound familiar? At first it seems like a typical science fiction story setting.) Thousands of occupations that were once filled by human beings are now filled by robots. In the future, 2154 to be exact, the world is practically run by machines. I was a little unsure when I started reading it, but after a short time I realized that it really was. I believe she said it was the only science fiction book that she ever liked.

She is definitely not a science fiction fan.īut, alas, she actually recommended the book. I instantly knew it wouldn't be a 'regular' teen science fiction novel, because, well, my librarian introduced it to me! This is the librarian that doesn't really want any books about fishing in the library but has an entire section on quilting. I was first introduced to Invitation to the Game by my librarian. I actually reviewed this book on a past blog when I read it the first time.

I absolutely loved it the first time I read it several years ago, and this time I loved it as well. For me, Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes is a classic.