Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible – even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real – and what is virtual.

Nirvana is the first instalment in the three-part “Nirvana” series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.

Author: J.R. Stewart (Goodreads author page)
Publisher: Blue Moon Publishers


**The ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
(Actual) Rating: 3 of 5 stars


Nirvana begins way back when Larissa has never thought that Andrew was the only one she will ever love. After their studies in university, both of them was at the crossroads in their career life. Larissa's passion for music was the only dream she could imagine herself to be enjoying and loving while Andrew wanted to pursue a permanent job at the Barracks to do research and finally become a full-time scientist. Andrew convinced that Larissa build a life with him at the Barracks and never be apart from each other. Being deployed to serve a dangerous task, Andrew has disappeared and therefore declared his death by the officials. Larissa couldn't possibly accept her husband's demise. She immediately continue to order for disclosure and find truth in that will comfort her in this time of grief.

The fascinating idea of the book was that how science fiction meets mystery that has a mix of romance going on! Definitely kept me edge of my seat as I wonder what this is all about. The virtual reality and the real world has been completely different setting in the book that will just absorb you in. I truly believe that this book has the potential to have a better and organized sequence in terms of the POVs and how the POVs can be distinguished between what's real or not. To be honest, the POVs has me going around in circles and think back what was truly happening at that exact moment or the past itself. I hope the next book will have considered a better implementation on the plot as well because some parts were vague, needs a little more elaboration. For example, the terms used such as the planets or virtual dimensions(?).

The characters especially to highlight Serge. He may not be well-liked by the readers at the moment, but I thought that his character adds up the spice to the relationship with the protagonist. As for our protagonist, Larissa, I'm most looking forward to how she'll become more mature and logically handle situations to challenge herself towards becoming more self-conscious and not be careless of her actions or else her life might as well be at a very high risk as well as Andrew's.

All in all, Nirvana has me on board to watch out for the sequel that will sure to make me searching for more books of the series in the future!

All thanks to Blue Moon Publishers and the author for providing an advance review copy for me to read and review 'Nirvana'!