New Release Books by Angela Joewell Purbaugh

Tom Hock, also known as Combat Boy, is a hero. Five hours ago, he stopped Monster Realm, a sinister game from an alternative universe from invading Earth. Right now, the twelve-year-old's paralyzed from a poisonous dart and watching his older brother, Joey, unleash the dangerous game across San Diego. Flying on the back of a demon creature, Joey heads to the San Diego convention center eager to make a high-risk bet with the mysterious game creator. Joey's double-crossing deed earns him villain status, and supreme control, and from the game's high-tech nerve center, he sets the rules and creates the monsters using a futuristic machine, the Craft Matrix. Tom reunites with a misfit band of gamers possessing space-age weapons, fighting skills, and larger than life attitudes. While racing through the game's levels and battling monsters, he discovers two things. First, only one player will get out with their soul. Second, some players are loyal to Joey. Faced with a gut-wrenching decision, Tom vows to sacrifice his soul to save San Diego. But will his heroic act help Joey achieve his master plan of ruling as Lord of Monster Realm forever?

Tom Hock dreams big. He wants to be the greatest pro gamer in the world, and he's got the skills to make it. Right now though, the twelve-year-old's happily exploring San Diego's Comic Book Convention with his older brother Joey. While at the convention, Tom makes two discoveries. The first is the existence of Monster Realm, a mysterious game played deep beneath the convention floor. The second surprise is Dark Pixy, a cute, butt-kicking pro-gamer with a hidden connection to Monster Realm. Once they start playing, Tom, Joey, and Pixy realize they're trapped in the game, their bodies the slaves of the game designer.