Operation Bounce House

Matt Dinniman

Book - 2026

"A man must fight for his planet against impossible odds when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate it in this epic, fast-paced novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl. All colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch with his sister, maybe play a gig or two with his band, and keep his family's aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking as long as possible. As a fan of Earth television and culture, he figures it will be a good thing when the transfer gate finally opens all the way and restores instant travel and full communication between Earth and his planet, New Sonora. But there's a complication. Even though the settlers were promised the...y'd be left in peace, Earth's government now has other plans. The colossal Apex Corporation is hired to commence an "eviction action." But maximizing profits will always be Apex's number one priority. Why spend money printing and deploying their own AI soldiers when they can turn it into a game? Why not charge bored Earthers for the opportunity to design their own war machines and remotely pilot them from the comfort of their own homes? The game is called Operation Bounce House. Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting for their lives against machines piloted by gamers who've paid a premium for the privilege. With the help of an old book from his grandfather and a bucket of rusty parts, Oliver is determined to defend the only home he's ever known"-- Provided by publisher.

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Subjects
Genres
Fiction
Science fiction
Novels
Romans
Published
New York : Ace 2026.
Language
English
Main Author
Matt Dinniman (author)
Physical Description
pages cm
ISBN
9780593820308
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Bestseller Dinniman (the Dungeon Crawler Carl series) creatively tweaks sci-fi tropes in this addictive war story. Two-hundred years after human colonists left Earth to settle New Sonora, the planet's residents are considered "subhuman" by those back on Earth because of the minor, invisible genetic alterations they needed to survive. With the aid of advanced robots, the New Sonorans have established a peaceful agrarian society, but this achievement is threatened by propaganda, manufactured by the powerful Apex Industries, falsely labeling New Sonorans terrorists. Apex launches Operation Bounce House, a video game in which Earthers pay to remotely pilot war machines that attack New Sonoran settlers. The resistance to this onslaught is recounted from the perspective of Oliver Lewis, a rancher and musician, who chooses to fight the overwhelming forces, despite the absence of any planetary defense systems. The stakes are sky-high, and the Ender's Game--esque plot moves at a rapid clip, but Dinniman still makes space for character development (partly through excerpted interviews with Oliver's band) and manages to inject the tale with his signature humor. Fans will not be disappointed. (Feb.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

On the colony world of New Sonora, farmer Oliver Lewis worries more about malfunctioning agriculture bots than politics, until Earth brands them as terrorists. They have been independent for decades, but after Apex Industries declares them no longer human, they invite gamers to design war machines to eradicate them. Suddenly caught in a high-tech invasion waged by remote players, Oliver joins his family, friends, and a fleet of honeybee drones in an explosive fight for the freedom of their planet. Unlike Dinniman's popular "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series, this novel is a standalone, but as another notable addition to the LitRPG genre, it's sure to become a fan favorite. The prose is accessible and packed with momentum, skillfully balancing humor with horror, and brutality with surprising heart. Dinniman's social commentary on xenophobia, corporate greed, AI, and dehumanization is chilling, yet it never overwhelms the plot's adventurous sense of action. The novel's ragtag band of characters share strong chemistry, and though they are terrified, nothing will stop them from defending their home. VERDICT With wit, spirit, and imagination, Dinniman's new sci-fi novel will also resonate with fans of Ernest Cline and Catherynne M. Valente.--Andrea Dyba

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