
This contemporary YA novel follows Viola Reyes, a highly competent and opinionated high school student who feels misunderstood both in her real-life role as Student Body VP and in online gaming spaces. To escape the sexism she encounters, she creates a male alter ego, Cesario, in the MMORPG Twelfth Knight. The plot thickens when her real-life nemesis, the charming but lackadaisical Jack Orsino, joins the same game, and their online personas, Cesario and Duke Orsino, develop a surprisingly strong bond. Inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, this book explores themes of identity, gender roles, online vs. offline personas, and the complexities of first love and friendship, all wrapped in a humorous and heartwarming narrative. It's ideal for teens aged 12-18 who enjoy romance, gaming, and stories about finding your true self.
"Viola Reyes is annoyed. Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more 'likable,' and her school's star running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she's ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi's favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren't exactly kind to girls like her--girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself. But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos--Cesario and Duke Orsino--are surprisingly well-matched"