Now I’ve read a lot of books about toys, games, creators of toys and games, and the like, but I’ve never read anything like Zapwired! Written by Hal Ross, Zapwired is a fast-paced thriller about a game distributor who unwillingly gets involved in the weaponization of the groundbreaking toy he’s about to put on the market, called Zapwired.
Blair Anderson is a divorced father-of-one to his beloved daughter and is a successful game distributor at the head of his own company. He is very excited to bring his new game to market, when he receives a visit from a member of a secret government agency, who tells him he needs to switch the manufacturer of Zapwired to a different company, because the current manufacturer is linked to terrorist organizations. Anderson is skeptical at first, and doesn’t know who to trust, but after his daughter is kidnapped, he is willing to do anything to get her back.
This book was really fun to read, and very unique. Readers can truly get inside of Blair’s head and understand how he feels and what causes him to make the decisions he does, and you can’t help but root for him. The pace of the book was quick, which was great, because I was itching to know what would happen next.
The book just came out in October, and would be the perfect book to gift someone (especially someone in the toy and game industry!). You can purchase it on Amazon or at a local Barnes and Nobles.
Hal Ross is a veteran of the toy industry, having been involved with the production of Atari, Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake, and Jenga. He’s also dabbled in the music industry, and is now a full-time author. Zapwired is his fourth book of fiction, and he’s currently working on a sequel to Zapwired, which I already can’t wait to read!
Nominations Now Open for The Toy Association Board of Directors (2025-2027)
Santa Claus - The Interview: Trends and More!
SKY CASTLE TOYS PARTNERS WITH JAZWARES TO EXPAND THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL STICKI ROLLS™ BRAND IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE
Reserve Your Spot for The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year® Awards
Carve Communications Partners with Red Toolbox as U.S. Agency of Record
The Toy Association™ Engages with Influential Members of Congress to Drive Positive Change for Industry
Moose Toys’ Epic First Comic-Con with MrBeast Lab and xoxKweenie
POP News July 2024
POP Group of Brands
Game Review: Stomp Rocket Space Collection
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer