Blitzers: Selected for Bookbuzz Secondary 2026

About this book

Danny desperately wants a Blitzer. They are the latest craze: hand-held, individual AI warriors who can be trained as they learn from defeat and punishment. 

But when Danny eventually gets a Blitzer of his own, it seems to be faulty. Instead of a vicious-looking fighter, Danny has a rather cute bear who doesn’t seem interested in fighting. How can he get his Blitzer to behave like everyone else’s? Starting with online training videos from a Blitzer champion, Danny tries everything to get his Blitzer to behave ‘normally’.  

But as he gets drawn into the Blitzers world, Danny stumbles upon a deadly secret about the Blitzers’ true purpose, putting him and his best friend in mortal danger.  

With underlying messages about violence breeding violence, toxic masculinity, and the fact that the loudest voices are not necessarily the right ones, Blitzers shows how kindness, patience and empathy can be far more powerful than brute force. 

Presented in a dyslexia-friendly format with black and white illustrations, this is an accessible, exciting, AI-based thriller that will have wide appeal and is perfect for gamers.