What do you think?
Rate this book
Artem Underworld #1
The Rise of Oshbob: City of Artem
The thing about Artem...
It’s a damn hard city to live in if you haven’t got creds, and for creds you need opportunities.
The thing about opportunities...
T hey’re thin on the ground for Orcs. One of the most reviled races in the sprawling city.
And if you happen to be an Orc left for dead on the frontlines of Artem’s roving monster problem and stranded outside of it's immense city walls, then you’re doubly screwed. Like Oshbob.
The thing about Oshbob...
H e’s tough and he's pissed!
With a will to survive like few others, he’s determined never to be subject to the whims of the elite, ever again.
He’s gonna make something of himself. No matter the cost to those around him...
It’s a damn hard city to live in if you haven’t got creds, and for creds you need opportunities.
The thing about opportunities...
T hey’re thin on the ground for Orcs. One of the most reviled races in the sprawling city.
And if you happen to be an Orc left for dead on the frontlines of Artem’s roving monster problem and stranded outside of it's immense city walls, then you’re doubly screwed. Like Oshbob.
The thing about Oshbob...
H e’s tough and he's pissed!
With a will to survive like few others, he’s determined never to be subject to the whims of the elite, ever again.
He’s gonna make something of himself. No matter the cost to those around him...
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
648 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
76 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I love the setting of cyberpunk city of Artem, but coupling that with an interesting plot and unique characters made it into a delight.
I really liked the goblins, although I feel that towards the end of the book they were not used to their full potential (I think there should have been a little bit more craziness/eratic behavior from them, because that is what makes goblins into fun side characters).
What I didnt like was that stealth abilities of some characters worked basicly as magic. If you want to treat some character as being basicly invisible, at least give them some kind of tech that could be used as an explanation. Being "good at stealth" was a laughably insufficent explanation on multiple ocassions where the character would have to be actually invisible to not be seen, considering how the scenes were portrayed.
I really liked the goblins, although I feel that towards the end of the book they were not used to their full potential (I think there should have been a little bit more craziness/eratic behavior from them, because that is what makes goblins into fun side characters).
What I didnt like was that stealth abilities of some characters worked basicly as magic. If you want to treat some character as being basicly invisible, at least give them some kind of tech that could be used as an explanation. Being "good at stealth" was a laughably insufficent explanation on multiple ocassions where the character would have to be actually invisible to not be seen, considering how the scenes were portrayed.
January 18, 2024
I shouldn’t have sat on this one so long. This book showed up as similar to other books I have read so I downloaded it. I’m sure glad I didn’t purge it when I reached my unlimited limit… This story would make an amazing Shadworun or Cyber Punk campagin. If i had to name this story as mashup i’d call it The Godfather and Colors had a Cyber Punk baby. This story took a hot minute to get going but when it did, it didn’t stop. The characters develop just as they should, they are easy to like or hate, and I never felt overwhelmed by the amount of characters that were presented. Kapar (I promised him I would t use his actual name) Is Orcish enough to battle his instincts and smart enough to overcome them (occasionally). Invest a few coins and your time in this one. If you enjoy cyber-gang/mafia action stories you will not be disappointed.
August 1, 2023
Cyberpunk for me and you
This book is a release from a common world by 4 pretty awesome writers. Each author is focusing on a story, with different characters and different times, but all are equally awesome.
I’m not normally a big fan of cyberpunk, but I am a big fan of Kevin Sinclair and I gotta say, if everything that comes out is like this, sign me up and call me Scotty.
The fact that all 4 books were released at the same time would lead one to believe that these authors are some sort of Swiss authors, focused on consistency and timelessness, but no. They are just awesome folks that care about their audience and know that if they release 3,000 pages of content at once, it might tie us all over until they release the next books.
This book is a release from a common world by 4 pretty awesome writers. Each author is focusing on a story, with different characters and different times, but all are equally awesome.
I’m not normally a big fan of cyberpunk, but I am a big fan of Kevin Sinclair and I gotta say, if everything that comes out is like this, sign me up and call me Scotty.
The fact that all 4 books were released at the same time would lead one to believe that these authors are some sort of Swiss authors, focused on consistency and timelessness, but no. They are just awesome folks that care about their audience and know that if they release 3,000 pages of content at once, it might tie us all over until they release the next books.
August 10, 2023
Intriguing Reading
When you think of Orcs, you think of bruttish warrior types, so having a canny businessman type is a new one on me, and Sinclair showcases his talents very well outside the ususal LITRPG genre with this Cyberpunk theme.
This was part of a new world, Artem, that has seen other well-known talented Indie authors write within, and Sinclair showcases an interesting mish mash of riches and poverty with an elective mix of tech and biological subjects.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the relationships between our MCs form a major part of what makes this book so engaging instead of the tech. As this is part of a collaboration of authors, then Im hoping that Sinclair keeps on this path as I would love to read more from him.
When you think of Orcs, you think of bruttish warrior types, so having a canny businessman type is a new one on me, and Sinclair showcases his talents very well outside the ususal LITRPG genre with this Cyberpunk theme.
This was part of a new world, Artem, that has seen other well-known talented Indie authors write within, and Sinclair showcases an interesting mish mash of riches and poverty with an elective mix of tech and biological subjects.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the relationships between our MCs form a major part of what makes this book so engaging instead of the tech. As this is part of a collaboration of authors, then Im hoping that Sinclair keeps on this path as I would love to read more from him.
November 12, 2023
Good book, needs an editor
Didn’t know what to expect but this turned out to be a really good book. Oshbob is very much a good guy when compared to the rest of the characters. He’s also ruthless, uncompromising and very intelligent.
As for the writing, as the book progressed the number of spelling and grammatical errors multiplied. It wasn’t bad enough to detract from the experience but would’ve been caught by a competent editor.
Didn’t know what to expect but this turned out to be a really good book. Oshbob is very much a good guy when compared to the rest of the characters. He’s also ruthless, uncompromising and very intelligent.
As for the writing, as the book progressed the number of spelling and grammatical errors multiplied. It wasn’t bad enough to detract from the experience but would’ve been caught by a competent editor.
February 12, 2024
Worth the read
I'm not a gamer but I enjoyed this litrpg novel. The characters are well-defined and the action intense. Hidden in the blood and gore are explorations of themes like friendship and how we all deal with the Other. I gave 3 stars instead of 4 because of the lack of proofreading. Misspelled names, MANY misplaced quotation marks and numerous editing errors actually slowed my reading of this already epic fantasy tale.
I'm not a gamer but I enjoyed this litrpg novel. The characters are well-defined and the action intense. Hidden in the blood and gore are explorations of themes like friendship and how we all deal with the Other. I gave 3 stars instead of 4 because of the lack of proofreading. Misspelled names, MANY misplaced quotation marks and numerous editing errors actually slowed my reading of this already epic fantasy tale.
August 16, 2023
Homer, out of the park
Once again, Kev, hits the leather off the ball. Another pound it to the ground dust up by one of the best to do it.... Characters with heavy depth in a world of heavy depth with a story of peaks and valleys in emotional hit'em where it counts slappy slap... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream
Once again, Kev, hits the leather off the ball. Another pound it to the ground dust up by one of the best to do it.... Characters with heavy depth in a world of heavy depth with a story of peaks and valleys in emotional hit'em where it counts slappy slap... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream
August 9, 2023
This is the first book by Mr. Sinclair I haven't had to struggle through. He has improved his writing quite a bit with this entry, and in doing so has crafted a wonderful cyber-punk world full of blood, grit, darkness, and humor. This is a well polished if predictable story I enjoyed. Very interested to see where this goes!
May 8, 2025
Wonderful story... many unforeseen twists and turns. Oshbob was definitely a well thought out character with hidden depths to his personality.
My only suggestion is: please hire an editor, someone to correct the dozens of spelling errors.
My only suggestion is: please hire an editor, someone to correct the dozens of spelling errors.
August 21, 2023
Oshbob the badass
It's been a while that a book has sucked me up like this one, I can't wait for the next installment. Kudos to Kevin Sinclair!
It's been a while that a book has sucked me up like this one, I can't wait for the next installment. Kudos to Kevin Sinclair!
December 7, 2023
great adventure
Picked up on a whim and never put it down. Loves the action, Oshbob is one impressive orc. Cant wait to read the next one
Picked up on a whim and never put it down. Loves the action, Oshbob is one impressive orc. Cant wait to read the next one
January 31, 2024
Really rather enoyed this
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews