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Disgardium #1
Class-A Threat
Our future. Noncitizens and individuals of low social standing can only find work in one place – the virtual world of Disgardium. And that might mean mining ore; it could just as well mean cleaning pigsties or washing dishes in a tavern, but that’s about as glamorous as it gets.
Fifteen-year-old schoolboy Alex has dreams of working as a space guide. All he can think about is the stars, but life gets in the way and now his only path to achieving that goal is through the game.
Fifteen-year-old schoolboy Alex has dreams of working as a space guide. All he can think about is the stars, but life gets in the way and now his only path to achieving that goal is through the game.
517 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2019
791 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Dan Sugralinov
65 books264 followersDan Sugralinov grew up in a small working-class town on the Russian border with Kazakhstan. It’s a miracle he survived his childhood games of hide-and-seek in the surrounding building sites complete with perilous rebar structures and flooded foundation pits.
Ever since he learned to read at the age of five, he couldn’t put a book down. Reluctant to earn himself the name of a conceited nerd, he concentrated on playing soccer which allowed him to become friends with the town’s toughest kids.
In 1995, he graduated with honors, entering the St Petersburg Academy of Engineering and Economics where he studied business creation. He must have done something right because in the years that followed, he first worked on TV and radio just to get the taste of it, then opened his first successful business followed by several more. In between, he started writing and playing video games, winning the St Petersburg Mortal Kombat championship and becoming runner-up for Starcraft and Warcraft 3. He is a 14-times champion in Quake, Quake 2 and Quake 3 as well as the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft.
In 2004, he wrote his first motivational novella The Bricks which to date has garnered him over 3,000,000 readers online alone.
In 2014, Russia’s leading publishers of business literature Mann, Ivanov & Ferber published a revised and extended edition of his book, The Bricks 2.0.
In 2015, Dan discovered the existence of LitRPG. He devoured everything that had been written in that genre until he finally decided he too could write similar books.
In summer 2017, he published his first book in the subgenre of realRPG: Level Up.
Dan Sugralinov is a consummate gamer, a multiple MMORPG champion and the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft. He is also a successful businessman and author of books on marketing and business organization. His first LitRPG series Level Up took Russia by storm in 2017. Its English translation is about to be released on Amazon.
Ever since he learned to read at the age of five, he couldn’t put a book down. Reluctant to earn himself the name of a conceited nerd, he concentrated on playing soccer which allowed him to become friends with the town’s toughest kids.
In 1995, he graduated with honors, entering the St Petersburg Academy of Engineering and Economics where he studied business creation. He must have done something right because in the years that followed, he first worked on TV and radio just to get the taste of it, then opened his first successful business followed by several more. In between, he started writing and playing video games, winning the St Petersburg Mortal Kombat championship and becoming runner-up for Starcraft and Warcraft 3. He is a 14-times champion in Quake, Quake 2 and Quake 3 as well as the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft.
In 2004, he wrote his first motivational novella The Bricks which to date has garnered him over 3,000,000 readers online alone.
In 2014, Russia’s leading publishers of business literature Mann, Ivanov & Ferber published a revised and extended edition of his book, The Bricks 2.0.
In 2015, Dan discovered the existence of LitRPG. He devoured everything that had been written in that genre until he finally decided he too could write similar books.
In summer 2017, he published his first book in the subgenre of realRPG: Level Up.
Dan Sugralinov is a consummate gamer, a multiple MMORPG champion and the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft. He is also a successful businessman and author of books on marketing and business organization. His first LitRPG series Level Up took Russia by storm in 2017. Its English translation is about to be released on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 28, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded down.
All Russian litRPG novels feel like the author is purposely crafting a broken, dysfunctional game world for the sole reason of having their protagonist exploit it. When reading them, the thing that constantly pops to mind is "who the hell would want to play this boring, unfun, and arduous pay-to-win game?"
'Class-A Threat' does not break that mold at all. You have a game where there are no penalties to player killing, you can drop your expensive items on death(worth a lot of real world money!), you always re-spawn in a known place, and there is no immunity from spawn camping. Additionally, the game is decades old and everyone has been playing their entire lives, accumulating strength, wealth, and power, so any new or poor players would severely disadvantaged.
Class-A Threat gets around the issue of "nobody sane would play this PoS game" by setting the book in a dystopian future where kids are forced to play the game for at least an hour a day, and where 90% of people are disenfranchised non-citizens have no opportunity for income or diversion from their hellish lives besides playing as NPCs. All the rich and privileged play the game mostly to show off to each other and to stick it to the poor plebes.
And despite that... the book is kinda OK. It helps that the MC is a 15 year old teenager who has never played before. When he acts stupid and unoptimally, that's ok because it matches his character, as depicted. When things are unfair and stacked against him, well, it's a dystopian setting. So everything basically flies right under the radar of awfulness, and the book ends up being decently entertaining.
I would have preferred it if these talented authors would try to make a fun looking game which the MC excels at due to skill rather than blind luck, but whatever. I'm sure they have their reasons. If the sequel is on kindle unlimited I'll give it a try when it comes out.
All Russian litRPG novels feel like the author is purposely crafting a broken, dysfunctional game world for the sole reason of having their protagonist exploit it. When reading them, the thing that constantly pops to mind is "who the hell would want to play this boring, unfun, and arduous pay-to-win game?"
'Class-A Threat' does not break that mold at all. You have a game where there are no penalties to player killing, you can drop your expensive items on death(worth a lot of real world money!), you always re-spawn in a known place, and there is no immunity from spawn camping. Additionally, the game is decades old and everyone has been playing their entire lives, accumulating strength, wealth, and power, so any new or poor players would severely disadvantaged.
Class-A Threat gets around the issue of "nobody sane would play this PoS game" by setting the book in a dystopian future where kids are forced to play the game for at least an hour a day, and where 90% of people are disenfranchised non-citizens have no opportunity for income or diversion from their hellish lives besides playing as NPCs. All the rich and privileged play the game mostly to show off to each other and to stick it to the poor plebes.
And despite that... the book is kinda OK. It helps that the MC is a 15 year old teenager who has never played before. When he acts stupid and unoptimally, that's ok because it matches his character, as depicted. When things are unfair and stacked against him, well, it's a dystopian setting. So everything basically flies right under the radar of awfulness, and the book ends up being decently entertaining.
I would have preferred it if these talented authors would try to make a fun looking game which the MC excels at due to skill rather than blind luck, but whatever. I'm sure they have their reasons. If the sequel is on kindle unlimited I'll give it a try when it comes out.
May 13, 2019
Stopped halfway through
I had to stop halfway through because I couldn't take how scummy the main character was. Maybe he'll grow and mature later on, but I cant endure to get that far.
I had to stop halfway through because I couldn't take how scummy the main character was. Maybe he'll grow and mature later on, but I cant endure to get that far.
May 7, 2019
I don't know I just really didn't like the game world or main character.
There is an area in the world where only underaged people can go and they have obvious restrictions like cursing or having sex and yet these 15 year olds are cutting peoples throats and feeling how it is to get burned alive or suffocated.
The main character is unlikable the first chunk of the book is him whining about his character not being productive (and also being poor) and yet he doesn't take any initiative by doing social quest he actually looks down on people who do them. Also he is a horrible friend
Honestly I'm interested in the threat level plot line but I had a lot of problems with this book
There is an area in the world where only underaged people can go and they have obvious restrictions like cursing or having sex and yet these 15 year olds are cutting peoples throats and feeling how it is to get burned alive or suffocated.
The main character is unlikable the first chunk of the book is him whining about his character not being productive (and also being poor) and yet he doesn't take any initiative by doing social quest he actually looks down on people who do them. Also he is a horrible friend
Honestly I'm interested in the threat level plot line but I had a lot of problems with this book
November 17, 2020
It was okay. (Goodreads 2-stars).
Very Russian, somewhat unlikable characters, evil mobsters in both worlds, and so forth. It personally made me uncomfortable too often throughout the five books I read. I might read book 6 to see if things finally wrap up. Recommended to people who enjoy mean twisted systems where a good kid can't get ahead, and it's okay to kill people if they're just workers.
Very Russian, somewhat unlikable characters, evil mobsters in both worlds, and so forth. It personally made me uncomfortable too often throughout the five books I read. I might read book 6 to see if things finally wrap up. Recommended to people who enjoy mean twisted systems where a good kid can't get ahead, and it's okay to kill people if they're just workers.
June 9, 2019
I had to stop. Fat shaming and the MC practically encourages it by simply shrugging it off as if it was nothing,. He also ditches his fat, gross “BEst friend” (and I use that term loosely, since not once did he ever treat her as a person, none the less a friend) to go hang out with the A-holes, and his crush.
Also, I’ve mentioned this before, but when I read litrpg or adventure books for that matter, I hate the whole romance part, especially pre-love or instant love situations. I honestly think it takes away from the story. Especially, since, instead of hearing or progressing the story line, it gets stuck on that bull crap. Example, in this book. Instead of hear about the potential threat, the MC is focusing on accidental grabbing the love interest’s breast. Ugh.
One more thing. I hate the MC. I find him to be an asshole. No joke. Nothing about him is appealing. Self pity, arrogant, fat shamed, and total idiot.
Walk away. I was at 78% and I couldn’t put up with it anymore.
Also, I’ve mentioned this before, but when I read litrpg or adventure books for that matter, I hate the whole romance part, especially pre-love or instant love situations. I honestly think it takes away from the story. Especially, since, instead of hearing or progressing the story line, it gets stuck on that bull crap. Example, in this book. Instead of hear about the potential threat, the MC is focusing on accidental grabbing the love interest’s breast. Ugh.
One more thing. I hate the MC. I find him to be an asshole. No joke. Nothing about him is appealing. Self pity, arrogant, fat shamed, and total idiot.
Walk away. I was at 78% and I couldn’t put up with it anymore.
May 27, 2019
It took me a little bit longer to get into this one, but I found myself enjoying this book much more than expected. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I don't enjoy all that much, so I hope the audiobook version of the next book in the series will come out soon :) a good read, all in all :)
June 6, 2019
I Enjoyed This Story
This story of a guy who is encouraged to play a game after finding out his parents are divorcing and can’t pay for his education. For a year he mocks his classmates for playing, now he is just a noob everyone mocks. After getting cursed by the town drunk, he works his butt off to catch up and be a hax.
This story of a guy who is encouraged to play a game after finding out his parents are divorcing and can’t pay for his education. For a year he mocks his classmates for playing, now he is just a noob everyone mocks. After getting cursed by the town drunk, he works his butt off to catch up and be a hax.
April 23, 2019
Here comes trouble
OP by design. I like the premise and the mix of gimmicks. What really carried the story for me was the loner character sorting out who to interact with and how much to let them in. Great reading.
OP by design. I like the premise and the mix of gimmicks. What really carried the story for me was the loner character sorting out who to interact with and how much to let them in. Great reading.
April 24, 2019
Another fantastic read
First book in a new series... Or old series I suppose. Very well written its easy to see why Mr Sugralinov is on for Russia's hottest authors. Well translated, good plot let's see how book 2 does.
First book in a new series... Or old series I suppose. Very well written its easy to see why Mr Sugralinov is on for Russia's hottest authors. Well translated, good plot let's see how book 2 does.
July 12, 2019
An interesting book.
The setting of the worlds (both the real and game) has been interesting. The MC Alex is teen with the dream to go to space but when hit by tragedy, works hard and does what ever he could to succeed.
And the ending was good.
The setting of the worlds (both the real and game) has been interesting. The MC Alex is teen with the dream to go to space but when hit by tragedy, works hard and does what ever he could to succeed.
And the ending was good.
July 26, 2019
A lot of people didn't like the MC and how he was behaving but don't forget he's just 15 years old and come on what do u expect from a teenager, besides its a great book even tho MC is OP but it was handled well with the threat system.
June 19, 2019
Underage Labor
Fun concept and good execution. Some of the book fell flat with the teen romance but overall very entertaining. Looking forward to book 2.
Fun concept and good execution. Some of the book fell flat with the teen romance but overall very entertaining. Looking forward to book 2.
July 11, 2019
Fantastic
Overpowered has never looked so good. I love Dan’s writing and this delivers. While the main character is overpowered, it perfectly suits this world. Totally recommended.
Overpowered has never looked so good. I love Dan’s writing and this delivers. While the main character is overpowered, it perfectly suits this world. Totally recommended.
December 14, 2020
Alex dostal na své čtrnácté narozeniny kapsli pro virtuální realitu, podobně jako všichni jeho vrstevníci s lepším sociálním statusem. Jenže ho hraní her nebaví a brzy o něj ztratí zájem, protože jeho snem je dostat se na univerzitu a stát se vesmírným průvodcem. Jeho plány se kvůli jistým událostem zkomplikují a zjišťuje, že aby v životě něco dokázal, bude se muset vrátit do světa Disgardia.
Jooo, tak tohle se mi dějově dost líbilo! Alex se už od začátku příběhu vyvíjí, začíná se ve světě Disgardia orientovat a poznává lidi, které by bez hraní nikdy v životě nepoznal. Nechybí ani milostná zápletka mezi náctiletými (jelikož se jedná o Young Adult), která je vykreslena celkem realisticky a hlavně nic přehnaného. A tady končí klady. Teď už jen věci, které se mi moc nelíbily. V první řadě to je rozhodně ten strašný strojový sloh bez špetky emocí. Potom je to neustálé zmiňování strejdy Nicka, který se v knize ani neobjeví a Alex pouze opakuje jeho suché hlášky. Taky byla v knize jediná zmínka o “křečkovi” v souvislosti s penězma. V jiných LitRPG to funguje normálně, protože autor s tímto křečkem pracuje, ale tady byl zmíněný pouze jednou a konec. Nebo to byl účel? A na závěr... Může mi sakra někdo vysvětlit, proč překladatel přeložil výraz World of Warcraft na “Svět válečného umění”?! Jaký to má smysl? Tohle mě ke konci knihy opravdu vytočilo...
Teď už nám jen zbývá se modlit za to, abychom se dočkali dalších dílů!
Jooo, tak tohle se mi dějově dost líbilo! Alex se už od začátku příběhu vyvíjí, začíná se ve světě Disgardia orientovat a poznává lidi, které by bez hraní nikdy v životě nepoznal. Nechybí ani milostná zápletka mezi náctiletými (jelikož se jedná o Young Adult), která je vykreslena celkem realisticky a hlavně nic přehnaného. A tady končí klady. Teď už jen věci, které se mi moc nelíbily. V první řadě to je rozhodně ten strašný strojový sloh bez špetky emocí. Potom je to neustálé zmiňování strejdy Nicka, který se v knize ani neobjeví a Alex pouze opakuje jeho suché hlášky. Taky byla v knize jediná zmínka o “křečkovi” v souvislosti s penězma. V jiných LitRPG to funguje normálně, protože autor s tímto křečkem pracuje, ale tady byl zmíněný pouze jednou a konec. Nebo to byl účel? A na závěr... Může mi sakra někdo vysvětlit, proč překladatel přeložil výraz World of Warcraft na “Svět válečného umění”?! Jaký to má smysl? Tohle mě ke konci knihy opravdu vytočilo...
Teď už nám jen zbývá se modlit za to, abychom se dočkali dalších dílů!
July 12, 2020
Great start to the series! Like most Russian LitRPG, the MC becomes OP in some way exploitable way.
This started off differently from most in the genre, with the MC basically hating the game and you definitely feel the slog he goes through.
The MC is the only fleshed our character in the series with others left towards the sidelines. Some explanations here and then but this is very much a solo lead book. I doubt this will change heading into the book book and I hope it doesn’t but some more backstory on the others would be appreciated.
The world that is showcased isn’t a good one, almost dystopian, and I can’t wait to see more of it.
Very good.
This started off differently from most in the genre, with the MC basically hating the game and you definitely feel the slog he goes through.
The MC is the only fleshed our character in the series with others left towards the sidelines. Some explanations here and then but this is very much a solo lead book. I doubt this will change heading into the book book and I hope it doesn’t but some more backstory on the others would be appreciated.
The world that is showcased isn’t a good one, almost dystopian, and I can’t wait to see more of it.
Very good.
March 22, 2025
Imersīvās spēles Disgardium ir pārņēmusi visu pasauli tik tālu, ka pat vispasaules valdības to padarījušas par obligāti izmantojamu instrumentu jauno cilvēkbērnu izglītošanas procesā. Vēl jo vairāk fiziskajā realitātē pasaules populācija ir pieaugusi tik tālu, ka ir bijis nepieciešams izstrādāt iedzīvotāju klasifikācijas sistēmu, kas tos ierindo šķirās pēc to pienesuma kopējam pasaules labumam, kur tiem, kuri sevi atrod zemākajās kārtās, neatliek kā cits, kā vien par niecīgu atlīdzību veikt tos pašus mazkvalificētus darbus Disgardium viduslaiku tipa fantāzijas pasaulē un vien no malas noskatīties citu panākumos.
https://poseidons99.com/2025/03/22/da...
https://poseidons99.com/2025/03/22/da...
May 22, 2020
3.5 Stars
April 22, 2019
Great Book 1
I can see the other book in the store I don't know if I can read it but I sure want to I really like this series
I can see the other book in the store I don't know if I can read it but I sure want to I really like this series
May 25, 2019
Fun story
The distopia is a little bleak but the game part of the story is fun. I enjoy Dan's work, if looked good previous work you enjoy this story I think.
The distopia is a little bleak but the game part of the story is fun. I enjoy Dan's work, if looked good previous work you enjoy this story I think.
July 15, 2019
Awesome -hmm. Go read it
Storyline and players and IRL mix is good and enticing. Some mistakes in translation are easily ignored for the benefit of the story. Can't wait for book 3
Storyline and players and IRL mix is good and enticing. Some mistakes in translation are easily ignored for the benefit of the story. Can't wait for book 3
July 8, 2019
Good Read.
A LitRPG story. Interesting story on getting the players involved in the game’s plot by making him a threat to the game. Will be picking up book 2 soon.
A LitRPG story. Interesting story on getting the players involved in the game’s plot by making him a threat to the game. Will be picking up book 2 soon.
February 4, 2020
Actual Literature trapped in a GameLIT body
4.5
Admittedly, I've gotten hooked on these Russian GameLIT books for the past year or two. They're such casual reads, kind of like young adult fiction, and remind me of hanging out on a folding chair at my friend's house playing games. There is a formula that makes them a little repetitive and some go so far as to feel like Animal House, or worse yet, a bleh Cinemax show.
The Disgardium series reminds me more of 1984 than its compatriots. A future reality which is altogether plausible, and can probably only be produced by the mind of a person hailing from the former Soviet block, creates something unique.
Part GameLIT, part dystopia, part sci-fi, and maybe 75% social commentary, I could envision reading this book as part of a high school curriculum, poly sci or college lit course. For this reason, I highly recommend it.
----
ADDED:
I recently read a blog by the author where he addressed the topic of fat shaming and the general disposition of the protagonist's character. While I respect everyone's individual experiences and opinions, if you are getting caught up in this, you are in fact missing "the point."
This book handles complex social interactions and an expansive commentary on human nature in a very humble wrapper. I believe most readers will be able to see themselves in some one or more of the people presented, maybe a mix of them, and this makes them relatable. What happens feels authentic and it includes a certain amount of growth.
All that said, I was impressed by the way in which the protagonist stood up for his friend. At that point in the book I actually tough, "I hope my boys stand up for their friends that are girls like this." He ultimately makes mistakes - and this makes the character human. There is a lot more I'd like to say but it would end up making this super long and super spoiler-y.
Long story short, I had an entirely different experience reading this book than those readers who did not feel the protagonist was redeemable and got caught up in fat shaming, bullying, etc. For a moment, rather than thinking Lord of the Flies, I'd encourage those readers who find themselves caught up with the above issues asking what the author is presenting about the world in which the characters live and how those worldly and commercial ideals may be influencing the kids living in it.
4.5
Admittedly, I've gotten hooked on these Russian GameLIT books for the past year or two. They're such casual reads, kind of like young adult fiction, and remind me of hanging out on a folding chair at my friend's house playing games. There is a formula that makes them a little repetitive and some go so far as to feel like Animal House, or worse yet, a bleh Cinemax show.
The Disgardium series reminds me more of 1984 than its compatriots. A future reality which is altogether plausible, and can probably only be produced by the mind of a person hailing from the former Soviet block, creates something unique.
Part GameLIT, part dystopia, part sci-fi, and maybe 75% social commentary, I could envision reading this book as part of a high school curriculum, poly sci or college lit course. For this reason, I highly recommend it.
----
ADDED:
I recently read a blog by the author where he addressed the topic of fat shaming and the general disposition of the protagonist's character. While I respect everyone's individual experiences and opinions, if you are getting caught up in this, you are in fact missing "the point."
This book handles complex social interactions and an expansive commentary on human nature in a very humble wrapper. I believe most readers will be able to see themselves in some one or more of the people presented, maybe a mix of them, and this makes them relatable. What happens feels authentic and it includes a certain amount of growth.
All that said, I was impressed by the way in which the protagonist stood up for his friend. At that point in the book I actually tough, "I hope my boys stand up for their friends that are girls like this." He ultimately makes mistakes - and this makes the character human. There is a lot more I'd like to say but it would end up making this super long and super spoiler-y.
Long story short, I had an entirely different experience reading this book than those readers who did not feel the protagonist was redeemable and got caught up in fat shaming, bullying, etc. For a moment, rather than thinking Lord of the Flies, I'd encourage those readers who find themselves caught up with the above issues asking what the author is presenting about the world in which the characters live and how those worldly and commercial ideals may be influencing the kids living in it.
August 5, 2022
+ Slow pace, I love it (level 10 at the end of the book)
- MC is a really shitty friend, like really shitty friend.
- Cannot leave dungeons mid-way unless you want to loose all gains (sounds like a poor game mechanic)
+ Robotic cat/dog given to households was a nice touch
My biggest complaint of this book is how shitty of a friend the MC is. He's apparently best friends with a girl called Eve, who has a crush on him. He knows and isn't interested because she's fat. Something he mentions several times in the book. The nicest thing I can say is that atleast he doesn't say it to her face, but at the same time she is getting bullied by other class mates and he never says or does anything about it.
In fact, he has a crush on one of the girls who are doing the bullying. That group even bullied him a little, but that doesn't stop him from jumping onboard with them and doing dungeons with them.
It was pretty icky and it almost ruined the book for me.
Other than that, I enjoyed the Threat system, and the world. Tho being unable to leave a dungeon without loosing all your exp gains and loot seems to be a poor game mechanic
I hope the MC grows up a little, there are 10 more books after all. I'll still read the next book, as I greatly enjoyed the system in this and the MCs build.
- MC is a really shitty friend, like really shitty friend.
- Cannot leave dungeons mid-way unless you want to loose all gains (sounds like a poor game mechanic)
+ Robotic cat/dog given to households was a nice touch
My biggest complaint of this book is how shitty of a friend the MC is. He's apparently best friends with a girl called Eve, who has a crush on him. He knows and isn't interested because she's fat. Something he mentions several times in the book. The nicest thing I can say is that atleast he doesn't say it to her face, but at the same time she is getting bullied by other class mates and he never says or does anything about it.
In fact, he has a crush on one of the girls who are doing the bullying. That group even bullied him a little, but that doesn't stop him from jumping onboard with them and doing dungeons with them.
It was pretty icky and it almost ruined the book for me.
Other than that, I enjoyed the Threat system, and the world. Tho being unable to leave a dungeon without loosing all your exp gains and loot seems to be a poor game mechanic
I hope the MC grows up a little, there are 10 more books after all. I'll still read the next book, as I greatly enjoyed the system in this and the MCs build.
June 12, 2019
Solid litrpg
Good writing, good story, good world, good characters. The initial premise may be a little bit of a stretch...gamers don't give up that fast, but I'm sold on the story now...can't wait for more...read this in less than a day
Good writing, good story, good world, good characters. The initial premise may be a little bit of a stretch...gamers don't give up that fast, but I'm sold on the story now...can't wait for more...read this in less than a day
October 21, 2023
I gave this book 5 because it has kept me captivated and I am already almost done with book 2. I was surprised by this book. I have had it on my shelf for a couple months and the cover art is both intriguing but also not something that makes you pick it up right away. This is about a do nothing teenager that finds out his life is going to go down the toilet and that the only way to make something for himself before taking citizen test at 16 is Disgardium.
I will say some of the best aspects of this book are the world building for both the in game world and the IRL world. Both are very distinctive and there has been a lot of care trying to build these worlds. The IRL seems very realistic with where our society is headed today and I found the class designation something that could very well happen. The Disgardium VR probably would never happen but that is what it being sci fi is for. The world of Disgardium and the importance of it in life is something anyone could get behind. The avenues for character building is made tougher depending on what class of family you find yourself in.
Alex finds himself on this unique story line. There are two things that are a little off to me but also doesn't detract from the story too much. In Litrpgs, which I have a lot of experience reading, I hate OP characters. Your main always finds himself having either unique ability or OP and it most of the times detracts from the story. You go in reading and you already know this character is never going to fail. What makes this story so intriguing is that Alex fails, ALOT. He is OP, but the author keeps on throwing crap at him to make it so you get invested in Scythe. He has to hide his ability, he has choose who to trust and who not to trust, he has to be constantly on his toes. Honestly, Its a well done concept to get around the OP nature of the character.
The other aspect that is a little awkward is any any all reactions that Alex has with girls. The reason that no big deal is that he is a teenager with raging hormones so its understandable. There are a lot of awkward interactions and it seems that girls are overdoing it with trying to get with Alex. I will say that the way he treated his life long friend that stood by him but was not physically appealing felt wrong. Alex just castes Eve aside and every interaction going into book 2 is just awkward. Alex tries to interact with her but seems stumped by the cold shoulder after HE abandoned HER and he treated it as no big deal. Though that is also how being a teenager is so there is some drama with girls.
All in all a great starting novel and something that stands out as not in the rubbish heap for LitRPG books which there seems to be a lot of today.
I will say some of the best aspects of this book are the world building for both the in game world and the IRL world. Both are very distinctive and there has been a lot of care trying to build these worlds. The IRL seems very realistic with where our society is headed today and I found the class designation something that could very well happen. The Disgardium VR probably would never happen but that is what it being sci fi is for. The world of Disgardium and the importance of it in life is something anyone could get behind. The avenues for character building is made tougher depending on what class of family you find yourself in.
Alex finds himself on this unique story line. There are two things that are a little off to me but also doesn't detract from the story too much. In Litrpgs, which I have a lot of experience reading, I hate OP characters. Your main always finds himself having either unique ability or OP and it most of the times detracts from the story. You go in reading and you already know this character is never going to fail. What makes this story so intriguing is that Alex fails, ALOT. He is OP, but the author keeps on throwing crap at him to make it so you get invested in Scythe. He has to hide his ability, he has choose who to trust and who not to trust, he has to be constantly on his toes. Honestly, Its a well done concept to get around the OP nature of the character.
The other aspect that is a little awkward is any any all reactions that Alex has with girls. The reason that no big deal is that he is a teenager with raging hormones so its understandable. There are a lot of awkward interactions and it seems that girls are overdoing it with trying to get with Alex. I will say that the way he treated his life long friend that stood by him but was not physically appealing felt wrong. Alex just castes Eve aside and every interaction going into book 2 is just awkward. Alex tries to interact with her but seems stumped by the cold shoulder after HE abandoned HER and he treated it as no big deal. Though that is also how being a teenager is so there is some drama with girls.
All in all a great starting novel and something that stands out as not in the rubbish heap for LitRPG books which there seems to be a lot of today.
December 3, 2019
Before you read this, I apolgize if my synopsis isn't quite clear but I couldn't find the right way to word it, regardless, the plot and story was awesome and it was very well written.
Class-A Threat by Dan Sugralinov, the same author of the last series I reviewed (Level Up), has written another great book series (so far). The first book in this series was published on April 15th of this year. The first book was on Kindle Unlimited, the second was about 7 dollars, and the soon to be coming book three will be about 7 dollars as well. Book three will be released on January 9th, 2020.
This book takes place in a future where people are assigned different letter ranks based on their value to society. The game Disgardium dominates, they have a hand in the government, because of that all minors must spend at least 8 hours in the game every week. To play, you just enter a pod, then get submerged into a new world where you see what your character sees, how they see it, feel what they feel, smell what they smell, etc. The main character, Alex Sheppard belongs to a mid-rank family with fighting, soon to be divorced, parents. Because his parents will soon be divorced, they must spend his college savings on that and will then make less money, with Alex only 6 months away from college and no savings he must find a new way to make money, so he turns to Disgardium. Before, Alex hated the game, he wasn't any good and he constantly died, even to the weakest things, so he wasted his little over an hour a day just sitting on a stool. Now though, this cursed game may be his only salvation. Before long, his unluckiness/luck (depends on the way you see it) he's cursed in ways that complement one another and declared a threat to the world. With people now hunting him to eradicate him from Disgardium, and him trying to become the biggest threat he can in exchange for real world cash he immerses himself into the crazy and deadly world of Disgardium.
This is definitely in my list of favorite books. The story and dialogue were really well written and the author was very creative and weaved a story unlike anything I have read or heard before. This is definitely a book I would recommend however, I would wait until at least January 9th for the third book to come out because, once you start you won't have to take the long break waiting for the next books.
Here is a link to the original review site: https://dragons-lair-book-blog.blogsp...
Class-A Threat by Dan Sugralinov, the same author of the last series I reviewed (Level Up), has written another great book series (so far). The first book in this series was published on April 15th of this year. The first book was on Kindle Unlimited, the second was about 7 dollars, and the soon to be coming book three will be about 7 dollars as well. Book three will be released on January 9th, 2020.
This book takes place in a future where people are assigned different letter ranks based on their value to society. The game Disgardium dominates, they have a hand in the government, because of that all minors must spend at least 8 hours in the game every week. To play, you just enter a pod, then get submerged into a new world where you see what your character sees, how they see it, feel what they feel, smell what they smell, etc. The main character, Alex Sheppard belongs to a mid-rank family with fighting, soon to be divorced, parents. Because his parents will soon be divorced, they must spend his college savings on that and will then make less money, with Alex only 6 months away from college and no savings he must find a new way to make money, so he turns to Disgardium. Before, Alex hated the game, he wasn't any good and he constantly died, even to the weakest things, so he wasted his little over an hour a day just sitting on a stool. Now though, this cursed game may be his only salvation. Before long, his unluckiness/luck (depends on the way you see it) he's cursed in ways that complement one another and declared a threat to the world. With people now hunting him to eradicate him from Disgardium, and him trying to become the biggest threat he can in exchange for real world cash he immerses himself into the crazy and deadly world of Disgardium.
This is definitely in my list of favorite books. The story and dialogue were really well written and the author was very creative and weaved a story unlike anything I have read or heard before. This is definitely a book I would recommend however, I would wait until at least January 9th for the third book to come out because, once you start you won't have to take the long break waiting for the next books.
Here is a link to the original review site: https://dragons-lair-book-blog.blogsp...
November 15, 2021
I've tried to read this twice but ended up dropping both times. I actually got to 47% of the book before dropping this time. Boy... this books is a tragedy. I know it's a dystopian setting but it's downright depressing to read. Everyone who has been introduced are complete assholes with the exception of his "friend" Eve.
The MC can't catch a break, not that he deserves it anyway. The constant fat shaming and asshole-ness he treats with his supposedly "friend" Eve is completely uncalled for. I'm actually surprised that so many people rating 4-5 stars don't mention this, who in there right mind would accept the main character to be such a d***. The Eve character has been introduced as the seemingly only decent person who lives in that world, yet he treats her like s***. When his bully schoolmates show him a slight bit of "niceness" he immediately acts like a puppy and feels like he's got new best friends. From the readers view you can clearly see that they don't take him seriously and are basically using him yet he loves the attention from them. Especially the crush, Tissa. She's keeps blowing him off but he keeps running back to her. Tbh I'm just speechless with this book.
I know the MC is 15 years old but I find him naive and childish in some parts he interacts with people, especially the bullies. The way the author writes it kinda makes me cringe.
I really wish I could read the novel without all the things mentioned above. It would turn out to be a great story. I like the profession and skills side. Also the Threat level plot is interesting too. Shame really. I just can't put up with the MCs personality
The MC can't catch a break, not that he deserves it anyway. The constant fat shaming and asshole-ness he treats with his supposedly "friend" Eve is completely uncalled for. I'm actually surprised that so many people rating 4-5 stars don't mention this, who in there right mind would accept the main character to be such a d***. The Eve character has been introduced as the seemingly only decent person who lives in that world, yet he treats her like s***. When his bully schoolmates show him a slight bit of "niceness" he immediately acts like a puppy and feels like he's got new best friends. From the readers view you can clearly see that they don't take him seriously and are basically using him yet he loves the attention from them. Especially the crush, Tissa. She's keeps blowing him off but he keeps running back to her. Tbh I'm just speechless with this book.
I know the MC is 15 years old but I find him naive and childish in some parts he interacts with people, especially the bullies. The way the author writes it kinda makes me cringe.
I really wish I could read the novel without all the things mentioned above. It would turn out to be a great story. I like the profession and skills side. Also the Threat level plot is interesting too. Shame really. I just can't put up with the MCs personality
December 18, 2020
This is an odd book. It's a book about video games about a character who doesn't seem to like them at all. He literally sits around for a year choosing not to play and only starts when forced. Not only that the author hints at a big corporation forcing people to play this game. Whilst this leads to some originality I feel that any gain the author makes here is squandered by a lack of audience empathy.
The main character is hard to like. He's a little entitled, rich and he has two female characters who seem to like him without, particularly good reason. If you read or watched many of the young adult books aimed at girls you may well have experienced the same (In Twilight, for example, it's hard to know why the two vampires like Bella). Here though he's actively unpleasant to one of them. It's believable but a little painful to read. At least doesn't seem to be done through malice but through poor social skills. Like so many books in this genre, he is also unfeasibly lucky with all kinds of perks falling into his lap.
You may think therefore that this book is awful but it really isn't. There are some very clever ideas, it is original and many of the characters are deep for this genre. It's hard to recommend highly but I enjoyed this book.
The main character is hard to like. He's a little entitled, rich and he has two female characters who seem to like him without, particularly good reason. If you read or watched many of the young adult books aimed at girls you may well have experienced the same (In Twilight, for example, it's hard to know why the two vampires like Bella). Here though he's actively unpleasant to one of them. It's believable but a little painful to read. At least doesn't seem to be done through malice but through poor social skills. Like so many books in this genre, he is also unfeasibly lucky with all kinds of perks falling into his lap.
You may think therefore that this book is awful but it really isn't. There are some very clever ideas, it is original and many of the characters are deep for this genre. It's hard to recommend highly but I enjoyed this book.
January 29, 2020
Review for books 1-3
This is an excellent litrpg book. Normally, I dislike the style of litrpg where the MC loads up into a virtual reality and plot also exists in the real world. It normally is quite boring for me because there is no sense of urgency for me as they can always just quit playing or find some other way to make money.
This series however is different. In some ways, there is far more danger in the real world than in Disgardium.
This series is written very well, even better than his other "Level up" series. I honestly forgot that this is a translated novel from Russia, it reads more fluid than most American writers. It kept me in the story and wanting to know what happens next.
I assumed that the third book was the last of a trilogy, but according to the back of the book, there will be 4 more books as well. I can't wait to read the next.
My rating system:
1 star: Utter Trash
2 star: Did not finish
3 star: Ok book, but will not next in series.
4 star: Good book, will read next in series
5 star: Amazing book, can't wait till next book is out!
This is an excellent litrpg book. Normally, I dislike the style of litrpg where the MC loads up into a virtual reality and plot also exists in the real world. It normally is quite boring for me because there is no sense of urgency for me as they can always just quit playing or find some other way to make money.
This series however is different. In some ways, there is far more danger in the real world than in Disgardium.
This series is written very well, even better than his other "Level up" series. I honestly forgot that this is a translated novel from Russia, it reads more fluid than most American writers. It kept me in the story and wanting to know what happens next.
I assumed that the third book was the last of a trilogy, but according to the back of the book, there will be 4 more books as well. I can't wait to read the next.
My rating system:
1 star: Utter Trash
2 star: Did not finish
3 star: Ok book, but will not next in series.
4 star: Good book, will read next in series
5 star: Amazing book, can't wait till next book is out!
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