Emperor's End

The Ripple System #5

by Kyle Kirrin

The last wing of the red cathedral is finally live, and the possibility king awaits. To reach his throne, players will have to face foes capable of bringing about the end of the world. However, nothing can compare to their creator.

The prize for defeating him is the ability to create a custom Ripple. A single change that will alter the very fabric of EBO forever. A power that Ned’s enemies would do anything to obtain.

As the frantic race for Frank’s chair heats up, old enemies are on the warpath and desperate choices must be made. This time, no one will make it out unscathed.

There will be much blood, but more than the previous iterations. Five times more maybe?

Even more cats, too.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Adventure, Fiction

725 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Christoph · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. This is up there with anything Matt Dinniman's written. If there's a gold standard of how lit rpgs should be written these guys are it. Had a blast the whole book through. I know some people don't like the vr mmo approach and the perceived lack of stakes but I couldn't care less. The system is amazing, the characters are likable, the skills are cool and if I could award frank points I'd be handing them out wholesale. Can't wait for the story to continue!
The only thing borderline negative I'd say is that the thing between Ned and Darling could move a bit faster. They're really sweet and I'd actually like to see some real progress on this (in rl, not ingame...)

[suzi wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second read of this series. One more book out than last time. Now 5 books not four as when I last read them. I throughly enjoy this whole concept. A mouthy axe creates just ludicrous internal dialog that is very enjoyable. This time I thought he was going to end the series as he wrapped up all the various story lines in a very unexpected direction. Evidently there will be more books to come and I will be looking forward to them.

[Peyton Barish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my video game nerd book for the year! I still love the way it weaves everything about playing a video game into the story but I’d love some more character investment and development because I think it’d create more enjoyable moments of dialogue. At times things feel kind of repetitive and more storytelling might help.

[Aubria L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment, book 5 of the Ripple System I series was engaging, fun and with lots of humor! I love the characters, especially Frank! I really enjoyed the clever plot twist and was very satisfied with the conclusion of book 5! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how it's possible to be more awesome than the previous book, but with the increased amount of Frank, they were able to pull it off.

Lots of exciting raids and constant high stakes situations make this very binge worthy.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun easy listening and the most balanced story/action/stats yet. I never tired of the Frankisms like I did in some previous ones, and Travis Baldtree continues to be a 10/10 narrator. The pacing was great, but I skip the skill descriptions. MC's plot armor and the deus ex machina (well... Frank.) is out of control and OP, which is part of the fun, but he's a little snarky and obnoxious in light of that. This installment wraps up the whole recent arc rather completely, with no loose ends I can think of, which I appreciate.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much better the second time around! Reread this for book 6. I love everything about this series. Probably top 3 lit RPG of all time.!

[Sergio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a review of books 1 through 5.

Overall 2.5/5

Frank and House are the only reasons I stuck with this series

Biggest complaints:
There was never anything real at stake. All in game, nothing tied to the real world. It made all the "losses" and "wins" seem unimportant.
All the characters are extremely shallow - Again, the reader knows nothing about any of the player's real lives which translates to really flat characters.
The fights/battles/raids were repetitive and just plain boring.
Everything was far, far too easy to overcome for the MC and clan. No real setbacks ever happened throughout the entirety of the 5 books.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

This was an excellent end to this story arc with Ned and Frank, but I’m so excited to see that it isn’t the end of the Ripple System series.

Will Tyrann ever just give up on trying to bully Ned? Will Ersatz? Will we find out why Omen’s Benedict Arnold chose to burn those bridges? Will Frank’s loathing of the moon turn out to be foreshadowing, and not just irrational Frank-ness?

This book was suspenseful and intriguing. I loved trying to guess what Ned was planning, and was delightfully surprised when I learned the truth.

[Adam Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ned and Frank living up to FAFO!

Man what a ride! The build up to the Probability King Fight and then the fallout afterwards is amazing! Great action, lots of Frank being himself, and the continued subplot of who will win Darlings affection? Then there’s that darn moon…seems suspicious! What could it be up to? Everything you love about the series is on full display here!! Oh and a bonus for Tyrann and Ersatz getting spanked metaphorically! Good stuff!

[Jonah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In lieu of a review, an except from the MST3K song "The Greatest Frank of All"

Hopin' to find
Sweet Frank on the line,
Nothin' but sweet lovin' Frank.
Cause it's Frank
Cause it's knowin' that love
Could be Frank if only
The sun and the moon
Would collide to be Frank.
Let me be frank about Frank,
Let me be frank about Frank.
Let me be frank about Frank,
Cause Frank is the best Frank
That's ever happened to me.

[matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even Better than 4

Honestly, didn’t think Kyle could make me like this series any more than I do. But out of left field he ties all 4 books together at the end and does what a lot of authors struggle with. Finishes the book in a way that is satisfying but also leaves it open for more.

[james · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing can be bad but the twists are insane

I've been reading this series mostly for fun. The writing is ok, and the attempts at comedy can be overextended, but the ease of reading makes these books suck you in. This one specifically has the most unexpected twists that had me in shock

[Robert Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Rocking

These books are so well paced. This one is no different. Took a minute to remember where it left off, but picked right back up with the irreverent humor and action you can see in your mind's eye. Great story, universe is blissfully simple, advancement system is understandable, just fun all around.

[Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondrous Installment

Kirrin always does an awesome job of bringing little story elements and details together in surprising ways that still make sense.
Additionally, the way that stakes and tension are maintained in a series that all takes place in a video game continues to impress me.

Looking forward to the next one!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the journey but the destination wasn’t amazing. Wasn’t really a fan of the ending, I get it’s a little reset but it was really predictable.

The saboteur has been obvious from book 1/2 so it was a bit unsatisfying. The ending felt like it should be the last book IMO. Can’t go much further surely

[Jeff Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome ending that has caught me up to the most current book in this series. I have absolutely loved the character building and the story keeps me on my toes as far as what to expect. I thought I had some revelas and twists figured out but ended up being humbled there. Excellent read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in this genre!

[Joseph Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is probably one of the best litrpgs I've read. It's been amazing following Kirrin's writing talent growing with each and every book. The story is great, the characters are well written and relatable, and there were twists I genuinely did not see coming. Amazing job. I can't wait for the next book.

[Logan Horsford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unless talking about Hindu people, 'casted' is not a word. It is only a sign of how bad the USA educational system is. The past tense of ''cast" is "cast". He cast the spell. I realize that if you get enough stupid people together you can actually change the English language but in the meantime it just sounds stupid when you say 'casted'.

[Rumble Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Franked!

You’ll want to read this in one night, starts off a bit slow but near the end of the book you’ll find that wishes do come true. A pleasant read throughout and lots of Frank and shaft jokes. Looking forward to the next book when it releases.

[J.D. Glasscock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant Frank

I've been Franked once again... Another funny, kick booty story that Hits all the spots.. Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and Nocturne

[Murphies_law · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 25%

I am afraid that i got rather tired of both the litrpg genre and this series by now. The constant adolescent banter grates on my nerves and i don´t really care about competition in fantasy online games..

Maybe i am just too old for this stuff..

[Dillon McCardell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like a book full of fluff until the last 5%. No substance. Just words. The author rides on his ability to create great dialogue from Frank, but the lack of progress in this book made it all seem empty. More like a novella.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book in the series by far. It's amazing for an author to consistently pump out books that only get better. Some of the best character's and unexpected twists I've read. Please keep them coming. Looking forward to book 6!

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like a satisfying enough ending point to the series that I was surprised to learn that a sixth book is in the works.
Main character gets a little overpowered, but still ends up in plenty of seemingly unwinnable situations, so it stayed plenty entertaining :)

[Jason Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanfriggintastic

I absolutely love this book! This series is so much fun to read and it just keeps getting better. This went by way too quickly and now I'm left trying to find something else to fill the void that is Frank.

[Hannibal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the encounters in this book. From start to finish this book just went for it. Bringing so much from the story together. I don't know how they will keep building but I look forward to see where it goes from here!

[Ethan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endless possibilities, and 3 certainties:

1. Frankenings
2. House schemes
3. Moon hate

[Clinton Stanturf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really hard to put down it was an absolutely fantastic book from start to finsh. I can't wait for the next one already.

[Mr. J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start, but built up to a satisfying ending. MC is OP and largely broken. It'll be fun to see what Frank does next.