Terminus

Stellar Frontier #1

by Jason A. Cheek, Lynja Sternenlied (translator)

Stellar Frontier ist der neueste sensationelle Hit, der die Welt im Sturm erobert hat. Es ist das erste vollständig immersive Virtual-Reality-Sci-Fi-MMORPG auf dem Markt. Riesige Gilden führen regelmäßig Kriege um ganze Sternensysteme, und es ist bekannt, dass Spione aus der realen Welt sich feindlichen Gilden anschließen, um ihnen Milliarden von Credits im Spiel zu rauben. Das Geld, das Online-Streamer mit der Vorführung ihrer erfolgreichen Eroberungen und Raids verdienen, hat sich zu einem großen Geschäft entwickelt, bei dem jeder mitmachen möchte.

Leider konnte Drew nicht bei dem Spaß mitmachen, obwohl er Teil des ersten Kickstarters war, da er in der Armee feststeckte, als die berüchtigte Vaporware endlich veröffentlicht wurde. Vier Jahre später ist er nach Hause zurückgekehrt und möchte spielen. Zu seinem Entsetzen hatten seine alten Gildenkameraden von Vindicated nicht gewechselt. Sie spielten immer noch World of Swords and Sorcery. Da das Spiel nur noch wenige Tage läuft, bevor die Server abgeschaltet werden, beschließen sie, sich ihm in Stellar Frontier anzuschließen, um sich einen Namen zu machen.

Das einzige Problem ist, dass Drew und seine Freunde vier Jahre im Rückstand sind. Sie müssen sich durch einen Shitstorm der größeren Gilden kämpfen, um im Level aufzusteigen und ihren Ruf wiederherzustellen. Zu allem Überfluss wurde der Hauptberuf, den Drew zum Wiederaufbau seiner Gilde benötigt, von den Admins stark generft.

Dies ist eine GameLit-Geschichte und enthält Gewalt, explizite Kraftausdrücke, Fluchen und Verwünschungen, Nacktheit, explizites Zerhacken und Aufschlitzen, Verrat, eingenässte Hosen, unsachgemäße Verwendung von Motorrädern, schnelles Fahren im Allgemeinen, Diebstahl, Brandstiftung, Power Leveling, Twinking, PVP, Androiden, die sich nach Menschen sehnen, zahlreiche kurvenreiche Avatare, unrealistische Darstellungen von Körbchengrößen, verliebte Neuters, Androiden, die fragen, wer dein Daddy ist, zahlreiche Plug-and-Play-Add-ons, Unmengen an virtueller Gewalt und Blut von außerirdischen Monstern, die versuchen, dir das Gesicht abzureißen, PVE, Spawn Camping, Handy-Hacking, Account-Hacking, Situationen für Erwachsene, künstliche Gebärmütter, eine Ärztin mit schlechter Einstellung, Untreue, Beziehungen zu Androiden, Brutalität von Androiden, Gewalt im MMORPG-Stil, Anspielungen auf nicht einvernehmliche Beziehungen, einvernehmliche Beziehungen, Naked Raids, Mord, versuchter
Mord, Rationalisierungen, Misshandlung, Enthauptungen, Gewalt zwischen Piraten, Klatsch, Defenestration, Rationalisierungen, ungewöhnliche Moralvorstellungen, Beziehungen zu NPCs, Beziehungen zu Spielern, Stalking, Plünderungen, Frauenhelden, Mansplaining, Bestechung, LAN-Partys, unrealistische Darstellungen des Einsatzes übergroßer futuristischer Schusswaffen, unrealistische Darstellungen des Einsatzes übermächtiger futuristischer Klingen, gewagte Science-Fiction-Gaming-Tropen, persönliche Wutausbrüche, Körperverletzung und Tätlichkeiten, Messerstechereien , exzessives Schießen, Kannibalismus, allgemeines Chaos, spezifisches Chaos, Selbstverbrennungen, Explosionen, Massenvernichtungswaffen, existenzielle Diskussionen, kontroverse Themen der Science-Fiction-Fangemeinde, Beziehungen in der realen Welt, Beziehungen, Spielfeld, Respektlosigkeit gegenüber Autoritätspersonen, exzessives Womansplaining, Beziehungen im Spiel, Invasion durch Außerirdische, Invasion durch Piraten, Bandengewalt, unsachgemäße Verwendung von Stims, schlecht gelaunte Marines, Verschwörungstheorien, Zusammenleben, Männer, die Frauen spielen, digitale Prostitution, Ausbluten, Frau

488 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2024

About the author

Jason A. Cheek, author of The World and The Last Paladin Series, lives in Germany due to his current job assignment. He lives with his wife and daughter, along with their two dogs Monte and Melow. Originally from West Palm Beach, Jason was born in Florida.

Interested in martial arts, swords, archery, Dungeon & Dragons, the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronisms), reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Jason became a computer gamer after leaving the Army. Paying his own way through college while working as a waiter, he studied to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant.

Teaching himself computers and networking on his own time. Jason changed career paths, becoming a Regional Systems Administrator several years later. During this time, he played many hours of first person shooters and strategy games at LAN parties around the United States or logged into Anarchy Online and World of Warcraft leading his guilds.

Excelling in his career as an Information Technology Specialist, Jason became a Microsoft Certified Systems Security Engineer and VMware Certified Professional, furthering his knowledge by learning new technology whenever possible.

Expanding his horizons, Jason became interested in extreme sports and traveling. Finding a job that allowed him to travel around the world while working on computers, he taught himself German and Polish and met his wife Anja.

Always interested in writing, Jason began his first novel called Flight, Book One of The Last Paladin Series, in 2013 and self-published the next year in 2014. He went on to continue writing, releasing the popular series The World in 2018.

Reviews

[laura kraxberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always depend on Mr cheeks for first rate adventure

While I found the engineering system a little complicated for my non elite brain, as usual Mr cheeks wowed me with non stop adventure. I really enjoyed the space setting and robots. Looking forward to the space ship adventures! The best thing is that no matter which book is released for either series.......I win!

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not as big of a Sci-Fi fan as I am of Fantasy, but this was enjoyable. I'll read the next one. Jason does a great job of mixing humor into his writing. The story was generally easy to follow. I look forward to more of Zero's adventures.

[Travis Kole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been very bullish about Cheek since first login and the controversy with that first book. Whether warranted or not, there were similarities between his book and others and then he had a period of going after reviewers which never sat well with me.

I decided to give him another shot and I don't think his style is for me. Simularish start to first login. You got this guy that is head of a guild thay is a total badass that got his group to top of the game and then decide to try something different. Guy doesn't go for the hardest difficulty in this one but still goes solo and off to the races we go

I love the beginning backstory of the game and thought the lore and some of these minor characters are really good. Battle scenes and action are also really good. Jason definitely knows how to put you in the center of the action. There are a couple major things that set it back which are similar to first login.

Dude, Darkzero/Andrew a whiny dick. He complains throughout the entire novel whenever he doesn't get things his way or that things are difficult because he makes them that way on purpose. Then complains to the npcs about perceiving to be wronged. It's constant and over the top.

The 2nd thing which also happens throughout the entire novel is that his inner monologuing is constant preaching. It's almost like we get to see Jason views on politics jammed through this guys thinking. If its every now and again, fine. It's constant, though, that we get to hear things about school loans, gamer hygiene and stereotypes, etc. Basically it's hard to like both his MCs in both of his popular series.

[Leslie Baptiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

terminus a good story, but it ended on a cliffhanger.

I enjoyed the book, the MC was sensible as well as likable. The world is interesting and there aren’t too many Science Fiction lit RPG books out there. The only issue I have with the story is it ending on a cliffhanger. I personally I’m not fond of cliffhangers. as the author said the story may continue, maybe. Write a book and let it stand on its own and your ratings will show you that we liked it or not. if I knew this book ended on a cliffhanger I would not have read it. that’s the only reason it did not get a five star review.

[Dark Ape · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd give it 3-stars, but the ending did not leave impressed and there is still so much left unknown that it this book was basically some slow backstory, "I'm going to finally play the game I've waited over 6 years for," "Holy crap this hard to play when you don't bother to RTFM," "I am an adrenaline junkie and kick butt," to the ending which was just a stupid place to leave it; it could make sense, but it leaves nothing resolved from the beginning except that he is now playing the game and has done so for less than 24 hours...

Cool action and some character building, really only 2.5 others besides the MC, but not enough plot for me.

[Daniel S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it

This is a LitRPG, the first book follows the MC exclusively. There is tons of action, and the story does not advance much... just 12ish hours. I feel like I'm beside the MC the whole time, which isn't a bad thing, yet at the same time I want to skip past the game grind of actually playing a RPG. The suggestion I have is - pick up the pacing a bit, highlight parts of missions while glossing over some of the details.

I enjoyed the story and I have also read the World series and will probably continue reading.

[Christopher Belan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left wanting

I love the setting, but... Where are the other players? Why allow a game company to spawn monsters out of thin air right on top of you? Monsters multiply every 15 minutes. How did this entire book take place in less than one day? Suspension of belief is too much for a VR game. And he never needed to go to the bathroom all day. I might read the sequel, but this is not as good as it could have been.

[John Yanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of Stellar Frontier

I have read many LitRPG / GameLit books and I really enjoyed this one. Mr. Cheek's world-building skills are immersive and creative. I love that it takes place in an outer space setting, which is different from a lot of books that I read in this genre, plus the characters are likeable, down to earth people. This is my first book that I have read by this author. I will happily buy and read more from him.

[Joel Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical at first. I should not have been. This is an Amazing book and I am looking forward to the next one! The story is one of the best SciFi LitRPG books I have read in the past year. This includes stories on RR with the highest view count/ratings. The mix of detail and background makes it interesting. If you liked gun gale/sword art online, Reborn: Apocalypse, Brimstone Fantasy, or The Scourged Earth you will love this book!

[Jared Felker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. I came to Terminus from the authors other series. Now I'm waiting for the next installment of both. I'm always left wanting to know what happens next in a good way, and I find the concept of developing the NPCs into sentient entities compelling in light of what AI will be capable of in the years to come.

[James Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.

Ok I really like the book! I love the game you are setting up and our solo hero. Please for the love of god miner is a person that mines, the word you mean to use 99% of the time is Minor. I kept getting confused by miner buffs when he was not mining. There you have stretches of using the wrong many times a page. Other than that I really loved your book.

[Scott Ray Jorgenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series

Another great world start in a FIVR sci-fi setting. Looking forward to where this goes and a nice solo experience change for book 1. Lots of new skills and fighting but that is enjoyed and expected when a new world and interface is introduced.

[James Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

started fine but then

Devolved into a grind, with no real story. This looks like a script for a game rather than a book to be read. A bit more focus on the character and others like in the start of the book would have helped…

[Johnie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read

I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action

[Scott Voyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Starts off slow but gets better. Combination of litrpg and science fiction taking place in a game that requires pods.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new Series

Great start to a new Series from Jason Cheek. Hard core gaming and plenty of action. Crunchy without being monotonous. Can't wait for more.

[Bonniejean · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!!

Loved this book. Character development was awesome and the nonstop action kept me going. Mr Cheek does not disappoint. On to the next one

[Mike Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun

A new series started well for the author. He has maintained his excellent writing and snark levels. Great fun to read

[Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please keep descriptions consistent.

It might seem unimportant to some readers, however, I find it distracting (borderline annoying) when descriptions of characters, objects, robots, weapons, vehicles, etc cetera do not match. Example "...it was as tall as a two story house" later turned into "...an 8 foot robot". Minor issue, but becomes annoying with repetition. Overall, a good read.