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The World #1
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After playing Online together for years, Jason and his friends are excited about the possibilities of the emerging technology of Full-Immersion Virtual Reality, aka FIVR. Preparing for the release of The World, Jason is determined to help his friends realize their dream of becoming pro gamers.
Choosing a 'Nightmare' start to get ahead of the wave of new players starting the game, Jason finds himself alone in the wild tasked with saving a group of refugees from goblin invaders. Although he manages to save the survivors, that's just the beginning of his trials as he desperately fights to bring them back from the edge of annihilation.
Jason is quickly swept up in the adventure as he struggles to build a home for his guildmates and the NPCs that he’s saved. As the trouble heats up, he quickly discovers that marauding goblins are the least of his concerns.
This is a LitRPG story and contains adult situations, foul language, MMORPG-style violence, and other fun things. Listen at your own risk.
Choosing a 'Nightmare' start to get ahead of the wave of new players starting the game, Jason finds himself alone in the wild tasked with saving a group of refugees from goblin invaders. Although he manages to save the survivors, that's just the beginning of his trials as he desperately fights to bring them back from the edge of annihilation.
Jason is quickly swept up in the adventure as he struggles to build a home for his guildmates and the NPCs that he’s saved. As the trouble heats up, he quickly discovers that marauding goblins are the least of his concerns.
This is a LitRPG story and contains adult situations, foul language, MMORPG-style violence, and other fun things. Listen at your own risk.
Audible Audio
First published September 3, 2018
1415 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Jason A. Cheek
25 books278 followersJason 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
January 13, 2019
RPG without a soul...😌
The story is pretty predictable and linear. MC is OP as hell. Never has too much of a challenge in progression of level. Survives due to plot armour which is quite thick.
Surrounding character development is ignored, world building is not focussed upon too much also.
Would recommend it in case you have nothing better to read on your monthly KU list.
The story is pretty predictable and linear. MC is OP as hell. Never has too much of a challenge in progression of level. Survives due to plot armour which is quite thick.
Surrounding character development is ignored, world building is not focussed upon too much also.
Would recommend it in case you have nothing better to read on your monthly KU list.
June 3, 2019
The sign of a good LitRPG is the desire to play in the game world after reading it. Cheek's "The World" certainly achieved that for me and makes me long for a time when FIVR/DDVR is possible.
Aside from the game and setting itself, Cheek does a good job representing the Inter-Guild Community one can get from an MMO, as well as the Griefer community.
Another good sign of the book is that It kept me reading until I completed it in a single sitting, and I will definitely continue with the series.
Aside from the game and setting itself, Cheek does a good job representing the Inter-Guild Community one can get from an MMO, as well as the Griefer community.
Another good sign of the book is that It kept me reading until I completed it in a single sitting, and I will definitely continue with the series.
November 28, 2018
Decent book
The book is entertaining and it has a lot of rpg type talk and lingo so it seems like it was written by a gamer. The action is good and the characters are interesting but the grudge carryover was just silly and boring it seemed forced.
The book is entertaining and it has a lot of rpg type talk and lingo so it seems like it was written by a gamer. The action is good and the characters are interesting but the grudge carryover was just silly and boring it seemed forced.
December 5, 2018
Great book and don't believe the plagiarism claims.
The author has incorporated quite a lot of gaming jargon and uses familiar gaming mechanics as well as a very common RPG enemy, goblins. The entrance to The World has the protagonist trying to save a camp of refugees being overrun by marauding goblins. Similar to Awaken Online in a way, but very different in many other ways. This is well worth a read.
The author has incorporated quite a lot of gaming jargon and uses familiar gaming mechanics as well as a very common RPG enemy, goblins. The entrance to The World has the protagonist trying to save a camp of refugees being overrun by marauding goblins. Similar to Awaken Online in a way, but very different in many other ways. This is well worth a read.
June 1, 2019
Solid LitRPG with great action
I have been busting through my share of LitRPG books and I finally got to this one. I tend to lean toward series with at least 3 books in them.
This one was great. I really enjoyed it.
Everything that I love in LitRPGs was present in this one (stats, questing, and more)
Already starting book 2, looking forward to it!
I have been busting through my share of LitRPG books and I finally got to this one. I tend to lean toward series with at least 3 books in them.
This one was great. I really enjoyed it.
Everything that I love in LitRPGs was present in this one (stats, questing, and more)
Already starting book 2, looking forward to it!
February 24, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the start the author engaged my interest with a compelling take on a well explored topic, sucked me in with an array of engaging characters and kept my interest with continuous action. The chapter breaks are necessary given the breakneck pace of the story. The true test is that I stayed awake far too long while reading because I did not want to put it down.
May 3, 2019
Love this book.
This is a great book. I couldn't put it down. Great characters with brilliant interplay between them and plenty of good geek references thrown in that made me chuckle.
This is a great book. I couldn't put it down. Great characters with brilliant interplay between them and plenty of good geek references thrown in that made me chuckle.
April 5, 2019
This book doesn't really follow a normal story arc and feels more like a serial that was pieced together quite well. However, this means that while it has some tension building and hints of resolution, the story just sort of ends during one tension building part.
I really liked the game system with smart NPCs, crafting, quests and some community building. Even if it wasn't unique in any way, it was perfect for me because I like reading more about the things I like without the author necessarily having to reinvent the wheel every time.
The biggest detractor was the MC. He almost lowered my rating to "It was OK". He isn't a bad guy, but definitely not a good one either. For example, he doesn't treat women with respect however much he thinks he does (he finds it OK, or even funny, to make lewd comments about a still half-naked victim of sexual assault) and he enjoys bullying the bullies way too much (eye for an eye instead of choosing the higher road). He is also continuously written into situations where he gets to be a hero or show off in some way. This can be really fun when done well and it's a character you actually like, but it just felt like one ego boost after another. Don't get me wrong! I've read plenty of books where the MC have been worse, and this one isn't awful. He just isn't very likable either.
I really liked the game system with smart NPCs, crafting, quests and some community building. Even if it wasn't unique in any way, it was perfect for me because I like reading more about the things I like without the author necessarily having to reinvent the wheel every time.
The biggest detractor was the MC. He almost lowered my rating to "It was OK". He isn't a bad guy, but definitely not a good one either. For example, he doesn't treat women with respect however much he thinks he does (he finds it OK, or even funny, to make lewd comments about a still half-naked victim of sexual assault) and he enjoys bullying the bullies way too much (eye for an eye instead of choosing the higher road). He is also continuously written into situations where he gets to be a hero or show off in some way. This can be really fun when done well and it's a character you actually like, but it just felt like one ego boost after another. Don't get me wrong! I've read plenty of books where the MC have been worse, and this one isn't awful. He just isn't very likable either.
November 26, 2018
Reminds me of another book
Alright let's get the hard part out of the way. The author borrows the set up for a book that's been out for two or so years now. The basic set up is far to similar. Guy gets dumped in middle of a goblin raid, ends up saving village, finds out that bit would be a great place for his guild to set up, learns a skill that lets him craft outside the box.
The MC pays extra money to be overpowered but wants you to believe that skill is the real important thing. Trust me it's not when you are 60 points higher than any base starting class you want lose to those who didn't get the boost. He walks all over any player he happens to fight and is hands down stronger than any player he meets in the game.
The plot gets somewhat interesting when he starts working on building the village but he leaves it and we hear nothing more of the village the rest of the book. Just him showing off how strong he is to other players.
In my opinion you should just pass on this book, it's seriously isn't worth the read.
Alright let's get the hard part out of the way. The author borrows the set up for a book that's been out for two or so years now. The basic set up is far to similar. Guy gets dumped in middle of a goblin raid, ends up saving village, finds out that bit would be a great place for his guild to set up, learns a skill that lets him craft outside the box.
The MC pays extra money to be overpowered but wants you to believe that skill is the real important thing. Trust me it's not when you are 60 points higher than any base starting class you want lose to those who didn't get the boost. He walks all over any player he happens to fight and is hands down stronger than any player he meets in the game.
The plot gets somewhat interesting when he starts working on building the village but he leaves it and we hear nothing more of the village the rest of the book. Just him showing off how strong he is to other players.
In my opinion you should just pass on this book, it's seriously isn't worth the read.
January 8, 2019
I just didn't like the MC. He went around m'ladying every female NPC and kept bitching about bullies so much that it made me think of him as some beta cuck. I think that the author tries too hard to make it look cool that it makes him lame instead.
Also, the game systems suck balls.
I swear to all that's good and holy, what I wouldn't give for a LitRPG novel with a decent game world where the mechanics were fair. But nope, all we get is some p2w super unbalanced tryhard crap.
Also, if authors could please stop making their MCs necros/assassins/daggerspells I would jump for joy. You know that there are other classes out there, right? What's wrong with being a really good tank or healer? Man, I'd be happy with a 2h warrior DPS story if he didn't have some op magic and pets on the side.
I read this via the audiobook and the narator had some weird pronunciations of gaming terms too which snapped me out of the immersion so look out for that.
If you really want to kill a few hours then I guess you can, but otherwise, don't bother.
Also, the game systems suck balls.
I swear to all that's good and holy, what I wouldn't give for a LitRPG novel with a decent game world where the mechanics were fair. But nope, all we get is some p2w super unbalanced tryhard crap.
Also, if authors could please stop making their MCs necros/assassins/daggerspells I would jump for joy. You know that there are other classes out there, right? What's wrong with being a really good tank or healer? Man, I'd be happy with a 2h warrior DPS story if he didn't have some op magic and pets on the side.
I read this via the audiobook and the narator had some weird pronunciations of gaming terms too which snapped me out of the immersion so look out for that.
If you really want to kill a few hours then I guess you can, but otherwise, don't bother.
April 9, 2020
Great writer and a good series to keep up with. I know some reviews claimed some degree of plagarism but now that I have read the cited works and so many others in the genre I think that has to be thrown out completely. This work is original and worthy of high regard. For a first work it seems very well done to me with a bit more pre setup than I usually like and at times the MC is slightly OP but those are super minor issues as whole a great work with good pacing and flow. I read the Kindle version and will probably get the audiobook later.
December 11, 2018
This book wasn't ready to be published. It's in dire need of pro-editing. And the sentences are just too long winded... Explanations and descriptions are too heavy. It just doesnt book you fast enough.
No offense to the author. It just needs work.
No offense to the author. It just needs work.
January 13, 2019
Fun and interesting focus and story so far
I like the anti-griefer ideal and the idea that there’s no question the hard way is the right way for Startum! Looking forward to the next book!
I like the anti-griefer ideal and the idea that there’s no question the hard way is the right way for Startum! Looking forward to the next book!
June 10, 2019
Loved it. Who wouldn't like a ride-along with gamers who play in an out-of-the-box style, constantly testing and re-setting the limits of what you can accomplish if you just give it a try? I felt like I was there.
When can I get the next one?
When can I get the next one?
November 1, 2018
Too Much Explaining?
This is another story where the author explains everything that's happening to the main characters? Some is needed but not half the story?
This is another story where the author explains everything that's happening to the main characters? Some is needed but not half the story?
March 25, 2019
A really entertaining jaunt, with lots of things that really fulfilled what I felt like reading.
I know there's some controversy with this book, but I honestly enjoyed it.
I know there's some controversy with this book, but I honestly enjoyed it.
September 26, 2019
DNF 5%
June 7, 2019
Not original enough, but an ok read.
October 5, 2018
LOVED IT....again
Came across second and third book in also recommend section on another book. They had good stars ratings, but was surprised book one was lower. After reading reviews it seems some of the opinion that the author copied others. At the start it all felt familiar, but after awhile realized I had read this book before. Little over a year ago I found LITRPG books and since I'm been off work for some surgery I had been read in dozen of books. Back them I trusted Amazon to tell me about the next book. I now follow authors I like more closely and also try to leave reviews. So about the copying I feel most LITRPG are just one form of coping anyway, and I was quickly involved In A book I already read so I highly recommend. So g lad I found this author again. I look in my history and I haven't read any other of the authors books. So glad to have two more in this series, plus another series to try.
Came across second and third book in also recommend section on another book. They had good stars ratings, but was surprised book one was lower. After reading reviews it seems some of the opinion that the author copied others. At the start it all felt familiar, but after awhile realized I had read this book before. Little over a year ago I found LITRPG books and since I'm been off work for some surgery I had been read in dozen of books. Back them I trusted Amazon to tell me about the next book. I now follow authors I like more closely and also try to leave reviews. So about the copying I feel most LITRPG are just one form of coping anyway, and I was quickly involved In A book I already read so I highly recommend. So g lad I found this author again. I look in my history and I haven't read any other of the authors books. So glad to have two more in this series, plus another series to try.
December 14, 2018
Great LitRPG!
I first picked this book because I read in the info that one of Jason Cheek's influences was Aleron Kong, author of The Land series, that I absolutely loved. I got drawn in to The World because Jason's very obviously a top notch gamer which he really displays in the technical and mastery MMORPG descriptions and strategies. I have actually learned some really good info to apply to my own gaming! Let me be clear though, this is not a technical how to play RPGs book, this is a fiction novel with a great lead role. Startum is a good guy that any of us would love to have running our guild. Strong and smart, and doesn't put up with the crap those ever annoying PK campers love to dish out. I am on to book 2! I really hope some day I get a chance to play in real life with Jason! I am always "Mommysrule" See you in the future! Maybe even in VRMMORPG!
I first picked this book because I read in the info that one of Jason Cheek's influences was Aleron Kong, author of The Land series, that I absolutely loved. I got drawn in to The World because Jason's very obviously a top notch gamer which he really displays in the technical and mastery MMORPG descriptions and strategies. I have actually learned some really good info to apply to my own gaming! Let me be clear though, this is not a technical how to play RPGs book, this is a fiction novel with a great lead role. Startum is a good guy that any of us would love to have running our guild. Strong and smart, and doesn't put up with the crap those ever annoying PK campers love to dish out. I am on to book 2! I really hope some day I get a chance to play in real life with Jason! I am always "Mommysrule" See you in the future! Maybe even in VRMMORPG!
November 30, 2018
This is a great story
While there are some typos, the story is put together very well. The characters are well fleshed out, world building is good, as well as the pace. After seeing the 2nd and 3rd books in the series a few weeks ago, I was looking for this one, and couldn't find it. After some internet searching I found that it was removed because of Luke Chlemencko (?) flagging it for plagiarism. I read his series a few months back, and this accusation is total B.S. Other than being the same genre and involving a video game, there is zero similarity. I consider this a d!@& move on Luke's part. While his series was also good, I think this one may be better. Good job Jason, fighting the good fight against the griefers (Luke Syndicate? lol). Keep up the good work, and don't make me wait too long for sequels. I'm glad this book got back onto Amazon.
While there are some typos, the story is put together very well. The characters are well fleshed out, world building is good, as well as the pace. After seeing the 2nd and 3rd books in the series a few weeks ago, I was looking for this one, and couldn't find it. After some internet searching I found that it was removed because of Luke Chlemencko (?) flagging it for plagiarism. I read his series a few months back, and this accusation is total B.S. Other than being the same genre and involving a video game, there is zero similarity. I consider this a d!@& move on Luke's part. While his series was also good, I think this one may be better. Good job Jason, fighting the good fight against the griefers (Luke Syndicate? lol). Keep up the good work, and don't make me wait too long for sequels. I'm glad this book got back onto Amazon.
September 22, 2018
Great story, couldn't put it down! Confused about the controversy.
When I went to post my review, I was confused at all of the controversy that seemed to be going on about the story. The series was excellent and I read all three books straight through. While there are similar ideas in the series like all LitRPG books, the story is unique and told the story in its own unique way and is nothing like the other books discussed in some of these reviews. Can't wait for the next book to come out!
When I went to post my review, I was confused at all of the controversy that seemed to be going on about the story. The series was excellent and I read all three books straight through. While there are similar ideas in the series like all LitRPG books, the story is unique and told the story in its own unique way and is nothing like the other books discussed in some of these reviews. Can't wait for the next book to come out!
August 27, 2020
Dear Author WELL PLAYED!
Let's face it it wasnt the synopsis but the WARNINGS that totally convinced me to start this series. Hence my well played! I've an avid reader(400+books on my goodreads last year) but this is a relatively new genre for me which is weird since I'm a AD n D nerd since 2nd edition lol. Ive read like Dragonlance ect but not series that are mmorgs or like this its the virtual gaming aspects that got me reading this genre specifically and this is my 3rd series (I'm actually about to start book 3 but never review until I get past book 2) and just damn! Wow! LOVING this series so much because Jason is doing and playing so creatively and out of the box which is was always allowed by DM who never wanted us to be "just" any one pigeon holed character. Oh how I wish this was a RL available game cause I want to play. If your a real gamer you will so appreciate this series, heck even a part time rpg gamer will get how truly mind blowing this story premise is. Not just another mmorpg story so please people click and download! Hope you love it too!
Let's face it it wasnt the synopsis but the WARNINGS that totally convinced me to start this series. Hence my well played! I've an avid reader(400+books on my goodreads last year) but this is a relatively new genre for me which is weird since I'm a AD n D nerd since 2nd edition lol. Ive read like Dragonlance ect but not series that are mmorgs or like this its the virtual gaming aspects that got me reading this genre specifically and this is my 3rd series (I'm actually about to start book 3 but never review until I get past book 2) and just damn! Wow! LOVING this series so much because Jason is doing and playing so creatively and out of the box which is was always allowed by DM who never wanted us to be "just" any one pigeon holed character. Oh how I wish this was a RL available game cause I want to play. If your a real gamer you will so appreciate this series, heck even a part time rpg gamer will get how truly mind blowing this story premise is. Not just another mmorpg story so please people click and download! Hope you love it too!
September 22, 2018
I have to say I really enjoyed the book
I started reading the story at work and couldn’t put it down all day. I’ve already picked up book two. Even though book one had to go through the mechanics of the game, it moved through all of that junk pretty quickly while keeping the story moving. Reading through the story reminded me of my own group of friends playing together online.
I started reading the story at work and couldn’t put it down all day. I’ve already picked up book two. Even though book one had to go through the mechanics of the game, it moved through all of that junk pretty quickly while keeping the story moving. Reading through the story reminded me of my own group of friends playing together online.
September 21, 2018
Loved it
I went into reading this not knowing what people thought about this book. There are similar ideas on this book like all LitRPG books but the story and how its explained is nothing like the others. I loved it and have read all 3 books in 2 days. I can not wait for more.
I went into reading this not knowing what people thought about this book. There are similar ideas on this book like all LitRPG books but the story and how its explained is nothing like the others. I loved it and have read all 3 books in 2 days. I can not wait for more.
October 1, 2018
Pretty good, better than a lot of the genre, three books in the series so far, good enough to read all three one right after another, good characters, storyline, plenty of action, well written, engaging, keeps you interested wanting to know what's going to happen next. I wouldn't say this is the best of the genre, but certainly not the worst either and probably better than a lot of what you might come across.
November 8, 2018
Astounding
I'm always skeptical when reading new authors, but I was thoroughly impressed with Mr. Cheek. The time he takes to flesh out his world and characters, granting real emotions to them is refreshing. Great job brother, looking forward to more
I'm always skeptical when reading new authors, but I was thoroughly impressed with Mr. Cheek. The time he takes to flesh out his world and characters, granting real emotions to them is refreshing. Great job brother, looking forward to more
January 28, 2019
I listened to the book I got on Audible.. I am a big LitRPG fan having played MMO's for ever my 1st sandbox was Ultima Online... DAOC then WOW. And plenty more.. I can relate to your story. and loved it.. A little slot to start, but most are due to toon development. But once it get going its GREAT!!! Thanks Jason Cheek...
Tim V
Tim V
September 30, 2018
Plagiarism? Copyrights? whatever... that's what lawyers are for.
All that aside, this is an entertaining and well-told story. It kept my interest through all three books of which this is the first. I am only sorry that I have to wait for book 4.
All that aside, this is an entertaining and well-told story. It kept my interest through all three books of which this is the first. I am only sorry that I have to wait for book 4.
November 5, 2018
Good book.
I was worried when the author said the copy was rough.it wasn't bad at all. Easy read. Good story. Nice pacing.
I was worried when the author said the copy was rough.it wasn't bad at all. Easy read. Good story. Nice pacing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews