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The threat has been identified, the TransDimensional Counterforce assembled. Now the true battle begins.

Lynn Raven thought she was fighting for glory and fortune. Instead, she finds she’s fighting for humanity’s very survival. But how do you defeat something you can’t see or understand?

The world’s best and brightest have come together to give humanity a fighting chance, and now Lynn has to find her place in the war effort. Boldness and competence are no longer a gaming mask to put on for the cameras, but a vital mindset shift she needs to survive. Can Lynn and her online persona, Larry, become one, and if they do, will it be enough?

The world doesn’t know the apocalypse it faces, and there are forces behind the scenes determined to re-shape society intotheir preferred image.

Lynn and her team will face enemies foreign, domestic, and alien, no matter the cost. And then the other shoe drops.

If Lynn has any hope of coming out alive and on top, she’ll have to up her game—and that of her team—beyond anything she thought possible.

And even that might not be enough.

At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

John Ringo is the New York Times best-selling author of the Black Tide Rising series, the Posleen War series, the Through the Looking Glass series, and more, including the Troy Rising series, of which Live Free or Die is the first installment. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction.

Lydia Sherrer is the award-winning and USA Today best-selling author of urban fantasy series Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus—the Lily Singer Adventures. She has most recently written a trilogy of Gamelit novels with New York Times best-selling author John Ringo.

Praise for Into the Real:
“The disturbing realism is balanced by dangerous monsters, clever tactics, explosive action, and a compelling twist at the end . . . immersive, highly technical near-future sf; perfect for dedicated gamers or for fans of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One.” —Library Journal

“I found myself enjoying the story and Raven’s relationship with the AI that’s her guide in the game, and I was invested throughout. It wasn’t so much a coming-of-age story as a growing into and appreciating one’s own skin . . . I’m really looking forward to how things will play out from here.” —The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

“Ringo and Sherrer have created a modern day Ender’s Game using the technology of Pokémon Go . . . The characters are vivid and interesting, and the action is strong enought to carry you away.” —Upstream Reviews

“The futuristic world of the gamers and the game itself will interest sf readers. . . . Teens will relate to Lynn, the main character, and if they are gamers, they will enjoy her gamer and VR adventures.” —Booklist

416 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

70 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

John Ringo

101 books1,835 followers
John Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.

In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.

He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.


Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

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5 stars
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27 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Andrea.
832 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2026
More technical

This final book in the TransDimensional Hunter series is very technical, with military calculations and quantum physics details that left me scratching my head. Once the focus shifted back to our beloved Hunter team, though, the action was satisfying and very exciting. This is a testament to the quality of writing, since there was little variation in the battle sequences. Of course, the boss entities got huger and more destructive with each battle, and it was intriguing that Lynn seemed to have some type of immunity to their damage. I enjoyed the thought process she used to suss out where the threat came from, and the last battle was truly epic, plus it was then that Lynn’s alter ego, Larry, was revealed to the gratifying astonishment of all. I kept waiting for Mack’s “imaginary” girlfriend to appear, and when she did, it was amusing to learn that her friends thought Mack was imaginary, too. A satisfying end to this series — I hope they will live happily ever after now.
7 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2026
too good

This book came out yesterday, I speed read it and enjoyed it. I have recommended the series to my kids.

I am sad this is the last book in the series
84 reviews
February 8, 2026
Wow

What an awesome end to the series! I'm not into spoilers, but I have to say that the authors did a wonderful job continuing to build the characters, describe the action, and have everything resolve. The book completely engrossed me, just like the previous three did.

On the editing, I think I spotted maybe 2 errors, so well done!!

The entire series is well worth your time to read. I'm familiar with Lydia Sherrer's work through her Lily Singer books, and while this is a completely different theme from what she normally writes, I have to say that it does align with her normal attention to detail and character development. Absolutely awesome!

This series caused me to check out John Ringo, who I'd never read before. I read the Black Tide Rising series and enjoyed it completely. It was more detailed than I expected a zombie apocalypse series to be. I totally see why he'd choose to work with Lydia since their styles complement each other beautifully.

So definitely take the time to read and enjoy this book, and the previous three in the series of you haven't already. Just make sure you have some time for your reading since you'll have a difficult time walking away from the reading action!
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 21, 2025
This book is a satisfying conclusion to the Transdimensional Hunter series. The world-building is believable, the characters feel real, and if you're already invested in them through the previous books, you will enjoy how they continue to grow and cope with the challenges thrown at them in fighting the "invasion". There's a lot of wholesome, real-life wisdom to be gleaned along with entertainment here. You don't have to like gaming or fantasy, really, to enjoy this story, but if you do, you will, too. The book starts a little slowly, due to the training the fighter force must go through. A lot of boxes are checked. Like tactics and strategy? Check. Relationship building? Check. Brave action against impossible odds? Check. A little romance? Check. Unexpected twists and turns? Check. The world actually getting saved? Check! A very satisfying ending? Double check! The only big problem with the book is...it ended.
Truth in advertising: I'm Lydia's mother. I taught her everything she knows! (not really). She gave me (I demanded) a book early in exchange for a review. Her sister and nephews will be here for Christmas. Now they will fight over reading it!
31 reviews
February 5, 2026
Good story, dragged down by right wing ideology

I can suspend my disbelief of invisible aliens attacking the world, but the right is the calm helpful side and the left is only bad in all ways. I was waiting to see if a bunch of Trans kids would the ones who summoned the aliens in a demon ritual in a pizza place basement, that didn't have a basement. You got a hacker who is worried about the patriarchy, cause that would be a thing. I don't want to list the views of the author, but accept that anytime it's bad it's because of liberals. Not a right wing politician who ignores problem because the don't want to pay for fixing it, then flying off to some paradise island and leave the peasants to die. Who was it that freaked out about wearing masks, said we should inject bleach, told us to take horse tranquilizers to cure a disease, and that started rumors with no evidence that vaccine kill and cause autism? I know this is fantasy, but pretending the right is the sane and smart side is really out there.
33 reviews
February 14, 2026
Transdimensional Hunter Series- Read this series!

I have purchased and read each of the four books in this series, and withheld any reviews until now. Not because the previous three weren't just as awesome, but I hate repeating myself.

John Ringo and Lydia Sherrer make such excellent writing partners!

Through this series the interest in discovering the new game, the relatable characters, each of their story line building until you don't want to put the books down, once started! And each book drew me in so deeply, I was even reading all the scientific explanations. I never do that!

I won't go through the storyline as soon many others do. If you don't already love Science Fiction, you will after reading this series!

So what are you waiting for? Purchase it already and get started!
146 reviews
February 11, 2026
I recommend reading this series in order to fully enjoy and experience the story.

John Ringo did an excellent job in choosing his writing partner, Lydia Sherrer. Having read both authors, I could feel both of their influences, but not to the point where I wasted time trying to figure out who wrote what. This whole series felt like a true amalgamation, not a “You write this section, and I’l write that.” I loved the progression of the characters throughout the series. Very satisfying conclusion!!

Gaming, teen drama, body image, family dynamics (good and bad), military ethos, sadness, outrage, and triumph, just to name a few topics covered in this story about on-line gaming and AI, aimed at a (possibly) IRL enemy. Seriously, this series has it all!

I highly recommend this series!!!
2,731 reviews12 followers
February 22, 2026
What an ending!!!

The contest is over. The truth is revealed. The threat is real! Lynn Raven and the Skadi Wolves are now members of the TransDimensional Counterforce. While the public believes the TD Hunters are gaming, they are actually fighting an unseen enemy for the survival of humanity. The secrecy must be maintained or chaos will ensue, so Lynn/Larry will wear the persona the people need to see in the fight of their lives.

Gripping virtual gaming action! I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
Profile Image for Elena.
64 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2026
Unstoppable Read

Once again, Lydia Sherrer and John Ringo had me reading non- stop. The characters we've gotten to know through the previous TDH books have grown up and on us. Anyone who has faced tough family situations will identify with these men and women as they continue to face who they are, who they are becoming, and how to save the world at the same time.

There's something in the novel for everyone: coming of age drama/romance, sci-fi, political thriller, action/ adventure.
17 reviews
March 3, 2026
Non-stop action, and a great story

When I started reading the first book, I just wasn't sure. But then the storyline and characters hooked me, and I never looked back. I checked the first 2 books out from from the library, but when the third wasn't available, I broke down and bought the thing, and I wasn't disappointed. It was money well spent. Dystopian, alien invasion, romance, humor, intriguing gaming angle, and an awesome fight to the death, and all through the eyes of a teenager. If you start, you'll have to finish, so man up and get it done.
Profile Image for Gwenyth.
12 reviews
February 5, 2026
Thank you!

These Transdimensional Hunter books have been a breath of hope in this difficult political time.
Centered on one young woman learning to fight unimaginable monsters in a near future U.S. while finishing high school, we participate vicariously as she to trust the team of four friends she fights with. Their persistence and courage lead them to the highest levels of competition and success.
Profile Image for John Garrett.
62 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2026
A fine finish to a great series.

I found myself admiring Lynn Raven as much as any character I've had the pleasure to come across in fiction.

My only quibble, and it's VERY minor, is that she's a LOT too opinionated. But maybe that's part of her charm. And her coming-of-age story is amazingly well written. Her mother is equally amazing.

I'll come back in about a year and re-read the series again.
Profile Image for Ed Hillenbrand.
64 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2026
A fitting conclusion for a great series. As one has come to expect with Ms. Sherrer's writing the character development is amazing and well thought out. Combined with Mr. Ringo's battle scenes it's a surefire page turner. I highly recommend this to any fan of sci-fi or just darn good writing. Enjoy! Read time 10-12 hours.
Profile Image for Jane Moore.
13 reviews
Read
February 6, 2026
Action-filled conclusion to the TD Hunter series!

So much packed into this last (we can hope for more stories, right?) book - twists and turns, action aplenty, new and familiar faces.
I went from laughs to happy smiles to worry for our heroes to tears a couple of times! More than once I was dazzled by the word pictures drawn by the authors.
12 reviews
February 10, 2026
great conclusion to a fun series

This is the fourth book in the series. I really like the series as I don’t normally read young adult fiction. I find it peculiar. It turns out that I really enjoyed all four books of the series and read each one in one setting. I can’t give it a higher recommendation.
Profile Image for Stanley.
511 reviews7 followers
February 15, 2026
great

I’ve read John Ringo for years and years, I haven’t been disappointed with a single one of his books. And I believe I’ve read all of his collaborations and the authors he has chosen to collaborate with have all done his ideas justice. This book doesn’t disappoint in any way and only makes me want to read all of Lydia’s books.
Profile Image for Tammy Themel.
7 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2026
Too Good to be Done

Such a great series. Strong female characters realistically complex. The story wraps up in a satisfyingly unsatisfying way. I want more and yet am satisfied with what the authors provided.

Maybe sometime in the near future we will hear more from Lynn and Skadi’s Wolves.
2 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2026
Left turn

I don't know, I misunderstood I guess. I could have sworn in one of the first two books they talked about finding a spaceship that was coming their way in the distant solar system or someth
ing. Now all of a sudden there's some beam going into space from the 70s that brought this transdimensional force in that to me just didn't work.
4 reviews
February 9, 2026
fun series!

I can’t count the times I full on belly laughed reading this series! Like most things Ringi, he has a a way of bringing the images to life. Thanks John , and you Lydia for the hours of fun!
Profile Image for Terry.
26 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2026
Very good series

I enjoyed this series very much. Some of the science was beyond me but I still liked it. The different phases of the main character's growth were intriguing to follow and it was great to watch the team come together.
179 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2026
A Present Worth Unwrapping

Thoroughly enjoyed all of these books.
Many times the final book in a series leaves something to be desired, but I think this series was done justice by not rushing to the finish line in three books.
Thanks for the fun ride.
80 reviews
February 4, 2026
Great finish to an excellent series

Fantastic read. Loved it. Kudos to the authors for such an entertaining four books. Get it and read it. I am sure you will love it too
1 review
February 5, 2026
I want more!!

I can’t believe this is the end of the series,I want more! I have enjoyed all the books of this series.
Profile Image for Jon.
291 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2026
Great story

Not often you can find a story that ties military and gaming so well together. Well worth the read for the entire series
Profile Image for Thomas.
2 reviews
February 9, 2026
Great read

Good finish to the trilogy. Wish I could play TD Hunter, myself. Can't wait for the next collaboration from these authors.
Profile Image for Gary.
55 reviews
February 9, 2026
Great series. Could not put it down, I got fussed at for reading all the time and late into the night.
It is very well written from both a female and male point of view.
189 reviews
February 12, 2026
Last in the series...Only reason I gave it a 4 was because it was too technical. Once it picked up the storyline it was so good. Although I learned alot...
Profile Image for Matthew McLaughlin.
13 reviews
February 16, 2026
great book amazing authors

This is a book that you should not miss. a wonderful conclusion. to the story and. collaboration. 100% worth the time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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