What do you think?
Rate this book
The Arena Mode Saga #3
Final Empire
THE ARENA MODE SAGA - KICKSTARTER’S #1 MOST-FUNDED SCIENCE-FICTION SERIES OF ALL TIME
"Blake Northcott's Arena Mode series grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. She's telling a story about unique characters in a unique world, and she's doing it with a unique voice. More, please." – Mark Waid (Kingdom Come) ★★★★★
"Blake Northcott is the most exciting new voice to come to superheroes in over a decade. She's got a brand new angle on this material. I genuinely think she's going to be a game-changer." - Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Wanted) ★★★★★
"Sometimes you get a chance to jump on board a writers career at the start, before everybody else discovers how good they are. Blake Northcott is that opportunity. So jump on her already...wait, just read her books." - Dave Johnson (Superman: Red Son, Deadpool) ★★★★★
“Blake Northcott is pretty much is making nerd dreams come true. Action, Suspense and Comics all at once? Can I make that a double, with a large side of blow your mind? ! Try not to fall in love. I dare you!” - Regina Carpinelli, CEO and Founder of Stan Lee's Comikaze ★★★★★
SUMMARY
Around the globe, superhumans are fighting to the death. One-on-one battles are routinely breaking out in every major city from Toronto to Tokyo, Stockholm to San Francisco. No one knows when or where these battles are going to occur, but the result is always the same: the loser dies, while the winner is escorted away by an unmanned aircraft, eluding authorities.
Unlike the sanctioned Arena Mode events that have occurred in the past, these melees are wreaking havoc in populated downtown areas – demolishing buildings, and leaving civilian casualties in their wake.
As the death toll rises and governments scramble to secure their cities, Matthew Moxon – now trying to live out his remaining years in relative seclusion – is unwillingly dragged back into the spotlight by the mysterious game master who is using the entire planet as his battlefield.
Meanwhile, the death of Sergei Taktarov and the collapse of his Red Army have left a vacuum. Millions of followers, fascinated with the notion of demi-gods roaming the Earth, are desperately seeking a new spiritual leader, and a dangerous force is more than willing to take up the mantle.
As the Arena Mode Saga thunders to a conclusion, battle lines will be drawn. Friendships will be torn apart. And as Mox, Peyton, Brynja and their allies face the most destructive superhuman the world has ever seen, sacrifices will have to be made – and not everyone will survive.
"Blake Northcott's Arena Mode series grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. She's telling a story about unique characters in a unique world, and she's doing it with a unique voice. More, please." – Mark Waid (Kingdom Come) ★★★★★
"Blake Northcott is the most exciting new voice to come to superheroes in over a decade. She's got a brand new angle on this material. I genuinely think she's going to be a game-changer." - Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Wanted) ★★★★★
"Sometimes you get a chance to jump on board a writers career at the start, before everybody else discovers how good they are. Blake Northcott is that opportunity. So jump on her already...wait, just read her books." - Dave Johnson (Superman: Red Son, Deadpool) ★★★★★
“Blake Northcott is pretty much is making nerd dreams come true. Action, Suspense and Comics all at once? Can I make that a double, with a large side of blow your mind? ! Try not to fall in love. I dare you!” - Regina Carpinelli, CEO and Founder of Stan Lee's Comikaze ★★★★★
SUMMARY
Around the globe, superhumans are fighting to the death. One-on-one battles are routinely breaking out in every major city from Toronto to Tokyo, Stockholm to San Francisco. No one knows when or where these battles are going to occur, but the result is always the same: the loser dies, while the winner is escorted away by an unmanned aircraft, eluding authorities.
Unlike the sanctioned Arena Mode events that have occurred in the past, these melees are wreaking havoc in populated downtown areas – demolishing buildings, and leaving civilian casualties in their wake.
As the death toll rises and governments scramble to secure their cities, Matthew Moxon – now trying to live out his remaining years in relative seclusion – is unwillingly dragged back into the spotlight by the mysterious game master who is using the entire planet as his battlefield.
Meanwhile, the death of Sergei Taktarov and the collapse of his Red Army have left a vacuum. Millions of followers, fascinated with the notion of demi-gods roaming the Earth, are desperately seeking a new spiritual leader, and a dangerous force is more than willing to take up the mantle.
As the Arena Mode Saga thunders to a conclusion, battle lines will be drawn. Friendships will be torn apart. And as Mox, Peyton, Brynja and their allies face the most destructive superhuman the world has ever seen, sacrifices will have to be made – and not everyone will survive.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2015
14 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Blake Northcott
61 books344 followersBlake Northcott is a Canadian author and comic book writer.
Northcott's 'Arena Mode Saga' is Kickstarter's most-funded science-fiction series of all time, and the first book in the series was nominated for Britain's prestigious BSFA (Best Novel of 2013).
The series went on to sell over 250,000 copies worldwide and has received over a thousand five-star reviews across multiple platforms.
Blake was a semi-finalist in James Patterson's 2017 Masterclass contest.
In 2018 Northcott's magical spy thriller 'The North Valley Grimoire' was the most-funded and most-backed original fiction novel on Kickstarter; in the first week of pre-orders, it was funding at the pace of a New York Times bestseller.
In addition to writing novels, Northcott has written 'Michael Turner's All new Fathom' and 'Executive Assistant Iris' for Aspen Comics, as well as 'Vampirella' for Dynamite Comics.
She was also an editorial writer for Millarworld, where her columns appeared in a number of comics; Millarworld is the company responsible for 'Kick-Ass', 'Wanted', 'The Magic Order', and 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'.
Her columns have appeared in Comic Book Resources (CBR), Geeks of Doom, CBS Man Cave Daily, and Verily Magazine.
http://www.BlakeNorthcott.com
Northcott's 'Arena Mode Saga' is Kickstarter's most-funded science-fiction series of all time, and the first book in the series was nominated for Britain's prestigious BSFA (Best Novel of 2013).
The series went on to sell over 250,000 copies worldwide and has received over a thousand five-star reviews across multiple platforms.
Blake was a semi-finalist in James Patterson's 2017 Masterclass contest.
In 2018 Northcott's magical spy thriller 'The North Valley Grimoire' was the most-funded and most-backed original fiction novel on Kickstarter; in the first week of pre-orders, it was funding at the pace of a New York Times bestseller.
In addition to writing novels, Northcott has written 'Michael Turner's All new Fathom' and 'Executive Assistant Iris' for Aspen Comics, as well as 'Vampirella' for Dynamite Comics.
She was also an editorial writer for Millarworld, where her columns appeared in a number of comics; Millarworld is the company responsible for 'Kick-Ass', 'Wanted', 'The Magic Order', and 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'.
Her columns have appeared in Comic Book Resources (CBR), Geeks of Doom, CBS Man Cave Daily, and Verily Magazine.
http://www.BlakeNorthcott.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 21, 2017
Excellent series ender. Thanks Blake Northcott for the great read. Will you return to this universe? Will you tell us if Matt gets rid of his problem? That's the only question. Thanks again!
July 3, 2018
Epic story
It was awesome,very epic. Especially the ending. I oved everything about it. I wish there was a continuation (correct me if there is). One of the best things I read!
It was awesome,very epic. Especially the ending. I oved everything about it. I wish there was a continuation (correct me if there is). One of the best things I read!
February 14, 2019
A bit of a disappointment this one, as, unlike the previous books in the series, most of the main characters survive ;) Other than that, a fabulous ending to a fabulous series....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2015
I'm not sure what else I can say about The Arena Mode Saga or Ms. Northcott's writing that I haven't already. If you're a fan of the series the third book brings you all the elements you loved from the previous two installments - geek references, superhero hijinks, and more of Mr. Moxon. While there is some stretching of the 'suspension of disbelief' in certain areas it's nothing out of line with the conclusion of a trilogy and plausible within the continuity (especially considering Mr. Moxon's condition).
If you're not yet a fan of the series and enjoy capepunk / science fiction with tight story lines, likeable characters, and familiar tropes combined with original ideas you'll like this.
tl;dr: This book and trilogy are immensely enjoyable. If you enjoy comic books / Buffyverse and/or lean heavily geek then you'll find nods to all in a story that is unique on it's own. The only down point is saying goodbye to the characters we've grown attached to.
I'm personally looking forward to the next effort put out by Ms. Northcott, whatever and whenever that may be.
If you're not yet a fan of the series and enjoy capepunk / science fiction with tight story lines, likeable characters, and familiar tropes combined with original ideas you'll like this.
tl;dr: This book and trilogy are immensely enjoyable. If you enjoy comic books / Buffyverse and/or lean heavily geek then you'll find nods to all in a story that is unique on it's own. The only down point is saying goodbye to the characters we've grown attached to.
I'm personally looking forward to the next effort put out by Ms. Northcott, whatever and whenever that may be.
April 18, 2016
I just really guilty-pleasurely like the Arena Mode Saga. However I must admit that this final instalment falls a bit short of the rest as it doesn't carry the same high-octane energy.
Where part 1 and 2 were more in the lines of "OMG WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND WHY IS IT THAT I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT", this part more felt like "there are some loose ends, but we also needed a couple of fights".
Nevertheless a fun experience and fine ending to the series: 3.5 stars rounded up.
Where part 1 and 2 were more in the lines of "OMG WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND WHY IS IT THAT I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT", this part more felt like "there are some loose ends, but we also needed a couple of fights".
Nevertheless a fun experience and fine ending to the series: 3.5 stars rounded up.
August 5, 2015
Not given lightly
Just finished this trilogy, a story, plot, characters I couldn't wait to follow and now I'm done. A moment please. WAaaaaaahhh!!!! Which is to say I wish I could see/read/follow them again. I am so glad that I've found another new (to me) author and books to look forward to and to enjoy. Thanks, so far you don't disappoint. Keep writing (please).
Just finished this trilogy, a story, plot, characters I couldn't wait to follow and now I'm done. A moment please. WAaaaaaahhh!!!! Which is to say I wish I could see/read/follow them again. I am so glad that I've found another new (to me) author and books to look forward to and to enjoy. Thanks, so far you don't disappoint. Keep writing (please).
September 1, 2015
It was fairly entertaining, but not as much as the previous books. Basically two stories in one, it suffered a bit from the solutions for problems seemingly showing up without any trouble or much of an explanation. That said, the last part of the book was quite fun, but I just couldn't feel too invested in the characters.
October 19, 2016
I wish I had read this back when it first came out, right after I read the first two. I just wasn't in the mood for it anymore. I loved the first two but just couldn't get into this one at ALL I was bored from the start even with the action.
Maybe down the road I can re-read them all and see if I enjoy this one at all cuz I didn't right now.
Maybe down the road I can re-read them all and see if I enjoy this one at all cuz I didn't right now.
August 7, 2015
The final book in the Arena Mode trilogy certainly doesn't disappoint. If you enjoyed the first two books this continues in the same vein. Plenty of geek references and ties everything up pretty nicely. Very happy reader
December 31, 2015
I ended up liking this series much more than I thought I would. There are parts of the story that are fantastical (do not real if you do not want to read about superhumans) but it does provide a framework to discuss some important contemporary issues.
August 20, 2015
Engaging from start to finish..
After the first two books, if you think you know what comes next you probably don't. Moxon and co. are in for a wild ride if they weren't already..
After the first two books, if you think you know what comes next you probably don't. Moxon and co. are in for a wild ride if they weren't already..
November 12, 2015
I love these characters! What a great story. I was hoping that something would happen to Moxy. bit I will not reveal any secrets.... ;)
December 24, 2015
Another great book by Blake! Excellent finish to the series. Now to work on her other books.
April 3, 2016
Super page-turny!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews