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Realm of Arkon #2
The Cursed Princedom
An immortal wanderer in an enormous alien world, Krian struggles to survive in a closed plane populated by powerful mobs and hostile NPCs. With bungled stats, inadequate gear and no friends by his side, he is driven by only his willpower… and by his hatred toward the people responsible for his misery. Revenge is his purpose now, his entire reason for being. But his path lies through the cursed princedom of Craedia stretching far to the south….
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2016
231 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
G. Akella
28 books191 followersGeorgy Smorodinsky.
44 years old, live in Moscow, married with three daughters. Akella has been my game nickname for almost 17 years. My love affair with the MMORPG genre began with Ultima Online, and I played WoW from its release date. My main classes are Warrior, Rogue and Death Knight. Back in vanilla WoW I made Grand Marshall with my warrior, for those who still remember what that is. Throughout WoW’s existence I was present for the slaying of roughly 70-80% of raid bosses; in those encounters, I was the main tank about half the time. In vanilla, I was the guild master of Shadow Angels on the Executus server. The guild had approximately 250 members, with an average of 80 people online every day. Sometimes I led raids to MC and BWL (for those who remember, in vanilla raid groups maxed out at 40). I also spent some time playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Presently I’m playing Black Desert.
Patch 17 is my first book. I had never written anything before it. I was inspired to start writing after reading D. Rus, A. Vasilev, R. Mikhaylov and V. Mahanenko. I wanted to create a world that lived by the game’s rules, to write a book that even gamers would enjoy reading. The same gamers who killed skeletons at the Vesper graveyard, stormed castles in Lineage 2, battled in Alterac Valley, and spent months chipping away at Nefarian and the Lich King.
Of utmost importance to me are: the logic of the game world, the immersion factor (for readers to feel as if they’re part of this world), and logical behavior of the book’s characters. So far so good, it would seem. Five of the books in the series are finished. Book three is in the process of being published. The first two books have sold out their initial print run, and more are being printed. The reviews from critics and fan feedback grow better with each new book. I sincerely hope that you will get to read book two of the series, The Cursed Princedom, in February.
Oh, and one day I dream of visiting San Francisco, the city where Patch 17 begins. Thank you, everyone, and happy reading.
Georgy Smorodinsky (Akella)
44 years old, live in Moscow, married with three daughters. Akella has been my game nickname for almost 17 years. My love affair with the MMORPG genre began with Ultima Online, and I played WoW from its release date. My main classes are Warrior, Rogue and Death Knight. Back in vanilla WoW I made Grand Marshall with my warrior, for those who still remember what that is. Throughout WoW’s existence I was present for the slaying of roughly 70-80% of raid bosses; in those encounters, I was the main tank about half the time. In vanilla, I was the guild master of Shadow Angels on the Executus server. The guild had approximately 250 members, with an average of 80 people online every day. Sometimes I led raids to MC and BWL (for those who remember, in vanilla raid groups maxed out at 40). I also spent some time playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Presently I’m playing Black Desert.
Patch 17 is my first book. I had never written anything before it. I was inspired to start writing after reading D. Rus, A. Vasilev, R. Mikhaylov and V. Mahanenko. I wanted to create a world that lived by the game’s rules, to write a book that even gamers would enjoy reading. The same gamers who killed skeletons at the Vesper graveyard, stormed castles in Lineage 2, battled in Alterac Valley, and spent months chipping away at Nefarian and the Lich King.
Of utmost importance to me are: the logic of the game world, the immersion factor (for readers to feel as if they’re part of this world), and logical behavior of the book’s characters. So far so good, it would seem. Five of the books in the series are finished. Book three is in the process of being published. The first two books have sold out their initial print run, and more are being printed. The reviews from critics and fan feedback grow better with each new book. I sincerely hope that you will get to read book two of the series, The Cursed Princedom, in February.
Oh, and one day I dream of visiting San Francisco, the city where Patch 17 begins. Thank you, everyone, and happy reading.
Georgy Smorodinsky (Akella)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 18, 2016
I found this to be a breath of fresh air in this genre. as other reviewers have said the switch to the secondary POV is a little jarring and since that POV caps off the last 20 to 30% of the book just like in book 1 you suddenly feel the sadness of finishing a book even though you haven't finished the book yet. Don't get me wrong the secondary point of view is well written and you get absorbed in it pretty quickly. I don't know the third book is written yet but if it is hurry up and get a translated to English I am hooked.
March 16, 2016
Next Please
Good next book in the series... Look forward to more. Kudos for Glooms originality, think he will be a fan favorite.
Good next book in the series... Look forward to more. Kudos for Glooms originality, think he will be a fan favorite.
January 10, 2018
I can't read this
You have millions of real people irrevocably stuck in your virtual world, why did you make it so linear? You create vague plots with boring filler. Why hasn't Krian learned how to actually fight with skill? All he does is repeated slashing and bashing, there is not any forward progressing in actual skills. Martial arts and sword training would be useful right? What is the point of living in this game world and being class locked to certain weapons and gear? It's ridiculous. I'm sorry but I will not be purchasing any more of your books. Me Krian, me angry roar! Must rage! Roar!
You have millions of real people irrevocably stuck in your virtual world, why did you make it so linear? You create vague plots with boring filler. Why hasn't Krian learned how to actually fight with skill? All he does is repeated slashing and bashing, there is not any forward progressing in actual skills. Martial arts and sword training would be useful right? What is the point of living in this game world and being class locked to certain weapons and gear? It's ridiculous. I'm sorry but I will not be purchasing any more of your books. Me Krian, me angry roar! Must rage! Roar!
March 31, 2019
Getting the parties on.
Book 2 is where the parallel stories are moved into the main storyline. Roman is gifted his mount (Gloom), forms his clan, and begins to work through the Demon Grounds continental quest. In Karn, Max reunites with Alonya and their working party is established. The goddesses Karina and Sata become more directly involved. Intrigue continues and nefarious characters are more openly active. Of course there's lots of leveling and "phat lewt".
It's kind of fun to do a re-read and catch all the bits that are pieces of the humongous jigsaw puzzle constructed by the story's end. Sideline stories told in visions, events, and encounters that seemed like distractions during the first reading aren't at all superfluous. The switches between the parallel parties' activities wasn't as jarring as in the first read. The character banter isn't as annoying; Bonbon is almost tolerable. Not sure why... Which is a wordy way to say I'm finding the book even more enjoyable during a re-read.
Book 2 is where the parallel stories are moved into the main storyline. Roman is gifted his mount (Gloom), forms his clan, and begins to work through the Demon Grounds continental quest. In Karn, Max reunites with Alonya and their working party is established. The goddesses Karina and Sata become more directly involved. Intrigue continues and nefarious characters are more openly active. Of course there's lots of leveling and "phat lewt".
It's kind of fun to do a re-read and catch all the bits that are pieces of the humongous jigsaw puzzle constructed by the story's end. Sideline stories told in visions, events, and encounters that seemed like distractions during the first reading aren't at all superfluous. The switches between the parallel parties' activities wasn't as jarring as in the first read. The character banter isn't as annoying; Bonbon is almost tolerable. Not sure why... Which is a wordy way to say I'm finding the book even more enjoyable during a re-read.
March 13, 2019
This series, for now, primarily fits the "lone player making unexpected design choices" trope, but tropes become tropes because they have an appeal. Mr Akella is an entertaining writer - both in the parts of the story focused on Krian and on the parts focused on Max & co.
I do have to admit to having a small issue.... I can't remember the plot of the first book. I think it involved getting forcibly put into the game, and having the initial character decisions made for him - but maybe he is in prison working off a term? Or was a player that got trapped? There are clearly a lot of similar stories, and I've read many of them since last summer. I'd love if there were a decent plot summary someplace for Patch 17 - but am too lazy to go re-read it and do that myself. Well, maybe not lazy - I have too many other things I want to read first. So, maybe I'll stick with this series for right now so I can remember what's going on in it.
I do have to admit to having a small issue.... I can't remember the plot of the first book. I think it involved getting forcibly put into the game, and having the initial character decisions made for him - but maybe he is in prison working off a term? Or was a player that got trapped? There are clearly a lot of similar stories, and I've read many of them since last summer. I'd love if there were a decent plot summary someplace for Patch 17 - but am too lazy to go re-read it and do that myself. Well, maybe not lazy - I have too many other things I want to read first. So, maybe I'll stick with this series for right now so I can remember what's going on in it.
June 8, 2017
The story continues to be pretty good. Akella has created a very good game system and he sticks to it. He even manages to keep the interest in the events going despite it all just in a game. It was all accomplished surprisingly skillfully, avoiding many pitfalls of the genre. He's also toned down the flash back scenes and has made sure their purpose is clear before it starts.
Again he's decided to include a section about Roman's Friend, this time taking up the last 1/4th of the book. He's starting to make that story line more interesting, but it's frustrating none the less. When other authors do this, they tend to break up the secondary story line and spread it out throughout the book.
Again he's decided to include a section about Roman's Friend, this time taking up the last 1/4th of the book. He's starting to make that story line more interesting, but it's frustrating none the less. When other authors do this, they tend to break up the secondary story line and spread it out throughout the book.
February 6, 2019
The series picks up pace
As I read the sampler for this book, I wasn’t convinced it was worth it. But, I had nothing better to read, so I powered through the beginning of book 1. By the end of book 1, I was mildly intrigued. By the end of book 2, I’m starting to like the series. His characters start to grow on you. I bought book 3, halfway through this one....so that tells you I’m most likely goin to finish the series; and won’t feel a wasted valuable moments of my life on it!
As I read the sampler for this book, I wasn’t convinced it was worth it. But, I had nothing better to read, so I powered through the beginning of book 1. By the end of book 1, I was mildly intrigued. By the end of book 2, I’m starting to like the series. His characters start to grow on you. I bought book 3, halfway through this one....so that tells you I’m most likely goin to finish the series; and won’t feel a wasted valuable moments of my life on it!
September 24, 2020
Scratching the LitRPG itch. Reminds me of Live To Play by D. Rus. Fun, light read with progression in the MC forming a clan. Still don't like how the second storyline isn't blended into the book between chapters and simply tacked on at the end but enjoyed that side story a lot more this time around. Will continue
February 16, 2017
Well written, well translated and well worth a read.
A well thought out LitRpg story that flows nicely and has multiple well crafted characters that each have interesting and different stories.
Like reading two to three good books instead of one.
A well thought out LitRpg story that flows nicely and has multiple well crafted characters that each have interesting and different stories.
Like reading two to three good books instead of one.
May 1, 2018
Part 2?
Never is as good as the first book as far as action but it's better than some other's I've read the strange thing about this story is it comes at you from 2 ways but you know they will unit somewhere. So I'll keep reading for Now!
Never is as good as the first book as far as action but it's better than some other's I've read the strange thing about this story is it comes at you from 2 ways but you know they will unit somewhere. So I'll keep reading for Now!
November 27, 2018
as far as litrpg goes this series is exceptionally well written and well translated, compared to other high rated garbage out there this series is highly recommended.
for extra effect listen to the book instead of reading it.
for extra effect listen to the book instead of reading it.
December 7, 2018
Great LitRPG
This second book in this series is a great page Turner although I feel at the end of the books they seem rushed and compacted. I enjoy the story and always like more details versus less about the development of the characters and this realm of Arkon.
This second book in this series is a great page Turner although I feel at the end of the books they seem rushed and compacted. I enjoy the story and always like more details versus less about the development of the characters and this realm of Arkon.
August 23, 2019
Enjoyable but the Translation Needs an Editor
While I enjoyed the book, the translation into English has a few misspellings and minor grammatical issues that occasionally took me out of the story.
While I enjoyed the book, the translation into English has a few misspellings and minor grammatical issues that occasionally took me out of the story.
July 23, 2020
Binge read material
Good pacing and world building. Characters are believable and their development works well. Looking forward to getting stuck into the next book and the following ones.
Good pacing and world building. Characters are believable and their development works well. Looking forward to getting stuck into the next book and the following ones.
January 12, 2017
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first. It certainly picks up and tells a better story than the first.
August 3, 2017
Another homerun!
September 1, 2017
Great second book for the series
- more story development in the demongrounds
- no forced dialogue
- realistic explanations
10/10 would recommend to their friends
- more story development in the demongrounds
- no forced dialogue
- realistic explanations
10/10 would recommend to their friends
September 12, 2017
Good continuation
Nice to see some new characters, the parties are forming up. Combat is still interesting and it fun to see how the characters develop their abilities
Nice to see some new characters, the parties are forming up. Combat is still interesting and it fun to see how the characters develop their abilities
August 2, 2018
I loved it. I actually enjoy the change of view at the end of the book.
January 6, 2019
Awesome read
May 7, 2019
All over the place. I felt like it was very random with no direction.
October 17, 2021
70%
Thats when the main character dissipered ,dont read this book its not worth the time I put in it. I don't recommend this book!!
Thats when the main character dissipered ,dont read this book its not worth the time I put in it. I don't recommend this book!!
May 1, 2022
This feels lost.
The story meanders around with no real direction. The action seems pointless nd the character has lost focus. This was a great idea that just feels lost.
The story meanders around with no real direction. The action seems pointless nd the character has lost focus. This was a great idea that just feels lost.
April 11, 2023
Such badassery :D all of the characters are fun and all the different skills are interesting.
March 1, 2017
same as book one ill have a full review up soon, but for now this book was slower but still enjoyable
September 14, 2017
nother good one but still has the whole "you have gained a lvl" like 20 times in row XD thankfuly now he's a higher lvl it dosent happen as much now this time. this one changes it up more as now he's not haveing to worry on him self but a group of people. shure npc's but with how the world is there basicly people just not from his world. so should be intresting to see what happens in book 3. to bad no audio book yet on 3 as of this one
March 30, 2016
Page turning
I thoroughly love this series, being a D3 and wow player I enjoy books like this. Characters that are stuck in the game and experience it first hand. Great writing looking forward to the 3rd book.
I thoroughly love this series, being a D3 and wow player I enjoy books like this. Characters that are stuck in the game and experience it first hand. Great writing looking forward to the 3rd book.
April 7, 2016
It was interesting. I'm glad Max found Alyona and them restoring Kirana might give them info about Kiran/Roman. One thing I'm not sure I like is Kiran getting a those NPC's. Liked him toughing it alone. I liked the addition of Gloom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2016
Loved the book but once again please stop with the last third being about his friend as to be honest I just don't care. Perhaps if the narrative was split up every chapter or something but I feel as if I stumbled on a different book in the series.
January 12, 2017
Great audio book with Zach Villa again at the helm. This is another addition to the LitRPG book series. Well Georgy didn't tone back on the flash backs it seems, minus one star for that annoyance. Its a good listen still.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews