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Realm of Arkon #3
Steel Wolves of Craedia
The flames of war spread through the Cursed Princedom to devastating effect. Bound by powerful centuries-old magic, the Great Essences yearn to regain their freedom. In the face of an impossible mission, Krian has no choice but to keep going, while risking everything that's become dear to him. The only solution is to become stronger and forget the meaning of the word “impossible.” And so a plangent wolf’s howl soars over the battlefield as a plate-clad cavalry rushes the enemy ranks…
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2016
175 people are currently reading
131 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 40 reviews
May 13, 2017
A really enjoyable read
Aside from some grammatical issues related, I believe, to the translation, this series has been very enjoyable. Have read them non-stop while on vacation. Just wish there were more!
Aside from some grammatical issues related, I believe, to the translation, this series has been very enjoyable. Have read them non-stop while on vacation. Just wish there were more!
January 28, 2017
Really fun
I'm just sad there aren't more books in this series to read just yet. Looking forward to where this leads.
I'm just sad there aren't more books in this series to read just yet. Looking forward to where this leads.
June 8, 2017
So, this book starts off with Roman's friends instead of ending with them. Their story is ok, but not great. It's something that would be better at off as a side story book instead of being inserted into the main story.
The main story continues to be entertaining but there are some aspects that are a bit worrying. Mud-flation is starting to be an issue. DPS being in the millions, health being in the billions, the numbers are quickly becoming silly. Also, his little asides are having the opposite effect that I think he wants. When ever he goes 'In stories bladi bladi blah' the meta breaks the immersion and makes me think about the tropes he's using. He mentions Marry Sue's at one point, I think to attempt to explain why he wasn't one, and after that I couldn't stop comparing Roman to a Marry Sue. And ya, he is a bit of one, thanks for bringing that to my attention.
The main story continues to be entertaining but there are some aspects that are a bit worrying. Mud-flation is starting to be an issue. DPS being in the millions, health being in the billions, the numbers are quickly becoming silly. Also, his little asides are having the opposite effect that I think he wants. When ever he goes 'In stories bladi bladi blah' the meta breaks the immersion and makes me think about the tropes he's using. He mentions Marry Sue's at one point, I think to attempt to explain why he wasn't one, and after that I couldn't stop comparing Roman to a Marry Sue. And ya, he is a bit of one, thanks for bringing that to my attention.
March 31, 2019
Prophecies, events, rumors of war...
The first two chapters pick up with team Max finishing off part one of a quest and acceptance of part two. The rest of the book is Krian's progress through the continental event, prophecy, and connections with the gods and goddesses. At the end, we begin to see that Max and Krian aren't experiencing totally separate adventures.
This book is truly action packed. If you like world building and battles, there's an abundance. Game mechanics and battle strategy get significant attention. There's still a lot of "heart", and some truly fun surprise moments. Lots of LitRPG goodness.
The first two chapters pick up with team Max finishing off part one of a quest and acceptance of part two. The rest of the book is Krian's progress through the continental event, prophecy, and connections with the gods and goddesses. At the end, we begin to see that Max and Krian aren't experiencing totally separate adventures.
This book is truly action packed. If you like world building and battles, there's an abundance. Game mechanics and battle strategy get significant attention. There's still a lot of "heart", and some truly fun surprise moments. Lots of LitRPG goodness.
August 5, 2020
An epic adventure
This is the third I’ve read in the series. The storylines are smartly crafted. I don’t just love the gameplay numbers geeking but that said, it’s easily skimmed and it has purpose. It’s critical to the story but goes deeper than my interest level. That said, these books have been well written and edited.
I enjoy the clear differences from Russian culture as a perspective. The main characters, when speaking in first person acknowledge this contrast. It makes the characters more real.
The battle strategies are clearly from someone who understands RPGs first hand. All in all, well done!
This is the third I’ve read in the series. The storylines are smartly crafted. I don’t just love the gameplay numbers geeking but that said, it’s easily skimmed and it has purpose. It’s critical to the story but goes deeper than my interest level. That said, these books have been well written and edited.
I enjoy the clear differences from Russian culture as a perspective. The main characters, when speaking in first person acknowledge this contrast. It makes the characters more real.
The battle strategies are clearly from someone who understands RPGs first hand. All in all, well done!
March 20, 2020
Really good
Its an awesome story. Love the world created. The only problem i have is switching from one main story to another. Stay with one main character at a time. Then before they meet up again put out the other main character. I like to turn the book into a movie in my head and switching back and forth it feels like i miss to much or am a step off. Also whats up with chapter 31?
Its an awesome story. Love the world created. The only problem i have is switching from one main story to another. Stay with one main character at a time. Then before they meet up again put out the other main character. I like to turn the book into a movie in my head and switching back and forth it feels like i miss to much or am a step off. Also whats up with chapter 31?
July 26, 2017
I feel like this book deserves four and one half stars. For some reason I am not feeling the five stars but definitely four and one half. The book is really entertaining and full of likable characters. This series is definitely worth reading and recommended. I hope that G. Akella has success and continues to have this series translated as more books are written.
February 22, 2019
Thumbs up
The story continues to get better and better as you get depose in the series. If you’d read the first couple books, definitely continue you shouldn’t be disappointed. I know I wasn’t. I even had a hard time making myself stop at certain points, that’s always a good indicator for me, that this is a good book, at minimum 😁
The story continues to get better and better as you get depose in the series. If you’d read the first couple books, definitely continue you shouldn’t be disappointed. I know I wasn’t. I even had a hard time making myself stop at certain points, that’s always a good indicator for me, that this is a good book, at minimum 😁
September 2, 2017
Great continuation of the story
The author keeps the narrative flowing in the third book. Story arcs are resolved, others are begun, and this is a solid addition to the realm of arkon.
The author keeps the narrative flowing in the third book. Story arcs are resolved, others are begun, and this is a solid addition to the realm of arkon.
September 13, 2017
Anithrr great continuation
I've been devouring this series, I can't get enough! This book focuses more on the main character rather than his friend and sister, so there's a lot of cool scenes
I've been devouring this series, I can't get enough! This book focuses more on the main character rather than his friend and sister, so there's a lot of cool scenes
September 22, 2017
Amazing!!!!!
I don't want this series to ever end. I fell like one of the characters lost in another world but living every minute of it. I would gladly enter this world and lock the door behind me and throw away the key.
I don't want this series to ever end. I fell like one of the characters lost in another world but living every minute of it. I would gladly enter this world and lock the door behind me and throw away the key.
May 2, 2018
Book 3 ?
This is a really good series as long as the action is flowing but Now 👎 why explaining this and that about stuff that's boring to your story why does this happen such much in book 2&3 of most series????
This is a really good series as long as the action is flowing but Now 👎 why explaining this and that about stuff that's boring to your story why does this happen such much in book 2&3 of most series????
September 20, 2021
Getting better
So I really had a hard time connecting to the MC early on when he skipped past all the early development stuff. Now that the growth is more normal and he's surrounded by a clan it has gotten much more engaging to me.
So I really had a hard time connecting to the MC early on when he skipped past all the early development stuff. Now that the growth is more normal and he's surrounded by a clan it has gotten much more engaging to me.
May 1, 2022
Much more focused.
This seems to have found a direction. The story is definitely moving forward. The writing is a bit choppy and gets a bit repetitive, otherwise it would be a five star.
This seems to have found a direction. The story is definitely moving forward. The writing is a bit choppy and gets a bit repetitive, otherwise it would be a five star.
March 19, 2017
Good continue
Good read. Was worth the time to sit down and read. Next book kinda irritates switching main cars. But good read.
Good read. Was worth the time to sit down and read. Next book kinda irritates switching main cars. But good read.
August 3, 2017
This just keeps getting better and better!
February 10, 2018
I can say this is one of the better LitRPG stories and worlds i have come across. waiting on 4th book on audio.
April 16, 2018
Good ending
Pros: Satisfying character development, fleshed out world, and fun combat.
Cons: None for me.
Also, that ending was pretty great in my book. Tastefully done ;-).
Pros: Satisfying character development, fleshed out world, and fun combat.
Cons: None for me.
Also, that ending was pretty great in my book. Tastefully done ;-).
November 27, 2018
excellent, kudos to translator and editor. highly recommended
December 23, 2020
Good for what it is - fantasy LitRPG. Guilty pleasure
July 9, 2021
Good Series
The third book in this series is definitely worth reading. I am totally impressed. Very addictive reading and fast paced.
The third book in this series is definitely worth reading. I am totally impressed. Very addictive reading and fast paced.
March 17, 2019
Been enjoying this series enough that I'm giving serious thought to paying for the rest of the series that isn't in KU.
April 11, 2023
Love the introduction of his clan and NPC mates.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2017
The best of the series
This book was the best of the series so far. Besides some of the tedium involved in some of the battles this would be a five star book.
This book was the best of the series so far. Besides some of the tedium involved in some of the battles this would be a five star book.
February 23, 2017
Hell yes
Great series, looking forward to book 4.
Engaging characters and a good flowing story, one of the top 5 series out there
Great series, looking forward to book 4.
Engaging characters and a good flowing story, one of the top 5 series out there
February 17, 2017
More of the good stuff.
I don't enjoy analysing every aspect of a story. In a nutshell if you've read the others and enjoyed them then likelihood is that you will with this one.
Like a cognac with age, the author only gets better.
I don't enjoy analysing every aspect of a story. In a nutshell if you've read the others and enjoyed them then likelihood is that you will with this one.
Like a cognac with age, the author only gets better.
February 10, 2017
Another gem from Akella, the third instalment of Patch 17 gives another sweet sweet hit of that good litRPG. I like that we see both sides of the genre - Krian getting massively lucky & quite OP fairly quickly, & Max with his new found pals, (kind of) slumming it like the rest of the noobs.
It's also interesting to see Krian interact with the 'NPCs' & their AI becoming more human than the players.
A great read all round & if you haven't read this series, do yourself a favour and get into it.
The only bad thing I can say about it is the borderline sexism that, for some reason, seems to be a staple in every single Russian litRPG.
Massive props to the translator as well, there's plenty of bad translations out there & this definitely ain't one of them.
Looking forward to the next one, excellent job.
It's also interesting to see Krian interact with the 'NPCs' & their AI becoming more human than the players.
A great read all round & if you haven't read this series, do yourself a favour and get into it.
The only bad thing I can say about it is the borderline sexism that, for some reason, seems to be a staple in every single Russian litRPG.
Massive props to the translator as well, there's plenty of bad translations out there & this definitely ain't one of them.
Looking forward to the next one, excellent job.
October 4, 2016
Absolutely Fantastic Continuation of The Series
Honestly, my favorite book so far in what is already one of my top favorite LitRPG series'. Both the author and his amazing translator deserve the highest praise for such an amazing tale. There is such great depth to not only the MC but many of the supporting cast as well. I just plain want such a great guy to succeed!
This entire series is well worth every penny spent so check it out!
Honestly, my favorite book so far in what is already one of my top favorite LitRPG series'. Both the author and his amazing translator deserve the highest praise for such an amazing tale. There is such great depth to not only the MC but many of the supporting cast as well. I just plain want such a great guy to succeed!
This entire series is well worth every penny spent so check it out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews