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The Imperial Initiative #1
The Artificer
A Tech Genius. A Corrupt Politician. The world hangs in the balance.
October, 2042
In two weeks, the world will die, murdered by a nine-mile-wide, extinction-level asteroid.
And Robert Osmark—billionaire and savvy tech-genius—couldn’t be readier for the fiery apocalypse.
Unlike the shortsighted masses, he’s been diligently preparing for this day from the moment the asteroid first appeared. Through his relentless efforts, digital salvation now awaits anyone bold enough to take the leap and permanently transition into the brand-new, ultra-immersive, fantasy-based VRMMORPG, Viridian Gate Online. And Robert Osmark will lead this new world he has created.
But even with every advantage skewed in his favor, Osmark faces powerful opposition. A rogue faction of global elites led by US Senator Sizemore isn’t content to merely survive the apocalypse. They have their sights set much higher, and are recruiting dangerous allies, undercutting Robert’s efforts at every turn, and hiring VGO’s most deadly assassins to get what they want. To win, Osmark will need to viciously crush all opposition before his plans turn to ash.
October, 2042
In two weeks, the world will die, murdered by a nine-mile-wide, extinction-level asteroid.
And Robert Osmark—billionaire and savvy tech-genius—couldn’t be readier for the fiery apocalypse.
Unlike the shortsighted masses, he’s been diligently preparing for this day from the moment the asteroid first appeared. Through his relentless efforts, digital salvation now awaits anyone bold enough to take the leap and permanently transition into the brand-new, ultra-immersive, fantasy-based VRMMORPG, Viridian Gate Online. And Robert Osmark will lead this new world he has created.
But even with every advantage skewed in his favor, Osmark faces powerful opposition. A rogue faction of global elites led by US Senator Sizemore isn’t content to merely survive the apocalypse. They have their sights set much higher, and are recruiting dangerous allies, undercutting Robert’s efforts at every turn, and hiring VGO’s most deadly assassins to get what they want. To win, Osmark will need to viciously crush all opposition before his plans turn to ash.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2017
278 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
James A. Hunter
86 books1,116 followersJames Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 1, 2018
Liked it better than the series.
I really hate this main character but it doesn't mean I don't love the book because I do. A completely likable main character who is completely unlikable. A love to hate kind of guy. Looking forward to more.
I really hate this main character but it doesn't mean I don't love the book because I do. A completely likable main character who is completely unlikable. A love to hate kind of guy. Looking forward to more.
March 1, 2018
I'm not entirely sure this book made me dislike Osmark any less, however I do have a new found respect for his journey and how he came to where we found him in the first three books of Viridian Gate Online. You get the understanding and necessary info, essentially the why behind his seemingly cold and aggressive moves in VGO.
He is still a very cold, detached and calculating person, willing to sacrifice those around him for what he believes is the greater good, even when there could be better options out there. On the other hand he is by far a better option than many other alternatives. And contrary to what I previously concluded, he does indeed have feelings, but does a good job of shutting those down to do what needs to be done.
It is stunningly bizarre to Osmark standing in the 'good guy' role after growing to loathe the character and his aggression, but I loved this peek into the mind of the VGO creator. He is willing to do anything to protect his creation, and the population of refugees who have found home within it.
He is still a very cold, detached and calculating person, willing to sacrifice those around him for what he believes is the greater good, even when there could be better options out there. On the other hand he is by far a better option than many other alternatives. And contrary to what I previously concluded, he does indeed have feelings, but does a good job of shutting those down to do what needs to be done.
It is stunningly bizarre to Osmark standing in the 'good guy' role after growing to loathe the character and his aggression, but I loved this peek into the mind of the VGO creator. He is willing to do anything to protect his creation, and the population of refugees who have found home within it.
March 7, 2019
Dark and deadly tale.
I have had the pleasure of reading some of the other VGO series of books, and each one never ceases to amaze me how imaginative and grandiose this world they built has become. The authors have been tasked with different characters with different aspects of the story that just keeps me wanting to read more about this world and characters.
This was the darkest of the series, and it needed to be told. Otherwise, we would be left with smiles and stories of overcoming great and positive obstacles with no evil ramifications. Definitely worth a place in the series!
I have had the pleasure of reading some of the other VGO series of books, and each one never ceases to amaze me how imaginative and grandiose this world they built has become. The authors have been tasked with different characters with different aspects of the story that just keeps me wanting to read more about this world and characters.
This was the darkest of the series, and it needed to be told. Otherwise, we would be left with smiles and stories of overcoming great and positive obstacles with no evil ramifications. Definitely worth a place in the series!
August 13, 2023
Another side book in the series that is better than the main one. Loved the exploration of Osmark’s character as he enters the game. Ties up the prequel with Alan/Jeff leading into the main series’ stealing of the faction swap with Abby really well.
August 27, 2018
Good prequel for the viridian gate online.
September 24, 2017
Hello, I'm Amber and I'm a James A. Hunter fiction fan. I also need a support group for my little side addiction, MMORPGs. I love his VGO series unreservedly and have said so more than once to friends and family alike.
Therefore, I was totally excited to hear about The Artificer, a "DLC" novel of VGO. For those of you who are not gaming nerds, that's "downloadable content" or in this case, a novel that extends the world. Hunter and his co-author S R Witt took on telling the backstory for Robert Osmark, the founder of VGO, and the would-be villain to the series hero, Grim Jack.
In this book, Witt and Hunter take on a bit of a challenge. How to do you take the big bad guy and make a story that's interesting and compelling while still keeping him true to type? Commonly in fiction, an author gives the character some small hidden charm, a redeeming factor that makes him likable and "morally" relate-able. (For the backstory on Darth Vader we got little Anakin, for instance.)
In The Artificer, Robert Osmark makes no bones about his ambition, his intellectual superiority, his penchant for needing to control things down to the smallest detail, and first-and-foremost, his desire to ensure he retains the power INSIDE his virtual world that he had when he was still outside of it.
Frankly, that results in a series of actions that gave me pause in the book to wonder if I liked him. Several times. It's a testament to the authors' skill that I kept reading.
All the stuff you loved about the first three books is there. Seeing the transition of another character from "real life" to VGO is there. Stat sheets, world details, game theory — all there. The Artificer also starts to lean in a darker direction in the descriptions of violence and combat - on par with Hunter's Yancy Lazarus novels.
In the end, I'm giving this a slightly lower rating than I have the other books in the series - while I think it might possibly be a technically better book - because The Artificer, like Robert Osmark, doesn't pull it's punches. Osmark is not a nice guy deep down - which makes it very credible that he's the only person who could have had the vision and the drive to build VGO.
It's an interesting deeper look at the main antagonist of the VGO world, but I definitely recommend reading the other three VGO books first.
Therefore, I was totally excited to hear about The Artificer, a "DLC" novel of VGO. For those of you who are not gaming nerds, that's "downloadable content" or in this case, a novel that extends the world. Hunter and his co-author S R Witt took on telling the backstory for Robert Osmark, the founder of VGO, and the would-be villain to the series hero, Grim Jack.
In this book, Witt and Hunter take on a bit of a challenge. How to do you take the big bad guy and make a story that's interesting and compelling while still keeping him true to type? Commonly in fiction, an author gives the character some small hidden charm, a redeeming factor that makes him likable and "morally" relate-able. (For the backstory on Darth Vader we got little Anakin, for instance.)
In The Artificer, Robert Osmark makes no bones about his ambition, his intellectual superiority, his penchant for needing to control things down to the smallest detail, and first-and-foremost, his desire to ensure he retains the power INSIDE his virtual world that he had when he was still outside of it.
Frankly, that results in a series of actions that gave me pause in the book to wonder if I liked him. Several times. It's a testament to the authors' skill that I kept reading.
All the stuff you loved about the first three books is there. Seeing the transition of another character from "real life" to VGO is there. Stat sheets, world details, game theory — all there. The Artificer also starts to lean in a darker direction in the descriptions of violence and combat - on par with Hunter's Yancy Lazarus novels.
In the end, I'm giving this a slightly lower rating than I have the other books in the series - while I think it might possibly be a technically better book - because The Artificer, like Robert Osmark, doesn't pull it's punches. Osmark is not a nice guy deep down - which makes it very credible that he's the only person who could have had the vision and the drive to build VGO.
It's an interesting deeper look at the main antagonist of the VGO world, but I definitely recommend reading the other three VGO books first.
February 16, 2018
Let's be completely clear here, This is a decimal point book (Viridian Gate Online #0.1) a book that occurs slightly prior to and parallels Cataclysm, it's not a wholly unique series.
That said, for probably the first time ever, I feel this decimal point book is not only a must read for the series, but should be the first book read. 'The Artificer' does an excellent job, not only setting up the setting, the stakes, and the mechanics better than Cataclysm does, but it also answers/fixes issues I had with that story. This book slightly re-contextualizes the series in a fascinating way and I wish I'd read it first my self.
So, this is basically Cataclysm but from the point of view of Osmark. A lot of the events are similar between the two books and it does a great job of setting up the dichotomy and coming rivalry between him and Jack. It doesn't exactly turn Osmark into a good guy, but certainly makes him and his situation far more sympathetic.
Really this book improves my opinion on all the other books in the series slightly, even though the author still has issues with over using Similes and the world 'Flesh'.
Again, read this book first if possible.
That said, for probably the first time ever, I feel this decimal point book is not only a must read for the series, but should be the first book read. 'The Artificer' does an excellent job, not only setting up the setting, the stakes, and the mechanics better than Cataclysm does, but it also answers/fixes issues I had with that story. This book slightly re-contextualizes the series in a fascinating way and I wish I'd read it first my self.
So, this is basically Cataclysm but from the point of view of Osmark. A lot of the events are similar between the two books and it does a great job of setting up the dichotomy and coming rivalry between him and Jack. It doesn't exactly turn Osmark into a good guy, but certainly makes him and his situation far more sympathetic.
Really this book improves my opinion on all the other books in the series slightly, even though the author still has issues with over using Similes and the world 'Flesh'.
Again, read this book first if possible.
July 28, 2018
Really enjoyable litRPG adventure
I really enjoyed The Artificer. I came to this book after reading the main series of VGO, and it was fantastic to see the main antagonist's story. Osmark is an interesting character, very driven and not always nice, but Witt and Hunter did a great job of explaining how he got to be who he is, and why he makes unpleasant choices. I don't agree with his choices, but I can understand his reasons, and that's an important thing to me.
I love that this series has no sex and the language is pretty good. The violence is like a computer game, so pretty brutal at times.
All in all, a great read!
I really enjoyed The Artificer. I came to this book after reading the main series of VGO, and it was fantastic to see the main antagonist's story. Osmark is an interesting character, very driven and not always nice, but Witt and Hunter did a great job of explaining how he got to be who he is, and why he makes unpleasant choices. I don't agree with his choices, but I can understand his reasons, and that's an important thing to me.
I love that this series has no sex and the language is pretty good. The violence is like a computer game, so pretty brutal at times.
All in all, a great read!
January 16, 2019
I wasn't aware of this book in the viridian online series. The list of books in the back of this book claims this one should be read after the other three released books, but I disagree. If you want to know where it all begins, how it got setup the way it did, and get a complete background on the entire process, this should be the first book in the series you read. After that, the other three will hold more meaning, and give you a greater depth of understanding about the world. If you haven't tried any of the viridian online books yet, then this is an excellent place to start. If you have, then this will fill in a lot of the gaps for you from the other books.
January 2, 2020
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
October 16, 2018
Great background piece
Not sure about some of the reviews but i found this immensely enjoyable and I think for those who haven't reached much priest it may go a bit much against the characters portrayed in earlier books.
For me I liked this and I found the background politics of the council very good. Having some of the events before viridian game play started also helps i think but i don't know if I would read this as the 1st book but rather maybe after book 3 for best enjoyment and understanding. Either way I think 4.5 stars and I shall follow further adventures.
Not sure about some of the reviews but i found this immensely enjoyable and I think for those who haven't reached much priest it may go a bit much against the characters portrayed in earlier books.
For me I liked this and I found the background politics of the council very good. Having some of the events before viridian game play started also helps i think but i don't know if I would read this as the 1st book but rather maybe after book 3 for best enjoyment and understanding. Either way I think 4.5 stars and I shall follow further adventures.
October 3, 2019
Solid story
This really needs to be read after you read at least the first of the other trilogy.
This is seriously a story of power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It a solid story, but I've never been a fan of villain stories. This is his story.
Robert is the CEO of Veradian online. He is not a good man. In fact he is borderline pathological. Not a hero, but see himself in that light.
It's a solid story, but the not hero is such I cannot give it 5 stars. In a way it likely deserves it, but I cannot. 4 for me. Now I'm going to go take several showers.
This really needs to be read after you read at least the first of the other trilogy.
This is seriously a story of power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It a solid story, but I've never been a fan of villain stories. This is his story.
Robert is the CEO of Veradian online. He is not a good man. In fact he is borderline pathological. Not a hero, but see himself in that light.
It's a solid story, but the not hero is such I cannot give it 5 stars. In a way it likely deserves it, but I cannot. 4 for me. Now I'm going to go take several showers.
September 24, 2017
As Good as The Russians LitRpg
This was a very entertaining story about the protagonist who created Viridian Gate. It is a great prequel to the series and or it is a great series starter explaining the other side of the series story. The Authors almost have to release the next books very close together for us readers to be able to get these stories. Can't wait for the next double book releases. (Hint Hint)
This was a very entertaining story about the protagonist who created Viridian Gate. It is a great prequel to the series and or it is a great series starter explaining the other side of the series story. The Authors almost have to release the next books very close together for us readers to be able to get these stories. Can't wait for the next double book releases. (Hint Hint)
June 24, 2019
I couldn't stand the main character and stopped reading the book partway through. The guy is a horrible person and seriously messed up in the head. The book is a bit interesting, but the guy sucks so much that he brings the book down to one star no matter what happened. I hate books where the main character is a horrible person who doesn't really have any redeeming qualities and where there aren't really any likable characters at all.
March 28, 2018
Entertaining read
It’s a typical quick read book. I liked the story but this whole series lacked well developed characters. When people go through something so powerful as dying you would think there would be a change. The world is gone. Where is the moment where a real person wouldn’t be able to just move on.
It’s a typical quick read book. I liked the story but this whole series lacked well developed characters. When people go through something so powerful as dying you would think there would be a change. The world is gone. Where is the moment where a real person wouldn’t be able to just move on.
June 19, 2018
A true treasure from a cracker
Take a pinch of character, fused a layer of violence. Now crabk the action, pump the bellows to blow the passion. Dial down the boredom and remove the unnecessary tedium flakes. That's it now forge it as a malleable piece in the minds eye of your imagination.
Wind her up and watch your story go! Works like clockwork
Take a pinch of character, fused a layer of violence. Now crabk the action, pump the bellows to blow the passion. Dial down the boredom and remove the unnecessary tedium flakes. That's it now forge it as a malleable piece in the minds eye of your imagination.
Wind her up and watch your story go! Works like clockwork
February 1, 2020
A Piece of great entertainment
bit HEAVY on the Boss Mans EGO ... But settles into a great READ ... The connectivity or the First Three ... The melding of conventional roles ... With gamers requirements .... And Robert Learning .... The truth behind himself and his game .... Waiting for more.
bit HEAVY on the Boss Mans EGO ... But settles into a great READ ... The connectivity or the First Three ... The melding of conventional roles ... With gamers requirements .... And Robert Learning .... The truth behind himself and his game .... Waiting for more.
November 28, 2020
I enjoyed the return to the world of VGO, and learning more about the antagonist. This didn't spoil anything for the main series, but does refer to characters and concepts, for a nice call-back. I'm hoping for another in this spin-off series talking about what happened to him between the last few books of the main storyline, and I suspect that tale is in the works.
April 7, 2022
I listened to the audio book, and it was weird to hear Osmark's words in a different voice than the previous series, but otherwise still a fantastic world and series. A lot of political maneuvering and back stabbing with actual knives. A lot more world building from a different angle. I can't wait for the next book when Osmark finds out about Jack.
February 3, 2019
Good Stuff
This is James Hunter 's fourth foray into his Viridian Gate series and it does the saga proud. S.R. Witt teams up with James on this one and I hope it's just the first of many.
This is James Hunter 's fourth foray into his Viridian Gate series and it does the saga proud. S.R. Witt teams up with James on this one and I hope it's just the first of many.
November 6, 2019
I'm still not sure if I like Robert Osmark, but this story gives us a much better view of his personality and the challenges that he has seen. This is certainly not something one could read without diving into at least the first three books of the main series of VGO books.
April 7, 2021
ADHD series
Hey, did you like that mc? Well too bad. Every book has a different one. When can I see the MC I like again? Nobody knows! If you like a shotgun approach to writing, and have very little attention span, Viridian Gates is for you! How does this get published ....
Hey, did you like that mc? Well too bad. Every book has a different one. When can I see the MC I like again? Nobody knows! If you like a shotgun approach to writing, and have very little attention span, Viridian Gates is for you! How does this get published ....
January 7, 2022
A Worthy Addition Indeed
I love all the different perspectives available to fans of the VGO universe, and this one's no exception. Osmark has become quite an endearing character, and this is a fun, fantastic view of the creators first days inside his creation.
I love all the different perspectives available to fans of the VGO universe, and this one's no exception. Osmark has become quite an endearing character, and this is a fun, fantastic view of the creators first days inside his creation.
March 1, 2018
Good book, but please change the god-awful narrator for the next one. He reads too fast and his accents are awful, made it a chore to listen to at points.
April 20, 2018
VGO is clearly not for me. Characters have no depth at all, game mechanics are convoluted... I could go on.
February 8, 2019
HardCore!?
Show this is a intense pressure pack story from start to end the main character is tuff with his wants and desires and will fight for them!!!
Show this is a intense pressure pack story from start to end the main character is tuff with his wants and desires and will fight for them!!!
February 26, 2019
Interesting
This was a nice change of pace. To see how things progressed from Roberts point of view bass nice and also humanized him well
This was a nice change of pace. To see how things progressed from Roberts point of view bass nice and also humanized him well
May 18, 2019
Good Adventure
I don't much care for Osmark; but, now I understand how he became just like the polititians and drug dealers, that put him in his new position of power.
I don't much care for Osmark; but, now I understand how he became just like the polititians and drug dealers, that put him in his new position of power.
December 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I read all the books by recommended order, and this one brought everything around to the beginning. I just wish it were a longer story.
did-not-finish
December 20, 201750% and cannot read anymore. I definitely do not like the steampunk in this. I just hope that me not liking this book does not detract from the pleasure of the proper VGO books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews