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The Weirdest Noob #2
A Slave in the Locked Lands
The history of our world tends to move along a shallow spiral - when completing a turn, you end up mighty close to where you started. The history of Second World, in contrast, seems to have simplified its path to a ring from which there is no apparent way out.
An unforeseen invasion lays waste to whole provinces, prompting the game's most powerful clans to ally with the emperor's guard to stop the monstrous hordes in their tracks. A war erupts that nobody saw coming, shattering the tedium of peaceful life.
All the while the world's most elusive character - once a lowly miner, now a powerful mage - finds himself in an impossible situation, and sorely in need of allies of his own as he searches for a way out.
An unforeseen invasion lays waste to whole provinces, prompting the game's most powerful clans to ally with the emperor's guard to stop the monstrous hordes in their tracks. A war erupts that nobody saw coming, shattering the tedium of peaceful life.
All the while the world's most elusive character - once a lowly miner, now a powerful mage - finds himself in an impossible situation, and sorely in need of allies of his own as he searches for a way out.
Audible Audio
First published July 31, 2017
303 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Stone
55 books262 followersArthur Stone is the pen name of one Arthur Smirnov, a prolific author in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.
Born in 1973 in Donetsk, Ukraine, Arthur worked as a geologist, and also in the environmental sector and industrial archeology all over the world. He lives and works in Ukraine.
Arthur began writing fiction in 2005 on a bet, and thus his addiction was born. His first book was published in 2006, and by mid - 2025 he had published a total of 84 books in Russian, English and German-speaking markets.
Arthur Stone - email arthurstone2017@gmail.com
Born in 1973 in Donetsk, Ukraine, Arthur worked as a geologist, and also in the environmental sector and industrial archeology all over the world. He lives and works in Ukraine.
Arthur began writing fiction in 2005 on a bet, and thus his addiction was born. His first book was published in 2006, and by mid - 2025 he had published a total of 84 books in Russian, English and German-speaking markets.
Arthur Stone - email arthurstone2017@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 18, 2017
3.5 stars
July 31, 2017
Great
One the better new LitRPG series coming out. Only thing I would like to see is a character sheet now and then.
One the better new LitRPG series coming out. Only thing I would like to see is a character sheet now and then.
August 9, 2017
Good book
September 4, 2017
The "Weirdest" Noob is a Vanilla Hero
When I picked up this series, I thought I was going to be entitled to a story about "the weirdest noob the game has ever seen", as stated in the description. I thought he would be using mad genius in combination with radically unconventional methods, making the strangest character concept imaginable into a terrifying weapon of pandemonium, as weirdness implies. I thought it would be a story about a hero who was, to put it mildly, just a little bit... Well... Weird.
No such luck. In this case, "the Weirdest noob" is actually just a misnomer for "the most randomly OP noob." He has no reason for being OP, he just... Is. He received two obviously broken abilities in a special, one of a kind race at character creation, then said race immediately became conveniently locked against other players. He exploited these racial features to utterly break the games standard stat distribution mechanic (which isnt remotely balanced) by easily farming creatures over thirty times his level with minimal risk. Eventually, this leads to a whole bunch of other boringly straightforward OP abilities and legendary achievements that completely wreck the game's balance curve, which the game AI assists (Yeah, the game actively promotes his BS overpoweredness) because the MC is a special snowflake.
Its also extremely addictive for some reason I cant figure out, which would normally be a plus, if it didnt leave me feeling like I just wasted a sizeable chunk of my life on a book that did not fulfill its initial expectations.
When I picked up this series, I thought I was going to be entitled to a story about "the weirdest noob the game has ever seen", as stated in the description. I thought he would be using mad genius in combination with radically unconventional methods, making the strangest character concept imaginable into a terrifying weapon of pandemonium, as weirdness implies. I thought it would be a story about a hero who was, to put it mildly, just a little bit... Well... Weird.
No such luck. In this case, "the Weirdest noob" is actually just a misnomer for "the most randomly OP noob." He has no reason for being OP, he just... Is. He received two obviously broken abilities in a special, one of a kind race at character creation, then said race immediately became conveniently locked against other players. He exploited these racial features to utterly break the games standard stat distribution mechanic (which isnt remotely balanced) by easily farming creatures over thirty times his level with minimal risk. Eventually, this leads to a whole bunch of other boringly straightforward OP abilities and legendary achievements that completely wreck the game's balance curve, which the game AI assists (Yeah, the game actively promotes his BS overpoweredness) because the MC is a special snowflake.
Its also extremely addictive for some reason I cant figure out, which would normally be a plus, if it didnt leave me feeling like I just wasted a sizeable chunk of my life on a book that did not fulfill its initial expectations.
January 15, 2025
🐺❄️ A Slave in the Locked Lands – A HowlStrom Alpha’s Frostbitten Review ❄️🐺
🌨️ Introduction:
Greetings, fur-friends and virtual adventurers! I am Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha Ice Wolf from the frozen world of HowlStrom, where blizzards rage and legends are born. With 38+ years of adventuring, 5,000 games explored, and over 400 audiobooks devoured, I’ve seen it all. Yet, A Slave in the Locked Lands hit differently—like an unexpected crit in PvP!
This isn’t just a LitRPG—it’s an emotional raid boss. Dark themes? Check. Moral dilemmas? Double check. Yet, Arthur Stone still sprinkles humor and heart amidst the chaos. Grab your enchanted cloak and frost-forged blade; we're diving into Second World once again!
---
🎮 Basic Plot Summary:
Rosgard, formerly the Weirdest Noob, is back—and this time, he’s more entangled in the brutal politics of Second World than ever. The story picks up with Ros trapped in the Locked Lands, a zone governed by harsh laws and even harsher rulers. He’s gone from a lowly miner to a powerful mage, but power comes at a price.
A monstrous invasion sweeps across the land, forcing alliances between powerful clans and the Emperor’s Guard. Meanwhile, Rosgard must build his own army and forge alliances to survive the rising tide of enemies. This isn’t a grindfest—it’s a full-on endgame raid with no respawns.
---
🧊 Originality & Themes:
Arthur Stone delivers more than the typical dungeon crawls and loot drops. He explores heavy themes like slavery, freedom, and the psychological toll of living in a virtual world. This book asks: What does it truly mean to be free? And can one’s humanity survive in a world ruled by stats and power-ups?
For my furry kin, this theme resonates deeply. We know what it means to fight for our pack, to challenge the alpha hierarchy, and to seek freedom in our own way.
---
📖 About the Author:
Arthur Stone (Артур Каменистый) is a master of crafting immersive, emotionally charged worlds. Before writing, he was a geologist—perhaps that’s why his world-building is so solid! His writing style combines humor, depth, and a touch of brutal realism, making his books stand out in the LitRPG genre.
Compared to authors like Shemer Kuznits and Blaise Corvin, Stone leans more into philosophical themes. If Awaken Online is about moral ambiguity, and The Land is about epic grinding, then Stone’s work is about survival and identity.
---
🐾 Character Development:
🔹 Main Character – Rosgard:
Ros continues to be a fascinating protagonist. He’s no longer just a “noob” learning the ropes; he’s a strategist, a leader, and someone grappling with the weight of his decisions. His growth feels natural, driven by both triumphs and mistakes.
🔸 Supporting Characters:
Kai: A mysterious figure whose loyalty to Ros is both inspiring and suspicious.
The Emperor’s Guard: Stoic, duty-bound warriors with their own hidden agendas.
NPCs and Slaves: Their stories add layers to the world, showing that even in a virtual space, life is precious and complex.
Each character is more than just a stat block—they have hopes, dreams, and fears, making the world feel alive.
---
⚙️ Game Mechanics & World-Building:
Arthur Stone excels in creating a believable MMORPG experience. The Locked Lands introduce new mechanics—slavery contracts, loyalty systems, and reputation rankings. These mechanics are well-integrated into the story, making the reader feel like they’re leveling alongside Ros.
However, the grind-heavy sections might feel tedious for non-gamers. For those of us who love min-maxing our builds, though, it’s pure dopamine.
---
🔥 Praise & Critique:
Praise:
Immersive world-building that feels both magical and grounded.
Complex characters with meaningful growth.
Exploration of dark, thought-provoking themes.
Critique:
The dialogue can be a bit exposition-heavy at times.
Some readers might find the darker themes too intense.
---
📊 Impact & Message:
A Slave in the Locked Lands is more than just a game story—it’s a reflection on power, freedom, and humanity. It reminds us that even in a virtual world, our choices matter. As a furry with a love for community and freedom, I found this message deeply resonant.
---
🤝 Comparison to Similar Books:
Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell – Dark and morally ambiguous.
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong – Focuses on leveling and epic battles.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman – More chaotic and humor-driven.
---
❄️ Conclusion:
Arthur Stone’s A Slave in the Locked Lands is a masterpiece of the LitRPG genre. It’s dark, thought-provoking, and packed with action. As an Ice Wolf from HowlStrom, I appreciated the layers of strategy, survival, and moral dilemmas.
Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (5/5 Frostbitten Paws 🐾)
So grab your enchanted cloak, summon your allies, and prepare for a journey through Second World. Stay frosty, adventurers. The Locked Lands await! ❄️🐺
Author: Arthur Stone
Series: The Weirdest Noob, Book #2
Genres: LitRPG, Fantasy, Virtual Reality
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Alpha Howls)
🌨️ Introduction:
Greetings, fur-friends and virtual adventurers! I am Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha Ice Wolf from the frozen world of HowlStrom, where blizzards rage and legends are born. With 38+ years of adventuring, 5,000 games explored, and over 400 audiobooks devoured, I’ve seen it all. Yet, A Slave in the Locked Lands hit differently—like an unexpected crit in PvP!
This isn’t just a LitRPG—it’s an emotional raid boss. Dark themes? Check. Moral dilemmas? Double check. Yet, Arthur Stone still sprinkles humor and heart amidst the chaos. Grab your enchanted cloak and frost-forged blade; we're diving into Second World once again!
---
🎮 Basic Plot Summary:
Rosgard, formerly the Weirdest Noob, is back—and this time, he’s more entangled in the brutal politics of Second World than ever. The story picks up with Ros trapped in the Locked Lands, a zone governed by harsh laws and even harsher rulers. He’s gone from a lowly miner to a powerful mage, but power comes at a price.
A monstrous invasion sweeps across the land, forcing alliances between powerful clans and the Emperor’s Guard. Meanwhile, Rosgard must build his own army and forge alliances to survive the rising tide of enemies. This isn’t a grindfest—it’s a full-on endgame raid with no respawns.
---
🧊 Originality & Themes:
Arthur Stone delivers more than the typical dungeon crawls and loot drops. He explores heavy themes like slavery, freedom, and the psychological toll of living in a virtual world. This book asks: What does it truly mean to be free? And can one’s humanity survive in a world ruled by stats and power-ups?
For my furry kin, this theme resonates deeply. We know what it means to fight for our pack, to challenge the alpha hierarchy, and to seek freedom in our own way.
---
📖 About the Author:
Arthur Stone (Артур Каменистый) is a master of crafting immersive, emotionally charged worlds. Before writing, he was a geologist—perhaps that’s why his world-building is so solid! His writing style combines humor, depth, and a touch of brutal realism, making his books stand out in the LitRPG genre.
Compared to authors like Shemer Kuznits and Blaise Corvin, Stone leans more into philosophical themes. If Awaken Online is about moral ambiguity, and The Land is about epic grinding, then Stone’s work is about survival and identity.
---
🐾 Character Development:
🔹 Main Character – Rosgard:
Ros continues to be a fascinating protagonist. He’s no longer just a “noob” learning the ropes; he’s a strategist, a leader, and someone grappling with the weight of his decisions. His growth feels natural, driven by both triumphs and mistakes.
🔸 Supporting Characters:
Kai: A mysterious figure whose loyalty to Ros is both inspiring and suspicious.
The Emperor’s Guard: Stoic, duty-bound warriors with their own hidden agendas.
NPCs and Slaves: Their stories add layers to the world, showing that even in a virtual space, life is precious and complex.
Each character is more than just a stat block—they have hopes, dreams, and fears, making the world feel alive.
---
⚙️ Game Mechanics & World-Building:
Arthur Stone excels in creating a believable MMORPG experience. The Locked Lands introduce new mechanics—slavery contracts, loyalty systems, and reputation rankings. These mechanics are well-integrated into the story, making the reader feel like they’re leveling alongside Ros.
However, the grind-heavy sections might feel tedious for non-gamers. For those of us who love min-maxing our builds, though, it’s pure dopamine.
---
🔥 Praise & Critique:
Praise:
Immersive world-building that feels both magical and grounded.
Complex characters with meaningful growth.
Exploration of dark, thought-provoking themes.
Critique:
The dialogue can be a bit exposition-heavy at times.
Some readers might find the darker themes too intense.
---
📊 Impact & Message:
A Slave in the Locked Lands is more than just a game story—it’s a reflection on power, freedom, and humanity. It reminds us that even in a virtual world, our choices matter. As a furry with a love for community and freedom, I found this message deeply resonant.
---
🤝 Comparison to Similar Books:
Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell – Dark and morally ambiguous.
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong – Focuses on leveling and epic battles.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman – More chaotic and humor-driven.
---
❄️ Conclusion:
Arthur Stone’s A Slave in the Locked Lands is a masterpiece of the LitRPG genre. It’s dark, thought-provoking, and packed with action. As an Ice Wolf from HowlStrom, I appreciated the layers of strategy, survival, and moral dilemmas.
Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (5/5 Frostbitten Paws 🐾)
So grab your enchanted cloak, summon your allies, and prepare for a journey through Second World. Stay frosty, adventurers. The Locked Lands await! ❄️🐺
August 3, 2017
I find it very difficult to believe that 90+ people found this book amazing.
Beware of paid reviews.
As for the novel, the first one was essentially a prologue to the novels world with a little plot advancement towards the end.
Well this book does not advance the plot at all and resets the whole thing in 1/3 of the book I've managed to read.
Dropped, I'm not interested to read a prologue that is two novels long.
Beware of paid reviews.
As for the novel, the first one was essentially a prologue to the novels world with a little plot advancement towards the end.
Well this book does not advance the plot at all and resets the whole thing in 1/3 of the book I've managed to read.
Dropped, I'm not interested to read a prologue that is two novels long.
August 4, 2017
Good story!
This is a good continuation of the series. There are a handful of errors of the likes of mana poo instead of mana pool, but it doesn't hurt the flow of the story to bad.
I recommend this story to those that like a good OP MC.
This is a good continuation of the series. There are a handful of errors of the likes of mana poo instead of mana pool, but it doesn't hurt the flow of the story to bad.
I recommend this story to those that like a good OP MC.
January 4, 2023
Too much exposition
June 2, 2022
Holy hell! While the first chapter quickly picks up where the first book ended, the second chapter puts the reader into the boardroom meeting of "vicious, hungry lupine" directors who make the tiny employee feel like "a virgin in a brothel" as they track down and locate every detail about the MC so they can...
I don't care anymore. I'm qutting the series 10% into the second book. Way too much exposition, IRL events are stupid -from here on out, I'm going to double-check the authors of litRPG so I can brace myself for the espionage power trip of the little guppy against the monster sharks. And at the first sign of the "world quaking from their footsteps" or "i did something unique and everyone wanta to hunt me BS", I'm going to DNF.
Not to mention, there's enough prejudiced behaviour (racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, &c), irrelevant and irreverent allusions to pornography and pedophilia, infodumps, wacky translations, grammar issues, and typos to make the slog unbearable.
I don't care anymore. I'm qutting the series 10% into the second book. Way too much exposition, IRL events are stupid -from here on out, I'm going to double-check the authors of litRPG so I can brace myself for the espionage power trip of the little guppy against the monster sharks. And at the first sign of the "world quaking from their footsteps" or "i did something unique and everyone wanta to hunt me BS", I'm going to DNF.
Not to mention, there's enough prejudiced behaviour (racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, &c), irrelevant and irreverent allusions to pornography and pedophilia, infodumps, wacky translations, grammar issues, and typos to make the slog unbearable.
August 6, 2017
Amazing read
Took me about a day to read mostly cuz I had nothing else to do, So I never had to stop reading it I'm kinda sad I have to wait for the next book. Anyway the main character is op in a rare manner which is great because it's unconventional in that for all the boosts he has, he can get totally destroyed if he's not careful which is neat. I like his new friends they have good chemistry with each other and are likeable. All in all I love these series and it sucks I have to wait for the next 1 but such is life.
Took me about a day to read mostly cuz I had nothing else to do, So I never had to stop reading it I'm kinda sad I have to wait for the next book. Anyway the main character is op in a rare manner which is great because it's unconventional in that for all the boosts he has, he can get totally destroyed if he's not careful which is neat. I like his new friends they have good chemistry with each other and are likeable. All in all I love these series and it sucks I have to wait for the next 1 but such is life.
August 14, 2017
I liked the book but thought it was a little unoriginal. The MC in this book does some pretty dumb things to level and yet gets lucky. I prefer books with MC's that use there head to accomplish the tasks. This book feels more like the MC is doing everything against what is preconceived as an RPG. for instance who fights monsters 100 levels above yours and wins. I feel that that's what i had the biggest issue with. To Sum it up i felt that its more out of luck than out of Skill that the MC is Successful as well as a truly Unbelievable setting for character development and mob kills.
August 19, 2017
Now, i admit that the first book may have been a mix of everything good from other books, but in the second book Arthur Stone has proved himself to be a great writer with his own mind and ideas about this. Second World is worthy and would love to try it.
For a while i was thinking that it's going to be just like the Dive: way too OP MC and for some that is boring, but fortunately that is not the case here. He sees his own wrong doings and mistakes and try to fix them. Am curious what the series have for me
For a while i was thinking that it's going to be just like the Dive: way too OP MC and for some that is boring, but fortunately that is not the case here. He sees his own wrong doings and mistakes and try to fix them. Am curious what the series have for me
March 13, 2018
I think the only reason I didn't give the first one five stars is it didn't pack the same punch out the gate that way of the shaman did. But I have gotten used to his pace and I think that he has done something that Way of the Shaman didn't. He kept it in the same environment and basically the same game level and it was just as fun. Shaman got grander and grander in scale as far as the gaming experience. This guy is still raiding dungeons and runnning quests and it was still just as fun as the first book.
December 9, 2017
Another great installment in the series. It's only the second book, but it was better than I expected. More heroic deeds, more problems, more friends, and even more epic quests. How could you not like this one?
I highly recommend this series, even if I still do have to read the third one still. It's great writing, a nice storyline, and lots of action, I can't wait to read the next one.
I highly recommend this series, even if I still do have to read the third one still. It's great writing, a nice storyline, and lots of action, I can't wait to read the next one.
February 4, 2018
I'm surprised how much I liked this book.
A great sequel to The Weirdest Noob which was much better than the title suggested.
It's a great shame that book #3 is reported to be absolute garbage printed from a working draft with editors notes and errors. That sucks because I'm keen to keep going with this story.
A great sequel to The Weirdest Noob which was much better than the title suggested.
It's a great shame that book #3 is reported to be absolute garbage printed from a working draft with editors notes and errors. That sucks because I'm keen to keep going with this story.
April 2, 2018
About the same as previous book - quality didn't go down, though this book was much heavier on notifications. I don't mind that much if it's something like "you've levelled up" repeated 50 times throughout the book, but there are some really long notifications here that get repeated dozens of times... apart from that, pretty enjoyable read :)
April 3, 2018
Something about this series is really soothing. The story in this one is very similar to the previous one, Stone once again found a way to get Ros stuck in a mining instillation with high level monsters and difficult conditions. Still, it's different enough to not feel too repetitive and the low stress story results in the story being a nice, fun, calming read.
February 18, 2020
Fantastic!
Another great book! Good weaving of the storyline. Character creation and progression is wonderful. The depth of the scenes provide a reader with ample imagination a veritable treasure trove of images.
Mr. Stone does a great job of inviting the reader in to the party and allowing them to grow in experience as the main character does too.
Another great book! Good weaving of the storyline. Character creation and progression is wonderful. The depth of the scenes provide a reader with ample imagination a veritable treasure trove of images.
Mr. Stone does a great job of inviting the reader in to the party and allowing them to grow in experience as the main character does too.
August 11, 2017
Epic awesomeness Read
That leaves the story with a darn unfinished quest on a cliffhanger while the Author seams to want to write another story. What is wrong with you guys? Hopefully since this is a crazy Russian series, this storyline continues and is only awaiting translation.
That leaves the story with a darn unfinished quest on a cliffhanger while the Author seams to want to write another story. What is wrong with you guys? Hopefully since this is a crazy Russian series, this storyline continues and is only awaiting translation.
August 8, 2017
Great Follow Up to Book One
I thoroughly enjoyed this story just as much or possibly a bit more than book one. Definitely recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first book and look forward to book three!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story just as much or possibly a bit more than book one. Definitely recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first book and look forward to book three!
August 29, 2018
Ros ends up in the crap again, but still comes up smelling of roses. His one weird trick continues to be a weird one - how long will the game (and the author) let him keep it?
Book one, he's a loner.
Book two, he's mostly in a group.
What will book 3 bring?
Book one, he's a loner.
Book two, he's mostly in a group.
What will book 3 bring?
September 1, 2018
So good
I loved this book! I could hardly put it down. I was so engrossed that I didn’t mind the periodic typos. The MC has grown, but still makes mistakes and is riding the wave of chaos. Enjoys the book!
I loved this book! I could hardly put it down. I was so engrossed that I didn’t mind the periodic typos. The MC has grown, but still makes mistakes and is riding the wave of chaos. Enjoys the book!
June 9, 2019
3.5 to 3.75 Stars. pretty good, same as the first book. If you liked that one you should like this one. I will continue with is series even tho the 3rd books looks not to be as good but time will tell.
March 29, 2020
Ros is in trouble.
I am a reader. I cycle different authors and have a lot to say. I love how the “game” is making him work with a team, and then dropping them. Will he have small parties all over? I guess I have to read the next book to see.
I am a reader. I cycle different authors and have a lot to say. I love how the “game” is making him work with a team, and then dropping them. Will he have small parties all over? I guess I have to read the next book to see.
May 8, 2020
There was a small part of the book that was a bit tedious during an overly lengthy outtake of the bad guys behind the scenes but otherwise this was even better than the first book in the series and time well spent.
March 20, 2022
The MC, Ros, actually makes fairly decent actions, and it seems the author actually have some gaming experience.
That the MC firstly loses his levels by design and then hides as a female makes sense.
The party part is pretty boring, though.
That the MC firstly loses his levels by design and then hides as a female makes sense.
The party part is pretty boring, though.
April 15, 2024
good read
Good op noob progression story. The weird translation and over use of complex words aside this is a well done book. Some of the MCs logic can be annoying but it overall is a fun ride for a noob that can do it all easily.
Good op noob progression story. The weird translation and over use of complex words aside this is a well done book. Some of the MCs logic can be annoying but it overall is a fun ride for a noob that can do it all easily.
August 8, 2017
A good addition
Easy flow and great addition to the series. Just wish it was longer however that's me being greedy. Well done hurry on to the next book
Easy flow and great addition to the series. Just wish it was longer however that's me being greedy. Well done hurry on to the next book
August 9, 2017
Excellent series
Do yourself a favor and check this series out! Wish I could rediscover them! Please Mr. Stone, please write faster!
Do yourself a favor and check this series out! Wish I could rediscover them! Please Mr. Stone, please write faster!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews