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Reality Benders #1
Countdown
At long last, an extraterrestrial civilization reached out and made the First Contact. However, no one on Earth took their communique for the genuine article. In a similar vein, very few people appreciated just how little time our new suzerains had promised to keep our planet safe.
Regardless, the end of their message showed humankind how to access a mysterious game. The objective of this game is unclear. No one can say where its servers are located, and its inner workings are beyond comprehension. But the game slowly gained momentum, pulling in more and more players. Soon enough, it became impossible to ignore the fact that things that happened in the game had a direct impact on our reality. And not only ours...
But as people figure out this mysterious game, the countdown timer ticks away. And no one can say exactly what will happen when Earth’s safety is no longer guaranteed.
Regardless, the end of their message showed humankind how to access a mysterious game. The objective of this game is unclear. No one can say where its servers are located, and its inner workings are beyond comprehension. But the game slowly gained momentum, pulling in more and more players. Soon enough, it became impossible to ignore the fact that things that happened in the game had a direct impact on our reality. And not only ours...
But as people figure out this mysterious game, the countdown timer ticks away. And no one can say exactly what will happen when Earth’s safety is no longer guaranteed.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2018
680 people are currently reading
771 people want to read
About the author
Michael Atamanov
57 books555 followersMichael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 16, 2023
The First Contact is not as we think about it. Earth has only one chance to survive. We have to prove ourselfs in the mysterious GAME competing against different civilizations.
The number of player is restricted by territory that belongs to our civilization fraction. We have to develop territories and win new ones to have possibility to get into game more players. There is a countdown for this process.
Our players were chosen mostly from army officers and scientists. But game progress is not satisfactory. The management takes decision to introduce into game gamers who did some illegal actions and are offered game instead of prison.
This is how Gnat becomes part of the Game. He is not a disciplined one and can take unexpected decisions that proves to be very successful and helps him to become very popular in the game dividing players in that who love him and that who hate him.
I am not a big fun of cosmic sci fi , but this book is very good and entertaining.
The number of player is restricted by territory that belongs to our civilization fraction. We have to develop territories and win new ones to have possibility to get into game more players. There is a countdown for this process.
Our players were chosen mostly from army officers and scientists. But game progress is not satisfactory. The management takes decision to introduce into game gamers who did some illegal actions and are offered game instead of prison.
This is how Gnat becomes part of the Game. He is not a disciplined one and can take unexpected decisions that proves to be very successful and helps him to become very popular in the game dividing players in that who love him and that who hate him.
I am not a big fun of cosmic sci fi , but this book is very good and entertaining.
January 10, 2022
How this book got such great reviews is beyond me.
I understand the appeal of the power fantasy LitRPGs usually provide, and books like He Who Fights with Monsters and Iron prince are my favorite guilty pleasures...
...but they have that thing where they make you interested in the characters and make you invested in their struggles. This series absolutely doesn't.
The main character is the best at what he does. Always. He is smarter than scientists, better at tactics than army generals, has better instincts than Speznaz-operatives and of course, all the women in the book want to nail him immediately.
That last part isn't an issue in this book, but in later installments of the series,
All in all, here are my qualms about this book:
-The main character never encounters a challenge he cannot immediately solve.
-Everyone is immediately awed by the MC and practically kissed his feet, even though he has as much charisma as a brick wall.
-Sexist. Sexist Sexist Sexist Sexist Sexiiiisssst. I won't even mention the consent issues.
-60+% of all dialogue is exposition, the remaining 40% are split between other characters trying to show some personality by complaining about their lot, or telling the MC how great he is (literally telling him "Gnat, I think you are amazing." This is a real quote from the book. I am not kidding.)
-Every second paragraph of dialogue starts with "Gnat," or even "As you know"
I could post even more, but in the end, what I am most frustrated about is that the story had potential. A lot of it, even. I kept giving the series chances because the worldbuilding was interesting and the story in and of itself was sound. But damn, the characters were thin as cardboard and it is some of the most casually misogynistic writing I have ever read.
Avoid this story if you don't want to be sick to your stomach.
I understand the appeal of the power fantasy LitRPGs usually provide, and books like He Who Fights with Monsters and Iron prince are my favorite guilty pleasures...
...but they have that thing where they make you interested in the characters and make you invested in their struggles. This series absolutely doesn't.
The main character is the best at what he does. Always. He is smarter than scientists, better at tactics than army generals, has better instincts than Speznaz-operatives and of course, all the women in the book want to nail him immediately.
That last part isn't an issue in this book, but in later installments of the series,
All in all, here are my qualms about this book:
-The main character never encounters a challenge he cannot immediately solve.
-Everyone is immediately awed by the MC and practically kissed his feet, even though he has as much charisma as a brick wall.
-Sexist. Sexist Sexist Sexist Sexist Sexiiiisssst. I won't even mention the consent issues.
-60+% of all dialogue is exposition, the remaining 40% are split between other characters trying to show some personality by complaining about their lot, or telling the MC how great he is (literally telling him "Gnat, I think you are amazing." This is a real quote from the book. I am not kidding.)
-Every second paragraph of dialogue starts with "Gnat," or even "As you know"
I could post even more, but in the end, what I am most frustrated about is that the story had potential. A lot of it, even. I kept giving the series chances because the worldbuilding was interesting and the story in and of itself was sound. But damn, the characters were thin as cardboard and it is some of the most casually misogynistic writing I have ever read.
Avoid this story if you don't want to be sick to your stomach.
February 13, 2020
Mini-Review:
3.5 Stars for Narration by Rudy Sanda (Great Character Voices Except for MC & Main Narration)
4 Stars for Interesting Concepts
3 Stars for Uneven Pacing
Notes:
- Light Status Updates & Game Mechanics
- Fun Take on Character Development
- The best parts of the story were when the MC Gnat is training or in the thick of action. Otherwise, the installments to setup backstory, setting, history, etc are weak. Relationships across the board (friends/enemies/etc) seem to be superficial. Not sure what parts are weak due to translations or author.
- Gnat. Okay. That's a TERRIBLE name. I mean. It's funny and all but what a terrible MC name. Haha! I had to look it up because it sounds like Nat/e on the audio.
- Definitely enjoyed this setup for this story more than Dark Herbalist.
- Narrator: I listen to stories at faster speeds. I would not have been able to listen to RS at regular speed. The main voice he uses has a nasal quality that is very off putting. It's a shame because he has a great range of character voices and they are much better due to intentional intonation than the regular narrator voice.
3.5 Stars for Narration by Rudy Sanda (Great Character Voices Except for MC & Main Narration)
4 Stars for Interesting Concepts
3 Stars for Uneven Pacing
Notes:
- Light Status Updates & Game Mechanics
- Fun Take on Character Development
- The best parts of the story were when the MC Gnat is training or in the thick of action. Otherwise, the installments to setup backstory, setting, history, etc are weak. Relationships across the board (friends/enemies/etc) seem to be superficial. Not sure what parts are weak due to translations or author.
- Gnat. Okay. That's a TERRIBLE name. I mean. It's funny and all but what a terrible MC name. Haha! I had to look it up because it sounds like Nat/e on the audio.
- Definitely enjoyed this setup for this story more than Dark Herbalist.
- Narrator: I listen to stories at faster speeds. I would not have been able to listen to RS at regular speed. The main voice he uses has a nasal quality that is very off putting. It's a shame because he has a great range of character voices and they are much better due to intentional intonation than the regular narrator voice.
April 30, 2018
Great start to new series
I enjoyed both the perimeter defense and dark herbalist series. This one seemed a bit goofy by the cover but I have it whirl shot and really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next.
I enjoyed both the perimeter defense and dark herbalist series. This one seemed a bit goofy by the cover but I have it whirl shot and really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next.
April 28, 2018
Book one
A decent translation and s fun story.
I look forward to more of this series.
I highly recommend this book.
A decent translation and s fun story.
I look forward to more of this series.
I highly recommend this book.
April 29, 2018
Absolutely AMAZING!!! I can't wait for the next one!!!!!
April 28, 2018
Fun story, good premise
This story is a fun introduction to a new universe, where a virtual reality game has become one of the primary ways of interacting between galactic species.
I look forward to boon 2 with great enthusiasm!
This story is a fun introduction to a new universe, where a virtual reality game has become one of the primary ways of interacting between galactic species.
I look forward to boon 2 with great enthusiasm!
April 12, 2018
one of Michael Atamanov's best works yet.
Lots of gamer aspects but easy to relate to, very exciting and hard to put down the book.
one of my favorites!
Lots of gamer aspects but easy to relate to, very exciting and hard to put down the book.
one of my favorites!
April 24, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this, even more than I did the Dark Herbalist series, surprisingly. I particularly liked the unique take on the game and some of the very interesting classes, including that of the MC. He does gain power surprisingly quickly, but it didn't come across as overpowered at all, just an interesting class with some slightly unusual benefits, but most importantly the character playing it intelligently. In that way it reminded me of Awaken Online, which also has a strong MC that could be seen as OP, but it's the MC's choices and strategies that gained that power, it wasn't just blindly handed to them. Really looking forward to the next books in the series.
April 24, 2018
On balance, this really doesn't deserve 5 stars. But I couldn't put it down, I was totally engaged throughout. I always find something to chuckle at in translated works, not out of any sense of meanness, but simply because of the sheer diversity of the English language. I'm really hoping that the mental capabilities of our hero don't become a crutch in future works, and I'm also well aware that Litrpg series tend to go downhill and become worryingly and rapidly predictable. SO I don't honestly know how I'll feel on future ones. But this was a bit different to others I've read, and I enjoyed myself start to finish, in the same way I would an over-the-top action movie.
December 14, 2020
The main character is a typical Marty Stew that easily comes up with game changing decisions no one else ever thought of.
Female characters are objectivated as much as it's possible.
Author describes every woman as a piece of meat at the butcher's shop, estimating how attractive or not she was.
Female characters are objectivated as much as it's possible.
Author describes every woman as a piece of meat at the butcher's shop, estimating how attractive or not she was.
May 3, 2018
I was given a free copy of this book to review.
Extremely engaging LitRPG. It manages to put the focus on the story and the larger universe while still providing the leveling excitement. Definite read.
Extremely engaging LitRPG. It manages to put the focus on the story and the larger universe while still providing the leveling excitement. Definite read.
August 7, 2023
As you know, the soldiers escorting me were expert mind mages dozens of levels above me in the Game that Bends Reality. However, I was able to easily break through their mental defenses unnoticed to read their thoughts. I’ll admit, I was a little worried when I learned their commander was a dangerous cartographer 160 levels above me in the Game that Bends Reality. I might have to put effort into a hand-to-hand battle with him. Luckily, I leveled up 3 times thinking about the upcoming battle. Combining that with the 9 levels I gained last night while I slept, I should be okay.
When we got to the throne room, I could see that this was indeed a fearsome commander. He had dozens of trophies from enemies much higher level than me in the Game that Bends Reality pinned to his armor.
“I am Gerd Gnat,” I said in a voice that was not my own.
When the enemy commander took off his helmet, I quickly realized he was a female! So I pulled the ticket dispenser from my inventory, and she eagerly took a ticket. She stripped down to her underwear and started kissing me in a blatant attempt to jump to the front of the line, but I told her, “No, Woman! You are my newest junior wife! Your place is at the back of the harem! That is why we have the ticket system!”
She quivered, raised her teary anime eyes to me, and replied, “Oh great Senpai Gnat, I am a strong and bloodthirsty leader of many men who each look up to me as their truly heroic little sister overlord ballerina translator girlfriend assassin priestess prostitute mage princess psychiatrist daughter, but you are right and wise in everything that you do and say!”
As I settled on my newest throne and assessed my newest forces in the Game that Bends Reality, I quickly cast off thoughts of her. All of the men in the room told me they were so happy I was their new commander as all of their previous leaders were losers. I agreed, and I thought about how much this space fleet would aid my backwater commanders on earth if I chose to share it with them.
However, my unique mystical space plot armor beeped at me with a call from my diplomat’s overlord’s supreme space fleet commander. He batted his eyelashes at me in anger.
“Oh Gnat! I am so angry with you that you stole from me and defeated my enemies after single-handedly starting that intergalactic war. Explain yourself!”
“Well, I do what I want. Also, can you please punish my enemies who are also your subordinates for me?”
“Oh alright, you know best as always—you’re such a good luck charm, you rapscallion! Have some money.”
I felt my wallet buzz with millions of crystals.
“By the way, Gnat, I want you to…”
So I immediately hung up and stole a frigate to explore a random asteroid for minerals in the Game that Bends Reality. (As you know, it contained a previously undiscovered ancient alien base with dozens of advanced security drones that were in perfect working order despite being several millennia old. Luckily, I happened to glance at my keycard and I gained 8 levels in electronics and 5 levels in machine control and 3 levels in Astrolinguistics and 6 fame and 4 authority and 2 levels and 6 skill points so I was therefore able to effortlessly control the drones.)
I am really looking forward to my second week playing the Game that Bends Reality! Maybe I’ll become a pirate and rob a bank!
———
I’m bowing out after book 3. There were clearly signs of misogyny and Gary Stu in the first book, but they really came into their own in the second. I mostly read the third to see if it got any worse. It did.
The premise wasn’t original and the translation was a bit subpar, but the series showed promising world building and a LitRPG system full of potential. It’s a bit of a shame it turned out as it did.
When we got to the throne room, I could see that this was indeed a fearsome commander. He had dozens of trophies from enemies much higher level than me in the Game that Bends Reality pinned to his armor.
“I am Gerd Gnat,” I said in a voice that was not my own.
When the enemy commander took off his helmet, I quickly realized he was a female! So I pulled the ticket dispenser from my inventory, and she eagerly took a ticket. She stripped down to her underwear and started kissing me in a blatant attempt to jump to the front of the line, but I told her, “No, Woman! You are my newest junior wife! Your place is at the back of the harem! That is why we have the ticket system!”
She quivered, raised her teary anime eyes to me, and replied, “Oh great Senpai Gnat, I am a strong and bloodthirsty leader of many men who each look up to me as their truly heroic little sister overlord ballerina translator girlfriend assassin priestess prostitute mage princess psychiatrist daughter, but you are right and wise in everything that you do and say!”
As I settled on my newest throne and assessed my newest forces in the Game that Bends Reality, I quickly cast off thoughts of her. All of the men in the room told me they were so happy I was their new commander as all of their previous leaders were losers. I agreed, and I thought about how much this space fleet would aid my backwater commanders on earth if I chose to share it with them.
However, my unique mystical space plot armor beeped at me with a call from my diplomat’s overlord’s supreme space fleet commander. He batted his eyelashes at me in anger.
“Oh Gnat! I am so angry with you that you stole from me and defeated my enemies after single-handedly starting that intergalactic war. Explain yourself!”
“Well, I do what I want. Also, can you please punish my enemies who are also your subordinates for me?”
“Oh alright, you know best as always—you’re such a good luck charm, you rapscallion! Have some money.”
I felt my wallet buzz with millions of crystals.
“By the way, Gnat, I want you to…”
So I immediately hung up and stole a frigate to explore a random asteroid for minerals in the Game that Bends Reality. (As you know, it contained a previously undiscovered ancient alien base with dozens of advanced security drones that were in perfect working order despite being several millennia old. Luckily, I happened to glance at my keycard and I gained 8 levels in electronics and 5 levels in machine control and 3 levels in Astrolinguistics and 6 fame and 4 authority and 2 levels and 6 skill points so I was therefore able to effortlessly control the drones.)
I am really looking forward to my second week playing the Game that Bends Reality! Maybe I’ll become a pirate and rob a bank!
———
I’m bowing out after book 3. There were clearly signs of misogyny and Gary Stu in the first book, but they really came into their own in the second. I mostly read the third to see if it got any worse. It did.
The premise wasn’t original and the translation was a bit subpar, but the series showed promising world building and a LitRPG system full of potential. It’s a bit of a shame it turned out as it did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2018
Great
Really enjoyed this sci-fi litrpg book. It was an interesting take on a new type of character and the story line was really good
Really enjoyed this sci-fi litrpg book. It was an interesting take on a new type of character and the story line was really good
April 24, 2018
Required reading
I consider this book “Required Reading” for all fans of theLitRPG genre. There a few translation errors but easily overlooked with the great story. So sad that I can’t binge read more of this series.
I consider this book “Required Reading” for all fans of theLitRPG genre. There a few translation errors but easily overlooked with the great story. So sad that I can’t binge read more of this series.
May 14, 2018
Good Read.
A LitRPG story. Aliens give earth access to a game that expands the knowledge and skills of the players in a game world/universe.
A LitRPG story. Aliens give earth access to a game that expands the knowledge and skills of the players in a game world/universe.
August 4, 2023
This is a different one. Earth is trouble, has a new suzerain that isn't human and only so much time before it's open season on the solar system. And all there's available to help is a reality bending sci-fi 4X game with players that get classes, xp, loot, and interact with all the other space faring species that are also part of game. The focus is on the MC, Gnat, leveling and very little on the rest of the 4X elements.
The pace, dialogue, most characters, world building, etc are good, but the MC seems like the only smart/lucky person there and all risk taking ends up positive (or at least both positive and negative).
The Russians know how to write in a way that highlights the effect fame has on non-famous people that are often missing (or poorly done) in Western fantasy/sci-fi.
The pace, dialogue, most characters, world building, etc are good, but the MC seems like the only smart/lucky person there and all risk taking ends up positive (or at least both positive and negative).
The Russians know how to write in a way that highlights the effect fame has on non-famous people that are often missing (or poorly done) in Western fantasy/sci-fi.
October 14, 2020
This Russian sf book garnered about a zillion stars on hoopla, so I gave it a try. Turned out to be RPGLit, which isn’t a favorite of mine. After about ten chapters I realized hadn’t been paying attention and had to start over. Got bored again, but this time i kicked it to the DNF pile.
December 7, 2023
Absolutely masterpiece!!!
May 15, 2018
Found One!!!!
Yes finally found a great Action pack story that was Great to read from start from too finish!! Yes, I think this Author did 5 Stars perfect story, So enjoy Reading it.
Yes finally found a great Action pack story that was Great to read from start from too finish!! Yes, I think this Author did 5 Stars perfect story, So enjoy Reading it.
May 9, 2018
Suprizingly Good once I got into the story 🤓
Translation from Russian was well done... The story itself was interesting / different, I'm not a reader of LITrpg. Fastpaced Storyline and not too outrageous. No profanity noticed. No sex scenes, only one nude scene.
I might buy the next book. Only the first one was Kindle Unlimited! 😦😩
Translation from Russian was well done... The story itself was interesting / different, I'm not a reader of LITrpg. Fastpaced Storyline and not too outrageous. No profanity noticed. No sex scenes, only one nude scene.
I might buy the next book. Only the first one was Kindle Unlimited! 😦😩
May 11, 2018
Awesome First Book in Series
Can't wait for book two. Was a great read with good story telling and a good ending to part one.
Can't wait for book two. Was a great read with good story telling and a good ending to part one.
May 7, 2018
Absolutely loved it!
This is an amazing book! The only reason why it got five stars is because I couldn’t give it six! I can’t wait to read the next part of the series!
This is an amazing book! The only reason why it got five stars is because I couldn’t give it six! I can’t wait to read the next part of the series!
September 10, 2019
This book was a fun and well done adventure in the litRPG genre.
The mechanics of the game in this book is probably where it performs best. Stats and level ups are explained and frequently referenced without going through an entire character sheet, giving you just enough of an rpg feel to get that pleasant buzz without getting slogged down in paragraphs of text boxes at a time. The character also doesn't feel overpowered like they do in most other books aside from one single spot in the final act (which led to multiple level ups in a row) but it had been hinted at previously so I wasn't surprised.
The plot is interesting, though not anything ground breaking. There's a game, and it's not clear how it is connected to the world, though we know it has a huge impact on the world and people therein. The characters all feel like they're involved in some overarching plot that you're only privy to a few details of, and more will be revealed soon. A great way of introducing a new character to a world and having them feel important but not central. After all, this conflict has been going on for some time now, so one person will not be what makes or breaks it (at least not yet).
The characters are probably the weakest part of the book with each of them being rather flat. A lot of emphasis is placed on their roles in the game world so it feels like the emphasis is split between their two identities which likely causes this.
One last thing I'd like to mention is that I feel like there may be something lost in translation since this book was originally written in Russian. There were a few times while reading where I felt a scene might have had a larger impact on me if I knew the social implications or connotations to a statement, but this is largely forgivable and doesn't detract from the story at all. Except for maybe how many times the book says "by the way". I almost want to reread it and count them.
In the end this book is a great litRPG and I would recommend it to any fans of the genre!
The mechanics of the game in this book is probably where it performs best. Stats and level ups are explained and frequently referenced without going through an entire character sheet, giving you just enough of an rpg feel to get that pleasant buzz without getting slogged down in paragraphs of text boxes at a time. The character also doesn't feel overpowered like they do in most other books aside from one single spot in the final act (which led to multiple level ups in a row) but it had been hinted at previously so I wasn't surprised.
The plot is interesting, though not anything ground breaking. There's a game, and it's not clear how it is connected to the world, though we know it has a huge impact on the world and people therein. The characters all feel like they're involved in some overarching plot that you're only privy to a few details of, and more will be revealed soon. A great way of introducing a new character to a world and having them feel important but not central. After all, this conflict has been going on for some time now, so one person will not be what makes or breaks it (at least not yet).
The characters are probably the weakest part of the book with each of them being rather flat. A lot of emphasis is placed on their roles in the game world so it feels like the emphasis is split between their two identities which likely causes this.
One last thing I'd like to mention is that I feel like there may be something lost in translation since this book was originally written in Russian. There were a few times while reading where I felt a scene might have had a larger impact on me if I knew the social implications or connotations to a statement, but this is largely forgivable and doesn't detract from the story at all. Except for maybe how many times the book says "by the way". I almost want to reread it and count them.
In the end this book is a great litRPG and I would recommend it to any fans of the genre!
July 18, 2018
Fantastic story. Professional quality too, which isn't something seen very often in this genre.
I'd really like to see more stories like this one, since space stories and science fiction is my main target when looking for new things to read. While there's not a lot of space stuff in this one, the parts that are present are done very well, and who wouldn't love LitRPG mixed with space exploration? Highly recommended for all LitRPG fans, and for those looking to see what one of those stories should be like.
I'd really like to see more stories like this one, since space stories and science fiction is my main target when looking for new things to read. While there's not a lot of space stuff in this one, the parts that are present are done very well, and who wouldn't love LitRPG mixed with space exploration? Highly recommended for all LitRPG fans, and for those looking to see what one of those stories should be like.
September 23, 2018
A lot of great reviews, however I didn't feel this book was as good as they claim. The book didn't do it for me. I felt Ernest Cline's Armada is a better version. I think it had potential, so I will finish the series, but if you are looking for a great LitRPG series Ascend Online or Chaos Seeds series are probably the best out there. Please note that this review is based off of the audible version.
April 28, 2019
I can't get enough LitRPG so ending up reading this was a no brainer. If you are just getting into LitRPG then it's only a small matter of time before you run into Perimeter Defense and Dark Herbalist, Atamanov's other series. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend them as well! Mr. Atamanov has pulled of another winner in my opinion. I am very much looking forward to the next one!
May 6, 2021
Еще одна книга (серия книг) в жанре LitRPG которая с головой затянула
February 10, 2021
Initially was turned off by this a bit. But then pretty quickly I came to really enjoy it. Of course the MC gains levels and skills quicker than reasonably possible, and accomplishes the impossible impossibly. But this sort of unrealistic action and whatnot is simply commonplace in LitRPG styled series. Hell, it was the case even prior to this genre label as evidenced in the Hyperion Cantos series (1989 to 1997??). I DO worry that the series will get impossible to tolerate ANY measure of believability. I am started on book 2 now and Gnat is now again SOOOOO far in his player's development/advancement/accomplishment that I fear how this will be remotely reasonable by book 7 (releasing soon on Kindle.... though I will need wait for the Audible release) and beyond. Oh, I am also concerned that the switch from Rudy Sanda as narrator to Neil Helleger (sp?) in book 4 I believe will be difficult to transition to. It is not about talent or such. More about expectation and consistency. Oh, I am often uninclined to give a 5-star review on many such series' opening edition. Somehow most are lacking in too many ways at this point. Perhaps with direction, often with respect to how a series will develop. I do suspect though that perhaps the first 3 books were done prior to any being published. Oh, I also wonder how much these books would differ to me as a reader if I were as actually second-naturedly fluent in the original Russian of these novels (assuming Russian) as I am with the American English they have been translated to. I wonder about such with ALL books which have been translated as such. Especially the so-called "classics". Like with Jules Verne's "Journey To the Center of the Earth" (one I happen to have a couple of the seemingly most common translation in paperback form; but which the translation used for the Audible release - and perhaps the preferred translation of literary scholars... not sure off-hand with this particular novel - is so incredibly different even if it is "just the words/wording" and not anything truly story/plot-based). I wonder about this a lot with anything translated. Especially when from languages whose "form" is so incredibly different than the American English it is being translated to. So often I feel the translator deserves as much "billing credit" as the original author since he or she essentially REWRITES the book. I consider how some novels I have read (like Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles", were it translated to other languages, how it would surely lose some - much? - of its magnificence in translation as RB wrote it in what I would consider "poetic prose". Not poetry at all actually but a beautiful and soul-moving prose which could NEVER be duplicated by anyone else, especially in translation.... the thing which to me makes it one of the top literary masterpieces in the English language would inevitably lose something MAJOR when translated and also what is lost in the writing of the translator himself/herself. No matter the skill of the translator something will be lost with such. Though with books like in this Reality Benders series, I suspect Mike Atamanov's writings will not join the ranks of the best authors of all time (in how literary circles would define such at least). So perhaps the translator (Shmitt??) will end up improving upon it (at least in some ways), perhaps as a frankly better writer literarily (though maybe just lacking in his/her OWN ideas and manifestations of such, and best at perhaps trying to recreate another's thought process even in another language). Heck, with Audible readings the narrator can easily make or break a novel's "readability". I am sure that if I personally were to do narrations (even with much of the sound equipment now used with such) that I simply would at best create a mediocre narration. Even without the Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted in me whose current near the voice box impacts my vocalizations somewhat. But there are numerous narrations which take a great novel and make it mediocre. More often these are older narrations from a time prior to audiobook popularity and prevalence. Then again, some narrations are now far more than a simple narration, and have become sometimes even elaborate auditory productions. Sometimes this is favorable as when listed as a novelization piece related to a film or simply not a reading but an auditory story which COULD be backed up by visual filming but which are not.
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