Escape from a world of darkness into a magical realm of limitless adventure. When hydrologists inscribe the consciousness of a human mind onto a single drop of water, a Revelation sweeps the land. The wealthy race to upload their minds into self-contained virtual realities nicknamed Aquariums. In these containers people achieve every hope, dream, and desire. But governments wage war for control of the technology. Terrorist attacks cause massive destruction. The Aquariums fail. Inscribed human minds leech into the water cycle, wreaking havoc.
Street gangs rule the cities in the three years since the fall of civilization. Sixteen-year-old Cami and her younger sister Alby struggle to survive. Every drop of untreated water puts their lives in peril. Caught and imprisoned by soldiers who plan to sell them into slavery, Cami will do anything to escape and rescue her sister. Even if it means leaving the real word for a life in the realms, a new game-like reality created by the hydrologists for the chosen few.
But life in the realms isn’t as simple as it seems. Magic, combat, gear scores, quests, and dungeons are all puzzles to be solved as the sisters navigate their new surroundings. And they encounter more dangerous enemies than any they faced in the real world.
Chris Pavesic lives in the Midwestern United States and loves Kona coffee, fairy tales, and all types of speculative fiction. Between writing projects, Chris can most often be found reading, gaming, gardening, working on an endless list of DIY household projects, or hanging out with friends. She occasionally blogs at http://www.chrispavesic.com
4.5 Stars. Starter Zone is almost two books in one and has one of the most unique concepts I've ever come across (the idea of uploading consciousness into water-based computer memory/storage rather than silicone based computer storage). The first half of the book starts like a familiar post apocalyptic survival story with Cami taking care of her younger sister Alby. Quickly, however, the story shifts into a fantastical role playing game that will please lovers of World of Warcraft and the like.
Remember that really old Reese's Peanut butter Cups commercial? "Two great tastes that taste great together"? I can imagine the characters in the commercial for Starter Zone saying: "You got your LitRPG in my Post-apocalyptic dystopia!" and "No, you got your Post-apocalyptic dystopia in my LitRPG!" Either that, or I'm picturing Marie and Donny Osmond signing: "I'm a little bit sci-fi, and I'm a little bit epic fantasy..." (That's an ancient song reference right there. I swear I'm not really THAT old.) It's a strange combination, yet somehow Ms. Pavesic makes them work together rather successfully.
I'm not a gamer, although I have plenty of friends who are and enough pop culture knowledge to understand the concept of RPG games, so once Cami and her sister leave the real world and end up in the make-believe world, I understood the terminology and what was going on, for the most part. However, if you're not a gamer and not familiar with RPG terminology, some of the details and world-building might loose you.
I had some questions about the hydrology technology and doubts about the lack of safeguards put into place by the original scientists, but putting those questions aside, the concept made for an interesting social conundrum and utterly unique dangers that I haven't encountered before. For example: rain is a danger, not because it has toxic chemicals, but because it has the potential to infect people with other people's consciousness, which can be a confusing, disorienting and sometimes enraging situation (turning people into something akin to vicious zombies).
The LitRPG section of the book focuses heavily on establishing the world in which Cami and her sister will be living, so it's heavy on world-building. I enjoy the concept and the characters a lot, although I did find myself skimming a bit over the sections describing when Cami's and Alby's new powers/abilities were achieved and unlocked as if I were actually playing a game. I think this is a detail that gamers will love, however.
There were a lot of plot links and a few characters introduced in this novel that were not resolved or fully fleshed out, but I'm 100% certain they will be continued in the next book to come. The ending kind of left us hanging, but again, I'm sure that will be resolved in future books. I would have preferred something that was designed to stand a little more on it's own, but I trust Ms. Pavesic enough to put out the next book, so I won't let the lack of an immediate resolution bother me too much.
I definitely recommend this books to fans of RPG games, fans of epic fantasy, and fans of post apocalyptic YA type stories.
The author provided me with a free copy for my honest review.
This fantasy/adventure mixes the gaming world with reality for an exciting read.
Cami has one goal—keep her and her younger sister alive. Civilization has been destroyed, leaving street gangs and worse fighting for whatever supplies might be left. It doesn't help that water in every form is deadly unless it's been cleansed. While trying to sneak out of the city in hopes of finding a more peaceful life in a forgotten rural house, Cami and her sister are caught by hydrologists, and they force Cami and her sister to become part of a different world. A very dangerous one.
The novel starts out with a dystopian setting. Cami and her sister are trying to survive, and need to avoid the deadly street gangs. And rain. The tension is high from the very first page, and the sisterly bond between Cami and her seven-year-old sister pulls at the heart strings. Even though Cami can be cold when necessary, her relationship to her sister makes her impossible not to like and cheer for. When the novel takes a sudden twist and the game type world opens up, the switch flows smoothly. The author does a good job of providing enough explanation to make the switch believable, and does it in a manner which never comes across boring. Cami needs to learn about her new world and the role she plays in it, and the reader learns along with her.
Anyone who has gamed will feel at home in this tale. The adventures follow the regular gaming basics with a familiar feel. The sudden bouts of information about Cami's level, skills, health, and such don't jolt from the story but blend right in with the plot. Even when Cami isn't fighting or in a tense situation, the story is well-paced and doesn't let the reader go. I had no trouble reading this in one setting.
It's an easy read, but enjoyable. There are layers of intrigue waiting in the shadows and hints at a bigger adventure to come. Enough unexpected twists and turns keep the plot interesting, and even when some thing aren't completely a surprise, the tense build-up left me on the edge of my seat. It's simply a fun read, which fantasy friends and gamers are sure to enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
From the very beginning, Chris Pavesic reels you into the dystopian world she created, and it’s not pretty. Humans have decided to seek immortality by inscribing the human mind onto a single drop of water. Add a government takeover into the mix, and things go from bad to worse. This is not the fountain of youth type world humans were striving for, but more like a watered-down nightmare, especially for sixteen-year-old Cami, and her younger sister, Alby.
Fighting for their lives in an apocalyptic world, the sisters dodge vicious gangs and the dangerous inscribed rains before getting caught by an organization who plans on selling them into slavery to be part of the realms, a game-like reality created for the wealthy. Pavesic pulls you through the challenges her characters must face in order to move up on the role-playing chain. Wonderful world building and filled with twists, even if you’re not a gamer, you’ll love the journey this story takes you on! Narrator, Natalie Heng does an awesome job with all the character’s voices, as she leads you through this magical, dystopian tale. Game on!
This is the first LITRPG novel I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the beginning, I was hoping that the two young sisters, Alby and Cami, would find a safe and happy place in the post- apocalyptic setting. The sisters are strong female characters and good role models for young girls today. The story is filled with adventure and suspense with a taste of the gaming world.
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book at first. It is a unique and unexpected blend of dystopian fiction and LitRPG. When it opens, we have a post-apocalyptic setting with the main character and her younger sister on the run, trying to stay alive. A little ways in, there is an abrupt shift and the characters are captured and thrust into a virtual game world they don’t understand. Through a set of circumstances they are made players instead of NPC slaves and in this way are given an unexpected second chance at life. Despite not knowing what to expect, I found myself enjoying this book and I would gladly continue with the series to see where it goes next. My only complaint is that the book definitely feels like an introduction to a series and can in no way stand on its own. There is far too much that is left unresolved.
This book features a very engaging first person narrative. Author Chris Pavesic writes in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as an enjoyable example from the science fiction genre.
LitRPG YA Fantasy is a new genre for me. A refreshing one. Reading Starter Zone (2017), the first book in the Revelation Chronicles, took me back to my family living room where my brothers, sister, parents, and I would compete for the best score on Asteriod and later, Super Mario Brothers. Much, much later we played quest games like the one written about in Starter Zone where competing fell by the wayside and we tapped into our collective skills to beat the game. Reading about Cami and Abby’ stats, quests, and trainers took me right back into a gaming world I once loved.
Starter Zone is my first book by Pavesic. Reading a new author is an exciting gamble that I’m betting I will win. That’s the result I got with her.
The best books make you forget that you are reading. Instead, they immerse you in a world brought to life by the author’s words. Pavesic did that. She also taught me that some of my short stories in progress fall into the speculative science fiction genre. The best stories entertain and inform at the same time.
Pavesic’s story is high concept and easy to relate to. Two young sisters are orphaned in a dystopian world. Cami is 17, Abby is 7. As unlikely as it seems, the starter zone of the title is marginally safer than the outside world. Especially because of Cami’s street smarts. There are no wasted characters or words in this story. It moves, moves, moves.
My recommendation to read this book is based on the fact that I couldn’t put it down and finished it in record time.
If I say more you will not get to taste the same adventure I did, and that would be selfish of me!
Starter Zone’s is followed by Traveler’s Zone, which released today. To follow the release tour, visit chrispavesic.om.
This started out post-apocalypse which I loved, simply because I love those kinds of books, then turned fantasy which I don't usually read - but surprisingly I still liked it! Teenage Cami and her younger sister end up having to go into a virtual game. I have recently learned that there is a name for this kind of book - LitRPG (Literary Role Playing Game) I have never read anything like this and had never even heard of this. But... It was fun! I very quickly became addicted.
There was good character development with lots of little adventures and a load of fun! A quick easy read. Even though this is not my typical type of book I would like to read more of the series. Heck! - I want to be in the book! I want to play "the game" it sounds like fun!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Kate Tilton's Book Bloggers and the author - Thank You!!
When scientists found a way for people to live forever, it seemed like a good thing. Hydrologists found that consciousness could be imprinted on a droplet of water and kept in tanks. But when the tanks were breached, disaster ensued and civilization as we know it dissolved.
Cami and her little sister, Alby, are trying to make their way out of the post-apocalyptic city in hopes of finding safety in the country. However, rain is dangerous now because each drop could contain someone's consciousness looking for a body to house it. Combating people and nature is only the beginning of Cami and Alby's adventure.
Starter Zone is a cracking story and a great start to an exciting new series. Full of mystery, intrigue, and high stakes, the story will pull readers in and keep them reading. Pavesic's gaming history is clear in the writing and I think lovers of role-playing games, both virtual and IRL will especially enjoy the story.
Thanks to the generosity of the author, I had the opportunity to both read and listen to Starter Zone through the Kindle and Audible versions. The audio book is well produced and performed with varied voices, making the story and characters easy to follow. The one exception to this is the computer voice that gives results and statistics. I found that difficult to follow. Fortunately, this didn't make it hard for me to follow the story line. All-in-all I loved having the audio book to listen to as I finished knitting my Christmas gifts.
I recommend Starter Zone to pre-teen and teen readers and to adults who like a good game-based adventure. I was quickly drawn into the story and began rooting for Cami and Albi from the first chapter. I was a bit startled at the somewhat abrupt ending to this first book of the series, but it also left me eager to read the next installment.
Chris Pavesic knows how to tell an epic story with interesting personal and ethical problems for the main character to overcome. I'll be watching for more books in the Revelation Chronicles series.
First of all, I found the whole premise to be extremely strange, so of course, I HAD to read it. I love the dystopian genre, and a lot of the problem I run into is a lot of them are boring and follow the same storyline. This one is so different it's amazing. I cannot recommend this enough. It's sci-fi, it's dystopian, and it fresh. A definite must read that I plan on reading again!
This book almost lost me in the opening chapters. The main character seemed as lifeless as the ruined world she was rushing through. And then... she entered the game and I was hooked. I don't even play that kind of computer game, but the story was as addicting as I imagine a real MMORPG to be. Each level up, each new character, each new threat drew me in. I wish I could read the next book already!
My first venture into LitRPG and I am hooked. Cami and Alby are great protagonists and I found myself rooting for them from the start.The set up was a little to long for my taste but as soon as they joined the realms the speed of the book picked up tremendously. There is a lot more to explore and growth in these books.
The first third of a great book, but where is the rest? The pacing, editing, and world building were all great but this book feels like it ends just as it's getting started. Not sure it's worth reading until and unless the sequels arrive.
The story starts in a post-apocalyptic country, ravaged by war and ruled by roving gangs. Years before, scientists discovered how to imprint human consciousness onto a single water droplet and then stored those water droplets in tanks called Aquariums. The Aquariums were set up to be realms similar to MMORPGs, and the wealthy spent millions to be imprinted and spend their immortality there. When war broke out and the Aquariums were broken, the imprinted minds entered the ecosystem where they destroyed the world as it was. Cami and Alby were just trying to survive day to day when they were captured and imprinted, forced into a new realm with no idea what was in store.
This was a quick read with a really intriguing concept. I like my LitRPG to be character driven, heavy on the world-building, and light on the stats. This book hit all three of those for me. The author gives us a fantasy world I'd love to spend time in, picking berries and jabbing things with my Pointy Stick. And I really loved both Cami and Alby, I thought they were well written and I can't wait to see what's next for them.
I'd recommend the book for young teens on up, and to fans of both fantasy and LitRPG.
I have very little experience with RPGs, but found this really interesting. What a crazy world it is! The game world is definitely the safer place to be. The world has gone to hell in a handbasket. In this world, people's minds/consciousness can be put onto/into one drop of water, one measly drop. Only the rich can afford to do it, and their drops are put into a bigger "Aquarium," where your every wish and desire comes true. But, a war ensues as opposite sides fight to be the ones to control it. Mayhem and destruction follows and there's not much left after. The Aquariums crash and the water drop humans are all over the place, more mayhem ensues.
We meet a teenage girl named Cami and she and her little sister, Alby, are trying to survive in the aftermath of all of this. Cami and Alby are captured and have to fight their way out, and end up in a virtual reality world and must figure out what's going on and how to get out while facing some pretty formidable foes.
This is an interesting but crazy ride, I'm fairly new to this genre but really enjoyed this book :) I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
3.5 - This is the introductory part of a story I am not sure I consider it a complete book. After they land in the virtual world they do some starter getting to know the area stuff, complete one proper quest and then the book just ends before it really has gotten going. It is all start of the story stuff and while the first book of a series often is setup they still are often more complete stories than this. I already saw the book was rather short at the beginning but still unsatisfying. I am not even quite sure what the "main plot" will be.
Aside from that not a bad read though YA, writing is good. Setting interesting enough (though I wonder whether they will have any influence on the dystopic real world while they are in the Virtual world.)
I really enjoyed this book. This was my first time reading a LitRPG novel and it wasn’t what I expected.
The story begins with two sisters attempting to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The novel then takes a turn and becomes more of a fantasy, science fiction adventure. I was a bit of a gamer in my late teens and early twenties and I think this helped me to get sucked in to the world of this story.
I’m sure there are many similar books out there, but so far, to me, this is a unique story.
My review is based on the audiobook Starter Zone is a great first in series. It lays the groundwork and introduces the reader to the characters and world. The world building and character development are in depth and on point. I quickly became invested in Cami and Alby and was listening whenever I could to see where the story took them. I do not want to give any spoilers but I did find the story slowed a little once the gaming aspect was introduced. The transition at that point was a tad to easy in my opinion however being as this is only book 1 I am sure there are many obstacles ahead. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. I look forward to more in this series.
Cami and her sister Ally struggle to survive in a world that had collapsed after a new technology that gave people a chance to run a life anyway they please fall and ruin the water supply. Turning people against each other and different gangs ruling various areas. Suddenly they are given a chance at said world but will it be better than the one they left behind and can they keep the secret that they weren’t suppose to be there?
In this fantastical, post-apocalyptical story, hydrologists are now able to inscribe the consciousness of anyone rich enough to afford it into one single drop of water.
The rich and wealthy have begun uploading their minds into self-contained virtual realities, know as Aquariums. Within these Aquariums, you can achieve anything your heart desires. However, the Government now wants to gain control of this technology and terrorism has caused widespread destruction. Due to this, the Aquariums are failing and every inscribed mind has leaked into the water cycle causing utter chaos.
Each drop of untreated water puts everyone's lives in danger, however, if you are caught and imprisoned by the soldiers you will be sold into slavery. Three years after the fall of civilisation street-gangs rule the world. Cami and, her younger sister, Alby struggle to survive. Cami will do anything to protect Alby however, they are caught by hydrologists in their attempt to flee the city and make it to the country to live in peace. They are then thrown into a very different kind of danger.
This book has some great, unique concepts that I had never come across prior- the fact you can upload your consciousness into a kind of water-based memory storage tank. The first half of this novel begins as any normal post-apocalyptic tale would start, however, we then enter a gaming world full of role-playing. This book definitely would appeal to multiple people with multiple tastes, you have RPG and post-apocalyptic all wrapped into one little package hut Pavesic makes it work!
This book was easy to read and enjoyable even as someone who is not big of post-apocalyptic novels or gaming. I found it easy to understand exactly what was going on and it was not so far-fetched as to be unbelievable. It is fast-paced fantasy read from start to finish.