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Angromoria #1
Alpha Test
The advertisement offered the ultimate Virtual Reality experience. Using a new technology known as Immersive Virtual Reality or IVR you could truly experience the game as if you were in it. For someone who has been confined to a wheelchair all of his life, the promise was impossible to ignore but only a few would be invited to take part in the Alpha test of the new game. Devon decided he would be one of those few
To ensure he would be chosen he took the most unlikely combination of skills specializing primarily as a craftsman and secondarily as a healer. The best race for these skill trees is a Gnome but that further weakens his ability to fight and survive. Still, it is only the Alpha test and once in he can change it when they move to Closed Beta.
What could go wrong? Soon he finds out just how weak his choices seem to the developers who figure he will die a lot and always be a Nobody. Name chosen Gnobody sets out to take on Angromoria and it is everything he could hope for until it becomes the only thing he may ever know.
To ensure he would be chosen he took the most unlikely combination of skills specializing primarily as a craftsman and secondarily as a healer. The best race for these skill trees is a Gnome but that further weakens his ability to fight and survive. Still, it is only the Alpha test and once in he can change it when they move to Closed Beta.
What could go wrong? Soon he finds out just how weak his choices seem to the developers who figure he will die a lot and always be a Nobody. Name chosen Gnobody sets out to take on Angromoria and it is everything he could hope for until it becomes the only thing he may ever know.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2018
126 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
February 26, 2020
As an avid gamer, writer enthusiast, and lover of all things fantasy, LitRPG is one of those genres that just calls to me. It's the dream we all have, being able to play/live in a game world so realistic that you could write books/movies/manga about our time there. The problem however is that despite the growing interest, the genre is still too young and doesn't have good supply yet. So fans like us have lower our standards a bit (okay a lot) in order to ingest whatever new thing hits the shelves.
I picked this title up because of the high rating (4.24 at the time of writing) and the fact that an audiobook was available. Just to note about the rating, 'The Winter King', an amazing book by one of my favourite authors, Benard Cornwell, is only a 4.27. So you're led to believe that as long as the majority of the 400+ reviewers who read this book are being somewhat honest, this title should be pretty damn good.
Premise (3/5): Nothing brand new here, a watered-down Thomas Covenant story about a disabled man finding himself stuck in a new world. Even in terms of LitRPG this isn't new as SAO and countless of other animes/manga have beaten this horse to death. Still the reasoning and explanation behind why he's stuck is something I never seen done before so brownie points for that.
Game World/Mechanics (2/5): Pretty much cut and copied from every other LitRPG world. Skills that are use-to-improve, normal PK mechanics, level up mechanics, stat attributes, etc...Nothing special here at all.
Plot (1/5): Oh boy, did this one hurt. There are so many plot holes here that I'm pretty sure the author and whoever beta read this for him, have never played an online game in the last couple decades. Honestly he may have gotten all his details from secondary sources, because no one who plays games would have ever missed inconsistencies this big and I could write a whole other review just listing the various ones.
The whole story revolves around this guy not getting PK'd because there's a real world bounty on his head just because he's one of the few people who can't log out of the game (coined 'Alphas' despite the whole server of testers all being Alpha testers). He still respawns mind you, and in every other aspect of the game, he's a completely normal player. Just this single aspect of him makes him worth millions to someone in the real world. This in turn somehow makes it plausible for the MC to pull in millions of streamer views which makes MC a millionaire as well.
Keep in mind, MC can't log out, so he's not in control of his stream. The studio is. So the studio is streaming this content, during alpha where he supposedly signed an extensive NDA, where he casually speaks about the details about the highly confidential agreement he had with the studio due to his being stuck in world. Sure maybe the studio cut all that out and did editing for him before uploading. But then studio is perfectly fine with giving MC all the monetary earnings these views bring in, despite the fact they set it up, they control it, and they edit all the content, and it's during their NDA covered Alpha. Oh and MC is also bringing in money by creating real world inventions in the game, making him rich both in real world and in the game. All while being the lowest levelled Alpha in the game. *Sigh*
And that's pretty much it for the plot line. The whole story hinges on him not dying just this first time. There's even a point where he's standing next to the top level player in the server, who also happens to be one of his bounty hunters. She's a shapeshifter whose assassination attempt is foiled by a potion that literally stops shapeshifting, which she apparently didn't know about even though a sub level 10 MC could get his hands on it. Oh by the way, even when the effects of the potion wear off, she doesn't kill MC (worth millions dead irl) but instead kills the random guy next to him that is worth a small bit of in game currency. No one else in the room even bats an eyelid at this, so I guess we're to ignore this giant pitfall of a plot hole.
Oh, and MC is the game's sole real crafter apparently, but aside from making a mixer and a few other real world contraptions, there's no real crafting in his book. Everything is skipped over so MC can reap the rewards of his new found wealth instead.
Dialogue (1/5): Dialogue is arguably the most important aspect of any good fiction book. A boring plotline can be saved by extremely interesting characters and dialogue. But no matter how good a book is, without good dialogue, it's going to suffer. Dialogue here is so bad that I had to double check that this wasn't actually another Russian author who's work is being translated (badly) to English. He takes no risks at all with the dialogue and treats the reader like an infant every step of the way. Real people (yes most of the characters are NPCs but they're meant to have strong AI personalities) don't speak in full thoughts. They cut corners, interrupt each other, make implications rather than stating the obvious, become rude, obtuse, cranky, emotional. Have desires and needs. None of that here though. Everyone has one set personality and one mode of dialogue, from start to finish. MC is this benevolent leader who even goes out of his way to state that his companions (all NPCs, he doesnt have any real life friends obviously) are equal to him. Despite that, they all listen to his words at every opportunity anyways.
Writing (1/5): I do a lot of writing critiques in my spare time and I've come to spot a lot of similarities that new writers do, that only get fixed with experience. It's very clear that this author is new to writing. A hobbyist whose interests lie more in comp sci and engineering rather than writing. That's fine, many people are like that. But usually you go on to learn the craft of writing before you publish your own work. Poor dialogue, plot holes, extraneous words, non-existent descriptions, exceedingly overpowered MC (Gary Stu effect, rich, immortal, brilliant, benevolent). The list is basically endless. This book looks like a second or third draft for a new author. Not the 10+ draft that it should be for publishing.
Overall: It gets a 2/5, and not a 1/5, only because I've read some absolute trash before in the genre that was illegible due to terrible translations and culture differences. This one has his cringe-worthy moments but that's more due to poor writing than an obtuse, obnoxious author. 'Alpha Test' had promise, but just poor execution really killed any enjoyment it could've brought. Still if you're a fan of LitRPG, give it a go, support the genre. Just don't come back here and give it a 5 star rating, that's a disservice to the real authors out there.
I picked this title up because of the high rating (4.24 at the time of writing) and the fact that an audiobook was available. Just to note about the rating, 'The Winter King', an amazing book by one of my favourite authors, Benard Cornwell, is only a 4.27. So you're led to believe that as long as the majority of the 400+ reviewers who read this book are being somewhat honest, this title should be pretty damn good.
Premise (3/5): Nothing brand new here, a watered-down Thomas Covenant story about a disabled man finding himself stuck in a new world. Even in terms of LitRPG this isn't new as SAO and countless of other animes/manga have beaten this horse to death. Still the reasoning and explanation behind why he's stuck is something I never seen done before so brownie points for that.
Game World/Mechanics (2/5): Pretty much cut and copied from every other LitRPG world. Skills that are use-to-improve, normal PK mechanics, level up mechanics, stat attributes, etc...Nothing special here at all.
Plot (1/5): Oh boy, did this one hurt. There are so many plot holes here that I'm pretty sure the author and whoever beta read this for him, have never played an online game in the last couple decades. Honestly he may have gotten all his details from secondary sources, because no one who plays games would have ever missed inconsistencies this big and I could write a whole other review just listing the various ones.
The whole story revolves around this guy not getting PK'd because there's a real world bounty on his head just because he's one of the few people who can't log out of the game (coined 'Alphas' despite the whole server of testers all being Alpha testers). He still respawns mind you, and in every other aspect of the game, he's a completely normal player. Just this single aspect of him makes him worth millions to someone in the real world. This in turn somehow makes it plausible for the MC to pull in millions of streamer views which makes MC a millionaire as well.
Keep in mind, MC can't log out, so he's not in control of his stream. The studio is. So the studio is streaming this content, during alpha where he supposedly signed an extensive NDA, where he casually speaks about the details about the highly confidential agreement he had with the studio due to his being stuck in world. Sure maybe the studio cut all that out and did editing for him before uploading. But then studio is perfectly fine with giving MC all the monetary earnings these views bring in, despite the fact they set it up, they control it, and they edit all the content, and it's during their NDA covered Alpha. Oh and MC is also bringing in money by creating real world inventions in the game, making him rich both in real world and in the game. All while being the lowest levelled Alpha in the game. *Sigh*
And that's pretty much it for the plot line. The whole story hinges on him not dying just this first time. There's even a point where he's standing next to the top level player in the server, who also happens to be one of his bounty hunters. She's a shapeshifter whose assassination attempt is foiled by a potion that literally stops shapeshifting, which she apparently didn't know about even though a sub level 10 MC could get his hands on it. Oh by the way, even when the effects of the potion wear off, she doesn't kill MC (worth millions dead irl) but instead kills the random guy next to him that is worth a small bit of in game currency. No one else in the room even bats an eyelid at this, so I guess we're to ignore this giant pitfall of a plot hole.
Oh, and MC is the game's sole real crafter apparently, but aside from making a mixer and a few other real world contraptions, there's no real crafting in his book. Everything is skipped over so MC can reap the rewards of his new found wealth instead.
Dialogue (1/5): Dialogue is arguably the most important aspect of any good fiction book. A boring plotline can be saved by extremely interesting characters and dialogue. But no matter how good a book is, without good dialogue, it's going to suffer. Dialogue here is so bad that I had to double check that this wasn't actually another Russian author who's work is being translated (badly) to English. He takes no risks at all with the dialogue and treats the reader like an infant every step of the way. Real people (yes most of the characters are NPCs but they're meant to have strong AI personalities) don't speak in full thoughts. They cut corners, interrupt each other, make implications rather than stating the obvious, become rude, obtuse, cranky, emotional. Have desires and needs. None of that here though. Everyone has one set personality and one mode of dialogue, from start to finish. MC is this benevolent leader who even goes out of his way to state that his companions (all NPCs, he doesnt have any real life friends obviously) are equal to him. Despite that, they all listen to his words at every opportunity anyways.
Writing (1/5): I do a lot of writing critiques in my spare time and I've come to spot a lot of similarities that new writers do, that only get fixed with experience. It's very clear that this author is new to writing. A hobbyist whose interests lie more in comp sci and engineering rather than writing. That's fine, many people are like that. But usually you go on to learn the craft of writing before you publish your own work. Poor dialogue, plot holes, extraneous words, non-existent descriptions, exceedingly overpowered MC (Gary Stu effect, rich, immortal, brilliant, benevolent). The list is basically endless. This book looks like a second or third draft for a new author. Not the 10+ draft that it should be for publishing.
Overall: It gets a 2/5, and not a 1/5, only because I've read some absolute trash before in the genre that was illegible due to terrible translations and culture differences. This one has his cringe-worthy moments but that's more due to poor writing than an obtuse, obnoxious author. 'Alpha Test' had promise, but just poor execution really killed any enjoyment it could've brought. Still if you're a fan of LitRPG, give it a go, support the genre. Just don't come back here and give it a 5 star rating, that's a disservice to the real authors out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2018
Easily a 4 star or even 5 star but the author just needs to hire a proofreader. Most annoying was switching from first person style to third person sometimes even in midsentence, but the grammar was just terrible. English is my second language so I usually don't even notice small errors, but this was almost unreadable.
Otherwise
- decent story
- interesting main character
- "protect the cook" :)
I will decide if I buy the next book in series depending on if the grammar improves.
Otherwise
- decent story
- interesting main character
- "protect the cook" :)
I will decide if I buy the next book in series depending on if the grammar improves.
August 28, 2023
The series had potential
Yes, it needed editing. Yes there were plot-holes. But for a first book, it was excellent. Sadly, David will never have the chance to improve his writing skills as he passed away shortly after the draft was sent to the publisher.
I assume it was returned to the family and they published it as-is, since the obvious editing errors were never fixed. If it was the family, I have nothing bad to say. They were likely dealing with his sudden death and posted this as a memorial to their loved one.
If this was published by the actual publisher, I would never read anything from that publisher again, as they put absolutely no effort into fixing the formatting errors and capitalization changes. It should have been done even if they knew there would be no sequel. Its just disrespectful.
Yes, it needed editing. Yes there were plot-holes. But for a first book, it was excellent. Sadly, David will never have the chance to improve his writing skills as he passed away shortly after the draft was sent to the publisher.
I assume it was returned to the family and they published it as-is, since the obvious editing errors were never fixed. If it was the family, I have nothing bad to say. They were likely dealing with his sudden death and posted this as a memorial to their loved one.
If this was published by the actual publisher, I would never read anything from that publisher again, as they put absolutely no effort into fixing the formatting errors and capitalization changes. It should have been done even if they knew there would be no sequel. Its just disrespectful.
August 18, 2019
For the audio book, reducing the character sheets to 'things which have changed' might be a good thing as it is harder than simply flip the page to skip over it.
Other than the annoyance of having to fast forward a FEW MINUTES to get past stats that since I'm not personally playing the game I really don't care about so much (and the fact that they can put people's consciousness into a game and still haven't figured out that levels are horrible especially with PVP) it was a fairly enjoyable book. I'll check out the next.
Other than the annoyance of having to fast forward a FEW MINUTES to get past stats that since I'm not personally playing the game I really don't care about so much (and the fact that they can put people's consciousness into a game and still haven't figured out that levels are horrible especially with PVP) it was a fairly enjoyable book. I'll check out the next.
September 12, 2021
So the first time I read this I gave it 5 stars. Second time I’m thinking 3 stars.
For a book about crafting & being a merchant, not much of that happens. For the most part the only real crafting he does is make a mixer for his wife to use in the kitchen! As far as crafting goes it doesn’t get more boring than that.
In the bigger picture it’s kinda sad. He got admitted to the hospital the day after publishing this and then died shortly after. So sad.
For a book about crafting & being a merchant, not much of that happens. For the most part the only real crafting he does is make a mixer for his wife to use in the kitchen! As far as crafting goes it doesn’t get more boring than that.
In the bigger picture it’s kinda sad. He got admitted to the hospital the day after publishing this and then died shortly after. So sad.
October 31, 2020
The protagonist is wasteful with their resources and makes so many naive decisions yet everything worked out. This is the biggest Mary Sue I’ve listened to in the litrpg subgenre so far. The protagonist is made out to be a genius for acts which are mediocre at best. This is clearly written as a wish fulfilment by someone with low social skills but just wants to make everything right.
So why four stars?... I actually enjoyed listening to this. There’s a lot of litrpg out there which is technically deeper but just feels dead. There’s an innocence to the writing that seems to redeem it. Sure, there’s far better writing out there too.
I think the author has a lot of room to grow. An awful lot. But they’re starting from a great place and I’ll look forward to their next work.
Edit: err... apparently the author died shortly after this was published. So... F. Rest in peace dude.
So why four stars?... I actually enjoyed listening to this. There’s a lot of litrpg out there which is technically deeper but just feels dead. There’s an innocence to the writing that seems to redeem it. Sure, there’s far better writing out there too.
I think the author has a lot of room to grow. An awful lot. But they’re starting from a great place and I’ll look forward to their next work.
Edit: err... apparently the author died shortly after this was published. So... F. Rest in peace dude.
September 23, 2023
Introduction:
Greetings, fellow denizens of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, the Alpha Ice Wolf of our icy realm. With over three decades of gaming experience under my fur, I've ventured into countless virtual worlds. Today, I bring forth my review of the audiobook "Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" by David Pendleton. Let's embark on this journey together.
Basic Plot Summary:
The tale revolves around Devon, a young man bound to a wheelchair, who gets an opportunity to experience a new realm of gaming through Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR). To ensure his selection for the Alpha test of this game, Devon chooses a unique combination of skills, primarily as a craftsman and secondarily as a healer, adopting the Gnome race. Despite the challenges and underestimations, he embarks on an adventure in Angromoria under the name Gnobody. But soon, the lines between the game and reality blur.
Analysis/Evaluation:
The concept of IVR and the transformation of a physically challenged individual into a game avatar is both innovative and touching. It touches on the profound impact of technology on our lives and the lengths to which one might go to experience a semblance of normalcy.
Characters:
- Devon/Gnobody: A protagonist who is both relatable and inspiring. His determination to overcome his physical limitations in the real world by diving into the virtual one is commendable.
- Goddess Halavia: A delightful treat, adding a touch of divine intervention and humor.
- Other Players: They add depth to the story, each with their unique perspectives and challenges.
Structure:
The narrative flows seamlessly between Devon's real-life challenges and his adventures in Angromoria. The detailed descriptions of the game mechanics, though intricate, provide a comprehensive understanding of the IVR world.
Impact:
The story resonates with anyone who has faced challenges and sought refuge in the virtual world. It's a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the quest for adventure, no matter the circumstances.
Hook and Thesis:
The allure of a perfect virtual reality experience, especially for someone with physical limitations, is the hook that draws readers in. The thesis revolves around the idea that our spirit is not confined by our physical limitations.
Praise and Critique:
Praise is due for the unique approach to the LitRPG genre and the depth of character development. However, critiques from fellow readers about the need for better editing and the frequent switch between first and third-person narratives are valid concerns.
Evaluation:
"Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" is a heartwarming tale of determination, adventure, and the transformative power of technology. While it has its flaws, the core message and character development make it a worthy read.
Comparison:
While many LitRPGs delve into the adventures of their protagonists in virtual worlds, few touch upon the profound impact of such experiences on individuals with physical challenges. In this aspect, "Angromoria #1" stands out.
Conclusion:
In the icy terrains of HowlStrom, we value resilience and determination. "Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" embodies these values, making it a tale close to my furry heart. Though the author, David Pendleton, has passed on, his legacy lives through this enchanting tale. I, Kiba Snowpaw, recommend this audiobook to all, especially those seeking adventure and inspiration.
May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide your path.
Greetings, fellow denizens of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, the Alpha Ice Wolf of our icy realm. With over three decades of gaming experience under my fur, I've ventured into countless virtual worlds. Today, I bring forth my review of the audiobook "Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" by David Pendleton. Let's embark on this journey together.
Basic Plot Summary:
The tale revolves around Devon, a young man bound to a wheelchair, who gets an opportunity to experience a new realm of gaming through Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR). To ensure his selection for the Alpha test of this game, Devon chooses a unique combination of skills, primarily as a craftsman and secondarily as a healer, adopting the Gnome race. Despite the challenges and underestimations, he embarks on an adventure in Angromoria under the name Gnobody. But soon, the lines between the game and reality blur.
Analysis/Evaluation:
The concept of IVR and the transformation of a physically challenged individual into a game avatar is both innovative and touching. It touches on the profound impact of technology on our lives and the lengths to which one might go to experience a semblance of normalcy.
Characters:
- Devon/Gnobody: A protagonist who is both relatable and inspiring. His determination to overcome his physical limitations in the real world by diving into the virtual one is commendable.
- Goddess Halavia: A delightful treat, adding a touch of divine intervention and humor.
- Other Players: They add depth to the story, each with their unique perspectives and challenges.
Structure:
The narrative flows seamlessly between Devon's real-life challenges and his adventures in Angromoria. The detailed descriptions of the game mechanics, though intricate, provide a comprehensive understanding of the IVR world.
Impact:
The story resonates with anyone who has faced challenges and sought refuge in the virtual world. It's a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the quest for adventure, no matter the circumstances.
Hook and Thesis:
The allure of a perfect virtual reality experience, especially for someone with physical limitations, is the hook that draws readers in. The thesis revolves around the idea that our spirit is not confined by our physical limitations.
Praise and Critique:
Praise is due for the unique approach to the LitRPG genre and the depth of character development. However, critiques from fellow readers about the need for better editing and the frequent switch between first and third-person narratives are valid concerns.
Evaluation:
"Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" is a heartwarming tale of determination, adventure, and the transformative power of technology. While it has its flaws, the core message and character development make it a worthy read.
Comparison:
While many LitRPGs delve into the adventures of their protagonists in virtual worlds, few touch upon the profound impact of such experiences on individuals with physical challenges. In this aspect, "Angromoria #1" stands out.
Conclusion:
In the icy terrains of HowlStrom, we value resilience and determination. "Angromoria #1: Alpha Test" embodies these values, making it a tale close to my furry heart. Though the author, David Pendleton, has passed on, his legacy lives through this enchanting tale. I, Kiba Snowpaw, recommend this audiobook to all, especially those seeking adventure and inspiration.
May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide your path.
September 14, 2018
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
I’m going to be honest and say this is one of those times where I’m reminded not to judge a book by its cover. I’ve been reading as many litrpg books as I can find in the last couple weeks and saw this one early on but kept putting it off due to the cover which at the time I just found somewhat goofy compared to some of the more artistic covers. But as I wrap up reading it and see the cover again I find myself really enjoying it compared to others because it actually depicts the characters well and is not some generic fantasy cover.
Regarding the story as a whole I find myself enjoying it more than I originally planned, mainly because the character plays exactly how I prefer the characters I read about to play, lots of crafting with a good story. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it develops if more in the series come out. I want to see some crazy inventions that make things easier for his group although maybe not something like guns despite how easy they would be to make in that universe.
I’m going to be honest and say this is one of those times where I’m reminded not to judge a book by its cover. I’ve been reading as many litrpg books as I can find in the last couple weeks and saw this one early on but kept putting it off due to the cover which at the time I just found somewhat goofy compared to some of the more artistic covers. But as I wrap up reading it and see the cover again I find myself really enjoying it compared to others because it actually depicts the characters well and is not some generic fantasy cover.
Regarding the story as a whole I find myself enjoying it more than I originally planned, mainly because the character plays exactly how I prefer the characters I read about to play, lots of crafting with a good story. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it develops if more in the series come out. I want to see some crazy inventions that make things easier for his group although maybe not something like guns despite how easy they would be to make in that universe.
September 3, 2019
I got bored.
It started really well, seriously. The backstory was promising.
But as soon as we got into the VR world, things started going down the drain.
My biggest peeve was: lack of verisimilitude and excess blasé attitude from the MC.
For someone who doesn't remember how walking feels like, his reaction lacked realism. When people are bedridden for many months, they need to relearn how to walk. I couldn't buy this guy running in the first minute. I started loosing interest from there.
The dialog for the first VR village encounters was so phony that I just stopped after a while. I couldn't anymore. The NPC were too clever to be soulless, and too shallow to be people.
And there was no story. I had nothing to look forward to, except idly following the meanderings of a wannabe system abuser. Maybe I gave up right before the hook that was supposed to pull me into the story. Well, I prefer for those things to be stated early; not a patient man.
So I dropped this one. Not for me.
It started really well, seriously. The backstory was promising.
But as soon as we got into the VR world, things started going down the drain.
My biggest peeve was: lack of verisimilitude and excess blasé attitude from the MC.
For someone who doesn't remember how walking feels like, his reaction lacked realism. When people are bedridden for many months, they need to relearn how to walk. I couldn't buy this guy running in the first minute. I started loosing interest from there.
The dialog for the first VR village encounters was so phony that I just stopped after a while. I couldn't anymore. The NPC were too clever to be soulless, and too shallow to be people.
And there was no story. I had nothing to look forward to, except idly following the meanderings of a wannabe system abuser. Maybe I gave up right before the hook that was supposed to pull me into the story. Well, I prefer for those things to be stated early; not a patient man.
So I dropped this one. Not for me.
September 5, 2019
In short the book was boring, long-winded and felt amateurish. I did give the book 2 stars however because the idea was decent and 95% litRPG's are written by amateur authors so that is just expected somewhat.
The book was just felt stale and I was constantly zoning out while going through it, especially in the beginning. The book definitely was not written for RPG veterans. Do people go into LitRPG books not knowing how basic MMO/rpg mechanics work? The books definitely needs a Proofreader and an Editor, besides the Pov and grammar issues some of the scenes felt clunky.
Also, I feel like instead of real world research, Wikipedia was used for some of the books contents. I am in a very similar profession to the MC and those parts were very unbelievable. Beekeeping is also a big deal in my area and I know people that do it and those parts messed with me from the beginning.
I will not continue the series but I might check out another David Pendleton book in a few years to see if he has honed his skills.
The book was just felt stale and I was constantly zoning out while going through it, especially in the beginning. The book definitely was not written for RPG veterans. Do people go into LitRPG books not knowing how basic MMO/rpg mechanics work? The books definitely needs a Proofreader and an Editor, besides the Pov and grammar issues some of the scenes felt clunky.
Also, I feel like instead of real world research, Wikipedia was used for some of the books contents. I am in a very similar profession to the MC and those parts were very unbelievable. Beekeeping is also a big deal in my area and I know people that do it and those parts messed with me from the beginning.
I will not continue the series but I might check out another David Pendleton book in a few years to see if he has honed his skills.
August 18, 2019
Don't judge this book by the terrible green cover. I only decided to read this after reading some of the reviews.
I listened to the audio book version of this which was done very well. At the end it lets us know the very sad news that the day after David finished this he was admitted to hospital then died shortly later. He sounds like an interesting person who'd I'd have loved to get to know. It's also sad that his writing won't continue. It mentions that he started work on the next book which will be released soon, I'll definitely read it but I'm not sure how much of it will be David's work so I'll keep my expectations low to try and stop me from being too disappointed if it's not up to his standard.
I listened to the audio book version of this which was done very well. At the end it lets us know the very sad news that the day after David finished this he was admitted to hospital then died shortly later. He sounds like an interesting person who'd I'd have loved to get to know. It's also sad that his writing won't continue. It mentions that he started work on the next book which will be released soon, I'll definitely read it but I'm not sure how much of it will be David's work so I'll keep my expectations low to try and stop me from being too disappointed if it's not up to his standard.
April 11, 2018
Just plain fun.
Kindle Unlimited - Thank you!
Really enjoyed the time spent reading this. I smiled a lot and laughed a bunch. ALWAYS a good idea to protect the cook. 😼 Goddess Halavia (?) Is a treat. 💖
Wiping out villages for fun isn't my idea of acceptable game parameters, althouh it's just given a passing mention. PvP/PKP is usually where I lose interest and look for something else to read. But, I've got to give Pendleton credit for handling the trope differently. It was better than tolerable. Hoping that Alpha 'V' doesn't turn out to be totally ugly and horrific.
Kindle Unlimited - Thank you!
Really enjoyed the time spent reading this. I smiled a lot and laughed a bunch. ALWAYS a good idea to protect the cook. 😼 Goddess Halavia (?) Is a treat. 💖
Wiping out villages for fun isn't my idea of acceptable game parameters, althouh it's just given a passing mention. PvP/PKP is usually where I lose interest and look for something else to read. But, I've got to give Pendleton credit for handling the trope differently. It was better than tolerable. Hoping that Alpha 'V' doesn't turn out to be totally ugly and horrific.
October 7, 2018
I like books where the disabled get a fair shake, and LitRPG books seem to have a decent number of just that. Disabled folks regaining all their capabilities is a powerful story all by itself, but when that takes place inside an excellent story to boot, you can't go wrong with such a combination, and this book was no exception. Very well done, and I have to admit, I'm really looking forward to the next one in the series (assuming there is more of course). Very cool stuff here, nice to see the little guy (literally) avoid so much nastiness targeted his way.If you're up for an uplifting tale, then you won't want to miss this one.
May 2, 2018
Good plot, poor editing
Title says it all. Decent plot and story progression, but the game mechanics and progression are overly complicated without being well explained, and the whole book needs a solid editor. The narration switches without warning or reason from third to first person and back again. There are innumerable punctuation errors, enough to be distracting from being able to just read the book. Many sections are just unnecessarily wordy or repeats of prior discussion.
Overall fair, but needs a lot of polish before I would pay for it.
Title says it all. Decent plot and story progression, but the game mechanics and progression are overly complicated without being well explained, and the whole book needs a solid editor. The narration switches without warning or reason from third to first person and back again. There are innumerable punctuation errors, enough to be distracting from being able to just read the book. Many sections are just unnecessarily wordy or repeats of prior discussion.
Overall fair, but needs a lot of polish before I would pay for it.
October 9, 2019
Welcome new entry into the genre.
Loved the pacing and the detail in book. A wonderful representation of how many of us interact in the virtual world and who chose a path of support and the betterment of the community. Was saddened to hear of the authors passing because I really want more of this world. It’s clear he and I shared many similar hobbies. All my love to his family and I will certainly buy the sequel when available and would be happy to offer my services as an editor or reviewer for the family if they seek it.
Loved the pacing and the detail in book. A wonderful representation of how many of us interact in the virtual world and who chose a path of support and the betterment of the community. Was saddened to hear of the authors passing because I really want more of this world. It’s clear he and I shared many similar hobbies. All my love to his family and I will certainly buy the sequel when available and would be happy to offer my services as an editor or reviewer for the family if they seek it.
August 15, 2022
No new ground covered here and the stat and skill recitals in complete depth was a bit distracting at times. Overall I loved the book. Many of the plot elements have been covered in other books but I loved the characters and plot choices. I know the next would have been an even greater joy to read but sadly the author past short after this was published. Mr Pendelton was creative and wrote with such warmth that this book will make an impression on many who read or listen to the finely narrated audio book edition.
May 19, 2025
Spoiler alert!!!! Please do not read on if you like being kept in suspense.
I cannot adequately express my sorrow that the author has died. Not just because of losing his writing skill, but mostly for losing his vision. There is no way the man who wrote this book didn't leave behind a devastated family. Glad to hear someone has picked up the mantle is working on completing the sequel. This is a rich, rich world filled with wonderful characters. Ms Lori Pendleton, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
I cannot adequately express my sorrow that the author has died. Not just because of losing his writing skill, but mostly for losing his vision. There is no way the man who wrote this book didn't leave behind a devastated family. Glad to hear someone has picked up the mantle is working on completing the sequel. This is a rich, rich world filled with wonderful characters. Ms Lori Pendleton, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
April 23, 2018
The story was easily 4-star. The ebook was badly, badly in need of editing...
Great characters, fun system, cool world building. I'm excited to read more of Pendleton's work. I would have given 4 stars but the book is filled with run-up sentences that do end up detracting from the enjoyment of the story.
With that said, I strongly recommend reading this book. It is s very enjoyable read!
Great characters, fun system, cool world building. I'm excited to read more of Pendleton's work. I would have given 4 stars but the book is filled with run-up sentences that do end up detracting from the enjoyment of the story.
With that said, I strongly recommend reading this book. It is s very enjoyable read!
July 29, 2019
The story was kind of boring for my taste, like watching paint dry boring. MC is to quick to trust and then falls head over heals an hour into the story for "someone" waaaay to fast. The skill review list is unbelievably log and repetitive at times when said boring MC hasn't even done anything to make the skill and stat review to make sense to go over.
That being said, Eric did a great job at VO work, not surprising there.
That being said, Eric did a great job at VO work, not surprising there.
March 14, 2022
Good book
This was a really good book I'm honestly surprised usually books with this quality of plot in a book and fox this girl that usually have 302 500 or even more reviews. Honestly I'm surprised this book a doesn't but considering it's only book 1 of hopefully a Seer is, I think it has potential to get to that point as well anyways plot was good funny characters and a good lit RPG experience
This was a really good book I'm honestly surprised usually books with this quality of plot in a book and fox this girl that usually have 302 500 or even more reviews. Honestly I'm surprised this book a doesn't but considering it's only book 1 of hopefully a Seer is, I think it has potential to get to that point as well anyways plot was good funny characters and a good lit RPG experience
April 23, 2022
I tried to get into this tale but it was a losing battle. I doubt if this author ever played an MMORPG or an RPG PC game. He created a list of skills and attributes a mile long including anything and everything, i.e. swimming, running, jumping, and all types of fighting. Then he began adding points to many of them before acquiring them in-game so that he’d be ready when he did get them. Huh? Well, if that was the direction this tale was going, I could not continue.
February 2, 2023
An enjoyable start to a litrpg adventure. I liked the main characters and would be interested to see how they develop. This is pretty low key, almost no combat, not much visible grinding so far. I'd be willing to continue the series. Unfortunately, a note at the end of the volume indicated that the author died shortly after completing the novel. A second book was promised, but more than four years have passed since the author's death, so I'm doubtful we'll see a second volume.
February 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this story and was really looking forward to the future of Angromoria and the adventures of Gnobody. Sadly with Davids passing this is all we will get. The only reason I didn't give a 5th star is the same issue I have had with a lot of litrpg titles. I don't need to hear a reading of a stats sheet every time an upgrade is made. I understand that it may need to be done at least once early in a litrpg story but not over and over.
April 15, 2018
Gnoone better to read about
I’ve often wished I could meet characters I read about but Gnobody is hands down my favorite person. And he just keeps getting better as the book goes on! Fair, articulate, FUNNY and an all around amazing individual. David Pendleton, I’ll be watching for your next book, (and I don’t mean one of your non fictions) chop chop man ;)
I’ve often wished I could meet characters I read about but Gnobody is hands down my favorite person. And he just keeps getting better as the book goes on! Fair, articulate, FUNNY and an all around amazing individual. David Pendleton, I’ll be watching for your next book, (and I don’t mean one of your non fictions) chop chop man ;)
April 22, 2018
Good book
I really liked this book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the lack of punctuation and missing or wrong letters used in some words.
While I took one star off, don't let my complaints keep you from reading this book. It is very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.
I really liked this book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the lack of punctuation and missing or wrong letters used in some words.
While I took one star off, don't let my complaints keep you from reading this book. It is very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.
April 25, 2018
Funny
Well written and edited. Amuzing and entertaining story about a gnome with a very punny name. Immersive virtual reality meets man with degenerative disorder who is also an engineering genius. Add in a hot half orc, half gnome hottie of a chef and a bunch of bumbling players, it all makes for a very fun, fast read. I highly recommend this book.
Well written and edited. Amuzing and entertaining story about a gnome with a very punny name. Immersive virtual reality meets man with degenerative disorder who is also an engineering genius. Add in a hot half orc, half gnome hottie of a chef and a bunch of bumbling players, it all makes for a very fun, fast read. I highly recommend this book.
May 25, 2018
Almost didn't read because of the cover
I admit even though I read most all lit rpg books over 4 stars I didn't read this one until it has over 100 reviews. I glad I did. Action was limited but we'll written and MC was a good guy with thoughtful solutions. I may get bored with more puns and kitchen equipment so I'm hoping for more interesting crafting in book 2.
I admit even though I read most all lit rpg books over 4 stars I didn't read this one until it has over 100 reviews. I glad I did. Action was limited but we'll written and MC was a good guy with thoughtful solutions. I may get bored with more puns and kitchen equipment so I'm hoping for more interesting crafting in book 2.
October 16, 2019
I really enjoyed the story and everything that was going on with it. The issue I had was the character sheet update which lasts 3+ minutes almost every chapter or two. There is no need to do it constantly and the same with the repeat of system messages. It really is an issue which a lot of lit RPGs needs to understand.
March 9, 2020
I didn't really like it but it was okay. The rpg drove the story not vice versa and the characters were ridiculous. It was all very well intentioned but the execution was below fan fiction.
* stuck in game
* true love at first sight
* with npc
* pointless villainy
* over-emphasis on kitchen appliances
DNF
* stuck in game
* true love at first sight
* with npc
* pointless villainy
* over-emphasis on kitchen appliances
DNF
December 6, 2022
Enjoyable read. I liked how much time was spent setting the scene before the game world began. The game world was entertaining but its interaction with the real world required too much suspension of belief. The purpose of an alpha test was lost on everyone. Time and space had no meaning. Things happened way too quickly. To be fair, they had to or else we wouldn’t have a book.
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