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Axillon99
A Litrpg Adventure.
Death isn't a big deal in the virtual world of online gaming, but after poking her nose where it doesn't belong, Dakota Marx finds herself running for her life―and reality doesn't come with a respawn. At twenty-two, she's still slinging coffee at an Amazon Cafe despite having a degree in programming. It's not because she's unlucky, unmotivated, or even that she fancies herself an underground activist crusading against evil corporations... hunting for a 'real' job would take time away from her game. Axillon99 is the world's most popular multiplayer online experience, with a universe containing billions of planets to explore. Ever since video games broke the screen barrier, plunging players fully into their characters, reality just can't compete. Cognition Systems International announces a ten million dollar prize to celebrate the release of the next generation Neurona 4 interface helmet. After her crew decides to try chasing the money, Dakota discovers a sinister intent behind the new technology. Going public threatens the lives of her friends, but keeping CSI's secret could destroy the very fabric of society.
Death isn't a big deal in the virtual world of online gaming, but after poking her nose where it doesn't belong, Dakota Marx finds herself running for her life―and reality doesn't come with a respawn. At twenty-two, she's still slinging coffee at an Amazon Cafe despite having a degree in programming. It's not because she's unlucky, unmotivated, or even that she fancies herself an underground activist crusading against evil corporations... hunting for a 'real' job would take time away from her game. Axillon99 is the world's most popular multiplayer online experience, with a universe containing billions of planets to explore. Ever since video games broke the screen barrier, plunging players fully into their characters, reality just can't compete. Cognition Systems International announces a ten million dollar prize to celebrate the release of the next generation Neurona 4 interface helmet. After her crew decides to try chasing the money, Dakota discovers a sinister intent behind the new technology. Going public threatens the lives of her friends, but keeping CSI's secret could destroy the very fabric of society.
- GenresScience Fiction
316 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2018
87 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Matthew S. Cox
181 books265 followersBorn in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 28, 2019
“Axillon99: A LitRPG Novel” is the first, but will certainly not be my last, book by author Matthew Cox and narrator Avery Reid. Wow, what a ride!
MC Dakota Marx is a purposeful underachiever, preferring to work as a barista so she has plenty of time for online gaming. She and her boyfriend, MC Erik, even limit their cuddle time so that they have plenty of time in-game. Axillon99 does a fantastic job highlighting the differences between a humdrum life in the near future, and the exciting life of risk, adventures, battles and death in the immersive game world.
Even more, the book does a terrific job as game activities and dangers crossover into the real world, real world anti-corporate concerns and personal memories are found to tie-in to the gaming world, and we find game characters teaming up in the real world to survive and find love. Wow. As I said earlier: what a ride!
Throughout the book, the level of detail is astonishing. I felt I was at the coffee shop as Dakota dealt with customers and stalkers. The in-game battles, large and small were amazing. Dakota’s experience in the warehouse and her flashbacks were painfully realistic. Dakota bonding with co-worker Blake as he deals with his unwanted breakup with his boyfriend was amazing. Such delicate humanizing in a book of fantastically detailed space battles and alien monsters.
The other members of Dakota’s in-game team all have their own distinct personalities, and Dakota’s brother Nebraska went from an odd distraction to an important helper for the team IRL.
Are you in real life or the game? Is music playing?
Definitely 5* for “Axillon99”!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
MC Dakota Marx is a purposeful underachiever, preferring to work as a barista so she has plenty of time for online gaming. She and her boyfriend, MC Erik, even limit their cuddle time so that they have plenty of time in-game. Axillon99 does a fantastic job highlighting the differences between a humdrum life in the near future, and the exciting life of risk, adventures, battles and death in the immersive game world.
Even more, the book does a terrific job as game activities and dangers crossover into the real world, real world anti-corporate concerns and personal memories are found to tie-in to the gaming world, and we find game characters teaming up in the real world to survive and find love. Wow. As I said earlier: what a ride!
Throughout the book, the level of detail is astonishing. I felt I was at the coffee shop as Dakota dealt with customers and stalkers. The in-game battles, large and small were amazing. Dakota’s experience in the warehouse and her flashbacks were painfully realistic. Dakota bonding with co-worker Blake as he deals with his unwanted breakup with his boyfriend was amazing. Such delicate humanizing in a book of fantastically detailed space battles and alien monsters.
The other members of Dakota’s in-game team all have their own distinct personalities, and Dakota’s brother Nebraska went from an odd distraction to an important helper for the team IRL.
Are you in real life or the game? Is music playing?
Definitely 5* for “Axillon99”!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
June 28, 2019
If you love your gaming and RPG's, this is a great book to lose yourself in.
Dakota's such a bad ass! And I adore Nighthawk aka Shawn and the rest of the team aren't too bad either. I especially loved the end... go, Dakota!
Dakota's such a bad ass! And I adore Nighthawk aka Shawn and the rest of the team aren't too bad either. I especially loved the end... go, Dakota!
February 8, 2019
It's 2031 and millions of people around the world are playing Axillon99, an immersive sci fi virtual reality game. Dakota is one of those players, she got her degree in programming but prefers to work as a barista in order to spend more time in game. Being a programmer gives her an advantage when a new quest with a 10 million dollar prize is announced. Dakota and her crew of the Stormbringer are among the first to figure out the first clue.
This was a great LitRPG! I love reading character driven stories that are heavy on the world building, not too many stats, with a game I'd love to play myself. I prefer stories where the main character goes back and forth from the game to real life, I feel like it allows the characters to be more developed. Seeing Dakota in real life really fleshed her out and made me root for her.
While the bare bones of the plot may be similar to Ready Player One, Axillon doesn't suffer from its flaws. The world and the game are thoroughly described without huge info dumps, the pace is perfect. It references other games without being heavy handed, I remember playing LSL back before I was old enough to understand the innuendos and it cracked me up when it was referenced. Dakota is likable without being a Mary Sue, isn't overpowered, and can be kind or a badass as it's called for. And I loved having a strong female lead. The whole thing is just well written.
The narration was really well done, Avery Reid performed voices for each of the characters that fit well, and her voice for Dakota was perfect. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd recommend this LitRPG for just about any older teen or adult, and it would be perfect for fans of fantasy/sci fi and gamers.
This was a great LitRPG! I love reading character driven stories that are heavy on the world building, not too many stats, with a game I'd love to play myself. I prefer stories where the main character goes back and forth from the game to real life, I feel like it allows the characters to be more developed. Seeing Dakota in real life really fleshed her out and made me root for her.
While the bare bones of the plot may be similar to Ready Player One, Axillon doesn't suffer from its flaws. The world and the game are thoroughly described without huge info dumps, the pace is perfect. It references other games without being heavy handed, I remember playing LSL back before I was old enough to understand the innuendos and it cracked me up when it was referenced. Dakota is likable without being a Mary Sue, isn't overpowered, and can be kind or a badass as it's called for. And I loved having a strong female lead. The whole thing is just well written.
The narration was really well done, Avery Reid performed voices for each of the characters that fit well, and her voice for Dakota was perfect. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd recommend this LitRPG for just about any older teen or adult, and it would be perfect for fans of fantasy/sci fi and gamers.
May 25, 2018
WOW... What a ride!! 😳
I am not a gamer by ANY stretch of the imagination (a wee bit over the hill for all that, and besides, I am tech-deficient-lol), but I adored going along for the ride with Dakota—AKA/Fawkes—and her teammates.
The corporate bad guys and the dangers she and the rest face because of them are nerve wracking!
I have read many books by Matthew S Cox, across various genres, and I have NEVER been disappointed yet! This particular story was quite an exciting gem of a read!
I am not a gamer by ANY stretch of the imagination (a wee bit over the hill for all that, and besides, I am tech-deficient-lol), but I adored going along for the ride with Dakota—AKA/Fawkes—and her teammates.
The corporate bad guys and the dangers she and the rest face because of them are nerve wracking!
I have read many books by Matthew S Cox, across various genres, and I have NEVER been disappointed yet! This particular story was quite an exciting gem of a read!
November 16, 2018
Wow, that was....
The best LitRPG I've ever read.
And God knows I've been churning through them all year.
So what did this book get right that others didn't?
1. characterization
By not going the "Lost in the Game" route, the characters kept balance and perspective. That was really well done. The 11years old Sean is wayyyy too mature for his age, but I'll let that slip. All the other characters, including the MC ring true.
2. No Uncanny Valley
For once, a litrpg where NPCs remain plain NPCs. That's a change!
3. Real plot
Many books start with an IRL event that pushes the MC to VR, but as soon as they get there, IRL and its concerns go out the window, and we're bombarded with a Twitch-like specs fest.
In this book, there's something happening IRL that is driving the story forwards. It's not just about levelling up, or based on a silly virtual economy. I appreciated that.
4. Realistic (ish) gaming environment
We're never allowed to forget that most of the action takes place in a "game", a very enjoyable and deep game, certainly, but nothing more (sometimes the point is even over emphasized). No it's more than just a game, it's life! nonsense here.
No OP (a blessing!). MC and clique are not beta testers, or leaderboard junkies. They're just a crew like any other.
What concerns the hardware and its plot connections raise is very deftly handled, and very believable.
In conclusion:
Even though it's a rather SF setting and I'm more into Fantasy, this was a surprisingly satisfying listen. For a LitRPG book, I don't recall rolling my eyes even once! That's just amazing!
In it's category this book deserves a 5 stars.
Unfortunately, for me 5 stars mean something special, so it'll be a 4 visible stars but really a 4.5 score.
If you've been growing tired of the childishly nombrilistic nonsense that is rampant in LitRPG these days, this book is definitely for you. Get it!
The best LitRPG I've ever read.
And God knows I've been churning through them all year.
So what did this book get right that others didn't?
1. characterization
By not going the "Lost in the Game" route, the characters kept balance and perspective. That was really well done. The 11years old Sean is wayyyy too mature for his age, but I'll let that slip. All the other characters, including the MC ring true.
2. No Uncanny Valley
For once, a litrpg where NPCs remain plain NPCs. That's a change!
3. Real plot
Many books start with an IRL event that pushes the MC to VR, but as soon as they get there, IRL and its concerns go out the window, and we're bombarded with a Twitch-like specs fest.
In this book, there's something happening IRL that is driving the story forwards. It's not just about levelling up, or based on a silly virtual economy. I appreciated that.
4. Realistic (ish) gaming environment
We're never allowed to forget that most of the action takes place in a "game", a very enjoyable and deep game, certainly, but nothing more (sometimes the point is even over emphasized). No it's more than just a game, it's life! nonsense here.
No OP (a blessing!). MC and clique are not beta testers, or leaderboard junkies. They're just a crew like any other.
What concerns the hardware and its plot connections raise is very deftly handled, and very believable.
In conclusion:
Even though it's a rather SF setting and I'm more into Fantasy, this was a surprisingly satisfying listen. For a LitRPG book, I don't recall rolling my eyes even once! That's just amazing!
In it's category this book deserves a 5 stars.
Unfortunately, for me 5 stars mean something special, so it'll be a 4 visible stars but really a 4.5 score.
If you've been growing tired of the childishly nombrilistic nonsense that is rampant in LitRPG these days, this book is definitely for you. Get it!
August 20, 2020
Great read
I never write reviews, but this book deserves one. I bought it cheap through bookbub as a change of pace from my normal fantasy sci fi reads, and I'm glad I did. The plot isn't anything especially original or groundbreaking, but the book is so well written and so much fun that it doesn't matter. I finished it quickly and will definitely be looking at other titles by this author. Well worth your time. Highly recommended.
I never write reviews, but this book deserves one. I bought it cheap through bookbub as a change of pace from my normal fantasy sci fi reads, and I'm glad I did. The plot isn't anything especially original or groundbreaking, but the book is so well written and so much fun that it doesn't matter. I finished it quickly and will definitely be looking at other titles by this author. Well worth your time. Highly recommended.
April 19, 2020
Thank You Matthew.
Another great story from Matthew Cox! Great characters and engaging story. Dakota is a barista by day and a rouge in her favorite pastime, a massive and fully immersive VR online game. When the gaming company comes out with a 10 million dollar prize, it’s game on. But not all is what it seems! Enjoy the ride!
Another great story from Matthew Cox! Great characters and engaging story. Dakota is a barista by day and a rouge in her favorite pastime, a massive and fully immersive VR online game. When the gaming company comes out with a 10 million dollar prize, it’s game on. But not all is what it seems! Enjoy the ride!
June 8, 2018
Fusing plausible representations of playing science-fiction MMOs with nuanced portrayals of a possible near-future, Cox creates a story that has plenty to appeal to gamers, old-school cyberpunks, and techno-thrillseekers alike.
Since graduating with a degree in programming, Dakota Marx has worked as a barista. Not because there aren’t better jobs, but because getting one would eat into her time playing Axillon99, a vast virtual-reality multiplayer online science-fiction game. When the game’s developers announce a new quest with a ten-million-dollar prize for the first group to complete it, Dakota and her friends decide they might as well try; however, with that much money on offer not everyone is prepared to play fair or leave their rivalry inside the game.
Cox weaves together two future worlds: the high-tech space opera of Axillon99, with its mix of artificial constraints, slightly stylised visuals, simplistic bystanders, and trauma-as-inconvenience; and the one-step-from-today dystopia of the real world, with virtual reality helmets, corporate sprawl, urban decay, unpredictable strangers, and trauma-as-danger. |His skilful balance of page time in each and the transition of some plot threads from one to the other make the high-competence, low-flexibility options of the game and the average-competence, wide-flexibility options of the real world act as a pleasing contrast rather than a frustrating obstacle.
This weaving of worlds with different rules and character abilities increases as Dakota both moves from simply playing the game to knowing valuable secrets and is convinced to use her programming skills to assist her brother’s anti-corporate commune.
While the major threat to characters remains violence from those who want the secrets they believe Dakota and her friends have, Cox provides real consequences to failures in the game beyond those of simply falling behind, making the events within Axillon99 feel like more than a game.
As with Cox’s other work, there are little jokes and allusions throughout the text; however, as befits story with geek protagonists, these are sometimes highlighted in-world or even used to signpost a plot.
Dakota is a great protagonist for the premise: her lack of success by traditional standards is a choice rather than a result of inability, preventing her displays of skill from veering into the territory of “simple girl who discovers she is chosen by destiny”; however, her choice to focus on the game over other areas of her life also sometimes leaves her resource-poor. This rejection of material success due to a hobby rather than a strong dislike for corporate power also makes her occasional struggle between the right thing for society and the right thing for her friends more plausible.
The supporting cast are similarly well-suited, displaying a solid mix of trope and nuance. In addition, Cox takes full advantage of the anonymity offered by online interaction, providing readers with the opportunity to predict what sort of people Dakota’s online contacts might actually be.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking gritty cyberpunk, epic space battles, LitRPG, or just a great read.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
Since graduating with a degree in programming, Dakota Marx has worked as a barista. Not because there aren’t better jobs, but because getting one would eat into her time playing Axillon99, a vast virtual-reality multiplayer online science-fiction game. When the game’s developers announce a new quest with a ten-million-dollar prize for the first group to complete it, Dakota and her friends decide they might as well try; however, with that much money on offer not everyone is prepared to play fair or leave their rivalry inside the game.
Cox weaves together two future worlds: the high-tech space opera of Axillon99, with its mix of artificial constraints, slightly stylised visuals, simplistic bystanders, and trauma-as-inconvenience; and the one-step-from-today dystopia of the real world, with virtual reality helmets, corporate sprawl, urban decay, unpredictable strangers, and trauma-as-danger. |His skilful balance of page time in each and the transition of some plot threads from one to the other make the high-competence, low-flexibility options of the game and the average-competence, wide-flexibility options of the real world act as a pleasing contrast rather than a frustrating obstacle.
This weaving of worlds with different rules and character abilities increases as Dakota both moves from simply playing the game to knowing valuable secrets and is convinced to use her programming skills to assist her brother’s anti-corporate commune.
While the major threat to characters remains violence from those who want the secrets they believe Dakota and her friends have, Cox provides real consequences to failures in the game beyond those of simply falling behind, making the events within Axillon99 feel like more than a game.
As with Cox’s other work, there are little jokes and allusions throughout the text; however, as befits story with geek protagonists, these are sometimes highlighted in-world or even used to signpost a plot.
Dakota is a great protagonist for the premise: her lack of success by traditional standards is a choice rather than a result of inability, preventing her displays of skill from veering into the territory of “simple girl who discovers she is chosen by destiny”; however, her choice to focus on the game over other areas of her life also sometimes leaves her resource-poor. This rejection of material success due to a hobby rather than a strong dislike for corporate power also makes her occasional struggle between the right thing for society and the right thing for her friends more plausible.
The supporting cast are similarly well-suited, displaying a solid mix of trope and nuance. In addition, Cox takes full advantage of the anonymity offered by online interaction, providing readers with the opportunity to predict what sort of people Dakota’s online contacts might actually be.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking gritty cyberpunk, epic space battles, LitRPG, or just a great read.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
February 12, 2019
I received this title free in exchange for an honest review.
I an a big fan of the LitRPG genre, so when I saw this title I was excited to give it a listen. This story exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed it throughout. The future setting, 2031, has some humorous, and not so unfathomable, notions. The idea that a coffee will cost over 9 bucks, and drones delivering all kinds of products, are just a few examples. The most important advancement to the plot, however, is full immersion gaming. While not the full haptic suits of Ready Player One, the helmet interface is integral to both the gaming and the story.
There is plenty of action, both in game and out, some daily life elements, and interpersonal dynamics as well. Each member of the Stormbringer’s crew comes to life through Matthew S. Cox’s writing. There was only one thing that disappointed me, which I will leave with pseudo-spoiler details after my comments on the narration.
Speaking of the narration, Avery Reid is EXCELLENT!!! She truly delivered an outstanding performance. She is apparently new, as this is only the third title she has on Audible at this time, but she is someone to pay attention to. She is already one of my three favorite female narrators, doing a solid job with character voices and an amazing job with the narrative.
*Pseudo-Spoiler Alert*
I’m not going to deliver any specifics, but I will say that I was disappointed with the ending, how things played out over basically the final 30 minutes. I really thought the story was cheapened with a crucial decision that was made. However, Matthew S. Cox won me back during the final two minutes. You’ll understand when you get there.
I an a big fan of the LitRPG genre, so when I saw this title I was excited to give it a listen. This story exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed it throughout. The future setting, 2031, has some humorous, and not so unfathomable, notions. The idea that a coffee will cost over 9 bucks, and drones delivering all kinds of products, are just a few examples. The most important advancement to the plot, however, is full immersion gaming. While not the full haptic suits of Ready Player One, the helmet interface is integral to both the gaming and the story.
There is plenty of action, both in game and out, some daily life elements, and interpersonal dynamics as well. Each member of the Stormbringer’s crew comes to life through Matthew S. Cox’s writing. There was only one thing that disappointed me, which I will leave with pseudo-spoiler details after my comments on the narration.
Speaking of the narration, Avery Reid is EXCELLENT!!! She truly delivered an outstanding performance. She is apparently new, as this is only the third title she has on Audible at this time, but she is someone to pay attention to. She is already one of my three favorite female narrators, doing a solid job with character voices and an amazing job with the narrative.
*Pseudo-Spoiler Alert*
I’m not going to deliver any specifics, but I will say that I was disappointed with the ending, how things played out over basically the final 30 minutes. I really thought the story was cheapened with a crucial decision that was made. However, Matthew S. Cox won me back during the final two minutes. You’ll understand when you get there.
February 1, 2019
Ready Player One Dethroned
Axillon99 is undeniably the best LitRPG I have read. Having read dozens of books in the genre, I have finally discovered a true “Easter Egg.” This book was fun, real, and griping. It flawlessly combined the harsh realities of life with the imaginative entertainment of a Game world. In my perspective, Axillion99 has replaced Ready Player One as the new LitRPG gold standard.
First, it must be said that this book is extremely similar in plot to Ready Player One: Immersive Gamers enter in a contest to win a huge prize while taking on an evil corporation. Although it gets no points for novelty, the plot is perfectly executed. It is well-paced and combines the thrill, suspense, humor, and action in a masterfully crafted tale.
Characterization was a high point for me. Unlike most LitRPG authors, Matthew S. Cox focused on characters development both in and out of the game. This made the story far more immersive and the characters far more real and relatable. This is characterization at its best.
While extremely similar to Ready Player One, Axilllon99 takes all the things that it had and perfects them, somehow making them come more alive and more real. This book is worth your time.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Morality Rating- Axillon99 contains violence, language, sexuality, nudity, torture, kidnapping, drug references, homosexuality, and crude humor.
Axillon99 is undeniably the best LitRPG I have read. Having read dozens of books in the genre, I have finally discovered a true “Easter Egg.” This book was fun, real, and griping. It flawlessly combined the harsh realities of life with the imaginative entertainment of a Game world. In my perspective, Axillion99 has replaced Ready Player One as the new LitRPG gold standard.
First, it must be said that this book is extremely similar in plot to Ready Player One: Immersive Gamers enter in a contest to win a huge prize while taking on an evil corporation. Although it gets no points for novelty, the plot is perfectly executed. It is well-paced and combines the thrill, suspense, humor, and action in a masterfully crafted tale.
Characterization was a high point for me. Unlike most LitRPG authors, Matthew S. Cox focused on characters development both in and out of the game. This made the story far more immersive and the characters far more real and relatable. This is characterization at its best.
While extremely similar to Ready Player One, Axilllon99 takes all the things that it had and perfects them, somehow making them come more alive and more real. This book is worth your time.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Morality Rating- Axillon99 contains violence, language, sexuality, nudity, torture, kidnapping, drug references, homosexuality, and crude humor.
April 20, 2020
The LitRPG genre has been pretty hit or miss for me, with some titles being truly excellent and others being little more than a cheap rip-off of READY PLAYER ONE. This book was somewhere in the middle. The game world was interesting and well-developed, but I found myself frequently bored by the chapters dealing with the protagonist and the real world. The book was technically well-written and definitely one of the better examples of LitRPG I've read recently, but overall the story and the characters were just okay.
February 5, 2021
Great fun
A rarity among rarities, an actually great science fiction LitRPG! The author has definitely played MMOs, and doesn't rely on making the chars OP or giving them special, unique abilities, they're just great players, and the game itself feels plausible. The eventually revealed plot twist comes naturally. Standalone book, no cliffhangers. Recommended!
A rarity among rarities, an actually great science fiction LitRPG! The author has definitely played MMOs, and doesn't rely on making the chars OP or giving them special, unique abilities, they're just great players, and the game itself feels plausible. The eventually revealed plot twist comes naturally. Standalone book, no cliffhangers. Recommended!
January 2, 2019
I found myself rather enjoying this story and not for the first time wishing we did have full immersion gaming. The world of Fawkes sounds like a place I would love to get lost in.
February 4, 2019
I loved this LitRPG, I enjoyed it, much as if I was reading one of Ernest Cline novels, like Armada or Ready Player One (both of which, I absolutely loved).
This book has plenty of action, both in-game, (space battles... woohoo!), and in "real-life", with a kidnappings and a drive-by... Our protagonist, Dakota, takes her intrepid team of 5 on a mission to win an amazing prize, but things turn deadly, and respawning may not be an option...
Avery Reid did a fantastic job narrating this book, her voice acting was dead on perfect for the characters voices!
You're gonna want to grab this one today, before the game timer runs out
This book has plenty of action, both in-game, (space battles... woohoo!), and in "real-life", with a kidnappings and a drive-by... Our protagonist, Dakota, takes her intrepid team of 5 on a mission to win an amazing prize, but things turn deadly, and respawning may not be an option...
Avery Reid did a fantastic job narrating this book, her voice acting was dead on perfect for the characters voices!
You're gonna want to grab this one today, before the game timer runs out
June 7, 2019
Stuck in a video game... boring? NO DEFINATLEY NOT
Between the game universe and real life there is enough excitement to keep even the action hungry assuaged.
The protagonist is deeply dimensioned, we can feel her breathe. The other characters are not paper thin either.
The story jogs along with a satisfying ending.
All in all a thoroughly good read.
Between the game universe and real life there is enough excitement to keep even the action hungry assuaged.
The protagonist is deeply dimensioned, we can feel her breathe. The other characters are not paper thin either.
The story jogs along with a satisfying ending.
All in all a thoroughly good read.
August 8, 2019
A very interesting read.
I had some trouble with the different labels but for someone that plays a lot of computer games it won't be a problem.
I liked how the book turned out and the many adventures Stormbringer's crew shared.
I had some trouble with the different labels but for someone that plays a lot of computer games it won't be a problem.
I liked how the book turned out and the many adventures Stormbringer's crew shared.
June 24, 2019
Good book overall. I can't help but compare it to Ready Player One due to similar themes and scenarios. I enjoyed it but not as much as RPO due to lack of nostalgia this book invoked.
March 9, 2025
When in the future everything is own by the big company's like Amazon . Dakota is working at the Amazon cafe to help fund her on line role playing game . When the CSI company decides to hold a 10 million dollar game challenge to launch their new system . Dakota and her friends decide to play. Dakota discovers malice in the game. If she tells the world it could threaten their very lives but if Dakota hides the secret it could ruin the whole fabric of life.
There is a a great cast of characters in this book. Dakota is the leader of the merry little band of misfits . She is twenty two and trying just to be a no one and wants to play her role playing games . In real life she tends to hide and just do her job and go home . In the game she is fearless and considered an underground activist that are fighting against the evil big corporations. Erik is well her boyfriend who would forget to cuddle so they can play the game longer . He is a sweet guy who just wants to play the game and see how far he can get. There are many more characters that we meet in this book real life and in the game. Each character has a great personality and are very complex . There are moments that you want to just hug Dakota and the rest of the gang and other times you want to basically slap them upside the head for the stupid stuff they do.
Honestly I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book. Was not ready for the roller coaster ride that the author took us on. The story is one of gaming and what can happen if the companies aren't what they seem to be and the real life that can be a little boring after being in the game. There were times when I had a hard time realizing when I was in the game and then in real life through out the book. This would be a great book for those that love gaming and role playing . So if you have a gamer or want to read a good sci fi book that will keep you awake all night this is the book for you
There is a a great cast of characters in this book. Dakota is the leader of the merry little band of misfits . She is twenty two and trying just to be a no one and wants to play her role playing games . In real life she tends to hide and just do her job and go home . In the game she is fearless and considered an underground activist that are fighting against the evil big corporations. Erik is well her boyfriend who would forget to cuddle so they can play the game longer . He is a sweet guy who just wants to play the game and see how far he can get. There are many more characters that we meet in this book real life and in the game. Each character has a great personality and are very complex . There are moments that you want to just hug Dakota and the rest of the gang and other times you want to basically slap them upside the head for the stupid stuff they do.
Honestly I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book. Was not ready for the roller coaster ride that the author took us on. The story is one of gaming and what can happen if the companies aren't what they seem to be and the real life that can be a little boring after being in the game. There were times when I had a hard time realizing when I was in the game and then in real life through out the book. This would be a great book for those that love gaming and role playing . So if you have a gamer or want to read a good sci fi book that will keep you awake all night this is the book for you
March 11, 2020
What Is Reality?
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••
This is a stand alone novel.
Dakota feels like her game life as Fawkes is more real than her real life as a barrista. In game she is afraid of nothing and a kick butt rogue who's part of an amazing team. Her real life boyfriend Erik is also Rallek a technomancer she met in game. Really she only has her brother Nebraska and her co-workers in real life. There being a contest for 10million dollars in game makes her want to retreat from reality even more. Can they figure out how to win the prize? Or is it just some gimmick and a lie? The plasterboard sure makes it seem real. Will her dream of doing nothing but being in game with no worries come true? Or are they in over their heads?
***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy futuristic sci-fi with a major virtual reality game as the main staging full of mysteries and adventures :)
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••
This is a stand alone novel.
Dakota feels like her game life as Fawkes is more real than her real life as a barrista. In game she is afraid of nothing and a kick butt rogue who's part of an amazing team. Her real life boyfriend Erik is also Rallek a technomancer she met in game. Really she only has her brother Nebraska and her co-workers in real life. There being a contest for 10million dollars in game makes her want to retreat from reality even more. Can they figure out how to win the prize? Or is it just some gimmick and a lie? The plasterboard sure makes it seem real. Will her dream of doing nothing but being in game with no worries come true? Or are they in over their heads?
***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy futuristic sci-fi with a major virtual reality game as the main staging full of mysteries and adventures :)
April 13, 2023
This book deserves more reviews.
The future. Nearly everything is owned by Amazon, Disney and Walmart. The female MC is a barista in a Amazon Coffee shop. She probably could find a better job but she uses all her spare time to play Axillon99 a VRMMOPRG.
Then the Game Company announces a 10 million dollar price for solving a quest in the game.
Axillion99 is a treasure hunt with puzzle solving and a team of a few characters play together. Of course there is some evil company lurking in the background.
Character interaction is fun, the reality part was as good as the game part. Not all actions are successful on the first try. Good book!
Only reduced one star as I found the end a bit too unrealistic.
The future. Nearly everything is owned by Amazon, Disney and Walmart. The female MC is a barista in a Amazon Coffee shop. She probably could find a better job but she uses all her spare time to play Axillon99 a VRMMOPRG.
Then the Game Company announces a 10 million dollar price for solving a quest in the game.
Axillion99 is a treasure hunt with puzzle solving and a team of a few characters play together. Of course there is some evil company lurking in the background.
Character interaction is fun, the reality part was as good as the game part. Not all actions are successful on the first try. Good book!
Only reduced one star as I found the end a bit too unrealistic.
March 10, 2025
4/4.5
This was such a fun story!! As a huge fan of video games it was easy to get caught up in this world and fall in love with the characters and the action gameplay. I enjoyed the bit of romance, action, and suspense along the way.
Dakota was an easy character to like both in-game and in the real world.
If you enjoy LitTPG story with corruption, romance, and lots of exciting action then be sure to check this one out!
This was such a fun story!! As a huge fan of video games it was easy to get caught up in this world and fall in love with the characters and the action gameplay. I enjoyed the bit of romance, action, and suspense along the way.
Dakota was an easy character to like both in-game and in the real world.
If you enjoy LitTPG story with corruption, romance, and lots of exciting action then be sure to check this one out!
March 13, 2025
In games, you can respawn or restart and never worry about your character getting "removed" from the quest/mission. Dakota, a barista, learns that sometimes those who create the evil bosses are just as evil in real life. Now she's on the run with the game team from CSI's nefarious plans. Will they survive? Will her reality ever be the same? Who can you trust?
October 21, 2018
The treasure hunt was just... I guess it simply wasn't to my taste
August 16, 2020
82% and I've had enough. I probably could have finished it but, I wasn't looking forward to it.
July 15, 2025
What can I say, I absolutely enjoyed this book! Even if you aren't a gamer, you will be drawn in to this amazing story that has so much depth and fascinating characters, you won't be able to put it down!
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