Side Quests

Viridian Gate Online Universe

by James A. Hunter, J.D. Astra, D.J. Bodden

The End is Coming.

An extinction-level asteroid is cannonballing toward Earth. In humanity’s final hours, a lucky few earn a one-way ticket to the brand-new, ultra-immersive, fantasy-based VRMMORPG, Viridian Gate Online. Making that leap of faith might mean survival, but it comes with a steep price tag: “Travelers” will forever be stranded as digital avatars inside a fantastical world filled with vicious monsters, all-powerful AIs, and cutthroat players. Let the games begin …

Six amazing authors. Six incredible new tales. All set in the best-selling Viridian Gate Online Universe. Side Quests is an anthology for fans, by the fans!

Included in Side Quests:
“A Gentleman’s Work” by James A. Hunter
When an Imperial Inquisitor captures a Thieves Guild Operative, Cutter must undertake a deadly rescue mission while using every grift in the book to stay one step ahead of a Headsman’s Blade. And the prize for this extraordinary quest? Nothing short of the keys to the Rowanheath Thieves Guild. Deception, subterfuge, and heavy drinking—all in a day’s work for a Gentleman …

“The Funeral Parlor” by Raymond Johnson
A young spiderling is stranded in an alien land, surrounded by hostile creatures. Forced to fight for her life in a bid to find her way home, she must transform into the predator she is destined to become or die alone and forgotten, trapped in a dark world know as the Shadowverse.

“The Raiding of Rowanheath” by J.D. Astra
The Crimson Alliance has breached the walls of Rowanheath, inciting Aleixo Carrera’s rage. Now Abby and her rag-tag invasion crew must reach the keep’s Command Center before the defending troops mobilize and shut down the takeover, else they’ll lose the battle and the war for Eldgard’s freedom.

“The Ballad of Jaro Edgewalker” by N.H. Paxton
Jaro is an assassin, and he’s good at it. But when he finds a foe that is insurmountable by normal means and uncovers a plot to destroy everything he loves, Jaro has to balance his morality with his love for his friends and make an incredibly difficult decision.

“Buried Alive” by Nicholas Reid
Carlos Vega thinks he’s escaping certain death by entering the virtual world of V.G.O., but instead he’s swallowed alive by the deadly Barren Sands. He’ll have to overcome the riddles and horrors of a long-forgotten temple in order to escape, but can he do it before the evil sealed there centuries ago finds him?

“A Final Kindness” by D.J. Bodden
Alan Campbell was a talker, not a fighter, until someone murdered his girl. He’d almost given up on finding the killers; now he’s got a fresh lead, a trio of mercenaries who outclass him in every way but his wits. He’ll cheat, bluff, and steal to get his revenge, and as one of V.G.O.’s immortal travelers, he’s willing to die trying.

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Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2018

About the author

James Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.

James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.

Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com

Reviews

[Lee Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit leery of this one since it's a collection of short stories. So many times, short story collections are seriously hit or miss. This one was almost entirely winners. Even the one I was so-so about was better than average. The only thing I would forewarn potential readers about is that several of the stories make references to the regular series beyond the first couple of books. They're semi-spoilerish concerning the ongoing main plot and the progress of some of the main characters.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved most of the stories in this anthology as I found that most of them dealt with characters we already know from the VGO series and these tales filled in some necessary background info and history. I particularly loved reading about the personal quest set out for Cutter, who is one of my very favourite characters, and to see him get the backing of most of the usual team. I also liked the fact that Amara was doing the muscle work in this story seeing as how she is a woman, and that Jack's sense of honour is rubbing off on our thief par excellence! Loved also the story about the little spiderkin who was so spunky and who got a chance to become a void terror as she was always a hunter and never a prey. Reading more into the private war between Abby and Sandra during the Rowanheath take over was great too, it is so obvious that the two woman are so different. One just wanted to win the game whilst the other was fighting for everyone's right to freedom. The twin daggers of light and dark are interesting and Jaro Edgewalker is also a character to respect. Seems like the inquisitors who are so frightening are out in force now and turning up in various stories but I am not certain how the story with the Egyptian background and gods appeared in this series. It seemed superficial and not part of Eldgard at all. All in all I would still say though that side quests is an anthology that must be read by readers following the VGO series,and like myself thoroughly enjoying the books.

[Chris Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smorgasbord

Where to begin?
Are you a fan of James H Amdnthis amazing prose? Great
Did you love the collaboration in the worldbuilding of the Viridian Gate series (up to5 now?)
And lastly. Do.you. like. A. Damned. Good. Tale?
Yes it helps if you are familiar with VGO first (don't just stand there. Book 4 is on sale on Friday....2 days!). Yes it helps if you have an imagination (Shadow Alley Press can fix that!. Yancy, Winona, Levi...to name a few of their pantheon of crazy characters. Genres? they have something for everyone. )
So this is a sophisticated and well conceived collection.
Life in the world of Grimjack, Abby and friends.
And a few enemies. And Cutter. He's a dude. And a bloody brit. Hurrah.

[Rogue Strategoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a worthwhile entry in the series. To be honest it even should work for someone who didn't read the main entries in the series. To a fan of VGO it's an excellent addition to already rich world, and a short stories format keeps things fresh too.

Cutter's story is engaging and shines more light on a character that's much liked by me (and by many readers too I guess). Additionally no story in the book feels forced or added just to pad it's volume - they all are unique, the characters are interesting and their stories feel worth knowing.

Except the initial novella I especially loved the last one, main character wasn't the only one to shine there.

I hope to read about these characters again, and look forward to new entries in VGO series!

[Simon Larcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic set of short stories

Quite apart from the short Cutter story by James, which I really enjoyed and was looking forward to, the stories in this collection were all excellent. All the authors fitted in well with the existing story, fleshing out the wider world and bringing some colour to areas not previously seen.
There were a number of interesting characters who I hope to see again, either in the main story or in a further collection.
Highly recommend for fans of the Viridian Gate novels but also for those who just love great stories!

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I despise audio dramas.
*CLANG!*
It’s like a 3D movie, for your ears!
*SLASH!*
It’s like those children’s books with the buttons

Anyway, once you get past the presentation, all of these stories are worth exploring. I read Side Quests as 5.5 of the main series. I don’t remember anything that spoiled anything that might happen after 5, but pre-5 it would.
I’d read a whole book about any of these characters.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all of of the VGO books so the background information in this collection of short stories based in the universe was great entertainment and informative. I will say, though, that some of these can be spoilers for the main series’ storyline or perhaps confusing without knowledge of it. I highly recommend the entire series!

I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and freely given opinion.

[Jack Vinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of side stories that will make little sense outside the context of the main Viridian Gate series. That said, I want to hear more about some of these side characters - particularly the spiderkin who gets one of the shortest entries. There also seem to be hints about other activities in this fanstasy world.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been binge-reading VGO 1-5 and chronologically, Side Quests was next. Absolutely loved the short stories of Travelers we have not heard about that could make an impact down the line. Plus, a main character is fleshed out and the most enjoyable chapter about a spider. I really hope we hear more about the spider in books 6-8. Be sure to include this book on your VGO reading list.

[Laura May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up free after signing up for the mailing list. The 'ancient Egypt' story was enjoyable - something a bit different - and this has sold me on trying the Illusionist series. Honestly, books from Shadow Alley do tend to be high-quality for what they are; it's really impressive.

[Brent Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool companion to the Viridian Gate Online series. Only 1 story is reasonably central to the main plot, but the rest of the stories are all good. It's just tough: if they went deep enough then they'd need to be in the main books, so it's hard to make a book like this work! Worth the buy IMO.

[Crissy Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of short stories that fills out some of the back stories among the main characters in Viridian Gate, as well as some stories of others in the system finding their own path. All of the stories are good, and give you just a taste of viridian gate if you are missing the world.

[Cyndi Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories.

A very good collection of stories and characters. I really liked the unexpected and unusual endings. Look forward to seeing these characters again.

[John G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed them all

I liked each of the stories enough to have wanted them to continue. capturing the jeep was the only real expectation.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories, some better than others, written by I guess fans of the series or friends of the author. Not essential to the main series but briefly entertaining.

[C.M. Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed my foray into the world and its bewildering array of characters...and now I need to read the series!