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Level Up: The Knockout #1
The Knockout
Mike Hagen, an American nicknamed "Crybaby," became one of those chosen to be given an augmented reality interface. However, his favorite game was an MMA fighter—possibly, for the reason that he'd never fought in real life, and the interface adapted itself to him.
Will Hagen be able to use it right? And will it help him to crawl out of the dreary pit of his existence?
If you have read the original Level Up series, we would like to warn you at once: the book has another protagonist, although the setting is the same. The chronology of the events described in this book is the same as that of the first two books in the Level Up series (Restart and Hero)
Will Hagen be able to use it right? And will it help him to crawl out of the dreary pit of his existence?
If you have read the original Level Up series, we would like to warn you at once: the book has another protagonist, although the setting is the same. The chronology of the events described in this book is the same as that of the first two books in the Level Up series (Restart and Hero)
539 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2019
101 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Dan Sugralinov
65 books264 followersDan Sugralinov grew up in a small working-class town on the Russian border with Kazakhstan. It’s a miracle he survived his childhood games of hide-and-seek in the surrounding building sites complete with perilous rebar structures and flooded foundation pits.
Ever since he learned to read at the age of five, he couldn’t put a book down. Reluctant to earn himself the name of a conceited nerd, he concentrated on playing soccer which allowed him to become friends with the town’s toughest kids.
In 1995, he graduated with honors, entering the St Petersburg Academy of Engineering and Economics where he studied business creation. He must have done something right because in the years that followed, he first worked on TV and radio just to get the taste of it, then opened his first successful business followed by several more. In between, he started writing and playing video games, winning the St Petersburg Mortal Kombat championship and becoming runner-up for Starcraft and Warcraft 3. He is a 14-times champion in Quake, Quake 2 and Quake 3 as well as the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft.
In 2004, he wrote his first motivational novella The Bricks which to date has garnered him over 3,000,000 readers online alone.
In 2014, Russia’s leading publishers of business literature Mann, Ivanov & Ferber published a revised and extended edition of his book, The Bricks 2.0.
In 2015, Dan discovered the existence of LitRPG. He devoured everything that had been written in that genre until he finally decided he too could write similar books.
In summer 2017, he published his first book in the subgenre of realRPG: Level Up.
Dan Sugralinov is a consummate gamer, a multiple MMORPG champion and the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft. He is also a successful businessman and author of books on marketing and business organization. His first LitRPG series Level Up took Russia by storm in 2017. Its English translation is about to be released on Amazon.
Ever since he learned to read at the age of five, he couldn’t put a book down. Reluctant to earn himself the name of a conceited nerd, he concentrated on playing soccer which allowed him to become friends with the town’s toughest kids.
In 1995, he graduated with honors, entering the St Petersburg Academy of Engineering and Economics where he studied business creation. He must have done something right because in the years that followed, he first worked on TV and radio just to get the taste of it, then opened his first successful business followed by several more. In between, he started writing and playing video games, winning the St Petersburg Mortal Kombat championship and becoming runner-up for Starcraft and Warcraft 3. He is a 14-times champion in Quake, Quake 2 and Quake 3 as well as the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft.
In 2004, he wrote his first motivational novella The Bricks which to date has garnered him over 3,000,000 readers online alone.
In 2014, Russia’s leading publishers of business literature Mann, Ivanov & Ferber published a revised and extended edition of his book, The Bricks 2.0.
In 2015, Dan discovered the existence of LitRPG. He devoured everything that had been written in that genre until he finally decided he too could write similar books.
In summer 2017, he published his first book in the subgenre of realRPG: Level Up.
Dan Sugralinov is a consummate gamer, a multiple MMORPG champion and the world’s ex-#1 in the World of Warcraft. He is also a successful businessman and author of books on marketing and business organization. His first LitRPG series Level Up took Russia by storm in 2017. Its English translation is about to be released on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 14, 2019
LEVEL UP: THE KNOCKOUT was satisfying on so many levels, with a special nod to the engaging and well-balanced action. No, it's not perfect, however, this hero's journey is a fantastic read in the LitRPG genre that won't leave you wanting. Thank you, I can't wait to read the follow-ups.
January 11, 2019
Book one
Mistakes are scattered throughout this book. I can forgive them as none are really large and it is translated from Russian.
Plot: Interesting ideas. You can tell these guys have never lived in the USA or had to deal with our legal system.
Characters: Didn't really like any of them till later in the book. The MC was unlikable till later in the story when he started to improve himself. Two of the big part characters have the chance to be interesting in book two, if they are fleshed out some.
6.5/10
Mistakes are scattered throughout this book. I can forgive them as none are really large and it is translated from Russian.
Plot: Interesting ideas. You can tell these guys have never lived in the USA or had to deal with our legal system.
Characters: Didn't really like any of them till later in the book. The MC was unlikable till later in the story when he started to improve himself. Two of the big part characters have the chance to be interesting in book two, if they are fleshed out some.
6.5/10
January 11, 2019
Overall I enjoyed this story in Sugralinov's LitRPG universe.
The first third of the book wandered around a little and could have been tightened up, eliminating passages that neither developed the plot or characterizations. Also, I'm starting to worry about the author's depiction of female characters, who mostly seem quixotic and irrational. I'll just have to wait to see if the trend continues.
The final half of the book was top notch. Mike's situation was bleak but his attitude stayed positive, keeping the reader on the edge of their proverbial seat. I'll admit, I didn't really understand what happened during the time-stop in the final boss-fight, regardless it was satisfying.
This is an author I am now following, hoping for more writing of the same caliber.
The first third of the book wandered around a little and could have been tightened up, eliminating passages that neither developed the plot or characterizations. Also, I'm starting to worry about the author's depiction of female characters, who mostly seem quixotic and irrational. I'll just have to wait to see if the trend continues.
The final half of the book was top notch. Mike's situation was bleak but his attitude stayed positive, keeping the reader on the edge of their proverbial seat. I'll admit, I didn't really understand what happened during the time-stop in the final boss-fight, regardless it was satisfying.
This is an author I am now following, hoping for more writing of the same caliber.
April 30, 2019
Really love this alt litrpg universe!
Great book guys! Fleshing out teammates of Phil is a great idea. I do wonder if people with an interface live indefinitely? Looking forward to more more more! Cheers!
Great book guys! Fleshing out teammates of Phil is a great idea. I do wonder if people with an interface live indefinitely? Looking forward to more more more! Cheers!
January 13, 2019
A lot of fun
I liked the main series. I enjoyed this more. Streamlined. Simple. An enjoyable visit at the prison yard. It's an interesting world. I find these book good food for thought and inspiration to examine life and the things that are worth doing.
I liked the main series. I enjoyed this more. Streamlined. Simple. An enjoyable visit at the prison yard. It's an interesting world. I find these book good food for thought and inspiration to examine life and the things that are worth doing.
April 9, 2019
A good addition side book to the series
The series I've been overall pleased with.
This is a better than okay addition, but not great.
It centers on a small man who is fairly useless.
Not the worst I've read, but it definitely could have been better.
The series I've been overall pleased with.
This is a better than okay addition, but not great.
It centers on a small man who is fairly useless.
Not the worst I've read, but it definitely could have been better.
April 26, 2019
Fun adventure
A bit darker than the 1st level up series but a deep and complex story with compelling characters who each have their own virtues and flaws. Looking forward to the next one.
A bit darker than the 1st level up series but a deep and complex story with compelling characters who each have their own virtues and flaws. Looking forward to the next one.
March 28, 2019
This was a great story, well done, and the topic was handled well, even if it's one I'd prefer to avoid while reading for pleasure, but
I'd wager most LitRPG fans will love this one.
Not my idea of a fun time being had by all though.
I'd wager most LitRPG fans will love this one.
Not my idea of a fun time being had by all though.
January 16, 2019
Enjoyable Read
I found this book to be an enjoyable read, though I found the plot device to get Mike into the environment where he could really level up to be quite contrived and not all that believable.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read, though I found the plot device to get Mike into the environment where he could really level up to be quite contrived and not all that believable.
March 20, 2021
What was the point of book one if we lose all progress in this book. I came to this series for the mma. Should have left the slice of life rpg for three other series. Very disappointed.
December 11, 2019
The Knockout series currently has two books in it. The series is written by Max Lagno and Dan Sugralinov. The books are a spin-off of Sugralinov's Level Up book series, but are still quite different. The first book was published on January 9th of this year and the second book will be published within a few days, January 9th. The first book is on Kindle Unlimited.
The Knockout takes place in the same world that Sugralinov's Level Up series does, and it has many of the same characteristics. The main character, Mike Hagen. Mike is pretty much a weak child, even though he is 30 years old. He is barely over 5 feet, single, and very little money. He works in a tech store, repairing and troubleshooting, one of his few skills. He isn't the smartest and below average in every way, but he always dreamed of becoming an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter. His intense fear of pain, lack of physical strength, lack of training, etc. hasn't really helped him though. Soon after the story starts, similarly to Phil in Level Up, he receives an interface, or, as he calls it, the system. Every system/interface is different though, and Mike's is tailored to developing his fighting skill and strength. Mike progressing quicker than humanly possible, for obvious reasons, and soon beats up his old nemesis, landing him in jail. Forced to join a hidden fight club, fighting people much stronger than him, Mike's life will not be easy.
This was a really great book. Both this book and the main series were similar in mechanics, but made so much differences because of the main characters. In the main series, the main character was going towards building a company and making money, but in The Knockout the main focus was strength and skill in fighting. This made it seem a lot different, not in a better or worse way, just different. I really liked this book though, it was just as good as the main series. The Knockout has great character development and the fighting really mixes up the pace. I would definitely recommend the book, especially if you enjoyed the main series. I would read the main series first, but it isn't necessary to read this book, but it does help for the second. Great read though, and I just love the way it is written. It had some unexpectedly funny parts as well where I just chuckled aloud, which for me doesn't happen that often. This is really something I would recommend though, you will not regret reading it.
The Knockout takes place in the same world that Sugralinov's Level Up series does, and it has many of the same characteristics. The main character, Mike Hagen. Mike is pretty much a weak child, even though he is 30 years old. He is barely over 5 feet, single, and very little money. He works in a tech store, repairing and troubleshooting, one of his few skills. He isn't the smartest and below average in every way, but he always dreamed of becoming an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter. His intense fear of pain, lack of physical strength, lack of training, etc. hasn't really helped him though. Soon after the story starts, similarly to Phil in Level Up, he receives an interface, or, as he calls it, the system. Every system/interface is different though, and Mike's is tailored to developing his fighting skill and strength. Mike progressing quicker than humanly possible, for obvious reasons, and soon beats up his old nemesis, landing him in jail. Forced to join a hidden fight club, fighting people much stronger than him, Mike's life will not be easy.
This was a really great book. Both this book and the main series were similar in mechanics, but made so much differences because of the main characters. In the main series, the main character was going towards building a company and making money, but in The Knockout the main focus was strength and skill in fighting. This made it seem a lot different, not in a better or worse way, just different. I really liked this book though, it was just as good as the main series. The Knockout has great character development and the fighting really mixes up the pace. I would definitely recommend the book, especially if you enjoyed the main series. I would read the main series first, but it isn't necessary to read this book, but it does help for the second. Great read though, and I just love the way it is written. It had some unexpectedly funny parts as well where I just chuckled aloud, which for me doesn't happen that often. This is really something I would recommend though, you will not regret reading it.
February 4, 2020
Our local library had this book as the second in the series to Restart; this is wrong.
The Knockout is a GameLIT novel with a focus on a classic fighter. Less Mortal Combat than Street Fighter, it was a unique take on the genre and one that I really enjoyed. There is in fact an overlap, in the world and an eventual character meeting, with the aforementioned Restart series (probably why this is Level Up: The Knockout and the other is just Level Up).
Worth the read if you are into these type of books. Some of the characters have a bit of a "caricature" vibe,
The Knockout is a GameLIT novel with a focus on a classic fighter. Less Mortal Combat than Street Fighter, it was a unique take on the genre and one that I really enjoyed. There is in fact an overlap, in the world and an eventual character meeting, with the aforementioned Restart series (probably why this is Level Up: The Knockout and the other is just Level Up).
Worth the read if you are into these type of books. Some of the characters have a bit of a "caricature" vibe,
July 8, 2019
2.5 to 3 stars, it was okay but I liked the other series better. This author's style of books are unique and not for everyone. I was okay with this (the other series more so..., but I can see how someone would not be into this series/author. I would recommend the other series first as this is a side story.
June 16, 2019
Loved it
Great side story to the authors other trilogy. I was skeptical that I could enjoy the story of such a small character in the main story but it was a great read. Thanks, can't wait for the next.
Great side story to the authors other trilogy. I was skeptical that I could enjoy the story of such a small character in the main story but it was a great read. Thanks, can't wait for the next.
March 10, 2019
This book was amazing. The character development of change a character I didn’t really like to a strong leading man - Wow! I want more.
September 12, 2019
A bit darker than the 1st level up series but a deep and complex story with compelling characters who each have their own virtues and flaws. Looking forward to the next one.
October 8, 2019
Ok book but Sugralinov's other work is much much better.
If this is your first introduction to Dan Sugralinov's books I'd strongly recommend reading Re-Start Level Up + 1 instead.
If this is your first introduction to Dan Sugralinov's books I'd strongly recommend reading Re-Start Level Up + 1 instead.
October 7, 2020
3.5 Stars
December 5, 2023
A very interesting read.
April 12, 2025
7.7 / 10
good good
good good
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews