Dominion

Awaken Online #4

by Travis Bagwell

The fourth installment in the best selling Awaken Online series!

Following Jason's evolution into a Keeper, he finds his fledgling city once again in turmoil. A new and deadly enemy threatens the Twilight Throne -- one that has no difficulty contending with Jason and the members of Original Sin.

Jason must work quickly to consolidate his city's power. That means securing the villages within the Twilight Throne's influence, finding a steady stream of income, and growing the city's military strength. Even as the group grapples with these changes, they notice that something is stirring up the native undead around the city, although the source of this strange influence is uncertain.

One thing is clear, however. Jason might have evolved, but his enemies have adapted with him. If the Twilight Throne is to survive, the group must grow stronger and Jason must learn to control his newfound abilities.

Otherwise, the darkness may very well claim them all.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Young Adult

Unknown Binding

First published February 26, 2019

About the author

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife and our three dogs. I'm an attorney by day and an avid video game enthusiast by night. Writing fiction had been a secret dream of mine for a while. However, between school and work, that dream seemed impossible to squeeze in. A couple of years ago, I had a bit more time on my hands and I finally decided to put my nerdy interests to work by trying my hand at writing science fiction and fantasy.

I never expected the wildly positive response to my work. I am truly blown away and humbled and I only hope to be able to continue sharing my stories.

You can find me here:
https://travisbagwell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/da3strikes/
https://twitter.com/da3strikes
https://www.patreon.com/da3strikes

Or come check out our awesome fangroup and meet some cool people!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AO.Or...

Reviews

[Khalid Abdul-Mumin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awaken Online: Dominion continues in the series' usual tradition in shaping up to be a very long tale with no ending in sight, and it's marvelous.

Our main protagonist, Jake's problems seem to be insurmountable both in-game and in the real world but through determination and perseverance he always manages to pull through.

This one has amazing battle scenes as usual, a thoroughly well developed magic system that continues to be expanded upon and truly fantasmic world-building. It's got deep characters with their inevitable flaws and all, and a compelling plotline that is fast paced and thrilling. I highly recommend.

Read I: 2023
Read II: 2024

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing resolved

Books like this really irritate me. Nothing was resolved except an attack which was started in this book. From the overall story line, nothing was resolved. This author is really trying to milk this series or long term. Plus the author indicated at the end of the book he is working on side books in the universe and we have to wait even longer for anything.

Also, the "romance" of this book is crappy. Let's look at the MC. So far he has his boss's son trying to torture and ruin him because he is 'broken' (and suffers zero consequences for his actions), a bureaucrat who is trying to ruin the corporation and the MC's life, worries about money, everyone except a male friend (who is being pushed away from him and kept distant) and his aunt (although there are hints foreshadowing she is not all that she seems), media and the bureaucrat are painting him as psychotic to the entire world, he still has to keep up with school work, in game his enemies are always so much stronger, better informed, and better funded than him, he is running a city that keeps getting destroyed, he is running out of people in his kingdom, and then his girlfriend craps on him and solely blames him for not reading her mind and he has to grovel for her forgiveness?

This is supposed to be a teenager dealing with all of this. It's just too much. I am ready to give up on this series and get a real story that isn't going to make me wait 5 years to get any sort of plot resolution.

[Kacy❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually my least favorite out of each of the Awaken Online books. I felt the "relationship" between Riley and Jason was..rather odd and awkward and almost unnecessary.
I also felt that the whole trial was drawn out and they totally were making very big parts of the trial extremely unimportant. Didnt really care for Alfred's role in this either, as it was almost nonexistent ....and he is a main part of this whole story! It's like the book took a wrong turn and got lost. Kind of a let down to be honest, because I down right loved all of the books up until this one.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly, I didn't mind focusing on the main Twilight kingdom and the focus on shoring up the defenses before a major invasion. Leveling up in both the game and the real world is not an unwelcome occurrence.

The secrets were really beginning to get annoying. I like how the defensive measures are dovetailing with the sharing of hearts. :)

I'm still enjoying this LitRPG quite a lot. Let darkness win! :)

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot devices in this book are senseless and disjointed. I found Eliza's side story delightful, and to go from that to this is tragic. There's a sore lack of continuity in Frank and Eliza's capabilities, especially Eliza. It's been established that she can be a veritable walking cloud of nuclear fallout, but no, no, please stand there and cast a heal spell—it was noted multiple times that the only role she could have was support—stand back and heal while Jason gets off a meager two rounds of corpse explosions from catapults that he decided to use after the enemy was within range of the archers? That's D&D season 8 GoT levels of battle strategy right there. Eliza could've single handedly melted forces in the open and if not on the ramparts, then at least when they stood there twiddling their thumbs in the marketplace waiting for undead to make their way through the narrow streets. The term fatal funnel comes to mind, or should've.

Then there's the flipping gate piece! The levels of deus ex machina here for Frank and Alex to be involved. Wow. There's no rhyme, reason, or element of chaos that remotely follows logic or chance for that item to have appeared in that particular village. And the excuse for the loss of it? That's what sent me over the edge... Absolute absurdity.

I'm done. Done with the rant and done with the series. I was just going to write a short blurb without spoilers but everything just kind of spewed out. Forgive me if it's a bit incoherent. I don't feel like wasting my time proofreading and editing for comprehensiveness, much like this book. I'm flabbergasted at the inflated score. Now, I'm done. Yeah.

[Cory Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Liked the rest of the series better so far. The out of game storyline is far more interesting, which is kind of backwards, the in game storyline and character development seems to have stalled and just is not as interesting as it was in earlier books, still ok, and will read the next one, but this series just doesn't seem to be as engaging as I remember it being.

[Bonhomous · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book. I finished it because I couldn't give up on book 6 in a series, but I had so many issues with the book. I am really not going to read anymore in the series for quite some time.
First problem: It was boring.
So many times I just wanted to skip to the end of the chapter because I just didn't care.
Second problem: It was repetitive
The same phrases that had been used for 5 other books, the same problems, the same antagonist, the same solutions. The author really needs to find a thesaurus. "His eyes were filled with unholy light." can only be used so many times.
Third problem: The moral compass of the main characters all point south.
Lying is ok, murder is ok, cheating is ok. Take what you want. The bad people are the parents and the oversight committee. How dare they attempt to see if the product is safe. That's not what I want, so they're evil. Which is fine, but there was no counter-argument, no sane voice of reason. Every single main character, had selfish motives and the book seemed to glorify that as if that's how everyone should live. There were no consequences to lying and cheating.

[J.D. Heskin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the other books in the Awaken Online series (in the primary story line, not the superfluous side stories) however this book destroyed the series and I won’t go any further with it. This book resolved nothing and did nothing to develop the characters let alone the story line. Why would an author go through the effort to write a whole book (& a moderately lengthy one at that) then negate every bit of progress made by undoing everything in the last hour of the book?!?! The answer.....In order to milk the story line and squeeze out more books. That’s just poor writing and way to scam devoted readers out of a few more bucks instead of doing the real work and a actually developing the story and evolving the characters. Well sir, I’m out!

[Narilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awaken Online: Dominion is the fourth in the Awaken Online series by Travis Bagwell. The story takes a different turn as the author tackles a more complex story line than previous installments. It made for an interesting change of pace, one that I questioned at times but enjoyed over all.

Jason and his guild mates find themselves threatened by a new enemy calling themselves the Order. The Order has given Jason an ultimatum: turn away from his false god or be destroyed. Turns out this is no idle threat as the Order's main agent, Thorn, begins a series of attacks on the Twilight Throne that no one is prepared for. Unsure if he'll be able to stop Thorn, Jason begins planning a defense for the city while working to gain a better understanding of his new class abilities. Meanwhile, in the real world, the CPSC has opened a trial against the game's AI controller putting the future of Awaken Online in the balance.

I am impressed by how the real world and game world elements of the book were worked together, with emphasis on how each effects the other. While we were given a taste of this previously, it's really being driven home just how much of an impact Alfred is having on the players. There were definitely times when the trial portions were hard to listen to, kind of like a real trial.

I felt so bad for Jason throughout this book. With all the events going on it's not surprising that he feels like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. And basically he does, even if it's only a game world. Still it's good to see him progress. I was very proud of him for finally standing up to his parents! That was a great personal growth moment. Also, his story with Riley was sweet and awkward, just as it should be. Now if only he'd actually trust her and talk to her more.

My complaints are fairly minor. I am basically done with Alex and his story line. Hate that guy and wish he and his story would fade away already. Also, there was not enough Eliza in this book considering how big a role she played in book 3. Poor Frank really gets the short end of the stick so it's good to see that he's the focus of the next novella.

I listened to the audio book narrated by David Stifel. He continues to give a great performance and brings the world of Awaken Online to life.

Unlike previous installments, this one does not end in a cliffhanger. I am still highly curious as to where the story will be going next.

[maxamoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait

[Paarandisen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I was a fan until this book, what a totally pointless book, 0 progress what so ever. Just a very annoying read about heaps of shit landing on the protagonist(Jason) without any resolution or even a hint of satisfaction. Ps. there are windows of uncertainty that makes you doubt certain aspects of some characters, like Riley, what was on the video Alex had, that would have been interesting to know as it would be a hint of what sort of person she is to mention an example.

[Jonathan Miles · Rating 2 out of 5]

So i don't really write reviews, but i kinda felt like i needed to for this one.

I recently started this series and binged the entire thing. I love, love, love this author's take on the genre, however, this book REALLY fell flat for me.

First though, the thing i loved about this book was the irl stuff. Jason having to deal with the court and confront his parents and the world, that stuff was dope. it kinda was weird that only one person presented, like jason's side never called anyone up or cross-examined anyone. like why wouldn't the games side cross-examine robert or claire? but ultimately it was fun and interesting to read.

So one of the big issues i have with this book is that the trio of jason, riley, and Frank, are separated at the beginning of the book. Frank is sent off to finish Jason's Quest, and Jason and Riley do some trial while dealing with a miscommunication plot. this wouldn't have bothered me if everyone gained equal character dev from it, but sadly they didn't. Frank is barely in this book, and the moments he gets feel like he takes several steps back as a character. he doesn't gain any new abilities, nor does he grow as a person. in fact like i said, because of how the narrative progresses the game only validates his self hatred, as he doesn't succeed in anything he attempts. which kinda also goes against what the game is supposed to be about.

I also kinda hate that the Quest to conquer the surrounding towns was completed as just a throwaway plot line.

Jason and Riley have the most annoying miscommunication Plot ever, which is only resolved when the AI forces them to actually communicate. So this might be just a me thing, but I HATE miscommunication plots, especially when they aren't the main plot of the story, because they literally halt the progression of all other plots until they are resolved, which is exactly what happens here. Jason and Riley like each other, they know it, we know, everyone knows it. instead of them just getting together and all of us continueing the plot with them as a couple, or their relationship being tested as Jason struggles with his trust issues, we get a stupid miscommunication. Riley misunderstand what Jason says, and Jason things Riley has a boyfriend.

THE PLOT LITERALLY CAN'T PROGRESS UNTIL THEY GET OVER THE MISCOMMUNICATION! which last for like half the book! another reason i hate plots like this, is because we as the audience know they are going to get over it! at no point did i ever believe they weren't going to get together. infact the story was set up in a way that if they didn't get together in the end the story would have to stop.

Not to say that the plot we were waiting to finish was all that interesting. their a big bad, that is super powerful and jason needs to go through a tutorial to learn his new class in order to beat him. this would have made sense as a first book, but we are 4 books in and there are just soooooo many other things i wanted to see. the kingdom building aspect of the other books that i loved was pretty much nonexistent, if anything his kingdom is dramatically crippled because of this book. most of his outlining population was killed or kidnapped, and the city itself was mostly destroyed with most of his people being killed. all without any really real forward movement in the plot.

the other thing i hated about this, was that it doesn't make sense from a gameplay perspective. alfred already discovered that people play the game to escape the real world, so why would his logic be to create npc's with unfair abilities because... real life is unfair? like its one thing if after going through the trails jason and his crew were powerful enough to confront thorn, but they weren't which just makes that entire process seem pointless. we as readers are left to assume that all that training pays off in a later book, because it 100% doesn't pay off in this one.

I guess ultimately thats my biggest issue with this book. there is no pay off. if you get past the miscommunication plot, the trials, franks journy, you discover that no one gained anything. Frank having to think for himself ends in failure. Jason and Riley get over their trials only to still not be enough to defeat thorn, Franks failure leads to all the kidnapped kin still being kidnapped, or dead, and looses literally all of his people. the only person who had any pay off was Alex.

Which brings me to the last thing that reallllly got to me; Alex. his character is the worst character in the series. not because he is a comic book level evil villain with no understandable motivations, but because their are literally no consequences for his actions. by the end of the book, not only does he successfully kidnap all the slaves he wanted to, but he is also rescued, FROM THE FUCKING CAPITAL OF THE TWILIGHT THRONE!

I was so excited to see how his character would dev when he had to make a new character. would the goddess still find him worthy, what if she chose a new character like that chick he was with? what if he rerolled as an undead and started in jasons territory to undermine him? like their were sooooo many interesting plot points presented with him starting over fresh. but no. he faces no consquences for his actions. he is just a random comic book villain that gets busted out of prison just to keep doing the same shit. and oh look, they also managed to steal the gate piece, OFF SCREEN!

Anyway. idk if i'll be reading the next book. this one was really hard to get through, and it makes me really sad because i really loved the other three.

[Arundeepak J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Weakest one as of yet. But still a good book.

Could've been 50 pages short atleast. Court room drama and the Romance sections of this book felt a little dragged.

Hopefully it will be resolved in the next one.

[James Halski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Break him"


Best line from the book.

This is my bible

[Xiaoluobo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is like the game itself: a grind. The main character is literally grinding and grinding for a large chunk of the book without much else happening. I miss the previous books where there was much more "figuring out" how to break the mechanics of the game world. Characters are being developed, but in pretty standard and predictable ways.

I couldn't finish this book. I got almost 2/3 of the way through it, and in that time almost nothing very interesting or unexpected happened. I liked the previous books, but you would have to really love them to get through this one.

[Coco.V]

🎁 The complete Awaken Online Series (7 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/22/2020)! 🎁

[Perm Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my personal 5 star rating system because I’m too lazy to write a review for every book.

5 stars -> OMFG. I couldn’t stop listening. I was engaged from beginning to end. The story & narrator was amazing. I 100% recommend this book & author. I was able to clearly follow each and every character.

4 stars -> It was pretty good. I would’ve rated 5 stars, But either the ending was lacking, I struggled to keep up with characters, or the story didn’t keep me fully engaged. The narrator was pretty good as well. I’m on the fence about recommending this book, It could go either way.

3 Stars -> It was boring at times & I missed chunks of the story. I most likely struggled to keep up with character developments. The only way I would recommend this book is if it was part of a series. The narrator was most likely average or just couldn’t fix a mediocre book.

2 Stars -> It was pretty horrible. I used it as background noise because I hadn’t had a chance to search for another book. The book either had a bad narrator, The character development was non existent, or the story was hot garbage. I would not recommend this book.

1 Star -> The absolute only reason I listened to this book was because i had no time to search for another one & I needed background noise. It was 1 step up from listening to the radio. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. Everything about this book was terrible. This is only recommended for people on death row and have absolutely nothing else to read.

[Jordan Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great minus the chapters dedicated to the love story

This book was solid. Jason and Riley's "falling in love" story/ chapters were cringe worthy. *spoiler s* Their romance after getting together is fine. It's teenage young love. But the entire "jealousy when he saw her with another man and refused to communicate thing" is just over done and boring. And instead of making Riley a powerful female character that doesn't out up with jealousy and bullshit... she falls in love etc.

It kinda killed it for me just a little. Is it impossible to write a book without the main male and female character falling in love?

[Katrina Jørgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm quickly losing interest in this series. It seems very much like the author is just looking for new ways to keep the story going and not all of them make a lot of sense. There is a lot of repetitive languages and the "hearing" drove me crazy. The first book and the magic/game system is so interesting but I feel like that's just a side note now.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was... disappointing. I could have done without the romance (although it was obviously going to happen so at least I was prepared...?). I could have really done without the court scenes. I'm not too keen on those anyway let alone in written form, let alone in my litrpg! D:

Not much was resolved here.

I liked the battles (with Jason).

I really, really, really never want Alex's POV ever again. Unfortunately I don't think that's possible. And what happens towards the end with him...? Beyond frustrating and aggravating. If I wasn't driving, I probably would have stopped listening and listened to anything else. Or silence. Silence would have been better too.

I'll listen to the next because I've come this far but... Ugh.

[Jason Meuschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the series. As some have said, yes the formula is different from previous books but not as much as some have said. Plus it needed the change for growth the characters and storyline which is becoming quite epic. The stakes were higher than ever in this volume and kept me needing to know what happens next!

[Tejas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series is blast! Already waiting for the next book

[Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempers are rising! A lot of time spent on the regulatory hearing.

[Bosseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summoning was almost my favourite part of the books. Liked the book but would prefer alot more in future books. Felt like it was more of a sidenote.

[Dave Bahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*No spoilers*

In my opinion This book seemed to take a different approach to the story told previously in the three main books. And i welcomed the change, it felt like the author had more of a plan of where he wanted to go with this book and what he was setting up for the next installments and as a reader it felt a lot more rewarding.

For example there was more story emphasis on our main story Arc Jason and not just in game but his real life struggles as well and this was a very rewarding part of this book. The mix of game/real life story lines were interwoven in a satisfying way to keep you engaged with both narratives and importantly for the reader it allows you to see how each one effects the other.

In the past books the author had been guilty of overusing some lines "Frank attacked with wild abandon" etc. which became repetitive and detracted from some of the more action packed parts. thankfully the third book in the series reduced these and this fourth book felt a lot more polished.

I really enjoyed this book and i do believe it is the best of the 4 so far in terms of the writing style, story arc and quality of the overall package.

- I Doubt Authors ever read this but Travis if you are, in future books can we just have a little more in terms of "scene descriptors" not a great deal but just a few more sentences here and there to help my imagination paint the pictures your words create. Particularly in the areas around the twilight throne, villages etc. i find it hard to visualize their size, population, ground layout (are they on a hill? flat land? Forrest on all sides?) I think just a few more lines here and there probably only 1000 words in the entire book would help my imagination add the depth to the world that you are creating for us in this book series.

- just a thought, maybe an online map we could look at? even a crude one would be great maybe even shaded darkened areas which are yet unexplored like C&C style games so just show the parts we have seen in the books so far?

Looking forward to franks side quest and book 5 already

[Katy Hexberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hate Alex

I can tell when I am way too involved in a book when I start experiencing so much anxiety over a plot direction I have to put the book down and take a break. This happened to me several times during this book. The seemingly endless battle with Thorn was the main nail biter for sure but it wasn’t the only one. I am left curious about what Alfred’s plans are and if Jason is going a little too far into the dark side. I have some definite moral views about torture. Its always evil even when the people being tortured are hateful. Just saying. I really hate Alex and his new girlfriend. Alex is a well crafted villain. I am looking forward to the new side story and the next installment of the main story line

[Andrew G · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I read the Awaken series, the more I dislike it. I just really loathe the whole AI/IRL plot line. I also have come to see Jason as contradictory and childish MC, and I don’t believe that characterization is intentional. And don’t forget the author isn’t above contradicting his own established world building.

I really liked the first book in the series. Back when the real world circumstances just seemed like overly detailed character background and not something weighing down every interesting aspect of the story like a ball and chain. And because of this ball, the story is constantly dragging along and stumbling over itself. Forget the clever tactics and manipulation of game mechanics the MC did in the first book to so satisfyingly take over Lux. No, now half the book is basically about this terribly trite and boring real world storyline. And another 40% is a very boring training regimen.

An AI that may be sentient? It may be a person? It also may be able to take over people’s bodies? Ugh, who cares? It’s so boring. Man can we just play the game and not have all this noise going on? I think the purpose of all of this AI narrative is to give stakes to what’s happening in the game, but in reality all it does is make playing the game while knowing these circumstances seem incredibly careless and reckless. Jason doesn’t seem like a guy who genuinely thinks this AI is a person who deserves trust and rights, because they never talk about that. Jason just seems like a junkie getting his fix. And his narratives to justify his playing the game, feel like post facto narratives from someone who isn’t mature enough to self-reflect.

His new gf suggests they should bail. And SHE IS RIGHT! But the author seems to want us to think she’s wrong, and does so by Jason’s response and her agreement with his response. But his response is childish. He grossly misrepresents what’s happening with the AI and his circumstances to make his case. It feels like the author isn’t intentionally portraying him as childish, but that’s the way he reads. I guess if Jason was making bad decisions, as he’s done in the past, maybe we are setting up for that. But I just don’t feel like that is the case. I really think the author has wrote himself into this situation where his plot and characters make no sense.

Jason tells Riley, he’s a dropout. Her parents won’t help him pay for college. They didn’t even ask. Plus he didn’t drop out, he transferred. He’s about to graduate early. He also doesn’t need the money from the company, he can just move home with his parents.

His parents, ugh horrible parents at that whole situation was handled. And again, I don’t think it was the author’s intention to frame Jason as being a typical, self-centered teenager who lacks the experience and context life brings to show grace in situations like that. He demonizes his parents to himself in his inner monologue. He accuses them of having a self-serving agenda. Sure, they haven’t been the best parents. They’re neglectful, but doesn’t that encourage his independence? Sure they said some cruel things and should have spoken to Jason before testifying. But they made a mistake.

In his inner monologue about them before permanently cutting them out of his life, he says, “…where had they been when he needed them?” You mean when he got in trouble and never called them to let them know?

He continues, “When he told them how Alex had framed him at school?” You mean when Jason didn’t call them, let them find out from other sources, form their own opinion then overreact to his defensiveness? The same parents that apologized after for the way they handled it? Are they not allowed to be disappointed that the school they sacrificed so much for Jason to go to, wasn’t good enough for him?

“When he was scrambling for a way to feed himself?” Like when Jason just went to his Aunt’s house and crashed with her? Like when he had savings, then sold an item in game for thousands of dollars? Or maybe when his parents called to apologize and literally offered him money?

“When he spent days in jail?” They literally could not get out of their court dates as attorneys. They did call. They made sure he had the best legal defense.

“When he was grappling with the fact that he killed two people.” Did he ever pick the phone? Literally he has shown no willingness to talk to ANYONE honestly about that situation. He’s literally lying to his gf and best friend about it despite having nearly losing their friendship over his previous lies. I guess he didn’t learn anything from that incident. I can’t believed I praised that whole situation in that book. It doesn’t matter now.

His parents are right. He admits it himself, the game has changed him. But he is like a junkie looking for a fix. He will tell himself anything he needs to, burn any bridge to get what he wants. And I don’t think that’s a narrative choice, I think this is just contradictory writing.

The problem with not having grace for people is that by necessity this culls the people that won’t humor your gracelessness out of your life, like Jason did to his parents. Eventually, all that’s around you are people who humor you because they don’t want the drama or they use you for their own kicks. What kind of life is that? That’s the life of a narcissist.

I also hated the Alexion escape. Didn’t Jason have tons of giant birds he brought with him? Why doesn’t he have a combat air patrol when his enemies are full of flying people? He doesn’t, so Alexion can escape on a flying boat. Plot contrivance. Alex tries numerous ways to escape his improvement. But never once tries sending a message? Never once gets a message until he’s about to escape? What? Alex also mentions in his inner monologue going to the game devs about his imprisonment, literally physically going to the offices and saying he’s the CEO’s son to get them to set him free. Didn’t the author establish the devs didn’t have that level of control of the game? That the AI did all that? And that the AI doesn’t communicate with them? They can’t even follow a player cam. That should have been their response, not able to do it, instead it “wasn’t policy”. Implying they could change the game. Which is it? This is not the first time the author has contradicted this aspect of the story.

Finally, I know the reason why Jason goes from fire to fire and never gets a chance to revel in a win or take a breather is because the AI needs him to be ready for what’s coming. He wants him leveling and getting stronger. Okay, for the game the AI controls ever aspect of? Doesn’t make any sense. I’m sure the author has some grand plan for what the AI is doing. I don’t see it yet. I do know that I do not care.

In summary, Jason is a liar and bit of a selfish ahole. He’s a hypocrite. He’s hyperbolic. He has no grace. He a junkie who’s addicted to the game and will use any narrative to get his fix. And the problem is that’s not what the author thinks the character is. So we get this. The plot is similarly not what the author intends it to be perceived as. I think it’s boring, and clearly contrived and contradicted as needed or even when it’s not needed. The author thinks it brings stakes to the gameplay, when in reality, all it does is make me say why are they playing at all? Doesn’t make a lick of sense.

I know I promised to soldier through this series, but I don’t know if I can finish it. Gonna take a break for now.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, we should talk. We are 4 books and 2 short stories into this series and while some might start thinking, "this is going to be it" Mr. Bagwell has flipped a few things around, thrown an aggressive curveball, and said, "haha you ain't seen nothing yet". I genuinely do not know how to talk about this book without spoiling it so I will say I like the changes in how the book is presented. I (upon a bit of reflection) agree that it was needed. While we have hit that point where there are a lot of characters to follow we still get everything with need and see enough from others POVs that it doesn't feel like anyone is forgotten or left behind. Even splitting folks up and forcing new dynamics has helped make this just as entertaining as previous entries. We even get introduced to some new folks and let me tell you it has left me very curious. I look forward to the next entry in the series. For anyone (else) who is obsessively following along you may already know who it's focused on. A certain Thaumaturge is going to get their moment to shine. Honestly, I am so freaking pumped and I cannot wait for everyone else to be able to read this. Of course like always I will be re-reading once the audiobook is released later in April but for the moment, Kin, we have another winner.

[Audrey (Warped Shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ATY 2023 Reading Challenge: three books set in three different centuries - book two (21st century - 2076)
POPSUGAR 2023 Reading Challenge: your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge -> 2019 Advanced: a LitRPG book
POPSUGAR 2015 Reading Challenge: A book set in the future (2076)

[Stanislas Sodonon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole dark lord this is starting to get a bit old.
The characters are stagnating in brood-mode. The opponents act in incomprehensibly lenient ways.
I like the series as a whole, but this one was probably one of its weakest entries.