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Valhalla Online #1
Valhalla Online
A new LitRPG adventure from the imagination of USA Today bestselling author Kevin McLaughlin!
More than just a game, Valhalla Online was designed as a permanent repository for the uploaded minds of mortals afraid of death. An artificial afterlife. Samantha’s world is turned upside-down when she arrives in Valhalla - because as far as she knows, she isn’t like the other people uploaded there.
She isn’t dead. At least...she hopes she isn’t!
Now Sam must solve the mystery of her own abduction - or murder! - while trapped inside a virtual world, cut off from communication with the outside. To do this she must do more than simply survive Valhalla Online.
She needs to win the game!
Scroll back to the top and click Read Now to join Sam's quest for answers!
More than just a game, Valhalla Online was designed as a permanent repository for the uploaded minds of mortals afraid of death. An artificial afterlife. Samantha’s world is turned upside-down when she arrives in Valhalla - because as far as she knows, she isn’t like the other people uploaded there.
She isn’t dead. At least...she hopes she isn’t!
Now Sam must solve the mystery of her own abduction - or murder! - while trapped inside a virtual world, cut off from communication with the outside. To do this she must do more than simply survive Valhalla Online.
She needs to win the game!
Scroll back to the top and click Read Now to join Sam's quest for answers!
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2017
212 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Kevin O. McLaughlin
175 books138 followersWhen not practicing hobbies which include sailing, constructing medieval armor, and swinging swords at his friends, Kevin McLaughlin can usually be found in his Boston home. Kevin’s award-winning short fiction is now available in digital form at all major ebook retailers. He writes fantasy in settings both historical and contemporary, and science fiction in both the near and distant future.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 2, 2021
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/valhalla-on...
The main issue is that death literally has no sting here. If Sam suffers a mortal wound, she just gets sent back to a set location. She may lose some of her equipment, and suffer a bit of psychic shock, but that’s about it, despite the author’s efforts to put over some mental trauma. It’s accurate enough as a computer game goes, but shows that what works there doesn’t necessarily transfer to other media. This lacking of a sense of mortality may partly be why Roger Ebert said in 2010 that computer games can never be art. But that aside, this keeps moving forward at a brisk pace, and for obvious reasons, the reader learns about Valhalla alongside Sam, which makes for a smoothly entertaining experience.
The main issue is that death literally has no sting here. If Sam suffers a mortal wound, she just gets sent back to a set location. She may lose some of her equipment, and suffer a bit of psychic shock, but that’s about it, despite the author’s efforts to put over some mental trauma. It’s accurate enough as a computer game goes, but shows that what works there doesn’t necessarily transfer to other media. This lacking of a sense of mortality may partly be why Roger Ebert said in 2010 that computer games can never be art. But that aside, this keeps moving forward at a brisk pace, and for obvious reasons, the reader learns about Valhalla alongside Sam, which makes for a smoothly entertaining experience.
March 22, 2017
Valhalla Online will appeal to those who like online RPG games, especially those that are fantasy based. This book contain violence and magic, including dark magic, and may not be for more sensitive readers. The book can be read as a standalone, but is open ended for future books on a series.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. The author did a good job describing Samantha and RPG world that is Valhalla. He explains the online gaming world, so readers who don't play RPG games will understand what is going on. Samantha is written as a multidimensional character who is trying to figure out how she ended up on this online world. I can just picture her as this young warrior being thrust into this world and battle with unknown magic enemies.
I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more about Valhalla, Samantha, Harald, and the others.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. The author did a good job describing Samantha and RPG world that is Valhalla. He explains the online gaming world, so readers who don't play RPG games will understand what is going on. Samantha is written as a multidimensional character who is trying to figure out how she ended up on this online world. I can just picture her as this young warrior being thrust into this world and battle with unknown magic enemies.
I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more about Valhalla, Samantha, Harald, and the others.
March 25, 2017
Never Thought I'd Shed a Tear for a Kobold...
Fantastic first entry into the LitRPG field from a veteran sci-fi/fantasy author. This story explores another facet of the genre I haven't encountered yet relating to an online world where people with the means to pay for it upload themselves at the point of death into the game world and out plucky female MC who somehow enters this same world not if her own volition.
I very much liked the female MC, a strong independent character who is trying her best in an unknown world. Also, OMG... the kobolds! I never thought I'd get behind the scaly little buggers but the author did a great job fleshing them out.
Looking forward to book two with great anticipation!
Fantastic first entry into the LitRPG field from a veteran sci-fi/fantasy author. This story explores another facet of the genre I haven't encountered yet relating to an online world where people with the means to pay for it upload themselves at the point of death into the game world and out plucky female MC who somehow enters this same world not if her own volition.
I very much liked the female MC, a strong independent character who is trying her best in an unknown world. Also, OMG... the kobolds! I never thought I'd get behind the scaly little buggers but the author did a great job fleshing them out.
Looking forward to book two with great anticipation!
July 24, 2017
A very enjoyable LitRPG/fantasy.
Haven't read many, yet, but enjoyed this Norse rendition of the game space. Also useful that Sam is a 'newbie', because it's been a while since I played any RPGs and the information given to her as she progresses reinforced my somewhat rusty memories!
Traps, magic, runes and certainly some interesting traditional sword and arrow battles. Very likeable characters, I especially enjoyed Gurgle the kobold, for a pesky little monster he's a cutie. And useful to Sam
This was fast-paced and action filled and a great read, thoroughly enjoyed it!
Haven't read many, yet, but enjoyed this Norse rendition of the game space. Also useful that Sam is a 'newbie', because it's been a while since I played any RPGs and the information given to her as she progresses reinforced my somewhat rusty memories!
Traps, magic, runes and certainly some interesting traditional sword and arrow battles. Very likeable characters, I especially enjoyed Gurgle the kobold, for a pesky little monster he's a cutie. And useful to Sam
This was fast-paced and action filled and a great read, thoroughly enjoyed it!
April 4, 2018
Mixed feelings on this book. The background of the game is sketchy at best, and it's all rather simplistic. Also, the point of the game seems far too limited to be realistic. I mean.... most people don't get into the upper realm until a year in, and for the entire year, they are basically playing king of the hill? Over and over and over again? That sounds like a personal hell, not a well designed game.
Overall, it's far too simplistic to be really appealing, though it's short enough not to make me hate it for wasting my time.
Overall, it's far too simplistic to be really appealing, though it's short enough not to make me hate it for wasting my time.
July 16, 2022
Samantha wakes in the virtual world of Valhalla Online. The biggest problem, other than the constant battles, is that a person has to be dead to have their consciousness put into the game, and she's pretty certain she's not dead. Though her short term memory is fuzzy. She starts on a quest to make it through all nine realms, but she might not even make it through the first when she's trapped in a dungeon.
This fantasy LitRPG is a fun and fantastic short read. We're thrown right off into the game and learn the rules along with Sam. She's smart, but she's not much of a gamer, and that might be a hinderance or an advantage. Being in the armed forces, she already has combat experience, but fighting with swords and shields is something much different. Plus there's magic! There are different factions labeled with colors and there are factions within factions. A lot for Sam to learn as she's led into battle the first moment she wakes. Harald is a great teacher, though, and I love him as the wise old warrior helping her out. This is a marvelous introduction to the world in which people have their consciousnesses put into the game after they die. Which could mean a lot on a spiritual level, and the reader does not know what that means at all for Sam who is sure she didn't die. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
This fantasy LitRPG is a fun and fantastic short read. We're thrown right off into the game and learn the rules along with Sam. She's smart, but she's not much of a gamer, and that might be a hinderance or an advantage. Being in the armed forces, she already has combat experience, but fighting with swords and shields is something much different. Plus there's magic! There are different factions labeled with colors and there are factions within factions. A lot for Sam to learn as she's led into battle the first moment she wakes. Harald is a great teacher, though, and I love him as the wise old warrior helping her out. This is a marvelous introduction to the world in which people have their consciousnesses put into the game after they die. Which could mean a lot on a spiritual level, and the reader does not know what that means at all for Sam who is sure she didn't die. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
March 2, 2019
This book kind of surprised me. It's not the best book I ever read, it's fairly short, and kind of simple.
Still, it manages to show the importance of a science fiction questions, what it means to be dead or alive. Does death matter when it's not eternal?
And the funny thing is that it does this by immersing us into a virtual fantasy setting inside of not shown, only suggested dystopian near future science fiction setting.
By the way, it must be said that while not completely full of gore, there are some death scenes that might frighten some people.
Still, it manages to show the importance of a science fiction questions, what it means to be dead or alive. Does death matter when it's not eternal?
And the funny thing is that it does this by immersing us into a virtual fantasy setting inside of not shown, only suggested dystopian near future science fiction setting.
By the way, it must be said that while not completely full of gore, there are some death scenes that might frighten some people.
January 28, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!!
Fantastic! I have read one other book similar to this and I am loving learning about LitRPG and definitely want to read more! This drew me in right away and kept me hooked. I’m afraid it has the potential of being at least an 8 book series which means I have to keep waiting to find out what happened to her in the real world. Yet, I’m enjoying learning more about the game mechanics and want to see what the author comes up with next.
Fantastic! I have read one other book similar to this and I am loving learning about LitRPG and definitely want to read more! This drew me in right away and kept me hooked. I’m afraid it has the potential of being at least an 8 book series which means I have to keep waiting to find out what happened to her in the real world. Yet, I’m enjoying learning more about the game mechanics and want to see what the author comes up with next.
March 29, 2017
This is not very long, just long enough to make a real story of it.
The new(ish) genre is named LitRPG, or 'literature role play game' I believe.
It's fantasy of course, and I don't read fantasy! I was tricked into it, because it's not completely fantasy..
You see, it's REALLY about a real person and there are no 'fantastic' beasties around, except virtual ones.
Poor Samantha wakes up in a strange place of viking warriors and other various goblins etc. She soon comes to realize that she is actually trapped as a character in a virtual reality game.
She doesn't know how she got there, and soon finds out that everyone else there came from 'the real' side of life, but is now dead!
Of course she wants to escape back to her life, especially since she believes she is NOT dead.
The problem is how, and thence wends a tale..
SO, we're all waiting, Kevin! Jump to it.
The new(ish) genre is named LitRPG, or 'literature role play game' I believe.
It's fantasy of course, and I don't read fantasy! I was tricked into it, because it's not completely fantasy..
You see, it's REALLY about a real person and there are no 'fantastic' beasties around, except virtual ones.
Poor Samantha wakes up in a strange place of viking warriors and other various goblins etc. She soon comes to realize that she is actually trapped as a character in a virtual reality game.
She doesn't know how she got there, and soon finds out that everyone else there came from 'the real' side of life, but is now dead!
Of course she wants to escape back to her life, especially since she believes she is NOT dead.
The problem is how, and thence wends a tale..
SO, we're all waiting, Kevin! Jump to it.
July 4, 2017
It's kind of ironic for an author who is upfront about being new to a genre to write a book that is a great example of the genre. This book is clearly distilled down to the essence of LitRPG. There are books that are more complicated, more twisty, and more epic but this one is perfect the way it is.
February 5, 2019
Excellent storytelling at it's best
Only gave it 5 stars because they don't have any more to give! This was a well thought out and written book! The characters are very lifelike and believable. It also poses some interesting questions about virtual reality, and technology where it is heading !
Only gave it 5 stars because they don't have any more to give! This was a well thought out and written book! The characters are very lifelike and believable. It also poses some interesting questions about virtual reality, and technology where it is heading !
November 12, 2019
Book one of A Ragnarok Saga starts us out on an obviously long road for the heroin. I enjoyed the story in which the heroin earns her upgrades and didn't just luck out into super badassness. With an incredible journey before her, I recommend getting started on this story soonest. You don't want to hold her back do you?
December 22, 2019
My 1st LitRPG book was a good read!
I'm impressed with the Author's vision for the book. Very creative & well thought out. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
The Author's style of writing makes reading this book easy & the main character, Sam is a strong female lead. It's a very good start to a series.
I'm impressed with the Author's vision for the book. Very creative & well thought out. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
The Author's style of writing makes reading this book easy & the main character, Sam is a strong female lead. It's a very good start to a series.
March 22, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, at end of book get Accord of Fire {exclusive, may not be on amazon to rate that one}, end of book freebie, plus a don't click this button that will lead you to the litRPG group on facebook. They're odd geeky types but if you're in to this type of story and all, good place to get some info on where to find more.
August 22, 2017
Interesting initial take on trapped in a game...very light litrpg
September 17, 2017
It was okay. Plot pretty good, world meh.
January 30, 2019
Too Short
Glad I got this on kindle unlimited, because otherwise I'd feel cheated. Still a good book with likeable characters though.
Glad I got this on kindle unlimited, because otherwise I'd feel cheated. Still a good book with likeable characters though.
January 31, 2019
Outstanding
One word. WOW. Outstanding story line and plot. Twist turns and subplots loved it and fixing to get book 2. Keep it up
One word. WOW. Outstanding story line and plot. Twist turns and subplots loved it and fixing to get book 2. Keep it up
February 16, 2019
Wow !
Kept me up until 4am to finish. A new genre is being born and it's well worth the price of lost sleep.
Kept me up until 4am to finish. A new genre is being born and it's well worth the price of lost sleep.
March 3, 2019
simple and enjoyable
I like the nordic setting. Interested in seeing where the story goes. This first book seemed quite short 9 more worlds till Midgard.
I like the nordic setting. Interested in seeing where the story goes. This first book seemed quite short 9 more worlds till Midgard.
March 27, 2019
I loved this book. I rarely read many series, but I'll definitely be diving into this one. Recommended if you enjoy rpgs or fantasy books. Really well done!
May 17, 2019
A bland LitRPG story with just enough mystery to keep me going to the end.
September 22, 2019
Holy eight realms this is going to be fun.
December 5, 2019
A non gamer in a gaming world
Love the perspective from a non gamer. How she uses her real world talents to overcome obstacles. Is ready to continue and see where she goes.
Love the perspective from a non gamer. How she uses her real world talents to overcome obstacles. Is ready to continue and see where she goes.
January 30, 2023
Built slowly, but ended with me wanting more. I can't wait for book 2.
March 22, 2017
LitRPG? I wasn't really sure what to expect when I received an advance review copy of this book, but I liked it so much I bought a copy as soon as it was officially released. Great characters and character development, plenty of action, suspense and a little bit of anxiety for Sam, wondering how she was going to survive cause she wasn't listening to the suggestions I was trying to send her. I loved the story and did not put this down until I was at the end. And then I said, Aw, I'm at the end, I want more.
March 24, 2017
Good book
I enjoyed this book a lot! Nice to see another established author getting into the Litrpg genre! Can't wait for the next book!
I enjoyed this book a lot! Nice to see another established author getting into the Litrpg genre! Can't wait for the next book!
December 29, 2020
Excellent book
Excellent example of world building in a LitRPG book. This entire series has been unexpectedly good -- it has really exceeded expectations.
Excellent example of world building in a LitRPG book. This entire series has been unexpectedly good -- it has really exceeded expectations.
January 28, 2019
Liked this the first time I read it, and when I picked it up this time, I knew I'd read it, but I didn't realize the book had been rereleased, so that explains why I couldn't find it on goodreads. Still, not a bad read considering it helped with the second book in the series, which I read immediately after this one, so I guess there was that. Still irritated though, really am not a fan of rereading things.
April 14, 2019
Wonderful
I found the story of Samantha to be quite enjoyable and it was a very nice gamble on my part as I have not read any of the LitRPG books. I am now gonna enjoy book 2 and will look forward to reading book 3 as Well. 😎
I found the story of Samantha to be quite enjoyable and it was a very nice gamble on my part as I have not read any of the LitRPG books. I am now gonna enjoy book 2 and will look forward to reading book 3 as Well. 😎
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews