Mastermind

Titan Online #1

by Steven Kelliher

Karna was just like any other comic book fan. He dreamed of fighting alongside colorful heroes and taking down dastardly villains. In Titan Online, the most popular VR MMORPG going, he finally got the chance to live out his cape-donning fantasies.

That is, right up until he was killed by the game's number one 'hero'. A man who serves only himself in a constant grind for money, fame and adoration. Forced to start from scratch due the harsh game mechanics, Karna finds a new mission; bringing balance back to Titan Online.

With a strange new power and some unlikely allies, Karna hatches a plan to save the game, and get a bit of revenge in the process.

When the heroes can't be trusted, it's up to the villains to save the (virtual) world.

Genres: Fantasy, Superheroes

450 pages, ebook

Published August 29, 2019

About the author

Steven is a fighter-turned-writer who resides in the Boston area. A former sports and entertainment writer, he now focuses exclusively on his true passion: epic action fantasy and sci-fi. He wishes all disputes were still settled with a friendly game of hand-to-hand combat, is a fan of awesome things, and tries to write books he’d want to read.

He hopes you like them.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to start by saying thank you to the author Michael Miller and Portal Books for supplying me with an early review copy of this book. (Apologies for not being able to make the release date).

I've read a few of these LitRPGs now and they obviously share a similar theme. This one is far less heavy on the stat-info that I found in Battlespire (Michael Miller) and that made it different enough to make me read through the early chapters.

The fact that this one was about superheroes and villains gave it a feeling of being in one of those 'way OTT' DC or Marvel comics which I really rather liked. I played Marvel Super Heroes as an RPG when I was young and many of the super-powers here can be found in characters that you will find in The Avengers and X-Men.

The author really knows how to play out high-powered battle scenes! So, without further ado; it's time to squeeze yourself into a bright yellow spandex suit with stripes down either side and dive into this very entertaining read by Steven Kelliher. You're in for an exciting ride! Try not to split your tights!

Thanks for reading.

[Steven Kelliher]

Super secret non-Landkist project that isn't so super secret anymore.

Coming soon ...

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun superhero LitRPG. The story provided a decent mix of the elements that make for fun stories in both the LitRPG and the superhero genres. I like the blend and feel like these are genres that go well together.

The plot was intriguing enough. Our lead character Karna was a virtual reality gamer who was obsessed with playing Titan Online. Titan Online was a leading VR game set in a classic superhero world. Karna played as a speedster hero until his character Streak was killed by the game’s leading hero Leviathan as collateral damage during Leviathan’s battle with his nemesis. It was a permanent death that killed his character. Karna was bitter over the loss and determined for revenge so started playing again as a new villain character Despot with the aim of getting revenge on Leviathan.

The story was enjoyable enough. Karna had to build his new character from the ground up so we got to learn a lot about Titan Online both in terms of its reality in the game and in terms of how players like Leviathan exploited its flaws for their own benefit in and outside the game.

The story was not the best I’ve read but it generally held my attention. It had a decent plot and the superhero stuff was pretty fun but I felt if the story had a flaw it lacked an emotional depth. Another slight flaw was how little we seen of the world outside of the VR game.

All in all I did enjoy this one so I’ll definitely read the sequel.

Rating: 4 stars.

Audio Note: Adan Sims did a decent job with the audio.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karna spent most of his time online and the game had become his life, but when his hero character Streak was killed off by Leviathan, a titan with a massive following, he vowed he would start from scratch to make sure he brings him down. However his next origin story sent him to the docks amongst the dredges of society, and as a villain, not a hero this time round. He was also a simple tier 5 with nothing to his name, and his name was Despot, a name he wanted to make sure would be on everyone’s mind when he finally managed to get his revenge. Despot felt that the game was rigged in favour of the heroes and that the number 1 greats like Leviathan and Meteora could get away with anything whilst other players were penalised for the same actions. Titan Online was just a mask and this is what Despot wanted the world to see, the truth behind the game. He set out to gather allies and an army using his superpowers of influence and charisma to do this. It was not an easy job to gather allies from the thugs and ruffians who fought for power down at the docks, but without these strong armed villains he would definitely stand no chance of sparking off the revolution he had in mind and returning power to his people, the villains. This story written in one of my favourite genres at the moment that of LitRPG, takes a different slant to the usual questing to become more powerful in game, and its original take on the story is what kept me reading till it became impossible to stop reading in fact as the tension built up toward the downfall of the titans! How does one kill a God? Read on and you will find out.

[Laura Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BOYS meets READY PLAYER ONE. MASTERMIND is an awesomely innovative superhero-themed LitRPG that fans of the genre will love!

[Kane Vardy-Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I find superhero gamelit/LitRPG to be a little... uninspired, but Mastermind was fantastic. From the interesting take on powers, to making you evaluate how the world is perceived, nothing was as I expected, and I have never been happier to be proven wrong!

[J P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, well flushed out world, with enjoyable and relatable characters.

Love the good versus evil homage.

[Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story I hope to see more of this author!

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably the most pure LitRPG book I've read, because it's just about a guy playing a virtual reality game. There's some great parts and some parts that fell a little flat to me, but it was mostly a really good book.

On one hand, the world building for the real world was pretty light. We get a bit of description about how the world is different than ours in terms of entertainment as it relates to Virtual Reality games, but that's about it for the real world. On the other hand, the in game world is really well done. The mechanics are explained in an easy to understand way, and the game's history is really interesting.

The characters were hit and miss for me. I liked the main character, and I thought he was really well done and showed some growth throughout the book. I also liked Starshot a lot. My problem was that other characters didn't get time to develop. Blackstrike, Scale, and Atlas all had a lot of potential, but we didn't get to see enough of them. What we did get was great, but I wanted more. Hopefully this can be solved in future books in the series.

I felt like a part of this book dragged in the beginning third. The very beginning was great and set up the world and plot, but then things took a bit to get going. I will say that once it did get going, the fighting was fun and action packed, especially at the end.

Overall, this book was very entertaining. I would recommend it to fans of LitRPG, fans of superheroes, and anyone who doesn't mind that the story is all about what's happening in a video game as opposed to real life.

[Mattias Ahlman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is good but the ideas are horrible, main character just come off as some butt hurt kid to me i get you lost something you loved and spent lots of time on but you whine about it the whole damn book like he killed your children or something, and his power is totally useless at least in this first book what he did there he could have done with any other character he played might as well just been without powers there was like a build up he would get some powers that could counter or help him take out the big bad hero but nope useless uses it on the lowest level npcs that he could have gotten with just a little bit of gold might as well just made him a normal human all the other "builds" he talked about him getting seemed like it would have been several times better but might do something more with it in upcoming books but since it only works on npcs and it seems like no npcs are supers seems like a horrible power but i guess we will see. And the world no clue why he feelt like adding in that it's a small world like it's a good thing why would you cram in so called millions of players in a small world? not that we ever see many players but it feels like they should be all over the place, millions of heroes and villians in one city. game sounds like it would be the shitiest game ever putting perma death in the game fine, but only one side gets penalties when killing someone and no one gets any rewards, the game design feels horrible. i'm sure the author can write something good he seems like a good writer but the "game designs" he choose and butt hurt main character ruined it for me.

[James Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love superheroes/villains and I love LitRPG, so this sounds like a match made in heaven, right? For the most part it does a decent job serving both, though rarely at the same time.

Character and tension, two key factors in 'super' fiction, and two areas where 'in a videogame' LitRPG can struggle. The hook is initially weak; who cares if some gamer's character dies? It took the better part of the book for me to care about the protagonist's quest to kill the big bad (big good?). It's the cast around him that had me interested - a couple of players around the same level, and a few NPCs. Ratcheting up the tension is always going to be a problem when the stakes are so low already, and the events felt a little heavy-handed and the introspection more than a little melodramatic.

The final third is the strongest though, and while the plan isn't the most watertight, the unfolding action is exciting and makes for an easy read.

Despite its faults, I did enjoy my time with the book, and I'd happily read another.

3.5/5

[Alex Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting mechanics and ambitious plot!

Well written with interesting game mechanics, unique characters, and one heck of an ambitious plot. The audacity of this story is so fun you just want to strap in and watch it unfold. I particularly enjoyed how Titan Online itself worked. The game sounded fun at its core and only got better from there. It makes a great canvas on which for this wild ride to play out!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really more 4.5. It was fun, immersive, and compelling.

Mastermind follows Karna, a player in a VR game that is also the main viewer entertainment if the world. The game, Titan Online, has villains, heroes, NPCs, and a pretty interesting AI system. Karna understands the game mechanics and AI logic fairly well and sees the flaws in what the game has become. The story focuses almost exclusively on Karna and the other characters in game personalities, but there is a understanding of Karna's motivations. There are frequent explanations if tiering up, threat levels, and powers as expected in this type of book. The main character has an interesting power that also adds more dynamics to the game. As the story progresses the game mechanics continue to be revealed. Titan Online felt exactly like what I would imagine being in a comic book would be like.

The writing was very good. Though I have liked all the other books by this author so I did not expect to have issues with this. Dialogue was appropriate for the comic book hero villain dynamic with some theatrics obviously. The story kept up a good pace with no real lulls. There are action fight scenes and planning scenes, but none ever dominated for too long. The character and power descriptions never took me out of the story and were done so that I felt like I was watching a video game. I watch a lot of games. I read this very quickly and enjoyed it a lot. I have not read any other LitRPGs, just progression fantasy, so I cannot say how representative of the genre it is.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly fun story as long as you squint and try not to think through the logic of the setting too hard, but the longer I sit with it the less impressed I am. The game mechanics and descriptions of the world just don't make sense as an actual game, but the plot doesn't make sense of it isn't, so...

The hero is super mad about his first, best character being semi-intentional collateral damage in a big fight, then goes on to get nearly everyone (npc and player alike) who allies with him killed in pursuit of his vengeance. It actually left a pretty bad taste in my mouth

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Even though this is not my usual genre to read, I loved it. Helped me understand a bit of the online world.

[Ian Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Villain's Rule!

I thought this was very well done. Good editing, nice pacing. Nice complete story. After revenge, what to do? It's a great read.

[JK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these LitRPG books. There’s a lot they offer that other genres just can’t cater for, such as contrasting online/offline lives (geek-like at home, god-like in game), digital relationships, the impact of online events to the offline self, even the morals involved in killing other players; the opportunities are endless, and it’s completely glorious.

Kelliher’s construction here is worthwhile of his genre. Rather than an every man for himself melee of characters, he opts for a heroes vs. villain style for Titan Online. This easily bolsters the superhero angle he’s portraying, and adds an immediate tension to the game by identifying two warring camps. That our protagonist himself is a villain (gasp!) seeking vengeance on a hero (swoon!), is quite honestly sublime. I know I’m sick of heroes, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

The beauty here for me was in the reasons for the revenge, and the questions this uprooted. Are all heroes inherently good? Should we worship and adore them as such? Or are heroes on a dangerously delicate precipice, balancing precariously between goodness and corruption? If we worship them, surely they can take advantage of this and use our adoration to get away with all sorts? A few real life ‘celebrities’ spring to mind just as I type this.

And god, aren’t villains just a repressed and misunderstood race? Do we want to see them rise up from the gloom and defeat the white-toothed perfect heroes who all the world has placed on a shiny pedestal? I can only speak for this girl, and this girl really, really does. There’s something special here about rising up against what you know to be wrong, about being small yet victorious, about people coming together to take down the man. I loved it.

My only (tiny) criticism is Kelliher’s intense focus on the in-game plot lines. I’d have loved to have found out more about Karna the human; childhood, friendships, loves and hates, anything. Why does he prefer the virtual world to the real one? What happened to you Karna?!

I really did like this. Kelliher is a great storyteller with excellent pace and style. I was delighted at the subtle hint at a sequel towards the end, please inject this in my veins once available. Such a good LitRPG that I’m off to pick up a controller.

[Ryan Pascall · Rating 5 out of 5]

-I was provided a copy of this audiobook free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

I like the superhero genre and equally the Gamelit one and so this marrying of the two sounded really interesting.

We have a player who feels he's been wronged by the number 1 hero in an MMORPG and makes it his ambition to bring him down. To this end he becomes a villain with an unusual skillset and begin's to build a powerbase with a hitherto unseen special power.

I was surprised by the way the author went with the MCs powerset as typically these books have a far more rambunctious style but this was a much more cerebral choice and made the book all the better for it.

Sure it's a little slow, and the action is more or a low-simmer than a heavy boil, but I quickly grew to like the cast and e joyed seeing how the MCs opinions of NPCs became quite blurred as the story progressed.

And the ending was very thrilling with a number of twists and turns I'd not expected and the ending that both drew a line under the story, but also left the world open to other perspectives was very good and I would be happy to revisit this game again so long as we retained the wonderful Adam Sims who did a sterling job with all the characters here.

Very recommended but understand that the MC is not a powerhouse and thus this is a slower, more intelligent game he's playing.

[Sylvain St-Pierre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying I loved how the mastermind class is being demonstrated in this book. I like the character interplay, on the whole, the core characters have interesting personalities, even those in their periphery.

the first issue is the same every litRPG book that takes place within an actual game suffered from. there is no sense of jeopardy because the MC is never really in any danger.

The second issue is that this is book 1 of a series, when it feels like it should be the culmination of a series. we are told of Streaks trials to get where he was at the start of the book. of how hard it was to get there, but it's just that something we are told and because I never got to feel how much was invested in him, it was harder to feel the MC's justification for everything that comes afterward.

another issue is how quickly we go from let's do this, to well it's done. just like the lack of jeopardy leads to not worrying about the MC, this led me to feel uncertain the victory was earned.

I expect I'll add the next book to my TBR list because I am curious to see how much of a villain Despot will end up being

[MIKE Watkins Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a hero with an unconventional super power.

I mean typically when you think of "superpowers" you think of a hero who can fly, has super strength, can shoot rays out of their hands, or perhaps a hero that has telekinetic abilities.

You don't think of a guy who's superpower is to influence NPC's...but that's the type of hero you get in this book...and it makes for a more unique protagonist, at least as it pertains to his power.

A good read...it was kinda slow mid-way through but overall a good book to pass time. The character development among other players in this Titan online VR game this book takes place in weren't developed well....but the NPC characters were at least.

[David Ketelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like the first few chapters 'cause the MC was too whiny--I guess cause his speed-based hero character was killed after years of development. Boo-hoo. But that just initiated the concept of why Karna (soon to be Despot) went from being a Hero to being a Villain. This book is a great exploration of how power and adoration can corrupt--any why villains like Despot are needed to destroy Heroes that prey on others. Lots of plotting and action as Despot develops a base of operations and the wherewithal to fight high level heroes. I liked this a lot.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great standalone book in what I hope is a great series

The author has done what you need to do to sell a villainous story. A jilted hero, a plan borne from both idealism and revenge, and adversity so bleak that your heart rises with him as he overcomes it. Unlike many other series, this book works alone, and makes you want to come back just to see how everyone is doing rather than come back to see how the story ends.

[John Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mastermind - this one is going to be the start of a great series. Heroes and villains can you be sure they are set in their ways? I loved this story binge reading it in a couple of days. The writing is good and I could see the places in my mind. The characters are developing which means I am waiting for the next episode.

[Sam Bonifas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool MC powers? Nope

I grew tired of reading the story and waiting for the MC to utilize his power. Throughout the book MC really only solves problems that anyone with a strong tactical mind and plenty of money. I can see why other people like this book, but I want to see a litrpg character use their power to succeed. I’m this case I was left unsatisfied.

[Jon Honey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Around half way through I wasn’t sure i would finish it. None of the characters were very likable, the main character included. Basically the whole story the dude is bumbling and making mistakes. Picks up near the end, made it much more enjoyable

[D G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, it was a blast. I want more. Really. Well written, complete story, that can have a sequel (there are still some questions unanswered left, but doesn't bait into getting another book by unfinished threads).

[Loki Lokash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than you think it'll be.

This is a step up from what I've come to expect from a LitRPG book, in that I just finished my first re-read.
Cannot recommend it enough if you enjoy the genre.

[Anndra Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Villainous litrpg

This was a great ride into something very original. When I was a teen I fell in love with the Fall of Superman books, and this is more fun by far! Kudos to the author for doing something new in the LitRpg genre. Get this book!

[Sean Desallais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Really enjoyed the story, characters were interesting and the plot was enjoyable. Was quite nice to see things from a villains perspective for once and for that it earns a favourable review.

[Brian M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start.

Ok I can say I liked this book more than I thought I would. I like that he is not a op MC. That his plans rely on a lot of luck and hoping that others feel the same he does.