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Mace and Shari continue to pursue their mission to eliminate the Black Flame. Nearing the city of Graf, they and the crew of the Sea Sprite were ambushed on the river. After suffering losses and stopping to make repairs, they have been approached by two drow thieves walking out of the woods. An epic battle awaits them in Graf, where they’ll try to eliminate Garya, the drow priestess who has become master of the Black Flame.

Griff and Lisa are leveling quickly so that they can join Mace and Shari at Darkstone. But they need to risk a trip to the real world surface for a food run, and are unaware that two monstrous zombie titans are awaiting them at the grocery store.

Another survivor is found! One with the skills and knowledge to potentially speed up the process of getting them all permanently uploaded into the game. But he’s far away, and facing real world challenges of his own.

The kingdom building continues, along with crafting, epic battles, diplomacy, new magic spells, legendary loot, and intrigue. But can all the humans survive the zombie apocalypse long enough to upload themselves?

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2019

106 people are currently reading
57 people want to read

About the author

Dave Willmarth

31 books629 followers
Dave is a part-time author who would love to live full time in the game worlds he creates.

A gamer since the 70's, he loves the idea of being able to mix the science of virtual reality with the fantasy worlds inspired by great writers such as JRR Tokien and CS Lewis.

Dave has always wanted to be a writer. Over the past three decades he started and put away a dozen novels, distracted by work or life.

The dream of being an author seemed distant.

That is until recently, when he discovered the LitRPG/GameLit genre full of books that combined his love for video games and epic fantasy adventures. He was inspired by the books he read, and the authors who wrote them. So much so that he sat down and wrote the first two books of The Greystone Chronicles in just over a month. He published the first as an experiment, and was shocked at the response. These days he sits in his man cave late at night and writes the stories of characters he'd like to be, in worlds virtually without limits.

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5 stars
347 (64%)
4 stars
146 (27%)
3 stars
39 (7%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for GaiusPrimus.
870 reviews97 followers
June 8, 2019
This series continues to deliver

Mr. Willmarth knocks another one out of the park. With multiple series and multiple books in each, I've grown accustomed to his writting style and to his delivery of enjoyable and entertaining stories.

This time around, it seems like we've turned a corner towards the end of the story arc, perhaps another pentalogy like Greystone?

I only wish that my original hope had materialized, where skills from the game would translate to the real world as their sync levels grew, allowing them to "heal" Earth, but it seems like we're doubling down into the Ghost in the Machine plotline.

Thats' alright though. We have the Sun Saga for the real world stuff.
298 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2021
So glad this is not the last book

I am super excited for this series. While the zombie virus stranglets is a bit far fetched, the juxtaposition of the real and virtual world is.very well done. I cant wait to see what happens next.
3 reviews
June 20, 2022
Fun read

Story keeps you entertained and guessing what's next. It has a lot of directions it can go and still keep you flipping pages hoping it will not end.
64 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2019
Moves to kingdom building

This books continues the saga. I was less enthused but this one. I feel like it simplifies much of the interactions between NPCs and the main characters. Everything seems to get resolved with gold. People always seem happy to see a new kingdom come together. It feels too easy. Also tough situation in real life are portrayed as more significant than in the game. Though the game has endless killing and brutality. With high sync values, it should be the same.

That aside, the book remains well written. You still get similar dungeon dives and gamelit aspects from a variety of characters.

He opens up a whole new area. So I expect more books to come. Though, I think wrapping it up would be ideal at this point.
Profile Image for Geoffrey Shimp.
30 reviews
July 5, 2020
Wow

I have been putting off this series so far due to the post apocalyptic style universe that I don’t usually enjoy reading (most likely because I know that it will happen soon and I don’t want to acknowledge that fact!) but I love the books Dave writes so I picked up the series. AMAZING! Dave knocks it out of the park yet again. His reasoning for the post apocalyptic future is hilariously probably what will happen. College kids.... this books goes into kingdom building which is an aspect I love. I also enjoy the POV changing to different characters and seeing how they handle surviving. I hate Dave for writing yet another great book because he now has three series that are not done yet that I am waiting to be finished. Love them all and can’t wait to read more!!
790 reviews7 followers
June 5, 2019
Still having fun.

This was different. The big battle was up front and the later part of the book was kingdom building, running errands, exploring, and meeting folk. Nothing wrong with that. Just felt a bit odd. Thanks to Dave for more Ian the Bunny action. I love the characters and the game world. I'm not a post apocalypse story fan but the zombie fighting was thrilling. Overall a pretty good read. I did get a chuckle from the author references and a good bit of twitting some gnomes.
Author 3 books3 followers
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July 21, 2019
Mace and friends grow a kingdom

A wonderful book as we learn more about mace and the last few survivors. Willmarth, has crafted this third book with great skill. Before you know it the story has run out of pages, and he has left you wanting more. There is everything in the story; fear, terror, guilt, hope and love. I don't want to give spoilers in a review but, I wept at the pregnant woman scene. What a horrible position our heroes were in. Excellent story and well worth reading.
396 reviews15 followers
July 30, 2019
Slightly anticlimactic but still good

Let me start off with saying I really enjoy the newest addition to the series. That being said there were a couple of big plot points from book 2 that I thought were handled too quickly. It doesn’t detract from the story tho. I also would have liked to see more work being done to actually upload them into the system but all in due time I guess. The world building is awesome and I’m glad the secondary characters have been fleshed out. After the cliff hanger in this book I can’t wait for book 4
42 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2019
The second type of wilmarth book

There are only 2 types of book by Dave Willmarth the good and the amazing. This one fits into the second category. Very time he writes a book he raised the bar a little higher and clears it. Real world drama, game world drama, new faces... And more fibble mentions.
75 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2019
World collapse and world building

As one world is nearing an infected end, Mace and Shari begin to implement their plan of building their new world. Along with their friends Griff and Lisa and joined by a moody Texan, they grow the numbers of their followers as well as their followers status.
This is a really fun story and I can't hardly wait for the next book.
47 reviews
July 17, 2019
Ambushed again

I love this series but your killing me with the cliffhangers. Mace is a great character but as he's said before needs to remember he's a drow might cut down on becoming a pincushion for arrows. I have nothing to add as you had to read the prior books for this one to make since, next expansion please.
Profile Image for Chris Pelham.
74 reviews6 followers
August 9, 2019
Why does waiting happen to good people

Ugh I dont want to wait for the next! Why cant it be out already!! Another great book in the series. Maybe 3 errors in the whole book. So good job editor! Cant wait to see where their adventures take them next! And if that nano tech in the real life portion ever gets utilized
Profile Image for Frank.
118 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2020
It took a couple chapters for me to get back into after finally coming back to this series. As soon as I did though, I fell right back into the flow of things. I will definitely continue to read this series. Plot developing well and the introduction of new characters is nice. I feel like the MC falls flat at times, but over all entertaining.
12 reviews
July 20, 2020
Amazing book

Wonderful story and plot. The author has a great way to make a reader case about a VR gameworld. The real world plot lines add a sense of urgency to the story lines that keep you interested. Main characters of the story line are well developed, even the significant NPCs have enough development to make them interesting.
7 reviews
February 14, 2021
His best work by far

Best series he has written. I am not a fan of the shadow sun series as it moves way to fast with very little story arc and is almost written like a fan fiction novel. This story however is his best by far and almost seems to be written by a completely different and much better author
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,710 reviews30 followers
March 1, 2021
I don't feel anything for this book. I had it for months and just decided to get it over with.

No matter the outcome, this will be the last book in this series I read. This might be the last book by the author I will read too.

The series started okay, but lost itself somewhere.

2.5/5 Stars
176 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2021
Bloody Cliffhanger!

Absolutely minted continuation of the series. Normally I'm not a fan of the multiple points of view writing style but this book has had me gripped from start to finish. The settlement building is kicking off in a major way and we continue to meet cool new characters. Honestly this is a gem of a series
Profile Image for Dannan Tavona.
977 reviews10 followers
December 30, 2025
Interesting and grim

Alternate universe, zombie apocalypse, LitRPG, VR world, survival, base building

Mace, Shari, and their friends finally meet up and focus on building their new city. Excellent editing, much improved over the second novel. Considering the cliffhanger, I'm assuming there will be another book? Hoping, anyway.
99 reviews
June 4, 2019
Such good series

Well, there you go another amazing book by Mr Wilmarth himself. If you liked the previous two books you’ll love this one. Goes without saying any book by Dave is a guarantee of quality LitRPG/GameLIT
Profile Image for Robert loudermilk.
60 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2019
Great!!!

This was a great third book. As always I wish the story was longer. However it was as per usual superbly written. I love the characters, the story in and out of game is super. I'm always excited for his next book.
103 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2019
Fantastic

Loved it as always. Looking forward to the next as well as the next In his other series' as well.. if you havent read this yet and are on the fence. Start with book 1 you wont be disappointed!
Profile Image for Scott.
148 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2019
Great book

I just love this series. The troubles that the main characters face are just so huge. The story just pulls you in and you can’t stop until you know what happens. I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Heath.
521 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2019
Good Read.

Book 3. A LitRPG story where there is a apocalypse event in the world where most people have died. The story take place in two worlds. The game world and real world. Both worlds are interesting and add to the story.
586 reviews7 followers
June 22, 2019
Awesome series

This is a good book. You should read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. this has been my favorite series of late. Really like the leveling and world building
188 reviews12 followers
June 23, 2019
Perfect LITRPG

Just about as good as it gets. Our heroes l begin to explore both of their virtual world and their post apocalyptic real world. We made new friends and enemies in both.
Profile Image for Trudi Hall.
18 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2019
Dave done did it again

More of the same action in game and in the zombie infested streets. The author really makes it feel like you are growing right alongside the amazing cast of characters... and cute pets. Book 4 is in the top of my wishlist.
Profile Image for Zack Clay.
103 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2019
Game on!

This series continues to intrigue me and I am crushed with sadness that I will have to wait for book 4. I thought the 3 book series would keep me busy but I had to read them all non stop. Thanks for your hard work, I really enjoyed the read.
Profile Image for Nick.
18 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2019
Sometimes you read a book where the MC is constantly being beaten down and it gets kind of depressing. This book is the one you read after to bring your spirits back up. A fun adventure that makes me happier having read it.
Profile Image for Scott.
1,487 reviews12 followers
November 29, 2019
Excitement on every page

Just cant seem to stop turning pages, the game dynamic is great as is the real world progress.
Do miss seeing other new characters from the real world being introduced but it is early days yet as well. Now juat got to await book 4 now.
Profile Image for Drew.
185 reviews3 followers
December 9, 2019
Excellent again

Another great addition to the series with city building added to the abilities of our MCs and still I’m wondering is it all connected real and game world somehow... I look forward to discovering more and more of the world Mace, Shari, Lisa, Griff & Tex live in 😁
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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