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Reality Benders #5
A Jump into the Unknown
We put an end to the war with the Dark Faction, but still humanity’s problems are far from over. More than half of the game’s promised tong of safety has elapsed, and yet humankind is no closer to forming a unified front. We've just begun building one of the twelve planetary shield generators necessary to give Earth complete protection, but we don't have enough construction materials, players or time. Should we ask the parallel magocratic world for help? After all, an invasion from outer space would hurt them just as bad. The mages, though, have plenty of problems of their own.
What options does Gnat even have here? All he can truly count on are his own strength and his personal Relict faction. Should we put all our eggs in one basket and look for help in deep space? Might technology from ancient, long vanished races allow humanity to grow strong enough to turn back the onslaught before it's too late?
What options does Gnat even have here? All he can truly count on are his own strength and his personal Relict faction. Should we put all our eggs in one basket and look for help in deep space? Might technology from ancient, long vanished races allow humanity to grow strong enough to turn back the onslaught before it's too late?
569 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2019
204 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Michael Atamanov
57 books553 followersMichael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 5, 2019
Look, I've read all five of these so obviously they aren't all bad. The thing is that I'm never sure why I keep reading them while I'm reading them.
1. The english translation is totally understandable, but it really doesn't make any effort at dealing properly with idiom, tone, or fluidity. I'm not sure if this is on purpose, but it's consistently distracting.
2. The presentation and treatment of women is ridiculously stereotypical Russian. It's annoying and definitely the worst part of the series.
3. There is a lot of lazy plotting. Oh, I lose my ship in an obvious blunder... now what? Oh, I find a new one that's better. I'll leave my pod when my government is obviously going to disappear me. Oh, fortunately I have enough fame to overcome that stupidity. The MC really comes across as a lucky idiot. Without the author watching over him with a bit of Deus Ex Machina when needed he'd be useless. This has gotten worse as the series has gone on.
On the plus side, it still has pretty good action sequences. I'm interested in where the larger plot is going. The author is extremely creative. It will keep me reading for now.
1. The english translation is totally understandable, but it really doesn't make any effort at dealing properly with idiom, tone, or fluidity. I'm not sure if this is on purpose, but it's consistently distracting.
2. The presentation and treatment of women is ridiculously stereotypical Russian. It's annoying and definitely the worst part of the series.
3. There is a lot of lazy plotting. Oh, I lose my ship in an obvious blunder... now what? Oh, I find a new one that's better. I'll leave my pod when my government is obviously going to disappear me. Oh, fortunately I have enough fame to overcome that stupidity. The MC really comes across as a lucky idiot. Without the author watching over him with a bit of Deus Ex Machina when needed he'd be useless. This has gotten worse as the series has gone on.
On the plus side, it still has pretty good action sequences. I'm interested in where the larger plot is going. The author is extremely creative. It will keep me reading for now.
March 22, 2021
I received a review copy of this book.
If you're reading the series, and want to know when things are going to heat up between the various factions, you won't have to wait any more. This book does that, and so much more, and I have to say.... The ending is awesome. Loved this book, and would have started on the next one right away, but the real world intruded, so probably can't start that one until tomorrow.
In this one, we get to see more skills of the listener class, and we even get a peek at some top secret precursor facilities and objects. Great fun, all of it, and if you're a scifi fan, you really should be reading this series, even if you aren't a LitRPG reader.
If you're reading the series, and want to know when things are going to heat up between the various factions, you won't have to wait any more. This book does that, and so much more, and I have to say.... The ending is awesome. Loved this book, and would have started on the next one right away, but the real world intruded, so probably can't start that one until tomorrow.
In this one, we get to see more skills of the listener class, and we even get a peek at some top secret precursor facilities and objects. Great fun, all of it, and if you're a scifi fan, you really should be reading this series, even if you aren't a LitRPG reader.
November 8, 2023
I don't know if I've mentioned this in any of my previous 4 reviews or not, but these books are just like a bowl of potato chips! You just can't stop at reading one bk 'cause you'll need another, and another, ad infinitum.
Gnat is still leveling his skills and now that he's mostly solved the issues with the dark faction, he's still gotta get all the splinter factions of earth behind him if he's gonna save his earth from the very real alien invasion. And earth is not taking him seriously. Plus he also needs to discover everything he can about the Relics.
With aplomb Neil Hellegers takes the reins on this fifth book in the Reality Benders series, like the professional voice actor he is. And of course I loved him!
Gnat is still leveling his skills and now that he's mostly solved the issues with the dark faction, he's still gotta get all the splinter factions of earth behind him if he's gonna save his earth from the very real alien invasion. And earth is not taking him seriously. Plus he also needs to discover everything he can about the Relics.
With aplomb Neil Hellegers takes the reins on this fifth book in the Reality Benders series, like the professional voice actor he is. And of course I loved him!
October 27, 2020
Very disappointed in this book. For one, there is no moving forward in the story. Nat is like a elementary kid on Ritalin. One minute he is talking about one thing with focus and the next he is asking crew members to dual because they died to soon in a fight. Died covering his sorry over powered ass. Seriously what is Nat smoking? He has only been in the game 50 days and he thinks his intelligence is the best ever and NO one would ever be higher. Like players who have been in the game more than a year maybe, 2 years?
September 20, 2023
This series has become a grueling slog. It seems like the author, enjoying doling out chapters for cash, has turned to stalling. While trying to keep things interesting with SOME stuff happening, the MCs progress is non-existent. Every opportunity is followed by set backs that puts the MC back to where he was. How does the MC survive all this stuff happening? Plot armor. It's becoming episodic and boring.
February 22, 2020
Notes:
Overall, this series is more interesting than the Dark Herbalist. Cool concepts/plot but uneven pacing and a lot of God Mode events that don't quite work. It seems like the scope of the overall plot gets a little bigger with each book and the story falls apart due to extra weight added to an idea that was mildly plausible from the get go.
Overall, this series is more interesting than the Dark Herbalist. Cool concepts/plot but uneven pacing and a lot of God Mode events that don't quite work. It seems like the scope of the overall plot gets a little bigger with each book and the story falls apart due to extra weight added to an idea that was mildly plausible from the get go.
April 13, 2021
Intriguing Read
Gnat is rapidly becoming a top player in the game. Wins, losses, and escape permeate the plot. Gnat is an interesting, compelling, yet flawed character. Will his mechanisms save Earth form being taken over by a stronger faction? I like the action, humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance. I look forward to the next book.
Gnat is rapidly becoming a top player in the game. Wins, losses, and escape permeate the plot. Gnat is an interesting, compelling, yet flawed character. Will his mechanisms save Earth form being taken over by a stronger faction? I like the action, humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance. I look forward to the next book.
December 28, 2019
A mediocre book, that barely progress the story
The series started out great, but now it's just feels like a formulaic copy of the earlier entries there isn't much resolution of the previous storylines just endless continuation and complications.
The series started out great, but now it's just feels like a formulaic copy of the earlier entries there isn't much resolution of the previous storylines just endless continuation and complications.
January 22, 2020
Excellent
Damn, what a way to end the book! And now I have to wait for number 6 to be published! This one kept me on the edge of my seat from page 1, and I read it without stopping from start to finish. It was that good.
Damn, what a way to end the book! And now I have to wait for number 6 to be published! This one kept me on the edge of my seat from page 1, and I read it without stopping from start to finish. It was that good.
February 25, 2020
Good book, probably better reading it than listening to the audiobook.
The audiobook guy is crap, worst narrator I've ever heard. His male voice is like a frat boy and the female voice is... i don't even know what that's supposed to be but it's annoying.
The audiobook guy is crap, worst narrator I've ever heard. His male voice is like a frat boy and the female voice is... i don't even know what that's supposed to be but it's annoying.
August 1, 2021
I'm afraid I am as addicted to Reality Benders as Ivan L. is addicted to PCP. This series is like a drug. It's not enough that Michael Atamanov wrote the best litRPG ever, it is possibly the best SF series as well, at least it is a cut above anything I've read. Also talking cat people.
May 27, 2022
Format: audio
While I really, really liked the previous narrator (books 1-4), he seemed to have an issue with female voices. I'm bumping my rating up on this, the 5th volume, from a 4 to a 5 because of the narrator.
This story line is really starting to infect me!
While I really, really liked the previous narrator (books 1-4), he seemed to have an issue with female voices. I'm bumping my rating up on this, the 5th volume, from a 4 to a 5 because of the narrator.
This story line is really starting to infect me!
March 30, 2024
Another really good one. I was so annoyed when the Russians tried to keep Gnat prisoner. How naïve could you be? He’s soon going to be a leader in the world the real world. Also I love all the battles and even politics in this. Really enjoying the series.
February 20, 2020
So much fun
This is one of my favorite series. Basically reads as an adventure book series with tons of humor, twists, failures, and fun. Highly recommend this series.
This is one of my favorite series. Basically reads as an adventure book series with tons of humor, twists, failures, and fun. Highly recommend this series.
February 23, 2020
Easily one of my very favorite GameLIT series, clever and engaging. The universe keeps expanding and I enjoy where it’s going.
4.5
4.5
March 1, 2020
Awesome
I really enjoy this book. The character are really good and fun. Watching anxiously for the next book. Can't wait.
I really enjoy this book. The character are really good and fun. Watching anxiously for the next book. Can't wait.
March 5, 2020
Great series!
March 8, 2020
Good
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
March 17, 2020
More Please
May 8, 2020
What a book.
No time to waste. Head to book 6 now. This series is great.
For the record this series gas the most consistent MC ever. A true Pirate.
No time to waste. Head to book 6 now. This series is great.
For the record this series gas the most consistent MC ever. A true Pirate.
June 23, 2020
Good story. Ruined by Audibles new reader. Also gun powder does burn in space. It contains its own oxidizer.
January 19, 2021
Started off strong with a lot of great characters and action and ended up simply ... wow. Michael Antamov has another amazing series and I’m already onto the next.
March 10, 2021
Action Continues!
I’m amazed at how interesting the author manages to keep the series with non stop action and great world building, while keeping it interesting.
I’m amazed at how interesting the author manages to keep the series with non stop action and great world building, while keeping it interesting.
July 29, 2021
Серия уже явно становится масштабнее "Защиты Периметра". И где только ГГ не носит... Но при этом, в принципе, интрига не падает, хотя можно было бы и побольше разнообразия.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
Great book
I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Well written and interesting series. Recommend the series to anyone
I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Well written and interesting series. Recommend the series to anyone
April 2, 2022
Filler.
September 22, 2022
Love this series! Can't put my hands down from it. :D
It combines everything I love - space, magic, adventures, mystery, and gaming!
It combines everything I love - space, magic, adventures, mystery, and gaming!
September 23, 2024
Im not sure where is focus... there is tech, there are space and leveling and building bases... its just all over the plate...
December 2, 2019
A fantastic addition to the series.
This book is honestly breathtaking and proofs yet again that the Russians are the undisputed LitRpg Kings of the world.
This book is honestly breathtaking and proofs yet again that the Russians are the undisputed LitRpg Kings of the world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews