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Stonehaven League #2
Fortress of Shadows
Listening Length: 8 hours and 43 minutes
A giant telepathic parrot with a rather foul mouth, a horde of smelly goblins, and a tyrannical demon priestess…
Welcome to Devon Walker’s “new normal.”
During her first weeks in the deeply immersive VR game, Relic Online, she’s hacked out a home from a choking jungle, gathered a tribe of loyal followers, and earned a wisp stalker who insists she’s some kind of champion.
But Relic Online isn’t some wussy kids’ game, and there will be no easy-street cruising for Devon. Like a monk racking up combo points, the system opens a fresh offensive by crippling her most powerful ability. Following through, it strangles the village food supply, sends demons bursting through rifts in the earth, and delivers a final, devastating throat punch by exploiting Devon’s worst fear.
The players have discovered Devon’s home. Now everything changes.
A giant telepathic parrot with a rather foul mouth, a horde of smelly goblins, and a tyrannical demon priestess…
Welcome to Devon Walker’s “new normal.”
During her first weeks in the deeply immersive VR game, Relic Online, she’s hacked out a home from a choking jungle, gathered a tribe of loyal followers, and earned a wisp stalker who insists she’s some kind of champion.
But Relic Online isn’t some wussy kids’ game, and there will be no easy-street cruising for Devon. Like a monk racking up combo points, the system opens a fresh offensive by crippling her most powerful ability. Following through, it strangles the village food supply, sends demons bursting through rifts in the earth, and delivers a final, devastating throat punch by exploiting Devon’s worst fear.
The players have discovered Devon’s home. Now everything changes.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 16, 2018
699 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 16, 2021
Hezbek and Devon's relationship makes me... AWWWW. So sweet.
The drama with the CEO is getting so juicy, how does a company think they can get away with their shady dealings like this?
The drama with the CEO is getting so juicy, how does a company think they can get away with their shady dealings like this?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2018
Even better than book one! Fortress of Shadows is a fun, engaging LitRPG that perfectly balances gameplay, base building and real-life drama (the latter of which actually impacts the former). Stonehaven League is an excellent series, one which I'd recommend to any and all fans of the GameLit genre.
September 10, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
This is a good series. The world building/settlement construction wasn't as prominent in this story. Devon would tell the people in the settlement about what she wanted to be built, then she would go off on an adventure and come back to it being completed. It wasn't just Devon and the NPC's this time. 2 of Devon's friends from the previous game show up to help her with the quest. There does seem to be some kind of weird manipulation with this game. The things that happened to her friends in their growth and how they came across Devon were not random. If her friends did not show up and they didn't progress their characters exactly the way they did, I can't see how they could have succeeded. It begs the question: Are they playing the game or is the game playing them? There is definitely something weird going on at the company and with the upper management.
Overall a good story.
This is a good series. The world building/settlement construction wasn't as prominent in this story. Devon would tell the people in the settlement about what she wanted to be built, then she would go off on an adventure and come back to it being completed. It wasn't just Devon and the NPC's this time. 2 of Devon's friends from the previous game show up to help her with the quest. There does seem to be some kind of weird manipulation with this game. The things that happened to her friends in their growth and how they came across Devon were not random. If her friends did not show up and they didn't progress their characters exactly the way they did, I can't see how they could have succeeded. It begs the question: Are they playing the game or is the game playing them? There is definitely something weird going on at the company and with the upper management.
Overall a good story.
February 10, 2020
This one was a 4.5 for me. Pretty good!
I mostly enjoyed the characters. I still don't really like Devon, because she so .... how to say ...
repellent maybe? But that makes her a grandiose character because it's authentic.
I love her former guildmates, Hailey and Chen. And the dwarves! I love the dwarves so much <3
Besides all these cool characters (Have I mentioned boobing Bob?!) the story was solid. I liked the plot twist and the connection to the outer/real world.
Now I'm curious if Devon an Emmerson might date someday maybe? Or will he enter the game as well? So many open questions!
I mostly enjoyed the characters. I still don't really like Devon, because she so .... how to say ...
repellent maybe? But that makes her a grandiose character because it's authentic.
I love her former guildmates, Hailey and Chen. And the dwarves! I love the dwarves so much <3
Besides all these cool characters (Have I mentioned boobing Bob?!) the story was solid. I liked the plot twist and the connection to the outer/real world.
Now I'm curious if Devon an Emmerson might date someday maybe? Or will he enter the game as well? So many open questions!
August 9, 2020
Strong female protagonist, decent world building, and a plot twist make for a solid continuation of the series. As I suspected in the first book, two former guild mates show up to add to the fun.
Enjoying this series so far, I plan to read the third. Also brought forward from the previous book is the evil AI, along with details of this new world cosmology. Those details connect to the real (out-of-game) world also in a surprising way, though the "pain" plot point from the previous book still isn't well explained or resolved. I'm sure the author is going somewhere with this, just can't see where.
Favorite moment - the description of the demons going through a portal. They are also excellent opponent, far more menacing than the frogs or sloths. Though second favorite moment is the sloth boss fight :)
Enjoying this series so far, I plan to read the third. Also brought forward from the previous book is the evil AI, along with details of this new world cosmology. Those details connect to the real (out-of-game) world also in a surprising way, though the "pain" plot point from the previous book still isn't well explained or resolved. I'm sure the author is going somewhere with this, just can't see where.
Favorite moment - the description of the demons going through a portal. They are also excellent opponent, far more menacing than the frogs or sloths. Though second favorite moment is the sloth boss fight :)
September 28, 2022
I get the feeling that writing game jargon, with repeating player information in an info-dump manner and the author believes that this is a likeable LitRPG story. This is supposed to be a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game) that has thousands and more playing at the same time and yet, the author surrounds the main character Devon (a girl gamer) with NPCs (Non-Player Characters). What is normal, what is common is to find thousands and even millions of players in the game, at each of the adventures and quests. Another thing, since the main character Devon, killed the Ogre chieftain, the number of quests in this "game" story has gone down. No "respawns" by the NPCs, no social media posts, tutorials/manuals, no guilds, no dungeons, no mass media news about this hi-tech VRMMORPG new game....it's like watching a twitch broadcast from a foreign gamer (with no subtitles and no sense of what is going on)...
So there is something wrong with the gear and it's affecting the players biologically and emotionally, and there is a "rogue" Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is on the loose...but really not much progress to the main characters in this book 2. Hailey has a lack of immune system disease...but is that enough to describe one of the main characters?
Book two has about 200+ pages less than the first book and feels like a light novel volume. So the main character, Devon, is improving and optimizing the NPCs that surround her, but where is this story really going? Why is it taking the main character, and her NPC team so long to finish their only quest? Is it because of the long 2 year contract to play in this game that doesn't really have that much to do while inside the game? Why is Devon using her other game team, if now she is a Mage not a ranger? Is it possible to conform a team if the team members no longer have the jobs/professions/roles that they had previously? When in the story did they discuss they roles and strategies?
I do not understand how authors and readers confuse character development with player improvement and setting descriptions with world development. Character development is the description of the physical and personality traits of the characters and how they change throughout the story. Player improvement is the abilities, skills, level ups and equipment changes that the player receives while playing the game. Two different things. We hardly know anything about the main character Devon. Don't know her physical traits, her personality traits, her goals, dreams, etc. and yet the author commits her to play for 2 years a game, while Devon, main character really has no life (no real friends, neighbors, job, family, etc.) All the author described of the main character is that Devon is a "shut-in", anti-social, loner, girl. We do not even know her age, whether she is an orphan or part of a family, or anything close to trying to describe her (and she is the main character). The other characters have less or no descriptors. Hailey has a no-immunity-system disease and is a girl... Are these enough descriptors for the main characters of multi-book-novel series?
So this story lacks game sense, lacks story descriptions and themes, and is not really going anywhere.
So there is something wrong with the gear and it's affecting the players biologically and emotionally, and there is a "rogue" Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is on the loose...but really not much progress to the main characters in this book 2. Hailey has a lack of immune system disease...but is that enough to describe one of the main characters?
Book two has about 200+ pages less than the first book and feels like a light novel volume. So the main character, Devon, is improving and optimizing the NPCs that surround her, but where is this story really going? Why is it taking the main character, and her NPC team so long to finish their only quest? Is it because of the long 2 year contract to play in this game that doesn't really have that much to do while inside the game? Why is Devon using her other game team, if now she is a Mage not a ranger? Is it possible to conform a team if the team members no longer have the jobs/professions/roles that they had previously? When in the story did they discuss they roles and strategies?
I do not understand how authors and readers confuse character development with player improvement and setting descriptions with world development. Character development is the description of the physical and personality traits of the characters and how they change throughout the story. Player improvement is the abilities, skills, level ups and equipment changes that the player receives while playing the game. Two different things. We hardly know anything about the main character Devon. Don't know her physical traits, her personality traits, her goals, dreams, etc. and yet the author commits her to play for 2 years a game, while Devon, main character really has no life (no real friends, neighbors, job, family, etc.) All the author described of the main character is that Devon is a "shut-in", anti-social, loner, girl. We do not even know her age, whether she is an orphan or part of a family, or anything close to trying to describe her (and she is the main character). The other characters have less or no descriptors. Hailey has a no-immunity-system disease and is a girl... Are these enough descriptors for the main characters of multi-book-novel series?
So this story lacks game sense, lacks story descriptions and themes, and is not really going anywhere.
April 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. I love how the game is a game to the players, but it's becoming more each day. They have a "real" life outside of the game, but the game is starting to feel more and more like home with the NPCs they meet along with other players that don't live close to them.
I listened to the audio book. I really enjoyed the narrators in this one. I liked there was a female narrator for female characters and a male voice for male characters. As there are narrators that can and do amazing jobs differentiating characters, this was nice to get a different voice to help with that. You get a different feel from different people, which is great when you have a nice size cast of characters.
There were problems in game, but they 'seem' to be better. Was Devon the only one feeling it??? Devon learns more when her old team mates come her way... about the nerve sensors, about needing friends, and how other CAN help.
It seems the "God," or the AI running the game, has directed her friends to her with their missions.
New problems rise...landscape's changing and animals are scarce...all part of Devon's mission. And a new enemy arrives. There's no knowing if it'll attack or where or tracking it... I love how we learn about this enemy. It's affected by the real world events and in game events. I had a feeling it was something along these lines with where things were going, but to see it come together is always great.
I really like the village Devon is creating and I'm worried about it's safety too!
In the real world, I've really found the troubles Emerson has unearthed with the system on the players very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about what he'll do now. But, the world of Big Business... so much to fight against.
I want more!
To see what comes of Stonehaven, Devon's guest, and Emerson with the Big Company. I even wonder if Haley will find her own piece of the world and the team will come out at the very end ruling it all.
I listened to the audio book. I really enjoyed the narrators in this one. I liked there was a female narrator for female characters and a male voice for male characters. As there are narrators that can and do amazing jobs differentiating characters, this was nice to get a different voice to help with that. You get a different feel from different people, which is great when you have a nice size cast of characters.
There were problems in game, but they 'seem' to be better. Was Devon the only one feeling it??? Devon learns more when her old team mates come her way... about the nerve sensors, about needing friends, and how other CAN help.
It seems the "God," or the AI running the game, has directed her friends to her with their missions.
New problems rise...landscape's changing and animals are scarce...all part of Devon's mission. And a new enemy arrives. There's no knowing if it'll attack or where or tracking it... I love how we learn about this enemy. It's affected by the real world events and in game events. I had a feeling it was something along these lines with where things were going, but to see it come together is always great.
I really like the village Devon is creating and I'm worried about it's safety too!
In the real world, I've really found the troubles Emerson has unearthed with the system on the players very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about what he'll do now. But, the world of Big Business... so much to fight against.
I want more!
To see what comes of Stonehaven, Devon's guest, and Emerson with the Big Company. I even wonder if Haley will find her own piece of the world and the team will come out at the very end ruling it all.
February 22, 2019
The story continues immediately after the first book. Devon continues her quests, as well as work on Stonehaven. She has a vision that's important to her, but it causes a bit of conflict with other characters in the book, which is good. I like that nothing really comes easy.
I did like the direction that the story took. Hailey and Chen were interesting, though I would have liked a bit more development, especially for Chen. That's my main issue with the book, Devon is the only character that has any real depth. Even Tamara, Devon's best friend, is more a collection of traits than an actual person. Emmerson comes closest to having any real personality.
What I really liked was the overarching storyline that is threaded through the series. Is it one person messing with the players, or is it the entire corporation? Who can Emmerson trust? I liked his part of the story a lot, and I'm looking forward to finding out what's going on.
Also, some clever quests, fight scenes, and solutions that require thinking outside of the box more than muscle, though the battle scenes were well done.
I did like the direction that the story took. Hailey and Chen were interesting, though I would have liked a bit more development, especially for Chen. That's my main issue with the book, Devon is the only character that has any real depth. Even Tamara, Devon's best friend, is more a collection of traits than an actual person. Emmerson comes closest to having any real personality.
What I really liked was the overarching storyline that is threaded through the series. Is it one person messing with the players, or is it the entire corporation? Who can Emmerson trust? I liked his part of the story a lot, and I'm looking forward to finding out what's going on.
Also, some clever quests, fight scenes, and solutions that require thinking outside of the box more than muscle, though the battle scenes were well done.
October 11, 2018
Fortress of Shadows is the second book in the Stonehaven League series. A LitRPG series, and this author is amazing with world building and well developed characters!
We continue to follow Devon Walker, and she has come far a long into the game. It still got it's issues, but she is doing her best. After some time she is seeing some of her old friends in the game. They didn't leave things on a good note last time, but they all figure they have to try to work together to complete some quests. But then some weird stuff is starting to happening...
I was happy to be able to read from another character's POV, it made the whole story more complete!
We continue to follow Devon Walker, and she has come far a long into the game. It still got it's issues, but she is doing her best. After some time she is seeing some of her old friends in the game. They didn't leave things on a good note last time, but they all figure they have to try to work together to complete some quests. But then some weird stuff is starting to happening...
I was happy to be able to read from another character's POV, it made the whole story more complete!
December 7, 2020
Mostly good, but I can’t get over how much the ending seems to be there purely to drag you into the next installment.
Continues to do things fairly well, there’s an interesting twist that was obvious as sold as it was foreshadowed by the programmer. However it leaves lasting changes on the MC that I can’t get behind from a plot setting. Much too forced and I quite dislike how it’s the company that seemed like one of the bad guys. If I was Devon I would sue in a heartbeat.
Continues to do things fairly well, there’s an interesting twist that was obvious as sold as it was foreshadowed by the programmer. However it leaves lasting changes on the MC that I can’t get behind from a plot setting. Much too forced and I quite dislike how it’s the company that seemed like one of the bad guys. If I was Devon I would sue in a heartbeat.
December 26, 2018
Even better than the first one I am patiently waiting for the next installment to come out on audible.
April 2, 2019
Good VR world, stupid real world
I have been enjoying the VR world of this series but the real world side is pretty stupid. No clue why the hell the business would go the route they do when they have a route that works great and has no legal or ethical ramifications....
I have been enjoying the VR world of this series but the real world side is pretty stupid. No clue why the hell the business would go the route they do when they have a route that works great and has no legal or ethical ramifications....
January 14, 2019
Mini-Review:
LitRPG ~ Soundbooth Theater Audio Production
3.5 Stars
Story narrative has become more interesting with the addition of Devon's old teammates showing up as their new characters in Relic Online. The game mechanic parts of the story are still fairly bland & dull to read. Progress has been made but it's still in the early stages and going at a slow rate. The question I have about LitRPG stories that take this route is if authors realize it's hard to make serious momentum in an epic plot line without making big changes that feel very "forced" and not natural to the narrative. It will be cool if the changes happen without feeling like the author writing in God mode.
The story ended on a cliffhanger of a sort. I'm glad the next book is available. I'm sad that it's only on ebook. Diving into immediately to see what happens next.
LitRPG ~ Soundbooth Theater Audio Production
3.5 Stars
Story narrative has become more interesting with the addition of Devon's old teammates showing up as their new characters in Relic Online. The game mechanic parts of the story are still fairly bland & dull to read. Progress has been made but it's still in the early stages and going at a slow rate. The question I have about LitRPG stories that take this route is if authors realize it's hard to make serious momentum in an epic plot line without making big changes that feel very "forced" and not natural to the narrative. It will be cool if the changes happen without feeling like the author writing in God mode.
The story ended on a cliffhanger of a sort. I'm glad the next book is available. I'm sad that it's only on ebook. Diving into immediately to see what happens next.
June 14, 2020
I wasn't sure how I would feel when I realized that this was a multi-book story. Sometimes great stories end up being stretched to the point of becoming garbage. Not so with Carrie Summer's Fortress of Shadows. I do not want to give any spoilers here. Suffice it to say, if you enjoy fantasy stories, you will enjoy the basic outline of the universe, if you enjoy online RPG you will appreciate the time take to constant integrate a fantasy story with an online game using digital interfaces, (can you say Oculus on super steroids, and if grew up playing RPG games, you will love it. I am excited for the next book in the series.
January 5, 2019
This book continues where the last one left of with Devon looking for the next artefact but this time she's got help from som of her old friends.
She continues to build up the village and and levelling up her character. I really like the mix of in game and out of game in these books, it makes the characters seem more real. And the writing continues to be quick and entertaining. Definitely the best litrpg I've read.
She continues to build up the village and and levelling up her character. I really like the mix of in game and out of game in these books, it makes the characters seem more real. And the writing continues to be quick and entertaining. Definitely the best litrpg I've read.
September 19, 2018
Yeah, this is definitely more like it.
A LitRPG with characters that can be believed.
City-building is a bit hazy (not as thorough as Reznik's Life Reset), but not bad.
The NPCs are less of a feature this time around, but it isn't too bad.
All in all, a satisfying read. Looking forward to the next installment, which is more than I've been able to say for 90% of LitRPG I've read so far.
A LitRPG with characters that can be believed.
City-building is a bit hazy (not as thorough as Reznik's Life Reset), but not bad.
The NPCs are less of a feature this time around, but it isn't too bad.
All in all, a satisfying read. Looking forward to the next installment, which is more than I've been able to say for 90% of LitRPG I've read so far.
June 27, 2018
Book two
An enjoyable experience.
To be honest,I enjoyed the first book more. However I am looking forward to book three.
I can easily recommend this series. No problems were found while I was reading this book.
An enjoyable experience.
To be honest,I enjoyed the first book more. However I am looking forward to book three.
I can easily recommend this series. No problems were found while I was reading this book.
August 18, 2018
Devon has been spending a lot of time in Relic Online, and she found a way to limit in-game pain so that she doesn't have to be as careful as before. She has created a home with her little jungle village, and the villagers basically work for her. She hadn't ever seen any other players, but then she saw some of her friends from a previous game she had been invested in. Hailey is the girl who streamed their last battle of the game even though she promised not to, and Chen was one of the youngest members of the group who was still restricted by homework and school times.
At first, Devon is worried about inviting them to her spot. She doesn't want other players finding out. Then, they realize that they will need each other to complete some quests. They get even closer when strange things start happening, such as the village's food supply being restricted and demons attacking. This game definitely hasn't had all the kinks worked out yet, and more errors are to come.
I have loved this series so far! Even though this book was a little slower than the first, it still moved along at an engaging pace most of the time.
My favorite part of this book was definitely seeing Devon's old friends being involved in the story. Both of them have their own unique backstories, and one really surprised me. I wanted Devon to finally have real people to spend time with and not just have to spend her time in this world with the NPCs in her village. I also thought that it was important to see how the other characters started the game, and
I think that while the characters were trying to figure out what was going on in the village that I lost focus. I struggled through those 100-200 e-pages, even though the storyline was fairly interesting. I can't exactly pinpoint what was making me struggle like this, but once I got through that middle portion I was really excited.
Some of this story was also told from the POV of Devon's boss. Even though they aren't usually connected, Devon still has to catch up with him to let him know how the game is working. There were a lot of spoilers in this part, so I can't say too much, but just know that you will learn a lot of things from his storyline.
I have to say that the character development was pretty intense. Devon had ended her relationship with her friends on the other game on a very bad note, as Hailey was caught streaming and then they failed to defeat the boss. She has to get over the issues that she still may have with them, and work together to solve a common problem. The other characters start to realize their own errors as they grow together in Devon's village.
I would recommend this book to fans of adventure novels, and fans of LitRPG novels. If you are looking for an adventure novel with very little romance, this is definitely for you. There weren't even any hints of romance in the series until a little bit in this novel, but it still wasn't the main focus. Definitely very refreshing.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
At first, Devon is worried about inviting them to her spot. She doesn't want other players finding out. Then, they realize that they will need each other to complete some quests. They get even closer when strange things start happening, such as the village's food supply being restricted and demons attacking. This game definitely hasn't had all the kinks worked out yet, and more errors are to come.
I have loved this series so far! Even though this book was a little slower than the first, it still moved along at an engaging pace most of the time.
My favorite part of this book was definitely seeing Devon's old friends being involved in the story. Both of them have their own unique backstories, and one really surprised me. I wanted Devon to finally have real people to spend time with and not just have to spend her time in this world with the NPCs in her village. I also thought that it was important to see how the other characters started the game, and
I think that while the characters were trying to figure out what was going on in the village that I lost focus. I struggled through those 100-200 e-pages, even though the storyline was fairly interesting. I can't exactly pinpoint what was making me struggle like this, but once I got through that middle portion I was really excited.
Some of this story was also told from the POV of Devon's boss. Even though they aren't usually connected, Devon still has to catch up with him to let him know how the game is working. There were a lot of spoilers in this part, so I can't say too much, but just know that you will learn a lot of things from his storyline.
I have to say that the character development was pretty intense. Devon had ended her relationship with her friends on the other game on a very bad note, as Hailey was caught streaming and then they failed to defeat the boss. She has to get over the issues that she still may have with them, and work together to solve a common problem. The other characters start to realize their own errors as they grow together in Devon's village.
I would recommend this book to fans of adventure novels, and fans of LitRPG novels. If you are looking for an adventure novel with very little romance, this is definitely for you. There weren't even any hints of romance in the series until a little bit in this novel, but it still wasn't the main focus. Definitely very refreshing.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
June 25, 2018
Fortress of Shadows is a great second in series for StoneHaven League after the success of Temple of Sorrow! Carrie Summers ability to turn in rapid release and yet page turning, well-plotted novels time after time is nothing short of stunning. Many authors attempt this with far lesser success! Her expertise in not only world building but suspenseful and driven plots in two totally different timelines, one in game the other everyday life of the players, with separate but full characters and intricate plots, keeps both storylines moving throughout. It is the perfect LitRPG. Definitely not a series to be missed! Fortunately for myself, as this is where I received my copy to review, and many others, it is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
E Squared has come up with an answer to the pain problem and offered it to the sensitive players, accepting blame to no one, except perhaps the player, of course, of Relic Online. Finally Devon can dive back into the game without experiencing the full pain of everyday reality with each violent encounter in game! Time to get back to the managemant and security of Stonehaven. Her people are depending on her.
However pain in game solved, Devon is still having problems. When she logs off to sleep, her rest is fitfull, with half remembered dreams of demons and violent acts. She somehow feels herself deeply involved in the evils. Upon awakening, her sleep hours ever shortening, she seems unrested and tired. Her eating is becoming eratic, with little appetite.
Emerson is having sleep trouble as well since getting his own implant, even though he isn't involved in Relic Online. He begins to in vestigate. Will Emerson be able to root out a problem in the code that causes these night time travails? Can he then prevent them? What new happenings unfold in Stonehaven? Temple Of Sorrows was a fantastic adventure! Fortress of Shadows is too exciting and full of changes in the game to miss! Get your copy now!
E Squared has come up with an answer to the pain problem and offered it to the sensitive players, accepting blame to no one, except perhaps the player, of course, of Relic Online. Finally Devon can dive back into the game without experiencing the full pain of everyday reality with each violent encounter in game! Time to get back to the managemant and security of Stonehaven. Her people are depending on her.
However pain in game solved, Devon is still having problems. When she logs off to sleep, her rest is fitfull, with half remembered dreams of demons and violent acts. She somehow feels herself deeply involved in the evils. Upon awakening, her sleep hours ever shortening, she seems unrested and tired. Her eating is becoming eratic, with little appetite.
Emerson is having sleep trouble as well since getting his own implant, even though he isn't involved in Relic Online. He begins to in vestigate. Will Emerson be able to root out a problem in the code that causes these night time travails? Can he then prevent them? What new happenings unfold in Stonehaven? Temple Of Sorrows was a fantastic adventure! Fortress of Shadows is too exciting and full of changes in the game to miss! Get your copy now!
June 18, 2018
I am not a gamer but this second book in the series of LitRPG books is awesome and I feel like I am playing alongside Devon and her friends making this book another fantastically immersive read which I just could not put down till the last line was read. Devon has managed to build Stonehaven and to make her people comfortable and safe, she has discovered the greenscale pendant, the first of the relics she has to collect in order to bring back order and life to Ishildar and honour Veia. However on her trek to discover the second relic, the blackbone effigy in Grukluk she and her old online gaming friends encounter a goblin infestation, a goblin necromancer, zombie frogmen, re-animated skeletons, demon thralls, a cackling imp and a hellpup so this adventure was no piece of pie! Zaa the enemy of Veia is on the warpath and wants to bring about total destruction to Stonehaven and all that Devon had worked so hard to build. On the other hand relic online the gaming company is up to some trick or other where gamers are being effected and used even during their sleep time! This makes Devon query whether they were just pawns and whether free choice was just an illusion, which is so very close to queries we have in our day to day lives. A great adventure story, full of friendship and loyalty, caring for others and the usual fight of good against evil both in game and in reality! This is a very gripping series which gamers and non-gamers alike should enjoy.
June 24, 2018
I am an unrepentant gamer. I’ve been doing it for 36 years, back when that just meant D&D and other RPGs like Steve Jackson’s GURPS (if you’re a fellow long-term gamer you’ll know what I’m taking about), and I both married a gamer and raised two, now young adults, who are gamers (both desktop RPGs and MMORPGS on the ‘net). Now why am I raising this? For two reasons: one is an attempt to get some “street cred” and the second is so that you will trust me when I tell you that Carrie Summers totally captures the gamer RPG-playing feeling in the pages of her Stonehaven League. Devon Walker is the ideal character for this purpose. An out-of-the-box thinking gamer if ever there was one, she’s finding really imaginative ways to handle what are effectively the separate gaming campaigns that form each book. This really is the perfect LitRPG. It’s out of the game story is even a strong one, with elements of suspense, mystery and even a touch of romance. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 8, 2020
(Review based on audio book)
Story: Another great installment for the series. Internal game story line was fun to follow along with, and the building issues outside the game, while predictable, was still interesting to watch unfold. There's great character development for this one, and not just with Devon. We get a lot more insight on NPCs and "Starborn" as well as seeing more of Veia's fun and quirky personality. Really draws you into the story as a whole and makes you want to know more. My only gripe with Devon's character building, is her issue with people. I get she didn't have a good upbringing, but there are some things she does that feel a little extreme. One of the more notable points is her mentioning her old guildmates were like family in this book, but she insisted on cutting ties with them upon the shutdown of Avatharn (in the last book), and when faced with the opportunity to come back together with them, she is ridiculously reluctant. It just doesn't make sense to me (coming from someone who is sure to keep contact with guildmates long after we've left a game behind).
Narration: Yet another great job by Soundbooth Theater. The acting and sound quality is steadily improving to the quality I'm used to with their newer narrations, but that doesn't mean the quality for this one was bad.
Story: Another great installment for the series. Internal game story line was fun to follow along with, and the building issues outside the game, while predictable, was still interesting to watch unfold. There's great character development for this one, and not just with Devon. We get a lot more insight on NPCs and "Starborn" as well as seeing more of Veia's fun and quirky personality. Really draws you into the story as a whole and makes you want to know more. My only gripe with Devon's character building, is her issue with people. I get she didn't have a good upbringing, but there are some things she does that feel a little extreme. One of the more notable points is her mentioning her old guildmates were like family in this book, but she insisted on cutting ties with them upon the shutdown of Avatharn (in the last book), and when faced with the opportunity to come back together with them, she is ridiculously reluctant. It just doesn't make sense to me (coming from someone who is sure to keep contact with guildmates long after we've left a game behind).
Narration: Yet another great job by Soundbooth Theater. The acting and sound quality is steadily improving to the quality I'm used to with their newer narrations, but that doesn't mean the quality for this one was bad.
October 31, 2018
Great Follow On, Lots of Development in Real World
Devon continues to grow her settlement, and that evolves in a pretty standard way, in a classic invest and express format.
The second item is gathered in her five item quest, and along the way she rescues a bunch of halflings and others, lead by Emmaree, from a goblin tribe, thus providing some great fodder to increase the population.
Culminates in a direct conflict with lots of demons, AKA Zaa's forces, and the death of the demon we got glimpses of developing in the previous book.
Hailey uses her stream to pull in a bunch of other adventurers to help turn the tide in the final big battle. Devon and Hailey get closer.
The "real world" story has some clever elements. The competing AI is utilizing the hardwired connections with players while they sleep to conscript them into playing evil / demonic characters while they sleep. Emerson doesn't get up the stones to make a move on Devon, but he does take strong action in fixing things in the system. His reward in classic corporate evilness is a forced vacation of indeterminant length. A cliff hanger.
Devon continues to grow her settlement, and that evolves in a pretty standard way, in a classic invest and express format.
The second item is gathered in her five item quest, and along the way she rescues a bunch of halflings and others, lead by Emmaree, from a goblin tribe, thus providing some great fodder to increase the population.
Culminates in a direct conflict with lots of demons, AKA Zaa's forces, and the death of the demon we got glimpses of developing in the previous book.
Hailey uses her stream to pull in a bunch of other adventurers to help turn the tide in the final big battle. Devon and Hailey get closer.
The "real world" story has some clever elements. The competing AI is utilizing the hardwired connections with players while they sleep to conscript them into playing evil / demonic characters while they sleep. Emerson doesn't get up the stones to make a move on Devon, but he does take strong action in fixing things in the system. His reward in classic corporate evilness is a forced vacation of indeterminant length. A cliff hanger.
June 4, 2022
The author is a game programmer, so it makes sense that the IRL conflict is coding-based, not corporate takeover and player assassination. However, from the coding side, that might he possible through the implants.
Not a fan of IRL companies directly affecting or influencing player's decisions and gameplay. Hopefully, some of these issues can be resolved within the next book or so. Adding onto this, the author has introduced the threat of PvP destroying Stonehaven. So, there are my main two dislikes of this genre and they'll be implemented in the coming books. Not looking forward to that.
It seems the author doesn't really want to fall into the cliché of pitting Devon and Haelie against each other, but there are still five books in the series to go. The AI seems far too advanced in personally tailoring "important" player/character's quests and classes to acheive a predetermined story arc - literal DEM is happening.
Not a fan of IRL companies directly affecting or influencing player's decisions and gameplay. Hopefully, some of these issues can be resolved within the next book or so. Adding onto this, the author has introduced the threat of PvP destroying Stonehaven. So, there are my main two dislikes of this genre and they'll be implemented in the coming books. Not looking forward to that.
It seems the author doesn't really want to fall into the cliché of pitting Devon and Haelie against each other, but there are still five books in the series to go. The AI seems far too advanced in personally tailoring "important" player/character's quests and classes to acheive a predetermined story arc - literal DEM is happening.
August 1, 2024
This series continues to be interesting both in and out of the game. I really enjoy the in game play and how the FMC is working with both players and NPCs to build a town. They cooperate to keep the area safe, find resources, and build the town. Outside the game the FMC has somewhat of a life that includes her doing random things with a friend or two. In addition, there is a hidden scheme with the game play that Emerson eventually discovers the cause. It turns out one of the programmers has written a code that somehow accesses the players while they are sleeping and they are then used in the bosses. This is causing issue with the players such as increased pain sensitivity, sleep impairment, and one player being in a coma.
The FMC has experienced a couple episodes outside the game where she gets flashes from the game that have caused her to harm herself and in game she lost consciousness and became a demon lord terrorizing the town she built. Once the issue has been identified, Emerson goes into the program to address it only to find he has been locked out of the system.
Both plot lines are really interesting and a draw to the story. The characters are interesting and as the story progresses there is character growth in both players and NPCs. There is also an underlying hint of potential romance between Devon and Emerson but that is a deep in the recesses of the story kind of thing.
Overall, I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes and how the characters handle the challenges thrown their way. I definitely recommend this book for fans of litrpg, fantasy, sci-fi.
The FMC has experienced a couple episodes outside the game where she gets flashes from the game that have caused her to harm herself and in game she lost consciousness and became a demon lord terrorizing the town she built. Once the issue has been identified, Emerson goes into the program to address it only to find he has been locked out of the system.
Both plot lines are really interesting and a draw to the story. The characters are interesting and as the story progresses there is character growth in both players and NPCs. There is also an underlying hint of potential romance between Devon and Emerson but that is a deep in the recesses of the story kind of thing.
Overall, I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes and how the characters handle the challenges thrown their way. I definitely recommend this book for fans of litrpg, fantasy, sci-fi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
Devon is back for another segment of Relic Online, the game that allows you to full submerge your consciousness into a massive world. Devon is still helping her village grow stronger while searching for the next relic that will help her free the city of Ishildar from an ancient curse.
She teams up with former team mates, Chen and Hailey who each bring special skills to the battle. But finding and gaining the artifact is only half the battle.
If you are a lover of fast paced fantasy action with multiple battles and magic galore, you’ll love this outstanding series. Author, Carrie Summers is a master at pulling the reader into her story as if they were being sucked into the online gaming world.
Looking forward to the next installment!
For transparency, I was given an Advance Reading Copy in return for an honest review.
She teams up with former team mates, Chen and Hailey who each bring special skills to the battle. But finding and gaining the artifact is only half the battle.
If you are a lover of fast paced fantasy action with multiple battles and magic galore, you’ll love this outstanding series. Author, Carrie Summers is a master at pulling the reader into her story as if they were being sucked into the online gaming world.
Looking forward to the next installment!
For transparency, I was given an Advance Reading Copy in return for an honest review.
July 1, 2018
Another great book!
Carries on the online and offline stories for Devon as she bumps into old friends and revelations start to unravel about some issues with the pain and sleep problems.
Well written with action packed take charge characters in an interesting world. None of that starter town nonsense but thrown right into the thick of it and building a village in a hostile environment, completing quests to help stabilise the region and let them love through another day be they fighting snakes, goblins, frogmen or just dealing with awakened feathered friends. Keep it up! Love these stories! Would like to see her explore a bit more climb up somewhere and look around, get a view of the city or find the sea. Something like that. Thank you for writing them and I recommend both to anyone who likes litrpg and those that don't but might enjoy it anyway.
Carries on the online and offline stories for Devon as she bumps into old friends and revelations start to unravel about some issues with the pain and sleep problems.
Well written with action packed take charge characters in an interesting world. None of that starter town nonsense but thrown right into the thick of it and building a village in a hostile environment, completing quests to help stabilise the region and let them love through another day be they fighting snakes, goblins, frogmen or just dealing with awakened feathered friends. Keep it up! Love these stories! Would like to see her explore a bit more climb up somewhere and look around, get a view of the city or find the sea. Something like that. Thank you for writing them and I recommend both to anyone who likes litrpg and those that don't but might enjoy it anyway.
December 29, 2025
Not bad! I prefer the focus to stay on the game world, but that is not to say the real-world sections are boring or unnecessary. I am simply more interested in watching her build her village into a town and eventually a city, managing it, interacting with the NPCs, and completing quests to grow stronger. Those are the parts I enjoy most.
I am going to keep reading because I want to see whether the AI actually I know they tie into the larger story, and even if I am not as interested in that part, I am still curious enough to want to know what happens next.
I am going to keep reading because I want to see whether the AI actually I know they tie into the larger story, and even if I am not as interested in that part, I am still curious enough to want to know what happens next.
January 6, 2020
A good story and then.... an epic failure! (spoiler)
Well, the story is as expected with some fights and "tower defense" and suddenly at the end we learn that the company is stealing the mind of people and that one guy is in coma and that the MC suffered from that and.... Nothing. A single dev says "ohhh, I need more proofs"
Come on! Any layer in the world would kill for such a story. The MC can sue the company for billions as any other player. Any non completely stupid journalist would spend month on this story and.... nothing.
I hate when authors just don't notice that they defy suspension of disbelief.
Well, the story is as expected with some fights and "tower defense" and suddenly at the end we learn that the company is stealing the mind of people and that one guy is in coma and that the MC suffered from that and.... Nothing. A single dev says "ohhh, I need more proofs"
Come on! Any layer in the world would kill for such a story. The MC can sue the company for billions as any other player. Any non completely stupid journalist would spend month on this story and.... nothing.
I hate when authors just don't notice that they defy suspension of disbelief.
December 19, 2019
Great Read
This book is thoroughly enjoyable. The author does a good job of using basic literary components such as plot and character development to craft an enjoyable read. She keeps the RPG component from being unbearable and the main character is powerful due to improve as opposed to some game breaking skill. What is most notable is the main character develops a bond with the npcs that resembles friendship and in many ways speaks to the holes in her real life she yearns to fill. Excited to read the next installment!
This book is thoroughly enjoyable. The author does a good job of using basic literary components such as plot and character development to craft an enjoyable read. She keeps the RPG component from being unbearable and the main character is powerful due to improve as opposed to some game breaking skill. What is most notable is the main character develops a bond with the npcs that resembles friendship and in many ways speaks to the holes in her real life she yearns to fill. Excited to read the next installment!
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