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Windhammer
It started out as a game but turned into much more.
Reeling from the loss of his best friend, Quentin takes to the virtual reality world of Sorrowsong. Allistar, the quest giver, is only too happy to send Quentin on adventures and even recreates Quentin’s fallen friend as a member of the group.
But Allistar is hiding something, and the quests he sends Quentin on turn more sinister. Quentin is running out of time, and people from real life are confronting him in-game about a mysterious NPC who claims to be the man who originally created Sorrowsong, even though he’s been dead for years.
Quentin wants to do the right thing, but choosing sides in an epic battle between a fantasy and the real world is tough when the fantasy feels more like home than anything else.
If you enjoy exciting LitRPG adventure, packed with cursed swords, plucky sidekicks, and snarky dialogue, you’ll love this first story in Joseph Ray James series.
Reeling from the loss of his best friend, Quentin takes to the virtual reality world of Sorrowsong. Allistar, the quest giver, is only too happy to send Quentin on adventures and even recreates Quentin’s fallen friend as a member of the group.
But Allistar is hiding something, and the quests he sends Quentin on turn more sinister. Quentin is running out of time, and people from real life are confronting him in-game about a mysterious NPC who claims to be the man who originally created Sorrowsong, even though he’s been dead for years.
Quentin wants to do the right thing, but choosing sides in an epic battle between a fantasy and the real world is tough when the fantasy feels more like home than anything else.
If you enjoy exciting LitRPG adventure, packed with cursed swords, plucky sidekicks, and snarky dialogue, you’ll love this first story in Joseph Ray James series.
580 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2020
89 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Ray James
31 books4 followersFight for you dreams. You only go around once, so make it good. If you find yourself constantly thinking about doing one certain thing, then you need to try.
Living in a small town in Ohio, where I write my books and take care of two little boys. The two don't always mix well, but we have a deal: I feed them food, and they make as much noise as possible.
When I'm not writing or caring for small monsters, I'm a nerd. Games, comic books, movies, tv shows,. . pretty much anything in the sci-fi or fantasy worlds. Superheroes and magic is where it's at.
Living in a small town in Ohio, where I write my books and take care of two little boys. The two don't always mix well, but we have a deal: I feed them food, and they make as much noise as possible.
When I'm not writing or caring for small monsters, I'm a nerd. Games, comic books, movies, tv shows,. . pretty much anything in the sci-fi or fantasy worlds. Superheroes and magic is where it's at.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 21, 2020
Good read... slightly confusing but GREAT plot twist at end
September 2, 2020
Excellent!
I recommend this story. It was extremely well written, kept me interested the whole time! The background story of what’s really happening really makes the ending (semi-spoiler) really touching.
I recommend this story. It was extremely well written, kept me interested the whole time! The background story of what’s really happening really makes the ending (semi-spoiler) really touching.
June 23, 2020
Reading Windhammer by Joseph Raye James reminds me of the movie I saw before, Ready Player One. It has so much action in a virtual reality world. The main character Quentin also reminds me of the character in the said movie. I was never a fan of virtual reality. Well, in reality. But this book was another step for me to become more interested to try virtual reality one day.
The storyline of this book was interesting, however, I found it a bit long and I had a bit of a difficult time finishing it. It doesn't mean that I didn't like and enjoy it though. In my opinion it could be much better if it was well-paced with just little but important details.
Nonetheless, I could say the author really did a great job with the characterization especially when it comes to the mythical creatures. It was absolutely well-done that it could be a potential for a movie given the opportunity. As a whole, this was still a worthy futuristic read with amazing plot. It will make you feel lost in the imaginary world of virtual reality.
The storyline of this book was interesting, however, I found it a bit long and I had a bit of a difficult time finishing it. It doesn't mean that I didn't like and enjoy it though. In my opinion it could be much better if it was well-paced with just little but important details.
Nonetheless, I could say the author really did a great job with the characterization especially when it comes to the mythical creatures. It was absolutely well-done that it could be a potential for a movie given the opportunity. As a whole, this was still a worthy futuristic read with amazing plot. It will make you feel lost in the imaginary world of virtual reality.
June 24, 2020
In a tight market full of hardcore fans for various games who rarely cross over and try something new, 2031 proves to be a game changer (pun intended). A new Virtual Reality RPG game, Sorrowsong hits the markets and gamers are excited and lining up to try it out. One of them, Quentin falls in love with the game from the first moment. What he and millions of other players do not know is that the AI that controls the game is in cahoots with one of the NPC’s who does not want to die when the game is over. They hatch a plan to hold the millions of people who are trying the game hostage to get their demands met. Quentin must figure out a way to make friends while leveling up in the game to come together and defeat the AI and the rogue NPC.
Great plot and interesting characters. A fantastic delving into the world of gaming and a realistic view of how gamers interact with each other as well as the world they play in.
Great plot and interesting characters. A fantastic delving into the world of gaming and a realistic view of how gamers interact with each other as well as the world they play in.
June 26, 2020
A fusion of virtuality and gaming. A must-read book!
I found the plot of this book innovative and creative. “Windhammer” was written by Joseph Ray James and it is his best-seller. He was able to put into words a great story about gaming, particularly RPG.
The story is centered on Quentin, a teen boy who plays video games to escape from reality, especially those in which he has to “play a role”. Virtually, he is a hero but, unfortunately, his real life is harsh. There are lots of problems to face and solve. Throughout the book you can notice the way this teenager constantly struggles with different creatures and protects himself against other possible dangers. It is a great virtual adventure!
The book is well-written and developed. The characters are complex and dynamic, particularly Quentin. I found the writing style to be so absorbing and engaging that I could not put it down. I truly recommend this reading to anyone fond of this genre. I liked it!
June 27, 2020
Since covid19 started, I told myself I would read more and I definitely made a great choice with this book. I believe Joseph Ray James has shined in a new and unexpected way with this masterpiece.
The story, narrated in the third person, is written through the eyes of Quentin and has some passages with dialogues in it. The language is vivid and would instantly transport readers into a great science fiction world.
The plot is touching since the protagonist has been through A difficult situation that has led him to search for a new life. Losing a best friend in a tragic way always makes people rect and look for ways out. Each chapter is more exciting than the last one.
The narrative structure is simple and appeals to any type of reader. I totally recommend it. Take a peek and see if you can stop turning the pages.
The story, narrated in the third person, is written through the eyes of Quentin and has some passages with dialogues in it. The language is vivid and would instantly transport readers into a great science fiction world.
The plot is touching since the protagonist has been through A difficult situation that has led him to search for a new life. Losing a best friend in a tragic way always makes people rect and look for ways out. Each chapter is more exciting than the last one.
The narrative structure is simple and appeals to any type of reader. I totally recommend it. Take a peek and see if you can stop turning the pages.
July 3, 2020
Windhammer: A Leveling Up LitRPG by Joseph Ray James takes the reader into the virtual video game Sorrowsong with Quentin. After a horrific car accident that took Quentin's best friend, Sam, and left him requiring multiple surgeries to correct the damage to his arm; he receives a game that changes his life forever. He finds characters within the game that should have been dead. Is the threat of dying in the game a permanent death?
Even if you aren't a gamer, Windhammer is a compelling novel. Joseph Ray James keeps the dialog realistic, you feel as if you stepped into the game. The last couple chapters are astonishing. You will never guess the ending until it is right before you. The language is typical with most gamers, but I find the cursing distasteful and not needed to get the story told.
Even if you aren't a gamer, Windhammer is a compelling novel. Joseph Ray James keeps the dialog realistic, you feel as if you stepped into the game. The last couple chapters are astonishing. You will never guess the ending until it is right before you. The language is typical with most gamers, but I find the cursing distasteful and not needed to get the story told.
June 27, 2020
“Windhammer: A leveling up litRPG” is a book written by Joseph Ray James and edited by Jennifer Bisbing. The cover of the book is certainly powerful and I believe it attracts readers’ attention.
This is a fantasy book that is full of action and entertainment. I liked characters’ development and also, how the plot was carefully thought about. The narrative is very good and will appeal every young adult reader. This is the first book I read from this author and I can say that I was happily surprised with this book. I read he is working on a next one in this genre and I will be eager to read it when it is published.
This book has become a best seller for a reason, I would certainly recommend reading it. I am giving it four out of five stars.
This is a fantasy book that is full of action and entertainment. I liked characters’ development and also, how the plot was carefully thought about. The narrative is very good and will appeal every young adult reader. This is the first book I read from this author and I can say that I was happily surprised with this book. I read he is working on a next one in this genre and I will be eager to read it when it is published.
This book has become a best seller for a reason, I would certainly recommend reading it. I am giving it four out of five stars.
July 6, 2020
Gamer
Since I am not much of a gamer this was a fun way for me to learn about leveling up and all the gamer jargon that is in this game. What a journey Quentin takes in this VR game. The beginning of his game is all about what he will look like what weapons he has and his abilities to maneuver through each level. He is in trouble from the git go but soon has an ally who joins him on his journey. He give himself the name Windhammer. His adventure continues through levels that he is vaguely familiar with from when he played the old version. He is happy to have Azale with him to fight off dwarfs and priests and skeletons that come up out of their graves! In a turn of events he gets his real life best friend back under a different name, they both have to come to terms with how and why their guilt about the accident and Sams death. They fight and yell at each other but in the end before Sam fades away they realize they were both at fault. Quentin is so mad at Alistare until he find out the true reason for his adventure. He learns all the reasons for his feelings of guilt and his anger at his dad and that his new friend Tia is ok and is really Alistars daughter who is dealing with the death of her dad. Quentin needs to learn how to move on without Sam and with Lillian, he must make amends with his dad and continue his surgeries to fix his arm before his life can be good again. With a little ego check and the help of a therapist and a new friend he is going to be okay. I also enjoyed the authors notes in the end.
Since I am not much of a gamer this was a fun way for me to learn about leveling up and all the gamer jargon that is in this game. What a journey Quentin takes in this VR game. The beginning of his game is all about what he will look like what weapons he has and his abilities to maneuver through each level. He is in trouble from the git go but soon has an ally who joins him on his journey. He give himself the name Windhammer. His adventure continues through levels that he is vaguely familiar with from when he played the old version. He is happy to have Azale with him to fight off dwarfs and priests and skeletons that come up out of their graves! In a turn of events he gets his real life best friend back under a different name, they both have to come to terms with how and why their guilt about the accident and Sams death. They fight and yell at each other but in the end before Sam fades away they realize they were both at fault. Quentin is so mad at Alistare until he find out the true reason for his adventure. He learns all the reasons for his feelings of guilt and his anger at his dad and that his new friend Tia is ok and is really Alistars daughter who is dealing with the death of her dad. Quentin needs to learn how to move on without Sam and with Lillian, he must make amends with his dad and continue his surgeries to fix his arm before his life can be good again. With a little ego check and the help of a therapist and a new friend he is going to be okay. I also enjoyed the authors notes in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2020
Windhammer: A LitRPG Novel by Joseph Ray James is a fascinating and well written that delves into this intriguing genre. It follows the main character Quentin, a teenager, gamer to the extreme, but someone who recently lost his best friend Sam due to an accident. The story is well written and evolves as Sam's family gifts Quentin with a new video game called Sorrowsong. The plot is well constructed, the characters show emotion, there is plenty of conflict, and the conversation and dialogue flows freely and is believable. Great story that will appeal to anyone interested in AI, video games, fantasy, and gaming. Great science fiction pick that keeps you entertained. Highly recommend for an immersive and entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews