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Eternal Online #1
The Shattered Sword
A broke gamer. A deadly online world. Can Dhalia level up fast enough to keep the debt collectors at bay?
Dhalia has to pay off her dead father’s bills or risk her life in the lithium mines. Which...no thank you. Besides, the world is run by tech, and this gamer girl is determined to explore the virtual world her father was so obsessed with and get rich while she’s at it.
So, she sells everything and rents a premium VR pod to play Eternal Online.
Enter the toughest realm available? Check.
Discover the fastest way to loot without dying...in progress.
But when Dhalia finds an epic quest chain that others have overlooked, she thinks she’s struck gold. What she doesn’t expect is to make friends with two deadly warriors and one powerful creature, or find a world boss gunning for them all.
Experience the start of an Epic LitRPG adventure perfect for fans of Travis Bagwell, Carrie Summers, and Outspan Foster.
Dhalia has to pay off her dead father’s bills or risk her life in the lithium mines. Which...no thank you. Besides, the world is run by tech, and this gamer girl is determined to explore the virtual world her father was so obsessed with and get rich while she’s at it.
So, she sells everything and rents a premium VR pod to play Eternal Online.
Enter the toughest realm available? Check.
Discover the fastest way to loot without dying...in progress.
But when Dhalia finds an epic quest chain that others have overlooked, she thinks she’s struck gold. What she doesn’t expect is to make friends with two deadly warriors and one powerful creature, or find a world boss gunning for them all.
Experience the start of an Epic LitRPG adventure perfect for fans of Travis Bagwell, Carrie Summers, and Outspan Foster.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2020
478 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Reynolds
17 books83 followersI'm a lover of fantasy, gaming, film, and most other forms of miraculous escapism.
I have kids, and a flock of baby dragons we are trying to raise to be house trained.
I write LitRPG/Gamelit books... Feel free to message me or reach out at any time!!!
I have kids, and a flock of baby dragons we are trying to raise to be house trained.
I write LitRPG/Gamelit books... Feel free to message me or reach out at any time!!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 14, 2021
This was a strange LitRPG story as it did some things really well but still failed to engage me in the story. I ended up quitting this one at the 75% mark. I could have finished but there seemed little point in the time investment as I was beginning to find getting through it a bit of a slog.
This actually started really well. We were introduced to a cool sci-fi future and immediately given a lead character in Dhalia who we could sympathise with as she found herself in a tough spot. This "real world" part of the story was good. The sci-fi future seemed a grim but potentially cool place and the story had the depth and stakes that made emotional investment possible. The problem came when the story transitioned to the VR world where the bulk of the action took place. The VR world was just dull! Nothing had any consequences so it was impossible to emotionally invest and felt a lot like listening to a description of someone's crappy Twitch feed.
It was a pity as this was one of those rare series where the lead character was easy to root for and that lacked a lot of the heavy wish-fulfilment and rampant misogyny that plague the genre.
The happenings in the VR world were just so dull the story became a bit of a bore. I persevered for a bit as I did feel like the building blocks for a good story were in here somewhere but got lost in the shuffle of Reynolds play by play of his last Twitch gaming stream.
All in all this was a LitRPG that started really well and avoided a lot of the typical pitfalls of the genre but that had poor pacing and never managed to make me invest in the VR world happenings.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Audio Note: Andrea Parsneau gave a decent performance of the audio.
This actually started really well. We were introduced to a cool sci-fi future and immediately given a lead character in Dhalia who we could sympathise with as she found herself in a tough spot. This "real world" part of the story was good. The sci-fi future seemed a grim but potentially cool place and the story had the depth and stakes that made emotional investment possible. The problem came when the story transitioned to the VR world where the bulk of the action took place. The VR world was just dull! Nothing had any consequences so it was impossible to emotionally invest and felt a lot like listening to a description of someone's crappy Twitch feed.
It was a pity as this was one of those rare series where the lead character was easy to root for and that lacked a lot of the heavy wish-fulfilment and rampant misogyny that plague the genre.
The happenings in the VR world were just so dull the story became a bit of a bore. I persevered for a bit as I did feel like the building blocks for a good story were in here somewhere but got lost in the shuffle of Reynolds play by play of his last Twitch gaming stream.
All in all this was a LitRPG that started really well and avoided a lot of the typical pitfalls of the genre but that had poor pacing and never managed to make me invest in the VR world happenings.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Audio Note: Andrea Parsneau gave a decent performance of the audio.
August 9, 2021
This was so unexpected and amazing!
I felt for Dahlia/Hana with all that she's gone through and at such a young age. I kept crossing my fingers that she'll meet another player who'll see her struggles and help her find a way out of her troubles in the real world.
I am totally digging Pachi and all the folks in Tael. I seriously doubt I'd be able to treat an NPC as less than myself, so Dahlia's honour and kindness is admirable to me.
I'm excited for this series!
I felt for Dahlia/Hana with all that she's gone through and at such a young age. I kept crossing my fingers that she'll meet another player who'll see her struggles and help her find a way out of her troubles in the real world.
I am totally digging Pachi and all the folks in Tael. I seriously doubt I'd be able to treat an NPC as less than myself, so Dahlia's honour and kindness is admirable to me.
I'm excited for this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2020
This was a fantastic lit-RPG story! I absolutely loved TJ Reynolds newest book! Shattered Sword takes us to an apocalyptic society where slavery has been legalized, where you'll never be able to pay back a debt... even if that debt was your parents! Dhalia's just 16 when her father dies, and Dhalia recieved notification that she has a month to basically pay up or to turn herself in at the nearest work centre...
Dhalia takes what precious little she has and buys her way into a massive roll playing game. If luck is with her she'll find enough ingame credits to make a difference!
Andrea Parsneau is the bestest, mostest-fantastic narrator here, and that's part of what makes this story the BEST Ever!
This is another great example of a relatively new press, Aethon Books, making their mark in the field. They're matching some great storytellers with terrific narration and they keep coming up with winners, just like this one! WOW!!!
Dhalia takes what precious little she has and buys her way into a massive roll playing game. If luck is with her she'll find enough ingame credits to make a difference!
Andrea Parsneau is the bestest, mostest-fantastic narrator here, and that's part of what makes this story the BEST Ever!
This is another great example of a relatively new press, Aethon Books, making their mark in the field. They're matching some great storytellers with terrific narration and they keep coming up with winners, just like this one! WOW!!!
May 7, 2020
This is the sort of LitRPG that those who are interested in the genre should be picking up. The author has an uncanny ability to weave humor and action in a genuine and believable way and at many times you will forget you are reading a book and more like you are engaged in an old school (but fresh) M.U.D. or M.U.S.H. Roleplay.
May 24, 2020
Plot ok but MC confuses
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
I found the story itself to be alright. At first I didn't understand the reasoning behind breaking up her sword when they could have turned it into a scaling item. Now that I've finished the first book I get that the author wanted it as a plot device.
I have to be honest here. I DO NOT understand the MC at all. So let's recap: - Her mother died of epidemic when she was a little girl.
- father died while indebt when she was 16.
- apparently the is slavery in America again after an economic collapse.
- She inherited the debt even as a minor.
- She's informed of the extremely short time frame for the first payment and has no prospects of any kind.
- Decided to risk it all by playing a game the she knows has realistic pain settings.
- traumatized by an event in her childhood and freezes up to confrontation.
There's more of course but I think most would get why I'm so confused with this character's characteristics and judgement. And through the entire book there isn't a drop of rushing or a feeling like the MC is running out of time. The major focus on the book outside of the game seems to be overcoming fears from past trauma not doing everything in her power to get the money she needs. In game, there's no anxiety to get the money she needs there either.
I honestly think the author should have dumped the debt plot point. Then just let it hang with a no job prospect so she uses the game for a job. That way that major sticking point that's been ignored so thoroughly isn't just a thorn not pulled and the author can write the story they seem to want to write. Which I feel is more a character development story and world building.
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
I found the story itself to be alright. At first I didn't understand the reasoning behind breaking up her sword when they could have turned it into a scaling item. Now that I've finished the first book I get that the author wanted it as a plot device.
I have to be honest here. I DO NOT understand the MC at all. So let's recap: - Her mother died of epidemic when she was a little girl.
- father died while indebt when she was 16.
- apparently the is slavery in America again after an economic collapse.
- She inherited the debt even as a minor.
- She's informed of the extremely short time frame for the first payment and has no prospects of any kind.
- Decided to risk it all by playing a game the she knows has realistic pain settings.
- traumatized by an event in her childhood and freezes up to confrontation.
There's more of course but I think most would get why I'm so confused with this character's characteristics and judgement. And through the entire book there isn't a drop of rushing or a feeling like the MC is running out of time. The major focus on the book outside of the game seems to be overcoming fears from past trauma not doing everything in her power to get the money she needs. In game, there's no anxiety to get the money she needs there either.
I honestly think the author should have dumped the debt plot point. Then just let it hang with a no job prospect so she uses the game for a job. That way that major sticking point that's been ignored so thoroughly isn't just a thorn not pulled and the author can write the story they seem to want to write. Which I feel is more a character development story and world building.
August 1, 2020
Decent enough story, and one I actually liked, though it has a boat load of continuity errors in it, not the least of which is one of the characters being in the game for 15 years, has risen to who knows what level, has mastered several classes, and yet, he's hanging around a newbie town? What's the purpose of that (other than the storyline). Also, this said same character claims he only carries things with him that are rare or hard to obtain, because everything else can be obtained easily, and his storage is limited, yet he sent a newbie player after some ingredients that are considered rare, in an area that was overleveled for her current progress. Doesn't sound like someone who carries all ingredients to me. Nor is this the behavior of a supposedly caring character who wants only to help folks. These are the two biggest blaring inconsistencies, but the narrative has lots of these little things scattered all throughout.
Barring all the inconsistent writing, the story is surprisingly a good one, and one I believe most fans will enjoy thoroughly.
Barring all the inconsistent writing, the story is surprisingly a good one, and one I believe most fans will enjoy thoroughly.
June 15, 2020
Excellent new litRPG series. Great addition to the genre. Lots of unique things and interactions. Great pop culture nods.
January 19, 2022
What can I say? I love TJ's books! I first read Hana's story as an Arc reader and just fell in love with the world, characters and word play. You truly feel you are dropped into a world and are Hana playing through Eternal Online, or following on her quest at least. I already have the next 2 books lined up and will be reading asap.
Reread: I still love this series! Heres to book 2!
Reread: I still love this series! Heres to book 2!
May 25, 2020
This was a "cute" book. While entertaining, the story would've been much more fulfilling if we had another chapter or so to get some minor closure in the MC's primary struggle.
The system mechanics were decent, but it would've benefited from more development or even some more exposition, to the point that I actually enjoyed more of the non-game pieces a bit more than the in-game stuff.
The system mechanics were decent, but it would've benefited from more development or even some more exposition, to the point that I actually enjoyed more of the non-game pieces a bit more than the in-game stuff.
July 4, 2022
Loved
This story was awesome. I loved every minute of this adventure and can't wait to get into the rest of this series. I found myself trying to binge the whole book in one sitting. I just couldn't get enough of the story.
This story was awesome. I loved every minute of this adventure and can't wait to get into the rest of this series. I found myself trying to binge the whole book in one sitting. I just couldn't get enough of the story.
April 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this. It was posted on reddit a while back as narrorated by Andrea Parsneau, so I thought I'd give it a try. Really well done, especially for the author's first book. The characters have a lot of dimension, and the content was thoroughly enjoyable. First-rate world building, reminds me of some of the Russian translation dystopian litRPGs.
My only suggestion would be to lighten up on the wax-poetic. It's an excellent way to add color to situations, but especially toward the end of the story I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping some of the dramatic nonsense, like OOOKAY everything is cool mountain wind rolling over valleys etc etc. Every character uses the same nature-based metaphors and simile to describe pretty much every situation. The main character makes sense, and the animal sounds like it speaks in haiku which is very cool, but when every character does it, it detracts from how interesting they are. It becomes obvious, making me recognize the fourth wall and sucks me out of the story.
My only suggestion would be to lighten up on the wax-poetic. It's an excellent way to add color to situations, but especially toward the end of the story I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping some of the dramatic nonsense, like OOOKAY everything is cool mountain wind rolling over valleys etc etc. Every character uses the same nature-based metaphors and simile to describe pretty much every situation. The main character makes sense, and the animal sounds like it speaks in haiku which is very cool, but when every character does it, it detracts from how interesting they are. It becomes obvious, making me recognize the fourth wall and sucks me out of the story.
May 18, 2020
A well wrought story that delivers. Worth a read.
The story jumps right off nicely without long exposition about gaming. The intro might be sparse for a reader unfamiliar with the tropes of total VR, gaming immersion, etc but felt perfectly understandable for me.
LitRPG elements throughout but the story dominates. The characters are more than paper dolls and you can feel that the author has put real time into creating them and letting them develop realistically through the story.
*******Slight spoilers *******
Personally not keen on the gunslinger in "High Fantasy" setting but creative license. We'll see where it goes.
I feel like these sword quest is somehow also a legacy of father or possibly mother... somehow same realm, AI involved...suspiciously tidy.
The story jumps right off nicely without long exposition about gaming. The intro might be sparse for a reader unfamiliar with the tropes of total VR, gaming immersion, etc but felt perfectly understandable for me.
LitRPG elements throughout but the story dominates. The characters are more than paper dolls and you can feel that the author has put real time into creating them and letting them develop realistically through the story.
*******Slight spoilers *******
Personally not keen on the gunslinger in "High Fantasy" setting but creative license. We'll see where it goes.
I feel like these sword quest is somehow also a legacy of father or possibly mother... somehow same realm, AI involved...suspiciously tidy.
June 17, 2020
So I made it two thirds of the way through before I quit. Here is why.
This book is completely unbelievable. The balance is horrible, the leveling is nonsensical, the characterization is for a coming of age story not a paying off a debt to earn freedom story. The actions are inconsistent bouncing from dedicated loner to broken child. That would be fine as character development but it keeps going back and forth so it just feels broken. The tone is for an epic questions but the focus on npc relationships slows down the pace and leaves you bored. Again if it felt like a coming of age novel then the focus would fit and the whole thing would be better. This book tried to be too much and failed all the harder for it.
This book is completely unbelievable. The balance is horrible, the leveling is nonsensical, the characterization is for a coming of age story not a paying off a debt to earn freedom story. The actions are inconsistent bouncing from dedicated loner to broken child. That would be fine as character development but it keeps going back and forth so it just feels broken. The tone is for an epic questions but the focus on npc relationships slows down the pace and leaves you bored. Again if it felt like a coming of age novel then the focus would fit and the whole thing would be better. This book tried to be too much and failed all the harder for it.
August 22, 2020
Decent book 1, blah book 2.
I actually slightly enjoyed book 1 despite it being in first person and featuring one of my biggest pet peaves. This book was by no means breaking new ground nor improving upon commonly used tropes, but it was still entertaining, despite a scenario that could not possibly take place and pissed me off.
100 years in the future, the Main Character's father dies during indentured servitude because of a massive debt. Despite not being a co-signer of a loan in conjunction with still being a minor at only 16 years old, the MC is now responsible for all debt. In order to stay out of debt, she decides to play a video game and sell her loot. This is somehow more profitable at level 10 after less than a week of playing than just getting a job.
The stupidity of this scenario took me a LONG time to get over. Ok, indentured servitude makes a comeback in the future... I'll bite. She inherits debt from her parents... This has never happened in America, but maybe this is the dystopian future version where evil corporations are in charge. It pissed me off, but I could kind of excuse it, I mean Street Cultivation is a great book and it had a similar plot device. The 16 year old minor, who can't be harmed by other players, see nudity, and many other protections still somehow inherits the debt of her father. This is just idiotic and inconsistent within its own universe.
The real sticking point however is the fact that the MC is somehow able to make enough money to pay for over a month rent in a high end living space with matrix style VR pod, as well as pay off the first month payment of her father's massive debt, yet she is very low level and has only played for a week or so. I mean, her father had to enter indentured servitude because he couldn't find a job that was high enough paying to pay off the debt. He even played the exact same game as his daughter is for over a year and never made enough money to pay off the debt, yet she is able to make it in a week at low level?
Anyways, I made it through book 1 and I thought it was ok. I saw book 2 was already out and after hedging on whether to give it a chance or not, I figured sure, why not.
Book 2 is even less interesting than book 1. The MC no longer has any money issues, she is over her fear, and is never in any danger of every being hurt, broke, or anything else. It is litterally just a book about her and her new friends questing. It also switches PoV to her friends and even an NPC, who somehow has complex thoughts just as a real human. I made it halfway through book 2 before giving up in boredom.
If I want to experience questing and leveling with no danger, I'll just do it myself in World of Warcraft. I kept waiting for the author to introduce some new plot device to create tension for the reader, but he never did. He never introduced any deadlines, complications with debt, someone's real life in danger, or anything. This is just a book about a girl playing a video game for fun.
I have read over 400 LITRPGs. It is my favorite genre, yet these two books rate in the bottom 10%. Sorry T.J. Reynolds, I know how hard it is to write a book, and how much effort it takes. I wish you would have truly thought about the world and plot you are creating before self-publishing.
I actually slightly enjoyed book 1 despite it being in first person and featuring one of my biggest pet peaves. This book was by no means breaking new ground nor improving upon commonly used tropes, but it was still entertaining, despite a scenario that could not possibly take place and pissed me off.
100 years in the future, the Main Character's father dies during indentured servitude because of a massive debt. Despite not being a co-signer of a loan in conjunction with still being a minor at only 16 years old, the MC is now responsible for all debt. In order to stay out of debt, she decides to play a video game and sell her loot. This is somehow more profitable at level 10 after less than a week of playing than just getting a job.
The stupidity of this scenario took me a LONG time to get over. Ok, indentured servitude makes a comeback in the future... I'll bite. She inherits debt from her parents... This has never happened in America, but maybe this is the dystopian future version where evil corporations are in charge. It pissed me off, but I could kind of excuse it, I mean Street Cultivation is a great book and it had a similar plot device. The 16 year old minor, who can't be harmed by other players, see nudity, and many other protections still somehow inherits the debt of her father. This is just idiotic and inconsistent within its own universe.
The real sticking point however is the fact that the MC is somehow able to make enough money to pay for over a month rent in a high end living space with matrix style VR pod, as well as pay off the first month payment of her father's massive debt, yet she is very low level and has only played for a week or so. I mean, her father had to enter indentured servitude because he couldn't find a job that was high enough paying to pay off the debt. He even played the exact same game as his daughter is for over a year and never made enough money to pay off the debt, yet she is able to make it in a week at low level?
Anyways, I made it through book 1 and I thought it was ok. I saw book 2 was already out and after hedging on whether to give it a chance or not, I figured sure, why not.
Book 2 is even less interesting than book 1. The MC no longer has any money issues, she is over her fear, and is never in any danger of every being hurt, broke, or anything else. It is litterally just a book about her and her new friends questing. It also switches PoV to her friends and even an NPC, who somehow has complex thoughts just as a real human. I made it halfway through book 2 before giving up in boredom.
If I want to experience questing and leveling with no danger, I'll just do it myself in World of Warcraft. I kept waiting for the author to introduce some new plot device to create tension for the reader, but he never did. He never introduced any deadlines, complications with debt, someone's real life in danger, or anything. This is just a book about a girl playing a video game for fun.
I have read over 400 LITRPGs. It is my favorite genre, yet these two books rate in the bottom 10%. Sorry T.J. Reynolds, I know how hard it is to write a book, and how much effort it takes. I wish you would have truly thought about the world and plot you are creating before self-publishing.
October 5, 2022
Before my review, I need to place a disclaimer: This book has LGBTG+ characters and was recommended to me by Goodreads (an Amazon company since 2013, almost all of Goodreads recommendations make Amazon money - because Amazon turns out to be the publisher distributor of these books.) No where on the summary or in the book descriptions did the author or Goodreads mention homosexual/lesbian characters in this book series.
This is a dystopian VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game) story series. It has a 16 year old orphan girl as the main character (Hana, Dahlia, etc.) in a hell-like future version of Earth. Apparently in the future, the debts of the parents are inherited by their children. Today, a debt dies with the death of the debtor. Debts cannot be transmitted from parents to kids. It seems that the lawyers in the future do not defend basic human rights in the future. The main character, Dahlia, was sexually assaulted and robbed as a young girl. This is the reason why the author chose to make women attractive towards the main character.
The intense pain that the players feel while in the game, is mostly because authors like this one believe that game companies in the future will be able to extort and blackmail the players according to the “degrees” of pain that the players can feel while playing the game. Again, there seem to be no good lawyers in the future to protect basic human rights. More pain towards economically challenged players sounds like discrimination and just the lawsuits and compensations from the lawsuits would place this game company in bankruptcy.
Are sexual preferences relevant in a game that does not allow any type of close contact (except fighting/killing/dying)? Can someone that has never had sexual relations (virgin) tag themselves /describe themselves as homosexual/lesbian? Can an author that does not include sexual intercourse of the characters they create, tag their characters as homosexual or lesbian?
Sexual preferences are like food preferences and are part of basic series of motivations (physiological – eat, go to the bathroom and procreate) and they can change through the passing of time. This time a favorite can be pizza, then maybe later salads, then suddenly one becomes vegetarian, and then they change their appetites and food preferences again. The same thing can happen with sex. Today, you might be attracted to John or Jenna, or both John and Jenna, but tomorrow you might turn down Jorge or Juana, or both Jorge and Juana.
Are adult situations, profanity, sexual assaults to minors not promotion of crimes toward underage people? Promotion of crimes to minors is a federal crime in the U.S. Promotions of crimes is a crime in almost every country on Earth. This is why the game company treats minors differently while in the game. It is illegal to have sexual relations with minors (while being an adult), it is illegal to promote sexual relations with minors (while being adults). So, if it’s illegal, then why mention it
This is a dystopian VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game) story series. It has a 16 year old orphan girl as the main character (Hana, Dahlia, etc.) in a hell-like future version of Earth. Apparently in the future, the debts of the parents are inherited by their children. Today, a debt dies with the death of the debtor. Debts cannot be transmitted from parents to kids. It seems that the lawyers in the future do not defend basic human rights in the future. The main character, Dahlia, was sexually assaulted and robbed as a young girl. This is the reason why the author chose to make women attractive towards the main character.
The intense pain that the players feel while in the game, is mostly because authors like this one believe that game companies in the future will be able to extort and blackmail the players according to the “degrees” of pain that the players can feel while playing the game. Again, there seem to be no good lawyers in the future to protect basic human rights. More pain towards economically challenged players sounds like discrimination and just the lawsuits and compensations from the lawsuits would place this game company in bankruptcy.
Are sexual preferences relevant in a game that does not allow any type of close contact (except fighting/killing/dying)? Can someone that has never had sexual relations (virgin) tag themselves /describe themselves as homosexual/lesbian? Can an author that does not include sexual intercourse of the characters they create, tag their characters as homosexual or lesbian?
Sexual preferences are like food preferences and are part of basic series of motivations (physiological – eat, go to the bathroom and procreate) and they can change through the passing of time. This time a favorite can be pizza, then maybe later salads, then suddenly one becomes vegetarian, and then they change their appetites and food preferences again. The same thing can happen with sex. Today, you might be attracted to John or Jenna, or both John and Jenna, but tomorrow you might turn down Jorge or Juana, or both Jorge and Juana.
Are adult situations, profanity, sexual assaults to minors not promotion of crimes toward underage people? Promotion of crimes to minors is a federal crime in the U.S. Promotions of crimes is a crime in almost every country on Earth. This is why the game company treats minors differently while in the game. It is illegal to have sexual relations with minors (while being an adult), it is illegal to promote sexual relations with minors (while being adults). So, if it’s illegal, then why mention it
July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was some of the best parts of LitRPGs without all the needless stat grinding. Hana leveled up, gained stats, and learned skills because she accomplished things, not because she sat around practicing a skill over and over, or killed a hundred somethings in a row.
Dahlia/Hana is a fun character to have as the POV. She's kind when she doesn't have to be, isn't OP at all, fails on the regular, and keeps going. She has the goal of raising money by gaming...but keeps accepting quests because she feels something for the NPCs of a town that are nice to her. She grows a lot, and pretty quickly, and bites off more than she can chew, but still manages to fight through without being OP.
Pachi and Madi are the best too. I love every time they interact with Hana. I was as devastated as Hana with what happened to Pachi, and just as happy to be given a second reprieve just a little later. It was nice to have some light flirting without being over the top or anything as well. Hoping the romance is as wholesome as Madi's compliments.
Ok, like my only negatives about the book were the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It was a cool idea until you realize that the person/character being quoted isn't just named...their given weird and obscure descriptions or false names that are supposed to be hints of who it is. This honestly felt like a nerd flex on the author's part...and reading past the end of the book where he explains the quotes just confirms it. He was as obscure as he could be so he could brag about how clever he was. Ugh...gross. The other negative I have is tied into this. All the kids in 2100 apparently playing and being obsessed with games from the 1980s/90s? That makes zero sense and just feels like a way for the author to again flex their nerd cred. These games were old and dated before I was playing games and I'm not young. No kid 80 years from now is going to play them. That'd be less believable than a kid now being obsessed with pong or tetris.
Dahlia/Hana is a fun character to have as the POV. She's kind when she doesn't have to be, isn't OP at all, fails on the regular, and keeps going. She has the goal of raising money by gaming...but keeps accepting quests because she feels something for the NPCs of a town that are nice to her. She grows a lot, and pretty quickly, and bites off more than she can chew, but still manages to fight through without being OP.
Pachi and Madi are the best too. I love every time they interact with Hana. I was as devastated as Hana with what happened to Pachi, and just as happy to be given a second reprieve just a little later. It was nice to have some light flirting without being over the top or anything as well. Hoping the romance is as wholesome as Madi's compliments.
Ok, like my only negatives about the book were the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It was a cool idea until you realize that the person/character being quoted isn't just named...their given weird and obscure descriptions or false names that are supposed to be hints of who it is. This honestly felt like a nerd flex on the author's part...and reading past the end of the book where he explains the quotes just confirms it. He was as obscure as he could be so he could brag about how clever he was. Ugh...gross. The other negative I have is tied into this. All the kids in 2100 apparently playing and being obsessed with games from the 1980s/90s? That makes zero sense and just feels like a way for the author to again flex their nerd cred. These games were old and dated before I was playing games and I'm not young. No kid 80 years from now is going to play them. That'd be less believable than a kid now being obsessed with pong or tetris.
October 23, 2025
More of a fantasy coming of age story than Litrpg. The only way it is a sci-fi and Litrpg is that every now and then the MC, Dhalia recieves a notification/levels up in-game and when she leaves her VR pod and hangs out with other children in the futuristic internet cafe-like place.
Not much has been revealed about the hardcore realistic VRMMO that Dhalia is playing due to corpo's strict no meta-gaming policy, which is understandable, because guides ruin the fun and makes any achievement easier to obtain (which goes against the whole hardcore game they were going for) but it also left a lot of questions unanswered about the game and its system. What is the max level? How does one obtain skills? Are there no exp in the game because she just levels up outta nowhere?
The pop-culture references were fun at the beginning, but soon became very annoying. I do not understand why the author has such an aversion to cursing that he must substitute any shit!-worthy situation into a nerdy reference of a fantasy book, series, or a videogame.
The in-game world itself is very forgettable and already I had forgotten the starter area's name. Not that it matters, anyway. All the NPCs are nice, and all the players are mean idiots, except that one. The author sometimes adds objects to the setting after the fact, which gets a little confusing.
I'll probably pass on this trilogy. It's just not engaging and I find myself not caring about any of the very flat with the very unstable-personality (in that they keep changing the way they speak and act), characters. They could all die and I'd be like.. heh good.
Not much has been revealed about the hardcore realistic VRMMO that Dhalia is playing due to corpo's strict no meta-gaming policy, which is understandable, because guides ruin the fun and makes any achievement easier to obtain (which goes against the whole hardcore game they were going for) but it also left a lot of questions unanswered about the game and its system. What is the max level? How does one obtain skills? Are there no exp in the game because she just levels up outta nowhere?
The pop-culture references were fun at the beginning, but soon became very annoying. I do not understand why the author has such an aversion to cursing that he must substitute any shit!-worthy situation into a nerdy reference of a fantasy book, series, or a videogame.
The in-game world itself is very forgettable and already I had forgotten the starter area's name. Not that it matters, anyway. All the NPCs are nice, and all the players are mean idiots, except that one. The author sometimes adds objects to the setting after the fact, which gets a little confusing.
I'll probably pass on this trilogy. It's just not engaging and I find myself not caring about any of the very flat with the very unstable-personality (in that they keep changing the way they speak and act), characters. They could all die and I'd be like.. heh good.
November 23, 2020
(I listen to the audible version)
I enjoyed this book a lot it was both fast-paced and exciting at the same time it was very unique in all the best ways. I love the personality of MC the amount of Random stuff to avoid cursing is great. If any negative things could be said about it was the ending it was a bit God touched (meaning the author) if you will. Without spoiling the book the endings was ok-ish it felt a bit forced like there was no better way to resolve one of the MC main problems it's not necessarily A Bad Thing it's just kind of the typical trope to resolve situations however that's a small thing and doesn't really take away from the book. The other good thing about it with the second book already published at the time of this review the cliffhanger is just a hook and not a long wait to see what happens next I know ill be looking forward to seeing how this story unfolds.
As always Andrea Parsneau did a fantastic job with this book she truly brought to life each character in the book and gave them a bit of something the other did not have.
Overall the book is very good its definitely worth the read.
I enjoyed this book a lot it was both fast-paced and exciting at the same time it was very unique in all the best ways. I love the personality of MC the amount of Random stuff to avoid cursing is great. If any negative things could be said about it was the ending it was a bit God touched (meaning the author) if you will. Without spoiling the book the endings was ok-ish it felt a bit forced like there was no better way to resolve one of the MC main problems it's not necessarily A Bad Thing it's just kind of the typical trope to resolve situations however that's a small thing and doesn't really take away from the book. The other good thing about it with the second book already published at the time of this review the cliffhanger is just a hook and not a long wait to see what happens next I know ill be looking forward to seeing how this story unfolds.
As always Andrea Parsneau did a fantastic job with this book she truly brought to life each character in the book and gave them a bit of something the other did not have.
Overall the book is very good its definitely worth the read.
August 6, 2020
Alert
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
May 11, 2020
From one kind of bland LitRPG to another. Shattered Sword is one of those, 'trying to earn money in game' type LitRPG's but does little more with it than use it as a driver to get her into the game. The game world it's self isn't anything special, pretty basic fantasy sandbox. Reynolds also leans too heavily on the melodrama, with multiple characters having sad histories and playing up npc's dying ext. I just wanted her to get the F*** on with it half the time.
The premise is the worst part though. Reynolds touches on the earning money, but there isn't the kind of build up of funds you might expect, or the mounting tension as the dead line approaches. No, It doesn't feel earned or to be part of the narrative, just a get out of jail free card.
The premise is the worst part though. Reynolds touches on the earning money, but there isn't the kind of build up of funds you might expect, or the mounting tension as the dead line approaches. No, It doesn't feel earned or to be part of the narrative, just a get out of jail free card.
May 13, 2020
Pure Reading Pleasure
This book is such a pleasant surprise. The interesting premise, MC joins online game to pay off an inherited debt, might tempt listeners to try it but it the story itself and the author's laugh out loud writing style that makes this over 400 page book an absolute joy to read. Once immersed in the game world, the MC has to find her feet while leveling up as fast as she can. The idea being to find/make in game items that she can sell back in the real world to pay her debts. The online world she finds herself in is one of quests, warriors and mages as well as dangerous monsters and interesting characters.
Nowhere does this story drag or become slow and the author does a superb job of painting a picture of this online game for the reader. When you aren't choking on your coffee laughing that is.
This story does not contain any cliffhangers however it is definitely incomplete and requires the next book in the series. Recommended.
This book is such a pleasant surprise. The interesting premise, MC joins online game to pay off an inherited debt, might tempt listeners to try it but it the story itself and the author's laugh out loud writing style that makes this over 400 page book an absolute joy to read. Once immersed in the game world, the MC has to find her feet while leveling up as fast as she can. The idea being to find/make in game items that she can sell back in the real world to pay her debts. The online world she finds herself in is one of quests, warriors and mages as well as dangerous monsters and interesting characters.
Nowhere does this story drag or become slow and the author does a superb job of painting a picture of this online game for the reader. When you aren't choking on your coffee laughing that is.
This story does not contain any cliffhangers however it is definitely incomplete and requires the next book in the series. Recommended.
August 19, 2020
Dhalia has inherited her father's debt, and she must pay it off even at 16. If she cannot, she will be forced to go into indentured service. Her plan? Become an Earner on the world's most popular VR game, Eternal Online. She has less than a month to earn the money for the first payment. Will she be able to work the game in her favor or will she end up losing everything, including her freedom?
This is a wonderfully written LitRPG/GameLit novel. It isn't fast-paced, by any means, and more for gamers who like to explore and do all the little things in their fantasy worlds. I liked seeing the every day chores for survival, and how Dahlia (a.k.a. Hana in the game) bettered her skills. The cast of real and digital characters is marvelous. I adore Pachi! A lot in the fascinating plot inside and outside of the game is unresolved, but Dahlia is growing, and it's realistic as she slowly becomes her best self. I will be picking up the next book!
This is a wonderfully written LitRPG/GameLit novel. It isn't fast-paced, by any means, and more for gamers who like to explore and do all the little things in their fantasy worlds. I liked seeing the every day chores for survival, and how Dahlia (a.k.a. Hana in the game) bettered her skills. The cast of real and digital characters is marvelous. I adore Pachi! A lot in the fascinating plot inside and outside of the game is unresolved, but Dahlia is growing, and it's realistic as she slowly becomes her best self. I will be picking up the next book!
December 29, 2025
As far as my journey into LitRPG goes, this one is more three dimensional and engaging than most, but nothing in comparison to The Wandering Inn (which so far is about 15 million words--no exaggeration--of Pratchet-Discworld level genius. Seriously, of YOU, reader, have a rec for a GOOD, dynamic, female-protagonist LitRPG series worth my time, PLEASE recommend. All of this is market research for my next next book (my next book is already in the offing), but I am preparing a LitRPG and need good fodder. I campaign 4 nights a week, run 1 game myself for adults and guest-DM for a middle school DnD club, and have played RPGs since my Dad taught me when I was 8. I have at least a few million good words in me on this subject. I just need a bit more research and there has to be something else out there as good as (or closer to?) TWI. Right? Thanks all
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and at least I will be reading book 2 in this series (so that's a win for this series).
...
and at least I will be reading book 2 in this series (so that's a win for this series).
Currently reading
October 12, 2020Overall a good story
Decent series start. Good protagonist who is a bit shy IRL. There is still a lot of back story to be delivered but enough described in this book to create A good setting. I found the progression to be worthy though we don't have a good sense of the scale of the game. The level she achieved in this book may or may not be grand in the scheme of things. There was a slight bit of "Mary Sue "As some of the gifted items seemed a bit OP and some of the encounter seemed a bit convenient.This of course is consistent with an AI that cater is the game experience to the player. However out heroine seems dedicated to the grind and works her class skills diligently. I enjoyed this book enough that I'll probably read the second one.
Decent series start. Good protagonist who is a bit shy IRL. There is still a lot of back story to be delivered but enough described in this book to create A good setting. I found the progression to be worthy though we don't have a good sense of the scale of the game. The level she achieved in this book may or may not be grand in the scheme of things. There was a slight bit of "Mary Sue "As some of the gifted items seemed a bit OP and some of the encounter seemed a bit convenient.This of course is consistent with an AI that cater is the game experience to the player. However out heroine seems dedicated to the grind and works her class skills diligently. I enjoyed this book enough that I'll probably read the second one.
October 16, 2022
The virtual gaming world and reality are both vividly developed and engaging in this fantastic first novel in the Eternal Online series. We see both worlds through Dhalia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is fiercely independent, compassionate, and plagued by insecurities and doubt. It is impossible not to root for Dhalia on her journey as she fights against her difficult circumstances with grit, yet she does not lose the threads of empathy that keep her grounded. I relished the frequent allusions to Tolkien throughout the gaming world. I look forward to continuing the series and I expect that Dhalia will continue to realize her vast potential as a player and as a person.
January 6, 2023
This starts off very slow paced, building and developing the main character and world. Very definitely a 'coming of age' story, this generally feels like a YA tale, although not always. As other reviews have noted, there are some apparent plot holes and inconsistencies, but they rarely bothered me or detracted much from the story. I enjoyed this as a gentler story, a nice contrast to many of the other books in the genre, though I'm intrigued as to how the series will continue, as it definitely grew into a bloodier tale as it went on.
March 9, 2023
Holy woke garbage batman!
I only made it halfway through since NOTHING had happened. And yet, every 5 seconds the author made sure he was checking another woke box. That was sufferable but immer breaking, unbelievable, and pathetic. Literally one time he took the time to let you know the MC wasn't "misgendering" a character she hadn't even MET YET. What a desperate moron this boy must be if wokeness is here expects to win over women.
Reading his 100% unbelievable female mc, it's clear he doesn't understand women, or people.
I only made it halfway through since NOTHING had happened. And yet, every 5 seconds the author made sure he was checking another woke box. That was sufferable but immer breaking, unbelievable, and pathetic. Literally one time he took the time to let you know the MC wasn't "misgendering" a character she hadn't even MET YET. What a desperate moron this boy must be if wokeness is here expects to win over women.
Reading his 100% unbelievable female mc, it's clear he doesn't understand women, or people.
April 13, 2023
The MC is a young lady that enters a VMMORPG to find money not to be pressed into work for the debts of her father.
She starts as a kind of ranger, makes some friends in the NPC community and a few player friends (mostly an amazonian names Madi). She finds the beginnings of a big quest about a rat king, can get a wonderful pet and has some interesting adventure while looking for parts of her legendary katana.
Nice adventure. Enjoyed most of it - even if the dreading money problem seems to make me more nervous then her.
Looking forward to more in this series.
She starts as a kind of ranger, makes some friends in the NPC community and a few player friends (mostly an amazonian names Madi). She finds the beginnings of a big quest about a rat king, can get a wonderful pet and has some interesting adventure while looking for parts of her legendary katana.
Nice adventure. Enjoyed most of it - even if the dreading money problem seems to make me more nervous then her.
Looking forward to more in this series.
June 10, 2020
Paid for positive reviews
The usual millennial tripe, "evil corporation", indentured servitude with generational debt; not possible in America. Other than that, a pathetic serving of all the usual tropes, without a shred of originality, creativity, or any redeeming qualities.
I'm left with the usual conclusion: any book with nothing but 4s and 5s in it review must have bought them somehow.
The usual millennial tripe, "evil corporation", indentured servitude with generational debt; not possible in America. Other than that, a pathetic serving of all the usual tropes, without a shred of originality, creativity, or any redeeming qualities.
I'm left with the usual conclusion: any book with nothing but 4s and 5s in it review must have bought them somehow.
August 28, 2020
Pretty Good
This story of a girl who spends the last of her money to try and earn money in a game before she becomes an indentured slave to pay off her fathers debt was very interesting and entertaining.
I was tricked into reading this series earlier than I would’ve had I known book three was still a few months from being released. I usually wait for a series to have three books before I read them. It was good nonetheless
This story of a girl who spends the last of her money to try and earn money in a game before she becomes an indentured slave to pay off her fathers debt was very interesting and entertaining.
I was tricked into reading this series earlier than I would’ve had I known book three was still a few months from being released. I usually wait for a series to have three books before I read them. It was good nonetheless
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