The world has changed. Since that free-for-all that saw every Champion hurry to claim as much land as they could, many of the weaker rulers have been eliminated. The remaining players had to team up to avoid complete annihilation. As a result, the whole land of Liora is now under the control of eight single coalitions. But what are their goals? Can they be trusted to keep to themselves and play nice or should they be treated like threats and dealt with accordingly?
That is one of the main questions Charles and his allies intend to answer when they meet up to finalize their own union. But they’ve barely started on the main discussion points that an emissary from the north appears to give them an ultimatum: join their alliance or suffer the consequences.
With Tine facing imminent capture, Charles has no choice but to step up his military, and that goes through building that mighty train to move his troops around the newly formed coalition. Not an easy task to say the least. Though he already managed to secure the Great Primus Heart that would power the vehicle, Charles still needs to acquire enough Prephius steel to make the train near indestructible.
Follow Charles as he visits an underwater necropolis and ends up having to bargain with the dead. Follow him as he makes new enemies and has to find how to keep his new marriage alive, all the while trying to raise not a city but an entire union with its own perks, stats and special units.
Theres a story about a man who had a problem. For it to be solved he had to borrow money. But he had no way of paying back the debt so he had to borrow money from someone else, and in return he has to do a job. A job that only gets done by owing a favor from somebody else… Frankly im getting tired of this song and dance. I understand that its Civ CEO but everything about this novel revolves around wealth. He solves his problems by bribing, “paying off”, owing a favor… all that tension about going to war, and for what? Nothing. A new problem arise, no worries hell just pay them off. Look, a new threat, its ok peace treaty on the way. The only thing this book set itself apart is that Sid Meiers playing diplomat route. Nobody does it. Why? It becomes boring if you keep repeating the same trope over and over.
The writing in this series entry is a bit better than previous books and there is actual character change here. But the author seems to be working way too hard to avoid any combat at all, even when the story would reasonably result in combat.
The character changes, particularly those for the protagonist, seem to violate previously established core tenets of the character, to the detriment of the my experience. And the plot seems set on easy mode, with solutions coming with little effort for the protagonist.
I read the first six books in this series while on a vacation, so I needed something that didn't demand my attention, and I got these books for free. Absent both of those, I would not have read beyond book 2. The series is consistently weak, I will not be reading any more books in it, and I cannot recommend it.
I had not read of using inflation to destroy a country, but I think I'm living in the early stages of it, here in America. The story was good and I liked the way he waged war. Once upon a time, I was in a little corner market. This was before the big box stores that we have now. I was in line with a candy bar and I told myself "remember this". The cost was five cents and as I held it in my fist, the bar stuck out an inch or so on each side of my hand. Just a nickel for it. I'm old enough to remember when a man with a high school education could work and earn enough money to support a wife, three kids and make payments on a nice house.
Another solid addition. I really like how the Charles continues to grow. It isn't through finding some obscenely power item over and over or playing out the same winning strategy umpteen times over umpteen books. It's continual growth, with some real mistakes, and very clever solutions that are new each book. I wish I was as clever at Charles at my own job... the relationship is well written too: there are mistakes, there is growth, there is real dialog and compromise. Looking forward to more!
Spoiler . . . . . . I spent so much time imagining twists and pitfalls for the MC that didnt happen. Yet, at least. So the spoiler was no twist. Pretty straight forward but damned good. I enjoyed the feel good conclusion of this book. But I also enjoyed worrying about the potential consequence or trap of the MCs every action. It's a great book that can inspire the imagination.
Plenty of good relationship wisdom strewn about as well. Good stuff.
Charles and his wife, Joanna, are working as co-rulers of Tine. She wants to be in on all the dealings, but yet she is getting tired of all the schemes. Charles is used to balancing all the balls by himself. How will he keep his wife satisfied and happy? Another group of nations has announced their intent to take over Tine if not the entire confederation. How will Charles avoid a no win war that devastates both sides. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Interesting as the story introduces a rather new genre: Civilization manager. Unfortunately, the author seems not to know the genre well himself which results in having the characters act very naive and stupid. The world is extremely two dimensional and flat. The main character is supposed to be a genius but keeps acting like an impulsive bufoon throughout the entire series. Business talk, constant bribes and an utter incomprehension of the feelings of others dominate the series.
Economic ideas written were, so so. A discussion that could have been used is about the importation of New World gold into Spain that caused massive inflation that has come to be known as the "price revolution." Gold is a solid, real asset. The inflation cause because of an increase in trade sounds hokey. An increase in supply of gold due to found treasures, or demand of goods, would cause inflation.
When I found this series at first I was like "this might be a good distraction till my main book series comes out with another one" then the tradesmen were beaten and I was like " that was a great ending" THEN another book came out and my exact thoughts were " Oh thank God there's another" in other words plz don't stop hell maybe do another series in the same universe.
Nice job with building a story from scratch. The main character showed himself to be all to human with flaws and insecurities common to all men and women. As the character grows he never loses his innate goodness and grows. I know when I’ve come across a truly good story when I lose large chunks of time and become engrossed in the story. Hope the saga continues.
What a wonderful addition to the already wonderful series of books! I look forward to the next, I quite like the way this one was, and I look forward to when Charles goes after some dead champions to pull them back. I can't wait to see who you decide to kill to push him to it. But that's just a theory!
The premise of the series is finally back to making sense. Actually it might be the best book in the series when it comes to the main plotline of there being an ex-CEO running a country.
Considering that was the primary reason I thought book 1 was a breath of fresh air, I'm glad we are back here.
Similar to past books with Charles wanting something and having to overcome a trial for a newcomer to the story. Then we are back to the country and commonwealth intrigue. The story is more intrigue than action but works.
I love building stories and games. This is one great building story. I love when just as everything is coming undone , it becomes the next step. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks.
This story of a retired CEO of a multi billion company becoming a Champion in a gods game world is a very entertaining fast paced action packed story that I really enjoyed reading.
An enjoyable way to spend a few hours. This whole series is a light read, but full of interesting ideas, characters,, and world building. A nice way to learn about businesses and economics while being entertained. Recommended.
Lol, never thought I'd enjoy a book where math was a more impressive weapon than soldiers and technology, but Karevik made it work. This was a great continuation of the series.
I enjoy the stories and the ideas of the books but some of the wording and sentence structure is annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard. Have someone proofread before publishing.
I love the book I resent you forceing me to write reviews I give the ratings that I wish to. That should be enough to post. I do not like your system and give the book five stars. This having to write a review to post a rating a o stas
The story continues and is better than ever! This has it all: Political intrigue, adventures into the unknown, character growth, and even more top-tier kingdom building. Thank you for writing such a great series.
Another fantastic book in this series. I reread the series to remember everything that happened so far and it was the best series I’ve read so far this year! It’s so strange cus there is little fighting and yet is still so exciting.
I love how its swung back to its route i feared it was.heading down a war torn series like other. I love how truly unique this story is. Let's crush them with math.