What do you think?
Rate this book
Ocean Slayers Racing #1
Zero Car
Defective. Fierce. A lonely survivor.
When Oto didn’t connect to the system at adolescence like everyone else, his dreams for racing his way off-planet shattered into a million little pieces.
A chance encounter out in the Wilds will fix his broken parts and set him back on the path to escaping his terrible life—but not in ways he could have ever expected.
With new friends that he’ll have to learn to trust, and a race car to cultivate, Oto’s in over his head. But that’s never stopped him before.
He’s going to go up against the city’s best and most dangerous racers to guarantee, once and for all, that he cannot be ignored.
Zero Car is a SciFi Litrpg Cultivation mix with sentient cars and lots of character.
When Oto didn’t connect to the system at adolescence like everyone else, his dreams for racing his way off-planet shattered into a million little pieces.
A chance encounter out in the Wilds will fix his broken parts and set him back on the path to escaping his terrible life—but not in ways he could have ever expected.
With new friends that he’ll have to learn to trust, and a race car to cultivate, Oto’s in over his head. But that’s never stopped him before.
He’s going to go up against the city’s best and most dangerous racers to guarantee, once and for all, that he cannot be ignored.
Zero Car is a SciFi Litrpg Cultivation mix with sentient cars and lots of character.
- GenresScience Fiction
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2021
56 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 19, 2021
I enjoyed this stupid book and I am embarrassed because of it. 3 stars (Goodreads: "I liked it".)
June 7, 2021
A Blast!
I went into this just having finished the three-book binge of Knowles other series The Bright, so I knew what to expect from Knowles. But, I got a lot more than I expected. This time they wrote a book that absolutely blew me out of the water. Now, that’s not me saying that The Bright wasn’t an excellent series – but the Ocean Slayers series has my absolute full attention. I found myself wanting to know more and more about everything as the story progressed.
Knowles is able to write a book that jumps off of the page and really made me think. Zero Car started off a bit confusing (on purpose because the main character was confused and lost) – and as Oto (clever name for someone…) learns about the different stats and different paths people take – things start to make more sense both to him and to me as the reader.
Zero Car introduces a lot of the typical LitRPG elements I’m used to along with some new ones (including different nanites along with the cars having stats and upgradable features). All things that in games that I’ve played make perfect sense, but I haven’t personally read any stories that had elements like this.
So, we get to the point of was it a good story or was it just fun and exciting. Well, I hate to say this, but it was both! Ahh, you thought I was going to say it was one or the other. Nope! Knowles was able to create a character (Oto) and some people around him that you wanted to root for. They had real problems and Oto was able to provide solutions or at least help along the way. He seems to go from alone and wandering to feeling like he has a family and people that care about him – because of this you find yourself loving him more and more. And then you have everything else. Knowles nails it all. They were able to write a story that had all the elements of a great RPG and because of that I flew through Zero Car.
Add in the great narration by Travis Baldree, who is a king in this genre – and boy oh boy did this one cause me to have a good time. Zero Car was fun as hell and I can’t wait to see what happens in this series! Also, how great is that artwork – even knowing nothing about the book I wanted to read it just based on that cover.
I went into this just having finished the three-book binge of Knowles other series The Bright, so I knew what to expect from Knowles. But, I got a lot more than I expected. This time they wrote a book that absolutely blew me out of the water. Now, that’s not me saying that The Bright wasn’t an excellent series – but the Ocean Slayers series has my absolute full attention. I found myself wanting to know more and more about everything as the story progressed.
Knowles is able to write a book that jumps off of the page and really made me think. Zero Car started off a bit confusing (on purpose because the main character was confused and lost) – and as Oto (clever name for someone…) learns about the different stats and different paths people take – things start to make more sense both to him and to me as the reader.
Zero Car introduces a lot of the typical LitRPG elements I’m used to along with some new ones (including different nanites along with the cars having stats and upgradable features). All things that in games that I’ve played make perfect sense, but I haven’t personally read any stories that had elements like this.
So, we get to the point of was it a good story or was it just fun and exciting. Well, I hate to say this, but it was both! Ahh, you thought I was going to say it was one or the other. Nope! Knowles was able to create a character (Oto) and some people around him that you wanted to root for. They had real problems and Oto was able to provide solutions or at least help along the way. He seems to go from alone and wandering to feeling like he has a family and people that care about him – because of this you find yourself loving him more and more. And then you have everything else. Knowles nails it all. They were able to write a story that had all the elements of a great RPG and because of that I flew through Zero Car.
Add in the great narration by Travis Baldree, who is a king in this genre – and boy oh boy did this one cause me to have a good time. Zero Car was fun as hell and I can’t wait to see what happens in this series! Also, how great is that artwork – even knowing nothing about the book I wanted to read it just based on that cover.
July 3, 2022
Scifi, future world where cultivation and racing is very important. Well written protagonist, enjoyable romances and lots of build up towards the big race. I'd have liked more time in the car, so I'm really looking forward to book 2; but the build up was worth it.
June 15, 2021
I picked this up because of the cover. This is my first book by the author.
There are parts of this book that I enjoyed (the racing, the coming from nothing story) and parts that I didn't (what does everyone else in this city do besides racing?).
Oto is a scavenger in the wilds, the land outside the city that is full of danger and strange predators as they try to find scrap from a previous civilization. He does exactly that when Ezra finds him, a person from the city who does her best to look out for the people in the wilds.
It is in Ezra and Alek's home (brother and sister) where Oto recovers from starvation. These people aren't human (they're called Anodites) but they might as well be human, because that's how they come across. Each person has an Azri system in their body that builds energy that can be released into the car while racing.
What is Azri? Yeah, that's never explained. Apparently you can use too much at one time, or not have enough if you don't eat right. Beyond that, all I can say is that it's energy. There are also meridians that you can open, but how is never answered.
We meet the cars early on, because everyone in the city loves racing. Why? Who knows, they just do. The cars are sentient because of the Azri, but does the same Azri make people more sentient and aware? No, but also kind of yes.
And except for restaurants and hotels, no one in this city does anything else but race. Except the teams are really small (like eight to ten people). What does everyone else do besides be fans of racing? I have no idea.
The thing that frustrated me is that very little is explained about the city, the capitol, what Azri is (we know what it does), or anything else that has nothing to do with racing. It's Fast and Furious logic, and it limits us as readers as to what is going on in this foreign world.
Anyway, moving on. Oto as a character is a good guy, who almost instantly falls in love with Ezra. From there Oto joins Alek at the track as he learns what happens on the team, and they face off against other teams who don't play fair.
The book isn't long, but it sometimes feels that way. The last 10% is the best as it is all about racing,and that does take the excitement level. I do wish the author had spent more time on the repairs to Oto's car, as it's the focus of the story.
The notifications are there, and they have do have an effect on what happens. Oto does some breathing exercises to improve his Azri, but he doesn't do the usual things you would see in a LitRPG book such as running, working out, long training scenes, and that sort of thing. His stat increases (except for the last one) just sort of happen.
Lastly, this isn't a cultivation book. Maybe book 2 will be, but book 1 isn't. Everything he achieves (at the very end) happens by force of will because he's desperate. Up until that point, cultivation doesn't cross his mind.
There are a lot of good ideas here, but they are all packed in without explaining why they should be. Now that Oto is going off planet, maybe he'll meet the racing version of Yoda to explain it to the rest of us.
3/5* (plus 1 for racing, which I like) = 4/5*
There are parts of this book that I enjoyed (the racing, the coming from nothing story) and parts that I didn't (what does everyone else in this city do besides racing?).
Oto is a scavenger in the wilds, the land outside the city that is full of danger and strange predators as they try to find scrap from a previous civilization. He does exactly that when Ezra finds him, a person from the city who does her best to look out for the people in the wilds.
It is in Ezra and Alek's home (brother and sister) where Oto recovers from starvation. These people aren't human (they're called Anodites) but they might as well be human, because that's how they come across. Each person has an Azri system in their body that builds energy that can be released into the car while racing.
What is Azri? Yeah, that's never explained. Apparently you can use too much at one time, or not have enough if you don't eat right. Beyond that, all I can say is that it's energy. There are also meridians that you can open, but how is never answered.
We meet the cars early on, because everyone in the city loves racing. Why? Who knows, they just do. The cars are sentient because of the Azri, but does the same Azri make people more sentient and aware? No, but also kind of yes.
And except for restaurants and hotels, no one in this city does anything else but race. Except the teams are really small (like eight to ten people). What does everyone else do besides be fans of racing? I have no idea.
The thing that frustrated me is that very little is explained about the city, the capitol, what Azri is (we know what it does), or anything else that has nothing to do with racing. It's Fast and Furious logic, and it limits us as readers as to what is going on in this foreign world.
Anyway, moving on. Oto as a character is a good guy, who almost instantly falls in love with Ezra. From there Oto joins Alek at the track as he learns what happens on the team, and they face off against other teams who don't play fair.
The book isn't long, but it sometimes feels that way. The last 10% is the best as it is all about racing,and that does take the excitement level. I do wish the author had spent more time on the repairs to Oto's car, as it's the focus of the story.
The notifications are there, and they have do have an effect on what happens. Oto does some breathing exercises to improve his Azri, but he doesn't do the usual things you would see in a LitRPG book such as running, working out, long training scenes, and that sort of thing. His stat increases (except for the last one) just sort of happen.
Lastly, this isn't a cultivation book. Maybe book 2 will be, but book 1 isn't. Everything he achieves (at the very end) happens by force of will because he's desperate. Up until that point, cultivation doesn't cross his mind.
There are a lot of good ideas here, but they are all packed in without explaining why they should be. Now that Oto is going off planet, maybe he'll meet the racing version of Yoda to explain it to the rest of us.
3/5* (plus 1 for racing, which I like) = 4/5*
July 15, 2021
-I was provided a copy of this audiobook free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
This is a pretty hard book to review as I came into it expecting a lot of racing and High-Octane action, but this is the absolute opposite of what I got.
In a way, this is a good thing, as I'm no fan of racing cars or a certain popular 'Fast Car' series of films but did it leave enough to really draw me in and keep me hooked?
I've always kind of considered Cultivation stories a sub-genre of Litrpg or Gamelit, with the culti action being used to empower their abilities and allow them to 'level up' faster.
Being very much Nor either a LitRpg or Ganelit it felt sort of wasted here and, while they rotated and shaped their meridians (like in all such stories) it felt pretty redundant and didn't achieve much at all. Maybe more will be explored in the later books but, for the first in a series, it left me equal-parts confused and disappointed.
This isn't to say I disliked the book, I have entitled this review A Mixed Bag after all and this due to the characters. You see, this book takes a decision early on to concentrate solely on the MC, his 'girl' and their colleagues at the loss of everything else (by which I mean, there was little action, threat or world building) and it felt a little like an episode of Big Brother with lots of interpersonal talking and inner-monologue that ultimately led..no where.
For all this, I have to admit that I enjoyed the book. I go through a lot of books and many of them have high-stake action, alien invasions and zombie hordes and so to just concentrate on a few normal, unremarkable people trying to live the best life they can, it was a pleasant journey brought to life by the fantastically emotive narration of Travis Baldree.
So don't come to this book expecting fast races, levelling up or action-packed AI car races but more of a character place/soap opera and you might find something you enjoy.
This is a pretty hard book to review as I came into it expecting a lot of racing and High-Octane action, but this is the absolute opposite of what I got.
In a way, this is a good thing, as I'm no fan of racing cars or a certain popular 'Fast Car' series of films but did it leave enough to really draw me in and keep me hooked?
I've always kind of considered Cultivation stories a sub-genre of Litrpg or Gamelit, with the culti action being used to empower their abilities and allow them to 'level up' faster.
Being very much Nor either a LitRpg or Ganelit it felt sort of wasted here and, while they rotated and shaped their meridians (like in all such stories) it felt pretty redundant and didn't achieve much at all. Maybe more will be explored in the later books but, for the first in a series, it left me equal-parts confused and disappointed.
This isn't to say I disliked the book, I have entitled this review A Mixed Bag after all and this due to the characters. You see, this book takes a decision early on to concentrate solely on the MC, his 'girl' and their colleagues at the loss of everything else (by which I mean, there was little action, threat or world building) and it felt a little like an episode of Big Brother with lots of interpersonal talking and inner-monologue that ultimately led..no where.
For all this, I have to admit that I enjoyed the book. I go through a lot of books and many of them have high-stake action, alien invasions and zombie hordes and so to just concentrate on a few normal, unremarkable people trying to live the best life they can, it was a pleasant journey brought to life by the fantastically emotive narration of Travis Baldree.
So don't come to this book expecting fast races, levelling up or action-packed AI car races but more of a character place/soap opera and you might find something you enjoy.
September 28, 2022
This book is a hard one to critique for me, if I think about it too hard.
If I don't, it's a forgettable novel that didn't live up to its promise.
But if I do think about it for a while, I'm especially bothered by the fact that nothing in the book gets properly explained, and scenes aren't set properly. The author seems to assume that everyone lives in their head, and while that makes for some actually pretty good dialogue, (organic, for once!) and it infuses the novel with a good sense of mystery, in scenes characters, just seem to teleport around, and I'm having a tough time to understand who is where and what and why.
Perhaps more jarringly, important concepts never get explained, and it seems that the book assumes you know everything about these sorts of novels. I guess this genre is called cultivation, but if you like me never read any cultivation novels, this is a terrible entryway. Characters have a really weird obsession with food and the word "tummy" and everyone for some reason is not only a race car driver but also knows Chinese/Japanese/Korean sword katas? It is never explained how those two things go together, what exactly this energy is that flows in some people, or what any of the terms the book throws at you actually mean. Every character has different stats, but no one ever explains what they do, or why classes are important, or why you might want to raise any of them. Level ups just happen without any buildup, and are of literally no consequence.
To be honest, I'd say the biggest problem with this book is that the LitRPG parts' connection to the racing story are so strenuous, even the author frequently forgets about them. They add absolutely nothing of value, and the book would be far better without them.
Why three stars, then? Because it's a good SciFi racing book, just hindered by the terrible, terrible LitRPG/Wuxiy/Cultivation mesh it is fused with for absolutely no reason.
If I don't, it's a forgettable novel that didn't live up to its promise.
But if I do think about it for a while, I'm especially bothered by the fact that nothing in the book gets properly explained, and scenes aren't set properly. The author seems to assume that everyone lives in their head, and while that makes for some actually pretty good dialogue, (organic, for once!) and it infuses the novel with a good sense of mystery, in scenes characters, just seem to teleport around, and I'm having a tough time to understand who is where and what and why.
Perhaps more jarringly, important concepts never get explained, and it seems that the book assumes you know everything about these sorts of novels. I guess this genre is called cultivation, but if you like me never read any cultivation novels, this is a terrible entryway. Characters have a really weird obsession with food and the word "tummy" and everyone for some reason is not only a race car driver but also knows Chinese/Japanese/Korean sword katas? It is never explained how those two things go together, what exactly this energy is that flows in some people, or what any of the terms the book throws at you actually mean. Every character has different stats, but no one ever explains what they do, or why classes are important, or why you might want to raise any of them. Level ups just happen without any buildup, and are of literally no consequence.
To be honest, I'd say the biggest problem with this book is that the LitRPG parts' connection to the racing story are so strenuous, even the author frequently forgets about them. They add absolutely nothing of value, and the book would be far better without them.
Why three stars, then? Because it's a good SciFi racing book, just hindered by the terrible, terrible LitRPG/Wuxiy/Cultivation mesh it is fused with for absolutely no reason.
July 5, 2021
Hundreds or thousands of light-years away, in a time distant and foreign a young man named Oto faces the reality of not being born able to connect to the system, a system the rest of the world is dependant on. A system where racing is life, and life is measured in a mysterious power called Azeroth. (Pretty much Mana)
Resigned to live life in the scrubs, exploring the wilds for any scrap of tech or metal he can salvage and sell, Oto is just trying to get by. Just like everyone else.
But when exploring his favorite dig site, he happens upon a piece of unique tech, and one of the dreaded 'Rotters' that protects it. Fleeing in terror he falls and injures himself, on the mysterious tech, and though he has escaped the Rotter, he finds himself in a daze as infection and ills take hold.
Just when he thinks all hope is lost a beautiful stranger rescues him and nurses him back to health, but not just his body, but his faith in humanity and himself. Discovering that he now can connect to the system, and he seems to have a natural talent for racings and all things elite and powerful, he joins the beautiful stranger and her cautious brother as they and Team Zero, race toward a new future and new lives.
I gave this four stars not because it is my favorite LitRPG, but it is the first successful one I have read in the sci-fi genre. There are a lot of elements that could have used a better Beta Reader pool, or editor, but others are pure creative delight.
If you are not into LitRPG or GameLit stop right now, and learn a little about the genre before reading this novel. Not because it's impossible to understand or anything, just that your enjoyment will grow with that understanding.
Resigned to live life in the scrubs, exploring the wilds for any scrap of tech or metal he can salvage and sell, Oto is just trying to get by. Just like everyone else.
But when exploring his favorite dig site, he happens upon a piece of unique tech, and one of the dreaded 'Rotters' that protects it. Fleeing in terror he falls and injures himself, on the mysterious tech, and though he has escaped the Rotter, he finds himself in a daze as infection and ills take hold.
Just when he thinks all hope is lost a beautiful stranger rescues him and nurses him back to health, but not just his body, but his faith in humanity and himself. Discovering that he now can connect to the system, and he seems to have a natural talent for racings and all things elite and powerful, he joins the beautiful stranger and her cautious brother as they and Team Zero, race toward a new future and new lives.
I gave this four stars not because it is my favorite LitRPG, but it is the first successful one I have read in the sci-fi genre. There are a lot of elements that could have used a better Beta Reader pool, or editor, but others are pure creative delight.
If you are not into LitRPG or GameLit stop right now, and learn a little about the genre before reading this novel. Not because it's impossible to understand or anything, just that your enjoyment will grow with that understanding.
April 20, 2024
super cool but huh?
I noticed another review talking about this when I picked up the book, but they were definitely right.
Ideas in this book are really really cool. It’s level of originality is what gets it the five stars even though it falls short in a few other categories..
There are so many facets to this world and story that are compelling, but it’s like the author assumed that we would know information that they didn’t give us .
It’s hard to explain. I’ve got it, it’s like the author heard that exposition was bad. There is no exposition in this book at all. No explanations for how anything works. And sometimes it’s actually kind of jarring. It’s almost like there were expositions in the book, but they were removed.
It legitimately feels like they used to be there, but no longer there. The author was planning on explaining but forgot about it by the time he got to it.
Like I said, I give it five stars for its originality and that it kind of goes in lots of different directions that aren’t really seen in this sort of genre. But it’s actually probably three or four stars in execution.
I noticed another review talking about this when I picked up the book, but they were definitely right.
Ideas in this book are really really cool. It’s level of originality is what gets it the five stars even though it falls short in a few other categories..
There are so many facets to this world and story that are compelling, but it’s like the author assumed that we would know information that they didn’t give us .
It’s hard to explain. I’ve got it, it’s like the author heard that exposition was bad. There is no exposition in this book at all. No explanations for how anything works. And sometimes it’s actually kind of jarring. It’s almost like there were expositions in the book, but they were removed.
It legitimately feels like they used to be there, but no longer there. The author was planning on explaining but forgot about it by the time he got to it.
Like I said, I give it five stars for its originality and that it kind of goes in lots of different directions that aren’t really seen in this sort of genre. But it’s actually probably three or four stars in execution.
June 14, 2021
If you're a scifi fan, and you've read Tinker by Win Spenser, then you have a rough idea of what this book is about. I have to say, the author handles the story pretty well, and while there's not a whole lot of LitRPG elements to the story, there is enough to keep it within the bounds of classification. On the other hand, if you're looking for lots of stats and leveling, you won't find it here, but there are basic stats, and (some) leveling in the story, but if you're reading the story for the LitRPG elements, you're going to be disappointed. But, of course, if you're reading it for some really impressive writing, and a great storyline, then you're in the right place. I really liked this one, and perhaps it will make me go dig out my copy of Tinker again too, and that's never a bad thing.
May 29, 2023
I’ve been meaning to read this series since I read—and enjoyed—another of Knowles’ series, The Bright Lord.
I’m glad I finally started it! The world-building and cultivation are both unique but restrained, serving as a backdrop to the author’s focus on characters and relationships (both of which are often under-served in progression fantasy). The book might move a bit slowly for folks who want OP MCs who fight and whatnot…but that’s what I liked about the book: it showcases how tenants of cultivation and leveling can be integrated into a variety of different story-types.
NOTE: I also feel the writing quality (usage, sentence structure, vocab, etc) has improved compared to The Bright Lord series.
I’m glad I finally started it! The world-building and cultivation are both unique but restrained, serving as a backdrop to the author’s focus on characters and relationships (both of which are often under-served in progression fantasy). The book might move a bit slowly for folks who want OP MCs who fight and whatnot…but that’s what I liked about the book: it showcases how tenants of cultivation and leveling can be integrated into a variety of different story-types.
NOTE: I also feel the writing quality (usage, sentence structure, vocab, etc) has improved compared to The Bright Lord series.
June 9, 2021
The concept in this book is definately different. I would describe it as weird but not unpleasant. It's got the collection-y-but-with-relationships aspects of hareem (except with the cars?!), the levels of your classic litRPG, it's got cultivating, it's got sword fights, and it looks like it'll have spaceships and things in the future...
Characters get a bit of development, feels like they go to hospital an awful lot, and despite needing money, they never really /show/ that in any way. MC is magically good at everything. Despite that, it's got good pacing.
Entertaining action that's a bit different.
Characters get a bit of development, feels like they go to hospital an awful lot, and despite needing money, they never really /show/ that in any way. MC is magically good at everything. Despite that, it's got good pacing.
Entertaining action that's a bit different.
September 3, 2021
Unique Cultivation story in some that doesn't like Cultivation stories.
Really really well done. As mentioned I don't like Cultivation novels but using it in combo with cars... I was intrigued. I really love the uniqueness of the world and sort of the story behind it. If I am being honest, the romance angle is the reason why not the 5 stars. If we are looking at normal people, the romance angle happened WAY to quickly. There is love at first sight and then there is this on turbo. That was the biggest critique I had. Other than that, lots of action and story building and I look forward to book number 2.
Really really well done. As mentioned I don't like Cultivation novels but using it in combo with cars... I was intrigued. I really love the uniqueness of the world and sort of the story behind it. If I am being honest, the romance angle is the reason why not the 5 stars. If we are looking at normal people, the romance angle happened WAY to quickly. There is love at first sight and then there is this on turbo. That was the biggest critique I had. Other than that, lots of action and story building and I look forward to book number 2.
June 29, 2023
Pros
+ Entertaining read
Cons
+ Main character is so overpowered, which makes it so uninteresting because they have no rival/equal.
+ Way too long considering how little happens, had to skim large portions that seemed there to fill space.
+ Repetitive plot. Someone is always getting life-threateningly injured but nothing bad ever actually happens.
+ Very 'insta-love' between the main character and his love interest. I still don't understand why they 'love' each other after a week of meeting for the first time.
+ Kiss or die trope that is poorly thought out in terms of worldbuilding.
+ Entertaining read
Cons
+ Main character is so overpowered, which makes it so uninteresting because they have no rival/equal.
+ Way too long considering how little happens, had to skim large portions that seemed there to fill space.
+ Repetitive plot. Someone is always getting life-threateningly injured but nothing bad ever actually happens.
+ Very 'insta-love' between the main character and his love interest. I still don't understand why they 'love' each other after a week of meeting for the first time.
+ Kiss or die trope that is poorly thought out in terms of worldbuilding.
December 30, 2021
Such a unique idea! I really enjoyed the combination of cultivation and racing, as well as sentient cars. Oto definitely has his work cut out for him as he continues to learn and grow, especially since this book took place over the course of about 3 weeks. He certainly picked things up quickly and learned a lot in that time, but he's still got a lot of lost time to make up for.
I can't wait to read book 2 and see where everybody goes from here.
I can't wait to read book 2 and see where everybody goes from here.
February 6, 2023
A few reviews of this intrigued me enough to read the book. I hope it isn't a mistake.
This was okay enough for a story. Nice plot and progression. Only problem? I'm not a car nut.
From the blurb I thought this would have gone different, but it wasn't to my liking.
So I won't be picking up the sequel, I will pick up the other series of the author I was keeping my eye on.
3/5 Stars
This was okay enough for a story. Nice plot and progression. Only problem? I'm not a car nut.
From the blurb I thought this would have gone different, but it wasn't to my liking.
So I won't be picking up the sequel, I will pick up the other series of the author I was keeping my eye on.
3/5 Stars
June 10, 2021
Absolutely fantastic!
I really enjoyed this departure from the norm. It had everything you need of a good cultivation book, but slotting in the adrenaline focused car stuff took a great book to the next level.
I really enjoyed this departure from the norm. It had everything you need of a good cultivation book, but slotting in the adrenaline focused car stuff took a great book to the next level.
August 14, 2021
I got the book as a gift and loved it! The plot is captivating, it keeps you immersed in. An evolving story with rich characters. I don't think that that is another book that uses the elements in the same way, the combination is just fantastic. Can't wait for volume 2.
May 19, 2022
It's a good premise, but bad execution. Cover implied the female lead would have an important role, but it felt like she got fridged, to be honest. More of the book focuses on the gay brother, and yet the cover shows her.
July 4, 2022
Not quite a car book.
I'm a motor head I admit it. So I was rather disappointed in the lack of cars in a racing book. I'm positive the car didn't get credit for cultivating. Really would have appreciated more than "Need to replace the burned up engine parts".
I'm a motor head I admit it. So I was rather disappointed in the lack of cars in a racing book. I'm positive the car didn't get credit for cultivating. Really would have appreciated more than "Need to replace the burned up engine parts".
December 21, 2022
Racing stuff
I was dubious about this book because car sports aren't my thing but as Jez Cajiao recommended it I gave it a shot and I'm very glad I did! Nice protagonist, cool world, strong plot. Looking forward to the next book!
I was dubious about this book because car sports aren't my thing but as Jez Cajiao recommended it I gave it a shot and I'm very glad I did! Nice protagonist, cool world, strong plot. Looking forward to the next book!
June 9, 2021
What a unique concept
It's so nice to read something like this when the store is flooded with all of these hack and slash clones.
It's so nice to read something like this when the store is flooded with all of these hack and slash clones.
June 16, 2021
Great original concept! It was refreshing encountering a cultivation book with a focus away from fighting. The racing was well described and there was a good romantic story line. Very fun read!
February 4, 2022
even though I didn't finish this for SPSFC I intend to go back to this. The back story is intriguing though I'm no a fan of the list of statistics.
February 29, 2024
Someone thought to write a book that's basically Speed Racer with post-traumatic romance.
June 18, 2021
I'm not a sports fan: Sure, I grew up with whatever the sport-du-jour was on TV as my dad was glued to the set, so I had a passive knowledge of rules for all kinds of stuff thanks to that show "ABC's Wide World of Sports" so yeah even auto racing! It wasn't until I grew up that I discovered that I actually enjoyed sports-minded fiction... so long as it was wrapped up in a Scifi, Fantasy, or Gamelit story. I have to say that I haven't been this excited about cars on a racetrack since I read the SERRated Edge (a fantasy series by Mercedes Lackey which was many years ago). So as you can see I don't go out of my way to find motorsports themed books, but I don't have an aversion to 'em either!
I got Zero Car simply because I enjoy Alex Knowles work! And when the pre-order was finally released I realized that I hit the jackpot! Not only was it written by Alex, but Travis Baldree narrated the book, and Travis is one of my favorite voice performer's!!!
It's Game-lit with Racing Cars, and those cars have personalities because they're AI's! Tell me, who hasn't given their Car a pet name, or called her their baby?!? These cars can help you be a better driver, so they're cars with enlightened-self interest... *Mind Blown*!
Our protagonist (Oto) went into the "Wild" to scavenge tech, and came back with something WAY more important than his next meal-ticket! He found a second chance! So with an AI imbued car at his side and friends willing to teach him the racing ropes, he's ready to take to the track, and take on the world!
So grab the book, put your race-fan/cheer-pants on, sit back and enjoy all the chicanery!
I got Zero Car simply because I enjoy Alex Knowles work! And when the pre-order was finally released I realized that I hit the jackpot! Not only was it written by Alex, but Travis Baldree narrated the book, and Travis is one of my favorite voice performer's!!!
It's Game-lit with Racing Cars, and those cars have personalities because they're AI's! Tell me, who hasn't given their Car a pet name, or called her their baby?!? These cars can help you be a better driver, so they're cars with enlightened-self interest... *Mind Blown*!
Our protagonist (Oto) went into the "Wild" to scavenge tech, and came back with something WAY more important than his next meal-ticket! He found a second chance! So with an AI imbued car at his side and friends willing to teach him the racing ropes, he's ready to take to the track, and take on the world!
So grab the book, put your race-fan/cheer-pants on, sit back and enjoy all the chicanery!
December 30, 2025
I enjoyed the main characters of this story. Oto, his girlfriend Erza, and her brother Alek felt fleshed out and interesting. I was surprised for a racing LitRPG how much romance was built into the story. I expected a more guy-oriented story geeking out about cars and stuff, but in addition to multiple romance subplots, there was a lot about relationship with the sentient car and everybody was emotionally focused.
Many of the side characters, including Alek's boyfriend, felt interchangeable. I wasn't able to keep them straight.
I had some fun with this story, but it sometimes left me confused. The narrative sometimes jumped to conclusions I wasn't shown the path to. For instance: 'we'll help you find your mother' but the guy never mentioned he was looking for his mother. Adding to this confusion were minor inconsistencies, including the date listing being wrong.
I found it entertaining but not memorable.
Many of the side characters, including Alek's boyfriend, felt interchangeable. I wasn't able to keep them straight.
I had some fun with this story, but it sometimes left me confused. The narrative sometimes jumped to conclusions I wasn't shown the path to. For instance: 'we'll help you find your mother' but the guy never mentioned he was looking for his mother. Adding to this confusion were minor inconsistencies, including the date listing being wrong.
I found it entertaining but not memorable.
December 31, 2021
This is a great new way to do LitRPG!!! We've read the fantasy, the sci-fi, the VR, the everything, but this is a world unto itself. Definitely sci-fi but not all out war! The characters are enjoyable, and they are all over the spectrum in their attitudes and desires so there are going to be favorites for everyone. The only thing I want more of, is where the cars came from, and I would love a little more info/depth into the levelling system etc. What does it mean to have 100 strength, or why would someone want or specialize in Dexterity or Fire.
Anxiously awaiting book 2!
Anxiously awaiting book 2!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews