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Cyber Squad #1
Cyber Squad, Level 1
Do you hate bugs? Too bad you can’t report them when you’re dead…
In times of VR games directly induced into the player’s brain, bugs aren’t an annoyance anymore – they have become a deadly menace. Known as game QA in earlier times, the Cyber Squad has been created to hunt them down.
Dressed in high-tech suits meant to keep their bodies and brains secure, Kai and his special unit of bug hunters enter the most dangerous VR game worlds.
But the Net holds mysteries beyond Kai’s imagination, and bugs turn out to be the least of the dangers he will face.
And this is only Level 1!
In times of VR games directly induced into the player’s brain, bugs aren’t an annoyance anymore – they have become a deadly menace. Known as game QA in earlier times, the Cyber Squad has been created to hunt them down.
Dressed in high-tech suits meant to keep their bodies and brains secure, Kai and his special unit of bug hunters enter the most dangerous VR game worlds.
But the Net holds mysteries beyond Kai’s imagination, and bugs turn out to be the least of the dangers he will face.
And this is only Level 1!
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2021
55 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Mocikat
4 books22 followersA.K. Mocikat is the pen name of an established Sci-fi/Cyberpunk author with multiple published books.
Before becoming a full-time author, A.K. worked as a game writer in the video games industry.
Ever since, A.K. wanted to write a story about a game QA hunting bugs in VR - and here it is.
Before becoming a full-time author, A.K. worked as a game writer in the video games industry.
Ever since, A.K. wanted to write a story about a game QA hunting bugs in VR - and here it is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 29, 2022
Audiobook review:
Cyber Squad is a gamer’s dream book brought into reality!
I loved everything I’ve read by Mocikat so far and this was no exception. As a nerd and a gamer, I instantly fell in love with this story.
The writing is superb. I felt like I was living right next to Kai and experiencing all of the action first hand. And for people who aren’t as familiar with video game terminology and the like, Mocikat does a great job of explaining things without it being too much of an info dump.
This story has everything: action, adventure, danger, found family, romance, and even a tie in to Behind Blue Eyes which was AMAZING!
I had the pleasure of listening to this story via Audible and I also have to say the narrator does an incredible job. Each character has a distinct, unique voice and the added effects of the AI voices was so well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next installment!
*I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
Cyber Squad is a gamer’s dream book brought into reality!
I loved everything I’ve read by Mocikat so far and this was no exception. As a nerd and a gamer, I instantly fell in love with this story.
The writing is superb. I felt like I was living right next to Kai and experiencing all of the action first hand. And for people who aren’t as familiar with video game terminology and the like, Mocikat does a great job of explaining things without it being too much of an info dump.
This story has everything: action, adventure, danger, found family, romance, and even a tie in to Behind Blue Eyes which was AMAZING!
I had the pleasure of listening to this story via Audible and I also have to say the narrator does an incredible job. Each character has a distinct, unique voice and the added effects of the AI voices was so well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next installment!
*I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
June 29, 2024
CYBER SQUAD - LEVEL 1: A GAMELIT/LITRPG LITE CYBERPUNK ADVENTURE by Anna Mocikat is a book about a man who gets the job offer of a lifetime: decoding bugs in a massive Elder Scrolls Online-like experience. Well, it's a lot better than the real thing since decoding in this world involves taking your avatar into the game and having them slay homicidal AI. Oh and if you die in the game then there's a non-zero chance that you'll go braindead as a result. So maybe not the job offer of a lifetime except in the literal sense.
The basic story is about Kai living a fairly average but relatable life of a cruddy job at a Japanese restaurant and blowing off steam online between shifts. He doesn't have a girlfriend, his friends are dorky even by his standards, and his prospects are pretty dim. The chance to join the Cyber Squad happens after a chance encounter with one of their premiere team that saves his guild in virtual reality. Kai ignores the warning signs that his guild is a few members less in the next couple of weeks as it's all just a game after all. Right?
The story actually works primarily as a slice of life story with Kai taking the chance on a job application with the Cyber Squad. They look pretty badass online and it's not like he has much to lose my joining. Much to his surprise, he gets the job in and even getting in at the bottom level (Level 1 because the people at his new employers are cute) is twice his original salary. It also promises a lot more if he can meet their quotas and level up with Level 10 promising six figure salaries.
Kai is a likable enough protagonist and Anna Mocikat's real-life experience in the game development industry shines forth describing behind-the-scenes behavior. Kai's coworkers are a mixture of horny dudes, women struggling to be taken seriously, people doing it for the art, and a variety of super-pleasant corporate types who would rip out your heart without blinking. Okay, maybe that's just how I imagine the real life game industry to function but it's very entertaining to read. Kai quickly develops a crush on a number of the girls present but doesn't believe he has a chance in Hell.
There's a lot of humor to be found here as well as decent action. The whole premise of bug coding requiring you to actually fight it out with monsters doesn't make much sense but I think we all understand that it is a concession to drama. I'm not usually a big fan of LITRPG but I appreciate when attempts are made to make the leveling system make sense in-universe. The action is fun and the world-building is actually set up to become something greater. The ending of the book promises a good deal more in terms of the series.
In conclusion, I recommend this novel and think if you like Lit-RPG then you'll enjoy this. I could have used a bit more spark between Kai and his girlfriends but I think that's destined to happen. It's got a lot of potential and I want to see how it all shakes out. This may only be the story to level 2 but it was well worth the money and I'm picking up the sequel when it comes out.
The basic story is about Kai living a fairly average but relatable life of a cruddy job at a Japanese restaurant and blowing off steam online between shifts. He doesn't have a girlfriend, his friends are dorky even by his standards, and his prospects are pretty dim. The chance to join the Cyber Squad happens after a chance encounter with one of their premiere team that saves his guild in virtual reality. Kai ignores the warning signs that his guild is a few members less in the next couple of weeks as it's all just a game after all. Right?
The story actually works primarily as a slice of life story with Kai taking the chance on a job application with the Cyber Squad. They look pretty badass online and it's not like he has much to lose my joining. Much to his surprise, he gets the job in and even getting in at the bottom level (Level 1 because the people at his new employers are cute) is twice his original salary. It also promises a lot more if he can meet their quotas and level up with Level 10 promising six figure salaries.
Kai is a likable enough protagonist and Anna Mocikat's real-life experience in the game development industry shines forth describing behind-the-scenes behavior. Kai's coworkers are a mixture of horny dudes, women struggling to be taken seriously, people doing it for the art, and a variety of super-pleasant corporate types who would rip out your heart without blinking. Okay, maybe that's just how I imagine the real life game industry to function but it's very entertaining to read. Kai quickly develops a crush on a number of the girls present but doesn't believe he has a chance in Hell.
There's a lot of humor to be found here as well as decent action. The whole premise of bug coding requiring you to actually fight it out with monsters doesn't make much sense but I think we all understand that it is a concession to drama. I'm not usually a big fan of LITRPG but I appreciate when attempts are made to make the leveling system make sense in-universe. The action is fun and the world-building is actually set up to become something greater. The ending of the book promises a good deal more in terms of the series.
In conclusion, I recommend this novel and think if you like Lit-RPG then you'll enjoy this. I could have used a bit more spark between Kai and his girlfriends but I think that's destined to happen. It's got a lot of potential and I want to see how it all shakes out. This may only be the story to level 2 but it was well worth the money and I'm picking up the sequel when it comes out.
August 2, 2021
I had so much fun reading Cyber Squad 1! It’s a very well-written book, carefully crafted and with good characters and dialogue. I really loved the world and the concept, and I look forward to reading future works in the same series. It has masses of potential.
I won’t repeat the story here, but as the blurb and title suggests, the focus is on a group of players within a VR game who tackle bugs that could be deadly to players. It begins in-game, and for anyone who is used to gamelit or LitRPG, it’s a fast-paced start that doesn’t have too much preamble. All the same, there is plenty of world building, and you get to know the main character and his relationships pretty quickly. His goals are clear, and you really start to care about him.
In terms of action, there is a lot! You can tell that the author has a lot of experience in gaming, and in particular some of the first-person shooter action is incredibly vivid and engaging. The book is well written and well edited, and it is clear that a lot of care was taken to make the experience really immersive for readers.
It’s worth bearing in mind that for people who are used to fantasy LitRPG, this book doesn’t have a ton of stats (it’s on the light side in that respect) and it is only in a fantasy setting for some of the time, with the rest being more cyberpunk and futuristic. Personally I really enjoyed switching between the two, and if you have played both fantasy and futuristic RPGs or video games, there will be a lot to enjoy here! There is also a major emphasis on levelling up, which will really suit readers who enjoys progression-type stories.
The way that VR is dealt with is also very detailed and interesting, with real stakes in terms of the things that can go wrong if there are bugs in the game. There are some really freaky moments, but it all helps you to get engaged in the story. In fact, the more I read, the more deeply engaged I was.
Overall, Mocikat is a very talented writer who brings something new to this genre. If you love gamelit or LitRPG and want to explore something with a heavy cyberpunk/shadowrun vibe, then this is exactly the book (and series) for you.
I won’t repeat the story here, but as the blurb and title suggests, the focus is on a group of players within a VR game who tackle bugs that could be deadly to players. It begins in-game, and for anyone who is used to gamelit or LitRPG, it’s a fast-paced start that doesn’t have too much preamble. All the same, there is plenty of world building, and you get to know the main character and his relationships pretty quickly. His goals are clear, and you really start to care about him.
In terms of action, there is a lot! You can tell that the author has a lot of experience in gaming, and in particular some of the first-person shooter action is incredibly vivid and engaging. The book is well written and well edited, and it is clear that a lot of care was taken to make the experience really immersive for readers.
It’s worth bearing in mind that for people who are used to fantasy LitRPG, this book doesn’t have a ton of stats (it’s on the light side in that respect) and it is only in a fantasy setting for some of the time, with the rest being more cyberpunk and futuristic. Personally I really enjoyed switching between the two, and if you have played both fantasy and futuristic RPGs or video games, there will be a lot to enjoy here! There is also a major emphasis on levelling up, which will really suit readers who enjoys progression-type stories.
The way that VR is dealt with is also very detailed and interesting, with real stakes in terms of the things that can go wrong if there are bugs in the game. There are some really freaky moments, but it all helps you to get engaged in the story. In fact, the more I read, the more deeply engaged I was.
Overall, Mocikat is a very talented writer who brings something new to this genre. If you love gamelit or LitRPG and want to explore something with a heavy cyberpunk/shadowrun vibe, then this is exactly the book (and series) for you.
August 14, 2021
Holy shit, I love this book!
Funny thing is that the author wrote to me beforehand that I will probably not like this book because it is for nerds and people who like VR games 🎮, hahaha...
Let me put it this way, I've never liked VR games 🎮 (probably because I was never good and had never enough time) and I've always tried to get my kids away from playing too much, but after reading this book I'll probably reconsider my theory or maybe I'll be even more paranoid 🤣
So, for all the gamers among us, this book is a must-read for you.
And for all other, you need to read it because it's damn exciting and fascinating book, that makes you question everything you know about online activities.
This "LitRPG - sci-fi thriller" (Yes, I totally make this genre how I feel about this book) is our future if we aren't careful, or maybe we have no control over it at all and this is our future after all.
In any case, it is incredibly exciting and fascinating what the author has done with the topic of online gaming and online communication as a whole.
I love that she brought elements from her previous book into this one. It makes it even better.
The characters in this book are amazing and extremely interesting.
They are so many of them and I hope they all will have their own books some day.
This is the first book in this incredible series and I can't wait to read the next one 😍
Funny thing is that the author wrote to me beforehand that I will probably not like this book because it is for nerds and people who like VR games 🎮, hahaha...
Let me put it this way, I've never liked VR games 🎮 (probably because I was never good and had never enough time) and I've always tried to get my kids away from playing too much, but after reading this book I'll probably reconsider my theory or maybe I'll be even more paranoid 🤣
So, for all the gamers among us, this book is a must-read for you.
And for all other, you need to read it because it's damn exciting and fascinating book, that makes you question everything you know about online activities.
This "LitRPG - sci-fi thriller" (Yes, I totally make this genre how I feel about this book) is our future if we aren't careful, or maybe we have no control over it at all and this is our future after all.
In any case, it is incredibly exciting and fascinating what the author has done with the topic of online gaming and online communication as a whole.
I love that she brought elements from her previous book into this one. It makes it even better.
The characters in this book are amazing and extremely interesting.
They are so many of them and I hope they all will have their own books some day.
This is the first book in this incredible series and I can't wait to read the next one 😍
July 22, 2021
Great Take on Two Great Genres
Cyber Squad is a LitRPG about the people behind the LitRPG. The concept is a fresh take on the notion of role-playing games with brushstrokes of Cyberpunk.
Kai is a person on the outs in a world where most people are on the outs. His only relief from the drudgery comes in the form of fantasy games.
One day in the virtual world, all goes wrong for Kai. The game malfunctions, trapping him and his friends inside. On the verge of being wiped out, an elite team jumps into the runaway simulation and saves him and his friends from certain death.
The curtain is removed from the code and Kai's life takes a new path that of a virtual tester, those who risk their lives to make sure nobody dies with their fantasy fun.
There's lots of action, cool games, hot men, all manner of attractive women—cute, smart, sexy, drop-dead gorgeous, and great and unexpected villains.
In other words, a fun read to lose yourself in.
Cyber Squad is a LitRPG about the people behind the LitRPG. The concept is a fresh take on the notion of role-playing games with brushstrokes of Cyberpunk.
Kai is a person on the outs in a world where most people are on the outs. His only relief from the drudgery comes in the form of fantasy games.
One day in the virtual world, all goes wrong for Kai. The game malfunctions, trapping him and his friends inside. On the verge of being wiped out, an elite team jumps into the runaway simulation and saves him and his friends from certain death.
The curtain is removed from the code and Kai's life takes a new path that of a virtual tester, those who risk their lives to make sure nobody dies with their fantasy fun.
There's lots of action, cool games, hot men, all manner of attractive women—cute, smart, sexy, drop-dead gorgeous, and great and unexpected villains.
In other words, a fun read to lose yourself in.
May 17, 2022
Geeks Dream Book, Excellent Adventure!
Parents: R - not for under 18.
Language: R, heavy language and use of Fbombs
Violence: R
Sexual Content: R, innuendos, specific terms, sexuality is a common topic as is typical within the adult gaming community.
Story: solid twists, highly engaging, lots of action. I really enjoyed this book as it keeps you on your toes and is one of the better VR/gaming books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Leaves you absolutely ready for Level 2–which I hope I can get my hands on shortly.
Narrator: 4⭐ ok differentiations and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents: R - not for under 18.
Language: R, heavy language and use of Fbombs
Violence: R
Sexual Content: R, innuendos, specific terms, sexuality is a common topic as is typical within the adult gaming community.
Story: solid twists, highly engaging, lots of action. I really enjoyed this book as it keeps you on your toes and is one of the better VR/gaming books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Leaves you absolutely ready for Level 2–which I hope I can get my hands on shortly.
Narrator: 4⭐ ok differentiations and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 14, 2022
Virtual reality never looked so good--or so deadly. Step into a future entirely too plausible, where rents have skyrocketed and commutes will drain your will to live, and many have checked out of society in favor of an online world full of pleasures and unexpected perils. Excellent worldbuilding coupled with immersive storytelling begins this series with a bang. Highly recommend the Audible version with stellar narration, too.
January 9, 2022
ver since I first discovered cyberpunk books with a kind of obscure series by Simon Hawke called Psychodrome back in the late 80's, I have been a fan of the genre. It led me to books like Neuromancer, and I've read various others over the years that were hit or miss. That brings us to today, with Cyber Squad being my latest CP read. I'll say it up front, this is not only one of my favorite Cyberpunk reads of the year, its one of my favorite reads of 2021 in any genre. The mix of entirely too plausible dystopian future with LitRPG elements is just a great combination that hooks the reader from the first page.
The worldbuilding has two elements tied together, the dystopian real world and the ubiquitous online worlds that the masses are addicted to for basically all forms of entertainment. With a 50% unemployment rate brought about by mechanization, everyone is given Universal Basic Income allowing people to survive, if not thrive. In a throwback to an old Roman trick, a new version of bread and circuses is provided for the masses: Free access to the online virtual reality for everyone as a basic right. It this world of haves and have nots that set the underpinnings for the world most people spend their days in, the virtual world. A world of games of every kind, that are as real as the equipment can make it. This also comes with it's own dangers, since the VR is hooked directly to the brain, meaning glitches, malware and hackers have a whole different meaning, sometimes with deadly consequences. This is where the Cyber Squads come in, testing virtual games and worlds pre-release to test for safety and quality, and as they gain higher levels, going in game to put fixes in place in the most dangerous live virtual situations. They are the thin line between life and death online sometimes.
This is where Kai and his companions come in. A talented amateur, Kai see's first hand the dangers of the virtual world, and when offered a job with the Cyber Squad, can't pass up the opportunity. Kai is just a great character, ambitious in a world that no longer values or really rewards ambition, working a low pay job that's beneath his skills and education by miles, and when an online disaster occurs when Kai is online, he finds himself with an opportunity to make a better life for himself. His arc as he joins the Cyber Squads really takes off, as his skills, natural intelligence and ambition create a potent mix to help move his new career and life along a path he could never have expected, both good and bad, since death is possible as his levels progress.
Kai's teammates are also a great bunch of characters. from his very competent and caring squad commander to the last newb before him on the squad, they are a nice mix of skills and experience. We get some really good moments with each of them both on and off work, and you can feel their bond increasing as the story progresses. They also get their own character development, making them feel much more like real people you can empathize with. These are definitely not two dimensional page fillers, but fully realized characters.
The antagonists are a bit of a mystery, as they are revealed later in the book. You get the sense there is a lot of stuff with them going on behind the scenes, and that as the series progresses, we'll get a more in depth view of what they are up to. There is also a hint of other antagonists within Kai's larger circle, who have their own schemes that might spell further trouble for Kai and his crew.
The audiobook version is narrated by Zachary Johnson. I was unfamiliar with his work before this book, but I was very impressed with the job he did. He really nailed the voices of the various characters, especially Kai. He really brings an emotional resonance to his work with Kai, and it really helps to immerse you further into the story. His narrative pacing is excellent, with no lulls or rushing. Overall, it was an excellent bit of narration.
As I mentioned the the beginning, this is easily one of my top reads of the year. The excellent characters and setting mix together with a fast paced plot to create an engaging read that draws the reader in. This book should definitely have appeal for fans of LitRPG, but should also appeal to fans of a more cyberpunk sensibility. Get this book today, you won't regret it.
The worldbuilding has two elements tied together, the dystopian real world and the ubiquitous online worlds that the masses are addicted to for basically all forms of entertainment. With a 50% unemployment rate brought about by mechanization, everyone is given Universal Basic Income allowing people to survive, if not thrive. In a throwback to an old Roman trick, a new version of bread and circuses is provided for the masses: Free access to the online virtual reality for everyone as a basic right. It this world of haves and have nots that set the underpinnings for the world most people spend their days in, the virtual world. A world of games of every kind, that are as real as the equipment can make it. This also comes with it's own dangers, since the VR is hooked directly to the brain, meaning glitches, malware and hackers have a whole different meaning, sometimes with deadly consequences. This is where the Cyber Squads come in, testing virtual games and worlds pre-release to test for safety and quality, and as they gain higher levels, going in game to put fixes in place in the most dangerous live virtual situations. They are the thin line between life and death online sometimes.
This is where Kai and his companions come in. A talented amateur, Kai see's first hand the dangers of the virtual world, and when offered a job with the Cyber Squad, can't pass up the opportunity. Kai is just a great character, ambitious in a world that no longer values or really rewards ambition, working a low pay job that's beneath his skills and education by miles, and when an online disaster occurs when Kai is online, he finds himself with an opportunity to make a better life for himself. His arc as he joins the Cyber Squads really takes off, as his skills, natural intelligence and ambition create a potent mix to help move his new career and life along a path he could never have expected, both good and bad, since death is possible as his levels progress.
Kai's teammates are also a great bunch of characters. from his very competent and caring squad commander to the last newb before him on the squad, they are a nice mix of skills and experience. We get some really good moments with each of them both on and off work, and you can feel their bond increasing as the story progresses. They also get their own character development, making them feel much more like real people you can empathize with. These are definitely not two dimensional page fillers, but fully realized characters.
The antagonists are a bit of a mystery, as they are revealed later in the book. You get the sense there is a lot of stuff with them going on behind the scenes, and that as the series progresses, we'll get a more in depth view of what they are up to. There is also a hint of other antagonists within Kai's larger circle, who have their own schemes that might spell further trouble for Kai and his crew.
The audiobook version is narrated by Zachary Johnson. I was unfamiliar with his work before this book, but I was very impressed with the job he did. He really nailed the voices of the various characters, especially Kai. He really brings an emotional resonance to his work with Kai, and it really helps to immerse you further into the story. His narrative pacing is excellent, with no lulls or rushing. Overall, it was an excellent bit of narration.
As I mentioned the the beginning, this is easily one of my top reads of the year. The excellent characters and setting mix together with a fast paced plot to create an engaging read that draws the reader in. This book should definitely have appeal for fans of LitRPG, but should also appeal to fans of a more cyberpunk sensibility. Get this book today, you won't regret it.
October 14, 2021
Light on the crunch, but doesn't skimp on story.
I was lucky enough to beta read this one before release, and I really enjoyed it. The idea of a specific group of highly skilled gamers devoted to hunting down VR bugs sounded cool, and the execution was spot on. Bring on the sequel!
I was lucky enough to beta read this one before release, and I really enjoyed it. The idea of a specific group of highly skilled gamers devoted to hunting down VR bugs sounded cool, and the execution was spot on. Bring on the sequel!
August 16, 2021
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3CMHG5f.
VR is the only option for gaming anymore and Kai is one of the best in his guild. He lives in a terrible apartment, but it is all that he can afford right now. But, when he gets turned down for a gaming opportunity he goes for he begins seeing targeted ads for the Cyber Squad. He was on the fence until a bug in the system caused him to be saved by level 10 Cyber Squad members. With bugs that can kill you vs being a minor annoyance are the perks worth it?
I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was obsessed with the book from the first page and couldn't stop raving about it. I have already suggested it 3 people and am in the process of "forcing" my best friend and husband to read it. He's a gamer and she is married to a gamer so she will understand. I loved the book so much and was sad that it ended.
I am so curious to know what is going on behind the scenes. I want to know what is up with the snarky personal AI. Well, maybe it isn't actually snarky but he seems to think so. Anyways, I need to know what is going on. I want to know what is going on with Alice. I want to know so many things and can't wait till book 2. One of my favorite things in this book was that Anna added in Behind Blue Eyes. I found myself wondering if the next BBE is going to include anything about Nephilim talking to lower levels to send them on missions. If so that would be amazing! Even if it is just a random little spot to tip the hat back at Cyber Squad.
My favorite character in this book was Lex. She was eccentric and a little over the top and in general just great. I totally feel the no life thing that she talks about. Besides she is a redhead and we all know how I feel about those. She is like a red-headed Abby from NCIS. If you have any gaming love then get this book. If you know someone who likes gaming get this book. If you are into Black Ops 2 GET THIS BOOK. Seriously the tournament is like reading a BO2 match and I loved every second of it.
VR is the only option for gaming anymore and Kai is one of the best in his guild. He lives in a terrible apartment, but it is all that he can afford right now. But, when he gets turned down for a gaming opportunity he goes for he begins seeing targeted ads for the Cyber Squad. He was on the fence until a bug in the system caused him to be saved by level 10 Cyber Squad members. With bugs that can kill you vs being a minor annoyance are the perks worth it?
I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was obsessed with the book from the first page and couldn't stop raving about it. I have already suggested it 3 people and am in the process of "forcing" my best friend and husband to read it. He's a gamer and she is married to a gamer so she will understand. I loved the book so much and was sad that it ended.
I am so curious to know what is going on behind the scenes. I want to know what is up with the snarky personal AI. Well, maybe it isn't actually snarky but he seems to think so. Anyways, I need to know what is going on. I want to know what is going on with Alice. I want to know so many things and can't wait till book 2. One of my favorite things in this book was that Anna added in Behind Blue Eyes. I found myself wondering if the next BBE is going to include anything about Nephilim talking to lower levels to send them on missions. If so that would be amazing! Even if it is just a random little spot to tip the hat back at Cyber Squad.
My favorite character in this book was Lex. She was eccentric and a little over the top and in general just great. I totally feel the no life thing that she talks about. Besides she is a redhead and we all know how I feel about those. She is like a red-headed Abby from NCIS. If you have any gaming love then get this book. If you know someone who likes gaming get this book. If you are into Black Ops 2 GET THIS BOOK. Seriously the tournament is like reading a BO2 match and I loved every second of it.
October 8, 2021
Great book, fun storyline.
A bit slow at the beginning, but it hit its stride quickly. I liked the protagonist alot. I'll be back for more.
Great book.
A bit slow at the beginning, but it hit its stride quickly. I liked the protagonist alot. I'll be back for more.
Great book.
November 18, 2021
As the first book in a new series, Cyber Squad manages to quickly set the scene and introduce characters that compel you to continue reading (or listening).
Being my first LitRPG book, I was unsure what to expect, but A.K. Mocikat manages to weave these elements into the story in such a way that newcomers to the genre will easily understand them, while those more experienced in the genre will enjoy.
As a story, Kai and his journey into the world of Cyber Squad brought to mind the world of Ready Player One, but seem from the inside rather than just a player of the game, which added an interesting perspective to the tale with its own unique ideas and story-telling.
The narrator, Zachary Johnson, was perfect for this story, with a range of distinct voices and tones that made the book both entertaining and easy to follow while listening, with a handful of special effects that heighten the experience.
Cyber Squad is a fast-paced and exciting book with several questions and themes that ensure you keep going and eagerly await the next installment, which I will be getting to as soon as possible.
Being my first LitRPG book, I was unsure what to expect, but A.K. Mocikat manages to weave these elements into the story in such a way that newcomers to the genre will easily understand them, while those more experienced in the genre will enjoy.
As a story, Kai and his journey into the world of Cyber Squad brought to mind the world of Ready Player One, but seem from the inside rather than just a player of the game, which added an interesting perspective to the tale with its own unique ideas and story-telling.
The narrator, Zachary Johnson, was perfect for this story, with a range of distinct voices and tones that made the book both entertaining and easy to follow while listening, with a handful of special effects that heighten the experience.
Cyber Squad is a fast-paced and exciting book with several questions and themes that ensure you keep going and eagerly await the next installment, which I will be getting to as soon as possible.
May 2, 2022
Cyber Squad is fun to read and get away from the daily grind. I haven't read any other LitRPG so I can't make any comparisons, but I loved how fast-paced and immersive it is. I know the author has experience in the gaming industry and it shines through. It was fun to peek behind the scenes.
The storyline follows Kai, who plays VR fantasy games between his shifts at a Japanese restaurant to add some spice to his dull life. What he doesn't expect is the deadly amount of spice coming his way when, one day, the game malfunctions, trapping him and his buddies inside. When his guild gets rescued by the Cyber Squad, Kai sees a chance at a more exciting life. He applies for a job with the Cyber Squad, a team of virtual testers who fight bugs in-game to keep the players safe, and to his surprise, he gets it. And that's when the adventures begin.
I think the writing is great, the premises of the story is fresh and fun, the characters are likable and well written and the world-building is perfect for the story. It even has a reference to BBE if you are familiar with Anna Mocikat's works.
If you love gamelit or LitRPG, you should give Cyber Squad a try!
The storyline follows Kai, who plays VR fantasy games between his shifts at a Japanese restaurant to add some spice to his dull life. What he doesn't expect is the deadly amount of spice coming his way when, one day, the game malfunctions, trapping him and his buddies inside. When his guild gets rescued by the Cyber Squad, Kai sees a chance at a more exciting life. He applies for a job with the Cyber Squad, a team of virtual testers who fight bugs in-game to keep the players safe, and to his surprise, he gets it. And that's when the adventures begin.
I think the writing is great, the premises of the story is fresh and fun, the characters are likable and well written and the world-building is perfect for the story. It even has a reference to BBE if you are familiar with Anna Mocikat's works.
If you love gamelit or LitRPG, you should give Cyber Squad a try!
December 2, 2021
Kai wants more out of life then just playing videos games, and living on basic income. He wants to play video games and make a living that gets him out of a toxic job and the flop house he shares with people who are happy with basic subsidized income. He wants to be a professional gamer, and he's good, really good.
But, not all dreams are meant to be and when a glitch in his game becomes more then a simple glitch, the famed Cyber Squad, headed by the beautiful and powerful, Alice comes to his rescue.
Now, Kai finds himself drawn to their world and career, where he is starting out as a level one Member of the Cyber Squad, but his team, his peers and even some of the high level members are seeing some potential in Kai, perhaps more than he can even see himself.
I'm a fan of LitRPG and this one more than lives up the the genre. While it is not the standard Dungeon Crawl, it is filled with excellent writing, great characters and leaves you hungry for me. I'd say if you are into LitRPG, and love a well written adventure this is for you.
But, not all dreams are meant to be and when a glitch in his game becomes more then a simple glitch, the famed Cyber Squad, headed by the beautiful and powerful, Alice comes to his rescue.
Now, Kai finds himself drawn to their world and career, where he is starting out as a level one Member of the Cyber Squad, but his team, his peers and even some of the high level members are seeing some potential in Kai, perhaps more than he can even see himself.
I'm a fan of LitRPG and this one more than lives up the the genre. While it is not the standard Dungeon Crawl, it is filled with excellent writing, great characters and leaves you hungry for me. I'd say if you are into LitRPG, and love a well written adventure this is for you.
September 14, 2021
As this was my first Lit/RPG I was not sure if it was for me as the first couple of chapters was the back story,
I need not have worried as the book turned out to be a great entertaining book, I look forward to the next one coming out, the ending was unexpected as the villains were popping out of the woodwork they were a total shock, can't wait to see what happens next, highly recommended book.
I need not have worried as the book turned out to be a great entertaining book, I look forward to the next one coming out, the ending was unexpected as the villains were popping out of the woodwork they were a total shock, can't wait to see what happens next, highly recommended book.
November 10, 2021
New Online Fun
How to do an in game LitRPG style series more as a game, then you become a QA game dev and go against some nasty bugs ,add in a mystery and you have an exciting 5 star read and surprisingly addictive.
How to do an in game LitRPG style series more as a game, then you become a QA game dev and go against some nasty bugs ,add in a mystery and you have an exciting 5 star read and surprisingly addictive.
November 16, 2021
A modern Ready Player One with plenty more.
Imagine you have The Matrix Style VR that you can jack in and out of, then you add Ready Player One vibes with real world consequences. Then sprinkle some action packed high stakes gaming and mysterious happenings in both the real world and the VR.
Add Kai, an awkward and self conscious guy trying to make it in the midst of middle class poverty.
Cyber Squad are there to check for in game bugs that could mess you up through your neural implant, or rescue you from a major glitch that shouldn't happen.
Then mix Kai in with the Cyber Squad and the joyride starts and doesn't let you go.
This book has layers in it, hints of many things to come in the rest of the series. The characters and the story are rich and the female characters strong. I think this would appeal to sci-fi fans from 16 to 30+ who grew up playing online games.
As a first in the series there is a bit of setup, Kai is relatable but his starting point is quite self conscious. It's a criminally underrated hidden gem of a book.
Any elements you aren't enjoying on the way through, just wait until the end. it's all worth it. Whatever happens read to the end. For me it was a great read, until the end where all I wanted was to start Book 2.
I listened to the Audiobook version and the narration was a very high standard and easy to listen to. A well directed and performed story.
Imagine you have The Matrix Style VR that you can jack in and out of, then you add Ready Player One vibes with real world consequences. Then sprinkle some action packed high stakes gaming and mysterious happenings in both the real world and the VR.
Add Kai, an awkward and self conscious guy trying to make it in the midst of middle class poverty.
Cyber Squad are there to check for in game bugs that could mess you up through your neural implant, or rescue you from a major glitch that shouldn't happen.
Then mix Kai in with the Cyber Squad and the joyride starts and doesn't let you go.
This book has layers in it, hints of many things to come in the rest of the series. The characters and the story are rich and the female characters strong. I think this would appeal to sci-fi fans from 16 to 30+ who grew up playing online games.
As a first in the series there is a bit of setup, Kai is relatable but his starting point is quite self conscious. It's a criminally underrated hidden gem of a book.
Any elements you aren't enjoying on the way through, just wait until the end. it's all worth it. Whatever happens read to the end. For me it was a great read, until the end where all I wanted was to start Book 2.
I listened to the Audiobook version and the narration was a very high standard and easy to listen to. A well directed and performed story.
December 8, 2021
No words to describe this review ( I’m truly speechless on this one ) but I’ll try so don’t blame me if it’s too short or not entirely understandable.
When I requested to review this audiobook i have done so without knowing what I’m getting into, usually i first read before requesting , with this one it was the beautiful design on the front that grabbed me and gladly it didn’t disappoint !
The author A. K. Mocikat have created an amazing masterpiece which grabs you right at the beginning and refuses to let you go ( not easily accomplished )
Choosing Zachary Johnson for narration sealed it into a perfection !
I’m keeping it short as i said earlier because there are times that to much is wrong.
All I’m asking and waiting is for the rest to arrive and the sooner the better because if not you’ll give me no coice but to Sue !
This must be sued:
Not one but two teasers,
That was absolutely:
Cruel and unusual
punishment !!!!!!
Absolutely without
A doubt recommended !!
Oded Ostfeld.
When I requested to review this audiobook i have done so without knowing what I’m getting into, usually i first read before requesting , with this one it was the beautiful design on the front that grabbed me and gladly it didn’t disappoint !
The author A. K. Mocikat have created an amazing masterpiece which grabs you right at the beginning and refuses to let you go ( not easily accomplished )
Choosing Zachary Johnson for narration sealed it into a perfection !
I’m keeping it short as i said earlier because there are times that to much is wrong.
All I’m asking and waiting is for the rest to arrive and the sooner the better because if not you’ll give me no coice but to Sue !
This must be sued:
Not one but two teasers,
That was absolutely:
Cruel and unusual
punishment !!!!!!
Absolutely without
A doubt recommended !!
Oded Ostfeld.
November 15, 2021
There’s some scary **** out there…
Cybersquad is everything I have come to expect from Mocikat and maybe a bit more. Action, stakes, excitement. But in this book, there’s also a pretty good core dynamic of friendship and found family popping up in a very strong way. Loads of likable characters. The narrator (i listened to the Audible) is fantastic and really puts you into the scenes. Fun and. Alan ex LIT RPG that doesn’t Info dump stats, but still gives the info you need to set up the virtual worlds you visit! Epic work!
Cybersquad is everything I have come to expect from Mocikat and maybe a bit more. Action, stakes, excitement. But in this book, there’s also a pretty good core dynamic of friendship and found family popping up in a very strong way. Loads of likable characters. The narrator (i listened to the Audible) is fantastic and really puts you into the scenes. Fun and. Alan ex LIT RPG that doesn’t Info dump stats, but still gives the info you need to set up the virtual worlds you visit! Epic work!
January 23, 2022
Absolutely insanely good!
By the end of the first couple of chapters I was intrigued. After a couple more I was gripped. Then a few hours apparently vanished and I am now eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
The story isn’t groundbreaking new, but it is a very well written breath of fresh air. The characters all feel fleshed out believably, and their actions and the consequences to the story feel organic.
By the end of the first couple of chapters I was intrigued. After a couple more I was gripped. Then a few hours apparently vanished and I am now eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
The story isn’t groundbreaking new, but it is a very well written breath of fresh air. The characters all feel fleshed out believably, and their actions and the consequences to the story feel organic.
March 12, 2022
Amazing
This book made me wish this world was real. I have going into cyber security, so I understand how some of this works. I and really looking forward to the next book.
This book made me wish this world was real. I have going into cyber security, so I understand how some of this works. I and really looking forward to the next book.
November 12, 2025
Gaming is really not my thing, but I liked the characters and the connection to another series by the author.
I’ll read some more
I’ll read some more
May 2, 2022
I liked it overall, the story pulling me in, never getting boring. But it was somewhat bland, without many surprises or twists, building up to the second book with some intriguing hints what deep evil might be lurking behind everything.
The beginning got me hooked with the game Kai was playing, even though most of it was somewhat irrelevant for the main aspect of the story. Still a good way to learn about the MC though. His real life had been explained a bit too repetitive, how bad it was, even though it was "only temporary". Pretty clear he would end up in Cyber Squad, in which he excelled right from the start. So, except for being denied to some esports team (which apparently was manipulated by Helltech) everything is going great for him.
Sure, later on he nearly dies and stuff, but mostly everybody is just telling him (and the reader) how risky the job as a computer game tester is. Considering the book is relatively short, the repetitive aspects towards his normal life, the risks of his job and "HER" are a bit annoying, but luckily no deal breaker.
It does make somewhat sense that he has a big crush on the Level 10 Alpha Team Perfect Girl that saved him and his friends in his VR game. And pretty much every other relevant girl is also gorgeous, why not. It's a bit annoying, but at least it's not harem stuff. Apparently there is stuff happening for Alice in the background as well, which might become interesting.
The actual depiction of the testing was fun and made sense to me. Also, I liked the tournament and how his team won it. Fun to listen to, while still nothing too surprising.
The narrator did an awesome job, with a bit more theatricality to his voice, without becoming too much. He didn't bother trying to portray female voices though, which I do prefer even if it's not perfect.
The ending felt a bit abrupt, with shortly prior to it his housekeeping VR maid Freya suddenly being "evil" and soon thereafter he and Stan getting once again nearly killed by the game. Somehow it felt the book was missing the necessary build up for that, spending way more time on the tournament matches instead. Either that, or it could've been a bit longer to flesh that part out. Like that, it felt like this idea actually came later into the mind of the author. The whole aspect of levels to progress within the company felt like a nice litrpg aspect, considering everything else in the RPG games he is playing is somewhat irrelevant and light, while wishing helltech it wouldn't make sense to have stats etc. So it's more a Gamelit I guess.
Overall, very well written, simple but interesting novel I thoroughly enjoyed, as the aspects seemed to be along my interests, even though I'm not a big MP shooter gamer. Pretty sure I'll give the 2nd book a listen.
The beginning got me hooked with the game Kai was playing, even though most of it was somewhat irrelevant for the main aspect of the story. Still a good way to learn about the MC though. His real life had been explained a bit too repetitive, how bad it was, even though it was "only temporary". Pretty clear he would end up in Cyber Squad, in which he excelled right from the start. So, except for being denied to some esports team (which apparently was manipulated by Helltech) everything is going great for him.
Sure, later on he nearly dies and stuff, but mostly everybody is just telling him (and the reader) how risky the job as a computer game tester is. Considering the book is relatively short, the repetitive aspects towards his normal life, the risks of his job and "HER" are a bit annoying, but luckily no deal breaker.
It does make somewhat sense that he has a big crush on the Level 10 Alpha Team Perfect Girl that saved him and his friends in his VR game. And pretty much every other relevant girl is also gorgeous, why not. It's a bit annoying, but at least it's not harem stuff. Apparently there is stuff happening for Alice in the background as well, which might become interesting.
The actual depiction of the testing was fun and made sense to me. Also, I liked the tournament and how his team won it. Fun to listen to, while still nothing too surprising.
The narrator did an awesome job, with a bit more theatricality to his voice, without becoming too much. He didn't bother trying to portray female voices though, which I do prefer even if it's not perfect.
The ending felt a bit abrupt, with shortly prior to it his housekeeping VR maid Freya suddenly being "evil" and soon thereafter he and Stan getting once again nearly killed by the game. Somehow it felt the book was missing the necessary build up for that, spending way more time on the tournament matches instead. Either that, or it could've been a bit longer to flesh that part out. Like that, it felt like this idea actually came later into the mind of the author. The whole aspect of levels to progress within the company felt like a nice litrpg aspect, considering everything else in the RPG games he is playing is somewhat irrelevant and light, while wishing helltech it wouldn't make sense to have stats etc. So it's more a Gamelit I guess.
Overall, very well written, simple but interesting novel I thoroughly enjoyed, as the aspects seemed to be along my interests, even though I'm not a big MP shooter gamer. Pretty sure I'll give the 2nd book a listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and cyber action type of books..
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and cyber action type of books..
January 30, 2022
Review of Books 1 & 2
Hmm, one of the most difficult reviews for me to write.
What I liked:
+ The world - Very interesting. It's set in future where Virtual Reality is rampant and people spend most of their lives online. Things are advanced and technology is directly integrated/implanted to peoples brains. This is not a new world to cyberpunk, but where the book differentiates is that it doesn't portray a utopian future, but rather addresses a more realistic take on perils of such a world and the tech can be misused for nefarious purposes. The balance between the good vs evil side is spot on.
+ The concept. It's brilliant. The concept of a "Cyber Squad" that is part Quality Assurance part Cyber Security is just perfect. The team fixes bugs, be it due to coding errors or nefarious hacking, they ar the badass team that steps in to save/fix. The tech integrated human world makes adds real life gravitas king them a cyber SWAT team who puts their own lives on the line.
+ The plot - Very engaging. Perfectly balanced with enough twists and turns to not have clear good vs evil defined as we follow the MC to unravel the world he operates in and uncover it's murky depths and hidden truths. After book 2, it still is intriguing and I was not able to guess on where the plot was headed and kept me hooked, eagerly awaiting book 3
What I didn't like:
- The characters.- Amateurish, juvenile and cheap. Every time a women character appears it was with a physical description of her face and body. Everyone is good looking, all girls want to do is showoff their bodies and attract/appreciate male gazing, and all that the boys do is gaze and make pass comments about women's bodies. I understand the MCs are teenagers, but having every conversation driven by hormones was highly annoying. Even the most badass woman in the series is depicted as vulnerable and seeking emotional comfort from the the MC who admires her purely for her beauty. I just wish the characters had more depth.
it would have easily been a 8/10 book, but the treatment of characters drags this down to 6/10.
Though I'm still interested in the plot to ignore/skip bad characters and will red the next in series.
Hmm, one of the most difficult reviews for me to write.
What I liked:
+ The world - Very interesting. It's set in future where Virtual Reality is rampant and people spend most of their lives online. Things are advanced and technology is directly integrated/implanted to peoples brains. This is not a new world to cyberpunk, but where the book differentiates is that it doesn't portray a utopian future, but rather addresses a more realistic take on perils of such a world and the tech can be misused for nefarious purposes. The balance between the good vs evil side is spot on.
+ The concept. It's brilliant. The concept of a "Cyber Squad" that is part Quality Assurance part Cyber Security is just perfect. The team fixes bugs, be it due to coding errors or nefarious hacking, they ar the badass team that steps in to save/fix. The tech integrated human world makes adds real life gravitas king them a cyber SWAT team who puts their own lives on the line.
+ The plot - Very engaging. Perfectly balanced with enough twists and turns to not have clear good vs evil defined as we follow the MC to unravel the world he operates in and uncover it's murky depths and hidden truths. After book 2, it still is intriguing and I was not able to guess on where the plot was headed and kept me hooked, eagerly awaiting book 3
What I didn't like:
- The characters.- Amateurish, juvenile and cheap. Every time a women character appears it was with a physical description of her face and body. Everyone is good looking, all girls want to do is showoff their bodies and attract/appreciate male gazing, and all that the boys do is gaze and make pass comments about women's bodies. I understand the MCs are teenagers, but having every conversation driven by hormones was highly annoying. Even the most badass woman in the series is depicted as vulnerable and seeking emotional comfort from the the MC who admires her purely for her beauty. I just wish the characters had more depth.
it would have easily been a 8/10 book, but the treatment of characters drags this down to 6/10.
Though I'm still interested in the plot to ignore/skip bad characters and will red the next in series.
February 20, 2022
“Cyber Squad” is a straightforward sort of fun. It’s a Lit-RPG that poses the concept of, “Hey, wouldn’t ‘The Matrix’ level authentic VR video games be fun?” As a gamer, to which I respond, “of course!” And then we set out on that adventure, with Mocikat whispering in the subtext nearly immediately, “but they might also nuke your brains.”
So, it’s an easy and engaging concept to get your mind around, and that’s what I mean by straightforward fun.
The supporting cast of characters, major and minor, see an upgrade in this book. Compared to my prior experience with her work, in this novel, Mocikat doesn’t reserve her talents in character voice to just her principles—i.e., the protagonist, the antagonist, and major supporting characters. I believed every minor character, no matter how quickly sketched, and they didn’t ever feel samey.
As always, Mocikat delivers many exciting fight scenes in this book, and because of the nature of this subgenre, she gets to shine in multiple different settings and modes of conflict. Since we’re talking about hyper-realistic video games, there can be a high fantasy sword and sorcery battle followed by a sci-fi shoot-em-up only a couple of pages later in the story.
So, it’s an easy and engaging concept to get your mind around, and that’s what I mean by straightforward fun.
The supporting cast of characters, major and minor, see an upgrade in this book. Compared to my prior experience with her work, in this novel, Mocikat doesn’t reserve her talents in character voice to just her principles—i.e., the protagonist, the antagonist, and major supporting characters. I believed every minor character, no matter how quickly sketched, and they didn’t ever feel samey.
As always, Mocikat delivers many exciting fight scenes in this book, and because of the nature of this subgenre, she gets to shine in multiple different settings and modes of conflict. Since we’re talking about hyper-realistic video games, there can be a high fantasy sword and sorcery battle followed by a sci-fi shoot-em-up only a couple of pages later in the story.
May 17, 2022
Playtime is over
A fun – and sometimes terrifying – story of a very possible future. VR has improved quite a bit. Gone are the clunky headsets and low-res games, now you literally plug yourself into the simulation and play as if you’re really there. Of course, when your brain is wired into the net, you’re exposing yourself to a lot more than just dungeons and dragons.
As a gamer, I really enjoyed this book. It’s exciting, fast-paced and twisted. Immediately after finishing it, I bought book 2 and I’m currently reading that. They really are page-turners!
A fun – and sometimes terrifying – story of a very possible future. VR has improved quite a bit. Gone are the clunky headsets and low-res games, now you literally plug yourself into the simulation and play as if you’re really there. Of course, when your brain is wired into the net, you’re exposing yourself to a lot more than just dungeons and dragons.
As a gamer, I really enjoyed this book. It’s exciting, fast-paced and twisted. Immediately after finishing it, I bought book 2 and I’m currently reading that. They really are page-turners!
January 6, 2022
Well written story for pre-teens and teens
World building and mechanics are sound and interesting.
I do find the MC to be a pathetic simp, but at least he is self-aware. Male-female relationships are also annoyingly juvenile. That might be acceptable to the intended audience but was painful for this mature reader. Hopefully, this is an area the MC will grow in.
I recommend the book nonetheless.
World building and mechanics are sound and interesting.
I do find the MC to be a pathetic simp, but at least he is self-aware. Male-female relationships are also annoyingly juvenile. That might be acceptable to the intended audience but was painful for this mature reader. Hopefully, this is an area the MC will grow in.
I recommend the book nonetheless.
September 5, 2021
Sci-fi Litrpg
It is a breath of fresh air to have a litrpg that’s not another standard fantasy world. Interesting story and plot. Worth the read.
It is a breath of fresh air to have a litrpg that’s not another standard fantasy world. Interesting story and plot. Worth the read.
Read
June 21, 2024Pretty good, it was maybe a tad too long and I started to get bored. However, I really liked the ending and the epilogue did a great job selling the next one. I also liked the author's writing. Despite being in VR where anything could happen, or real life, I could clearly picture everything what was going on.
The best part, (it made me laugh out loud) was when they were testing Behind Blue Eyes 3 and the characters made a joke about the game writers being terrible, since I had previously read Behind Blue Eyes. Lol.
The best part, (it made me laugh out loud) was when they were testing Behind Blue Eyes 3 and the characters made a joke about the game writers being terrible, since I had previously read Behind Blue Eyes. Lol.
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