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The Accidental Champion #7
CivCEO 7
The Game Is Nearing the End! (Part 1 of 2)
Charles and his allies of the Commonwealth were facing their toughest challenge yet with the Northern Collective forcing them to bend the knee or face a terrible and costly war. But once again, Charles turned the financial tools at his disposal into a ruthless weapon and managed to defeat his enemies without even landing a single blow.
The time for the next step of his master plan has come, i.e. turning his nation into a Federation, with the cities of his allies as states of this new country. There are still a few wrinkles he needs to iron out first, but as he gets ready to call for an emergency meeting, another threat emerges. Dark, foreboding clouds are gathering in the skies, painting them red.
According to Alamander, these are signs of an apocalypse to come. A crisis, like no other, that may very well spell the end for Liora and its Champions. Charles will need to investigate the matter and search for any possible way to stop that disaster.
His new adventures will lead him to a strange island with magical goats, and culminate in a perilous trip into the Necropolis. As always, Charles will look to turn each challenge into an opportunity, to consolidate his position en route to developing Liora's first true superpower and bring him one step closer to winning the game of the gods.
Charles and his allies of the Commonwealth were facing their toughest challenge yet with the Northern Collective forcing them to bend the knee or face a terrible and costly war. But once again, Charles turned the financial tools at his disposal into a ruthless weapon and managed to defeat his enemies without even landing a single blow.
The time for the next step of his master plan has come, i.e. turning his nation into a Federation, with the cities of his allies as states of this new country. There are still a few wrinkles he needs to iron out first, but as he gets ready to call for an emergency meeting, another threat emerges. Dark, foreboding clouds are gathering in the skies, painting them red.
According to Alamander, these are signs of an apocalypse to come. A crisis, like no other, that may very well spell the end for Liora and its Champions. Charles will need to investigate the matter and search for any possible way to stop that disaster.
His new adventures will lead him to a strange island with magical goats, and culminate in a perilous trip into the Necropolis. As always, Charles will look to turn each challenge into an opportunity, to consolidate his position en route to developing Liora's first true superpower and bring him one step closer to winning the game of the gods.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2021
113 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 26, 2021
I greatly enjoy this series and it will sadden me when it wraps up. Andrew Karevik, if you read this, thank you! I am a fan.
May 19, 2022
I obviously didn't care for this particular book, even though I remain a fan of the overall series. I tried to put my finger on exactly why I didn't like it. Part if it was what I perceived to be significantly more exposition compared to the previous six. Also...it just got more weird. I liked that prior books were a bit more grounded - yes, there was magic, but it was complimentary instead of dominating the world. In this book, magic definitely took more of a "front and center" role.
Lastly, it felt like there were significant plot elements crowbarred in to try and push the series towards a conclusion. In particular, there's an antagonist introduced that plays a key role in both this book as well as the next one and it basically felt like he came out of nowhere. It felt forced and out of place, considering his story line doesn't really fit into anything discussed in the prior six books.
Overall, not my favorite.
Lastly, it felt like there were significant plot elements crowbarred in to try and push the series towards a conclusion. In particular, there's an antagonist introduced that plays a key role in both this book as well as the next one and it basically felt like he came out of nowhere. It felt forced and out of place, considering his story line doesn't really fit into anything discussed in the prior six books.
Overall, not my favorite.
November 1, 2023
Definitely my least favorite of the series. The hippie island and the goats and the undead thingys (won't elaborate more cause spoilers) was just freakin weird and had to power read through those (first time all series I had to). In general, the threat Charles faced just felt so shoehorned compared to all his other trials. I don't hate cliffhangers, so that didn't bother me. Just not as invested in what is the finale of the series. Still gonna finish it, but really hoping the last book ends the series in a bang.
January 6, 2026
Economy vs. Apocalypse: A Divisive Pivot in the Penultimate Chapter
If you've made it to CivCEO 7, you're deeply invested in Charles Morris's journey from retired CEO to master strategist of the fantasy realm of Liora. This penultimate book cranks the dial from "grand strategy" to "cosmic crisis," and the shift has divided the series' fanbase. Where earlier books reveled in the intricate dance of trade and diplomacy, Book 7 confronts Charles with a literal, world-ending apocalypse signaled by blood-red skies. It's a high-stakes, adventurous, and often weird installment that serves as "Part 1 of 2" for the series finale, earning a 3.5 out of 5 stars from this reviewer. It's a must-read for completionists, but it stumbles under the weight of its own escalating plot.
Key Themes
From Governance to Survival: The core theme shifts from building a prosperous nation to ensuring its mere survival. Charles's goal of forming a Federation is abruptly sidelined by a prophesied apocalypse. The book explores whether his legendary financial and diplomatic acumen can be weaponized against a non-economic, existential threat, pushing his skills into uncharted territory.
The Burden of Ultimate Leadership: With the end seemingly nigh, the theme of responsibility becomes paramount. Charles is no longer just accountable for Tine's economy but for the fate of every soul in Liora. This pressure forces moments of introspection and maturity, as noted by some readers who saw him "grappling with his shortcomings".
Escalating Stakes and Narrative Pacing: A meta-theme of the book is the consequence of a long-running series nearing its end. The plot introduces elements—like a sudden, powerful antagonist and heavy magical scenarios—that some fans felt were "crowbarred in" to accelerate the conclusion, leading to a sense of unevenness.
Character Analysis
Charles Morris: Our protagonist remains clever and resourceful, famously defeating the Northern Collective "without even landing a single blow". However, the apocalyptic pressure shows new cracks. Some readers praised his character growth, while others found his actions and occasional anger "all over the place". He remains the undeniable driver of the plot, but his relentless capability can feel strained against the surreal new threats.
The Supporting Cast: As one fan succinctly put it, "Other than Charles the characters sometimes lack depth". Allies like the mage Alamander serve primarily to deliver plot-critical warnings. This installment is a Charles-centric adventure, with his companions often feeling like a backdrop to his solo negotiations with magical goats and undead entities.
Writing Style & Pacing
Andrew Karevik's prose remains accessible and focused on moving the story forward. However, the pacing and content in Book 7 are the most common points of criticism. The story swings from high-political meetings to surreal, dungeon-crawl-style adventures in a magical Necropolis. This shift from the grounded economic focus of earlier books frustrated some readers, who found the new magical elements dominant and "weird". Several reviews cited "long rambling passages" and a plot that felt "hard to read" during these fantastical detours. The book builds to a notorious cliffhanger ending that many found abrupt and frustrating, a sharp departure from the more resolved endings of previous books.
What I Liked & Disliked
Liked:
The High-Stakes Pivot: The apocalyptic threat creates a palpable, urgent tension that changes the series' formula.
Charles's Relentless Ingenuity: Watching him apply a CEO's problem-solving mindset to a dungeon crawl is consistently entertaining.
Nostalgic Payoff for Series Fans: Longtime readers will appreciate how elements from the very first book begin to loop back into the narrative.
Disliked:
Jarring Tone Shift: The increased focus on "front and center" magic and surreal adventures (magical goats, anyone?) felt disconnected from the economic strategy that defined the series' charm.
Pacing and Execution: The middle section drags for some, with one reviewer admitting they had to "power read" through certain parts. New antagonists can feel hastily introduced.
The Cliffhanger: Ending a 371-page book on a major, unresolved cliffhanger is a bold choice that left many readers feeling more annoyed than excited.
Conclusion & Recommendation
CivCEO 7 is a transitional book with growing pains. It successfully raises the stakes to universe-saving levels but struggles to balance its new magical adventure focus with the economic strategy that built its audience.
You should read this book if: You are committed to finishing The Accidental Champion series and need to read it to reach the finale in Book 8. You enjoy high-stakes fantasy and don't mind a significant shift toward magical adventure and a cliffhanger ending.
You might want to skim or reconsider if: You loved the earlier books specifically for their grounded, Civ-style economic and political management. If you prefer tidy resolutions and found the series' low-magic setting key to its appeal, this installment may disappoint.
Final Verdict: A necessary but divisive entry. It doesn't reach the heights of the series' best strategic moments, but it gets the job done in setting the stage for the final game. I pushed through the weird parts for the sake of the overall story, and I'm still invested enough to see how Charles clinches the win. Think of it as a challenging mid-game turn where you have to abandon your preferred strategy to adapt to a world-ending event.
If you've made it to CivCEO 7, you're deeply invested in Charles Morris's journey from retired CEO to master strategist of the fantasy realm of Liora. This penultimate book cranks the dial from "grand strategy" to "cosmic crisis," and the shift has divided the series' fanbase. Where earlier books reveled in the intricate dance of trade and diplomacy, Book 7 confronts Charles with a literal, world-ending apocalypse signaled by blood-red skies. It's a high-stakes, adventurous, and often weird installment that serves as "Part 1 of 2" for the series finale, earning a 3.5 out of 5 stars from this reviewer. It's a must-read for completionists, but it stumbles under the weight of its own escalating plot.
Key Themes
From Governance to Survival: The core theme shifts from building a prosperous nation to ensuring its mere survival. Charles's goal of forming a Federation is abruptly sidelined by a prophesied apocalypse. The book explores whether his legendary financial and diplomatic acumen can be weaponized against a non-economic, existential threat, pushing his skills into uncharted territory.
The Burden of Ultimate Leadership: With the end seemingly nigh, the theme of responsibility becomes paramount. Charles is no longer just accountable for Tine's economy but for the fate of every soul in Liora. This pressure forces moments of introspection and maturity, as noted by some readers who saw him "grappling with his shortcomings".
Escalating Stakes and Narrative Pacing: A meta-theme of the book is the consequence of a long-running series nearing its end. The plot introduces elements—like a sudden, powerful antagonist and heavy magical scenarios—that some fans felt were "crowbarred in" to accelerate the conclusion, leading to a sense of unevenness.
Character Analysis
Charles Morris: Our protagonist remains clever and resourceful, famously defeating the Northern Collective "without even landing a single blow". However, the apocalyptic pressure shows new cracks. Some readers praised his character growth, while others found his actions and occasional anger "all over the place". He remains the undeniable driver of the plot, but his relentless capability can feel strained against the surreal new threats.
The Supporting Cast: As one fan succinctly put it, "Other than Charles the characters sometimes lack depth". Allies like the mage Alamander serve primarily to deliver plot-critical warnings. This installment is a Charles-centric adventure, with his companions often feeling like a backdrop to his solo negotiations with magical goats and undead entities.
Writing Style & Pacing
Andrew Karevik's prose remains accessible and focused on moving the story forward. However, the pacing and content in Book 7 are the most common points of criticism. The story swings from high-political meetings to surreal, dungeon-crawl-style adventures in a magical Necropolis. This shift from the grounded economic focus of earlier books frustrated some readers, who found the new magical elements dominant and "weird". Several reviews cited "long rambling passages" and a plot that felt "hard to read" during these fantastical detours. The book builds to a notorious cliffhanger ending that many found abrupt and frustrating, a sharp departure from the more resolved endings of previous books.
What I Liked & Disliked
Liked:
The High-Stakes Pivot: The apocalyptic threat creates a palpable, urgent tension that changes the series' formula.
Charles's Relentless Ingenuity: Watching him apply a CEO's problem-solving mindset to a dungeon crawl is consistently entertaining.
Nostalgic Payoff for Series Fans: Longtime readers will appreciate how elements from the very first book begin to loop back into the narrative.
Disliked:
Jarring Tone Shift: The increased focus on "front and center" magic and surreal adventures (magical goats, anyone?) felt disconnected from the economic strategy that defined the series' charm.
Pacing and Execution: The middle section drags for some, with one reviewer admitting they had to "power read" through certain parts. New antagonists can feel hastily introduced.
The Cliffhanger: Ending a 371-page book on a major, unresolved cliffhanger is a bold choice that left many readers feeling more annoyed than excited.
Conclusion & Recommendation
CivCEO 7 is a transitional book with growing pains. It successfully raises the stakes to universe-saving levels but struggles to balance its new magical adventure focus with the economic strategy that built its audience.
You should read this book if: You are committed to finishing The Accidental Champion series and need to read it to reach the finale in Book 8. You enjoy high-stakes fantasy and don't mind a significant shift toward magical adventure and a cliffhanger ending.
You might want to skim or reconsider if: You loved the earlier books specifically for their grounded, Civ-style economic and political management. If you prefer tidy resolutions and found the series' low-magic setting key to its appeal, this installment may disappoint.
Final Verdict: A necessary but divisive entry. It doesn't reach the heights of the series' best strategic moments, but it gets the job done in setting the stage for the final game. I pushed through the weird parts for the sake of the overall story, and I'm still invested enough to see how Charles clinches the win. Think of it as a challenging mid-game turn where you have to abandon your preferred strategy to adapt to a world-ending event.
November 23, 2023
The 6 parts were so nice to read and the 7th part came along. Totally confusing, stories long-winded and incomprehensible, logic of events lost. I skipped half the content to get to the end, hoping for improvement. It reads like a drug-induced dream, without even a superficial editing. There was definitely a lack of some kind of test reader here, before publication, if half of the content had been thrown out and the other half described differently it might have read quite differently
September 14, 2021
Forced myself to the end....cliffhanger.
Really had to push myself to finish this. The MC was just very all over the place. It was by design, but it made the read very stressful. The ending on such a cliffhanger, ugh. I feel it could have been tied up a little neater. Now we have to wait for part 2 of book 7?? Meh, might have just lost me.
Really had to push myself to finish this. The MC was just very all over the place. It was by design, but it made the read very stressful. The ending on such a cliffhanger, ugh. I feel it could have been tied up a little neater. Now we have to wait for part 2 of book 7?? Meh, might have just lost me.
September 17, 2021
Cliff Hanger
This was a really good book in this series, fun of adventure and excitement, although there's definitely something going on with the MC. But the ending kind of killed a lot of the momentum. Instead of being excited it felt abrupt. I will read the next book but I could do without any more cliff hangers
This was a really good book in this series, fun of adventure and excitement, although there's definitely something going on with the MC. But the ending kind of killed a lot of the momentum. Instead of being excited it felt abrupt. I will read the next book but I could do without any more cliff hangers
February 4, 2023
Entertaining Read
Charles and crew are gearing up to save their empire and the world from the apocalypse of the Gods. Searching the underworld, bargaining with beings of power, and making deals ensue. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Charles and crew are gearing up to save their empire and the world from the apocalypse of the Gods. Searching the underworld, bargaining with beings of power, and making deals ensue. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
January 7, 2026
This time we are building a super power. Instead of a lesson in economics this time it is a lesson in politics. Not to say there isn’t a nice expedition. Not to worry the end of the world event is on the cusp of happening. An angry dragon and undead pirates. Lots of crazy adventures and curses. This one is a great builder for the final book.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
September 15, 2021
Lots of fun
There is just a little cig building in this one but lots of adventure. I liked the slight change because it feels like it is building towards an end of sorts. Other than Charles the characters sometimes lack depth but I still enjoy the reading. Excited for the next.
There is just a little cig building in this one but lots of adventure. I liked the slight change because it feels like it is building towards an end of sorts. Other than Charles the characters sometimes lack depth but I still enjoy the reading. Excited for the next.
April 23, 2024
So many unanswered threads
Too clever an abrupt hanging ending after the convoluted paths we slowly wandered down. Long rambling passages. Deliberate confusion of the underworld part of the plot but still made this hard to read.
Too clever an abrupt hanging ending after the convoluted paths we slowly wandered down. Long rambling passages. Deliberate confusion of the underworld part of the plot but still made this hard to read.
September 6, 2021
Best one so far…
I am keenly looking forward to the conclusion. The story went at a fast pace and the MC grappled with his shortcomings…these were insightful.
I am keenly looking forward to the conclusion. The story went at a fast pace and the MC grappled with his shortcomings…these were insightful.
September 8, 2021
Awesome
I loved this segment of the story. It kept me on the edge. I thought that the series was ending. I'm glad it went this way.
I loved this segment of the story. It kept me on the edge. I thought that the series was ending. I'm glad it went this way.
September 28, 2021
An expected twist ending
This really loops back to the first book. I won't do a spoiler but there were hints all the way through the story. It really ties up the story arc well.
This really loops back to the first book. I won't do a spoiler but there were hints all the way through the story. It really ties up the story arc well.
September 30, 2021
Wonderful!
Such a great wind up for the ending of the first arc. Very well done Andrew. I can't wait for more.
Such a great wind up for the ending of the first arc. Very well done Andrew. I can't wait for more.
October 6, 2021
Interesting
So the first half ends with Charles wounded and expecting a bullet to finish it all for him. Good story and good characters. Waiting impatiently for the next part.
So the first half ends with Charles wounded and expecting a bullet to finish it all for him. Good story and good characters. Waiting impatiently for the next part.
October 12, 2021
Gripping
Lots of developments in quests, new government, new allies, enemies and creatures. That cliff at the end ! Can’t wait for the next one
Lots of developments in quests, new government, new allies, enemies and creatures. That cliff at the end ! Can’t wait for the next one
December 16, 2021
I can't stop reading
This is so unbelievable different, exciting, and business like that I haven't stop reading. The premise is sound and characters loveable.
This is so unbelievable different, exciting, and business like that I haven't stop reading. The premise is sound and characters loveable.
January 15, 2022
A little idealistically capitalist for my taste but still a good book
April 11, 2022
There were ups and down throughout the book but hot damn I didn’t expect the ending
September 1, 2022
Hard to read. It delves deeper into magic, which has no underlying logic behind it, and the author just makes it on the fly.
March 13, 2023
Aargh
A cliffhanger, how annoying and unexpected. The previous books did not have cliffhangers.
Interesting story with a lot more magic and Some undead.
A cliffhanger, how annoying and unexpected. The previous books did not have cliffhangers.
Interesting story with a lot more magic and Some undead.
March 22, 2023
Thos is one of the most quality series in the genre. 👍🏽👍🏽
April 2, 2023
Fun series. This one has a bit more mechanics in it, I think.
June 6, 2023
Not my favorite episode of the series, and I didn't appreciate the cliffhanger. It just was not as satisfactory to me as prior episodes.
June 13, 2023
Loved the concept, but the execution got worse over time.
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
March 4, 2024
An actual exciting adventure. With stakes, and drama, and character development.
October 13, 2024
A 12hr audio book. One of the more boring books of this series, it does have some neat ideas but overall I dont like the main character development, but maybe there is a point to it.
August 2, 2025
Yoooowwww. Danggg, Charlie boy has grown so much 💜 but he should sleep more, these sudden, unreasonable bursts of anger help no one lol
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews