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Jeff the Game Master #2
Manipulating Magic
Jeff the Game Master is a Level One player...
Wait… what?
After the rogue patch did its damage, Jeff and the rest of Infinite World’s players face a new threat: Shelarag, the Mother of Dragons.
Well, there was a father; what did you expect?
She’s pissed. Someone killed her lover, and now they will pay.
Still tasked with figuring out who or what is responsible for the chaos, Jeff must also figure out what the heck a Manipulator Class is. To help him on this journey, former GMs Torvi and Snapdragon will apply their extensive knowledge of the game to power-level Jeff and attempt to restore normalcy to the game.
Meanwhile, Dak, Jeweliette, Oliver, and the rest of the party find themselves stuck in the next questline to destroy dragon after dragon after dragon… after dragon.
Maybe Dan Shaklee should just pull the plug already…
Wait… what?
After the rogue patch did its damage, Jeff and the rest of Infinite World’s players face a new threat: Shelarag, the Mother of Dragons.
Well, there was a father; what did you expect?
She’s pissed. Someone killed her lover, and now they will pay.
Still tasked with figuring out who or what is responsible for the chaos, Jeff must also figure out what the heck a Manipulator Class is. To help him on this journey, former GMs Torvi and Snapdragon will apply their extensive knowledge of the game to power-level Jeff and attempt to restore normalcy to the game.
Meanwhile, Dak, Jeweliette, Oliver, and the rest of the party find themselves stuck in the next questline to destroy dragon after dragon after dragon… after dragon.
Maybe Dan Shaklee should just pull the plug already…
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2021
104 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Castle
49 books192 followersJaime Castle hails from the great nation of Texas where he lives with his wife and two children and enjoys anything creative. A self-proclaimed comic book nerd and artist, he spends what little free time he can muster with his art tablet.
Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.
Fantasy:
The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth
Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)
RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele
HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion
The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)
Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic
Science Fiction:
This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis
ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)
Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com
Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.
Fantasy:
The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth
Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)
RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele
HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion
The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)
Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic
Science Fiction:
This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis
ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)
Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 15, 2021
okay
Continuing the plot lines of the first novel, but it suffers a little from second syndrome. We know how everything works, we know who are the villains and who are the heroes. While Jeff needs to develop his new ‘character’ — and there are some interesting wrinkles there — nobody else needs to learn their role. It just doesn’t have the same zing as the first novel.
Clean prose, solid narrative.
Continuing the plot lines of the first novel, but it suffers a little from second syndrome. We know how everything works, we know who are the villains and who are the heroes. While Jeff needs to develop his new ‘character’ — and there are some interesting wrinkles there — nobody else needs to learn their role. It just doesn’t have the same zing as the first novel.
Clean prose, solid narrative.
September 16, 2021
Another great book
Our favorite GM, now turned player, continues in his unwanted role as Chosen One. The World Event isn't done with him yet. The wonderfil mix of GM, player and AI perspective continues and we get some fine character and plot development. If you kiked the first book, here's some more for you.
Our favorite GM, now turned player, continues in his unwanted role as Chosen One. The World Event isn't done with him yet. The wonderfil mix of GM, player and AI perspective continues and we get some fine character and plot development. If you kiked the first book, here's some more for you.
September 15, 2021
Lots of pop
This book is far better than book one with more development of our m.c Jeff and his role in the world. Lots of Easter eggs references to books and other movies that made me laugh. Parts of the book are slower paced but it's done so that our m.c isn't seen as overpowered
This book is far better than book one with more development of our m.c Jeff and his role in the world. Lots of Easter eggs references to books and other movies that made me laugh. Parts of the book are slower paced but it's done so that our m.c isn't seen as overpowered
March 23, 2022
In the second of this outstanding series of books, we once again follow Jeff Driscoll, the now ‘former’ GM of Infinite Worlds, who has become an actual Player, a unique class known as ‘The Manipulator’. Jeff has been gifted this rather interesting class, and opportunity (well, it was meant to be an opportunity, although being dropped into the role as the only Game Master, in a game that has thousands of players and a motto of ‘we’ll fix any issue within 15mins’ might not be seen as an ‘Opportunity’ by most people…), in book 1, initially as the only Game Master and then eventually, as the role of Manipulator.
This was all done by the AI Tom, an AI that was originally crafted to help run the Infinite Worlds game, along with several other AIs, but it seems that this particular AI went ‘rogue’, over stepping its programming and slowly starting to change the game in ways that ‘it’ believed that would be more beneficial to the players (mainly based on their own complaints and comments, that it collected from sources such as the player Crush, the leader of the Infinity Killers, because they happen to be the lead Guild (without considering they are in the lead through nefarious means), or from Jeff himself, again, without considering that Jeff was just blowing off steam.
But Tom raced ahead anyway, and went about trying to resolve their complaints, believing that, since he was an AI, he knew best.
This led to a story that has drawn from multiple elements of the gaming world, and if you are a gamer, have played any sort of RPG game in the past, or an MMO, then you will get a lot out of this series. The writers have made a lot of effort to not only include a lot of references to all of the different gaming and LitRPG elements, but there is a good amount of humour in this book at well, clever one liners and easter eggs (my favourite is still the Vorpal Rabbit) you have to pay attention to, off-hand remarks and references. It has been cleverly written.
The LitRPG element has been done exceptionally well, with good access to the character stats, and references, but this does not become overbearing, allowing those that just want to read the story to skim through it, and not get bogged down in endless stats. It is a great compromise, and very well done.
This is one of the great things about this series, it doesn’t matter if you like Fantasy or LitRPG, as you can skim over the LitRPG aspects, and even without an extensive gaming background, the story has been written so well, that you can still just enjoy this for the brilliant adventure story that it is. This is a story full of stunning world building and outstanding character work that has created an epic series that you just won’t be able to put down.
The great thing about this book, is that the Authors have treated it like you are actually sitting down to play a game, and not just any game, but the leading Virtual Reality Massive Multi-Player Online Game (say that 3 times when you’re d… ok just really fast!!). They have really set the scene, but not just in the game play, with this beautifully rendered game with stunning game scenes and enthralling creatures of fantasy, and then the gripping and captivating battles that take place, with gritty and realistic portrayal of life and death struggles against hordes of monsters. You can get caught up in their quests for finding loot, solving puzzles and trying to resolve the next quest – all in this world that is captured in such exquisite detail as the word building is extraordinary.
But along with the gameplay, we also get to see the lives of some of those who are playing the game, the actual players who are logged into the Infinite Worlds. In this second book, we get to see behind the scenes, delve into some of the characters, actually seeing their ‘rea’ life personas and who they are behind their online character. Whilst we have already met Jeff, it is fascinating getting to see the real ‘Crush’, ‘Jeweliette’, or ‘Oliver’ as well as several others. I am not going to say anything and give away spoilers, but needless to say, that there are some of the characters that don’t feel the need to hide behind a fake persona and others that change who they are within the game, and it is quite interesting seeing the people behind their characters. This is yet another exceptional aspect of the world building that really makes this book so sensational.
All of the originals are back in this second book, Aesir, Jeweliette, Dak (and his wolf Coal), as well as Oliver and even Rikardi. Crush and his crew return, as well as multiple others. The characters work in this book is just as good if not better than the first.
It doesn’t matter what type of Fantasy you like, you will love this book as it has something for everyone, especially those that love LitRPG. .
This was all done by the AI Tom, an AI that was originally crafted to help run the Infinite Worlds game, along with several other AIs, but it seems that this particular AI went ‘rogue’, over stepping its programming and slowly starting to change the game in ways that ‘it’ believed that would be more beneficial to the players (mainly based on their own complaints and comments, that it collected from sources such as the player Crush, the leader of the Infinity Killers, because they happen to be the lead Guild (without considering they are in the lead through nefarious means), or from Jeff himself, again, without considering that Jeff was just blowing off steam.
But Tom raced ahead anyway, and went about trying to resolve their complaints, believing that, since he was an AI, he knew best.
This led to a story that has drawn from multiple elements of the gaming world, and if you are a gamer, have played any sort of RPG game in the past, or an MMO, then you will get a lot out of this series. The writers have made a lot of effort to not only include a lot of references to all of the different gaming and LitRPG elements, but there is a good amount of humour in this book at well, clever one liners and easter eggs (my favourite is still the Vorpal Rabbit) you have to pay attention to, off-hand remarks and references. It has been cleverly written.
The LitRPG element has been done exceptionally well, with good access to the character stats, and references, but this does not become overbearing, allowing those that just want to read the story to skim through it, and not get bogged down in endless stats. It is a great compromise, and very well done.
This is one of the great things about this series, it doesn’t matter if you like Fantasy or LitRPG, as you can skim over the LitRPG aspects, and even without an extensive gaming background, the story has been written so well, that you can still just enjoy this for the brilliant adventure story that it is. This is a story full of stunning world building and outstanding character work that has created an epic series that you just won’t be able to put down.
The great thing about this book, is that the Authors have treated it like you are actually sitting down to play a game, and not just any game, but the leading Virtual Reality Massive Multi-Player Online Game (say that 3 times when you’re d… ok just really fast!!). They have really set the scene, but not just in the game play, with this beautifully rendered game with stunning game scenes and enthralling creatures of fantasy, and then the gripping and captivating battles that take place, with gritty and realistic portrayal of life and death struggles against hordes of monsters. You can get caught up in their quests for finding loot, solving puzzles and trying to resolve the next quest – all in this world that is captured in such exquisite detail as the word building is extraordinary.
But along with the gameplay, we also get to see the lives of some of those who are playing the game, the actual players who are logged into the Infinite Worlds. In this second book, we get to see behind the scenes, delve into some of the characters, actually seeing their ‘rea’ life personas and who they are behind their online character. Whilst we have already met Jeff, it is fascinating getting to see the real ‘Crush’, ‘Jeweliette’, or ‘Oliver’ as well as several others. I am not going to say anything and give away spoilers, but needless to say, that there are some of the characters that don’t feel the need to hide behind a fake persona and others that change who they are within the game, and it is quite interesting seeing the people behind their characters. This is yet another exceptional aspect of the world building that really makes this book so sensational.
All of the originals are back in this second book, Aesir, Jeweliette, Dak (and his wolf Coal), as well as Oliver and even Rikardi. Crush and his crew return, as well as multiple others. The characters work in this book is just as good if not better than the first.
It doesn’t matter what type of Fantasy you like, you will love this book as it has something for everyone, especially those that love LitRPG. .
November 20, 2021
Enjoyable LitRPG without the too-often obnoxious elements of sexism, excessive combat action, intense bragging, and so on. It was well-written, nicely plotted, and the characters are interesting. It's great escapism, and I look forward to the third installment. Fun references scattered in the book.
May 5, 2022
This book starts up right where Manufacturing Magic left off! Which I love! Although Manufacturing Magic wasn't exactly a cliffhanger it did feel abrupt and I found myself missing the dénouement. So having bk2 beginning at the same spot filled my needs perfectly.
I did enjoy the book as Jeff leveled up, but wished that he could have enjoyed the adventure too... Even another player thought it was necessary to take him to task and scold him, I wish she'd've done it sooner! And of course we're still getting all the other view-points, from the Rogue AI Prince Tom, other players, and tech support. I've got to say I've really enjoyed the forums as it was a way to link to the players, and a nice touch. I always enjoy, finding/recognizing easter-eggs, as I'm not a gamer myself, I figure that I miss most of 'em, but I caught 2 in this book, one mentioning Shirtaloon and the other a game Sky Realms Online, now those were truly laugh out loud moments!
So if you read the first book you'll definitely need this one!
Get the audio version because Nick Podehl nuanced performance is outstanding!
Ohhhh yeah, and did ya get a eyeful of the cover for the next book Mastering Magic? It's the reason why I started reading this series!
I did enjoy the book as Jeff leveled up, but wished that he could have enjoyed the adventure too... Even another player thought it was necessary to take him to task and scold him, I wish she'd've done it sooner! And of course we're still getting all the other view-points, from the Rogue AI Prince Tom, other players, and tech support. I've got to say I've really enjoyed the forums as it was a way to link to the players, and a nice touch. I always enjoy, finding/recognizing easter-eggs, as I'm not a gamer myself, I figure that I miss most of 'em, but I caught 2 in this book, one mentioning Shirtaloon and the other a game Sky Realms Online, now those were truly laugh out loud moments!
So if you read the first book you'll definitely need this one!
Get the audio version because Nick Podehl nuanced performance is outstanding!
Ohhhh yeah, and did ya get a eyeful of the cover for the next book Mastering Magic? It's the reason why I started reading this series!
January 13, 2022
Extreme loser trope for MC. The kind of guy to whom a brutal murder would be a sweet release. If you witnessed the brutal murder of the MC, you'd be hard pressed to come up with a flicker of emotion.
When reading these LitRPG books and the MC is a loser, I always wonder if the author is trying to tell us that only losers play video games? Or that anyone who isn't a loser has better stuff to do? Or is it just lazy writing and losers are easier to write?
Speaking of lazy writing, the MC is stupid. Get into combat and get distracted thinking about other stuff so they get run over by a giant ram stupid. Having been in some combat and had a lot of combat vets as friends, I can tell you that you'd have to be a very 'special' person to get that kind of distracted.
The MC isn't even creative. The power to make anything and the best they can come up with is plate mail and a gun. And get excited when the gun is called a 'hand cannon'. It's like reading something by and for 14 year olds.
When reading these LitRPG books and the MC is a loser, I always wonder if the author is trying to tell us that only losers play video games? Or that anyone who isn't a loser has better stuff to do? Or is it just lazy writing and losers are easier to write?
Speaking of lazy writing, the MC is stupid. Get into combat and get distracted thinking about other stuff so they get run over by a giant ram stupid. Having been in some combat and had a lot of combat vets as friends, I can tell you that you'd have to be a very 'special' person to get that kind of distracted.
The MC isn't even creative. The power to make anything and the best they can come up with is plate mail and a gun. And get excited when the gun is called a 'hand cannon'. It's like reading something by and for 14 year olds.
September 9, 2024
nope nope nope nope.
There is no ending to this book. Rushed cliffhanger ending with no story arc being closed whatsoever. Not that there are too many to start with. I was waiting for a punchline at the end and it was not delivered, at all! It felt rushed and without scope. And this comment isn't born from the frustration of a great buildup that was handled poorly, but from a monotone book with nothing to save it from obscurity except a huge something in the last chapter. :/
If you feel like DNF, just do it. Trust your guts
I don't know what I expected from this book, yet I haven't got anything except a BIG waste of time.
I will definitely drop the series and most probably the author's as well. There's nothing to read here.
There is no ending to this book. Rushed cliffhanger ending with no story arc being closed whatsoever. Not that there are too many to start with. I was waiting for a punchline at the end and it was not delivered, at all! It felt rushed and without scope. And this comment isn't born from the frustration of a great buildup that was handled poorly, but from a monotone book with nothing to save it from obscurity except a huge something in the last chapter. :/
If you feel like DNF, just do it. Trust your guts
I don't know what I expected from this book, yet I haven't got anything except a BIG waste of time.
I will definitely drop the series and most probably the author's as well. There's nothing to read here.
January 1, 2023
Good story. Glitchy book missing sentences with blank pages.
Like the story. Its fun. But pages are blank, new pages start in the middle of a sentence or even a word. Turning my kindle someti.we reveals a different line or two. What have I missed there are holes in the narrative. Nothing big, but super annoying.
Like the story. Its fun. But pages are blank, new pages start in the middle of a sentence or even a word. Turning my kindle someti.we reveals a different line or two. What have I missed there are holes in the narrative. Nothing big, but super annoying.
October 18, 2021
Great followup!
This series is great! The characters have fun so I did too. I love the name drops and the twists. This LitRPG is funny and fun, but has a good story and plot. You can tell when the authors love a subject, and these obviously guys do.
Highly recommended!
This series is great! The characters have fun so I did too. I love the name drops and the twists. This LitRPG is funny and fun, but has a good story and plot. You can tell when the authors love a subject, and these obviously guys do.
Highly recommended!
November 6, 2021
It’s a good litrpg story. Not unique or as exciting as the last one, and felt kind of rushed, but only because that seems to be the point with regards to the story. Still it ended well and there is enough intrigue that makes me wish to know what happens next.
May 25, 2022
Stage 2 of chaos
It's all happening now as we see part II of the game start and a new path is taken as Tom grows in power and no one seems to know whats happening now. Would of liked to see a bit more on some of the characters but do like how this has been written.
It's all happening now as we see part II of the game start and a new path is taken as Tom grows in power and no one seems to know whats happening now. Would of liked to see a bit more on some of the characters but do like how this has been written.
August 17, 2022
ENTERTAINING READ
Game Master Jeff is now a player. How can this be? GMs are not allowed to play the game. Tom Servo, the rogue AI, has determined the scenario. Want to or not, Jeff has a role to play. I like the action, humor, and plot. I look forward to the next book.
Game Master Jeff is now a player. How can this be? GMs are not allowed to play the game. Tom Servo, the rogue AI, has determined the scenario. Want to or not, Jeff has a role to play. I like the action, humor, and plot. I look forward to the next book.
April 26, 2024
Book one was incredible, but this book absolutely topped it! What an epic, intriguing, wonderful, captivating story!! I loved seeing the characters becoming deeper in this book, and the fights were so cool. I can't wait to jump right into the next book! This is quickly becoming my favorite LitRPG!
September 25, 2021
Enjoyable Read
Really enjoyed this. As good as the first one. Well written and kept my interest. Look forward to book three.
Really enjoyed this. As good as the first one. Well written and kept my interest. Look forward to book three.
October 1, 2021
Ugh
Had to skim massively to force myself through this one. Was very close to a dnf. If food, it’d be a bad gas station snack that you come to regret.
Had to skim massively to force myself through this one. Was very close to a dnf. If food, it’d be a bad gas station snack that you come to regret.
October 9, 2021
Good, but seems to be a place-holder for the next book more than a full-fledged book on its own. Didn't really advance things enough, but won't stop me from reading the next one, where I suspect a bunch of stuff will hit the fan.
May 3, 2022
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
May 27, 2022
Ai vs humans
What's going on in this virtual world? The former Game Master is facing more pressure in real and virtual life and he's having the time of his life
What's going on in this virtual world? The former Game Master is facing more pressure in real and virtual life and he's having the time of his life
July 16, 2022
So far I want to eat a bullet every time Torvi speaks... other than that AMAZING book.
After finishing, ill stick with my initial assessment.. Torvi was a useless, annoying, trash character, that added literally NOTHING to the story. You could delete literally everything to do with that and the book would be much more enjoyable. Other than that book was AMAZING!
After finishing, ill stick with my initial assessment.. Torvi was a useless, annoying, trash character, that added literally NOTHING to the story. You could delete literally everything to do with that and the book would be much more enjoyable. Other than that book was AMAZING!
April 8, 2024
Shallow.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews