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The Game Is Nearing the End! (Part 2 of 2)
His life hanging by a thread, will Charles manage to once again dodge the bullet?
And if he does pull off a miracle, how will he go about stopping the Storm of Souls which is rumored to spell the end for all?

The story of Charles Morris and the Empire of Tine is about to come to an end, one way or another. The question is: will it be in joy and victory, with Charles and his allies on top, or will it be in tears and defeat, with Logan claiming yet another round?

Read the last book in the CivCEO series to find out how it all ends!

532 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2021

66 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Andrew Karevik

53 books162 followers

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5 stars
171 (43%)
4 stars
120 (30%)
3 stars
70 (17%)
2 stars
26 (6%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Nick Rizzo.
415 reviews7 followers
April 14, 2022
Great conclusion to one of my favorite litrpg book series. Author does a great job tying up all loose ends and giving a really satisfying ending. One of the only book series I have read more than once (had to stop cus the author hadn’t finished writing the series yet). I wish there were more litrpg books which avoided war and combat and focused on development through non-aggressive means and tried to steer away from fighting. The author does a great job referencing the evils and horrors of war and how it should be avoided at all cost (except when there is no other way). I know other reviewers said this book got to into Charles’ head too much but I liked that. I liked seeing the thought process of a man with Incredible power in this world and how it influences his mind. I appreciated the author showing Charles isn’t perfect and has Intrusive and destructive thoughts but in spite of that tries to be the best human he possibly can and do right by his people. I hope the author keeps writing as I’d gladly spend money on their next book
Profile Image for Durian Jaykin.
97 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2022
Unironically, Roost and Teresa's ending was my favorite.

But still, it's an alright end.

Still, Epilogue should have been called buy my new book
Profile Image for GiGi.
939 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2025
I binge-read a series; something I hardly ever do. I don't know when this series changed from "hmm, this is new; how interesting" to "fuck, how did a recurring joke suddenly become an enlightened answer to a hitherto unasked philosophical quandary?".

I started this series on a whim. Finally, a completed series to sink my claws into. I'm very glad I did. My review of book 1 highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the setup; these mainly remained the same. Eventually, it would seem the author started taking feedback in-between books and drastically changed certain elements to appease readers. Although this fixed some issues retro-actively, it also created others. By the end, most of these adaptations were favorable, I suppose. Making the MC a clear old-fart with out-dated ideology made sense considering his age and the life he lived. But changes in the dynamic between characters felt forced or like fan-service.
40 reviews
November 11, 2021
Just no longer for me

Well written, but by 40% in where Charles is getting berated by his wife for getting angry at a despicable Champion named Frank and she starts going off on tangents that somehow Charles is on a path to losing who he is and examples of atrocities for greater good excuses get called up to blast and already PTSD stressed guy rather than supporting him... All I could hear and see was more woke BS talking points I am sick to death of. Maybe by 70% of the book things might have turned around. All I know reading another sentence became enough of a chore I am giving up on a series I was already 7 books in. Just sick to death of all Man is misogynist and bad themes, no clue why the author started down this route last novel with Moer and he doubles down in this one. Why read a fantasy novel for entertainment why each page is anything but, and is infact annoying?
50 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2021
Well…it ended

It was confusing at the end but I guess the story is over or maybe paused? Hard to say. If read the rest read this one. It at least brings some closure.
1,130 reviews9 followers
March 15, 2023
interesting

Not what I expected for the conclusion. Good story, interesting, but previous books I enjoyed more. Epilogue I don’t get.
Profile Image for Joseph D..
Author 3 books3 followers
January 8, 2026
The conclusion to a wonderful series. We wrap the whole thing up and end with an explanation of what is going​ on. Logan features prominently in this one. Overall the series was a fun one to read with lots of business details that kept one thinking how things can be resolved with words far better than with fists. An alternative style LitRPG that adds a new dimension to the genre. The door is still open for more books and would love to read more in this universe if not with Charles specifically.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Profile Image for Grep.
149 reviews17 followers
December 6, 2024
I listened to all 8 audiobooks.

Amazing series until book 6, or whenever the dragons start stinking up the timeline. It took me forever to finally finish book 8, because book 7 was a slog.

Even though it wrapped up the story rather well and was creative, it wasn't captivating or exciting. It felt like a chore.

So, if you go into the series, be prepared for 5 very good enthralling books, a couple mediocre ones, and a capstone that feels like work.
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews20 followers
February 11, 2023
Great Wrap Up Of Series

The end game is insight and a handful of champions are in the running to win the game, but Charles doesn't trust the Gods for a good outcome. He is juggling many loose ends to try and protect all the people in the world as well as his friends and loved ones. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and love.
147 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2026
The Spreadsheet Sorcerer's Final Calculated Move

If you're picking up CivCEO 8, you've been on the long, fascinating road with Charles Morris. This book is the final chapter, "Part 2 of 2," where everything—the war, the gods' game, and Charles's legacy—comes to a head. The core question remains: can a brilliant CEO from Earth save a fantasy world not with a sword, but with strategy, trade, and sheer willpower? As a series conclusion, it's a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. It provides a mostly satisfying, heartfelt finale for fans, even if the journey to get here had its share of uneven terrain.

Key Themes
The Morality of Power and Peace: The series' defining theme reaches its apex here. Charles has consistently championed development and diplomacy over conquest. In this final book, he must defend that philosophy against ultimate threats, grappling with whether true power means dominating the game or changing its rules entirely. The narrative examines the "evils and horrors of war" and whether peace is a viable strategy when the stakes are apocalyptic.

The Burden of Leadership and Finality: This theme is explored through immense pressure. With the "Storm of Souls" threatening all of existence and the mysterious Logan as a final opponent, Charles's lifetime of business expertise is tested like never before. The book delves into the psychological toll of carrying the world's fate, showing his intrusive thoughts and his struggle to remain a decent person under the weight of god-like responsibility.

Legacy Over Victory: Beyond simply winning the gods' contest, the story questions what is left behind. Is it a thriving empire, a stable world, or the relationships forged? The ending focuses heavily on what Charles's journey has meant for his allies, his people, and the world's structure, offering closure on a saga that was always about building more than battling.

Character Analysis
Charles Morris finishes his arc with significant, if debated, introspection. Some readers loved the deep dive into his psyche and his struggle with the corrupting influence of his power. Others found his character growth inconsistent, feeling the series ultimately gave him strong "plot armor" where his virtues conveniently solved all problems. The supporting cast, like the dragon Roost and Charles's wife Teresa, get their moments, with some fans specifically highlighting their endings as a favorite part. However, a common critique across the series is that side characters can lack depth, often serving more as pieces in Charles's grand strategy than as fully realized individuals.

Writing Style & Pacing
Andrew Karevik's prose remains clean, functional, and focused on strategic explanation. The tone is tense and cerebral, fitting for a finale. At 532 pages, this is a substantial conclusion. The pacing is methodical, focused on tying up numerous plot threads, which can feel slow to readers craving the punchy, trade-deal excitement of the early books. Some fans felt the series peaked around Book 5 or 6, with the final two installments becoming a "slog" or feeling like a "chore" as the plot shifted to more cosmic, magical threats. The epilogue has drawn some criticism for feeling a bit like a sequel hook.

What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:

A Satisfying, Wrap-Up: The author does a "great job tying up all loose ends," providing a conclusive and emotionally resonant ending for long-time followers.

Staying True to Its Core: Despite the high stakes, the finale honors the series' unique appeal: solving apocalyptic problems with negotiation, economic maneuvering, and clever strategy rather than just brute force.

Character Closure: Seeing conclusions for beloved characters like Roost and Teresa provided the heartfelt payoff that an 8-book series deserves.

Disliked:

The Pacing Slog: The shift from tight economic strategy in earlier books to broader magical conflicts in the final act didn't work for everyone. Some of the late-series magic felt "crowbarred in".

Inconsistent Character Depth: While Charles gets a deep dive, other characters' resolutions can feel rushed or thin, a lingering issue from the series' start.

A Divisive Climax: The ultimate resolution may feel too neat or philosophically abstract for readers who prefer clear-cut, game-mechanics-based victories.

Conclusion/Recommendation
CivCEO 8 is a must-read only for those who have committed to the entire series. It is not a starting point.

You'll love this finale if: You've journeyed with Charles from Tine's humble beginnings and want a conclusive, thoughtful, and mostly peaceful resolution to his story. You appreciate the series' unique non-combat focus and don't mind a slower, wrap-up pace.

You might be disappointed if: You hoped for a return to the pure, tense deal-making of the early books, or if you found the magical turn in Book 7 a frustrating departure. The ending prioritizes thematic closure over thrilling action.

Final Verdict: For fans, this is a satisfying send-off that honors the clever, empire-building spirit that made CivCEO a standout in the LitRPG genre. It has flaws, but it sticks the landing with heart. While the series' strongest moments may be in its middle, this book successfully closes the ledger on Charles Morris's extraordinary accidental championship.
811 reviews
October 23, 2021
A stunning conclusion

I really enjoyed this series. I would happily read another. I appreciated the story wrapped up and how it all worked out. There was character growth without sacrificing action or making the MC OP lucky.
Profile Image for Travis Bryant.
962 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2023
A very fun and completely satisfying ending to a really good series. The door being left open for the universe to continue is awesome too. 👍🏽👍🏽
Profile Image for Vader.
3,821 reviews35 followers
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 reviews
January 23, 2024
Don’t bother to read the last 200 pages.
Spoiler alert: all’s well that ends well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mathew Benham.
370 reviews
October 16, 2024
A 13hr audio book. The ending surpassed my expectations, I enjoyed the way this story ended/ started (Perspective)
Profile Image for Crimson.
3 reviews
January 4, 2024
Book Score: 2/5 stars
Series Score: 3/5 stars

This series started off strong but was more and more of a disappointment with each book. The premise behind this series could have been great, but fell short due to poor character writing, little to no character growth, and irreverence of previous plots to the next part of the story. Most problems are solved within a few chapters and are of little to no consequence. In the final few books a "big bad" and final crisis are revealed that lasted through most of the final books and then both just poor went away with no real conclusion

You could argue that the main character's kind gestures/virtue are the reason that he was able to succeed and this is what the author would want you to believe given the half-hearted justifications at the end of this story for why the "gods" run this game. Yet, I would argue that these positive traits and this ending is all part of thinly veiled plot armor allowing little to no consequences for poor decisions and trying to end the series and just move onto a different series.
Profile Image for Max Patiiuk.
537 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2025
I loved how little violence there is in this series, especially in the first few books.
This is now one of my most favorite LitRPG series, somewhere near New Era Online.

Favorite quote:
"In reality, war is filthy, disgusting and devoid of all dignity."
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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