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Dragon Mage Saga #1
Overworld
A magic apocalypse. Refugees from Earth. A new world. Elves, orcs, and dragons!
Portals from Overworld have appeared on Earth, and beings intent on conscripting humanity into the mysterious Trials have invaded.
Earth is doomed. Humanity has been exiled. Can Jamie save mankind?
Jamie Sinclair, a young man with unique gifts, must find a way for his family and friends to survive Earth's destruction and build a new home in Overworld.
The Trials is not a game. Will Jamie survive its challenges?
Join Jamie as he struggles through the brutal Trials while wrestling with his new magics and Overworld's game-like dynamics.
Portals from Overworld have appeared on Earth, and beings intent on conscripting humanity into the mysterious Trials have invaded.
Earth is doomed. Humanity has been exiled. Can Jamie save mankind?
Jamie Sinclair, a young man with unique gifts, must find a way for his family and friends to survive Earth's destruction and build a new home in Overworld.
The Trials is not a game. Will Jamie survive its challenges?
Join Jamie as he struggles through the brutal Trials while wrestling with his new magics and Overworld's game-like dynamics.
439 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2020
About the author
Rohan M. Vider
12 books281 followers Wander through epic worlds of dungeons, dragons, and magic created by fantasy author, Rohan M. Vider.
Reader. Gamer. Writer. That's me :).
I enjoy creating worlds for readers to explore, and of course amazing magic for my characters to wield!
You can support my writing on: PATREON , and follow me on social media through: My Site, Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter.
Still writing,
Rohan.
Reader. Gamer. Writer. That's me :).
I enjoy creating worlds for readers to explore, and of course amazing magic for my characters to wield!
You can support my writing on: PATREON , and follow me on social media through: My Site, Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter.
Still writing,
Rohan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
January 13, 2021
Leeeeerrrrooooyyy Jeeeennkkiinnnnssss
Mary Sue with a hard on for vengeance and a gammy leg become a mage.
If you want another book where everyone who doesn't play MMO's are morons and will never be as good as the GaMeRs -look no further.
If you need, *hur dur i haf to power level in dis dungeon because dis is a game mechanic and no other reason,* you got it buddy!I
In the next book MC will be dealing with those PKers who don't believe that this new life isn't a game - why? Because why the hell not?I
In seriousness, the book started pretty well. It's just that I get so disappointed when books like this drift into cringy gaming tropes for no real reason. I didn't want to see the MC correcting people's gaming terminology.
The magic creation is pretty cool though and I thought it might stay a bit more free form all the way through - but the end result didn't quite deliver, there will still be a big list of spells for no other reason than to have them.
Overall - not for me but possibly for you
Mary Sue with a hard on for vengeance and a gammy leg become a mage.
If you want another book where everyone who doesn't play MMO's are morons and will never be as good as the GaMeRs -look no further.
If you need, *hur dur i haf to power level in dis dungeon because dis is a game mechanic and no other reason,* you got it buddy!I
In the next book MC will be dealing with those PKers who don't believe that this new life isn't a game - why? Because why the hell not?I
In seriousness, the book started pretty well. It's just that I get so disappointed when books like this drift into cringy gaming tropes for no real reason. I didn't want to see the MC correcting people's gaming terminology.
The magic creation is pretty cool though and I thought it might stay a bit more free form all the way through - but the end result didn't quite deliver, there will still be a big list of spells for no other reason than to have them.
Overall - not for me but possibly for you
February 27, 2022
4/5
Felt like reading a similar and different novel at the same time.
Fast paced and also liked the progression aspects of the book.
Looking forward to the sequel.
Felt like reading a similar and different novel at the same time.
Fast paced and also liked the progression aspects of the book.
Looking forward to the sequel.
February 24, 2022
Boring and the worst kind of MC
The writing is fine, but it moves at a glacial pace. On top of that... It's boring and the MC is a spineless loser. If the reader is hoping the protagonist will be killed off and replaced, that's a bad thing. Seriously, there is nothing likeable about the MC. Weak in every way despite plot armor and insane luck, an idiot, and he whines or cries about everything while acting like a child and letting others roll over him. No thanks, I really can't stand this type of protagonist... I blame bad anime for its recent popularity.
The writing is fine, but it moves at a glacial pace. On top of that... It's boring and the MC is a spineless loser. If the reader is hoping the protagonist will be killed off and replaced, that's a bad thing. Seriously, there is nothing likeable about the MC. Weak in every way despite plot armor and insane luck, an idiot, and he whines or cries about everything while acting like a child and letting others roll over him. No thanks, I really can't stand this type of protagonist... I blame bad anime for its recent popularity.
November 5, 2022
I really, really liked this... but I'm also really conflicted about liking it 'cause the protagonist is a bit of a douchebag. He has the characteristics you find in main characters in gaming literature which I liked, the world in this book is very challenging and how humans were forced onto the world was so intense. But for all the good he does and all the levelling Jaime experiences, there was just something about him that didn't sit right with me.
I think perhaps it's the whole focus on getting revenge for his mother... which I totally agree on, but it just doesn't seem smart to only focus on vengeance. I'm hoping his attitude softens a little 'cause what is the point surviving this world when you're all alone?
I was initially going to give this four stars, but I can't get over Jaime's douchebagness and so it's down to three. I hope I like him better in the next book... otherwise, I wish Tara was the main character and she finds herself a lady to kickass with!! LOL
I think perhaps it's the whole focus on getting revenge for his mother... which I totally agree on, but it just doesn't seem smart to only focus on vengeance. I'm hoping his attitude softens a little 'cause what is the point surviving this world when you're all alone?
I was initially going to give this four stars, but I can't get over Jaime's douchebagness and so it's down to three. I hope I like him better in the next book... otherwise, I wish Tara was the main character and she finds herself a lady to kickass with!! LOL
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
When is the next one?!?!?!?
Another amazing book and a new series! Vider’s other series is “eyes glued to book” fun and Overworld has somehow gone beyond his other series. Love the system and how a gaming background is both helpful and a hinderance. I am glad the MC is grounded and not fully OP. The MC fits his age and experience mold well brother emotionally and mentally. Action sequences are truly visual. Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next!
Another amazing book and a new series! Vider’s other series is “eyes glued to book” fun and Overworld has somehow gone beyond his other series. Love the system and how a gaming background is both helpful and a hinderance. I am glad the MC is grounded and not fully OP. The MC fits his age and experience mold well brother emotionally and mentally. Action sequences are truly visual. Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next!
February 7, 2021
More reviews at undertheradarsffbooks.com
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank Rohan Vider tremendously for taking the time to contact me, wanting to share his book with me and now it is my job to return the favor. I LOVED THIS BOOK, plain and simple. I would never have picked this book out of the thousands you can find on amazon in a million years, but that just goes to show you how important connections are in this crazy world of ours. The Dragon Mage saga is categorized as a fantasy post apocalyptical story combined with LitRPG. I have to admit when I first heard this I was a little off put because I usually don’t enjoy these types of books as they can be gimmicky and dull. I promise you that I had none of those feels as I stormed through this book in two days and I felt like a little kid on my Gameboy wanting to level up my character and visit new places. You are all in for a treat!
Earth is being invades by these huge metal objects located sporadically across the globe just like in the movie Arrival. All of a sudden, a hologram appears and a foreign creature is talking to mankind about the destruction of Earth in two weeks time. Our main character, Jamie, notices that the alien’s being seen in the hologram are not the aliens he has grown up seeing in movies and on T.V, the aliens are orcs. The orcs explain that earth is coming to an end and humans are about to enter a land called Overworld with hundreds of other species battling for survival. Jamie then realizes that the huge metal objects are not spacecrafts but gates to this new world, but the gateway is opened on both sides and the orcs start invading earth. Guns and missiles have no affect on these orcs and they have a mission to gather as many humans with the potential for magic as they can and Jamie is one of those humans. I will not spoil anything in this review, but Jaime vows revenge on the orc nation for destroying his planet and will enter overworld with his vengeance.
Now, lets get into the fun parts of the story. There is no way I could do this book justice in explaining all the details and nuances into how the world operates, but I will give you a little taste. Before the humans entered Overworld, there was a manual released on the internet to prepare future gamers for this world. Each new player is required to select a certain traits before they enter Overworld and Jamie decides to select the traits of a dragon mage. This allows Jamie to attain power magic but at a huge cost and I will let you see for details of this for yourself. Next Jaime is thrusted in to an epic battle with strange creatures and the story really begins!
Players can level up in many different ways depending on the types of attributed they obtain through combat, training, scouting, building, and analyzing. Rohan Vider has definitely done his home work into home he wants the world to be and the details required to fill this world with action, mystery, and pain. Riddled through this world are hundreds of creature, lairs, dungeons, and certain objectives that cannot be ignored by anyone, Jaime included. Jamie will stop at nothing to have his revenge against the Orcs, but he knows that he can’t do it alone.
Rohan Vider has created an action packed page turner that had me reading for hours on end. I always needed to know what was going to happen to Jaime and his companions or what new skill we were going to discover. Rohan Vider writing style is very fluid and easy to comprehend but with the constant pushing of the narrative forward. Even the “slow” parts of the story had a purpose and there is not a page wasted in this book. Rohan Vider also has the propensity to break you heart and pull on your emotional strings time after time. There are several scenes that are very painful and it adds to the high stakes our characters find themselves in. You will be surprised on several occasions throughout this story.
Fans of LitRPG novels, gamers, fast paced action, or if you are just looking for a fun page turner will love this book. Even I am not immune to books flying under my radar and I need to step my game up to find more stories like this. The author has told me that he is writing book 2 now and he is hoping for a July 2021 release! This date can’t come soon enough and I will be eagerly waiting for the action to continue!
Cheers!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank Rohan Vider tremendously for taking the time to contact me, wanting to share his book with me and now it is my job to return the favor. I LOVED THIS BOOK, plain and simple. I would never have picked this book out of the thousands you can find on amazon in a million years, but that just goes to show you how important connections are in this crazy world of ours. The Dragon Mage saga is categorized as a fantasy post apocalyptical story combined with LitRPG. I have to admit when I first heard this I was a little off put because I usually don’t enjoy these types of books as they can be gimmicky and dull. I promise you that I had none of those feels as I stormed through this book in two days and I felt like a little kid on my Gameboy wanting to level up my character and visit new places. You are all in for a treat!
Earth is being invades by these huge metal objects located sporadically across the globe just like in the movie Arrival. All of a sudden, a hologram appears and a foreign creature is talking to mankind about the destruction of Earth in two weeks time. Our main character, Jamie, notices that the alien’s being seen in the hologram are not the aliens he has grown up seeing in movies and on T.V, the aliens are orcs. The orcs explain that earth is coming to an end and humans are about to enter a land called Overworld with hundreds of other species battling for survival. Jamie then realizes that the huge metal objects are not spacecrafts but gates to this new world, but the gateway is opened on both sides and the orcs start invading earth. Guns and missiles have no affect on these orcs and they have a mission to gather as many humans with the potential for magic as they can and Jamie is one of those humans. I will not spoil anything in this review, but Jaime vows revenge on the orc nation for destroying his planet and will enter overworld with his vengeance.
Now, lets get into the fun parts of the story. There is no way I could do this book justice in explaining all the details and nuances into how the world operates, but I will give you a little taste. Before the humans entered Overworld, there was a manual released on the internet to prepare future gamers for this world. Each new player is required to select a certain traits before they enter Overworld and Jamie decides to select the traits of a dragon mage. This allows Jamie to attain power magic but at a huge cost and I will let you see for details of this for yourself. Next Jaime is thrusted in to an epic battle with strange creatures and the story really begins!
Players can level up in many different ways depending on the types of attributed they obtain through combat, training, scouting, building, and analyzing. Rohan Vider has definitely done his home work into home he wants the world to be and the details required to fill this world with action, mystery, and pain. Riddled through this world are hundreds of creature, lairs, dungeons, and certain objectives that cannot be ignored by anyone, Jaime included. Jamie will stop at nothing to have his revenge against the Orcs, but he knows that he can’t do it alone.
Rohan Vider has created an action packed page turner that had me reading for hours on end. I always needed to know what was going to happen to Jaime and his companions or what new skill we were going to discover. Rohan Vider writing style is very fluid and easy to comprehend but with the constant pushing of the narrative forward. Even the “slow” parts of the story had a purpose and there is not a page wasted in this book. Rohan Vider also has the propensity to break you heart and pull on your emotional strings time after time. There are several scenes that are very painful and it adds to the high stakes our characters find themselves in. You will be surprised on several occasions throughout this story.
Fans of LitRPG novels, gamers, fast paced action, or if you are just looking for a fun page turner will love this book. Even I am not immune to books flying under my radar and I need to step my game up to find more stories like this. The author has told me that he is writing book 2 now and he is hoping for a July 2021 release! This date can’t come soon enough and I will be eagerly waiting for the action to continue!
Cheers!
October 21, 2021
The story isn't bad, the writing and grammar are perfectly fine, but I cannot shake the feeling that the story is missing something.
It is just a generic system apocalypse and the protagonist is severely hampered by being thrown into a "settlement building and defending" scenario at the start. It just feels cobbled together with things happening without any input from the protagonist, who would very much like to be doing something different than help other people.
It is also very convenient that "having magic abilities" is super rare and make the protagonist overpowered as hell. This plot armor makes him a very important human to have as a friend and he basically solves every single problem the other humans are unable to. Kill all the meanie monsters? check. Help melt metal so they can craft tools? Check. Kill a spiders nest that was decalred "off limits" while still being a total noob? Check.
To me this story is like many others out there. It does not stand apart and not reading it would have not been a loss as it does not contain any new or valuable additions to the genre. If the reader is new to the system apocalypse genre I guess it is entertaining? But as a veteran fantasy and litRPG reader it is just "meh".
It is just a generic system apocalypse and the protagonist is severely hampered by being thrown into a "settlement building and defending" scenario at the start. It just feels cobbled together with things happening without any input from the protagonist, who would very much like to be doing something different than help other people.
It is also very convenient that "having magic abilities" is super rare and make the protagonist overpowered as hell. This plot armor makes him a very important human to have as a friend and he basically solves every single problem the other humans are unable to. Kill all the meanie monsters? check. Help melt metal so they can craft tools? Check. Kill a spiders nest that was decalred "off limits" while still being a total noob? Check.
To me this story is like many others out there. It does not stand apart and not reading it would have not been a loss as it does not contain any new or valuable additions to the genre. If the reader is new to the system apocalypse genre I guess it is entertaining? But as a veteran fantasy and litRPG reader it is just "meh".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
Edit: Book 2 just kicks it out of the park, so stick with this!
A good book that slips just a tiny bit.
Really good prose that drags you into the plot by the scruff of your neck! Awesome beginning that sucks you in and puts you in middle of apocalypses within few pages. The MC is a disabled person who remains so without "magical curing" which adds a new dimension and kept is refreshing.
But it soon lapses into standard beginner power leveling up. Though done in a good manner, this doesn't offer too much variation from other similar books in the genre. The magic system is also very cool, but sadly the uniqueness of titular 'dragon mage' is often mentioned by never elaborated.
The world building is very cool and MC is likeable though doesn't shine out much.
Despite the flaws the macro plot, prose and worldbuilding have made enough of a impact to me that I'll pick up the next book.
A good book that slips just a tiny bit.
Really good prose that drags you into the plot by the scruff of your neck! Awesome beginning that sucks you in and puts you in middle of apocalypses within few pages. The MC is a disabled person who remains so without "magical curing" which adds a new dimension and kept is refreshing.
But it soon lapses into standard beginner power leveling up. Though done in a good manner, this doesn't offer too much variation from other similar books in the genre. The magic system is also very cool, but sadly the uniqueness of titular 'dragon mage' is often mentioned by never elaborated.
The world building is very cool and MC is likeable though doesn't shine out much.
Despite the flaws the macro plot, prose and worldbuilding have made enough of a impact to me that I'll pick up the next book.
February 14, 2021
Well written and interesting
This is a relatively light litrpg for stats but interesting world and well written with a different post-apocalytipc take. I'll definitely read book 2.
This is a relatively light litrpg for stats but interesting world and well written with a different post-apocalytipc take. I'll definitely read book 2.
February 13, 2022
Disabilities are key to the MC. Not only is he physically disabled with a crippled leg, but he’s very very clearly mentally disabled too. Sadly the MC has no awareness of how low his intelligence is, but luckily the other 1 dimensional foils, erhm, I mean ‘characters’ are equally as dumb and serve no purpose other than to be what’s needed in that moment. Bad ass captain female one second, complaint foil the next for all the madcap ideas from the MC that just always work out perfectly.
….Spoilers ahead….
Random civilians who have been there for like 9 days apparently have a fully functioning military with 2 person deep spear and shield walls, a full campsite, and multiple crafting and support teams. But hey, our guy has some fire! All problems solved. And…yea…this makes sense how? The timelines are absurd, maybe if they’d been in that camp for months with gradually increasing daily waves of enemies, but nope, most of it happened in under a week?
Our MC is truly a special needs person on a tantrum. In the literal freaking apocalypse where entire cities were wiped out in the opening intro…our MC and hiiiiiisssss paaaaaaiiiiinnn and trauma are just the only thing in the world. Not a drop of insight, empathy, or even vague awareness that other people exist. It is all about him and his Ma! His poor mother who was half dead with dimensia anyway…also where are all the children and babies? What happened to that part of the population? Our MC neither knows nor cares. Literally not a single other person in the story has lost anyone? The inner struggle he has to not help anyone and focus on revvvenge is painfully limited as a story and deeply disinteresting along with morally repugnant. He’s almost as bad as the MC in Overgeared, well ok, not that bad.
He has no combat experience and feels bad for the monsters he’s killing…and the blood and guts and screaming are just…whatever to him? He wants to grow and says he’s on the long path to revenge and clearly has a full year and clearly tried to pick a place afar away from the evil orcs….plenty of time.
So what to do with that? Develop 2 spells from the 7 paths of magic he selected, then rushes into some monster lair on his second freaking day in overworld to fight a level 50 boss at level 15. Because levels don’t mean anything?!
Heck a handful of grenades can kill a level 200 orc….but it takes 40 plus seconds of pure dragon fire hot enough to melt magical metals with higher boiling points than steel in order to kill a level 50 spider boss while shooting thag fire from inside it’s body? While it only takes like 10 grenades and a bit of concussive force to wipe out 5 level 200 combat orcs? What? It makes no sense. The levels mean nothing and nothing is consistent about the way the magic system works.
Why not develop more spells? Why not work on multiple types of magic? Why not take a week or a month to get stronger in a non suicidal way? He literally walks into the perfect base building scenario where the entire base loves him and he’s got massive support to get strong safely…nope! YOLO and Leroy Jenkins!!,!, rush into a lair on day 2….day freaking 2!
He’s pig headed and trying to abandon his allies and is super super headstrong about….what? Why? He’s a Gaaaaammmmeeerrrrrrr and seems to have zero regard for his life or ever reaching his goals. He’s got a ‘berserker’like child’s tantrum ability to throw a fit and apply his 90 iq points of intelligence while walking around thinking he’s a genius.
We are told a mage’s main drawback is they can only regenerate mana in their sleep and they get a daily set of mana to deal with…and this was a key bit of info in the alien gnome guide he spent days reading….then like 30 pages later he’s at half mana, waits around an hour or so for lunch and he’s up to three quarters mana,…so does just regenerate constantly or not?
What are the rules? Did the author forget what they said in the previous chapter? Hey your spell has a 24 hour cool down due to spirit usage…use it in the late afternoon? Well it’ll be ready the following morning! Because it changed to being a once a day spell now! Why bother even having rules?
It was a half decent intro and I liked it to a degree, but the system apocalypse LitRPG sub genre is well established so that’s not the authors making, though the initial layout was decently interesting. But the very second you see the MC land in the new world and starting making choices…it goes downhill fast and the MC is just too dumb to live, I was hoping he’d get killed before giving up by 70%. Surely you’re not meant to like the MC!
Nothing makes sense, nothing is consistent, and the MC is just too dumb and unlikeable. Did not finish.
….Spoilers ahead….
Random civilians who have been there for like 9 days apparently have a fully functioning military with 2 person deep spear and shield walls, a full campsite, and multiple crafting and support teams. But hey, our guy has some fire! All problems solved. And…yea…this makes sense how? The timelines are absurd, maybe if they’d been in that camp for months with gradually increasing daily waves of enemies, but nope, most of it happened in under a week?
Our MC is truly a special needs person on a tantrum. In the literal freaking apocalypse where entire cities were wiped out in the opening intro…our MC and hiiiiiisssss paaaaaaiiiiinnn and trauma are just the only thing in the world. Not a drop of insight, empathy, or even vague awareness that other people exist. It is all about him and his Ma! His poor mother who was half dead with dimensia anyway…also where are all the children and babies? What happened to that part of the population? Our MC neither knows nor cares. Literally not a single other person in the story has lost anyone? The inner struggle he has to not help anyone and focus on revvvenge is painfully limited as a story and deeply disinteresting along with morally repugnant. He’s almost as bad as the MC in Overgeared, well ok, not that bad.
He has no combat experience and feels bad for the monsters he’s killing…and the blood and guts and screaming are just…whatever to him? He wants to grow and says he’s on the long path to revenge and clearly has a full year and clearly tried to pick a place afar away from the evil orcs….plenty of time.
So what to do with that? Develop 2 spells from the 7 paths of magic he selected, then rushes into some monster lair on his second freaking day in overworld to fight a level 50 boss at level 15. Because levels don’t mean anything?!
Heck a handful of grenades can kill a level 200 orc….but it takes 40 plus seconds of pure dragon fire hot enough to melt magical metals with higher boiling points than steel in order to kill a level 50 spider boss while shooting thag fire from inside it’s body? While it only takes like 10 grenades and a bit of concussive force to wipe out 5 level 200 combat orcs? What? It makes no sense. The levels mean nothing and nothing is consistent about the way the magic system works.
Why not develop more spells? Why not work on multiple types of magic? Why not take a week or a month to get stronger in a non suicidal way? He literally walks into the perfect base building scenario where the entire base loves him and he’s got massive support to get strong safely…nope! YOLO and Leroy Jenkins!!,!, rush into a lair on day 2….day freaking 2!
He’s pig headed and trying to abandon his allies and is super super headstrong about….what? Why? He’s a Gaaaaammmmeeerrrrrrr and seems to have zero regard for his life or ever reaching his goals. He’s got a ‘berserker’like child’s tantrum ability to throw a fit and apply his 90 iq points of intelligence while walking around thinking he’s a genius.
We are told a mage’s main drawback is they can only regenerate mana in their sleep and they get a daily set of mana to deal with…and this was a key bit of info in the alien gnome guide he spent days reading….then like 30 pages later he’s at half mana, waits around an hour or so for lunch and he’s up to three quarters mana,…so does just regenerate constantly or not?
What are the rules? Did the author forget what they said in the previous chapter? Hey your spell has a 24 hour cool down due to spirit usage…use it in the late afternoon? Well it’ll be ready the following morning! Because it changed to being a once a day spell now! Why bother even having rules?
It was a half decent intro and I liked it to a degree, but the system apocalypse LitRPG sub genre is well established so that’s not the authors making, though the initial layout was decently interesting. But the very second you see the MC land in the new world and starting making choices…it goes downhill fast and the MC is just too dumb to live, I was hoping he’d get killed before giving up by 70%. Surely you’re not meant to like the MC!
Nothing makes sense, nothing is consistent, and the MC is just too dumb and unlikeable. Did not finish.
April 14, 2021
Rating 4.0 stars
I picked this book up as a recommendation a while ago and now I am disappointed it took me so long to get to it. This was a very good book. The idea is similar to a lot in the genre. The world as humans know it is about to end. The earth is being added to the Overworld collective. The humans will have a chance to grow powerful and protect themselves but don't expect fairness. Orcs have sponsored the Earth so they are considered patrons. Don't think that means friends. Orcs, elves, gnomes, dark elves and other races portals show up on earth. The world will be destroyed. The only way to survive is to walk through one of these portals controlled by one the races. The other races are not waiting for that to happen though. Teams of these groups come through to earth to collect people that have the rare affinity for magic. The MC turns out to be one of those people.
I picked this book up as a recommendation a while ago and now I am disappointed it took me so long to get to it. This was a very good book. The idea is similar to a lot in the genre. The world as humans know it is about to end. The earth is being added to the Overworld collective. The humans will have a chance to grow powerful and protect themselves but don't expect fairness. Orcs have sponsored the Earth so they are considered patrons. Don't think that means friends. Orcs, elves, gnomes, dark elves and other races portals show up on earth. The world will be destroyed. The only way to survive is to walk through one of these portals controlled by one the races. The other races are not waiting for that to happen though. Teams of these groups come through to earth to collect people that have the rare affinity for magic. The MC turns out to be one of those people.
August 21, 2021
*** EDIT: 15th April 2026 ***
What a difference novelty can make to your experience of reading a book. When I first read this book, I had only just discovered the LitRPG genre and hadn't experienced the plethora of considerably superior books out there. Back then, I was just pleased to be reading a LitRPG that didn't take place in a digital reality. However, now years later, that isn't nearly enough to keep me interested in a book.
This book has multiple flaws, the biggest of which are:
1. Not character-focused - The book is far more interesting in the plot unfolding than in setting up interesting characters.
2. Weirdly compressed timescale - The vast majority of the events in this book take place over the course of a small handful of days. There is far too much story advancement for that little time. The best example is that Jamie only enters Overwrold a week and a half after the opportunity to do so first appears, and yet when he arrives there are already people who behave like veterans of a long running war, who have had time to set up an encampment, build a structured command structure that feels like it was made from trial and error, and do a considerable amount of exploring of the new world and systems. It's the kind of thing that you might expect to find after a year, not just a few days. The rest of the book works out on this same sort of compressed timeline, and it's jarring to say the least.
3. Bog standard LitRPG - This might feel like a strange thing to say, considering my praise for it in the original review, but upon reading it again, there is nothing new here to sink your teeth into. If you have read something in this genre before, you will likely be familiar with everything set up here.
Overall, this book isn't bad, but it's not nearly as good as I originally thought. Therefore, I'm lowering the review score from 5 stars to 4.
*** ORIGINAL REVIEW ***
This is what LitRPG books should be. Take the gamer mechanics that make this sub-genre interesting, then find a way of integrating that into a story that has actual real-world (relative to the story) stakes. Books about people playing games just aren’t interesting, this on the other hand...
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It is similar to the Shadow Sun series by Dave Wilmarth (an excellent series in the same genre if you’re looking for something else to read). Both series are about aliens incorporating the people of earth into a larger universe that functions using gamer mechanics. However, where the Shadow Sun series stays on Earth, this series forces the residents of Earth into Overworld.
This story is told solely from the viewpoint of Jamie Sinclair, and that’s always a plus for this reader. I really like stories that focus on one character, especially in the first novel of a series, as to me this is the most efficient way to get us invested in a new world without having to get bogged down in lots of different characters. That being said, there were plenty of secondary characters in this book that were well written. They were all well rounded, made good decisions based on how their character was written, and were very believable.
Finally, this book has some great and believable stakes to draw you into the story. So overall, this book was everything I was hoping for. Add in an easy-reading writing style and this quickly became one of my favourite books in this genre.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the author does an excellent job at building side characters only to abandon them (at least for now). It’s a little frustrating because I want to see those characters again and not have to get to know a load of new ones so soon after learning about the last ones and getting invested in their struggle. However, the decision to do this all made sense in the story, so I can’t really complain about it. This is just a personal taste thing.
Overall, this was a really well-written story and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
What a difference novelty can make to your experience of reading a book. When I first read this book, I had only just discovered the LitRPG genre and hadn't experienced the plethora of considerably superior books out there. Back then, I was just pleased to be reading a LitRPG that didn't take place in a digital reality. However, now years later, that isn't nearly enough to keep me interested in a book.
This book has multiple flaws, the biggest of which are:
1. Not character-focused - The book is far more interesting in the plot unfolding than in setting up interesting characters.
2. Weirdly compressed timescale - The vast majority of the events in this book take place over the course of a small handful of days. There is far too much story advancement for that little time. The best example is that Jamie only enters Overwrold a week and a half after the opportunity to do so first appears, and yet when he arrives there are already people who behave like veterans of a long running war, who have had time to set up an encampment, build a structured command structure that feels like it was made from trial and error, and do a considerable amount of exploring of the new world and systems. It's the kind of thing that you might expect to find after a year, not just a few days. The rest of the book works out on this same sort of compressed timeline, and it's jarring to say the least.
3. Bog standard LitRPG - This might feel like a strange thing to say, considering my praise for it in the original review, but upon reading it again, there is nothing new here to sink your teeth into. If you have read something in this genre before, you will likely be familiar with everything set up here.
Overall, this book isn't bad, but it's not nearly as good as I originally thought. Therefore, I'm lowering the review score from 5 stars to 4.
*** ORIGINAL REVIEW ***
This is what LitRPG books should be. Take the gamer mechanics that make this sub-genre interesting, then find a way of integrating that into a story that has actual real-world (relative to the story) stakes. Books about people playing games just aren’t interesting, this on the other hand...
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It is similar to the Shadow Sun series by Dave Wilmarth (an excellent series in the same genre if you’re looking for something else to read). Both series are about aliens incorporating the people of earth into a larger universe that functions using gamer mechanics. However, where the Shadow Sun series stays on Earth, this series forces the residents of Earth into Overworld.
This story is told solely from the viewpoint of Jamie Sinclair, and that’s always a plus for this reader. I really like stories that focus on one character, especially in the first novel of a series, as to me this is the most efficient way to get us invested in a new world without having to get bogged down in lots of different characters. That being said, there were plenty of secondary characters in this book that were well written. They were all well rounded, made good decisions based on how their character was written, and were very believable.
Finally, this book has some great and believable stakes to draw you into the story. So overall, this book was everything I was hoping for. Add in an easy-reading writing style and this quickly became one of my favourite books in this genre.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the author does an excellent job at building side characters only to abandon them (at least for now). It’s a little frustrating because I want to see those characters again and not have to get to know a load of new ones so soon after learning about the last ones and getting invested in their struggle. However, the decision to do this all made sense in the story, so I can’t really complain about it. This is just a personal taste thing.
Overall, this was a really well-written story and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
May 15, 2021
*Audiobook review*
Seriously, not worth the time as I had to give up 33% though. Okay, so I love this type of genera where the world goes through a change, magic is now real and fantasy races has joined the game. What you get with Dragon Mage is loser porn (where bad things keep happening to people and MC) and a lot of super dumb MC and ...and everyone else is just as dumb. I mean, I never seen an author having the unique ability to create such a wide array of retards as characters for this once promising book. Okay, so the Orks are going to enslave humanity by bringing them into the system and they plan to sponsor them. The other races are doing to same and paced various "Gates" around the world. They have two weeks to go their desired gates and well..choose to be slaves the the various races (They don't say it, but yea you can tell) or go the human dominion safe zones and go in buck naked. Now, the MC has a poor "Ma" (and I actually felt bad for the MC) who is a single parent who is loosing her mind after years of working hard and taking care for her hobbled son. The author does a good job in pulling them heart strings there. So here I thought, this story was going to be about the MC and his poor old mom traveling across the state and try to cross the Nomish gate (the least hostile gate). I mean, they get 2 weeks and I can see that happening. Fighting off unruly humans, maneuvering around U.S government and dealing with harsh travel plans until they reach the gate and travel together to a new world. THAT IS WHAT I WAS EXPECTED. So the MC, like a retard starts to mountain of dumbass research (which he never really utilize) and tries to venture forth on the last days of earth. So the orks come in and tries the kidnap the MC (because magic users are rare; got to catch em all). So they only want him and Orks are the over the top bad guys, kill his mom by AXE-ed to death and then ...mutilate her dead body in front of him for shits and giggle. Got to love that ork war lord recruitment procedure. So, when he gets the chance he finds a boxes of grenade and gives his mother's killer the finger and kills them 5 minuets later. So he talks about sucide but then decide to a "Hitler" and vowes to exterminate the orks. Goes into the "gate" chooses his skills in the "between world" and ends up in human lands where he continues to meet retards who call him "fish" because he is new and you never hear the end of it. I think every gamer has come across retards like that. A new games starts up and you are a hour late and for some reason people are calling you "Noob" even though everyone else is as clueless as you. The worse part is, all his research before he left for the gate as useless because he doesn't know about magic or the rules of the game. Also everyone is just standing there with their mouths open taking huge dumps kind of reaction on everything. For example the MC has to choose a special ability and he has 2 minuets left and he finds the ultimate one. He proceeds to spend one minuet 30 second looking blankly into nothing instead of getting a god damn move on.
I mean seriously, the author keeps on piling the shit for this SAD PORN.
Mom has dementia worked for years, the MC is hobble due to hit and run, watch mom brutilly murder for no reason, kills his killers and is suicidal, gets to new world and after an hour of playing soilder as a spear man for the human faction decides to pull a Leroy Jenkins to save people who gives two shit for him. Seriously, not worth the time and to all the people who gave 5 stars. Did you all enjoy reading about a giant loser like the MC? Is that why you like this book?
Seriously, not worth the time as I had to give up 33% though. Okay, so I love this type of genera where the world goes through a change, magic is now real and fantasy races has joined the game. What you get with Dragon Mage is loser porn (where bad things keep happening to people and MC) and a lot of super dumb MC and ...and everyone else is just as dumb. I mean, I never seen an author having the unique ability to create such a wide array of retards as characters for this once promising book. Okay, so the Orks are going to enslave humanity by bringing them into the system and they plan to sponsor them. The other races are doing to same and paced various "Gates" around the world. They have two weeks to go their desired gates and well..choose to be slaves the the various races (They don't say it, but yea you can tell) or go the human dominion safe zones and go in buck naked. Now, the MC has a poor "Ma" (and I actually felt bad for the MC) who is a single parent who is loosing her mind after years of working hard and taking care for her hobbled son. The author does a good job in pulling them heart strings there. So here I thought, this story was going to be about the MC and his poor old mom traveling across the state and try to cross the Nomish gate (the least hostile gate). I mean, they get 2 weeks and I can see that happening. Fighting off unruly humans, maneuvering around U.S government and dealing with harsh travel plans until they reach the gate and travel together to a new world. THAT IS WHAT I WAS EXPECTED. So the MC, like a retard starts to mountain of dumbass research (which he never really utilize) and tries to venture forth on the last days of earth. So the orks come in and tries the kidnap the MC (because magic users are rare; got to catch em all). So they only want him and Orks are the over the top bad guys, kill his mom by AXE-ed to death and then ...mutilate her dead body in front of him for shits and giggle. Got to love that ork war lord recruitment procedure. So, when he gets the chance he finds a boxes of grenade and gives his mother's killer the finger and kills them 5 minuets later. So he talks about sucide but then decide to a "Hitler" and vowes to exterminate the orks. Goes into the "gate" chooses his skills in the "between world" and ends up in human lands where he continues to meet retards who call him "fish" because he is new and you never hear the end of it. I think every gamer has come across retards like that. A new games starts up and you are a hour late and for some reason people are calling you "Noob" even though everyone else is as clueless as you. The worse part is, all his research before he left for the gate as useless because he doesn't know about magic or the rules of the game. Also everyone is just standing there with their mouths open taking huge dumps kind of reaction on everything. For example the MC has to choose a special ability and he has 2 minuets left and he finds the ultimate one. He proceeds to spend one minuet 30 second looking blankly into nothing instead of getting a god damn move on.
I mean seriously, the author keeps on piling the shit for this SAD PORN.
Mom has dementia worked for years, the MC is hobble due to hit and run, watch mom brutilly murder for no reason, kills his killers and is suicidal, gets to new world and after an hour of playing soilder as a spear man for the human faction decides to pull a Leroy Jenkins to save people who gives two shit for him. Seriously, not worth the time and to all the people who gave 5 stars. Did you all enjoy reading about a giant loser like the MC? Is that why you like this book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2021
A good read, maybe one of the most realistic book in litrpg if such thing can be said, well written, a little slow paced for my taste , definitely reading the next one.
June 13, 2022
Stupid
I really have no idea why Amazon keeps trying to shove LitRPG idiocies down my throat. I read 1 that had a 2 to 3 elements of a partial LitRPG and now it seems to think that that is the best genre to throw at me. No, no pretending video games are real books. For the love of god. Stop. Full stop.
I guess this book would be ok if you were an alt-right bitter neckbeard fake news troll that wants your MMORPG to come to life, your conspiracy theories to blow up the world, and everything to devolve into chaos and there to be explosive militias to do better than militaries, etc etc etc etc etc it is just incredibly stupid. I just couldn't give this thing a chance. It has a very niche audience, the reactions of the character were very... I don't know. Not organic. Unlikely injury disability, the shaping occurrence where suddenly he goes full Smeagol is just bizarre, but I guess if he's a 24 year old daylight averse, bathing averse, exercise averse, yadda yadda yadda, he'd go full Edgar Allen Poe in the 21st Century from Fake News PUNISH THE FOOL! Be like the stone! Just... what? Where the heck did that come from?
Not to mention the bizarre notion that the unhealthy gamers would be the prime survivors in a suddenly middle ages transition is extremely stupid. I'm all about world building, all about strange physics, magic, and subtle systems, but bludgeoning crap to see if it sticks to walls. There is just too much escapism being crafted today if games consuming us and our real world today, which is just bizarre. Have some real creativity, have a dreamscape, have some alternate dimensions, have an alternate world with a spark of magic come to life, but a player game key imprint induction into a world like it was Morrowind or Oblivion ripoff? No. Just. No.
I really have no idea why Amazon keeps trying to shove LitRPG idiocies down my throat. I read 1 that had a 2 to 3 elements of a partial LitRPG and now it seems to think that that is the best genre to throw at me. No, no pretending video games are real books. For the love of god. Stop. Full stop.
I guess this book would be ok if you were an alt-right bitter neckbeard fake news troll that wants your MMORPG to come to life, your conspiracy theories to blow up the world, and everything to devolve into chaos and there to be explosive militias to do better than militaries, etc etc etc etc etc it is just incredibly stupid. I just couldn't give this thing a chance. It has a very niche audience, the reactions of the character were very... I don't know. Not organic. Unlikely injury disability, the shaping occurrence where suddenly he goes full Smeagol is just bizarre, but I guess if he's a 24 year old daylight averse, bathing averse, exercise averse, yadda yadda yadda, he'd go full Edgar Allen Poe in the 21st Century from Fake News PUNISH THE FOOL! Be like the stone! Just... what? Where the heck did that come from?
Not to mention the bizarre notion that the unhealthy gamers would be the prime survivors in a suddenly middle ages transition is extremely stupid. I'm all about world building, all about strange physics, magic, and subtle systems, but bludgeoning crap to see if it sticks to walls. There is just too much escapism being crafted today if games consuming us and our real world today, which is just bizarre. Have some real creativity, have a dreamscape, have some alternate dimensions, have an alternate world with a spark of magic come to life, but a player game key imprint induction into a world like it was Morrowind or Oblivion ripoff? No. Just. No.
March 1, 2025
DNF 70% 2.5 Stars
There's the shape of a good story here. Sadly the author seemed unable to find a natural voice or to allow his characters to act according to their nature.
Instead, we get prose that strains toward a level of sophistication that the author can't convincingly imitate. Instead of saying "I didn't resist her," he wrings out phrases like "I did not attempt to hinder her efforts." Much of the time, this strain leads to atrocities in grammar. The author needs more practice at writing in his natural style, and need not make his writing sound like a pretend literature professor.
The characters behave like marionettes, and interact as if they had no interior thoughts... solely driven by the plot. There's just no sense of realism. For example, the first thing I'd do if I learned healing magic, would be to repair my gimp leg. That said, for a young teen reader, this series will probably go over very well.
There's the shape of a good story here. Sadly the author seemed unable to find a natural voice or to allow his characters to act according to their nature.
Instead, we get prose that strains toward a level of sophistication that the author can't convincingly imitate. Instead of saying "I didn't resist her," he wrings out phrases like "I did not attempt to hinder her efforts." Much of the time, this strain leads to atrocities in grammar. The author needs more practice at writing in his natural style, and need not make his writing sound like a pretend literature professor.
The characters behave like marionettes, and interact as if they had no interior thoughts... solely driven by the plot. There's just no sense of realism. For example, the first thing I'd do if I learned healing magic, would be to repair my gimp leg. That said, for a young teen reader, this series will probably go over very well.
November 1, 2021
An interesting setting, well driven plot, its just that the MC can make obvious stupid decitions when he is portrayed smarter that them there is a couple of times he was enarving for it. Even so is interesting enough to want to follow up on it.
January 5, 2024
2.5 disons. Je ne sais pas si je vais lire le 2 ou pas.
May 10, 2021
Really well written
Nice little spin on a standard genre intro had me hooked pretty much from the go. Events get you invested into the characters fluidly and then drag you along for the ride
Nice little spin on a standard genre intro had me hooked pretty much from the go. Events get you invested into the characters fluidly and then drag you along for the ride
September 1, 2025
The power balance is heavily skewed and makes humans irrelevant as a species. The combat reinforces this. It plays out as unrealistic and only won through plot armor.
January 11, 2021
Ok
The story is pretty interesting, the characters not so much, storyline is 4 stars the mc 2, not the dumbest most useless mc ever, but not far off, would read a sequel hoping to see some major character growth, but without it don't think I could continue.
The story is pretty interesting, the characters not so much, storyline is 4 stars the mc 2, not the dumbest most useless mc ever, but not far off, would read a sequel hoping to see some major character growth, but without it don't think I could continue.
January 13, 2021
Alert
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Second, I am not a bot...at least I don’t think I am. Yes this is copy pasta (just learned that term, so fun!) simply because I feel like any book I read deserves acknowledgement but at the same time my feelings on reviews conflict with the normal review process.
I enjoyed this book, so my goal is to promote it and help the author. If you are a potential reader, just stop reading now and take the above as all you need to know. I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. It is my opinion that Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. Or not if you don’t think this book is for you. That choice is all yours and the beauty of art appreciation. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
If you are a member of the IAK Guild (thanks, Jason) or part of the review police, feel free to criticize me and challenge my philosophy on reviewing art. I think we all love a good debate. The forums are open and I welcome your comments. I was wrong in my previous request to get you to stop. Your blatant disregard for that request has led to some fun discussions. Growth is important for us all.
Cheers
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Second, I am not a bot...at least I don’t think I am. Yes this is copy pasta (just learned that term, so fun!) simply because I feel like any book I read deserves acknowledgement but at the same time my feelings on reviews conflict with the normal review process.
I enjoyed this book, so my goal is to promote it and help the author. If you are a potential reader, just stop reading now and take the above as all you need to know. I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. It is my opinion that Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. Or not if you don’t think this book is for you. That choice is all yours and the beauty of art appreciation. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
If you are a member of the IAK Guild (thanks, Jason) or part of the review police, feel free to criticize me and challenge my philosophy on reviewing art. I think we all love a good debate. The forums are open and I welcome your comments. I was wrong in my previous request to get you to stop. Your blatant disregard for that request has led to some fun discussions. Growth is important for us all.
Cheers
January 31, 2022
4 Your Magic Is Extraordinary Stars
Overworld is the first book in The Dragon Mage Saga by Rohan M. Vider.
I, honestly, truly enjoy Apocalypse style LitRPG'S; where the entirety of the Earth is forced into the complete unknown of an entirely foreign new world and way of life.
From the beginning it is rather obvious his mother has very minimal chances of surviving this devastating shift for humanity. I belive the author took this terrible twist of tragedy and reformed into an inspiration. Not only to force Jamie to persevere, but to guide other new players as Joslin did with renaming their settlement after his recently departed mother.
My first curiosity for what this literary world will bring next: the incoming cast of wanderers and lone wolves that are destined to make up Jamie's band of traveling orc slayers. I hold out hope he will not face this insurmountable task before him, all alone.
Overworld is the first book in The Dragon Mage Saga by Rohan M. Vider.
I, honestly, truly enjoy Apocalypse style LitRPG'S; where the entirety of the Earth is forced into the complete unknown of an entirely foreign new world and way of life.
From the beginning it is rather obvious his mother has very minimal chances of surviving this devastating shift for humanity. I belive the author took this terrible twist of tragedy and reformed into an inspiration. Not only to force Jamie to persevere, but to guide other new players as Joslin did with renaming their settlement after his recently departed mother.
My first curiosity for what this literary world will bring next: the incoming cast of wanderers and lone wolves that are destined to make up Jamie's band of traveling orc slayers. I hold out hope he will not face this insurmountable task before him, all alone.
January 27, 2021
A good book, but not quite a 5 from me. Writing is solid, the MC is reasonably sensible, and the plot while not original is well executed. Just not quite great, but I'll read the next one. Partial spoiler follows.
The first thing I would do with life magic is figure out how to remove my "crippled" status. The fact that he makes no serious effort to do this through the entire book, even though his reduced mobility is a threat to himself and others, makes zero sense to me. Now he wants to wander off on a quest...
The first thing I would do with life magic is figure out how to remove my "crippled" status. The fact that he makes no serious effort to do this through the entire book, even though his reduced mobility is a threat to himself and others, makes zero sense to me. Now he wants to wander off on a quest...
January 8, 2021
Book one
Mistakes: I found one mistake and one possible plot hole. Why didn't anyone mine the gates? Claymore mines would have shredded the Orcs.
Plot: Really well written and a lot of fun to read. So much so that even though I read an advanced copy, I bought another.
Characters: The MC is OP, but he thinks, has emotion,and a disability that he has to work around.
8/10 Second review.
Mistakes: I found one mistake and one possible plot hole. Why didn't anyone mine the gates? Claymore mines would have shredded the Orcs.
Plot: Really well written and a lot of fun to read. So much so that even though I read an advanced copy, I bought another.
Characters: The MC is OP, but he thinks, has emotion,and a disability that he has to work around.
8/10 Second review.
January 13, 2021
Worth it
Well developed. The system and world building have depth and intricacy that promise good things for the series. MC leverages a few small advantages into victory.
MC’s strongest spell uses his ‘lifeblood’, but in his biggest fight he doesn’t seem as exhausted. Could have used a bit more polish on that concept.
I will buy the next novel. Best recommendation I can give.
Well developed. The system and world building have depth and intricacy that promise good things for the series. MC leverages a few small advantages into victory.
MC’s strongest spell uses his ‘lifeblood’, but in his biggest fight he doesn’t seem as exhausted. Could have used a bit more polish on that concept.
I will buy the next novel. Best recommendation I can give.
April 10, 2021
Good LRPG
There are waaaaybtoo many LRPG books out these days. Many are not good. However, Dragon Mage is written well and does not rely heavily on stats and graphs. (Thank goodness). Initially I was worried this would another generic mage transforms into dragon and fights other dragons book but I was happily wrong. Vider took trafitional Fantasy elements and blended then with iseki type scenario.
There are waaaaybtoo many LRPG books out these days. Many are not good. However, Dragon Mage is written well and does not rely heavily on stats and graphs. (Thank goodness). Initially I was worried this would another generic mage transforms into dragon and fights other dragons book but I was happily wrong. Vider took trafitional Fantasy elements and blended then with iseki type scenario.
January 26, 2021
Interesting read
This reminded me of the Red Mage novel series. I’d give it a 3.8. Nothing new but the author put his own spin to it. To my irritation, the MC acted rashly in many situations but I’m happy the author showed the consequences. Looking forward to book 2.
This reminded me of the Red Mage novel series. I’d give it a 3.8. Nothing new but the author put his own spin to it. To my irritation, the MC acted rashly in many situations but I’m happy the author showed the consequences. Looking forward to book 2.
April 22, 2022
Did not want to put it down!
This book was very good the story character development and world building all are top notch. The author really got me interested in the book and it was impossible to put it down.
This book was very good the story character development and world building all are top notch. The author really got me interested in the book and it was impossible to put it down.
February 14, 2021
Good book
Good book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Good book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
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