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Reality Benders #9
The Mysteries of the Relict Pyramid
Gnat the Devourer is becoming a more prominent figure in grand space politics. Sure, he may not be totally independent yet, but he has enough leeway to be able to differentiate Earth's interests from those of its Geckho suzerains and act exclusively for the good of his own kind.
Gnat must balance obligations to his almighty suzerains against a desire to advance humanity’s position in space, and his home planet’s search for ever more allies. Although Earth’s masters are not big fans of his independent ways, the great war has shifted the historic balance of forces, and the Geckho are no longer as powerful as they once were, leaving them with no choice but to abide the Kung of Earth’s antics.
So, will Earth be able to take this chance and free itself from alien control completely? And if so, is it even a good idea?
And that means one of the human leaders will have to back down.
Gnat must balance obligations to his almighty suzerains against a desire to advance humanity’s position in space, and his home planet’s search for ever more allies. Although Earth’s masters are not big fans of his independent ways, the great war has shifted the historic balance of forces, and the Geckho are no longer as powerful as they once were, leaving them with no choice but to abide the Kung of Earth’s antics.
So, will Earth be able to take this chance and free itself from alien control completely? And if so, is it even a good idea?
And that means one of the human leaders will have to back down.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2022
122 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Michael Atamanov
57 books555 followersMichael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 26, 2022
For some reason I felt like I had to wait longer than usual for the next installment in Reality Benders, but I'm not complaining now.
Gnat is back, and war is coming to the galaxy. Not only is he trying to get Earth ready for when their tong of safety is up, he's also trying to free Tailax, currently owned by the Meleyephatians. We spend less time with the Geckho and more with the other races, and we get to see just how strategic of a mind Georg the first has. Earth isn't a prominent storyline until the end.
There's also the drive for Gnat to become the Krong of humans, which won't be easy. The Gilvan Syndicate will want to have something to say about that, as will Georg the first.
I should mention that the book ends on a cliffhanger, which will likely not make some people happy. For me, once I started reading I couldn't set it down. The editing is outstanding for a book with so many unusual names, and the stat sheets show back up which is helpful.
Overall, I love this series and with a new installment it's even better. As with a number of Russian LitRPG books, they like to have their characters getting into situations where it appears there is no way out. It's the same here, as Gnat goes right up to the limit of what's possible.
Highly recommended. 5/5*
Gnat is back, and war is coming to the galaxy. Not only is he trying to get Earth ready for when their tong of safety is up, he's also trying to free Tailax, currently owned by the Meleyephatians. We spend less time with the Geckho and more with the other races, and we get to see just how strategic of a mind Georg the first has. Earth isn't a prominent storyline until the end.
There's also the drive for Gnat to become the Krong of humans, which won't be easy. The Gilvan Syndicate will want to have something to say about that, as will Georg the first.
I should mention that the book ends on a cliffhanger, which will likely not make some people happy. For me, once I started reading I couldn't set it down. The editing is outstanding for a book with so many unusual names, and the stat sheets show back up which is helpful.
Overall, I love this series and with a new installment it's even better. As with a number of Russian LitRPG books, they like to have their characters getting into situations where it appears there is no way out. It's the same here, as Gnat goes right up to the limit of what's possible.
Highly recommended. 5/5*
July 27, 2022
The ride of the century continues.
If you liked the previous books you'll like this one, so just buy it.
Now to those wanting a more in depths review i will begin by saying this book continuous the ride we have been on for a long time now and it doesn't disappoint.
More secrets are revealed and more changes are made. If you have waited for more secrets to the game to be told this book will not disappoint. The characters are as amazing as always and the battles are amazing, so i can definitely recommend this book and are eagerly waiting for the next one.
If you liked the previous books you'll like this one, so just buy it.
Now to those wanting a more in depths review i will begin by saying this book continuous the ride we have been on for a long time now and it doesn't disappoint.
More secrets are revealed and more changes are made. If you have waited for more secrets to the game to be told this book will not disappoint. The characters are as amazing as always and the battles are amazing, so i can definitely recommend this book and are eagerly waiting for the next one.
October 29, 2022
book nine
I normally get advanced reader copies of this author’s books to help check over the translation from Russian to English. However I did not receive this one as at the time I was suffering from a really bad bout of depression after the death of my dog whom I’d had for over ten years. Eli MarshmallowButt is still missed to this day.
But now that I have read the book I will submit my notes and maybe the book will improve slightly. I enjoy this series and want it to be the best possible.
I normally get advanced reader copies of this author’s books to help check over the translation from Russian to English. However I did not receive this one as at the time I was suffering from a really bad bout of depression after the death of my dog whom I’d had for over ten years. Eli MarshmallowButt is still missed to this day.
But now that I have read the book I will submit my notes and maybe the book will improve slightly. I enjoy this series and want it to be the best possible.
September 6, 2023
At this point I think I'm done with the series. Combination of in-game politics being a main theme, which just doesn't really interest me, and a bunch of terms and ranks that just sound weird in English.
Like, when he met Oogie Boogie Mushy Tushy and... Yeah, that's a name I just made up, but given its syllables, it COULD have been in the book for all anyone knows. THAT is how silly some of the ranks and names sounded to me. It's hard to take the conversations seriously when it sounds like some toddlers made up the names and ranks that are constantly being thrown around.
Like, when he met Oogie Boogie Mushy Tushy and... Yeah, that's a name I just made up, but given its syllables, it COULD have been in the book for all anyone knows. THAT is how silly some of the ranks and names sounded to me. It's hard to take the conversations seriously when it sounds like some toddlers made up the names and ranks that are constantly being thrown around.
July 31, 2022
Great Book, Great Series
Gnat, the Devourer and Kung of Earth, is facing disadvantageous odds while trying to protect friends and further the interests of Earth. Fortunately he has an ancient, powerful ship at his disposal. His stats continue to rise as he talks former enemies into supporting him. I like the action, humor, game intrigue, and flirtatious romance. I look forward to the next book.
Gnat, the Devourer and Kung of Earth, is facing disadvantageous odds while trying to protect friends and further the interests of Earth. Fortunately he has an ancient, powerful ship at his disposal. His stats continue to rise as he talks former enemies into supporting him. I like the action, humor, game intrigue, and flirtatious romance. I look forward to the next book.
January 3, 2023
The title on this one is a bit misleading, there are (some) reveals about the pyramid to be sure, but they by no means occupy more than a few percentage points of the story. On the other hand, the story exposes plenty of plots afoot, and shows the universe is still evolving, and the story is going some amazing places it would seem. If you're a fan of the series, you're likely to enjoy this installment.
July 27, 2022
Liked it
Nine books in and the series is getting even better. MC' thoughts and action continue to make sense and that is rare when a lot of books have characters act nonsensically to advance the plot.
Nine books in and the series is getting even better. MC' thoughts and action continue to make sense and that is rare when a lot of books have characters act nonsensically to advance the plot.
February 18, 2023
Wow!
Another great addition to the LitRPG genre by one of the founders / originators. Fun read, only small mistake was it was Philip Dick, not Asimov on questioning Do Androids Dream. Asimov Androids could dream.
Another great addition to the LitRPG genre by one of the founders / originators. Fun read, only small mistake was it was Philip Dick, not Asimov on questioning Do Androids Dream. Asimov Androids could dream.
July 29, 2022
The hits keep coming
I am totally addicted to this story. The shifts the twists the turns as gnat grows. The bugger the characters the bigger more twisted the challenges.
I am totally addicted to this story. The shifts the twists the turns as gnat grows. The bugger the characters the bigger more twisted the challenges.
April 2, 2024
Another good one
January 21, 2023
Great book, can't wait for the next in the series. Bit of a cliff hanger at the end.
October 23, 2023
Nejakou úchylkou dnešných autorov sa stalo, že ak nevedia nič iné vymyslieť, všetko naruší vojna. Malé zbrane nahradia väčšie, tie ešte väčšie a potom príde zázrak. Rozmýšľať netreba.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews