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Aethermarked #1
Aethermarked, Vol. I
Friendless, broken by grief, tired of the real world, Jin-ee represents the perfect candidate for the new on-site 24/7 fully immersive gaming sensation, Aethermarked. Of course becoming Phallania Trevellian is more than she ever dreamed, and more than she bargained for. From the moment she submerges into a vat of conductive nanogel and chooses her first spell, she’s captivated at the reality and wonder of the wide magical world around her, a new life so different from what she'd had in the real world. That is, until the game refuses to let her out. Jin-ee has no choice but to become her character, and trust that the people behind the game are honestly trying to free her, rather than use her as a televised marketing sensation to drive up sales. Things take a turn down a dark path when Phallania faces down eldritch horrors, and battles fiends for her very survival. It is only then she realizes that what she thought was a game may be more than she bargained for. Things get dark at times. There might sometimes be content that you find traumatic. This LitRPG Isekai contains scenes of torture and minor fade-to-black sexual content.
453 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2021
20 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Damien Hanson
46 books44 followersDamien Hanson is an American vet who lives in Korea. This prevents him from meeting with many of his writer friends and makes him sad. You know what makes him happy though? Reviews! Send them fast and send them often.
He likes to game, read and write. Don't we all? If he isn't teaching at the university or at his academy you can generally find him on his laptop plocking away at keys, playing games with his son, or else consuming his next novel via his kindle.
He likes to game, read and write. Don't we all? If he isn't teaching at the university or at his academy you can generally find him on his laptop plocking away at keys, playing games with his son, or else consuming his next novel via his kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 10, 2022
It takes two grown men (the authors) to torture, assault, starve, bleed and experiment upon, the main character, Jin-ee, in a "game"...a "game" (activity engaged in for diversion or amusement or sport). The pain is real, she is unable to log out and the authors are the torturers and executioners of this girl.
So, without any missions, without any goals, quests or achievements, Jin-ee, passes most of her time locked up...
Who would play a game to be tortured, assaulted and locked up 24/7/365? What game company could evade the incredible lawsuits for damages (emotional, physical distress caused by the game and in this particular case, the authors)?
I do not recommend this novel series. It has no point (other than torturing non-stop the main character, who is in a game that she cannot log out.)
Is it possible to level up if all you see is a jail cell/torture chamber? Why on God's Earth, would two grown men (the authors) write about this hell-like place, all the violence, blood and gore, emotional and physical assaults to the main character? Who would want to play in this "game"? Who would watch the live videos from this player? Who would willingly read this terror-filled novel series?
Do the authors know about Universal Human Rights? Do they know that promoting torture to others is a crime? (even in fiction)? They justify it by saying they are just writing fiction, but what do these two folks have in their heads, how they treat young girls, what they think that they can get away with in futuristic-dystopian video games (full-immersion)...
There is no warning about torture-blood-gore-assaults on the cover, or the inside of the book. There is no warning about the adult content towards minors. Promoting crimes to underage readers is a crime in the U.S., Canada and most of the rest of the world. Because the authors and the publisher target minors (cover, theme, etc.) they are required to post warnings...not on the book summaries, but the actual book!
So, without any missions, without any goals, quests or achievements, Jin-ee, passes most of her time locked up...
Who would play a game to be tortured, assaulted and locked up 24/7/365? What game company could evade the incredible lawsuits for damages (emotional, physical distress caused by the game and in this particular case, the authors)?
I do not recommend this novel series. It has no point (other than torturing non-stop the main character, who is in a game that she cannot log out.)
Is it possible to level up if all you see is a jail cell/torture chamber? Why on God's Earth, would two grown men (the authors) write about this hell-like place, all the violence, blood and gore, emotional and physical assaults to the main character? Who would want to play in this "game"? Who would watch the live videos from this player? Who would willingly read this terror-filled novel series?
Do the authors know about Universal Human Rights? Do they know that promoting torture to others is a crime? (even in fiction)? They justify it by saying they are just writing fiction, but what do these two folks have in their heads, how they treat young girls, what they think that they can get away with in futuristic-dystopian video games (full-immersion)...
There is no warning about torture-blood-gore-assaults on the cover, or the inside of the book. There is no warning about the adult content towards minors. Promoting crimes to underage readers is a crime in the U.S., Canada and most of the rest of the world. Because the authors and the publisher target minors (cover, theme, etc.) they are required to post warnings...not on the book summaries, but the actual book!
October 24, 2021
mediocre
This book isn’t terrible, but it isn’t good either. The main character, while not a complete Mary Sue, gets an ability that literally states it will give her the spell she needs at that time if she has points available, and wouldn’t you know it, she almost always has points available.
Outside of that, the story jumps around a lot, and some stuff must have been taken out in the editing process because a character or situation will be introduced, and then in the next paragraph the MC is talking like she has more information than was revealed for the first time 3 sentences ago.
I wanted to like the book, and forced myself to finish all, however I just couldn’t connect with the characters or story really. There are lots of plot threads that try to hook you, but none of them are explored deeply enough, until suddenly they are all crashing together in one chaotic mess that makes little sense.
This book isn’t terrible, but it isn’t good either. The main character, while not a complete Mary Sue, gets an ability that literally states it will give her the spell she needs at that time if she has points available, and wouldn’t you know it, she almost always has points available.
Outside of that, the story jumps around a lot, and some stuff must have been taken out in the editing process because a character or situation will be introduced, and then in the next paragraph the MC is talking like she has more information than was revealed for the first time 3 sentences ago.
I wanted to like the book, and forced myself to finish all, however I just couldn’t connect with the characters or story really. There are lots of plot threads that try to hook you, but none of them are explored deeply enough, until suddenly they are all crashing together in one chaotic mess that makes little sense.
December 18, 2021
First, I'm a fan of Hanson and Locke's style. The two together can create a gamelit book that even the non-gamers can enjoy!
As far as praises go, I cannot speak highly enough of the MASSIVE world that Hanson/Locke have created. It is phenomenal the level of detail that they've inserted into their world. As a fantasy book, you expect that sort of detail from the author, and these two do not cut corners at all. It really is exquisite.
Plot is also another high point for these two authors. Coupled with the breathtaking character development, it's just *chef's kiss* Clearly, these two have thought out everything, and even a non-fantasy reader like myself can appreciate the sheer talent it takes to create something like this.
The only massive issue with me was the sheer length of the thing. That's a personal issue, though, and I can see many readers not minding at all. Solid 4-star.
As far as praises go, I cannot speak highly enough of the MASSIVE world that Hanson/Locke have created. It is phenomenal the level of detail that they've inserted into their world. As a fantasy book, you expect that sort of detail from the author, and these two do not cut corners at all. It really is exquisite.
Plot is also another high point for these two authors. Coupled with the breathtaking character development, it's just *chef's kiss* Clearly, these two have thought out everything, and even a non-fantasy reader like myself can appreciate the sheer talent it takes to create something like this.
The only massive issue with me was the sheer length of the thing. That's a personal issue, though, and I can see many readers not minding at all. Solid 4-star.
December 17, 2021
“Aethermarked: A Dark Fantasy GameLit Isekai” – Damien Hanson
This is one of the most challenging books I have read in a long time. It certainly has everything. Read in small chunks to ensure I understood all the amazing detail these two authors have put into their book. The writing is such quality only overshadowed slightly by its length.
I get the feeling they want to get so much in, their enthusiasm for creation is infectious. Their brains must be massive. Absolutely bursting with ideas. Every world is good enough to be a mini-book in itself.
Not a GameLit fan, I have tried to be, I promise there is just too much going on for me. Yet once I read 20% of this book, I was hooked. I knew I would have to finish the story writing was too good to miss and if you like the garish detail of the fighting scenes. These guys have totally nailed it.
Imagine being the main character who’s always dreamed of being a superb magician and then finding out that the worlds she is trying to save aren’t that different than the ones she’s just left. All that after being submerged in a vat of conductive nanogel, I really thought she’d be dead but, no survive she did.
Then every time she tries to get out of the game it refuses to let her out. The reader is left wondering if Jin-ee will ever escape and return to her own world. Masterpiece. Great storytelling.
A 5-star review is more than justified as the authors have injected an incredible amount of work into making this a wonderfully enjoyable story for any fans of his Genre it’s Pure Gold.
Well, Done.
Veronica Shaw
This is one of the most challenging books I have read in a long time. It certainly has everything. Read in small chunks to ensure I understood all the amazing detail these two authors have put into their book. The writing is such quality only overshadowed slightly by its length.
I get the feeling they want to get so much in, their enthusiasm for creation is infectious. Their brains must be massive. Absolutely bursting with ideas. Every world is good enough to be a mini-book in itself.
Not a GameLit fan, I have tried to be, I promise there is just too much going on for me. Yet once I read 20% of this book, I was hooked. I knew I would have to finish the story writing was too good to miss and if you like the garish detail of the fighting scenes. These guys have totally nailed it.
Imagine being the main character who’s always dreamed of being a superb magician and then finding out that the worlds she is trying to save aren’t that different than the ones she’s just left. All that after being submerged in a vat of conductive nanogel, I really thought she’d be dead but, no survive she did.
Then every time she tries to get out of the game it refuses to let her out. The reader is left wondering if Jin-ee will ever escape and return to her own world. Masterpiece. Great storytelling.
A 5-star review is more than justified as the authors have injected an incredible amount of work into making this a wonderfully enjoyable story for any fans of his Genre it’s Pure Gold.
Well, Done.
Veronica Shaw
January 2, 2022
Now this is an interesting one!
Enigmatic, mysterious story, full of action... This game lit doesn't let you down.
Jin-lee is a character( Game based Avatar) that Phallana plays in a game called the Aethermarked (cool name by the way). She has very little to live for, and looking for a magical or different life decides to join this game. Unfortunately, this is a trap and the creators of the game have locked her in and she has become something like a gladiator in a digital arena.
This book has everything for fantasy and gamelit fans. Despite of the fact that it's a bit long - The setting, the magical worlds, the spells, and the plot kept me going.
Note - I found it a bit hard to get into in the beginning. Second it's sometimes a bit hard to follow in some chapters.
Enigmatic, mysterious story, full of action... This game lit doesn't let you down.
Jin-lee is a character( Game based Avatar) that Phallana plays in a game called the Aethermarked (cool name by the way). She has very little to live for, and looking for a magical or different life decides to join this game. Unfortunately, this is a trap and the creators of the game have locked her in and she has become something like a gladiator in a digital arena.
This book has everything for fantasy and gamelit fans. Despite of the fact that it's a bit long - The setting, the magical worlds, the spells, and the plot kept me going.
Note - I found it a bit hard to get into in the beginning. Second it's sometimes a bit hard to follow in some chapters.
December 16, 2021
Get ready to immerse yourself in an EPIC game world - both literally and figuratively (the book is approx. 100,000 words) - in this well written LitRPG novel. This is not my normal genre yet when I do 'enter', I'm not disappointed by the author. The writing is outstanding and the concept intriguing. I enjoyed the characters (especially the 'bird people') and the main character, who shares her body and mind with her game character, was a strong female character. If you like Dungeons and Dragons, immersive MMO games and the stories they tell/alternate realities they build, you'd be sure to enjoy this novel.
December 6, 2021
A book club read in a genre that I wouldn't typically read, but I was intrigued by the premise of a fantasy world of a visual reality game in which a girl named Jin-ee enters the game under the new name Phallania and gets trapped inside. It was well written but took some time to adjust to the new world. Once in, there are various plots, protagonists, and antagonists joining the game. Sometimes this can get confusing. But if you are into Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality gaming, this must be on your must-read list.
December 28, 2021
Epic
If you enjoy epic fantasy with out of the world plot twists and have been contemplating trying litrpg, then this read is for you. We follow Jin-ee as she's sucked into a gaming world with a difference. This book has an impressive world building experience, complete with new and old races that leaves you wanting more. It truly is a unique world and I'd love to read more and find out what happens to Phallania. Would highly recommend!
If you enjoy epic fantasy with out of the world plot twists and have been contemplating trying litrpg, then this read is for you. We follow Jin-ee as she's sucked into a gaming world with a difference. This book has an impressive world building experience, complete with new and old races that leaves you wanting more. It truly is a unique world and I'd love to read more and find out what happens to Phallania. Would highly recommend!
December 30, 2021
While this book starts into the future, it soon goes into the past, a time of sorcery and magic, all brilliantly combined into a story with a strong MMO feel. It reminded me of WoW (but with a darker tint), with different character classes, levels that unlocked new spells and quests that needed to be completed.
Fair warning, this book ends in a cliffhanger, wanting you to read more. The story doesn't end where you think it will, and so neither is the game :)
Fair warning, this book ends in a cliffhanger, wanting you to read more. The story doesn't end where you think it will, and so neither is the game :)
March 1, 2022
A good story but not for me.
The story is interesting but to me it seemed to be trying to give too much information at once. I enjoyed the world building but from time to time it seemed heavy handed and overwhelming. The characters for the most part are well done with some tropes coming through but that’s not always bad.
This book is worth reading and may be for others but for me despite all the good it just couldn’t hold my attention or keep me engaged.
The story is interesting but to me it seemed to be trying to give too much information at once. I enjoyed the world building but from time to time it seemed heavy handed and overwhelming. The characters for the most part are well done with some tropes coming through but that’s not always bad.
This book is worth reading and may be for others but for me despite all the good it just couldn’t hold my attention or keep me engaged.
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September 15, 2021I liked it
I'm a fan of the duo so I might be biased, but this foray into a game that's might not really be a game was quite spectacular. Great professional prose combined with a lovely world setting make this one worth reading.
I'm a fan of the duo so I might be biased, but this foray into a game that's might not really be a game was quite spectacular. Great professional prose combined with a lovely world setting make this one worth reading.
November 5, 2024
I found the book very slow paced. It needed a little more of a faster pace to bring you into the world. Getting stuck in a AR game? Seems to me that things could happen to make sure this did not happen.
September 24, 2022
stupid
Don’t torture yourself by reading this trash. It is as bad as it gets when it comes to fiction. Bad.
Don’t torture yourself by reading this trash. It is as bad as it gets when it comes to fiction. Bad.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews