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Alpha #5
Rating Zero
For two years, I have been thinking of this place and how to get here. Every step in my grand masterplan was but a waystation en route to the main prize.
The door.
And what a special door it is! Behind it lies what will not only make me strong, but put me at the very top of this world. Or at least close.
At the moment, the door is as good as locked for me. Unapproachable. To get access, I will have to do my damnedest because you cannot just buy your way to it using regular cash. One needs a special currency points. Rating points.
The door.
And what a special door it is! Behind it lies what will not only make me strong, but put me at the very top of this world. Or at least close.
At the moment, the door is as good as locked for me. Unapproachable. To get access, I will have to do my damnedest because you cannot just buy your way to it using regular cash. One needs a special currency points. Rating points.
- GenresFantasy
355 pages, Hardcover
First published April 27, 2022
79 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Stone
57 books263 followersArthur Stone is the pen name of one Arthur Smirnov, a prolific author in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.
Born in 1973 in Donetsk, Ukraine, Arthur worked as a geologist, and also in the environmental sector and industrial archeology all over the world. He lives and works in Ukraine.
Arthur began writing fiction in 2005 on a bet, and thus his addiction was born. His first book was published in 2006, and by mid - 2025 he had published a total of 84 books in Russian, English and German-speaking markets.
Arthur Stone - email arthurstone2017@gmail.com
Born in 1973 in Donetsk, Ukraine, Arthur worked as a geologist, and also in the environmental sector and industrial archeology all over the world. He lives and works in Ukraine.
Arthur began writing fiction in 2005 on a bet, and thus his addiction was born. His first book was published in 2006, and by mid - 2025 he had published a total of 84 books in Russian, English and German-speaking markets.
Arthur Stone - email arthurstone2017@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 6, 2022
short story. lots of filler.
I love the story but this was 1/4th of a book with tons of repeated Information for filler to make it longer.
I love the story but this was 1/4th of a book with tons of repeated Information for filler to make it longer.
April 28, 2022
book five
Mistakes: I found a couple and have listed them on GoodReads.
Plot: I felt that this is more of a setup for the start of the next arc of the story.
Not much happened till after the fifty percent mark, then the action picked up a bit.
Still the author is one of the best storytellers I know.
Characters: Not much growth, but a solid foundation has been laid for book six.
8/10
Mistakes: I found a couple and have listed them on GoodReads.
Plot: I felt that this is more of a setup for the start of the next arc of the story.
Not much happened till after the fifty percent mark, then the action picked up a bit.
Still the author is one of the best storytellers I know.
Characters: Not much growth, but a solid foundation has been laid for book six.
8/10
June 8, 2025
Ok story. So over explained it's painful!. Bad pacing.
If you're like me and have made it to book five and you obviously like the story enough to see where it's going. But this is a painful story to read because it's so over explained. Paragraphs to several pages are used to explain simple things, that have happened in past books or in just everyday life. It's an expose on everything from walking across the room to eating. And beginning of the book I understand they want to recap some. The author explains so much it gives the reader zero nuance to just understand basic things. I don't know if he wants to write it for sixth graders or he just can't help himself. The overall story is good, it's just a tough read because so much explanation on things that will have no bearing in the future.
Example: the author or take 20 sentences, 20 paragraphs, or 20 pages to explain options that at the end of that explanation you're left with, " but none of that matters because I don't have the ability to do those things" sending the character does something else completely. There's a nuance to using that information dumping. And this author does it badly.
If you're like me and have made it to book five and you obviously like the story enough to see where it's going. But this is a painful story to read because it's so over explained. Paragraphs to several pages are used to explain simple things, that have happened in past books or in just everyday life. It's an expose on everything from walking across the room to eating. And beginning of the book I understand they want to recap some. The author explains so much it gives the reader zero nuance to just understand basic things. I don't know if he wants to write it for sixth graders or he just can't help himself. The overall story is good, it's just a tough read because so much explanation on things that will have no bearing in the future.
Example: the author or take 20 sentences, 20 paragraphs, or 20 pages to explain options that at the end of that explanation you're left with, " but none of that matters because I don't have the ability to do those things" sending the character does something else completely. There's a nuance to using that information dumping. And this author does it badly.
May 14, 2022
Longwinded with little actual plot development
The author must be getting paid by the word because literally 2/3 of the text could have been cut without affecting what little story actually occurred. The great irony is that the author even wrote a character explaining to Ged that he must be succinct in his speech:
“Another thing: try to use a minimum of words starting now. We shall vie for your mind and your attention, and we therefore value laconic speech over flowery verbiage. From now on, value every moment that is too precious to waste on extraneous words.”
I wish the author would have taken his own advice…
I don’t believe the previous books were nearly this difficult to get through. If the future books are similarly wordy I don’t see myself continuing to read them, which is a shame because the plot and character development was interesting.
The author must be getting paid by the word because literally 2/3 of the text could have been cut without affecting what little story actually occurred. The great irony is that the author even wrote a character explaining to Ged that he must be succinct in his speech:
“Another thing: try to use a minimum of words starting now. We shall vie for your mind and your attention, and we therefore value laconic speech over flowery verbiage. From now on, value every moment that is too precious to waste on extraneous words.”
I wish the author would have taken his own advice…
I don’t believe the previous books were nearly this difficult to get through. If the future books are similarly wordy I don’t see myself continuing to read them, which is a shame because the plot and character development was interesting.
May 5, 2024
Another book with no stats shown
At least we got to see a loot drop from a monster again, finally. Just one though, and it was a weak one. After the first couple books, it seems like there was no real plan with the plot. We don't see stats anymore. The mc never uses his talents. Remember all those combat talents, like the stun, the weakness debuff, all the benefits of using wraiths, not to mention any other stuff that I can't remember because we haven't seen a talent list in like 3 books? Apparently, the author doesn't remember either.
If you cut out all of the unnecessarily repetitive introspection, saying the same thing over and over again in different ways, these books would be half their current length. It reads like the bad Chinese webnovel authors being paid by the word.
At least we got to see a loot drop from a monster again, finally. Just one though, and it was a weak one. After the first couple books, it seems like there was no real plan with the plot. We don't see stats anymore. The mc never uses his talents. Remember all those combat talents, like the stun, the weakness debuff, all the benefits of using wraiths, not to mention any other stuff that I can't remember because we haven't seen a talent list in like 3 books? Apparently, the author doesn't remember either.
If you cut out all of the unnecessarily repetitive introspection, saying the same thing over and over again in different ways, these books would be half their current length. It reads like the bad Chinese webnovel authors being paid by the word.
April 29, 2022
long, drawn out and no progress
Unfortunately, this series really has gone downhill. The author enrolls in the royal academy, where he learns nothing, fails to get stronger and spends his time with spoiled rich kids.
The book has no action and no plot progression, and consists mainly of the author talking to himself. Really disappointing.
Unfortunately, this series really has gone downhill. The author enrolls in the royal academy, where he learns nothing, fails to get stronger and spends his time with spoiled rich kids.
The book has no action and no plot progression, and consists mainly of the author talking to himself. Really disappointing.
September 3, 2023
A dam good read
A very good read the story is good and the righting itself is excellent and so I will go on to the next one and read it in one go like this book give them a go you will not regret it
A very good read the story is good and the righting itself is excellent and so I will go on to the next one and read it in one go like this book give them a go you will not regret it
February 1, 2023
Goes nowhere fast
Like me, you've already read books 1-4. You're either a huge fan or just trying to finish. Me? I was just trying to slog through to the end just to finish.
If a few tweaks were made to the loot and cultivation system, this series would work so much better. As it is now, they just collect "stuff". Some of it acts as weird currency, the other like traditional " System " related loot, minus the immediate upgrades.
The entire five books our MC doesn't get any stronger than, let's say, Daredevil. When handstands are hard and backpacks still hinder your stamina and speed, well, you're not very strong for such a world. So, it just doesn't smell right to me.
I don't need him to be your typical OP character, but ten foot drops should've been easy after the first upgrade.
The entire series really goes nowhere really fast. I think it's really due to the super short page length. Yet still, roughly 1500 pages done and after killing unique monsters that have never been killed before, he still hasn't picked up one kick ass ability when compared to other MCs in different books.
The abilities he does have, he rarely uses or they're unique, but weak af.
So here we are at book five and we're just getting into the clan stuff, barely. Things that could have been SHOWN in book one without giving away one plot point.
Like me, you've already read books 1-4. You're either a huge fan or just trying to finish. Me? I was just trying to slog through to the end just to finish.
If a few tweaks were made to the loot and cultivation system, this series would work so much better. As it is now, they just collect "stuff". Some of it acts as weird currency, the other like traditional " System " related loot, minus the immediate upgrades.
The entire five books our MC doesn't get any stronger than, let's say, Daredevil. When handstands are hard and backpacks still hinder your stamina and speed, well, you're not very strong for such a world. So, it just doesn't smell right to me.
I don't need him to be your typical OP character, but ten foot drops should've been easy after the first upgrade.
The entire series really goes nowhere really fast. I think it's really due to the super short page length. Yet still, roughly 1500 pages done and after killing unique monsters that have never been killed before, he still hasn't picked up one kick ass ability when compared to other MCs in different books.
The abilities he does have, he rarely uses or they're unique, but weak af.
So here we are at book five and we're just getting into the clan stuff, barely. Things that could have been SHOWN in book one without giving away one plot point.
July 9, 2022
The MC goes to school and meets a beautiful mysterious girl...
Hardly any story progress, at least one fifth of the book consists of repetitions. The MC has huge ambitions but through the entire book the MC does not learn much. The plot forces him to meet a mysterious girl several times. The end is a cliff hanger. Again the story of the book could have been told in under 50 pages...
The worst part: Gollum is back!
Hardly any story progress, at least one fifth of the book consists of repetitions. The MC has huge ambitions but through the entire book the MC does not learn much. The plot forces him to meet a mysterious girl several times. The end is a cliff hanger. Again the story of the book could have been told in under 50 pages...
The worst part: Gollum is back!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2022
Not much development
Listen, I really enjoy this series. However, this book almost nothing of impact happened. There was no quantifying of attributes or anything in this book all he did was spend what appears to be 3 months at a school. I really hope the rest of the series doesn't progress at the same speed.. Really looking forward to more development in the next book
Listen, I really enjoy this series. However, this book almost nothing of impact happened. There was no quantifying of attributes or anything in this book all he did was spend what appears to be 3 months at a school. I really hope the rest of the series doesn't progress at the same speed.. Really looking forward to more development in the next book
May 3, 2022
A good book.
The author has continued to put out books that really hold my attention and keep me engaged with the story. The world building is top notch with really interesting tidbits put out in each book. The MC is very interesting and I like how the author has slowly built up secondary characters that will continue to help the MC.
The author has continued to put out books that really hold my attention and keep me engaged with the story. The world building is top notch with really interesting tidbits put out in each book. The MC is very interesting and I like how the author has slowly built up secondary characters that will continue to help the MC.
June 4, 2022
Great LitRPG Read
Continuing the series, this has all the twists and turns you'd expect and is a fun continuation of the story. I hope book 6 is written and translated soon. Sadly, the author is in eastern Ukraine, which makes that difficult. Still, I hope there's more to read soon!
Continuing the series, this has all the twists and turns you'd expect and is a fun continuation of the story. I hope book 6 is written and translated soon. Sadly, the author is in eastern Ukraine, which makes that difficult. Still, I hope there's more to read soon!
April 28, 2022
Good book
Good book a little slow in the progress this time but our hero seems to be heading in the right direction seems he may have picked up a new vassal? Pun intended. Hopefully ged and kimi continue getting along looking forward to the next book!
Good book a little slow in the progress this time but our hero seems to be heading in the right direction seems he may have picked up a new vassal? Pun intended. Hopefully ged and kimi continue getting along looking forward to the next book!
April 29, 2022
excellent!
Great continuation of the story and very well written. Finally a two way conflict between the hero and the main villain appears to be in the offing. And nice progress on understanding the zero issue.
Great continuation of the story and very well written. Finally a two way conflict between the hero and the main villain appears to be in the offing. And nice progress on understanding the zero issue.
April 29, 2022
Chewy
You never get to see the MC’s full character sheet in this one.
Beko shows up again. Being Beko. So that’s fun.
Still insanely complicated, still wondering who the ‘bad guys’ are…until the end.
You never get to see the MC’s full character sheet in this one.
Beko shows up again. Being Beko. So that’s fun.
Still insanely complicated, still wondering who the ‘bad guys’ are…until the end.
May 2, 2022
So long winded
I love the series but I'm so bored with how long winded he writes. You could have edited the book to a third of its length and list nothing from the story. He needs to give us more story and less of the pointless crap
I love the series but I'm so bored with how long winded he writes. You could have edited the book to a third of its length and list nothing from the story. He needs to give us more story and less of the pointless crap
May 10, 2022
Good read
I liked where the story is going and the level of detail was great but might have been more then I think was needed almost like a filler for page count. That's just my perception. Overall a good read and looking forward to the next book.
I liked where the story is going and the level of detail was great but might have been more then I think was needed almost like a filler for page count. That's just my perception. Overall a good read and looking forward to the next book.
May 14, 2022
a bit of a let down
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the book, it just felt like nothing happened in it that required a whole book.
It felt like there was a lot of filler and he was waxing so eloquently it would literally take a couple pages to stop.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the book, it just felt like nothing happened in it that required a whole book.
It felt like there was a lot of filler and he was waxing so eloquently it would literally take a couple pages to stop.
June 1, 2022
Did not disappoint!
I had waited for a while for this, and it was great! Not only was the writing better, less pedantic, it was funny! The burns Ged delivers to the stupid snobs had me rolling! I loved it and can't wait for the next. Please keep writing Arthur!
I had waited for a while for this, and it was great! Not only was the writing better, less pedantic, it was funny! The burns Ged delivers to the stupid snobs had me rolling! I loved it and can't wait for the next. Please keep writing Arthur!
April 28, 2022
Very good , a one sitting read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
April 28, 2022
another great installment
Another great adventure, more action, magic, and fun. The world gets progressively more interesting with each book. Highly recommended series.
Another great adventure, more action, magic, and fun. The world gets progressively more interesting with each book. Highly recommended series.
April 28, 2022
Great series
Loved the labyrinth at the end. Made the school worth it. Glad to see the ghoul back. Pre ordering the next one now
Loved the labyrinth at the end. Made the school worth it. Glad to see the ghoul back. Pre ordering the next one now
May 2, 2022
Addicted
This latest installment of the Alpha series is as magnificent as I was hoping and never as long as I want. I wrote in another review that this series is my second favorite to the Respawn series but I think my mind is being changed. As Ged (the MC) ages the plot thickens and he starts gathering allies, information, and complications. I seriously cannot wait for the next book, the interval is going to be interminable.
This latest installment of the Alpha series is as magnificent as I was hoping and never as long as I want. I wrote in another review that this series is my second favorite to the Respawn series but I think my mind is being changed. As Ged (the MC) ages the plot thickens and he starts gathering allies, information, and complications. I seriously cannot wait for the next book, the interval is going to be interminable.
April 29, 2022
A good continuation.
Another good addition to the series.
Interesting times in the Rocks most prestigious high-school/boarding school.
A good read. I look forward to the next!
Another good addition to the series.
Interesting times in the Rocks most prestigious high-school/boarding school.
A good read. I look forward to the next!
May 4, 2022
5 stars
Great series. I really enjoy the world building. This series 5 books in is not getting stale at all. Thanks.
Great series. I really enjoy the world building. This series 5 books in is not getting stale at all. Thanks.
May 11, 2022
back to school
5th book in and we get a school type environment. There is no real strength progression but definitely growth from the character.
5th book in and we get a school type environment. There is no real strength progression but definitely growth from the character.
May 19, 2022
A good time
The adventure continues with new interesting twists and characters. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to where it goes next.
The adventure continues with new interesting twists and characters. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to where it goes next.
May 22, 2022
There're still several massive blocks of digressive text but the story is undeniably good. The introduction of a living female character is a welcome addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews