This genre is fast becoming something I’m really starting to enjoy. These books take me back to my youth where some of the best times of my life where involved rpg and more with my friends.

So, my review follows. –

I never like looking over ‘synopsis’ or other bits of information and I did know that Blaise had posted parts of this on his site and even with his paetron. I’ve done my homework since I listened to Delvers, besides following Jeff’s Soundbooth Theatre and hearing parts of this audio over on there. So I’d some idea on what I was getting into even though I started it straight after a sci-fi.

This story starts off with some great action, there’s no slow build, we’re literally thrown in at a point where some people might think our MC’s already won the online game, so what am I reading on for, but don’t be fooled.

The deep world building and rich descriptions shine in here from that first few scenes, and I have to admit, that I thoroughly enjoyed this a lot more than his first novel. Maybe this is because as with everyone we all grow as writers the more we actually write. I don’t know, it just seems to me that there’s much more passion in here.

Where Blaise takes the MC from the opening is not only very interesting, but it’s also a journey that you go on with Trent/Vale inside the game and out of it because this is a very well balanced novel, with defined scenes from both parts of his life.

As the plot develops the contrast and reality of what happens to Trent in-game soon crosses over to his real life. These scenes to me really added to sympathising with him, his friend Bart and in the situation that they soon find themselves in together inside the game.

I found there were several nice plot twists and turns that I hadn’t guessed were coming. The other characters that were brought in, added not only the gaming mechanics that come with the genre, but they brought with them their own purpose, agendas and reasoning. This changed things up a lot and Trent had to make some quick decisions. I could get behind his way of thinking for some, but there was also one thing he missed and it came back to bite him in the backside.

Overall, so far this has been one of the most enjoyable books in this genre that I’ve had the pleasure of listening too. Jeff delivers on so many levels that he’s very hard not to enjoy. I think his female characters are so believable I find it hard to not picture another person in the booth with him doing the recording. (having seen it for myself I know his voices are all his own) and the accents are divine.

An excellent audiobook and the start of a series that I really think is going places. If you’ve not already checked it out on amazon, go do so now.

Thank you for the entertainment, and hurry up with more!