Another book I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for Bookstagram!
On the surface, this recently published hardcover looks to be riding the LitRPG wave alongside books like Dungeon Crawler Carl and He Who Fights with Monsters. However, look a little deeper and you’ll discover it was originally published in 2016 and has only recently secured a traditional publishing deal with Aethon Books.
The story follows Jason, an 18-year-old scholarship student at a wealthy private school who gets bullied by his richer classmates. Then he discovers Awaken Online, the most immersive VR MMO of all time. Jason has always played the good guy in games, but this time he decides to embrace the dark side. And so the adventure begins!
Whilst both this and books like Dungeon Crawler Carl fall under the LitRPG umbrella, they’re very different, and in a good way. DCC leans heavily into humour, whereas Awaken Online has a more serious tone. It’s not just about navigating the game; it’s also about navigating life as a young person on the cusp of adulthood.
I really, really enjoyed this book and have no hesitation recommending it!
⚠️ A little warning!
This is book one of a series spanning 12+ books, along with a few novellas. That said, this is a phenomenal introduction, and I can’t wait to carry on with the series!
Only the first book has been published by Aethon Books so far, but the others are available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.
⭐ 5 out of 5 stars! ⭐
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