This was great!

I loved this it got going pretty quickly and kept a great pace. I would definitely recommend a listen Travis Baldree is great I listen to most of the books he narrates

2 people found this helpful

Really Fun Read!

I really enjoyed the story that Sam created here - both the aspects related to the real world in Chile as well as the VR game world. I found myself wanting just such a game to play and enjoy. What really surprised me when listening to the narration is that I was just as excited to learn more about the real world archeology aspects in the story as I was to find out what was going on with the in game story!

If you want a great introduction to the LitRPG genre then definitely give this a read and/or listen! I liked it so much I bought both the kindle and audible version.

2 people found this helpful

Fun Standalone or Series Starter LitRPG

Fun Standalone or Series Starter LitRPG

Tarramyr Online makes for an enjoyable listen, with a plot encompassing both the near-future real world, archeological discoveries, and a VR game that is impacted by, and impacts, the real world in insidious ways. The publisher's summary does a good job of describing the basic plot, so I will focus on other aspects. The characters are believable, the world fully developed, and the story has fun twists and turns. The LitRPG elements with levels and stats is present for the characters when they are in the VR system, but does not come up so often as to overwhelm or detract from the story. Travis Baldree is, as usual, an excellent narrator, although it feels odd to me to listen to him narrate a fully decent person rather than the anti-hero or anti-villain he has done in the other audiobooks I have heard him narrate. Overall a fun listen and one that stands well on its own, although it leaves some openings for potential future tales in the world. Strongly recommended.

Disclaimer: I was given a review copy for free and have voluntarily left this review.

2 people found this helpful

Terrible

So the story is supposed to be that the main characters players are researching archeology in Chile and a tech dev hires them for mandatory closed beta testing in exchange for VR dig site mapping. They play for a while and then things start going strange.

Unfortunately, there's nothing that stands out about the story in any way. The game relies on (what I consider even currently outdated game mechanics) Save Locations to save their character progress..... in what's supposed to be an MMO.... sure, whatever. If it was an offhand thing, then fine, but the Save Locations are Major plot points in the book. It really doesn't feel like it works very well for a futuristic VR MMO.

The first half of the book reads like any standard LitRPG in a normal game world with non-realistic NPCs. Around half way through a twist is revealed that changes things and gets the real main plot going. Then somewhere around 3/4 to near the end of the book the end comes up EXTREMELY fast. I can only assume the author got bored, didn't want to write it anymore, and just wanted to finish. Like this could have easily had a sequel, but the end was the quickest finish I have ever read out of hundreds of books. It was bad. I can't recommend this book to anyone.

2 people found this helpful

Pleasantly surprised!

As I am not a huge fan of the LITRPG Fantasy genre, I took a chance on this title. I would have to say that I am now going to have to delve into this genre more going forward. The story was fantastic with great character development and the world building was awesome. The narrator did a great job and kept me wanting more. Any fans of this genre won’t be disappointed by this book and should pick it up for your next listen.

2 people found this helpful

Indiana Jones Archaeology in a Fantasy Game!

I'm an archaeology nerd, but I also love playing Elder Scrolls, Minecraft, and other video games. This story bundled both interests up in one beautiful package. The voice actor did a really good job, including doing voices and accents. It was an enjoyable story to listen to. I felt like the characters were interesting, the world was fun to explore. The archaeology tidbits were fun and seemed pretty spot on, from my layman point of view. I like that it was a clean read, especially. I have kids, and we were able to listen together without me feeling embarrassed.

1 person found this helpful

For the students it maybe too good to be true...

I AbsoDamnLutely loved this book! Sam Ferguson did something I've never seen before... He took a fully fleshed out fantasy series (a series he wrote, btw) and then wrote a litRPG that takes place within the world of that same fantasy series! Imagine your favorite series... turned into a mmorpg! Awesome.
The developers who wrote the game's code, are now offering the game out to some beta players, and those players are a team of archeology students who are working on their degrees, excavating in a new dig-location in the shadow of Three active volcanoes, deep within the Chilean mountains. What does this have to do with the game? The main Dev's actually onsite, and she's promised to make full 3-D images of the dig site and their findings! The students get their hands dirty by day, digging the site, and by night, they're all playing the game, searching for bugs/glitches before the game's release. Also, most of the students have already read and loved the Terramyr series, and they're excited to get first crack at playing the game!
You know it's not going to be easy... too good to be true, comes to mind. There ARE bugs ("bugs" is an understatement, btw), smoking volcanoes, and a Developer that's always grumpy and unhelpful!
Travis Baldree's excellent narration makes the words and characters come to life in this fantastic tale!

1 person found this helpful

VR vs. Archeology

Brian is an archeologist on an expedition to an isolated island. As the story starts, Brian is fighting in the pit. You soon learn that Brian and other students are in VR. The professor and students are using the VR as a way to meet and discuss points. As well as testing out an alpha version that has not been given out to the public as of yet. They are being asked to provide feedback and insight into bugs and gameplay.

They believe that by using the technology of the game to the dig sight, it will revolutionize mapping and culture of ancient peoples. It will save it for us across the globe and in fact across time. The different dig sites are all within Chile. Unfortunately, the Chilean government is going to kick them all out in a few days due to upcoming large volcanic activities. They have to scramble but still put at a minimum 2 hours daily in the game to meet their contractual agreement.

The initial sequence of the VR game starts with a fire kraken attacking the ship. The players and some of the NPCs escape to the row boats to a local island. There are dinosaurs and creatures on the island though. After exploring and fighting some low level monsters, the team hides in a cave from a T-Rex. Another ship comes to their rescue and so the opening sequence completes with them in a new town.

1 person found this helpful

Weak MC and Story

Well, I gave this a try and a listen, but it wasn't worth the time or credit. I don't understand how this has so many 4 star and 5 star rating. The story starts out good, but the MC literally says he shouldn't get caught, but then does just that and is tricked. He literally says he plays alot of game, but does the most stupid thing possible he rushes to failure and gets all his items taken twice for no clear reason. He (the author) doesn't understand games or the gamer mindset for the litrpg writing at all. save the credit.

A worthy book

Sam Ferguson creates a unique environment for hosting his litRPG novel in. It's a blend of real world active volcano archeological excavation, innovative massive RPG gaming system to assist in uncovering the secrets of the discovered artifacts. All the while, the game is in what could be considered system test before general release and so there are only a small cadre of research students, their professor and a game company project manager who is needed to channel the student-researchers that will help discover any bugs (flaws) in the gaming software.

The interaction between these few characters; along with some unknown game influence that make for a compelling story.

There may come a time when skills and enthusiastic delivery may leave Travis Baldree's performance and delivery but ... NOT THIS DAY!