Axillon99: A LitRPG Novel

By: Matthew S. Cox

Narrated by: Avery Reid

Death isn't a big deal in the virtual world of online gaming, but after poking her nose where it doesn't belong, Dakota Marx finds herself running for her life - and reality doesn't come with a respawn.

At 22, she's still slinging coffee at an Amazon Cafe despite having a degree in programming. It's not because she's unlucky, unmotivated, or even that she fancies herself an underground activist crusading against evil corporations. Hunting for a real job would take time away from her game.

Axillon99 is the world's most popular multiplayer online experience, with a universe containing billions of planets to explore. Ever since video games broke the screen barrier, plunging players fully into their characters, reality just can't compete.

Cognition Systems International announces a 10-million-dollar prize to celebrate the release of the next generation Neurona 4 interface helmet. After her crew decides to try chasing the money, Dakota discovers a sinister intent behind the new technology. Going public threatens the lives of her friends, but keeping CSI's secret could destroy the very fabric of society.

©2017 Matthew Sean Cox (P)2018 Matthew Sean Cox

Hidden Gem

I found myself rather enjoying this story and not for the first time wishing we did have full immersion gaming. The world of Fawkes sounds like a place I would love to get lost in.

Wow, loved it!

I received this title free in exchange for an honest review.

I an a big fan of the LitRPG genre, so when I saw this title I was excited to give it a listen. This story exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed it throughout. The future setting, 2031, has some humorous, and not so unfathomable, notions. The idea that a coffee will cost over 9 bucks, and drones delivering all kinds of products, are just a few examples. The most important advancement to the plot, however, is full immersion gaming. While not the full haptic suits of Ready Player One, the helmet interface is integral to both the gaming and the story.
There is plenty of action, both in game and out, some daily life elements, and interpersonal dynamics as well. Each member of the Stormbringer’s crew comes to life through Matthew S. Cox’s writing. There was only one thing that disappointed me, which I will leave with pseudo-spoiler details after my comments on the narration.
Speaking of the narration, Avery Reid is EXCELLENT!!! She truly delivered an outstanding performance. She is apparently new, as this is only the third title she has on Audible at this time, but she is someone to pay attention to. She is already one of my three favorite female narrators, doing a solid job with character voices and an amazing job with the narrative.

*Pseudo-Spoiler Alert*
I’m not going to deliver any specifics, but I will say that I was disappointed with the ending, how things played out over basically the final 30 minutes. I really thought the story was cheapened with a crucial decision that was made. However, Matthew S. Cox won me back during the final two minutes. You’ll understand when you get there.

Wow! What a ride!

"Axillon99: A LitRPG Novel" is the first, but will certainly not be my last, book by author Matthew Cox and narrator Avery Reid. Wow, what a ride!

MC Dakota Marx is a purposeful underachiever, preferring to work as a barista so she has plenty of time for online gaming. She and her boyfriend, MC Erik, even limit their cuddle time so that they have plenty of time in-game. Axillon99 does a fantastic job highlighting the differences between a humdrum life in the near future, and the exciting life of risk, adventures, battles and death in the immersive game world.

Even more, the book does a terrific job as game activities and dangers crossover into the real world, real world anti-corporate concerns and personal memories are found to tie-in to the gaming world, and we find game characters teaming up in the real world to survive and find love. Wow. As I said earlier: what a ride!

Throughout the book, the level of detail is astonishing. I felt I was at the coffee shop as Dakota dealt with customers and stalkers. The in-game battles, large and small were amazing. Dakota's experience in the warehouse and her flashbacks were painfully realistic. Dakota bonding with co-worker Blake as he deals with his unwanted breakup with his boyfriend was amazing. Such delicate humanizing in a book of fantastically detailed space battles and alien monsters.

The other members of Dakota's in-game team all have their own distinct personalities, and Dakota's brother Nebraska went from an odd distraction to an important helper for the team IRL.

Are you in real life or the game? Is music playing?

Definitely 5* for "Axillon99"!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

Excellent Sci/Fi Adventure

Though I normally don’t listen to a Litrpg, I thought I’d try this one on a whim. I was interested from the start because of the Professional Style of the Narration. This book became so engrossing that I had to keep reminding myself that it was Litrpg. It presents itself as a well-written Sci/Fi Adventure! When I though the author was being repetitive, I soon realized that he was laying further groundwork for the storyline.
Good read Matthew! Excellent Narration Avery!
I was given this audiobook for free, and I freely give my opinion, evaluation, and recommendation

Best litrpg in a while

Love this audiobook, love everything about this especially the section in the beginning when the protagonist speaks about big corporations like Amazon owning everything.... The funny thing is that audible is owned also by Amazon :)

great story

great story with twist and very interesting characters I liked it a lot it was between if you like sci-fi you will probably like this book
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

More believable than Ready Player One

Axillon99 is more of a believable than the wildly popular "Ready Player One" title with similar themes. Its lacking the nostalgia that seems to be a bigger selling point, but has a more believable story for me. The book does end a little abruptly, with not as much wrap up the sap up as I typically want from my books, but does have a concrete ending that gives readers the answers that most of us want when finishing up a book. The characters (other than perhaps the main) are not strongly written in the beginning of the book, and I fell as if you don't get a strong sense of who they are until a bit latter on. All and all, an enjoyable read, if not with an amazing payout at the end. Good for a board Saturday afternoon on the couch.

Familiar story line – well executed

This book reminded me a lot of Ready Player One. And that’s a good thing. As usual for this genre, a fast paced thrill ride with lots of action and adventure. Not sure about most of the genre but this one brought the action and adventure into the real world as well. Highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a first person adventure that never sets you down.

There were a couple points early in the book where you jump from reality to game play or vice-versa in such an abrupt way that it takes a few moments to realize you have switched. Nothing bad but the closest thing to a negative I had for this one.

The narration on this book was right on with the story. Kept up with the action and changing emotions of each character. Since this was first person, all the voices were filtered through the main character but it was still easy to identify each character.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

You will never guess the ending!

This was my first "first person shooter game" theme book. It got me curious.
The story is about a girl that lives to play Axillon 99, a total immersive game, kind of like "Player One" movie from Spielberg, also in space. In this book we are introduced to all the dynamics of the game (the characters, weapons, ships, missions, etc), but also with the real life world. Even though some of the language could be hard for non players or non english native speakers, I still find the story well balanced and totally worth it to read/listen.
The narrator is very good by the way!
But I have to say, the cherry on top this very good story, that revolves around the heroine team finding a way to win an impossible mission and win real life dollars (enough to never work again), is the ending. I didn't see that coming, not the usual way to finish, and even after that another twist. You definitely have to read to find out!
I just wish some corporate guys would read this book to learn something.

I found it kinda boring

I found the book kinda boring and I just found my self just wanting to finish it so I can listen to something else.