Dead Mech Walking

Armored Souls, Book 1

By: Xavier P. Hunter

Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

100 tons of walking steel. One human heart.

Sgt. Reggie King wakes up from a battlefield injury to find himself physically intact. But the hospital staff insist he’s not fit to return to duty. As part of his psychological recovery, they introduce him to a game.

Armored Souls is a tank game on steroids. Giant, walking mechs called juggernauts engage in interplanetary wars as noble houses and mercenary factions wage endless battles for supremacy. For the pilots of these juggernauts, the rewards are glory, cash, and XP.

As a tanker in real life, Reggie has a leg up on tactics and leadership, but he’s got a lot to learn in the game world. Saddled with trigger-happy commanding officers, slacker teammates, and bafflingly incompetent NPC underlings, Reggie will have to struggle to make headway.

Meanwhile, a sinister player decides to make Reggie’s life hell after their two factions clash. Reggie is forced to find a solution to his griefer problems while battling the real life demons that chased him into the game in the first place.

…And they won’t let him quit.

©2017 Xavier P. Hunter (P)2022 Xavier P. Hunter

4.5 Mech story. Worth a listen.

The book mixes many known tropes. submersive VR, Battletech, MechWarrior, Eve Online, etc. if you enjoy those things, this is right up your alley.

the story has some predictable beats, but not all. also had a nice aire of mystery to it once the setup is complete. The characters grow somewhat. overall I enjoyed it. Though I felt the ending was rushed and cut off. it explains everything, but leaves me wanting to know more details.

Definitely worth the listen

I really enjoyed this one. Very different from most LITRPG and all the better for it. Well written and well read. Will be looking for more from this author. I don’t give 5 stars very often but for me this was one.
I received this free review audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.

100 Tons of Walking Steel and One Human Heart!

Xavier P. Hunter's "Dead Mech Walking" narrated by Mikael Naramore is a riveting introduction to the Armored Souls series. The writing is top-notch and the narration brings the characters to life, making it impossible to stop listening. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction, action, and a bit of gaming thrown in for good measure.

Great Mech Story

This story does a great job of conveying the deliberate nature of mech games like Battletech or Mechwarrior. It doesn’t bury the listener in pages worth of stat blocks, keeping the numbers succinct and to the point. I think this is one of the best mech stories I’ve read in the last three years.

Makes me want to play armored core again

This is a great read if your a fan of BattleTech! Giant armored bots blasting away at each other but the real gem is the story of SSgt King and his rehabilitation! Though I had already figured out the twist early on but still a cracking read! Now where do I log in?

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

Military Sci-FI story

Dead mech walking is an amazing military Sci-Fi story. Mikael Maramoredid an amazing job on the narration, bringing the story to life. The story is entertaining, interesting, informative, funny and similar to a LITRGP and Mech games in one. The story may trigger some people with PTSD or battle fatigue. I like how the author mixes in military, LITRGP, and mech technology into the story and the game. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.would recommend