Epic

By: Conor Kostick

Narrated by: Samuel E. Hoke

Welcome to a society governed through computer games!

On New Earth, society is governed and conflicts are resolved in the arena of a fantasy computer game, Epic. If you win, you have the chance to fulfill your dreams; if you lose, your life both in and out of the game is worth nothing. When teenage Erik dares to subvert the rules of Epic, he and his friends must face the Committee. If Erik and his friends win, they may have the key to destroying the Committee's tyranny. But if they lose....

©2004 Conor Kostick (P)2018 Conor Kostick

Are you game?

This book is for readers who enjoy fantasy, video games, role play, adventure, and coming of age. Epic, the GAME in the story, was set up to be the bases for the planet’s economy, for a means of government, for a place to bring grievances and challenge decisions.

There was a group of individuals known as Central Allocation (CA). They would make decisions regarding everything that happened on the planet. If citizens or communities disagreed, they would challenge the decisions, a battle would ensue in the arena within Epic. Residents adopt an avatar which they use to play the game and earn coin, to participate in protests, earn a spot in university. While some people work outside the game, university trained individuals, worked inside the game.

The story focuses on Erik and his family, friends and community. As his parents and neighbours try to get need resources or their community, Erik’s Mom dies - in game. This generates changes in Erik’s interaction with Epic. Follow him and his newly created avatar, Sindrella ( a swashbuckling gorgeous heroine). His gaming experience is far different than others he has heard about. His journey leads him to some serious realizations for one so young. He leads his friends through some exciting and groundbreaking adventures. Their discoveries have the potential to turn their world in a whole new direction.

Samuel Hoke carries the story along with a variety of voices that brings characters alive and their personalities dynamic. The story is long but keeps you engaged for the most part.

LitRPG before it was a thing...

This is a pretty interesting book, because it came out long before the big litrpg/gamelit explosion of the past several years. I'd have you keep it at in mind as you read, because while it certainly uses some classic genre tropes, it does it BEFORE they became tropes. it was a fun listen and I look forward to book 2 coming to audio.

I truly want more of this genre.

This is a story about the future of computer gaming. Not sitting behind a monitor but being inside and part of the game. This is a story of a young man who decides to play the game instead of just being a part of it. His dairing finds an exploit that gains him fame and fortune, or maybe not. This is worth a relaxing listen, and I really look forward to more books like this one. I am downloading the second book now.

the end of the world.

who would expect or hope for this as our future. I for one would be scared. but for reading about it I was riveted. if u like onling gaming and professional players and pseudo dystopian world's. I recommend

Great Book, Terrible Reader

The actual story is magnificent. One of my favorites of all time. However the reader made it a struggle to listen to. The only reason I finished it is because I had read the series before and wanted to relive it as an audiobook.

Early LITRPG style story

Take a society where the economy is based on game play. You can see an almost virtual hunger games as well as many other stories that have definitely pulled some inspiration from here and vice a versa. The tale of the down and out community rising up against those in power and those in power betraying each other for more power is always amusing. The trim style MCP making deals with the real life Dylan style character is great. Get ready for an awesome listen with some great plot twists, story arch’s and great characters. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Entertaining story, great voice

The story's main premise is intriguing: in an off-world human society, all political power and economics revolve around an RPG game called Epic. Even conflicts are resolved in-game, and real-life violence, or even hints of it, are strictly forbidden. Of course this leads to a totalitarian system with huge class and power differences. When our story's teenage main character sees his simple but reasonably happy life turned upside down, he has some serious choices to make, both in-game and IRL.

Although much of the story is in-game, it sometimes left out the 'juicy bits', like some action scenes I expected but missed out on. Though not always, so this was a minor issue for me, especially considering this was written in 2004.
It wasn't clear why all characters had scandinavian names, since the author doesn't seem to be from a scandinavian country, nevertheless it was refreshing to hear something else than English names. It somehow added to the harsh off-world environment and fit the story well.
One of the really interesting story points was the game's AI, which went through its own existential crisis - conceived in a very original way by the author.

The narrator took some getting used to, at first he seemed too slow, too calm, and his voice seemed too deep and mature for the mainly young characters. However, and this is a tip for anyone who feels the same, once I framed it in my mind as someone reading me a (bedtime) story, instead of a voice-acted audio drama, the narration became actually great and I developed a genuine liking to its deep, soothing tones. I would definitely listen to another book narrated by Samuel Hoke.

All in all it was a fine story, narrated very pleasurably.

~ I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I was not required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work. ~

Good stuff

There were a good few words that the narrator pronounced oddly, but I still enjoyed it a lot.

Would be very complex for children, but good story

We had this book in the middle school library and I remember reading it, just never understood it at the time. I've recently reread this and it is complex and way ahead of its time. Incorporating social economic, class structures, and virtual reality power struggles all rolled into one. worth the read.

Read as a kid. Loved it.

Something about this book speaks to me on an emotional level. Couldn't put it down... Give it a try!