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The War Game #1

Basic Training

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Carter Ash wakes up with no memories in a virtual basic training. All the recruits will die within the next six weeks. Lucky for them, they’ve all got three lives.

He’s assigned to a squad with his goofy friend and another captivating cadet, Iris. They have to keep each other alive as long as possible because when they die, they get assigned their permanent character class. And everyone in the squad wants a valuable class, ideally the kind where you don’t get killed immediately.

Boot camp is just the start, because around the corner is a terrifying galaxy-wide war filled with dangerous and sultry aliens. Carter must figure out how to survive and thrive in the War Game.

The War Basic Training is a LitRPG novel for discerning adults, featuring unconventional relationships.

507 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

336 people are currently reading
116 people want to read

About the author

August Aird

20 books25 followers

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5 stars
524 (61%)
4 stars
225 (26%)
3 stars
78 (9%)
2 stars
18 (2%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,312 reviews2,154 followers
January 5, 2025
I've been in a bit of a power fantasy with space marines mood lately so I gave this a chance despite the harem vibe. I came to regret that. Harem stories can have great adventure and exciting plots outside of the male-centered sex thing. And exciting stories that don't rely on the sex thing to spiff them up. But this was just boring. And I don't mean just the adventure and plot being kinda meh. Even the harem thing was a stop-start waste of time.

Sometimes when I take a chance on something tangential to my mood I'll give it a ratings pass. This was boring enough I'm going to go ahead with the one-star. I wouldn't have liked this even if I were in the mood for a near-future harem story with a schlub having unearned success just because he's the protagonist.
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,491 reviews127 followers
December 30, 2024
Rating 4.o stars

This was pretty good. It starts with a guy celebrating his 21st birthday. Then next thing he knows he is waking up in a white room and told that he is in the game. Humanity joined the game to survive. Turns out there are aliens in the universe and there is system in place to have people uploaded into a game with 3 lives. What happens in the game can affect the real world. He signed up for this. He doesn't remember that. He might of lived a lot longer and signed up later in life. In order to protect the integrity of the game, all their memories are erased up until their 21st birthday. The MC, Carter Ash, finds himself in a bootcamp. Through luck and little skill he does fairly well. The training is brutal and there isn't much information shared.
660 reviews10 followers
October 17, 2024
Surprisingly gritty and engaging.

Based on the description and cover art I thought this would be tongue-in-cheek. In other words a campy attempt at humor in a progression universe. Instead it was a gritty military sci-fi story about boot camp in a system based interspecies war across the universe. The MC and his team were in a no-win situation, but they decided not to accept the inevitable.
Profile Image for Akshay.
807 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2025
The War Game: Basic Training by August Aird
Female Army GIFs | Tenor
Introduction
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August Aird's "The War Game: Basic Training" is an engaging entry in the LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) genre that skillfully blends elements of space adventure with immersive game mechanics. As the first installment in "The War Game" series, this novel sets the stage for an expansive narrative that promises to captivate readers with its unique premise and well-crafted world-building.

Plot and Premise
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The story follows Carter Ash, who awakens in a virtual basic training environment with no memories of his past. This amnesia trope serves as an effective narrative device, allowing readers to discover the intricacies of the world alongside the protagonist. The setting is a rigorous six-week training program where recruits are expected to die multiple times, with each participant granted three lives. This high-stakes scenario creates immediate tension and intrigue.


Army's future plans have problems - due to recruiting and how small the Army has become since Biden - AR15.COM

Carter is assigned to a squad that includes a goofy friend and a captivating cadet named Iris. The group's primary objective is survival, with the added pressure that upon death, recruits are assigned a permanent character class. Some classes are more desirable than others due to their survival advantages, adding a layer of strategy to the characters' decisions and actions.


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As the narrative progresses, it expands beyond the confines of basic training, thrusting Carter and his squad into a galaxy-wide war filled with dangerous and alluring alien species. This expansion of scope elevates the story from a simple training simulation to an epic space adventure, promising readers a rich and varied experience.

Writing Style and Narrative Approach

Aird's writing style is characterized by its ability to balance humor with the gravity of the situations presented. The author's background in crafting engaging and adventurous stories shines through in "The War Game: Basic Training." The narrative is noted for its fast pacing and ability to keep readers engaged, a crucial element in the LitRPG genre where the balance between story progression and game mechanics can be delicate.

The book is narrated by Rhys David and June Aaron, spanning approximately 10 hours and 52 minutes in its audiobook format. This dual narration likely adds depth to the character voices and enhances the overall listening experience for audiobook enthusiasts.

Character Development

While specific details about character arcs are limited, the premise suggests a strong focus on the growth and adaptation of Carter Ash and his squad mates. The amnesia plot device allows for organic character development as Carter rediscovers his identity and capabilities within the virtual world. The relationships formed within the squad, particularly with Iris and the unnamed goofy friend, promise to be central to the emotional core of the story.

The high-stakes nature of the training program, where death has significant consequences, likely serves as a crucible for character growth. How the characters navigate their limited lives, make strategic decisions about their potential class assignments, and form bonds under pressure are all elements that contribute to their development throughout the narrative.

World-Building and LitRPG Elements

Aird's world-building in "The War Game: Basic Training" is a standout feature, seamlessly integrating LitRPG elements into a space adventure setting. The virtual basic training environment serves as a microcosm of the larger game world, allowing readers to gradually understand the rules and mechanics that govern this universe.

Key LitRPG elements present in the book include:

Life System: The three-life mechanic adds a unique twist to the typical LitRPG progression system, creating tension and forcing characters to make strategic decisions about risk-taking. Character Classes: The permanent assignment of classes upon death introduces an interesting dynamic, likely influencing character behavior and plot development. Skill Progression: While not explicitly detailed in the available information, it's likely that characters develop skills and abilities as they progress through their training, a staple of the LitRPG genre. Virtual Reality Integration: The immersive nature of the training program suggests a highly detailed virtual world, blurring the lines between reality and simulation.

The expansion of the story into a galaxy-wide war indicates that Aird has created a vast and complex universe for the characters to explore. The mention of diverse alien species suggests rich world-building beyond the initial training environment, promising readers an expansive and imaginative space adventure as the series progresses.

Themes

While specific thematic elements are not explicitly stated in the available research, several themes can be inferred from the premise and genre conventions:

Identity and Self-Discovery: Carter's amnesia and the process of rediscovering himself in a high-pressure environment likely explore themes of identity and personal growth. Survival and Adaptation: The harsh realities of the training program and the subsequent war scenario push characters to their limits, exploring how individuals adapt to extreme circumstances. Teamwork and Trust: The squad-based nature of the training suggests themes of cooperation and the importance of trust in life-or-death situations. Consequences of Choice: The permanent class assignment upon death emphasizes the weight of decisions and their long-term impacts. Reality vs. Simulation: The virtual nature of the training program may explore philosophical questions about the nature of reality and experience. Comparison to Similar Works

"The War Game: Basic Training" stands out in the LitRPG and space adventure genres through its unique blend of military training simulation and expansive space opera elements. While it shares some similarities with works like Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One" in its virtual world setting, Aird's novel appears to focus more on military strategy and survival rather than pop culture references.

The integration of game mechanics into a space adventure setting draws comparisons to series like "The Expanse" by James S.A. Corey, albeit with a stronger emphasis on individual character progression and game-like systems. The military training aspect and high-stakes survival elements may appeal to fans of military science fiction like John Scalzi's "Old Man's War" series.

Reception and Impact

Reader reception for "The War Game: Basic Training" has been notably positive, with the book receiving an average rating of 4.50 out of 5 based on 567 ratings. Readers have praised the book for its entertaining story, fast pacing, and well-developed characters. The world-building and game mechanics have also been highlighted as strengths of the novel.

The success of this first installment has led to the continuation of the series, with subsequent books expanding the universe and further developing the characters introduced in "Basic Training." This positive reception suggests that Aird has successfully carved out a niche within the competitive LitRPG and space adventure genres.

Conclusion

"The War Game: Basic Training" by August Aird emerges as a compelling entry in the LitRPG genre, successfully blending elements of space adventure, military training, and game-like progression systems. Aird's skillful world-building, engaging characters, and unique premise set the foundation for what promises to be an exciting series.

While the novel may lean on some familiar tropes of the genre, its innovative approach to life mechanics and character class systems offers a fresh take on LitRPG conventions. The expansion of the story from a contained training simulation to a galaxy-spanning conflict hints at the epic scope of the series to come.

For fans of LitRPG and space adventure alike, "The War Game: Basic Training" offers a thrilling journey into a meticulously crafted virtual world where the stakes are high, the challenges are relentless, and the line between game and reality blurs with every decision. August Aird has delivered a promising start to a series that has the potential to become a standout in the genre.

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Readers who enjoy immersive world-building, character-driven narratives, and the strategic elements of game-like progression will find much to appreciate in this novel. As the series continues to unfold, it will be exciting to see how Aird develops the characters, expands the universe, and explores the deeper themes introduced in this engaging first installment.

Profile Image for GrumpyOldMan.
455 reviews26 followers
September 9, 2024
This was a strong opening for a new series. Nice, patient development, and a decent amount of world building in the small microcosm of what is effectively "boot camp".

The last thing the MC remembers is the moment he is about to turn 21, and then he wakes up in a sterile room. Wandering about, he finds out that he's apparently signed up to be a soldier for humanity against aliens, and he's now in boot camp. There are other humans there, as well, and the 80 of them are trying to earn their way into decent classes once boot camp ends.

The MC is a decent guy. He deals well with the usually jerk antagonist in boot camp, as well as eventually with some other species. He keeps his cool, and finds himself in a position of leading a squad of one other man and two women.

The harem is officially 1 by the end of the book, though others are raring to go. There is a population imbalance with other races, but humans are about 50-50. It will be interesting to see who else ultimately joins.

Overall, a very good book. Very few typos, so well written and edited. I look forward to the next book in the series.
5 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
An Excellent Start

A fun twist on the LitRPG/HaremLit genre. An interstellar war fought by mind wiped soldiers trained at an increasingly brutal camp. Both friendships and romances blossom during their time in training and both feel equally solid.

It feels like there's a lot of solid lore here that I'm eager to learn more about. The cast is great and there's only one potential harem member I'm not terribly interested in, though that comes down more to personal preference than any issues with the character. Maybe she'll surprise me though.

I'm eager to read the next book in the series for sure.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,614 reviews61 followers
October 13, 2024
Overall, 4 stars. 2 stars for lack of any familiarity with the actual military, but I'm not rating this on that; Mil Sci-Fi this is not.

Easy to read, with decent MC development, though the supporting characters were pretty 2-d. My impression was that the author got their idea of Basic Training from a combination of paintball/airsoft and watching the Drill Sergeant in Full Metal Jacket. The harem element is slow burn, as the main characters are sensible about the "no sex on course" rule when your automatic job placement becomes as a sex worker if you break it.

This looks like it has a way to go, as the MC and his cohorts know virtually nothing about the overall situation for most of the book. I'll give book 2 a shot and see if this has any legs.

Profile Image for Dannan Tavona.
969 reviews10 followers
March 12, 2025
Not bad

Alternate universe, LitRPG, SF advanced technology, aliens, adult situations

Very engaging, but it was clear to me within a few pages the author never served, so while he has a good imagination, here were some details he was ignorant about. Comments from other readers also made sense, such as getting crappy skill choices. Instead of a selection, the skills are automatically picked. I also have a quibble about the MC's squad choice. Pete didn't want combat, and he bypassed both C.J. and Rebekah? Why is the squad only four? That's an arbitrary choice. So, after all that, he's the equivalent of an E-4?

The writing is good. Above average editing. Not sure I like the setup. I will probably buy book 2 to see how the story progresses.
Profile Image for tester.
315 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2025
Wargame: I can see how it would be appealing, but for me I found it to be a VR story with extra steps and found myself saying LAME a lot. MC is a moron and everyone looks at him like a genius...doesn’t try to kill people back, very frustrating to read. The lying is also a frustrating part, lies of omission, lies of malice...If I was lied to like to mc I would have said f this and self deleted myself and left them to their war. The poly was also weird, both the first girl that wasn’t really the first girl giving him a free pass and subsequent girls just throwing themselves at him. Are there no other available men in the camp of horny soldiers? Stuck through it to try and see if the “Game” was hunterxhunter ish, it’s not just made me more frustrated that he meets the people orchestrating the lies to him, they start talking about how he owes them and just tells them everything about himself...Like he isn’t worried that the ‘emperor’ might see him as a threat and eliminate him? It also never explains how he got there and whether he actually ‘volunteered’, or how they are centuries in the future...again just frustrating to read.

It’s a one for me, but objectively a three.
Profile Image for ku.
20 reviews
August 20, 2025
I had a hard time putting this book down. I wouldn't put it up there with the military sci-fi greats like Starship Troopers, but it scratches a similar itch, and has a little extra fun with the litrpg and harem aspects. If anything, it feels a bit similar to the theatric version of Starship Troopers (with the same little cinematic shorts of war propaganda peppered throughout the story), which is itself not very much like the book at all, but still fun in its own way.

The entirety of this book takes place in basic training, which is a little slower paced than these things usually go, but despite other reviews to the contrary, I felt that the pacing was perfectly fine. Then again, I usually really enjoy the basic training portion of military sci-fi. A lot of that is helped along by the nostalgia of my own basic training many years ago, so perhaps I'm biased.

If you enjoy harem, litrpg, and basic training military themes that are a little over the top, you may enjoy this book as much as I did.
95 reviews
September 4, 2024
Fair Bloody Good.

Honestly this was pretty bloody good hey.
Great and unique story for the genre. Great characters and MC. Great pacing and plot developments. Good world building.
The story really is quite good and had me absolutely churning through the book wanting more. I finished this within a day.

I also don’t have a lot off the top of my head I can easily point out that might need some work. Really this was just a solid first entry into the series that leaves me wanting more.
Looking forward to the next one.
19 reviews
March 19, 2025
Interesting plot. Unrealistic relationship progression over the short period of in story time. Chapter 23 gets unnecessarily pornographic, making for a jarring tonal shift from the rest of the novel. The author could have accomplished the same progression without the needlessly trashy romance novel writing. Those issues aside the story is an interesting take on what is essentially an isekai.

Just a bitter old man complaining about things that don't really affect the story much, thus the 4star instead of a 3star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
19 reviews
September 23, 2025
Okay, I am not normally a sci-fi kind of guy, but reading the synopsis I couldn't help be reminded of Starship Troopers meets Ready Player One.

I was not disappointed. Sarge was hilarious. Carter was lucky. And Pete? Oh, Pete. Each character felt unique. Yes, it does include the makings of a harem, but there was only one spicy scene in the entire book, so no harem, if that is what you are into.

I was curious to see if he could finish the tutorial, and was actually invested in the ending. I fixing to start book two, and I hope it continues to impress. Well done.
186 reviews
November 17, 2024
Holy cow, this book surprised me.

This book is just so u pique in this genre. That alone is a win for it. But on top of that it is very well written and takes place in a deep setting, with potential for a lot more books in the series the characters are great. The romance is. It skimped on and feels real. It’s a bit of a slow burn which is nice to see. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for William Howe.
1,801 reviews88 followers
June 3, 2025
I mean

It’s okay. It’s not as openly offensive as most teenage-boy fever dreams. Some interesting mechanics as to how everything works.

It’s not flawless. Bad guys are bad/good guys are good mentality, and the MC wins almost by accident. And everyone wants to have sex with him. I skipped the sex scene, so I can’t tell you if it was well written, but the bit I did read seemed a little over the top.

I’m going to try book 2, because I am between better books.
144 reviews
November 1, 2025
so glad I ignored the book cover and blurb…

I almost skipped this book and that would have been a complete mistake. This book has an extremely refreshing, creative and entertaining story plot. It starts out a little slow , but quickly develops into a 5-star engaging read. The cover does it a disservice, as the plot has depth and the writing creates an action-packed world that you’ll feel an actionable part of. Looking forward to book 2.
381 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2024
Interesting

A bit starship troopers mixed with litrpg, go kill bad guys level up in a tutorial and you have three lives one you loose if you complete the tutorial which no one ever has from earth.
So guy wakes up after his twenty first birthday in the tutorial and it's an us versus the aliens and some are friendly some are not so friendly.
343 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2024
The phrase War Game sucked me in

I had not read anything by this author and saw that this was a new listing. I liked that there was a mention of basic training in the title which is what caused me to try it. Was pleasantly surprised at how good it was and immediately read the second book. Now waiting on the third.
225 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2024
Much better than I hoped

I picked this up while waiting on another book to be published. This author continues the trend of not describing the MC, I couldn't tell you what he looks like, height weight etc.
The plot is well written, the characters are interesting but a bit cliche and the dialogue is so, so.
75 reviews
October 22, 2024
Excellent!

I went into this book not expecting too much. I have a hard time finding books\series that I would add to my favorites list, but this book is good enough to be added. I really enjoyed the slow but excellent world building, even if the beginning felt a little off. Even the several typos that seemed to be autocorrect errors did not take too much away from my enjoyment.
119 reviews4 followers
October 29, 2024
Did not finish

This seems like it was written for people that think Harry Potter is "too hard". Theres a single sentence.

Then another single sentence.

Then another single sentence.

A third of the way in, theres several unanswered questions no one cares about. If they dont, why should I?
Profile Image for Петър Стойков.
Author 2 books329 followers
December 16, 2025
Очевидно опитите ми да харесам някоя от безбройните книжки с генерирани от изкуствен интелект цицести мацки на корицата завършва с пълен провал, защото това е последната от десетината, които пробвах и тя, както и предишните, са напълно малоумни, може би колкото безбройните женски розови романи с разгърден мускулест батко на корицата.
80 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2024
Fun Story

This one had a good deal of mystery at the start about how they all go there and why. We discover things along with the characters and it is an interesting ride. It really kept my attention and I didn’t want to put this book down!
19 reviews
October 1, 2024
Phew

Thank god I found this book when other parts are already released. Anyway... Go away, shoo shoo I'm busy reading the next part.

....

....

...
Honestly people these days! Yes it's good. Go read it... Now!
Profile Image for Michael.
153 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2024
An interesting take on the sci-fi isekai genre. Interesting character, good plot that sets up the future, and a satisfying ending.

The book does need another couple of editing passes, but that seems to be normal for the genre.
59 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2025
Great first in series.

Great first in series. A little slow and disjointed start but that may be intentional as the MC's start was the same. Really good character development and storyline. I will be happy to see how the story goes.
Profile Image for Edward Rydbeck.
140 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2024
Very good book

I really enjoyed this book. I finished it the same day I got it. It was a very fun read and the story was really good. I highly recommend this book.
786 reviews10 followers
September 6, 2024
Very good book

This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the punk rocker woman. I anxiously await the sequel.
31 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2024
This was a very interesting and refreshing take on the HaremLit genre. I enjoyed its action, humor, and well developed characters. Looking forward to the next book.
12 reviews
October 5, 2024
Entertaing Book

I enjoyed the main character, not too OP. The system was believable, the hints of magic helped move the story along.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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