End Code

The NextWorld #3

by Jaron Lee Knuth

Arkade's quest to protect the woman he loves has only succeeded in dooming his friends. In the exciting conclusion to Jaron Lee Knuth's NextWorld Series, Arkade will have to break every rule in the system and unite an army of hackers, gamers, and even NPCs, in order to save his friends... and perhaps all of NextWorld.

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Jaron Lee Knuth was born in western Wisconsin in 1978. Suffering from multiple illnesses as a young child, he was forced to find an escape from his bedridden existence through the storytelling of any media he could find. Science fiction and fantasy novels, television programs, films, video games, and comic books all provided him with infinite worlds for his imagination to explore. Now he spends his days creating stories and worlds in the hope that others might find somewhere to escape as well.

He would love to reply to any questions or comments you may have for him at jaronleeknuth@gmail.com

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best book in the series. There's a lot in here that some might classify as preachy, and I suppose there's some truth to that, but if you consider advocating that everyone is equal, regardless of their origins to be preachy, then there's no way you'd want to read this book, because in this installment, the author takes the final steps in freeing the NPCs from their forced roles, and liberates them to be just like the players, with the ability to do anything they like. It's a simple message, but one we all can learn from. I generally don't read books for such messages, but honestly, this one was handled well enough that it doesn't really feel like you're being preached to, just the end result of the story, and if you're going to get a message, personally, I think that's the best way to get it. The story is a good one, and lessons aside, it still makes for an interesting action packed read that most folks can enjoy.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like forever since I started reading NextWorld. Originally a way to kill time while I was at jury duty, Jaron Lee Knuth's trilogy was a welcome surprise for me. Book three took forever to come out and now that it has, I can honestly say that the ending was better than I had hoped.

Separated from his friends and hunted by DotGov agents, Nexworld Gamester Arkade is on the run. With his Level Zero allies (artificial intelligences that boost his gaming and hacking abilities) he desperately searches for allies as he attempts to free the inhabitants and players of Nextworld from DotGov's iron grip. Forced to make sacrifices that he would never have imagined when he first met his friends, Arkade (Kane in the real world) shows us just what a true gamer is capable of. Join Arkade, Fantom, Cyren, Xen and the resistance one last time in this virtual world of danger and intrigue.

I love video games, though I've never played an MMO before. Knuth imagines a world where our entire economy, culture, society transpires within a virtual world. The real world is a dirty, polluted, messy place that is unhealthy for human habitation. But in Nexworld, we can live out our fantasies, provided we can afford it. One of the biggest draws about this book was its take on societal and theological issues such as what differentiates a real player from an NPC, freedom vs. government control, personal accountability vs. selfishness, and the prospect of eternal life within a virtual universe. It's very though-provoking, nothing like what I expected when I read the first book. The conflicts brought up then are clearly defined and addressed in this conclusion.

As for complaints, the story got off to a slow start. I missed the days when ARkade would go guns blazing into a virtual arena and use tactics and skill to outwit his enemies. There's some action, but it takes place roughly halfway through the book. I kind of wished they traveled through more games worlds, which is what attracted me to this series in the first place. These are all minor gripes, though, of still had fun reading it.

So farewell to Arkade and to Dangerwar. May we meet in a virtual paradise.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great ending to the Nextworld series. Right off the bat I loved the book cover. Xen looks awesome. I couldn't put down the story. I read it so fast. There was plenty of action and emotion. I felt like screaming, "NOOOOOO!!!!" at one point in the book. I loved the book and I am sad to see the trilogy end.

Thank you Jaron for such a great series.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I`m satisfied with this conclusion to the NextWorld series. I have enjoyed these books and the character development has been great. I have liked everything I have read by Jaron Knuth and will continue to read his novels.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good series

I thought character progression was good. Main character started out hard to like but as he grows he kinda grows on you.