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Perimeter Defense #1
Sector Eight
A new series in the LitRPG genre set in virtual reality!
A strange body that refuses to obey you; a weird game you can't quit until your contract expires; a world teeming with powerful and very real enemies. The game in which your reputation and faction relationship are the only things that matter.
These are the conditions of the agreement Ruslan signs without reading. The only thing he remembers is that he's been contracted to command a space fleet in a brand new game he knows nothing about. Objective: to survive for six months. After having made some inevitable newb mistakes, Ruslan has to rethink his strategy, dropping traditional gaming conventions. But what will it cost him? What new trials and tribulations await him that even the game designers have failed to anticipate?
A strange body that refuses to obey you; a weird game you can't quit until your contract expires; a world teeming with powerful and very real enemies. The game in which your reputation and faction relationship are the only things that matter.
These are the conditions of the agreement Ruslan signs without reading. The only thing he remembers is that he's been contracted to command a space fleet in a brand new game he knows nothing about. Objective: to survive for six months. After having made some inevitable newb mistakes, Ruslan has to rethink his strategy, dropping traditional gaming conventions. But what will it cost him? What new trials and tribulations await him that even the game designers have failed to anticipate?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2015
314 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Michael Atamanov
57 books552 followersMichael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 28, 2015
I'd give this a 6 if I could because once I started I could not put it down, and even after I finished it in the early AM, I had trouble getting to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about the story and where it was going to go!
February 28, 2018
Alright, book review.
Atamanov does a very good job writing the book within its category. I’m probably judging this book too harshly because I’m not “into” LitRPG. I don’t know if the LitRPG community values these, but I kind of do: character development and realistic/exciting plot contour.
First of all, there was only one character developed enough so they can be considered… more than two-dimensional, which was Ruslan. Georg is a rich guy with rich-guy powers like affair-immunity and hackers-at-your-beck-and-call. Princess Lika is a very capable happy-go-lucky girl who has another girl at school picking on her (oh no) and half the world already in her bank account. Princess Marta (Martha?) is basically, from what I gather, just a angrier, female version of Georg as Georg. Roben is a fat guy with three exercise balls strapped to his waist. Is there any other notable characters? Katherine is beginning to have defining lines, but still extremely weak. Uh… personal bodyguard chameleon person thing. Great guy. Always has something or other pointing at someone’s throat. Very loyal. Great. Also turns invisible, which may prove extremely efficient in all things, but somehow they aren’t the superior race because a human wrote this book.
Prince Georg is not much more interesting. He is fat. But not much longer, because he’s going to overcome this crystal addiction that he’s never had before with great self-resolve to exercise more and be a generally better person. Yay motivation. He knows exactly what to do in difficult situations, like in the Throne Room, even though the consciousness of Georg the actual Georg wouldn’t have known. (Unlike the “the carpet has a slight spring” thing at the beginning of the novel.) Remember that he was drunk couch potato with no people-skills when we first met him. But suddenly, when he gets dumped into this new world, he knows exactly how to be the charming crown prince that he’s supposed to be, down to the last word. This clearly was not “inherited” from the real Georg, as he started the game with less-than-optimal standing in almost everything. Another thing. I find it extremely disconcerting that every time Ruslan-as-Georg messes up in the game, which totaled approximately one or two times, his reaction was “Oh, well, that was bad. Darn. What’s next?” and moves on. It disturbs me on a deep level because it shows that this conflict isn’t even worth a single drop of sweat from Ruslan because he’s such an amazing battle general. Except for the general mayhem at the beginning of his introduction to this game, I, as a reader, never felt “on the edge of my seat” because of a dire situation that the crown prince may or may not be able to get out of.
Also, why does Atamanov focus on body fat so much? Not only that, but why does Atamanov make Ruslan so disturbed by the fact that other players’ characters may not be as fit as Ken or Barbie? Getting in shape is a valiant effort to make, but criticising Marta? Especially in comparison to the artificial beauty of Bionica? That’s just cruel and sends a very negative message to readers, whether they consciously pick up on this or not.
Going along with Ruslan/Georg’s character development (3/10) the plot is good for accuracy, but unfit for actual, exciting challenges for the character. The technical terms and the battle plans are practical to a degree… with my very limited knowledge on warp technology and the such.
There are a few grammar errors that caught my eye, though these are minimal and insignificant compared to the entirety of the book. #1 happens when r/Georg is yelling at his crew to find him information and uses “who of you” when it instead should be “which of you.” And I believe #2 is when he is… talking to… the grandsom? his daughter? someone? Anyways, in the context it should be “rite of choosing,” as in the “process,” like “Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky, instead of “right of choosing.”
Anyhow, cheers to a great conclusion of my review. I should probably format it better, but it takes effort.
Atamanov does a very good job writing the book within its category. I’m probably judging this book too harshly because I’m not “into” LitRPG. I don’t know if the LitRPG community values these, but I kind of do: character development and realistic/exciting plot contour.
First of all, there was only one character developed enough so they can be considered… more than two-dimensional, which was Ruslan. Georg is a rich guy with rich-guy powers like affair-immunity and hackers-at-your-beck-and-call. Princess Lika is a very capable happy-go-lucky girl who has another girl at school picking on her (oh no) and half the world already in her bank account. Princess Marta (Martha?) is basically, from what I gather, just a angrier, female version of Georg as Georg. Roben is a fat guy with three exercise balls strapped to his waist. Is there any other notable characters? Katherine is beginning to have defining lines, but still extremely weak. Uh… personal bodyguard chameleon person thing. Great guy. Always has something or other pointing at someone’s throat. Very loyal. Great. Also turns invisible, which may prove extremely efficient in all things, but somehow they aren’t the superior race because a human wrote this book.
Prince Georg is not much more interesting. He is fat. But not much longer, because he’s going to overcome this crystal addiction that he’s never had before with great self-resolve to exercise more and be a generally better person. Yay motivation. He knows exactly what to do in difficult situations, like in the Throne Room, even though the consciousness of Georg the actual Georg wouldn’t have known. (Unlike the “the carpet has a slight spring” thing at the beginning of the novel.) Remember that he was drunk couch potato with no people-skills when we first met him. But suddenly, when he gets dumped into this new world, he knows exactly how to be the charming crown prince that he’s supposed to be, down to the last word. This clearly was not “inherited” from the real Georg, as he started the game with less-than-optimal standing in almost everything. Another thing. I find it extremely disconcerting that every time Ruslan-as-Georg messes up in the game, which totaled approximately one or two times, his reaction was “Oh, well, that was bad. Darn. What’s next?” and moves on. It disturbs me on a deep level because it shows that this conflict isn’t even worth a single drop of sweat from Ruslan because he’s such an amazing battle general. Except for the general mayhem at the beginning of his introduction to this game, I, as a reader, never felt “on the edge of my seat” because of a dire situation that the crown prince may or may not be able to get out of.
Also, why does Atamanov focus on body fat so much? Not only that, but why does Atamanov make Ruslan so disturbed by the fact that other players’ characters may not be as fit as Ken or Barbie? Getting in shape is a valiant effort to make, but criticising Marta? Especially in comparison to the artificial beauty of Bionica? That’s just cruel and sends a very negative message to readers, whether they consciously pick up on this or not.
Going along with Ruslan/Georg’s character development (3/10) the plot is good for accuracy, but unfit for actual, exciting challenges for the character. The technical terms and the battle plans are practical to a degree… with my very limited knowledge on warp technology and the such.
There are a few grammar errors that caught my eye, though these are minimal and insignificant compared to the entirety of the book. #1 happens when r/Georg is yelling at his crew to find him information and uses “who of you” when it instead should be “which of you.” And I believe #2 is when he is… talking to… the grandsom? his daughter? someone? Anyways, in the context it should be “rite of choosing,” as in the “process,” like “Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky, instead of “right of choosing.”
Anyhow, cheers to a great conclusion of my review. I should probably format it better, but it takes effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2015
Ahh, where to begin? a Top rank Sci fi space opera litrpg.
For an idea of what you have in the hands this could be a mix of Spineward Sector series with resemblance in jump mechanics, EVE Online for the various spacial strategies, Destiny Online of royalroadl for various interaction with realworld, Legend of the Galactic Heroes the magistral anime/manga THE reference in political space opera and all with the spice of the author, that have build that perfect chemistry for the space opera everyone has been waiting for.
Various races, various plots open, various roads open for future arcs, this series has a lot of nice road it can take, and all nice. Everything is up to the author to take us wherever he wants.
For everyone that is bored or not, but is open for a good adult book, a good witted one, funny, with deads, mature content but everything that is human, this one is what youve been looking for, a book you can immerse yourself and be the MC with closed eyes.
I recommend this multiple times.
Mr Atamanov has nothing to envy to the dinosaurs of the sapce opera genre.
Cheers and let yourself be eaten whole by this refreshing book.
For an idea of what you have in the hands this could be a mix of Spineward Sector series with resemblance in jump mechanics, EVE Online for the various spacial strategies, Destiny Online of royalroadl for various interaction with realworld, Legend of the Galactic Heroes the magistral anime/manga THE reference in political space opera and all with the spice of the author, that have build that perfect chemistry for the space opera everyone has been waiting for.
Various races, various plots open, various roads open for future arcs, this series has a lot of nice road it can take, and all nice. Everything is up to the author to take us wherever he wants.
For everyone that is bored or not, but is open for a good adult book, a good witted one, funny, with deads, mature content but everything that is human, this one is what youve been looking for, a book you can immerse yourself and be the MC with closed eyes.
I recommend this multiple times.
Mr Atamanov has nothing to envy to the dinosaurs of the sapce opera genre.
Cheers and let yourself be eaten whole by this refreshing book.
September 30, 2017
Mant good ideas but....
STOP: the MP is a complete moron and the author fails to create the world.
1/ There is not a single relevant infodump! We do NOT know how the ships work. What's their relative power, how we can use tactics, what's allowed or not. Basically the author assumes that you played Eve Online and that's it. Without some high level knowledge of how games like this one work, you'll never catch what's happening.
2/ Units are definitively ridiculous
3/ The MP is not able to imagine that this is real. Come on!
4/ and so the military had all weapons and still answer to a bunch or retard morons called Dukes....
STOP: the MP is a complete moron and the author fails to create the world.
1/ There is not a single relevant infodump! We do NOT know how the ships work. What's their relative power, how we can use tactics, what's allowed or not. Basically the author assumes that you played Eve Online and that's it. Without some high level knowledge of how games like this one work, you'll never catch what's happening.
2/ Units are definitively ridiculous
3/ The MP is not able to imagine that this is real. Come on!
4/ and so the military had all weapons and still answer to a bunch or retard morons called Dukes....
May 12, 2023
3,5 stars
It is a mixture out of a PC game and a light witty space opera that I enjoyed more in the first half of the book. The second half of the book is rather overloaded with strategic descriptions and intrigues that probably would be interesting for a gamer but not for me. The audio book is well done and a German narrator did a great job.
I am normally not a fan of any kind of space operas but I became curious when I found out that Michael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia and this series is originally written in Russian. And I bet, he is a big admire of Douglas Adams works :)
This audio book on Audible.de is full of praised reviews, there are yet not many but the book has been released 2023 and the author is pretty unknown. So if you are interested in a light witty space opera + you are a gamer, then you are a perfect target audience for this book. Enjoy!
Note: the first book in the series ends with a cliff-hanger. Not the one that spoiled your reading pleasure but the one that forces you to pick up the next book in the series to know what will happen next. Though if you like it, you'll do it anyway. I am still considering if I'll continue with the series...
It is a mixture out of a PC game and a light witty space opera that I enjoyed more in the first half of the book. The second half of the book is rather overloaded with strategic descriptions and intrigues that probably would be interesting for a gamer but not for me. The audio book is well done and a German narrator did a great job.
I am normally not a fan of any kind of space operas but I became curious when I found out that Michael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia and this series is originally written in Russian. And I bet, he is a big admire of Douglas Adams works :)
This audio book on Audible.de is full of praised reviews, there are yet not many but the book has been released 2023 and the author is pretty unknown. So if you are interested in a light witty space opera + you are a gamer, then you are a perfect target audience for this book. Enjoy!
Note: the first book in the series ends with a cliff-hanger. Not the one that spoiled your reading pleasure but the one that forces you to pick up the next book in the series to know what will happen next. Though if you like it, you'll do it anyway. I am still considering if I'll continue with the series...
May 17, 2016
This was awful. There were alot of good ideas and I went in pretty excited because of it's rating and description. The warning signs started early with a bit of an unbelivable premise, but I ignored it going okay fine whatever it's just for the setup. Then there was all the clunky dialog, well I read tons of terrible webfiction so I got a high tolerance for that. Then there was the nonsensical plot and characters. I don't get anyone...nobody is relatable, nobodies actions make any sense I just can't believe any of this. It feels like a crappy eve-online fanfiction as someones first attempt at writing. Like this is subpar for webfiction quality let alone something that is even on amazon with a good rating.
January 22, 2019
The story goes that the rich and powerful are all a bunch of roleplayers who got pissed of the plebs weren't taking games seriously so they came together to make a secret game for hardcore roleplayers. That's where our protagonist comes in, one of the rich wants someone to play on his account because he's embarrassingly bad at the game. From there on out it's no longer a litrpg, it's just a shitty scifi novel! The main character is ingame 24/7, everyone takes the roleplaying really really seriously and the only game element that really different it from a normal scifi book is the reputation meter.
As such this book is just a scifi book with bad science, meh plot and not very good characters, with the litrpg trope of not having a real ending thrown in.
As such this book is just a scifi book with bad science, meh plot and not very good characters, with the litrpg trope of not having a real ending thrown in.
November 24, 2018
Well I never expect much from LitRPG in literary sense except guilty entertainment, but this is setting the bar too low.
too many plot holes, the guy is 30 mins in the game and he know which ships were destroyed in what star system but had no freakin clue that he had a daughter!!!!!!!!!!
the plot holes are numerous
I finished the book but will not pursue the series.
too many plot holes, the guy is 30 mins in the game and he know which ships were destroyed in what star system but had no freakin clue that he had a daughter!!!!!!!!!!
the plot holes are numerous
I finished the book but will not pursue the series.
May 7, 2016
Fantastic book
Wow what a great combination combining a space series with role playing games, add to that a really good storyline that hook you right away and you have a great series.
Wow what a great combination combining a space series with role playing games, add to that a really good storyline that hook you right away and you have a great series.
February 16, 2016
Eve
Hello fellow capsulears. If you know what that means you will probably enjoy this book. Since it was written by a Russian you can probably guess who this writer flew with.
Hello fellow capsulears. If you know what that means you will probably enjoy this book. Since it was written by a Russian you can probably guess who this writer flew with.
August 18, 2016
great story, love how the mc himself doesnt know if he is in a game or another world/dimesnsion whatsoever, and the reader too wonders.
January 20, 2021
The plot line is too simplistic. The protagonist supposed to be so much better in space battles than everyone else. But that happens only because everyone else is hopelessly incapable.
September 6, 2023
This first book of a Sci-Fi Isekai-ed into a video-game-like called Perimeter Defense, Alternate Reality World (Universe) novel series is organized, and written well, it is entertaining and if you can read beyond the lack of reasonable explanations (plot holes), then the story, the characters, the flow of action/adventure is quite good.
There are just two things that I have a problem with in this first book of the Perimeter Defense series. 1.) Georg (Crown Prince) and Miya (Truth-sayer/witch,etc) are drug junkies and have not done a good job managing their territories, military positions, their lives in general. They are incredibly addicted to Crystals which are used to extend/improve divination powers in this other World/Universe. It does not make much sense for flakes/addicts to try to improve their situation by going all over the "Universe/Multiverse" to find somebody like the main character, Ruslan (game addict, strategy, space wars expert from Russia on Earth). While Georg and Miya are addicted to the Crystals and live a life of debauchery and extravagance, Ruslan is conservative, efficient, strategic/organized, miser, low income programmer, etc. Ruslan is addicted to space wars (games where fighting with space ship squadrons and everything related). Ruslan can be considered a warmonger. 2.) Ruslan throughout the first book is not certain whether he is playing a video game (Perimeter Defense for Georg and Miya) or living Georg's life for them. The doubt that the game is really live and real life is constant. If it's a game, then there are no consequences (Ruslan dies two times and "respawns" without problems). But if its real life, everything that Ruslan does for Georg and Miya in this first book has consequences that cannot be undone. (death of real people, trained officers in the ships, the destruction of the ships, civil war within the Orange Territories, etc.) Even the intimate relations that Ruslan has using Georg's body, (Bionica, Astra, etc.) have legal, political, ethical, etc. consequences that the author and main character do not fathom. The idea that Ruslan needs to comply with the contract/agreement but Georg and Miya do everything possible to ruin it and ruin everything that Ruslan is doing, is contradictory and wrong.
But again, if this is not relevant to you, if "playing the life of a loser/addict/flake Crown Prince in a Space War strategy game is not "wrong to you" or not important, then this story, in this first book is quite good.
This first book has no maps, the game-like system is really not explained well, developed well, it's less game-like and more "real-life" space wars-like. The character descriptions, their ages, likes, personalities, dialogues are well developed and thought out. The Universe building (World Building of this Perimeter Defense other World/Universe) could have been developed more. Explaining the territories of the empire, which noble families rule them, and who are considered enemies, allies, neutral in this other World/Universe. The author could have created Noble Family Crests, and done a much better job creating and investing in this Alternate Reality World/Game-like-Universe.
There are just two things that I have a problem with in this first book of the Perimeter Defense series. 1.) Georg (Crown Prince) and Miya (Truth-sayer/witch,etc) are drug junkies and have not done a good job managing their territories, military positions, their lives in general. They are incredibly addicted to Crystals which are used to extend/improve divination powers in this other World/Universe. It does not make much sense for flakes/addicts to try to improve their situation by going all over the "Universe/Multiverse" to find somebody like the main character, Ruslan (game addict, strategy, space wars expert from Russia on Earth). While Georg and Miya are addicted to the Crystals and live a life of debauchery and extravagance, Ruslan is conservative, efficient, strategic/organized, miser, low income programmer, etc. Ruslan is addicted to space wars (games where fighting with space ship squadrons and everything related). Ruslan can be considered a warmonger. 2.) Ruslan throughout the first book is not certain whether he is playing a video game (Perimeter Defense for Georg and Miya) or living Georg's life for them. The doubt that the game is really live and real life is constant. If it's a game, then there are no consequences (Ruslan dies two times and "respawns" without problems). But if its real life, everything that Ruslan does for Georg and Miya in this first book has consequences that cannot be undone. (death of real people, trained officers in the ships, the destruction of the ships, civil war within the Orange Territories, etc.) Even the intimate relations that Ruslan has using Georg's body, (Bionica, Astra, etc.) have legal, political, ethical, etc. consequences that the author and main character do not fathom. The idea that Ruslan needs to comply with the contract/agreement but Georg and Miya do everything possible to ruin it and ruin everything that Ruslan is doing, is contradictory and wrong.
But again, if this is not relevant to you, if "playing the life of a loser/addict/flake Crown Prince in a Space War strategy game is not "wrong to you" or not important, then this story, in this first book is quite good.
This first book has no maps, the game-like system is really not explained well, developed well, it's less game-like and more "real-life" space wars-like. The character descriptions, their ages, likes, personalities, dialogues are well developed and thought out. The Universe building (World Building of this Perimeter Defense other World/Universe) could have been developed more. Explaining the territories of the empire, which noble families rule them, and who are considered enemies, allies, neutral in this other World/Universe. The author could have created Noble Family Crests, and done a much better job creating and investing in this Alternate Reality World/Game-like-Universe.
April 13, 2020
I got advice for this book in my favourite bookstore. Eventhough I have som objections to main premise of the book and how little main hero was told in order to fulfill the role, the rest was amazing.
It is well paced, quiet intelligent sci-fi with glimpse of intrigues and I could not take my eyes of the book. I really like the change of direction and it reminds me of another author - Miroslav Zamboch in terms of style. Only thing I did not particulary enjoy is that maybe main hero got some things quiet easy and I hoped it would be more difficult way.
It is well paced, quiet intelligent sci-fi with glimpse of intrigues and I could not take my eyes of the book. I really like the change of direction and it reminds me of another author - Miroslav Zamboch in terms of style. Only thing I did not particulary enjoy is that maybe main hero got some things quiet easy and I hoped it would be more difficult way.
September 12, 2018
Víte, jak lidi píšou, že Sektor osm je takový trochu lepší Ready Player One? Tak je to blbost, protože tyhle knížky spolu maj společný maximálně to, že se hlavní hrdina pohybuje v počítačové hře. Tady ale podobnosti končí.
Sektor osm je fajn čtení. Klasické LitRPG to ale není. To, že se hlavní hrdina pohybuje uvnitř hry, nepoznáte - tedy kromě neustálých hlášek o změně globálního postavení nebo vztahu s jinými postavami, což, co si budem, taky člověka nebaví úplně pořád. Jiné herní atributy naprosto chybí, až uvažuju, nejen jestli autor někdy hrál MMORPG, ale i jestli někdy hrál jakoukoliv onlajnovku vůbec :-) Hráčské postavy, NPC i celý běh světa jsou tak neherní, až si to můžu vysvětlit jen tím, že autor do dalších dílů ještě chystá veeeelký twist. Doufám.
Sektor osm je fajn čtení. Klasické LitRPG to ale není. To, že se hlavní hrdina pohybuje uvnitř hry, nepoznáte - tedy kromě neustálých hlášek o změně globálního postavení nebo vztahu s jinými postavami, což, co si budem, taky člověka nebaví úplně pořád. Jiné herní atributy naprosto chybí, až uvažuju, nejen jestli autor někdy hrál MMORPG, ale i jestli někdy hrál jakoukoliv onlajnovku vůbec :-) Hráčské postavy, NPC i celý běh světa jsou tak neherní, až si to můžu vysvětlit jen tím, že autor do dalších dílů ještě chystá veeeelký twist. Doufám.
October 5, 2019
Hey look - an actual scifi litrpg!
We'll okay, I'm sure someone will correct me and say it's gamelit, but my shelf says litrpg, so that's what I'm sticking with....
Ruslan is a strategist for something that sounds an awful lot like EVE Online when he's hired to come fill in on a special game, made for the incredibly wealthy. He'll be paid several times his annual salary in exchange for 6 months of work, making some rich dude look good. And, that's the last of the story on Earth....
I really enjoyed this one. Well written, with an excellent translation, good plot, and an enjoyable protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr Atamanov's work in the future.
We'll okay, I'm sure someone will correct me and say it's gamelit, but my shelf says litrpg, so that's what I'm sticking with....
Ruslan is a strategist for something that sounds an awful lot like EVE Online when he's hired to come fill in on a special game, made for the incredibly wealthy. He'll be paid several times his annual salary in exchange for 6 months of work, making some rich dude look good. And, that's the last of the story on Earth....
I really enjoyed this one. Well written, with an excellent translation, good plot, and an enjoyable protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr Atamanov's work in the future.
September 5, 2020
Rozhodně zajímavé čtení a pro fanoušky sci-fi, her a dejme tomu Star treku, tak je to skvělá volba. Jediné co mi tam "vadí" je až moc věrně ukázáno, jak funguje dnešní společnost + střední část knihy pro mě nebyla tak úplně zajímavá, ale co se týče bitev, tak ty jsou podle mě opravdu dobře popsané a já si dokázala naprosto přesně představit co, kde jak letí a která loď na kterou střílí. Za mě je to tak 3,5-4*/5*
Za poskytnutí eknihy děkuji FantomPrint a knihu můžete koupit tady -> https://www.fantomprint.cz/sektor-osm
Za poskytnutí eknihy děkuji FantomPrint a knihu můžete koupit tady -> https://www.fantomprint.cz/sektor-osm
October 11, 2019
Kaut kā pārāk viegli te viss notiek. Galvenais varonis jau paša sākumā ir kosmiskās flotes komandieris. Nu tad arī nākas izdomāt visādas mākslīgas intrigas sižeta uzturēšanai.
Ja nekā labāka pa rokai nav, tad paklausīties var.
Ja nekā labāka pa rokai nav, tad paklausīties var.
April 14, 2024
A semi-isekai, semi-harem-building sci-fi game LitRPG story.
A gamer who is into online strategy games jumps on the chance to earn 600 dollars per month to play 24/7 for six months in a "private game". He finds himself in a fully immersive connection that he can't even leave. In that world, all players (whether human or NPC) are dumb at strategy games, so he becomes a kind of galactic genius. He instantly alienates his "fat wife" and starts building a harem of "beauties" around himself. He is apparently the first ever leader to treat his own military, and other species like people, for which he gains galaxy-wide fame and recognition.
Pros:
- There is some world-building going on in the story with multiple species, and a feudalistic social structure. There are multiple non-humanoid species, and while mostly simplistic so far, they have been evolving across the story, and may become something. (e.g. the usual insectoid/swarm/hive-minded species.)
- The LitRPG part is focusing on social scores, rather than traditional stats. It had moderate impact on the story/game itself, but it did provide a new kind of focus and awareness in the world. (e.g. you say or do something, and you instantly see an update in your opinion in the eyes of a distant family.)
- Although a bit odd sometimes, the way the MC find out that he has a daughter and starts to care about her like she was his real daughter was an unexpected thread.
Cons:
- Just because you had a few good strategies in a game (and described as common there), you will not be a universal genius who stands above anyone else.
- The no-so-isekai but was not clarified and fleshed out in the first book. This could have been an nice thread in the story, but in the end, it felt more of a forgotten thing.
- It felt like the author yearned to write a harem story, but did not dare. The result is too much "hareming" for an adventure story, but not enough to actually make something of it. It should have been skipped, or admittedly picking up the trope.
- The book doesn't end in a traditional cliffhanger, but more like the middle of a chapter.
I happen to have the second book too. Will give it a chance.
A gamer who is into online strategy games jumps on the chance to earn 600 dollars per month to play 24/7 for six months in a "private game". He finds himself in a fully immersive connection that he can't even leave. In that world, all players (whether human or NPC) are dumb at strategy games, so he becomes a kind of galactic genius. He instantly alienates his "fat wife" and starts building a harem of "beauties" around himself. He is apparently the first ever leader to treat his own military, and other species like people, for which he gains galaxy-wide fame and recognition.
Pros:
- There is some world-building going on in the story with multiple species, and a feudalistic social structure. There are multiple non-humanoid species, and while mostly simplistic so far, they have been evolving across the story, and may become something. (e.g. the usual insectoid/swarm/hive-minded species.)
- The LitRPG part is focusing on social scores, rather than traditional stats. It had moderate impact on the story/game itself, but it did provide a new kind of focus and awareness in the world. (e.g. you say or do something, and you instantly see an update in your opinion in the eyes of a distant family.)
- Although a bit odd sometimes, the way the MC find out that he has a daughter and starts to care about her like she was his real daughter was an unexpected thread.
Cons:
- Just because you had a few good strategies in a game (and described as common there), you will not be a universal genius who stands above anyone else.
- The no-so-isekai but was not clarified and fleshed out in the first book. This could have been an nice thread in the story, but in the end, it felt more of a forgotten thing.
- It felt like the author yearned to write a harem story, but did not dare. The result is too much "hareming" for an adventure story, but not enough to actually make something of it. It should have been skipped, or admittedly picking up the trope.
- The book doesn't end in a traditional cliffhanger, but more like the middle of a chapter.
I happen to have the second book too. Will give it a chance.
January 9, 2019
The MC is loyal a great tactician and a capable leader. He holds strong in his convictions and worked hard to lose weight, get healthy and get clean from his drug addiction. He loves his 'daughter' and it's cute how he spoils her throughout the book. The way he gains the trust of his personal bodyguard is believable and their friendship is a strong point of the book. The politics and world building are interesting. The problem. The Women.
Atamanov Can create such interesting worlds but every book I read of his is problematic when it comes to 'romantic interest' female characters which in this book is practically everyone because he is obviously accumulating a harem
I want to be able to recommend Atamanov without having to preface anything but I can't There are things in this book that actually made me grimace
Atamanov Can create such interesting worlds but every book I read of his is problematic when it comes to 'romantic interest' female characters which in this book is practically everyone because he is obviously accumulating a harem
I want to be able to recommend Atamanov without having to preface anything but I can't There are things in this book that actually made me grimace
November 17, 2022
I read LitRPG for the entertainment, but this is not a LitRPG, it is a bad sci-fi novel. The book is mildly entertaining but utterly lacking in world building, plot development, and character development.
Starting with the characters: the main character seems to have some sort of personality disorder, swinging from rage-induced insanity berating his subjects and enemies alike to a mild-mannered diplomat of pristine intelligence in an empire he literally does not understand. Oh, and let's not forget he somehow ceases to have withdrawal symptoms from an unquittable addictive drug after the first day of ceasing doses. Aside from the protagonist, men are mostly ignored rather than introduced; women are all described by their beauty or their curves with the main character even circling around naked women (twice!) to examine them and provide you, the reader, the details. It seems every female character is the most beautiful woman in the universe, that is, until the next one.
The overarching plot--is this a game? is this real?--only comes up once after the introduction and is otherwise entirely ignored. There simply is not enough subtext to keep the reader intrigued. As for the plot of this book in the series: the military has tremendous unmatched fire power and yet sits under the command of whiny royalty in a never-ending pissing contest. Has no one ever heard of a coup?
And now for the world: an inter-galactic empire consisting of some unknown number of duchies, each containing an unknown number of galaxies or solar systems, patrolled by some unknown number of ships in unknown number of types that function in some unknown fashion, defending humanity against an unknown alien species that may well be the 19th species humanity renders extinct. Seriously!? You (Atamanov) couldn't come up with anything to tell us (the readers) and make us feel even the slightest bit of realism?
Starting with the characters: the main character seems to have some sort of personality disorder, swinging from rage-induced insanity berating his subjects and enemies alike to a mild-mannered diplomat of pristine intelligence in an empire he literally does not understand. Oh, and let's not forget he somehow ceases to have withdrawal symptoms from an unquittable addictive drug after the first day of ceasing doses. Aside from the protagonist, men are mostly ignored rather than introduced; women are all described by their beauty or their curves with the main character even circling around naked women (twice!) to examine them and provide you, the reader, the details. It seems every female character is the most beautiful woman in the universe, that is, until the next one.
The overarching plot--is this a game? is this real?--only comes up once after the introduction and is otherwise entirely ignored. There simply is not enough subtext to keep the reader intrigued. As for the plot of this book in the series: the military has tremendous unmatched fire power and yet sits under the command of whiny royalty in a never-ending pissing contest. Has no one ever heard of a coup?
And now for the world: an inter-galactic empire consisting of some unknown number of duchies, each containing an unknown number of galaxies or solar systems, patrolled by some unknown number of ships in unknown number of types that function in some unknown fashion, defending humanity against an unknown alien species that may well be the 19th species humanity renders extinct. Seriously!? You (Atamanov) couldn't come up with anything to tell us (the readers) and make us feel even the slightest bit of realism?
April 9, 2025
На первый взгляд, «Восьмой сектор» — довольно банальная и незамысловатая история. Однако с каждой страницей она неожиданно затягивает. Нельзя сказать, что стиль Михаила Атаманова сопоставим с мастерами мировой фантастики, но это вполне добротная работа, написанная с пониманием жанра.
Книга во многом напомнила мне «Звёздных королей» Эдмонда Гамильтона, а также по духу и структуре — противостояние Великих Домов из «Дюны» Фрэнка Герберта. Несмотря на определённые отсылки и схожие элементы, история ощущается как самостоятельная и действительно увлекательная.
Главный герой вызывает симпатию: он не размазывает сопли, не ноет, а с первых глав включается в действие, стараясь мыслить и действовать разумно. В то же время складывается ощущение, что все возникающие трудности он преодолевает слишком легко — исключительно за счёт своей сообразительности и стратегического мышления. В результате к финалу книги он уже предстает почти непобедимым адмиралом, способным, при необходимости, разгромить даже могучий имперский флот, каким бы грозным тот ни был. Такой стремительный рост героя кажется немного чрезмерным и отчасти снижает ощущение реализма.
Тем не менее, книга читается легко, без перегрузки ненужными деталями. Мир произведения обширный, с потенциалом для расширения и углубления. И хотя первая книга из цикла «Защита Периметра» пока не дотягивает до уровня признанных космоопер, она вполне может занять своё место среди добротных представителей жанра — особенно для тех, кто ценит динамику, простоту и увлекательный сюжет.
Книга во многом напомнила мне «Звёздных королей» Эдмонда Гамильтона, а также по духу и структуре — противостояние Великих Домов из «Дюны» Фрэнка Герберта. Несмотря на определённые отсылки и схожие элементы, история ощущается как самостоятельная и действительно увлекательная.
Главный герой вызывает симпатию: он не размазывает сопли, не ноет, а с первых глав включается в действие, стараясь мыслить и действовать разумно. В то же время складывается ощущение, что все возникающие трудности он преодолевает слишком легко — исключительно за счёт своей сообразительности и стратегического мышления. В результате к финалу книги он уже предстает почти непобедимым адмиралом, способным, при необходимости, разгромить даже могучий имперский флот, каким бы грозным тот ни был. Такой стремительный рост героя кажется немного чрезмерным и отчасти снижает ощущение реализма.
Тем не менее, книга читается легко, без перегрузки ненужными деталями. Мир произведения обширный, с потенциалом для расширения и углубления. И хотя первая книга из цикла «Защита Периметра» пока не дотягивает до уровня признанных космоопер, она вполне может занять своё место среди добротных представителей жанра — особенно для тех, кто ценит динамику, простоту и увлекательный сюжет.
January 31, 2021
The last year or so , since I got introduced to litRPG genre, I have been amazed by the number of Russian authors (apologies if you might be slavic) whose works are pretty remarkable. It has taken about five years since the book has been published for me to consume it.
I think the timeline is good to sieve out the junk from the truly good ones.
In the series, the protagonist is a gamer who is given an offer to be a part of a game available for only the elites. The lure of fully immersive game and financial benefits lure the unexpected hero into a world that is nothing like what he expects.
A super rich fat loser about to go bankrupt he needs to get things in ship shape just to survive.
But is this world truly a game ??
The pacing is very good, you get to interact with many alien races and see how a 20th century man impersonates nobility from the future.
There are a number of things I love about the series, the technology being used is just one of them. I have not played any star alliance/ war in space type games but it is so interesting to read how we could perhaps be planning our future expansions outside mother earth.
The falls and rises of the MC are humorous and very engaging.
Highly recommend picking it up for a read especially if you want to explore something in the Space Opera Genre.
I think the timeline is good to sieve out the junk from the truly good ones.
In the series, the protagonist is a gamer who is given an offer to be a part of a game available for only the elites. The lure of fully immersive game and financial benefits lure the unexpected hero into a world that is nothing like what he expects.
A super rich fat loser about to go bankrupt he needs to get things in ship shape just to survive.
But is this world truly a game ??
The pacing is very good, you get to interact with many alien races and see how a 20th century man impersonates nobility from the future.
There are a number of things I love about the series, the technology being used is just one of them. I have not played any star alliance/ war in space type games but it is so interesting to read how we could perhaps be planning our future expansions outside mother earth.
The falls and rises of the MC are humorous and very engaging.
Highly recommend picking it up for a read especially if you want to explore something in the Space Opera Genre.
September 17, 2019
Super napísané. Číta sa to rýchlo, je to akčné a zaujímavé. Hlavný hrdina je takmer ideál človeka - udržiava si kondičku, je super stratég a vojenský taktik a v podstate mu všetko vychádza a vy len čakáte na ďalší z jeho úspechov a to je v pohode. Iste, musí bojovať proti všelijakým problémom atď, ale jeho víťazstvo je takmer vždy isté. A až tak mi to nevadí :) Je to taká military sci-fi oddychovka, nič seriózne alebo hlboké. Čo je len dobre, pretože s niektorými rozhodnutiami hlavného hrdinu nesúhlasím.
*SPOILER* (Teraz si nie som istá, či hovorím o jednotke alebo o dvojke -Za smrtí- lebo som to čítala rovno za sebou,ehm)
Napr. zbaviť sa zodpovednosti tým, že vojenský súd nechá v rukách doslovnej väčšiny - rozhodnutie davu, ktoré sa skrýva za vojenské pravidlá. Alebo rozkaz zostreliť -teda nechať vybuchnúť- loď, ktorá dezertovala z boja, bez ohľadu na to, že o tom rozhodlo jej velenie a na palube sa nachádzali nevinní vojaci - takže žiadny spravodlivý vojenský súd sa nekonal. Neakceptovateľné.
Uznávam, že hlavný hrdina mohol byť stále v presvedčení, že sa jedná len o veľmi dobrú virtuálnu realitu, že to nie je skutočné, ale aj tak - z morálneho hľadiska sa zachoval nesprávne.
Ale inak je to dobrá oddychovka a som zvedavá na ďalšie dobrodružstvá hlavného hrdinu.
*SPOILER* (Teraz si nie som istá, či hovorím o jednotke alebo o dvojke -Za smrtí- lebo som to čítala rovno za sebou,ehm)
Napr. zbaviť sa zodpovednosti tým, že vojenský súd nechá v rukách doslovnej väčšiny - rozhodnutie davu, ktoré sa skrýva za vojenské pravidlá. Alebo rozkaz zostreliť -teda nechať vybuchnúť- loď, ktorá dezertovala z boja, bez ohľadu na to, že o tom rozhodlo jej velenie a na palube sa nachádzali nevinní vojaci - takže žiadny spravodlivý vojenský súd sa nekonal. Neakceptovateľné.
Uznávam, že hlavný hrdina mohol byť stále v presvedčení, že sa jedná len o veľmi dobrú virtuálnu realitu, že to nie je skutočné, ale aj tak - z morálneho hľadiska sa zachoval nesprávne.
Ale inak je to dobrá oddychovka a som zvedavá na ďalšie dobrodružstvá hlavného hrdinu.
January 1, 2022
Jakože whaaaaaat :ooo
Sektor osm jsem dostal v rámci spolupráce od nakladatelství Fantom Print s tím, že by se mi kniha snad mohla líbit.
Nečekal jsem ale, jak MOC mě tato knížka osloví a pohltí. Od první do poslední stránky jsem byl do děje totálně zažraný a dostalo se to dokonce do bodu, kdy se mi poslední dvě noci zdálo o tom, že jsem princem Georgem(alias Ruslanem).
Ze začátku mi sice přišlo, že jde všechno v knize až moc hladce, ale těsně před polovinou knihy už jsem věděl, že tomu tak nebude i s ohledem na to, že jde o čtyřdílnou sérii. Zápletky v knize jsou boží, někdy příliš jednoduché a předvídatelné, ale velice vhodně umístěné a podporující čtivost knihy samotné.
Tato kniha jakožto i žánr je úzce spjatý s nějakou hrou a jako hlavní měřítko úspěchu knihy pro mě tedy bylo, jestli bych si onu hru zahrál, kdybych měl tu možnost. V tomto případě musím říct velké ANO, protože hra je přesně podle mého gusta a já bych byl v oné hře pečený vařený.
Pokud tedy máte rádi RPG hry, vesmír, nebo různé intriky a podrazy, je tato kniha přesně pro vás a neměli byste ji v knihkupectví minout.
10/10
Sektor osm jsem dostal v rámci spolupráce od nakladatelství Fantom Print s tím, že by se mi kniha snad mohla líbit.
Nečekal jsem ale, jak MOC mě tato knížka osloví a pohltí. Od první do poslední stránky jsem byl do děje totálně zažraný a dostalo se to dokonce do bodu, kdy se mi poslední dvě noci zdálo o tom, že jsem princem Georgem(alias Ruslanem).
Ze začátku mi sice přišlo, že jde všechno v knize až moc hladce, ale těsně před polovinou knihy už jsem věděl, že tomu tak nebude i s ohledem na to, že jde o čtyřdílnou sérii. Zápletky v knize jsou boží, někdy příliš jednoduché a předvídatelné, ale velice vhodně umístěné a podporující čtivost knihy samotné.
Tato kniha jakožto i žánr je úzce spjatý s nějakou hrou a jako hlavní měřítko úspěchu knihy pro mě tedy bylo, jestli bych si onu hru zahrál, kdybych měl tu možnost. V tomto případě musím říct velké ANO, protože hra je přesně podle mého gusta a já bych byl v oné hře pečený vařený.
Pokud tedy máte rádi RPG hry, vesmír, nebo různé intriky a podrazy, je tato kniha přesně pro vás a neměli byste ji v knihkupectví minout.
10/10
October 14, 2018
Rovno hovorím, že si možno zaslúži o hviezdičku viac, ale ...
... ale pekne od začiatku. Týpek je super hráč nejakej hry a dostane ponuku ísť za niekoho iného do inej hry... blá blá blá.
Je to dobre napísané akčné vesmírne scifi, číta sa jedným dychom, napätie graduje a nejeden by sa tešil na pokračovanie. Čo mi však vadí je, že to má byť literárne RPG. Tu tie prvky sú, ale sú úplne zbytočné. Tam sa mu dvihne reputácia tam si niekoho znepriatelí, ale nemá to žiaden súvis s dejom, alebo nejakú funkciu.
Druhá vec, ktorá ma škrela pri čítaní bola genialita hlavného hrdinu. Od prvej chvíle viacmenej vie čo má robiť, lieči sa zo závislosti aj keď sa to nikomu nikdy nepodarilo a všetko mu vychádza a všetky prekážky a nástrahy tým pádom pôsobia strašne umelo. Hned všetko vyrieši a vyhrá a všetci ho hneď milujú. Nesedí to.
Plusy: Rýchle nenáročné čítanie plné dobrodružstiev
Mínusy: zbytočnosť RPG prvkov a "genialita" hlvného hrdinu.
... ale pekne od začiatku. Týpek je super hráč nejakej hry a dostane ponuku ísť za niekoho iného do inej hry... blá blá blá.
Je to dobre napísané akčné vesmírne scifi, číta sa jedným dychom, napätie graduje a nejeden by sa tešil na pokračovanie. Čo mi však vadí je, že to má byť literárne RPG. Tu tie prvky sú, ale sú úplne zbytočné. Tam sa mu dvihne reputácia tam si niekoho znepriatelí, ale nemá to žiaden súvis s dejom, alebo nejakú funkciu.
Druhá vec, ktorá ma škrela pri čítaní bola genialita hlavného hrdinu. Od prvej chvíle viacmenej vie čo má robiť, lieči sa zo závislosti aj keď sa to nikomu nikdy nepodarilo a všetko mu vychádza a všetky prekážky a nástrahy tým pádom pôsobia strašne umelo. Hned všetko vyrieši a vyhrá a všetci ho hneď milujú. Nesedí to.
Plusy: Rýchle nenáročné čítanie plné dobrodružstiev
Mínusy: zbytočnosť RPG prvkov a "genialita" hlvného hrdinu.
December 4, 2019
Jelikož jsem jinou knihu v LitRPG žánru zatím nečetla, tak si nejsem moc jistá, jak tuto knihu ohodnotit. Čtivé to bylo, ale čtivost není všechno. Příběh má pro mě větší váhu než čtivost a tahle kniha mě opravdu nezklamala. Pokud jste fanoušek sci-fi, tato kniha je přesně pro vás. Hlavní hrdina Ruslan byl velice sympatický a dobrý stratég. Občas mě jeho rozhodnutí překvapila, ale nakonec se ukázala jako dobrá. Příběh byl plný nápadů. Svět (nebo hra) ve kterém se vše odehrává byl velmi dobře promyšlený. Politika, různé rasy, vztahy šlechtické rody. Mám jen jednu věc, kterou jsem moc nepochopila, když s Ruslanem komunikovali v reálném světě. Tuhle spojitost hra x realita vážně nechápu, ale možná je to jen záhada do dalšího dílu (který mimochodem vážně potřebuju). Knihu jsem nakonec ohodnotila 4/5 . Tu jednu hvězdičku jsem musela ubrat, protože mi něco chybělo, ale nedokážu úplně přesně říct co.
September 4, 2022
The sci-fi combat pretty lit. Could imagine it pretty well with experience from other games.
Dislike the harem. I suppose I should expected it considering the targeted denographic of LitRPG, i would have liked it a few years ago, but once you read enough bookd with this trope you will eventually tire of it. The Characters in harem are usually... to put it bluntly not good.
My only issue is that the MC uses the same tactics constantly in every battle. Maybe their execution is different, but he follows the same strategy so I hope the next 3 books do not involve the MC using it again and again. Would like to see some variety.
Dislike the harem. I suppose I should expected it considering the targeted denographic of LitRPG, i would have liked it a few years ago, but once you read enough bookd with this trope you will eventually tire of it. The Characters in harem are usually... to put it bluntly not good.
My only issue is that the MC uses the same tactics constantly in every battle. Maybe their execution is different, but he follows the same strategy so I hope the next 3 books do not involve the MC using it again and again. Would like to see some variety.
July 25, 2024
This one started really strong and was going to be a 5 star but then sort of lost it's way. The noble house in fighting thing just really did not execute very well with viscounts and Duke's pushing a crown prince around and at times it was a bit of a hot mess. A lot was cleaned up near the ending but still it is the kind of thing where even though I liked it I am in no hurry to move on to the next. Overall I love this authors works and this may have just been an early work. Overall still pretty good and maybe the later books in the series will be better.
November 27, 2017
I like it a lot. So many characters, tho. And why do they always call each other by their full names? Just curious, is it a culture thing?
Overall, it is much better than I thought it would be when I started. Maybe, my standard is low cos I don't read too much space opera, but I do feel that the space fights are really exciting.
Damn the cliffhangers ending tho. Oh well, on to the next book.
Overall, it is much better than I thought it would be when I started. Maybe, my standard is low cos I don't read too much space opera, but I do feel that the space fights are really exciting.
Damn the cliffhangers ending tho. Oh well, on to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews