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Last Bastion

(FFO #2)

Rachel Aaron (Goodreads Author),

Travis Bach

4.11 · Rating details · 479 ratings · 40 reviews

Bastion was supposed to mean safety. It was supposed to mean a break from fighting for their lives and a chance to talk to someone who might actually know what’s going on. Access to their gold and some beer would have been nice, too.

They got none of those things. When Tina and James arrive in the capital, they find a city on fire in more ways than one. Players and non-play ...more

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Kindle Edition, 563 pages

Published April 30th 2019 by Aaron/Bach

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Average rating 4.11 ·

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· 479 ratings · 40 reviews

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Apr 22, 2019 TS Chan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-review-copy, kindle-unlimited

30 Apr: Last Bastion drops today in both ebook and audio formats.

I received an advanced reading copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

"Bastion was supposed to mean safety."

It seemed, however, that Rachel Aaron and Travis Bach decided that safety will be a bit boring for the fictional characters and the readers. Hence, they gave us a heart-pounding, fast-paced, action-packed and dangerously addictive MMORPG-style adventure in the world of Forever Fantasy Online with a great cas ...more

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Jul 28, 2019 Mitticus rated it liked it

Shelves: magia, z-2019-readings, magical-practitioners, warriors, fantasy-and-sci-fi, annoying-female-protag, siblings, bloody-and-gory, game-literature, knights

3.5 stars

Book 2 of 3 of Forever Fantasy Online. Opens inmediatly after the end of the previous book, when the arrivals at the Sacred City of Bastion. Tina and the rest of players looking for a portal viable to go back home; and James with Fangs in a mission.

I used to like the so-called 'manly films' with tons of batle and action but lately I avoid war films, so it happen here that I skip several pages of mortal combat because there tons of violence and gory going on.

Tina is an obnoxious charact ...more

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May 06, 2019 Michael Sanchez rated it it was amazing

An excellent continuation of the story! I've really enjoyed this series, the characters that annoy me are products of their past and it makes sense. I can be frustrated with them and like them because I know how they became who they are. ...more

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May 06, 2019 Mihir rated it really liked it

Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Last Bastion is the sequel to Forever Fantasy Online, the new LitRPG trilogy by Rachel Aaron & Travis Bach. With Forever Fantasy Online, they introduced us to James and Tina and the world of Forever Fantasy Online aka FFO. The first book dealt with the repercussions of the players finding out that the FFO world is a real one and that they are the intruders. The NPCs of that world hate them for their very existence and would actively wan
Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Last Bastion is the sequel to Forever Fantasy Online, the new LitRPG trilogy by Rachel Aaron & Travis Bach. With Forever Fantasy Online, they introduced us to James and Tina and the world of Forever Fantasy Online aka FFO. The first book dealt with the repercussions of the players finding out that the FFO world is a real one and that they are the intruders. The NPCs of that world hate them for their very existence and would actively want to kill them. Amidst all of this Tina aka Roxxy and her Roughnecks survived a brutal march and James in his Jujubatu avatar has managed to make friends with the Ar’Bati as well as help the Jujubatu clans.

Reaching the city of Bastion was supposed to be their last stop before their recovery but Bastion proves to be a whole another matter. James, Tina, SilentBlayde and the rest encounter a bigger problem than before and it’s not just the dead. The living also seem think of them as enemies and look forward to disposing them quickly. Trapped between bastion and the approaching army, it looks like Tina and James will really have to dig deep to help themselves and everyone else.

Last Bastion is a real beast of a book and even though it’s the middle volume of the trilogy, it skips all the middle volume syndrome problems and gives us more of what made the first volume such a pleasant read. Firstly the characterization is topnotch as ever. However unlike the first volume, we get a deeper dive into Tina, James, their dysfunctional status and how they view the world. This is the main draw of the story and its enrichened even more in this volume. In the previous book, I preferred James’ chapters more than Tina’s and that was due to the nature of the plot. However within this volume, I must say it is Tina who gets to shine.

In the prologue we get to see how Tina became who she is. The story then gives us twin storylines but unlike the preceding volume wherein they were separated by vast distances. This time around though they are in same physical location but mentally they are still at odds. This time around we truly get to see what makes them tick and why they don’t eye to eye. I loved this exploration as James and Tina are truly at the heart of the story. We also get more input into the other characters like SilentBladye, Nekobaby, Frank, etc. The authors also do a lot with a limited POV structure and we even get a solo POV which was fun to read. Next up is the worldbuilding which is extremely upgraded than its predecessor. This book really gives a deeper look into the world of FFO plus the magic system which is explained in more detail.

At the core of the FFO trilogy is a solid mystery about the very nature of the world and what exactly happened. We don’t get a clear cut idea but we are given some crucial clues. I of course wanted more but there’s a plan here and now with the final volume, I expect there to be massive revelations. Lastly the action, this book is choc-a-bloc with it and then some. The action sequences are on a personal level as well as massive battle sequences which also feature a lot of gore. There’s also the cover which highlights a particular sequence in the book and so make of it what you will.

The only thing that perhaps didn’t quite gel within the book is the eventual mystery about SilentBladye as well as James. They are referred to obliquely and even with two books, we don’t have a clue. I was hoping for more and since we are two-thirds of the way in, there’s no clarity. This caused a bit of consternation and even the main mystery isn’t much revealed. So everything is now dependent on the final volume. Maybe the authors purposefully planned it as such but that’s’ a bit too much left for the end for my liking.

CONCLUSION: Last Bastion perfectly encapsulates what I loved about its predecessor Forever Fantasy Online and then it basically takes things to a whole new level. With more magic, more action, & even more character upheavals, Last Bastion is a perfect sequel that makes me wonder how the authors are ever going to up the ante in the trilogy ending. I will be there to see how it all goes down in The Once King (FFO# 3) and I can’t recommend this book enough.
...more

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Apr 26, 2019 Lali rated it it was amazing

All the players (see what I did there?) from book one are back, and this time they have a whole lot more to deal with. Logistics! Ethics! Politics! Consequences! Relationship difficulties! Familial issues! Invading undead!

Relatable AF.

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Jul 24, 2019 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-to-be-read-in-2019

Well, this was another long book, but it just flew by due to all the excitement and action. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Forever Fantasy Online series.

At the end of the previous book there was some relief, since our two parties had finally met up and they were able to achieve their goal and port to the capital city where they thought they’d be safe. But turns out, things are not great in the capital either. There seems to be little leadership in the city and both players and NPCs Well, this was another long book, but it just flew by due to all the excitement and action. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Forever Fantasy Online series.

At the end of the previous book there was some relief, since our two parties had finally met up and they were able to achieve their goal and port to the capital city where they thought they’d be safe. But turns out, things are not great in the capital either. There seems to be little leadership in the city and both players and NPCs, or people who live in the world, are bent on killing one another. Tina and her brother James, finally reunited, come into conflict on how to approach the situation.

Once again the highlight here has been the characters. I love how much depth the main crew especially has been given, but even side characters like the King of Bastion are written well. With the players–James, Tina, and SB–we get to see a little bit more of their back stories, what life was like for them outside of the game. I loved this. We get to see find out how Tina created her character, how she met SB in game and then became friends outside of the game, a bit more of the rift between James and Tina. Of course, we don’t get all the answers, and some things will have to remain a mystery until later, but I love the bits we get as the history between James, Tina, and SB begins to affect their relationships within the world of the game now that they realize they may be stuck in the game forever, especially when they have conflicting reactions to that. I find Tina and SB’s relationship especially intriguing, especially when we get to see things from both their points of view and you can empathize with each of them. I do wish they’d just talk to each other and tell each other the truth of how they feel but baring your soul and your darkest secrets is tough. But, their unwillingness to share is driving a wedge between them.

Now, it’s not just the characters and their relationships with one another that has grown more complex in this second book, but also the world itself and the consequences of the players, well, playing in it. The world of FFO is presented as a real world. The NPC’s / folks who live in the game refer to the time while the players were playing the game as The Nightmare. They were stuck repeating actions for what seemed like lifetimes and had no control over their own lives, but remembered a time before. Finally being released from this control has given them freedom, but it’s also driven some of them mad with vengeance. You can understand why they’re so mad and stabby. But from Tina’s point of view she just sees her fellow players, innocents, being rounded up and slaughtered and, defending them, wants to slaughter the soldiers in return. You get Tina’s point as well, even though you wish she would be a little less stubborn and work with James on coming up with an alternate plan to stop the killing. There are so many ethical dilemas in this book, and I kind of love it. War is hell, even in a maybe fake gaming world, and there are consequences to one’s actions, so one should think carefully before acting.

I also love how James insists on taking a more diplomatic route, even if it means breaking with Tina again. Seeing a bit of their history, you understand Tina’s resentment and why she stubbornly refuses to do things James’ way, but you kind of want to knock some sense into her too. Sometimes both parties can be right and wrong at the same time and these things are frustratingly complex here just as they are in real life. I think this is why diplomacy is necessary but also so tough.

Bottom line, I thought this book was a fun ride with lots of action, ethical dilemmas, and great characters. Can’t wait to see what book three brings. 4/5 stars. ...more

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May 06, 2019 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: raunchy-language, fantasy, audio, game, z-2019-read-down

This was my least favorite Rachel Aaron book ever. Of course, it's still a Rachel Aaron book so it's well worth the read, but it's just missing the heart and fun that her books normally have. I just found myself hating half of the characters, especially Tina, and wishing it were over. That's not a good sign. Here's hoping the last book in the series brings it all back together. ...more

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Jul 09, 2019 Ernest rated it it was amazing

Continuing from book 1, book 2 is well written, action packed read with some great characters to root for. The humor/relieve moments are great as I started to expect from the author since reading her other works (Heartstrikers).
In the sea of trash "Isekai" series (currently popular in Japan), FFO is one of the good ones and sure deserves to be put on anyone's "must read list". It doesn't invent anything expecially original but uses the standard tropes of "Isekai" genre to its full potential. ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 David H. rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction

This book was a bit frustrating due to our protagonists arguing or working at cross-purposes for 80% of the book, and there are two big "mysteries" that are left unsaid still (view spoiler).

All that said, it was still really fun and is making me want to fire up some computer games, and I look forward to whenever the final book comes out. ...more

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Feb 15, 2021 wishforagiraffe added it

Shelves: 2020

I dreaded picking this back up again because the good guys not communicating properly is one of my last favorite plot points ever.

Plus litrpg is just REALLY not my thing.

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May 12, 2019 Perry rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Still engaged and still pretty interested in seeing how this is all going to turn out.

This part got a lot...darker and more visceral than I had expected though.

Nothing outside the realm of possibility or of what made sense to the story, but still, just a shade further than I thought it was going to go.

I did like the development of the relationships and the characters.

I did find it a tad annoying that NONE of the major questions of the first book were remotely answered or even really hinted a ...more

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Jun 25, 2019 Cmoore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

How do I review this one? 2hrs into the book, I put it down... and almost didn't pick it up again, due in part to the fact that I was having trouble reconnecting with the characters, but mostly because of Josh Hurley's over the top narration. At the time, it just seemed like too much to take! To be fair, I quite enjoy these authors, and I had enjoyed their first book in the series, so I put "Bastion" away, thinking that maybe I'd just listened to too many LitRPG's recently, and needed a break fr ...more

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Jan 14, 2020 Andy Zach rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Last Bastion by Rachel Aaron was the second volume of her Fantasy Forever Online series about gamers in a virtual world that becomes real and they cannot escape. If they die, they die for good. It's a wonderful premise that grabbed me and kept me through the first book.

In the second volume the problems continue and get worse. The biggest boss in the game, the Once King, plans to invade the game's main fortress, but the players and the NPCs, now just normal citizens and knights, are fighting each ...more

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Jun 23, 2019 The Bookshelf Wars rated it it was amazing

FFO Is No Longer A Fantasy

Tina and James Anderson are finally reunited, but their struggles are far from over. These gamer siblings now find themselves on opposite ends of a bloody war, with a far more deadly enemy on the horizon.

As a veteran warrior, Tina lets her anger and aptitude for violence cloud her judgment. James, on the other hand, is determined to resolve the conflict peacefully, though his self-doubt is tripping him up. The painful history between them keeps getting in the way, so th ...more

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Jul 14, 2020 Jordan rated it really liked it

Great book. A lot of the story was focused on Tina and Jame's relationship now that they've been reunited in this volume. There was a lot of drama and some strong character development, giving the characters a lot of life. Tina could quite frustrating with her stubborn and unwillingness to listen, which is funny considering I often got frustrated on her behalf in the first book. It was frustrating but it gave her character a distinct personality and life.

The story had an quite an epic trail and ...more

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May 24, 2019 Victoria rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 20, 2019 Bronwyn McNeil rated it liked it

This is different to Rachel's other books and she did warn readers. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed the character development and setting. However, I found that there was just too much blood and gore in this one, especially towards the end and I skipped the last 2 chapters to see what happened. I also got a bit tired of the antagonism Tina showed towards her brother and kept waiting for a good reason to be revealed. The reason for SB's refusal to reveal his real life problem is a ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Chris Evans rated it really liked it

Picks up right where the last one left off and goes full throttle the whole time. If anything, too full throttle. I took off one star from an other wise highly enjoyable book just because it was too extreme without enough down time to breath. It does do a good job of putting across the stress of narrative, but I could really have used a chapter or two of something simple, like crafting.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 01, 2020 Ada rated it liked it

Shelves: equivalent-of-a-hot-bath, romance-fm, boekenkast-kopen-kopen-kopen, feels-so-many-feels, overly-specific-stuff-i-like, fantasy-magic, cover-sucker

3.5 rounded down.

If you look at my reading updates you can see that I have a lot of feelings about Tina. Sometimes I don't mind that a character infuriates me. I can still love the story with them in it. But Tina... Oef. She belongs in the story but where in the first story her character made sense now she felt a bit too one-dimensional. But saying that also feels like it's a bit not fair because the story takes place over just a few days? How much character development can you have in what 3 da ...more

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Feb 03, 2021 Mender rated it it was ok

Very nearly DNF'd the series at about the halfway mark. I think the author delves into realistic subjects, and important ones - but I don't really care. I'm reading fantasy. I'd read about the Israel/Palestine conflict if I wanted realism.

So this has helped me be aware that I don't care for books where there are two teams of good guys fighting each other. I knew it already, morally grey characters really do nothing for me. I feel like I get enough of it in my news feed.

I'm reading fantasy to ex ...more

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May 10, 2019 Jon Koelzer rated it liked it

Love the world building. Irksome in some parts, however. Tina is a mega b**** to James in the beginning and no one seems to notice. The whole thing seems shoe-horned in. feels as though the author is delaying character development too long, stirring fueds and anger where unjustified. Same can be said for characters like kuro kawaii etc. Minor nit-picking though. A story is a story and if you're looking for fantasy-epic with litRPG elements this is right up there with the ranks of the best. Plus ...more

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May 14, 2019 vanessa parks rated it it was amazing

Wow! This is the second book in the in the FFO series and it does not disappoint . .

The characters are complex in that they are not all good or all bad. One minute I'm rooting for Roxxy and thinking she's the hero and the next minute, I think she's the villain. The world building is amazing and actually makes sense considering the characters are trapped inside a video game. The books don't end in cliff hangers but it still leaves plenty of questions about background stories unanswered. I can't ...more

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May 24, 2019 Brigette rated it really liked it

This is a really long book! I was surprised at how many hours I got for my Audible credit. :)

It's a continuation of the story in which video game players are trapped in the game. This book focused more on Tina / Roxxy and not so much James, which is probably good because James is kind of annoying.

All that time though and we still end up with a cliffhanger! Fortunately Rachel Aaron writes fast. ...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Carol rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, fantasy, aaron-bach, audible, ffo

Last Bastion

So, I'm a big fan of the author and a gamer myself which means the FFO series should have been the perfect read for me. That said, I didn't love the first book. But like I said, I'm a fan of the author so I gave Last Bastion a chance. So glad I did. Enjoyed this to the point where I say down and started an MMO and then had to resist the urge to start as a tank.
Well developed world with a good story arc. ...more

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May 05, 2019 Fate's Lady rated it it was ok

Shelves: litrpg

The drama between Tina and James has risen to an annoying level and they're honestly both starting to grate on me. The other micro dramas are either resolved or stabilized, it seems, and the majority of the plot centered on the struggle for survival and the war with the undead. The larger plot was okay but I struggled to get invested since I don't like either protagonist much. ...more

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Jun 09, 2019 Stephen Kruger rated it it was amazing

Better than the first one

I had a hard time getting into this series, if I were not a Rachel Aaron fan, I would have given up after the first few chapters of book 1. But much like wheel of time, once I got halfway through the first book, I was hooked. This book is as gripping, and was start to finish. Definitely read the first book first.

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May 04, 2019 Johanna Dobbs rated it it was amazing

Can't wait for #3

Awesome world building and well written story. I was glad there was some resolution between Tina and James. If you enjoyed SOA and like to read then this book is for you. ...more

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May 10, 2019 Justin Barber rated it it was amazing

Amazing and full of action and feels

Love this one even more than the first. Aaron is an amazing storyteller that really creates complicated characters who you care about intensely. Best series I have read this year. Please keep them coming.

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May 04, 2019 Alex Matheny rated it it was amazing

Very good read

Such a unique perspective to the trapped in the game scenario. Really liked this first book, and the second builds so wonderfully on it.

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May 30, 2019 Rebecca McKinnon rated it really liked it

I liked this one ALMOST as much as the first.

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About Rachel Aaron

Rachel Aaron

2,344 followers

Hello, my name is Rachel Aaron, and I write the Heartstriker books, a new Urban Fantasy series about misfit dragons, starting with Nice Dragons Finish Last. I also wrote The Legend of Eli Monpress fantasy series for Orbit Books about a wizard thief and the poor bastards who have to try and stop him. PLUS I'm also the author of the new, rolicking fun Science Fiction romance Fortune's Pawn under the ...more