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World Tree Online #2

The Duchess of Hammers: 2nd Dive

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Bye-bye is back! Just a week since the 1st Dive came to an end, Bye-bye and his friends find themselves in Root City, a city built-up around the World Tree itself. This sprawling metropolis is filled with potential and danger in equal measure.

Barely logged in and just starting to put plans in place for the month-long dive into the World Tree Online, they are quickly entangled in a quest with far-reaching consequences should they fail. Charged with ensuring Duchess of Hammerton survives the next week to make it home. Standing in their way, a love cult bound and determined to kidnap her. If that wasn’t enough, there are those who plot in the dark places hidden just under the surface of Root City.

Can Bye-bye and his friends survive the aptly nicknamed Duchess of Hammers and the trouble that follows her?

568 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2018

172 people are currently reading
54 people want to read

About the author

M.A. Carlson

11 books55 followers
Greetings and salutations! I am M.A. Carlson, author of three series, all available now. Check where my writing journey began with World Tree Online: The Curse of Hurlig Ridge, The Duchess of Hammers, The Mountain Valley War, The Endless Savanna, the Order of Epic Grinders. My second series is Planet Hero: Civilian and Sidekick. And I just released my newest novel and third series, The Devil's Game: Purgatory. I hope you enjoy the adventure and the fantastic journey that is the World Tree Online, Planet Hero, and The Devil's Game.

More about me, I love writing. I love being entertained by a good story. I wrote my first original novel a few years ago now and I can't see myself stopping writing any time soon, it's what I plan to do for the rest of my life. I am very happy to be able to share what I hope others will find as much fun to read I did to write.

Thank you and enjoy!

M.

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240 (56%)
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141 (32%)
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40 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for GaiusPrimus.
870 reviews95 followers
November 11, 2018
Even better than the first

The action picks up from the start and continues on at breakneck speed until the end, yet the author does a great job of not making it feel rushed.

The worst part of the book is how long I might have to wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Cameron.
283 reviews9 followers
November 5, 2018
Fun story!

This story is a great continuation of Hurlig Ridge. Everything that book had going for it, this book expounds upon. There is still a mystery, there are still intriguing world building elements... and most of all... there’s interaction with guards!

Also lots of fun character building components that make GameLit interesting. Check it out!
103 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2018
Another great book!

Fantastic continuation of the first book. Fast paced and filled with literary goodness! Cannot wait until the next comes out! Hurry please!
219 reviews6 followers
January 19, 2020
I really respect the world M.A. Carlson has created but I really don't like the characters. I actually hate all but one of the characters that we follow.

I hate Rose. I know I said that in my review of the first book but there was points when listening to the book where I had to pause it because all I could think is "Shut the fu*k up Rose." I honestly think that she was meant to be the 'strong female character' but she is rude and generally a bitch. There is a scene in the book where a person in the group gets a skill and she is actually upset about it. She is bitter that he gains the strategist skill complaining that she is the one who actually comes up with the strategies. She never grows out of this either any times she is upset they have to find a way to appease her.She is also incredibly mean to Heath like it is supposed to be a funny running gag but every time she hurts him I just hate her more.

Pro Tip: DO NOT introduce discrimination and prejudice in you book if you are going to throw it away with a giant "fu*k you' to your audience. I actually really liked the subplot of the ogre husband and wife experiencing discrimination and prejudice as a consequence to their race. I was actually interested in the ways they would have to overcome it and grow as people inside and outside of the game world. The answer to this plot line you may ask? A racial change.....A FU*KING RACIAL CHANGE! They build up this struggle for a book and a half constantly reminding us that they are not given the same opportunities as other players and then they easily change it with absolutely no repercussions.
Profile Image for Pablo García.
858 reviews22 followers
October 6, 2022
The end of book 2 really has no cohesion with the beginning of the story on the World Tree Online Game. The Artificial Intelligence “being” turns out to be the same one, the main character sold in his puzzle game app when he was 14, but this AI has turn evil/rogue. Why create a game, why create and develop characters, just to destroy them with an “evil/rogue AI that takes control of their lives” at the end of book 2?
It is exactly the same plot of an old movie called Wargames, the main actor in this movie was Mathew Broderick. The plot of this movie was that "a young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III." In this dystopian story, the AI took over the game, abducted the players that defeated it in a puzzle game and did everything in its power to defeat them in this World Tree Online Game.
What is the point of creating a game system, get the millions of players to level up, acquire skills, abilities, professions, only to then turn the whole thing to "mush" because the author wanted to play dark/dystopian LitRPG series, that contradicts the genre in that it creates the "anti-game"/the "hate/fear of the machines" that turns any reader off, from this supposed novels and books about role playing games and video games....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
190 reviews12 followers
November 12, 2018
As good as it gets

Fresh off his earlier adventures , Bye-Bye and his friends travel to Root City, accessing the World Tree and getting involved with the trouble-magnet, the Duchess of Hammers.
This is pretty perfect LITRPG, and I think with the Ritualist as company, occupies the very best there is for me. Great characters, relationships, a real and vibrant world and a terrific use of RPG stats and growth.
No harems either.
Profile Image for Lyndon.
108 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2019
Sequels usually suck, but this turned out good.

The first book was so awesome I had trouble putting it down. This book was good but I didn't end up ignoring my bedtime.

This one ended up being shorter and also started changing the narrative more often. This is one thing that drove me away from S&S Fantasy, I like a single narrative. Though at least the characters are likable so it wasn't too bad. Look forward to the next.

287 reviews4 followers
May 18, 2019
In the review for the last book i said it was missing something but couldn't put my finger on what. I realised while reading this one it was comedy. There are no funny bits in the entire series so far and the banter is more annoying than fun. I think it trys to be funny at times but it's just fails. The author also could do with doing their homework on weaponry and firearms.

Having said all that it's an OK book.
25 reviews
December 7, 2019
This is my 2nd favourite series in LitRpg genre. The few things which could make it better are,
1). Book Cover are below average.
2). Stop Bombarding with all the Skills and Sub-Skill for pages, I know you must be thinking this is how Jacko sees in HUD, But I dont care. Just show us only the skill or (not and) sub skill. That would be enough for us.
3). AND CAN YOU PUBLISH EACH BOOK IN 45 DAYS. (LOL)
Profile Image for Danae.
615 reviews6 followers
April 13, 2023
For me this one was not as good as the first. Too much running around and too much "explaining" for me where i would have prefered the action itself.
After the half of the book the story suddenly took on speed and fun and was nearly as enjoyable as the first one -especially liked the story around Heath.
Good work nonetheless beside any complaining. Will read the next installment for sure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
383 reviews6 followers
November 17, 2018
Good book

Really enjoyed the 2nd book in this series. We get to see a new city, an interesting plot, and lots of mc development. Also got to see some other POV as the focus shifted in a few chapters to development of other party members. Fun book and I will definitely read the next one.
794 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2019
Excellent LitRPG

Great story, characters, world, and pacing. I must admit I binged books 1&2 and had a wonderful time. (It's 3am, I couldn't put it down). No detractors. Definite recommend. I consider it on par with the LitRPG series that MSE keeps putting off continuing. I like all the characters. Looking forward to some town building later on.
Profile Image for Mike Goodman.
1,610 reviews12 followers
November 11, 2018
Fun Enjoy Smart

The MC is loving playing. His love interest loves playing. His friends love playing. He has a spell to make Player Killers his level and if he wins they respawn at level one. Great Gamelit reading LitRpg.
2,576 reviews71 followers
March 7, 2021
Setting caused this one to drag.

The city was boring and the supporting characters were flat. Overall still fun, but harder to read. Had to force myself to go on in a few places. The main characters saved this one.
Profile Image for Adam Shook.
155 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2018
Bye bye, bye bye

A good book some typos but those I'm sure will get buffed out shortly. If you enjoyed book 1 you will enjoy book 2 as well.
Author 5 books21 followers
November 19, 2018
Great second book!

Just as good as the first book, I can’t wait to read the third one when it comes out. 10/10
423 reviews7 followers
November 21, 2018
Fantastic story

Fantastic follow up from the first story! Lots of progression, back story on the group and development in general. Looking forward to the next book!
2 reviews
November 23, 2018
The series continues to pull me in. The characters developed and the backstroke grew. And the cliffhanger ending has me itching to see the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
698 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2018
Much Better!

Yes this story was a lot better because of more action and less stats the characters were fun to follow and at times funny 👌
210 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2019
great book

Just as enjoyable as the first and leaves me looking forward to the next title in the series!
Great job Marc!
Profile Image for Grant Merrifield.
711 reviews14 followers
April 23, 2019
Good book 2

Looking forward to reading the next couple of books in the series thank you very much have a good day
Profile Image for Justin Marks.
Author 7 books21 followers
April 26, 2019
Another Great Entry in the Series

Moved the story along nicy although a bit more of a cliffhanger. I like the building NPC interaction and back story on group members.
Profile Image for John DeBlanc.
337 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2019
Good Stuff

M.A. Carlson takes us back to his World Tree Onlime universe in The Duchess of Hammers:2nd Dive Begins. A welcome addition to the series. look forward to the next book.
59 reviews
May 3, 2019
Waiting for book three

I am enjoying this book series. Litrpg is not ny favorite but this one has good characters working together and is fairly easy to read
Profile Image for Misty.
16 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2020
Another fun dive and can’t wait to read the next. I’m really enjoying exploring this new world and it’s lore. Plenty of rewarding twists, turns, and character development.
Profile Image for Steven Princenthal.
15 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2021
Excellent read!

Amazing book and so happy to be able to read more on the series. Do yourself a favor and check out this series!
702 reviews4 followers
Read
March 26, 2021
Great book

Stellar work once again from M A Carlson!Lots of action and adventure, cults and assassins. Looking forward to the next one!
7 reviews
January 20, 2024
Awesome.

This was a great read. Really looking forward to the next book. The adventure draws you in. This was awesome.
Profile Image for Freedom.
46 reviews71 followers
August 30, 2019
Note: this review is to help refresh my memories when book three comes out. Entire review has been marked as a spoiler.

Bye-Bye has a satisfying adventure in Root City with more training of his spear and lore skills. The book ends with him preparing for largescale faction pvp by hiring player mercenaries who will fight for Hammerton. I have a feeling we will see Baby's husband on the opposing side of this war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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