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Arcane Kingdom Online #5
The Siege
A new battlefront. An old friend. A war that will forever shape the game.
Clay has arrived on the evil continent of Arethkar with one simple goal: to free the brutally enslaved players.
With the help of a long-lost acquaintance, Clay sets his eyes on conquering the powerful fortress of Iron Citadel. He has seven days to complete the task. If he succeeds, he will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to Arcane Kingdom Online. If he fails, the world will plunge into greater darkness.
The march of destiny begins.
Clay has arrived on the evil continent of Arethkar with one simple goal: to free the brutally enslaved players.
With the help of a long-lost acquaintance, Clay sets his eyes on conquering the powerful fortress of Iron Citadel. He has seven days to complete the task. If he succeeds, he will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to Arcane Kingdom Online. If he fails, the world will plunge into greater darkness.
The march of destiny begins.
- GenresFantasy
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2020
156 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Jakob Tanner
20 books178 followersJakob Tanner is the author of three LitRPG series: Arcane Kingdom Online, Tower Climber, and Second Chance Swordsman. His books were inspired by the Final Fantasy video game series, Dungeons and Dragons, and all the MMORPGs that have taken over his life at one point or another.
He likes playing board games, binging anime, and eating yummy food. To keep up to date with his shenanigans (as well as the status of his next book) consider signing up to his mailing list here:
https://www.jakobtanner.com/dungeondi...
Beyond that, Jakob can be found at all the usual places:
Facebook (Reader Group):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/19953...
Facebook (Author Page): @jakobtannerwriter
Twitter: @jakobtanner
Website: www.jakobtanner.com
He likes playing board games, binging anime, and eating yummy food. To keep up to date with his shenanigans (as well as the status of his next book) consider signing up to his mailing list here:
https://www.jakobtanner.com/dungeondi...
Beyond that, Jakob can be found at all the usual places:
Facebook (Reader Group):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/19953...
Facebook (Author Page): @jakobtannerwriter
Twitter: @jakobtanner
Website: www.jakobtanner.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 18, 2020
The Siege is yet another solid instalment in the AKO series. The remarkable thing about this series is its consistency across five books so far and it could turn out to be one of the best LitRPGs of all time if this trend continues.
The Siege starts the next arc of the story where the fight is taken to the rogue AI - Konrad. To keep things spoiler free, lets just say that Konrad is a much a bigger badass than expected and this character's appearances are epic.
Clay gets some resolution from the past but is left with more pain even though his abilities keep growing.
Overall, The Siege has all the strengths that AKO has shown so far and I would recommend this series/book to LitRPG fans.
The Siege starts the next arc of the story where the fight is taken to the rogue AI - Konrad. To keep things spoiler free, lets just say that Konrad is a much a bigger badass than expected and this character's appearances are epic.
Clay gets some resolution from the past but is left with more pain even though his abilities keep growing.
Overall, The Siege has all the strengths that AKO has shown so far and I would recommend this series/book to LitRPG fans.
June 20, 2020
Wow!
Lots of stuff happened.
A bunch of fighting, escapes, contests and saving people.
Spoiler alert.
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.
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Ok a blast from the past shows up out of nowhere. You’ll question if they’re good or bad.
Plot twist/surprise at ending.
Lots of stuff happened.
A bunch of fighting, escapes, contests and saving people.
Spoiler alert.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok a blast from the past shows up out of nowhere. You’ll question if they’re good or bad.
Plot twist/surprise at ending.
July 31, 2020
I wasn't impressed anymore. It was barely entertaining. Perhaps I expected more progression in the 5th installment and hoped for more than the author could deliver. I have a few gripes - namely: Where is the character development? Where is the RPG mechanic development? None of the 'mob' fights or 'boss fights' are difficult as the party solves them rapidly with no deaths. For a game-type setting, the player characters sure have a fear of dying, the main characters rarely die in this series.
For all the hype of unlocking a new class, we rarely see Clay using that class. Personally, I think the ship mechanic was interesting but that completely disappeared from the series.
I must have been reading a different book than the other reviewers, either that, or I have read too many solid lit-RPGs, and there are many options out there for people who require a bit more progression in the fifth installment of a series.
For all the hype of unlocking a new class, we rarely see Clay using that class. Personally, I think the ship mechanic was interesting but that completely disappeared from the series.
I must have been reading a different book than the other reviewers, either that, or I have read too many solid lit-RPGs, and there are many options out there for people who require a bit more progression in the fifth installment of a series.
April 16, 2020
While I’ve been self-isolating, I decided to play some of my old PS4 games. Currently, I’m going through Dragon Age: Inquisition again, and I was struck by how similar things were between this story and the DA game. I liked noting the similarities, and I appreciated that, while they exist, this story never felt like it was dipping into fanfic, or plot-sampling.
Clay started out with so much hope. He had united an entire continent, he had found a way to free the enslaved Chosen, and he was bringing liberation for both the Chosen and non-Chosen to a land shackled under the weight of tyranny. Yet, no battle plan survives the first shot, and all of the expectations Clay had went slightly askew.
Suddenly, Clay’s older brother, WIll, shows up and we have to wonder how much we can trust him. The Arethkarians are more prepared than Clay had expected, and we find that Konrad has become personally aware of, and involved in, our hero. We also learn that slavery and abuse have affected the Chosen in ways that Clay was not prepared for, and which lead him to making hard choices.
By the end of the story, much of the hope that we began with has been crushed, and the light that led our party has diminished. And yet, despite crippling loss, and Clay learning, first-hand, how much Konrad needs to be removed, Clay stands strong and firm as the only alternative to a hellish existence that Konrad is propagating.
But how will Clay be able to effectively fight someone who has god-like powers in AKO, and created the game? What can they do to take the fight to the rest of Arethkar? How will gaining the Druid abilities give Clay an edge against Konrad? When will the next book be out, I’m so excited to see where this goes?! I also wonder, did Konrad really create ZERO? If so, will Clay find out? And how will that impact the choices that Clay will make going forward?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Clay started out with so much hope. He had united an entire continent, he had found a way to free the enslaved Chosen, and he was bringing liberation for both the Chosen and non-Chosen to a land shackled under the weight of tyranny. Yet, no battle plan survives the first shot, and all of the expectations Clay had went slightly askew.
Suddenly, Clay’s older brother, WIll, shows up and we have to wonder how much we can trust him. The Arethkarians are more prepared than Clay had expected, and we find that Konrad has become personally aware of, and involved in, our hero. We also learn that slavery and abuse have affected the Chosen in ways that Clay was not prepared for, and which lead him to making hard choices.
By the end of the story, much of the hope that we began with has been crushed, and the light that led our party has diminished. And yet, despite crippling loss, and Clay learning, first-hand, how much Konrad needs to be removed, Clay stands strong and firm as the only alternative to a hellish existence that Konrad is propagating.
But how will Clay be able to effectively fight someone who has god-like powers in AKO, and created the game? What can they do to take the fight to the rest of Arethkar? How will gaining the Druid abilities give Clay an edge against Konrad? When will the next book be out, I’m so excited to see where this goes?! I also wonder, did Konrad really create ZERO? If so, will Clay find out? And how will that impact the choices that Clay will make going forward?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
April 16, 2020
Arcane Kingdom Online has been one of the best LitRPG series I have read, and now that we are into book 5 the adventures are just getting harder and hotter. This time round our group of friends attempt to defeat Arethkar, as these had advanced enslaving magitech, which they planned on using not just on the chosen, but on the whole of Illyria. If this were to happen the world would fall into the fantasy dystopian nightmare our group had all been fighting against. Furthermore Clay knew he had to take out the man behind the game, Konrad Takeshimi, if the evil going on in game was to be stopped. Betina, the guardian of dreams, who has haunted Clay like forever, promised to tell Clay all about Takeshimi, Operation Assimilated Reality and even about herself once they got to the Iron Citadel. They needed to take this citadel if they were to win the war against Arethkar, the war to save Arcane Kingdom Online. The Siege is one big adventure from start to finish with monsters our group had to face and overpower in order to reach the Citadel. This was no big deal though as they too had advanced a lot in their own classes and worked so well as a team. One of my very favourite characters is Shade and I really hate how the rest of the group always pick on him, also I do think that Gryph, Clay's Gryphon could be a bit more gracious as it is always so grumpy. Clay gets a surprise when someone he least expects turns up, and we get a cliff hanger ending, which just makes us want to read further, so bring on book 6.
April 17, 2020
ONE NON-STOP ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!!!
Explosive! Jakob doesn't disappoint, delivering such an incredibly composed approach with this impressive storyline and gripping plot, wrapping it up in one action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, hooks you from the start and keeps you riveted on a razors edge. A multitude of intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, noting the explosive twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, booting this gem into a tempest, bursting it into a hissy with a prize winning culmination. A tumultuous whirlwind full of unsettling mishaps and thrilling circumstances, thrusts those swirling emotions into play front and center. Revealing the drama, intrigue, tension, turmoil, danger, underlying threats, mounting suspense and nerve racking situations along with a boatload of chaos while dodging deadly intentions, you have one mind-blowing masterpiece. The characters, banter, interactions, charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely approachable personalities. The scenes are written with such realism, impressive passion, imagination and unique insight, blasts this sparkling jewel wide open, making the storyline pop. Amazing job Jakob, thanks for sharing this treasure with us.
Explosive! Jakob doesn't disappoint, delivering such an incredibly composed approach with this impressive storyline and gripping plot, wrapping it up in one action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, hooks you from the start and keeps you riveted on a razors edge. A multitude of intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, noting the explosive twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, booting this gem into a tempest, bursting it into a hissy with a prize winning culmination. A tumultuous whirlwind full of unsettling mishaps and thrilling circumstances, thrusts those swirling emotions into play front and center. Revealing the drama, intrigue, tension, turmoil, danger, underlying threats, mounting suspense and nerve racking situations along with a boatload of chaos while dodging deadly intentions, you have one mind-blowing masterpiece. The characters, banter, interactions, charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely approachable personalities. The scenes are written with such realism, impressive passion, imagination and unique insight, blasts this sparkling jewel wide open, making the storyline pop. Amazing job Jakob, thanks for sharing this treasure with us.
April 20, 2020
I was given this book by the author for a honest review.
Some series are the same thing in every book with some twist,the advantage of RPGLit is that the character are gaining more power so the monsters, villains, and situations have to grow as well. Each book in this series shows growth not only in the characters and situations but in the writing. Again its RPGLit so if that growth doesn't happen the entire serie will become stagnant and boring (those us who have played RPGs have all been on a campaign like that once or twice). I would love to give this 4.5 stars but Goodreads doesn't allow fractional star reviews, if I give it 5 stars what would I do if the next one was better? I still like the characters and the action is getting bigger in every book.
Some series are the same thing in every book with some twist,the advantage of RPGLit is that the character are gaining more power so the monsters, villains, and situations have to grow as well. Each book in this series shows growth not only in the characters and situations but in the writing. Again its RPGLit so if that growth doesn't happen the entire serie will become stagnant and boring (those us who have played RPGs have all been on a campaign like that once or twice). I would love to give this 4.5 stars but Goodreads doesn't allow fractional star reviews, if I give it 5 stars what would I do if the next one was better? I still like the characters and the action is getting bigger in every book.
September 11, 2020
The problem with unstoppable enemies
When an author writes the opponent to be so OP that they are impossible to defeat, then there's no plausible way to defeat them. So, when the hero does, it feels of bs. Not worth continuing the series, since it's become obvious the author will continue this trend.
When an author writes the opponent to be so OP that they are impossible to defeat, then there's no plausible way to defeat them. So, when the hero does, it feels of bs. Not worth continuing the series, since it's become obvious the author will continue this trend.
September 11, 2020
Good read but there was something different
I like the characters and the world but this book had something different not necessarily good or bad but somthing felt different in this installment like this was a bunch of topics all choked into one book. Outside of that it was decent to read
I like the characters and the world but this book had something different not necessarily good or bad but somthing felt different in this installment like this was a bunch of topics all choked into one book. Outside of that it was decent to read
September 16, 2024
Book 5 of Arcane Kingdom Online. This one gets us far deeper into the gaming system. This exciting paced RPGLit book. We do get to see some new characters and also the big bad boss. The excitement of the ending on this one makes you want to jump right into the next one. If you want a fun adventure this is a great option. Same warning, language.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
July 16, 2021
The book was interesting it started quickly with the main characters conquering a city and the main plot was that they climbed a mountain to take the Iron Cidal to get a footing against the apposing army. They had to fight some ghosts with lightning powers that they had a little bit of trouble fighting said ghost. The book was a good read 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2022
I have read many other LitRPGs by many different authors and I have yet to find Jakob Tanner's equal. The entire AKO series is simply phenomenal. A must read for diehard LitRPG fans and new comers alike.
February 26, 2024
This is a solid step up (in some ways) - tactically it feels a bit of a stretch, but least-bad option. Weird spirits guiding the MC. Not quite Richard Rahl "no one believes me when I say I was married", but getting close.
Definitely a step towards the finale.
Definitely a step towards the finale.
May 6, 2020
The constant doubt and internal whining of the main character gets old. The series doesn’t have much depth to character or world building.
September 21, 2020
Lots of action
Lots of action but it also feels really rushed. The usual weakness of most litrpg trying to up the ante and still make it pace well
Lots of action but it also feels really rushed. The usual weakness of most litrpg trying to up the ante and still make it pace well
February 22, 2021
Very entertaining read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like litRPG type of books.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like litRPG type of books.
November 21, 2022
Kinds boring and generic
November 27, 2025
I rated this 4 stars. The team was great in this story. They were too trusting of some people
July 4, 2020
Arcane Kingdom Online: the Siege is the fifth book in this interesting gamelit series where survivors of the zombie apocalypse live their lives inside a video game after the fall of civilization. This book does not disappoint and proves to be another exciting adventure in the series.
I would recommend reading books 1-4 first (and if you have read them you know what to expect with this one); however, I think you could enjoy this book independently if you decided to do so. The ending leaves a lot for future books.
I would recommend reading books 1-4 first (and if you have read them you know what to expect with this one); however, I think you could enjoy this book independently if you decided to do so. The ending leaves a lot for future books.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews