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Arcane Kingdom Online #7

The World Outside

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A portal back to Earth. Disappearing A.I. The final battle has begun.

After living inside a video game for months, Clay now has the rare chance to log-out. The only problem is: the game’s A.I. guardians have run off to Earth themselves. The fate of all reality now hangs in the balance.

With new powers and a new mission, Clay and his pals have three days to trek across post-apocalyptic Earth and recapture the runaway A.I. guardians. If they fail, both worlds online and off will cease to exist.

Are you ready to log-out?

The World Outside is the seventh and final instalment in the best-selling LitRPG series, Arcane Kingdom Online. If you love RPG mechanics, destructive glitches, epic loot, and leveling-up, then you’ll love this fast-paced fantasy adventure.

Get it now.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2020

121 people are currently reading
67 people want to read

About the author

Jakob Tanner

20 books178 followers
Jakob 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

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Community Reviews

5 stars
114 (52%)
4 stars
57 (26%)
3 stars
37 (16%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Lana.
2,820 reviews61 followers
August 25, 2020
In this, the last book in what has been an amazing series, Clay returns to earth but what he thought would be an exciting experience turned into a terrible nightmare as he come face to face with the flesh-eaters and sees his hometown in ruin. The flesh eaters were the same zombies which had made him escape into AKO, the same who had killed his parents and decimated life on earth. He had returned to earth on a quest, in search of the AI guardians of the game who had abandoned Illyria and caused many anomalies to take place, he had to find the Centauri Device in order to capture them and take them back into the game, to set things right. However, he also had to make sure none of the flesh-eaters enter into Illyria but he didn’t want to shut of the entry point. Shade was the only other member of the group willing to go on the adventure with Clay to see first hand what life on earth was all about. I love that Chip, Clay’s spirit friend joined them as he is always great fun and brings a bit of light to any tense situation, a boy did it get tense for the three of them as they battled both the flesh-eaters and the Guardians. Clay thought his life would return to normal once this quest was met however when he returns to Illyria trouble awaits and Clay realises he has to take a decision and make up his mind which home he was going to save since he could not save both. Earth was not the home he remembered, he had nothing but memories left of the place but Illyria was his home, his family and friends were here and Clay had to fight to save the only home he had left before another apocalypse wiped this out for him too. I love the courage and loyalty all the characters showed when they forgot their differences and got together to save their home. The final battle to save Illyria is awesome and I just love the way the series ends even though I know I am going to miss our lovable cast of heroes and hope to read more books set in AKO. I think this has been one of my very favourite series in the LitRPG genre so far and the characters of Shade, Chip and Gryph though NPC’s brought a light touch to the series which I loved.
Profile Image for John-Torleif  Harris.
2,729 reviews13 followers
August 28, 2020
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this - and that’s a good thing! From the beginning, this started out fast-paced and just kept on going until the very end. I do have to say that the science in this one got really shaky for me. I can understand the portal between Earth and Illyria in the lab, but I wanted to see a bit more clarity about how the big portal was even possible. How would the ZERO zombies be attracted to a digital environment - they are flesh eaters and there is no real flesh in a digital world...

Also, I wish that we could have gotten more insight into Theoden, Psytra, and Jupiter’s thinking. Why did Theoden do everything that he’s done if he cared too much about the world that he was responsible for? Why would they want to give up everything that they had in AKO for becoming mere copies of themselves in a dead world?

But, having said that, I still feel that this book was an excellent conclusion to Clay & Co.’s story. Clay has been through so much since he first woke in Laerguard and has had to make many difficult choices during his life there. It all comes to a head in this book, and Clay must face his greatest fear, and willingness to serve the people of Illyria in a way that truly defines him. Through the loss and fear that he has endured, Clay has indeed shown himself as the Hero of all Illyria.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews71 followers
August 28, 2020
⚖️⚖️ONE WILD ROLLERCOASTER⚖️⚖️
Game on! Jakob doesn't hold back, pull any punches and take no prisoners, delivering this tough as nails 100% on point realism, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, wrapping this jewel up sleek, shiny and tight. A raging tempest of formidable trials and challenging tribulations, noting the deadly twists, wicked turns and thin lines, catapulting this little guy to a whole new realm. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, rousting the drama, intrigue, turmoil, revelations, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and intense situations along with a boatload of chaos while dodging calamity, you have one thrilling adventure. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Jakob, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Profile Image for Ami.
635 reviews
November 27, 2025
I rated this 2.5 stars. Okay this was a disappointing ending to the series. I may be overthinking this book, but I had some serious issues with the ending of the book. First the entire book felt rushed like the story was not really developed. They kind of rushed from place to place. Solutions felt too simple and easy. Second, I really struggled with them decided to close all the portals. The cure may only save one person, but a vaccine could have been made from that one person's blood. They should have a least given those back on earth a chance. Third, the abandoned people trapped on earth who had helped them through multiple books. This bugged me. Fourth, the computers that host their world are back on earth. Eventually without anyone to maintain them the computers will fail. So, this was short sighted because their world needs earth to continue existing. I was just bugged by this story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jeff.
457 reviews
August 28, 2020
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've read every book in this series.

This was probably my favorite book in the series. Like the others it is a fun and easy read. The bad guys are powerful (maybe not as much as they or everyone else seems to think) and the guys are up to the task. This is a nice conclusion to the series and it wraps up the things left hanging in the previous book. I don't want to give anything away but there is a change of venue and a change in how the Clay's & Shade's powers work. The series inspired me to install some of my old RPGs on my new computer, its been a blast.
Profile Image for Joseph D..
Author 3 books3 followers
September 17, 2024
Book 7 of the Arcane Kingdom Online series. This final book leaves us wondering if there will be a book 8. Still several open items and things unresolved. This was definitely an interesting end to the series. Still packed with loads of adventures and lots of jumping off of stuff. Yet again Chip saves the day, well at least one of the days. A fun series and worth a read through. If you like RPGLit this would be a good one to put on your list. Warning: language. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Author 3 books3 followers
September 17, 2020
Excellent ending to the series.

This review as placed due to my reading an early copy.

The pace of the story never lets up and Jakob is still adding depth to the characters, Clay and Serena. The added dimension of Clay, Shade and Chip traveling to a destroyed world as avatars is inspirational. All the lose ends are gathered and nailed down.
Spoiler: I wonder if a new series is going to be on the unborn child.
Brilliant series Jakob, thank you for letting me into your world.
207 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2020
I’ll sign the petition.

Great series. When the author mentions a petition to rewrite the ending, that’s tells me a) he/she knew it was unsatisfactory and/or it would have great potential to be deemed so or b) ...nope. No b). Very unsatisfying end to what is a great series. 99% of this book is great. That last 1% though is significant.
Profile Image for Richard.
296 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2024
This felt like a bit of a stretch, but it did sort of finish the series off. Not sure I liked the idea of returning to the world outside and so on - it did resolve many of the plot points, and without it the series would make (even) less sense, but this almost certainly puts this at a sub 4-star overall series.

Glad I read it as a box set or I may not have gone from book to book.
11 reviews
September 2, 2020
Great Series

Thanks Jacob!
It’s been a very good journey in AKO.
If your new to this series please go back to the beginning and read all of the quests and journeys Clay and his friends/family have been on.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Profile Image for Holly Lenz.
928 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2020
This is the final book in the Arcane Kingdom series, and it comes full circle bringing the characters back to earth and back to the zombies and terror that started the whole mess. Great book and a cool series. I definitely enjoyed the ride.
217 reviews27 followers
October 3, 2020
Good series, worth the read!

The books are very short reads but it's been a good series all in all. Some swearing but nothing that really detracts from the story. I recommend the series to anyone who likes LITRPG books.
17 reviews1 follower
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.
Profile Image for Benjamin Graff.
28 reviews
August 28, 2020
Sad to reach the end but what a great book!

Loved this book and the finale to a wonderful series. Such a great finish and closure to characters I came to love.
Profile Image for Anthony saraceno.
3 reviews
September 17, 2020
Sad it's over

Fantastic book and series, I can't wait for what Jakob brings out next. I don't think there could have been a better ending*
426 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2020
Nice ending

Interesting ending. Seemed a little convoluted but had a nice amount of action. All in all the series was well done
Profile Image for Maggie Champlin.
1 review1 follower
December 13, 2020
Worth it

Fun read. Enjoyable story and characters throughout the series. I look forward to the author’s next series. God find on KU
2,315 reviews8 followers
February 23, 2021
A very entertaining read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like litRPG type of books. Great action.
698 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2021
The End!!?

Let's hope this is the end but I don't think so? The adventure turned into a new world and baby's, plus death now a good story and great ending...
217 reviews27 followers
July 30, 2021
Good series all, good ending, worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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