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In the System #2
City of the Undead
The first stage is complete. Ivan Susanin has managed to survive and, together with the other leaders, unite the various players into the Alliance. Yet this is only the beginning. A huge goblin army is approaching from the city outskirts, while the undead roam inside the city. The people from Earth are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The only way to escape another massacre is to capture the goblin fortress, and hold out until the end of the mission. Or to abandon their wounded and scatter, hoping to avoid getting killed.
This is a serious challenge for the newly formed Alliance. However, even if this risky plan succeeds, nothing is over yet. The second mission will be followed by the next and the next. The new gods will not back down, for the Altar is a unique chance for one of them to gain power and become the leader of a united Pantheon. Sooner or later, the goblins and the undead will fall, and no price is too high to secure victory.
It is time to make a choice. Hide behind the safety of the walls or leave the besieged fortress and head deeper into the inner suburbs. To the domain of the undead. To where stands the temple of the fallen goblin god. To a place where one will get the chance to decide one’s own fate.
This is a serious challenge for the newly formed Alliance. However, even if this risky plan succeeds, nothing is over yet. The second mission will be followed by the next and the next. The new gods will not back down, for the Altar is a unique chance for one of them to gain power and become the leader of a united Pantheon. Sooner or later, the goblins and the undead will fall, and no price is too high to secure victory.
It is time to make a choice. Hide behind the safety of the walls or leave the besieged fortress and head deeper into the inner suburbs. To the domain of the undead. To where stands the temple of the fallen goblin god. To a place where one will get the chance to decide one’s own fate.
587 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2021
About the author
Petr Zhgulyov
20 books14 followersAlthough an avid reader from an early age, Petr had never tried to write a book himself until he began his IT studies. This is when he discovered Russia’s biggest online writing community, Samizdat. His first book received a warm welcome from his online readership and Petr even got a letter from a traditional publisher showing interest in his book. But when Petr accepted their proposal, he didn’t receive a reply. He never heard from them again.
A few years later, already an IT professional, Petr wrote another book and sent the manuscript out to publishers. This time, it was rejected. In those days, writers were only considered “proper authors” if they worked with traditional publishers; all others were branded as amateurs.
For the next five years, Petr didn’t write much but did a lot of reading instead. That’s why the arrival of the new genre of LitRPG, followed by RealRPG, immediately piqued his interest. A few more years down the road, and Petr realized it was probably the right moment to get back into writing. If it didn’t work now, then he’d call it a day.
By then, Russia had seen the arrival of online writing portals which allowed authors to sell their books directly to their readers, bypassing traditional publishing houses. Petr quit his day job and started a new book. This time it was RealRPG. Readers immediately noticed his City of Goblins, leaving thousands of comments and positive rankings. The following installments consolidated his success, securing the new series’ place among the leaders of the new genre.
They say that three is a charm – it certainly was for Petr, who can now pursue his passion for writing full time. And now you too have a unique opportunity to read his books in other languages.
A few years later, already an IT professional, Petr wrote another book and sent the manuscript out to publishers. This time, it was rejected. In those days, writers were only considered “proper authors” if they worked with traditional publishers; all others were branded as amateurs.
For the next five years, Petr didn’t write much but did a lot of reading instead. That’s why the arrival of the new genre of LitRPG, followed by RealRPG, immediately piqued his interest. A few more years down the road, and Petr realized it was probably the right moment to get back into writing. If it didn’t work now, then he’d call it a day.
By then, Russia had seen the arrival of online writing portals which allowed authors to sell their books directly to their readers, bypassing traditional publishing houses. Petr quit his day job and started a new book. This time it was RealRPG. Readers immediately noticed his City of Goblins, leaving thousands of comments and positive rankings. The following installments consolidated his success, securing the new series’ place among the leaders of the new genre.
They say that three is a charm – it certainly was for Petr, who can now pursue his passion for writing full time. And now you too have a unique opportunity to read his books in other languages.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 18, 2021
I like this book
It has an interesting appeal. Does not follow the normal litrpg pathway. Has no idealistic. Righteous, idiot hero. Instead has an opportunistic survivor which I like. I hope to see a solid female in his life at some point, and maybe a few summoned companions for absolute loyalty. So far a good start.
It has an interesting appeal. Does not follow the normal litrpg pathway. Has no idealistic. Righteous, idiot hero. Instead has an opportunistic survivor which I like. I hope to see a solid female in his life at some point, and maybe a few summoned companions for absolute loyalty. So far a good start.
April 12, 2021
I received a review copy of this book.
The story itself follows on from the end of the first book, and while the story is well enough, too often I found myself wondering why the main character was doing what he was doing. I'm guessing there's things that will come up in later volumes in the series to help explain some of those actions, but for now, there's a lot that remains murky (at least to me). If you've read the first book, you'll probably not mind reading this one, but if you try to start with this book, most of the world, and by extension, most of the story won't make a whole lot of sense, though if you're just looking for something to read, and don't really care what it's about, this book will be a pleasant distraction.
The story itself follows on from the end of the first book, and while the story is well enough, too often I found myself wondering why the main character was doing what he was doing. I'm guessing there's things that will come up in later volumes in the series to help explain some of those actions, but for now, there's a lot that remains murky (at least to me). If you've read the first book, you'll probably not mind reading this one, but if you try to start with this book, most of the world, and by extension, most of the story won't make a whole lot of sense, though if you're just looking for something to read, and don't really care what it's about, this book will be a pleasant distraction.
April 13, 2021
Excellent book
I found this book very interesting and look forward to seeing the next installment of this series of books. I hope it is soon
I found this book very interesting and look forward to seeing the next installment of this series of books. I hope it is soon
March 22, 2024
Kind of drags
So there's definitely progression in this book but the world building is still extremely limited and it's just kind of hard to accept some of the matchups. Like a protagonist makes it to level seven or eight but it's terrified of fighting a level 5 monster it just doesn't exactly make sense. I don't particularly enjoy the political aspects of the book and that's pretty heavy. It's not bad but it's also not like I have to keep reading I'm going to stay up till 2:00 a.m. to finish or read more
So there's definitely progression in this book but the world building is still extremely limited and it's just kind of hard to accept some of the matchups. Like a protagonist makes it to level seven or eight but it's terrified of fighting a level 5 monster it just doesn't exactly make sense. I don't particularly enjoy the political aspects of the book and that's pretty heavy. It's not bad but it's also not like I have to keep reading I'm going to stay up till 2:00 a.m. to finish or read more
May 30, 2024
This was almost a 4 start instead of a 5 star review but as often happens a great ending helped nudge the rating back up. To be fair I can't quite identify was making me lose interest in this one about halfway through. I think everything that seemed interesting and original from the first book turned a bit stale and less interesting this time around. Still the story is interesting and the MC and setting continue to be interesting. I feel no rush to pick up the next one but probably well eventually.
October 14, 2021
It is a 1:12 am and I am a bit of tired, so really short review. It is good book. I suppose that you've already read "City of Goblins". If you've enjoyed it - and i think you have - you'll enjoy this one as well. And third one too. And whole this book series.
February 24, 2024
I'm back! Yes I'm pleased to say that I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed it and I read it in one sitting.
The translation from Russian to English was pretty good. If you find any mistakes that I missed just let the publisher know. They are really good about fixing them.
8/10
The translation from Russian to English was pretty good. If you find any mistakes that I missed just let the publisher know. They are really good about fixing them.
8/10
February 23, 2022
exciting!
Nice combination of mindset, as well as realism on the ability / skills of a person. I am surprised at the rules you need to touch in order to get energy.
Nice combination of mindset, as well as realism on the ability / skills of a person. I am surprised at the rules you need to touch in order to get energy.
August 11, 2023
Very good one sitting read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
September 27, 2023
WOW
I love it
I love it
April 18, 2022
I'm past the half way mark in the book and not feeling it so far. The things I liked about book one is lacking here.
The first book compressed multiple days and multiple trips into one book. This book took three quarters of the novel to complete eight days, and those eight days were spent in the other world.
What I liked about this story was the protagonist using his brains between worlds. This book lacked a very large amount of that.
I hope the next book makes up for the lackluster showing here.
It's like this book was the setup stage for the future. It better pay off.
3/5 Stars
The first book compressed multiple days and multiple trips into one book. This book took three quarters of the novel to complete eight days, and those eight days were spent in the other world.
What I liked about this story was the protagonist using his brains between worlds. This book lacked a very large amount of that.
I hope the next book makes up for the lackluster showing here.
It's like this book was the setup stage for the future. It better pay off.
3/5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews