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In the exciting second installment, Mace discovers that sometimes when you hit the streets, the streets hit back! What the streets don’t realize is that Mace can take a punch and doesn’t mind punching back. In fact, he prefers it that way! Mace, along with his irascible (but charming) virtual assistant, Havervill, his sassy deputy Tinsie, and his stoic golem, Buddy will investigate several murders, the theft of a relic of mass destruction, and the kidnapping of the most famous woman in the game. To make matters worse, the city is suddenly plagued with zealots who want to drive the players from the game. Mace and his team need to figure out how all of these events are connected. With time running out, Mace must team up with the Granson Gang, the most powerful league in the game, to undertake the first ever “dive” of a divine dungeon. It is deep in the depths of the dungeon where he will discover how all of these events are connected.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2021

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Evan Klein

4 books6 followers

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Alisha Rowe.
728 reviews35 followers
September 15, 2021
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/2VK5s0Y.










Mace has completed his training and is no longer a noob. Now, he is starting in the city of Granville, and he can see why his boss, Haggarty, refused to give him details. The previous Constable gave his guards no authority and havoc was being wrecked in the town. After curbing one disaster it seems that the city has more in store for him. There is a relic merchant, Rhia, to add some spice and maybe a little confusion to his life. In an attempt to complete the quests given to him by Rhia to find her missing relics there may be something much bigger at play that not even the creator of the game has a say in. A battle the likes of while Immersion Online has never before seen will soon be waged, but there is more at stake then stats.
     This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review in the form of an ARC. After reading book 1 of the series I was intrigued with what book 2 would bring. That being said, I loved book 2 more than book 1. I finished the book in 4 reading sessions and it would have been less if one of my friends hadn't called needing me to stay on the phone with her for a long drive home. Putting down this book was a hard task to accomplish and I am sure that you will feel the same once you begin reading it. 
    There is more action in this book than in book 1, and you would easily be able to enjoy it without having read The Noob. I know for a fact that I will be needing book 3 as soon as I have the ability. I don't know if I will have to wait until release like everyone else for book 3, as I know Evan is currently writing it, but I truly cannot wait. There are so many questions that I have at the end of the book and am sure that Klein will not disappoint to have these answers as the series continues. 
    While the favorite character from book 1 was a moonshiner with a prickly past, I think I am going to have to replace that spot with Tinsie. Seriously, who doesn't love a sprite? That being said, the fact that she repeats some words three times randomly as she talks made me question if she was a NPC instead of a Starborn. I have now chocked it up to one of the random little quirks that comes with the feisty deputy, but do wonder if she has this issue in the RW as well. 
    This is a book for gamers and anyone who loves a good fantasy book. I have already been driving my aforementioned friend nuts saying she needs to get both books next week. I am sure both she and my husband are tired of hearing me try to force this book on them. My husband would love it, but he is stubborn and for some reason refuses to use the Kindle app that I downloaded on his phone. Something about it needing to be the Google Books app. Annoying male. I completely recommend this book and it will be released on 9/19/2021. I also suggest pre-ordering this book now!
Profile Image for Bookwyrm Speaks.
303 reviews19 followers
September 21, 2021
I was impressed with the first book in this series, Noob, which I found to be a fun take on the LitRPG genre. I was curious what direction the author would take to continue the story, both in game and real world. I was amazed at just how creatively the new story elements are added in, as Mace finally makes it to the city of Grandview to take up his post as the constable of one of the city’s zones, in this case the Commerce Zone. It kicks off immediately with some wild action that really sets the stage for the world building the author wants to accomplish in the Game world. The city is a conglomeration of the cities you would see in fantasy worlds, with elements unique to gaming, as well as a certain sentience to the city itself simmering under the surface. It really gives the story a unique feeling, and you really get sucked into this aspect.

The characters are again so much fun. Mace, the protagonist, is ready to take up his new post as a constable in game, and his new deputy, a Pixie named Tinsie, is ready to help him lay down the law to the more lawless elements of the Commerce Zone. Mace is settling in nicely, and he has really gotten into the game play. His experience as a long time police detective has left him prepared for the job, and he is immediately put to the test, with battling groups disturbing the Zone’s peace, and he must track down the culprit for a series of murders and disappearances. His story arc really expands as he further levels up and leaves his mark on the town as the mysterious ghost in the machine seems to be getting more out of control.

The supporting cast I treat. Tinsie is such a fun character, and her mysterious past is explored as the story progresses, really fleshing her character out. The other constables are fun too, and we get some glimpses into what makes them tick as well. Another addition is Rhia, the relics dealer that Mace is drawn to, who has mysteries of her own to explore. We also get a peak into the Granson Gang, the game’s most powerful guild, who end up playing such an instrumental part of the final act of the story.

The villains are exceptionally well done. They are obviously meant to set up some story elements down the road, but are such a seething menace throughout the story, mostly from the shadows, that when they make their appearances, it’s a gut punch for the various characters. I am excited to see where this goes in future installments.

With all these elements, this book should have a broad appeal. Fans of LitRPG should find the character building and real world issues appealing, while fans of traditional fantasy should be able to immerse themselves into the more traditional fantasy elements, while not being overly distracted by the LitRPG game elements. This is a definite recommended read.

83 reviews
March 6, 2023
Better and Better

Talk about a cliffhanger! Klein continues his rousing tale of the new sheriff in town. And while Mace solves crimes and completes quest after quest, the “Realm” has a new quirk - a self created sentient AI, untouchable and untraceable by the game designers and programmers, with visions of a digital kingdom FREE from parasitic mankind … Klein seamlessly runs the reader through a non stop gauntlet of action reaching the climax … with our hero on the brink of death inn the Realm … and in his own world. Can’t wait to read on further!
Profile Image for Brad.
239 reviews
January 2, 2023
mixed feelings

I like the book but I’m not certain why our MC spent a month of his time not gaining a single level just hooking up. The last third of the book is pretty good. I feel like the first two thirds are almost just filler, the world building in them is there just seems to be a lot of wasted time when the MC had a war to lead and so many conversations that had to wait for “tomorrow” for a month??
Profile Image for Jack Vinson.
997 reviews50 followers
April 17, 2022
Our hero keeps getting lucky.

Or is that the benefit of high Providence? More fun with LitRPG books.

Mace (Mason), the main character has jumped many levels between book 1 and 2 and is now one of the game-paid sheriffs of One of the larger cities. Will he be able to resolve the conflicts in the city - and those that seem to cross boundaries?
Profile Image for Corinne Loder.
42 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2023
Awesome

To run a dungeon that has monsters at a much higher level than the highest level of the team, will they make it and how many will survive. A must read! Will start next book tommorow.
1,017 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2024
A good time.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and entertaining. The story and characters were interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book is definitely worth checking out.
Profile Image for Jim Phillips.
1,125 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2024
Loved the story

Loved the story but the ending sucked. Those cliffhanger endings from the 70's & 80's were never popular. So nobody is safe probably every one is dead and that ends it. That's just shoddy work. I hope the Author learns better.
33 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2021
Solid sequel!

Nice long term plot continuation with interesting characters. Add reader, would recommend this series for those that enjoy little and progression fantasy.
51 reviews
March 1, 2022
Another good book in the series and good to see the MC growing and for me that there where female centaurs would be nice to see if any would be continuing additional characters.
2,431 reviews8 followers
April 10, 2022
Very good read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
170 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2022
Great story

A very interesting and new idea on a LitRPG book. It will be interesting to see what the next book gives us and where it goes
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews