A new series in a familiar setting for those reading Cooper's other serials. If you haven't read the Life is a Beautiful Thing or The Feedback Loop sets, you are still perfectly fine starting off with Fantasy Online. You will only miss some references to other characters and adventures within the realm. However, be warned, it is more fun having read the other series to know the references in which this book uses. Still though - not a deal ficker. Teens Ryuk and Tamana are friends in real life, so when tragedy happens shortly after logging off, Ryuk works to discover what happened and to reconnect with his friend. To do so, he, along with a gassy goblin, a stream-gamer sensation, and a Thulian begin their quest to find answers, kill stuff, and fill their coffers. Because, let's face it: Noobs need to level up to get anywhere. I am not an avid gamer, so I was a little apprehensive checking out the beta version of this book. I feared it would delve too deep into MMORPG. However, Cooper finds a balance between stats and storyline and it chugs at a solid pace. This is a serial launch, so expect some loose ends. It didn't end the way I predicted and you get a double sucker-punch. So enjoy that! ARC provided by author. Read in April 2017.
5 of 5 stars. From the Publisher:
Nineteen-year-old Ryuk Matsuzaki and his best friend Tamana decide to start over with new avatars. When Tamana is suddenly killed right in front of him in a Tokyo subway, Ryuk knows there is only one place he can search for answers –Tritania, the world’s most popular online fantasy world.
Standing in his way are a mysterious guild known as the Shinigami, and his older brother, a Yakuza crime lord hell-bent on squashing his dreams.
As a lowly Ballistics Mage, Ryuk must quickly recruit guild members, level up, loot and shoot his way across Tritania to discover the dark and sinister secret behind Tamana’s untimely death.
Joining him in his quest are a famous Swedish gamer, a powerful half-dragon half-human female assassin, and a devious ax-wielding goblin. Get started on this action-packed, coming of age LitRPG saga from the author of The Feedback Loop series now!
