This book is yet another magnificent addition to an already incredible series!

I know a lot of folks are huge fans of the main storyline and Jason in particular, but something that I’ve come to really respect about Travis Bagwell is how incredible of a job he’s done in creating a full universe, replete with multiple fascinating worlds (the real world of the future as well as AO itself) and some of the most absolutely brilliant characters you can imagine.

And that’s the real crux to this review: What makes this story all the more amazing is that it’s for just a side character! Not even the MC! And you know what? I WANT MORE DOM!!!

That’s one of the things I also seriously appreciated about the secondary trilogy Mr. Bagwell created, the Tarot trilogy, because it was a fantastic story arc unto itself which I enjoy just as much as the main story. It’s a testimonial to how much thought and heart Travis puts into all of his characters, not just the main ones.

Honestly, I’m really, really hopeful that we’ll get more of a continuation of Dom and his guild, Death & Taxes, because all of the characters are great unto themselves! To explain, several of the members that join Dom’s guild are actual characters from previous books (brilliant call-backs, if you ask me), and it fleshes out their stories even more because while in the previous books they were stereotypically opponents or hiccups to previous MCs, they become their own characters in this story with their unique perspectives and desires (making them more ‘human’ and fascinating). It’s a trip to recall wanting them to fail when fighting against our previous MCs, but now in this book I’m suddenly rooting for them to kick butt! HA!

I swear, I continue to be amazed by Travis and how he continues to build upon Awaken Online. When I started reading this series years ago, I had no idea that it would continue to grow and evolve in such amazing ways.

And before I forget, a huge shout-out to David Stifel! I love his unique narration style and at this point, every time I start a new book it’s like I’m going to the local hangout to meet with an old friend, it’s incredibly heart-warming and delightful having him be a part of all of these stories and this world as it continues to grow. Thank you for being such an incredible narrator and bringing life to both these characters and the world of Awaken Online!