This book is fine. It no doubt will annoy some people with its vision of the characters real world future combined with ceaseless current year pop culture refernces (or at least pop culture from us gen-xers/boomers day), but its fine. As the book was nearing its conclusion I was already thinking on what series i would move onto next. That ending hook though, that got me interested so I guess i am going to go get book 2.

Story: Dystopian future where big business takes over government and apparently hate their customers. Though in light of how some big Tech companies and movie studios act maybe this could come true. Anyway our main character does a good/bad (crime that most people would do) and goes to prison. Prison puts you in video game where you can actually gain more money than ever on outside, which makes me wonder why the crime rate isn’t through the roof. I rather be in game than under a bridge. Honestly though they may have covered this when I was zoned out, and then there is another “feature” of the game that may make that more undesirable. Anyway, Litrpg questing begins, friends and enemies are made and lost, MC is special, starter zone is done, hook, book 2.

Characters: Fine, no one I really want to hang out with, but no one I really want to avoid (except the one you are supposed to feel that was about). They are all pretty boring but not objectionable so I can spend another book with them. Maybe they blossom, never know.

Narrator: He was fine. not the greatest, not the worst. He pronounces words clearly and has some limited success with voices. This maybe where all the pop culture references bite because if you are going to have a character be the clone of Dean Stockwell it would be nice to have someone who can do that voice. It was a minor character though so it was fine.

Summary: It was fine. most of the book I was half listening and got distracted with other thoughts. The ending made the story more interesting for me, others may find it not interesting at all, but I can see even others loving it. If I recall this was “free” with the audible package i have so would strongly recommend it for that price and decide for yourself. Due to the ending I will go look up book two, but i do not have the tingly anticipation/impatience to get to like i do with some other series. All I can say is, meh, not bad, it’s fine.