In fact, unlike books 1-3, this one starts in our world. The best part is that the character we are following is not a gamer. She bought this for her man knowing it was a VERY expensive gift. Then he proved that he did not deserve it. As it was not refundable, she chose to try it out herself. This is where the fun begins. We get introduced to Puatera Online as a new player that has never gamed before. She is learning this game as we are. The game starts with an in depth tutorial that is made fun by an AI tutor with a snarky attitude teaching a newby with lots of questions in trying to understand how all this works. The fun is just beginning.
Now that I have finished the book I can really appreciate the story. The first three books were short pieces of one story. Akilla’s Reign is longer than those first three combined and it shows. The story is much better filled out. It is very easy to get lost in this story. The characters are well developed and the character count keeps increasing as the story expands.
Although this story is not a continuation of the first three stories, we can see where they will tie together eventually. We are just not there yet. More world building is coming.
I am ready for the next book in this series.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.