Had to rate this five stars. I didn't put it down, nothing was more entertaining, for 12 hours straight (I mean I took some breaks, and my computer is broken, but still). This book is 420 pages; I finished it in a day.
This book has almost no negatives, and none of them in the plot. While nothing felt incredibly deep, it also didn't feel shallow. Characters each had wants and reasons for being there. The hero, Alex, was interesting and likeable.
The only negative I have for it is a bit of a physics flaw. After all, rivers do not flow from the ocean inland. Of course it's a magically created world for the purpose of playing a real time strategy game as a last man standing for the entertainment of an unknown multi-planet audience size. So, If you are willing to say 'it's a board game; the physics can do whatever they want', then it's fine.
I can't 100% guarantee that the strategy logic will hold up for everyone, but in LitRPG the most common thing is for the MC to become overpowered, while what drives the story is the creative solutions the characters must come up with. This MC felt like he was the underdog the entire way, and the solutions still felt clever and interesting.
Overall, it's not the deepest story, but it was highly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. I really loved the strategy game angle for this LitRPG.
Disagree with my review? Please tell me why. My ears are turned.
"The room around me warped and twisted, the familiar dorm walls dissolving in a blur of colors and light."
Mayor of Stonebridge: A 4x RTS Fantasy, by Matt Pivots
Age: YA
Genre: LitRPG
Availability: $5 on Amazon
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Memorable