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Catharsis

Book 1 in the series:Awaken Online

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Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell is a LitRPG novel that follows the story of Jason, a high school student facing challenges in his real life. As he enters the virtual reality game Awaken Online, he is taken on a dark path that blurs the lines between hero and villain. The book interweaves two storylines - one focusing on the development of the game and the other following Jason's journey within it, showcasing a complex plot that keeps readers guessing. The writing style delves into technical aspects of the game, character stats, and immersive gaming experiences, appealing to a gamer audience.

Characters:

Characters are essentially YA archetypes, with the protagonist evolving and the supporting cast offering limited complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is accessible and easy to follow, though it occasionally exhibits repetitive dialogue and underdeveloped character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot stands out for its inversion of typical hero narratives, presenting a coming-of-age story where the protagonist becomes a morally ambiguous character in a virtual game.

Setting:

The dual setting of a near-future world and a fantastical MMORPG creates a rich narrative backdrop.

Pacing:

The pacing is predominantly fast, driving the narrative forward while balancing moments of character exploration.
The camera tilted erratically and then centered on a young woman in a lab coat. Her hair was brown and cut just above the shoulder. She wore modest eyeglasses and little makeup. She was pretty, in ...

Notes:

Awaken Online: Catharsis is the first book in a LitRPG series by Travis Bagwell.
The audiobook is narrated by David Stifel, who has experience in various genres.
It's a sizable book with 526 pages or over 16 hours in audiobook format.
The story is told from an 'evil hero' perspective, similar to a 'Lord of the Rings' narrative from Mordor's viewpoint.
The protagonist, Jason, escapes his troubles in the real world by playing a chaotic character in a new MMORPG.
The book is graphic and contains dark themes, making it unsuitable for very young readers.
The title ‘Catharsis’ relates to themes of purification, cleansing, and liberation, which are explored in the narrative.
The main character struggles with life problems at school and home, leading to his escape into the game world.
Characters interact with a game AI that learns and changes the game based on the protagonist's emotional state.
The narrative blends fantasy elements like magic and creatures with advanced technology, like AI-driven game mechanics.
The book effectively conveys gaming experiences through sound effects and system messages during the audiobook.
The author’s inner dialogues for the protagonist may not appeal to everyone, but they add depth to critical decision-making moments.
The story has significant humor and action, blending fast-paced plots with character development.
Many readers find the written style engaging but have noted issues with character depth and some dialogue.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, dark themes, and vulgar language, making it unsuitable for younger readers.

Has Romance?

There is some romance present in Catharsis, but it is not the primary focus of the story.

From The Publisher:

Jason logs into Awaken Online fed-up with reality. He's in desperate need of an escape, and this game is his ticket to finally feeling the type of power and freedom that are so sorely lacking in his real life.

Ratings (58)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (15)
Liked It (18)
It Was OK (10)
Did Not Like (8)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (84):

Read It (55)
Currently Reading (6)
Want To Read (14)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (7)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
2 weeks

(3.5 stars) listened to audiobook w/hubby

 
Liked It
2 years

Enjoyed the in-game parts , and most of the background. I’ve read some/most of the sequels, and were ok too.

The MC has uncaring parents, dives into a futuristic game managed by an advanced AI.

The outside game plot/characters were not well developed, predictable and umm, shallow?

In-game, not too bad, enough intrigue and resourcefulness from the MC to keep it interesting.

 

About the Author:

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife and our three dogs. I'm an attorney by day and an avid video game enthusiast by night. Writing fiction had been a secret dream of mine for a while.

However, between school and work, that dream seemed impossible to squeeze in. A couple of years ago, I had a bit more time on my hands and I finally decided to put my nerdy interests to work by trying my hand at writing science fiction and fantasy.

 
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