Office Wars: The Mailroom Clerk

De: James Patton

Narrado por: Eric Bryan Moore

Bran was one of the first to purchase a full immersion Virtual Reality Pod that he calls the Coffin, but over a century later, ironically, he finds himself part of the one percent that does not live virtually. He sleeps in a real bed and eats real food and only jumps into Neuroma to work.

All he wanted was to log in, work, and log out and live in general obscurity. Getting the attention of a CEO, meeting a stranger in real life, and forced to play in a secret game of corporations were not penciled into his calendar. While that was bad, he started to question whether Odditek was still in control, or had their complacency created the noose tightening around their neck.

Bran was not yet aware of the choice before him. He could no longer stand back and watch, and he had to pick a side and fight before he lost the ability to choose. Would he recognize the inevitable in time? Was it possible to make a "correct" choice, or had the lines blurred so much that hero and villain were indistinguishable?

©2020 James G. Patton (P)2021 James G. Patton

Mixed bag. Grows on you.

1st. Narration is great. Good characters, dialogue seems natural and flows.
2nd the core concept of the “office wars” works and is well done.
Gripes: the first third of the book had some out of context cut scenes that felt confusing and disjointed. “Is that the same person as the MC? Where does it fit in the timeline?
The first third of the book has too much swearing (I’m Australian).
And the MC kinda crosses the line from quirky smart-ass, to just ass a few times.
Worth a look? Yes.
Will i be continuing? Yes.

surprisingly entertaining

I got this free as a marketing thing and thought it was going to be blah. It was actually quite funny if crude at times

what a great book

really enjoyed this book. nice interesting take on different lit rpg. great fun interesting characters faced paced and funny a must listen to

Amazing

A short but wonderful listen. I read this book a year or two ago but Eric really put life in the characters. Im still trying to figure out if their world is a post apocalyptic nightmare or a euphoric next step for humanity. Not super crunchy but a great story

A truly unique story

I have read or listened to several rpg lit stories, and this is the first story that has not been fantasy or sci-fi. I look forward to hearing where this story goes.

ridiculous and highly entertaining!!!

Great story and narration!

A story about a coma patient who has access to virtual reality in a world we're very few people ever log out from virtual reality. Is he crazy? Has his mind been overwritten by an AI? his minders are not sure, but all hell is about to break loose!

Eric does a fantastic job with the narration!

I was a little bit skeptical about this one at first but it is freaking gold!!!

I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Gonna be honest...

At first, I didn't think I would like this but almost reluctantly I started reading but almost put it down due to the first chapter. But by the 3rd chapter, I was totally hooked. I was so hooked that I immediately purchased 3 credits just so I could purchase books 2 and 3.

Fun-ion (sp?) is hilarious, I'm laughing just thinking about him and Eric Bryan Moore did an excellent job of voicing all the characters with such beautifully droll inflections that really brought all the characters to such vivid life.

Absolutely, hands down, one of my top favorite series.

The Office meets the Running Man

"Office Wars: The Mailroom Clerk" by James Patton, narrated by the talented Eric Bryan Moore, takes us on a rollercoaster ride of humor, intrigue, and thought-provoking questions about the blurred lines between reality and technology. Clocking in at just the right length, this audiobook provides an enthralling experience that will leave you craving more.

The story introduces us to Bran, a character who is anything but your typical hero. He's not a brave warrior or a genius inventor. Instead, he's a mailroom clerk who, ironically, shuns the virtual world, preferring to live in the real one. His existence revolves around working in Neuroma, a virtual reality setting where most of humanity resides permanently. Bran's simple desire is to log in, work, and log out, hoping to remain in obscurity. However, fate has other plans for him.

What follows is a narrative that can be described as a fusion of "Ready Player One" and the tower-climbing litRPG genre. The story isn't overly focused on heavy stat tracking, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers to the genre. The true highlight of this audiobook is the exceptional voice acting by Eric Bryan Moore. His narration brings the characters to life, injecting humor and emotion into every scene.

One of the audiobook's strengths lies in its ability to resonate with anyone who has experienced the monotony of office life. If you've ever worked in a cubicle or office environment while watching 80s and 90s movies, this book will hit home. It seamlessly blends elements of GameLit and Slice of Life genres, making it a delightful and relatable experience for listeners.

The "Office Wars" concept within the story is both intriguing and comical. After the Corporate Wars ravaged society, corporations now compete in the virtual realm for power, money, and influence. Players are selected from the company's staff to participate in these virtual battles, and the results are often hilariously unpredictable.

The humor in "Office Wars: The Mailroom Clerk" is undeniably one of its standout features. James Patton's writing is filled with witty dialogues, clever quips, and situational humor that will have you chuckling throughout the audiobook. The overall theme of the story is not just about a virtual world but also about the absurdities of corporate culture and the dynamics of human interaction in the digital age.

While Bran is undoubtedly the main character (MC), or as he's humorously referred to, "onion," there's more to the story than meets the eye. The narrative unfolds to reveal multiple protagonists, each with their unique qualities and secrets. This adds depth to the story and keeps the listener engaged as they uncover the mysteries of the characters' lives.

One of the audiobook's most compelling aspects is its exploration of the relationship between technology, humanity, and sentient technology. It draws inspiration from the likes of William Gibson and Philip K. Dick, blurring the lines between humans and the machines they've created. It raises thought-provoking questions about the distinctions between human serfs and sentient intelligences, all while leaving room for readers to ponder these matters on their own.

In a refreshing departure from the norm, "Office Wars: The Mailroom Clerk" doesn't neatly categorize itself as a litRPG. While it lacks extensive character development and skill acquisition, it more than compensates with its engaging storytelling, humor, and exploration of complex themes.

To sum it up, Eric Bryan Moore's narration is top-notch, elevating the audiobook to another level. His ability to capture the humor and nuances of the characters is commendable. James Patton's writing, on the other hand, is a delightful blend of wit and satire, making this audiobook an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience.

"Office Wars: The Mailroom Clerk" is a must-listen for anyone seeking a hilarious and insightful journey into a virtual world that mirrors our own in surprising ways. Whether you're a fan of litRPG or simply enjoy a good story with memorable characters, this audiobook has something to offer. Prepare to be entertained, challenged, and thoroughly engrossed in a world where the boundaries between reality and technology blur in the most unexpected ways. Don't miss out on this gem of a tale!