Desert Born

Puatera Online, Book 2

By: Dawn Chapman

Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau

With her charge, Alex, safely delivered, Maddie drowns her pain in a local bar, leaving later that night only to discover Alex has been beaten and robbed, his own quest failed. Politics and cash aside, she aids him. Once more they cross the desert, this time where Tromoal and enemies are born.

©2017 Dawn Chapman (P)2018 Dawn Chapman

A good continuation of the series

What did you like best about this story?

I am enjoying the developing story of a futuristic game that is exceeding its programming and essentially evolving. I like how the unique aspects of the universe are being unfolded and revealed gradually throughout the story, and like the first installment, there's a major development at the end.

Which character – as performed by Andrea Parsneau – was your favorite?

The main character is definitely performed very well. Andrea Parsneau does a great job again getting the feeling and tone of the main character just right.

Any additional comments?

The Puatera Online series is an interesting fantasy story that I'm interested in seeing unfold.

Intriguing and Engaging LitRPG

This book is a great continuation to an engaging and different LitRPG series, Puatera Online. The world makes sense and unlike many LitRPG/GameLit books, while there is acknowledgment of player stats and a leveling mechanic in the game, it does not get bogged down in the details of that end of the game mechanics. There are some great twists: main character appears to be a self-aware NPC, other NPCs who are not aware that they are not ‘real’ know there is something different between them and Visitors (aka Players), and events are happening beyond the game designers and programmers understanding. The world also has an interesting blend of fantasy, modern, near-future and even some far future sci-fi technology all existing in balance, but in a way that feels right. There are unexpected twists, and a rapid pace that makes you want to keep listening even when you have other things to do. Recommended for anyone looking for a different LitRPG listen.

Disclaimer: I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Nice story and concept

I did like this series very much. The NPC focus was fun and showing them disliking the real world players is quite interesting. There was also a good 'fear for their lives' element as the npc's could not expect to respawn like a pc can. Maddie may be an npc, but she is written like a real character and you completely believe that she is. Overall a very good book.

Voice acting was good for the core characters. I did feel like the reader defaulted to an accent that is difficult to pinpoint for the lesser characters, sort of a Scotish crossed with gangster. Not horrible but a little off. As to the writing of the book, A+

Nice sequel!

Desert Born picks up where Desert Runner leaves off. Maddie & Alex have gone their separate ways...until Maddie finds a pair of boots. In a very short period of time Ms. Chapman once again supplies us with a wild ride that contains passion, action, and intensity inside a game’s world...or is it? Great character, plot, and storyline development along with story progression. We see a softer side of Maddie, is it because of the interest that was developed with Alex in book 1...or a death?? In this book her runs across the desert are due to emotional connections and not money related. I really like the Tromoal (dragon) connection in this book. Book 2 could be a standalone but I’d recommend starting with book 1. The narrator did a great job with providing unique voices for each character, appropriate tone inflections, and speed of reading. I received a free copy of this audiobook and have voluntarily left this review.

love the reader

loved it. wished went more in depth on a few parts; but still loved it. makes you want more and more