Continue Online Part Three: Realities

By: Stephan Morse

Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Worried for his sanity after poor in-game choices, Grant Legate’s sister, Liz, blocks access to Continue Online. With no way around the restriction, he ventures into a new world—a VRMMO game based in space—called Advance Online. There he must help his companion AI, Hal Pal, overcome an identity crisis, race to the center of the universe to bring back his true love, and figure out where he stands on the scariest implication of all; AIs are bringing the dead to life.

©2016 Stephan Morse (P)2017 Stephan Morse

Different

I have to start this by saying I have been a massive fan of the first two books in this series. I believe Morse is taking a fairly unique look at the LitRPG genre and I remain excited for the final two books to make their way to Audible. That being said:

This was an extremely long sidetrack into an almost unrecognizable situation and backdrop. The main story arch, which I assume will be the purpose of the 5 books in sum, is present. But almost nothing that made books one and two so immersive returned here. This isn't a pronouncement that it was bad, not at all. It's just reality.

The eventual "payoff" if one could call it that comes in a 20 minute dialogue during the final moments of this installment.17 hours to get to 20 minutes of actual meta progression is a risky move under any calculus. It is my assumption that Morse expects this interaction to make the previous 17 hours of listening into a gee whiz or ah ha! moment. I imagine it is fairly clear that I didn't fully fall into that camp.

All in all it felt like a very long filler episode in a great series. Yes, it's still worth listening. Yes, the overall plot gets advanced to some degree. But, regardless of those positives one can't help but feel mildly disappointed. At least that was the reaction of this listener.

As stated at the beginning I will most certainly listen to the remainder of the series when offered and highly recommend the series as a whole, even with this hiccup.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Makes you ask yourself questions.

Narrorator was great and the story makes you ask yourself "How will I react to A.I"?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

awsome

the end is soooo good was almost late to work give your self the last hour and half u wont want to stop

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

mind warp

awesome concept , reality is perception what consist of a life is it a biological means or an awareness of oneself

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Definitely a detour but still good

This series exists in the LitRPG genre but pushes the cliches out of the way to show a deeply thoughtful story. Be warned. The online world of continue is replaced in this book with Advance Online. It is a Sci-fi game set in space.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

The change of pace was unexpected but good

I wanted more Morogul's Gift and Echo but laser and spaceship battles was interesting as well.

The pull of this series is the main character's relationship with the voices of continue online, Hal pal consortium, his twin sister, nephew, his ailment and his deceased wife. The rest is topping and serves as background to the story. Can't wait for the next installment.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Do some people dream of electric sheep as well?

What did you love best about Continue Online Part Three: Realities?

The main character. These books really dig deep into important questions: what is real; what does it mean to be alive? What is most important to a man? We get to ride along with Grant Legate while he struggles with these.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mother. I was glad to finally hear a bit about what she was about.

What does Pavi Proczko bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice acting is excellent and he really makes the characters come alive. I thought there was something with his cadence that made it easier to imagine the place settings in the virtual world.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I wanted to. I had to do it in two as its a bit long for one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I've read the entire series. The audiobook for book 3 really added to the experience.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Series. Do Not Expect Quick Gratification..

Great Series! This was the best so far. Do Not Expect Quick Gratification. One Must Be Patient, One Step At A Time..

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I just didn't like it.

I loved the first two books in the series but this book goes off the rails. There are much better space exploration/fight books and there are way better litRPG books. Give this one a skip. It felt like a punishment to get finish. I just didn't care about the new game and the family drama
felt forced and irrational. Check out Dakota Krout if you're looking for your next litRPG adventure.

Main character is depressing, incomplete, and irritating

I forced myself to go threw this book. The world is good but the main character is mind numbing. You have been warned!

Total regression<br />

The main character totally regresses and becomes an even bigger wuss who can't stop complaining makes him so unlikable I had to stop listening