Downfall and Rise

Challenger's Call, Book 1

By: Nathan Thompson

Narrated by: Christopher Boucher, Jessica Threet

Length: 20 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Damaged. Disgraced. Dishonored. And the only hero who can save seven worlds.

When a freak accident ruins his body and his memory, Wes Malcolm loses his scholarship and his place in the world. Every treatment has failed, save one: a fully immersive VR game, designed by his late, disgraced father, that mimics the condition his body used to possess. To everyone's disbelief, his body and mind slowly improve, bit by bit, but it's still not enough.

Then one night, he wakes up in a world just like the game his father designed. Here, he can grow, learn, and thrive. But this world and all its sister planets are under assault from nightmare creatures, supernatural storms, and a host of other cataclysms. The strange, beautiful steward of these worlds offers him a deal: Save her planets, and he can take the power he gains back to his original body on Earth. It's the best chance he's ever been offered. But will his determination be enough, both for himself and the worlds now depending on him?

Come and find out.

©2018 Nathan Thompson (P)2020 Nathan Thompson

Holy s word batman

this book is incredible. the narration is incredible. the raw emotion in some parts sends actual chills down my spine. book 2 is JUST as good if not better and I can't wait to hear book 3.

now let's talk about the negative reviews, some people are saying the mc is whiny and honestly that's not fair to the author. the mc has had SEVERE emotional and physical trauma which is very thoroughly outlined in the first couple chapters and yes it impacts the mc emotionally throughout the book because it impacts him physically throughout. there's no miraculous "yay you're healed finally!" moment he is crippled and suffering, and persevering as best he can.

warning spoilers

the main story starts well enough but soon gets turned to repetitive verses and too long of internal dialog about things we the listener has already gone over in other parts of the book. the action is OK but the achievement of being called a hero from saving 7 fairies and calling the feet impossible with an over powered start by killing 12 goblins is just too ridiculous. I couldn't finish it after the embarrassing dialog between the mc and a god talking like children out on their first date, too cringy for me.

Good story marred by overwrought drama, too dark extremes, and creepy fetishes

Overall there is a good story in here that seems to initially to be YA but really has too many dark themes and creepy fetishes to be so unless it’s grooming or worse. There is also just too much overwrought drama and dialog with creepy voice talking for 5 minutes in a scene with all action stopping while supposedly on a short time line.

Lastly i really wish there could be warnings that screechy whiny fairy voices are used in a book so i can skip.

I had enough interest in the story to suffer through everything, which says something, but once i felt i knew where it would go I quit with two hours left and moved on.

I liked this book

I got this book after I read in irl, and this book was delicious I'm sure that anyone would like it.

maybe if you get through the complaining

I don't know what to say. I didn't hate the premise, but I just hated the main character and the book moved so slow. The first 7 hours could have been summed up I'm about 45 minutes and there was no action. if you like books that reflect on feeling maybe...I love fantasy and I hate this book. I also don't write reviews and also kinda butthead so do what you want.

Must Read

This is one of the best LitRPGs out there loved by multiple well known authors in this genre like Jez Cajiao. If you like the zero to OP MC track this one is for you. If you want villains that you can out right hate this one is for you. If you want the psychological toll on the hero acknowledged and part of what has to be overcome this is for you.

I've listened too this book like 10 times!!!!!!

I love this series. The wide range of emotions this book instills in me gets too me every time. The rage and sadness you feel at the beginning gets rounded out with comedy and the support of three of the best girls.

Book 2 will probably be better

The story was really slow and when it picked up they jumped the story line to the end. The ending was solid and left me wanting more. I just wish more of the story was interesting

Great Narrators, Evocative Writing

Christopher Boucher and Jessica Threet have won my appreciation as fantastic narrators. They both have a talent to portray the emotions on the page and I have found myself both laughing and crying throughout this series as Wes Malcom overcomes difficulties. I've listened to the three books currently available on Audible and will miss Christopher Boucher and Jessica Threet's presence as I push onward through the series.

Nathan Thompson has taken the concept of a LitRPG/GameLit book and pushed it in a direction I haven't seen from many other series in the genre. Regardless of the safety mechanisms described for the lead character, there is a constant feeling of peril and consequence.

Good but could’ve been better.

Written to a late teen early twenties audience, very well written for them. Overall good book, but prolly won’t spend the credits for the rest of the series at this time