Hellion

Awaken Online, Book 8

By: Travis Bagwell

Narrated by: David Stifel

Length: 29 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jason's back! And he's ready for some revenge! 

Roughly a month has passed in-game since Thorn's attack on the Twilight Throne. In that time, the dark city has managed to recover and rebuild - growing the ranks of Original Sin at the same time. 

Which is good, because that brief respite is over. The Avatar of Flame has risen within the depths of the northern desert and has thrown down a digital gauntlet to Jason - with a gate piece hanging in the balance. Even worse? His opponent is none other than Finn Harris, the "father of modern AI". The same man who may have been behind Thorn's attack on the Twilight Throne. 

And in the wake of recent events - the committee hearing back in the real world and the attack on his people - Jason is no longer content to just react; to wallow in the safety of his kingdom. If he's to be painted the villain...well, then it's long past time he fully embraced that role.

Because now it's personal.  

And there'll be no holding back....

©2021 STAB Publishing, LLC (P)2021 STAB Publishing, LLC

A real reviewer, Not an auto 5 Star

My rating is a C-

Anyone still listening to the series at this point knows what they are getting into.

For me, this book was aggravating, felt lazy and contradicted itself constantly. A very boring first 6+ hours which was mostly unneeded. Lots of repetitive/reused dialogue, Character flaws we thought were over come re-born, petty angst and attempts at humor that are just corny as hell... or just delivered poorly by the Narrator.

The Leveling up’s system seems pointless, stats don't seeming to matter anymore, loot is found once, Very specific spells just able to do what ever in needed in the moment without ever trying them, knowing if in it would work, while other spells that would/should be useful are yet to power up or really even get used. Health & Mana potions are endless... with a new downside which then just gets ignored

The plot is so so predictable. About the best thing is the battle scenes… even then you get anticlimactic ending a majority of the time.

The Review is harsh but that because I love the series. I'm worried the Author is getting fanboy Feedback from his Alpha/Bate readers and the Editing needs help. There are hour of rehashed emotional problems that the characters have already worked through, in multiple books, so why!?!

Where is Jason's Aunt? is she playing AO, is She the Earth Avatar?... if so, we don't need side books on them,

Travis Bagwell needs alpha readers

It's almost like he is writing a stream-of-consciousness. He completely ignores previous events and just says whatever you want to say. Constantly contradicting his own points, constantly ignoring the own rules that hes put in place. honestly, it just makes for a really terrible read.

How did everyone rate this 5 star?

DNF 48%

Repetitive and predictable. Boring, flat humor. Anticlimactic battles. Lame Angst. I felt as though this book was written for a middle schooler with the B rated boring conversations.  Also, what happened to the leveling system? That is my favorite part in any LitRPG and was basically forgotten here. Potions seemed to have taken over instead. The first 20+ chapters (legit 10 hrs of content) of the book was unnecessary filler.  I can't take it any longer.

This used to be my favorite series for this genre, however it should've been finished at book 3. I'm finishing this series for good, it's just going downhill.

To be honest, the only good part was the cover of the book.

Annoying, Painfull, just get on with it already!

*Update*
I finished the book. I was so annoyed I had to take a break before getting back to it. My final conclusion is, I'm done with this series. The added twists to the story at the end of the book I can already tell are going to ruin the story completely! What was Travis even thinking??? I wish he just kept to Awaken Online, instead of throwing all this dumb extra crap into it!

Only really good part of this book is David Stifle! Great performance as always!

Now to the book
I still have 1.5 hours left. I've been putting it off for days now because it's so damn annoying! I've loved this series till Finn's 2nd and 3rd book. It went from stories to HOURS of filler. I was so happy to finally be back to Jason, and my hopes were crushed. 30 hour audiobook. The first 10hr could be condensed to 1! The whole book could be condensed to 15hrs if the damn filler was removed! The ending has me yelling "just get on with it already!" It's literally like "The spear races at them at light speed from only inches away" during that 2 characters talk with unneeded banter for 5 minutes! *Spoiler kinda* The final battle is just horrible! Will it ever end?? It's been raging for over an hour!

Over all only Finn's 2nd and 3rd books were worse than this one. That's why it got 2 stars. Unfortunately it seems filler is the new trend for this series. I'll probably return this book when I finally get it finished. I'll give this series one more try because I've loved the first books so much. But I have a feeling I'll be done with any of the new books after this one.

I'd rather the author take longer to release a book, so he can refine it better. Than to just throw words on a page and call it good. This is the second series I've quit listening to the newer books because they became only filler with zero story. Expeditionary Force was the other series that started out awesome and turned into "bla"

GREATEST OF ALL TIME

BIG BRAIN MOVES! By far the greatest LitRPG book created! The creativity of the story the author has created is phenomenal! You couldn't have asked for a better outcome! Best book in the series!

Done the impossible

First, do not listen to this book until you have finished all others in the series (side quests included).There’s not many things in life that always gets better as it progresses. But, this series never fails to amaze me. Every book as enriched the story and develops the characters. This book has combined all the storylines in each prior book. It’s been many years since I’ve gotten emotional while listening to it. In my opinion, the greatest book ever written. I’d give 10/10 stars if that was an option.

5% plot 95% fluff

Character development was lacking until the very end. Most of the book was a description of fight seen details I could do without.

so melodramatic

Why all the melodramatic wining It's so depressing Another example of an author who has to make the characters who has to make the characters look stupid just so she can chicken explain something

Not a fan of the narrator.

The narrator's bland and boring delivery made me struggle to finish this book. Not sure why people have said he's good.

Although and However

A real struggle with this book. The narrator is very weak and the words "although" and "however" are said so often its entirely distracting.

Gripping!

Story starts out predictable but highly enjoyable, then gives you the nail biting edge you need.
highly recommend you read the tarot trilogy prior to listening to this story

You like levels?

Well….Travis Bagwell has just levelled again!
Arguably his best work to date!
Not only does this author pump out material in a very short time, but delivers consistently every time.
David Stifel is as ever a conduit into a fantastic world of characters

Utterly amazing

WoW. What a book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I agree with other people that this is the best book so far! The story moves along well and Jason's mind works on overdrive with his utterly complex and layered plans. Congratulations to Travis Bagwell on the amazing story. I am happy that Finn is integrated in the main books now.
I am very excited for the next book because that ending!
Please write fast, I need to know what happens next! Also loved that last bit with Alex! Ha!
I really can't recommend the Awaken online books enough, DO read the Side Quest books and the Tarot Trilogy. Or you will not get the full picture of the bigger picture!

The pay off is worth it, and then some...

Listen, I've struggled with some of the other side books. Book F**k me, I'm glad I stuck with the series that got me into LitRPG.

If you're even reading this and on the fence about buying, don't be, buy it.

wow

it just keeps getting better and better, I normally feel after this many books the author, run out of ideas or repeat them self but this still feels like there is a lot more story to go bravo.

Love these books always exciting.

I love these books I only found them last year but done them all and was super excited for this one. My only disappointment was the narrator got 1 of the voices mixed up. It might be because I listened to them all recently that I notice the narrator mixed up Alfreds voice with the one he has used for Rex in previous books. This upset me a little but not enough that I couldn't enjoy the book. Super excited for the next one.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book, it brings together the two series and delivers a lot of plot twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed, wish it was longer 👍

Best one yet….

Just finished Hellion and it’s, in my opinion, easily the best in the series so far. However I’d definitely recommend reading / listening to all the other books, including Frank and Riley’s side quest books before tackling this. I’m glad Jason and Finn’s stories have merged.
Can’t wait for the next one!

Fantastic fusion of Fin and Jason’s worlds

Loved this book! the new character conducting an assessment of one of the main characters was a joy to follow. Gave author a fun way to view the world and tackle subjects like forming relationships with residents in a world where travellers and residents are indistinguishable.

Amazing!

Just Amazing! The next book can't come soon enough! My favourite book series to date!