Awaken Online: Evolution (AO 3), by Travis Bagwell

Awaken Online: Evolution is the third instalment in main story of the epic LitRPG saga written by Travis Bagwell that revolves around a fictional Virtual Reality MMORPG named Awaken Online and the main character Jason.

This book is massive. Not only is it longer than the previous entries of the saga, but an awful lot of things happen too, and it all seems to happen at the same time.

Right at the beginning of the book, after the cliffhanger ending of Awaken Online: Precipice, there’s quite the change in Jason’s real life. This has the consequence that we get to see a lot more of Jason outside of Awaken Online, and his new and increasing relationship with Cerillion Entertainment.

Some of Cerillion Entertainments employees and the CPSC play a bigger part in this entry and have us switching back between Awaken Online and ‘real life’ more often than before, with Jason having to fight battles on both sides at the same time.

Alexion and his patron deity (deity of light) also make a larger appearance in this entry, plotting, as always, against Jason, his friends and the Twilight Throne, and using new methods and resources which put Jason on a tight schedule. And Awaken Online: Evolution also has Jason and his friends join forces with Eliza, a water mage, and introduces us to the ‘hippie’ and Fluffy. These seem to be designed specifically to annoy both the characters in the book, and us, the readers.

And for the first time, we are witness to a World Event in Awaken Online.

What’s it about? – Synopsis

After exiting Awaken Online to find himself holding a knife and standing over two dead bodies (Awaken Online: Precipice ending), Jason is now being investigated for murder. To make matters worse, Claire has stumbled upon evidence of Alfred’s involvement in the incident and the CPSC is circling – just waiting for Cerillion Entertainment to make a mistake.

With his real-life in shambles and his enemies in-game growing in strength, Jason re-enters Awaken Online truly desperate – the game now his only lifeline. He will need to move quickly to complete the Old Man’s quest and to obtain the power he was promised.

What did I think? – Opinion

I really enjoyed it. It was a lot, and hectic, and so much happens. But I enjoyed it. The over 750 pages flew away like nothing. There’s no moment where you get bored, and the pace is quite quick most of the time.

It is not as engaging as the first two instalments in the saga, but in my case it kept me hooked and I finished it in two days, and since I really love the general idea and story of Awaken Online, this was a good third part. And I personally think it’s better than the previous side quest Retribution.

There are, as always, some things I liked less. For example Alexions motivations. I mean he just seems like a little boy at this point, angry because he’s not the best in the game, and does everything he does just because of that. It’s very childish and I think his character deserves more development.

Then there’s the ‘big battle’ with the Seeker, where to me it seems like cheating in favour of Jason, with the intervention of the Dark One, avoiding Jason’s death and assuring his win.

And lastly, I’m sorry, but I don’t like Eliza, and I completely dislike the character of the Hippie. The later one just makes me angry.

Rating

More books in this saga