Customer Reviews

Epic

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Astonishingly good. The last time I read a book that swept me off my feet as thoroughly as this one, it was the very first time I read the very first Harry Potter book.

Not that there are all that many similarities, beyond that it's set in a very well-developed imaginary world and that it's also very well-written. The story is set in the distant future on a planet that was colonized by refugees from Earth. The characters are (appparently) many generations removed from that event; to them, it seems to have taken on some mythic qualities.

Because the refugees were fleeing from a world that was on the verge of destruction from warfare, they brought with them one inviolable law: no violence, EVER. All conflicts are resolved through combat within a computer role-playing game. Because this combat forms the basis of the legal system, it is vital for each citizen to have a character within the game that can win such a trial (should the need arise). The most successful players can also earn lucrative positions within the government.

As you're reading, be ready to pay close attention, because it's very easy to get caught up in the plot - it MOVES. Trust me, as much as you may be eager to find out what happens next, you don't want to miss a single word of what's happening NOW.

The descriptions are vivid and clear; game terminology is explained without being condescending.

The characters are fantastic; they are ordinary people - but not boring. They succeed and fail not because the plot demands it (or at least, not ONLY because the plot demands it) but as a result of their individual personalities and the choices they naturally make.

I go through a LOT of books. This one really stands out. Get it from your library (if they don't have a copy, demand one!) and see if you don't agree.

Set in an SF world of an established colony long out of communication with the motherworld, the action quickly unfolds as a MUD adventure in Cindella's quest for the Holy Grail of real world democracy, and the genuine opportunity to reconstruct the matrix of society itself.

Billed as "Junior", its audience is much broader. Epic is an excellent tale. The themes are contemporary and serious. The action is fun. Epic is a look at the possibilities of what could be in an age that implements advanced electronic interaction.

At 62 years of age, I am pleased to find a well constructed novel that not only is a good yarn, but that also has absolutely no need for the trite distractions that publishers, editors, and sadly many authors seem to aim at shocking sensibilities or impassioning desires.

I stopped here today to buy the sequel, Saga. If you have traveled in the world of a classic Multi-User Domain, my word to you is: "Choose your character well. Arm youself with two swords. Use the key. And sit down for a good read."

A terrific video-game-based fantasy that also works as social commentary. In a world where we could desperately use joint social action, why are we wasting our precious time on video games and other similar distractions dreamed up by corporate America? This book will be devoured by good upper-elementary readers too; it is unclear why the publisher says it is for 8th graders and up. For anyone familiar with Heir Apparent, this one is even better.

I went into this book expecting so much. The reviews on Amazon sang it's praises, and my English teacher raved about the action scenes. It was also on several of my school and library recommended reading lists. Halfway through this WONDERFUL(sarcasm intended) book, I fell asleep.
Why is this book so awful? Let me start with the plot. The idea itself(a society governed through a virtual world) is in and of itself a good idea. Or at least, it was a good idea when the Matrix movies first used it. Tweak it a little, and you have the plot of Epic. Watching the Matrix would be a better use of your brain cells. Even so, the plot has a few satisfactory elements, however derivative. I thought the book's tone would have been improved had the RPG game out of which this society operated been more futuristic and less medieval, but this was a minor qualm of mine, and it didn't affect my liking of the book too much. However, none of the logistics behind this "incredibly complex" RPG were explained. I didn't mind that, either. At least, I didn't mind it until the computer game came to life. It's not explained how(in fact, little is explained when it comes to this apparently magical AI, and what is explained is confusing) but now, suddenly, Epic itself is here to both help the characters along and to kill them(in a confusing twist that is less like a twist and more like an aggressive wrenching strangle). At this point, the book had gone faaaaar past my threshold for willing suspension of disbelief. Not just that, but the main goal of our characters(to destroy Epic and the tyranny that comes with it) is introduced very late in the story. How the protagonists will do so is introduced even later. The fabled Tower of Something-or-Other is mention early on, but is shown to have significance only to one obsessed character, and no significance to the plot. You have no idea where the story is going till the end, when the story is almost over. Had the action been better, though, I would have retained some degree of interest. Which brings me to my next point.
The point of action both in books and movies is it has to seem real. There has a be a defined element of danger. Usually a character is injured(or even killed) to accentuate the fact that fatalities are possible. This is what brings you to the edge of your seat, cheering the heroes on. In Epic, all the action takes place in a computer game. In fact, Erik(the bland, boring main character)'s character dies several times at the begining of the book. If he dies again after slaying the dragon(which is achieved through relentless hacking, again, no danger) his newfound wealth will be lost, but I find it hard to be on the edge of my seat when all is at stake is a pile of pixels. There are only two times(versus the dozens that usually occur in books) that the characters are in actual, physical danger: when the vampire/vampyre(who is somehow another incarnation of the all-powerful confusing Epic force, don't ask) plots to get someone to kill the protagonists in real life, and when the vampire/vampyre somehow manifests the ability to kill you through the interface, another unexplained element to add to the growing list of plot holes. The first time, the man who was supposed to try to kill everyone off physically backs down - the second time, the heroes avoid the danger with characteristic ease. Excuse me while I yawn.
If I actually cared at all about any of the characters, I might be a little worried about them being as poor as they used to be in the game world. As it turns out, the male protagonist Erik is indistinguishable from the female Injeborg in terms of personality, and their friend Sigrid is also the same. Bjorn has no character flaws and is too stolid, stoic, and (suprise, suprise) boring to be interesting anyway. Big Erik is not someone I would befriend in real life, but has enough flaws and strengths to at least manage to get some emotion from me. In fact, B.E and Anonemuss are the only characters where I wouldn't be laughing if they died. Anonemuss is the shady antihero, and of course, he's a dark elf. Why anyone would be a dark elf and risk having their character lynched if they went anywhere, I don't know. But he's interesting, so I can overlook that. Anonemuss had lived his life on an island full of violent convicts, and is supposed to be seen as the shady, frigid, Machiavellian in the cast. Instead, he seems the realist scarred by his experiences, trying to get the naïve children to see that sometimes you must fight to achieve what you must, even if fighting will get you banished(no death sentence, no danger, WHY DID I EVER BUY THIS BOOK) by the regime. Of course, this being the book that it is, no real danger is ever introduced, and the snore-inducing coup is managed online, further preventing any real danger to the characters.
This book did not live up to it's reputation for me. I regret wasting the money to buy it. I should've used it to go buy a Matrix DVD, or better yet, a different book.

Epic is simply an epic book. It is set in a fascinating (not to mention, scary) new future, where violence is outlawed everywhere but in Epic, a game that determines one's fate. While difficult to grasp at first, readers will easily be sucked in to this intriguing world where parents and children alike win the game to live the life. While I initially found parts to be exceedingly descriptive (I'm sorry, but I don't want to read a page about salt workers), the book later on grows to be extremely action-centric. There is so much you want to know, and everything is ultimately resolved (which makes me wonder, why is there need for a sequel? More story, or desperate reaching for more material?) This is one book all futuristic sci-fi fans should read (particularly all you gamers out there!). I feel like much of it is aimed toward boys, but it can [clearly, since I'm writing this review] be enjoyed just as much by girls. Fan-tastic!

Rating: 5/5

I rated this book all five stars. The title says it all. It was a great book and I suggest it to all people who are against war, like video games, and enjoy a good book. Also, it could easily be transformed into a fabulous movie, and can (with the author's permission, of coursee) be turned into a great computer game.

This is a wonderful book. I bought it for my 10 year old, but I really enjoyed reading it. It may be best suited for 12+ year olds because of the vocabulary, but it is a fascinating story.

The idea for this book is absolutely brilliant, but the best thing about it is the follow through. A book about an online roleplay game could've been horrible, but it turned out to be well enmeshed in the plot. The ideas presented, about a totalitarian government that forces the majority to slave away while they enjoy the benefits, is very valid in this day and age. Finding a peaceful solution to the greed is both fascinating and uplifting. I highly recommend this book.

What if the quality of your life depended on how well you played a MMORPG? What's a MMORPG, you ask? It is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Well, on New Earth that is exactly the way life is.

On New Earth, violence is illegal. Epic (the MMORPG) was created for people to clip up, enter the world of Epic, and take out their aggression on fictional characters rather than doing harm to a real person. However, over the years, the purpose of the game shifted and became the determining factor for what kind of job you had, where you were able to live, and what supplies you received. Central Allocations, a small group of people in charge of all the decisions, controls everything.

Erik's family is having a tough time. They have had some solar panels break and aren't able to produce enough olives to meet their quota. Their attempts at getting replacement solar panels have been unsuccessful, and the family is afraid Central Allocations will require them to move to the salt mines for punishment.

In addition to the family problems, Erik isn't doing well in the game himself. In order to have a chance to go to University, you must accumulate wealth and status in Epic. Erik just continues to get his characters killed because he tries to kill the same dragon every time he enters the game.

His last "death" is the final straw, though. Out of frustration, he does something he has never done before. Erik creates a character who is female instead of his usual male character that resembles him in real life. Instead of going by his own name, he chooses one he thinks befits a beautiful character - Cindella. Immediately upon entering the game as Cindella, things begin to look up. Characters that are a part of the game begin talking to her and giving her things. Soon, she realizes the characters are pointing her toward a quest.

With his newfound status in Epic, Erik uses his accumulating wealth and the help of his friends to take on Central Allocations - once and for all. They are up against the most dangerous players. Ones with more wealth and experience. But, if Erik can defeat Central Allocations, he'll be able to save his family and possibly create a better life for them and those of his friends - possibly even the world.

EPIC is an interesting story. There is no problem keeping up with the "real" world and the "Epic" world. The author does a great job of distinguishing the two. If you enjoy Fantasy or Sci-Fi, then you'll enjoy this story. There is also a sequel called SAGA that has already been released.

Reviewed by: Karin Librarian

Being a lifelong gamer and someone who spent close to 2 1/2 years immersed in Final Fantasy online, I loved this book. You must enjoy RPG games to enjoy this book I feel. It's quite the different twist on the world being "destroyed" and a new form of government. In Epic the government is run by Central Allocations and everything takes place inside the game. People still live outside the game, but that's really only to get by. It's kind of scary to have it in writing how an online game can take over your life or the life of a world. What did throw me, was how the game came alive. I'll say no more to avoid spoiling it. I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and game loving folks. Young and old.