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$6.26
May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
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Conor Kostick
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Epic Paperback – May 15, 2008

by Conor Kostick (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 410 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Welcome to a society governed through computer games!

On New Earth, society is governed and conflicts are resolved in the arena of a fantasy computer game, Epic. If you win, you have the chance to fulfill your dreams; if you lose, your life both in and out of the game is worth nothing. When teenage Erik dares to subvert the rules of Epic, he and his friends must face the Committee. If Erik and his friends win, they may have the key to destroying the Committee’s tyranny. But if they lose . . .

Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.

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  1. Reading age
    12 - 15 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Avatar Chronicles
  3. Print length
    400 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    7 - 9
  6. Dimensions
    4.25 x 1 x 7.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Firebird
  8. Publication date
    May 15, 2008
  9. ISBN-10
    0142411590
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0142411599
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The action is nonstop, and the story flows seamlessly...A surefire winner. ùBooklist, starred review

A captivating page-turner. ùSchool Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Conor Kostick was a designer for the world’s first live fantasy role-playing game, based in Peckforton Castle, Cheshire. He is the author of the Epic Trilogy -- Epic, Saga, and Edda (all available from Firebird). He lives in Dublin where, having completed a Ph.D on the subject of the crusades, he now teaches medieval history at Trinity College Dublin. He has published widely on history, culture, and politics, including coauthoring The Easter Rising: A Guide to Dublin in 1916, and co-editing Irish Writers Against War, an anthology of writings by Irish authors in response to the war in Iraq. He has twice been elected chairperson of the Irish Writers’ Union.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Firebird; Reprint edition (May 15, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0142411590
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142411599
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 15 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 1 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 410 ratings

About the author

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Conor Kostick

Conor Kostick

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Hi, thanks for your interest in my books. Perhaps you want to know more about my background as a historian, or perhaps you are more interested in my fantasy fiction. To some extent both types of writing have their roots in the fact that I grew up in Chester, a walled city full of the remains of its Roman and Medieval past.

At nineteen I was lucky enough to get work in the world's first commercial live role-playing game (LARP), Treasure Trap, based in Peckforton Castle, Cheshire. At that time the great miners' strike of 1984-5 shook every nook and cranny of the country, including the secluded castle, and I found myself drawn from a world of fantasy into a world of class conflict and intense political debate. For many years after, I moved from major city to major city in the UK pausing only in Doncaster to work in a large tractor factory (Case International) to earn enough for my first computer and to start writing.

My dad is from Dublin and having always enjoyed my visits there it was often in my mind to move to Ireland. By a quirk of fate I've ended up living not too far from his family home.

Having obtained a doctorate in history from Trinity College, I research and teach medieval history and enjoy that as much as writing fantasy fiction. I live with my partner Aoife and my children, Maya, Orran and Tove.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
410 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book awesome, enjoyable, and a great standalone. They also describe the story as creative, epic, and intriguing. Readers appreciate the interesting world-building and relatable characters. Opinions are mixed on the writing quality, with some finding it well-written, while others say it seems amateurishly written and clunky.

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Select to learn more
ReadabilityStory qualityInterestCharacter developmentWriting quality
28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book awesome, great, and enjoyable. They say it's a start to an even better series.

"Nothing stops this author from creating a smashing good book tying together past Armageddon, present humanity and corruption, and hope for the future..." Read more

"...With its brisk pace and wiley heroes, it was a very enjoyable experience." Read more

"Amazing story, with an awesome idea behind it. Well worth the read without spoiling imagine the world's economy is ran by wow just amazing for young..." Read more

"Book wasn't anything grand or great. Still, was entertaining enough. Probably wouldn't read a sequel though, book is aimed at kids...." Read more

14 customers mention "Story quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the story quality good, creative, and epic. They say the setting and premise are intriguing. Readers also describe the book as an excellent sci-fi thriller with a heartfelt mesh of fantasy and reality.

"Feels like a real adventure. Beautiful characters. Great world building. Villains that feel powerful, daunting and not like a caricature...." Read more

"Amazing story, with an awesome idea behind it...." Read more

"...It is a heartfelt mesh of fantasy and reality. And it is realistic with its imagery. Satisfies both the gamer and bookworm in me." Read more

"This was a great book that explores the fantasies of everyone who's ever played video games seriously...." Read more

9 customers mention "Interest"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, with an awesome idea behind it. They also say it's a nice adventure with a sense of surprise and is entertaining.

"...A fascinating story of multiple personalities, character, wonder, and purity of emotion and engagement. One of my favorite books. - Alex" Read more

"Feels like a real adventure. Beautiful characters. Great world building. Villains that feel powerful, daunting and not like a caricature...." Read more

"Amazing story, with an awesome idea behind it...." Read more

"...a Ready Player One vibe when I started reading it, but this was a really cool idea that went a totally different direction. I enjoyed it a lot." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters relatable, powerful, and daunting. They also say the story is fascinating with multiple personalities.

"...A fascinating story of multiple personalities, character, wonder, and purity of emotion and engagement. One of my favorite books. - Alex" Read more

"Feels like a real adventure. Beautiful characters. Great world building. Villains that feel powerful, daunting and not like a caricature...." Read more

"...With its brisk pace and wiley heroes, it was a very enjoyable experience." Read more

"...The characters were well thought out which gave the sense of surprise." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some mention it's well-written, while others say it seems amateurishly written and the wording and phrases seem clunky.

"...Very well written, and good clean fun." Read more

"While at times the wording and different phrases seem a little clunky, I keep coming back to this book...." Read more

"This book is very well written I enjoyed reading it my junior year an I had a blast re reading it I also enjoyed saga an edda I wish he'd make a..." Read more

"...I would highly recommended it to anyone. It was beautifully written and a must have.This book was amazing and I love it!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

A.Knick
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for fans of the genre of video game sci fi
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Nothing stops this author from creating a smashing good book tying together past Armageddon, present humanity and corruption, and hope for the future, all tied together by the game. A fascinating story of multiple personalities, character, wonder, and purity of emotion and engagement. One of my favorite books. - Alex
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Marquis Richard Ledoux
5.0 out of 5 stars Best LitRPG around imo
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
Feels like a real adventure. Beautiful characters. Great world building. Villains that feel powerful, daunting and not like a caricature. Dragons, huge monster battles, duels, whimsy. No main character self insert power phantasies. I love it
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John G Martanis IV
4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice adventure
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
I read this book at the recommendation of one of my foster children. With its brisk pace and wiley heroes, it was a very enjoyable experience.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent novel
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
Amazing story, with an awesome idea behind it. Well worth the read without spoiling imagine the world's economy is ran by wow just amazing for young and old.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
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Dana Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars immaculate
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
My mind is so blown by how amazing the book was that I’m struggling to find the right words. We’ve all heard about the principle of a B story. This book had C and D stories. Not just A&B
One person found this helpful
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Nick A.
3.0 out of 5 stars Was ok.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Book wasn't anything grand or great. Still, was entertaining enough. Probably wouldn't read a sequel though, book is aimed at kids. The characters are pretty one dimensional.
3 people found this helpful
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Jessica L. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all time favorites
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
While at times the wording and different phrases seem a little clunky, I keep coming back to this book. It is a heartfelt mesh of fantasy and reality. And it is realistic with its imagery. Satisfies both the gamer and bookworm in me.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Brenden Rolf
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent sci-fi thriller
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
This was a great book that explores the fantasies of everyone who's ever played video games seriously. Kids, teens, and adults of all ages will enjoy. My only gripe with the book is that several times it cuts away from anticipated action sequences (such as the graduation tournament) and merely tells us what happened in a throw away line later. However this is not enough to detract from the fun of the whole book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy/sci-fi, or video games.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

fashoom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Loved this book!
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lok
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
My 12 year old son just loves this series. He's read it twice so it must be good! He would definitely recommend it. I've given the same review for Edda as well - I can only repeat what he has to say about the series - 'brilliant'

My son is an advanced reader and he reads A LOT so it is really difficult to find books that are age appropriate that will also keep him engaged. This series has certainly achieved that :)
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Alan
4.0 out of 5 stars Book was in great condition!
Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Book arrived in great condition only real complaint was that it was a little bit dirty nothing that some water couldn't fix though.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
I can imagine it would be a great read for some if they have not read Ready Player One. If you have, then this just feels like an imitation which is lacking the same impact, plot and emotions.

Still, it was a fun novel and anyone who enjoys game related adventure novels will probably like this book.
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Michael Collier
4.0 out of 5 stars When you are unsure what to read next.
Reviewed in Germany on June 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
Nice book for a read without simply having to think about what you read because it's so right on self explanatory, without major plot twists or anything.
I would have enjoyed a little complexity from time to time or at least sticking to the rules the author made and explained, but all in all it was a good book to read.
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