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The book is in solid, readable condition with some signs of wear on the cover and pages. There may be light creases or minor markings, but no significant tears or missing pages. The binding is intact, and there may be minimal underlining, highlighting, or margin notes. The book is in solid, readable condition with some signs of wear on the cover and pages. There may be light creases or minor markings, but no significant tears or missing pages. The binding is intact, and there may be minimal underlining, highlighting, or margin notes. See less
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Conor Kostick
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Epic Hardcover – April 5, 2007

by Conor Kostick (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 408 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Generations ago, violence was banned on New Earth. Society is governed and conflicts are resolved in the arena of a fantasy computer game, Epic. Everyone plays. If you win, you have the chance to go to university, get more supplies for your community, and fulfill your dreams; if you lose, your life both in and out of the game is worth nothing.

When Erik, seeking revenge for the unjust treatment of his parents, dares to subvert the rules of Epic, he and his friends find themselves up against with the ultimate masters of the game: the Committee. If Erik and his friends win, they may have the key to destroying Epic’s tyranny over New Earth. But if they lose . . .

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  1. Reading age
    12 - 15 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Avatar Chronicles
  3. Print length
    384 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    7 - 9
  6. Lexile measure
    810L
  7. Dimensions
    6 x 1.5 x 8.75 inches
  8. Publisher
    Viking Books for Young Readers
  9. Publication date
    April 5, 2007
  10. ISBN-10
    0670061794
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0670061792
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up–Where fantasy and video games meet, there is Epic. In a society where violence is banned, people must settle their disputes in Epic, at the same time that they are trying to stay alive in order to accumulate wealth and status in both the game world and in reality. Impulsively, Erik creates his new Epic character to be female, and spends all his allocated start-up funds on beauty and attitude for Cindella rather than weapons, but something tells him that this is the way to go. She and his friends' characters use a succession of unusual methods to save Erik's father from exile and to challenge Central Allocations, the representatives who run the game, and thus, the society. Believable and realistic characters take readers through a thought-provoking story that juxtaposes a simple life working the land with the technology of a society simultaneously operating in a virtual world. Frequent turns of events that teens will know are coming, but not exactly when and how they will play out, keep the story moving along at a steady pace. There is intrigue and mystery throughout this captivating page-turner. Veins of moral and ethical social situations and decisions provide some great opportunities for discussion. Well written and engaging, Epic will easily draw in avid readers and video-game players. Appealing to fans of both fantasy and science fiction, it is destined to see limited shelf time.–Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Kostick was a designer for the world's first live fantasy role-playing game in England, and his expertise is evident in this gripping first novel, set on New Earth, where violence has been banned for generations and conflicts are settled in the fantasy computer game Epic. Getting ahead in the real world means winning in the gaming world--and everyone plays. The unjust treatment of his parents by the Central Allocations committee, which ruthlessly rules the planet, sets teenager Erik and his friends on a perilous mission to challenge the committee and put an end to Epic. Erik's fantasy persona has been killed in a battle with a dragon, and he must prepare a new gaming identity. This time, he is a beautiful female swashbuckler named Cindella the sailor, and as he undertakes a dangerous struggle against the committee, he is threatened by death in both the fantasy world and hardscrabble reality. The action is nonstop, it's easy to keep track of who's who, and the story flows seamlessly as characters move between worlds, maintaining their individuality in both. A surefire winner with a sequel in the works and a third planned. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking Books for Young Readers; First Edition (April 5, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670061794
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670061792
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 15 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 810L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.5 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 408 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

4.4 out of 5 stars
408 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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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

"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

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

"While this was a very good story, it did not quench my thirst for litrpg. There is very little to almost no gaming aspects...." 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

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

"...There was no stats in this story. Again, the story was good but it hardly contained any video game aspects which is what I was aiming for...." 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.

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

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

"Interesting world building, feels like a game of Dungeons and Dragons haha. This one seems amateurishly written compared to the latter two books." 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.

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

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

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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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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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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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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sandvitch
5.0 out of 5 stars Thjgghgg
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Dthdyhfh ghcsr thcfh. Fhhghjgf hugfy functioned hhsjejdjd is that you can see it all in one day when your parents don’t get it to be there you will is a great day of the year so it’s just that the money will and your mom and your mom are so great I don’t have a house to be so happy I can not do that you can just get them out there you are the one I have and your life can I just get them I just want them I love to you I can get you the right one.
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
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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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Top reviews from other countries

fashoom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2019
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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 :)
One person found this helpful
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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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