The title says it all — AO: Ember is live. Here’s a link!
The print should be up in a few days and the audio is already in production. We’re aiming for November 8-9th for the audiobook preorder and late November for the full release. These are just targets and I should have more firm dates soon.
I hope you all enjoy the book and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
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I been reading your series from the beginning and have loved it. I also have an idea for the earth affinity. You can make them like Jason where he uses summoned minions but his would be depended on the materials they use. Such as the different between sandstone and granite. One would make the construct easier to move but very brittle, sandstone. While the other would make the other harder and stronger but slower, granite. It just an idea and also sense your also having different cultures as a theme for the element, Rome for Light, Persian for Fire, etc. You could you Japan/Chinese for the earth element. They both have strong themes of peace in their cultures and myths. Just thought of passing the ideas on.
Huh. That’s a pretty cool idea!
This is unrelated to the book itself but I want to know what Mr. Bagwell thinks.
Saying AO was to be picked up as a Netflix series or any other stream service. Who could you see playing everyone?
Woof, that’s hard. Some guys in our FB group came up with a pretty good list, though.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AO.OriginalSin/
Hi Travis. I’m intrigued by this audio book pre-order. I would love to get a copy that soon, but I can’t find anything on Audible or Amazon. Is this because I’m looking in the wrong place, or is this a UK based issue?
The pre-order hasn’t gone live yet. Probably around the 7-8th. I’ll make a separate post so you don’t miss it!
Travis,
I just wanted to thank you for AO. I just finished Ember and I can’t wait to see what you think up next!
Keep’em coming!
Glad you’e enjoyed them!
Whoa, Tarot Book 1! So is this a new series in the AOVerse? Cool beans!
I love this series!!!!!!!!! I could listen to 1000 versions of this book, and have written a few of my own in my head of course lol. I’m looking forward to seeing the next book in Jason’s point of view and looking forward to binge listening to this series
Since this is labeled as Tarot Book 1 I assume we’re diving into a new narrative arc dealing with another player that is serving one of the gods. My question is are you planning to jump between the two narratives for book releases, like we’ll have this then another dealing with Jason, then back to this? I’m excited for a new book either way, but I am kinda dying to know wtf is going to happen with Jason and the gate pieces.
Also I just want to say I absolutely adored AO: Unity. Having more insight into Frank’s life and not just making him a one-note punching bag was really refreshing. Especially the bit at the end with his sister.
I was wavering and asked for some feedback at the end of Ember. The pretty much universal response seems to be that people want me to finish up Finn’s arc before going back to Jason. Since those events all take place before book 5, that sort of makes sense. It’s a lot of build up I suppose, but I suspect it’s going to make book five feel freaking awesome!
Glad you enjoyed Unity — that one was super fun to write.
I’m glad to hear that – as anxious as I am to get back to Jason’s story, Ember was excellent. I’m very much looking forward to book 2.
just finished it and left a 5-star review on Amazon. Great story, great characters – top addition to the series. Looking forward to the next entry 🙂
Thank you, sir! Glad you enjoyed it!
Please don’t stop. I just picked up this series on audio and have fallen hard. I’m on the last book now and have to face that it’s the last for the foreseeable future, it hurts.
Ha. Not planning to stop any time soon!
Ooh, and maybe after that noble character stops Alex, the person’s mentality will turn to thinking “I will end Original Sin no matter the cost. Their horrendous rampage of carnage & violence is over!” Then go to Original Sin only to find that they’re misunderstood (Still evil, in a way, but eh…) and, to make things interesting, even side with them! It’ll be a different change of pace for Jason because oh boy I can just imagine the noble character befriending Jason but then always nagging about their underhanded and “cheating” way of doing things during the adventure. It might be fun and interesting!
or not cheating but “excessively violent” is the better term.
Hello Travis! Your series is my new favorite book series to read! I love how the role of villain and hero is switched where the good character sides with the dark while Alex the sociopath sides with the light! I feel a bit sad for the light affinity b/c I believe that it shouldn’t have Alex, who’s manipulative, apathetic, and doesn’t necessarily care about the well-being of anyone. If there’s a perfect candidate for light, it should be that responsible, virtuous, noble, “leader” type of character who sees the good in others. I suggest someone like that possibly starting the game in the Crystal Reach, somehow discovering what Alex is truly like, and then proceeding to BEAT THE STUFFING OUT OF HIM TO REPENT FOR HIS SINFUL ACTIONS! MWAHAHAHA! It’s just an idea though but it’s just very unsatisfying that light has to have Alex, a character that doesn’t really deserve to be the Lady’s champion. Otherwise, I LOVE the characters! I’m rooting for Original Sin all the way!
Haha, I’ll keep this in mind 😉
I do not know how you make these books. Most books degrade as they go along the plot, and the story falls short of expectations at the end, but this is so not true with this series. Actually, to tell the truth, I only have read three book series that do not degrade as they go along the plot, and I am proud to be able to read yet another one. Good job and keep up!
Keep *it up.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Travis! I has a very curious question: With light magic, is light magic only good for healing-like properties or buffs? I’m curious if like a character is super confident and has a positive mindset but wants to use attacking magic. Is that possible? Like maybe for example shooting a beam of light that acts like a laser beam that pierces through anything!
That actually happens in the books… Maybe you haven’t made it to the Nephilim yet?
I finished reading the Conquest book about Frank but I made it so far past that point that I forgot. :l
Also is it possible for a God to abandon their champion for a character with a higher affinity or are they permanently tethered so they’re stuck with them?
Would you consider Alexion’s character alignment to be Lawful Evil or a different alignment?
A good alignment. Alfred was clear that alignments are based on general player perception, not actual behavior.
Hi Travis, I’m enjoying the Tarot diversion in the books. Good solid character and world building. Cant wait for more. But do you have a rough timetable worked out for when you’re going to release the various upcoming titles? Will it be 3 years (I was figuring a year per book, Tarot 2, then 3, then Main 5) before we see another book about Jason and co? Because man… That is a long time to wait…
Ha. I released three books just this year…
I’m aiming to publish both the remaining Tarot books in 2020, plus the next book in Jason’s arc. If I don’t quite manage that, Jason’s next book would come out early the next year.
So short answer is that we’re looking at about a year for all three.
Well poke my eye and call me Mandy. That’s an incredible publish rate… I take back all my concerns! Now stop checking your website and write! Don’t let some fool like me slow you down!
Hi! Sorry to keep pestering you…but I hereby take back my idea! I realized that if true justice should be served to Alex, maybe instead of having a single character beat him up after finding out about his true self, but a character should actually EXPOSE Alexion’s shameful acts to all of his brainwashed “admirers.” Give him a taste of his own medicine and turn everyone against him! I want to see his face shoved into the mud and get a grip to change his ways! Oh it’ll be sooo delicious! It’s frustrating how everyone’s pooping on Jason when Alex is the one committing all the heinous acts but others think he’s “so noble” when he’s not. PLUS, I realized how Jason has to suffer on his path with blood and tears to becoming stronger but Alex? All he has to do is preach the Lady and boom he’s immediately on equal footing as Jason. IT’S SO UNFAIR AND UNJUST! Plus the game seems like first-come-first-serve by giving the first characters who enter the game with high elemental affinities god like abilities while any other characters with equally high potential have to fend for themselves just cause they came second after the champions were already chosen. Game balance my butt!
Hi Travis, any update on the audio book release for flame?
Mid-June for a release. Preorder should hopefully go up here “soon.” Everything is moving slow with this pandemic.
P.S. I’m very sorry if I sounded obnoxious or critical. ;-;
Not at all. Just super busy — especially at this time of year.
You might want to join the Discord or our FB group. Tons of people there to discuss the books and much easier for to me to chime in on occasion.
Hey Travis I just thought of this…(I am so sorry. I’m just a huge geek when it comes to RPGs. I’ve become like a nerd of Awaken Online video game knowledge.) But for water and earth magic, I feel like their traits are pretty much the same. Like isn’t acceptance the same as inner-peace? E.g. Accepting yourself leads to inner-peace and inner-peace felt by your awareness of yourself and surroundings can lead to acceptance for others and having patience. Is there a major difference between them? I forgot how acceptance and inner-peace became different traits for water & earth. Just curious.
Wait, OOOOH!!! Wait a minute! When I suggested the ideal candidate for light, I just realized that an ideal leader would go under the fire magic affinity! Because they’re influential and inspiring with a golden heart! OH GOODY! Maybe Finn would possibly butt heads with Alexion if they ever met in-game! Nevermind, Alex can have his light god. Finn’s gonna come along and knock some sense into him! Mwahaha! Muhaha! (Psychotic laughter) AAAAAHAHAHAAAAHAHAA!!! …Sorry got carried away with my excitement.
I love the series but I feel like 2 more books till we get back to Jason is really long. Do you have a plan on when Tarot 2 will come out?
Tarot 2 is almost complete (then editing). So a couple of months left. Probably 3-4 months for book three and then Jason’s book before the end of the year.
That’s the plan anyway!
Yay! thanks for making such a great series.
Ok you must have some magical powers. How is it that my all time favorite series has three book published a year? There must be some wizardry involved.
Maybe only a little… or some time compression.
How did you come up with AO? I’ve never read any books like it.
Travis, thank you so much. Your entire series is amazing! I want to let you know that you books helped me through a dark time and I continue to listen to them religiously! I’m looking forward to the next book !
I’m glad my stories could help! Hope things are looking a little brighter for you!
Is Ember meant to be read before Retribution? I literally got Catharsis yesterday at time of writing so I’m wondering what to read next to follow the series in order.
Nah, just finish the main series and side quests. I suggest reading Ember/Flame after you’ve finished everything else.
Just finished the first novel. Loved it. Huge fan of gaming and LITRPG. Your book seemed to have great balance and kept me listening from beginning to end. The fact that you went with the dark side and the undead drew me in right away. I’m an old WOW player and I rolled an undead toon back in the day ( love the misunderstood characters,, FOR the HORDE ) so this story had me at hello. I’m intrigued by the side quest. Taking some time to invest in the other characters is a stellar move. I don’t think I will suffer any burn out from Jason’s story but the more I learn about him the more interested I become in the folks around him. I’m already excited about learning about the other affinities an gods. Keep up the good work.
Glad the story resonated with you! Good news is that you’ve got plenty of other books left before you catch up with me lol!
I just started listening to your audio books and I’m confused. Is Ember and Flame not associated with the Cathasis series?
Same universe but following a different character. Ember starts a few days after Jason’s first book (Catharsis).
I was outlining Jason’s book five and building out character backstories and I just couldn’t resist the urge to write this new guy’s story. I recommend you give at least Ember a shot since this new character is going to be relevant moving forward.
I’m kinda late lol but these books are so good! I’ve read all the main series ones, and didn’t see the side quests so is it worth it to read it after I already know the plot? I am about to start ember and can’t wait for Jason book 5!
Glad you enjoyed them!
I’d still say the side quests are worth it. You get a lot more detail on some of the other characters. And Unity (Frank’s side novel) takes place after Dominion. Without spoilers… a decent amount happens.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy Ember!
Thank you so much. I plan on listening to all of them but wasn’t sure if there was a sequence I should have been following or not. 🙂
My brother introduced me to your books a few months ago and i have listened to them all on audible (finishing Ember as i type this 😉 ) Your stories have by far been my favorite stories ever. The characters and plots are all phenomenal and i can’t wait to hear more, though i know i’ll have to even after the release of the next Finn book since my brother gets to listen to it first, but the wait will just make it all the better 😀
Ahh, thanks! I’m glad the stories resonated with you!
Loved Tarot Book 2 Flame, actually love all the books of AO. That ending of Flame though, when is book 3 coming out I have to know!
Ha. I have like two more chapters to write and then its content complete. I’ve just been shifting more focus toward editing. I should be posting an update here in the next couple of days, but I’m hoping to have a full release sometime around October 1st!