High-brow sci-fi Excellent writing and the storyline keeps you engaged. Had a hard time putting the book down - especially the last couple hundred pages. Looking forward to the sequel.Obviously written by a fellow sci-fi connoisseur.

Amazing! What an absolute thrill. Loved every page!

a great adventure I enjoyed reading this story. It’s a great science fiction adventure merging reality and game into one. I look forward to the next one

I’m hooked - waiting for the sequels Epic sci fi world building, great character development and very descriptive writing style with excellent imagery make for a strong start to the series. I’m looking forward to the next books. His books remind me of authors like Peter F Hamilton in scope and world building, but with a distinctive style and imagery all his own.

Great read I'm not too big into sci-fi, but this story is really captivating, And it's a lot of fun.Very imaginative. Very suspenseful.It kept me wanting to know what was about to happen next.

Really good Reminds me of Neil Stephenson and Cory Doctorow. Cool plot, great characters. I hope the second one is just as good!

Utterly absorbing I was thrilled that these books were so long (this one and the Longstar book) because so many series available are actually just chapters of a true book length book. Even as long as they were, I was wishing for more. I absolutely love the characters, most especially Bess. The plot was detailed, surprisingly original, and fast-paced. I hope there will be another book in this series!!

Unique and hard to put down This was such a great unique story for those of us that have read SO MUCH fantasy and scifi. I love the existential implications of the story, which is a motif that never is addressed head on but is felt the more you dive into the world building. It also has a story that is accessible for all readers, even those who might not have any technical or gaming experience. Cumby delivers a story that answers questions quickly, but not to quickly and every reveal leaves more unknowns. I'm anxiously awaiting the ORUS sequel.

Unique A pleasant surprise, well written adventure and on the edge of my seat towards the end of the book. I was a bit disappointed with the cliff hanger as this book might have satisfied the story with a single book. I guess theres more to the tale. We shall see when the next book comes out.

Awesome Mind boggling sci fi. Terrific world building. Great read. Can't wait for the next book. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction.

This was quite the engrossing read What a fun read! What a different take on a lot of subjects. This was great science fiction. Hard to quit turning the pages. I cannot wait to open the cover of the next book

Original and clever I’m not a gamer, but this story intrigued me from the outset. It’s a fun trip through many worlds of fantasy and fiction.

This is an excellent story, and audiobooks performance pushes it more. This story is extremely well written out. And the performance of the voice actors only compliments it.I will come back to this again.

Very well written Excellent world building, character development and story craftsmanship.

Riveting WOW, what an unusual story. This was a real page turner for me and I don't usually read SF. Can't wait for the next book. Thankyou Patrick Cumby for opening my eyes to SF. Loved this book.

I would give it 10 stars if I could! What an astonishing book. OMG. The plot is simply amazing, I’m gobsmacked. I immediately want to reread it now that I’ve reached the end just to immerse myself more. Enthralling characters, fantastic writing, coherent plot lines weaving a story of immense dimensions. You will not be disappointed reading this book. I promise!

Fantastic story Quickly became a real page turner, loved the characters and the scene descriptions, Just the ideas were amazing. Would recommend to anyone who loves a bit of sci-fi, loves to use their imagination, or can remember and enjoyed Tron, but this is so much better.

Great! Fascinating! Intriguing! Okay, so it takes a bit to get in it, but it's weaving together this crazy pieces of fascinating characters and world and... Just so good. Get it. Read it. This is great in the way old masters of scifi and fantasy are great!

Impressive I quite enjoyed it. Very interesting concept. Looking forward to the following book.

Awesome - Even if Sci-Fi is not really your thing I don't read a lot of Sci-Fi but this intrigued me and I was not disappointed at all. A great read from the first page until the last. I will be putting Patrick Cumby on my must read list

great read, very entertaining Some brilliant concepts in this, it’s a great space adventure, mixed with fantasy and gaming concepts.I found it to be genuinely unique and a real page turner.

A Classic of The Future This is, without a doubt, one of the deepest and most believable science fiction books I've read in a very long time. Exciting, engrossing and written with a style you have to admire. I'm going to skim through it now before reading Longstar, just to refresh my memory.Don't miss this. It's going to be considered as one of the greats. William Gibson should be in awe!

OMFG This was a good read. Fantasy series are notoriously difficult to spin into a storyline that transcends current reality with a crafted one. Patrick has created a series where the quantum linkages between dimensions are forged, explored and brought to life. TBH, I had to read about 100 pages in before I really got the science being used as a basis for the storyline. Once I made that leap, I was completely hooked and this rapidly became a page turner that was hard to put down. I think it will be the same for other readers. I look forward to the next books being released.

just read it. you won’t regret it or put it down by the way. What a great story teller and a new take on a classic genre.If you liked Enders Game and ready player one (the books, not the movies) you will get into this.

Grone is no Groan Great story for gamers or anyone who likes sci-fi adventures. The characters are believable, even the bots who think they're real human.ans. a great adventure extremely well written 👏. need to get your skates on Patrick. I can't wait to dive into the next chapter of this great story

awesome book Very detailed and thought out and outlines the simulation theory in detail I would highly recommend this book to all

Strong recommendation I had no idea what to expect and was captivated from the first moment up to the last page. Only shortly before the end I realized that the story is part of a trilogy and I would have to wait for another year or so to finish it, but I guess it is worth the waiting...

Great Book, nicely laid out and fast paced. Can’t wait for the next installment….! Nicely done with a great weave of events and characters that are easily visualized!

An unexpected premise. An unexpected premise. Colourful, likeable & dis likeable characters in an intriguing story. Loved it. Completely involves your emotional brain.Cabot wait for the next one.

ambitious The height of my gaming experience took place a long time ago in the days when Pac-Man ruled the arcade. I don’t understand or have any interest in the immersive multiplayer games. That fact did not diminish my enjoyment of this book.It’s quite easy to forget that this story takes place within the game. Things bounce from a distant future in a galactic empire to the current day in California. A pair of teenage twins, bound together in tragedy, play key roles in what turns into a quest to save the world and perhaps the universe.The author is quite ambitious with the scale of his story. Artificial intelligence, quantum physics, and the question of what exactly is life are all explored in detail. There are villains and heroes and characters who change in unexpected ways. The time frame bounces back-and-forth.This story turned out to be too big for one book. I think I’ll stick around for the next chapter.VFL

Wonderful It has been a long time since I have had a book that I can’t put down. The story was amazing and captivating. I am excited to read the next in the series

Brilliant Couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next ones to come out. Will be buying the books for sure.

Best Sci Fi I have read this year. Grone is a well written, fast paced and thorough;y enjoyable read. I have just finished and I can say that in turns I was delighted, moved, and intruiged by the story. The premis is not new, as VR has been around for years, but the twist on it, and the way the Author builds the main characters over time, had me hooked. There are enough twists to keep you guessing, but they aren't lazy Deus ex Machina which gets the Author out of a plot hole, but real, well thought out turns in the story which have large consequences to how the plot unfolds. I cant recomment this book enough. I read Banks, Asher, Gibson, MacLeod and Patrick Cumby is now definitely up there in my estimation. I think this is his first full novel, and if so, I cant wait to read Orus. I hope he goes from strength to strength. 5 stars.

what if your game was real? Amazing story- I doubted it at first but then I realized what was happening and it was like *boom* this is so cool. I can’t wait for book 2!

Enthralling space epic you can't put down! Absolutely great read, it's a bit confusing at first but even then you know it's building up an epic storyline.Every novel has it's quirks, this is definitely my favorite one, almost ever. A space epic across time and space, that just hits a nerve preventing me from putting it down.I can't wait for the next one!

Gripping tale I am not a gamer, so alot of this was foreign to me. But the characters are really interesting, and the story is quite suspenseful. I will definitely read the next one in the series.

Fantastic! What an incredible reading experience!! I’m a 67 year old woman and have had a lifelong love of sci-fi and the harder the science, the better. This book hit every check and a whole lot more! I consumed it and was grousing over having to leave it for a family get together. Wonderful kudos to author and please get book two to us asap!

What a journey! Breathtakingly huge in scope and imagination, this book deserves to be listed amongst the greats of Sci.There is enough science to save the story becoming total fantasy, but plenty of mind bending adventures to satisfy the most jaded reader.This really should be made into an epic for the screen.The only problem is the wait until next January for the next instalment!

Captivating!!! Wow, this was really fun!I am 70 and haven’t played a video game in 40 years. But I love great fantasy and science fiction. It didn’t take long for me to get thoroughly engaged in the characters and intricate plot. Reminded me of Dune but so much better. Can’t wait for the next book. This would be a great movie or TV series!Jim from Statham, GA

An absolutely fantastic story!! Wow, what a fabulous surprise this book has turned out to be. First time read for this author, got spammed on FB or Insta… so glad I tried it. The story is a cracker, very different from what I expected but a first class page turner. Can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy to unfold. Sensational!!

Page turner! Just wow! Incredible characters! Great storyline, though some of the physics was a bit hard to follow it was still a great read. I highly recommend it. Block some time as it's a 'read in a single sitting'.

Excellent storytelling very captivating. All around a fantastic read I really enjoyed the twists of the storyline I highly recommend to any sci-fi adventure readers.

Wow Picked it up on a lark and I was transported. Not normally a fan of books going into great detail about physics, but just wow

Great read, if you are looking for something different this is it. Great book, can’t wait for book two. Really different story with great twist and turns. 👍👍👍

Best SF book since Ready Player One I’m quite sure it will be a blockbuster if adapted in a movie or in TV show.

Over the Top Combines science, game multiverses and magic, but not in any way you can possibly imagine. You will think you know what's going on and how it will work out, but you don't. Oh and it's really, really well written. What are you waiting for?!

Something completely different Rather confusing at the start but as you keep reading it becomes clearer as to what is going on. A long book but stick with it, the story is compelling and unique. The writer has a vivid imagination and the plot has many twists and turns. By the end of the book you will be enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Definitely Sci Fi with a different twist. A new and original concept, a great read and a refreshing change. Give yourself a treat.

Brilliant and innovative! I just finished this book, and if the sequel was available today I’d already have bought it and started reading! Best sci-fi I’ve read this year. Video game inspired but absolutely nothing like Ready Player One. It’s complex and twisty, and even when you have the big “aha” moment, there’s still far more than enough to keep your interest. You don’t have to be a gamer (although it doesn’t hurt). Can’t wait for the sequel in the planned trilogy. There’s a stand alone coming out in a couple of weeks and I’ve already pre-ordered it (Please don’t do a Rothfuss, PLEASE don’t do a Rothfuss!). Highly, highly recommended. And if it matters, it’s currently on Kindle Unlimited, so free if you’re a subscriber. The only quibble that I have is that the author references Phillip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld novels and the “suicide express”, but says that when someone dies on the River they wake up at the headwaters and have to start over, which is not accurate. Dying on the River caused you to wake up in a random spot, not the headwaters. Minor issue, but you don’t take artistic license with someone else’s art.

very intriguing I wasn’t sure about this book at first. It was a bit slow in developing but when it started to really get going I was captivated. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book so expertly woven together that it left me wanting more and more. Well done!! Can’t wait to to dig into the other two books.

Can't wait for the next one Im a gamer and an avid reader so this appeals on many levels. Really looking forward to the next books

Keeps you engaged from start to finish For anyone looking for a great story, with good characters and no gaps in pace or interest, read this book. Can’t wait for the next 2

Excellent 👍 couldn't put it down Can't wait for the next instalment, fast paced, very well written, Patrick Cumby is definitely one to follow! Going to be an excellent series 👌

WooT! This is good...really good.

Do yourself a favor - READ THIS BOOK I will keep this spoiler free. I started this book based off a few reviews and from page 1 I was transported into a world that is absolutely phenomenal. Once I figured out the setup, and it's a brilliant set up, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with every page I turned. Such a brilliant story, amazing world building and a phenomenal cast of characters. If you pick one book to read this year, this is the book you should read. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one.

An intriguing, challenging book When I started this book, it was quickly clear that relying on the blurb to tell me what would be happening wasn’t going to work. The beginning didn’t appear (I use “appear” intentionally) to even be related to the blurb. But, I kept going. I tend to pay no attention whatsoever to the chapter titles - don’t do that! They are critical to understanding the structure of this book. I don’t want to say more because you need to discover this book and its structure yourself - it’s an important part of engaging with the story.I did find this challenging in the same vein as Jasper Fforde and the Thursday Next series. Why? Because it’s a masterful blending of genre and concept that creates a complex reality unlike the one we live in. You just have to surrender to the book for a while, read at least the first 20% to build context, and all will come clear. For me, that’s when the thunderbolt realization about the chapter titles came through. I went back to the beginning, reread that first 20%, and so much suddenly became clearer. There were a number of key elements and Easter eggs that I would not have fully appreciated had I not gone back from 20% in and reread the first few chapters.I very much enjoyed this book. It’s not what I would normally read, but a blurb and recommendation in my Kindle app intrigued me. Sure, I have my favorite genres and definitely favorite authors, but I’m always trying to stretch myself as a reader in order to keep from falling in a rut and to keep my brain firing off new synapses. This certainly did that for me. It does end with a lead-in to the following book, but you could stop after this book alone and be fine. Me? I’m looking forward to what happens next in this intriguing universe created by Patrick Cumby.

Can't wait for the sequels. Brilliant storyline great characters. Took me a while to grasp it as I'm not a gamer. Well worth the read, did it in a day and night!

very different I liked the story which had elements of books like 3 and ready player one but with a fresh approach. Made the worlds very interesting and the various story lines intriguing.

Double Wow! The world building and character building in this book are outstanding! The prose is smooth and easy to read. It really is a page turner. The crescendo of action built into almost a frenzy at the end and all the plot lines came together only to be cut short by the abrupt "ending". I will read the next book. PS - The author has built a world where he has 10,000 years of history to write more stories in. I look forward to reading them.

Original, well-written, and entertaining. Although just a little bit predictable, (well, one major scenario anyway), nothing detracted from what turned out, after a slowish start, to be an excellent read. Looks like a bit of a wait for the next one, which is a shame, but I'll be getting it.

Original page turning scifi. Read it. Well written alternate universe. Very enjoyable. Perhaps a little slow to start, bur rewards perseverance. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Totally immersive from the start. I'm not a gamer, but this clever novel immerses itself very quickly in a multilayered reality which stretches one's comprehension . Compulsive reading.

Excellent work Mr Cumby. This story is so well written that it is very easy to visualise,hopefully one day it will be released as a film.I think that Mr Cumby will be held in the same regard as Asimov and Williams in the future this book is that good!

Devious and compelling story line. Keeps you hooked as the characters and storyline expand. Twists and turns abound, who are the good and the bad characters?. Such fine detail and imaginary scenarios.Can't wait for the next book.

Best read in years! The story in this book, is one of the best I have read in years. The characters are awesome, the plot is so well written and inspired, this is such a refreshing change. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for what comes next?

Vivid and captivating This is one of those books you never want to end, because the story grabs you from the first page and never lets go. You are instantly involved with the people and lose all track of time as you follow them through their trials and troubles. The people feel real and vivid, fully fleshed out characters with their own personal histories and stories that you want to follow to find out what happens to them, and because the plot won't let you go.As you read, you find out that you are in the hands of a master story teller who adds layer after layer to the unfolding tapestry. The book starts with two teens playing a computer game, and this is very well done, but then things get way more interesting as the game becomes real. The game is hosted on a quantum computer (a QARMA kernel) but it turns out that the QARMA is actually a bridge to that world that is inhabited by people just as real as you and me; yes, it sounds silly but like all good scifi once you take the leap it all works.One of the key computer engineers realises that the NPCs (non-player characters) routinely killed in their millions by the game monsters and as cannon fodder are actually real people and tries to stop the slaughter by patching the kernel. This is where things go badly wrong, and the rest of the book tries to recover from the disaster, but the recovery can only be done from inside the QARMA world.High adventure, wonderful characters, vivid and compelling plot, staged reveals that keep you guessing and a total suspension of disbelief for page after page. I loved it.

Wow! Received this book as a gift. What a well written and captivating story! The world building is great. The descriptions are so vivid, without being too drawn out. Not a dull moment, every page is driven with plot, dialogue and action. It was honestly very hard to put down - my only complaint is that it kept me from getting my work done! I can't wait for the sequel!

Excellent! I don't usually do reviews, but in this case I am. A really good book. The interweaving of different elements is exceptional. A thoroughly good and original read. Can't wait for the film!!

Interwoven storytelling, nice sci-fi mix I started this based on a recommendation on Facebook I think. Downloaded a sample and really got into it.The story addresses a thought experiment, viewed from both sides of the coin, I really loved this book after having survived the rather slow start 🙂

Amazing character and world building Absolutely captivating story arc with completely unexpected twists. This is one of the best books I've read in years, and I read 50-75 books a year.Just when you think a conclusion is coming, but you know there are too many unread pages are waiting, a twist comes that could never have been expected.Totally compelling read. Don't pass this one by.

I liked it. A good story well told.

Grone! The best, most engaging read of the year. Well done! Don’t believe me. Read it and discover a new world.

Captivating. Not often do I finish a book that is not enticing . I will admit to being a little fearful of another teeny bopper book. After reading I am looking forward to the next in series. I recommend this read to the chronically addicted Sci Fi reader who finds themselves bombarded by paplum and wishing for a change. Good job.

WOW!!!!! The word that comes to mind is PHENOMENAL! This story is exciting, thrilling, captivating, really well written. I hope the next installment is soon, like tomorrow! Kudos to the author!

Page-turning sci-fi that engrosses the reader as it asks a very big question. It's been a long time since I've read a book that made me want to take a day off from work so I could plow through the story, undisturbed by the responsibilities of the real world. This book did that. It is a fun page turner with humor and real emotional impact. But, that's all just window dressing for the big question it poses: What constitutes a "real" life? The author creates a reality where the answer to that question is more complicated than you might think.This book upholds the standards of the very best science fiction. It uses not-very-far-in-the-future, fictional science to ask big questions, and make thought-provoking observations.Really good stuff.

Creative & Clever A great read. Looking forward to the next one. Well written with lots of thought-provoking situations and revelations. Lots of fun throughout.

outstanding Best read I have had this year! I cannot wait to read the rest of the books! Get writing man!

Brilliantly plotted and filled with memorable characters GRONE is one of the most intricate, well-plotted and engaging books I'ver read in a very long time. At 600 pages, it felt a little daunting going in, but every plot shift was accounted for, all characters were engaging and remained "in character" throughout.If you love video games, fantasy epics, world-building, adventure... this book is for you. I can imagine this as a streaming TV series, or a movie. The story really takes off in the second chapter, but ties perfectly back to page one at the end.As a debut novel this is a remarkable piece of writing that deserves a wide audience and all of the praise. Looking forward to the next installment.Highly recommended.

Inventive! I've often thought it would be a great read from the inside looking out. Well, this book grabs you by the seat of the pants and flings you across the known arc of the gaming world! And I'm NOT A GAMER! Patrick Cubby does this with humor and his characters are your best friends, though they come from foreign worlds.

Intricate, Complex - A True Escape! Intricate plot with surprising twists and unexpected turns along the way, with extremely well-developed characters I was completely invested in. This was a perfect total escape from real life within the worlds of this book. Amazingly realistic and detailed. If you've ever read a book or played a video/adventure/role-playing game that seemed real to you - or you wished was real - this adventure is for you! Once I finish writing this review, I am immediately buying and reading the next book. Brilliant.

Great I really enjoyed this book.