Awaken Online: Apathy is a Side Quest (novella) in the Awaken Online series by Travis Bagwell. This an origin story for Eliza, a character we meet in book 3.

Eliza's parents have decided she is going to medical school and have loaded her schedule to the brim with studying. Needing an escape Eliza jumps at the chance to try out the latest hit game, Awaken Online. Not long after logging in Eliza runs into the most irritating god around and his pet sheep. Suddenly Eliza finds herself chosen as the Hippie's "avatar" and sent on the most asinine series of quests imaginable.

This book was so much fun! Eliza is quite likeable and easy to sympathize with. I love how the game pushes these characters to become better versions of themselves. It was great to see Eliza grow in confidence as her character progresses through a series of seemingly unrelated and bizarre quests. Speaking of the quests, AO has some of the best in game prompts I've ever read, they're hilarious. I really wish I could play this game.

All hail Fluffy! ( )

This book is Eliza's (the alchemist from book 3) origin story and should probably be called book 2.75 instead of 3.5 as all of its events take place before book 3. I don't usually like following separate characters, but something about the way Travis Bagwell writes these really works for me.

I very much enjoyed this book. The character of Eliza is very likable and accessible. She struggles with self confidence, and being pushed to be what her parents want.

Eliza is given AO as a way to blow off steam and has never really played many games. This lets us get another discovery story about the world without the preconceptions of a gamer.

Good action, good pacing, sticks to the one character, and all around a fun read. ( )