Actual Rating 2.5

This work is set in a not-so-distant future where everyone has implanted chips to augment reality. I liked the concept, and it was incorporated well throughout the story. The story begins somewhat slowly, setting up a mystery, but then takes off into a lot of action scenes. Despite all the fighting, there was never any real tension because it was easy to tell that everyone would make it through just fine. While I don't mind LitRPG books, this one leaned so heavily into it that I felt like it detracted from time that could have been spent strengthening other aspects.

The characters were on the weaker side. I felt like the character with the most development was the one who barely got page time. However, I did like the family dynamics that were included, and thought that it added a strong aspect to the plot. The worldbuilding was also pretty weak.

This book does set up well for the sequel and I enjoyed the ending, but I don't think I'll continue the series. If you enjoy LitRPG books with light dystopian/sci-fi elements, then you may enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"Evoker" is Book 1 of The Dyrnwyn Strain, a fantasy trilogy by Josh Erikson. I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down! It's very exciting and fast-paced.

Lainey and Rhea are sisters. Lainey is a computer programmer. She has disappeared, and Rhea gets worried and calls her father, Michael, for help. A prototype game program gets uploaded to the father's EVO (Embedded Virtual Optimesh), a neural chip that lets one see and play in virtual reality right in the brain.

People are hunting for this program and are willing to kill for it. Michael and Rhea are hunting for Lainey. As they search, Michael acquires magic skills and treasures provide physical weapons and defense. Monsters attack that must be dispelled. The monsters and magic seem to bring real pain, plus sounds, smells, and heat or cold. It's like you're in the game - litRPG, very well done.

The audiobook is read by the author, and he did an excellent job of it!

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 38/8 = 4 6/8 rounded up to 5 stars

If you like RPG games, you might enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the next two books in this series!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op., and Josh Erikson for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!!

I want to first say that there were a lot of good elements to this story, but I read it after some great books and it didn't live up to how great those books were so that affected my rating.

You know, I will be brutally honest, I don’t usually like to listen to books read by the author, most while they know the story be heart, they don’t really put their heart on reading, if you know what I mean… and I must say, I am really happy that I didn’t noticed this book would be read by the author, because I really enjoyed both the story and the audiobook, let me explain, the story is a bit like the inception movie meets the matrix with a twist of death note, without the need of writing a name in a journal and takes place in the real world, its really hard to explain, but its like our main character and his daughter are main players in a game and reality and fiction mixes in a very scary way… and I wont give spoilers, but I really enjoyed the story and even more the way Josh Erikson brought this story to life.

I don’t give this praise often, but I enjoyed this narration as much as I did with Connor Brannigan, this author just proved to me in this book that he really is a one man band, he alone brought to life all characters, even females, yeah and I enjoyed every minute of this narration.

Please grab a copy for yourself and listen to this audiobook, while the reading version must be as good as the audiobook, I advise you to get the full experience and listen to this read by the author! I find it very worthwhile.

Thank you Netgalley and Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.

Michael Balder isn’t a fan of the EVO system, a neural chip that lets people customize reality like a social media feed. But when his older daughter, Laine, goes missing, he and his younger daughter, Rhea, have no choice but to chase after her in virtual reality. Of course, it’s more complicated than that, but why would I spoil it for you?

The world turns into a digital nightmare, a shadowy cabal wants to break the system, and there’s magic.

I liked how Evoker balanced intense action, VR-fueled chaos, and the emotional weight of a family trying to stay together in impossible circumstances. The story takes its time setting things up, but once it gets going, it really gets going. Michael and Rhea tear through a city filled with digital horrors and bad guys, looking for clues and trying to survive. There’s lots of action, but Erikson never loses sight of the family drama.

While I generally enjoyed the ride, I found parts of the story predictable. It was always clear who’d be safe and that close calls would stay just that. I’m also not the biggest fan of LitRPG mechanics or the whole leveling-up concept. Erikson does it more subtly than most, so fans of the genre will probably like it, but it didn’t do much for me. So why did I read it? Simple - I liked Erikson’s previous work.

Anyway, if you’re into high-stakes adventures with heart, a bit of tech-driven paranoia, and some genuinely cool magic, Evoker is worth a read. Plus, Josh Erikson narrates the audiobook himself, and he’s really good at it!

Fast paced futuristic urban tech fantasy audiobook story. A story of possible retribution of big corporations chasing a buck with no regard. Eventually someone will fight back. A father is dropped into the middle of this major conspiracy along with his younger daughter, as they search for her sister in a world connected, bright and vibrant but now darkly deadly and real. Games are meant to be fun - not this one! But this audio story certainly is a rollercoaster thrill to enjoy. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Josh continues to demonstrate his talent, building upon the strengths seen in his previous works. "Evoker" presents a unique experience, diverging from the more familiar progression fantasy tropes. While it initially felt like a slow burn, favoring introspection and emotional depth over rapid advancement, it ultimately proved to be a compelling meditation on grief and transformation.

The story unfolds with a deliberate pace, inviting the reader to truly feel the weight of its themes. This approach, while initially challenging, revealed a raw and honest narrative that lingers long after the final page. It's a story that demands to be felt, and while it may not satisfy the craving for immediate gratification, it offers a deeper, more resonant experience.

In contrast to the introspective moments, the book also delivers moments of intense action and inventive world-building. There are sections that truly grab your attention, propelling the narrative forward with a sense of urgency. The balance between these elements creates a dynamic reading experience, keeping you engaged throughout.

While the emotional depth and unique pacing might not appeal to every reader, "Evoker" offers a thoughtful and ultimately rewarding journey. It's a testament to the author's ability to craft stories that resonate on a deeper level, even if the initial approach requires patience. I find myself looking forward to seeing how these themes are further explored in future installments.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars)

Evoker is an absolute masterpiece—a mind-bending, high-octane blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and gamelit elements that had me completely immersed from start to finish. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it throws you into a vividly crafted, pulse-pounding world where technology, reality, and power collide in the most exhilarating way.

The premise is gripping: in a future where neural chips allow people to interact with reality in ways never before imagined, Michael Balder’s world is shattered when his daughter goes missing. What follows is a thrilling descent into a digital and physical battleground, where hidden secrets, nightmarish transformations, and dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows. The pacing? Flawless. The world-building? Phenomenal. And the twists? I was hooked.

But what made this book even better? Josh Erikson narrates it himself. And let me tell you—he is just as brilliant as a narrator as he is an author. His performance brings so much depth, energy, and nuance to the characters and action. You can feel every high-stakes moment, every emotional beat, making this one of the most immersive audiobooks I’ve ever experienced.

I loved Evoker so much that I immediately downloaded book two, and I will be reaching out to get a signed copy because this book needs to be on my shelf. If you love fast-paced cyberpunk-meets-fantasy adventures, expertly woven twists, and books that keep you thinking long after you’ve finished, Evoker is an absolute must-read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Josh Erikson, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to experience this phenomenal audiobook!

This is a solid start to a series and I was hooked right from the beginning. This one is reminiscent of books like Ready Player One so if you like that kind of book, this one will be a good one to pick up. When I first started this one I didn't realize it was a lit-rpg but I was fine with it as I have read these kinds of books before. I think this one would have been interesting if it were solely AI/robot based as well but this was still a good read.

The author also does the narration for this book and I think he does a great job with the voices and making them unique enough to follow along with.

Thank you NetGalley and Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

An exciting romp through a lit/rpg type sci-fi that centers around family bonds. I loved that Erikson chose a father/daughter protagonist team and made our hero a 47 yo dad who really loves and cares for his children, and who values his wife and her memory. For a sci-fi, it gave me really cozy feelings and I loved the concept of what could happen if we all wore chips in our bodies and how dangerous that has the power to be. I think the author handled the day to day interference of notices and "game prompts" in a realistic way and was just as annoyed as the protagonist when the pop-ups appeared. The audio version was read by the author and was very well done. I had a great time and enjoyed this read.

The story follows a father burdened by grief and financial woes, striving to protect his daughters from their precarious situation. This familial struggle propels them into a virtual reality game with life-altering consequences, drawing comparisons to "Ready Player One" but with a more mature tone and elevated stakes. Josh Erikson has the perfect Audio voice for this genre, he adds a depth to the story that’s missed from the physical book form. Really looking forward to the next instalments!

Evokerweaves a gripping, neon-lit labyrinth where tech and magic collide. Erikson crafts a sharp critique of corporate dystopia through Michael’s desperate quest, blending heart-pounding action with poignant family bonds. The EVO’s augmented reality is vividly immersive, though occasional info-dumps slow momentum. RPG elements add playful depth without overshadowing the emotional core, and Michael’s reluctant magic evolution feels earned. While some tropes lean familiar, the relentless pace and layered worldbuilding promise explosive potential for the trilogy. A smart, thrilling launchpad for fans of Ready Player One meets Shadowrun—where saving humanity starts with a father’s love. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the audiobook ARC.

Evoker by Josh Erikson is a LitRPG that immediately pulls you in. Michael Balder and his daughter Rhea are yanked into a fast passed adventure to help Laine, Michael’s daughter thwart a scorched earth plot,

Laine discovers the eco political group Prometheus have downloaded a program so they can hijack and control the virtual reality program EVO that controls all aspects of life. She creates a virus called Dyrnwyn 1.0 in order to save the world from the Prometheus group, and it is up to Michael and Rhea to help Laine save the population.

I was able to read and listen to the book side by side. The writing was great, and suitable for all ages. Erikson also does a great job with the narration keeping the listener engaged and with the capability to provide unique voice for all characters. It was a great pleasure reading/listing to this book and I strongly recommend it.

Thank you, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ALC and eARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Print Pub Date:

Tags:
#Evoker
#TheDyrnwynStrain
#JoshErikson
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

3/5 ⭐️

Evoker is like Sci-Fi Pokemon Go with a chance your body thinks it’s being burned alive when Charmander shows up. Like a Ready Player One played out overlayed on top of the real world. Specifically as an idea it’s pretty interesting and makes for a fast paced adventure through metro streets. Unfortunately, the world and characters fell mostly flat for me, the most fleshed out character is one that is never actually on page; the world building is nearly nonexistent anywhere within. It reads more like the first act of a single novel than as the first book in a series. I will likely pick up the sequels in hopes there is a solid omnibus one day.

(4.0 Stars)

This is a promising start of a series. I thank @NetGalley (and the author) for making this audiobook available for me to read and review.

The book's description included a statement that it would be good for fans of Neuromancer and Ready Player One. While that might be accurate, since I am a "fan" of both those other works, I think this is a lot more like a LitRPG than a true CyberPunk like Neuromancer, and there are none of the pop-cultural references that make Ready Player One a true gem.

It is timely, given the current outrage aimed at the healthcare industry, but I think that is just coincidence. The major characters are done well and seem to be developing. They have motivation and seem to "learn" but there isn't much foresight given to the characters and much of the discovery happens after actions take place. The "world" is also like our own, but also more LitRPG than Cyber where Physics are more a suggestion than a rule.

The audiobook is expertly narrated by the author, so that is a really nice touch. The positives about this book are the story is interesting, it is written beautifully, and it makes you want to read more. The only real negatives are that outside of the characters being written about, the rest of the world isn't really part of the story, almost an afterthought. And that there aren't enough crumbs being dropped to let you anticipate future events before they are happening, which also seems to be how much of the LitRPG is written (with few exceptions).

Evoker takes us on a day’s journey: sadness, stress, puzzles, and triumphs. A man who lost his wife and is saddled with crippling debt is trying to keep his head above water while shielding his two college-age daughters from the precariousness of their financial situation. But of course kids know what’s happening, and the eldest takes matters into her own hands. From this point, we are off on a roller-coaster of a virtual reality “game” of high stakes. It’s engaging and inventive. While the dad-as-hero is slow to give his daughters credit for their skills, he clearly believes he is putting their best interests first. It’s easy to root for this family. It’s a more grown-up version of Ready, Player One in terms of the gaming experience, with much higher stakes. I look forward to listening to the next two audiobooks in this trilogy. The author does an excellent job with the narration!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #Evoker for review purposes. It is now available, with the second (Revoker) due out in April 2025.