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D L Richardson
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The Apocalypse Games - Pandora (Book 1): A sci-fi adventure story Kindle Edition

by D.L. Richardson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.6 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
Players get more than they can handle when a virtual game of apocalypses malfunctions, trapping them inside the game with no communication in or out.

Kelly, Jack, and Reis are three friends from San Diego, each with their own reasons for signing up to The Apocalypse Games, a virtual reality game designed to prepare people for any number of catastrophic scenarios. But nothing will prepare them for what happens on launch day when the computer malfunctions, trapping over a hundred players inside a never-ending cycle of apocalypses.

Escaping reality is what these players wanted, but not like this. These simulation pods are designed to last 3 days, there’s no communication in or out, and the A.I. is evolving.

They name the artificial intelligence controlling the game Pandora, and the longer they stayed hooked up to her, the more she digs inside their minds. Can they get out of the game before Pandora gets too deep and forces them to confront the reason they entered this virtual world?

Pandora is the first book in The Apocalypse Games, a sci-fi adventure trilogy featuring multiple apocalyptic scenarios as well as compelling characters. If you liked The 100 and The Hunger Games you’ll love this series.

Buy Pandora today to start reading this unique look at a post-apocalyptic world.

(Previously published as Welcome to the Apocalypse)
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Apocalypse Games
  2. Print length
    298 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 21, 2016
  6. File size
    3.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

#1 Bestseller Amazon in Post Apocalyptic Science Fiction #5 Amazon Hot New Release in Science Fiction TV, Movie & Game Tie-In

"It was thoroughly enjoyable. I look forwarding to reading more in this series." - Netgalley reviewer.
"Really enjoyed this book, if you're a fan of apocalyptic fiction then this is definitely the book for you." - Gemma M, Netgalley.
"The character build up is nice and you can see the connections and the relationships build and fit perfectly." - Mike S, Netgalley/Goodreads.
"With today's interest in gaming this book grabs your interest." - Pamela, Librarian, Netgalley review.
"I'm exhausted after reading this roller coaster of a novel. I kept finding myself holding my breath at times. Love the main three characters." - Carol F, Netgalley reviewer.
"This was an action-packed story that also managed to explore the team's personalities and problems." - Bobbie K, Netgalley/Goodreads.
"What makes Welcome to the Apocalypse: Pandora so exhilarating, though, is its ingenuity. It resembles a blend of The Hunger Games and Jumanji, while still maintaining a level of believability not achieved in those works." - Authors Talk About It.
"The suspense is biting and the reader can feel the pulse of the characters. From the very first to the last page, the story is emotionally charged, the action intense, and the conflict driving the plot forward." - Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite.
"The concept and plot was so different to any dystopian novel I've ever come across. It wasn't exactly Terminator, with robots rising up to kill humans, but more like Star Trek-type technology becoming sentient and killing humans." - Rachel Sawyer Diaries.
"Interesting concept - stuck in a virtual reality game." - A.B Shepherd, Goodreads.
"Couldn't wait to keep turning the page to find out what was happening next." - Pauline Ryan, UK.
"Just finished reading it yesterday - couldn't put it down. Looking forward to part two - any hints?" - Gisele Ni Mhoinseal, Spain.

From the Back Cover

"Players. Welcome to the apocalypse..."

Kelly Lawrence is a grieving widow.
Jack Minnow is a website designer.
ReisAnderson is the son of a senator.

Each of these players has their own reasons for signing up to The Apocalypse Games, a state of the art virtual game designed to entertain doomsday preppers, gamers, and cosplayers. Altogether, over 100 people enter NASA designed simulation pods and hook up to the mainframe computer with one goal: survive 24 hours of an apocalypse. Instead ofgame over at the end, they're plugged straight into a new game. Then another. It's clear the computer has malfunctioned. What's not clear is why. With no communication to or from the outside operators, they can only fight endless battles and hope they're rescued before it's too late. While they can't die inside the game, they can die if the pods break down while they're still hooked up. This game of survival just got real.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N01QFTQ
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 21, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Apocalypse Games
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

About the author

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D L Richardson

D L Richardson

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D L Richardson is the author of character-driven science fiction for adults and paranormal fiction books for teens. Whether DL is writing about ghosts, magic, the end of the world, alien invasion, curses, or guardian angels, all her books feature strong character development and lots of twists. You won't find the usual tropes in her books. These are unique stories about regular characters who find themselves in difficult situations.

Sci-fi Adventure series:

The Apocalypse Games - Pandora Book 1

The Apocalypse Games - Cybernexis Book 2

The Apocalypse Games - Chrysalis Book 3

Alien Dystopian series:

Earth Quarantined - Book 1

Earth Arrested - Book 2

Earth Reclaimed - Book 3

Young Adult titles:

The Bird with the Broken Wing

Resident Spy

One Little Spell

Short Stories:

Space Junk: 4 short sci-fi stories

On the web: www.dlrichardson.com

On Facebook: facebook.com/DLRichardsonAuthor

On Twitter: @DLRichardson1

On Goodreads: goodreads.com/DLRichardson

On my Blog: dlrichardsonwrites.blogspot.com.au

Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
34 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Andy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Hunger Games (imho)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was charmed by the book cover which is amazing, and I thought, let's give this book a chance. I started reading it without knowing anything about the story and found it phenomenal. Imagine being stuck in a virtual game where the artificial intelligence doesn't necessarily mean well! Awesome. The book is compared to Hunger Games. I found this one much better, better paced, and with more engaging characters. I would love to see a movie adaptation! Until then, I will rush to the sequels!
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  • Galileon
    1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I got a little over 10% into the story and quit. Out of three potential MCs, two guys and a gal, the author chose to use the gal as the MC, which would not have been bad in a VR game setting but, she's all depressed and still in mourning over the death of her spouse and to top it all is NOT a gamer! So the two guys, who are gamers, waste a lot of time trying to keep the chick safe. For me, this really took a lot of the fun out of the story, and I can't recommend it.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Jeanette
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced, gripping - virtual reality at its scariest
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Welcome to the Apocalypse (Pandora, #1) by D L Richardson keep me reading right to the end.

    In The Apocalypse Games players are trapped in a virtual reality game that introduces a range of potential human extinction events and a sentient AI, Pandora. The apocalypses keep up the suspense, but it is the emotional and personal challenges that Kelly (a grieving widow), Jack, Kelly's concerned brother and his business partner, Reis, face as they interact with the challenges of the game and the NPCs that makes this a gripping read.

    Though the ending was a bit sudden I really enjoyed the read and look forward to reading then next in the series.
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  • Keith B.
    2.0 out of 5 stars Monotonous and directionnless
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2017
    Format: Kindle
    I received a free copy of this book through Library thing's Early Reviewers program.

    The synopsis is what drew me to this book. It reminded me of Ready Player One, but with more of a serious tone to it. But I had a hard time getting through this one.

    People signed up a for 24 hour virtual reality apocalypse simulation, but something goes wrong and the game places the players into another simulation, then another. The problem with this is that the players' bodies are in a sleep state while their minds are fully immersed in the apocalypse scenarios. To the reader it seems like an endless scenario. No real option for ending the cycle is available and it all felt purposeless. There is a lot of action but i didn't find it particularly riveting. After all, it's all virtual. No one can really die.

    The characters are flat and uninteresting. Kelly, approaching the one year anniversary of her husband's death, is kind of annoying. Reis is a rich kid who has a secret crush on Kelly. Jack, Kelly's brother, has the most interesting storyline.

    There were several discussions amongst the characters about retaining their humanity in the face of life and death decisions, but it didn't feel connected enough to the story to be a central theme. I just never ft a real sense of direction from this story.
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  • RussellR
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good idea, but a little grating
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The blurb gives away a lot of the plot, which I never think is a good idea. But I won't spoil any more of it for you.

    The main thing that irritated me is that this is set in a virtual reality world, but one of the main characters is so anti-violence that she hates the thought of even killing vampires or zombies. I think this alone will make a lot of people stop reading this book as it's quite grating. It's not just the one character though. It's quite a strong theme through the book and it's quite grating; it's almost like the author has a personal issue with killing in a virtual reality world.

    The execution of the story was alright, but I think it feel well below its potential., given the general idea of the story.

    I'd give it a 3 or 3.5 star rating; it wasn't bad, and I'll likely get book two, but I really feel that it could have been so much better.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love reading books about the apocalypse
    One person found this helpful
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  • Natalie @ ABookLoversLife
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique and exciting.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    Players hook up to a new virtual reality world where you have to survive an apocalyptic event for 24hrs, after which time, you come out of your pod and return to the real world. But that's not what happens to three friends. When Jack, Kelly and Reis hook into the game, they complete their first day but are then immediately transported to another situation. It's not till it keeps happening that they realise that something isn't right! They will have to hope someone outside will save them before it's too late.

    I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was a unique LitRPG book. I've read a few and while they deal with a virtual world it's not like this one. In Pandora, the players are put into apocalyptic situations like zombies, aliens, end of the world things, and are told to put together a bug out bag and reach safety. I loved seeing all the different places they were sent to and loved experiencing them with the characters. Even though you know it's not real and you can't die, it's hard to not react when a dangerous situation presents itself!!

    I liked the characters too. Kelly's husband worked on the game, and upon his death, she decided to have a look and see what it was all about. Plus she hopes to see something of her husband in the game. My heart went out to Kelly!! She doesn't really want to take part, but the game wont let her sit on the sidelines. Jack and Reis were also awesome characters. They were all well written and developed.

    I think I loved the sense of urgency created by the characters the most. That's what kept me reading quickly. They know that they can't survive long hooked up to the game without experiencing some serious complications, so as you're reading, you are feeling the need to figure things out and the sense that things are coming to a head soon. You're heart is pounding along with the characters!!

    In all, this was a great read. It's unique and exciting and I'm looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see where the author takes the story.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow this book is exhausting to read because you feel part of the story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book is extremely well written and really does make you real trapped in a virtual world. The author really has studied apocalyptic scenario in all situations some you would expect and some with a lot of humour. This book is really about the survival of the mind and dealing with pain and guilt. Well worth a read.
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  • Books n Giggles
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intense
    Reviewed in Australia on April 20, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you think this book is about gaming, think again. Yes, it's set in a big computer game gone wrong, but it's a comment about human nature, and how the worst of circumstances brings out the best and worst of people. DL Richardson is astute in pinning down those emotions and responses. I've read previous works from this author and while they're all good, this is the best so far.
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  • Marie Thorpe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical Apocalypse!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It was an enjoyable read with a nice change from the typical Zombie apocalypse theme. I found it hard to put down!
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