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Nullform #3
Nullform #3
By now Elb is the talk of the entire Outskirts. Just imagine – he can venture into places that most locals won’t even dare go near. He has, after all, passed through the terrifying Stagnant Cesspool like a knife through butter, doing justice on its vile inhabitants. And now he joins the ranks of those regarded with favor by the System, being promoted for achievement, and receiving bonuses and access to new goodies.
However, our hero’s plans do not include hanging around this dump. He and his unit, recently expanded to the tune of one fighter, are headed to Drainagetown – a place teaming with even stronger groups. Capitulation to the strong of this world is against his rules, as is ignoring what repulses him. The cannibals residing in the swamp known as The Stink, who snatch people and trade their flesh, are unaware that in crossing Elb’s path, they are inviting problems.
At the same time, our hero continues to unravel the knot of the unknown, to figure out the nature of the world he finds himself in, and with the aid of memback, he is beginning to recall fragments of his previous life. And it may be that he was not such a good boy back then...
Read in English the latest installment in the LitRPG “Nullform” cycle, created by the master of classic LitRPG Dem Mikhailov!
However, our hero’s plans do not include hanging around this dump. He and his unit, recently expanded to the tune of one fighter, are headed to Drainagetown – a place teaming with even stronger groups. Capitulation to the strong of this world is against his rules, as is ignoring what repulses him. The cannibals residing in the swamp known as The Stink, who snatch people and trade their flesh, are unaware that in crossing Elb’s path, they are inviting problems.
At the same time, our hero continues to unravel the knot of the unknown, to figure out the nature of the world he finds himself in, and with the aid of memback, he is beginning to recall fragments of his previous life. And it may be that he was not such a good boy back then...
Read in English the latest installment in the LitRPG “Nullform” cycle, created by the master of classic LitRPG Dem Mikhailov!
629 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2021
32 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2021
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
As the title says this is an Advance Copy Review and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: good
Game elements: minimal
Harem elements: none
Tone: some humor, mostly serious, somewhat martial theme
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
As the title says this is an Advance Copy Review and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: good
Game elements: minimal
Harem elements: none
Tone: some humor, mostly serious, somewhat martial theme
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
October 20, 2021
Fascinating world, a plot that moves at exactly -
the right pace. A system we are learning more about
as each book continues. Rewards that make the progrees possible. And a lot of exciting questions I look forward to being answered. This is agreat series for sure
the right pace. A system we are learning more about
as each book continues. Rewards that make the progrees possible. And a lot of exciting questions I look forward to being answered. This is agreat series for sure
December 14, 2022
Meh, story going downhill. Perhaps because our MC is starting to rub me the wrong way
October 19, 2021
Great book!
I love the plots and twists. You have a great imagination and you clearly know how to make your readers want more. Thanks for sharing!
I love the plots and twists. You have a great imagination and you clearly know how to make your readers want more. Thanks for sharing!
Read
February 1, 2022The series degenerates into the usual crap.
What started out seeming to be a cut above the rest in the rpg-lit genre goes to shit in this book. It drags on and on with little growth towards the plot progression. There are several editing errors as expected in poor publishing practice. I'm done with the series, I don't need to finish. I will not need to follow the author.
What started out seeming to be a cut above the rest in the rpg-lit genre goes to shit in this book. It drags on and on with little growth towards the plot progression. There are several editing errors as expected in poor publishing practice. I'm done with the series, I don't need to finish. I will not need to follow the author.
Read
December 24, 2021The story reminds me of the old computer game Planetscape Torment as the protagonist is awakened (presumably after his death) in a body consisting of seemingly random sewn-together body parts. Without much introduction he is thrown into a truly dystopian underworld to fend for his continued existence.
The serie started very mysterious and with huge potential. However, after finishing the third book i must say that i am a bit underwhelmed. There are no really stunning or even more than mildly interesting revelations or discoveries so far and the characters stay very two dimensional. When you compare the series to similar series (for example the Metro 2033 series) the Nullform series is even quite boring unfortunately. The increasing drug abuse of the main character (at mostly really inconvenient times) in book 3 to get back some memories was rather anticlimatic for me as it did not (as intented by the author) make him more interesting to me but rather show that he is not the great tough leader he pretends to be but only an irresponsible junkie.
The whole concept of amputating limbs for laziness seems quite counterproductive if the system needs worker drones desperately. There would be way better ways to motivate workers.
The serie started very mysterious and with huge potential. However, after finishing the third book i must say that i am a bit underwhelmed. There are no really stunning or even more than mildly interesting revelations or discoveries so far and the characters stay very two dimensional. When you compare the series to similar series (for example the Metro 2033 series) the Nullform series is even quite boring unfortunately. The increasing drug abuse of the main character (at mostly really inconvenient times) in book 3 to get back some memories was rather anticlimatic for me as it did not (as intented by the author) make him more interesting to me but rather show that he is not the great tough leader he pretends to be but only an irresponsible junkie.
The whole concept of amputating limbs for laziness seems quite counterproductive if the system needs worker drones desperately. There would be way better ways to motivate workers.
January 19, 2024
Well, I thought Nullform might have been a good introduction to the LitRPG genera for someone who struggles with the genera, but alas, it wasn't.
Book one of Nullform was OK and had an interesting premise, but it slowly - very slowly through books 1-3 ebbed downhill in its story structure. I found it made very little sense and some aspects of the plot were rather ridiculous in some places... with the translations being so confused I had no idea what was happening at times, so now after finishing book 3, I'm afraid I am parting ways with this series of books.
Nullform doesn't seem to have a coherent or well-thought-through story plot and I'm not the only one who thinks so. My hubby is mad on litRPG, (it's mostly all he reads.) so I recommended Nullform to him and he came to the same conclusion as myself - he wasn't impressed either.
So now I have to hang my head in shame in recommending this to him :0(( ( Clearly, I do not know what I'm doing when it comes to recommending litRPG to an aficionado of the genera like my husband, who has been reading litRPG for some years.) I'm rather embarrassed to have suggested this to him after I finished Nullform #3 it was clear this was not going to be a series we could continue with :0((
Not to worry though, my hubby gave me a playful head rub (he knows I was trying out litRPG for him so we could read something together) and has taken the reins by recommending a litRPG called Shadow Slave :0)) So here I go again into the uncharted LitRPG terrain, full of hope that I will find an LitRPG to love.
Book one of Nullform was OK and had an interesting premise, but it slowly - very slowly through books 1-3 ebbed downhill in its story structure. I found it made very little sense and some aspects of the plot were rather ridiculous in some places... with the translations being so confused I had no idea what was happening at times, so now after finishing book 3, I'm afraid I am parting ways with this series of books.
Nullform doesn't seem to have a coherent or well-thought-through story plot and I'm not the only one who thinks so. My hubby is mad on litRPG, (it's mostly all he reads.) so I recommended Nullform to him and he came to the same conclusion as myself - he wasn't impressed either.
So now I have to hang my head in shame in recommending this to him :0(( ( Clearly, I do not know what I'm doing when it comes to recommending litRPG to an aficionado of the genera like my husband, who has been reading litRPG for some years.) I'm rather embarrassed to have suggested this to him after I finished Nullform #3 it was clear this was not going to be a series we could continue with :0((
Not to worry though, my hubby gave me a playful head rub (he knows I was trying out litRPG for him so we could read something together) and has taken the reins by recommending a litRPG called Shadow Slave :0)) So here I go again into the uncharted LitRPG terrain, full of hope that I will find an LitRPG to love.
September 23, 2022
Elb continues his hunt for information while taking his squad up the systems task list, frequently in the least pleasant ways possible. Now he's taking it upon himself to clean up parts of Drainage town, the land of the water, sewage, and other resource filtration. His fantasy analogies begin to extend to nymphs and gnomes AND we begin to get more hints at the world that came before this.
My hypothesis is still thinking either post large civilization collapse or a base from an early space colony attempt.
(I did have trouble following at certain parts but that felt more like me trying to do other things while going through this in audiobook ; giving it a 4 as I think i'd go through this again)
My hypothesis is still thinking either post large civilization collapse or a base from an early space colony attempt.
(I did have trouble following at certain parts but that felt more like me trying to do other things while going through this in audiobook ; giving it a 4 as I think i'd go through this again)
October 23, 2021
Book three
I received an ARC of this book where I looked for issues with the translation from Russian to English. Hopefully all the errors I found are corrected and you can get a stronger enjoyment from reading a really fun story. This series is so different from most litrpg. So worth reading.
Problems I can't fix though are a lack of a forward that reminds you of what happened in book one, and two.
I still give this a 8/10
I received an ARC of this book where I looked for issues with the translation from Russian to English. Hopefully all the errors I found are corrected and you can get a stronger enjoyment from reading a really fun story. This series is so different from most litrpg. So worth reading.
Problems I can't fix though are a lack of a forward that reminds you of what happened in book one, and two.
I still give this a 8/10
February 9, 2022
Editing continues downhill (see introduction of Bren). Action is quick and often just involves gunshots and then a quick inquiry if anyone is hurt. Protagonist is an asshole, all the Powers seem to hate him but inwardly love him for it.
Do you live for when people exercise and fight in sewage? This one's for you.
Do you live for when people exercise and fight in sewage? This one's for you.
March 18, 2023
Warning!
This book is the most hardcore depiction of the deepest depths of depravity that humanity can sink to. On the other hand, it was well written, clever, with excellent characters, and filled with gratuitous violence that I highly enjoyed! Read at your own risk! And with great risk comes great rewards.
This book is the most hardcore depiction of the deepest depths of depravity that humanity can sink to. On the other hand, it was well written, clever, with excellent characters, and filled with gratuitous violence that I highly enjoyed! Read at your own risk! And with great risk comes great rewards.
October 23, 2021
Interesting
Series is interesting and intriguing, I read the book in a day. It was hard to put down. Well written and full of action.
Series is interesting and intriguing, I read the book in a day. It was hard to put down. Well written and full of action.
January 26, 2024
Our 'hero' has devolved into a mass torturing murderous vigilante, the gore has become too much to keep reading.
April 15, 2024
Another good one in the series.
May 14, 2025
Plot and World-BuildingNullform #3 continues the dystopian LitRPG saga, following Elb's journey through the treacherous Outskirts. This installment delves deeper into the dark, post-apocalyptic world, blending action, mystery, and psychological elements.
The narrative picks up with Elb gaining notoriety for his exploits, notably his passage through the Stagnant Cesspool. Now, he ventures into Drainagetown, confronting stronger adversaries and uncovering more about the world's grim realities. The setting remains richly detailed, with areas like "The Stink" inhabited by cannibals, adding to the world's perilous ambiance. [Source: Fantastic Fiction]
Character DevelopmentElb's character arc becomes more complex as he regains fragments of his past through "memback" sessions. These revelations hint at a morally ambiguous history, adding depth to his persona. However, some readers feel that his transformation leans towards a more ruthless and less relatable figure. [Source: Goodreads]
Thematic ElementsThe book explores themes of identity, memory, and the human psyche's resilience. The use of "memback" to retrieve past memories raises questions about self-perception and the influence of past actions on present identity.
Writing Style and PacingMikhailov's prose maintains a balance between descriptive world-building and action-driven sequences. The pacing is generally steady, though some readers note a lack of significant plot progression in this volume.
Community reviews are mixed. While some praise the immersive world and intricate plot, others criticize the protagonist's development and the story's direction. For instance:
"The series degenerates into the usual crap. What started out seeming to be a cut above the rest in the rpg-lit genre goes to shit in this book." – Scott Sammons
Overall Assessment"Fascinating world, a plot that moves at exactly the right pace. A system we are learning more about as each book continues." – Stig
Nullform #3 offers a deeper dive into its dystopian setting and protagonist's psyche. While it enriches the series' lore, it may not satisfy all readers due to its pacing and character shifts.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews