Author of LitRPG, Gamelit, Sci-Fi, Progression Fantasy & Historical Fiction Books.
Author of LitRPG, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Sci-Fi, Murder Mystery & Historical Fiction Books.
CivCEO Book 2
8/10
Andrew Karevik
LitRPG, Gamelit, 4x, Strategy
The Story
Now a Level 3 village, Tine has grown considerably since that fateful day Charles Morris got thrown in Liora by mistake and decided to become its Champion. With threats of uprising behind him, Charles could focus on bringing the Satisfaction and Happiness rates higher than ever, while also adding the basic structures that would generate enough weekly income to keep Tine growing steadily.
But as with the companies he used to run in his previous life, he'll find that the bigger a village gets, the bigger the problems.
Follow our dear champion as he embarks on a delicate mission to switch governments. Follow him as he must select the best candidates for new advisor slots as they open and also find a way to up his Cultural Points in order to unlock new options in the Great Picture...all the while having to deal with a mighty warmonger and a mysterious group of thieves that could very well ruin everything he's been working so hard for.
My Review
After devouring CivCEO book 1, I jumped straight into CivCEO 2 by Andrew Karevik, and it did not disappoint. This sequel picks up with Charles Morris, our MC, now managing a Level 3 village (amazing). The narrative maintains the 4X game vibe, focusing on economic strategies and village management, but also adds new layers with political challenges and cultural developments, something I knew would help flesh out the story and keep it interesting – (which it does).
The plot thickens as Charles faces the complexities of governance and the need to juggle multiple advisor slots, all while dealing with external threats like a warmonger and a mysterious group of thieves. The author once again does an excellent job of blending these elements with the (almost) LitRPG genre, making it feel like you’re playing a game but without the need for a controller, as any Gamelit should in my opinion. Also I loved these kind of games back in my day, so this series really takes me right back!
What stands out in this instalment, and the series in general, is the balance of story-driven content and game-like mechanics. There’s less emphasis on action (almost none in fact) and more on strategic thinking, which kept me hooked, even if I’d have denied this being a thing before starting on this CEO journey. The village of Tine continues to grow, but as it does, the problems also scale, making it a fascinating journey of growth and management.
If you’re into LitRPG and enjoy the 4X genre, this series is a must-read. It’s a binge-worthy continuation that left me eagerly awaiting more from Karevik. Whether you’re new to the series or following along, CivCEO Book 2 is a solid entry that builds well on the first book. Highly recommend!