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 3
8/10
Andrew Karevik
LitRPG, Gamelit, 4x, Strategy
The Story
Charles' crazy wager paid off. After facing near annihilation, he managed to upend Nicos the warmonger and secure a new strip of land near the coast. With Tine growing steadily, he can now turn his attention to developing this new village and turning it into a new powerhouse.
But as always, nothing ever goes as planned. For one, the borders of his new territory do not quite reach the water, so he cannot build a Seaport until he levels up his village. He cannot even access the resource tiles such as the fish, making this place completely depend on Tine for food.
On top of that, Charles still needs to find a way to reinstate Tanders who's been chased away from Igithor by rival Henderson Aimes (with the help of the Silver Fools). One of the possible options is to recruit more Heroes to retake the guildhall, especially since his loyal wizard Alamander has yet to return from his secret leave.
But to get access to those special units, he first needs to build a Hall of Heroes. And for that, he needs rare artifacts....

My Review
Alright, here we go with CivCEO Book 3, and wow, what a ride! After a wild wager and some near-death experiences, Charles secures new land near the coast, setting the stage for more city-building adventures. The challenge? The new territory doesn’t quite hit the waterline, meaning no Seaport and a whole lot of dependence on Tine for basic resources (can you tell I’m fully invested?). But this is Charles we’re talking about isn’t it? So he’s not letting a little thing like a lack of fish stop him from turning this new village into a thriving hub.
The game (book) really amps up with the introduction of new factions and political plays. Henderson Aimes and the Silver Fools have ousted Tanders from Igithor, and now Charles needs to think strategically to bring him back. The Hall of Heroes becomes a crucial objective, requiring rare artefacts to unlock those game-changing special units (like the sports car in age of empires 3). This book keeps you on your toes, balancing between expansion and the looming threats of enemies who don’t quite understand the concept of peaceful coexistence. I’m definitely fully invested and everyone else should be too.
On a more personal note, I’ve got to say, Karevik’s ability to blend economic strategy with fantasy elements keeps me hooked. It’s like reliving those hours spent playing strategy games but with the added bonus of a compelling narrative. And let’s not forget Neil Hellegers’ narration - he brings such life to the characters that it’s hard to hit pause, as he pretty much does with everything he narrates.
Overall, CivCEO 3 ramps up the stakes and complexity, making it an unmissable instalment for fans of the series. Whether you’re into city-building games or just love a good story with a smart, calculating protagonist, this one’s got something for you. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be eagerly waiting to see how Charles navigates the ever-complicating landscape of this fantasy world.
