Book Series Review: CIVCEO Part 2
Review of CivCEO Book 6 by Andrew Karevik
Just when you think things can’t get more intense, CivCEO Book 6 pushes you right back into the air fryer. Charles, our ever-resourceful MC, is now juggling the complexities of international politics and alliances as well as war and dragons. This book really does have a lot of things happening (as it should at this point in a series), with Charles trying to solidify his coalition amidst growing tensions and new enemies lurking in the shadows. (How does this keep on happening?)
What struck me most in this instalment was the introduction of the League of City-States. It felt like a fantasy twist on the United Nations or maybe even the… League of Nations… complete with political manoeuvring and backdoor deals. Trust no one, keep your cards close to your chest etc etc.
Watching Charles navigate these treacherous waters while trying to keep Tyne’s economy afloat was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It reminded me of the delicate balance in Game of Thrones, where one wrong move could mean the end of everything. Without the issues coming in last season though. No comment.
The story’s pace doesn’t let up, and there’s a palpable sense of urgency as Charles and his allies face threats from both within and outside their borders. The stakes have never been higher, and the series does a great job of building tension while also exploring the nuances of leadership and governance. It’s amazing that action and conflict have such a back seat role too, because it seems like we’re almost always on the cusp of something…
Karevik’s storytelling continues to shine, with a narrative that’s both intricate and engaging. I would say this is a must read, but at this point what are you going to do? Skip book 6 and go right into 7? You aren’t fooling anyone. It’s like a roller coaster of political drama, economic strategy, and a dash of magic.
Spoiler alert: as I write this review I’ve already finished the series. Can’t waste good series time on writing these things you know!
CivCEO Book 7
Well, here we are, nearing the end of the CivCEO saga, and what a journey it’s been. For those of us who grew up on classics like Age of Empires and Rome: Total War, diving into this series has been a nostalgic return to managing economies, strategising for war, and occasionally pretending we're still in our teens, pulling all-nighters to finish just one more campaign. Andrew Karevik delivers a satisfying conclusion over these last two books that hits all the right notes for a 30-something like me, trying to relive the glory days without the sleep deprivation!
In Book 7 Charles faces perhaps his most challenging scenario yet, dealing with the looming threat of the Northern Collective and a potential apocalypse. Not your typical day in the life of a CEO, right? Using his trademark financial acumen, he deftly avoids a costly war, proving that sometimes the pen really is mightier than the sword. And let's not forget the magical goats (love this, kind of reminds me of the Plenty from DCC) and the mysterious Necropolis — Karevik really pulled out all the stops to keep things interesting.
It's been a wild ride watching Charles turn from a mere village manager into a full-fledged world leader. And as someone who enjoys a good mix of strategy and fantasy, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. The only downside? There are no more books to binge once the next one is over. Guess I'll have to dust off my old copy of Pharaoh and relive some more childhood memories while waiting for Karevik's next venture.
Side note, have you read anything by Angel Ramon? His books might be right up your alley…
CivCEO Book 8
Who knew that managing a fantasy civilisation could feel so much like climbing the corporate ladder? In book 8 – and the last book of the series - we finally see Charles' vision come to fruition, but not without the usual hiccups and unexpected twists. Just like in Age of Mythology, where you're always waiting for the next mythological creature to throw a wrench in your plans, here we have the Northern Collective and the impending apocalypse keeping Charles on his toes.
Karevik wraps up the series with a blend of high stakes, humour, and a touch of the fantastical that makes this series so addictive. And for a (never mind my age again) fan of old-school strategy games, it’s a perfect blend of nostalgia and new adventures. The combination of political intrigue, economic strategy, and the occasional supernatural element kept me hooked right to the very end.
Also I don’t want to give away any spoilers here, but there’s a lovely twist and everything gets explained – and a real ending! So you get to feel that sense of completion without cliffhangers and finally understanding everything you wanted or needed to know from the beginning.
Overall, if you're a fan of strategy games and a good underdog story, this series is a must-read.
Seriously, as a fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Primal Hunter, Defiance of the Fall Iron Prince and so many other S-Tier LitRPG books, I wish I hadn’t put this series off for as long as I have. Honestly, it’s got everything you’d want from watching your friend try to complete theme hospital in one go, sharing the mouse and occasionally getting one of those CRT headaches.
Hats off to Mr Karevik. Seriously.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to build a city in Anno 1800 without going bankrupt. Wish me luck!
