What is Sparta Online All About?
Author J. F. Danskin explains the thinking behind a unique LitRPG series.
I write LitRPG, a genre that is known for its use of D&D-style stats and fantasy or sci-fi settings. In fact, the novels often feel a bit like following a group of characters for a roleplaying campaign. Not least the apparently never-ending nature of some of the series!
I have written ‘high fantasy’ style LitRPG too, but with my latest release, Sparta Online, I wanted to do something a bit different.
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Greek legends and history. Some of the earliest stories that I read as a kid were the tale of Theseus and the minotaur, and the labors of Hercules.
Of course, there are monsters and gods from Greek myths that run throughout our culture, from movies to Marvel comics.
When planning and writing the Sparta Online LitRPG series, I wanted to capture some of that magic. I wanted a sense of adventure and exploration, and a chance for the reader to feel like they are experiencing the excitement and danger for themselves.
Perhaps surprisingly for a book set in the ancient world, the story begins in the future. The reader learns that after an apocalyptic event, a future city named Technoburbia is recruiting teenage boys and girls into an experimental military project. In doing so, it hopes to win a generational war against its bitter enemy, New Baravia.
Here’s a short extract, when the main character, Troy, starts to get some idea of what he is about to experience:
“We decided to try doing training a little differently,” the General explained, shuffling a little on the bench as he spoke, and folding his chunky arms across his large stomach. “We are following the example of the Spartans.”
“Spartans?” said Troy, staring back suspiciously, and trying to remember where he might have heard this word before. “I don’t really know what that means.”
“You will,” said General Cook. “Don’t worry, you will soon learn all that you need to know about the Spartans, and more besides. For now, I can tell you that they were a warrior people…”
Before long, Troy finds himself in a secretive military lab, wired up to an immersive VR machine. He is introduced to the simulation of Sparta in which he can see and feel everything. It feels just like being in the real world.
With his fellow recruits, he begins to train in ancient weapons, and develop both resilience and leadership skills.
Soon, though, Troy comes to suspect that the simulation is wrong in some way. Is it really meant to be so cruel – so dangerous? Or could it be the case that enemies of their city have somehow infiltrated Sparta Online, and are setting the youths up to fail?
In the following extract, Troy experiences one of his most dangerous training events yet, battling for survival alongside his closest companions in Sparta Online, Plato and Clio:
There were still at least a hundred surviving Stymphalian birds, most of them circling overhead and just out of reach of small clusters of hoplites. There was no sign now of either of the captains. Some hoplites were fighting one another over bows or arrows, but most, like the three friends, had tried to seek shelter in or near one of the buildings.
“How badly hurt are you?” asked Troy, glancing sideways at Clio as he spoke.
“Getting pretty low on hit points,” she growled, wiping at the wound on her face with the back of her hand.
“Those captains are really vile. All they needed to do was warn us. And why not let us practice with the bows beforehand?”
“I told you,” said Clio, walking over to pull the arrow out of the nearby dead Stymphalian bird and then retreating back to the building’s front, “they are out to hurt us, and this training is broken. Hey, can you spare another arrow or two?”
“Sure,” said Plato. “I didn’t get a bow, so help yourself.”
”Thanks. Someone needs to take those things out before they come down again. Looks like Troy here just wants to spectate.”
With a snort, Troy set himself and took another shot, downing another bird just a fraction after Clio did the same. Plato raised his sword and ran around the nearby area picking up stray arrows, striking out at any bird that came too close.
I think Sparta Online achieved what I set out to do. It’s a fun, fast-paced book that makes a historical-feeling world come to life.
And don’t just take my word for it — check out this marvellous review of the first book of the series, on the Untethered Realms fantasy blog, or the ratings on Goodreads— currently 4.4 stars at the time of writing this post.
It’s also not the only LitRPG story focused on the ancient world! This image created by a fellow author shows Sparta Online, book 2 as well as eight other recent releases:
It really is a great moment for Greek and Roman LitRPG!
Have you read Sparta Online, or any of the other books above? If so, I’d love to hear what you enjoyed – and what kind of stories you’d like to see more of in future.
Hi! I am the author of LitRPG and historical fantasy. As well as Sparta Online, I have written a web-novel called Sorcerer, a classic coming-of-age fantasy LitRPG set in the ‘Shadow Kingdoms’ world. And here’s a link to all my books and sites.
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