Too many rage monologues

I saw someone write something similar before but I just can’t identify myself with the MC, I don’t know how it feels to have anger issues which probably explains why most of the MC’s monologues seemed irrational to me. Also the dark elf guy, I am not homophobic, but scenes with him were a bit uncomfortable to me. But besides that the story is fine. The world seemed to be shaping well and I hope there will be more dungeons. I just wish that John would maybe pay some attention to what’s happening in the towns and with people, because really his monologue are getting really annoying after some point. I am willing to give the next book a try and see where it goes from there.

8 people found this helpful

Unexpected!!

This book rocked!! I read the blurb and had a picture of what I thought it was about, but this is so much better than I thought. The plot was unique and intriguing!! The basic premise is that John needed a break and so went to Kluane National Park for the weekend, little did he know that his life is about to change beyond anything he ever thought! He wakes up to a world completely changed. He is living in a game, but it's not a game, it's real life and he needs to figure out how to survive and level up before it's too late! The plot was fast paced, intriguing and exciting!

I didn't really like John. I found his anger issues just.... weird and annoying. I felt like there was no need for them, but then again, maybe it's revealed in a later book!! All I know is that I had a hard time connecting with him. Not that I totally hated him, he did have some redeeming qualities and I'm hoping he grows a bit more in the next one.

The world building was the best thing about this book. I loved the idea behind it and feel like it's a novel and unique LitRPG book that everyone should read. I loved trying to figure out the world along with the characters. There is also a plethora of magical animals and beings to satisfy everyone. I fell in love with the world and can not wait for the next one!!

In all, a fun and fast read. It captured my attention right from the start and held it till the end. An intriguing and exciting book and I highly recommend!!

I've heard of Nick Podehl before but never listened to anything he has narrated, but that was my mistake because ,wow, he was amazing!! He had an array of tones and voices for all the characters and really brought this to life. It was like listening to a cast of characters instead of just one person. I've already added some of his other ones to my wish list.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

6 people found this helpful

disappointing all round

I have now listened to like 8 books in this series. As much progression happens in the first hour of this book as the entire rest of the series this is a huge underlying problem in the authors writing but I will cover the other problems with this series and why it eventually leaves you dissatisfied with it.

Firstly 1 dimensional characters and a railroad plot make this impossible to invest in. For example everyone expects John to do everything all the time.

"hey John fight literal everyone in the universe who wants earth with no help and then come here and pay for my new start up which will literal never pay you back a thing also I'm gonna betray humanity and destroy our chances of freedom see you later."

This is lana perhaps the worst developed character in history 1 diemnsional, demanding and annoying to no end.
Despite being the main character and having the main character tax imposed on him having to pay for everyone else mearly for existing the MC is still undeveloped. The only defining thing about him is that he has anger issues that's it nothing else. I'm not hating on anger issues just that it is not a replacement for a real personality.
Because of this no motivation is possible because the character are poorly developed it's like getting a dog to solve a rubik's cube, possible but almost never going to happen and if it does it's a coincidence.

Progression is a Litrpg most important element and this book only allows a mockery of it. John literal gets as much or more progress at the very start as he gets almost the entirety of 8 books later. Getting powerful is great except he is ALWAYS fighting someone more powerful so there is no change. what I'm trying to say is that almost all the litrpg talk could be removed and the only difference remaining would be the name of the abilitys that actual do something tangible.

The reason this book and the entire series is so unsatisfying is because the author never finishes a story. He doesn't defeat the duchess he just let's them take over he doesn't unify the humans and drive off the invaders instead opting to leave for plot reasons? maybe. he does everything poorly and gives away everything its fustrating that the author portrays EVERYONE like the definition of abusive in relationship terms. Also despite constantly fighting MC is so unskilled at fighting that everyone except his students lecture him on fighting its ridiculous.

I have tired to portray the underlying problems with the authors writing with examples but this book does one nice thing it doesn't preach it could very easily fall into that category but it avoids it well despite a highly political plot at some points.

Narration was decent nothing note worthy.
I will not be following this series any further because the author is drawing out a plot which should have been 3 books long at most and doesn't deliver well even then.

4 people found this helpful

Passable

The story is fine. The narration is fantastic. Nick did a great job as always.

My only problem with this series is the social signalling.

The MC repeatedly encounters situations where he explains how he isn’t gay but being gay is ok. It feels shoehorned in and I’ve noticed in other series by this author that this situation crops up in all his books.

There are repeated “racist white redneck” characters that justify the characters of colour lamenting the injustices of racist white folk. At one point in a later book the MCs former love interest (a stereotypical buxom redhead white woman who the MC was more than happy to be with) is described as a “middle class white girl that never escaped that mindset”. This is racist in my view. The author also never addresses the well documented attitudes of Chinese and Japanese to black and white folks, or native African attitudes to other races that strikes me as hypocritical.

If you can ignore semi frequent virtue signalling and like this genre you will probably enjoy this story.

There are much better books in this genre such as reborn apocalypse, the excise/equalise series among others.

It’s ok and could have been amazing if it wasn’t for the authors anti european racism which comes across as preachy and divisive especially as the demographic of people who enjoy this genre are generally european men. Social signalling in entertainment always alienates a part of your audience.

3 people found this helpful

Interesting idea for a story

Do you have any additional comments?

During action it was easy to follow the story but often I found the changes between scenes and enviroments erratic and abrupt. It is just my feeling though so don't let me put you off this book. The idea for the story is really good and characters are unique. It's just the way the story flows made me loose track of it more times than I can count. But if you can ignore it, this is a good book overall.

2 people found this helpful

Interesting Premise

The premise for this book/series is an interesting one, the game mechanics are imposed on the real world with skills, level ups and having to fight monsters becoming the new normal rather than the main character being transported to another world or trapped within a real-seeming game. The author does a good job of world-building, getting across the problems this disaster has had on the surviving populace and showing both the immediate and steady adjustments they have to make to their new reality.

The main character is clearly meant to be portrayed as troubled with some notable problems in his past, but the author introduces these elements quite gradually and does a good job of making the reader connect with him first rather than focusing on his negatives too much at the start.

The narrator gives a good performance with this book, providing a suitably distinctive range of tones for a varied cast, even including the non-human ones that could have easily seemed over the top if not handled correctly.

Overall, a very strong start to this series and I will definitely be listening to more of the books in this series soon.

[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]

1 person found this helpful

After first i bought the other 4.

Well as the title say i really liked it, The system is one hell of a world. Literpg skills and world build is quite important this got that and some intresting chars.

1 person found this helpful

Great story

More laughs per chapter than most LITRPG.
Due to both the writing and the performance of narrator.
Great different twist to the genre. And very funny.
If you’re looking for a good LITRPG to go for, this won’t disappoint you.

1 person found this helpful

One of the best Listens

I just finished listening to this fantastic book. The main character i found to be sympathetic and understandable a guy just wanting to put his past behind him and live life when suddenly the world changes. The voice actor is able to carry of the multiple characters well and the writer builds a believable world. Far better than some of the LitRPG garbage out in the land. For anyone interested in gamelit you should give this a listen. i already plan on reading the authors other books in the series.

1 person found this helpful

Really great story

Really great story, purchased the next book before I was even halfway through the first one. May have to buy the ebooks to carry on story.👍

1 person found this helpful