Obviously, by book 11, I've found something good in this series. I am anxious to pick up the next.
Why? Because it gives me all the fan service I'd eveObviously, by book 11, I've found something good in this series. I am anxious to pick up the next.
Why? Because it gives me all the fan service I'd ever want with progression novels. Always working hard to that next level up. Sure, we're still on the high E-grade path, with D, C, B, and A still ahead of us, but damn. The promise is there and so is all the incremental additions to his power.
This one had a pretty nice balance between cultivating and action, as most of them do. Story is sometimes interesting, however, or at least a good enoThis one had a pretty nice balance between cultivating and action, as most of them do. Story is sometimes interesting, however, or at least a good enough hook that I just don't care. I love the LitRPG elements more than just about anything else, so it just doesn't matter.
But I should say one thing: I love how he keeps the so much larger OP stakes interesting.
Basically god levels here, but it doesn't matter because there are so many gods. :)...more
I'm still having fun with these LitRPGs. I'll never say they're great literature, but for my video-gaJonah and the Whale? How about a prison breakout!
I'm still having fun with these LitRPGs. I'll never say they're great literature, but for my video-game loving heart, it's a balm. Let's level up some more among monarchs!...more
While I wasn't truly sold on the realm introduced in the previous book, it found a rather cool conclusion here.
In the end, I loved the shorter title-While I wasn't truly sold on the realm introduced in the previous book, it found a rather cool conclusion here.
In the end, I loved the shorter title-hunting stories a lot more.
While these LitRPGs are pretty average, there are some really cool aspects in the cultivation areas. Improving one's soul, for example, is pretty primo here. Actually beautiful. :)...more
While there is just minimal character development, I really don't care that much. The progression part of the fiction, new cores, leveling-up, new powWhile there is just minimal character development, I really don't care that much. The progression part of the fiction, new cores, leveling-up, new powers, skills, and incidental action is enough to keep me pumped up.
I was really quite interested in the system vs heaven levels of the multiverse. The deeper delve into the technological division is getting pretty interesting, too.
Sometimes, wild gaming imagination is all a guy needs. :)...more
Much more than solid this time. We get the full tower raid and aftermath. *YAY* and a return to Earth, decimated incursions, and even a full bloodlineMuch more than solid this time. We get the full tower raid and aftermath. *YAY* and a return to Earth, decimated incursions, and even a full bloodline change.
The one thing long-running LitRPGs have going for them is the sense of increase, of progress, of depth and OP awesomeness.
This one definitely flies with all that. It's now so much better than the beginning....more
Complications with a little dark magic, shaping up to make a real berserker out of Zack. Of course, such an outcome isn't nearly as fun as the normal Complications with a little dark magic, shaping up to make a real berserker out of Zack. Of course, such an outcome isn't nearly as fun as the normal progression fiction. I do so love opening up new Tao and titles.
But frankly, I think I enjoyed going to the leveler's tower the most out of this volume. So many nice complications....more
Interestingly enough, I enjoyed book two more than the first. Maybe it makes up for all the solo brawny axe bits by stakes that make it quite a bit moInterestingly enough, I enjoyed book two more than the first. Maybe it makes up for all the solo brawny axe bits by stakes that make it quite a bit more social. Building a city definitely helps.
Don't get me wrong, though. There's tons of solo leveling and grind, so everything that brought me to the series is still going strong.
Let's get BEAST. Show the System who's really boss.
Back in '83 this early Miyazaki manga was published, and from the cover and subsequently just about everything else within it, I was mesmerized by theBack in '83 this early Miyazaki manga was published, and from the cover and subsequently just about everything else within it, I was mesmerized by the imagery and themes.
I pointed at it, saying, "Princess Mononoke!!!"
And while it WASN'T Princess Mononoke, so much of it just screamed similarity, not least Yakul the red reindeer, the character designs, or so much more.
As for itself, it's mythical and beautiful, while feeling young, like all of Miyazaki's work, maybe a bit more SF and raw, but there's no way you could read this and not make all the connections.
First of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black boxFirst of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black box of doom is will be a major bone of contention throughout the novel, but it should be safe to say that there are several.
Probably, the more interesting black box of doom is the author's willingness to let it all hang out. We've all had some seriously hard years, be it with societal craziness, fractured people, loneliness, online echo chambers, and, let's face it, FEAR and the greater uneasiness we all have about opening up to others.
After a fairly delightful meet-cute involving a bit of kidnapping (honestly probably the only way this basement-dwelling dude might have agreed to this bit of wildness), this novel doesn't hesitate to jump right in and say the things that might start tons of arguments.
Oddly, however, there's a bit of interesting open-mindedness, which was pretty delightful, even if it didn't go overboard.
The rest of the novel was almost slapstick in how the Reddit boards went cuckoo or how conspiracy nutters became weekend warriors. It was pretty funny.
It may not be my favorite of Mr. Pargin's, but I do appreciate the courage to put these other ideas out there and treat them with a little respect even if they may be a sore point for many. (Think any of the contentious things that are on Reddit, and you'll get the idea.)...more
Wow. Just wow. It's done, and it ended spectacularly, with heart, style, and a true wrap-up that gave love to every single character.
I don't say this Wow. Just wow. It's done, and it ended spectacularly, with heart, style, and a true wrap-up that gave love to every single character.
I don't say this that often, but, "DUDE."
All four books together need to be considered one story, or like web-chapters or a Dickensian story arc. From the very start to the post-loop battle, to the wrap-up, it was awesome.
I sat glued to the story without an even slight desire to do anything else at any point in time. I even went to bed late and got up early to spoil myself with more of this story.
When I say it outdoes Groundhog Day, I say it outdoes Groundhog Day. And it's NICE and long and I could keep reading it forever. Fortunately --- I can. Just pretend I'm on a time loop.
I'm truly thrilled with these novels. I'm having so much fun reading them.
This particular one still has the same foundation as the other two, while thI'm truly thrilled with these novels. I'm having so much fun reading them.
This particular one still has the same foundation as the other two, while the MCs are continually growing stronger the more they learn with every iteration, but now we've seen other continents and have been interacting with some rather powerful people -- some to learn from, others to fool -- and I'm here for it all.
So delicious. I just can't get enough of this.
I totally recommend these for anyone who enjoys a Groundhog Day type of fantasy. :)...more
It's a pretty great example of a "signs and mystical Arthurian legendary artifacts" kind of series, boldly mixing ancient and wildThe finale has come!
It's a pretty great example of a "signs and mystical Arthurian legendary artifacts" kind of series, boldly mixing ancient and wild magic in with everyday English characters within a small territory for huge stakes.
That being said, I always preferred reading about Will's adventures and I warmed up to Brom pretty quickly, while the normal children were kinda so-so to me.
While I do APPRECIATE the idea of having so much Arthurian and older English imagery studded through these books, (and the last one in particular), my older self found it slightly ham-fisted and even slightly nonsensical by the end. It always boils down to arbitrary decisions by vastly powerful beings who then choose to give a choice over to the least consequential mortals.
Chosen-one stuff in different clothing, even arbitrarily chosen chosen-one stuff by the very end. And yes, I can see the point that this makes it rise above the expected outcomes, gives it subtlety and a chance for readers to read it all again for more signs and portents, but to me, it reminds me of countless heavy-handed christian fiction. Post-Narnia as this is, perhaps I'm a bit -- sensitive.
THAT being said, I still liked this book and the whole series. Good YA, great atmosphere, and if you're into it, vast numbers of symbolism to consider. ...more
Not only does it continue on in strong form from the first arc, it widens all horizons.
This series can only be I'm frankly blown away by this series.
Not only does it continue on in strong form from the first arc, it widens all horizons.
This series can only be described as a single endless novel. When the journey and character is this strong, a format like this is absolutely WONDERFUL if the writing is great and the dear reader is fully invested.
Fortunately, I am. Indeed, I LOVE a well-made Groundhog Day story and make no bones about the loop being about a month long. It turns this young character's magical learning sessions into something quite instructive. Being the academic sort, myself, I love the idea of becoming an archmage at 15 a wonderful prospect.
The big tragedy that keeps on re-happening is just a nice spur for everything else. As it is here, Zorian's scope is now well beyond the city where everything else had happened. He's developed a few new specialties, but it's his generalism that truly fascinates me.
So much so, I'm giving up on sleep and feel absolutely no desire to do anything else while reading this stuff. Yes, that is high praise....more
Maybe I'm getting into the worldbuilding more, or I am getting into the characters more, but the fourth book is really picking up for me and I'm lovinMaybe I'm getting into the worldbuilding more, or I am getting into the characters more, but the fourth book is really picking up for me and I'm loving it.
Perhaps a re-read of them all might be in order, now that I know the shape of things to come. :)
Either way, dark corners of English countryside, bastions of darkness, fought by the last incarnations of the light? As seen through foxes, ugly landowners, and dogs...
Yes, I think this small scope as a backdrop of the large is working quite well....more
Color me surprised to learn that Django Wexler is writing an Isekai!
I've been loving the genre for years now, right alongside its idiot twin, LitRPG,Color me surprised to learn that Django Wexler is writing an Isekai!
I've been loving the genre for years now, right alongside its idiot twin, LitRPG, but I never really considered this kind of thing anything more than plain fun popcorn fiction -- and that's exactly what Django Wexler delivered.
We've got ourselves a Groundhog Day scenario in another world, where Davi had died for like a thousand years trying out every little thing this kingdom can offer, but when a big change comes -- and Davi is meant to become the Dark Lord, it all becomes a cool little adventure to get all the monsters together, build a hoard, have a lot of sex, and go through the trials set up by the Old Ones to officially become THE DARK LORD.
Still a good YA fantasy from the early seventies, this time bringing the characters from the first two books together on an adventure to find the GraiStill a good YA fantasy from the early seventies, this time bringing the characters from the first two books together on an adventure to find the Grail. There's a good solid T. H. White thread here, as well as a Tethys, and a lonely Greenwitch.
It's worth it just for the mythology, but I have to say, it is likely a good, ageless book for the youngin's. ;)...more
I honestly enjoyed this 1973 YA fantasy. I was also rather surprised that we didn't get to follow the kids from the first book, instead falling into WI honestly enjoyed this 1973 YA fantasy. I was also rather surprised that we didn't get to follow the kids from the first book, instead falling into Will's headspace as he discovers he's one of the Old Ones.
Lots of magic and dark atmosphere here, but let's not forget just how much English folklore is jammed within these pages. Forces of light and darkness is just a single part of it.
I came into this assuming it was a fantasy classic, and so far, I haven't been disappointed.
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