A fantastic sequel of an amazing world. This series should be read in order as it is just a single long plot.
The books follow an overpowered MC, JiranA fantastic sequel of an amazing world. This series should be read in order as it is just a single long plot.
The books follow an overpowered MC, Jiran, who inadvertently receives memories from a dead data scientist on earth when ascending for his first time on his world which utilizes elements of system rpg and progression fantasy. The books have an awesome balance between character, world-building, plot and writing, for an indie offering.
In this sequel, our main character continues his adventures as he explores more of the planet Madra, its beautifully fantastical landscapes and people while killing more beasts than can be healthy. The cast and plot are thoroughly expanded, continuing the author's amazing characterisations and world-building. The magic system is quite innovative and the writing is very good.
I was totally gripped and I couldn't bear to wait for the release of the third installment so I immediately headed to Royal Road and read throughout the wee hours. Highly recommended piece of progression fantasy....more
This is a remarkable entry from the author incorporating the best elements of gamelit and progression fantasy into a hit offering.
We follow events froThis is a remarkable entry from the author incorporating the best elements of gamelit and progression fantasy into a hit offering.
We follow events from the perspective of Jiran, a young boy that encounters life altering issues when undergoing the usual upgrade to the first tier. There's a System that regulates various abilities and skills and takes care of ascending the populace which is seamlessly integrated with the progression. A unique form of crafting is also included within.
The world is an alien solar system with three Suns and a two thousand year old civilization on a continent where a mysterious factor named density interacts with mana in people's bodies and enables fantastic powers to be realized by the inhabitants.
The plot is quite good and well paced, and the characters are very well drawn. The world-building is superb and really compliments the writing. Recommended....more
A beautiful story that concludes nicely. Thoughtful and imaginative world-building, great characterisations and a very good plot. Fresh and unique. ReA beautiful story that concludes nicely. Thoughtful and imaginative world-building, great characterisations and a very good plot. Fresh and unique. Recommended....more
A Piece of Literary Art! First of all, the writing, oh my. It shines through spectacularly, pristine in its details. Every letter penned seems forlornA Piece of Literary Art! First of all, the writing, oh my. It shines through spectacularly, pristine in its details. Every letter penned seems forlorn, looking to the next in order to give it proper form; every word appears bleak and unsettling, and every sentence devoid of hope and its happiness utterly eviscerated.
And then...when A.M. Shine has fully succeeded in making me so full of melancholy and sadness, hope and happiness begins to radiate like a much needed ray of sunlight after an eternity spent in the grip of the bleakest winter. And then, just when I'm basking in that warm glow, he goes and dashes my hopes all over again. A true master.
Daniel ran through the forest. Like a wild animal released he didn’t look back. Not once. Toils of ivy snagged his legs. With his hands he fended off barbs of thorns and the wet stems that whipped across his face. He knew the way, but his haste had scattered his bearings. His was a compass spinning in dizzying circles. The trees seemed to shift through the earth, blocking his path, throwing their bodies in front of him as though they had been gifted life and worked their branches like limbs to ensnare him. It was a maze; a darkening, ill-lit labyrinth where decay and dying things ruled supreme. Madeline was still calling his name. She was chasing him, but in that moment – driven by sheer fear – he was faster. His breathing was loud and erratic. He muttered senseless sounds that even he couldn’t understand. Panic had gripped Daniel hard with the intent to break him, but instead it threw him forward. He had veered from the route he knew. Despite everything that stood in his way, still he kept one eye on the ground. Some burrows were wide enough to catch at a glance, but others he wouldn’t see until it was too late; until he slipped from the light and fell within their reach. He fought back his tears, but their coming was inevitable.
The presentation is akin to having your hopes all bundled up in words that inevitably get sucked into an event horizon where all good things meet their frozen end. Therefore, an atmosphere is created that feels listless and claustrophobic; hemmed in from all sides with trepidation, and that's even before the creature feature pops in and ululates its hideous screams.
The pacing and narrative is fast and thrilling, while the plot is creepy and terrifying. Perspective switching is handled masterfully, so much so that the reader keeps anticipating the end of a chapter (which are mercifully short and brief).
A truly talented writer that seamlessly blends the details and monologues of literary horror, cleverly insinuating sly humor to go with the excitement and fast pace of page-turning thrillers. An excellent book, especially being a debut, and I hereby do pronounce it highly recommended. I loved every single bit of it.
It's been so long that I'll have to read this one again before a short review is in order.It's been so long that I'll have to read this one again before a short review is in order....more
Riven Earth is the first installment in a new duology titled The Book of Astea, and as a debut, the story is quite remarkable with an amazing cover arRiven Earth is the first installment in a new duology titled The Book of Astea, and as a debut, the story is quite remarkable with an amazing cover art to boot. My profound thanks goes to the author and BookSirens for the eArc.
Preamble The prose is reminiscent of the masters in the Epic Fantasy genre while painting emotionally complex characters. The details within and the method of writing, in describing his world, is to be applauded. I would love to read more of this.
But still...I would have wished the world-building to have been more explicit in the sense that when an author is introducing fantastic creatures both sentient and otherwise, leaving the bulk of the necessary explanation trickling through slowly can be a bit taxing. After all, beauty and its comprehension lies in the details. I did notice it got much better after the halfway mark though and the ride was smoother thence.
Synopsis/Plot Zammar weaves a tale about a harsh world in which humanity has been enslaved and kept at the level of stone age technologies with the aid of powerful magic wielded by fantastically realized creatures called Dryads.
Then King Isaiah comes along and discovers the secret of fire, becoming a literal prometheus to his people, unshackling and freeing humanity from the abhorrent enslavement and worship of the Earth-Mother, Astea.
I am drawn to this book. A thousand reports to sign yet my pen once again finds this faded paper.
Years ago, I fancied myself a historian. The True History. Or so I named my vain creation. Now I am shamed such words were ever put to page. And that, by me. For I am too close to the history of things to tell the true tale. My feeble attempt did little more than turn the story of our kingdom into a chronicle of my own pain.
I should burn this book.
And yet, near every day, I find myself reading those words written with a younger man’s memory. I cling to them. For the days pass, and they are all I have left of a life long gone.
I should not be so weak.
- Reflections by King Isaiah But...The world isn't as it seems and the variables unaccounted for by the savior comes into play destabilizing the fledgling empire.
Thoughts and End Notes Employing unique magic systems blended with the familiar, and the whole kept as simple as possible, a tale is told about values firstly and perspectives next.
The value of a human life, whether touched by magic or not; the lengths people will go for the love of another or even material trappings. The complexity inherent in a situation when two or more distinct and diverse sociological and cultural values clash and merge...
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and I think it can only get better from this one. Highly recommended for all Fantasy enthusiasts looking for something unique and new, in a genre filled with tropes. Also, there's a touch of literary fiction around making it feel quite deep and introspective....more
Not enough original thoughts and explanations to warrant a publication of a different book. The original text wasn't that obscure. I'll advice on readNot enough original thoughts and explanations to warrant a publication of a different book. The original text wasn't that obscure. I'll advice on reading the Kybalion and interpreting from it what you will rather than slogging through this....more
*This rating and review concerns The Emerald Tablets of Thoth.
The much contested and somewhat mythical teachings that brought about the expansion of *This rating and review concerns The Emerald Tablets of Thoth.
The much contested and somewhat mythical teachings that brought about the expansion of the main precepts of the Hermetic Philosophical theory.
In this slim volume, translations and commentary are provided from numerous sources and the rest of the process of understanding, coupling, and synergizing the 'commandments' type truths are left to the faculties of the astute observer. An excerpt is given here...
"[Translation of Isaac Newton c. 1680]
1) Tis true without lying, certain & most true. 2) That which is below is like that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to do ye miracles of one only thing. 3) And as all things have been & arose from one by ye mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation. 4) The Sun is its father, the moon its mother, 5) the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse. 6) The father of all perfection in ye whole world is here. 7) Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth. 7a) Separate thou ye earth from ye fire, ye subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry. 8) It ascends from ye earth to ye heaven & again it descends to ye earth and receives ye force of things superior & inferior. 9) By this means you shall have ye glory of ye whole world & thereby all obscurity shall fly from you. 10) Its force is above all force. For it vanquishes every subtle thing & penetrates every solid thing. 11a) So was ye world created. 12) From this are & do come admirable adaptations whereof ye means (or process) is here in this. 13) Hence I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of ye philosophy of ye whole world. 14) That which I have said of ye operation of ye Sun is accomplished & ended.
[Dobbs 1988: 183-4.]"
I'll recommend the enthusiast to read the Kybalion first, before this one though. A worthy read but repetitive with those already on the Path. So, I suppose in being basic, it can supply the curious reader in a kind of primer of the root occultist and esoteric thoughts without being overwhelming; Thus serving as an introduction and primer too....more
"If you want what visible reality can give, you're an employee.
If you want the unseen world, you're not living your truth.
Both wishes are foolish, bu"If you want what visible reality can give, you're an employee.
If you want the unseen world, you're not living your truth.
Both wishes are foolish, but you'll be forgiven for forgetting that what you really want is love's confusing joy." - Rumi On Gambling
Preamble I have finally found my second favorite Non-Fiction book of all time! Gabriyell Sarom has magnificently elaborated and practicalised the steps to take, and procedures to follow, without which union with the inner realms will inevitably fail to bring about the needed results no matter the research done.
He has successfully mastered and then proceeded to dissect and dish out morsels of practical steps and guides for the student, initiate, teacher, master or even the curious reader to embark upon in one's search in the union with the divine.
As he succinctly points out somewhere, mysticism is nothing but achieving union with god.
Your essence is consciousness.
You are the fearless guardian of divine light.
So come, return to the root Of the root of your own soul.
- Rumi
By learning, practice and willful effort, verily, there is ample provision here for anybody to experience what few enlightened beings have been able to glimpse throughout the ages.
Thoughts The writing contains nary an unnecessary word making the volume quite slim and the explanation is thorough without being overwhelming providing multiple avenues to take on the path of the way, with the ultimate choice lying with the practitioner and the point at which his/her development along the path of the Dao stands.
Where The Kybalion stresses and expounds on theoretical concepts and metaphysical structures of thought, this book skips that in favor of "lab practicals". The Kybalion teaches you the underlying principles behind occultism and mysticism while this is a head long dive into how you can practically get results from a few careful albeit difficult to cultivate exercises...
Conclusion An absolute must read for all the curious spiritual seekers yearning for a touch of the numinous. An unshakable foundation with which a person can integrate and synthesize all the disparate occult teachings garnered and then continue to build upon the path of wisdom and illumination.
A book to read, ponder and then practice, read again, gain better insights and practice some more...ad infinitum. Or at the least until some mastery is achieved....more
WANTED!!! NAME: Scorio, once known as The Scourer, Lord of Nagaran, Master of the Black Tower, The Bringer of Ash and Darkness, the Shadow of SpurnWANTED!!! NAME: Scorio, once known as The Scourer, Lord of Nagaran, Master of the Black Tower, The Bringer of Ash and Darkness, the Shadow of Spurn Harbor, the Abhorred, Quencher of Hope and Unmaker of Joy.
MINISTRY of MAGIC Department of Progression Fantasy
CRIME: Exceeds Expectations! STANDARDS: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
REWARD!!!: I Highly recommend reading his trials and tribulations in the amazing and spectacularly envisioned world within The Immortal Great Souls trilogy....more
This is a snarky, laugh out loud, cream your pants, shit in it, etc. type of book, and it'll have even the most stuck up workaholic laughing uncontrolThis is a snarky, laugh out loud, cream your pants, shit in it, etc. type of book, and it'll have even the most stuck up workaholic laughing uncontrollably while reading it (meanwhile, after a few minutes of recovery, you'll again find yourself shaking like you've got the fits or rather for my more discerning readers, like you've got some sour diesel strain in you). And I seriously mean it! You'll laugh like you've got the heebie jeebies and you'll find yourself wondering how on earth could I have ever had the possibility of missing something this good.
The short answer is that the universe ain't fair. Karma, past lives, dharma, ying yang (yada yada), etc and all that... (plus god doesn't roll dice, forgotten that tidbit, yeah?), but fear not because now that I'm here to clarify and educate, you'll find yourself in good hands within a short 2 minutes review that'll make you curious. This is the second book within the Planet Gallywood series that could be read in order or not, but I always suggest reading most series in order (an undiagnosed mild OCD might play a crucial role here) and it follows closely after the events that concluded the first book.
The writing, pace, narrative, and plot all exceed expectations, and are all right there in the region of the masters and creators of the sub-genre à là Douglas Adams. The plot is told from an omniscient first person perspective with a certain reserve that gives us a hint of a certain screenwriter typing away at his antique half a century old piece that he polishes or whatever, all day long hinting at some bit of mystique and mystery. In this installment, our dear protagonist and her unintended but beloved alien baby are put under the test but no fear...the universe is on their side and no evil shall prevail! No matter that the villain is as vile as can be and has no scruples in her morals.
And so our characters' journey through the single most viewed and loved show across the whole galaxy continues and it changes everyone for the better. Except of course our villain that is. This series comes highly recommended for all asundry and for those blue evenings when a conventional book drags, when you're tired and the coffee isn't helping or when you need some happiness and humor, then I suggest you pick this up and feel better...like a mildly warm cup of creamy cappuccino on blazing hot afternoon. Cheers....more
Emerald Alchemist ties up the plot of the first two volumes in the River of Fate series pretty nicely.
The strong point of the series will have to be tEmerald Alchemist ties up the plot of the first two volumes in the River of Fate series pretty nicely.
The strong point of the series will have to be the main characterisations and its world-building. The writing is okay and the pacing of the plot in the first two books was a bit shaky but it does straighten up in this one.
An okay read all in all and I'd be interested in continuing on with the series if he does release more bools in the future....more
Calamities galore! He's learnt that most of his heritage is shrouded in an eons old superluminal path spanning the whole void, built by the Ancient AsCalamities galore! He's learnt that most of his heritage is shrouded in an eons old superluminal path spanning the whole void, built by the Ancient Astral Titans; a path of knowledge, The Astral Path through which many superluminal threads of light takes you on a physical, mental, metaphysical and even spiritual musings and journey guided by latent eons old technologies with sentient artifacts.
Sam Hastern needs to go on a sojourn and leave the fragile island of peace he has carved in the valley for his family and the Ice Sylps. This is another great offering in the series, although, I'd prefer his books to be longer but... Beggars and all.
Highly Highly Recommend these books as they're are absolutely phenomenal especially with the plot, characterisations and world-building. One of the very best if not the best among the indie writers in this genre for sure....more
Preamble: This is a must read, and it takes its time (the whole series I mean), but still a compelling continuation to one of my favorite litRPG sPreamble: This is a must read, and it takes its time (the whole series I mean), but still a compelling continuation to one of my favorite litRPG series now! The events start directly after the first book, so be sure to read in order.
Synopsis: Sam Hastern slowly levels up and journeys onwards from the Outsider outpost ruins he finds himself and his dad trapped in, to one of the cities within the Kingdom of Aethra, and hints of the over-arching storyline and lore backdrop is expanded in this one where readers finally get a glimpse of what an amazing story might lie ahead.
Thoughts: The plot continues from the first book in this fantastic litRPG series offering, in which the complex characterizations from the first book is worked upon some more and the much needed world-building gets some time in the sun. Here in this installment, the layout and geography, the weird and humanoid but alien races that cohabit with the humans and even the politics of Aster Fall is also slowly expanded. This makes the investment in the average to good debut worth it as all aspects of the series is slowly enhanced. This thrilling albeit slow sequel from David North continues in the vein of the debut, giving us the same slowly evolving backdrops of character-building, leveling and magic system together with the world-building of his fantastical universe.
It also gradually sets up the events leading to the third book in which the author pushes all of the first two books' lack of pace and world-building, into a non-stop and frenetic addition to his carefully thought out gamelit universe that contains a mixture of tropes from classic Sci-fi and GrimDark Fantasy in a wholesome package. The amazing and complex magical system is explained better and more progression litRPG system info dumping occurs (just as in the first book) although it's a bit more organized, but, nevertheless, it can be a turn off for impatient readers. If I'm being honest, to me, it greatly enhances the experience of the reader, while managing to include some detailed and expressive battle scenes. Awesome awesome series.
Conclusion: This comes highly recommended just like the debut, for a variety of readers that enjoy Progression Fantasy, Wuxia/litRPG that can endure the slowness and massive info-dump well past the first two books and into the last half of the third. But, it was totally worth it for me....more
An outline shimmered in the depth of the Chaos Wild, brightening moment by moment. Burning silver eyes, curving horns, and broad shoulders gatheredAn outline shimmered in the depth of the Chaos Wild, brightening moment by moment. Burning silver eyes, curving horns, and broad shoulders gathered from starlight and became solid again, until Sam was standing in the Void. The winds of the Chaos Wild blew around him with playful breezes, tugging at his clothes and hair. It was a long moment before he opened his eyes. When he did, a wave of hot essence rolled away like the forge fire of the dawn, burning with a brilliant silver-white flame that curled around his body and outlined him in the dark. The structure of the Void was clear to him and his gaze was piercing as he searched. His attention finally settled on a specific point. It was blue and silver, too far away even for his eyes to distinguish. It shone in his mind instead. Aster Fall. Another superb installment...full review ahead....more
Thoughts: Now, after following the events in which the author was trying his absolute best not to OP our MC after our last outting, Sam Hastern is Thoughts: Now, after following the events in which the author was trying his absolute best not to OP our MC after our last outting, Sam Hastern is surely reaping the benefits and strengths of his ancestral heritage and is finally beginning to understand that a lot may be resting on his broad shoulders.
This books continues immediately after the second left off and are strictly to be read in order. He finally learns the perks of being granted the World Core's favor and has become a guardian of an ancient relic that broke at the world's last breaking, which was in a war over 66,000 years past. And now he's frantically trying to find ways to make the world safe for his la famille.
A well written addition where events finally start picking up after some much needed expansion of the almost non-existent prior backdrop of lore, myth making, and world-building. A very talented author and I highly recommend these series for LitRPG fans and general fantasy fans that enjoy unique universes and own world-building.
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