Still Hunted. Still Alone. But many times stronger. Can Michael survive the Game?
Months have passed since Michael first entered the Forever Kingdom, and while a great deal of the Game remains a mystery, his own place in it grows surer. Yet, survival—much less success—is by no means assured, and Michael will have to tread a delicate path to carve a place for himself and his allies.
Ancient mysteries resurface. And long-buried truths are uncovered. The Forever Kingdom’s past is as murky as the Game, and there are nearly as many truths as factions. But if Michael is to emerge victorious, he must separate fact from fiction.
The very fate of the world could be at stake. Will House Wolf rise again? Will the ancient bloodlines be restored? Will the stygian horrors of the nether be held at bay?
"Tom Elliot's writing is like his hero: it never quits." - Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series.
Wander through epic worlds of dungeons, dragons, and magic created by fantasy author, Tom Elliot.
Reader. Gamer. Writer. That’s me :).
I enjoy creating worlds for readers to explore, and of course, amazing magic for my characters to wield!
In June 2021, I released my debut novel, The Grand Game. It follows the adventures of Michael, an assassin with a ‘wolven’ heritage and is told from the first-person perspective. Step by step, we watch as Michael grows from a lowly level 1 noob to… well, you’ll see soon enough.
Between my day job and family, I indulge in my passion for writing, reading and gaming. I favour CRPGs and turn-based strategy games, and epic fantasy novels.
You can support my writing on: PATREON, and follow me on social media through: Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter.
Michael is back and he's really determined to establish his House, and progress along the path of the Wolf.
This is the only way he'll be able to achieve the leveling he desperately needs and proceed into becoming one of the Powers within the Forever Kingdom to be reckoned with while protecting all the friends he has so far accumulated in this continuation to the great game lit series The Grand Game.
More foes, more intrigues, extra hard dungeon levels and monsters coupled with perseverance against impossible odds...all in a few days work.
This is fourth in a series with strongly tied progression. Read in order.
You should definitely know what you're getting by now. This has all that. It's a little more seat-of-the-pants with at least a few seams showing. Like the author creating an Overlord Nether Beast that made it impossible for Michael to do anything except ditch out to the unexplored sector in his newly discovered zone.
Overall, I'm still happy with it. And I was deeply disappointed to find that I had caught up to the series publication so I have to wait for the next book. I am going to drop my rating from the five stars I've given the others to four stars for this book. It was a bit too forced and it felt like Michael's motivations weren't a bit plot-driven rather than intrinsic.
A note about Chaste: There's a pretty woman by the end that Michael might be able to trust a bit. It may lead to things eventually. But so far, there's no hint of shenanigans. So it is still extremely chaste.
I was underwhelmed…or maybe my expectations were too high…
So did Michael accomplish anything in this book? This was like an action movie - there was excitement, explosions, cleverness, but little substance.
I thought that the previous book was slow and light on advancement because Michael was consolidating his foundation and ensuring that he could evolve his skills successfully. This book gave a very small hint of that, but really it felt like filler and contained, maybe, two or three key events that might lead to epicness later on.
From the blurb, I was expecting Michael to have advanced on his path to becoming a Prime, and deepened his Wolf mark significantly. Maybe have even founded a new House Wolf officially with the Adjudicator’s confirmation. Instead, we got Michael kinda-sorta beginning to think of his friends as his pack and House. He made no progress on his path to Primehood (at least not directly). He made no progress on his other main goals, and instead, just added more to his to-do list.
Over too soon. I think I’m caught up now and have to wait. I know I already mentioned it but I love the singular focus of this series without and tangents, side characters, filler, etc.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
I immediately put what I was reading on hold as soon as this was released and I’m glad I did. This is another brilliant entry in the series. The last one perhaps had some pacing issues even if the pay off was good but that was not a problem here. I still strongly believe this is the best lit RPG series going. It’s well written technically , the systems are very interesting, characterisation is strong and the action is genuinely thrilling. I still really love that we don’t have giant flashy sweeping powers here - the MC continues to get stronger but his abilities require intelligence and planning. Reading his schemes slowly come together as he lurks in the shadows and picks off his enemies is exciting in a way few books manage. Just the right amount of crunch too.
Previously Michael has been quite the loner which I’ve enjoyed and he still largely operates independently but there is more input from supporting characters in this book. I’ve been impressed previously that supporting characters have felt fleshed out and distinct while not being on the page a huge amount but we spend significantly more time with them here. Overall I think this is a good move as it feels like the overarching story (the main quest I suppose) is really starting to progress and the supporting cast are great. There’s more stakes and a plan for the future now.
Basically this is still my favourite series at the moment and the best I’ve read in the genre (out of a fair few). Read it!
This was ok, but it would have been significantly better if it wasn't so much stats & grind. WAY too much stats & grind. It was good enough that I listened to the first four, but I was constantly rolling my eyes at the "reading of the profile page." It was over. the. fucking. top.
Plenty of stats, plenty of spells/skills, plenty of choices. It’s like following a one-man gaming session where the DM is occasionally amused by the chutzpah of the player.
Main Points Summary: -> The continual interaction throughout the book significantly enhances immersion, filling a gap felt in earlier volumes. -> The protagonist's management of his tavern introduces a thrilling blend of danger and diplomacy, deepening the narrative. -> Ghost, a new character, emerges as a standout, with his portrayal in the audiobook adding a layer of charisma and empathy. -> Overall, an exceptional installment, showcasing the author's growth and the series' escalating quality.
A Tapestry of Engagement and Growth: "Book 4 of The Grand Game" series has utterly captivated me, marking a pinnacle of storytelling within the saga. The enriched interaction among characters throughout the journey breathes life into every page, offering a vivid contrast to the protagonist's previously solitary adventures. This change not only heightens the narrative's depth but also showcases the protagonist's remarkable skills in a new light, making for a series of awe-inspiring moments.
Intriguing Management and Perilous Diplomacy: The protagonist's dealings with the troubles at his tavern are both engaging and insightful, weaving a subplot of complexity and danger that tests his wit and resilience. This element of the story, filled with intricate challenges and the looming threat of powerful adversaries, adds a compelling layer to the narrative, demonstrating the series' evolution beyond its predecessors.
Characterization and Narration Excellence: The introduction of Ghost is a masterstroke, with the audiobook's narration elevating this character to new heights of allure and emotional resonance. The dynamics between the protagonist and Ghost, especially during their ventures into the Nether, are a highlight, enhancing the book's appeal. The narrator's skill in bringing characters like Cara to life, capturing her emotions and struggles, further enriches the reading experience, providing a nuanced understanding of her character.
Final Thoughts: "The Grand Game, Book 4" is an extraordinary achievement, seamlessly blending character interaction, narrative depth, and emotional resonance. It not only surpasses its predecessors but also signals the author's remarkable progression in storytelling. The flawless narration adds another layer of enjoyment, making this book a captivating experience from start to finish. Eagerly awaiting the next installment, I'm truly impressed by how this book managed to exceed all expectations, earning a well-deserved five-star rating across the board.
Michael's adventure in the forever kingdom continues.
This book was more enjoyable than the previous. The main gripe I had the book before this was the encroaching threat of the mantis assassins constantly hounding Michael. It added tension, but I felt like it dragged on too much that his main goals were being held up too much, and not allowing any progression. Granted that can be a narrative tool, but I started getting irritated by it.
That being said it is not the case with this book. Without giving too much away; the mantises hunting Michael are dealt with, and we don't have to worry about them anymore. So far.
This book focuses on Michael starting to make some headway on reviving house Wolf [as evidenced by the title]. Michael is allowed to finally start delving deeper into the history of this world following the ending of the previous book and the awakening guardian. He's given another grand task to accomplish entailing him locating remaining guardians, and helping them complete their tasks. Its a daunting task for our MC, but shows promise in further developing the forever kingdom, and the history of the world itself.
Aside from that Michael stumbles upon a Werewolf [literally on the cover], and finds that he's also considered "Pack" and/or Alpha with their race. This encounter establishes yet another task for Michael to accomplish later, as we find out there is a sort of "dictator" or "tyrant" bending the werewolves into subservience. I'm looking forward to that storyline playing out as well.
One thing that I've begun to notice is that although there isn't any additional main characters [this being a single POV narrative and all], we are finally getting some recurring support characters. People that Michael has met, and continues to interact with. By the end of this book we have at least several potential companions, or partners to help Michael along with his long-term goals.
Nevertheless, this story continues to evolve into a stellar litRPG series that I can't get enough of. My one fear is that I will catch up too quickly to the end of the story, and be forced to wait for more! As of now there are 6 books with the seventh scheduled for this September, so likely I will have to stagger my reading on this series [loathe as I am to do so] before running out of content.
I am torn with this series. I like it but there are so many things that I wish were different. I am not sure the best way to explain what I want to get across. There is too much going on in this series. In some video games there is the main quest and then side quests. The main quest push the story forward and the side quests are just fun diversions. If this series was a video game I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the main or side quests. It seems like there are 5 or 6 main quests but the main character spends his whole time dealing with the side quests. It has been non stop for Michael since he came to this world. I feel it is too much. There isn't enough balance. I don't remember a single time in the entire series where Michael had any fun. Here is the list of things that Michael needed to do in this book I am going to continue the series but I do get a little frustrated with it at times.
It's a brilliant series that just keeps getting better
It's one of the best Litrpg I have read. Different enough to feel new. It's exciting, riveting, edge of your seat action packed. It's well written, well thought out, masterfully structured, and addictive as hell.
I can not think of a single thing I disliked nor a single criticism. I love all the characters, the character and story progression, the plots, twists, and turns are amazing. I am absolutely loving this series.
Wolves, assassins, mind powers, underdog, secrets, intrigue, and amazing fast paced action that never feels repetitive. War, betrayal, magic, trickster gods, and evil villains you can have fun hating. All this and more, what's not too love. Highly recommended
Can't put my finger on the issue with this one. Too many more plot-lines are being added without much progress on past ones. More enemies without eliminating past ones. More shenanigans without resolving... you get it.
Still enjoying this series, though. Plenty of action, clever resolutions to problems, interesting new characters. There's the possibility for romance, but I'll be perfectly happy without it.
Michael is in The Game to not just survive, but to thrive and save all wolves. Doesn't matter if they are Artic, Dire, or WareWolves. His biggest problem is the Powerful leaders will do everything to make his life Hell. He is gaining strength and others willing to lend their help and possibly lives.
This book was so exciting, I have had a hard time putting it down.
I could see a definite improvement in the writing with this book. If there were any plot holes they weren't so glaringly obvious this go round. I spent more time just enjoying the story without mistakes constantly tripping up my reading experience. I think maybe the first three books might have been the authors first few attempts at writing. I still think that they should be pulled and strongly edited just to do the series justice.
I am binge reading these books, which says something for Elliot’s ability to keep my attention as a reader. I still have issues with Michael’s quick levelling, and to some extent the degree of his plot armour (*cough* killing those Marauders *cough*). Nonetheless, the power dynamics and ‘political’ intrigue are well done and is what is keeping me reading. Michael’s muderhobo tendencies are getting a little out of hand
Michael and his adventures are still extremely captivating and thrilling. My dislike towards Loken only deepens. Michael seems to acquire difficult to seemingly impossible tasks, but he keeps meeting and surpassing expectations. I hope the next book will be available soon, and it's worth the wait.
I enjoy this LITRPG series because I like the bleak dungeon filled world. The mythology based on House of Wolf powers and cool psi,mental powers are an exciting read. You dont need OP, dynamic hero when the magic, the setting is different. The flaw in this 4th book was you spent too much of the novel in the least interesting part of the world, not as exciting as the setting in book 2-3.
Great great read! The story is just as compelling as book one.!
Can't say enough about how good the series is. It's quickly made it to my top 10 all time reads, and something I will always be willing to read over and over. Fantastic world building storytelling. The main character remains true to the story and himself, compelling the reader to root for him the whole time and feel his ups and downs. I'm binge reading this series and hoping it never ends.. this series is amazing!
A little conflicted. This series is great and I’m hooked. There are so many mysteries in this world and I’m excited for them to be resolved. That being said, there are a couple problems. This book and the last have felt like filler. There’s a certain amount of level grinding in video games that is repetitive and the author took it a step too far in describing every painful moment. The other issue is his description of conflicts. Every fight scene is practically the same. I found myself skimming paragraphs whenever a fight came about. This book could have been half as long and still gotten the same point across.
As usual, this was another good story and covered a lot of ground. One negative thing to me is that in this book, the hero Michael had nothing go as planned, except for the thugs bothering his tavern. I understand the need for strife, but it went a little overboard for my taste. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this series.
This book was much better than the previous in the series and had lots of forward progress and action all throughout. The ending is still a basic abrupt cliff hanger you'd expect from a litRPG, and I still don't get why so many authors in this genre do this. I'm also not looking forward to where Michael ends up for book 5, but hopefully it will all work out.
Damn that cliffhanger I'm gonna go crazy waiting for the next book to come out..... I enjoy all the characters I wish the mc could do more spell flinging then running and hiding but the story is great
Have been waiting for this one for a while and it didn’t disappoint. I feel it was too short, but that is a good mark for a book when you can’t get enough.
Michael continues to grow as he tries to help bring about the rise of the House Wolf. New challenges arise and new quests abound. Another awesome entry in the series.
A little disappointed with the book. Book 3 ended on a cliff hanger but this one did not do justice to that wait. Also, the book has had little to no development on the plot and it seems like there is just random buildup
Beautifully written. I continue to be sucked into the world eager following Michael through one problem while eagerly waiting to see how the next 'hundred' waiting ones will be resolved. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT PART!
Another great book in the series. It doesn't get boring or contrite. The mc still keeps you on your toes and is clever enough to accomplish amazing fears and surprisingly enough actually makes friends of a sort in this one. Look forward to the next!