What do you think?
Rate this book
Worth the Candle #3
Building Strongholds
Always the Dungeon Master, never the druid.
Juniper Smith is finally starting to feel at home in this new world. Everywhere he looks are familiar pieces of the game worlds he used to make back on Earth.
The last druid has died, and with her, a rare and precious magic is slowly seeping its way out of the world. The ritual to bring her back as an infant only requires a little messing around with devils and simply hacking the game system on his soul, which is practically routine, but to speed the process along will be another matter entirely.
Getting to the Bottomless Pit will take a long train ride where any misstep might blow the party’s cover. Going down the Pit will require a flying machine and some false pretenses. But once they're down there, the team hopes to find a living house, one of Uther Penndraig's old strongholds. Aside from the time chamber they need, Juniper is pretty sure that the world's greatest philosopher-king will have left them some surprises.
Come inside and join the game!
Juniper Smith is finally starting to feel at home in this new world. Everywhere he looks are familiar pieces of the game worlds he used to make back on Earth.
The last druid has died, and with her, a rare and precious magic is slowly seeping its way out of the world. The ritual to bring her back as an infant only requires a little messing around with devils and simply hacking the game system on his soul, which is practically routine, but to speed the process along will be another matter entirely.
Getting to the Bottomless Pit will take a long train ride where any misstep might blow the party’s cover. Going down the Pit will require a flying machine and some false pretenses. But once they're down there, the team hopes to find a living house, one of Uther Penndraig's old strongholds. Aside from the time chamber they need, Juniper is pretty sure that the world's greatest philosopher-king will have left them some surprises.
Come inside and join the game!
660 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
About the author
Alexander Wales
40 books145 followersAlexander Wales is an author of rational fiction, first entering the scene with works like Metropolitan Man, then writing the long-running Worth the Candle series. A software engineer by trade, Wales is known for his deep worldbuilding, emotionally realistic characters, and analytical approach to societal issues.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2023
While I'm still enjoying these books, I'm seeing diminishing returns. Knowing more about the "ever out of reach" Arthur, diminishes the reader's desire to seek that resolution. He's not the wholesome figure of memory we were led to believe.
I hope to come back to the series after a hiatus. There's plenty to admire in Wales' writing.
I hope to come back to the series after a hiatus. There's plenty to admire in Wales' writing.
October 13, 2025
I'm still enjoying the books enough to want to finish the "last one" (I'm consuming these as audiobooks so actually there's another 4 books-worth but they haven't been recorded yet).
There were some uniquely cool aspects to this one, but it did feel like a big lull in the action. We've cooled down a lot on the skilling up, discovering new abilities/items, and tackling new enemies. All replaced by a fair bit of literal waiting around.
The relationship conversations continue to be the least interesting parts and given a lot of time spent on interpersonal stuff in this book, there was more of it than usual.
There were some uniquely cool aspects to this one, but it did feel like a big lull in the action. We've cooled down a lot on the skilling up, discovering new abilities/items, and tackling new enemies. All replaced by a fair bit of literal waiting around.
The relationship conversations continue to be the least interesting parts and given a lot of time spent on interpersonal stuff in this book, there was more of it than usual.
November 2, 2023
It's been a while since I read this series, but I can't remember the half elf girl being this annoying. Maybe she was and I forgot?
This went smoother than I expected. I was putting this off for months, but that wasn't needed. There are a few parts that I can't recall the reason for it happening (even at the end of the book), but it was fun.
I hope the half elf shuts up in future books.
3/5 Stars
This went smoother than I expected. I was putting this off for months, but that wasn't needed. There are a few parts that I can't recall the reason for it happening (even at the end of the book), but it was fun.
I hope the half elf shuts up in future books.
3/5 Stars
August 30, 2024
The conversation with the dungeon master gave me so much joy. Juniper was definitely in the wrong in that conversation. Found myself laughing a lot more in this novel than the others. This book really starts to bring everything back together. The princess is back to being one of my favorites.
Best one yet. This series really resonated with me. It's unfortunate that the other books aren't on audio yet
Best one yet. This series really resonated with me. It's unfortunate that the other books aren't on audio yet
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2024
A masterpiece of rational fiction. I also recommend the analysing podcast by Eneasz Brodski and Steven Zuber on the HPMOR podcast if you want several hundred hours of additional content about the book(s).
April 9, 2023
Now to wait for the next.
August 7, 2024
Interesting. Love the complexity of it all, like the real world. Interesting plot about a completely different human experience than that shows up in typical fantasy
August 19, 2025
Look, I think this series is pretty great and am looking forward to the 4th audiobook.
Alexander, if you are reading this, please reconsider how you write dialogue for teenagers. The main character comes across as a "too smart for you" early thirties uni grad know it all instead of a 17 year old.
But, it turns out he's finished the series already. Here's hoping his other work is done a little better.
Alexander, if you are reading this, please reconsider how you write dialogue for teenagers. The main character comes across as a "too smart for you" early thirties uni grad know it all instead of a 17 year old.
But, it turns out he's finished the series already. Here's hoping his other work is done a little better.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews