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The Good Guys #15
Bad to the Throne
It all comes down to this: either Montana and Clyde work together and save the Empire, or a doomsday cult destroys everything, unraveling reality itself.
In the blockbuster crossover event of the year, two legendary heroes collide in Eric Ugland's most ambitious novel yet— Bad to the Throne.
Montana, the lovable lunk with a heart of gold, thought he'd seen it all. Monsters, magic, and more near-death (and actual death) experiences than he can count. But after taking down an entire army single-handedly in order to save his dukedom, Montana realizes might actually be in over his head this time.
Enter Clyde — snarky, savvy, and surprisingly principled. These two unlikely allies must join forces, combining Montana's brawn with Clyde's brains to outmaneuver a fanatical sect bent on world destruction.
From glittering high-society balls to grimy cavern crawls, our heroes navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue and occult rituals. Listen in as they compare notes on adjusting from average Joes to world-saving champions, all while racing to keep a lunatic from ascending the throne.
These two will need every skill they've honed in their new lives — and every lesson learned from their old ones—to prevent an apocalypse.
Two series. Two heroes. One earth-shattering tale. Bad to the Throne is the LitRPG event you can't afford to miss.
In the blockbuster crossover event of the year, two legendary heroes collide in Eric Ugland's most ambitious novel yet— Bad to the Throne.
Montana, the lovable lunk with a heart of gold, thought he'd seen it all. Monsters, magic, and more near-death (and actual death) experiences than he can count. But after taking down an entire army single-handedly in order to save his dukedom, Montana realizes might actually be in over his head this time.
Enter Clyde — snarky, savvy, and surprisingly principled. These two unlikely allies must join forces, combining Montana's brawn with Clyde's brains to outmaneuver a fanatical sect bent on world destruction.
From glittering high-society balls to grimy cavern crawls, our heroes navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue and occult rituals. Listen in as they compare notes on adjusting from average Joes to world-saving champions, all while racing to keep a lunatic from ascending the throne.
These two will need every skill they've honed in their new lives — and every lesson learned from their old ones—to prevent an apocalypse.
Two series. Two heroes. One earth-shattering tale. Bad to the Throne is the LitRPG event you can't afford to miss.
580 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2024
348 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 10, 2024
difficult to finish
I’ve had a love hate relationship with this series for a while. There’s so much that is good about it and it could be a great series. But it just isn’t. I struggled to finish this book and won’t be reading future installments. The MC is just too dumb. While it was amusing in the beginning, his lack of evolution as a person is just frustrating. The dialogue is horrible. The author is trying to be humorous, but he fails miserably. The every conversation between characters is a trial to get through. Finally, the plot was a mess and frankly uninteresting. The author crammed so much into the book that no area received proper attention.
I’ve had a love hate relationship with this series for a while. There’s so much that is good about it and it could be a great series. But it just isn’t. I struggled to finish this book and won’t be reading future installments. The MC is just too dumb. While it was amusing in the beginning, his lack of evolution as a person is just frustrating. The dialogue is horrible. The author is trying to be humorous, but he fails miserably. The every conversation between characters is a trial to get through. Finally, the plot was a mess and frankly uninteresting. The author crammed so much into the book that no area received proper attention.
September 3, 2024
Fun as always!
I don’t know what it is about Eric’s writing, but it’s like an addiction. The more I have, the more I want! Loved the story and can’t wait to see how the next one goes!
I don’t know what it is about Eric’s writing, but it’s like an addiction. The more I have, the more I want! Loved the story and can’t wait to see how the next one goes!
November 12, 2024
Absurdly stupid
This book as well as the series starts in many directions and goes absolutely nowhere. It acts more like a cross between a bad soapy opera and an episode of a terrible 80s sitcom. Too many different aspects to this book and each and every one could have been full of books in and themselves let alone all stuck into this one book. The majority of the content is filler like idle chatter and monologue nonsense. It only brings more questions and hardly any answers
This book as well as the series starts in many directions and goes absolutely nowhere. It acts more like a cross between a bad soapy opera and an episode of a terrible 80s sitcom. Too many different aspects to this book and each and every one could have been full of books in and themselves let alone all stuck into this one book. The majority of the content is filler like idle chatter and monologue nonsense. It only brings more questions and hardly any answers
June 10, 2024
Did AI write this?
This book was a meandering mess of chapter after chapter of non sequiturs, crappy dialogue and seemingly random events. The first 30-40% of the book has absolutely zero bearing on the rest. The rest of the book was a seemingly random shuffling from event to event, with the vague pretense of a plot.
I can't fathom how someone could write this and think "Yup, this is a well put together novel." The only thing that makes sense is if the author used generative to write it for him.
This book was a meandering mess of chapter after chapter of non sequiturs, crappy dialogue and seemingly random events. The first 30-40% of the book has absolutely zero bearing on the rest. The rest of the book was a seemingly random shuffling from event to event, with the vague pretense of a plot.
I can't fathom how someone could write this and think "Yup, this is a well put together novel." The only thing that makes sense is if the author used generative to write it for him.
December 7, 2024
Not my favorite
Didn't care much for this one way too much of the politics. This whole book felt like a filler something churned out while the real book is being written. Love the series I wish it would get back to the way the first several were written where amazing things happened with amazing results.
Didn't care much for this one way too much of the politics. This whole book felt like a filler something churned out while the real book is being written. Love the series I wish it would get back to the way the first several were written where amazing things happened with amazing results.
June 12, 2024
Rushed
Could have done with a basic spellcheck or 3. Was getting very rushed and poor quality towards the end. Otherwise not too bad but still didn’t answer much.
Could have done with a basic spellcheck or 3. Was getting very rushed and poor quality towards the end. Otherwise not too bad but still didn’t answer much.
February 18, 2025
I found this book to be too much politics, too many secret societies, and generally just too much distance from Coggeshall. I am not clear if I will read onward when the next book comes out.
June 12, 2024
one of the better
It was good. It was a nice continuation and a great crossover. It was one of the better in the series for a while. It closes one arch and sets the series up for another.
It was good. It was a nice continuation and a great crossover. It was one of the better in the series for a while. It closes one arch and sets the series up for another.
Read
October 11, 2024loved this book. 4.5 for the book, 5 for neil hellegers. at book 15, do I really need to say I like it if I'm still here? JUST START THESE SERIES, PEOPLE!
August 25, 2024
Great addition to the series. If you are already 15 books into this series, all you need to know is that it continues to deliver on all the elements that brought you this far.
September 7, 2024
If you are reading this review, you are likely familiar with the series. If not, you need to start at the beginning. This book and the series are what I would consider light LITRPG. It was a solid continuation of the series but somewhat disappointing. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars rounded down.
The characters are entertaining and the writing is decent with solid action and a good mix of humor and character banter. The world-building throughout the two series provides a solid foundation for the world.
The book's first part, the journey back to the capital, seemed to drag as if almost filler, and the end felt rushed and abrupt as if trying to wrap up the story to meet a publication deadline. I thought there was a lot more that the author could have explored.
That stated, I like this author and I enjoy the series and the characters. All books in the series fall between 3 and 4 stars and I will read more as they come out.
The characters are entertaining and the writing is decent with solid action and a good mix of humor and character banter. The world-building throughout the two series provides a solid foundation for the world.
The book's first part, the journey back to the capital, seemed to drag as if almost filler, and the end felt rushed and abrupt as if trying to wrap up the story to meet a publication deadline. I thought there was a lot more that the author could have explored.
That stated, I like this author and I enjoy the series and the characters. All books in the series fall between 3 and 4 stars and I will read more as they come out.
June 11, 2025
I have just finished the last book in Erik’s series and really wish there is another book waiting for me to buy! It’s been an addicting experience to travel through the eyes and mind of Montana Cogshall, MC, as he navigates the brutal game world of Vuldranni. I was hooked after reading the first book, One More, Last Time! I particularly like the dark snarky humor throughout all the books. It helped deal with the quite descriptive scenes of carnage, pain, and frequent horrible death endured by Montana and his found family & friends. Erik has an imaginative mind when it comes to monstrous dangerous beings! I found the game style fascinating as Montana accrued attributes, indiciums, HP, and boons over the course of 15 books. Occasionally his decisions seemed poor, especially as he put few points into the categories of Wisdom and Intelligence. However, since he stayed alive and kept getting ever stronger and more durable over the series, his poor decisions didn’t keep him from going forward in his goal of making Cogshall a place where all sentient species could live peaceably. Could he have done better in his quest if he’d understood the world and politics of Vuldranni earlier? Maybe. All in all, Erik has created a game world that combines fantastical adventure, all too flawed ‘human’ behavior, heroism, courage, political intrigue, and absolutely incredibly nightmarish monsters. It’s like D& D on steroids!
I know this series isn’t over because there’s a lot of cleanup to be done in the capital city of Glaton. And there’s the Dark Queen’s army marching on the border of the Empire from multiple directions, and Cogshall is facing an infestation of gremlins as well as an unknown but serious problem that could destroy all that Montana and his found family have created. Hurry up Erik Ugland! Stop mucking about with other new books and get back to Vuldranni and the game of iNcarn8!
I know this series isn’t over because there’s a lot of cleanup to be done in the capital city of Glaton. And there’s the Dark Queen’s army marching on the border of the Empire from multiple directions, and Cogshall is facing an infestation of gremlins as well as an unknown but serious problem that could destroy all that Montana and his found family have created. Hurry up Erik Ugland! Stop mucking about with other new books and get back to Vuldranni and the game of iNcarn8!
April 19, 2025
Montana is back in the capital ready to participate in the imperial election again—but things have changed since he went away. The princess who we met roughly ten books ago has returned and apparently joined a cult who wants to save the world by destroying it. I immediately thought of Cthulhu. It had that level of craziness involved. Anyway, they fear that the princess wants to become the emperor so she can destroy everything—for the good of the people, of course. They will enjoy the world so much more when they’re all dead.
Of course, she is not quite that blunt about her plans, and Montana is actually attracted to the message. He is, after all, very much trying to change the world for the good (and if you leave out that part about destroying everything, it does sound as if the princess has everyone’s best interests at heart).
Anyway, Montana continues to have to deal with political enemies he really doesn’t know what to do about, and physical enemies which he happily tears apart. He also gets some crossover time with Clyde Hatchett from The Bad Guys series. That was fun and presumably, the events in this book will be reflected in books 10 and 11 of that other.
Montana really is a great character because of that combination of simplicity and incredible physical power. Not the—I’m a great swordsman dainty kind of power. It’s the—I can literally rip your arms off kind of power. And it is so nice when he tries to explain to the bad guys that they don’t want to mug him or try to assassinate him because he’s really trying to be nice. And then, they insist and well, use your imagination. It’s always colorful.
Can’t wait for the next novel.
Of course, she is not quite that blunt about her plans, and Montana is actually attracted to the message. He is, after all, very much trying to change the world for the good (and if you leave out that part about destroying everything, it does sound as if the princess has everyone’s best interests at heart).
Anyway, Montana continues to have to deal with political enemies he really doesn’t know what to do about, and physical enemies which he happily tears apart. He also gets some crossover time with Clyde Hatchett from The Bad Guys series. That was fun and presumably, the events in this book will be reflected in books 10 and 11 of that other.
Montana really is a great character because of that combination of simplicity and incredible physical power. Not the—I’m a great swordsman dainty kind of power. It’s the—I can literally rip your arms off kind of power. And it is so nice when he tries to explain to the bad guys that they don’t want to mug him or try to assassinate him because he’s really trying to be nice. And then, they insist and well, use your imagination. It’s always colorful.
Can’t wait for the next novel.
June 11, 2024
Long live the emperor!!!
This was a great adventure, but I'm excited to return to Coggeshall. I like the 'Good Guys' better than the 'Bad Guys' mostly due to being our away from Glaton in the wilderness. And Montana diving into glaton and politics was fun, but I'm ready to get back out a d home to Coggeshall again now that we (maybe?) Have worked out all this senate vote/emperor election craziness.
This was a great adventure, we had some good fights, some fun intrigue, and some good leveling and skills. There are several threads left hanging, and I think they were meant to be that way, so maybe we'll figure it out, and maybe it'll stay a mystery. There is only one real complaint I have, and it could be down to cultists are crazy obsessed, so they want to belive what they want to believe, but their interactions with Montana seem way to accepting of him... you'd think they'd be a bit more careful considering how secretive they are, but they seemed to be all about jumping on the Montana train from day 1, and just let it ride.
Either way, minor gripe with a semi reasonable explanation, on a great story!!! Thank you Eric Ugland, I can't wait for the next one and to finally get back to Coggeshall!!!
This was a great adventure, but I'm excited to return to Coggeshall. I like the 'Good Guys' better than the 'Bad Guys' mostly due to being our away from Glaton in the wilderness. And Montana diving into glaton and politics was fun, but I'm ready to get back out a d home to Coggeshall again now that we (maybe?) Have worked out all this senate vote/emperor election craziness.
This was a great adventure, we had some good fights, some fun intrigue, and some good leveling and skills. There are several threads left hanging, and I think they were meant to be that way, so maybe we'll figure it out, and maybe it'll stay a mystery. There is only one real complaint I have, and it could be down to cultists are crazy obsessed, so they want to belive what they want to believe, but their interactions with Montana seem way to accepting of him... you'd think they'd be a bit more careful considering how secretive they are, but they seemed to be all about jumping on the Montana train from day 1, and just let it ride.
Either way, minor gripe with a semi reasonable explanation, on a great story!!! Thank you Eric Ugland, I can't wait for the next one and to finally get back to Coggeshall!!!
January 17, 2025
Have read the Good and Bad Guys, like them a lot and can’t wait for the next one in both.
I do wish that the loot they both have heaps of would be followed up on. I really believe that given the tree of magic users and a school for witches a lot of the loot that get mentioned and dumped in the vault could be identified. Been a lot of magic items taken and being a bit of a “rpg loot hound” myself would like to stop wondering about because we are told what the items do and who in the team uses them.
A perfect example is the methyl chain links that obviously picked up magic properties he just throws in a bag and we never hear of them again, same with some f the gifts.
I do wish that the loot they both have heaps of would be followed up on. I really believe that given the tree of magic users and a school for witches a lot of the loot that get mentioned and dumped in the vault could be identified. Been a lot of magic items taken and being a bit of a “rpg loot hound” myself would like to stop wondering about because we are told what the items do and who in the team uses them.
A perfect example is the methyl chain links that obviously picked up magic properties he just throws in a bag and we never hear of them again, same with some f the gifts.
December 28, 2024
This book begins in middle of the denouement of the previous books, goes through a few minor sidequests, and then joins the storyline of "2 Lies, 2 Thrones". This book, too, ends immediately after the climax of the action and without real resolution.
The writing is Ugland's usual clever snark, which makes the book more entertaining, there's some character development for Montana, and the plot is handled well.
As a novel standing by itself, this really doesn't tell a coherent story. As an episode of a humorous LitRPG/Progression Fantasy soap opera, it's pretty good.
The writing is Ugland's usual clever snark, which makes the book more entertaining, there's some character development for Montana, and the plot is handled well.
As a novel standing by itself, this really doesn't tell a coherent story. As an episode of a humorous LitRPG/Progression Fantasy soap opera, it's pretty good.
June 10, 2024
Another good read
I love these series. The concepts and side quests in this one are grand. But it is hurried, the proof reading is poor and continuity needs some work. A further edit would see it grand. But loved it. Glad it was still a Montana book and Clyde is in it, and the character development continues. One niggling thing - allocation of attribute points; wouldn't have bothered me if we then didn't get to see the character sheet. Keep up the good work. 👍
I love these series. The concepts and side quests in this one are grand. But it is hurried, the proof reading is poor and continuity needs some work. A further edit would see it grand. But loved it. Glad it was still a Montana book and Clyde is in it, and the character development continues. One niggling thing - allocation of attribute points; wouldn't have bothered me if we then didn't get to see the character sheet. Keep up the good work. 👍
August 23, 2024
So both streams are now complete. I feel a little let-down. It went from big end-fight to all-over in one page. No satisfying celebrations. Does this mean the series isn't done? I think so. After all, most of the "bad guy" cast was missing from this book. Cogshall is still under some threat. There are a lot of loose ends.
I'm okay with more books because I'm in it for the characters. We'll see.
I'm okay with more books because I'm in it for the characters. We'll see.
December 5, 2024
What I found most enjoyable about this book would be the character development and the humorous, authentic dialogue. The author brought together the characters Clyde and Montana (who each have different series revolving around them), while keeping the book as Montana's rather than making it about both.
My criticism would be that the ending felt rushed. I would have liked more because of all of the build up in the last three books.
My criticism would be that the ending felt rushed. I would have liked more because of all of the build up in the last three books.
June 10, 2025
A Wild Ride
Book 15 of the Good Guys. This one ends the empire’s portion of the series. It also should be taking us back to Coggeshall. I am exited to see what turn our favorite brain eater takes as well how the goblins fit into their new home. Not to worry Montana has plenty of fighting with all the associated blood and gore. A wild ride. Warning: adult situations and language.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Book 15 of the Good Guys. This one ends the empire’s portion of the series. It also should be taking us back to Coggeshall. I am exited to see what turn our favorite brain eater takes as well how the goblins fit into their new home. Not to worry Montana has plenty of fighting with all the associated blood and gore. A wild ride. Warning: adult situations and language.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
September 5, 2025
I love that this series really hasn't dropped off. With this genre, it seems like the author inevitably forgets the plot and just gets goofy. but this is solid all the way through. it feels almost like a TV series where some books are episodes that don't drive the overall plot forward as much, but it develops the character. One fun thing about this installment is it ties in fully with one of the author's other series
June 9, 2024
Another Solid Entry
Enjoyed the book and the craziness that is Vuldranni as always. That said, if I had a request it would be to not spend so much of the book on unimportant storylines so we can keep the story moving forward without requiring 50 books. Loved it regardless though and looking forward to the next.
Enjoyed the book and the craziness that is Vuldranni as always. That said, if I had a request it would be to not spend so much of the book on unimportant storylines so we can keep the story moving forward without requiring 50 books. Loved it regardless though and looking forward to the next.
June 9, 2024
Need more
Some small typos got through the edit process. Enjoyed the book as always wanting more. I don't think the description on Amazon is quite right. Clyide doesn't show up till over a 1/3 of the book. Its mostly Montana getting back to the city and then conspiracy time. Felt rushed exploring the ruins. Keep making more of these stories please.
Some small typos got through the edit process. Enjoyed the book as always wanting more. I don't think the description on Amazon is quite right. Clyide doesn't show up till over a 1/3 of the book. Its mostly Montana getting back to the city and then conspiracy time. Felt rushed exploring the ruins. Keep making more of these stories please.
June 11, 2024
Just keeps getting better
Have follow this series from the beginning. In my opinion the characters and writing never get old. Montana muddled on, telling jokes and causing mishaps while trying to help his friends. Meeting up with Clyde from The Bad Guys was a fun twist. Hopefully Montana can get back home and what about the ear worm?
Have follow this series from the beginning. In my opinion the characters and writing never get old. Montana muddled on, telling jokes and causing mishaps while trying to help his friends. Meeting up with Clyde from The Bad Guys was a fun twist. Hopefully Montana can get back home and what about the ear worm?
June 12, 2024
Book fifteen
We have spent the last few books with the MC Montana needing to prove his duke-ness.
We finally got it and it felt anticlimactic.
The editing was pretty much nonexistent, but Eric has said in the past that he writes for himself and not for us.
This book was more about exposing the cult then anything else. Montana still hasn't made it back home.
5/10
We have spent the last few books with the MC Montana needing to prove his duke-ness.
We finally got it and it felt anticlimactic.
The editing was pretty much nonexistent, but Eric has said in the past that he writes for himself and not for us.
This book was more about exposing the cult then anything else. Montana still hasn't made it back home.
5/10
June 16, 2024
I was hoping this arc was completely over by the end
I feel like the first third of the book was a waste of time even though I know that's kind of how it always goes. I was hoping they got the whole voting thing out of the way or at least three-thirds of the way through. Other than that great book, a few misspellings
I feel like the first third of the book was a waste of time even though I know that's kind of how it always goes. I was hoping they got the whole voting thing out of the way or at least three-thirds of the way through. Other than that great book, a few misspellings
June 20, 2024
I wanted to give this a 5, as the author has tightened the snark back down to (mostly) non-recursive levels and there was plenty of story progress.
However, somewhere around 60% some old habits came back and it kind of disrupted the flow. Pulled it out in the end, but it was enough to annoy me. Anyway, for now I'm re-invested in the story, so hopefully the author can keep that going.
However, somewhere around 60% some old habits came back and it kind of disrupted the flow. Pulled it out in the end, but it was enough to annoy me. Anyway, for now I'm re-invested in the story, so hopefully the author can keep that going.
September 1, 2024
OK, this one was above the recent books in the series (which in my rating have been steady 4 stars). It had good story, good conflict, above average banter and awkward situations, and we also had the resolution of one important knot in the who series. And as a bonus, we had our Heroes Montana and Clyde working together. Not much, but enough to make it entertaining ;)
September 14, 2024
This book was the answer to the promise of the past 25+ Good Guys and Bad Guys books, so it is well deserving of 5 stars. So many of the stories are merging without feeling like other stories are being lost or some out of no where super bad is forcing the team up. Well played Ugland. Looking forward to the future.
March 9, 2025
Keeps getting better
Loved this book, loved the characters and how deftly Ugland weaved a plot with mystery, tension and fantastic humor. I have impatiently waited for this book and can say worth the wait. One of the best series I have ever read. Absolute joy that kept me up greedily finishing.
Loved this book, loved the characters and how deftly Ugland weaved a plot with mystery, tension and fantastic humor. I have impatiently waited for this book and can say worth the wait. One of the best series I have ever read. Absolute joy that kept me up greedily finishing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews