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He Who Fights with Monsters #8
He Who Fights With Monsters 8
After a much longed-for reunion, Jason Asano works on moving past old traumas as he looks to a brighter future.
Despite warnings of dangers awaiting him in the future, he gets back in the saddle as an adventurer, ready to tackle new challenges. Those challenges are not hard to find as enemies that have lurked in the background start moving into the light.
Jason and his friends don’t wait passively and use schemes of their own to take the fight to the enemy. Jason’s companions find themselves plunged into dangerous missions and confronted with enemies both personal and unexpected. Jason will push new boundaries, and while it comes at a cost, it will move him deeper into the realms of cosmic power.
Despite warnings of dangers awaiting him in the future, he gets back in the saddle as an adventurer, ready to tackle new challenges. Those challenges are not hard to find as enemies that have lurked in the background start moving into the light.
Jason and his friends don’t wait passively and use schemes of their own to take the fight to the enemy. Jason’s companions find themselves plunged into dangerous missions and confronted with enemies both personal and unexpected. Jason will push new boundaries, and while it comes at a cost, it will move him deeper into the realms of cosmic power.
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First published December 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews
December 14, 2022
I liked it, but...
I usually love this series, but this book had a problem - summaries. Way too often, there was a summary of what happened earlier in the book. I just read it, I don't need a summary a few chapters later.
Even with this, I am happily awaiting book 9 in 2023.
I usually love this series, but this book had a problem - summaries. Way too often, there was a summary of what happened earlier in the book. I just read it, I don't need a summary a few chapters later.
Even with this, I am happily awaiting book 9 in 2023.
December 15, 2022
hmmn
First time I had to give the author less than 4 stars. About 5% of the book is repeated near verbatim. While still quite entertaining, both the last in the series and especially this one feel padded while the story arc works itself out. If food, it would be chain restaurant level.
First time I had to give the author less than 4 stars. About 5% of the book is repeated near verbatim. While still quite entertaining, both the last in the series and especially this one feel padded while the story arc works itself out. If food, it would be chain restaurant level.
December 15, 2022
Great to Jump back into Pallimustus
So I have enjoyed all 8 of the series, but with book 8, I felt like I was going through mini summaries almost every few chapters. Sometimes, the previous events of a chapter were immediately summarized or reviewed before going forward. I don’t need a recap in an immediately following chapter or session. It seems like maybe there were chapters or sections moved around and in their original order, a concise recap would have been warranted, but when rearranged, they became superfluous.
Still, I enjoy where the story is going, I would just prefer less exposition and more active character movement.
So I have enjoyed all 8 of the series, but with book 8, I felt like I was going through mini summaries almost every few chapters. Sometimes, the previous events of a chapter were immediately summarized or reviewed before going forward. I don’t need a recap in an immediately following chapter or session. It seems like maybe there were chapters or sections moved around and in their original order, a concise recap would have been warranted, but when rearranged, they became superfluous.
Still, I enjoy where the story is going, I would just prefer less exposition and more active character movement.
December 18, 2022
Awful filler
Jason becomes an astral king. Midway between Great astral being and a God, but extremely limited and pretty useless now. The rest of the book is just filler, talking and getting rid of the builder through some plot armor.
15% of the book is ability descriptions and dumps from all characters. An additional 10% is talking about said abilities and their usage. Which is a ridiculous waste of space and time, I skipped over all of it and counted the %s and page counts. The author padded the pages because he needed a filler book.
I expect the next book to possibly be a time skip for getting Jason to Gold (finally) since he's made next to no progression outside of his aura and spirit crap.
Conclusion? Honestly the series has slowed down immensely, it's a lot less fun, and the page padding is obnoxious and immersion breaking, I'd hate to hear the audible with all of it. Most of the book was just talking and some minor things happening. I was bored. I know it's an extremely popular series, and this is unpopular to say, but this book wasn't fun, and it's was very bad in many tropey ways. I'm giving the next book a shot, but if it continues like this, then I'm gone. The wait between books is too long for crap like this to happen.
Jason becomes an astral king. Midway between Great astral being and a God, but extremely limited and pretty useless now. The rest of the book is just filler, talking and getting rid of the builder through some plot armor.
15% of the book is ability descriptions and dumps from all characters. An additional 10% is talking about said abilities and their usage. Which is a ridiculous waste of space and time, I skipped over all of it and counted the %s and page counts. The author padded the pages because he needed a filler book.
I expect the next book to possibly be a time skip for getting Jason to Gold (finally) since he's made next to no progression outside of his aura and spirit crap.
Conclusion? Honestly the series has slowed down immensely, it's a lot less fun, and the page padding is obnoxious and immersion breaking, I'd hate to hear the audible with all of it. Most of the book was just talking and some minor things happening. I was bored. I know it's an extremely popular series, and this is unpopular to say, but this book wasn't fun, and it's was very bad in many tropey ways. I'm giving the next book a shot, but if it continues like this, then I'm gone. The wait between books is too long for crap like this to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
A slow burn
With an equally slow start. This is a transition book. It lacks the dramatic punch from the last one. It is still good, still funny, but overall a bit tepid.
With an equally slow start. This is a transition book. It lacks the dramatic punch from the last one. It is still good, still funny, but overall a bit tepid.
December 16, 2022
disjointed.
There are so many chapters that rehash what literally just happened that it just felt too dang disjointed and wasteful.
There are so many chapters that rehash what literally just happened that it just felt too dang disjointed and wasteful.
December 19, 2022
Rating 4.0 stars
I am not sure how I feel about this book. This one isn't like the 3rd and 6th book in the series but there is also something lacking. It seemed like a prep book for what is to happen in the future and didn't focus on the now. I don't understand Jason's motivation much anymore. In the first 3 books it was about surviving and somehow finding a way home. In the next 3 books when he was home it was about connecting with his family, saving the world and finding a way back to his friends. Now it seems like Jason is kind of rudderless. I don't know what his goals are. They are to get stronger because he will need that strength in the future but that is a nebulous goal. He also needs to finish the bridge to save his home world, that also feels like a nebulous future problem that he has to do. Where are the specifics? Is Jason ever going to be happy? What will it take to make him happy? The last couple of books have been missing that joy. Jason always seemed to have at least a little fun wherever he went. He had his cooking, he went to social events, threw parties. When he was on earth he had a great time with his niece and his friends. When tragedy struck that time, he didn't bounce back. For the last 3 books he has been damaged and brooding. I am not saying he doesn't have a reason for that, but without that spark something is missing. He wants to be with his friends. Is that really enough though? Sofie and Humphrey are together. As much as Jason wants to be with his friends all they seem to do is adventure together. There isn't anything but that with them. I miss that fun. I miss those interactions. It brought balance to the story that has been missing lately. What does Jason really have to look forward to anymore? Something needs to happen. Something needs to change. Maybe get his family to visit him in the next book and reconnect? Anyway, that is my rant. I still really like the series but on a personal level I want something more.
I am not sure how I feel about this book. This one isn't like the 3rd and 6th book in the series but there is also something lacking. It seemed like a prep book for what is to happen in the future and didn't focus on the now. I don't understand Jason's motivation much anymore. In the first 3 books it was about surviving and somehow finding a way home. In the next 3 books when he was home it was about connecting with his family, saving the world and finding a way back to his friends. Now it seems like Jason is kind of rudderless. I don't know what his goals are. They are to get stronger because he will need that strength in the future but that is a nebulous goal. He also needs to finish the bridge to save his home world, that also feels like a nebulous future problem that he has to do. Where are the specifics? Is Jason ever going to be happy? What will it take to make him happy? The last couple of books have been missing that joy. Jason always seemed to have at least a little fun wherever he went. He had his cooking, he went to social events, threw parties. When he was on earth he had a great time with his niece and his friends. When tragedy struck that time, he didn't bounce back. For the last 3 books he has been damaged and brooding. I am not saying he doesn't have a reason for that, but without that spark something is missing. He wants to be with his friends. Is that really enough though? Sofie and Humphrey are together. As much as Jason wants to be with his friends all they seem to do is adventure together. There isn't anything but that with them. I miss that fun. I miss those interactions. It brought balance to the story that has been missing lately. What does Jason really have to look forward to anymore? Something needs to happen. Something needs to change. Maybe get his family to visit him in the next book and reconnect? Anyway, that is my rant. I still really like the series but on a personal level I want something more.
April 5, 2024
Pim pam pum, otro que se termina y la saga sigue manteniendo el nivel, esto es magia.
A seguir!
A seguir!
December 17, 2022
Another transition/setup book with all of the shortcomings that usually entails for the series. While I'm somewhat impressed by the author's ability to come up with new plot points for this series, I'm less than impressed by the transitions between story arcs.
The author has a bad habit of summarizing things too much. It reminds me of academic papers where the authors have to explain their methodology before getting to the actual data. Before getting to the actual scene of the story, we often have to skim through all of the thoughts, decisions, and experiences that led the characters to the scene, which is mind-numbingly boring for me and nearly always unnecessary. This book is 765 pages, but probably less than 300 of it is actual dialogue and events happening.
Which is a shame because the plot is interesting and good. I mean, we're here at Book 8, which is a lot more than most series can say. The series's strongest point to me is the dialogue scenes with characters interacting. While it can devolve into sympathy porn at times, these are still the scenes that the series is built upon and what keeps me coming back. So this book isn't a complete wash by any means, but I had to think for a bit whether it was 3 or 4 stars.
I can only hope that the next book pushes the plot a little bit more.
The author has a bad habit of summarizing things too much. It reminds me of academic papers where the authors have to explain their methodology before getting to the actual data. Before getting to the actual scene of the story, we often have to skim through all of the thoughts, decisions, and experiences that led the characters to the scene, which is mind-numbingly boring for me and nearly always unnecessary. This book is 765 pages, but probably less than 300 of it is actual dialogue and events happening.
Which is a shame because the plot is interesting and good. I mean, we're here at Book 8, which is a lot more than most series can say. The series's strongest point to me is the dialogue scenes with characters interacting. While it can devolve into sympathy porn at times, these are still the scenes that the series is built upon and what keeps me coming back. So this book isn't a complete wash by any means, but I had to think for a bit whether it was 3 or 4 stars.
I can only hope that the next book pushes the plot a little bit more.
December 14, 2022
eight
Still going strong. Jason does Jason things, and then when he should be recovering he does something even more Jason.
Still loving this series. About four months to the next one.
Still going strong. Jason does Jason things, and then when he should be recovering he does something even more Jason.
Still loving this series. About four months to the next one.
November 30, 2023
Re-read: Still interesting. Still a bit confusing.
This was a....interesting read. I got lost at more than a few points, no clue what was going on. No really awesome fights in this one sadly, though it is hilarious. Seriously, this book had me rolling in laughter more than a few times. Jason really is better back with his team. Still, it leaves you interested in the future, and I hope the good fights return soon.
This was a....interesting read. I got lost at more than a few points, no clue what was going on. No really awesome fights in this one sadly, though it is hilarious. Seriously, this book had me rolling in laughter more than a few times. Jason really is better back with his team. Still, it leaves you interested in the future, and I hope the good fights return soon.
February 4, 2024
I’m glad he gets back with the homies in this book. Low key I’m really wanting Jason to get some love in his life. His mental health is progressing nicely. Again though I’m wanting a good villain to come out in him i don’t know if it will now with the mental health help coming together rather quickly. With only 2 books left that have been published I’m wondering if I’ve been burning through these books too quickly. Whelp on to the next. 🤌🏼🤌🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2023
Notes:
4 Stars for Narration by Heath Miller
3.5 Stars for Plot Developments
Several thread lines come together in this volume. A nice place to pause for a while & wait for more audiobooks to come out. I'm curious to see how the author will progress the plot line & develop Jason. The character centered sequences are the best parts of the series.
4 Stars for Narration by Heath Miller
3.5 Stars for Plot Developments
Several thread lines come together in this volume. A nice place to pause for a while & wait for more audiobooks to come out. I'm curious to see how the author will progress the plot line & develop Jason. The character centered sequences are the best parts of the series.
December 19, 2022
The second half of the book was way too exposition-heavy, and the author's relationship with his lead character is becoming uncomfortable to watch (get a room!). I've a lot of time invested in this series so I hope it gets back to a plot focus once more.
October 11, 2025
Vērtējums zemāks, jo katras nodaļas sākumā tiek īsumā pārstāstīta iepriekšējā nodaļa. Kāda velna pēc tas vajadzīgs? Nu un redaktors šai grāmatai un visai sērijai ļoti noderētu. Stāsts gan ir aizraujošs un joprojām spēj noturēt manu uzmanību.
July 5, 2025
Jason and Dawn doing the astral version of the devil's tango was NOT on my bingo card XD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2023
Book eight
Okay so I fell behind in my online reading of this story and have to read the books and catch up starting with this one.
Some things are repeated more than I felt they needed to be. Other than that this is a really enjoyable story and series.
I like that the MC is a goof and tries hard to just have fun with life, but can also get deadly serious when it is needed, while still trying for goofy. For me he is just a character that works.
Stash just kills me.
8/10
Okay so I fell behind in my online reading of this story and have to read the books and catch up starting with this one.
Some things are repeated more than I felt they needed to be. Other than that this is a really enjoyable story and series.
I like that the MC is a goof and tries hard to just have fun with life, but can also get deadly serious when it is needed, while still trying for goofy. For me he is just a character that works.
Stash just kills me.
8/10
December 21, 2022
Author spends far too much time going into mundane detail without moving the plot along. Almost nothing happened the entire book. Talking about Jason constantly sacrificing himself and hitting above his weight is nearly all this book is about, without any of that actually happening very often.
I really enjoyed the plot pacing in the first 3 books, and although I didn’t enjoy the books back on earth as much, at least things were happening. I was excited to get back to this world and some more action, but have been disappointed so far. I hope the third book in this set has more consistent adventuring.
I really enjoyed the plot pacing in the first 3 books, and although I didn’t enjoy the books back on earth as much, at least things were happening. I was excited to get back to this world and some more action, but have been disappointed so far. I hope the third book in this set has more consistent adventuring.
December 17, 2022
The story itself is 4 stars, but several issues knock it down to 3.5. Several times in the book it rehashes what has gone on earlier in the book which got annoying. The cosmic chapter was really dry.
Jason goes through more trauma to alter his soul. What there is of team building was entertaining but there wasn't enough of it.
Jason goes through more trauma to alter his soul. What there is of team building was entertaining but there wasn't enough of it.
December 17, 2024
First half had me in a bit of a slog, but read the second half in like a day
December 27, 2022
I’ve enjoyed this series – until now
What has made this a good series (up until now)? The humor. The personal relationships. Jason’s perseverance despite great odds against him. Jason’s irreverence toward those who are used to fawning reverence. The scheming of those in power. The hugely diverse set of increasingly physically and magically deadly monsters. And Jason’s interesting combination of subtle aura control yet extreme aura power.
With this book, there’s way too much about matters of aura, soul and astral forces. . Trying to explain the increasing esoteric aspects of these forces goes on for pages and pages and pages. Basically, Shirtaloon used a lot of words to try and describe how these forces work within the universe he has imagined. But it was like reading a textbook about astrology; that is, not interesting and ultimately just nonsense.
To me, the most humorous exchanges are between Jason and Shade. Shade’s observations on the obviously most reasonable course of action (in response to what Jason just said or did) are dry wit at its finest. I wish there had been more such conversations. But overall, there is simply less humor in this book because the author seemed too preoccupied with aura, soul and astral forces.
There were also less pages spent on personal relationships. I think Jason spends more time with Dawn than anyone else. But a friendly relationship between silver ranker and diamond ranker is hard to easily imagine. What do Jason and Dawn mostly talk about? If you guessed “aura, soul and astral forces”, then you guessed right.
Unlike the previous book, there was very little palace intrigue either (unfortunately). Indeed, those in the palace were more interested in knowing what Jason might be doing than with using Jason for their own nefarious schemes.
Nor is there much monster fighting, though I was fine with that as monster fighting alone can’t really carry the story forward (except for its level-up potential).
Bottom line: I’ve been a fan of this series, but this 8th book was a bust -- and not just because Jason is no longer the personable and lovable underdog. There was just too much explanation of imaginary metaphysics. Had this been the first book in the series, there would not have any readers around wanting to read a second book.
What has made this a good series (up until now)? The humor. The personal relationships. Jason’s perseverance despite great odds against him. Jason’s irreverence toward those who are used to fawning reverence. The scheming of those in power. The hugely diverse set of increasingly physically and magically deadly monsters. And Jason’s interesting combination of subtle aura control yet extreme aura power.
With this book, there’s way too much about matters of aura, soul and astral forces. . Trying to explain the increasing esoteric aspects of these forces goes on for pages and pages and pages. Basically, Shirtaloon used a lot of words to try and describe how these forces work within the universe he has imagined. But it was like reading a textbook about astrology; that is, not interesting and ultimately just nonsense.
To me, the most humorous exchanges are between Jason and Shade. Shade’s observations on the obviously most reasonable course of action (in response to what Jason just said or did) are dry wit at its finest. I wish there had been more such conversations. But overall, there is simply less humor in this book because the author seemed too preoccupied with aura, soul and astral forces.
There were also less pages spent on personal relationships. I think Jason spends more time with Dawn than anyone else. But a friendly relationship between silver ranker and diamond ranker is hard to easily imagine. What do Jason and Dawn mostly talk about? If you guessed “aura, soul and astral forces”, then you guessed right.
Unlike the previous book, there was very little palace intrigue either (unfortunately). Indeed, those in the palace were more interested in knowing what Jason might be doing than with using Jason for their own nefarious schemes.
Nor is there much monster fighting, though I was fine with that as monster fighting alone can’t really carry the story forward (except for its level-up potential).
Bottom line: I’ve been a fan of this series, but this 8th book was a bust -- and not just because Jason is no longer the personable and lovable underdog. There was just too much explanation of imaginary metaphysics. Had this been the first book in the series, there would not have any readers around wanting to read a second book.
February 3, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the previous books in this series. For those of us that read the book when the story is finished and published the repeating information is annoying. For example one whole chapter has Jason doing certain actions and talking to certain characters. The next chapter opens with a complete rehash of the last chapter, which isn’t needed in the book. Maybe needed for those who read as a serial with time in between chapters. The recap is not needed in book form.
The story was fine, if much slower and less action than other books in the series.
The story was fine, if much slower and less action than other books in the series.
December 14, 2022
Finally after what felt like almost 3 filler books are we getting back on track in (Palamustas) idk the correct spelling. Anyway finally Jason and his team are back together and things are heating up. Some twists and turns in this book I didn't see coming at all. The action is awesome as always. The dynamics in the team even though they have changed somewhat is really interesting and touching. It feels like all of the gang has grown a lot. Can't wait for the next book.
September 29, 2023
The team is up to their usual shenanigans with more adventure and exponential escalation of danger. Development and pacing are still great after 8 books! Do wish we had more time with the other team members.
March 6, 2025
Loved the dialogue and characterization in this one, but definitely had pacing issues and some events were resolved in anti climactic ways.
If you like the character work of the series and the interplay between characters, you'll find a lot to like. If you're in for climactic fights and world shattering events this may be one of the weaker entries so far.
4'5/5
If you like the character work of the series and the interplay between characters, you'll find a lot to like. If you're in for climactic fights and world shattering events this may be one of the weaker entries so far.
4'5/5
December 16, 2022
Jason Asano pulls the impossible out his ass yet again. But, to be fair, this entire genre is a lesson in impossibility, so who am I to judge?
November 14, 2023
4.5 stars. I found this book to be slower than some. I am happiest when he has more team interactions.
August 4, 2024
I am pretty much binging this series that I very much didn't expect to enjoy as much as I ended up doing. It's a book series that takes a very power fantasy and wise-cracking hero that puts him through horrifying hell as well as struggles that I was surprised that I actually found myself caring about. The Builder plot seems resolved in this book and I think that was a smart move because, really, he kind of overstayed his welcome.
August 4, 2024
Early books were good, but the series just kept going downhill to shit. I seriously can't tolerate this shit no more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews