With their initiate year over, the Pettit family dispersed to their separate adept Jenn would be on the border with Krogga, defending against incursions. Yukiko was to patrol near Alturis, giving her the chance to see Gregory’s home and childhood friends. Mindy was going back to Grackle to help their younger friends with their troop training. Gregory was headed off to the far northern end of the empire, going to what was known as the most dangerous patrol for an adept magi.
Gregory was sure that Sage Laozi Windfoot had set his posting there to make sure no one said he’d played favorites, but it made him worry for his men— it would take months to get to the town of Coldwood, and his year wouldn’t begin until he relieved the current adept. That would make it closer to a year and a half before his family could gather together in Krogga.
To get there, Gregory would need to use his foresight and knowledge to survive. It wasn’t just the bane beasts that would make the post dangerous, but the eurtik who lived in the north, too. The free eurtik were hunted by slavers, but were also known to attack slavers and magi guard units alike to try to free their kin.
If that wasn’t enough, Gregory would also need to play politics while in the twin towns of Coldwood and Icelake. Both had magus-tier magi posted to them, as incursions of eurtik and bane beasts were common. They were probably the worst kind of those who loved eurtik slaves, or would willingly profit off helping the slavers.
Gregory would need to make hard choices for his adept year. What would he let happen around him while posted to the most dangerous part of the empire? Was it better to turn a blind eye to get by as easily as possible, or would he stand in the way of the powerful people there?
Daniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.
Unfortunately, the repetitiveness throughout the book greatly hampers its potential. The story lacks excitement and becomes monotonous, as certain themes, dialogue, and ideas are excessively reiterated, leaving readers unengaged and uninterested. Moreover, the main character's cloying nature grates on the mind, giving off an unsettling Charles Manson vibe with the borderline cult-like devotion of his followers. Additionally, the characters' one-dimensional portrayals make it difficult to form emotional connections or invest in their arcs. Despite the potential for political intrigue and tough choices, the pervasive repetitiveness and uncomfortable protagonist dynamic make "Moral Stand" a challenging recommendation for avid readers of the fantasy genre.
Really hard to write reviews for long series like this one. By this point you should know what the series is about and whether you like it or not. It also doesn't seem important to write about what the characters are like because I have already written about that in the past in previous books. Also since this is more of a day in the life kind of book, there isn't some big revelation to write about. Overall I will just say this was a good addition to the series and I am looking forward to the next one.
As I said earlier, I am flying through the series, and I also completed this book super quickly. Yesterday was my week off, and all I did was read this book. Alas, I wasn't able to finish it yesterday, so here it is. This book sees Greg posted for his Adept and 4th year to the most dangerous route full of Bane Beasts and other enemies. This book again shows us the great person and character Greg is the way he goes about life is wonderful. Greg finds two towns owned by a corrupt rich family and covered by two corrupt power power-mad magis. And thus the year begins and goes forward. I am already more than 20% in the next book, as I wanted to continue the adventures, as Greg will be meeting his wives finally after more than a year apart. During the march between the cities, the team fights multiple Bane Beasts with amazing fights, and also slavers, and the fights were wonderful, and the camaraderie between the entire squad is wonderful. Ok then, another great addition to the series, and I am already partway through book 8, so let's go and Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres, but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so I can't stay and spend more time on this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
To start, I still love the characters, and the writing is excellent. My problem is the plot leaves a lot to be desired. This is the 7th book in the series and the previous book made it feel like it was ramping up to the next act, out of the preparation/school phase and into a more proactive plot. The Main Character, Greg, is finally out where he can act on his own initiative but rather than a diverse set of problems for him to solve on his own there is only one major issue which is resolved by him sticking to his initial plan. Most of the book is taken up by him following the same pattern week in week out. I understand that Greg has foresight magic, but a lack of suspense killed the drama. I will probably read the next one, but if the author doesn't step up his game that might be the last.
Oh man the repetitions! The book could’ve and should’ve been reduced to a few chapters.
Character are so one dimensional and flat with the MC to deep in the woke juice. It’s a harem series without any harem fun. As in not at all!
It feels like that even the author has given up on story. I probably will dropped the series and for you who won’t - you can skip the book without loosing anything!!!
But lacking in big developmental content. N 8 understand it's necessary to build the background, and appreciated the book, but it was a bit of a lull in terms of story progression and exciting content. Definitely looking forward to the next one!
Absolutely loved it. A great addition to an amazing series. Really cannot wait for Greg to make it to his magus posting and be reunited. Looking first to how his magus years go.
I enjoyed the novel but it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The good is that this deep into a harem lit series, I'm usually frustrated by the harem sucking all the life out of the plot, uhm, right. This isn't happening here because he author is being clever about just having the harem be ... elsewhere. Yes, it's unmanageably large and most of the women feel reduced to a single, defining sex kink but they are also a future problem and I enjoyed that the author simply got to tell a story.
The bad is that the protagonist has foresight, without the artificial constraints from the previous novels, so all the tension is defused before it has any chance to build. Then, when a surprise attack does happen, it feels nonsensical; how do you have foresight and forget to check for attacks during the night? Any form of time manipulation is definitely on my short list of superpowers to want but it's probably the worst possible choice for the main protagonist.
I'd also love future books to spend less time on the "good" characters constantly reminded each other of their goodness - I get it, Gregory values friends, loves his wives and is a stupefyingly atypical magi - and more on developing some good villains. Great stories have great villains and this story tends to have paper mache pinatas of cliched evil.
In book seven Gregory takes his yearlong assignment to the north of the Empire, not far from the elvish nation and the uerteks. Slavery is common here but getting people, especially slavers to follow the law is not.
The setup is that the squad has to travel between two cities roughly every week. They get a week off at the solstice but that's it. Each city has a brothel that uses captured slaves as... well, that's fairly obvious. Gregory is incensed but knows better than to say anything at that point in time.
What follows is a slow build as Gregory begins applying pressure. There are bane beasts to fight off, slavers of course, and other challenges. As with most of this author's books the story wraps up in a satisfying way.
The editing is good, and the story keeps things moving. The two sides of the conflict are clearly good and bad, with no gray in between. I wish there had been some gray as that makes things more challenging.
Exciting, interesting and very well written. The MC is seperated from his wives and wives to be for a year, being posted in the boonies. There, slavers and corrupt officials inhabit two towns, never mind the aether enhanced beasts that roam the forrests. The MC upholds the laws on the books that merely limit enslavement, which of course upsets the beneficiaries of the system. As usual, the author's worldbuilding is exceptional and I really enjoy the slices of "everyday life" as the MC goes shopping for baked goods, visits taverns with his officers etc. The MC treats everyone with respect and acts like a decent person unless it becomes necessary to introduce them to the sword. This is one of my 2 fave series by Mr. Schinhofen, the other being The Binding Worlds series, though I've also enjoyed Apocalypse gates and Alpha world. I've not yet finished Dungeon Walkers 4. I'm always looking forward to seeing new offerings from Mr. Schinhofen.
Gregory has a year of patrolling the north of the empire without any of his usual support systems. He has his group of trained magi guards and Rafiq alongside to record events. No clan mates or other allies. Plus the 2 towns he is patrolling between are built on the backs of slavery. Given his beliefs, Greg does what he can within the law to push back. But this does not fly well in the face of the corrupt Magus overseeing each town or the wealthy merchants who make their money on the slave trade.
This entry in the Aether's Revival series was a good one. Greg was forced to make some decisions I would not want to. His foresight magic came in clutch, but almost gave him decision paralysis.
There are some time skips. This book does cover an entire year. The skipped parts were negligible. Who wants to read of 3 weeks here and 5 weeks there of normal uneventful patrols.
... is the pacing of this series. The breadth of this storyline is considerable. It would be so easy to truncate, compress, time leap, rush, and otherwise shorten the telling. At the same time there's an obvious lack of superfluous and/or repetitive content. It takes a special mindset along with substantial skill to manage something like this. Kudos. And thanks. Looking forward to spending many enjoyable hours as the story unfolds and, eventually concludes (sniff).
Finally a book in this series to match book 1 or 2 (can't remember which one), with more action than sex. For those that like the graphic sex of this series, there is still plenty of that. I am afraid most of the next book will have a bunch of sex scenes as Greg is adding 3 or more wives to his harem, plus Darkness. Just more pages for me to skip because those pages get boring and repetitive. I still like the storyline and characters in spite of the author's sex fantasies....
I truly enjoyed this book. I read the six before and I couldn't believe it but this one has been the best of all of them. I truly enjoyed how he went into Gregory's trial at being a commander. It was bittersweet the time he got to spend with his darkness and his wives and his incoming wives ves, but it made for a better read as we got to find out more about Gregory and how strong he is both physically mentally and spiritually. Looking forward to the next in the series
Greg and men face the abuses of slavery in two corrupt towns on the northern border of the empire. Grim at times, but worthwhile as well.
Excellent editing. Somehow I'd gotten it into my head there were only eight books in the series, which had me wondering how this talented author was going to pull that off in a satisfactory manner. Turns out there are 11 books, and maybe more forthcoming. Absorbing series with a fascinating blend of magic (mana) and qi cultivation.
I great seventh book of the series. We find Greg having to deal with major challenges including corruption while trying to hold to his ideals around slavery and doing what’s right. This path will start the beginnings of his conflict with other clans besides the eternal flame.
The hardest paths make the best Magi. That theory is about to be tested as he joins his wives in krogga.
I loved that Gregory was able to use the very laws that he actually disagrees with to take down the corrupt powers in his adept posting. I have to wonder if the Sage is once again using his malicious obedience to clean up the worst of the empire’s problems.
Also, does the Sage have any suspicion of who Greg truly is? At what point will Greg be strong enough to challenge the emperor directly?
It was my last favorite series from this author and has slowly become my favorite. Pacing is slow but methodical, and I do love the feel of the world around them. Do wish to see his magic beyond foresight to finally come to light. Hopefully, book eight is the winner as I am not sure how much longer the author can justify keeping the God he has as a main character from being overpowered. High hopes for Krogga!!!
Fast part sequel in this fantastic cultivation series
I loved all books in this series and this latest addition is no exception. This is very very fast paced lots of things happening and challenges without end for it Adept. I missed the closet interaction with his friends and wives but it was in the nature of the story line and will change with the next installment and their common posting.
Gregory goes through a lot in this posting, and firms his stance. His rigidity towards following laws does worry me that he might put himself in a corner before he prefers. His foresight and the habits he's training will serve him well in that regard. I will say that it was a relief to not see more than the expected added into his harem, but the dream meetings are funny. I worry about Darkness, she seems so fragile.
This volume sees Gregory patrolling a remote border, taking the controversial position that slavery is wrong. The action is flowing, the politics are fraught, and the tone is functional. This is an important stage in his character growth, and a great expansion of the world building, but is one of the least volumes in this series. Still recommended, because this series is excellent.
Such an epic series!!!! I know we all say occasionally "I couldn't put it down" this for me honestly is that series!!! So much amazing growth for the MC and his family and finally the beginning of the reuniting of his family!!! I can't wait to see what challenges await them next!!!
I have been following this series from the beginning. I really recommend it for the really well thought out world. I feel as if I'm there and that shows the skill of the author. I'm not a skilled author or editor just a normal everyday guy. I hope you enjoy your adventure.
I love to read and I read a couple hundred books a year and I am used to reading a series and having to wait for the next. This is one of a very few series that as soon as I finish it I am ready for the next one now! Great book and looking forward to the next one!!!
Like all the other books; a well written story. Great world. Excellent characters to get to know. Character, morals, steadfastness, and much heart, even if you - the reader - do not align with the attributes presented.
It leaves me wanting more as per usual. Great job Mr. Daniel Schinhofen.
This was one of the better books in the series. I really enjoyed it and was entertained the entire time. If you read this book please go back to the first one and start the series from the beginning, you will enjoy it even more. Best of luck to the author. Can’t wait for the next one!
Love this story and this installment doesn’t disappoint. Continues to dive into Greggory’s process and watch him from in both power and wisdom. I was missing he other characters like Greg does and makes the story so much more rich waiting till they meet in Krogga. Hoping for many more installments to come!