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Outworlder's Blood #2
The Eldritch Underneath: The Splintered Five Saga
After a narrow escape from Tumbling Rapids, Kay and his mentor, Eleniah, embark on an exhilarating journey into the unknown. Eleniah has grand designs for her new protégé and plans to mold him into a force of nature, capable of withstanding whatever the world can throw at him. And her chosen classroom? A monster-infested stretch of wilderness, where no one would be stupid—or crazy—enough to venture.
But when a motley crew of refugees and adventurers unexpectedly intrudes upon their solitude, Kay's training takes an unforeseen twist. Leadership is suddenly thrust upon him and, like it or not, he now has an entire settlement to look after.
Juggling his new responsibilities while simultaneously advancing his Classes and Skills should be challenge enough, but unfortunately there's a far more ominous threat lurking beneath the surface of their new home. Something hungry. Something vicious. Something bloodthirsty. And Key’s idyllic little hamlet looks like the perfect meal…
But when a motley crew of refugees and adventurers unexpectedly intrudes upon their solitude, Kay's training takes an unforeseen twist. Leadership is suddenly thrust upon him and, like it or not, he now has an entire settlement to look after.
Juggling his new responsibilities while simultaneously advancing his Classes and Skills should be challenge enough, but unfortunately there's a far more ominous threat lurking beneath the surface of their new home. Something hungry. Something vicious. Something bloodthirsty. And Key’s idyllic little hamlet looks like the perfect meal…
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2023
235 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 22, 2024
This is second in an isekai LitRPG series that builds character and worldbuilding over the series. Read in order.
Eleniah has determined that they need to leave the dubious safety of Tumbling Rapids and strike out on their own. This is partly to build Kay's strength, but there's also an explicit element where she thinks he needs to carve out his own power base. Kind of literally. But also kind of in the sense of creating a settlement and building it over time.
You have to take this as stated due to Kay's title of Class Line Progenitor and that this means he can become crazy powerful and that doing so in an existing settlement sets him up for pawn/threat status by the powers that be. If you roll with this premise, the story flows along very well. Kay isn't completely sold on the whole "town building" side quest, but he understands and trusts Eleniah when she tells him important things about the world. Since that trust has never been broken, this makes total sense.
The rest of the story is Kay drawing people to his plans and enlisting help in building up a base that can survive the monsters and other local challenges. The biggest benefit from this move is that we no longer have to deal with the paper-thin antagonists of the previous book and now get to deal with natural threats and a single, bigger threat that lies underneath the region they've decided to settle.
And my favorite bit is how the system becomes a bit more exposed through Kay's action against the hidden horror. It turns out the system had a stake in the outcome and that it's rules could be bent in service to this stake. And that lets Kay . I like the worldbuilding of this bit and the flaws it exposes are at least interesting and well-handled.
This isn't quite up to my five star standard, but it's close enough that I'll round up to five stars anyway. I enjoyed the developments with Kay and his settlement and those who are drawn to his banner. And I liked the system and class growth developments that happened along the way. Well done and I'm enjoying this story enough I'll be looking it up on Royal Road for the next bit.
A note about Chaste: The relationship with Kay and Eleniah has grown stronger and closer. I get the feeling that the author is shy of pushing into intimacy for some reason because the characters are about to a level where it'd be both natural and affirming to take the next step. They haven't, though, so this is very chaste.
Eleniah has determined that they need to leave the dubious safety of Tumbling Rapids and strike out on their own. This is partly to build Kay's strength, but there's also an explicit element where she thinks he needs to carve out his own power base. Kind of literally. But also kind of in the sense of creating a settlement and building it over time.
You have to take this as stated due to Kay's title of Class Line Progenitor and that this means he can become crazy powerful and that doing so in an existing settlement sets him up for pawn/threat status by the powers that be. If you roll with this premise, the story flows along very well. Kay isn't completely sold on the whole "town building" side quest, but he understands and trusts Eleniah when she tells him important things about the world. Since that trust has never been broken, this makes total sense.
The rest of the story is Kay drawing people to his plans and enlisting help in building up a base that can survive the monsters and other local challenges. The biggest benefit from this move is that we no longer have to deal with the paper-thin antagonists of the previous book and now get to deal with natural threats and a single, bigger threat that lies underneath the region they've decided to settle.
And my favorite bit is how the system becomes a bit more exposed through Kay's action against the hidden horror. It turns out the system had a stake in the outcome and that it's rules could be bent in service to this stake. And that lets Kay . I like the worldbuilding of this bit and the flaws it exposes are at least interesting and well-handled.
This isn't quite up to my five star standard, but it's close enough that I'll round up to five stars anyway. I enjoyed the developments with Kay and his settlement and those who are drawn to his banner. And I liked the system and class growth developments that happened along the way. Well done and I'm enjoying this story enough I'll be looking it up on Royal Road for the next bit.
A note about Chaste: The relationship with Kay and Eleniah has grown stronger and closer. I get the feeling that the author is shy of pushing into intimacy for some reason because the characters are about to a level where it'd be both natural and affirming to take the next step. They haven't, though, so this is very chaste.
October 15, 2023
Took several of the good things from book one and ignored them.
Coming of age stories work in a stable setting. It allows a basis to build narrative while the MC is developed. This has no foundation so the story founders. The MC can not carry the story so the whole thing just falls flat. The driving force from book one, the mentor, is placed to the side and ignored. This is just bland and trudged on with no real driving force.
Coming of age stories work in a stable setting. It allows a basis to build narrative while the MC is developed. This has no foundation so the story founders. The MC can not carry the story so the whole thing just falls flat. The driving force from book one, the mentor, is placed to the side and ignored. This is just bland and trudged on with no real driving force.
May 23, 2024
Decidedly average but not bad
October 13, 2023
Too much
There are just so much pity parties that I can read almost every paragraph .The MC turned into a wimp the instructor another pity tale.The writer went way overboard with it until I could not stand reading anymore
There are just so much pity parties that I can read almost every paragraph .The MC turned into a wimp the instructor another pity tale.The writer went way overboard with it until I could not stand reading anymore
October 13, 2023
Good story, weird character dynamics
So I’ll start off by saying that the overall story was enjoyable. We have our MC establishing himself as he claims a location to begin his “rise to power!” The skill progression and class development has kind of taken a backseat this book but ultimately wasn’t totally forgotten. It was also interesting to see some more characters added and hope to see more interactions in the future.
The weird part, and the reasoning for the missing star, is the sometimes crazy mental gymnastics the MC puts himself through or the truly strange conversations. The MC is oftentimes so worried about saying or doing something wrong thing that they go off on this almost bizarre philosophical tangents, which further compounds the weirdness by having the other participants constantly reassure him but in often direct/blunt/scripted fashion that takes the “organic” flow out of the scene.
That isn’t even stating the weird dynamic he has with his teacher/mentor/advisor/friend. The relationship there goes to PAINFUL lengths to ensure this isn’t romantic, then does things like constant touches/hugs/and other gestures that would indicate attraction yet for the life of me I can’t figure this out. It is truly bizarre but normally something you could ignore yet they take pains to point this out constantly. Honestly, I’m hoping that for future installments this just gets addressed and can finally either ignore it completely or embrace the relationship as something more.
Other than the sometimes weird character interactions, the book as a whole has a lot to offer and there appears to be a lot of mysteries inbound. I am looking forward to the next book and other than the character critique I think anyone on the fence should just give it a go.
So I’ll start off by saying that the overall story was enjoyable. We have our MC establishing himself as he claims a location to begin his “rise to power!” The skill progression and class development has kind of taken a backseat this book but ultimately wasn’t totally forgotten. It was also interesting to see some more characters added and hope to see more interactions in the future.
The weird part, and the reasoning for the missing star, is the sometimes crazy mental gymnastics the MC puts himself through or the truly strange conversations. The MC is oftentimes so worried about saying or doing something wrong thing that they go off on this almost bizarre philosophical tangents, which further compounds the weirdness by having the other participants constantly reassure him but in often direct/blunt/scripted fashion that takes the “organic” flow out of the scene.
That isn’t even stating the weird dynamic he has with his teacher/mentor/advisor/friend. The relationship there goes to PAINFUL lengths to ensure this isn’t romantic, then does things like constant touches/hugs/and other gestures that would indicate attraction yet for the life of me I can’t figure this out. It is truly bizarre but normally something you could ignore yet they take pains to point this out constantly. Honestly, I’m hoping that for future installments this just gets addressed and can finally either ignore it completely or embrace the relationship as something more.
Other than the sometimes weird character interactions, the book as a whole has a lot to offer and there appears to be a lot of mysteries inbound. I am looking forward to the next book and other than the character critique I think anyone on the fence should just give it a go.
March 16, 2024
Very Cool Stuff
This story of a Izk guy who has a blood magic was a very interesting fast paced action adventure read that I really enjoyed reading.
This story of a Izk guy who has a blood magic was a very interesting fast paced action adventure read that I really enjoyed reading.
October 30, 2024
The MC, after an emotional bonding experience with his mentor promises to always be there. Well, except the author made no such promise. This looks to the typical progression-turned-city builder series. Still moralizing, still written for 9 year olds.
October 12, 2023
Wow WillPowah does it again with this amazingly strong 2nd book in the Outworlder's Blood series. Eleniah, Kay's mentor, decides she wants to take him away from the city they were in to travel, train and get stronger, she had high hopes for Kay and saw in him a leader. She took him out to the wilderness hoping nothing would disturb their training sessions, however this area was full of monsters, but what came as a surprise were the group of refugees they came across. These wanted to join them on their travels, however they soon found a place to stop so that together they decided to build a settlement which Kay was to lead. His responsibilities grew but so did his advancements and his status as a blood mage grew stronger. He liked the way the settlement was growing, so much so that Meten was sent to bring his people over to join them, hoping to live a peaceful and satisfying life, however this was not to be as danger threatened from below. In the tunnels below the settlement in the mountains, lurked things craving food and sacrifice. These Rattian cultists were being dominated by an evil from another world who was trying to infiltrate their own and if not stopped and killed outright could mean the death of them all. This eldritch being was totally antithetical to them and could drive them all mad if allowed to enter their world. So they decided to go after it, into the tunnels they went with Kay in the forefront ready to battle the Eldritch being and obliterate him to save his home and his friends. However strange things started to happen from the side of the system! Why was it aiding Kay and responding to his demands? Did the system fear failure too? Was Kay to save the system as well as his settlement? Wow this was a thoroughly intriguing LitRPG and cultivation book and I cannot wait to read book 3 as this book leaves many questions unanswered and I would love to see the return of Murunel, the dragon too as she is adorable!
October 31, 2023
Mixed feelings.
I really have mixed feelings on this one. It's well written and thought out. I have every reason to love it as a fantasy litrpg from a literary stand point. Unfortunately the relationships move slowly, the plot seems to move even more slowly (in ways), and it adopts a couple themes I don't enjoy...
(These are mostly background, over-arching elements for now. So even more vague than it sounds.)
A master mind plotting to ruin/destroy the world and succeeding to a bizare/uncomfortable degree. As well as a god like entity or force being obviously flawed or corrupted thus meaning the character, in some way, has to fight the fundemental nature of the world or something on par with it.
By the way all of this puts a strain on the open ended timer that made the slow relationships and plot feel more tolerable, since we had centuries... Nope. Existential threat ahoy.
TLDR: I still want to continue the series but it has dimensions that keep me from fully enjoying and falling in love with the work. Its plot pacing is also reminiscent of hyper serialized works that tantalize but never slake. It's generally better than those but I'm unsure if I'll be satiafied at the end or just think, "Huh. That was decent." Then forget it ever existed and move on.
I really have mixed feelings on this one. It's well written and thought out. I have every reason to love it as a fantasy litrpg from a literary stand point. Unfortunately the relationships move slowly, the plot seems to move even more slowly (in ways), and it adopts a couple themes I don't enjoy...
(These are mostly background, over-arching elements for now. So even more vague than it sounds.)
A master mind plotting to ruin/destroy the world and succeeding to a bizare/uncomfortable degree. As well as a god like entity or force being obviously flawed or corrupted thus meaning the character, in some way, has to fight the fundemental nature of the world or something on par with it.
By the way all of this puts a strain on the open ended timer that made the slow relationships and plot feel more tolerable, since we had centuries... Nope. Existential threat ahoy.
TLDR: I still want to continue the series but it has dimensions that keep me from fully enjoying and falling in love with the work. Its plot pacing is also reminiscent of hyper serialized works that tantalize but never slake. It's generally better than those but I'm unsure if I'll be satiafied at the end or just think, "Huh. That was decent." Then forget it ever existed and move on.
February 16, 2024
It was OK overall.
#. Gun powder when said that in book I almost stopped there and then I hate when add guns to fantasy story's usually unless syfy or they are useless against magic user's still didn't like it in this story & hope taken out fast.
Furthermore helping them advance weapons is stupid dangerous irresponsible and just bad idea mean does he really want be responsiblefor all deaths pains what others use it for as he would be. (Also just really don't want see it.)
#. Mc moaning can be a bit much at times.
#. I like reading about new abilities and skills especially that mc gets/develops so on. (Too much blood talk makes me queasy.)
#. Also kay mc needs stop asking others what do for everything some should be obvious like, don't give advanced weapons to others like guns or bullets or bombs so forth.
#. Like how mc and Eleniah are just friends would be weird if more and hope don't become more not into romances usually ruins story. And the dragon (Murunel.) Is cute I like her.
#. Town building my lord it was boring 💤
#. Liked ending with admistraters system & mystery character introduced was exciting.
Finally:
Just want to say if bombs, dynamite extra come into this that's it I'm out. (Hoping guns are taken out.)
#. Gun powder when said that in book I almost stopped there and then I hate when add guns to fantasy story's usually unless syfy or they are useless against magic user's still didn't like it in this story & hope taken out fast.
Furthermore helping them advance weapons is stupid dangerous irresponsible and just bad idea mean does he really want be responsiblefor all deaths pains what others use it for as he would be. (Also just really don't want see it.)
#. Mc moaning can be a bit much at times.
#. I like reading about new abilities and skills especially that mc gets/develops so on. (Too much blood talk makes me queasy.)
#. Also kay mc needs stop asking others what do for everything some should be obvious like, don't give advanced weapons to others like guns or bullets or bombs so forth.
#. Like how mc and Eleniah are just friends would be weird if more and hope don't become more not into romances usually ruins story. And the dragon (Murunel.) Is cute I like her.
#. Town building my lord it was boring 💤
#. Liked ending with admistraters system & mystery character introduced was exciting.
Finally:
Just want to say if bombs, dynamite extra come into this that's it I'm out. (Hoping guns are taken out.)
November 13, 2023
This book is a step back in everything. K is written like some Teenager with angst issues. He is like some zoomer if you take the internet away from them, he would mentally break down and would end up fumbling around and not no how to do anything. The dude can't make a single decision on his own, he can't even randomly explore without some explanation on how to start to explore with someone holding his hand. . This is brought up OVER AND OVER AND OVER again.
Then you have Elania that is very much manipulating him and he is a clueless idiot that just nods his head.. The bottom line the MC doesn't know how to make his own path, the story is not about him really, its about someone taking advantage of him and playing house.
Then you have Elania that is very much manipulating him and he is a clueless idiot that just nods his head.. The bottom line the MC doesn't know how to make his own path, the story is not about him really, its about someone taking advantage of him and playing house.
January 10, 2026
Solid continuation. As with the previous book, the biggest criticism remains that too many events continue to feel too convenient. It rarely feels like there are ever any complications that need to be overcome between stating a goal and meeting that objective.
Want to form a town? Find a perfect spot, and then a confluence of convenient events conspires to provide multiple, independent sources of new citizens providing the most sought-after skills almost immediately. No growth issues, there's plenty of food, nobody challenges for leadership, everyone gets along; you need a little grit in there to make it feel real.
It's a fun read, but its tendency to avoid all friction makes it feel shallow.
Want to form a town? Find a perfect spot, and then a confluence of convenient events conspires to provide multiple, independent sources of new citizens providing the most sought-after skills almost immediately. No growth issues, there's plenty of food, nobody challenges for leadership, everyone gets along; you need a little grit in there to make it feel real.
It's a fun read, but its tendency to avoid all friction makes it feel shallow.
October 18, 2023
A good solid venture
A good story along the lines of many other portals... Unique class.... Interesting and imaginative... Though I think he has an incorrect visage of what a halberd is which has an axe blade or similar to such on the front... Spike on top and usually another spike on the back side... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream and Embers and Ash
A good story along the lines of many other portals... Unique class.... Interesting and imaginative... Though I think he has an incorrect visage of what a halberd is which has an axe blade or similar to such on the front... Spike on top and usually another spike on the back side... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream and Embers and Ash
October 31, 2023
Just Ok
I thought there was enough action and progression of powers, but it just didn’t suck me in as much as some other books have. It might be the dialogue is just too childish or there’s too much telling or explaining of people’s actions and thoughts rather than just letting the actions and dialogue communicate the same indirect explanation and letting the reader infer the details. I’ll read the next one, but hope the author improves.
I thought there was enough action and progression of powers, but it just didn’t suck me in as much as some other books have. It might be the dialogue is just too childish or there’s too much telling or explaining of people’s actions and thoughts rather than just letting the actions and dialogue communicate the same indirect explanation and letting the reader infer the details. I’ll read the next one, but hope the author improves.
October 14, 2023
Really good and different from other litepg
I really liked this book. It’s part two, but it continues smoothly ( I would have liked a small synopsis at the beginning ). The humor and feelings are top class, and the book twists and turns surprise me like the previous one. Kay is friendly, but I wonder if there will be love in coming books.
I really liked this book. It’s part two, but it continues smoothly ( I would have liked a small synopsis at the beginning ). The humor and feelings are top class, and the book twists and turns surprise me like the previous one. Kay is friendly, but I wonder if there will be love in coming books.
November 5, 2023
Good sequel. There were some things that I really liked, a new town building element, and things that I didn’t like, the delving into the inner working of the system. I enjoyed the story but I have concerns that the main plot is heading towards origins and inner workings of the system. The character advancement was cool. We even get a lot of new characters with the town building.
July 10, 2024
well it's still Caught at mid rating, Our MC is doing anything Elania set him to do... manipulative much!? the switch from adventure into a city-building genre is dumb, you are gonna live thousand of years in a gigantic planet you can freely explore' OR get stuck forever at the first stop of your adventure!? and no one is getting any development... I'll keep reading the world is interesting.
January 12, 2025
Great LitRPG
Just like the first book, this series has a lot to offer to those new to this genre. I like the pacing, story, and character. The MC is someone you’d want to root for as he fights. He is reluctant but rises to the challenge of leadership as expected. Looking forward to continuing this adventure.
Just like the first book, this series has a lot to offer to those new to this genre. I like the pacing, story, and character. The MC is someone you’d want to root for as he fights. He is reluctant but rises to the challenge of leadership as expected. Looking forward to continuing this adventure.
November 3, 2023
Incredible book!
An awesome second Splintered Five Saga book! Great story, awesome characters, nice game mechanics without being too distracting like some LITRPG . I can’t wait for the third book!
An awesome second Splintered Five Saga book! Great story, awesome characters, nice game mechanics without being too distracting like some LITRPG . I can’t wait for the third book!
December 7, 2023
Entertaining Read
Kay continues his adventures and becomes more powerful and gains classes and skills. His mentor is determined to train him in leadership. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and magic. I look forward to the next book.
Kay continues his adventures and becomes more powerful and gains classes and skills. His mentor is determined to train him in leadership. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and magic. I look forward to the next book.
January 17, 2024
Loved it
Great continuation of the series
The development of the characters and the interesting system , levelling up , titles etc make for a very interesting read
Loved.it and so looking forward to the next book.I'm the series
Can't wait
Great continuation of the series
The development of the characters and the interesting system , levelling up , titles etc make for a very interesting read
Loved.it and so looking forward to the next book.I'm the series
Can't wait
January 27, 2024
Couldn't finish, word salad
My gosh, this is one of the most boring books I have ever read. A textbook would be more interesting. There basically is no story, just very boring conversations. The first book was pretty good, but this second is self indulging bla bla bla...
My gosh, this is one of the most boring books I have ever read. A textbook would be more interesting. There basically is no story, just very boring conversations. The first book was pretty good, but this second is self indulging bla bla bla...
April 26, 2024
Pretty exciting
It's funny how Kay and Eleniah clear up her creepy goal. The book is much better than I expected. Everyone they meet now has no qualms about Kay's power, and it's refreshing.
It's funny how Kay and Eleniah clear up her creepy goal. The book is much better than I expected. Everyone they meet now has no qualms about Kay's power, and it's refreshing.
October 17, 2023
Amazing!
The system and Administrator part of the book really opened it up. What a great twist! Both books have been great!
The system and Administrator part of the book really opened it up. What a great twist! Both books have been great!
October 23, 2023
so freaking fun
Absolutely loved this entry and I the direction it’s taking the narrative. I can not wait for book three now!
Absolutely loved this entry and I the direction it’s taking the narrative. I can not wait for book three now!
October 23, 2023
Great series
Definitely give this one a read. My only complaint is that it's too short. I flew through this one and can't wait for more.
Definitely give this one a read. My only complaint is that it's too short. I flew through this one and can't wait for more.
November 2, 2023
Great book
I'm loving this series I l the characters but mc needs show some romantic interest the lack of it kinda kills the realism
I'm loving this series I l the characters but mc needs show some romantic interest the lack of it kinda kills the realism
November 23, 2023
Outworlder blood book 2
This is fast action paced. Is good sequel to the first book. Look forward to the next book. Hope it is as good as the first 2.
This is fast action paced. Is good sequel to the first book. Look forward to the next book. Hope it is as good as the first 2.
December 28, 2023
I need more immediately
Fabulous second book, loved every page. If you like litrpg without the crunchy stats, this will be right up your alley :)
Fabulous second book, loved every page. If you like litrpg without the crunchy stats, this will be right up your alley :)
March 5, 2024
Great book
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next time. This is what I love about this author.
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next time. This is what I love about this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews