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The Completionist Chronicles #10
Thesaurize
Life smashing your walls? Build them taller. Then put auto-turrets on them.
Joe the Ritualist and the town of Novusheim have survived their first major battle, at the cost of leaving most of the settlement a smoking crater. Only most of it. The core of the town survived, and permanent casualties were low. Now that the survivors have a better understanding of what to expect, they go on a reconstruction spree… but why stop there? Every inch of their upgraded defenses will be more potent, durable, and deadlier than ever before.
Even as Joe is kneeling knee-deep in blueprints, an urgent message arrives; sending the Ritualist venturing across the frozen wastelands of Jotunheim. With the safety of his own town mostly ensured for the moment, they can’t make him stay… but not a single person wants him to leave. Trusting the wrong person has been Joe’s downfall more than once. As the cherry on top, Grandmaster Havoc tasks Joe with obliterating any Elven settlement he comes across.
It's better to end threats early on, before they have a chance to stab you in the back.
Joe the Ritualist and the town of Novusheim have survived their first major battle, at the cost of leaving most of the settlement a smoking crater. Only most of it. The core of the town survived, and permanent casualties were low. Now that the survivors have a better understanding of what to expect, they go on a reconstruction spree… but why stop there? Every inch of their upgraded defenses will be more potent, durable, and deadlier than ever before.
Even as Joe is kneeling knee-deep in blueprints, an urgent message arrives; sending the Ritualist venturing across the frozen wastelands of Jotunheim. With the safety of his own town mostly ensured for the moment, they can’t make him stay… but not a single person wants him to leave. Trusting the wrong person has been Joe’s downfall more than once. As the cherry on top, Grandmaster Havoc tasks Joe with obliterating any Elven settlement he comes across.
It's better to end threats early on, before they have a chance to stab you in the back.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2023
349 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Dakota Krout
76 books2,881 followersAuthor of the best-selling Divine Dungeon, Completionist Chronicles, and Full Murderhobo series, Dakota Krout was chosen as Audible's top 5 fantasy pick of 2017, has been a top 5 bestseller on Amazon, and a top 6 bestseller on Audible.
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 7, 2023
Not worth it!!!!
Whole story is just him having a bi-polar episode. NO plot advancement at all. No significant or milestone achievements. This series isn’t worth it anymore.
Whole story is just him having a bi-polar episode. NO plot advancement at all. No significant or milestone achievements. This series isn’t worth it anymore.
October 10, 2023
Another fun read in the series. Joe spends a lot of time - thankfully summarized - studying and practicing some interesting new capabilities. And he takes to heart some early knowledge related to the (awkward) title - words matter. And if you can impart clear intent with those words, so much the better.
(Book purchased directly from publisher ahead of the wider release date.)
(Book purchased directly from publisher ahead of the wider release date.)
August 31, 2025
Put some respect on Joe's name. I need Joe to level up. He struggles too much, but I guess that is part of the charm.
November 10, 2023
Fun fun
Good continuation of our friend Joe. Where most books by the 10th get outrageous, boring and weak...this is not true of this series.
Good continuation of our friend Joe. Where most books by the 10th get outrageous, boring and weak...this is not true of this series.
November 18, 2023
Great story. Awful MC
I've been trying to figure out why the last few books have felt SO disappointing, yet I still at the end of the day enjoy them. And then after he makes the same bad choices over and over in this book it finally clicks. The story is great. Battles. Rituals. World building. Boss battles. All of those things are great. But Joe sucks. He constantly proves himself invaluable, and then let's himself be walked all over. He makes a decision about who he wants to be and two paragraphs later acts directly opposite. He throws away constant opportunities, going all the way back to midgard where he could basically get taught a basic level of 20 spells for the cost anyone else would pay for one and he just didn't want to clutter up his character sheet. Now he doesn't have the tools, has been lacking them for 6+ books, and still hasn't fixed it. He's going to defend the dwarfs, and then abandons them against havocs recommendation HAVOC OF ALL DWARFS, for one person that can't wait an extra day he risks everything, and double down? No consequence.
I'll probably keep skimming these books on KU, but other than Jaxon the character writing is bad. Counsel flip flops on pro Joe anti Joe at every paragraph. The amazing team just disappears into midgard. Two new people are experts in their field, super critical to Joe, barely get any development.
Thanks for a cool world, but next time give it to a better cast.
I've been trying to figure out why the last few books have felt SO disappointing, yet I still at the end of the day enjoy them. And then after he makes the same bad choices over and over in this book it finally clicks. The story is great. Battles. Rituals. World building. Boss battles. All of those things are great. But Joe sucks. He constantly proves himself invaluable, and then let's himself be walked all over. He makes a decision about who he wants to be and two paragraphs later acts directly opposite. He throws away constant opportunities, going all the way back to midgard where he could basically get taught a basic level of 20 spells for the cost anyone else would pay for one and he just didn't want to clutter up his character sheet. Now he doesn't have the tools, has been lacking them for 6+ books, and still hasn't fixed it. He's going to defend the dwarfs, and then abandons them against havocs recommendation HAVOC OF ALL DWARFS, for one person that can't wait an extra day he risks everything, and double down? No consequence.
I'll probably keep skimming these books on KU, but other than Jaxon the character writing is bad. Counsel flip flops on pro Joe anti Joe at every paragraph. The amazing team just disappears into midgard. Two new people are experts in their field, super critical to Joe, barely get any development.
Thanks for a cool world, but next time give it to a better cast.
March 8, 2024
Our hero has turned into an idiot
This book was so incredibly painful to read. It feels like the author had NO idea where to take this book. I imagine the author wrote ideas he had onto some cards, put the cards in a hat, then pulled them out one by one and said perfect.
Joe has zero focus in this book. Apparently he decides to rescue Danielle. Took about two weeks to figure out a ritual to track her down. I can get on board with that. But he kept getting distracted by shiny objects and stupid dwarves. He literally stopped actively searching showing after Danielle because he found an ancient vault; does he make a shrine near it for fast travel purposes so he can come back later? NO!! the idiot decides to make shrine, go back to his town and get help to open it up.
Meanwhile he rescues humans from elves...yay... And we truly learn just how racist the dwarves are. Honestly if I was Joe, I would have let every dwarf (except Havoc) to die on the planet after how he and every human has been treated.
I was hoping this book would be better than the last. It isn't. Genuinely I don't think I will read the next book.
Hope you like it better than I did.
This book was so incredibly painful to read. It feels like the author had NO idea where to take this book. I imagine the author wrote ideas he had onto some cards, put the cards in a hat, then pulled them out one by one and said perfect.
Joe has zero focus in this book. Apparently he decides to rescue Danielle. Took about two weeks to figure out a ritual to track her down. I can get on board with that. But he kept getting distracted by shiny objects and stupid dwarves. He literally stopped actively searching showing after Danielle because he found an ancient vault; does he make a shrine near it for fast travel purposes so he can come back later? NO!! the idiot decides to make shrine, go back to his town and get help to open it up.
Meanwhile he rescues humans from elves...yay... And we truly learn just how racist the dwarves are. Honestly if I was Joe, I would have let every dwarf (except Havoc) to die on the planet after how he and every human has been treated.
I was hoping this book would be better than the last. It isn't. Genuinely I don't think I will read the next book.
Hope you like it better than I did.
October 11, 2023
Tl;Dr; Good action, comedy, drama, and shenanigans. And if you do the Audiobook, Luke Daniels brings his Master's Degree A game (listen to the bloopers to get that reference)
Now this is what I'm talking about.
The action Returns. Joe's new status and mission from Havoc bring the energy of the Jotun Arc up to that of the middle Svartalf/Alfheim levels. Joe finally starts following up on his tasks and remembering certain missions from Tatum;
Novusheim's buildout is coming along well though there is a new snag with their progress to the city ranks, who'd've thought that the lack of reproducing in Eternium would be as much of an issue as it is. Will Joe convince them to be able to allow more outsiders? Is GrandMaster Snow the only sane Dwarf on the Council? Does Havoc have any slag to give? Find out this time on Completionist Chronicles!
There are even some "Chekov's gun" related warning from earlier books kick in and we get to see the shenanigans they can cause
There are secrets found and of course CHAOS uncovered and some last minute turnabouts of fortune.
Joe's luck stat should be his highest
...
Side note: I do wish I knew why his Karmic dropped again :/
....
@dakota the pun at the very end... I may not forgive you for how forced the Eyes comment was.
Now this is what I'm talking about.
The action Returns. Joe's new status and mission from Havoc bring the energy of the Jotun Arc up to that of the middle Svartalf/Alfheim levels. Joe finally starts following up on his tasks and remembering certain missions from Tatum;
Novusheim's buildout is coming along well though there is a new snag with their progress to the city ranks, who'd've thought that the lack of reproducing in Eternium would be as much of an issue as it is. Will Joe convince them to be able to allow more outsiders? Is GrandMaster Snow the only sane Dwarf on the Council? Does Havoc have any slag to give? Find out this time on Completionist Chronicles!
There are even some "Chekov's gun" related warning from earlier books kick in and we get to see the shenanigans they can cause
There are secrets found and of course CHAOS uncovered and some last minute turnabouts of fortune.
Joe's luck stat should be his highest
...
Side note: I do wish I knew why his Karmic dropped again :/
....
@dakota the pun at the very end... I may not forgive you for how forced the Eyes comment was.
October 2, 2024
Thesaurize (The Completionist Chronicles #10) by Dakota Krout - 4/5 Stars
First and foremost, I want to state that I am not an author. I have no idea what it takes to write a book. I am a consumer with an OPINION, and only an opinion, based on my life experiences.
Furthermore, this is mostly written for... myself!
In "Thesaurize," Joe continues his adventure with a focus on tower defense while also needing to rescue a potential love interest. The dynamics of the book shift as Cleave is largely absent, and Jaxon's storyline takes a direction that I'm not particularly fond of.The narrative feels somewhat lackluster, earning it a three-star vibe on first read-through. However, the audiobook narrator does an excellent job bringing the story to life, even if the plot itself isn't particularly memorable.
Rating Scale:
5 stars - Exceptional, life-changing
4 stars - Highly enjoyable, likely to reread, would recommend
3 stars - Decent read, might not remember long-term
2 stars - Not for me, struggled to finish
1 star - Poorly written or factually incorrect
Overall, "Thesaurize" is a decent addition to the series but doesn't quite stand out as one of its more memorable entries.
First and foremost, I want to state that I am not an author. I have no idea what it takes to write a book. I am a consumer with an OPINION, and only an opinion, based on my life experiences.
Furthermore, this is mostly written for... myself!
In "Thesaurize," Joe continues his adventure with a focus on tower defense while also needing to rescue a potential love interest. The dynamics of the book shift as Cleave is largely absent, and Jaxon's storyline takes a direction that I'm not particularly fond of.The narrative feels somewhat lackluster, earning it a three-star vibe on first read-through. However, the audiobook narrator does an excellent job bringing the story to life, even if the plot itself isn't particularly memorable.
Rating Scale:
5 stars - Exceptional, life-changing
4 stars - Highly enjoyable, likely to reread, would recommend
3 stars - Decent read, might not remember long-term
2 stars - Not for me, struggled to finish
1 star - Poorly written or factually incorrect
Overall, "Thesaurize" is a decent addition to the series but doesn't quite stand out as one of its more memorable entries.
January 19, 2024
Still find Jaxon, Havoc and Jake to be the characters I want to see far more of. I didn’t feel Joe’s obsession with finding Daniella especially justified, especially for the obsessiveness in which he went about it. Joe states at some point if he were to go to these lengths to save someone who betrayed him, imagine how far he’d go to save someone he truly cares about. Dare I say, is it even possible to go farther than he did? I’d be scared to see Joe follow through on this threat, and frankly, I hope he does. Especially if it’s for someone he’s known throughout the lengths of all 10 books and actually has some decent history with.
Still my favorite series by far. This is the only book I haven’t rated 4 or 5 stars, and I’ve read Ritualist at least 5 times over.
Still my favorite series by far. This is the only book I haven’t rated 4 or 5 stars, and I’ve read Ritualist at least 5 times over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
Book 10 of The Completionist Chronicles. I love how he keeps the book interesting even as he shows the hard work and study that go into being great. This is missing in so many books and movies that we all laugh at the montage scene where it is depicted. I also loved the strong goals and creative solutions that have filled this series. The other thing that is great is that there are people more powerful, although living on 1hp happens far more in this series than even his luck should allow. We get some screens with Jaxon our favorite chiropractor. I love the thought that you can be successful being yourself not having to fit in with a preconceived notion. Looking forward to book 11.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
January 5, 2024
Thesaurize by Dakota Krout is a lexical labyrinth that takes your vocabulary on a wild adventure - it's like a rollercoaster ride through the dictionary with unexpected word drops at every turn. The characters are more linguistically agile than a thesaurus doing gymnastics, and the plot twists hit you like discovering your favorite word has a long-lost synonym. Four stars because, while I appreciate the verbal acrobatics, I occasionally had to pause and catch my breath (and grab an actual thesaurus). It's a linguistic rollercoaster worth riding, just be prepared for the occasional tongue-twisting loop.
September 15, 2024
Joe does everything.
Yet again Joe does everything single handed. His allies all shit on him for no reason (I thought all the dwarves who hated humans left?). He has fought so hard to make Novusheim a town but towns are springing up all over the place now. He oscillates between very weak and wildly OP. How the elves grew cities out of trees in a bleak snowscape I don't know.
It's just a bit weird and inconsistent. Nothing much happens for a lot of it and Joe's ritual skills are fairly poorly defined. I'll maybe give the next one a go but I'm leaning towards this whole "game" being a simulation for Joe's benefit alone.
Narration was great.
Yet again Joe does everything single handed. His allies all shit on him for no reason (I thought all the dwarves who hated humans left?). He has fought so hard to make Novusheim a town but towns are springing up all over the place now. He oscillates between very weak and wildly OP. How the elves grew cities out of trees in a bleak snowscape I don't know.
It's just a bit weird and inconsistent. Nothing much happens for a lot of it and Joe's ritual skills are fairly poorly defined. I'll maybe give the next one a go but I'm leaning towards this whole "game" being a simulation for Joe's benefit alone.
Narration was great.
December 28, 2023
Joe’s Got His Groove Back
This will be short and sweet. In my review of the last book, I whined…um mentioned how Mr. Krout needed to get back to the Old Adventuring fun creative “Bringer of Chaos” Joe! Well, he must have foreseen my last review coming of the previous book, because he answered and silenced all my grips in this book.
So without spoiling it for you; this is a good book and definitely in align with the good ole’days that made me fall in love with this series.
So stop wasting time and read it!!!
Cheers 🍻
This will be short and sweet. In my review of the last book, I whined…um mentioned how Mr. Krout needed to get back to the Old Adventuring fun creative “Bringer of Chaos” Joe! Well, he must have foreseen my last review coming of the previous book, because he answered and silenced all my grips in this book.
So without spoiling it for you; this is a good book and definitely in align with the good ole’days that made me fall in love with this series.
So stop wasting time and read it!!!
Cheers 🍻
January 16, 2024
The Bald Guy Goes After The Girl
This book started off feeling a little aimless, but I think part of that was just me getting reaquainted with the world and MC. Very quickly things shaped up and focused in on the main conflict and Joe's obsessive way of conquering it.
Over been enjoying Krout's worrying for a few years now, and this is a series I always enjoy coming back to when a new installment comes out. This did not disappoint, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!
This book started off feeling a little aimless, but I think part of that was just me getting reaquainted with the world and MC. Very quickly things shaped up and focused in on the main conflict and Joe's obsessive way of conquering it.
Over been enjoying Krout's worrying for a few years now, and this is a series I always enjoy coming back to when a new installment comes out. This did not disappoint, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!
October 24, 2024
fun
Joe is out to rescue his friend. He starts by making sure his base is secure the searching outward laying down a fast travel system. He finds her and learns that rescue will be harder than he thought. Additionally, it’s all a trap for him. He springs the trap, and wiggles his way to victory, returning home with his friend and new allies. The book ends.
Good pacing. Well told. Addictive. The characters are a bit caricature-ish in that they mostly are just one trait. Fun read. Please enjoy
Joe is out to rescue his friend. He starts by making sure his base is secure the searching outward laying down a fast travel system. He finds her and learns that rescue will be harder than he thought. Additionally, it’s all a trap for him. He springs the trap, and wiggles his way to victory, returning home with his friend and new allies. The book ends.
Good pacing. Well told. Addictive. The characters are a bit caricature-ish in that they mostly are just one trait. Fun read. Please enjoy
October 16, 2023
Got tired of the scatter minded MC, which gets only worse. And his constant need to turn the other cheek. Grow a spine and tell them to fuck off.
And the narrator, normally very good, annoyed the crap out of me in these last few books. Way too campy and annoying, very hard to get past the more cartoon-like it gets.
The beginning of the series was great, but it slides into absurdity more and more and there's no correction over the latter books.
And the narrator, normally very good, annoyed the crap out of me in these last few books. Way too campy and annoying, very hard to get past the more cartoon-like it gets.
The beginning of the series was great, but it slides into absurdity more and more and there's no correction over the latter books.
November 11, 2023
Fun, short book. The story is good. I’m getting tired of some of the LitRPG elements. His level and stats don’t really mean anything to me at this point. No other characters are provided for comparison. Joe is still making meaning steps in his own progression though. I’m interested to see where things go after this book.
November 13, 2023
Publishing Date: 2023
Genre: LitRPG
Review: Another awesome installment by DK. The only downer from the other novels is that Joe is even more myopic and borderline NPD than usual. I like when he is questing with friends and actively supporting them. It is almost like the author just dropped developing other pivotal characters.
Still looking forward to the next.
Rating: 4.2/5
Genre: LitRPG
Review: Another awesome installment by DK. The only downer from the other novels is that Joe is even more myopic and borderline NPD than usual. I like when he is questing with friends and actively supporting them. It is almost like the author just dropped developing other pivotal characters.
Still looking forward to the next.
Rating: 4.2/5
November 16, 2023
Constant annoying politics and wishy-washy soft decisions. The series has become entirely about either racist dwarfs or unnecessary bipolar self doubt. It is both boring and annoying. I don't think I can continue with this series anymore as I am not having fun, I'm finding it stupid and it makes me feel frustrated. I don't want to feel frustrated and annoyed from reading a book.
November 14, 2023
Another good addition to the series
Really liked the story and the progress made, I hope this series co tonnes for another dozen volumes of this level of writing and narration. Very happy with the purchase.
Really liked the story and the progress made, I hope this series co tonnes for another dozen volumes of this level of writing and narration. Very happy with the purchase.
November 20, 2023
A good continuation.
I've been following the story since the first book was published, and it continues to be a fun read. My only criticism being that I think the title puns are getting a little tedious.
I've been following the story since the first book was published, and it continues to be a fun read. My only criticism being that I think the title puns are getting a little tedious.
December 1, 2023
great
This one was really fun to read. I even stopped another series to fit this in! So much fun, I hope that if you haven’t started yet you’ll go and find book one and start down this quirky, fun journey that I have been enjoying!
This one was really fun to read. I even stopped another series to fit this in! So much fun, I hope that if you haven’t started yet you’ll go and find book one and start down this quirky, fun journey that I have been enjoying!
December 5, 2023
Another great installment in the CC series. I'm glad that the past two books have picked up after the two that came before them. Also impressed that the author is releasing 3 books within 3 straight months. Excited for the next book that's coming out tomorrow.
December 6, 2023
More of the same non-entertaining filler. Bad monsters attack, annoying unlikable people defend, readers hope all/most the characters die so they can be replaced with someone you can care about. Sadly, that does not happen.
January 15, 2024
Thesaurize? Or stalkerize the girl
Seemed more like a filler book than progress, but I still very much enjoyed it. Enjoyed the character growth though it was a little transparent. Excited to see where it goes next
Seemed more like a filler book than progress, but I still very much enjoyed it. Enjoyed the character growth though it was a little transparent. Excited to see where it goes next
November 8, 2023
Phenomenal!
The T's have been so great, and I have it on good authority that they just get better! I'm pumped and I can't wait!
The T's have been so great, and I have it on good authority that they just get better! I'm pumped and I can't wait!
November 11, 2023
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
November 12, 2023
Fantastic
Another amazing book by Dakota, with all the great humor and storytelling I've come to enjoy from his works. Absolutely worth the read
Another amazing book by Dakota, with all the great humor and storytelling I've come to enjoy from his works. Absolutely worth the read
November 14, 2023
Excellent
Funny, witty with a great pace.
An excellent addition to Dakota's series.
Enjoy the wordplay play on word fun.
Woo!
Funny, witty with a great pace.
An excellent addition to Dakota's series.
Enjoy the wordplay play on word fun.
Woo!
November 14, 2023
counting down the days
So happy the next book has already been announced. This was a great fast paced read. I’m ready to see what the next story arc will bring
So happy the next book has already been announced. This was a great fast paced read. I’m ready to see what the next story arc will bring
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews