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The Calamitous Bob #5
Disaster Classes
The Academy, the continent's best mage school overlooks the city of Helock, and this is where Viv is headed next to hopefully find a way to survive her own magic. The way will be fraught with danger, but with some diplomacy, and a sprinkle of murders, Viv has good odds of success. She just needs to survive pirates, slavers, kidnappers, rioters, assassins, and worst of all, plagiarism.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
169 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2024
Gilbert does a good job of holding the readers interest. Despite the large number of words written, he still manages to keep the narrative narrowly focussed.
May 29, 2024
Well-written LitRPG!
It is unfortunate when series come from RoyalRoad which are poorly paced, poorly written, and either slightly-to-terribly misogynistic.
But not so with The Calamitous Bob!
An excellent series that follows a female MC, The Calamitous Bob is a tale filled with goodness, inclusivity, and the cutest dragon. (All Hail Arthur!)
The fifth book continues the trend and I continue to highly recommend!
It is unfortunate when series come from RoyalRoad which are poorly paced, poorly written, and either slightly-to-terribly misogynistic.
But not so with The Calamitous Bob!
An excellent series that follows a female MC, The Calamitous Bob is a tale filled with goodness, inclusivity, and the cutest dragon. (All Hail Arthur!)
The fifth book continues the trend and I continue to highly recommend!
January 1, 2025
I haven't really looked at my entire history of Gamelit series in a while, but I'd say this is shaping up to be a top 3 reading experience.
It's a bit of a risk to add a magical school arc midway through a series, especially since it's a bit of a cliche to do so, but here it's merely a subplot that's part of a larger story flow so it works. Generally, it would be hard for me to care much about adolescent concerns about school life after a character has successfully led a rebellion and established a sovereign nation, but luckily, the focus is on other things rather than childish social squabbles.
The romance subplot in this book is fine I guess, though it seems like it came on a bit strong and quickly. Honestly, I don't know that any gamelit is going to do romance well for me because that's not what I'm here for. Best case, it contributes nothing to my experience, and beyond that just risks distraction or displeasure. It's only a minor annoyance in this series since the romance characters actually serve purposes to the story other than merely checking a romance box on a trope list.
The author continues to do a great job balancing the power curve. Despite how OP certain characters seem, there always seem to be checks and balances. I can't wait to see where the story goes after we wrap up the school business and get Viv's mana poisoning taken care of.
It's a bit of a risk to add a magical school arc midway through a series, especially since it's a bit of a cliche to do so, but here it's merely a subplot that's part of a larger story flow so it works. Generally, it would be hard for me to care much about adolescent concerns about school life after a character has successfully led a rebellion and established a sovereign nation, but luckily, the focus is on other things rather than childish social squabbles.
The romance subplot in this book is fine I guess, though it seems like it came on a bit strong and quickly. Honestly, I don't know that any gamelit is going to do romance well for me because that's not what I'm here for. Best case, it contributes nothing to my experience, and beyond that just risks distraction or displeasure. It's only a minor annoyance in this series since the romance characters actually serve purposes to the story other than merely checking a romance box on a trope list.
The author continues to do a great job balancing the power curve. Despite how OP certain characters seem, there always seem to be checks and balances. I can't wait to see where the story goes after we wrap up the school business and get Viv's mana poisoning taken care of.
October 22, 2023
great series. superior pace. no mopey MC!
This is a super fun barely LitRPG story. The MC is strong but makes plenty of mistakes and is far from foolproof. The first book The Calamitous Bob says it all. The MC has to fight off bad Luck as much as obvious opportunities that she stumbles into. If you like The First Defier or Randidly Ghosthound…. This is your next read.
This is a super fun barely LitRPG story. The MC is strong but makes plenty of mistakes and is far from foolproof. The first book The Calamitous Bob says it all. The MC has to fight off bad Luck as much as obvious opportunities that she stumbles into. If you like The First Defier or Randidly Ghosthound…. This is your next read.
November 2, 2023
An enjoyable read with an interesting group of main characters and not overwhelmed with too many stats like many other books of this genre.
I considered giving five stars, but I wasn’t convinced by the romance. This felt very much like the author had just stuck this in to try to widen the books audience.
I considered giving five stars, but I wasn’t convinced by the romance. This felt very much like the author had just stuck this in to try to widen the books audience.
August 18, 2024
A bit of a circuitous book, where the web-serial origins really show through. Viv is trying to get to Helock, a city of magical learning that can fix her magical health issues, but she encounters several obstacles in her way. It was entertaining enough, but lack of an over-arching plot made it a bit tedious.
January 23, 2025
I read somewhere that this was supposed to cover up through the competition of the Glastian princes, and so hadn't marked it read yet - then read the summaries of the next few books when I saw an announcement for book 6 being released mixed in with where I was reading.
Looking at summaries, I think I'm up through 8 - maybe more? But 8 sounds about right for having just finished the nemeti arc.
Looking at summaries, I think I'm up through 8 - maybe more? But 8 sounds about right for having just finished the nemeti arc.
December 27, 2025
Another great addition to the series. Gilbert's take on magical wizard school is nice. There are definitely traces of other stories' magical schools here, but the overall idea is still tailored to the world in which the MC finds herself, which means that it is a delightful mix of the new and the old.
October 23, 2023
gold, Gold, GOLD
New friend is called ‘The Red Mist’ because his spells…are effective.
Still living with a deadline. Academy is a light touch, not omnipresent and obtrusive. A few classes, some new friends.
Top notch stuff.
New friend is called ‘The Red Mist’ because his spells…are effective.
Still living with a deadline. Academy is a light touch, not omnipresent and obtrusive. A few classes, some new friends.
Top notch stuff.
October 24, 2023
Disappointing
Honestly the biggest issue for me was how forced Viv's romance felt. she barely knew the guy for two seconds before they were a thing. It just kinda ruined the whole book for me.
Honestly the biggest issue for me was how forced Viv's romance felt. she barely knew the guy for two seconds before they were a thing. It just kinda ruined the whole book for me.
October 30, 2023
Very Enjoyable
Definitely another highly entertaining read with lots more happening, and even more world building. The main character and side characters are like we’re great, with a final penultimate battle as well. Undoubtably looking forward to the next book in the series.
Definitely another highly entertaining read with lots more happening, and even more world building. The main character and side characters are like we’re great, with a final penultimate battle as well. Undoubtably looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 21, 2024
needs proofreading
An entertaining enough story, but ruined by many typos, grammatical errors, and missing words. I’m not sure I’ll continue with this series given the poor quality control.
An entertaining enough story, but ruined by many typos, grammatical errors, and missing words. I’m not sure I’ll continue with this series given the poor quality control.
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August 7, 2024Not so much on whether it was good or not. But I lost interest after like 30ish percent cause I really wanted to see Viv go through school.
The other stuff just made me annoyed.
So it’s a case of I wanted something. Didn’t get it. So I got bored. 🤷🏾♀️
The other stuff just made me annoyed.
So it’s a case of I wanted something. Didn’t get it. So I got bored. 🤷🏾♀️
October 26, 2023
Slow
Super dry and slow. Not a whole lot going on overall. She learns some stuff, saves a sister, kills some undead, and watches a riot. Easily my least favorite in the series.
Super dry and slow. Not a whole lot going on overall. She learns some stuff, saves a sister, kills some undead, and watches a riot. Easily my least favorite in the series.
January 10, 2024
I'am a HUGE fan of the serie, I can not wait for the next book !
April 29, 2024
I liked this less - I didn't like the university vibe, and the story drags a bit, I hoped it would come to a conclusion in the 5th installment, but nope.
June 3, 2024
Ever more disappointing..
Yeah - she changed her sexual orientation again - after only meeting the guy!
Most of the book is filler. No real excitement or fun anymore..
Yeah - she changed her sexual orientation again - after only meeting the guy!
Most of the book is filler. No real excitement or fun anymore..
January 7, 2024
This series just gets better the more books in I get. It follows the story of Viv who is transported from her mundane life on Earth to a world where she can use magic. She has adventures. She makes friends. She gets involved in stuff. The dialogue is witty, the banter fun, and the situations are creative. I've enjoyed reading this series.
August 26, 2024
The series starts to suffer from the author resolving conflicts too easily, too quickly. The approaching, yet easily subverted death is not enough of a threat to keep the tension high.
No one bothers to significantly challenge Viv and all the allies are cool with everything she does... which can get ridiculous at some point.
No one bothers to significantly challenge Viv and all the allies are cool with everything she does... which can get ridiculous at some point.
March 2, 2025
The series is fantastic. Read it.
October 28, 2025
It's pretty good but I'm dinging a point for the excessive number of spelling and grammatical mistakes and for trying to make "But I digress" a catchphrase for Ereska, jamming it into her speech even when it doesn't make sense.
February 5, 2026
2026 Update:
I love Sidjin, but the Helock storyline isn't my favorite of the series. You can feel the power building, though. Viv is def getting OP by the end of this book.
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I'm still loving this series. The world building and character development remain entertaining. I can't wait to see how it progresses.
I love Sidjin, but the Helock storyline isn't my favorite of the series. You can feel the power building, though. Viv is def getting OP by the end of this book.
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I'm still loving this series. The world building and character development remain entertaining. I can't wait to see how it progresses.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews