What do you think?
Rate this book
Binding Words #11
Divine Agreements
Sean had long waited for his chance to avenge his friends from Oakwood— when the time finally came, it was with several unlikely High Lady Minerva Queensblood, who felt her family owed Sean for helping her son, Commander Queensblood. Advisor Mackenzie Earthfoot, who had to walk a thin line to not favor Sean too much, lest she earn the Queens’ ire.
With his friends and allies, Sean time and again thwarted Lord Truestrike and his minions. He even befriended his daughter, Dame Trisha Truestrike, giving her hope that she might one day see Darragh again. It was when Sean brought down the Greater Vampire, Luka, that High Lady Queensblood pushed for the duel Sean had long sought.
During the duel, Truestrike’s treachery was revealed when he summoned a Life Bonded dragon to kill Sean. Sean almost died a few times, but even a dragon bowed before him at the end. Ironically, it wasn’t Sean who finally killed Lord Truestrike. No, it was Trisha, who slew her father to avenge her lover, Darragh.
With Lord Truestrike’s death, Trisha was destined to take over the Truestrike House and have her son returned to her from her father’s grasp. That ended in tragedy, as the spoiled brat struck her down for ‘stealing his birthright.’ His reign only lasted as long as it took the guard to remove his head from his shoulders.
But more bad news was waiting— the scribes had sent messages to the Queens. Both Winter and Summer were coming, and Sean wouldn’t be able to avoid them. That put him on the clock to pull off what the stories had said he would find the Huntsman.
To manage that, he’d need to figure out how to open a portal back to Earth. If he did, Sean would likely find an old enemy waiting for him; Thor hadn’t forgotten the slights against his name, and he wanted revenge.
Time was ticking away, and Sean had to work fast. His wives, especially Fiona, were counting on him. Sean had never backed down from a challenge, and he wasn’t about to start now. He’d either figure out how to create a portal, or he’d end up facing the Queens on less than diplomatic terms.
With his friends and allies, Sean time and again thwarted Lord Truestrike and his minions. He even befriended his daughter, Dame Trisha Truestrike, giving her hope that she might one day see Darragh again. It was when Sean brought down the Greater Vampire, Luka, that High Lady Queensblood pushed for the duel Sean had long sought.
During the duel, Truestrike’s treachery was revealed when he summoned a Life Bonded dragon to kill Sean. Sean almost died a few times, but even a dragon bowed before him at the end. Ironically, it wasn’t Sean who finally killed Lord Truestrike. No, it was Trisha, who slew her father to avenge her lover, Darragh.
With Lord Truestrike’s death, Trisha was destined to take over the Truestrike House and have her son returned to her from her father’s grasp. That ended in tragedy, as the spoiled brat struck her down for ‘stealing his birthright.’ His reign only lasted as long as it took the guard to remove his head from his shoulders.
But more bad news was waiting— the scribes had sent messages to the Queens. Both Winter and Summer were coming, and Sean wouldn’t be able to avoid them. That put him on the clock to pull off what the stories had said he would find the Huntsman.
To manage that, he’d need to figure out how to open a portal back to Earth. If he did, Sean would likely find an old enemy waiting for him; Thor hadn’t forgotten the slights against his name, and he wanted revenge.
Time was ticking away, and Sean had to work fast. His wives, especially Fiona, were counting on him. Sean had never backed down from a challenge, and he wasn’t about to start now. He’d either figure out how to create a portal, or he’d end up facing the Queens on less than diplomatic terms.
593 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2023
475 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schinhofen
69 books1,304 followersDaniel 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 18, 2024
I thought it would never end
The series that went on way too long is finally over, and this last book is a sloppy mess.
The first half drags along pointlessly to about the 50% mark and then BAM! It's off like a rocket and the book is skipping weeks in a sentence and rushing to get it over with.
If Schinhofen had cut out the filler and the bullshit from the last five books he could have ended this series in 10 books and they would have had a consistent pacing through out. (and been WAY less aggravating)
But hey it's over now, and all I have to get through is Aether's Revival and I'm a free man.
The series that went on way too long is finally over, and this last book is a sloppy mess.
The first half drags along pointlessly to about the 50% mark and then BAM! It's off like a rocket and the book is skipping weeks in a sentence and rushing to get it over with.
If Schinhofen had cut out the filler and the bullshit from the last five books he could have ended this series in 10 books and they would have had a consistent pacing through out. (and been WAY less aggravating)
But hey it's over now, and all I have to get through is Aether's Revival and I'm a free man.
December 31, 2023
Rating 4.0 stars
Well, that's the end of the series. I have no complaints with the way it ended. I really enjoyed the series. All loose ends were taken care of. Sean meets the queens and has to find the huntsman. Overall, this was a good series and it ended as well as it should have.
Well, that's the end of the series. I have no complaints with the way it ended. I really enjoyed the series. All loose ends were taken care of. Sean meets the queens and has to find the huntsman. Overall, this was a good series and it ended as well as it should have.
December 14, 2023
So it is finally done.
These are never my favorites. Everything that happens just wraps up loose ends in a tidy bow. The story never feels organic. But it is an end, it does wrap up loose plot lines, and it hits all the characters you could want. So five stars.
These are never my favorites. Everything that happens just wraps up loose ends in a tidy bow. The story never feels organic. But it is an end, it does wrap up loose plot lines, and it hits all the characters you could want. So five stars.
December 19, 2023
Well, it’s over
I’m glad I can scratch this off the list. The series had good moments, but the harem just got too big. Too many characters that need ‘screen time’, too many people who should be consulted or informed…just too many.
I’m glad I can scratch this off the list. The series had good moments, but the harem just got too big. Too many characters that need ‘screen time’, too many people who should be consulted or informed…just too many.
December 21, 2023
F@#k James…is what I had wanted to say. I previously read this series back-to-back a few months ago and returning for this volume, I realized that nothing previous had stuck in my mind other than “I hate James”, and he hadn’t even appeared yet. This story ended about how I expected/dreaded, well actually, I expected Sean and James to immediately start rimming each other, so I was shocked when they didn’t. Truthfully, the fact that James is a bit of a scumbag was appreciated (as this series is sorely lacking), so the MILF huntsman gets one star. Regardless, our pearl-clutching blusher, Sean, is back and he still sucks as much as when he first appeared whipping pistols out at bars in volume one. Honestly, I think I was too generous with my stars in previous reviews, but whatever. The wives and pseudo-wives have morphed into a homogeneous mass as they now share all emotions and chip away at any defining characteristics that they may have once had (I can’t tell some of them apart now, not that it seems to matter). Sean’s sanitary assembly-line approach to romance and sex remains unmoving and forgettable. This volume’s first half drags hard, as there is about 200 pages unnecessarily full of “chaste” kissing, libido suppression, and declarations of how full of love everyone is. I really tried hard to enjoy this series, but unfortunately in the end it failed to be sufficiently fun, sexy, or exciting IMO. The conclusions were anticlimactic, and the relationships seem geared toward blushing prepubescents like Sean. We’ll just say it didn’t resonate with me and I won’t be revisiting these books or this author.
July 16, 2025
Book Review: Divine Agreements (Binding Words #11) by Daniel Schinhofen
Alpha wolf’s final howl, packmates. This is Kiba Snowpaw laying it down raw and icy, slicing through the fluff to bring you the unvarnished review of the last chapter in Sean’s wild saga. Buckle up—fur is gonna fly.
Introduction:
So, here we are—Divine Agreements, book eleven, the grand finale of Daniel Schinhofen’s long-running harem-fantasy juggernaut. Released in December 2023, this doorstopper of a book marks the end of Sean MacDougall’s epic journey across fae-infested, contract-bound worlds, magic duels, and a polycule so large it’d make even an alpha wolf’s head spin. Genre tags: Fantasy, Harem, Magic, Gods, Slice of Life. If you’re just jumping in, turn back. You gotta earn your stripes in this pack, or you’ll be lost faster than a pup in a snowstorm.
Plot Summary:
With Truestrike finally in the dirt and old debts still snarling at his heels, Sean’s hit with a clock: both Winter and Summer Queens are coming for him, and he has to pull off the near-impossible—find the legendary Huntsman, open a portal to Earth, and fend off divine smackdowns from Thor himself. Add a new round of betrayals, family drama, legacy battles, and the always-expanding tangle of his wives, and you’ve got a last lap packed with more “WTF just happened?” moments than a drunken werewolf convention. The plot covers high drama, world-ending threats, magical duels, divine politics, heartbreak, and a surprisingly domestic ending. If you thought the end would be simple, you haven’t been paying attention.
The Author:
Daniel Schinhofen is an indie publishing machine—LitRPG, harem-lit, portal fantasy. No big awards, but the man’s got a rabid following. If you’ve spent years in his worlds (Luck’s Voice, Aether’s Revival, Alpha World, etc.), you know his groove: emotionally-charged, relationship-heavy, and always keen on showing every meal, every “I love you,” every evolving dynamic. Love it or hate it, Schinhofen’s writing style is consistent and unapologetic, and he delivers series that actually finish. That’s rarer than a dragon who pays taxes.
Characters:
This is the Mount Everest of ensemble casts. Sean’s gone from bar brawler to god-tier pantheon boss. His polycule has gone from “nice” to “holy hell, I lost count”—each wife is supposed to bring something to the table, but by the finale, some are more background dressing than character. Still, the core bonds—especially with Fiona, Myna, Hallie—get depth, and Sean’s evolution from anxious “just a dude” to cosmic power player lands most of the time. Villains like Truestrike get their comeuppance, allies shine (even if briefly), and old friends like James finally step out of the shadows (cue drama and closure). If you dig emotional journeys and “pack is family” vibes, this one delivers—just don’t expect every name to be memorable by the end.
Structure:
This is a behemoth, both in length and pacing. The first half is slow—glacier-crawling slow—with a heavy focus on conversations, affirmations, updates, and what everyone’s eating (no joke). The second half, though, kicks into overdrive, leaping weeks in paragraphs and wrapping up plot threads like a blizzard blowing through loose snow. Expect slice-of-life, politics, epic battles, and an avalanche of emotional moments, with some jump cuts that’ll leave you squinting. Classic Schinhofen: “life goes on, until it doesn’t, then everything happens at once.”
Themes & Analysis:
Binding Words has always been about found family, loyalty, love as power, and what it means to build something that lasts in a brutal world. The last book doubles down—sometimes overbearingly—on the idea that love, support, and honesty are the ultimate weapons. Contracts and bargains—both magical and emotional—define every relationship. The story leans hard into the motif that “no one gets through life alone,” sometimes at the cost of pacing or subtlety. Schinhofen tries to close every emotional loop, but not all hit as hard as intended, especially with so many threads flying.
Scenes (Romance, Harem, Erotica):
The spice is all fade-to-black by now. The romance is more about affirmation and emotional connection than steam—think more wolf pack cuddles and less midnight howling at the moon. There’s a constant rotation of tender scenes, declarations of love, supportive moments, and occasionally chaste physicality. The harem dynamic has matured to a domestic, almost utopian end-state, with Sean as the glue. Some will dig the soft feels; others will wish for more wildness or, honestly, less repetition.
World-Building:
Schinhofen’s world-building is immersive: Fae, gods, binding magic, mythic destinies, and a setting that feels layered, lived-in, and ever-expanding. Accord and its politics, fae courts, magical tech—there’s always something new to sink your claws into. At times, the attention to minutiae (meals, trade, shop routines) slows the pace, but the cumulative effect is a setting that feels real. The crossover with Earth and Norse mythology adds spice, but by book eleven, it’s less about building the world and more about moving the chess pieces into their final positions.
Praise & Critique:
Praise: Satisfying closure for a massive saga. Emotional arcs for the core cast mostly land. World-building is rich, and Schinhofen’s commitment to “show, don’t skip” is impressive. The pantheon idea and the divine politics are handled well, and the long-term payoffs for the patient are sweet.
Critique: The first half is overloaded with filler—conversations, meals, affirmations, and updates that could have been cut by half. The harem is so big by now that most wives blend into one another. The ending, while tidy, is almosttoo tidy. Major threats are resolved quickly after endless buildup. Some readers (myself included) will feel the emotional “love” theme is pounded into the dirt. The final battle and mythic quest sometimes get buried under the weight of slice-of-life repetition.
Comparison:
Compared to earlier books, Divine Agreements is less about discovery and more about closure. It’s bigger, more ambitious, and less focused—think Aether’s Revival mashed up with a family reunion that never ends. For readers of Schinhofen’s other series, you’ll spot the familiar strengths and weaknesses: consistent world-building, emotional payoff, and sometimes frustrating bloat. This one’s for the fans—if you’re not already invested, don’t start here.
Personal Evaluation:
As an old, scarred wolf, I felt both satisfied and a little frostbitten by the end. The “pack” message hits home—there’s beauty in finding your people, fighting for them, and never letting go. But I also wanted sharper teeth, more risk, and maybe a little more chaos in the finale. The endless “love, love, love” left me wanting to roll in the snow just to shake it off. Still, as a reader who values closure and the weight of a long journey, I can’t deny the catharsis.
Conclusion:
Divine Agreements is a fitting, if sometimes bloated, finale to one of indie harem-fantasy’s biggest sagas. For longtime fans, it’s a chance to howl in triumph, mourn the end of an era, and finally close the book on Sean’s wild journey. For the uninitiated, it’s a snowstorm—impenetrable, beautiful, and a little overwhelming. Would I recommend it? If you’ve run with the pack this long, absolutely. Just be ready for a slow start, a heavy focus on love and closure, and more names than you’ll ever remember. For closure, for catharsis, for seeing the full cycle of a found family rise and fall—this book does the job.
Rating: 4/5 — Not flawless, not perfect, but a solid send-off for a saga that’s all about the pack, the heart, and the long game.
—Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha out. Stay frosty.
Alpha wolf’s final howl, packmates. This is Kiba Snowpaw laying it down raw and icy, slicing through the fluff to bring you the unvarnished review of the last chapter in Sean’s wild saga. Buckle up—fur is gonna fly.
Introduction:
So, here we are—Divine Agreements, book eleven, the grand finale of Daniel Schinhofen’s long-running harem-fantasy juggernaut. Released in December 2023, this doorstopper of a book marks the end of Sean MacDougall’s epic journey across fae-infested, contract-bound worlds, magic duels, and a polycule so large it’d make even an alpha wolf’s head spin. Genre tags: Fantasy, Harem, Magic, Gods, Slice of Life. If you’re just jumping in, turn back. You gotta earn your stripes in this pack, or you’ll be lost faster than a pup in a snowstorm.
Plot Summary:
With Truestrike finally in the dirt and old debts still snarling at his heels, Sean’s hit with a clock: both Winter and Summer Queens are coming for him, and he has to pull off the near-impossible—find the legendary Huntsman, open a portal to Earth, and fend off divine smackdowns from Thor himself. Add a new round of betrayals, family drama, legacy battles, and the always-expanding tangle of his wives, and you’ve got a last lap packed with more “WTF just happened?” moments than a drunken werewolf convention. The plot covers high drama, world-ending threats, magical duels, divine politics, heartbreak, and a surprisingly domestic ending. If you thought the end would be simple, you haven’t been paying attention.
The Author:
Daniel Schinhofen is an indie publishing machine—LitRPG, harem-lit, portal fantasy. No big awards, but the man’s got a rabid following. If you’ve spent years in his worlds (Luck’s Voice, Aether’s Revival, Alpha World, etc.), you know his groove: emotionally-charged, relationship-heavy, and always keen on showing every meal, every “I love you,” every evolving dynamic. Love it or hate it, Schinhofen’s writing style is consistent and unapologetic, and he delivers series that actually finish. That’s rarer than a dragon who pays taxes.
Characters:
This is the Mount Everest of ensemble casts. Sean’s gone from bar brawler to god-tier pantheon boss. His polycule has gone from “nice” to “holy hell, I lost count”—each wife is supposed to bring something to the table, but by the finale, some are more background dressing than character. Still, the core bonds—especially with Fiona, Myna, Hallie—get depth, and Sean’s evolution from anxious “just a dude” to cosmic power player lands most of the time. Villains like Truestrike get their comeuppance, allies shine (even if briefly), and old friends like James finally step out of the shadows (cue drama and closure). If you dig emotional journeys and “pack is family” vibes, this one delivers—just don’t expect every name to be memorable by the end.
Structure:
This is a behemoth, both in length and pacing. The first half is slow—glacier-crawling slow—with a heavy focus on conversations, affirmations, updates, and what everyone’s eating (no joke). The second half, though, kicks into overdrive, leaping weeks in paragraphs and wrapping up plot threads like a blizzard blowing through loose snow. Expect slice-of-life, politics, epic battles, and an avalanche of emotional moments, with some jump cuts that’ll leave you squinting. Classic Schinhofen: “life goes on, until it doesn’t, then everything happens at once.”
Themes & Analysis:
Binding Words has always been about found family, loyalty, love as power, and what it means to build something that lasts in a brutal world. The last book doubles down—sometimes overbearingly—on the idea that love, support, and honesty are the ultimate weapons. Contracts and bargains—both magical and emotional—define every relationship. The story leans hard into the motif that “no one gets through life alone,” sometimes at the cost of pacing or subtlety. Schinhofen tries to close every emotional loop, but not all hit as hard as intended, especially with so many threads flying.
Scenes (Romance, Harem, Erotica):
The spice is all fade-to-black by now. The romance is more about affirmation and emotional connection than steam—think more wolf pack cuddles and less midnight howling at the moon. There’s a constant rotation of tender scenes, declarations of love, supportive moments, and occasionally chaste physicality. The harem dynamic has matured to a domestic, almost utopian end-state, with Sean as the glue. Some will dig the soft feels; others will wish for more wildness or, honestly, less repetition.
World-Building:
Schinhofen’s world-building is immersive: Fae, gods, binding magic, mythic destinies, and a setting that feels layered, lived-in, and ever-expanding. Accord and its politics, fae courts, magical tech—there’s always something new to sink your claws into. At times, the attention to minutiae (meals, trade, shop routines) slows the pace, but the cumulative effect is a setting that feels real. The crossover with Earth and Norse mythology adds spice, but by book eleven, it’s less about building the world and more about moving the chess pieces into their final positions.
Praise & Critique:
Praise: Satisfying closure for a massive saga. Emotional arcs for the core cast mostly land. World-building is rich, and Schinhofen’s commitment to “show, don’t skip” is impressive. The pantheon idea and the divine politics are handled well, and the long-term payoffs for the patient are sweet.
Critique: The first half is overloaded with filler—conversations, meals, affirmations, and updates that could have been cut by half. The harem is so big by now that most wives blend into one another. The ending, while tidy, is almost
Comparison:
Compared to earlier books, Divine Agreements is less about discovery and more about closure. It’s bigger, more ambitious, and less focused—think Aether’s Revival mashed up with a family reunion that never ends. For readers of Schinhofen’s other series, you’ll spot the familiar strengths and weaknesses: consistent world-building, emotional payoff, and sometimes frustrating bloat. This one’s for the fans—if you’re not already invested, don’t start here.
Personal Evaluation:
As an old, scarred wolf, I felt both satisfied and a little frostbitten by the end. The “pack” message hits home—there’s beauty in finding your people, fighting for them, and never letting go. But I also wanted sharper teeth, more risk, and maybe a little more chaos in the finale. The endless “love, love, love” left me wanting to roll in the snow just to shake it off. Still, as a reader who values closure and the weight of a long journey, I can’t deny the catharsis.
Conclusion:
Divine Agreements is a fitting, if sometimes bloated, finale to one of indie harem-fantasy’s biggest sagas. For longtime fans, it’s a chance to howl in triumph, mourn the end of an era, and finally close the book on Sean’s wild journey. For the uninitiated, it’s a snowstorm—impenetrable, beautiful, and a little overwhelming. Would I recommend it? If you’ve run with the pack this long, absolutely. Just be ready for a slow start, a heavy focus on love and closure, and more names than you’ll ever remember. For closure, for catharsis, for seeing the full cycle of a found family rise and fall—this book does the job.
Rating: 4/5 — Not flawless, not perfect, but a solid send-off for a saga that’s all about the pack, the heart, and the long game.
—Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha out. Stay frosty.
December 30, 2024
As this is the final book of an 11 book series, this isn't a review of the book itself so much as the series as a whole. And as far as the series goes, I have to say it's by no means perfect.
The biggest issue is that Binding Words is about 5 books of story *at most*, spread across 11 books. If I had a dollar for every time there's a scene where the protagonist walks to a tavern, chatting with other characters as he does, arrives and is greeted by some of his friends who are already there, then the entire table orders drinks (with each character's choice explicitly called out), and then there's a discussion of who is paying for the round, then they wait for the drinks to be brought, then a joke is made about one of the characters being impatient to start talking about substantive topics....I'd have enough money for a pretty nice steak dinner. It happens over and over and over, almost always with no plot significance. We do not need to know that the protagonists bodyguard has decided to order mulled wine for the 8th time in a row; this is never, ever relevant to the plot, yet it's covered in exhaustive detail.
And that's a running theme throughout the series. Over and over the most trivial details are called out. For most of the series the protagonist has cooks working for him who prepare breakfast for him, his family, and the rest of their household staff. And the sheer number of times the dishes being served is called out is just silly. Perhaps three times it has some plot relevance; the other thirty times it's just tedious and weird. This is not a slice of life story, and even if it was, it reads more like the journal of the most boring person you've ever met. Even when it's not being padded out by outright repetition, there's a lot of that don't really drive the plot forward.
A lot of authors these days use Patreon as a significant revenue stream, and the mechanics of that are that you *have* to pump out chapters on a regularly basis, no matter what. I'm sympathetic! But many authors in that position still manage to turn out work that has plot arcs, character development, avoids dangling threads, doesn't have obvious padding, and just generally manages to produce something that works as a book and as a series. Schinhofen...not so much.
Still! If you want a rambling story that tracks the adventures of a somewhat absurdly nice guy as a he somehow collects an enormous number of wives, makes friends, invents magi-tech electric kettles, ovens, toilets, and cars, and eventually becomes a god, and you're not too concerned with it being padded out by scenes where the character discovers he's eating pancakes for the 18th day in a row, or the fact the series basically concludes with "...and now I'm bored with the story, everyone lives happily ever after", and you can avoid cringing so hard you hurt yourself due to the painful references to the author's other series...
...recommended? I read the first 10 books a while ago, then after the 11th book came out reread them all, and they're not *bad*. But don't expect too much either.
The biggest issue is that Binding Words is about 5 books of story *at most*, spread across 11 books. If I had a dollar for every time there's a scene where the protagonist walks to a tavern, chatting with other characters as he does, arrives and is greeted by some of his friends who are already there, then the entire table orders drinks (with each character's choice explicitly called out), and then there's a discussion of who is paying for the round, then they wait for the drinks to be brought, then a joke is made about one of the characters being impatient to start talking about substantive topics....I'd have enough money for a pretty nice steak dinner. It happens over and over and over, almost always with no plot significance. We do not need to know that the protagonists bodyguard has decided to order mulled wine for the 8th time in a row; this is never, ever relevant to the plot, yet it's covered in exhaustive detail.
And that's a running theme throughout the series. Over and over the most trivial details are called out. For most of the series the protagonist has cooks working for him who prepare breakfast for him, his family, and the rest of their household staff. And the sheer number of times the dishes being served is called out is just silly. Perhaps three times it has some plot relevance; the other thirty times it's just tedious and weird. This is not a slice of life story, and even if it was, it reads more like the journal of the most boring person you've ever met. Even when it's not being padded out by outright repetition, there's a lot of that don't really drive the plot forward.
A lot of authors these days use Patreon as a significant revenue stream, and the mechanics of that are that you *have* to pump out chapters on a regularly basis, no matter what. I'm sympathetic! But many authors in that position still manage to turn out work that has plot arcs, character development, avoids dangling threads, doesn't have obvious padding, and just generally manages to produce something that works as a book and as a series. Schinhofen...not so much.
Still! If you want a rambling story that tracks the adventures of a somewhat absurdly nice guy as a he somehow collects an enormous number of wives, makes friends, invents magi-tech electric kettles, ovens, toilets, and cars, and eventually becomes a god, and you're not too concerned with it being padded out by scenes where the character discovers he's eating pancakes for the 18th day in a row, or the fact the series basically concludes with "...and now I'm bored with the story, everyone lives happily ever after", and you can avoid cringing so hard you hurt yourself due to the painful references to the author's other series...
...recommended? I read the first 10 books a while ago, then after the 11th book came out reread them all, and they're not *bad*. But don't expect too much either.
December 22, 2023
an extended summary of events
I think I have read all of Daniel’s books so far, and I become less interested with each one. I find myself writing similar reviews each time, but it feels like the worst parts I point out become bigger each book.
I would guess that at least 80% of this book is framed as a conversation from one character to another. Often this is retelling of something that just happened so one of the 22 wives/staff can be updated on what just happened. When it’s not a retelling of events, it is used as a terrible expression of emotion. Instead of showing actions and reactions, anytime the MC does anything his wives all need to chime in with comments on how “he is so good.” “He loves us so much.” “He shows he cares by asking how we are doing.” “He remembered what I loved, so he is a special one of a kind man.”
The MC is a ‘good man’ but early on he unblocks memories of brainwashed people, so they now remember terrible acts that they did under vampire mind control. He then just leaves them once he knows what he needs to and does not one bit about the trauma they are now going through. One woman found out she was offering up young women on a regular basis to be tortured and killed, and was horrified to learn this, but the MC does not care one bit.
The ‘twist’, or at least what I assume was supposed to be some sort of grand reveal, was obvious from almost the first chapter. There was so much ‘foreshadowing’ of something that while mentioned in previous books was not that prevalent, that there was no doubt what was going to happen. And then it did, with zero shock or surprise or doubt at all.
There are many other frustrating parts to read, as I start to skim through for the actual story hidden behind the terrible conversations and poor writing, but the last pet peeve is the CONSTANT name dropping of his other books. Not even as events that might be happening on other worlds or maybe separate deities, but AS BOOKS. The MC (and his friend when he is introduced) are almost a non-stop mention of the other stories Daniel writes. He does this in all of his recent books and it takes you out of the story completely.
I think I have read all of Daniel’s books so far, and I become less interested with each one. I find myself writing similar reviews each time, but it feels like the worst parts I point out become bigger each book.
I would guess that at least 80% of this book is framed as a conversation from one character to another. Often this is retelling of something that just happened so one of the 22 wives/staff can be updated on what just happened. When it’s not a retelling of events, it is used as a terrible expression of emotion. Instead of showing actions and reactions, anytime the MC does anything his wives all need to chime in with comments on how “he is so good.” “He loves us so much.” “He shows he cares by asking how we are doing.” “He remembered what I loved, so he is a special one of a kind man.”
The MC is a ‘good man’ but early on he unblocks memories of brainwashed people, so they now remember terrible acts that they did under vampire mind control. He then just leaves them once he knows what he needs to and does not one bit about the trauma they are now going through. One woman found out she was offering up young women on a regular basis to be tortured and killed, and was horrified to learn this, but the MC does not care one bit.
The ‘twist’, or at least what I assume was supposed to be some sort of grand reveal, was obvious from almost the first chapter. There was so much ‘foreshadowing’ of something that while mentioned in previous books was not that prevalent, that there was no doubt what was going to happen. And then it did, with zero shock or surprise or doubt at all.
There are many other frustrating parts to read, as I start to skim through for the actual story hidden behind the terrible conversations and poor writing, but the last pet peeve is the CONSTANT name dropping of his other books. Not even as events that might be happening on other worlds or maybe separate deities, but AS BOOKS. The MC (and his friend when he is introduced) are almost a non-stop mention of the other stories Daniel writes. He does this in all of his recent books and it takes you out of the story completely.
January 2, 2024
This has been my favorite series by this author. I hope that he writes more in this world, perhaps going back and writing how Myna's grandfather came to the world. I would be interested in reading how Myna's grandfather at what sounds like near the end of WW2 met the Kitsune that brought him to the Queen's world.
I would be less interested if the author followed one of Sean's children on the new world, doing the same thing as his father. I suffered through a bunch of books with a were-lion as he gained power and a large harem. I was not going to follow that Sean's son as he did the same thing as his father. If Schinhofen follows suit, I may not read the next series either.
My only main complaint with this author's writing is that early books in the series hardly move at all. Then in the last two books or so, the author suddenly closes off subplots. Now in this series that was a good thing as this series was starting to get a bit stale.
I was hoping that the conflict with Truestrike would take a bit longer, and felt a tad shortchanged with how quickly that was settled in the previous book. I thought there might be at least one more book in this series and was a little surprised to see the author close the series with one larger book.
Aether's Revival will now take the place of this series as my favorite series currently written by this author. I have found his other series such as the Luck's Voice series less enjoyable.
I would be less interested if the author followed one of Sean's children on the new world, doing the same thing as his father. I suffered through a bunch of books with a were-lion as he gained power and a large harem. I was not going to follow that Sean's son as he did the same thing as his father. If Schinhofen follows suit, I may not read the next series either.
My only main complaint with this author's writing is that early books in the series hardly move at all. Then in the last two books or so, the author suddenly closes off subplots. Now in this series that was a good thing as this series was starting to get a bit stale.
I was hoping that the conflict with Truestrike would take a bit longer, and felt a tad shortchanged with how quickly that was settled in the previous book. I thought there might be at least one more book in this series and was a little surprised to see the author close the series with one larger book.
Aether's Revival will now take the place of this series as my favorite series currently written by this author. I have found his other series such as the Luck's Voice series less enjoyable.
April 24, 2024
I read the reviews, and it seems his loyal fans are upset with this one. I'm just glad the series has ended, and I will promise not to make promises to see a Schinhofen book to the end again.
Now it's time to see our protagonist get this guy he is always going on about, pregnant, or maybe the friend is the male in the relationship.
This is the only series I read that a protagonist had such a hard on for his male friend, that he was going on about him ll the time, for about half the series. Then all mention about him stopped, until be comes at the end of the series.
Ugh. This was meh. The author had something good with this series. A guy in a new world crafting stuff and defeating his enemies. It would have been okay with three women, but he went to eleven. Then the series went from crafting to showing how much he loves all his wives equally. So much filler to show nothing.
This entire series was a let down, and shows that I shouldn't trust Schinhofen (like I realized years ago). It could have been cut in half or less than half. The ending was rushed, but the entire series was slow and padded.
1.5/5 Stars
Now it's time to see our protagonist get this guy he is always going on about, pregnant, or maybe the friend is the male in the relationship.
This is the only series I read that a protagonist had such a hard on for his male friend, that he was going on about him ll the time, for about half the series. Then all mention about him stopped, until be comes at the end of the series.
Ugh. This was meh. The author had something good with this series. A guy in a new world crafting stuff and defeating his enemies. It would have been okay with three women, but he went to eleven. Then the series went from crafting to showing how much he loves all his wives equally. So much filler to show nothing.
This entire series was a let down, and shows that I shouldn't trust Schinhofen (like I realized years ago). It could have been cut in half or less than half. The ending was rushed, but the entire series was slow and padded.
1.5/5 Stars
April 15, 2024
Ab eleven book series comes to an end. 3.5 stars
Sean and his pantheon to be take the last few steps to reach their happy ending. The queens now know of him and are on their way and the only means of staving of their wrath is to find the Huntsman. Whoever he may be...
This long-running series has been one of my favorites for some time. Not because of the epic storytelling or the gripping narrative, but because of the ease of reading it. The bad-guys are evil, the good-guys are good and like all good Lit-RPG protagonist Sean makes a real difference in the world. The Isekai genre is full of series like this one, but it is rare for one to come to a satisfying conclusion. This series is one of the rare exceptions to this trend and it is much appreciate in that regard.
In all this is a smooth Isekai with very light RPG vibes that is marked by the ease in which it can be read and the real impact the protagonist on his new world.
Hats of to the author for pulling it of!
Four stars for the series as a whole.
Sean and his pantheon to be take the last few steps to reach their happy ending. The queens now know of him and are on their way and the only means of staving of their wrath is to find the Huntsman. Whoever he may be...
This long-running series has been one of my favorites for some time. Not because of the epic storytelling or the gripping narrative, but because of the ease of reading it. The bad-guys are evil, the good-guys are good and like all good Lit-RPG protagonist Sean makes a real difference in the world. The Isekai genre is full of series like this one, but it is rare for one to come to a satisfying conclusion. This series is one of the rare exceptions to this trend and it is much appreciate in that regard.
In all this is a smooth Isekai with very light RPG vibes that is marked by the ease in which it can be read and the real impact the protagonist on his new world.
Hats of to the author for pulling it of!
Four stars for the series as a whole.
May 3, 2024
I'm glad it's over
I've enjoyed this series for a long time, but this last book took me awhile to get through because when I encountered the word "love" more than twice per page I would take a week off. I took many weeks off.
I'm happy to see where the series ended up going, and how it ended. The story wrapped up fantastically and I was glad that James made a comeback with all that he was spoken of in the very beginning.
I know everyone loves each other, but with the amount of times the word love was uttered, I just couldn't handle it. It was like when you realized what The Fifth Element was, only for like half a book. Where does the pantheon's power come from? Love. How will they conquer the bad guys? Love. What are they doing this afternoon? Love. What did they dream about? Love. Too much love.
Again, glad the series is done, I had a great time.
I've enjoyed this series for a long time, but this last book took me awhile to get through because when I encountered the word "love" more than twice per page I would take a week off. I took many weeks off.
I'm happy to see where the series ended up going, and how it ended. The story wrapped up fantastically and I was glad that James made a comeback with all that he was spoken of in the very beginning.
I know everyone loves each other, but with the amount of times the word love was uttered, I just couldn't handle it. It was like when you realized what The Fifth Element was, only for like half a book. Where does the pantheon's power come from? Love. How will they conquer the bad guys? Love. What are they doing this afternoon? Love. What did they dream about? Love. Too much love.
Again, glad the series is done, I had a great time.
December 15, 2023
Fond Farewell
As with all things in life, this series has come to its end. This series has kept me coming back multiple times and bound my soul to the story. The transition from hot and heavy to more fade to black made me happy, as that gave more word space for the creation of the world around Sean and his found family. Daniel Schinofen has been at the top of my reading list for many years due to all of his series. Each has had their own arching theme with some blending here and there, but all good reads. The end of this series is bittersweet. The world enthralled me; the story made me laugh and smile, and I met new friends that will always be on my virtual shelf. Sadly, I must bid them a fond farewell and look for new friends in Daniel's other books. Thank you!
As with all things in life, this series has come to its end. This series has kept me coming back multiple times and bound my soul to the story. The transition from hot and heavy to more fade to black made me happy, as that gave more word space for the creation of the world around Sean and his found family. Daniel Schinofen has been at the top of my reading list for many years due to all of his series. Each has had their own arching theme with some blending here and there, but all good reads. The end of this series is bittersweet. The world enthralled me; the story made me laugh and smile, and I met new friends that will always be on my virtual shelf. Sadly, I must bid them a fond farewell and look for new friends in Daniel's other books. Thank you!
January 5, 2024
Story conclusion
Alternate universe, magic, faerie, harem fade-to-black (ftb), LitRPG light
After having defeated Truestrike in the last novel, the attention of the Queens has been alerted, putting Sean on notice that he has another quest to complete and a strict deadline.
And then there's bad boy Thor misbehaving.
Despite the epilogue, we never learned if Ironheart found his way to Home. Or if Saret ever makes it to Earth, or the results of Loki's plan. We also learn that Sean and James are fanboys of the author's other series, that he's their favorite writer. Of course they are! LOL! Very tightly edited and 580 plus pages. Was hoping for a book 12, but oh well. Sad to see it end, but the tale was enjoyed.
Alternate universe, magic, faerie, harem fade-to-black (ftb), LitRPG light
After having defeated Truestrike in the last novel, the attention of the Queens has been alerted, putting Sean on notice that he has another quest to complete and a strict deadline.
And then there's bad boy Thor misbehaving.
Despite the epilogue, we never learned if Ironheart found his way to Home. Or if Saret ever makes it to Earth, or the results of Loki's plan. We also learn that Sean and James are fanboys of the author's other series, that he's their favorite writer. Of course they are! LOL! Very tightly edited and 580 plus pages. Was hoping for a book 12, but oh well. Sad to see it end, but the tale was enjoyed.
January 11, 2024
fantastic series
This was such a great series. I’m sorry it’s over. I hope there’s stories of James to come. I’m sure he has adventures with the two Queens. I started reading the series a year ago, and it kept my attention through all the books. I’m now reading the Luck stories. If you started with Divine Agreement, you need to go back to the first one Binding Words. I will say Daniel has an imagination that is fantastic. I enjoyed all of his books. They make you laugh they make you cry. It’s a very good tale. On my worst days it lets me escape my own world.
Can’t wait to see what you write next. Maybe in the future, we will have stories of Sean’s kids and their adventures. I’m sure there’s many.
Thank you for your imagination
Wendy
This was such a great series. I’m sorry it’s over. I hope there’s stories of James to come. I’m sure he has adventures with the two Queens. I started reading the series a year ago, and it kept my attention through all the books. I’m now reading the Luck stories. If you started with Divine Agreement, you need to go back to the first one Binding Words. I will say Daniel has an imagination that is fantastic. I enjoyed all of his books. They make you laugh they make you cry. It’s a very good tale. On my worst days it lets me escape my own world.
Can’t wait to see what you write next. Maybe in the future, we will have stories of Sean’s kids and their adventures. I’m sure there’s many.
Thank you for your imagination
Wendy
December 16, 2023
Happy and sad
I'm happy to have read the last book but I'm sad that the story won't go on I sort of Saw what was going to happen with the and yeah I saw who was going to be the Huntsman back in I think it was a cord when Sean talked to page Tinder and find out the myth about the Huntsman I sort of figured on who was going to be and actually got it right but part of the ending I didn't see coming so it was a really good book if you're just jumping to this book stop and go back and read the entire series you will think me or you will think Daniel for actually writing this it was a really good series good job can't wait to read aether's Revival
I'm happy to have read the last book but I'm sad that the story won't go on I sort of Saw what was going to happen with the and yeah I saw who was going to be the Huntsman back in I think it was a cord when Sean talked to page Tinder and find out the myth about the Huntsman I sort of figured on who was going to be and actually got it right but part of the ending I didn't see coming so it was a really good book if you're just jumping to this book stop and go back and read the entire series you will think me or you will think Daniel for actually writing this it was a really good series good job can't wait to read aether's Revival
March 18, 2024
This brings the series to an end, and it ends for me as it began, with a 4. In this case it's because I found it was longer than it needed to be, and a lot of it was well-trod emotional relationship stuff. People who like large amouts of that will likely appreciate this book more than I did.
The story, when it was actually moving and not bogged down as above, was pretty good, and this ties everything up pretty well. That'll get you a 4, but this just wasn't tight enough to clear the next bar. With this done, I'm hoping the author gets back on that sci-fi series he's been working on, as I like that one better so far.
The story, when it was actually moving and not bogged down as above, was pretty good, and this ties everything up pretty well. That'll get you a 4, but this just wasn't tight enough to clear the next bar. With this done, I'm hoping the author gets back on that sci-fi series he's been working on, as I like that one better so far.
December 15, 2023
Sad that this is the end, but OH, WHAT AN ENDING!
I've dearly loved this series from the first book onward, I highly recommend the series to anyone who enjoys Schinhofen's other works, or those of authors such as Eric Vall, Dante King, or Logan Jacobs! Basically if you love a great story and either like or don't mind a harem and some scenes of descriptive intimacy. Although if you would prefer to skip such passages they are conveniently separated into their own independent chapters to make it easy to skip them.
I've dearly loved this series from the first book onward, I highly recommend the series to anyone who enjoys Schinhofen's other works, or those of authors such as Eric Vall, Dante King, or Logan Jacobs! Basically if you love a great story and either like or don't mind a harem and some scenes of descriptive intimacy. Although if you would prefer to skip such passages they are conveniently separated into their own independent chapters to make it easy to skip them.
December 15, 2023
Sad it's over but damn what a way to go out
What is there to say? The last book was every bit as amazing as the first. Which is the thing that usually ( well with other authors ) doesn't happen with long series. I had guessed how this story would end for the most part, and yes Mr. Schinhofen I didn't guess about the dragon. The only thing I'd have liked better is if in the end Sean had also married Morrigan. She deserves a place in the new pantheon. But that's just me. I look forward to reading the next book.
What is there to say? The last book was every bit as amazing as the first. Which is the thing that usually ( well with other authors ) doesn't happen with long series. I had guessed how this story would end for the most part, and yes Mr. Schinhofen I didn't guess about the dragon. The only thing I'd have liked better is if in the end Sean had also married Morrigan. She deserves a place in the new pantheon. But that's just me. I look forward to reading the next book.
December 30, 2023
End of a very intriguing series
After defeating his wicked noble enemiesthe MC, now a baby god and head of a new pantheon is called before the fae queens who rule the world. His mission is to find the reincarnated huntsman that is fated to be yhe queen's husband. As Hanibal Smith said, "I love it when a plan comes together." But then gods from other pantheons renege on their agreements and get beat down for their efforts. Still the MC and his cohort prevail, moving to a new and unclaimed world while those that oppossed them ended doing penance in the bog.
After defeating his wicked noble enemiesthe MC, now a baby god and head of a new pantheon is called before the fae queens who rule the world. His mission is to find the reincarnated huntsman that is fated to be yhe queen's husband. As Hanibal Smith said, "I love it when a plan comes together." But then gods from other pantheons renege on their agreements and get beat down for their efforts. Still the MC and his cohort prevail, moving to a new and unclaimed world while those that oppossed them ended doing penance in the bog.
December 22, 2023
This was absolutely a ”hate to see you go but love to watch you leave” feeling. The last in one of Daniel’s best series to date was a fantastic addition, and not only added to the story but confirmed some theories I’d had from previous books and wrapped up nearly everything in a neat little bow. I hope to see the characters again someday, and without spoiling anything, I can see how that might be possible. Note we wait for his next release…
December 23, 2023
It's over and I'm okay with that. The ending was satisfying as far as it went, given that there was barely a novella of real story hiding inside a tome of repetitive affirmations of love and ... breakfast. I think the story spent more time making me cringe over Sean's chaste kisses than actually interacting with the Queens. This could have been a great ending if the ratio of harem to story had been reversed.
December 30, 2023
a perfect closure to a wonderful series
High praise to Daniel Schinhofen for this series- it is one of my favorites. This marks the end of this series, closing with peace and satisfaction in all aspects. There were many points masterfully brought to conclusion in this book, which were previously held in doubt, so I am very grateful that Mr. Awesome Author made sure to cover all the angles. No spoilers. Trust the author.
High praise to Daniel Schinhofen for this series- it is one of my favorites. This marks the end of this series, closing with peace and satisfaction in all aspects. There were many points masterfully brought to conclusion in this book, which were previously held in doubt, so I am very grateful that Mr. Awesome Author made sure to cover all the angles. No spoilers. Trust the author.
May 21, 2024
Excellent Series
I have just finished reading the entire Morrigan series and found the whole story to be very interesting, informative, funny, emotional, and readable.
The involvement of mythical beings and worlds having influence over the Queens world is divine in multiple ways. The effects of magic are wonderful. I really loved the new items developed by Sean and the businesses and ideals he eschewed.
I have just finished reading the entire Morrigan series and found the whole story to be very interesting, informative, funny, emotional, and readable.
The involvement of mythical beings and worlds having influence over the Queens world is divine in multiple ways. The effects of magic are wonderful. I really loved the new items developed by Sean and the businesses and ideals he eschewed.
December 15, 2023
An end to be proud of.
I forget which book he was in when I found him. From my first read. To I dont know how many now. This series has been great. I will miss the anticipation of the initial 3 chapters in New book day when this one comes back around. I will look forward to see what will be replacing BW in the lineup.
Such a great ending.
Thank you Mr. Schinhofen
I forget which book he was in when I found him. From my first read. To I dont know how many now. This series has been great. I will miss the anticipation of the initial 3 chapters in New book day when this one comes back around. I will look forward to see what will be replacing BW in the lineup.
Such a great ending.
Thank you Mr. Schinhofen
December 16, 2023
Great ending
I really appreciate the way this story wrapped up. I saw the twist coming a mile away, but was still 100% satisfied with the ending. I would perhaps be interested to see how things go in their new home, but the epilogue gives a decent sense of closure the lingering question or two. Thanks for the great reads, Mr. Schinhofen!
I really appreciate the way this story wrapped up. I saw the twist coming a mile away, but was still 100% satisfied with the ending. I would perhaps be interested to see how things go in their new home, but the epilogue gives a decent sense of closure the lingering question or two. Thanks for the great reads, Mr. Schinhofen!
December 16, 2023
Loved it
A very satisfying read and an end to another great series from this author, most of everything that needs to be explained is.
I just wish real life was as understanding and as full of love, congratulations Daniel on such a wonderful series and such a great world of characters beautifully written a true gem in a sea of so much generic books.
A very satisfying read and an end to another great series from this author, most of everything that needs to be explained is.
I just wish real life was as understanding and as full of love, congratulations Daniel on such a wonderful series and such a great world of characters beautifully written a true gem in a sea of so much generic books.
December 17, 2023
A satisfying end to a great series.
It's been very entertaining to see Sean and his family grow over the years, and you can't help but wonder what sort of mess he's going to get into next--never his fault, of course. This is a series I've really enjoyed. Thank you, Daniel, for bringing us along on the journey!
It's been very entertaining to see Sean and his family grow over the years, and you can't help but wonder what sort of mess he's going to get into next--never his fault, of course. This is a series I've really enjoyed. Thank you, Daniel, for bringing us along on the journey!
December 19, 2023
Brilliant finale!
Absolutely loved this ending to a fantastic series, with plenty of care, love and bonding for the family, with twists, both anticipated from previous books and not, to a grande finale with some epic fights and twists of fate.
Sad to see the series end, but loved reading every word!
Absolutely loved this ending to a fantastic series, with plenty of care, love and bonding for the family, with twists, both anticipated from previous books and not, to a grande finale with some epic fights and twists of fate.
Sad to see the series end, but loved reading every word!
December 21, 2023
AMAZING
Just finished the series and absolutely loved it but also absolutely devastated that's its finished but thank you Daniel schinhofen it has been beautifully written as it draws you in to love the characters and also hate a few who didn't think you would so thank you again much live
Just finished the series and absolutely loved it but also absolutely devastated that's its finished but thank you Daniel schinhofen it has been beautifully written as it draws you in to love the characters and also hate a few who didn't think you would so thank you again much live
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews