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I'm Not the Hero #2
Secrets and Strife
The nonstop action and antics continue—and the hero–sidekick relationship is turned on its head—in the second installment of this thrilling fantasy series.
When quiet Orrin and his extroverted best friend, Daniel, were transported to a strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Only when they faced a particularly lethal foe did Orrin step out of his comfort zone and display his true worth—with powers he didn’t know he had. Of course, Daniel got all the glory, but Orrin doesn’t mind. He’s just happy they’re both still alive.
However, they are given little time to celebrate before a local authority offers them the chance to explore a newly revealed dungeon. They can hardly refuse, as the adventure would bring them within spitting distance of the woodland realm of the elves, which is currently enduring an attack by the neighboring country of Odrana. So Daniel and Orrin hope to get stronger conquering the dungeon and then lend a hand in the war.
And though he’s not typical warrior material, Orrin has his own set of magical skills to bring to the quest. Skills he’s surprised to learn shouldn’t even exist. And for good it seems his ever-growing abilities have the potential to elevate him far beyond his bestie the hero . . .
The second volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
When quiet Orrin and his extroverted best friend, Daniel, were transported to a strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Only when they faced a particularly lethal foe did Orrin step out of his comfort zone and display his true worth—with powers he didn’t know he had. Of course, Daniel got all the glory, but Orrin doesn’t mind. He’s just happy they’re both still alive.
However, they are given little time to celebrate before a local authority offers them the chance to explore a newly revealed dungeon. They can hardly refuse, as the adventure would bring them within spitting distance of the woodland realm of the elves, which is currently enduring an attack by the neighboring country of Odrana. So Daniel and Orrin hope to get stronger conquering the dungeon and then lend a hand in the war.
And though he’s not typical warrior material, Orrin has his own set of magical skills to bring to the quest. Skills he’s surprised to learn shouldn’t even exist. And for good it seems his ever-growing abilities have the potential to elevate him far beyond his bestie the hero . . .
The second volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
555 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2024
368 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 15, 2024
I loved book 1, but I'm not particularly interested in following the MC through his gay romance story (which wasn't even hinted at in book 1), so I'll just be getting off this train here.
August 19, 2024
crappy cliffhanger
Authors think is funny to end a book with a major cliffhanger. Sorry, but I don’t care for it. Orrin’s sexuality conflict didn’t impress me either. Honestly this is one of the reasons I prefer books without any romance bs. Daniel and Madi can’t keep a secret for sh*t. I’m surprised everyone doesn’t know everything about the Hero and Administrator. This book wasn’t as good as the first one IMO.
Authors think is funny to end a book with a major cliffhanger. Sorry, but I don’t care for it. Orrin’s sexuality conflict didn’t impress me either. Honestly this is one of the reasons I prefer books without any romance bs. Daniel and Madi can’t keep a secret for sh*t. I’m surprised everyone doesn’t know everything about the Hero and Administrator. This book wasn’t as good as the first one IMO.
November 3, 2024
Why is this blushing protag taking up so much of the plot? This feels like forced romance, and I hate that crap.
More things happened in book one at the position I'm currently at in book two.
I wonder if this book's protag being loosely based on the "damn Daniel" boy, and you could plainly see that the real life guy saying "damn Daniel" had a huge crush on Daniel, would explain a lot of what is going on in this book?
The book is named Secrets and Strife.
I don't understand why these YA-esque books have the protags always feeling guilty for not telling everyone on their team their secret. Even though the others are not coming clean themselves. They make it out to be this big thing that could end the world if this other person finds out they were keeping secrets.
You don't tell your every secret to someone, and it's pissing me off that it's a damn trope that pops up so damn regularly. I understand keeping a secret from a person in a ten year relationship with you can be detrimental, but from someone you just met less than a month ago? These damn lazy ass authors use it to drum up easy drama.
The start of this sucked, but by the end I enjoyed it. Did not like the cliffhanger. I will pick up the sequel. Hopefully it doesn't do that long drawn out crap at the beginning again.
3/5 Stars
More things happened in book one at the position I'm currently at in book two.
I wonder if this book's protag being loosely based on the "damn Daniel" boy, and you could plainly see that the real life guy saying "damn Daniel" had a huge crush on Daniel, would explain a lot of what is going on in this book?
The book is named Secrets and Strife.
I don't understand why these YA-esque books have the protags always feeling guilty for not telling everyone on their team their secret. Even though the others are not coming clean themselves. They make it out to be this big thing that could end the world if this other person finds out they were keeping secrets.
You don't tell your every secret to someone, and it's pissing me off that it's a damn trope that pops up so damn regularly. I understand keeping a secret from a person in a ten year relationship with you can be detrimental, but from someone you just met less than a month ago? These damn lazy ass authors use it to drum up easy drama.
The start of this sucked, but by the end I enjoyed it. Did not like the cliffhanger. I will pick up the sequel. Hopefully it doesn't do that long drawn out crap at the beginning again.
3/5 Stars
September 13, 2024
A little quicker
There was a lot going on in this one as well, with some natural teen boy aggression and misunderstandings. Great for the story, great for the growth, and a ton of fun.
But that's a heck of a cliff hanger.
There was a lot going on in this one as well, with some natural teen boy aggression and misunderstandings. Great for the story, great for the growth, and a ton of fun.
But that's a heck of a cliff hanger.
September 18, 2025
This one didn’t land as well for me. The constant “teenagers know best” attitude gets grating fast—characters pushing back against authority or common sense feels less like growth and more like stubbornness. Maybe that’s what YA readers want to see, but it dragged down the story for me. The worldbuilding and setup are still interesting, yet the balance tips too heavily toward teen drama over plot progression.
September 10, 2024
It's not the cliffhanger that pissed me off but how bloody useless the MC and Hero are.
So I get they are sixteen and lazy, so the Hero and MC aren't leveling like crazy and using every opportunity. Sure the MC could be unlocking super powerful spells and merging them all the time. That's just the MC's normal confidence issue of He's not the Hero and letting the self centered best friend Hero take all the glory. Even if they think the world hangs in the balance.
No, the reason that I think they are both useless beyond the Hero thinking he's the center of everything is how the MC doesn't use his Admin powers. We learn and this is a 'minor' thing in the book, like not even a full chapter worth of focus, that the power to change class sets the person who changes class back to Level 1. Now, unless this is a hack for the target to keep their stats, in which case power level from 1 to 10 for free stat points would be a thing. That it's not mentioned make it seem the stats go back to level 1 too. Nor does the target need to give permission or be aware of it as we learn.
So the MC has a power, that he can instantly change anyone like.. DEMON LORD or KING MAGE of Odrana to FARMER level 1, resetting all their non-dungeon stats to level 1 and making Orrin's negative stat buffs work on them instantly and removing all their class specific spells and skills.
The fact he DOESN'T at all use this, makes this book so stupid. He literally is told he has GOD like powers and never uses them, no matter how bad the situation. HE CAN WIN ANY FIGHT IN ONE MOVE!
I can get past him not inverse heal small wounds to create small wounds, not looking for upgrades to meditation or combos with it to regain more mana, or a million other small, He's a teenager and doesn't put in the effort thoughts. BUT that he has the OP power and ignores it so that the hero can feel important? Even at that cliff hanger ending? That's...Is it him or the author who is a moron to make such a big loophole power?
So I get they are sixteen and lazy, so the Hero and MC aren't leveling like crazy and using every opportunity. Sure the MC could be unlocking super powerful spells and merging them all the time. That's just the MC's normal confidence issue of He's not the Hero and letting the self centered best friend Hero take all the glory. Even if they think the world hangs in the balance.
No, the reason that I think they are both useless beyond the Hero thinking he's the center of everything is how the MC doesn't use his Admin powers. We learn and this is a 'minor' thing in the book, like not even a full chapter worth of focus, that the power to change class sets the person who changes class back to Level 1. Now, unless this is a hack for the target to keep their stats, in which case power level from 1 to 10 for free stat points would be a thing. That it's not mentioned make it seem the stats go back to level 1 too. Nor does the target need to give permission or be aware of it as we learn.
So the MC has a power, that he can instantly change anyone like.. DEMON LORD or KING MAGE of Odrana to FARMER level 1, resetting all their non-dungeon stats to level 1 and making Orrin's negative stat buffs work on them instantly and removing all their class specific spells and skills.
The fact he DOESN'T at all use this, makes this book so stupid. He literally is told he has GOD like powers and never uses them, no matter how bad the situation. HE CAN WIN ANY FIGHT IN ONE MOVE!
I can get past him not inverse heal small wounds to create small wounds, not looking for upgrades to meditation or combos with it to regain more mana, or a million other small, He's a teenager and doesn't put in the effort thoughts. BUT that he has the OP power and ignores it so that the hero can feel important? Even at that cliff hanger ending? That's...Is it him or the author who is a moron to make such a big loophole power?
August 22, 2024
I stopped the book early because of other reviews talking about a cliffhanger. I'm skipping the cliffhanger and will finish this book when the third one is available. I stopped at the end of chapter 51.
If you saw my review of the first book you'll know that I don't enjoy the difficulty of feelings. This book keeps turning the screws on feelings. Trust, betrayal and loss of control combine with a dash of sexuality to turn my discomfort to 11.
I would rate the book higher. I might rate it higher if it has an ending I enjoy. Right now I'm scared to find out what happens. I'm looking forward to finishing this book when #3 comes out in audiobook format.
If you saw my review of the first book you'll know that I don't enjoy the difficulty of feelings. This book keeps turning the screws on feelings. Trust, betrayal and loss of control combine with a dash of sexuality to turn my discomfort to 11.
I would rate the book higher. I might rate it higher if it has an ending I enjoy. Right now I'm scared to find out what happens. I'm looking forward to finishing this book when #3 comes out in audiobook format.
April 4, 2026
4.15 stars. I definitely enjoyed this a lot more than the first book. It stayed engaging and easy to get through. I also liked how the worldbuilding and overall direction started to expand.
That said, one thing that really bothered me was Madi. I didn’t like how entitled she felt to the MC’s secrets and trust despite not knowing him for that long. She repeatedly expects complete honesty from him. When he doesn’t tell her everything, she treats it like a betrayal, even when it doesn’t really concern her. It felt unearned and frustrating.
Another issue was that this book still felt very YA. The characters don’t fully think things through, and they often act like they know best. There was also a lot of wasted potential with the MC’s abilities. Some moments felt avoidable, especially near the end. Overall, I still enjoyed it and will continue the series.
That said, one thing that really bothered me was Madi. I didn’t like how entitled she felt to the MC’s secrets and trust despite not knowing him for that long. She repeatedly expects complete honesty from him. When he doesn’t tell her everything, she treats it like a betrayal, even when it doesn’t really concern her. It felt unearned and frustrating.
Another issue was that this book still felt very YA. The characters don’t fully think things through, and they often act like they know best. There was also a lot of wasted potential with the MC’s abilities. Some moments felt avoidable, especially near the end. Overall, I still enjoyed it and will continue the series.
October 12, 2024
On the second book of the "I'm not the Hero" series we find that Orrin is still advancing and finding out he has a totally different class. Daniel the Hero is still the same guy, always thinking that his brawn will solve it all. The group goes after a tough dungeon and after they are successful they go to the Elves just to find another Admin. This is the start of the real growth for Orrin.
I really like he series its not exactly hard to predict some of the actions and at times Daniel and Madi are annoying. Daniel is strong but even after everything that happens he keeps ignoring the signs that he should be working for Orrin's growth and not the other way around. Secrets, yeah nobody can seem to keep them. Specially Daniel
I really like he series its not exactly hard to predict some of the actions and at times Daniel and Madi are annoying. Daniel is strong but even after everything that happens he keeps ignoring the signs that he should be working for Orrin's growth and not the other way around. Secrets, yeah nobody can seem to keep them. Specially Daniel
June 1, 2025
Pretty good 👍 only thing that's crazy 🤪 is you don't get loot when you kill monsters you don't really get anything in dungeons everything has a cost they even have to pay for skills & abilities the only thing they are getting is levels and ability points it's a very stingy system 🤔 and everyone keeps whining about gay stuff what gay stuff Garrett is a hoe he flirted with orin a few times boo-hoo he didn't even say much grow up people it's a good read Garrett was flirting with everyone male and female. I hate that orin keeps putting himself in a box 📦 but then gets upset 😡 because he can't fight but he keeps kneecaping his self because he's so used to being a afterthought I wish he would stop wavering and man up.
August 20, 2024
It's ok. Not as good as the previous novel.
MC is still a bit of a doormat. The 'sensible' character often acts entirely based on emotions. None of them can keep critical information to themselves. The main characters often act without thinking and berate each other for doing the same thing. The romance is pretty cringey.
Story ends in a cliffhanger and th last 10% of the book doesn't really make any logical sense. They should have no reason to expect to be able to do what they try to accomplish, and should know that it's a bad idea even try. They try anyway because that's what the plot requires.
MC is still a bit of a doormat. The 'sensible' character often acts entirely based on emotions. None of them can keep critical information to themselves. The main characters often act without thinking and berate each other for doing the same thing. The romance is pretty cringey.
Story ends in a cliffhanger and th last 10% of the book doesn't really make any logical sense. They should have no reason to expect to be able to do what they try to accomplish, and should know that it's a bad idea even try. They try anyway because that's what the plot requires.
March 30, 2025
2.5/5
Still the same as the last book, but the world is a bit more interesting. The “cool” moments didn’t hit very well, though, and Daniel is kind of annoying. His constant need to be the best at everything even though he’s brand new in the world is obnoxious. The threats he and MC make are absurd in that context. “I’ll burn you all to the ground” when it’s clear that everyone in the city is massively stronger is so annoying. I get that they are young and immature, but they also need to have consequences more often from their brashness.
Still the same as the last book, but the world is a bit more interesting. The “cool” moments didn’t hit very well, though, and Daniel is kind of annoying. His constant need to be the best at everything even though he’s brand new in the world is obnoxious. The threats he and MC make are absurd in that context. “I’ll burn you all to the ground” when it’s clear that everyone in the city is massively stronger is so annoying. I get that they are young and immature, but they also need to have consequences more often from their brashness.
January 1, 2026
Still some of the same problems with this book. The side characters are just kind of there and the plot moves forward by the kids doing dumb stuff. The formatting for the skills and stats have been fixed so it's much more legable than before. The story is somewhat interesting but is starting to lose me with they way certain things are ignored. A big example is the pass that was supposed to be this thing no one crossed alive but it seems people cross it with no big deal.
August 15, 2024
Book two
As more and more stories are being published after appearing on Royalroad it might be hard to find a decent story to read.
Look no further! This for me was worth reading. I read it on Royalroad as it was being written. Book three is being written now and soon I will take a day and get caught up. (I hate running out of chapters.)
9/10
As more and more stories are being published after appearing on Royalroad it might be hard to find a decent story to read.
Look no further! This for me was worth reading. I read it on Royalroad as it was being written. Book three is being written now and soon I will take a day and get caught up. (I hate running out of chapters.)
9/10
August 23, 2024
It's a really good installment in the series, almost too much action, but I enjoyed learning along with Orrin about his fascinating class. I also enjoyed the Elven Realm, especially the tutoring. I didn't appreciate the cliff hanger.
I'm astounded by some of the comments, which are a reader extrapolation and not actually valid (if they had only read on!).
I'm astounded by some of the comments, which are a reader extrapolation and not actually valid (if they had only read on!).
September 5, 2024
Cliffhanger pain
So many authors these days do not know how to end a book properly, so they just write until its at the most climactic moment and then....just stop. You can bring a book to a proper resting place and still write a series. Doing it like this does NOT make me want to read the next one more. It makes me upset at wasting time.
So many authors these days do not know how to end a book properly, so they just write until its at the most climactic moment and then....just stop. You can bring a book to a proper resting place and still write a series. Doing it like this does NOT make me want to read the next one more. It makes me upset at wasting time.
October 3, 2024
I really enjoyed the book until the end. It was pretty obvious the it was going to end with a cliffhanger and it did. Not my favorite way to end a book. Then it introduced my least favorite trope, the suppression collar. Those collars never lead to anything good. They always lead to some kind of slavery, prison or torture plot line. The majority of the book was solid. Good plot, cool system and fun characters.
October 7, 2024
Decent character work, good plot, interesting world (including the "game" system). The writing was a bit YA-ish (not unreasonable, given the ages of the protagonists, but still a bit obtrusive).
This was trending to 3.5 - 4 stars until the cliffhanger ending.
Fun, but unless you're willing to commit to the next book, I wouldn't recommend it.
This was trending to 3.5 - 4 stars until the cliffhanger ending.
Fun, but unless you're willing to commit to the next book, I wouldn't recommend it.
August 14, 2024
I love this series from the bottom of my heart! These characters are great and the story fresh! Amazing! How is everyone sleeping on this?!
I am, however, furious at this cliffhanger and even more so to see we have to wait till 2025 for the next book 😩😩😩😩😩
I am, however, furious at this cliffhanger and even more so to see we have to wait till 2025 for the next book 😩😩😩😩😩
August 16, 2024
Good as book one
Fun read without an overpowered man character. Light litrpg elements with good characters. Second book is even better with good character and skill growth. Looking forward to book three.
Fun read without an overpowered man character. Light litrpg elements with good characters. Second book is even better with good character and skill growth. Looking forward to book three.
August 20, 2024
I have liked both of these books and can’t wait for the next.
I have liked both of these books and can’t wait for the next. The off kilter hero and side kick treatment keeps the story fresh and awesome.
I have liked both of these books and can’t wait for the next. The off kilter hero and side kick treatment keeps the story fresh and awesome.
August 23, 2024
great story with three young heros developing
Actually only one hero and one administrator and one brave and clever young woman. The character dev and personal growth and relationships make this a great read.
Actually only one hero and one administrator and one brave and clever young woman. The character dev and personal growth and relationships make this a great read.
August 25, 2024
Disappointment
Exactly the same problems and mistakes over and over again. This book is basically a copy of the first with literally zero character growth. All the main characters are complete idiot's, dropping thus series
Exactly the same problems and mistakes over and over again. This book is basically a copy of the first with literally zero character growth. All the main characters are complete idiot's, dropping thus series
September 3, 2024
Orrin and Daniel are Morons
I'm not sure how many stupid conclusions you can get your main protagonist to jump to, but Orrin tries to make them all. Daniel is just a hammer that thinks everything is a nail.
I'm not sure how many stupid conclusions you can get your main protagonist to jump to, but Orrin tries to make them all. Daniel is just a hammer that thinks everything is a nail.
October 1, 2024
Quicker than the first progression-wise but ending on that cliffhanger with 6 Plus months until the next book is insanely cruel. 3 *s and a *big cliffhanger* warning. Once the third book is out this will be a solid four to four and a half Stars but that cliffhanger... Fml.
October 18, 2024
Nothing like book 1. Everything that made this awesome was missing. No cool and interesting character growth for the most part. The combination of utility warder being an idiot, our hero a know-it-all, and our maiden side-kick being whiny and insecure the story never stood a chance.
December 22, 2024
I do think the power scaling is catching up on the sequel. Some of the writing feels unfair when it came to Orin. Overall, I enjoyed the blend of new and old characters and the cliff hanger was a good stopping point.
April 4, 2025
Probably done with this series. The two main characters aren't particularly likable. The mechanics of the world are cool, but, ultimately, LitRPG all comes down to the protagonist and this series just doesn't have it.
April 23, 2025
DNF - not really interested in LGTBQ
Feels like a bait and switch. In book one the MC likes some girls. Now he likes dudes and that’s a fairly big part of the story so far. Just categorize your book right.
Feels like a bait and switch. In book one the MC likes some girls. Now he likes dudes and that’s a fairly big part of the story so far. Just categorize your book right.
August 16, 2024
Noooooo!
I want the next book!
Pretty please and soonest if you could!
This story is riveting and will keep you up late.
I want the next book!
Pretty please and soonest if you could!
This story is riveting and will keep you up late.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews