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The Nailmaker #1
The Reaper
Jaded veteran, badass arsenal, corrupt authority: a recipe for punishment.
Meet Jack, a jaded vet from Earth. During the day he’s a nobody who is shunned and abused. However, at night he’ll grow to be an ungodly powerhouse that would put fear in the hearts of the rich and corrupt. He’ll use every bit of courage, and ingenuity to wreak vengeance on anyone who messes with him or his friends.
And while his living is rough, there’s something more dreadful afoot. People vanish in the night. Portals are opening in the city, unleashing demons, and a great army approaches, seeking to conquer the land. Jack will have to act fast. He’ll need to face all manner of monsters to protect what’s his, yet the worst are not the demons outside the city walls.
[Overpowered Badass MC] [LitRPG] [Isekai] [Steady Progression] [Void + Iron + Time abilities] [Fast Paced]
*** Over 400,000 views on Royal Road ***
Meet Jack, a jaded vet from Earth. During the day he’s a nobody who is shunned and abused. However, at night he’ll grow to be an ungodly powerhouse that would put fear in the hearts of the rich and corrupt. He’ll use every bit of courage, and ingenuity to wreak vengeance on anyone who messes with him or his friends.
And while his living is rough, there’s something more dreadful afoot. People vanish in the night. Portals are opening in the city, unleashing demons, and a great army approaches, seeking to conquer the land. Jack will have to act fast. He’ll need to face all manner of monsters to protect what’s his, yet the worst are not the demons outside the city walls.
[Overpowered Badass MC] [LitRPG] [Isekai] [Steady Progression] [Void + Iron + Time abilities] [Fast Paced]
*** Over 400,000 views on Royal Road ***
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2023
387 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 21, 2024
The book´s description is misleading.
The protagonist is a blank slate without any real motivation or character and the reader hardly learns anything about his old life. He mostly reacts according to the wishes of others than acting on his own throughout the entire book. The few decisions he makes himself are rather dumb. The author´s bias show through as the character can´t differ between prisoners and slaves and seemingly all prisoners are automatically innocent and need to be freed at all cost without having any knowledge why they were imprisoned..
Of course, the protagonist has two young, empowered and beautiful women without real personality as sidekicks/motivators. They lead him throughout the story no matter how utterly moronic the timing of their activities is. If the reader is one of the persons who see their house burning but decide that this would be the perfect time to shopping, they might enjoy the timing of the actions in this book more.
The stats seem irrelevant as everybody walks, sleeps and jumps wearing heaving plate armor..
I found the scene that had a defensive line of immobile cavalry hilarious..
The protagonist is a blank slate without any real motivation or character and the reader hardly learns anything about his old life. He mostly reacts according to the wishes of others than acting on his own throughout the entire book. The few decisions he makes himself are rather dumb. The author´s bias show through as the character can´t differ between prisoners and slaves and seemingly all prisoners are automatically innocent and need to be freed at all cost without having any knowledge why they were imprisoned..
Of course, the protagonist has two young, empowered and beautiful women without real personality as sidekicks/motivators. They lead him throughout the story no matter how utterly moronic the timing of their activities is. If the reader is one of the persons who see their house burning but decide that this would be the perfect time to shopping, they might enjoy the timing of the actions in this book more.
The stats seem irrelevant as everybody walks, sleeps and jumps wearing heaving plate armor..
I found the scene that had a defensive line of immobile cavalry hilarious..
February 3, 2024
Just not good
This book is weakly written with characters that don't make much sense and plot holes all throughout. The stats are basically meaningless because of how vague the author makes them. I can only assume this was done to cover for the poorly executed details
This book is weakly written with characters that don't make much sense and plot holes all throughout. The stats are basically meaningless because of how vague the author makes them. I can only assume this was done to cover for the poorly executed details
January 19, 2024
Good book, abrupt ending.
I really liked this book. It was a quick read, with enough stats to keep things honest but not so much as to bog everything down. As it was originally published on RoyalRoad, the ending was just there.
All in all, it is highly recommended.
I really liked this book. It was a quick read, with enough stats to keep things honest but not so much as to bog everything down. As it was originally published on RoyalRoad, the ending was just there.
All in all, it is highly recommended.
February 3, 2024
It's okay
Nothing special. Too many characters, lack of depth. Typical Isekai OP MC stuff. First half was great, then it went way downhill.
On the bright side, the editing was well done.
Nothing special. Too many characters, lack of depth. Typical Isekai OP MC stuff. First half was great, then it went way downhill.
On the bright side, the editing was well done.
January 15, 2024
Meh.
This has a very weak story that just tapers off without any real conclusion. It had generic characters that are not filled out. The combat is weak and unsatisfying.
This has a very weak story that just tapers off without any real conclusion. It had generic characters that are not filled out. The combat is weak and unsatisfying.
Read
February 17, 2024I enjoyed.
I sat down and the next thing I know I finished the entire book and most of my day :) it pulled me in and just didn’t let me go. The main character is actually interesting. He entered into the story as a man with past and a “been a lot of places and done that” attitude. He is overpowered but never to the point that it seems everything is just given to him. I plan to read the next book in the series.
I sat down and the next thing I know I finished the entire book and most of my day :) it pulled me in and just didn’t let me go. The main character is actually interesting. He entered into the story as a man with past and a “been a lot of places and done that” attitude. He is overpowered but never to the point that it seems everything is just given to him. I plan to read the next book in the series.
January 16, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
January 22, 2024
great read
Surprisingly good. Can’t wait for the next book. One of those can’t pick put down novels. Will sure to enjoy
Surprisingly good. Can’t wait for the next book. One of those can’t pick put down novels. Will sure to enjoy
February 2, 2024
I enjoyed the book! And I am looking forward to the next book. I didn’t see the MC as overpowered as he frequently lost power partway through a fight. But he adapted and persevered.
January 30, 2024
you can’t be an OP MC, when you only have power half of the time.
Very interesting world. So so story antihero character. The book blurb says OPMC, how can you be OP 1/2 of the day you don’t have any power? The MC is trying to keep his abilities undercover, but picks up all kinds of strays along the way. Why did the author reanimate this character in the body of a disreputable thief, who was marked by having a hook because he had his left hand cut off. The odds are against the MC for most of the book. Some of you may enjoy the book but it has plenty of flaws as far as the characters progression is involved. You may like it I did not.
Very interesting world. So so story antihero character. The book blurb says OPMC, how can you be OP 1/2 of the day you don’t have any power? The MC is trying to keep his abilities undercover, but picks up all kinds of strays along the way. Why did the author reanimate this character in the body of a disreputable thief, who was marked by having a hook because he had his left hand cut off. The odds are against the MC for most of the book. Some of you may enjoy the book but it has plenty of flaws as far as the characters progression is involved. You may like it I did not.
January 13, 2024
Great book
Great book good story line. I read enjoyed and for play of powers with the main character. I certainly recommend reading the series. And i'm off to see if there are more that I can read now.
Great book good story line. I read enjoyed and for play of powers with the main character. I certainly recommend reading the series. And i'm off to see if there are more that I can read now.
January 12, 2024
didn’t like it
This got tedious around the 70% mark and I started skimming. The behavior of the people around the MC was annoying.
This got tedious around the 70% mark and I started skimming. The behavior of the people around the MC was annoying.
March 15, 2024
Greet Read! Fast paced and good fresh dialogue keeps you turning pages!
Really a great first book to a series. Except for a few minor plot holes, and some pointless chasing of MacGuffin, there's nothing to complain about the story. Great world development, really good main character and supporting cast that keeps your attention. The action is well paced, the skill leveling dynamics were simple and well explained, often making you wonder what you would choose in those situations. It was not overly descriptive and was not over explained which helped with the pacing of the story. Really a great read overall and I can't wait to read book two!
Really a great first book to a series. Except for a few minor plot holes, and some pointless chasing of MacGuffin, there's nothing to complain about the story. Great world development, really good main character and supporting cast that keeps your attention. The action is well paced, the skill leveling dynamics were simple and well explained, often making you wonder what you would choose in those situations. It was not overly descriptive and was not over explained which helped with the pacing of the story. Really a great read overall and I can't wait to read book two!
April 24, 2024
Not a fan
I wanted to like the book, and to be honest I did not have as much trouble with the MC as others. My two main issues were the other characters always seemed like an afterthought and the world is fleshed out as the author writes instead of being fully considered beforehand. The later not being so bad, if you at least go back through the book and make sure things are considered timely. It just seemed like so much stuff was not mentioned at all, until right before the author used it.
I wanted to like the book, and to be honest I did not have as much trouble with the MC as others. My two main issues were the other characters always seemed like an afterthought and the world is fleshed out as the author writes instead of being fully considered beforehand. The later not being so bad, if you at least go back through the book and make sure things are considered timely. It just seemed like so much stuff was not mentioned at all, until right before the author used it.
May 28, 2024
Good read, and the MC isn't overpowered.
Too many times, litrpgs make their MCs too powerful too quickly. Even though Jake is powerful, he isn't all powerful and often faces challenges high enough to potentially kill him. As well, he does need friends.
The other interesting thing about Jake is his severe reluctance to be a hero.
The one critical thing, though Bel, did you have to do that to Lucky?
Too many times, litrpgs make their MCs too powerful too quickly. Even though Jake is powerful, he isn't all powerful and often faces challenges high enough to potentially kill him. As well, he does need friends.
The other interesting thing about Jake is his severe reluctance to be a hero.
The one critical thing, though Bel, did you have to do that to Lucky?
February 8, 2024
Excellent!!!
I was only going to read a couple of chapters to see if the book was as good as I had hoped, then save it to finish in the future after more books had been written. As one could probably already guess, I couldn’t put it down and finished the whole thing in two days. Now I can’t wait for the next one.
I was only going to read a couple of chapters to see if the book was as good as I had hoped, then save it to finish in the future after more books had been written. As one could probably already guess, I couldn’t put it down and finished the whole thing in two days. Now I can’t wait for the next one.
March 9, 2024
Fun read
I was pleasantly surprised. I live to scroll through new titles by unknown authors. Most are poorly edited junk. This through was a fast-paced thrill ride with amble action, character development, and lots of loot! Although there wasn't much romance, I think the writer is going for a slow burn, harem in future books.
I was pleasantly surprised. I live to scroll through new titles by unknown authors. Most are poorly edited junk. This through was a fast-paced thrill ride with amble action, character development, and lots of loot! Although there wasn't much romance, I think the writer is going for a slow burn, harem in future books.
March 4, 2025
Good book
So far I am really enjoying this series I like the characters and the story I hope the main protagonist isn't over shadowed in strength for too long I prefer them to bebop ass kickers than just barely survivors
So far I am really enjoying this series I like the characters and the story I hope the main protagonist isn't over shadowed in strength for too long I prefer them to bebop ass kickers than just barely survivors
February 2, 2024
Quick fun read.
This wasn’t a crunchy LitRPG but it was rather unique was a good story and an interesting cast of characters. Will definitely pick up the next one!
This wasn’t a crunchy LitRPG but it was rather unique was a good story and an interesting cast of characters. Will definitely pick up the next one!
February 5, 2024
Excellent!
Nice, refreshing take on the LitRPG isekai genre. Amazing world building which includes poverty, which adds a gritty level of realism.
Nice, refreshing take on the LitRPG isekai genre. Amazing world building which includes poverty, which adds a gritty level of realism.
February 25, 2024
First time
My first time reading this author the book was. Very welcome addition to my favourite author s work looking forward to more From them
My first time reading this author the book was. Very welcome addition to my favourite author s work looking forward to more From them
February 26, 2024
Solid debut
Good and solid storytelling... Interesting world creation... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream and Embers n Ash
Good and solid storytelling... Interesting world creation... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream and Embers n Ash
April 12, 2024
DNF
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
April 25, 2024
Disappointing, boring and bland. I didn't find the description match the story itself.
January 8, 2024
I picked up this book off of a Reddit Promotion post that the author made. The cover and the name intrigued me and were what initially made me want to give it a try. After finishing it, I felt like I needed to talk about the book so that others could experience it as well. This is my first real review that I have attempted so bear with me if I ramble.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. The plot is fast moving with enough action, mystery, and of course loot and power ups to keep me flipping pages.
The main character, Jack, wakes up in a new body. The body is weak, missing a hand, and the person who seems to be despised by most of the people he meets. He quickly discovers that he is now an Outworlder and has been given the ability to control iron. The plot quickly develops when demons attack the town, and Jack is forced into the local militia. Along the way Jack will make friends, fight demons, monsters, and bandits, and explore the mysterious maze that seems to drive the local economy. All the while powerful figures are moving in the shadows, and another Outworlder seems hellbent on conquering the world.
The character work for the rest of the cast is promising to me. I enjoyed the interactions that were in this book and look forward to delving more into them in the next. All of the main supporting characters felt distinct and while the plot had them going along with the main character, they also have their own ambitions and motives which sometimes put them at odds with what Jack wants to do.
Jacks power to control iron allows him to shape his own weapons and armor and control a limited number of “minions” within a certain range. He uses this in interesting ways, which are probably “overpowered”, but this doesn’t mean that he doesn’t struggle. The upgrade and gear system are interesting and another area that I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. One of Jack’s passive abilities makes it so for roughly half the day his stats are boosted beyond 100%, but for the other half of the day he is at ~50% instead. This means that he can’t always be ready for a fight and has to be more strategic about how he shows himself in public. A morally grey area of Jack’s Outworlder/Reaper class is that he gains attributes when he kills a human. One of Jack’s companions informs him that, while Outworlders are rare, they are often killed or captured as many Outworlds have abused this ability in the past.
This leads into the overarching plotline, there is another Outworld on the rampage already when Jack arrives in the world. The other Outworlder seems to be allied with demons and is besieging towns and cities in the area. It seems clear that this is setting up a confrontation in the coming books, but we do not meet the other Outworlder in this book. Beyond this, there are corrupt officials moving in the churches and nobility, we only see a sliver of this, but plots are afoot. There is also the mysterious Maze, a giant structure that takes up a large chunk of the kingdom’s land. The Maze provides a source of magic for enchanting, potion making, etc, but also houses monsters and greater dangers. The origins and aims of the Maze will be interesting to learn in greater detail.
The author, A. Bel seems to me to be a competent writer. I liked their style, the prose was neat and didn’t come off as clunky or awkward as many self published authors do. I believe I only noticed one grammatical error, which was simply a word missing from a sentence. My only real gripe with the story is that we don’t get a sense for who Jack is, just what Jack does. This seems to be a common failing in the genre, but Jack immediately jumps into his new life feet first, with almost no trepidation. He is fairly competent immediately as well, which can be a downside for me in some stories, but for whatever reason didn’t bother me too much here. After the first chapter I was able to let myself just embrace the story and I really enjoyed it. I rate the book as a 4.5/5 and think that you should give it a shot if you enjoy fast paced, well written, litrpg or progression fantasy.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. The plot is fast moving with enough action, mystery, and of course loot and power ups to keep me flipping pages.
The main character, Jack, wakes up in a new body. The body is weak, missing a hand, and the person who seems to be despised by most of the people he meets. He quickly discovers that he is now an Outworlder and has been given the ability to control iron. The plot quickly develops when demons attack the town, and Jack is forced into the local militia. Along the way Jack will make friends, fight demons, monsters, and bandits, and explore the mysterious maze that seems to drive the local economy. All the while powerful figures are moving in the shadows, and another Outworlder seems hellbent on conquering the world.
The character work for the rest of the cast is promising to me. I enjoyed the interactions that were in this book and look forward to delving more into them in the next. All of the main supporting characters felt distinct and while the plot had them going along with the main character, they also have their own ambitions and motives which sometimes put them at odds with what Jack wants to do.
Jacks power to control iron allows him to shape his own weapons and armor and control a limited number of “minions” within a certain range. He uses this in interesting ways, which are probably “overpowered”, but this doesn’t mean that he doesn’t struggle. The upgrade and gear system are interesting and another area that I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. One of Jack’s passive abilities makes it so for roughly half the day his stats are boosted beyond 100%, but for the other half of the day he is at ~50% instead. This means that he can’t always be ready for a fight and has to be more strategic about how he shows himself in public. A morally grey area of Jack’s Outworlder/Reaper class is that he gains attributes when he kills a human. One of Jack’s companions informs him that, while Outworlders are rare, they are often killed or captured as many Outworlds have abused this ability in the past.
This leads into the overarching plotline, there is another Outworld on the rampage already when Jack arrives in the world. The other Outworlder seems to be allied with demons and is besieging towns and cities in the area. It seems clear that this is setting up a confrontation in the coming books, but we do not meet the other Outworlder in this book. Beyond this, there are corrupt officials moving in the churches and nobility, we only see a sliver of this, but plots are afoot. There is also the mysterious Maze, a giant structure that takes up a large chunk of the kingdom’s land. The Maze provides a source of magic for enchanting, potion making, etc, but also houses monsters and greater dangers. The origins and aims of the Maze will be interesting to learn in greater detail.
The author, A. Bel seems to me to be a competent writer. I liked their style, the prose was neat and didn’t come off as clunky or awkward as many self published authors do. I believe I only noticed one grammatical error, which was simply a word missing from a sentence. My only real gripe with the story is that we don’t get a sense for who Jack is, just what Jack does. This seems to be a common failing in the genre, but Jack immediately jumps into his new life feet first, with almost no trepidation. He is fairly competent immediately as well, which can be a downside for me in some stories, but for whatever reason didn’t bother me too much here. After the first chapter I was able to let myself just embrace the story and I really enjoyed it. I rate the book as a 4.5/5 and think that you should give it a shot if you enjoy fast paced, well written, litrpg or progression fantasy.
August 9, 2025
This author does not understand the concept of "show, don't tell".
The book has some interesting powers and progression, but none of it feels earned.
Fights are over in a flash, and sometimes without more of a description than "I killed 4 demons with my flying sword". The authors spends more time describing level up choices than fights.
If this is the author's first book that's published on Royal Road, I understand the lack of quality.
---
Keep on writing, but put some effort in next time.
The book has some interesting powers and progression, but none of it feels earned.
Fights are over in a flash, and sometimes without more of a description than "I killed 4 demons with my flying sword". The authors spends more time describing level up choices than fights.
If this is the author's first book that's published on Royal Road, I understand the lack of quality.
---
Keep on writing, but put some effort in next time.
January 25, 2024
Good Characters
I really liked the MC and the people around him. Overall, the story was good, but some of the MC abilities were very hard to understand for me. One thing about the plot is that it's pretty typical of all stories like this, an OP bad group, and another menace that is beyond measure, as far as power is concerned. I look forward to the next book because of the MC.
I really liked the MC and the people around him. Overall, the story was good, but some of the MC abilities were very hard to understand for me. One thing about the plot is that it's pretty typical of all stories like this, an OP bad group, and another menace that is beyond measure, as far as power is concerned. I look forward to the next book because of the MC.
March 2, 2024
Good but could be better
It’s a good story but the story telling lacks a bit. It’s very very rough litrpg, where some tables are shown but then not the next time, which makes it hard to keep track of the mc progress for yourself. You have to trust the writer.
Also, two hot young women with you, but the MC seems to not feel a thing for them at all. Not even friendship. It feels a bit clinical, even with all the blood…
It’s a good story but the story telling lacks a bit. It’s very very rough litrpg, where some tables are shown but then not the next time, which makes it hard to keep track of the mc progress for yourself. You have to trust the writer.
Also, two hot young women with you, but the MC seems to not feel a thing for them at all. Not even friendship. It feels a bit clinical, even with all the blood…
May 23, 2024
This was okay.
It turned into a group activity (fighting party) type book quite quickly.
I also didn't like how
I will read the sequel, but this wasn't what it was hyped up to be.
3/5 Stars
It turned into a group activity (fighting party) type book quite quickly.
I also didn't like how
I will read the sequel, but this wasn't what it was hyped up to be.
3/5 Stars
November 30, 2024
Jack gets transported to a different world and finds himself with a new family. But that is just the beginning. He also now has magic. He kills a monster and sees that he now can grow his aptitudes and powers. He has to deal with the previous owner of his body fame around town. He was a crook and now he needs to reform that at the same time he learns how to survive. But his appearance has brought him new friends and colleagues. Fun start to a series and it looks to be quite a thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews