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Knights of Eternity #1
Calamity
When Zara awoke to find Valerius, leader of the legendary Gilded Knights, towering over her, she thought she'd gone mad.
She was the Fury, mistress of claw and flame—armies trembled at her name! Now she lay chained and broken, a prisoner in her own home. But that wasn't why she thought herself mad.
Only yesterday, she had a different life. She remembered her nephew in the local arcade, struggling to beat the villainous Zara the Fury in Knights of Eternity. She remembered her uncle and his big booming laugh…
…and the gun that changed everything .
She was the Fury, mistress of claw and flame—armies trembled at her name! Now she lay chained and broken, a prisoner in her own home. But that wasn't why she thought herself mad.
Only yesterday, she had a different life. She remembered her nephew in the local arcade, struggling to beat the villainous Zara the Fury in Knights of Eternity. She remembered her uncle and his big booming laugh…
…and the gun that changed everything .
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
238 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 29, 2024
What an awesome book.
Interesting Isekai story where the main character ends up being sucked into a videogame, but where the videogame is an actual place as opposed to a "virtual one".
Really well developed characters and a superbly crafted world.
Interesting Isekai story where the main character ends up being sucked into a videogame, but where the videogame is an actual place as opposed to a "virtual one".
Really well developed characters and a superbly crafted world.
September 2, 2024
Das erste LitRPG, das mich abgeholt hat. An stellen teilweise etwas verwirrend und die Sprünge zwischen den POVs auch eher chaotisch aber vom Plot her doch überzeugend. Bin gespannt auch Band 2🦡
April 24, 2024
Fascinating New Series
This new author has a female MC lead in the genre and is written by a female. Having a different perpesective is great in a massive market and sharing some good company and recommended by some others I follow so decided that this was worth a try. This is a bit more of an unusual entrance to an alternative world, and although it took me a while to settle into it, I was pleasantly surprised.
This was wholly due to the MC fighting her way to be recognised, and without to many spoilers this is what Infound the most appealing as the system creates quests so we don't get the automatic advantage or OP hero straight away. This may not suit everyone, but by the end, I was totally engrossed into the world and the outcome of the characters.
This new author has a female MC lead in the genre and is written by a female. Having a different perpesective is great in a massive market and sharing some good company and recommended by some others I follow so decided that this was worth a try. This is a bit more of an unusual entrance to an alternative world, and although it took me a while to settle into it, I was pleasantly surprised.
This was wholly due to the MC fighting her way to be recognised, and without to many spoilers this is what Infound the most appealing as the system creates quests so we don't get the automatic advantage or OP hero straight away. This may not suit everyone, but by the end, I was totally engrossed into the world and the outcome of the characters.
May 16, 2024
Well-Written? Definitely. Enjoyable?...
Going out on a very thin limb and would have honestly given this series 4 if the audiobook wasn't so amazing, and I didn't have so many mixed feelings right now.
This is not a typical Progression Fantasy series, at all. The only power that grows in this book are the levels of desperation, frustration, intrigue, and world-building that develops throughout. The circumstances for the MC and other "good guys" are mostly pitiful and painful. Any step forward towards anything positive is almost immediately circumvented by a claw, dagger, or fall that sets the mood 2 steps back.
So why give this series a chance? Because the plot and world-building are just that interesting. The characters are truly fleshed out with amazing twists about them, the setting is dark and worth investing in, and for the love of all that is holy, if the MC grows to be someone truly worth a dang, then this wonderfully anxiety inducing beginning would truly be worth it...
This book is as good as it is frustrating. Strangely looking forward to book 2.
Going out on a very thin limb and would have honestly given this series 4 if the audiobook wasn't so amazing, and I didn't have so many mixed feelings right now.
This is not a typical Progression Fantasy series, at all. The only power that grows in this book are the levels of desperation, frustration, intrigue, and world-building that develops throughout. The circumstances for the MC and other "good guys" are mostly pitiful and painful. Any step forward towards anything positive is almost immediately circumvented by a claw, dagger, or fall that sets the mood 2 steps back.
So why give this series a chance? Because the plot and world-building are just that interesting. The characters are truly fleshed out with amazing twists about them, the setting is dark and worth investing in, and for the love of all that is holy, if the MC grows to be someone truly worth a dang, then this wonderfully anxiety inducing beginning would truly be worth it...
This book is as good as it is frustrating. Strangely looking forward to book 2.
January 1, 2025
DNF 33%
This book was poisoned by audiobook narrator, Andrea Parsneau. Her readings always rub me the wrong way. In this particular case, her voice for Valerius, made it so clear he was the asshole turncoat that everyone around him seemed stupid for not questioning his words or actions.
It's not fair to judge the rest of the book/series after this truncated sample. Of what I saw, I didn't like the big-bad, as he just seemed insane. As for Zara, her lack of planning or tactics didn't bode well for the remainder of the story.
My advice — read the text version of this one.
This book was poisoned by audiobook narrator, Andrea Parsneau. Her readings always rub me the wrong way. In this particular case, her voice for Valerius, made it so clear he was the asshole turncoat that everyone around him seemed stupid for not questioning his words or actions.
It's not fair to judge the rest of the book/series after this truncated sample. Of what I saw, I didn't like the big-bad, as he just seemed insane. As for Zara, her lack of planning or tactics didn't bode well for the remainder of the story.
My advice — read the text version of this one.
June 8, 2024
Ungodly amount of errors and mistakes.
April 26, 2024
4.5—Because of my personal preference for 3rd person, I honestly wasn't sure about this book at first. This however turned out to be an exception, and has made me more open to 1st person! So thanks! Haha
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the story intriguing and well-paced, as in there was always something going on. Never got bored or felt overwhelmed. Couldn't tell what would happen next either. The book hardly left my hands once I became immersed!
Each character was interesting and relatable, and I grew fond of them rather quickly. Even the not so nice ones. I loved that they had their own clear, unique voices when it came to reading their parts to where you could easily tell whose eyes you were looking through by the way the moment or thought is described.
Already looking forward to the next book
(ﻭ •̀o• ́)ﻭ✧
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the story intriguing and well-paced, as in there was always something going on. Never got bored or felt overwhelmed. Couldn't tell what would happen next either. The book hardly left my hands once I became immersed!
Each character was interesting and relatable, and I grew fond of them rather quickly. Even the not so nice ones. I loved that they had their own clear, unique voices when it came to reading their parts to where you could easily tell whose eyes you were looking through by the way the moment or thought is described.
Already looking forward to the next book
(ﻭ •̀o• ́)ﻭ✧
September 4, 2024
so many mixed feelings
The writing was technically beautiful, the emotions evocative, but it really didn’t feel like the MC had much agency. The scene switching in the last 25% was far too much for me. Very YA.
The writing was technically beautiful, the emotions evocative, but it really didn’t feel like the MC had much agency. The scene switching in the last 25% was far too much for me. Very YA.
May 13, 2024
A promising debut that had me on the edge of my seat
I was really excited to pick this up, as I love to see a female MC in a LitRPG book....AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. If you're looking for an engaging story full of twists, as well as a full cast of lovable characters and well-thought-out worldbuilding, check this one out! *waits patiently for preorders of Book 2 to go up*
I was really excited to pick this up, as I love to see a female MC in a LitRPG book....AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. If you're looking for an engaging story full of twists, as well as a full cast of lovable characters and well-thought-out worldbuilding, check this one out! *waits patiently for preorders of Book 2 to go up*
June 27, 2024
An enjoyable, if sliiiiightly soppy, journey.
The Good.
Andrea Parsneau.
Besides that, the story was surprisingly well conducted in general.
The author took their time with establishing shots, and I always appreciate that.
The tone was very heart-felt and emotional. It helped give the story depth that this sub-genre generally lacks, with some caveats (see below).
I really liked the main antagonist. I found his motivations a delightful change from moronically manichean "Evil". More of that, please!
The Less Good
There are a lot of holes in the plot towards the end. We rushed to the finish line, but a lot of context was dropped on the way .
The melodramatic flair a times got a little bit too... heavy-handed for my taste. Andrea pulled it off, as she is wont to do, but... I cringed quite a bit.
The Bad
The editing was not to my liking. Especially towards the end, that silly quick back-and-forth thing between POVs irritated me to no end; it was stylistic eye-candy that added nothing to the narration, but instead continuously killed the tension build-up. It was too obvious, and it was ill-advised. Don't do that again.
The Conclusion
I liked this volume, and I'm genuinely curious about what the next step is for this series. Hopefully, the "Evil in the North" trope keeps being downplayed in favour of the much more powerful and interesting Overseer thread.
That's a solid 4 stars from me.
The Good.
Andrea Parsneau.
Besides that, the story was surprisingly well conducted in general.
The author took their time with establishing shots, and I always appreciate that.
The tone was very heart-felt and emotional. It helped give the story depth that this sub-genre generally lacks, with some caveats (see below).
I really liked the main antagonist. I found his motivations a delightful change from moronically manichean "Evil". More of that, please!
The Less Good
There are a lot of holes in the plot towards the end. We rushed to the finish line, but a lot of context was dropped on the way .
The melodramatic flair a times got a little bit too... heavy-handed for my taste. Andrea pulled it off, as she is wont to do, but... I cringed quite a bit.
The Bad
The editing was not to my liking. Especially towards the end, that silly quick back-and-forth thing between POVs irritated me to no end; it was stylistic eye-candy that added nothing to the narration, but instead continuously killed the tension build-up. It was too obvious, and it was ill-advised. Don't do that again.
The Conclusion
I liked this volume, and I'm genuinely curious about what the next step is for this series. Hopefully, the "Evil in the North" trope keeps being downplayed in favour of the much more powerful and interesting Overseer thread.
That's a solid 4 stars from me.
May 25, 2024
Fun & engaging story
The story opens with a teenage FMC who clearly struggles with anxiety and self deprecating thoughts - hugely relatable and whisking me right back to those years.
I had never read a LitRPG before but the world building in Calamity is seamless. At no point did I have to re-read to understand the setting and the story flows really well with the divergent storylines and multiple povs. At no point did I think "ugh, not THEIR chapter again" but was gripped to find out the next twist or how the previous predicament was solved.
The world and magic system are well explained and easy to visualise. The magic users in the story are competent and make for gripping battle scenes that don't feel like they're dragging on.
The characters are so well written! My favourite part of the whole story was how real the characters felt whether they were discovering that they are capable and worthy or whether they're struggling with the hand they've been dealt and unashamedly chasing that villain arc!
There are plenty of gasp worthy plot twists and I can't wait to read the next one to follow on with these characters.
I'm so happy I randomly came across this title and was introduced to LitRPG, brilliant read!
The story opens with a teenage FMC who clearly struggles with anxiety and self deprecating thoughts - hugely relatable and whisking me right back to those years.
I had never read a LitRPG before but the world building in Calamity is seamless. At no point did I have to re-read to understand the setting and the story flows really well with the divergent storylines and multiple povs. At no point did I think "ugh, not THEIR chapter again" but was gripped to find out the next twist or how the previous predicament was solved.
The world and magic system are well explained and easy to visualise. The magic users in the story are competent and make for gripping battle scenes that don't feel like they're dragging on.
The characters are so well written! My favourite part of the whole story was how real the characters felt whether they were discovering that they are capable and worthy or whether they're struggling with the hand they've been dealt and unashamedly chasing that villain arc!
There are plenty of gasp worthy plot twists and I can't wait to read the next one to follow on with these characters.
I'm so happy I randomly came across this title and was introduced to LitRPG, brilliant read!
May 6, 2024
Wow! (light spoilers in review)
What a fun ride! So many twists and turns and lots of action!
Things I loved:
- omniscient povs
- relatable mc (esp in regards to how her anxiety is written, as someone with anxiety myself it felt so real)
- video game abilities being activated with catchphrases (sooo fun and honestly pretty badass)
- subversion of classic tropes (valerius the white knight=bad guy/ zara the fury=good guy)
- the ending!! Aaaahhh!
Something I will add that I didn't like is that some of the formatting feels a little strange to me, odd chapter breaks and random paragraph spaces. It's not much of an issue in regards to the story but it did bring me out of it a few times.
All in all, it's a really fun book that I enjoyed reading from beginning to end and I'm looking forward to the sequel! <3
What a fun ride! So many twists and turns and lots of action!
Things I loved:
- omniscient povs
- relatable mc (esp in regards to how her anxiety is written, as someone with anxiety myself it felt so real)
- video game abilities being activated with catchphrases (sooo fun and honestly pretty badass)
- subversion of classic tropes (valerius the white knight=bad guy/ zara the fury=good guy)
- the ending!! Aaaahhh!
Something I will add that I didn't like is that some of the formatting feels a little strange to me, odd chapter breaks and random paragraph spaces. It's not much of an issue in regards to the story but it did bring me out of it a few times.
All in all, it's a really fun book that I enjoyed reading from beginning to end and I'm looking forward to the sequel! <3
June 27, 2024
Great first LitRPG outing with strong female MC
I loved the main character, a well written deeply nuanced character. As someone with social anxiety, I can tell that the author has been there or knows someone with that closely. Also the Operator choosing their pawns with qualities like that makes perfect sense. All the characters are unique well fleshed out people with unique voices and styles. My only critique is Eternity is written much more intelligent than fits with her communication barriers, so I would have liked more behind the scenes plotting showing why. Definitely ready for the next book to continue the story.
I loved the main character, a well written deeply nuanced character. As someone with social anxiety, I can tell that the author has been there or knows someone with that closely. Also the Operator choosing their pawns with qualities like that makes perfect sense. All the characters are unique well fleshed out people with unique voices and styles. My only critique is Eternity is written much more intelligent than fits with her communication barriers, so I would have liked more behind the scenes plotting showing why. Definitely ready for the next book to continue the story.
September 27, 2024
2.5 Stars
This had a very interesting synopsis, I just wish it was executed better. I think the two plots that were happening at the same time clashed... a lot. I was also hoping the shooting at the start would have more of an impact later on, but it didn't. The POV's going back and forth so often gave me a bit of whiplash and left me confused at times. I also wanted a bit more substance for the characters (I know, many of them "aren't real" but I'm a character-focused person).
There were elements that were interesting, but I think how the book was written took away from them. I'd say that would be a more boiled down review for this book.
This had a very interesting synopsis, I just wish it was executed better. I think the two plots that were happening at the same time clashed... a lot. I was also hoping the shooting at the start would have more of an impact later on, but it didn't. The POV's going back and forth so often gave me a bit of whiplash and left me confused at times. I also wanted a bit more substance for the characters (I know, many of them "aren't real" but I'm a character-focused person).
There were elements that were interesting, but I think how the book was written took away from them. I'd say that would be a more boiled down review for this book.
February 3, 2025
an interesting spin on isekai and litrpg
So yah, this is an interesting take on isekai where the MC is in the body of the video game villain. Except things aren’t going anything like what she expected from the game. Things aren’t a hot mess from the get go and our poor MC just can’t catch a break. The story also splits back and forth between her and 2-3 other povs that flesh out the story. It’s a bit slow paced in some regards and only takes place over a short time period, so I’m curious to see how book 2 fleshes out the world and pushes the story forward.
So yah, this is an interesting take on isekai where the MC is in the body of the video game villain. Except things aren’t going anything like what she expected from the game. Things aren’t a hot mess from the get go and our poor MC just can’t catch a break. The story also splits back and forth between her and 2-3 other povs that flesh out the story. It’s a bit slow paced in some regards and only takes place over a short time period, so I’m curious to see how book 2 fleshes out the world and pushes the story forward.
October 6, 2025
Calamity starts out quite slow, it took me a while to really engage with it properly but the last third of the book had me gripped.
Unfortunately, the main character is probably the most uninteresting of them all. I love all the other characters and found them so unique and fascinating (the perspective bounces around) and I always felt a little disappointed when it went back to the main character.
With that being said, the setting is cool and I'm intrigued to read the next books to see where the story and plot goes.
Unfortunately, the main character is probably the most uninteresting of them all. I love all the other characters and found them so unique and fascinating (the perspective bounces around) and I always felt a little disappointed when it went back to the main character.
With that being said, the setting is cool and I'm intrigued to read the next books to see where the story and plot goes.
April 25, 2024
The author’s first book came out strong! The slower opening gets you comfortable with the protagonist’s character and traits. Then everything flips! You get some shocking reveals and mysterious powers that leave you wanting more information so you read faster. The switch between POV isn’t seamless, but doesn’t detract from the story. Great ending that makes the wait for book 2 so much harder.
Minor Spoiler:
Just remember don’t ask for help
Minor Spoiler:
Just remember don’t ask for help
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
A good story can be ruined by a bad narrator, a bad story can be saved by a good narrator, but there is something absolutely magical when a great story meets a great narrator and that's exactly what happens here.
Beautiful characterizations, wonderful descriptions, and a plot that hooked and held me. I had high hopes for Chuirc after hearing her previous work history, but this blew my expectations out of the water. I'll be following her future releases closely!
Beautiful characterizations, wonderful descriptions, and a plot that hooked and held me. I had high hopes for Chuirc after hearing her previous work history, but this blew my expectations out of the water. I'll be following her future releases closely!
September 1, 2024
Awesome, Compelling, stayed up all night to finish reading
The purpose of any creative work is to elicit an emotional response from the audience. Rachel Ní Church has created a world that draws you in and characters that will have you cheering for their success as well as villains that will make you want to take up arms. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered. Looking forward to the rest of the series and all other works by this Master Wordsmith.
The purpose of any creative work is to elicit an emotional response from the audience. Rachel Ní Church has created a world that draws you in and characters that will have you cheering for their success as well as villains that will make you want to take up arms. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered. Looking forward to the rest of the series and all other works by this Master Wordsmith.
April 26, 2024
I enjoyed it
I really enjoyed it and am excited to see how the story continues. Only thing I didn’t enjoy (spoiler alert) is that the A and B plots only connected at the beginning, and never again. It’s basically two stories in one book, so to get the resolution we’ll need to read the next book!
I really enjoyed it and am excited to see how the story continues. Only thing I didn’t enjoy (spoiler alert) is that the A and B plots only connected at the beginning, and never again. It’s basically two stories in one book, so to get the resolution we’ll need to read the next book!
May 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and I cant wait for the next one in the series!
The female characters in this book are so well written. They didnt fall into the stereotype of damsel or hardcore warrior. The characters you find in this series are complex, funny, brave and badass. Can't believe this is the authors first book!
The female characters in this book are so well written. They didnt fall into the stereotype of damsel or hardcore warrior. The characters you find in this series are complex, funny, brave and badass. Can't believe this is the authors first book!
August 8, 2024
80’s Arcade comes to “life”.
The main character gets transferred (trapped?) in her favorite arcade game. Except the characters aren’t a aptly how she remembers them from the game. Besides, now she is inhabiting one of the NPC’s. Surely, the train has fallen off the rails!
The scene jumps around a bit, which makes for some confusion. But maybe some clarity in the next books.
The main character gets transferred (trapped?) in her favorite arcade game. Except the characters aren’t a aptly how she remembers them from the game. Besides, now she is inhabiting one of the NPC’s. Surely, the train has fallen off the rails!
The scene jumps around a bit, which makes for some confusion. But maybe some clarity in the next books.
September 19, 2024
4/5
I started the book because the author wrote 2 of my favorite characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, Alfira and Shovel.
I enjoyed it because it felt like a rendition of many things I enjoy, RPG games and isekai stories.
I like the characters and the pace of the storytelling. Also the character growth of the main character was good, although at the beginning frustrated me a bit.
I started the book because the author wrote 2 of my favorite characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, Alfira and Shovel.
I enjoyed it because it felt like a rendition of many things I enjoy, RPG games and isekai stories.
I like the characters and the pace of the storytelling. Also the character growth of the main character was good, although at the beginning frustrated me a bit.
December 28, 2024
Not bad
I've read quite a bit of lit-rpg over the years. Often it is too obsessed with numbers and stats. This is different. The world and characters are the focus which makes for a stronger story that is more fun to follow. I wish there was more focus on the main character, but I'm still interested in where all of the plot is going.
I've read quite a bit of lit-rpg over the years. Often it is too obsessed with numbers and stats. This is different. The world and characters are the focus which makes for a stronger story that is more fun to follow. I wish there was more focus on the main character, but I'm still interested in where all of the plot is going.
November 11, 2025
You know, when I cracked Calamity, I hadn't the foggiest idea I was walking into isekai litRPG?
In the 'real world' of this setting, I'd be the one person drawing Zara the Fury/Princess Eternity femslash content on deviantart for an arcade game no one's ever heard of. Bastard mageboy can't handle all that.
Beautiful cover art, exciting book.
In the 'real world' of this setting, I'd be the one person drawing Zara the Fury/Princess Eternity femslash content on deviantart for an arcade game no one's ever heard of. Bastard mageboy can't handle all that.
Beautiful cover art, exciting book.
November 13, 2025
The idea is fun and the setting intriguing, but the protagonist is infuriatingly useless 99% of the time.
The most frustrating book I have ever read.
If you don't mind a whimpering sniveling doormat as one of your viewpoints it's probably a good read.
I've genuinely raged at the protagonist and the wasted potential.
Was the protagonist only half as pathetic I might have enjoyed this.
The most frustrating book I have ever read.
If you don't mind a whimpering sniveling doormat as one of your viewpoints it's probably a good read.
I've genuinely raged at the protagonist and the wasted potential.
Was the protagonist only half as pathetic I might have enjoyed this.
May 20, 2024
Absolutely amazing! The descriptive details and character-building were fantastic. I feel like the author really let us take a deep look into the minds of the characters, what drives them. This had a great combination of action and introspection.
June 6, 2024
This was the first litRPG that I've read and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure how it compares to other litRPGs but the story itself was captivating. My only complaint is that the second book isn't out yet and I have to wait impatiently to find out what happens next!
July 18, 2024
“If the world will not yield, then I will break it”
I’ve never read a LitRPG before but I throughly enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit slow and confusing but the end was really good.
For her first book, I think she did a wonderful job! I can’t wait for the second book.
I’ve never read a LitRPG before but I throughly enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit slow and confusing but the end was really good.
For her first book, I think she did a wonderful job! I can’t wait for the second book.
March 26, 2025
I haven't read a lot of LitRPG books yet, but I really liked this! There was strong character and world building, and characters that sprung to life from the pages. I'll definitely be continuing with the series to see what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews