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Road to Mastery #4
Road to Mastery 4
Jack steps up. New enemies and opportunities await. Can he get them all?
Jack has liberated his planet and saved his people. However, stronger forces command the universe. The Hand of God is preparing for the Second Crusade, while the Black Hole Church wants to revive Enas, the leader of the Old Gods.
To pursue the peak of cultivation, Jack and Brock join the Church and train with its elites. They’re underleveled and underpowered—standing out will be an uphill struggle. Even if they succeed, new arenas unfold. A mysterious dimension wrapped in shadows, where the greatest monsters are the friends we made along the way.
A wider stage awaits. Will Jack fall from grace, or can he blaze with glory?
Jack has liberated his planet and saved his people. However, stronger forces command the universe. The Hand of God is preparing for the Second Crusade, while the Black Hole Church wants to revive Enas, the leader of the Old Gods.
To pursue the peak of cultivation, Jack and Brock join the Church and train with its elites. They’re underleveled and underpowered—standing out will be an uphill struggle. Even if they succeed, new arenas unfold. A mysterious dimension wrapped in shadows, where the greatest monsters are the friends we made along the way.
A wider stage awaits. Will Jack fall from grace, or can he blaze with glory?
712 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2024
592 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Valerios
27 books57 followersValerios enjoys letters and numbers. One day, combining them crossed his mind, and now he spends most of his time placing one after the other until something pleasant appears.
Besides transforming words into worlds, Valerios also enjoys moving figurines over chess boards, spending quality time with quality people, and stubbornly trying to convince machines that cats are not, in fact, dogs.
Besides transforming words into worlds, Valerios also enjoys moving figurines over chess boards, spending quality time with quality people, and stubbornly trying to convince machines that cats are not, in fact, dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 16, 2024
I've been recommending the first two books of Road to Mastery to everyone, but the 4th book of the series was very disappointing. Several things that made me didn't like this entry:
1. First, this book continues the tradition started in the 3rd book where every challenge (fight or trial) the main character is facing is done following the same pattern:
- The hero starts the challenge which is supposed to beyond his power level, but that he can actually beat due to his titles / unique abilities
- His opponent (in case of fights) or the trial manager (in case of trials) thinks "There is no way this low-level cultivator can beat me / the trial!".
- The hero demonstrates power well beyond their grade.
- The opponent / trial manager expresses their shock "How can this guy be so powerful?! No way!"
- The spectators (for some reason all fights and trials starting from the second half of the 3rd books have spectators) cheer for our hero.
- The hero successfully finishes the fight / trial.
That's literally how every fight/trial goes from second half of the 3rd book till the second half of the 4th book, no exceptions. All the cultivators, despite their high grades, hundreds and thousands of years of experience and prior knowledge about Jack Rust's achievements act absolutely shocked and surprised when they meet him, right until he shatters all their expectations.
2. Exclamation marks. Oh, boy. As I mentioned above each challenge nowadays has spectators, that's why the book is filled with sentences like "Nobody could believe Jack was so powerful!", "Jack's power shocked everyone!", "Everyone cheered for Jack!", "Jack Rust was ... the Man!", "The writing was ... so cringe!", "And everyone ... clapped and cheered!". This type of writing really makes me cringe.
3. The high grade society is ... lackluster. Our hero finally reaches a significant level of power (peak D grade) and joins a prestigious secret organization which only accepts geniuses. I was curious to see how would a society filled with top grade C, B and A cultivators would look like. Unfortunately, in this case it looks and acts exactly like any other F society depicted before. That shouldn't be the case though - we are talking about geniuses who have been around for thousand of years, slaying dangerous enemies and taking deadly trials. Let's go back to book 2 - think about Lord Longsword and his minions like Bocor. Now, give them hundreds or thousands years of experience and raise them to B/C grade. Now imagine the society which only consists of people like them. That's what the Black Hole Church should've been, instead we got a society that is pure F-grade faction in all, but the name. The cultivators are, dumb, spineless, timid, constantly make mistakes, arrogant, easily to trick, easily to bully etc. Of course, when they see Jack doing something amazing they all immediately gather together and cheer and clap. When his monkey Bro Brock makes some sexual jokes they get flustered because some of them spent their lives sheltered and never experienced real life (right, C grade continent crushers with peak physical and mental form somehow got to that level living sheltered lives). B grades instead of teleporting (which we have seen them doing) are running after Jack and his team members etc. Basically, the difference between a B grade and a D grade is simply the strength of punches and that's it.
The second half of the book is a bit better in that aspect, at least we don't get the same repetitive descriptions of fights/trials and there is significantly less cheering and clapping.
...
TLDR - all fights follow the same pattern starting from the second half of the 3rd book till the second half of the 4th book, the author failed to write a believable society of high grades and there is ridiculous amount of cheering, clapping and exclamation marks from all the spectators who are all fans of Jack Rust. The situation gets better in the second half of the book, but I'm on the fence right - I'll wait for the fifth book to decide whether to drop the series or not.
1. First, this book continues the tradition started in the 3rd book where every challenge (fight or trial) the main character is facing is done following the same pattern:
- The hero starts the challenge which is supposed to beyond his power level, but that he can actually beat due to his titles / unique abilities
- His opponent (in case of fights) or the trial manager (in case of trials) thinks "There is no way this low-level cultivator can beat me / the trial!".
- The hero demonstrates power well beyond their grade.
- The opponent / trial manager expresses their shock "How can this guy be so powerful?! No way!"
- The spectators (for some reason all fights and trials starting from the second half of the 3rd books have spectators) cheer for our hero.
- The hero successfully finishes the fight / trial.
That's literally how every fight/trial goes from second half of the 3rd book till the second half of the 4th book, no exceptions. All the cultivators, despite their high grades, hundreds and thousands of years of experience and prior knowledge about Jack Rust's achievements act absolutely shocked and surprised when they meet him, right until he shatters all their expectations.
2. Exclamation marks. Oh, boy. As I mentioned above each challenge nowadays has spectators, that's why the book is filled with sentences like "Nobody could believe Jack was so powerful!", "Jack's power shocked everyone!", "Everyone cheered for Jack!", "Jack Rust was ... the Man!", "The writing was ... so cringe!", "And everyone ... clapped and cheered!". This type of writing really makes me cringe.
3. The high grade society is ... lackluster. Our hero finally reaches a significant level of power (peak D grade) and joins a prestigious secret organization which only accepts geniuses. I was curious to see how would a society filled with top grade C, B and A cultivators would look like. Unfortunately, in this case it looks and acts exactly like any other F society depicted before. That shouldn't be the case though - we are talking about geniuses who have been around for thousand of years, slaying dangerous enemies and taking deadly trials. Let's go back to book 2 - think about Lord Longsword and his minions like Bocor. Now, give them hundreds or thousands years of experience and raise them to B/C grade. Now imagine the society which only consists of people like them. That's what the Black Hole Church should've been, instead we got a society that is pure F-grade faction in all, but the name. The cultivators are, dumb, spineless, timid, constantly make mistakes, arrogant, easily to trick, easily to bully etc. Of course, when they see Jack doing something amazing they all immediately gather together and cheer and clap. When his monkey Bro Brock makes some sexual jokes they get flustered because some of them spent their lives sheltered and never experienced real life (right, C grade continent crushers with peak physical and mental form somehow got to that level living sheltered lives). B grades instead of teleporting (which we have seen them doing) are running after Jack and his team members etc. Basically, the difference between a B grade and a D grade is simply the strength of punches and that's it.
The second half of the book is a bit better in that aspect, at least we don't get the same repetitive descriptions of fights/trials and there is significantly less cheering and clapping.
...
TLDR - all fights follow the same pattern starting from the second half of the 3rd book till the second half of the 4th book, the author failed to write a believable society of high grades and there is ridiculous amount of cheering, clapping and exclamation marks from all the spectators who are all fans of Jack Rust. The situation gets better in the second half of the book, but I'm on the fence right - I'll wait for the fifth book to decide whether to drop the series or not.
June 23, 2024
starting to peter out
I enjoyed the opening books of the series and the brute force cultivator. Meeting other races and the trial planet all advanced the story and held my interest. The whole of book four seems to be a giant training arc, with no,conflicts that truly felt dangerous or meaningful. Such as “oh you insulted my wife I guess your’e my mortal enemy and i’ll have to kill you.” Oh no! you’re too strong, you beat me.
I would like to see some deeper character development and depths of personality. Think That is as far as I’ll read in this one. Not terrible, but no longer enough entertainment value for me. Thanks for writing.
I enjoyed the opening books of the series and the brute force cultivator. Meeting other races and the trial planet all advanced the story and held my interest. The whole of book four seems to be a giant training arc, with no,conflicts that truly felt dangerous or meaningful. Such as “oh you insulted my wife I guess your’e my mortal enemy and i’ll have to kill you.” Oh no! you’re too strong, you beat me.
I would like to see some deeper character development and depths of personality. Think That is as far as I’ll read in this one. Not terrible, but no longer enough entertainment value for me. Thanks for writing.
June 27, 2024
only getting better
The author has found his stride! This series keeps getting better and better. I rarely take the time to rate a book. Only for some of the best.
The author has found his stride! This series keeps getting better and better. I rarely take the time to rate a book. Only for some of the best.
June 25, 2024
One of the best Litrpg series I've ever read
I don't remember the last time that I enjoyed a book series this much. It was incredible. You really learn to love and hate certain characters. I really look forward to the next book!
I don't remember the last time that I enjoyed a book series this much. It was incredible. You really learn to love and hate certain characters. I really look forward to the next book!
June 18, 2024
Still great
This series is still great. I'm invested in the main character and a lot of the secondary bros. It keeps a good pace through the book and gives both action and thinking sections. Love the story.
This series is still great. I'm invested in the main character and a lot of the secondary bros. It keeps a good pace through the book and gives both action and thinking sections. Love the story.
June 23, 2024
Automatic 1 star for not being edited. If you expect people to pay money for it, put in the minimum effort to do it right.
Even if it had been edited, it would have been pretty bad. Maybe 1.5 stars.
Enemy genius fighter: Fight me.
Jack: Flexes right bicep, enemy genius dies.
John Smith (genius fighter) in audience "Jack is impossibly amazing"
Enemy genius fighter 2: Fight me.
Jack: Flexes left bicep, enemy genius fighter 2 dies.
Jane Doe (genius fighter) in audience "Jack is impossibly amazing"
Jack goes to an academy of genius fighters, supposedly all 1 in 10,000,000,000 levels of talent. Almost all of them are bullies, cowards, or slackers. Only one is an actual genius and she is only a genius to make it seem more impactful when she inevitably swoons over Jack and wants to marry him. Gag.
Good lord was this volume dull. Not like they weren't shallow before, but it seems that without the forward momentum of the "save the earth" goal the books just fall back into repeating a dull "fight/praise Jack/train/praise Jack" cycle. All the side characters except Brock have been excluded, so nothing builds upon the previous books. The first 70% is just dull and awful. The last 30% is less dull but more awful as the lack of editing gets worse and worse.
There was a potentially interesting side plot about how Jack is a shitty absentee father, but of course there were no consequences of this and it went nowhere. It ended with Jack feeling guilty and then Brock (the supposedly nice one?) reassuring him: "It is super cool for bros to abandon their families."
There was another side plot about Jack scamming people by selling overpriced healing rocks. This never seemed even potentially interesting and never went anywhere. I don't think we even saw a single person using one of these rocks.
Jack dies multiple times but then the author sprinkles him with magic fairy dust and he keeps going. Dull, dull, dull.
Even if it had been edited, it would have been pretty bad. Maybe 1.5 stars.
Enemy genius fighter: Fight me.
Jack: Flexes right bicep, enemy genius dies.
John Smith (genius fighter) in audience "Jack is impossibly amazing"
Enemy genius fighter 2: Fight me.
Jack: Flexes left bicep, enemy genius fighter 2 dies.
Jane Doe (genius fighter) in audience "Jack is impossibly amazing"
Jack goes to an academy of genius fighters, supposedly all 1 in 10,000,000,000 levels of talent. Almost all of them are bullies, cowards, or slackers. Only one is an actual genius and she is only a genius to make it seem more impactful when she inevitably swoons over Jack and wants to marry him. Gag.
Good lord was this volume dull. Not like they weren't shallow before, but it seems that without the forward momentum of the "save the earth" goal the books just fall back into repeating a dull "fight/praise Jack/train/praise Jack" cycle. All the side characters except Brock have been excluded, so nothing builds upon the previous books. The first 70% is just dull and awful. The last 30% is less dull but more awful as the lack of editing gets worse and worse.
There was a potentially interesting side plot about how Jack is a shitty absentee father, but of course there were no consequences of this and it went nowhere. It ended with Jack feeling guilty and then Brock (the supposedly nice one?) reassuring him: "It is super cool for bros to abandon their families."
There was another side plot about Jack scamming people by selling overpriced healing rocks. This never seemed even potentially interesting and never went anywhere. I don't think we even saw a single person using one of these rocks.
Jack dies multiple times but then the author sprinkles him with magic fairy dust and he keeps going. Dull, dull, dull.
July 17, 2025
DNF at something like 20% of it.
First two books were alright, a tad generic but let's be honest no one read those type of books for how original they are. At least it had characters and was starting to explore "hidden layers" lore parts which, if done right, can be entertaining.
Third book started to worry me with how much it slowly fell down into the Chinese novel language of Face this, Face that, You court death every two sentences and other stupid idioms that litter them. On the other hand I had been told it was going to conclude the current arc so I powered through, still skipping a few chapters because I swear authors are never going to learn that no one give a damn about dedicated chapters for tertiary characters we've haven't seen in 2 books.
This one is awful. The author had written himself in a corner with the power scaling so he decided to soft reboot everything, our great hero is still super duper powerful but is thrown into the most boring we-swear-its-not-a-school-arc school arc filled with people stronger than him, all hundred to thousands of year old while still being the most paper thin bad guys. Everyone is arrogant or a bully or only care about FACE because you know, for a cultivator FACE is super important. Cant lose FACE, face face face and ok i'm done.
If I wanted to read trash Chinese Xianxia novels, I would read those. Good luck for anyone willing to power through this dumpster fire.
First two books were alright, a tad generic but let's be honest no one read those type of books for how original they are. At least it had characters and was starting to explore "hidden layers" lore parts which, if done right, can be entertaining.
Third book started to worry me with how much it slowly fell down into the Chinese novel language of Face this, Face that, You court death every two sentences and other stupid idioms that litter them. On the other hand I had been told it was going to conclude the current arc so I powered through, still skipping a few chapters because I swear authors are never going to learn that no one give a damn about dedicated chapters for tertiary characters we've haven't seen in 2 books.
This one is awful. The author had written himself in a corner with the power scaling so he decided to soft reboot everything, our great hero is still super duper powerful but is thrown into the most boring we-swear-its-not-a-school-arc school arc filled with people stronger than him, all hundred to thousands of year old while still being the most paper thin bad guys. Everyone is arrogant or a bully or only care about FACE because you know, for a cultivator FACE is super important. Cant lose FACE, face face face and ok i'm done.
If I wanted to read trash Chinese Xianxia novels, I would read those. Good luck for anyone willing to power through this dumpster fire.
July 2, 2024
I almost stopped reading this multiple times. Without the urgency of stopping the planetary overseer it loses a lot of the drive that made the first three books so compelling. Fortunately right at the end a new drive is introduced. In the meantime however, not a single person in this book has a personality. All of them, including Jack, are the most lazy caricatures of people. They all have two personality traits: angry and entitled and it's just not fun to read about them. Jack repeatedly antagonises people stronger than him but the always conveniently leave him alone long enough for him to beat them. It doesn't matter how many times he does it, it always works. He never has to suffer any consequences for his actions and everything always works out for him because he's a super mega genius or something. Even though everyone else is also a super mega genius according to the book but you'd never know it from their toddler levels of intelligence and personality. Really considering if I will read the next one or just let it all go.
October 21, 2024
It's truly a shame that Valerios didn't stop at a triology like he has with his other books. The reason a say it's a shame is that it's so obvious that the author can't handle planning or writing a decent plot that spans more than 3 books. This book I had to DNF at around 30% because it felt like the most generic book about a boring training arc with the most mediocre small sect drama. Basically copy paste any other novel about sects and this book has the most boring parts of them. I also read the review for the next book in the series and after reading about the thing that happens in it So yeah I've given up on this series. I think it's a shame that the author just rushed to release 2 books within just a couple days apart in the series. SInce this also speaks to how rushed and really lacking the writing became.
September 20, 2024
Not sure how to feel about this book
Once again high praise for all of the fascinating secondary and support characters in this series, truly they make these books interesting.
Now that the main character is at the church, you would like to believe that he will be able to progress a story arc along. But no... We have to deal with petty politics and idiots. Amazing and awful to have Neanderthal mentality in people that are supposed to be god like.
The book settles into a weird and slightly boring routine. On the bright side, when a huge chunk of time passes, the author just shows "3 years later" instead of writing nonsense.
Have fun!
Once again high praise for all of the fascinating secondary and support characters in this series, truly they make these books interesting.
Now that the main character is at the church, you would like to believe that he will be able to progress a story arc along. But no... We have to deal with petty politics and idiots. Amazing and awful to have Neanderthal mentality in people that are supposed to be god like.
The book settles into a weird and slightly boring routine. On the bright side, when a huge chunk of time passes, the author just shows "3 years later" instead of writing nonsense.
Have fun!
November 2, 2024
Slightly Less Punching, More Character Growth
The 3rd book of the Road to Mastery series is definitely less bro-centric and slightly more expository. Still a lot of punching, but the story and world-building are much better. Brock is way more interesting as a character, and I'm looking forward to what he can become later
The 3rd book of the Road to Mastery series is definitely less bro-centric and slightly more expository. Still a lot of punching, but the story and world-building are much better. Brock is way more interesting as a character, and I'm looking forward to what he can become later
June 19, 2024
Just gets better and better!
Love this series, and look forward to the next book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes fast paced cultivation and martial arts based action.
Love this series, and look forward to the next book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes fast paced cultivation and martial arts based action.
June 24, 2024
Jack’s Rise Continues
Another great book where Jack defies the odds and speedily climbs the ladder to power. I appreciate that although Jack is OP, his means to achieve that are kept reasonable and he is not invincible. Excited for the next one!
Another great book where Jack defies the odds and speedily climbs the ladder to power. I appreciate that although Jack is OP, his means to achieve that are kept reasonable and he is not invincible. Excited for the next one!
August 16, 2024
Enjoyable!!!
This story keeps you interested and involved in the series because the hero claim to power is fantastic following his adventures is realistic because he fails at times but his gains comes from hard work and lucky finds to gain his power 💪
This story keeps you interested and involved in the series because the hero claim to power is fantastic following his adventures is realistic because he fails at times but his gains comes from hard work and lucky finds to gain his power 💪
August 28, 2024
Fantastic read!
This series has been very good, but this book is great! Jack and Brock make a great duo and I love that Jack stays a good bro even when pushed around by those more powerful.
This series has been very good, but this book is great! Jack and Brock make a great duo and I love that Jack stays a good bro even when pushed around by those more powerful.
November 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this book.
I understand that it really doesn't take itself seriously, and the power curve continues to be exceptional, but I really like it. It's done without trying to milk the story and the author's use of time lapses keeps the story moving along.
I understand that it really doesn't take itself seriously, and the power curve continues to be exceptional, but I really like it. It's done without trying to milk the story and the author's use of time lapses keeps the story moving along.
November 16, 2024
Honestly, I hate Brock as a character. And the fact that they continue making him more of one really detracts from the book for me. Also, the panning through the nameless audience to hear their mental exclamations at how could ol the MC is is kind of cringe.
March 1, 2025
Among the Best I've Ever Read
Jack and Brock continue to poo progress to unheard-of levels and making friends wherever they go. NOT!
Read this amazing saga to relive the journey of Jack Rust.
Jack and Brock continue to poo progress to unheard-of levels and making friends wherever they go. NOT!
Read this amazing saga to relive the journey of Jack Rust.
June 13, 2024
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! Such wonderful characters, and what a fantastic storyline! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! Such wonderful characters, and what a fantastic storyline! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
June 14, 2024
Exciting!
Jack is one with his Dao, and does not back down in his many life and death encounters. A true cultivator.
Jack is one with his Dao, and does not back down in his many life and death encounters. A true cultivator.
June 16, 2024
Another great book
Beautiful story, character progression.. Brock rocks.
Bros for the win... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and Nocturne
Beautiful story, character progression.. Brock rocks.
Bros for the win... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and Nocturne
June 17, 2024
Good book
Enjoy watching our MC grow and learn...and learning to grow. Great story. This book was particularly good as it brought a lot together and progressed the storyline.
Enjoy watching our MC grow and learn...and learning to grow. Great story. This book was particularly good as it brought a lot together and progressed the storyline.
June 18, 2024
Good book
Good book and series I will continue to read it I hope things work out for the mc and honestly I hope dude goes for harem
Good book and series I will continue to read it I hope things work out for the mc and honestly I hope dude goes for harem
June 18, 2024
Very good one sitting read
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
June 22, 2024
Another enjoyable adventure
Every book in this series so far has been a page turner. That trend continues with book 4. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Every book in this series so far has been a page turner. That trend continues with book 4. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
July 11, 2024
Great book!
Really enjoying this series. Well worth the read. If you enjoy litrpg definitely should give this series a go!
Looking forward to more!
Really enjoying this series. Well worth the read. If you enjoy litrpg definitely should give this series a go!
Looking forward to more!
September 7, 2024
Fantastic
I’ve been looking forward to this and it absolutely lives up to my expectations and then some. Fight on Jack Rust!
I’ve been looking forward to this and it absolutely lives up to my expectations and then some. Fight on Jack Rust!
June 4, 2025
The power scaling is pretty crazy. The fact that jack can outclass everyone is well explained but also pretty predictable. Still a fun/funny read
October 20, 2025
Pretty good, but the jack thief arc was lame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
Even though Earth is now relatively safe, Jack and Brock still have some growing left to do. This time, though, it feels like it is more for their satisfaction than out of desperation, and it gives this story a much more light-hearted feel, especially at the beginning. The story took its time to expand the worldbuilding and also explore cultivation for the simple joy of it, and I really had fun with that.
This doesn't last the whole book, though, as the novel's second half opens up a new adventure and takes our heroes on a new journey. There's not much more to say here about this, as I think that fans of this series will know what they're letting themselves in for at this point. I will just mention that I think this story does a great job of transitioning from the previous high-tension save-the-world arc into the next story arc that is less Earth-focused.
Beyond my usual pet peeves with this type of story, the final issue I had that removed the fifth star in this review is one of the power levels. There is an issue in series with overpowered protagonists where authors feel the need to level up everyone around the protagonist so that those characters don't get left behind. Also, they escalate the base normal of the people and situations surrounding the protagonist so that he doesn't stand out so much (like suddenly filling a story with C-Grades being the bare minimum of character levels when just one book before it was a rare god-like status). Personally, I feel like these are mistakes for multiple reasons:
1. Characters have more uses than just their power levels, and just because a protagonist grows beyond them doesn't mean they don't have value in the protagonist's life or the story any longer.
2. It makes the main character less special. In this story Jack is written to be a genius cultivator doing the impossible by blasting through the grades. Yet, there are a lot of people in the story now who are just a few steps behind him. It make's the lengths Jack is going to less impressive when other people are hot on his heels in their own progression.
3. Whilst I understand that there needs to be meaningful conflict in a story to provide a challenge to an overpowered protagonist, it doesn't need to be the kind of conflict that pushes him right back to the bottom of the pile again. The problem here is that it erases the sense of progression in a series. While Jack has progressed astronomically in a short space of time, levelling up every aspect of the world he now finds himself in so that he is back at the base level makes it feel like he hasn't actually done much at all. The author could still have introduced more powerful challenges without levelling up every aspect of the world around Jack, and this issue could easily have been avoided.
My only last subjective issue that impacted my enjoyment of this book but could turn into something more objective was how Jack behaves with his new family. There is only a token effort put into this book to explore what it means for Jack to be a father now and have a family at home waiting for him. However, a few times in the book, the story already leans on those relationships as deeply meaningful driving forces for him. If the author wants to continue doing this (which I suspect is the case), I would need to see more genuine investment and relationship building before the story tries to trade on those relationships.
Overall, these are just frustrations keeping it from 5-star status rather than genuine issues against this novel. It was a great read and one that I genuinely enjoyed. If you've enjoyed this series so far, then you will likely be happy with this book.
This doesn't last the whole book, though, as the novel's second half opens up a new adventure and takes our heroes on a new journey. There's not much more to say here about this, as I think that fans of this series will know what they're letting themselves in for at this point. I will just mention that I think this story does a great job of transitioning from the previous high-tension save-the-world arc into the next story arc that is less Earth-focused.
Beyond my usual pet peeves with this type of story, the final issue I had that removed the fifth star in this review is one of the power levels. There is an issue in series with overpowered protagonists where authors feel the need to level up everyone around the protagonist so that those characters don't get left behind. Also, they escalate the base normal of the people and situations surrounding the protagonist so that he doesn't stand out so much (like suddenly filling a story with C-Grades being the bare minimum of character levels when just one book before it was a rare god-like status). Personally, I feel like these are mistakes for multiple reasons:
1. Characters have more uses than just their power levels, and just because a protagonist grows beyond them doesn't mean they don't have value in the protagonist's life or the story any longer.
2. It makes the main character less special. In this story Jack is written to be a genius cultivator doing the impossible by blasting through the grades. Yet, there are a lot of people in the story now who are just a few steps behind him. It make's the lengths Jack is going to less impressive when other people are hot on his heels in their own progression.
3. Whilst I understand that there needs to be meaningful conflict in a story to provide a challenge to an overpowered protagonist, it doesn't need to be the kind of conflict that pushes him right back to the bottom of the pile again. The problem here is that it erases the sense of progression in a series. While Jack has progressed astronomically in a short space of time, levelling up every aspect of the world he now finds himself in so that he is back at the base level makes it feel like he hasn't actually done much at all. The author could still have introduced more powerful challenges without levelling up every aspect of the world around Jack, and this issue could easily have been avoided.
My only last subjective issue that impacted my enjoyment of this book but could turn into something more objective was how Jack behaves with his new family. There is only a token effort put into this book to explore what it means for Jack to be a father now and have a family at home waiting for him. However, a few times in the book, the story already leans on those relationships as deeply meaningful driving forces for him. If the author wants to continue doing this (which I suspect is the case), I would need to see more genuine investment and relationship building before the story tries to trade on those relationships.
Overall, these are just frustrations keeping it from 5-star status rather than genuine issues against this novel. It was a great read and one that I genuinely enjoyed. If you've enjoyed this series so far, then you will likely be happy with this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews