Between a Rock and a Carapace

Chrysalis #4

by RinoZ, Jeff Hays (Narrator), Annie Ellicott (Narrator)

It’s time to descend.

With Garralosh defeated and the Colony secured, Anthony has triumphed over the wave. What now for our antrepid adventurer? In the Dungeon, there’s only one place to down.

Join Anthony as he ventures into the second stratum, the Shadow Sea, and finds far more than he bargained for. Bizarre monsters abound, frightening poisons and civilisations that have fought and lived in the depths for thousands of years.

For the Colony!

Book 4 of the hit monster-evolution LitRPG series with nearly 30 Million views on Royal Road. Grab your copy today!

About this Series: Jump into a rebirth story that mixes LitRPG and GameLit Elements with Monster evolution. Levels, Stats, Skills, Magic, Power Progression, Kingdom Building, Party Building, Army Building, evolution, a monster MC, gigantic enemies (compared to Ant at least), and plenty of humor fitting such an ludicrous premise.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Animals, Humor, Young Adult

Audiobook

First published June 20, 2023

Reviews

[George Rokkos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I loved the main character and the world building.

[John Aspler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between a Rock and a Carapace is likely the weakest book in the Chrysalis series so far; Books 5 and 6 are both marked improvements (or more like a return to form). Ultimately, it feels a bit like a filler arc - MC runs off to another part of the dungeon, learns about another culture, and spends most of his time trapped in... a tournament arc? I don't know how Chrysalis found time for a tournament arc into its narrative. I get that tournaments are staples of (or tropes in) Cultivation/ LitRPG, but this was probably not the right space for that kind of storytelling; it didn't work for me.

Beyond the feeling of this novel being mostly a sidequest, I think the main reason it didn't work for me is that the strength of the series (its humour, its characters, its narrative drive) increasingly comes from its large cast of characters. Without the colony, we're sort of just back inside Anthony's head most of the time (like Book 1), which, while fun, just isn't as good as everyone together.

Still I started the audiobooks with this novel, and Jeff Hays & Annie Ellicott absolutely ROCK. I'm sure they're great in all of the books in this series, and it definitely enhanced my enjoyment.

[Rudhrein · Rating 2 out of 5]

The protagonist is annoying and cannot be empathised with. The protagonist detracts from the story while the colony building adds to greatly to the plot. I wish the book focused more on the side characters like the main 20 Ants and how they grow the colony.

The only reason I keep reading the series is because of the colony building.

[wissam · Rating 4 out of 5]

did I say how good the audiobook is cuz it's great

[Isaac Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am devouring this at light speed

[Crystal Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Amazing!

I’m tearing my way through these books and I have been absolutely impressed with every one. The relative prowess of monsters across a broad spectrum of abilities is getting a bit wobbly, which is a common and understandable problem and not catastrophic.

[Aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chrysalis: 4
After the thrilling ending in the last book, this one is still packed with interesting world-building, fighting, and theory-crafting, but it doesn't match the intensity of the previous book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it . The author comes up with a slightly different direction, and Anthony finds himself a reluctant participant in a gladiator-style death match. It turns out to be a good opportunity for him to level up his skills and find out more of how this world works. He even gets to meet two other monsters like him, who found themselves reborn. [James aka Jimmy the giant earthworm, and Sarah the bear.] Like the previous books, there are chapters from various human POVs scattered about, which adds a bit of richness to the story. They are tantalizing glimpses of recurring characters who have their own concerns and struggles. Anthony is dead set on succeeding as an ant, however, and has no interest in getting too cozy with the humans, no matter how open minded they might be, as they've proven to be as selfish and treacherous as in his previous life. Am really enjoying this series. Hope the next book comes out soon.

[Monty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worst of the series so far with the MC plotline bringing the overall story low.

The MC seems to be standing still or even regressing mentally instead of progressing. With this being a progression type fantasy story this is a Bad Thing in my opinion.
The fact that it is obviously contrived plot progression by the author, wherein he has the main character either by activity or inactivity go about most things in a questionable to idiotic manner, just torpedoes what is supposed to be the main part of the story. Specifically in how unbelievable it comes across.

[Ryan Carrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6⭐️
0🌶️

Read the ebook on Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook Audible

I just love Jeff Hayes performances. This Litrpg book continues ANThony’s story. He is abducted by his cult and separated from one of his pets. He is not the one though. He meats other former humans and find out he is in a tournament to the death to be the next ancient. This terrible tournament did help with his growth in his skills and shows some of his shortcomings. Being separated from his colony and one of his pets is tough. I definitely had a few laughs in this book. Book 5 of 7 so far!

[Joe Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I was hitting fatigue with this series but I was wrong. RinoZ always finds ways of adding new wrinkles to each book. This one had Antony not only descending to a new stratum of the dungeon due to his growth needing denser mana, but had a tournament arc as he fought for his life. Allowed for more rapid skills development, and him adding another pet (a demon to add support to his party). Same humor and action as previous books.

[Darrin Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3/5. A bit slow set up but got good mid way. Starting a very nice metaphor for how society could work in a better. Think about the group as well as self. Don't kill people. Don't escalate bad situations (be the adult). Work hard. Find your passion. Don't be race blind. Don't have slaves. Don't be greedy; trade for benefit, not greed. Think about others. Judge based on actions.

The characters are hella funny. I grin while listening on a walk.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe the best book in the series yet. RinoZ is improving in every way as the series goes on. Very hard to put this one down. Picked the next up immediately.

The world building continues on the 2nd stratum of the Dungeon.

Most of the book is Anthony's capture (which itself was quite surprising!) by the Golgari. His participation in a tournament to the death. His escape & rescue.

[William Newbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd pet time!

This was an interesting story line. Liked all the characters and the cult was intriguing. Loved how the colony came and supported each other and grew. I have a feeling what will happen next but we will see. Definitely been enjoying all these characters and pets. Action is good too!

[M L Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Griiiinding

So my issue with this is we had the big battle at the end of the last book and then.... It was straight back to grinding. It got better but it was a bit of a let down to start off.

[Mike Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic

This story of a young man who has been reborn as a dungeon monster ant is awesome. He totally embraces the ant life and figures a way to make his colony sapient. The series should be renamed the Dungeon Ant so it’s easier to recommend on facebook.

[Daniyal Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just gets better.

The series is getting better, bigger, and more ants.

I love how everything is happening and how Anthony's adventures are going on.

Jim was a funny little dude and I liked how the Ant Colony is developing

[Josh Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet

I read this series when it was still on (I think it was Webnovel) I never finished it but now I’m here and boy I have to say those last chapters gave me chills. Not in a bad way but it was so interesting to see it from another pov for a little bit.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry and it is nice to finally progress the world. The pacing of the series is starting to feel a bit slow as the main character’s leveling is starting to be constrained by setting, which could be frustrating. I do like the growing cast.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

Okay, I binge listened to books 2-5 so the edges blurred together for me. Anthony expanded his nest gained power, defeated bad guys, evolved, got kidnapped, grew some more and is generally a powerhouse.
Very funny and enjoyable. Great pace. Excellent narrator. Please enjoy

[Toukun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the slower of the ant series but still enjoyable. More Anthony shenanigans, it's more focused on him this time. with lots of cute Ant colony action. It does feel like it was way longer than it it should be and overall feels like a filler book, but It was a fun read overall.

7/10

[Thomas Kung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still enjoying the series, but it felt like this book was a little weaker. Didn't seem like the author quite knew what he wanted to do with the story. It seemed to meander a bit. It was still good enough that I will keep reading though.

[IU_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the pets. I anxiously await the sequel.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story, dislike the ending

Another banger of an ant story. Story begins what feels like a new arc for our protagonist and the colony.

[Renae J Standen]

Bravo!

Another excellent addition to this series. More fuel for the colony! All hail Anthony! Its very difficult to wait for the next evolution, and yet we must!

[Allisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the same, but it keeps getting better.

Big fan of the series. Love the different characters and the story in general. Can't wait for more! Ants rule!

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger if u like Ants

[Mark Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted more story about the colony itself and to develop those characters more.
Overall still as good as the rest of the books but felt like more of a filler book.

[Kasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony always the best :D

[Travis Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another banger by RinoZ! 👍🏽👍🏽