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The Path of Ascension #7
The Path of Ascension 7
Deep inside Minkalla's depths Matt, Liz, Aster, and Susanne just fought one of the strongest monsters they have ever encountered. But their delve isnt over yet.
Three floors remain and each promises to push them past their perceived limits.
There is no escape. There is no higher Tier to get them out of trouble.
The only things they can rely on are themselves and the rest of the party.
Don't miss Book 7 of this action-packed fantasy adventure that blends everything you love about LitRPG with Xianxia.About the
This is a mix between LitRPG and Xianxia. It's like a car that looks like a LitRPG with dungeons and skills, but the interior and engine are all Xianxia. It features a magic system and progression system that are logically and internally consistent, as well as realistic fight scenes and a rational MC.
Three floors remain and each promises to push them past their perceived limits.
There is no escape. There is no higher Tier to get them out of trouble.
The only things they can rely on are themselves and the rest of the party.
Don't miss Book 7 of this action-packed fantasy adventure that blends everything you love about LitRPG with Xianxia.About the
This is a mix between LitRPG and Xianxia. It's like a car that looks like a LitRPG with dungeons and skills, but the interior and engine are all Xianxia. It features a magic system and progression system that are logically and internally consistent, as well as realistic fight scenes and a rational MC.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2024
780 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 8, 2024
Great, but...
I adore this series, but this one was a bit problematic. The middle third of the book was dedicated to alternate-lives mini stories that did little to nothing to move the plot along or develop the characters. The rest was great, but the book was more of a novella with a dozen or so unrelated mini-stories in the middle. I can't wait for the next book though.
I adore this series, but this one was a bit problematic. The middle third of the book was dedicated to alternate-lives mini stories that did little to nothing to move the plot along or develop the characters. The rest was great, but the book was more of a novella with a dozen or so unrelated mini-stories in the middle. I can't wait for the next book though.
August 22, 2024
Majorley disappointed I have loved every minute of the other books until this one. Almost half the book was dedicated to a diversion in simulated lives that had no real impact on the story. Then add to that the amount of useless pov switch that started with the last book and continued on in this one. Seriously could have basically halved the length of this book and it would have been an improvement. This is a worrying trend that I sincerely hope the author stops doing after this book,
July 31, 2025
World building is awesome. I’m always surprised where the trio end up on their adventures. Diggin’ this for sure!
August 28, 2024
Rating 4.0 stars
Pretty good addition to the series. Progresses the same as previous. There are parts that are pretty good and other that drag a little bit. Overall, the world building and magic system are massive. I liked the characters still but there doesn't seem to be much growth with personalities or relationships. There is definitely growth in power/magic. It was a little bit long and took a while to finish but I did enjoy it. Will continue with the series.
Pretty good addition to the series. Progresses the same as previous. There are parts that are pretty good and other that drag a little bit. Overall, the world building and magic system are massive. I liked the characters still but there doesn't seem to be much growth with personalities or relationships. There is definitely growth in power/magic. It was a little bit long and took a while to finish but I did enjoy it. Will continue with the series.
November 7, 2025
Re-read
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I have caught up to chapter 416 on Royalroad, and so far, 10 books have been released. After reading book 10, I had a strong urge to start the series again, so I did exactly that. Now I have finished the 7th book, which covers the second half of Minkalla's run for the team. I love this series, and what other proof do you need than the fact that both times I read the series, I flew through the pages and am going to do so as well. Enough yapping so let's go and continue with book 8 and keep on reading.
Original Review
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The seventh volume of the series covers the second half of our team's Menkalla journey, and it was, as usual, wonderful. I am about 25% done with book 8, and after that, I would have to wait till June for the release of the 9th book. Although I may try reading this on the royalroad, no, I will get time to read other books till I wait for the release of book 9. Returning to the book, floors 5, 6, and 7 were strange, bloody, and difficult, and a lot of fun to read, so now let's continue reading and Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I absolutely love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so I can't stay and spend more time on this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
-------------------------------------------
I have caught up to chapter 416 on Royalroad, and so far, 10 books have been released. After reading book 10, I had a strong urge to start the series again, so I did exactly that. Now I have finished the 7th book, which covers the second half of Minkalla's run for the team. I love this series, and what other proof do you need than the fact that both times I read the series, I flew through the pages and am going to do so as well. Enough yapping so let's go and continue with book 8 and keep on reading.
Original Review
--------------------------------------
The seventh volume of the series covers the second half of our team's Menkalla journey, and it was, as usual, wonderful. I am about 25% done with book 8, and after that, I would have to wait till June for the release of the 9th book. Although I may try reading this on the royalroad, no, I will get time to read other books till I wait for the release of book 9. Returning to the book, floors 5, 6, and 7 were strange, bloody, and difficult, and a lot of fun to read, so now let's continue reading and Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I absolutely love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so I can't stay and spend more time on this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
August 9, 2024
WHEEEEE!!!
Finishing Minkalla. Plenty of glimpses into other people’s runs through The Forge. Two final floors that are tough and a final battle that is insane.
Really, everything in this book is geared toward slowing the pace towards the end of Minkalla. Because that ending has to be the end of the book. They seriously stagger and crawl at the exit. Everyone is missing limbs; healing cooldowns are in play.
They also spend a lot of time fighting other teams.
Next book starts with a bit of a bang as they actually exit Minkalla. First team out gets *everyone’s* attention. And some other stuff happens that makes for a bit of chaos. Not to mention their extremely wounded status. Then, healing, training, a wedding, and Aster going to the Band Academy. Fun, but not *intense*.
I am a patron, so I love this stuff. Read it on P@treon, RR, and now bought the Kindle version…and read it again. The whole Minkalla run was stupendous.
Finishing Minkalla. Plenty of glimpses into other people’s runs through The Forge. Two final floors that are tough and a final battle that is insane.
Really, everything in this book is geared toward slowing the pace towards the end of Minkalla. Because that ending has to be the end of the book. They seriously stagger and crawl at the exit. Everyone is missing limbs; healing cooldowns are in play.
They also spend a lot of time fighting other teams.
Next book starts with a bit of a bang as they actually exit Minkalla. First team out gets *everyone’s* attention. And some other stuff happens that makes for a bit of chaos. Not to mention their extremely wounded status. Then, healing, training, a wedding, and Aster going to the Band Academy. Fun, but not *intense*.
I am a patron, so I love this stuff. Read it on P@treon, RR, and now bought the Kindle version…and read it again. The whole Minkalla run was stupendous.
August 11, 2024
sprawling
I love the main characters of this book. Watching them grow and use their abilities in new and different ways is intensely satisfying. That being said large portions of this book are following “extras” which is disjointing and kind of annoying. Books 6 and 7 taking place within the forge, felt like a major slow down in the pacing of the books and the character’s growth.
I will still continue to read the next installment, but just hope we can get back to following the protagonists antics.
I love the main characters of this book. Watching them grow and use their abilities in new and different ways is intensely satisfying. That being said large portions of this book are following “extras” which is disjointing and kind of annoying. Books 6 and 7 taking place within the forge, felt like a major slow down in the pacing of the books and the character’s growth.
I will still continue to read the next installment, but just hope we can get back to following the protagonists antics.
August 9, 2024
worst book of series … such a shame
The first 5 books were so good but book 6 started to show some real challenges. Was hard to get though. And book 7 is by far the worst one yet. The style and scenes and development of the characters just stops. All feels so hollow. The fight scenes and the floors just don’t work.
The first 5 books were so good but book 6 started to show some real challenges. Was hard to get though. And book 7 is by far the worst one yet. The style and scenes and development of the characters just stops. All feels so hollow. The fight scenes and the floors just don’t work.
August 12, 2024
I hate pointless chapters.
Didn't like the last book and this one was worse. The only good thing is that minkalla is over. 3/4 of the book was pointless side character chapters or false life chapters that have no value to the overall development of the story. Severly disappointed in this book and the last. Hopefully the next is better, cause it can't get much worse.
Didn't like the last book and this one was worse. The only good thing is that minkalla is over. 3/4 of the book was pointless side character chapters or false life chapters that have no value to the overall development of the story. Severly disappointed in this book and the last. Hopefully the next is better, cause it can't get much worse.
October 16, 2025
I found this book, bk 7, intricate at times with all the details and elements of side characters, new magic systems and basically the world of Minkalla itself. It was challenge for me to stay engaged at times.
Overall I am still enjoying the series and the journey of the MCs. But, I am really looking forward to the next arc in the series.
Overall I am still enjoying the series and the journey of the MCs. But, I am really looking forward to the next arc in the series.
November 8, 2024
A solid addition to the series. I felt the alternate reality chapters drug on a bit, but they were interesting to think about. I greatly enjoyed the numerous POVs from the enemies, neutral parties and friends that let you relive the scenes you just experienced from Matt and Liz’s POV. They really made it for me.
August 23, 2024
Like quite a few reviews here I have a similar sentiment that most the book was unnecessary and unwanted. For the first time in a very long time I was skipping to the end of chapters. I’m looking at you tea scenes.
My thought was the author was trying to showcase the risk and reward of the planet. Which is fine. However, it came at the expense of the main storyline and characters. Then we have chapters of the tea lives. I feel like I wasn’t getting enough of the main characters and when I do it’s preceived alternative lives? That give the read what exactly?
This didn’t help my other issue that this particular challenge on the path was probably the most hyped and trained for. Was spread across two book but was very blah. I very much enjoy the series and characters but I hope we get more of what got us here instead of these meaningless POV’s and distraction storylines.
My thought was the author was trying to showcase the risk and reward of the planet. Which is fine. However, it came at the expense of the main storyline and characters. Then we have chapters of the tea lives. I feel like I wasn’t getting enough of the main characters and when I do it’s preceived alternative lives? That give the read what exactly?
This didn’t help my other issue that this particular challenge on the path was probably the most hyped and trained for. Was spread across two book but was very blah. I very much enjoy the series and characters but I hope we get more of what got us here instead of these meaningless POV’s and distraction storylines.
September 6, 2024
With this volume the Minkalla arc ends. And to be honest, it left me a bit conflicted. Solid fights, decent character development and to some extent interesting opponents for future stories (the looming war). It all felt a bit rushed though. I can understand wanting to end the arc, but it felt as if most of the pages were spend on those same rapid switched in points of view I already grumbles about for v6 and what to me felt like long solo-personal confrontation with themselves through various events. I prefer a bit more social interaction between characters outside fighting. Than again, I might also have gotten a bit tired of the treasure world arc. Still, I enjoyed it well enough. 3.5 stars rounded up.
July 18, 2025
I loved reading this part two to Matt and Liz’s adventures in Minkalla. C. Mantis has delivered an absolutely exhilarating installment in this fantasy series—one that gripped me from the first page and never let go. Each chapter was a rush of anxiety and anticipation; I found myself holding my breath at the end of every scene, desperate to know what would happen next. The stakes were high, the pacing was electric, and the emotional pull was undeniable.
What truly impressed me was how vividly Mantis brought Liz, Matt, Susanne, Aster as well as all of the other side characters to life. They weren’t just names on a page—they felt real. Their doubts, their pain, their hope—it all resonated so deeply. As they encountered one impossible challenge after another, I found myself right there with them, questioning whether they—or even I—could endure what came next. The growth they experienced wasn’t handed to them; it was earned, tested through fire, heartbreak, and sacrifice.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book was the 6th Floor Folded Reflection. That entire concept was breathtaking. The ability to peer into alternate realities, to witness the “what ifs” of each character’s life, added a profound layer of introspection and emotional complexity. It not only deepened my understanding of the characters but also made me think about how choice, chance, and consequence shape us all. That section alone was unforgettable.
This book was everything I want in a fantasy novel—thrilling, thought-provoking, and deeply human. C. Mantis has created a world that feels alive and characters that feel like companions. I loved every moment of the journey, and I absolutely can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
What truly impressed me was how vividly Mantis brought Liz, Matt, Susanne, Aster as well as all of the other side characters to life. They weren’t just names on a page—they felt real. Their doubts, their pain, their hope—it all resonated so deeply. As they encountered one impossible challenge after another, I found myself right there with them, questioning whether they—or even I—could endure what came next. The growth they experienced wasn’t handed to them; it was earned, tested through fire, heartbreak, and sacrifice.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book was the 6th Floor Folded Reflection. That entire concept was breathtaking. The ability to peer into alternate realities, to witness the “what ifs” of each character’s life, added a profound layer of introspection and emotional complexity. It not only deepened my understanding of the characters but also made me think about how choice, chance, and consequence shape us all. That section alone was unforgettable.
This book was everything I want in a fantasy novel—thrilling, thought-provoking, and deeply human. C. Mantis has created a world that feels alive and characters that feel like companions. I loved every moment of the journey, and I absolutely can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
I’m upset with this book because I felt it could have been a part of the last book. Would that have made the previous book extra long? Yes, but I’m not afraid of a lengthy book. When you’re reading fantasy expect to come across a book or two that rivals the thickness of a Webster’s dictionary…and I’m okay with that. I didn’t mind the alt-lives because I often wondered what might’ve happened to Matt especially when his greatest fear is realized. Long story short, I enjoyed the the addition to the saga and patiently await for the next novel.
September 1, 2024
Better than the previous book, but average overall.
April 27, 2025
A little boring
This one dragged on more than most with unneeded stories and characters. Not much actual story progression. Still good overall but you may need to skim.
This one dragged on more than most with unneeded stories and characters. Not much actual story progression. Still good overall but you may need to skim.
August 12, 2024
4.5 stars. I have the same complaint as with the last book. The author added in lots of details on other POVs, which I mostly just skimmed over. The chapters focusing on the main characters were excellent, so I will definitely continue on with the series once the next book comes out.
September 1, 2024
path of ascension
where do I begin?
I enjoy this series a lot, and i’m not one to give up on the journey unless it’s really gotten bad, and this isn’t there yet but I feel like it’s heading that way? Just from the last book and this book, it’s been rough. Maybe it’s just the whole Minkalla arc, I even had the same issue with the Nevermore arc in Primal Hunter. It just wasn’t my cup of tea and it just dragged on, but Nevermore had fun parts that pushed the story further.
I’m not sure if I just never noticed or not but as I was reading through this, it bothered me that whenever they came across people to fight, it just gave a bit of info as the fight was going and that was weird to me. Let me explain. We get a small POV during the fight with Long Zhiyuan but on Matt’s POV, it was basically just, this move, that move, I got hit here, I hit him there. When the fight got interrupted by the team of 10, it was basically the same, arm here, sword here, move here, move there, run here. You get the point. It was basically a spark note of the fight with no substance, where there was no dialogue, or rhyme or reason to why they were being attacked.
My biggest issue was the Reflections part. Why are the chapters so long? It could’ve definitely been broken up into several more chapters rather than a couple long chapters. Plus why write so much going into the lives they “lived” if they were going to explain it and rehash it to each other in the end anyways? It was like having an episode of DragonBall with “previously on dragon ball Z” and the whole episode is just summarizing what happened the last episode.
Anyways, I’ll probably still continue to read this series because I actually still find it interesting and enjoy some parts of it, I also want to see where their journey takes them. It can just be so frustrating to read at times.
I’m looking forward to what happens just from the ending of the book.
where do I begin?
I enjoy this series a lot, and i’m not one to give up on the journey unless it’s really gotten bad, and this isn’t there yet but I feel like it’s heading that way? Just from the last book and this book, it’s been rough. Maybe it’s just the whole Minkalla arc, I even had the same issue with the Nevermore arc in Primal Hunter. It just wasn’t my cup of tea and it just dragged on, but Nevermore had fun parts that pushed the story further.
I’m not sure if I just never noticed or not but as I was reading through this, it bothered me that whenever they came across people to fight, it just gave a bit of info as the fight was going and that was weird to me. Let me explain. We get a small POV during the fight with Long Zhiyuan but on Matt’s POV, it was basically just, this move, that move, I got hit here, I hit him there. When the fight got interrupted by the team of 10, it was basically the same, arm here, sword here, move here, move there, run here. You get the point. It was basically a spark note of the fight with no substance, where there was no dialogue, or rhyme or reason to why they were being attacked.
My biggest issue was the Reflections part. Why are the chapters so long? It could’ve definitely been broken up into several more chapters rather than a couple long chapters. Plus why write so much going into the lives they “lived” if they were going to explain it and rehash it to each other in the end anyways? It was like having an episode of DragonBall with “previously on dragon ball Z” and the whole episode is just summarizing what happened the last episode.
Anyways, I’ll probably still continue to read this series because I actually still find it interesting and enjoy some parts of it, I also want to see where their journey takes them. It can just be so frustrating to read at times.
I’m looking forward to what happens just from the ending of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
what makes heroes good?
I was greatly disappointed in the book because: 1) Minkalla isn’t finished. 2) Much of the book is make believe. 3) I couldn’t support the main team heroes in their relativistic moral depravity. Apparently the Empire is might makes right and it is good to kill others born elsewhere into a culture of lies and hate. Sneaking to ambush and murder a team for prior friendly fire. Chasing down a delver, fleeing for a second time, to kill in cold blood instead of focusing on surviving Minkalla. That pursuit of his death causes great harm to the team. I couldn’t root for them to succeed. With no higher moral standard they became like everyone else in murder and mayhem. And I was hoping to be on to the next adventure already.
I was greatly disappointed in the book because: 1) Minkalla isn’t finished. 2) Much of the book is make believe. 3) I couldn’t support the main team heroes in their relativistic moral depravity. Apparently the Empire is might makes right and it is good to kill others born elsewhere into a culture of lies and hate. Sneaking to ambush and murder a team for prior friendly fire. Chasing down a delver, fleeing for a second time, to kill in cold blood instead of focusing on surviving Minkalla. That pursuit of his death causes great harm to the team. I couldn’t root for them to succeed. With no higher moral standard they became like everyone else in murder and mayhem. And I was hoping to be on to the next adventure already.
October 2, 2024
So boring.
This is really a 2 star book (which means DNF for me), but I'm giving it 3 stars because I pushed through due to the fact that I like the series enough to see if it gets better. Book 6 was similar
If you love fight scenes and loooong alternative life "flashbacks," then you'll enjoy this more than I did. When I say long, I mean it. Each of the 4 characters has several alternative lives that they live through, lasting hundreds of years each. So thousands of years are covered, and all of it filled with characters that don't really exist. What's the point?
I get that these multi-book dungeon delves aren't going to progress the story as much as some other books, but I felt like there was basically no story here.
This is really a 2 star book (which means DNF for me), but I'm giving it 3 stars because I pushed through due to the fact that I like the series enough to see if it gets better. Book 6 was similar
If you love fight scenes and loooong alternative life "flashbacks," then you'll enjoy this more than I did. When I say long, I mean it. Each of the 4 characters has several alternative lives that they live through, lasting hundreds of years each. So thousands of years are covered, and all of it filled with characters that don't really exist. What's the point?
I get that these multi-book dungeon delves aren't going to progress the story as much as some other books, but I felt like there was basically no story here.
September 2, 2024
This was rough. Jumping to side stories with Alvin, and Claude, and Cynthia, and William and- who the hell cares?! Then pages and pages of main character stories that describe in EXHAUSTIVE detail things that never actually happened. I kept thinking that surely the author would wrap it up and move on, but nope. Here comes Liz’s third fake life story, starting from the beginning. I think I only actually read about a third of this book. The rest I skipped.
This and book six feel like they were written by a completely different author from the first five. Book eight has one chapter to hook me, and if it doesn’t I’m moving on.
This and book six feel like they were written by a completely different author from the first five. Book eight has one chapter to hook me, and if it doesn’t I’m moving on.
August 25, 2024
2.5 stars.
I'll start by saying I enjoy the series and the characters but this was the worst entry so far. There is no character growth or much of a plot other than basically an extended dungeon run. The random side characters and pov shifts just emphasize how little is actually happening with the main characters and can be skipped with no consequences.
The only thing you need to know from this book is the rewards from each floor which can be done in one chapter and the last chapter of the book which means about 90 percent of this book is pointless and unmemorable.
I'll start by saying I enjoy the series and the characters but this was the worst entry so far. There is no character growth or much of a plot other than basically an extended dungeon run. The random side characters and pov shifts just emphasize how little is actually happening with the main characters and can be skipped with no consequences.
The only thing you need to know from this book is the rewards from each floor which can be done in one chapter and the last chapter of the book which means about 90 percent of this book is pointless and unmemorable.
August 13, 2024
love the series but not book 7
This volume of the series had a lot of filler that left me pretty disappointed with the story. Very little actual progress was made in the Matt/Liz arc. Honestly, with some proper trimming, book 6 and 7 could be one volume.
That said I will read book 8 when it comes out but I hope others echo my feedback and the author gives us a more satisfying effort.
This volume of the series had a lot of filler that left me pretty disappointed with the story. Very little actual progress was made in the Matt/Liz arc. Honestly, with some proper trimming, book 6 and 7 could be one volume.
That said I will read book 8 when it comes out but I hope others echo my feedback and the author gives us a more satisfying effort.
August 17, 2024
I love this series but I just couldn't bring myself to rate this book anything higher than 2 stars. The story and character growth barely progresses with much of the book following side characters I care little for, or when our MCs live out other lives that are ultimately irrelevant to the story. This is the first book in a long time I found myself just skipping large chunks. Hopefully the next one gets back on track
August 28, 2024
short stories
I don’t read books shorter than 300 pages. There are just too many other options. This book, and the one before it, were largely a collection of short stories and I did not enjoy that aspect of it. The actual main storyline was as good as always, but the massive amount of short stories and the large increase in typos and grammatical errors has brought this book low.
I don’t read books shorter than 300 pages. There are just too many other options. This book, and the one before it, were largely a collection of short stories and I did not enjoy that aspect of it. The actual main storyline was as good as always, but the massive amount of short stories and the large increase in typos and grammatical errors has brought this book low.
August 9, 2024
Honestly, just skip this one. The series prior is really well written, but this book is quite bad. Without prior books, the reader would assume Matt, Liz, Aster, and Suzanne are just sociopath murderhobos. With pages and pages of repetitive combat, there is no character development and barely any meaningful dialogue. Hopefully the series returns to form and the author finds inspiration.
August 10, 2024
A collection of short stories.
Hopefully this will stop since minkalla is over but the constant change of pov is very annoying and pointless. I care about Matt, the occasional POV change to the Emperor or Luna is fine. But constantly creating fake cliff hangers because of the POV change really forces me whether this story is worth continuing.
Hopefully this will stop since minkalla is over but the constant change of pov is very annoying and pointless. I care about Matt, the occasional POV change to the Emperor or Luna is fine. But constantly creating fake cliff hangers because of the POV change really forces me whether this story is worth continuing.
October 10, 2024
All filler
Half the size of the last book and I got so bored with all the bullshit filler of reading the same challenges from four perspectives I ended up skipping almost a hundred pages. I love this series but this book is by far the worst in the series so far. Very disappointed.
Half the size of the last book and I got so bored with all the bullshit filler of reading the same challenges from four perspectives I ended up skipping almost a hundred pages. I love this series but this book is by far the worst in the series so far. Very disappointed.
January 24, 2025
Really hard to get through.
The series started off great, but I feel like we've gotten to the point where the author just doesn't have anything left to tell, and is desperately trying to accumulate an entire book's worth of words somehow, even though the plot just doesn't have enough content to make it happen organically. Inevitably, this means that the little bit of actual plot you get is stretched out across an unhealthy number of pages.
It reads like the end stages of a web novel, when the author inevitably has other things on their mind but has to push out their quota of 10 chapters per month. I wish web novel authors would actually run their stuff through an editor before publishing to avoid this. I get how problematic it would be to cut something from a web novel... but ultimately, that's why I'm reading my fiction here and not on RoyalRoad or some other web novel sitge: I don't want to be a beta tester, I want to read something polished and consistent.
Most of it is just a whole array of dream sequences with no real impact on the story (that still get full-blown chapters dedicated to them each for some reason). And you don't just get one dream sequence: you get one for each character, and then, because it wasn't frustrating enough: surprise: each character gets another dream sequence!
If it isn't a dream sequence, you get yet another chapter completely dedicated to some side character or other (again, with basically no impact to the story). Most of this really shouldn't have made the cut. You could remove most of part 7 of Path of Ascension from your memory and still both follow the plot and be less annoyed. Literally all of the dream sequences for example: if you really need to have them in there (which I would argue you absolutely don't, because dream sequences are never, ever fun to read about), summarize them and be done with it. I understand it must be frustrating to write chapters and then remove them after the fact because they don't work, but this here is a perfect example to showcase why sometimes things desperately need to be cutolut. Sometimes, less really is more.
The tiny amount of progress being made in this installment of the series is laughable compared to the number of pages it's made up of. Ultimately, I didn't feel like the story respected my time: if I read several hundred pages, I want to feel like something worthwhile was achieved over those several hundred pages.
I don't understand authors sometimes. I very clearly signed up for the main character's story, so why is 80% of the story about other people and their unrelated (mis-)adventures now? I'd sort of understand it if those characters had some lasting impact on the plot, but most of them immediately disappear again/die off and they just... add nothing: I don't care about them, their perspective doesn't add new information or anything... they seem to be completely random sometimes. Those chapters are the very definition of filler: they don't add anything of value, but just stretch out the story and make every last bit of it feel unsatisfying to me. Why do I need 2-3 chapters dedicated to some random enemy's perspective? Why does the same enemy just escape again after every drawn out battle? I just feel like like my time and dedication as a reader isn't respected here: there's never any payoff, just filler without substance, and an endless repeat of the same thing happening over and over again.
IMO, this should've been 2-3 chapters of a book max, not a separate one altogether, and I would've loved it. Waiting for the next part of a series only for the entire thing to feel like a gigantic bag of filler with little to no plot progression, or substance really, is kind of shitty. I don't think I'll read book 8 :/
The series started off great, but I feel like we've gotten to the point where the author just doesn't have anything left to tell, and is desperately trying to accumulate an entire book's worth of words somehow, even though the plot just doesn't have enough content to make it happen organically. Inevitably, this means that the little bit of actual plot you get is stretched out across an unhealthy number of pages.
It reads like the end stages of a web novel, when the author inevitably has other things on their mind but has to push out their quota of 10 chapters per month. I wish web novel authors would actually run their stuff through an editor before publishing to avoid this. I get how problematic it would be to cut something from a web novel... but ultimately, that's why I'm reading my fiction here and not on RoyalRoad or some other web novel sitge: I don't want to be a beta tester, I want to read something polished and consistent.
Most of it is just a whole array of dream sequences with no real impact on the story (that still get full-blown chapters dedicated to them each for some reason). And you don't just get one dream sequence: you get one for each character, and then, because it wasn't frustrating enough: surprise: each character gets another dream sequence!
If it isn't a dream sequence, you get yet another chapter completely dedicated to some side character or other (again, with basically no impact to the story). Most of this really shouldn't have made the cut. You could remove most of part 7 of Path of Ascension from your memory and still both follow the plot and be less annoyed. Literally all of the dream sequences for example: if you really need to have them in there (which I would argue you absolutely don't, because dream sequences are never, ever fun to read about), summarize them and be done with it. I understand it must be frustrating to write chapters and then remove them after the fact because they don't work, but this here is a perfect example to showcase why sometimes things desperately need to be cutolut. Sometimes, less really is more.
The tiny amount of progress being made in this installment of the series is laughable compared to the number of pages it's made up of. Ultimately, I didn't feel like the story respected my time: if I read several hundred pages, I want to feel like something worthwhile was achieved over those several hundred pages.
I don't understand authors sometimes. I very clearly signed up for the main character's story, so why is 80% of the story about other people and their unrelated (mis-)adventures now? I'd sort of understand it if those characters had some lasting impact on the plot, but most of them immediately disappear again/die off and they just... add nothing: I don't care about them, their perspective doesn't add new information or anything... they seem to be completely random sometimes. Those chapters are the very definition of filler: they don't add anything of value, but just stretch out the story and make every last bit of it feel unsatisfying to me. Why do I need 2-3 chapters dedicated to some random enemy's perspective? Why does the same enemy just escape again after every drawn out battle? I just feel like like my time and dedication as a reader isn't respected here: there's never any payoff, just filler without substance, and an endless repeat of the same thing happening over and over again.
IMO, this should've been 2-3 chapters of a book max, not a separate one altogether, and I would've loved it. Waiting for the next part of a series only for the entire thing to feel like a gigantic bag of filler with little to no plot progression, or substance really, is kind of shitty. I don't think I'll read book 8 :/
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