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Returner's Defiance #1
Returner's Defiance
Five hundred years of fighting demons and humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction. As the last bastion of the remaining humans is shattered, Bran Heros, the Wandering King, decides to enact a last ditch effort.
He’s going to send his soul back in time to two years before the demon invasion comes to earth.
This time when the demons first come he’s going to be waiting. He might not be as strong as he was in his past life, but he has something far more important. He has time to get ready for what’s to come and the knowledge to take advantage of every second.
Bran is going to use his second chance to gobble up resources and make himself as well as those he chooses a force to be reckoned with.
For now, that means starting all over at level one again.
He’s going to send his soul back in time to two years before the demon invasion comes to earth.
This time when the demons first come he’s going to be waiting. He might not be as strong as he was in his past life, but he has something far more important. He has time to get ready for what’s to come and the knowledge to take advantage of every second.
Bran is going to use his second chance to gobble up resources and make himself as well as those he chooses a force to be reckoned with.
For now, that means starting all over at level one again.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
938 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Sentar
50 books776 followersBorn and raised in the agricultural midwest, I moved every year after school even as far as Shanghai before settling down with my wife in Chicago.
I have always enjoyed Wuxia stories and became thrilled when I discovered harem stories spreading to western books. I've written down my day dreams for years as an idle hobby. Inspired by the harem genre I'm finally fleshing them out into full blown novels.
I'm excited to share my stories with you as I turn them into novels and series.
Connect with me on Facebook for updates on my latest books.
https://www.facebook.com/Bruce-Sentar...
I have always enjoyed Wuxia stories and became thrilled when I discovered harem stories spreading to western books. I've written down my day dreams for years as an idle hobby. Inspired by the harem genre I'm finally fleshing them out into full blown novels.
I'm excited to share my stories with you as I turn them into novels and series.
Connect with me on Facebook for updates on my latest books.
https://www.facebook.com/Bruce-Sentar...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 10, 2024
This book is like soft served ice cream, it’s really good at first and you end up devouring it. However the more you eat the less satisfied you are with it.
I love the idea of a returner type book, OMV is one of my favorite Manwha. However, this book is a returner type series in name alone. The MC is used his knowledge of past events to change two things in the whole 500 page book. This isn’t necessarily bad, but I feel like it kind of defeats the whole concept.
My second problem with this book is that it doesn’t feel fleshed out. In the afterword Bruce states that he wrote this series in 3 weeks, and you can tell. The book lacks any kind of urgency and I can sum up everything that happened in 2 sentences. The fights felt boring with almost no stakes to them, the character interactions were lack luster ( I will say the main girls were decent) but two guys were introduced in the story and I was excited to see a Sentar story with actually guy characters involved, they were in the book for 15 pages and then became an after thought.
Look, I finished this book in 2 days. It was entertaining and I would recommend you read it. But keep low expectations because this story has a whole lot of fluff and not much substance.
I love the idea of a returner type book, OMV is one of my favorite Manwha. However, this book is a returner type series in name alone. The MC is used his knowledge of past events to change two things in the whole 500 page book. This isn’t necessarily bad, but I feel like it kind of defeats the whole concept.
My second problem with this book is that it doesn’t feel fleshed out. In the afterword Bruce states that he wrote this series in 3 weeks, and you can tell. The book lacks any kind of urgency and I can sum up everything that happened in 2 sentences. The fights felt boring with almost no stakes to them, the character interactions were lack luster ( I will say the main girls were decent) but two guys were introduced in the story and I was excited to see a Sentar story with actually guy characters involved, they were in the book for 15 pages and then became an after thought.
Look, I finished this book in 2 days. It was entertaining and I would recommend you read it. But keep low expectations because this story has a whole lot of fluff and not much substance.
May 11, 2024
This is actually awesome
I got an ARC of this book and I have to say, it's refreshingly awesome. I have a fascination and appreciation for old codger-style characters And the main character in this book was exactly that. Many of the return to the past style stories have the same issue of a main character, not understanding that the butterfly effect is a thing or not being able to capitalize on it with enough information from the future. Luckily, this protagonist was actually capable of not only capitalizing on new information, but doing so in a way that nutted him a fantastic gain that he did not have and would not have had without the prior information. The story is great, much recommended.
I got an ARC of this book and I have to say, it's refreshingly awesome. I have a fascination and appreciation for old codger-style characters And the main character in this book was exactly that. Many of the return to the past style stories have the same issue of a main character, not understanding that the butterfly effect is a thing or not being able to capitalize on it with enough information from the future. Luckily, this protagonist was actually capable of not only capitalizing on new information, but doing so in a way that nutted him a fantastic gain that he did not have and would not have had without the prior information. The story is great, much recommended.
July 1, 2024
A good book for his fans that want to turn their brain off for a while I guess. For me the book is more annoying than interesting/entertaining. It seems his writing is getting formulaic in some regards and number/level/amount of relationships/sexual progression is carefully controlled to the point of breaking immersion.
***Lots of spoilers ahead***
The way he constantly has sex with Simone in front of Gloria (but never did anything intimate with Gloria - his 2nd fiancé) was very disrespectful (and weird) IMO. The way he had no desire for sex nor intimacy with Simone (the owner of a brothel, neither of them are prudes to say the least) until the second half of the book. Then late in the book it is implied it happens a lot, like they met all of the socially acceptable prerequisites (x number of dates, y number of months, etc.), and their physical intimacy switch got turned on. I've seen it so many times before in this genre. It seems it is generally accepted you can't develop a relationship or fall in love with someone after you have sex with them.
-the MC is an OP Gary Stu. Even though his stats kinda suck he always beats everyone (sometimes with Deus Ex Machina) because he is just too awesome for everyone that they should all just bow down and worship him (and in fact that's what happens...dozens of women start to worship him. I can excuse the group he saved, but other people are recruited to start worshipping him. lol this level of power fantasy is obnoxious to me, especially because MC seems to have no interest in sex with anyone until all the socially acceptable preqs are met and even then they have to beg him for it. Like how pathetically insecure do you have to be that you won't have sex with a woman unless she begs you for it?). He has this forced humility and indifference that seems like he just acts like that in order to impress people.
-He is a selfish asshole that appears to not care about anything except getting more powerful. All he wants to do is use people, even his fiancé Gloria. He makes her a gofer and bosses her around and doesn't care about her or a relationship with her. He doesn't care about her as a person, only how she can further his agenda, and that is the main reason he wants to keep her around. I guess they are good for each other though because Gloria is the same...she is also very selfish and only cares about furthering her own agenda. It's such a toxic, robotic, loveless relationship. He gave her a kiss on the cheek when he proposed to marry her (they had never even kissed before that...wtf?).
-The end of the world is coming but an asshole is an asshole and I don't like the way he views (resources to be exploited) and treats people close to him. It seems like the main reason he wants to protect women is because he views them as his possessions (objects/resources) and they belong to him.
-With the way he acts, it's not even believable the MC feels anything physically or emotionally, but it is very inconsistent. He gets half his ribs broken and he's like...'woohoo, what a rush, this is fun!'. Ok, so his nerves are no longer functioning...but somehow he cums in 1 minute flat from a BJ. The writing is so silly/ridiculous it's like a comic book. Near the end Simone gave him 3 BJs in a row without any pause in between. Many things in the book are over-the-top stupid like that and it makes it difficult to take anything seriously (yes, I know it is fantasy and I love fun and excitement but it is too difficult to maintain immersion in this book). The stats/fantasy aspect are worse than old Final Fantasy games...they get into the thousands.
-Early in the book MC seems to care about his mother, but later on he seems very distant and detached from her. He doesn't trust her at all and almost seems antagonistic towards her. She seems emotionally detached as well. It's a terrible relationship.
TLDR, characters/relationships seem robotic/wooden and/or unbelievable caricatures and I don't feel anything for them. Many of the key characters seem selfish/detached. Simone seems like a caring person but is too perfect to be believable. I don't really feel/believe the romance or sexual attraction in this book. MC is too OP and unlikeable so there's no suspense. The action is so ridiculous it is likewise uninteresting.
***Lots of spoilers ahead***
The way he constantly has sex with Simone in front of Gloria (but never did anything intimate with Gloria - his 2nd fiancé) was very disrespectful (and weird) IMO. The way he had no desire for sex nor intimacy with Simone (the owner of a brothel, neither of them are prudes to say the least) until the second half of the book. Then late in the book it is implied it happens a lot, like they met all of the socially acceptable prerequisites (x number of dates, y number of months, etc.), and their physical intimacy switch got turned on. I've seen it so many times before in this genre. It seems it is generally accepted you can't develop a relationship or fall in love with someone after you have sex with them.
-the MC is an OP Gary Stu. Even though his stats kinda suck he always beats everyone (sometimes with Deus Ex Machina) because he is just too awesome for everyone that they should all just bow down and worship him (and in fact that's what happens...dozens of women start to worship him. I can excuse the group he saved, but other people are recruited to start worshipping him. lol this level of power fantasy is obnoxious to me, especially because MC seems to have no interest in sex with anyone until all the socially acceptable preqs are met and even then they have to beg him for it. Like how pathetically insecure do you have to be that you won't have sex with a woman unless she begs you for it?). He has this forced humility and indifference that seems like he just acts like that in order to impress people.
-He is a selfish asshole that appears to not care about anything except getting more powerful. All he wants to do is use people, even his fiancé Gloria. He makes her a gofer and bosses her around and doesn't care about her or a relationship with her. He doesn't care about her as a person, only how she can further his agenda, and that is the main reason he wants to keep her around. I guess they are good for each other though because Gloria is the same...she is also very selfish and only cares about furthering her own agenda. It's such a toxic, robotic, loveless relationship. He gave her a kiss on the cheek when he proposed to marry her (they had never even kissed before that...wtf?).
-The end of the world is coming but an asshole is an asshole and I don't like the way he views (resources to be exploited) and treats people close to him. It seems like the main reason he wants to protect women is because he views them as his possessions (objects/resources) and they belong to him.
-With the way he acts, it's not even believable the MC feels anything physically or emotionally, but it is very inconsistent. He gets half his ribs broken and he's like...'woohoo, what a rush, this is fun!'. Ok, so his nerves are no longer functioning...but somehow he cums in 1 minute flat from a BJ. The writing is so silly/ridiculous it's like a comic book. Near the end Simone gave him 3 BJs in a row without any pause in between. Many things in the book are over-the-top stupid like that and it makes it difficult to take anything seriously (yes, I know it is fantasy and I love fun and excitement but it is too difficult to maintain immersion in this book). The stats/fantasy aspect are worse than old Final Fantasy games...they get into the thousands.
-Early in the book MC seems to care about his mother, but later on he seems very distant and detached from her. He doesn't trust her at all and almost seems antagonistic towards her. She seems emotionally detached as well. It's a terrible relationship.
TLDR, characters/relationships seem robotic/wooden and/or unbelievable caricatures and I don't feel anything for them. Many of the key characters seem selfish/detached. Simone seems like a caring person but is too perfect to be believable. I don't really feel/believe the romance or sexual attraction in this book. MC is too OP and unlikeable so there's no suspense. The action is so ridiculous it is likewise uninteresting.
May 21, 2024
Finally, once again an MC from this author who doesn't make me want to stop reading. The snarky smartasses in certain other series are not my speed, and this guy who just does what needs to be done is a lot more like it.
I'd be curious to see how much the reception of Ard in the other current series influenced pushing this book out quickly, but I'm sure I'm not the only one not impressed with Ard. Like, dropping the author completely if the juvenile BS characters continued. YMMV of course.
Anyway, it moves well and the characters have adequate depth for development. What is also good is that the official inner relationship group is still a manageable size at the end of this book. It will get bigger, but it seems to be under control for the moment.
I'd be curious to see how much the reception of Ard in the other current series influenced pushing this book out quickly, but I'm sure I'm not the only one not impressed with Ard. Like, dropping the author completely if the juvenile BS characters continued. YMMV of course.
Anyway, it moves well and the characters have adequate depth for development. What is also good is that the official inner relationship group is still a manageable size at the end of this book. It will get bigger, but it seems to be under control for the moment.
May 13, 2024
Solid entry.
A good main character that does not muck about. A bit convoluted with the class system but fun overall. I think the peer balance is off, but that will be seen in the next book.
A good main character that does not muck about. A bit convoluted with the class system but fun overall. I think the peer balance is off, but that will be seen in the next book.
March 22, 2025
First of all, I'm not averse to harems, and read and liked Saving Supervillains from Bruce, but... the quality of writing has fallen significantly instead of improving. Based on the first 8 chapters, I don't feel desire to actually continue... didn't even get to any sex scenes, ha-ha.
If I had to guess - Bruce either uses ghostwriters, or, which I'd like to believe more, records audio of his books and then edits the transcriptions (he acknowledged that he finished this in 3 weeks). Writing feels very simplistic and at time primitive, some of the plot developments made me laugh from their absurdity. First - MC returns as a complete nobody weakling and starts by trying to blackmail the leader of a large criminal enterprise into becoming his son's bodyguard, like what? And a chapter later he and this son are just buddies, the poor lad never questions MC even after they stumble upon a dungeon... wtf? Second - MC ends up having 10k in his Spirit attribute, while all else are below 20, and yet he chooses a class that doesn't scale with this attribute... and to begin with, this attribute ends up having no visible effect at all - very balanced. Third - the system is all over the place in a bad way. Considering that MC was a physical fighter in the past, and he still had 10k in Spirit before his return, we have to assume that he was level 10,000 or higher? You'd think so, but the actual stats that humans have don't actually match with their levels at all (even top classes are supposed to get only 5, 20 at most, attributes per level, and yet, as I checked ahead searching only for the system details, already at level 50 both humans and monsters have stats in the thousands). And it seems that people gain classes before becoming integrated, so how do ordinary humans get all those super SS classes at all? And if you choose a bad class, you're locked in with it forever, huh? Oh, and by the way, the entire premise of his "genius plan" to get a system is to stay with a guy who by pure chance was pulled into a dungeon - and MC doesn't even think for a second that a butterfly effect could've changed it.
Also, this is a kind of story that just baits and switches from the book's description. Notice how there's not a single word about sex, romance or harem in the blurb, while from my understanding this is the main focus of the story. He doesn't really use his knowledge in a meaningful way.
If I had to guess - Bruce either uses ghostwriters, or, which I'd like to believe more, records audio of his books and then edits the transcriptions (he acknowledged that he finished this in 3 weeks). Writing feels very simplistic and at time primitive, some of the plot developments made me laugh from their absurdity. First - MC returns as a complete nobody weakling and starts by trying to blackmail the leader of a large criminal enterprise into becoming his son's bodyguard, like what? And a chapter later he and this son are just buddies, the poor lad never questions MC even after they stumble upon a dungeon... wtf? Second - MC ends up having 10k in his Spirit attribute, while all else are below 20, and yet he chooses a class that doesn't scale with this attribute... and to begin with, this attribute ends up having no visible effect at all - very balanced. Third - the system is all over the place in a bad way. Considering that MC was a physical fighter in the past, and he still had 10k in Spirit before his return, we have to assume that he was level 10,000 or higher? You'd think so, but the actual stats that humans have don't actually match with their levels at all (even top classes are supposed to get only 5, 20 at most, attributes per level, and yet, as I checked ahead searching only for the system details, already at level 50 both humans and monsters have stats in the thousands). And it seems that people gain classes before becoming integrated, so how do ordinary humans get all those super SS classes at all? And if you choose a bad class, you're locked in with it forever, huh? Oh, and by the way, the entire premise of his "genius plan" to get a system is to stay with a guy who by pure chance was pulled into a dungeon - and MC doesn't even think for a second that a butterfly effect could've changed it.
Also, this is a kind of story that just baits and switches from the book's description. Notice how there's not a single word about sex, romance or harem in the blurb, while from my understanding this is the main focus of the story. He doesn't really use his knowledge in a meaningful way.
June 25, 2025
Rating 4.0 stars
I wasn't to sure about this one. It is a fantasy harem story but for the most part those are hit and miss. Some of them deal too much in the harem part and leaves the story behind. Others are good but kind of simple. I wasn't sure I was in the mood for that type of book. I saw a bunch of reviews and people said the story was pretty good. They were right. There is nothing groundbreaking but I did feel connected to the story and the characters.
Guy is one of the last survivors of the demon war. He finds a way to send his soul back in time 500 years to when he was 18 before the demon war began. He doesn't have all the strength from his body in the future but he does have all his knowledge and an insanely powerful soul. He starts making changes and is able to stop some things from happening.
I wasn't to sure about this one. It is a fantasy harem story but for the most part those are hit and miss. Some of them deal too much in the harem part and leaves the story behind. Others are good but kind of simple. I wasn't sure I was in the mood for that type of book. I saw a bunch of reviews and people said the story was pretty good. They were right. There is nothing groundbreaking but I did feel connected to the story and the characters.
Guy is one of the last survivors of the demon war. He finds a way to send his soul back in time 500 years to when he was 18 before the demon war began. He doesn't have all the strength from his body in the future but he does have all his knowledge and an insanely powerful soul. He starts making changes and is able to stop some things from happening.
May 16, 2024
This is a solid idea for a series that fails in its execution.
Returning to your younger self to relive your life isn't a new idea, but this is a fun and engaging take. The world has always been a place where the System is present but only sporadically accessible to people. That all changed with the Rapture when all of humanity was integrated and then exposed to their first Demon invasion. The premise is solid and promises to be fun, and the harem elements were thankfully light.
Where the book fails in the editing, from sloppy mistakes like a character and skill, both changing names, to half-hashed ideas and rushed execution, resulting in a book that doesn't tell a convincingly cohesive story. It feels like the author changed his mind a few times. The MC starts to build an initial team, only for us to barely hear them mentioned again. The entire relationship with MC's mother feels like the author had no idea what he wanted to do with it. The Bloodline mechanic feels half-baked. The whole premise for the Clan visit feels like a good initial idea that was badly outpaced by the later developments of the story. However, the author overcommitted to it being the MC's initiation, leading to more plot gymnastics to justify how he'll fool everyone into hiding his true status.
This feels like a solid first draft, and I'd give it full marks for some excellent ideas; it just needed to be tightened up a lot.
Returning to your younger self to relive your life isn't a new idea, but this is a fun and engaging take. The world has always been a place where the System is present but only sporadically accessible to people. That all changed with the Rapture when all of humanity was integrated and then exposed to their first Demon invasion. The premise is solid and promises to be fun, and the harem elements were thankfully light.
Where the book fails in the editing, from sloppy mistakes like a character and skill, both changing names, to half-hashed ideas and rushed execution, resulting in a book that doesn't tell a convincingly cohesive story. It feels like the author changed his mind a few times. The MC starts to build an initial team, only for us to barely hear them mentioned again. The entire relationship with MC's mother feels like the author had no idea what he wanted to do with it. The Bloodline mechanic feels half-baked. The whole premise for the Clan visit feels like a good initial idea that was badly outpaced by the later developments of the story. However, the author overcommitted to it being the MC's initiation, leading to more plot gymnastics to justify how he'll fool everyone into hiding his true status.
This feels like a solid first draft, and I'd give it full marks for some excellent ideas; it just needed to be tightened up a lot.
May 11, 2024
Rather enjoyable.
I loved the read. Not as much as some of Sentars other stories but it was still heaps of fun once I got into it. Though that did take like a quarter of the book to fully suck me in. (At least some of that was probably just what kind of story I was in the mood for at the time.)
I loved the little jokes and comentary sprinkled through out. Like always the MC's relationship with the girls was pretty well developed and presented. While I didn't fully love the MC's views on every single thing, he was still relatable and likeable.
This story bears a marked resemblance to another story (currently an online novel on a major site). I love both of them and don't want anyone shooting one down by comparing them spitefully. So I hesitate to say which. However, I encourage both authors to keep on writing and enjoying the process. Especially without letting any of their readers discourage them.
I eagerly await the next installment... in both series!
(PS- hint for the eagerly curious: by Akaichi on SH)
I loved the read. Not as much as some of Sentars other stories but it was still heaps of fun once I got into it. Though that did take like a quarter of the book to fully suck me in. (At least some of that was probably just what kind of story I was in the mood for at the time.)
I loved the little jokes and comentary sprinkled through out. Like always the MC's relationship with the girls was pretty well developed and presented. While I didn't fully love the MC's views on every single thing, he was still relatable and likeable.
This story bears a marked resemblance to another story (currently an online novel on a major site). I love both of them and don't want anyone shooting one down by comparing them spitefully. So I hesitate to say which. However, I encourage both authors to keep on writing and enjoying the process. Especially without letting any of their readers discourage them.
I eagerly await the next installment... in both series!
(PS- hint for the eagerly curious: by Akaichi on SH)
September 14, 2024
I recommend the book to anybody reading the review
Gentleman said that he knocked it out in 3 weeks. He also stated that it doesn't plan for it to be a long series. Here's hoping that we at least get five books out of it. I do like the gentleman's work though I haven't been so thrilled when it comes to the completion of the series. That Dismount can be a real mother. There's a couple more that he's done with so I can't say Beyond A Reasonable Doubt if that's a running issue and regardless I expect the gentleman to get better as he gains experience. I do like these kinds of stories where the main character who has gained extraordinary power still fails and thus finds a way to go back in time for a second chance. The author references a butterfly effect that has definitely thrown our main characters plans in disarray as small changes are already producing large consequences.
Gentleman said that he knocked it out in 3 weeks. He also stated that it doesn't plan for it to be a long series. Here's hoping that we at least get five books out of it. I do like the gentleman's work though I haven't been so thrilled when it comes to the completion of the series. That Dismount can be a real mother. There's a couple more that he's done with so I can't say Beyond A Reasonable Doubt if that's a running issue and regardless I expect the gentleman to get better as he gains experience. I do like these kinds of stories where the main character who has gained extraordinary power still fails and thus finds a way to go back in time for a second chance. The author references a butterfly effect that has definitely thrown our main characters plans in disarray as small changes are already producing large consequences.
November 6, 2024
Author this time was apparently inspired by Heretic Spellblade (last remaining human returns to past to stop demon invasion, opening location on page 1 was even called "Bastion"), and even more so Solo Leveling (system and portal mechanics are basically identical, needs a potion to cure comatosed mother, and states picking the necromancer class is "tempting as hell"). He does sprinkle in some mafia elements to make it interest at least, and for the most part the story was entertaining. The MC is pretty likable as the grizzled veteran returning to his young body (why he still has his diary after 500 years is a mystery). Although, I do have to question our bro's sage decision to pick a prostitute as the 1st member of his harem. It kind of got slow in the second half, and the whole Mul Branova thing was slightly weird. I was really hoping the story would end after more progress (at least make it to the Clans), but I guess I'll see what happens in book 2.
May 7, 2025
So before I get too far into this, YES, this IS a spicy book. It's a HaremLit, to be exact, which I know isn't for most people. If that's not your jam, cool! But if it is, then do yourself a favor and get this book now. The writing is great, the plot is kind of tired and true, but it does put a unique twist on the whole travel back in time to save humanity trope. The thing I absolutely LOVE about his book is that the MC does what he should do without complaining and second-guessing himself every three seconds, like in most books/anime like this. He doesn't go out of his way to be cruel, but has no problems getting rid of a "problem" when it's needed. Also, he doesn't act allergic to every woman who might be a LI, which again, is what a lot of other MCs are like with these types of books/anime. Overall, great read and great narration if you get the audiobook. I can't wait for more!!
September 11, 2024
This was a strong start to a new series. The MC makes a final move after his reality is succumbing to demons. and travels back in time so he can make more informed decisions leading up to the end. This is the story of his second chance.
The MC is likable while still being completely ruthless at times. He's a bit dense, likely due to the singular focus his first life required.
The ladies are very diverse. He wasn't involved with either the first life, so he isn't walking in his past footsteps. That's a refreshing start to a "doing it all over" series.
The book was really clean, with only a few typos noted. The author and editor are really good.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
The MC is likable while still being completely ruthless at times. He's a bit dense, likely due to the singular focus his first life required.
The ladies are very diverse. He wasn't involved with either the first life, so he isn't walking in his past footsteps. That's a refreshing start to a "doing it all over" series.
The book was really clean, with only a few typos noted. The author and editor are really good.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
September 17, 2024
I usually can't stand Harem stories.
I'm old, so testosterone fantasies don't rock my world.
Surprisingly, this is a really good LitRPG story more than a Harem. The author does justice to a story that mixes the Mob with Magic. I wonder if the writer ever worked in L.E.?
The next book in the series just came out, so I am re-reading this first book and enjoying it as much as the first time.
I hope this author continues to focus on more works like this one in the future (as opposed to solid Harem works).
I already borrowed the next book in the series from K.U., so I will soon be leaving a review for it (likely by tomorrow). Considering the quality of the this book, I doubt the 2nd in the series will disappoint me.
I'm old, so testosterone fantasies don't rock my world.
Surprisingly, this is a really good LitRPG story more than a Harem. The author does justice to a story that mixes the Mob with Magic. I wonder if the writer ever worked in L.E.?
The next book in the series just came out, so I am re-reading this first book and enjoying it as much as the first time.
I hope this author continues to focus on more works like this one in the future (as opposed to solid Harem works).
I already borrowed the next book in the series from K.U., so I will soon be leaving a review for it (likely by tomorrow). Considering the quality of the this book, I doubt the 2nd in the series will disappoint me.
February 10, 2025
Refreshing!
Read this one on a recommendation when I was venting about an MC who has to ask for permission like three times, back to back, when the girls are clearly into him. Here, this little gem of a LitRPG, is a story of a character who doesn’t fuck around, is confident in his sexuality, knows what he wants, and still knows how to get consent without sounding like a modern day feminist who hasn’t had any. He is strong from the get go, not too overpowered as not to ruin some suspense, and is masculine enough to actually be able to handle multiple women. Something that most of these modern day writers miss in these harem novels is that if your MC is strong, then they need to have a spine, or at least some kind of identity. You will definitely find one here. Enjoy!
Read this one on a recommendation when I was venting about an MC who has to ask for permission like three times, back to back, when the girls are clearly into him. Here, this little gem of a LitRPG, is a story of a character who doesn’t fuck around, is confident in his sexuality, knows what he wants, and still knows how to get consent without sounding like a modern day feminist who hasn’t had any. He is strong from the get go, not too overpowered as not to ruin some suspense, and is masculine enough to actually be able to handle multiple women. Something that most of these modern day writers miss in these harem novels is that if your MC is strong, then they need to have a spine, or at least some kind of identity. You will definitely find one here. Enjoy!
May 12, 2024
Ok, first off. I normally love Bruce's work. This book was good, only found a couple of grammar/ spelling mistakes. The story has potential but feels like it was missing something.
Bruce Sentar's other current works have a zing about them that this one seems to be missing. I didnt mass read this one like the others, it actually took me longer to read thab expected. Might just be me but it was missing a spark.
It was a fun read, Bran is a person on a mission and knows what he wants. For someone who didn't want to rock the boat to much each decision is made with little thought about the effects it will have.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Bruce Sentar's other current works have a zing about them that this one seems to be missing. I didnt mass read this one like the others, it actually took me longer to read thab expected. Might just be me but it was missing a spark.
It was a fun read, Bran is a person on a mission and knows what he wants. For someone who didn't want to rock the boat to much each decision is made with little thought about the effects it will have.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 15, 2024
An excellent read with lots of interpersonal relationship development
Very refreshing how the MC and Simone banter back and forth before and even after they get together. I feel that many of these adventure genre stories miss the mark with stoic MC's that either cant relate with a woman or screw everone in sight.
There is the usual leveling up from strong to weak. There is humongous goal that he needs extreme strength to accomplish against overwhelming advesaries. The leveling poison resistance by putting poisonous teeth in his drinks was inspired.
I look forward to the next installment.
Very refreshing how the MC and Simone banter back and forth before and even after they get together. I feel that many of these adventure genre stories miss the mark with stoic MC's that either cant relate with a woman or screw everone in sight.
There is the usual leveling up from strong to weak. There is humongous goal that he needs extreme strength to accomplish against overwhelming advesaries. The leveling poison resistance by putting poisonous teeth in his drinks was inspired.
I look forward to the next installment.
July 5, 2024
Another great beginning to a Sentar book. The time travel concept has been used before but this was a fun take on it. The concept of upgrading your player and choosing a class takes me back to all the TTRPG that I played as a kid. I liked the concept of the doorways to the pocket dimensions that allow for you to fight monsters and tour worlds outside our own. The grinding in low ranked sites to level up and pad stats is a concept that I know from many games as well.
The characters were fun to meet and give us a good foundation that will be nice to build on as he starts to take this series along. Great start and can't wait for the next one.
The characters were fun to meet and give us a good foundation that will be nice to build on as he starts to take this series along. Great start and can't wait for the next one.
May 15, 2024
I was not sure what to expect from another Regressor story hitting the market. But Bruce Sentar's new series is a fun take on the traveling back to your past self trope. One of the important things that some authors fail to take into account, once the Regressor starts making different choices than they originally made, events will unfold differently for the world. This is taken into account when Bran makes some pretty big changes early in.
I am looking forward to future volumes in this series.
I am looking forward to future volumes in this series.
September 17, 2024
It’s good, more slice of lifey, only issue I have is the plot is kind of generic litrpg. There are a lot of elements you would have seen before if you’ve read enough. Kinda feels like the whole genre is getting kind of tied lately. Not the author's issue. So, the only real problem I had with it is the predictability.
The characters are definitely the best, like usual with Bruce. There are a lot of other characters to stop the world from feeling flat. The litrpg labels are good too, above average for the trope. Highly bingeable, looking forward to the rest of the series.
The characters are definitely the best, like usual with Bruce. There are a lot of other characters to stop the world from feeling flat. The litrpg labels are good too, above average for the trope. Highly bingeable, looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 24, 2024
Entertaining Read
I had trouble getting a rhythm going with this book, as Im older and have no experience with gaming. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have begun this book if I had understood the premise. However, once I grasped the concept, I got into it, and found it very entertaining. The MC and other main supporting characters are well developed, interesting and provide significant variety. The storyline is intriguing with plenty of action and enough sex for the genre. I will read the next volume.
I had trouble getting a rhythm going with this book, as Im older and have no experience with gaming. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have begun this book if I had understood the premise. However, once I grasped the concept, I got into it, and found it very entertaining. The MC and other main supporting characters are well developed, interesting and provide significant variety. The storyline is intriguing with plenty of action and enough sex for the genre. I will read the next volume.
January 13, 2025
It's good
If you liked this author's previous works and this other stuff you're going to like this too. It's interesting to have a main character who's more rough around the edges. Slight criminal background. Also his foreknowledge of the future makes for some nice plot twists. Highly recommend. Going to read the next one in just a second when I buy it. I apologize for any spine errors. I'm writing this review with voice to text. I tell you more about the plot but I think that would ruin the book for you
If you liked this author's previous works and this other stuff you're going to like this too. It's interesting to have a main character who's more rough around the edges. Slight criminal background. Also his foreknowledge of the future makes for some nice plot twists. Highly recommend. Going to read the next one in just a second when I buy it. I apologize for any spine errors. I'm writing this review with voice to text. I tell you more about the plot but I think that would ruin the book for you
May 10, 2024
Wow what a read!
While I love everything this author has put out, I think this series is my favourite. It takes the best parts of HLit, LitRPG, and system apocalypse; mixes that with a fantastic story and even better characters, and creates this amazing book. I read it in a single sitting and now I have to wait gosh knows how long till the next one. If you like any of the above genres then this book is a must read.
While I love everything this author has put out, I think this series is my favourite. It takes the best parts of HLit, LitRPG, and system apocalypse; mixes that with a fantastic story and even better characters, and creates this amazing book. I read it in a single sitting and now I have to wait gosh knows how long till the next one. If you like any of the above genres then this book is a must read.
May 12, 2024
The description doesn't do this book justice
I am biased and I know. This is one of my two favorite authors. With that being said, when I read the description it read like K.D Robertson book, which would be fine but also a story I know well. But I made the jump because of course I would read a Bruce Sentar book. So glad I jumped on it right away because it's amazing and I love all the characters. I also think the darker main characters are the best.
I am biased and I know. This is one of my two favorite authors. With that being said, when I read the description it read like K.D Robertson book, which would be fine but also a story I know well. But I made the jump because of course I would read a Bruce Sentar book. So glad I jumped on it right away because it's amazing and I love all the characters. I also think the darker main characters are the best.
May 12, 2024
Wwwwwwaaaaaayyyyy better than Ard's oath!
I love the idea of a serious character going back in time to save all he can facing the world's end and thank god the author didn't make the mc some introspective whining baby that can't come to terms with the bad things he had to do . Nope out mc is pretty much cool with MDK anyone in his was. So I look forward to the next book and see where the series goes
I love the idea of a serious character going back in time to save all he can facing the world's end and thank god the author didn't make the mc some introspective whining baby that can't come to terms with the bad things he had to do . Nope out mc is pretty much cool with MDK anyone in his was. So I look forward to the next book and see where the series goes
May 14, 2024
A Great Beginning
This book, like all of Mr. Sentar's books, quickly locked me down and had me reading non-stop. Actually, this is the first series I've read of his that didn't have at least three more books waiting in the wings, and now I'm rather saddened that I've finished it and will have to wait for further releases. I can't wait for another of his books to drop, regardless of which series it belongs to!
This book, like all of Mr. Sentar's books, quickly locked me down and had me reading non-stop. Actually, this is the first series I've read of his that didn't have at least three more books waiting in the wings, and now I'm rather saddened that I've finished it and will have to wait for further releases. I can't wait for another of his books to drop, regardless of which series it belongs to!
June 1, 2024
Great start to a new series
I’m liking this new story a lot already, the levelling is fairly hardcore a bit like the last book I read, so I probably need a palette cleanser book before I read another LitRPG. There is some sex scenes so new readers of Bruce’s be warned, he also mainly writes harem based stories so expect those types of relationships to enter the story at some point. Really good book, can’t wait for more, but I will have to.
I’m liking this new story a lot already, the levelling is fairly hardcore a bit like the last book I read, so I probably need a palette cleanser book before I read another LitRPG. There is some sex scenes so new readers of Bruce’s be warned, he also mainly writes harem based stories so expect those types of relationships to enter the story at some point. Really good book, can’t wait for more, but I will have to.
July 9, 2024
I've liked returnies if their good
This is one that had me immediately upon reading the description, the fact that I also like the return type helps, but this one seems like a new take as he was able to keep some of his stats and just in general how the story is going...only major problem I could see...I didn't read this when the second book was already available. Hell it's not even announced yet and I'll be waiting for this one till it comes out. Great work.
This is one that had me immediately upon reading the description, the fact that I also like the return type helps, but this one seems like a new take as he was able to keep some of his stats and just in general how the story is going...only major problem I could see...I didn't read this when the second book was already available. Hell it's not even announced yet and I'll be waiting for this one till it comes out. Great work.
February 25, 2025
great addition to his series.
I have read Ard’s oat and dungeon diving. Love the authors style of non stop action and character development. Can’t believe he wrote this in 3 weeks. Seems more polished than some of his original works.
Compared to the other 2 series I have read I like this one the most as an opening book. Dungeon Diving is still my favorite. Can’t wait to see where this series goes.
I have read Ard’s oat and dungeon diving. Love the authors style of non stop action and character development. Can’t believe he wrote this in 3 weeks. Seems more polished than some of his original works.
Compared to the other 2 series I have read I like this one the most as an opening book. Dungeon Diving is still my favorite. Can’t wait to see where this series goes.
March 29, 2025
I like the main plot and the protagonist's readiness to permanently solve problems. The power leveling and super duper classes were rather over the top, though.
While one could argue that the events were rather too convenient for the protagonist, i found them tolerable.
Criticism and comments
The characters of Simone and Gloria make no sense for a long time until more about them gets revealed. The bizarre situation with the mother only gets explained at the end of book 2.
I didn't need the sex scenes but luckily they didn't get out of hand.
While one could argue that the events were rather too convenient for the protagonist, i found them tolerable.
Criticism and comments
The characters of Simone and Gloria make no sense for a long time until more about them gets revealed. The bizarre situation with the mother only gets explained at the end of book 2.
I didn't need the sex scenes but luckily they didn't get out of hand.
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