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Underworld #7
Underworld - Sanctuary 2.0
Elorion is back from the vampire realm. Aeris and the girls have returned from training. The Head Mistress was true to her word. She kept them alive for a purpose.
Joining the succubi has gained Elorion and Aeris an illusionary freedom at best, and it will come at a heavy price.
There is no safety without power. No future without strength. Soon they’ll be leaving for the succubi capital. Sanctuary must progress or be abandoned.
Will it become a city on a shining hill or be extinguished forever?
Joining the succubi has gained Elorion and Aeris an illusionary freedom at best, and it will come at a heavy price.
There is no safety without power. No future without strength. Soon they’ll be leaving for the succubi capital. Sanctuary must progress or be abandoned.
Will it become a city on a shining hill or be extinguished forever?
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2024
288 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 26, 2024
I've missed this series
As expected an epic return to sanctuary with El learning more magic and the rest of the crew. New feats from similar origins, and another level of two. Can't wait for the next!
As expected an epic return to sanctuary with El learning more magic and the rest of the crew. New feats from similar origins, and another level of two. Can't wait for the next!
July 19, 2024
Sets the grounds for future story growth. But lacklustre on its own.
This book feels essential for the overall growth of the story and characters going forward. It has me excited about what comes next.
However, I only want to give this book 3.5 stars. I love the underworld series. The other books are action-packed, fast-paced, and riveting. This one just consolidates the gains from the last book and explores what's happened with the people he had left behind when he went to the vampire world. And a quick marriage. Then, it sets about developing new powers, magics, and growth that feels like it's setting foundations for what comes next. Those foundations do get you excited for the story going forward and the war to come. But this book, solely on its own merits, seems lacklustre and boring. That's harsh and cruel, though, as it explores everyone else's growth and well as Elerions and it is needed, heck essential, for the stories future growth. BUT, that exploration is too shallow and underwhelming, making it also a bit boring. It needed a few intermediate dangers or dramas thrown in to break up the tedium.
At the end of the book, they power level sanctuary so they won't be defenseless when Elerion leaves to go to war. This could have been drawn out more and made more exciting, but it isn't. There isn't really any sense of danger. None of the fights are drawn out, and a lot of it is Elerions introspection and musings. The fights of the team from sanctuary are just very, very brief snap shots. Even the big bad boss fight at the end is underwhelming, too short, and lacks any sense of danger. It is just reliant on Elerion developing his magic further to cast a difficult spell that others have been failing to cast for thousands of years. This might have been a bit exciting if he hadn't already successfully done this repeatedly throughout the book as he developed new magic and powers as a foundation for the future story. As it is, you have zero doubt regarding his success this time as he's succeeded in doing so 4 or 5 times already earlier in the book. Therefore, there is no sense of danger or drama or even excitement to be found in the lacklustre boss fight. Which also sums up this book as a whole. The most dramatic thing is the arrival of the first spear in the last few pages of the book, which again is setting up a story in the next book.
I reiterate that this is potentially an essential book for the stories future growth, and it seems to set a solid foundation. It has me excited for the next book. However, this book on its own is lacklustre, a tad boring, introspective, and has very little if any sense of danger or excitement. A necessity for the stories growth, but it could have been broken up with some drama or a few more fights. Just something to add a sense of excitement that was the main stay of the previous books in the series.
This book feels essential for the overall growth of the story and characters going forward. It has me excited about what comes next.
However, I only want to give this book 3.5 stars. I love the underworld series. The other books are action-packed, fast-paced, and riveting. This one just consolidates the gains from the last book and explores what's happened with the people he had left behind when he went to the vampire world. And a quick marriage. Then, it sets about developing new powers, magics, and growth that feels like it's setting foundations for what comes next. Those foundations do get you excited for the story going forward and the war to come. But this book, solely on its own merits, seems lacklustre and boring. That's harsh and cruel, though, as it explores everyone else's growth and well as Elerions and it is needed, heck essential, for the stories future growth. BUT, that exploration is too shallow and underwhelming, making it also a bit boring. It needed a few intermediate dangers or dramas thrown in to break up the tedium.
At the end of the book, they power level sanctuary so they won't be defenseless when Elerion leaves to go to war. This could have been drawn out more and made more exciting, but it isn't. There isn't really any sense of danger. None of the fights are drawn out, and a lot of it is Elerions introspection and musings. The fights of the team from sanctuary are just very, very brief snap shots. Even the big bad boss fight at the end is underwhelming, too short, and lacks any sense of danger. It is just reliant on Elerion developing his magic further to cast a difficult spell that others have been failing to cast for thousands of years. This might have been a bit exciting if he hadn't already successfully done this repeatedly throughout the book as he developed new magic and powers as a foundation for the future story. As it is, you have zero doubt regarding his success this time as he's succeeded in doing so 4 or 5 times already earlier in the book. Therefore, there is no sense of danger or drama or even excitement to be found in the lacklustre boss fight. Which also sums up this book as a whole. The most dramatic thing is the arrival of the first spear in the last few pages of the book, which again is setting up a story in the next book.
I reiterate that this is potentially an essential book for the stories future growth, and it seems to set a solid foundation. It has me excited for the next book. However, this book on its own is lacklustre, a tad boring, introspective, and has very little if any sense of danger or excitement. A necessity for the stories growth, but it could have been broken up with some drama or a few more fights. Just something to add a sense of excitement that was the main stay of the previous books in the series.
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June 28, 2024Great fun and lots of monster killing!
This book was all about the monster killing. We powered up in new crazy ways and killed a lot of monsters! Not a ton of story progression, mostly set up for the next arc and wrapping up the last arc on that front, and a ton of world building and magic exploration. We know a lot more about the politics of the underworld, and s lot more theory craft on how magic works too.
Great read and a ton of fun!
This book was all about the monster killing. We powered up in new crazy ways and killed a lot of monsters! Not a ton of story progression, mostly set up for the next arc and wrapping up the last arc on that front, and a ton of world building and magic exploration. We know a lot more about the politics of the underworld, and s lot more theory craft on how magic works too.
Great read and a ton of fun!
July 12, 2024
Don't bother... Not worth reading... Just nonsense
If there was a point to this whole book I didn't see it. Unlike all the rest of the books this one didn't even bother with chapter names it was just numbered. I kept reading hoping to find some sense of all this to give it a fair deal but it was horrible just a runaway train down a drain. It had no rhyme or reason or anything that even resembled the plot. I got the impression that the author just threw this all together just to end it. This is an absolute insult.
If there was a point to this whole book I didn't see it. Unlike all the rest of the books this one didn't even bother with chapter names it was just numbered. I kept reading hoping to find some sense of all this to give it a fair deal but it was horrible just a runaway train down a drain. It had no rhyme or reason or anything that even resembled the plot. I got the impression that the author just threw this all together just to end it. This is an absolute insult.
July 18, 2024
rough start
But a BIG finish.
The trouble here is that this follows a half dozen earlier books, but with a significant real-world amount of time in between. So a lot of re-establishing of characters and settings was necessary. Almost the first half of the book is just touching base with all of the group and some important visitors. And the wedding.
But it was all worth it. The final battle was a ‘beast wave’ the size of a tsunami, capped by…a new fun friend who wants to ‘hug’ everyone.
I struggled a bit with the beginning, but I’m glad I got through to the end.
But a BIG finish.
The trouble here is that this follows a half dozen earlier books, but with a significant real-world amount of time in between. So a lot of re-establishing of characters and settings was necessary. Almost the first half of the book is just touching base with all of the group and some important visitors. And the wedding.
But it was all worth it. The final battle was a ‘beast wave’ the size of a tsunami, capped by…a new fun friend who wants to ‘hug’ everyone.
I struggled a bit with the beginning, but I’m glad I got through to the end.
July 7, 2024
Worth the wait!
Solid entry! This is usually the part of a long RR series where the plot starts to wander and the character development and progression start to fade. The author really brought it though - good progression, some light laughs, a little bit of nice romance, and a decent amount of plot progression. Really hit the spot. Only a couple of minor editing errors show through, but nothing that detracts from the main points. Can't wait til the next one (hopefully a little sooner...)!
Solid entry! This is usually the part of a long RR series where the plot starts to wander and the character development and progression start to fade. The author really brought it though - good progression, some light laughs, a little bit of nice romance, and a decent amount of plot progression. Really hit the spot. Only a couple of minor editing errors show through, but nothing that detracts from the main points. Can't wait til the next one (hopefully a little sooner...)!
July 2, 2024
Amazing
After so long I gave up on ever getting more books in this series so I was surprised and beyond happy when I saw this pop into my recommendations. Great continuation and alot of plot and story building, I'm excited to see what happens next. I just hope it come alot faster this time.
After so long I gave up on ever getting more books in this series so I was surprised and beyond happy when I saw this pop into my recommendations. Great continuation and alot of plot and story building, I'm excited to see what happens next. I just hope it come alot faster this time.
July 1, 2024
Such a great ride!
This book picks the action right up with just the right mix of crunch and story to keep the reader glued. Seeing our heroes continue to climb in power is a great time. And the glimpses of what else may be going on in the background is wonderful.
Once again, Apollos has created a story that made me more than a bit irritated with every interruption.
This book picks the action right up with just the right mix of crunch and story to keep the reader glued. Seeing our heroes continue to climb in power is a great time. And the glimpses of what else may be going on in the background is wonderful.
Once again, Apollos has created a story that made me more than a bit irritated with every interruption.
June 29, 2024
This is the latest in a series with an interesting setting. Unfortunately, the protagonist, Elerion, is an arrogant, selfish jerk. He got very lucky but thinks it is his skill that made him successful. Early in the series things sometimes went wrong for him, but for several books now he had had nothing but success. I keep reading in the hope that he will get his comeuppance, or at least a significant set back.
Apart from his girlfriend (now wife) other character get barely a mention. At the start of this book it is mentioned that most of the girls have learnt a new/first school of magic, but until near the end that is not mentioned again, and then only with Elerion discussing with his wife what hers should be. I wanted to know about how others had developed., but it is told in the first person and Elerion seems not interested in anyone who isn't a threat, a potential path to power, or his wife.
Still despite its flaws it is an easy read.
Apart from his girlfriend (now wife) other character get barely a mention. At the start of this book it is mentioned that most of the girls have learnt a new/first school of magic, but until near the end that is not mentioned again, and then only with Elerion discussing with his wife what hers should be. I wanted to know about how others had developed., but it is told in the first person and Elerion seems not interested in anyone who isn't a threat, a potential path to power, or his wife.
Still despite its flaws it is an easy read.
March 18, 2025
Wow now I get why it took so long to get the two main characters together, the author cannot and should not write couples or romance. I'm 99% sure his wife only married him to make it hurt that much more when she ends up in either a lesbian harem or forces him to be in her harem; which will mostly consist of her getting plowed by hung monsters.
The plot was fine for some parts, but the MC just comes off as whiny and stupid. "I'm gonna do something really dangerous!!!".... "Wait can you tell me just how dangerous...?" "Okay, but by that do u mean it'll mostly be or just most likely be ..?"
It was frustrating, add to that they just pull plot points outta no where and this book back just shouldn't have been. If that pixie/sprite girl isn't getting expanded by the dungeon spirit or married guy with Harry chest then I'm out.
The plot was fine for some parts, but the MC just comes off as whiny and stupid. "I'm gonna do something really dangerous!!!".... "Wait can you tell me just how dangerous...?" "Okay, but by that do u mean it'll mostly be or just most likely be ..?"
It was frustrating, add to that they just pull plot points outta no where and this book back just shouldn't have been. If that pixie/sprite girl isn't getting expanded by the dungeon spirit or married guy with Harry chest then I'm out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2024
Sun Daddy. That's an automatic -4 stars, and I still gave it five stars anyway. If that is not an endorsement of excellence, I don't know what is.
This book is a transitional book that completes the first development arc and has Elorion and the gang do a lot of consolidation, city building, and setting up for the next big story arc. The good news is that after its lengthy hiatus, this series feels like it has new energy and plenty of gas left in the tank. I hope there's at least another solid trilogy of story to come, and I can't wait to get into the next one.
This book is a transitional book that completes the first development arc and has Elorion and the gang do a lot of consolidation, city building, and setting up for the next big story arc. The good news is that after its lengthy hiatus, this series feels like it has new energy and plenty of gas left in the tank. I hope there's at least another solid trilogy of story to come, and I can't wait to get into the next one.
July 23, 2024
Took forever to release
I'm not sure the few years was worth the wait, but it was a good continuation. If it takes years for the next one I'll pass on the series in favor of something else though. Maybe come back in 10 years when he's written 2 more books in the series and it will be 5/5.
I'm not sure the few years was worth the wait, but it was a good continuation. If it takes years for the next one I'll pass on the series in favor of something else though. Maybe come back in 10 years when he's written 2 more books in the series and it will be 5/5.
June 26, 2024
Fantastic
Love the way this story progressed, the development of old relationships, and the new ones as well. There is enough humor to balance the trauma everyone goes through while still progressing smoothly
Love the way this story progressed, the development of old relationships, and the new ones as well. There is enough humor to balance the trauma everyone goes through while still progressing smoothly
July 1, 2024
Great to be back!
Extremely happy to read the latest in the Underworld series and to see the quality has not suffered in the least from the hiatus. A great series and a great read!
Extremely happy to read the latest in the Underworld series and to see the quality has not suffered in the least from the hiatus. A great series and a great read!
July 4, 2024
Apollos does it again.
As always this series is top teir and one of the best of the genre. Apollos is a master of weaving large scale battle magic into his series giving them weight that a lot of battle magic misses. Can't wait to continue the story.
As always this series is top teir and one of the best of the genre. Apollos is a master of weaving large scale battle magic into his series giving them weight that a lot of battle magic misses. Can't wait to continue the story.
November 2, 2024
Great I loved it can't wait for the next one
I am not great with words so I just say I have been waiting forever for the book and I don't feel let down I'm just sad I have to wait for the next one
I am not great with words so I just say I have been waiting forever for the book and I don't feel let down I'm just sad I have to wait for the next one
December 27, 2024
A fantastic entry in this series. You can feel that this is the new beginning of an Arc with the rebuilding of their society and the updates to all the political ties.
We got so much lore too!
Glimpses of new beasts and unknown ties.
All I gotta say is those want to be usurpers can get rusted
We got so much lore too!
Glimpses of new beasts and unknown ties.
All I gotta say is those want to be usurpers can get rusted
July 4, 2024
great continuation
Fun book. Elitism becomes stronger new Sanctuary established and now onward to some politics and war. Looking forward to book 8
Fun book. Elitism becomes stronger new Sanctuary established and now onward to some politics and war. Looking forward to book 8
July 6, 2024
Great book
Stellar work once again from Apollos Thorne! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Apollos Thorne! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one!
July 7, 2024
excellent
Been waiting for this one after the leap in power from the last book. Does not disappoint. Good things should be coming as well.
Been waiting for this one after the leap in power from the last book. Does not disappoint. Good things should be coming as well.
July 18, 2024
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
July 24, 2024
Awesome
Great story as always, love how deeply the connection between Aeris and Elorion grows. And now mistress Nava is part of the mix,love it!
Great story as always, love how deeply the connection between Aeris and Elorion grows. And now mistress Nava is part of the mix,love it!
August 22, 2024
A great litrpg
Just an overall great litrpg, has everything you will need to just your itch.
Would have really liked it to be longer, but such a great series
Just an overall great litrpg, has everything you will need to just your itch.
Would have really liked it to be longer, but such a great series
February 18, 2025
Looking forward the to next book.
February 19, 2025
Thank goodness this series is back in action!
March 12, 2025
I'd stepped away from this series a while back and just got into it again. I bit too much dialog for me in this book, but otherwise a good read. Helped me get through a long plane trip.
December 20, 2025
A 15hr audio book. This book was amazing, I think the anticipation for me also built this up but I love how the flow of the story still has not dwindled, characters are still getting stronger, and new things happen every hour. I cant wait for more.
January 5, 2025
Keep them coming
Another great book very much looking forward to the next one.
Looking forward to some of the secrets being found out.
Another great book very much looking forward to the next one.
Looking forward to some of the secrets being found out.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews