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A Soldier's Life #3
The Shimmering Labyrinth
As Eryk's closely guarded secrets teeter on the brink of exposure within the company, he finds himself navigating treacherous waters. Meanwhile, his mage company ventures on a harrowing expedition to unveil the elusive whereabouts of a legendary lost dungeon known as The Shimmering Labyrinth. This perilous undertaking will serve as the ultimate test for Eryk and his allies, as a hidden adversary threatens them from a distance.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2024
433 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 27, 2025
This series is still going strong for me. Various characters get some extra backstory filled in, and I think this is one of the few times in a gamelit series where a large cast is introduced early, and the author actually follows through with allowing you to get familiar with people alongside the MC. No big flashback infodumps needed.
There are a few chapters mixed in with alternate povs. I'm traditionally not the biggest fan of these, but they were few and far between in this series and usually provided quite a bit of additional worldbuilding context.
I'm excited to see where we go in the next volume since it seems things will start getting spicy on a larger scale.
There are a few chapters mixed in with alternate povs. I'm traditionally not the biggest fan of these, but they were few and far between in this series and usually provided quite a bit of additional worldbuilding context.
I'm excited to see where we go in the next volume since it seems things will start getting spicy on a larger scale.
November 23, 2024
I'm loving this series. The premise hasn't changed since book one and it's still working well.
August 14, 2025
love the postscript
Now THAT is what I call a dungeon run. Awesome.
Going to buy book 4 and preorder 5. Stayed up way too late reading this one.
Now THAT is what I call a dungeon run. Awesome.
Going to buy book 4 and preorder 5. Stayed up way too late reading this one.
November 12, 2024
great read
An excellent book as the previous two. Highly recommended if you like light litrpg and a great story. Oh yeah!
An excellent book as the previous two. Highly recommended if you like light litrpg and a great story. Oh yeah!
January 24, 2025
This wasn't bad, but I got a sour taste in my mouth from people spilling the protag's secrets to others.
It also wasn't what I was looking forward to, as it took place in mostly one locale.
We didn't have the protag traveling around, interacting with others and using his brain to get out of problems. A dungeon dive was meh for me, but he did gain resources.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
It also wasn't what I was looking forward to, as it took place in mostly one locale.
We didn't have the protag traveling around, interacting with others and using his brain to get out of problems. A dungeon dive was meh for me, but he did gain resources.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
April 2, 2025
The story is getting better with each novel. I won’t go through my issues with the first two books, you can read my review if you want more details, but there was enough done well about those books to keep me reading. And I am glad I did. This book is the best of the bunch by a mile.
Unique story. Great characters. Interesting and unique magic system and combat.
Basically one issue I still have with this series is the constant use by Eryk of English phrases, but I guess translated into Latin? It’s kind of a shtick at this point, Eryk says something no one understands and either his audience plays it out and laughs or doesn’t get it. Doesn’t seem like the smartest thing to constantly say weird things like “Bingo!” when otherworlders are actively hunted in this world. As careful as Eryk is with whom he trusts, and we finally saw a lot of growth in that area in this novel, he’s not very careful with the clues he’s dropping with his phrases, idioms, and whatnot.
I feel like the author may have been responding to criticism of the first and especially the second book with the lack of trust in anyone Eryk has shown, so wouldn’t surprise me if he also rolls this complaint into how maybe he’s outed down the line.
Little bummed the story seems to shifting in the scale of stakes. Now there’s gonna be a world war or something and a plot to overthrow the emperor. I feel like every series in this genre follows this trope of the interesting and engaging first few books of familiarizing ourselves with main characters and magic systems. Watching the MCs level, or its equivalent, choose a path, make friends and gain enemies. Then the bads just get bigger with each iteration, the stakes magnified and magnified again and again. I was really kind into the fact that at least until the epilogue of this novel, the stakes were really just as big as the main character and some of his companions. I fantasized that maybe the series would be focused more on him slipping between the cracks to gain power, avoid being identified as an outworlder, and then escape to a life of his own choosing. But no, looks like with are going the trope route.
Griping aside, I think this is a refreshing series, even with its problems, and I can see a talented author growing in his skills as he goes. I highly recommend for fans of Progression Fantasy.
Unique story. Great characters. Interesting and unique magic system and combat.
Basically one issue I still have with this series is the constant use by Eryk of English phrases, but I guess translated into Latin? It’s kind of a shtick at this point, Eryk says something no one understands and either his audience plays it out and laughs or doesn’t get it. Doesn’t seem like the smartest thing to constantly say weird things like “Bingo!” when otherworlders are actively hunted in this world. As careful as Eryk is with whom he trusts, and we finally saw a lot of growth in that area in this novel, he’s not very careful with the clues he’s dropping with his phrases, idioms, and whatnot.
I feel like the author may have been responding to criticism of the first and especially the second book with the lack of trust in anyone Eryk has shown, so wouldn’t surprise me if he also rolls this complaint into how maybe he’s outed down the line.
Little bummed the story seems to shifting in the scale of stakes. Now there’s gonna be a world war or something and a plot to overthrow the emperor. I feel like every series in this genre follows this trope of the interesting and engaging first few books of familiarizing ourselves with main characters and magic systems. Watching the MCs level, or its equivalent, choose a path, make friends and gain enemies. Then the bads just get bigger with each iteration, the stakes magnified and magnified again and again. I was really kind into the fact that at least until the epilogue of this novel, the stakes were really just as big as the main character and some of his companions. I fantasized that maybe the series would be focused more on him slipping between the cracks to gain power, avoid being identified as an outworlder, and then escape to a life of his own choosing. But no, looks like with are going the trope route.
Griping aside, I think this is a refreshing series, even with its problems, and I can see a talented author growing in his skills as he goes. I highly recommend for fans of Progression Fantasy.
November 28, 2024
It's a coincidence, I suppose, but I was thinking about the hero's power without remembering it was in this book, and three days later, @Tony Hinde, who was reading it... It was a sign!
Still as solid as ever, in my opinion. The character seems realistic, his power very strong without giving him too much of an advantage, and above all, and maybe that's why I like it so much, he uses it the way I would (at least I think so).
Eryk has to juggle between his life as a forced soldier, his existence as an "Otherworlder," and the need to hide his powers. Who can you trust in a world where the first thing you did was get "sold" to be better enrolled? How do you become strong enough to defend/attack without immediately standing out?
If I have to criticize something, it's that he doesn't throw himself wholeheartedly into a power like "Blink" or an equivalent to allow for an escape if needed. But I also understand that between his physical training and the creation of his library...
Speaking of which, I imagine the next book will be crucial for his future, because the loss of the amulet, which will surely happen, seems completely unacceptable to me! I hope the servant will live a nightmare. <3
Still as solid as ever, in my opinion. The character seems realistic, his power very strong without giving him too much of an advantage, and above all, and maybe that's why I like it so much, he uses it the way I would (at least I think so).
Eryk has to juggle between his life as a forced soldier, his existence as an "Otherworlder," and the need to hide his powers. Who can you trust in a world where the first thing you did was get "sold" to be better enrolled? How do you become strong enough to defend/attack without immediately standing out?
If I have to criticize something, it's that he doesn't throw himself wholeheartedly into a power like "Blink" or an equivalent to allow for an escape if needed. But I also understand that between his physical training and the creation of his library...
Speaking of which, I imagine the next book will be crucial for his future, because the loss of the amulet, which will surely happen, seems completely unacceptable to me! I hope the servant will live a nightmare. <3
November 16, 2024
The short take - the novel was quite good and kept me interested in the series but for large parts it was significantly less interesting than the first two showing the weaknesses of the serialized fiction model (known of course since the 19th century and the famous Dumas and Dostoievsky padding of chapters), namely that repetition and padding are the author's friend to get his weekly chapters out; describing in detail the killing and processing of fire-bears for a few times or the count of apples in a room in the dungeon (first there were 200 something, next time less than that and so on) are just examples that come to mind but there was a lo0t of that.
I am used to infodumping in the works of some of my favorite authors so my eye glazes over such and moves on and the rest of the book matters - here there was a lot of good stuff (history, the battle at the end, Raelia and of course the final chapter etc) so still a very good and entertaining novel on the whole and an excellent series with lots of promise
I am used to infodumping in the works of some of my favorite authors so my eye glazes over such and moves on and the rest of the book matters - here there was a lot of good stuff (history, the battle at the end, Raelia and of course the final chapter etc) so still a very good and entertaining novel on the whole and an excellent series with lots of promise
November 10, 2024
A Soldier's Life Book 1-3
I have really enjoyed all three A Soldiers Life books. They chronicle the life of Eryk, a man out of his time (and comfort zone), forced into servitude as a soldier for a corrupt Empire. The first three books feature some great world building and lots of action as Eryk gets into intense battles with dungeon monsters, the Empires enemies, and politics from supposed allies. I can't wait to read what he gets into next. Thanks Erick for the adventures, keep em coming!
I have really enjoyed all three A Soldiers Life books. They chronicle the life of Eryk, a man out of his time (and comfort zone), forced into servitude as a soldier for a corrupt Empire. The first three books feature some great world building and lots of action as Eryk gets into intense battles with dungeon monsters, the Empires enemies, and politics from supposed allies. I can't wait to read what he gets into next. Thanks Erick for the adventures, keep em coming!
December 7, 2024
mixed feelings
I loved the character progression and time spent in the dungeon with this book. Eryk is finally progressing and working on his affinities.
Unfortunately, he also gets dumber. Freeing enemies, naively sharing secrets, and way too much of his loot! The dumbest thing by far is not escaping yet again when he has a perfect opportunity. Especially now that he is on everyone’s radar.
I loved the character progression and time spent in the dungeon with this book. Eryk is finally progressing and working on his affinities.
Unfortunately, he also gets dumber. Freeing enemies, naively sharing secrets, and way too much of his loot! The dumbest thing by far is not escaping yet again when he has a perfect opportunity. Especially now that he is on everyone’s radar.
January 7, 2025
Great Addition to the Series
I thought this was going to be a very boring book as I read the first few chapters. I was very wrong. This was the best book of the series. They all have been good, but to me, this one was exceptionally well written. As usual, great plot, wonderful characters, and a "not" OP bad guy. I think my review of the first book was not flattering, and I admit I was wrong. I highly recommend this series.
I thought this was going to be a very boring book as I read the first few chapters. I was very wrong. This was the best book of the series. They all have been good, but to me, this one was exceptionally well written. As usual, great plot, wonderful characters, and a "not" OP bad guy. I think my review of the first book was not flattering, and I admit I was wrong. I highly recommend this series.
January 12, 2025
And this is the book where it fully becomes a slice of life, where the MC becomes an OP dragon-slayer. It's a fast-paced slice of life so it's not hard to read at all but very little happens other than the MC becomes better at everything. There's very little genuine conflict. Things that I was looking forward to never happened. The characters who could have presented a source of conflict are barely an inconvenience to kill off.
August 27, 2025
Author: Always RollsAOne
Book: The Shimmering Labyrinth: A Soldier's Life, Book 3
NO SPOILERS.
I enjoyed the story, but at the time I write this, I can't seem to remember much of it. Yes, Eryk finds ways to not get killed. And finds ways to expand his knowledge. Book 3 had the same action and character interaction as the previous ones. But the big bad felt under-utilized. Felt lacking. Still, overall, still an interesting story.
Book: The Shimmering Labyrinth: A Soldier's Life, Book 3
NO SPOILERS.
I enjoyed the story, but at the time I write this, I can't seem to remember much of it. Yes, Eryk finds ways to not get killed. And finds ways to expand his knowledge. Book 3 had the same action and character interaction as the previous ones. But the big bad felt under-utilized. Felt lacking. Still, overall, still an interesting story.
March 13, 2025
Kind of thorn on this one. It's well written and I enjoyed everything that's here, but Eryk is just frustrating as hell.
On the one hand he still refuses to trust his closest friends, on the other hand he also doesn't take his numerous chances to simply disappear when everyone thinks he died. He doesn't really has a goal and just goes along with everything.
On the one hand he still refuses to trust his closest friends, on the other hand he also doesn't take his numerous chances to simply disappear when everyone thinks he died. He doesn't really has a goal and just goes along with everything.
April 12, 2025
The book started quite well and I thought the story’s development was showing promise as the group overcame their problems. However once the story began to revolve around the dungeon it became a bit tedious, as Eryk and Maveith repetitively fight monsters and harvest treasures. I really think the author dragged this on far too long, I didn’t help that Eryk was a bit of a ‘pratt’.
December 17, 2024
Eryk is developing nicely; good tangent story lines also hold your interest
While Eryk perfects his "skills", people are getting suspicious. He needs to discover who his allies and enemies are, and still remain alive. Can't wait for the next book to be published!
While Eryk perfects his "skills", people are getting suspicious. He needs to discover who his allies and enemies are, and still remain alive. Can't wait for the next book to be published!
January 8, 2025
Each book continues to improve within this series, and I cannot wait to read book 4. Easily one of my favorite finds in the genre of fantasy, would highly recommend to any avid readers that I know.
Also, the audiobooks have been incredible and are really well done.
Also, the audiobooks have been incredible and are really well done.
February 8, 2025
Another great entry
I love the slow progression and the connections the MC forges as the plot thickens. World building is also slowly being developed in an organic manner. That’s all I’ll comment on this book. Give this series a try and you won’t regret it!
I love the slow progression and the connections the MC forges as the plot thickens. World building is also slowly being developed in an organic manner. That’s all I’ll comment on this book. Give this series a try and you won’t regret it!
February 19, 2025
This is personally my favorite of the three books so far. It has so many ups and downs while still keeping strong on light hearted moments.
I enjoyed the pacing as we get a decent mix of action and character development.
I enjoyed the pacing as we get a decent mix of action and character development.
May 25, 2025
Personally my favorite of the series having read ahead. This is what I like most about the series, the dungeon stuff and the world building around it, unfortunately it's also where we the authors taste of drama becomes obvious...
November 11, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait for the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone. . .
Great book I can't wait for the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone. . .
November 12, 2024
Excellent story line
Enjoyable read. Keeps your attention. The events ggd main character goes through keep you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next instalment. .
Enjoyable read. Keeps your attention. The events ggd main character goes through keep you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next instalment. .
November 19, 2024
Cool series
It's a fun series that holds suspense. I enjoyed it and believe that others will too. You should buy a copy and read it.
It's a fun series that holds suspense. I enjoyed it and believe that others will too. You should buy a copy and read it.
November 21, 2024
A great book
I have enjoyed this series from book to book. I hope you all will find it as enjoyable as I have.
I have enjoyed this series from book to book. I hope you all will find it as enjoyable as I have.
December 3, 2024
Amazing
I was struggling to sleep as I just wanted to keep reading this masterpiece. Can't wait for the next one
I was struggling to sleep as I just wanted to keep reading this masterpiece. Can't wait for the next one
January 15, 2025
I have enjoyed this book the best so far. Eryk’s exploits in the labyrinth made for a great listen.
January 22, 2025
I liked the elf.
February 7, 2025
Same as book 2. I'll continue reading the series for, but I'm not sure I really want to...
February 20, 2025
Favorite one so far
March 2, 2025
Fantastic story and a great addition to the series. I can't wait till the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews