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Ascendant #3
Ascendant 3
The world’s most powerful ascendant thought he’d finally found peace, but relics of the past will force him to face foes both familiar and extraordinary.
Nym has won his freedom and earned himself a comfortable existence. He has everything he needs to thrive, including personal tutoring in the ways of magic from an actual archmage. But just when he thinks the danger is behind him, a figure from his alter ego’s past finally tracks him down.
Confronted by a force he could never hope to defeat as his new self, Nym must make a choice between running or accepting the return of his old memories. With them comes Niramyn, the being he was, a being he doesn’t want to become again but who might just be his only chance at salvation.
Giving in means gaining the power Nym needs to defend himself against a race of what may as well be gods, but it could also mean the destruction of everything and everyone he’s come to love over the last few years of his new life. And of course, it means facing off against the only ascendant to ever figure out how to kill an immortal, a fight he already lost once.
Nym is desperate to find a way to survive, but what can he do against such an overwhelming foe? And is it really survival if he has to pay the ultimate price?
The third volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Nym has won his freedom and earned himself a comfortable existence. He has everything he needs to thrive, including personal tutoring in the ways of magic from an actual archmage. But just when he thinks the danger is behind him, a figure from his alter ego’s past finally tracks him down.
Confronted by a force he could never hope to defeat as his new self, Nym must make a choice between running or accepting the return of his old memories. With them comes Niramyn, the being he was, a being he doesn’t want to become again but who might just be his only chance at salvation.
Giving in means gaining the power Nym needs to defend himself against a race of what may as well be gods, but it could also mean the destruction of everything and everyone he’s come to love over the last few years of his new life. And of course, it means facing off against the only ascendant to ever figure out how to kill an immortal, a fight he already lost once.
Nym is desperate to find a way to survive, but what can he do against such an overwhelming foe? And is it really survival if he has to pay the ultimate price?
The third volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2023
196 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 16, 2024
What a strange trilogy this was. The first book was an easy 5-star read for me, and completely hooked me on this story. The second book shook things up in an extremely jarring way, but despite that, I managed to get past my issues with it and find my way into giving it four stars as, overall, I enjoyed it. But, if I thought the last book was shaking things up, then I was in for a major shock, because this one takes this story to completely new planes of existence... literally.
Strangely though, I didn't hate it.
Based on what I know about storytelling, this book does absolutely everything wrong here. It completely abandons the style of storytelling it had been focusing on until this point. It throws away almost all of the plot threads and relationships that had been established in the earlier books. It drastically changes the main character into something completely unrecognisable from who he was at the start of the book. It introduces a plethora of new characters, insane amounts of world-building, and an overly complex magic system. It heavily explores the concept of time travel (a big turn-off for this reader).
Yet despite all this, I really enjoyed my time reading this book.
One thing I can positively say about this author is that they definitely like to explore new things and shake up the formula. In a world where most books follow tired tropes we have seen a thousand times before, this is a breath of fresh air. But delivering something new isn't enough to win a good review from me on its own. It also must be well written, and this whole trilogy is definitely that.
Despite making a lot of what I would consider errors in this series, I was never unengaged at any moment, and as a result, I blasted through these books as I couldn't put them down. I genuinely believe they would improve by an order of magnitude if they continued to focus on delivering a character-led story and weren't so cavalier in throwing away relationships and plot points that they had spent a great deal of time setting up. But as a stand-alone trilogy of novels, this was one of the most unique reading experiences I have had in a while, and it has made this author someone I'm going to be paying close attention to going forward.
Overall, I highly recommend this trilogy. It has its issues, but it is unique, it's fun, and it shows glimmers of promise for an author to pay close attention to in the future.
Strangely though, I didn't hate it.
Based on what I know about storytelling, this book does absolutely everything wrong here. It completely abandons the style of storytelling it had been focusing on until this point. It throws away almost all of the plot threads and relationships that had been established in the earlier books. It drastically changes the main character into something completely unrecognisable from who he was at the start of the book. It introduces a plethora of new characters, insane amounts of world-building, and an overly complex magic system. It heavily explores the concept of time travel (a big turn-off for this reader).
Yet despite all this, I really enjoyed my time reading this book.
One thing I can positively say about this author is that they definitely like to explore new things and shake up the formula. In a world where most books follow tired tropes we have seen a thousand times before, this is a breath of fresh air. But delivering something new isn't enough to win a good review from me on its own. It also must be well written, and this whole trilogy is definitely that.
Despite making a lot of what I would consider errors in this series, I was never unengaged at any moment, and as a result, I blasted through these books as I couldn't put them down. I genuinely believe they would improve by an order of magnitude if they continued to focus on delivering a character-led story and weren't so cavalier in throwing away relationships and plot points that they had spent a great deal of time setting up. But as a stand-alone trilogy of novels, this was one of the most unique reading experiences I have had in a while, and it has made this author someone I'm going to be paying close attention to going forward.
Overall, I highly recommend this trilogy. It has its issues, but it is unique, it's fun, and it shows glimmers of promise for an author to pay close attention to in the future.
February 21, 2025
Okay. So, this one is very difficult to explain. Let me try it this way: If this book didn't end where it did, and the story continued in future books, I would have given 1 star. By the time you reach the middle of the book, it feels like a whole new first book of a series, rendering reading the past two books utterly, and I do mean absolutely, totally, 100% as much as it can be, to speak plain and simply, a meaningless waste of my time. However, that said, as things begin to progress at the speed of light, quite aptly, considering the shenanigans involving time, it soothes the storm initially created in my soul when I reached the halfway mark, and by the time it ends, it feels merrily blissful. I commend the author for his bold experimentation of the totally changing the plot, giving effectively an infinite amount of exposition, and then wrapping everything up, all in a single book, while making it entertaining enough to be unable to be put down until the very end. Additionally, there is enough tension that things don't feel like handouts or plot armour, even though, if you think deeeeeeeeeply enough, they are, but isn't that true for every book in this genre... (in case it was not evident, this is a compliment)
So, all in all, I would totally recommend this series, especially since I always appreciate when a series has scope for a lot of expansion but ends on a high without trying to milk it. To explain what I mean, a good example (of ending it high, not milking, lol) would be Master Hunter K, and also the one with Keiran mage (the upcoming book is apparently the last).
So, all in all, I would totally recommend this series, especially since I always appreciate when a series has scope for a lot of expansion but ends on a high without trying to milk it. To explain what I mean, a good example (of ending it high, not milking, lol) would be Master Hunter K, and also the one with Keiran mage (the upcoming book is apparently the last).
November 10, 2025
This was really a strange book which i struggled with for a lot of reasons.
The first third continued the op teenage autodidactic mage plot. I found it just okay. The MC got too many boons and didn't support Analia enough for my taste.
The overly long second part of the book was bizarre for me. I disliked the time travel and different realities aspects, not to mention the split persona plot. The protagonist acted like a manic cultvator and the conclusion seemed really contrived. A weakling should not be able to succeed like this.
The conclusion of the series seemed overly short and more like an afterthought. As a pay off for the reader after all the cultivation it felt absolutely insufficient. The MC still felt like an autist.
Criticism and comments
Analia is such an ill advised name.
And I believe you are … already acquainted with my sister.” “Not as acquainted as I’d like him to be,” A slutty 15 year old trying to f#ck for benefits is already problematic. That the more than 1.000 year old protagonist thinks about accepting her sexual advances is even more concerning and gives a very bad aftertaste. But then, his nind is only two years old and in a teenage body..
I don't believe that Cia liked her stay in the city. Being forced to change from self sufficient recluse to a city dweller all of a sudden sounds horrible. He rather should have moved her to one of the paradise atolls he showed Analia..
In an universe where the mighty practice time travel keeping secrets seems almost impossible!
The first third continued the op teenage autodidactic mage plot. I found it just okay. The MC got too many boons and didn't support Analia enough for my taste.
The overly long second part of the book was bizarre for me. I disliked the time travel and different realities aspects, not to mention the split persona plot. The protagonist acted like a manic cultvator and the conclusion seemed really contrived. A weakling should not be able to succeed like this.
The conclusion of the series seemed overly short and more like an afterthought. As a pay off for the reader after all the cultivation it felt absolutely insufficient. The MC still felt like an autist.
Criticism and comments
Analia is such an ill advised name.
And I believe you are … already acquainted with my sister.” “Not as acquainted as I’d like him to be,” A slutty 15 year old trying to f#ck for benefits is already problematic. That the more than 1.000 year old protagonist thinks about accepting her sexual advances is even more concerning and gives a very bad aftertaste. But then, his nind is only two years old and in a teenage body..
I don't believe that Cia liked her stay in the city. Being forced to change from self sufficient recluse to a city dweller all of a sudden sounds horrible. He rather should have moved her to one of the paradise atolls he showed Analia..
In an universe where the mighty practice time travel keeping secrets seems almost impossible!
November 26, 2024
Overall, a good story, but tedious with info dumps that are meaningless.
Third book in the series, that became tedious very fast. It was interesting enough to want you to know how the book ends, but it was a slow hideous lead to get there. Simple airport ride that gets convoluted trying to explain time paradox Ascension characters that can step outside of time with different levels of Ascension. That in itself is not bad however it became tedious with overexplaining every single time the character ran into a new level to conquer. Most of the information dump that was given as the character ascended had no bearing in the story afterwards, and felt like you were reading useless information that would have no bearing in the story in the future. Which is what happened, almost all the information dump became worthless as the character moved on through his Ascension. Okay read, but tedious more than exciting.
Third book in the series, that became tedious very fast. It was interesting enough to want you to know how the book ends, but it was a slow hideous lead to get there. Simple airport ride that gets convoluted trying to explain time paradox Ascension characters that can step outside of time with different levels of Ascension. That in itself is not bad however it became tedious with overexplaining every single time the character ran into a new level to conquer. Most of the information dump that was given as the character ascended had no bearing in the story afterwards, and felt like you were reading useless information that would have no bearing in the story in the future. Which is what happened, almost all the information dump became worthless as the character moved on through his Ascension. Okay read, but tedious more than exciting.
December 9, 2024
Ascendant 3 is the last book in the trilogy, though whether there will be more is up for debate, based on the ending. I'll certainly read them if there is more, but if there isn't, then the story ran it's course, and ended well. I liked this story, and the whole series was a refreshing change from most of the overpowered heros that show up in most LitRPG books. Sure, he was powerful too, but there's always something he can't do, something he needs to work to complete, and things he just plain can't accomplish in his current circumstances. I think that makes the story more enjoyable. In any case, if you liked the first or second book, then by all means, grab this one, and have at it. It's pretty good.
May 9, 2025
DNF at 10%
Why am I suddenly finding myself ready about a millennia's old man going on a date with a 15 year old girl? the specific circumstances don't make it less creepy, Nym knows intellectually that he is a full grown man, his physical appearance and amnesia make no difference and neither do the authors attempts to separate Niramyn from Nym in the previous book.
What makes it worse is that it's completely unnecessary, just avoid writing about any romantic entanglements altogether or at least make the romantic interest older, early 20's instead of 15/16, that's way less creepy for what should be obvious reasons.
The fact the author wrote the girl to be abnormally slutty is also very sus, 15 year old girls don't normally behave like that and the ones who do have almost always been abused.
I don't think I'll be reading anymore of this authors work.
Why am I suddenly finding myself ready about a millennia's old man going on a date with a 15 year old girl? the specific circumstances don't make it less creepy, Nym knows intellectually that he is a full grown man, his physical appearance and amnesia make no difference and neither do the authors attempts to separate Niramyn from Nym in the previous book.
What makes it worse is that it's completely unnecessary, just avoid writing about any romantic entanglements altogether or at least make the romantic interest older, early 20's instead of 15/16, that's way less creepy for what should be obvious reasons.
The fact the author wrote the girl to be abnormally slutty is also very sus, 15 year old girls don't normally behave like that and the ones who do have almost always been abused.
I don't think I'll be reading anymore of this authors work.
November 14, 2024
twisting and turnabout towards a final beings start
hum , well I guess if your realistically want to become a multi dimensional gestalt entity you gots to get a little temporal perspective . Not sure how I expect this adventure to conclude , yet is has and furthermore almost paradoxically it ends with the hope of a new beginning. Time is a funny thing for you linear challenge folk ! Only existing in a good bits, the interesting stuff and most notably reading books an never having to wait for release dates of upcoming novels.
Good job my fellow Ascendant for future , past or present shenanigans , I think !
hum , well I guess if your realistically want to become a multi dimensional gestalt entity you gots to get a little temporal perspective . Not sure how I expect this adventure to conclude , yet is has and furthermore almost paradoxically it ends with the hope of a new beginning. Time is a funny thing for you linear challenge folk ! Only existing in a good bits, the interesting stuff and most notably reading books an never having to wait for release dates of upcoming novels.
Good job my fellow Ascendant for future , past or present shenanigans , I think !
December 24, 2025
This book moved so fast and changed so much when he broke into the next level of magic that it almost felt like two books. I'm super impressed with the magic system. I read a ton of fantasy and love magic systems in particular, and this is one of the most creative systems I've ever seen.
However, we spent so much time in part 2 just doing esoteric magic that the plot dropped away (can't say why without spoilers) and so it lost the emotional punch for a long while. I'm glad to say it returned by the end, but that dinged a star from the rating for me. But I still recommend the series and I did love the actual ending. n
However, we spent so much time in part 2 just doing esoteric magic that the plot dropped away (can't say why without spoilers) and so it lost the emotional punch for a long while. I'm glad to say it returned by the end, but that dinged a star from the rating for me. But I still recommend the series and I did love the actual ending. n
January 23, 2025
I read a book like this years ago, where magicians reached into different realities to draw power, but I can't remember its' name.
I finished the book. I think one series was the Day Watch series, where they got music powers(?) from different levels of reality. I can't remember the other.
I think this might be the end of the series. If not, I can accept this as the end.
3/5 Stars
I finished the book. I think one series was the Day Watch series, where they got music powers(?) from different levels of reality. I can't remember the other.
I think this might be the end of the series. If not, I can accept this as the end.
3/5 Stars
May 19, 2025
Loved it
This series has a lot of things going for it, and they all come together quite well in this final book.
I like the way it wrapped everything up, and that it didn't go for some of the possible outcomes that were hinted at!
This book has a lot of "in - your - own - head" stuff, the MC thinking about things and learning to manipulate 'reality'. You might think that detracts from the enjoyment, but in this case it really doesn't.
This series has a lot of things going for it, and they all come together quite well in this final book.
I like the way it wrapped everything up, and that it didn't go for some of the possible outcomes that were hinted at!
This book has a lot of "in - your - own - head" stuff, the MC thinking about things and learning to manipulate 'reality'. You might think that detracts from the enjoyment, but in this case it really doesn't.
November 16, 2024
Very enjoyable mix of characters with a well-thought magic framework
I enjoyed the series, including re-reading earlier books before a new release. The magic framework is especially good and allows reasonable mixing of the overpowered with mortals and others. There is a manageable number of interesting characters and the plot moves quickly with more action than introspection.
I enjoyed the series, including re-reading earlier books before a new release. The magic framework is especially good and allows reasonable mixing of the overpowered with mortals and others. There is a manageable number of interesting characters and the plot moves quickly with more action than introspection.
November 18, 2024
Too in the weeds
The first half of the book was pretty good. Most of the second half really dragged on. Author got so bogged down in magical theory and the mechanics of time travel that they forgot they were telling a story. The time travel really made things overly complicated and detracted from the story.
The first half of the book was pretty good. Most of the second half really dragged on. Author got so bogged down in magical theory and the mechanics of time travel that they forgot they were telling a story. The time travel really made things overly complicated and detracted from the story.
February 25, 2025
did not finish
Enjoyed the first book in the series and the second was okay, but this just turned extremely confusing and hard to follow, there was just no depth when he reached ascendency. Now he can’t die and exists in multiple dimensions, so nothing he does on the world where his friends are matter? I just don’t get it; so I gave up
Enjoyed the first book in the series and the second was okay, but this just turned extremely confusing and hard to follow, there was just no depth when he reached ascendency. Now he can’t die and exists in multiple dimensions, so nothing he does on the world where his friends are matter? I just don’t get it; so I gave up
April 19, 2025
good book, I’m sorry it’s only three books long, well done
Excellent conclusion to a series. Even though this series is only three books long it is an excellent one. All the stories thread when wound up with a satisfactory conclusion. The main character is likable and the story is fast paced well worth the read.
Excellent conclusion to a series. Even though this series is only three books long it is an excellent one. All the stories thread when wound up with a satisfactory conclusion. The main character is likable and the story is fast paced well worth the read.
July 8, 2024
It was overly long and drawn out, but that's a common malady with web novels migrated to KU. It gets a full extra star from me though because it actually ended quite well on a three book arc.
I'd recommend this trilogy even with the meandering.
I'd recommend this trilogy even with the meandering.
November 16, 2024
Awesome Completed Series
Very rare three book completed series. This story of a 10 year old boy who washes up from the sea with no memories was a fantastic read. He grows about a year per two months. His magic grows faster because he can see it and copy spells. Great Stuff
Very rare three book completed series. This story of a 10 year old boy who washes up from the sea with no memories was a fantastic read. He grows about a year per two months. His magic grows faster because he can see it and copy spells. Great Stuff
November 30, 2024
I greatly enjoyed the last 20% but there's a lot of metaphysical filer for most of the rest of the book. Luckily, the weight of the central plot-arc is always present, so it wasn't hard to continue reading.
December 4, 2024
okay, so…
Yeah. This brings everything to a conclusion. But I didn’t really enjoy it. I was too distractible, and started skipping through paragraphs. That’s not great.
It just got too esoteric for my taste. It stayed true to the universe, I just didn’t love it.
Yeah. This brings everything to a conclusion. But I didn’t really enjoy it. I was too distractible, and started skipping through paragraphs. That’s not great.
It just got too esoteric for my taste. It stayed true to the universe, I just didn’t love it.
December 7, 2024
Highly recommend
A truly excellent series, well wrapped up, wonderful characters, well-built world and magic system. Highly recommend. Would love to read more series set in this world.
A truly excellent series, well wrapped up, wonderful characters, well-built world and magic system. Highly recommend. Would love to read more series set in this world.
January 9, 2025
this was an awesome series
I really loved reading the series. It is well written with a fantastic storyline. Nym is a great character. I hope there might be more story with him in it. The story seems complete.
I really loved reading the series. It is well written with a fantastic storyline. Nym is a great character. I hope there might be more story with him in it. The story seems complete.
January 18, 2025
Great finale
MC ends up getting more OP and the author wraps up most loose ends. I’m glad it stops here since too often we read series that never seem to have an end in sight. Glad to have read this series and will read the author’s other works.
MC ends up getting more OP and the author wraps up most loose ends. I’m glad it stops here since too often we read series that never seem to have an end in sight. Glad to have read this series and will read the author’s other works.
January 23, 2025
A well thought-out series satisfyingly brought home.
A satisfying conclusion to this (so far) trilogy. I'm not a fan or progression (though not averse either) but this only got wonky-thick toward the end, and the denouement made it all fine. Any sequellae will be sequelcome.
A satisfying conclusion to this (so far) trilogy. I'm not a fan or progression (though not averse either) but this only got wonky-thick toward the end, and the denouement made it all fine. Any sequellae will be sequelcome.
March 16, 2025
Very entertaining
Interesting fantasy pitting an initially weak, but basically good person against a strong, indifferently evil one. The catch? They're the same person. Excellent writing skills.
Interesting fantasy pitting an initially weak, but basically good person against a strong, indifferently evil one. The catch? They're the same person. Excellent writing skills.
May 31, 2025
Good read
This series has been an enjoyable read with an interesting take on magic. Nym was and enjoyable character if Abbott dense at times. I'll be having a look at your other books next to see what rise you have to offer.
This series has been an enjoyable read with an interesting take on magic. Nym was and enjoyable character if Abbott dense at times. I'll be having a look at your other books next to see what rise you have to offer.
June 25, 2025
Quite Nice
First novel was a bit slow, but it's lead. into a fine bit of work and in the end, tied everything together nicely. I enjoyed it quite a bit and will watch eagerly for more.
First novel was a bit slow, but it's lead. into a fine bit of work and in the end, tied everything together nicely. I enjoyed it quite a bit and will watch eagerly for more.
September 27, 2025
excellent
I have read all three of these books over the past few days and I completely enjoyed them. I recommend this series and hope that each of you enjoy reading them as much as I did.
I have read all three of these books over the past few days and I completely enjoyed them. I recommend this series and hope that each of you enjoy reading them as much as I did.
November 14, 2024
Amazing
I really enjoyed this series. The storyline is so different from anything else I have read. The characters are fantastic.
I really enjoyed this series. The storyline is so different from anything else I have read. The characters are fantastic.
November 16, 2024
A ok ending?
I enjoyed it but the middle was a confounding, esoteric slog and ended using to much dues ex for me.
I enjoyed it but the middle was a confounding, esoteric slog and ended using to much dues ex for me.
November 22, 2024
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
December 5, 2024
Good Story
Not only is it original with character depth, it's thought provoking and delightful entertainment. It's a must read and rare find.
Not only is it original with character depth, it's thought provoking and delightful entertainment. It's a must read and rare find.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews