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Earthen Contenders #3
Undisguised Healer
Forced to hide his identity up until now, Thaden soon learns that it may cause more trouble than it’s worth…
Even though he never intended it to happen, the events that occurred in the city of Forgestone have set Thaden on a course to fix the problems that he inadvertently caused. His inner sense of responsibility has now put him firmly on the path to eliminate or at least minimize the destruction and loss of life that could occur from the fallout of the SPECIAL Quests he’s been assigned, so he is putting all his focus on accomplishing this feat as soon as possible.
Thankfully, his journey and interaction with other Contenders is helped by the changes the Assimilation System put into place a short time ago, reducing—but not eliminating—the likelihood that he will be attacked by those same Contenders. Of course, time will only tell if everyone will get the memo and leave him alone; if not, he still has ways to move about in disguise, which he is hoping will be enough to forgo any problems that may come up.
But before he can throw himself into the search for the Anchor dungeons mentioned in the SPECIAL Quests he had been assigned, Thaden and his brand-new Class wants to find some stronger, more specialized gear with which to get himself better outfitted. To that end, his first stop is to visit a dungeon that purportedly has a higher likelihood of having Support-Class drops; however, The Devil’s Nail turns out to be nothing like what he had been expecting….
This story contains an overpowered MC with a normally non-offense-based Class, LitRPG progression mechanics and stats, and isekai/portal fantasy elements. Contains no sexual content or harems.
Even though he never intended it to happen, the events that occurred in the city of Forgestone have set Thaden on a course to fix the problems that he inadvertently caused. His inner sense of responsibility has now put him firmly on the path to eliminate or at least minimize the destruction and loss of life that could occur from the fallout of the SPECIAL Quests he’s been assigned, so he is putting all his focus on accomplishing this feat as soon as possible.
Thankfully, his journey and interaction with other Contenders is helped by the changes the Assimilation System put into place a short time ago, reducing—but not eliminating—the likelihood that he will be attacked by those same Contenders. Of course, time will only tell if everyone will get the memo and leave him alone; if not, he still has ways to move about in disguise, which he is hoping will be enough to forgo any problems that may come up.
But before he can throw himself into the search for the Anchor dungeons mentioned in the SPECIAL Quests he had been assigned, Thaden and his brand-new Class wants to find some stronger, more specialized gear with which to get himself better outfitted. To that end, his first stop is to visit a dungeon that purportedly has a higher likelihood of having Support-Class drops; however, The Devil’s Nail turns out to be nothing like what he had been expecting….
This story contains an overpowered MC with a normally non-offense-based Class, LitRPG progression mechanics and stats, and isekai/portal fantasy elements. Contains no sexual content or harems.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2024
721 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
82 books488 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 3, 2024
Like reading a technical manual!
The first two books in this series were entertaining with a well thought out universe. This book was 75% stats and 25% story. I don't know if the author was trying to get his word count up or really thought that boring the readers with page after page of endless stats would engage readers. Seriously, did anyone read all those pages of statistics.
My other issue with this. Story is that there is only one character. Everyone the MC interacts with is soon dead or never heard from again. He has no love interest and a lot of dead acquaintances. All of the people in the first 2 books aren't in this one. Maybe the story is very good. I can't tell because I skimed thru most of the stat pages and may have missed something
The first two books in this series were entertaining with a well thought out universe. This book was 75% stats and 25% story. I don't know if the author was trying to get his word count up or really thought that boring the readers with page after page of endless stats would engage readers. Seriously, did anyone read all those pages of statistics.
My other issue with this. Story is that there is only one character. Everyone the MC interacts with is soon dead or never heard from again. He has no love interest and a lot of dead acquaintances. All of the people in the first 2 books aren't in this one. Maybe the story is very good. I can't tell because I skimed thru most of the stat pages and may have missed something
August 30, 2024
Wasted Time
I was really disappointed with this book. My expectations for Brooks's work have fallen over the years (repetitive text, anxious overanalyzing, social ineptitude, humor I only recognize after the fact, etc.) but I was still disappointed.
The only story element I have interest in is the overall plot. The characters don't grow (stat changes don't count), the dialogue is boring or cringe inducing, the action scenes are dull, and the mysteries are unsolvable.
I think I will be dropping this series.
I was really disappointed with this book. My expectations for Brooks's work have fallen over the years (repetitive text, anxious overanalyzing, social ineptitude, humor I only recognize after the fact, etc.) but I was still disappointed.
The only story element I have interest in is the overall plot. The characters don't grow (stat changes don't count), the dialogue is boring or cringe inducing, the action scenes are dull, and the mysteries are unsolvable.
I think I will be dropping this series.
August 29, 2024
The story is so incredibly dull!
DNF at 33%
The story is horribly repetitive and boring, utterly devoid of humour or any other redeeming feature. Enemies cannot kill the protagonist and he slowly cheats them to death. There is not much else to say about the story...
The protagonist's moronic financial behaviour hurt. I found it hilarious when it bit him in his ass 🤣.
The protagonist unfortunately shows modern Hollywood behaviour. When some bint tried to enthrall and kill him he decided to "talk" with her? Did he think she is simply misunderstood and now wantd to bloody comfort her? " oh you tried to mind rape and kill me - lets be best friends" #rofl# what a wimpy simp!
DNF at 33%
The story is horribly repetitive and boring, utterly devoid of humour or any other redeeming feature. Enemies cannot kill the protagonist and he slowly cheats them to death. There is not much else to say about the story...
The protagonist's moronic financial behaviour hurt. I found it hilarious when it bit him in his ass 🤣.
The protagonist unfortunately shows modern Hollywood behaviour. When some bint tried to enthrall and kill him he decided to "talk" with her? Did he think she is simply misunderstood and now wantd to bloody comfort her? " oh you tried to mind rape and kill me - lets be best friends" #rofl# what a wimpy simp!
August 29, 2024
humdrum characters and boring
I should have ditched this series after the first book. Unlike The Dungeon Fairy, The Crafter series, and the Temporal Fox, I really didn’t care about the main characters in this story. If you don’t feel anything for the characters, it’s hard to care about their stats or battles. It seems like Brooks should slow down with all the new series and finish Dungeon Fairy and Temporal Fox.
I should have ditched this series after the first book. Unlike The Dungeon Fairy, The Crafter series, and the Temporal Fox, I really didn’t care about the main characters in this story. If you don’t feel anything for the characters, it’s hard to care about their stats or battles. It seems like Brooks should slow down with all the new series and finish Dungeon Fairy and Temporal Fox.
September 20, 2024
Why?
Book one was good book 2 was ok but book 3... well if I wanted a book about an idiot getting used I may have finished it.
Book one was good book 2 was ok but book 3... well if I wanted a book about an idiot getting used I may have finished it.
September 2, 2024
No story
This was a rather tedious book. Just a long fever dream of stat upgrades, skill descriptions, and effortless wins. The author has concocted quite an impressive world and lots of very nicely described skills and abilities. But there's close to zero interaction between characters and none of them exist except as an occasional plot device to allow the MC to register another easy win. There's no character growth nor emotional dialog. But worst of all, there's no real story being told. Don't think I'll bother with the next installment, there's just nothing going on.
This was a rather tedious book. Just a long fever dream of stat upgrades, skill descriptions, and effortless wins. The author has concocted quite an impressive world and lots of very nicely described skills and abilities. But there's close to zero interaction between characters and none of them exist except as an occasional plot device to allow the MC to register another easy win. There's no character growth nor emotional dialog. But worst of all, there's no real story being told. Don't think I'll bother with the next installment, there's just nothing going on.
September 2, 2024
Horrible dialogue and MC choices.
I can't read this series any longer. I lose my mind every time the MC decides to do anything now. Three books in and I hoped it would get better but no, it's gotten worse! I want to complain so so sooo much, but it's just not worth it. If you're iffy about reading this, just don't.
I can't read this series any longer. I lose my mind every time the MC decides to do anything now. Three books in and I hoped it would get better but no, it's gotten worse! I want to complain so so sooo much, but it's just not worth it. If you're iffy about reading this, just don't.
September 10, 2024
plot armor to the extreme
I read the whole book. It was a drag at some parts, with lots of skimming at others. The massive lists of abilities or constant skill ups do nothing but pad the word count and make the book seem longer than it actually was.
But let’s get to the main issue, more so than even the previous books which were filled with almost nonsensical coincidences. This book has plot armor, and heaps of it. More plot armor than the MC has world first achievements.
Everything that happens to the MC, even something as seemingly simple as gaining a new skill proficiency when subject to psychic abilities for the first time, becomes the key turning point to him achieving something ridiculous that even the system thinks is broken and tries to stop. But that’s fine since he’ll just have something else that he gained coincidentally that directly counters or saves him, or sometimes just a big fat ERROR in the system that lets him win again. It gets old fast.
The idea has merit, there are aspects of the story that are interesting, but the CONSTANT plot holes and ways the author writes the MC into danger that we know he is just going to create some ridiculous way to save him from with little harm gets frustrating. Even when you think there was some negative repercussions to what happens to the MC, it turns into a secret win (usually in the form of one or more World Firsts that will help out later.)
Unsure if I’ll even try to read the next book.
I read the whole book. It was a drag at some parts, with lots of skimming at others. The massive lists of abilities or constant skill ups do nothing but pad the word count and make the book seem longer than it actually was.
But let’s get to the main issue, more so than even the previous books which were filled with almost nonsensical coincidences. This book has plot armor, and heaps of it. More plot armor than the MC has world first achievements.
Everything that happens to the MC, even something as seemingly simple as gaining a new skill proficiency when subject to psychic abilities for the first time, becomes the key turning point to him achieving something ridiculous that even the system thinks is broken and tries to stop. But that’s fine since he’ll just have something else that he gained coincidentally that directly counters or saves him, or sometimes just a big fat ERROR in the system that lets him win again. It gets old fast.
The idea has merit, there are aspects of the story that are interesting, but the CONSTANT plot holes and ways the author writes the MC into danger that we know he is just going to create some ridiculous way to save him from with little harm gets frustrating. Even when you think there was some negative repercussions to what happens to the MC, it turns into a secret win (usually in the form of one or more World Firsts that will help out later.)
Unsure if I’ll even try to read the next book.
September 1, 2024
Continued leveling
Alternate universe, LitRPG
I really liked the first book; in some ways it reminded me of the anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero.
About through reading book 3, I found myself losing interest in the story. It had nothing to do with the writing, pacing, or dialog. It was when I found my interest picking back up again that I realized our MC was once again interacting the others, when he joined a party to help rescue a player snatched by monsters.
Part of what enjoy about fiction is character development and interaction, the building of friendship or even love. Except toward the end of book 2, the MC chose abilities and class development that emphasized solo play. It was if the MC was slighted by how he was nearly killed after his abduction, he perked up at the chance to level up on his own, and then his friends were murdered in book 2. During his incarceration underwater, he could have worked on alternative combat strategies instead of his current one that might kill allies as he wipes out monsters. No, he didn't.
I get that some people are loners, and some gamers prefer solo play. But while he's made some development in his social skills, he prefers going it alone, and every time he's given a choice, he picks abilities and class skills that benefit solo play and penalize him for group play.
The MC has missed a huge opportunity not sharing information with Rachel and her guild, to get some perspective on how it appears this whole enterprise to train humans to fight the Adversary is automated. It's advanced, and capable of limited error correction, but it's still imperfect. I include him to come clean and sharing the fact that he did not go through the same training everyone else did. His continued ranking and first should give credence to the editing of events that were then erased by the System, yet the MC was rewarded for, even if there was no official record. Now, there's still the opportunity for this to happen. And he not only has skills and spells to acquire, he has another class evolution to undergo. Without some major adjustments in his combat strategies, participating in raids will be problematic as his current choices severely limit his usefulness. As for me, I find less for me to identify with with a loner who isn't interested in socializing anymore than he is forced to. I'm still interested in the series, and hope he find that solo work has benefits, it also has its limits. One can be the greatest at what they do, they can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Ultimately, as humans, it's our ability to work together and the gestalt that can sometimes happen.
Excellent editing, with just a few mistakes. Cautious 5*
Alternate universe, LitRPG
I really liked the first book; in some ways it reminded me of the anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero.
About through reading book 3, I found myself losing interest in the story. It had nothing to do with the writing, pacing, or dialog. It was when I found my interest picking back up again that I realized our MC was once again interacting the others, when he joined a party to help rescue a player snatched by monsters.
Part of what enjoy about fiction is character development and interaction, the building of friendship or even love. Except toward the end of book 2, the MC chose abilities and class development that emphasized solo play. It was if the MC was slighted by how he was nearly killed after his abduction, he perked up at the chance to level up on his own, and then his friends were murdered in book 2. During his incarceration underwater, he could have worked on alternative combat strategies instead of his current one that might kill allies as he wipes out monsters. No, he didn't.
I get that some people are loners, and some gamers prefer solo play. But while he's made some development in his social skills, he prefers going it alone, and every time he's given a choice, he picks abilities and class skills that benefit solo play and penalize him for group play.
The MC has missed a huge opportunity not sharing information with Rachel and her guild, to get some perspective on how it appears this whole enterprise to train humans to fight the Adversary is automated. It's advanced, and capable of limited error correction, but it's still imperfect. I include him to come clean and sharing the fact that he did not go through the same training everyone else did. His continued ranking and first should give credence to the editing of events that were then erased by the System, yet the MC was rewarded for, even if there was no official record. Now, there's still the opportunity for this to happen. And he not only has skills and spells to acquire, he has another class evolution to undergo. Without some major adjustments in his combat strategies, participating in raids will be problematic as his current choices severely limit his usefulness. As for me, I find less for me to identify with with a loner who isn't interested in socializing anymore than he is forced to. I'm still interested in the series, and hope he find that solo work has benefits, it also has its limits. One can be the greatest at what they do, they can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Ultimately, as humans, it's our ability to work together and the gestalt that can sometimes happen.
Excellent editing, with just a few mistakes. Cautious 5*
February 3, 2025
shoulda given it 3* …..
This was my least favorite in the series so far. He did 2 important dungeons and got quarantined in the naughty spot for like 6 months. The end. Sadly that’s about it. This book could have probably been skipped.
This was my least favorite in the series so far. He did 2 important dungeons and got quarantined in the naughty spot for like 6 months. The end. Sadly that’s about it. This book could have probably been skipped.
October 9, 2025
over powerd introvert protagonist, it's way too many details in the story, but man is it a good story.
April 5, 2025
Maybe "I, The Glitch" Would Be a Better Name For This Series
Thaden's adventures in the world of Tarth continue. He still cannot use armor or weaponry so he must rely on exploiting his healing spells to combat the monsters of the Persistent Adversary.
This novel, as are the two before it, is an excellent read.
Thaden's adventures in the world of Tarth continue. He still cannot use armor or weaponry so he must rely on exploiting his healing spells to combat the monsters of the Persistent Adversary.
This novel, as are the two before it, is an excellent read.
October 13, 2024
Good story, but frustrating MC and the author can't make up his mind
First of all, I'd like to say that this book is generally well-written and that the story is pretty good, but there are some obnoxious issues that I hope the author keeps in mind for future entries in the series. You're unlikely to be reading the review of this book if you haven't made it through the first two books in the series, so I don't feel the need to go into great depth regarding the story so far. I'm writing this review more to vent about some of the author's choices (in the hopes that he reads these reviews) than as a recommendation or overview of the book for other prospective readers. Spoilers ahead, so readers beware.
I've read a fair number of litrpg novels at this point, and this series is above average, but my primary complaints are that it suffers from a few trends that seem to be the result of pure laziness on the part of the author. The three most obvious being:
1. The fairly one-dimensional, "stupid" MC, who needs handholding and plot armor to progress at pretty much every step.
2. The aforementioned plot armor saving the day repeatedly, and far more blatantly in this book than either book 1 or book 2.
3. Awkward efforts by the author to 'nerf' the main character because he's getting too strong too quickly by exploiting his particular gimmick and world system the author set up in the first place.
Regarding the main character, he has a pretty good number of fairly interesting skills, which are generally utilized well in the combat scenes. My problem is with his character in general, as he comes across as an oblivious, bumbling fool, who accidentally stumbles from one catastrophe to the next, lucking his way to victory through plot armor and his overpowered character trait of essentially infinite mana regeneration. This book, and to a lesser degree the other two books in the series, follow a general pattern where the plot is progressed by the MC doing something really stupid, realizing how stupid the thing he did was, resolving to not be so stupid in the future, and then making more stupid decisions. Rinse and repeat. Even though I generally enjoyed the story of each of these books, I spent much of the time reading them frustrated and unsatisfied due to the main character's ineptitude.
Heavy plot armor is pretty common in the litrpg genre, but the author has really taken it to extremes in this book. In numerous places in this book, the author deus ex machinas his way out of corners he has painted the main character into by literally having the System that basically runs the rpg mechanics of the world suffer from errors and "reboot" to set things back on course. There is also liberal use of the "luck stat" mechanic to explain fortuitous opportunities that the main character experiences. In one of the more blatant examples of plot armor; near the end of the book, the MC is essentially imprisoned at the bottom of the ocean by the System, which just happens to run out of energy to continue the imprisonment on the same day that the MC runs out of food (at which point he was considering suicide), which also just happens to be the day of (or day before, it's not clear) the 1-year anniversary of the start of the world. He rejoins the world and the system rankings just in time to receive most of the top rewards. Absurd coincidences such as this abound.
Finally, one of the tropes I find most irritating and unnecessary in books of the litrpg genre is when an author creates lazy workarounds to 'nerf' their characters who are getting too strong too fast and are leaving their competition or companions behind. Either lean into the power fantasy or don't give them all the OP stuff (free stats, achievements, titles, whatever) in the first place. For example, when the main character in this book is "imprisoned" for 5 months, unable to progress at all, and is released to find the rest of the world finally almost caught up to his level. The saddest part is that the world the author built already has reasonable nerf mechanics built in (such as fairly difficult evolution quests that need to be completed to exceed certain levels, or limits on the amount of experience that can be banked or earned from enemies). I almost stopped reading the book despite only having a few pages to go when I read this part. There's a one-line explanation given suggesting that the main character is happy about this equalization as it will make his next group quest easier, but it really just seems like a shameless way for the author to keep the MC from getting too far ahead.
Rant over. I hope the author reads this and puts in a little more effort to make the plot manipulations a bit more subtle in the next one.
First of all, I'd like to say that this book is generally well-written and that the story is pretty good, but there are some obnoxious issues that I hope the author keeps in mind for future entries in the series. You're unlikely to be reading the review of this book if you haven't made it through the first two books in the series, so I don't feel the need to go into great depth regarding the story so far. I'm writing this review more to vent about some of the author's choices (in the hopes that he reads these reviews) than as a recommendation or overview of the book for other prospective readers. Spoilers ahead, so readers beware.
I've read a fair number of litrpg novels at this point, and this series is above average, but my primary complaints are that it suffers from a few trends that seem to be the result of pure laziness on the part of the author. The three most obvious being:
1. The fairly one-dimensional, "stupid" MC, who needs handholding and plot armor to progress at pretty much every step.
2. The aforementioned plot armor saving the day repeatedly, and far more blatantly in this book than either book 1 or book 2.
3. Awkward efforts by the author to 'nerf' the main character because he's getting too strong too quickly by exploiting his particular gimmick and world system the author set up in the first place.
Regarding the main character, he has a pretty good number of fairly interesting skills, which are generally utilized well in the combat scenes. My problem is with his character in general, as he comes across as an oblivious, bumbling fool, who accidentally stumbles from one catastrophe to the next, lucking his way to victory through plot armor and his overpowered character trait of essentially infinite mana regeneration. This book, and to a lesser degree the other two books in the series, follow a general pattern where the plot is progressed by the MC doing something really stupid, realizing how stupid the thing he did was, resolving to not be so stupid in the future, and then making more stupid decisions. Rinse and repeat. Even though I generally enjoyed the story of each of these books, I spent much of the time reading them frustrated and unsatisfied due to the main character's ineptitude.
Heavy plot armor is pretty common in the litrpg genre, but the author has really taken it to extremes in this book. In numerous places in this book, the author deus ex machinas his way out of corners he has painted the main character into by literally having the System that basically runs the rpg mechanics of the world suffer from errors and "reboot" to set things back on course. There is also liberal use of the "luck stat" mechanic to explain fortuitous opportunities that the main character experiences. In one of the more blatant examples of plot armor; near the end of the book, the MC is essentially imprisoned at the bottom of the ocean by the System, which just happens to run out of energy to continue the imprisonment on the same day that the MC runs out of food (at which point he was considering suicide), which also just happens to be the day of (or day before, it's not clear) the 1-year anniversary of the start of the world. He rejoins the world and the system rankings just in time to receive most of the top rewards. Absurd coincidences such as this abound.
Finally, one of the tropes I find most irritating and unnecessary in books of the litrpg genre is when an author creates lazy workarounds to 'nerf' their characters who are getting too strong too fast and are leaving their competition or companions behind. Either lean into the power fantasy or don't give them all the OP stuff (free stats, achievements, titles, whatever) in the first place. For example, when the main character in this book is "imprisoned" for 5 months, unable to progress at all, and is released to find the rest of the world finally almost caught up to his level. The saddest part is that the world the author built already has reasonable nerf mechanics built in (such as fairly difficult evolution quests that need to be completed to exceed certain levels, or limits on the amount of experience that can be banked or earned from enemies). I almost stopped reading the book despite only having a few pages to go when I read this part. There's a one-line explanation given suggesting that the main character is happy about this equalization as it will make his next group quest easier, but it really just seems like a shameless way for the author to keep the MC from getting too far ahead.
Rant over. I hope the author reads this and puts in a little more effort to make the plot manipulations a bit more subtle in the next one.
November 6, 2024
3,5 stars...
Ok, this one disappointed me just a bit.
First, I want to say I was glad that our MC chose to stop hiding his name and level, that was refreshing, as well as the fact that he could talk to people or do business with some without worrying for their safety was a plus... Two books of hiding, even though it was well executed, was my limit.
But, the dungeon exploration was boring, in the first two books it was really interesting as we could see how the MC handled winning when he basically couldn't fight, in this book he's already pretty much established a way for him to win that only needs slight arrangements whenever necessary. So the clearing of a dungeon felt repetitive, the author tried to do something different with adding a bit of a labyrinth setting to one but it didn't last... And the list of spells he used was awfully long, sometimes it would take a whole page to say what spells he was using to fight one opponent, and then he was just rinsing and repeating... I think maybe if the spells listing wasn't so detailed and just told us the final effect of the spells and why he used them it would have been better, the endless lists of spells make them appeared as a grocery list, I skipped most of them unless it was the first time he was casting that specific blend.
Luckily, we get a time skip where the MC keeps on exploring the dungeons in search of the anchoring one... And halfway through it starts to pick up as some differences are introduced.
I also liked the two new characters the MC meets, though I was left wanting more as they made a short appearance... I do hope that we see more of them in the other books.
The new things we learn about Thart and the system are interesting and we get to know more of things the MC missed for not going through training. I still don't like the system at all. I don't trust it one bit.
It was interesting where it ended as we get a hint of what to expect in the next book, though of course this is a story where the best laid plans have no meaning to the system, so everything could and will change at the drop of a hat.
POV: multiple (mostly main lead)
Tropes: system, other world, levels, glitch in the system, dungeons.
Spice: none (no love interest)
CW: violence, death, arachnid dungeon (that one was nightmare inducing).
Ok, this one disappointed me just a bit.
First, I want to say I was glad that our MC chose to stop hiding his name and level, that was refreshing, as well as the fact that he could talk to people or do business with some without worrying for their safety was a plus... Two books of hiding, even though it was well executed, was my limit.
But, the dungeon exploration was boring, in the first two books it was really interesting as we could see how the MC handled winning when he basically couldn't fight, in this book he's already pretty much established a way for him to win that only needs slight arrangements whenever necessary. So the clearing of a dungeon felt repetitive, the author tried to do something different with adding a bit of a labyrinth setting to one but it didn't last... And the list of spells he used was awfully long, sometimes it would take a whole page to say what spells he was using to fight one opponent, and then he was just rinsing and repeating... I think maybe if the spells listing wasn't so detailed and just told us the final effect of the spells and why he used them it would have been better, the endless lists of spells make them appeared as a grocery list, I skipped most of them unless it was the first time he was casting that specific blend.
Luckily, we get a time skip where the MC keeps on exploring the dungeons in search of the anchoring one... And halfway through it starts to pick up as some differences are introduced.
I also liked the two new characters the MC meets, though I was left wanting more as they made a short appearance... I do hope that we see more of them in the other books.
The new things we learn about Thart and the system are interesting and we get to know more of things the MC missed for not going through training. I still don't like the system at all. I don't trust it one bit.
It was interesting where it ended as we get a hint of what to expect in the next book, though of course this is a story where the best laid plans have no meaning to the system, so everything could and will change at the drop of a hat.
POV: multiple (mostly main lead)
Tropes: system, other world, levels, glitch in the system, dungeons.
Spice: none (no love interest)
CW: violence, death, arachnid dungeon (that one was nightmare inducing).
November 9, 2025
Still good book, but its starting to loose me. Already on to book 4 not much progressed story wise as in what's next, fighting adversary on other worlds or what. This rate seems like 6 books on Tarth, unless he never leaves Tarth.
Start off he went to Devils Nail to get loot, complained about the loot from individual monsters than why didn't he Loot the 3 bosses? They fell off platform? Take the stairs down, I mean come on, then go to treasure room.
Rachel the Guild leader, why is her goal just to be the richest guild on Tarth, isn’t this just a starter training planet? Shouldn’t they be looking at what’s after, fighting the adversary
Didn't care much for the way they did time skip, 6 months trapped at the bottom of sea in bubble, should of continued with the blackout void theme from previous anchor. I mean it was same amount of time that he was already on Tarth. Seemed excessive, which thought void issue would have been better.
I like the overall seriousness vibe, so it worries me when I see a dumb squirrel companion on cover of the next books.
Start off he went to Devils Nail to get loot, complained about the loot from individual monsters than why didn't he Loot the 3 bosses? They fell off platform? Take the stairs down, I mean come on, then go to treasure room.
Rachel the Guild leader, why is her goal just to be the richest guild on Tarth, isn’t this just a starter training planet? Shouldn’t they be looking at what’s after, fighting the adversary
Didn't care much for the way they did time skip, 6 months trapped at the bottom of sea in bubble, should of continued with the blackout void theme from previous anchor. I mean it was same amount of time that he was already on Tarth. Seemed excessive, which thought void issue would have been better.
I like the overall seriousness vibe, so it worries me when I see a dumb squirrel companion on cover of the next books.
October 30, 2024
+1 for recaps
It feels like this story was written around the stats. God damn fucking stats and then some more stats and to top it off the chapter is just STATS.
This series is written for antisocial loners (I am antisocial but I don't want a book, let alone a series, written about my stats and dungeon spelunking). Primal Hunter works coz it's fun, and coz of the pets. This mc, who's name I don't even remember after 2 minutes of listening to the audiobook, is just a pathetic loner fucking king. If he was the mc of I AM LEGEND, he would have shot the dog and blown up the mannequin. The solo act is just getting old and quite frankly author needs to add more CHARACTERS to give meat to this skeleton of a series. I think I am going to drop it. There are much better series out there (at least for me)
It feels like this story was written around the stats. God damn fucking stats and then some more stats and to top it off the chapter is just STATS.
This series is written for antisocial loners (I am antisocial but I don't want a book, let alone a series, written about my stats and dungeon spelunking). Primal Hunter works coz it's fun, and coz of the pets. This mc, who's name I don't even remember after 2 minutes of listening to the audiobook, is just a pathetic loner fucking king. If he was the mc of I AM LEGEND, he would have shot the dog and blown up the mannequin. The solo act is just getting old and quite frankly author needs to add more CHARACTERS to give meat to this skeleton of a series. I think I am going to drop it. There are much better series out there (at least for me)
October 31, 2024
This series had a lot of potential. The plot was so unique that I really wanted to like this. However, the writing is subpar.
The frequent level jumps, and corresponding surge of abilities, makes it hard to keep up as a reader. At some point, the MC has 20+ spells, half of which seem like he’s just earned. As if that’s not enough, there are multipliers for damage applied and damage reduction that really make it complicated to follow without a calculator. I found myself skipping entire fights because I couldn’t follow which spell he used and what the effect should be.
I also found myself struggling to root for the MC. When you create a solo character, there aren’t any other personality types to drive interest. The MC has such a neutral personality, and combined with the forced explosions of rage, it just makes it hard to read.
The frequent level jumps, and corresponding surge of abilities, makes it hard to keep up as a reader. At some point, the MC has 20+ spells, half of which seem like he’s just earned. As if that’s not enough, there are multipliers for damage applied and damage reduction that really make it complicated to follow without a calculator. I found myself skipping entire fights because I couldn’t follow which spell he used and what the effect should be.
I also found myself struggling to root for the MC. When you create a solo character, there aren’t any other personality types to drive interest. The MC has such a neutral personality, and combined with the forced explosions of rage, it just makes it hard to read.
October 31, 2024
Undisguised Healer
Thaden needs to complete the remaining two anchor dungeons. If he doesn’t, the death toll will be catastrophic. The problem is that he has no idea where they are. Before he starts to just complete every dungeon in that level range, he will need to get some better gear. He even has a lead on a dungeon that drops Support gear.
I always appreciate the way Jonathan Brooks does his books. There is a summery of previous books at the beginning and all the heavy stat sections are their own chapters. You can listen or not, your choice. This story was a lot of fun watching Thaden explore all the different dungeons. I am really excited to see how the next book goes as it looks to be changing directions. Miles Meili does an excellent job with the narration!
Content Warning: language
Thaden needs to complete the remaining two anchor dungeons. If he doesn’t, the death toll will be catastrophic. The problem is that he has no idea where they are. Before he starts to just complete every dungeon in that level range, he will need to get some better gear. He even has a lead on a dungeon that drops Support gear.
I always appreciate the way Jonathan Brooks does his books. There is a summery of previous books at the beginning and all the heavy stat sections are their own chapters. You can listen or not, your choice. This story was a lot of fun watching Thaden explore all the different dungeons. I am really excited to see how the next book goes as it looks to be changing directions. Miles Meili does an excellent job with the narration!
Content Warning: language
October 25, 2024
My kind of MC
Has an imperfect personality, but with a solid sense of trying to not be an AH.
He does try to be a good person, as is possible given the world. Not an easy task.
His growth has been steady. His gaining of understanding has been in bursts and stalls. Quite the Yo-Yo process.
I wonder what will happen when the system realizes how broken and out of place he is? That will prove complex.
I like the crunchy stuff some, but the excess inner monologue about all the choices becomes distracting from the progression of the overall story.
Still it is interesting at times to read his thought process, instead of skimming over it which I do for most of them.
Great story.
Has an imperfect personality, but with a solid sense of trying to not be an AH.
He does try to be a good person, as is possible given the world. Not an easy task.
His growth has been steady. His gaining of understanding has been in bursts and stalls. Quite the Yo-Yo process.
I wonder what will happen when the system realizes how broken and out of place he is? That will prove complex.
I like the crunchy stuff some, but the excess inner monologue about all the choices becomes distracting from the progression of the overall story.
Still it is interesting at times to read his thought process, instead of skimming over it which I do for most of them.
Great story.
November 2, 2024
Had me hooked
This series in general is really consistent for the most part. The MC isnt like the other characters in books who say they like being alone then randomly have a close friend group. I was looking for a lone wolf type main character and this book delivered in a very unexpected way with a MC who has to cast 5-6 spells at a time just to live and kill stuff. The author also will throw in some side characters that i think will be around then we never see them again which fits perfectly with how it should work beings that the MC is just on a whole different level then them in the first place. Overall love this book and my only gripe is that we have no date for the fourth book.
This series in general is really consistent for the most part. The MC isnt like the other characters in books who say they like being alone then randomly have a close friend group. I was looking for a lone wolf type main character and this book delivered in a very unexpected way with a MC who has to cast 5-6 spells at a time just to live and kill stuff. The author also will throw in some side characters that i think will be around then we never see them again which fits perfectly with how it should work beings that the MC is just on a whole different level then them in the first place. Overall love this book and my only gripe is that we have no date for the fourth book.
September 7, 2024
The plot continues to be interesting. There seems to be some effort on the definition of the characters and the descriptions of the dungeon divings are not too repetitive. However I finished the book with the feeling that most of it was about the system messages, the MC selecting skills and long descriptions of all those skills, percentages, points, coins and that's all. The MC finds people with whom he seems to connect but they disapear from the book after some chapters.
All in all it is a bit disapointing because I continue to love the series.
All in all it is a bit disapointing because I continue to love the series.
September 30, 2024
Interesting but meh ending
A good book that felt like it went far too quickly with the SPECIAL quests. It felt rushed. Also I am not sure how I feel about how he leveled up; on one hand it was genius, but on the other hand it felt lazy.
The ending was meh, as it just ended and we didn't even get to see what he got in his reward chests.
Fascinating new potential plot development between him and the system. Not sure if it was a fluke of the book or if it will continue in future books.
Have FUN!!
A good book that felt like it went far too quickly with the SPECIAL quests. It felt rushed. Also I am not sure how I feel about how he leveled up; on one hand it was genius, but on the other hand it felt lazy.
The ending was meh, as it just ended and we didn't even get to see what he got in his reward chests.
Fascinating new potential plot development between him and the system. Not sure if it was a fluke of the book or if it will continue in future books.
Have FUN!!
January 8, 2025
meh
I know that, for some people, the stats are the point of reading litrpg. But, for me, there was just too much focus on the numbers and the theory crafting. It was especially obnoxious when listening to the audible version.
The MC almost made friends in this book. That was, of course, nipped in the bud because our MC is allergic to other people. Or the author just doesn’t want to keep track of more than one person in the story.
I might read the next one, but I’m not exactly looking forward to it.
I know that, for some people, the stats are the point of reading litrpg. But, for me, there was just too much focus on the numbers and the theory crafting. It was especially obnoxious when listening to the audible version.
The MC almost made friends in this book. That was, of course, nipped in the bud because our MC is allergic to other people. Or the author just doesn’t want to keep track of more than one person in the story.
I might read the next one, but I’m not exactly looking forward to it.
January 14, 2025
Good plot line, very different but interesting MC class and character. As too often the case in this genre to much text padding of LitRPG details that end up being irrelevant to the telling of the story.
To make my point of the prior sentence: If describing a car crashed caused by a tire blowing out due to running over a board that had a nail sticking out of it - the micrometer measured size, finish, and atomic composition of the nail is not relevant relevant to the description of the event.
To make my point of the prior sentence: If describing a car crashed caused by a tire blowing out due to running over a board that had a nail sticking out of it - the micrometer measured size, finish, and atomic composition of the nail is not relevant relevant to the description of the event.
May 17, 2025
The story is lackluster with an overall bad story
This is the third book and while it is slightly better paced than the second, it is not great. The time skips are lazy and poorly explained with nobody else ever acknowledging that they happen. The best in the world just disappears and then comes back on top out of nowhere and nobody ever seems to notice. The system overall is just badly explained and it always just works out for the MC because it does. I'm dropping this series
This is the third book and while it is slightly better paced than the second, it is not great. The time skips are lazy and poorly explained with nobody else ever acknowledging that they happen. The best in the world just disappears and then comes back on top out of nowhere and nobody ever seems to notice. The system overall is just badly explained and it always just works out for the MC because it does. I'm dropping this series
October 24, 2025
So, I am stopping here.
Too much info dump on the system, the spells, the levels bla bla bla.
There is no people/characters in that book in addition to the protag. No relationships, no development, no meaningful interaction. This book depresses me and bores me.
Maybe more for people who are really really hard-core into this gaming stuff?
I was hoping for a second (if different) Jason and his motly crew...but doesn't look likely and if you start skimming 10% it probably is not worth it...
Too much info dump on the system, the spells, the levels bla bla bla.
There is no people/characters in that book in addition to the protag. No relationships, no development, no meaningful interaction. This book depresses me and bores me.
Maybe more for people who are really really hard-core into this gaming stuff?
I was hoping for a second (if different) Jason and his motly crew...but doesn't look likely and if you start skimming 10% it probably is not worth it...
September 2, 2024
Wow. Just Wow.
The book just jumped right into finding the first first anchor dungeon and showing off the skills of the solitary shaman. The series has now progressed from an invulnerable MC who can't fight to an OP MC who has lost their perfect defense. Adds just the right amount of suspense I think.
Great spot of jaw dropping comic relief in the middle before the last half just flew by. Only regret is having to wait months for the story to continue.
The book just jumped right into finding the first first anchor dungeon and showing off the skills of the solitary shaman. The series has now progressed from an invulnerable MC who can't fight to an OP MC who has lost their perfect defense. Adds just the right amount of suspense I think.
Great spot of jaw dropping comic relief in the middle before the last half just flew by. Only regret is having to wait months for the story to continue.
September 3, 2024
Gets a little geeky on the stats but still a fun read.
In a couple of places, there were several pages of calculations around spells and combos. While interesting, there was a bit too much information - but, hey, the author even admits to geeking on the healing class. As is the pattern with the other 2 books, we are left with a lot of questions and a sense that more adventures await.
I am looking forward to the next book!
In a couple of places, there were several pages of calculations around spells and combos. While interesting, there was a bit too much information - but, hey, the author even admits to geeking on the healing class. As is the pattern with the other 2 books, we are left with a lot of questions and a sense that more adventures await.
I am looking forward to the next book!
September 4, 2024
crunch time
It’s not that the numbers are overwhelming. It’s the pages of skill descriptions and sheer number of achievements and…at times it stops being a story and becomes a video game, that you are watching someone else play.
I don’t know if I want to continue. It’s got a lot of cool ideas. But the storyline didn’t advance near as much as the number of pages would seem to indicate.
It’s not that the numbers are overwhelming. It’s the pages of skill descriptions and sheer number of achievements and…at times it stops being a story and becomes a video game, that you are watching someone else play.
I don’t know if I want to continue. It’s got a lot of cool ideas. But the storyline didn’t advance near as much as the number of pages would seem to indicate.
September 14, 2024
Book three
This one ends at 92% the rest being final stat pages before adding the newest rewards.
I don't really remember most of this book. I've been sick. What I do know is that it was good enough to keep my attention even when sick so that I reached 80% before becoming well enough to remember anything.
So for me that means this has to be at least a decent read.
7/10 Just because I can't remember most of the book. Still looking forward to book four.
This one ends at 92% the rest being final stat pages before adding the newest rewards.
I don't really remember most of this book. I've been sick. What I do know is that it was good enough to keep my attention even when sick so that I reached 80% before becoming well enough to remember anything.
So for me that means this has to be at least a decent read.
7/10 Just because I can't remember most of the book. Still looking forward to book four.
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