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Warmaster #5
Warmaster 5: The Glory Games
Can Aderyn stop a hidden danger before it destroys those she loves?
The quest to discover the truth about the legendary Fated One has taken Aderyn and her friends across a continent and back. They’ve faced monsters, evil humans, and dungeons that nearly destroyed them. Now, they’re ready for something different. A chance meeting with Aderyn’s brother brings them to the city of Finion’s Gate to compete in the Glory Games, where Owen fights a series of duels and the others compete in tiny dungeons, all for the applause of the crowd.
But darker forces at work in the city threaten not only the Games, but the lives of everyone involved. To stop the oncoming catastrophe, Aderyn and Owen and the others face their greatest challenge yet—and discover dangers worse than death.
The quest to discover the truth about the legendary Fated One has taken Aderyn and her friends across a continent and back. They’ve faced monsters, evil humans, and dungeons that nearly destroyed them. Now, they’re ready for something different. A chance meeting with Aderyn’s brother brings them to the city of Finion’s Gate to compete in the Glory Games, where Owen fights a series of duels and the others compete in tiny dungeons, all for the applause of the crowd.
But darker forces at work in the city threaten not only the Games, but the lives of everyone involved. To stop the oncoming catastrophe, Aderyn and Owen and the others face their greatest challenge yet—and discover dangers worse than death.
- GenresFantasy
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
12 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McShane
94 books861 followersMelissa grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2024
This is the fifth in a LitRPG isekai series that builds over time. You should read in order.
So my standard non-standard disclaimer applies. Melissa and I live together in India where I have signed a document saying I'm responsible for anything she does. I think they meant legally and in the punitive sense. But I'll be honest, I didn't look too closely when signing. Anyway, while I strive for honesty in all my reviews, including this one, you can take this review with any amount of leeway you like.
This is a bit of a departure for the series in that Aderyn and her party head to Finnion's Gate to compete in the Glory Games. Owen is a sponsored challenger whose success directly determines his sponsor's political position for the following period. Aderyn and the rest are involved in the team competitions that are mostly entertainment. I thought it was fantastic to have a dungeon that is used for arena style entertainments with the kind of competitions that were really popular in the US a decade or so ago. And making them team matches was even better because it made it possible to showcase teamwork and the depth of compatibility in different adventurer configurations. I loved the other teams and seeing their dedication to competition and putting on a great show. Plus seeing the Wildcats (Aderyn's team) upset expectations was all the fun!
The first half of the book is fairly light hearted as the team explores the town and builds relationships. They have an "in" on arrival because Aderyn's brother, Borrus, is the one who recruited them for the games in the first place. So we see her sibling relationship with a bonus of him letting her know that their speed in packing on levels is astonishing. Aderyn and her team had no idea that leveling so fast was at all odd (well, Isold knew because he's smart), so seeing them run into that head on was a great moment.
And then murder happens. And other disruptions. And the team has to figure out if they are going to be targets and what is actually going on. Plus, Owen gets to stretch his March Madness skills to stay ahead of expectations for the double elimination competition. And I won't go into spoiler territory, but the primary bad guy they are chasing through most of that second half is truly chilling. Seriously, Aderyn's worst nightmares are on the line and that had me on the edge of my seat the first time reading this.
Anyway, this is a great story and worth all five stars. What could have been a bit of a slack as the team has to level before the rest of the Fated One quests kick in at level fourteen became an important story for them as a team and their development as adventurers. Plus, I got to root for the Swift to kick apart everybody's expectations for what is possible for a Warmaster.
A note about Chaste: Aderyn and Owen's relationship is an important aspect of the story and their intimacy plays a role in the story's developments. As such, we see more foreplay than usual in these stories. I don't think it's enough to get into steam territory, but it could be on the border for some so I'll note that here.
So my standard non-standard disclaimer applies. Melissa and I live together in India where I have signed a document saying I'm responsible for anything she does. I think they meant legally and in the punitive sense. But I'll be honest, I didn't look too closely when signing. Anyway, while I strive for honesty in all my reviews, including this one, you can take this review with any amount of leeway you like.
This is a bit of a departure for the series in that Aderyn and her party head to Finnion's Gate to compete in the Glory Games. Owen is a sponsored challenger whose success directly determines his sponsor's political position for the following period. Aderyn and the rest are involved in the team competitions that are mostly entertainment. I thought it was fantastic to have a dungeon that is used for arena style entertainments with the kind of competitions that were really popular in the US a decade or so ago. And making them team matches was even better because it made it possible to showcase teamwork and the depth of compatibility in different adventurer configurations. I loved the other teams and seeing their dedication to competition and putting on a great show. Plus seeing the Wildcats (Aderyn's team) upset expectations was all the fun!
The first half of the book is fairly light hearted as the team explores the town and builds relationships. They have an "in" on arrival because Aderyn's brother, Borrus, is the one who recruited them for the games in the first place. So we see her sibling relationship with a bonus of him letting her know that their speed in packing on levels is astonishing. Aderyn and her team had no idea that leveling so fast was at all odd (well, Isold knew because he's smart), so seeing them run into that head on was a great moment.
And then murder happens. And other disruptions. And the team has to figure out if they are going to be targets and what is actually going on. Plus, Owen gets to stretch his March Madness skills to stay ahead of expectations for the double elimination competition. And I won't go into spoiler territory, but the primary bad guy they are chasing through most of that second half is truly chilling. Seriously, Aderyn's worst nightmares are on the line and that had me on the edge of my seat the first time reading this.
Anyway, this is a great story and worth all five stars. What could have been a bit of a slack as the team has to level before the rest of the Fated One quests kick in at level fourteen became an important story for them as a team and their development as adventurers. Plus, I got to root for the Swift to kick apart everybody's expectations for what is possible for a Warmaster.
A note about Chaste: Aderyn and Owen's relationship is an important aspect of the story and their intimacy plays a role in the story's developments. As such, we see more foreplay than usual in these stories. I don't think it's enough to get into steam territory, but it could be on the border for some so I'll note that here.
Read
December 1, 2024I didn't get to writing this review until now because I've been busy and disinclined to write reviews, but I am happy with this installment of the Warmaster series. I love arena battles, and when it turned out I needed more action to spin out the Fated One's Destiny quest, I leaped at the chance to write some of my own.
Of course, I indulged myself in writing both "gladiator" combats and single-instance tiny dungeons, because why not? This gave everyone on the team something to do without it bogging down in a million one-on-one combats. And coming up with the tiny dungeons was a lot of fun, so much fun that I don't even have a favorite one. Maybe the final one. Or the first. Also, when my daughter read the book, she got to the part where the team is trying out for the competition and she sent me messages like "LMAO u made Fantasy Wipeout!!!" (This is how she texts. She thinks spelling words out is for people who don't have dyslexia.) And it is Fantasy Wipeout. I loved that show.
This one also features a new threat and a new challenge to Owen and Aderyn's relationship. I liked where things ended up, and I had fun elaborating on courtship customs in this world.
The narrator, Talon, did some great New Yorker accents for me, as Finion's Gate is the New York City of this world (just as Guerdon Deep is Boston and Branlight is Ottawa and Obsidian is Los Angeles). I love these audiobooks as much as I love the books themselves.
Coming next: a mega-dungeon, and dueling teams...
Of course, I indulged myself in writing both "gladiator" combats and single-instance tiny dungeons, because why not? This gave everyone on the team something to do without it bogging down in a million one-on-one combats. And coming up with the tiny dungeons was a lot of fun, so much fun that I don't even have a favorite one. Maybe the final one. Or the first. Also, when my daughter read the book, she got to the part where the team is trying out for the competition and she sent me messages like "LMAO u made Fantasy Wipeout!!!" (This is how she texts. She thinks spelling words out is for people who don't have dyslexia.) And it is Fantasy Wipeout. I loved that show.
This one also features a new threat and a new challenge to Owen and Aderyn's relationship. I liked where things ended up, and I had fun elaborating on courtship customs in this world.
The narrator, Talon, did some great New Yorker accents for me, as Finion's Gate is the New York City of this world (just as Guerdon Deep is Boston and Branlight is Ottawa and Obsidian is Los Angeles). I love these audiobooks as much as I love the books themselves.
Coming next: a mega-dungeon, and dueling teams...
Read
December 11, 2024Another winner in this series. I really love how the relationships are gaining complexity, and the villains are those you love to hate. (With some surprises!)
The Glory Games were inventive, but what I really appreciated was the skillful interweaving of the games and action with character arcs. By the end I was thinking, character wins....and then there was that last line.
Looking forward to where we go next.
The Glory Games were inventive, but what I really appreciated was the skillful interweaving of the games and action with character arcs. By the end I was thinking, character wins....and then there was that last line.
Looking forward to where we go next.
May 5, 2025
This is book 5 in the Warmaster Series. This review does not contain spoilers. However, it assumes you've read the previous books. If you haven't, you really should! They are great!
This was my second read (1st audiobook listen) of this book, which I received as an ARC, and then purchased the audiobook on Audible. I am certain I wrote a review when I first read it, but apparently, it never posted. I would never have known, except that I heard good things about the audiobooks. Plus, I wanted a refresher to prepare for Warmaster 7: The Ivory Palace, set to release May 27th, 2025. 🥳
This series is a favorite of mine already! Aderyn and her team are interesting, clever, and fantastic to read. Warmaster 5: The Glory Games takes the team to a brand new set of tasks and challenges in the form of a non-lethal competition in Finion's Gate, a new city the adventurer's enter to boost levels and to qualify for the next step in the Fated One Quest Chain.
Things I loved:
1) The Glory Games are incredibly entertaining, Wipeout meets Survivor in their physical challenges. It was a light, fun departure from the life-or-death they have faced so far without removing the high stakes of play built into that sort of competition.
2) Maybe a tiny spoiler - We meet someone important from Aderyn's past! Something I didn't realize I would be so excited for. It expanded my view of Aderyn.
3)Aderyn and Owen's relationship is tested in some surprising ways. (No spoilers! but it's intense)
4) The team still faces peril, in the form of their most cunning enemy yet. I could not put it down until I found out what happened!
5)Audiobook specifically: The Finion's Gate "Gaters" accents were distinctive and entertaining. New characters introduced for this book were even better with the accent.
I really don't have anything negative to say! This series is an easy favorite and I look forward to each installment!
This was my second read (1st audiobook listen) of this book, which I received as an ARC, and then purchased the audiobook on Audible. I am certain I wrote a review when I first read it, but apparently, it never posted. I would never have known, except that I heard good things about the audiobooks. Plus, I wanted a refresher to prepare for Warmaster 7: The Ivory Palace, set to release May 27th, 2025. 🥳
This series is a favorite of mine already! Aderyn and her team are interesting, clever, and fantastic to read. Warmaster 5: The Glory Games takes the team to a brand new set of tasks and challenges in the form of a non-lethal competition in Finion's Gate, a new city the adventurer's enter to boost levels and to qualify for the next step in the Fated One Quest Chain.
Things I loved:
1) The Glory Games are incredibly entertaining, Wipeout meets Survivor in their physical challenges. It was a light, fun departure from the life-or-death they have faced so far without removing the high stakes of play built into that sort of competition.
2) Maybe a tiny spoiler - We meet someone important from Aderyn's past! Something I didn't realize I would be so excited for. It expanded my view of Aderyn.
3)Aderyn and Owen's relationship is tested in some surprising ways. (No spoilers! but it's intense)
4) The team still faces peril, in the form of their most cunning enemy yet. I could not put it down until I found out what happened!
5)Audiobook specifically: The Finion's Gate "Gaters" accents were distinctive and entertaining. New characters introduced for this book were even better with the accent.
I really don't have anything negative to say! This series is an easy favorite and I look forward to each installment!
September 13, 2024
I loved this book. Aderyn, Owen, and their adventuring companions face something new. They meet up with Aderyn's brother and he convinces them to take a pause from questing to compete in the Glory Games. Their hope is the competition will help them rank up and earn money.
And wow! This was intense. Imagine a mix of American Ninja Warrior and Survivor, with a bit of Hunger Games, and lots of RPG magic! I loved it!!! (I know, I said that already, but this might be my favorite so far.)
The games are challenging but these adventurers are good and have learned to work together well. But some competitors cheat, some are jerks, and most importantly, someone is killing competitors and Aderyn and friends have to find out before they become victims.
Exciting, fast-paced adventure, great game challenges, and interesting character arcs. I love these books and the writing style. There is some violence, some swearing, and closed-door intimacy. For those reasons, I recommend it for readers 18+ who like RPG books, swashbuckling adventure, and a sweet love story. 5 Stars.
And wow! This was intense. Imagine a mix of American Ninja Warrior and Survivor, with a bit of Hunger Games, and lots of RPG magic! I loved it!!! (I know, I said that already, but this might be my favorite so far.)
The games are challenging but these adventurers are good and have learned to work together well. But some competitors cheat, some are jerks, and most importantly, someone is killing competitors and Aderyn and friends have to find out before they become victims.
Exciting, fast-paced adventure, great game challenges, and interesting character arcs. I love these books and the writing style. There is some violence, some swearing, and closed-door intimacy. For those reasons, I recommend it for readers 18+ who like RPG books, swashbuckling adventure, and a sweet love story. 5 Stars.
November 4, 2024
This is book 5 in a very linear series. You seriously can't start here. Go back and read the others. I'll wait.
Okay, now that you're all caught up.
I had so much fun with this book, especially following Sorrowvale where the challenge was rather dark and terrifying it's fun to see our heroes jumping into a competition where they all get to show their skills and their teamwork for the public to see. Because of the nature of dungeons the reader has had an inkling that the Fated One and his companions were growing in power faster than usual, but now we get to see just how stark that difference is. And how much of that isn't just the xp, but the ways they've learned to work together and to take advantage of their supposedly 'useless' warmaster.
I loved seeing Aderyn's brother and that family relationship, both the love and the arguments, which feels very real to the relationships I know.
Definitely a favorite addition to the series!
Okay, now that you're all caught up.
I had so much fun with this book, especially following Sorrowvale where the challenge was rather dark and terrifying it's fun to see our heroes jumping into a competition where they all get to show their skills and their teamwork for the public to see. Because of the nature of dungeons the reader has had an inkling that the Fated One and his companions were growing in power faster than usual, but now we get to see just how stark that difference is. And how much of that isn't just the xp, but the ways they've learned to work together and to take advantage of their supposedly 'useless' warmaster.
I loved seeing Aderyn's brother and that family relationship, both the love and the arguments, which feels very real to the relationships I know.
Definitely a favorite addition to the series!
September 25, 2024
This was a wonderful installment in the story of Aderyn and Owen and their friends. A break from adventuring to compete in their world’s Glory Games - a mix of gladiators and the Olympics - allows the team to define who they are and what they really want. Mix in a mysterious figure who is trying to disrupt the Games, and you get a great story. I think this one was my favorite in the series!
I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC, but the decision to leave a review, and all of my opinions, are my own.
I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC, but the decision to leave a review, and all of my opinions, are my own.
November 7, 2024
I like it
This is an adventure story with interesting world building. It continues the story arc in a different way using people vs dungeon vs people in a game like murder mystery fashion.
This is an adventure story with interesting world building. It continues the story arc in a different way using people vs dungeon vs people in a game like murder mystery fashion.
December 29, 2024
This series is absolutely fantastic, I hope book 6 doesn't take too long to come out.
August 14, 2025
This is a very solid series with very good pacing. 👍🏽👍🏽
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews