Book 2 of an Isekai LitRPG adventure about a young man with a second chance to find his true potential.
Featuring a detailed System with plenty of power progression, three-dimensional characters, slice-of-life elements, an intriguing world, and so much more!
I really enjoyed this ARC in the Elydes story. If you are a fan of the litrpg genre y this book is for you. Interesting skills with lots of progression that feels earned. There are also lots of choices as the MC Kai progresses which allows for a lot of theory crafting. Highly recommend!
A somewhat frustrating read. The author created a MC whose best characteristics are arrogance, pride, and always being a jerk. He thinks he’s all that while I would pick him last for a team with his terrible demeanor and attitude. Can’t tell if the author did that on purpose or if they truly think the character is good. His backstory is a farce. Dad #1 he never even mentions when he wouldn’t exist without. Dad #2 gets all the love despite a short time. And with 4 parents, I didn’t understand the problem with adding a fifth? It is a good book while there is adventure and action otherwise I’m rolling my eyes and groaning at the MC.
This was very nearly a great book. I had a hard time putting it down. But, especially near the end, too many spelling, word choice, editing errors in general, popped up.
I will definitely read the next one, but hopefully that one is better edited.
I am so impressed by the first two books in this series. The characters draw you in subtly and seemingly effortlessly by the author. It’s clear that he is a talented writer as well as a fan of the genre. He is also perceptive to what separates the trash from the good from the great in this genre and is using that experience to craft the framework of a strong series.
I went into more detail about the pillars of this genre in my last review. I use this method try to quantity my reviews and add some consistency and fairness to the equation, as much as possible for a subjective review. You can read my prior review for my thoughts on those and how well the author manages them so far. My opinion hasn’t changed after Book 2.
I will speak to being happy with the author’s choices to push the story forward even if these choices evoke sadness. Sometimes it can be tempting to settle into the idyllic world you narrate for your audience, become overly attached to the characters, unwilling to risk taking the steps needed to advance the story, and of course enhance its quality.
The author advances the story in two powerful ways in this book. Both of them saddened me greatly, and that’s a nod to the author’s ability to endear me to the characters he’s created and do so in different ways and to do so impressively succinctly. There’s really not a lot of bloat in this series so far.
As I mentioned in my last review, there’s some tendency to get into the detailed minutiae of magic, but it’s not as complicated as it got in the first book. I think this strikes a good balance between healthy lore-building for the series as a whole without seeming like page stuffing.
I think he’s done a fantastic job with the characterization of the main character. The author, through telling us the story of MCs childhood, is building the context for who the MC will become. That’s so much better than the majority of series where the MC is some form of righteous chosen one with endless determination, no quit in them, etc. There’s rarely any real context to these traits in those series. They often seem to contradict the narrative the author shapes for them before they Isekai or the system event or whatever happens. And as fun as those series can still be, this is a flaw. Those characters usually boil down to being some sort of idealized version of the authors who create them. The author of this series has seen that flaw so common in this genre and is doing a fantastic job of taking progression to a higher level of writing.
If you’re looking for a MC who’s OP, righteous, sure of themselves, and always saves the day. I’m sorry, that amount of escapism says a lot about you that’s kind of sad. But this series isn’t for you.
If you’re looking for escapism where the good guys always win, nothing really bad ever happens to them, they always overcome adversity, no one we like ever dies, and everyone who’s bad gets what they deserve, I understand that maybe a little more than the other one. But still, this series isn’t for you.
This series is an investment in knowing what makes this genre tick, and taking it to another level. So glad this series was recommended to me. Book three in a week!
An Excellent Follow-Up - Steady Growth & Great Character Building
Tides of Change represents a growth in both the author and Kai (the main character). The author is developing a distinct prose and has gotten better at keeping things concise and well edited. Gone are distracting storylines (for the most part) and here to stay (hopefully) is the non-stop growth, intrigue, and adventure.
The one relatively negative review I saw for this book was that it was "too slow" and a "training montage." Maybe I enjoy a bit of a slow burn, but I didn't feel that at all. The pacing is consistent. The character growth is quick, but not so quick that it feels forced. While Kai does have "luck" on his side, the author does a great job explaining it (and it doesn't feel like he's overly lucky). Lastly, each of the characters are just so enjoyable. The humor is witty, but doesn't feel forced. The stakes are real (and often high), but the payoffs are higher. This series is fast worming its way into my top 10 favorites series in the last few years (and maybe my top 10 of all time).
Really good. I was worried about the pacing after book 1 but book 2 keeps it moving and changing things up. The book is also smart enough to keep personal relationships relevant and interesting.
I'm a little worried by the ending. That kind of escalation seems dangerously close to pushing our protagonist too much into special snowflake territory.
The first twenty or so chapters were OK, if a little repetitive and not that interesting. The story then moves in a slightly different direction, this begins with the author deliberately making Kia a target for the Republic for no really reason, except it provides a different path to the story. From this point on the story becomes more exciting, with several interesting twists. If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
Our hero adds many skills and learns many lessons in this second offering by Mr wells. Many mysteries still abound like runes from the destroyed ruins and a puzzle cube. New levels are mentioned yellow and green as well as mention of more strife and fighting that occurs on the main land. Seems power results in yet worst conflict - who knew. This book culminates in a look at a few professions ... But ends with no choice made...
I will never find another book series like this. I finished this book in a day I couldn't put it down. The complexity of this worlds rules are amazing. The amount of time and effort the author put in is easily seen by anyone who reads this book series. I will always remember these books. I can't wait for the next one.
Great world. Littpg elements understated... no massive stat blocks. Likeable characters, especially MC. No muderhobo. Coming of age story. Realistic progression that's earned. MC has light plot armor and a few lucky breaks, but nothing that breaks immersion.
There’s just something about the worldbuilding that I’m really enjoying in this story. It’s great. An imperfect main character and good supporting cast who are enjoyable and different. Nice sense of humour subtly in evidence!
There was a good path and movement to the story, bringing unforeseen twists and turns that surprised and delighted, shocked and saddened. There were also some hair scratchers. A good enjoyable and fun read.
A great sequel to a great first book. I think this is one of the best early series in the genre. Writing is excellent, characters are engaging, and there is clear progression. Highly recommend to all and eagerly looking forward to the next.
Main character is solid. Supporting characters are just as noteworthy. Lots of paths to follow and you left me on a cliffhanger. First book was slow, this one picked it up a little bit. Can't wait to read the 3rd!
I am really enjoying this slow burn build up that still has plenty of action.
I am really enjoying this slow burn build up that still has plenty of action. Plenty of character growth and interesting side characters that come and go. Can’t wait for more more to read.
Loved the first book and adored the second. I would suggest a bit faster pacing for the author but personally I’m loving it ad it is. I love the world your writing in drew!
This story of a reincarnation of a seventeen year old boy in to a magical brutal world was a very interesting action packed read. This book ends as he’s eleven and was choosing his profession.
The story is ok, but it's hard to read without falling asleep. There is so much useless info. Takes 5 pages of Yada, Yada, for a character to give an answer to a yes or no question.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
Great sequel but I really feel like there should have been a few years between book one and book two because of the young age of the protagonist. Also very very disappointed with the ending for multiple reasons.
Excellent second in a series. Great progression, nice levelling system, and of course, all the conflict a major character can handle. Really looking forward to the next one in the series.