What do you think?
Rate this book
Ascension of a Street Rat #2
Loremaster: Winged Wolf
Having survived his first year at Faebrook, all Rowan wants is to continue adventuring, learn more magic, and perhaps enjoy a nice apple pie every now and then.
Instead, he is swept into the political turmoil that seems to follow Morgana everywhere she goes. With assassins lurking in the shadows, dungeon dives growing ever more dangerous, and rumors of dark deeds going unpunished in the Fae homeland, it will take all of Rowan's ability just to survive.
Fortunately, he has his party at his side. Unfortunately, that means they're now in Tianna's crosshairs, and with the Fae heiress bent on Morgana's destruction, she will stop at nothing to see them fall.
Instead, he is swept into the political turmoil that seems to follow Morgana everywhere she goes. With assassins lurking in the shadows, dungeon dives growing ever more dangerous, and rumors of dark deeds going unpunished in the Fae homeland, it will take all of Rowan's ability just to survive.
Fortunately, he has his party at his side. Unfortunately, that means they're now in Tianna's crosshairs, and with the Fae heiress bent on Morgana's destruction, she will stop at nothing to see them fall.
749 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2024
334 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 5, 2024
Disappointing.
First book was pretty good. Sadly in the second, the MC failed to grow at all and was weak willed, wishy washy, an overall moron, and somehow vaguely guilty for surviving his childhood when confronted by a pampered, naive idiot. For a character of average background, whatever. Character arc and growth.
For someone who survived against all odds, from early childhood where only the most ruthless and lucky survive, and is a member of an Elite school notorious for training the most elite adventurers in several nations? No. Just no. The author set a standard. The characters must live up to them.
He also, as the supposed leader let his own team bully him and take over from him anytime they wanted. Leaders do not take votes and go with the majority in life and death situations for lack of any other ideas. Input is valued and good, but in the end the LEADER makes the final call. They do not let subordinates take the lead anytime they feel Strongly about some matter. They do not let team members withhold information that pertains to the whole teams safety The group either accepts this or they choose another leader.
Half of the trials the character went through could have been completely avoided by not letting someone's stupid feels get in the way of literal survival. Why would you do a mission, that you made yourself, that was not requested, OR required of you, that WILL involve killing, when you KNOW one of your men will hesitate to kill, and has stated he doesn't want too, even if it endangers everyone. And by word and deed has indicated on every level that he will put his principles before the lives of his own team.
Yet the MC does this. He also let dissention in the team foment with out resolve in times of life and death situations, stood by "helplessly" while team members turned on him and each other, etc. He endangered every member of the team, and failed as a leader. Never give an order you know will not be followed. Never risk the unit when you are not sure of success unless no other choice is available. If you can not do these things step down.
For a former street rat and survivor, the lack of ruthless determination and ability to make logical decisions in stressful situations did not make sense. His weakness ended up making me despise him by the halfway mark and I only finished the book in hopes it was part of his growth. It was not. I will not bother looking for the next book.
First book was pretty good. Sadly in the second, the MC failed to grow at all and was weak willed, wishy washy, an overall moron, and somehow vaguely guilty for surviving his childhood when confronted by a pampered, naive idiot. For a character of average background, whatever. Character arc and growth.
For someone who survived against all odds, from early childhood where only the most ruthless and lucky survive, and is a member of an Elite school notorious for training the most elite adventurers in several nations? No. Just no. The author set a standard. The characters must live up to them.
He also, as the supposed leader let his own team bully him and take over from him anytime they wanted. Leaders do not take votes and go with the majority in life and death situations for lack of any other ideas. Input is valued and good, but in the end the LEADER makes the final call. They do not let subordinates take the lead anytime they feel Strongly about some matter. They do not let team members withhold information that pertains to the whole teams safety The group either accepts this or they choose another leader.
Half of the trials the character went through could have been completely avoided by not letting someone's stupid feels get in the way of literal survival. Why would you do a mission, that you made yourself, that was not requested, OR required of you, that WILL involve killing, when you KNOW one of your men will hesitate to kill, and has stated he doesn't want too, even if it endangers everyone. And by word and deed has indicated on every level that he will put his principles before the lives of his own team.
Yet the MC does this. He also let dissention in the team foment with out resolve in times of life and death situations, stood by "helplessly" while team members turned on him and each other, etc. He endangered every member of the team, and failed as a leader. Never give an order you know will not be followed. Never risk the unit when you are not sure of success unless no other choice is available. If you can not do these things step down.
For a former street rat and survivor, the lack of ruthless determination and ability to make logical decisions in stressful situations did not make sense. His weakness ended up making me despise him by the halfway mark and I only finished the book in hopes it was part of his growth. It was not. I will not bother looking for the next book.
October 6, 2024
The writing was ok in the book only minor spelling and grammar issues,
Main problem with the book was that the plot seems to move not by actions from the main character but purely via the story around them.
The plot from Rahn onwards feels forced and contrived.
The entire last third of the book feels like a let down and just seems like a set up for the next book.
Main problem with the book was that the plot seems to move not by actions from the main character but purely via the story around them.
The plot from Rahn onwards feels forced and contrived.
The entire last third of the book feels like a let down and just seems like a set up for the next book.
October 4, 2024
Good, but …
Good book, but I really don’t get the need to pit school kids against insane odds. This type of escalation only means that next step needs to be even more insane. A shame really, was hoping for a slow progression and then another arc after school is done.
Good book, but I really don’t get the need to pit school kids against insane odds. This type of escalation only means that next step needs to be even more insane. A shame really, was hoping for a slow progression and then another arc after school is done.
December 9, 2024
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
October 30, 2024
extremely boring
The story lacks a clear plot and moves at an overly slow pace. The characters aren’t developed, and much of the book—and even the series—feels like fluff. There’s little that’s exciting or imaginative, with too many pages devoted to mundane conversations and barely any progress.
After a while it becomes a frustrating read with conversations between some of the most monotone and one dimensional characters.
The story lacks a clear plot and moves at an overly slow pace. The characters aren’t developed, and much of the book—and even the series—feels like fluff. There’s little that’s exciting or imaginative, with too many pages devoted to mundane conversations and barely any progress.
After a while it becomes a frustrating read with conversations between some of the most monotone and one dimensional characters.
October 12, 2024
really tried to like this
The writing is good. The story had potential. But the MC feels more like a side character. Abilities and powers underwhelming . Gets gifted spell books and never uses them to power up. Almost like the author wanted to write a story about an ordinary adventure with abit of ability finding himself in situations . After two books I’m giving up on this
The writing is good. The story had potential. But the MC feels more like a side character. Abilities and powers underwhelming . Gets gifted spell books and never uses them to power up. Almost like the author wanted to write a story about an ordinary adventure with abit of ability finding himself in situations . After two books I’m giving up on this
October 8, 2024
…
Not as good as the first book in the series. I don’t know if I’ll be reading the next.
Rating: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Narration: Na
Favorite line: na
Not as good as the first book in the series. I don’t know if I’ll be reading the next.
Rating: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Narration: Na
Favorite line: na
November 28, 2024
A little thick but tasty
If you’ve ever had a thick portion of one of your favorite cooks of meat, but it’s just a little too thick that perfectly describes this book. It’s a continuation of the previous story but it’s an expansion so it’s much thicker much more dense. You’re not just learning about the MC and his female companion you get to see a new party come together and you learn about those individuals. There is growth there is drama. There are surprises in store for you and it is worth the read, but it does get a bit thick in the middle. I’ll be honest and say I had put the book down for a few weeks and then come back to it. Now that I finished the book I know it was a great story. I give it five stars no problem. There was just one patch where it was a little thick just one patch you’ll know it when you get to it or who knows you might not because now that I look back it wasn’t that bad. It just wasn’t as good as the rest of the book. That is saying something because the rest of the book was great. The beginning awesome the first portion of the middle awesome the back half of the middle actually more like the 2nd 3rd of the middle that’s where I think there are pacing issues quickly rebounds and when you get to the end, you’re going to want more. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Message to the author
Spoilers Ahead
Spoilers Ahead
First, I have to say I loved the book. So many things in this story that I did not see coming. I was hoping for a little bit more revelation in regards to the dream sequence. It almost felt I don’t wanna say useless here, but it didn’t do anything. I am concerned he keeps getting called halfbreed but I’m wondering is it some other breed besides the two we’re thinking of? Maybe maybe not doesn’t matter this book was great. The beginning then of course the fight in the hall boy that was good. I especially appreciated seeing him out adventuring elsewhere. Both at the beginning and during the middle of the story to see that you don’t always have to be at the Academy. The ending was spectacular. I’m normally not a fan of cliffhanger, but I can’t wait to see what happens next. I do hate that he showed. He indeed had the key to me that was an ace in the hole but it was amazing to see that the Noble girl I forget her name wasn’t in charge. I do hope we get more concepts of these so-called gods of the world because just seeing them go to gold really doesn’t seem like it does much. I mean look they went to silver this book, but I don’t see what truly separated bronze from silver skill wise.
One final note, please don’t take offense Loremaster I really think that sucks as a party role. I understand having a healer I understand having a vanguard a mage for attack purposes that all makes sense, but this individual their only purpose to me is to memorize what monsters we might encounter. Couldn’t anyone on the team do that. I don’t see what makes this role so special that it has to be assigned to an individual. Why can’t everyone remember the monsters they’re going to be facing? Overall, though great book love the series can’t wait to see what’s next.
If you’ve ever had a thick portion of one of your favorite cooks of meat, but it’s just a little too thick that perfectly describes this book. It’s a continuation of the previous story but it’s an expansion so it’s much thicker much more dense. You’re not just learning about the MC and his female companion you get to see a new party come together and you learn about those individuals. There is growth there is drama. There are surprises in store for you and it is worth the read, but it does get a bit thick in the middle. I’ll be honest and say I had put the book down for a few weeks and then come back to it. Now that I finished the book I know it was a great story. I give it five stars no problem. There was just one patch where it was a little thick just one patch you’ll know it when you get to it or who knows you might not because now that I look back it wasn’t that bad. It just wasn’t as good as the rest of the book. That is saying something because the rest of the book was great. The beginning awesome the first portion of the middle awesome the back half of the middle actually more like the 2nd 3rd of the middle that’s where I think there are pacing issues quickly rebounds and when you get to the end, you’re going to want more. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Message to the author
Spoilers Ahead
Spoilers Ahead
First, I have to say I loved the book. So many things in this story that I did not see coming. I was hoping for a little bit more revelation in regards to the dream sequence. It almost felt I don’t wanna say useless here, but it didn’t do anything. I am concerned he keeps getting called halfbreed but I’m wondering is it some other breed besides the two we’re thinking of? Maybe maybe not doesn’t matter this book was great. The beginning then of course the fight in the hall boy that was good. I especially appreciated seeing him out adventuring elsewhere. Both at the beginning and during the middle of the story to see that you don’t always have to be at the Academy. The ending was spectacular. I’m normally not a fan of cliffhanger, but I can’t wait to see what happens next. I do hate that he showed. He indeed had the key to me that was an ace in the hole but it was amazing to see that the Noble girl I forget her name wasn’t in charge. I do hope we get more concepts of these so-called gods of the world because just seeing them go to gold really doesn’t seem like it does much. I mean look they went to silver this book, but I don’t see what truly separated bronze from silver skill wise.
One final note, please don’t take offense Loremaster I really think that sucks as a party role. I understand having a healer I understand having a vanguard a mage for attack purposes that all makes sense, but this individual their only purpose to me is to memorize what monsters we might encounter. Couldn’t anyone on the team do that. I don’t see what makes this role so special that it has to be assigned to an individual. Why can’t everyone remember the monsters they’re going to be facing? Overall, though great book love the series can’t wait to see what’s next.
October 27, 2024
Ok, good, but not great. Over explained and slow paced.
The world and story are good. But it's like a bad CW tv show that meanders along, over explaining the characters backgrounds and situations every time there's a new problem, conflict, or enemy.
Every time the MC has an issue, the author repeats his childhood background as if the reader is unaware. It very tedious. The plant really offers no surprises, in fact a key is mentioned by one of the enemy, being held by one of the supporting characters. However, in several requests for information and interrogating the supporting character to find out what the problem is and why the main character situation is so bad, it never occurs to him to bring up the issue of the key. The main character isn't written this stupid so it's just bad storytelling. The plot is very predictable. It meanders along trying to create a Harry Potter School scenario, but without any luck doing so. The end of the book is left on a cliffhanger that could have happened with 200 less pages of filler and information dumps that were constantly repeated. It feels like a young adult reading book, that needs a lot of work to become a memorable read.
The world and story are good. But it's like a bad CW tv show that meanders along, over explaining the characters backgrounds and situations every time there's a new problem, conflict, or enemy.
Every time the MC has an issue, the author repeats his childhood background as if the reader is unaware. It very tedious. The plant really offers no surprises, in fact a key is mentioned by one of the enemy, being held by one of the supporting characters. However, in several requests for information and interrogating the supporting character to find out what the problem is and why the main character situation is so bad, it never occurs to him to bring up the issue of the key. The main character isn't written this stupid so it's just bad storytelling. The plot is very predictable. It meanders along trying to create a Harry Potter School scenario, but without any luck doing so. The end of the book is left on a cliffhanger that could have happened with 200 less pages of filler and information dumps that were constantly repeated. It feels like a young adult reading book, that needs a lot of work to become a memorable read.
December 24, 2024
The book overall is okay and people that like coming of age fantasy school stuff should like the series overall.
The writing is okayish, the storyline is also okay. The characters are solid.
So its basically like average fantasy.
There are a few problems that I will point out so maybe it helps the author for his third book or people who dont know if they wanna start this series:
1. The writing is okay but the words of a sentence are sometimes in a weird order. So as a german who reads a lot of books in english I had to reread like one sentence per page. I hope this makes somehow sense to people.
2. The first half is really boring and repetitive. Its just the first book all over again with the school stuff, just nothing new.
3. The storyline is kinda obvious overall or to say it better the actions that characters are gonna take are obvious, there are zero surprises. For example, every single time they take on a dungeon it ends with a boss that shouldnt be there, this gets really annoying.
Anyway this is just how I felt of this book. Merry Christmas everyone!
The writing is okayish, the storyline is also okay. The characters are solid.
So its basically like average fantasy.
There are a few problems that I will point out so maybe it helps the author for his third book or people who dont know if they wanna start this series:
1. The writing is okay but the words of a sentence are sometimes in a weird order. So as a german who reads a lot of books in english I had to reread like one sentence per page. I hope this makes somehow sense to people.
2. The first half is really boring and repetitive. Its just the first book all over again with the school stuff, just nothing new.
3. The storyline is kinda obvious overall or to say it better the actions that characters are gonna take are obvious, there are zero surprises. For example, every single time they take on a dungeon it ends with a boss that shouldnt be there, this gets really annoying.
Anyway this is just how I felt of this book. Merry Christmas everyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
I had enjoyed the first book a lot, despite how dark and gritty it was. The worldbuilding was good, we had a flawed but motivated main character and a handful of interesting secondary characters.
The second book started well and Rowan even managed to form a great 5-member party for the adventuring semester, despite Morgana and the political situation. We got to see why healers were expected to have great mana control.
I started losing interest when the main conflict for the book started taking shape (not because it was a tired fantasy trope, but because I just wasn't invested enough in that plot). The well functioning team suffered cracks due to secrets and philosophical differences. To make matters worse, the book ended in a cliffhanger! Overall, the things I didn't enjoy seemed more than what I loved. Not sure if I'll read the next book but those who enjoy dark and gritty fantasy should definitely check it out.
The second book started well and Rowan even managed to form a great 5-member party for the adventuring semester, despite Morgana and the political situation. We got to see why healers were expected to have great mana control.
I started losing interest when the main conflict for the book started taking shape (not because it was a tired fantasy trope, but because I just wasn't invested enough in that plot). The well functioning team suffered cracks due to secrets and philosophical differences. To make matters worse, the book ended in a cliffhanger! Overall, the things I didn't enjoy seemed more than what I loved. Not sure if I'll read the next book but those who enjoy dark and gritty fantasy should definitely check it out.
October 6, 2024
Winged Wolf is the second book in ME Robinson's Loremaster series. The first book was quite good and this one is even better. It's split pretty evenly between the first half covering Rowan's second year at Faebrook and the second half where his team, Nightshade, spends their vacation adventuring and building up their levels. This book really builds on the base created in the first book with stronger characterizations of the Nightshade members, greater world building, and a much more intense subplot that nearly blows up by the end of the book. There's serious trouble coming down the pike in this world and Rowan, Morgana and company are in deep doo-doo. And it's a lot of fun to watch.
October 7, 2024
Rowan and his adventure crew the Nightshade are plodding along improving their co-ordination, their chemistry as a team gets better and better. The healing and magic he learns from his Master, Kanna is incredible... but I want him to lean so much more and FASTER! He needs to protect his friends!! LOL I am so impatient.
I can't believe I've already finished the second book and I'm already trying to find out when book three comes out. Or if there are snippets of the book available online 'cause waiting until it's published just might hurt me.
I can't believe I've already finished the second book and I'm already trying to find out when book three comes out. Or if there are snippets of the book available online 'cause waiting until it's published just might hurt me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2024
It gets better
I almost quit after the MC does the usual move of ignoring everything around him and then being "betrayed". It was so obvious it was annoying. 2nd half of the book gets better and stops feeling like a bad harry potter remake. The MC is still an idiot and the author has an annoying habit of dropping toms of hints for the reader, that he doesn't let the MC pick up on. It just makes rowan seem so very dumb.
Ends on a cliffhanger so that sucks. Dunno if I'll read book 3 since I expect some pointless drama regarding a secret that got revealed.
I almost quit after the MC does the usual move of ignoring everything around him and then being "betrayed". It was so obvious it was annoying. 2nd half of the book gets better and stops feeling like a bad harry potter remake. The MC is still an idiot and the author has an annoying habit of dropping toms of hints for the reader, that he doesn't let the MC pick up on. It just makes rowan seem so very dumb.
Ends on a cliffhanger so that sucks. Dunno if I'll read book 3 since I expect some pointless drama regarding a secret that got revealed.
November 11, 2024
Great follow-up
Fantastic characters drive this book. Story is wonderful as it continues the Academy/dungeon trope for the first part of the book before it escalates into a trek across the different landscapes as the story evolves into more of a real world fight for their lives. Characters are well built with different personalities. Only issue I have is I want to see Rowan develop the whip technique more. It is a central part of both book's covers, but is rarely seen in the actual story.
Fantastic characters drive this book. Story is wonderful as it continues the Academy/dungeon trope for the first part of the book before it escalates into a trek across the different landscapes as the story evolves into more of a real world fight for their lives. Characters are well built with different personalities. Only issue I have is I want to see Rowan develop the whip technique more. It is a central part of both book's covers, but is rarely seen in the actual story.
July 23, 2025
I like the second volume but its not exciting enough. I enjoyed the argument between the protagonist and his friend on the topic of reducing crime in society. By the way, the answer is a free market economy which requires abolishing state. This also includes the nobility system.
I honestly prefer solo adventures. Having to deal with so many characters is annoying. There's all the bickering and having to consider the opinions of others before taking action. The protagonist was forced to swear off thievery to maintain his relationship with his friend. His background does not define him, but it does certainly make his character more complex. His skills as a thief can be used for good. Pick pocketing, sneaking, setting traps, lying, disguise, lock picking, dirty fighting techniques etc. In the previous book, the author kept downplaying his thief skills. Now the author is making him renounce his thief background altogether. This sucks ass. You should be leaning more into that aspect of his character. Someone who, dispatches with honor and engages in dirty gorilla warfare. Someone who uses slight of hand, throws sand in peoples faces, kicks people in the balls, uses poison etc.
Additionally, going solo will result in greater danger which will add more tension to the story. The protagonist can monopolize all the rewards including all the mana absorbed when defeating enemies.
Drew's character is starting to grate on me more and more. He's intelligent but naive and mentally weak, couple that with an unwillingness to correct for his own biases and you have a winy bitch. No one chooses to be born into abject poverty. The choice between eating spoiled meat scrounged from the garbage and death by starvation is not much of a choice at all. The protagonist chose to not join any gangs, he chose to avoid assaulting people whenever possible and more importantly, when presented with the opportunity, he chose to leave his life as a street urchin behind to pursue the life of an adventurer. He chose to reveal his past to Drew knowing full well this would potentially destroy their relationship and he did so out of guilt and a sense of obligation. This decision was made despite his masters instruction to keep his background a secret. Drew's unwillingness to see the nuance is pure retardation. I can just picture Drew staring balefully at a pair of starving homeless kids. This is also setting aside his naivety on how to address poverty and crime. Having the nobles provide welfare would only increase the poverty rate over time. Increasing taxes to provide for that welfare is also counter intuitive and like with all government intervention, its tends to be very inefficient. The protagonist is not obligated to tell Drew all his secrets and his anger is clearly irrational given its a product of bias. If his family was assaulted by warlocks instead of thieves, then he would be accosting another party member instead of the protagonist. Then he complains when the party preemptively kills an enemy and loots their bodies for information and resources. Drew is a fool.
The protagonists thirst for power is lukewarm. He does what everyone else does. He raids dungeons with a party. He doesn't seek out a familiar contract nor does he make a demonic pact. He doesn't obtain godly blessings, he doesn't solo dungeons or steal powerful artifacts. The author should introduce new ideas, like soul bound artifacts, legendary herbs, obscure rituals etc Add some mystery and variation into your setting. I also want the author to focus more on the protagonists mysterious background. Is there something special about his bloodline that even a supposed god cannot sense? Besides having a very large mana pool. It would also be nice if the size of his mana pool was regularly updated for the viewers benefit. Which would add to the story’s power progression. His mana reserve represented as a numerical number along with his adventurer rank. He also has quite a few spell books stored in his possession but his spell repertoire is still pretty small.
The story also needs a concrete goal for the protagonist. The pursuit of freedom by gaining strength is not enough. He's already a registered adventurer. How about investigating his unknown background? Which inevitability leads to a larger conflict involving the cult.
I think the highest adventurer rank is adamantine? I wish the two adventurers who initially found him bleeding in an alleyway were adamantine rank adventurers. Which would provide the protagonist a reference point for reaching the top. If he wants to join their party someday, then he needs to become an adamantine rank adventurer. But nope, their just mithril rank which granted is still very exceptional. Maybe their names are unknown because they are adamantine rank but they kept their real rank a secret. This would be a cool development.
I don't remember if this was in the first or second book. The protagonist trains under an adventurer who was born with a rare condition that prevented them from absorbing mana from slain foes. That person feels like a better premise for a protagonist. Someone born with a debilitating condition but is unwilling to give up in their search for power. Queue a montage of them traveling the continent. Eating mana infused food from the elves, visiting the beast-men tribes and training their body to the extreme. Seeking out obscure rituals or undertaking a gods trial.
Lastly, there's also no romance subplot.
MAKE THE STORY MORE INTERESTING, DAMMIT!
I honestly prefer solo adventures. Having to deal with so many characters is annoying. There's all the bickering and having to consider the opinions of others before taking action. The protagonist was forced to swear off thievery to maintain his relationship with his friend. His background does not define him, but it does certainly make his character more complex. His skills as a thief can be used for good. Pick pocketing, sneaking, setting traps, lying, disguise, lock picking, dirty fighting techniques etc. In the previous book, the author kept downplaying his thief skills. Now the author is making him renounce his thief background altogether. This sucks ass. You should be leaning more into that aspect of his character. Someone who, dispatches with honor and engages in dirty gorilla warfare. Someone who uses slight of hand, throws sand in peoples faces, kicks people in the balls, uses poison etc.
Additionally, going solo will result in greater danger which will add more tension to the story. The protagonist can monopolize all the rewards including all the mana absorbed when defeating enemies.
Drew's character is starting to grate on me more and more. He's intelligent but naive and mentally weak, couple that with an unwillingness to correct for his own biases and you have a winy bitch. No one chooses to be born into abject poverty. The choice between eating spoiled meat scrounged from the garbage and death by starvation is not much of a choice at all. The protagonist chose to not join any gangs, he chose to avoid assaulting people whenever possible and more importantly, when presented with the opportunity, he chose to leave his life as a street urchin behind to pursue the life of an adventurer. He chose to reveal his past to Drew knowing full well this would potentially destroy their relationship and he did so out of guilt and a sense of obligation. This decision was made despite his masters instruction to keep his background a secret. Drew's unwillingness to see the nuance is pure retardation. I can just picture Drew staring balefully at a pair of starving homeless kids. This is also setting aside his naivety on how to address poverty and crime. Having the nobles provide welfare would only increase the poverty rate over time. Increasing taxes to provide for that welfare is also counter intuitive and like with all government intervention, its tends to be very inefficient. The protagonist is not obligated to tell Drew all his secrets and his anger is clearly irrational given its a product of bias. If his family was assaulted by warlocks instead of thieves, then he would be accosting another party member instead of the protagonist. Then he complains when the party preemptively kills an enemy and loots their bodies for information and resources. Drew is a fool.
The protagonists thirst for power is lukewarm. He does what everyone else does. He raids dungeons with a party. He doesn't seek out a familiar contract nor does he make a demonic pact. He doesn't obtain godly blessings, he doesn't solo dungeons or steal powerful artifacts. The author should introduce new ideas, like soul bound artifacts, legendary herbs, obscure rituals etc Add some mystery and variation into your setting. I also want the author to focus more on the protagonists mysterious background. Is there something special about his bloodline that even a supposed god cannot sense? Besides having a very large mana pool. It would also be nice if the size of his mana pool was regularly updated for the viewers benefit. Which would add to the story’s power progression. His mana reserve represented as a numerical number along with his adventurer rank. He also has quite a few spell books stored in his possession but his spell repertoire is still pretty small.
The story also needs a concrete goal for the protagonist. The pursuit of freedom by gaining strength is not enough. He's already a registered adventurer. How about investigating his unknown background? Which inevitability leads to a larger conflict involving the cult.
I think the highest adventurer rank is adamantine? I wish the two adventurers who initially found him bleeding in an alleyway were adamantine rank adventurers. Which would provide the protagonist a reference point for reaching the top. If he wants to join their party someday, then he needs to become an adamantine rank adventurer. But nope, their just mithril rank which granted is still very exceptional. Maybe their names are unknown because they are adamantine rank but they kept their real rank a secret. This would be a cool development.
I don't remember if this was in the first or second book. The protagonist trains under an adventurer who was born with a rare condition that prevented them from absorbing mana from slain foes. That person feels like a better premise for a protagonist. Someone born with a debilitating condition but is unwilling to give up in their search for power. Queue a montage of them traveling the continent. Eating mana infused food from the elves, visiting the beast-men tribes and training their body to the extreme. Seeking out obscure rituals or undertaking a gods trial.
Lastly, there's also no romance subplot.
MAKE THE STORY MORE INTERESTING, DAMMIT!
October 8, 2024
anyway, good story
Good plot, character development, and mystery; some mysteries not yet revealed in book two. However my #1 pet peeve of terrible English is ‘anywayS’ with the S at the end. I would get a street rat using English slang but not Nobles and professors butchering the language. There are some plot holes and the world building needs work. The author also manipulated the story to force things. Overall I’m interested in the story and will read the next book.
Good plot, character development, and mystery; some mysteries not yet revealed in book two. However my #1 pet peeve of terrible English is ‘anywayS’ with the S at the end. I would get a street rat using English slang but not Nobles and professors butchering the language. There are some plot holes and the world building needs work. The author also manipulated the story to force things. Overall I’m interested in the story and will read the next book.
December 7, 2024
Excellent overall story! Probably 4.5 but better than others in the genre I have rated 4.0 so I upped it. (The first installment was a pure 5.) The development of Rowan's team is key, and character development starred. That includes the teacher Rowan is apprenticed to, even with a modest role. One of the team members is seriously over the top in self-righteous judgment, but I recovered from my disgust... This is a star series in 'progression fantasy adventure.'
December 9, 2024
Fantastic book!
I couldn't put it down! Loved reading about Rowan and the Nightshade team growing and learning together. I liked having the little tidbits sprinkled throughout the book about what is really going on. I need the next book in the series to find out what happens to everyone in the group and if they can stop all the evil cultists. Only con is the end is a cliffhanger.
I couldn't put it down! Loved reading about Rowan and the Nightshade team growing and learning together. I liked having the little tidbits sprinkled throughout the book about what is really going on. I need the next book in the series to find out what happens to everyone in the group and if they can stop all the evil cultists. Only con is the end is a cliffhanger.
October 5, 2024
exercise in excitement
The second book was long awaited but is even better than the first. Great characters and the villains are perfect. Deceptions abound and start coming to life with consequences, similar to real life. The only negative is not one, major cliffhanger ending that leaves you immediately wanting book 3. Hopefully there will not be a long delay.
The second book was long awaited but is even better than the first. Great characters and the villains are perfect. Deceptions abound and start coming to life with consequences, similar to real life. The only negative is not one, major cliffhanger ending that leaves you immediately wanting book 3. Hopefully there will not be a long delay.
October 21, 2024
Good book
The book is well written with plenty of action and progression. I wasn't a huge fan of the plot as it turns from dungeon adventuring to a geopolitical racial war with a powerful cult and most of an entire county all chasing our band of mid teir adventurerors. It got to be a bit much. I'll still likely read the next book.
The book is well written with plenty of action and progression. I wasn't a huge fan of the plot as it turns from dungeon adventuring to a geopolitical racial war with a powerful cult and most of an entire county all chasing our band of mid teir adventurerors. It got to be a bit much. I'll still likely read the next book.
October 9, 2024
Still good, will read the next one
This was good but I didn’t think it was on par with the first book. Not much happened until the last 1/3 of the book but that ending was worth it. Can’t wait for the next one.
This was good but I didn’t think it was on par with the first book. Not much happened until the last 1/3 of the book but that ending was worth it. Can’t wait for the next one.
October 10, 2024
Great Stuff but
This story ends with a literal Mc being pushed off a cliff cliffhanger. I guess if there is another book the Mc has survived. Please start with him, and why doesn’t he seem to want to find out about his birth parents. Great read nonetheless.
This story ends with a literal Mc being pushed off a cliff cliffhanger. I guess if there is another book the Mc has survived. Please start with him, and why doesn’t he seem to want to find out about his birth parents. Great read nonetheless.
October 20, 2024
Surprisingly good
I liked the first book but it felt like a Harry potter knock off but this one divests itself of that image. The world building continues. Lots of mysteries to solve.
I liked the first book but it felt like a Harry potter knock off but this one divests itself of that image. The world building continues. Lots of mysteries to solve.
November 23, 2024
Enjoying this series.
Not a big fan of the cliff-hanging ending, especially since I have to wait for the next book. I do like the direction the series is taking and look forward to the next book.
Not a big fan of the cliff-hanging ending, especially since I have to wait for the next book. I do like the direction the series is taking and look forward to the next book.
October 23, 2025
Good story but desperately needs to be proof read
The story is great, unfortunately the complete lack of plot consistency and basic proof reading is more than jarring.
Please please please get someone to edit this book for you, it will improve it no end.
The story is great, unfortunately the complete lack of plot consistency and basic proof reading is more than jarring.
Please please please get someone to edit this book for you, it will improve it no end.
October 27, 2025
Huge improvement over the book before. Love the main cast of characters. However, Drun has to get that stick out of his ass. He's a bit too uptight. Love the fights, the drama, the literal cliffhanger at the end had me at the edge of my lawnmower/seat
November 6, 2025
one of THE best series, out there
I’m eager to start book 3. Book 2 extends and enhances the 5-star book 1.
What a story, what imaginative and creative writing, what adventure, what fascinating characters!….
I’m eager to start book 3. Book 2 extends and enhances the 5-star book 1.
What a story, what imaginative and creative writing, what adventure, what fascinating characters!….
October 6, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
October 7, 2024
Great LitRPG read!
I loved book one and was estatic to see book 2 appear! It delivered on my expectations. Highly engaging read and I can’t wait for book 3!
I loved book one and was estatic to see book 2 appear! It delivered on my expectations. Highly engaging read and I can’t wait for book 3!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews