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He Who Fights with Monsters #9
He Who Fights with Monsters 9
With the Builder threat behind them, the time has finally come for Jason and his team to hit the road.
Eager to get back to the adventuring he’s been longing for, Jason is excited to not be at the center of world-changing events. But before he goes, one last attempt to pull him into politics has him leaving Rimaros with a strong final impression.
With new places to visit and new people to meet, the remnants of recent events have scarred the land and left lingering dangers behind. It's a busy time for adventurers willing and able to fight with monsters. Threats that once loomed in the background start coming to the fore, and the team prepares to join the fight. Their angelic new adversaries are patient, powerful, and remorseless, using such unconscionable strategies that mass slaughter is only the beginning.
Jason is forced to confront that his growing power may give him more in common with his foes than his friends. While this opens a path to uncovering the methods and objectives of their enemies, it also brings him to their attention. To them, this makes him yet another tool to be used. But when conflict spills into epic battle, they'll be the latest to discover that challenging Jason Asano is a very bad idea.
Eager to get back to the adventuring he’s been longing for, Jason is excited to not be at the center of world-changing events. But before he goes, one last attempt to pull him into politics has him leaving Rimaros with a strong final impression.
With new places to visit and new people to meet, the remnants of recent events have scarred the land and left lingering dangers behind. It's a busy time for adventurers willing and able to fight with monsters. Threats that once loomed in the background start coming to the fore, and the team prepares to join the fight. Their angelic new adversaries are patient, powerful, and remorseless, using such unconscionable strategies that mass slaughter is only the beginning.
Jason is forced to confront that his growing power may give him more in common with his foes than his friends. While this opens a path to uncovering the methods and objectives of their enemies, it also brings him to their attention. To them, this makes him yet another tool to be used. But when conflict spills into epic battle, they'll be the latest to discover that challenging Jason Asano is a very bad idea.
28 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 18, 2023
2815 people are currently reading
2181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
April 24, 2023
Great story but...
What happened to the writing? When you get to 3 commas, you might want to check the sentence structure. You've most likely constructed a fairly bad sentence when you have four or more commas. Punctuation and sentence structure are problematic throughout the book.
It also feels like this was a 500 page book with how often details were repeated almost exactly. The same exact things repeated, maybe with slight rewording, over and over again. Unnecessary fluff and repetition, often within the same page. Kinda like this very repetitive paragraph, repeating the same exact thing and annoying you to where you just start skimming to find the point where the story begins again.
Only to find that shortly thereafter, another repetitive grouping occurs. Followed by more annoyance and skimming until you put the book down to take a break rather than mentally snap. It's a very difficult read, due to grammatical issues, that often feels like there's a word count requirement
What happened to the writing? When you get to 3 commas, you might want to check the sentence structure. You've most likely constructed a fairly bad sentence when you have four or more commas. Punctuation and sentence structure are problematic throughout the book.
It also feels like this was a 500 page book with how often details were repeated almost exactly. The same exact things repeated, maybe with slight rewording, over and over again. Unnecessary fluff and repetition, often within the same page. Kinda like this very repetitive paragraph, repeating the same exact thing and annoying you to where you just start skimming to find the point where the story begins again.
Only to find that shortly thereafter, another repetitive grouping occurs. Followed by more annoyance and skimming until you put the book down to take a break rather than mentally snap. It's a very difficult read, due to grammatical issues, that often feels like there's a word count requirement
April 26, 2023
The pacing of the plot for the first 25 chapters or so is negligible and sets a tone for the rest of the book which at the end feels as a setup for the next one with this one feeling hollow.
It feels as if the chapters have just been copied from where they are released on a weekly basis without a thought of editing or compiling it as a Book.
There were multiple instances where every other character needed a reminder of their first interaction or how they met or how mysterious and cool the main character is every 10 pages.
In my personal opinion just came off as edgy teen fiction and not a 9th book in a very popular series. The first 3 books are a better part of them.
It feels as if the chapters have just been copied from where they are released on a weekly basis without a thought of editing or compiling it as a Book.
There were multiple instances where every other character needed a reminder of their first interaction or how they met or how mysterious and cool the main character is every 10 pages.
In my personal opinion just came off as edgy teen fiction and not a 9th book in a very popular series. The first 3 books are a better part of them.
May 6, 2023
Solid but I'm getting a little tired of the banter. While I think Jason is growing as a character, the amount of times that he says "kind of my thing" is getting a bit annoying. Other characters are starting to say it more and more. We get it, he is a rebel.
I do like how relationships are evolving. Nothing feels forced.
The story also has some decent pacing and I am starting to see the beginning of the end of the series without forcing some quick power ups.
I do like how relationships are evolving. Nothing feels forced.
The story also has some decent pacing and I am starting to see the beginning of the end of the series without forcing some quick power ups.
April 20, 2023
booyah
I laughed, I was moved, I was impressed.
Jason recovers from Jasoning himself, deals with difficult people by being difficult, then Jasons himself a few more times.
Onslow…oh man.
Just read the damn thing.
I laughed, I was moved, I was impressed.
Jason recovers from Jasoning himself, deals with difficult people by being difficult, then Jasons himself a few more times.
Onslow…oh man.
Just read the damn thing.
May 27, 2023
I am very fond of the series, but wow this one needed more editing. I believe it should have been about half as long if you just cut out all the super redundant scenes and explanations.
April 20, 2023
Editing
The repetition in this book makes me think that it was either written with those with a poor attention span in mind or in an episodic format. If the latter it needs some tighter editing. Otherwise a nice long read unlike the novelettes some series seem to be made up of. Will read the next.
The repetition in this book makes me think that it was either written with those with a poor attention span in mind or in an episodic format. If the latter it needs some tighter editing. Otherwise a nice long read unlike the novelettes some series seem to be made up of. Will read the next.
April 25, 2023
needed editing
I found it very hard to immerse myself into this story. Information is repeated and hand fed. I’m so disappointed I loved these books and the way the story was presented is told not experienced. What happened to the way the story was written in books like when they were stuck in the reaper space? I understand politics coming into play but it’s to much of a focus. I love that the books are funny but it’s overused at times. I skipped whole pages of rambling on and on about events or feeling that had already been covered. Do better! This story deserves better.
I found it very hard to immerse myself into this story. Information is repeated and hand fed. I’m so disappointed I loved these books and the way the story was presented is told not experienced. What happened to the way the story was written in books like when they were stuck in the reaper space? I understand politics coming into play but it’s to much of a focus. I love that the books are funny but it’s overused at times. I skipped whole pages of rambling on and on about events or feeling that had already been covered. Do better! This story deserves better.
May 1, 2023
I can't believe that Jason started by getting hit in the face by a shovel and is now doing what he's doing now....
More Jason is never a bad thing. Shirt if you need to take some time off in between Writing books that's no problem for your fans.
We will always be here waiting for the next adventure of Jason.
More Jason is never a bad thing. Shirt if you need to take some time off in between Writing books that's no problem for your fans.
We will always be here waiting for the next adventure of Jason.
April 19, 2023
This is laying an excellent foundation for the next few stories.
But it still has the day to day details that are so beloved by the snark enthusiasts. I very much love the direction of the series.
But it still has the day to day details that are so beloved by the snark enthusiasts. I very much love the direction of the series.
April 24, 2023
Book 9 of He Who Fights With Monsters does not disappoint as it introduces new enemies that leave readers on the edge of their seats. The author has once again created a world full of magic, adventure, and suspense, keeping readers hooked till the very end. The characters continue to evolve and surprise us with their actions and choices, making them even more relatable while being quite otherworldly.
April 28, 2023
Book nine
I'm going to stop trying to mark the mistakes from these online serial stories. There are just to many little ones and the stories are to long. I'd rather just enjoy the read.
I know that they have auto loot, but I'd like to see more of the loot.
I do enjoy the story and am off to read book ten.
7/10
I'm going to stop trying to mark the mistakes from these online serial stories. There are just to many little ones and the stories are to long. I'd rather just enjoy the read.
I know that they have auto loot, but I'd like to see more of the loot.
I do enjoy the story and am off to read book ten.
7/10
June 5, 2023
Getting ready for more chaos
This was an interesting follow-up to the previous book in the series. Definitely not worth staying the series here, but also completely worth it if you enjoy Jason and his antics.
This book sees our irreverent protagonist learning to settle more into who he is even as he starts to deal with the Messenger threat. While I enjoyed the book (and it's length), there was a lot of exposition with much less action, at least it felt that way to me. This entry in the series felt transitional, moving past the previous battles and starting to gear up for some future epic battles. This one did have some fun moments and I found myself chuckling out loud at carrots points. I still really enjoy Shirtaloon's humor and approach to this story.
Looking forward to the next book!
This was an interesting follow-up to the previous book in the series. Definitely not worth staying the series here, but also completely worth it if you enjoy Jason and his antics.
This book sees our irreverent protagonist learning to settle more into who he is even as he starts to deal with the Messenger threat. While I enjoyed the book (and it's length), there was a lot of exposition with much less action, at least it felt that way to me. This entry in the series felt transitional, moving past the previous battles and starting to gear up for some future epic battles. This one did have some fun moments and I found myself chuckling out loud at carrots points. I still really enjoy Shirtaloon's humor and approach to this story.
Looking forward to the next book!
July 24, 2023
Let's see how far the story quality has fallen since the last book. Will there be filler again? We will see.
This book is filled with too much recapping. They are bringing up things that happened in previous books, or doing things so they can mention what happened in the past. This is getting tiring.
I really don't like how this book went from fun adventures in an alien world, to an emo-fest, where the protagonist breaks down every chapter, and goes to his mental health provider for therapy.
I also don't like how the author shows how some of these super powerful local (as in world) beings show slight deference (as in they don't kill him on sight) to Jason. Then his team members are now mouthing off to people. This series is getting worse and worse.
A quarter of the book nothing really happens, just stupid recaps, then the protag always has someone conveniently positioned nearby, so they can say "that's enough Jason", then he will go emo and start to cry about "muh trauma" and "muh problems".
People are not reading these books to read about mental trauma, book after book (unless that is your fetish). No. We read it to have something fun that would help you forget the mental trauma of the real world.
I'm still wondering if I should have dropped this series when it was doing that three book filler on Earth. Many people did, and I wonder if I should have been one of them.
It's getting tiring for a fight scene to pop up, and then the author focuses on the team and explains their abilities and skill rank ups. Then explains how they use it to win a fight. I'm here for Jason.
It's just obvious the author is trying to milk this for as much as possible. he doesn't even do proper editing. Too many times you notice that a chapter finishes, then the next chapter starts with a recap of what just happened, ONE SENTENCE AGO.
The author just grabs his stuff from online and slaps them together without removing the recaps that explains what happened and helps refresh readers after a long pause of no writing (in the online/web Version).
2.5/5 Stars
This book is filled with too much recapping. They are bringing up things that happened in previous books, or doing things so they can mention what happened in the past. This is getting tiring.
I really don't like how this book went from fun adventures in an alien world, to an emo-fest, where the protagonist breaks down every chapter, and goes to his mental health provider for therapy.
I also don't like how the author shows how some of these super powerful local (as in world) beings show slight deference (as in they don't kill him on sight) to Jason. Then his team members are now mouthing off to people. This series is getting worse and worse.
A quarter of the book nothing really happens, just stupid recaps, then the protag always has someone conveniently positioned nearby, so they can say "that's enough Jason", then he will go emo and start to cry about "muh trauma" and "muh problems".
People are not reading these books to read about mental trauma, book after book (unless that is your fetish). No. We read it to have something fun that would help you forget the mental trauma of the real world.
I'm still wondering if I should have dropped this series when it was doing that three book filler on Earth. Many people did, and I wonder if I should have been one of them.
It's getting tiring for a fight scene to pop up, and then the author focuses on the team and explains their abilities and skill rank ups. Then explains how they use it to win a fight. I'm here for Jason.
It's just obvious the author is trying to milk this for as much as possible. he doesn't even do proper editing. Too many times you notice that a chapter finishes, then the next chapter starts with a recap of what just happened, ONE SENTENCE AGO.
The author just grabs his stuff from online and slaps them together without removing the recaps that explains what happened and helps refresh readers after a long pause of no writing (in the online/web Version).
2.5/5 Stars
April 24, 2023
This installment was very very repetitive repetitive. The last 4 pages of the previous chapter will be restated in the first two pages of the next chapter. And whole books and powerset and relationships continually restated. I think maybe a third of this book, at best, was new content.
This one also read more like a summary of things for a lot of the broad scope stuff than an actual story. The weakest book by far IMO. Even being a collected edition of a serial release doesn't warrant the amount of rehashing and recap.
This one also read more like a summary of things for a lot of the broad scope stuff than an actual story. The weakest book by far IMO. Even being a collected edition of a serial release doesn't warrant the amount of rehashing and recap.
May 16, 2025
Uno más y a por el siguiente.
Estas sagas largas de libros largos y divertidos que no decaen tienen un PRO que al mismo tiempo es un CONTRA muy grande y muy definido: Al tenerte atrapado en su disfrute libro tras libro no te dejan tiempo de leer alguna otra saga igual de larga y divertida!
Para ilustrar un poco el enganche que provoca esta saga; los libros del 1 al 9 tienen una extensión que equivale a 4 veces el señor de los anillos o a 1,5 veces la saga completa -1 a 7- de Harry Potter. Y se leen del tirón!!
Estas sagas largas de libros largos y divertidos que no decaen tienen un PRO que al mismo tiempo es un CONTRA muy grande y muy definido: Al tenerte atrapado en su disfrute libro tras libro no te dejan tiempo de leer alguna otra saga igual de larga y divertida!
Para ilustrar un poco el enganche que provoca esta saga; los libros del 1 al 9 tienen una extensión que equivale a 4 veces el señor de los anillos o a 1,5 veces la saga completa -1 a 7- de Harry Potter. Y se leen del tirón!!
April 28, 2023
This series is a real mix for me. On the one hand, I like the story and want to see where it goes. On the other, the writing itself turns scenes that would be exciting in any other book into a boring grocery list of redundant info-dumping.
There came a point of no return for the series though, so while I roll my eyes at certain things and skim a lot, I still enjoy much of it and am buckled in until the ride ends.
There came a point of no return for the series though, so while I roll my eyes at certain things and skim a lot, I still enjoy much of it and am buckled in until the ride ends.
December 3, 2023
Re-read: slow beginning, but an epic ending.
This was a fun one. A bit crazy, Jason is horrible at keeping a low profile. Still bad with melodrama, but the combat was fun and humor great. Story seems to be picking up, though is fairly convoluted. The rest of the cast gets some much needed screen time, but still needed more.
This was a fun one. A bit crazy, Jason is horrible at keeping a low profile. Still bad with melodrama, but the combat was fun and humor great. Story seems to be picking up, though is fairly convoluted. The rest of the cast gets some much needed screen time, but still needed more.
January 22, 2023
This one has kept up the momentum of the previous while still having all the faults the series has as a whole. That is to say the chapters work alright as a websites but not so much as a part of a book. This many hours and words in, however, has gotten me addicted.
November 28, 2024
Good, but not great; I think I'm rating this book against others in the series vs just on its own merit as a book. That being said, I'm already working on the next one. I am loving this new development!
August 18, 2024
4.5 stars
The comedic audio in this book was chefs kiss👌🏼
The comedic audio in this book was chefs kiss👌🏼
April 21, 2023
I'm a big fan of litRPG and this series is a solid enjoyable example of the genre with a really fun system. Essence users and their powers, familiars etc are great and I love discovering each new power as we move through the worlds. The main fantasy world has growing depth and the characters are interesting.
So why isn't this my favourite? Absolutely everything is over explained. I always get the feeling the author is scared that I'm going to misinterpret character actions and motivations so they are explained, then again in slightly different words and then we get an analogy just in case I'm not quite there yet. It gets a bit wearing after a while and it makes rereads hard going. It's also really evident that this was initially published in chapters because you also essentially get a 'previously on..' every chapter which is irritating in book format when I literally just finished the previous chapter.
There's also the issue of conveniences and that Jason is ridiculously intelligent, insightful and Machiavellian even in a world that is wildly different than his own. He even jokes after one particular incident that he's just been Deus ex Machina'd. Which was funny, true and not at all unusual for the series.
Still love it though. Will definitely continue with the series as though getting to book 9 didn't make that obvious.
So why isn't this my favourite? Absolutely everything is over explained. I always get the feeling the author is scared that I'm going to misinterpret character actions and motivations so they are explained, then again in slightly different words and then we get an analogy just in case I'm not quite there yet. It gets a bit wearing after a while and it makes rereads hard going. It's also really evident that this was initially published in chapters because you also essentially get a 'previously on..' every chapter which is irritating in book format when I literally just finished the previous chapter.
There's also the issue of conveniences and that Jason is ridiculously intelligent, insightful and Machiavellian even in a world that is wildly different than his own. He even jokes after one particular incident that he's just been Deus ex Machina'd. Which was funny, true and not at all unusual for the series.
Still love it though. Will definitely continue with the series as though getting to book 9 didn't make that obvious.
March 13, 2025
One of the slowest, more aimless HeWho books that gets redeemed by a great ending.
I don't know if I'm having some series fatigue after binging 9 books in a row but I was expecting to like this one more. The problem is that the pacing kinda sucks for a huge part of the book.
Take for example the final battle of the book, and how it breaks the rhythm switching Pov and going backwards between events just to delay any payoff... Is it fun? No. Does it contribute to a greater scope? Also no. Does it make the book longer? YES
I liked this book but, and the ending did some heavy lifting but it's the closest I've been to being bored by the series since book 6.
3,5/5
I don't know if I'm having some series fatigue after binging 9 books in a row but I was expecting to like this one more. The problem is that the pacing kinda sucks for a huge part of the book.
Take for example the final battle of the book, and how it breaks the rhythm switching Pov and going backwards between events just to delay any payoff... Is it fun? No. Does it contribute to a greater scope? Also no. Does it make the book longer? YES
I liked this book but, and the ending did some heavy lifting but it's the closest I've been to being bored by the series since book 6.
3,5/5
April 25, 2023
How dare an ant be so powerful I must acknowledge it?
The question in my heading encapsulates this book adroitly, in my opinion. Honestly, it kind of mirrors Jason and every single foe he's had up to this point. While some momentus things happen, I love that the focus is on Jason healing and being given time to decide who he will become. He's stepped onto a playing field that should have dwarfed him many adventures ago, and he's still refusing to bend. I am already wishing I could read the next books.
The question in my heading encapsulates this book adroitly, in my opinion. Honestly, it kind of mirrors Jason and every single foe he's had up to this point. While some momentus things happen, I love that the focus is on Jason healing and being given time to decide who he will become. He's stepped onto a playing field that should have dwarfed him many adventures ago, and he's still refusing to bend. I am already wishing I could read the next books.
November 25, 2024
Ah Taika rocks!
- in total Taika fashion - I LOVE it!
Likewise I loved it, how Jason dealt with the messenger. (I think I am getting a bit blood thirsty, after all - but the so deserve it.
And Clive - he is one of my favorites since the beginning (together with his relationship to his wife). His fight with the messenger, cut off from any support from the outside, was epic. I love it, how everybody gets a chance tho show their unique talents.
It's amazing how this series still manages to present fresh and surprising situations, lovely banter in the most grim situations and keeps me baiting my breath
- in total Taika fashion - I LOVE it!
Likewise I loved it, how Jason dealt with the messenger. (I think I am getting a bit blood thirsty, after all - but the so deserve it.
And Clive - he is one of my favorites since the beginning (together with his relationship to his wife). His fight with the messenger, cut off from any support from the outside, was epic. I love it, how everybody gets a chance tho show their unique talents.
It's amazing how this series still manages to present fresh and surprising situations, lovely banter in the most grim situations and keeps me baiting my breath
July 7, 2025
Reintroducing concepts every single time they're brought up makes these books longer than they should be but changing the explanation a bit every time, the author manages to bypass tedium somewhat.
It's kinda weird to see the same scene from so many different POVs lol but it's enlightening too and Shirtaloon switches things up enough for them to not feel repetitive. There are things Shirtaloon expressly repeats (i.e. Asano's chin being pointy) but the deliberateness of this makes these gimmicky comedic reliefs instead of faulty writing.
It's kinda weird to see the same scene from so many different POVs lol but it's enlightening too and Shirtaloon switches things up enough for them to not feel repetitive. There are things Shirtaloon expressly repeats (i.e. Asano's chin being pointy) but the deliberateness of this makes these gimmicky comedic reliefs instead of faulty writing.
August 11, 2024
Another excellent installment of Jason Asano's attempts to be the ultimate badass but not quite having enough essence to back it up. I really wish the author would let him become a gold ranker by now, though, and also stop the usual, "I'm a monster who does the nasty things necessary to protect the good while snarking." Which makes him basically like Wolverine crossed with Spider-Man. It's very fun but I do think his constant self-recrimination is getting a bit old. Still, I like the Messengers as enemies and a nice alternative to the Builder.
February 10, 2025
It's fine. 9 books in we know what we are getting, Jason still does fantastical things even against the backdrop of a fantasy world.
The recaps are getting more frequent and as such, more irksome. I appreciate this is because of the way it is prereleased online, but a tidy up for the published book would make it feel more cohesive.
It is still a joy to read and I'm ever interested in what is going to happen next. I wish every 4th dialogue wasn't about how Jason had such a hard time on earth and everyone needs to respect that, but recovering from trauma is a big part of the series so not a deal breaker.
The recaps are getting more frequent and as such, more irksome. I appreciate this is because of the way it is prereleased online, but a tidy up for the published book would make it feel more cohesive.
It is still a joy to read and I'm ever interested in what is going to happen next. I wish every 4th dialogue wasn't about how Jason had such a hard time on earth and everyone needs to respect that, but recovering from trauma is a big part of the series so not a deal breaker.
October 16, 2023
Great!! Not as nonchalant as I was hoping but still a very fun read. A whole new potion starts brewing!
November 27, 2024
A new challenge with a new dynamic for the starcloaked Asano. Although at times it may look like the main character is overpowered. It's well written and shows character growth while maintaining light heartedness, sometimes bordering on childishness.
April 20, 2025
He tardado más con este libro xq aunque me quedan 2 más por delante (miles de paginas...) simplemente no quiero q acabe
Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews