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Earthen Contenders #4
Unaffiliated Healer
Thaden is built for running dungeons solo, but in order to progress past his current Level, he’s going to have to find some friends rather quickly…
After resolving all the pending SPECIAL Quests that had been plaguing him, Thaden is finally ready to evolve his Class, where he can then continue to Level-up past his current limit. Unfortunately, his current Evolution Assignment is proving to be a bit more difficult than his last one, as it requires him to complete one of the new Intermediate dungeons with a full Raid Party of at least 100 people without any casualties. Throwing money at the problem might’ve worked in the past, but now there’s a complication that makes such a prospect nearly impossible.
The rise of the Contender Guilds.
Thaden has had his run-ins with the Guilds in the past, of course, but while he had been away for a while, the Assimilation System has embraced these Guilds and incorporated them into its mechanics, legitimizing them past the relatively loose groups of Contenders they were before and making them official organizations – with specific Quests to go along with them. With Guild Quests including the completion of Intermediate dungeons and a Ranking system with ongoing awards, the competition is fierce – and no one is willing to risk their Ranking by taking someone not affiliated with their Guild along.
With these obstacles in place, Thaden struggles to find a Guild willing to accept him as a member, even if only temporarily. This is proving harder than it should be, as while his Class is undoubtedly powerful, information about it and the detrimental drawbacks it enforces on any party he participates in is now widely known.
Will he be able to find a Guild inclined to giving him a chance, or will this unaffiliated healer be stuck at his current Level, unable to progress any further?
This story contains an overpowered MC with a normally non-offense-based Class, LitRPG progression mechanics and stats, and isekai/portal fantasy elements. Contains no sexual content or harems.
After resolving all the pending SPECIAL Quests that had been plaguing him, Thaden is finally ready to evolve his Class, where he can then continue to Level-up past his current limit. Unfortunately, his current Evolution Assignment is proving to be a bit more difficult than his last one, as it requires him to complete one of the new Intermediate dungeons with a full Raid Party of at least 100 people without any casualties. Throwing money at the problem might’ve worked in the past, but now there’s a complication that makes such a prospect nearly impossible.
The rise of the Contender Guilds.
Thaden has had his run-ins with the Guilds in the past, of course, but while he had been away for a while, the Assimilation System has embraced these Guilds and incorporated them into its mechanics, legitimizing them past the relatively loose groups of Contenders they were before and making them official organizations – with specific Quests to go along with them. With Guild Quests including the completion of Intermediate dungeons and a Ranking system with ongoing awards, the competition is fierce – and no one is willing to risk their Ranking by taking someone not affiliated with their Guild along.
With these obstacles in place, Thaden struggles to find a Guild willing to accept him as a member, even if only temporarily. This is proving harder than it should be, as while his Class is undoubtedly powerful, information about it and the detrimental drawbacks it enforces on any party he participates in is now widely known.
Will he be able to find a Guild inclined to giving him a chance, or will this unaffiliated healer be stuck at his current Level, unable to progress any further?
This story contains an overpowered MC with a normally non-offense-based Class, LitRPG progression mechanics and stats, and isekai/portal fantasy elements. Contains no sexual content or harems.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2024
499 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
82 books483 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 10, 2024
Thaden always liked to be left alone, which influenced his class choice of a Solitary Shaman.
Because of his class, everyone refuses to let him join a 100-person Raid Group that he needs for his Special Evolution Quest. He finds the leader of the Guilded Guild and asks her to risk and let him join their Guild.
In the book, it is explained in detail how guilds are organised and how it is to be a member of a Raid Group.
As usual, Thaden is magnificent and the benefits from his class and achievements are fantastic.
The best part of the story is the appearance of an assistant and some new friends. At last, he is not alone anymore.
The end of the book leaves readers in suspension waiting for the series continuation.
Because of his class, everyone refuses to let him join a 100-person Raid Group that he needs for his Special Evolution Quest. He finds the leader of the Guilded Guild and asks her to risk and let him join their Guild.
In the book, it is explained in detail how guilds are organised and how it is to be a member of a Raid Group.
As usual, Thaden is magnificent and the benefits from his class and achievements are fantastic.
The best part of the story is the appearance of an assistant and some new friends. At last, he is not alone anymore.
The end of the book leaves readers in suspension waiting for the series continuation.
December 26, 2024
Out of all the books in this series, this is the weakest. It felt like a rush job, with the basic plot just being get strong v1.0 and get strong v2.0.
It became interesting in the last chapter, but it was very little very late.
Also, the stat sheets are getting ridiculous. I really miss the footnote way that some of Jonathan’s books used to so it in the past.
It became interesting in the last chapter, but it was very little very late.
Also, the stat sheets are getting ridiculous. I really miss the footnote way that some of Jonathan’s books used to so it in the past.
December 5, 2024
He has a annoying slave now
An amazing series ruined. The whole draw behind this character was the unique aspect of the MC being a solo character and remaining solo. I absolutely hate how authors feel they have to fall into the same troupe as everyone else to stay relevant. Not only is the title wrong (unaffiliated) but the author chose the most disgusting annoying way possible to ruin a good character. That’s by attaching a demeaning s** slave that likes to call him master. They way people get away with depictions of subservience and women in future is astounding. Disgusting, I genuinely loved the series until this installment.
An amazing series ruined. The whole draw behind this character was the unique aspect of the MC being a solo character and remaining solo. I absolutely hate how authors feel they have to fall into the same troupe as everyone else to stay relevant. Not only is the title wrong (unaffiliated) but the author chose the most disgusting annoying way possible to ruin a good character. That’s by attaching a demeaning s** slave that likes to call him master. They way people get away with depictions of subservience and women in future is astounding. Disgusting, I genuinely loved the series until this installment.
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
February 4, 2025
much better than the last book
This book actually had a purpose and story progression. It was interesting and a blast to read.
I loved the continual OP nature of the MC and the ending was epic. What a cliffhanger to end on.
Also, the evolution of the story and world were so interesting! I can’t wait to see how the conflict between the adversary and the system get flushed out more! So good!
This book actually had a purpose and story progression. It was interesting and a blast to read.
I loved the continual OP nature of the MC and the ending was epic. What a cliffhanger to end on.
Also, the evolution of the story and world were so interesting! I can’t wait to see how the conflict between the adversary and the system get flushed out more! So good!
December 10, 2024
Good story, but only 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ because of too much data.
Got to say, this story has grabbed me. I like that the mc has hassles even with being OP/WEAK and not the smartest one.
I would really like it if there was less blah, blah, stats, levels, and choices overview/internal monologue on mentality vs celerity/exposition of crunchy stuff.
It takes away from the story and the action.
PLEASE make the agonizing over the levels stuff and distributing points philosophy separate interludes perhaps, so we can stick with the progress of the development.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️ only because of too much data that distracts.
Would do 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if either reduced, or easier to skip the belaboring over way too many options.
Got to say, this story has grabbed me. I like that the mc has hassles even with being OP/WEAK and not the smartest one.
I would really like it if there was less blah, blah, stats, levels, and choices overview/internal monologue on mentality vs celerity/exposition of crunchy stuff.
It takes away from the story and the action.
PLEASE make the agonizing over the levels stuff and distributing points philosophy separate interludes perhaps, so we can stick with the progress of the development.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️ only because of too much data that distracts.
Would do 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if either reduced, or easier to skip the belaboring over way too many options.
December 11, 2024
Worst kind of in between book... A cliffhanger and no explanation
Most of the book is kind of boring, as it is just forcing the character to get stronger. Not much progression in the overall story arch.
A new twist happens yes, but why the main character doesn't actually try to get the attention of the system to worn about world impending doom is beyond me.
Still confused about a few spell descriptions as it specifically reads that it cannot be cast on the user but the author still writes that Thaden uses it on himself frequently.
The book just ends. In a weird, no explanation given place.
I will still continue to read the series hoping it gets better.
I hope you like this one better than I did!
Most of the book is kind of boring, as it is just forcing the character to get stronger. Not much progression in the overall story arch.
A new twist happens yes, but why the main character doesn't actually try to get the attention of the system to worn about world impending doom is beyond me.
Still confused about a few spell descriptions as it specifically reads that it cannot be cast on the user but the author still writes that Thaden uses it on himself frequently.
The book just ends. In a weird, no explanation given place.
I will still continue to read the series hoping it gets better.
I hope you like this one better than I did!
January 26, 2025
Thaden’s journey was not without troubles, but he rose to every challenge from the raids to finding companions and friends. I loved the addition of his helper. The way he was able to join a guild after being turned down for something that was out of his control was amazing. I really like Corrina, she is awesome. The big bad at the end was interesting, and I want to know what it was talking about, but I will have to wait for that.
January 16, 2025
Another solid entry in to this series. I enjoyed that there was an emphasis on groups and character interaction. The MC has been kind of a loner up to this point but I have enjoyed when he interacts with other guilds and groups the most. This book had a lot of that. There was quite the twist at the end too.
December 7, 2024
good but skipped a lot
Basically what I wrote in the title. Good book but there are entire pages of filler stats that you have to get through. I like crunchy books but this is a little on the crazy side. Highly recommend but you will skim
Basically what I wrote in the title. Good book but there are entire pages of filler stats that you have to get through. I like crunchy books but this is a little on the crazy side. Highly recommend but you will skim
December 8, 2024
Story was good
Story was good when you finally got to it. If you love stats then this is the book for you. I felt like the story was just a way to string the stats together. Good job on the Recap though it helped A LOT
Story was good when you finally got to it. If you love stats then this is the book for you. I felt like the story was just a way to string the stats together. Good job on the Recap though it helped A LOT
March 19, 2025
Well, I've made it to book 4, so the series is obviously worth reading. This book brings us a significant shift in the world-building that started in book 3. We're starting to see cracks in the system and and a new realization that all is not as it seems. The second big development in this book is that Thaden is finally interacting with others. This shows good character development. It was really starting to get a little weird, with the principle narration being this guy talking to himself for 3 straight books. That changes in a big way in this book, which is a good change.
Book four is even more number crunching than previous books as his class gets higher and more complicated. I'm a bit of a stat geek and even I would rate this book stat heavy, but I find it almost relaxing. When I want to take a nap or can't can't get to sleep I turn the speed down to 95% and listen to a long passage of stat updates and it's almost hypnotic, and I'm out like a light. I find I can also listen to it at work while doing other tasks with minimal pusing and and back-tracking through the long battle and stats sequences with my headphones on.
Book four is even more number crunching than previous books as his class gets higher and more complicated. I'm a bit of a stat geek and even I would rate this book stat heavy, but I find it almost relaxing. When I want to take a nap or can't can't get to sleep I turn the speed down to 95% and listen to a long passage of stat updates and it's almost hypnotic, and I'm out like a light. I find I can also listen to it at work while doing other tasks with minimal pusing and and back-tracking through the long battle and stats sequences with my headphones on.
January 24, 2025
fun
Thaden is back and stronger than ever. Unfortunately his class makes him unwanted by guilds. He still needs to do his advancement quest so he goes to the Gilded Glory Guild with a lucrative offer. They love it and he begins running raids with them. He discovers that one of the dungeons they run is a nest of the Adversary and no one will believe him. Before he can enact plans to resolve it, the Adversary attacks. By the skin of his teeth, Thaden wins, but he learns that the world and the System may not be what it seems.
A great installment. Wonderful narrator. Excellent pacing. Steady world with some character growth. Please enjoy
Thaden is back and stronger than ever. Unfortunately his class makes him unwanted by guilds. He still needs to do his advancement quest so he goes to the Gilded Glory Guild with a lucrative offer. They love it and he begins running raids with them. He discovers that one of the dungeons they run is a nest of the Adversary and no one will believe him. Before he can enact plans to resolve it, the Adversary attacks. By the skin of his teeth, Thaden wins, but he learns that the world and the System may not be what it seems.
A great installment. Wonderful narrator. Excellent pacing. Steady world with some character growth. Please enjoy
December 16, 2024
Just when I thought the author wrote himself into a corner…
… out came some fresh ideas rejuvenating my interest and curiosity. A good read always leaves you with lots of questions and wondering about what comes next, what happened to others in the story etc. So, I am now really looking forward to the next book in the series. The book continues to be a bit geeky and offers a little too much, for my taste, stats and explanations, yet this somehow adds credibility to the story and characters. A good read!
… out came some fresh ideas rejuvenating my interest and curiosity. A good read always leaves you with lots of questions and wondering about what comes next, what happened to others in the story etc. So, I am now really looking forward to the next book in the series. The book continues to be a bit geeky and offers a little too much, for my taste, stats and explanations, yet this somehow adds credibility to the story and characters. A good read!
January 6, 2025
Interesting Character, great story lines. But I'm so tempted to downgrade to 3-4 stars. To much useless LitRPG statistics. Yea they help explain how the character is so formidable. But there are to many, to much ultrafine definition and frankly more suited to a computer game where the CPU can run the math. IE a couple of well crafted narrative paragraphs would be just as informative as 2 or more pages of detail that only a mathematician could love. There is nothing wrong with the LitRPG concept but its so easily overdone. This is literature not an actual RPG game.
January 27, 2025
Unaffiliated Healer
Thaden needs to complete a raid quest by finishing a raid dungeon with at least 100 players. This is proving quite the problem for a Solitary Shaman by definition. Fortunately, a fresh pair of eyes gives Thaden an idea on just how he might be able to accomplish this. The Contender Guilds.
I always appreciate the way Jonathan Brooks does his books. There is a summery of previous books at the beginning and all the heavy stat sections are their own chapters. You can listen or not, your choice. This litrpg adds a few more elements they really does enhance the story. The different raids are a lot of fun to go through. Miles Meili does an excellent job with the narration!
Content Warning: language
Thaden needs to complete a raid quest by finishing a raid dungeon with at least 100 players. This is proving quite the problem for a Solitary Shaman by definition. Fortunately, a fresh pair of eyes gives Thaden an idea on just how he might be able to accomplish this. The Contender Guilds.
I always appreciate the way Jonathan Brooks does his books. There is a summery of previous books at the beginning and all the heavy stat sections are their own chapters. You can listen or not, your choice. This litrpg adds a few more elements they really does enhance the story. The different raids are a lot of fun to go through. Miles Meili does an excellent job with the narration!
Content Warning: language
February 27, 2025
Warning complex statistical anomalies detected
Thaden’s stats and abilities are now so mathematically over complex I just ignore them and try to enjoy the storyline leaving him in my mind just overpowered with incalculable abilities that he can overcome all adversaries. He has a lot of negative abilities he needs to work around to be with other people, so all is not rosy, and he seems to need a psychiatrist. Getting close to dropping this as it is getting too hard to read and understand the interwoven and complex abilities/spells described.
Thaden’s stats and abilities are now so mathematically over complex I just ignore them and try to enjoy the storyline leaving him in my mind just overpowered with incalculable abilities that he can overcome all adversaries. He has a lot of negative abilities he needs to work around to be with other people, so all is not rosy, and he seems to need a psychiatrist. Getting close to dropping this as it is getting too hard to read and understand the interwoven and complex abilities/spells described.
December 15, 2024
Good edition to the series! Complex, but fun.
Sometimes the explanation of the world building gaming system can get tedious at times in its over-explanation, however if you've been following this series then you just accept it and enjoy the fun ride, even when the over explaining info dumps slow the pace some. It's a fun series, very intricate details, but you still want to find out what's going to happen. Look forward to book five!!!!
Sometimes the explanation of the world building gaming system can get tedious at times in its over-explanation, however if you've been following this series then you just accept it and enjoy the fun ride, even when the over explaining info dumps slow the pace some. It's a fun series, very intricate details, but you still want to find out what's going to happen. Look forward to book five!!!!
December 21, 2024
points deducted for cliffhanger
Good book in line the others in the series, a bit too much in the statistics front, lots of wall of text to show status updates.
My biggest complaint is that the end of the book in a cliff hanger, none of the other books in it that way, at least not for anything important so it’s annoying. The author changed their behavior here.
If you like the other books in the series, read this one too .
Good book in line the others in the series, a bit too much in the statistics front, lots of wall of text to show status updates.
My biggest complaint is that the end of the book in a cliff hanger, none of the other books in it that way, at least not for anything important so it’s annoying. The author changed their behavior here.
If you like the other books in the series, read this one too .
January 19, 2025
What did I just read?
Omg it felt like reading a tech manual, it gets to a point where all the technical details almost becomes the plot as so many stats effects etc just take up most of the book. I literally skimmed and skimmed through pages of descriptions of stuff to try to find actual plot content.... Honestly I can't tell you what the point of the last two books were other than to throw in drama for drama sake....
Omg it felt like reading a tech manual, it gets to a point where all the technical details almost becomes the plot as so many stats effects etc just take up most of the book. I literally skimmed and skimmed through pages of descriptions of stuff to try to find actual plot content.... Honestly I can't tell you what the point of the last two books were other than to throw in drama for drama sake....
January 30, 2025
I almost didn't read this book after the previous one. I found the series was getting tedious, stat heavy and repetitive. This book, while still heavy on the numbers, was better. We saw more character development beyond increasing levels and getting more over-powered. I felt the first book was novel, the second was interesting because we saw more of the world and the third was a repeat of the second. The fourth instalment was interesting again.
July 26, 2025
Absorbing, perplexing, and intriguing
Alternate universe, LitRPG, OP MC, fantasy races, universal conflict
The appearance of Sadia as his companion and therapist was helpful. Frustrating, too, when he tried to choose options that were more group friendly, he was prevented from doing so. And, of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. I like LitRPG, but this hardcore; all the ability descriptions were a bit much. Excellent editing. I'm in for book 5.
Alternate universe, LitRPG, OP MC, fantasy races, universal conflict
The appearance of Sadia as his companion and therapist was helpful. Frustrating, too, when he tried to choose options that were more group friendly, he was prevented from doing so. And, of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. I like LitRPG, but this hardcore; all the ability descriptions were a bit much. Excellent editing. I'm in for book 5.
December 6, 2024
love it
Another great chapter in this series. It feels like a bit of a bridge piece between the last book and the next but Thaden goes through a lot of personal growth (and stat growth, oh my) as well as adding more side characters. I loved it and it just whetted my appetite for the next one.
Another great chapter in this series. It feels like a bit of a bridge piece between the last book and the next but Thaden goes through a lot of personal growth (and stat growth, oh my) as well as adding more side characters. I loved it and it just whetted my appetite for the next one.
December 14, 2024
must love math
I like the story; I wasn’t too fond of the regular math quizzes as the MC attempted to figure out the correct percentages of damage…
Need to pare down some of the verbiage in the system notifications. Condense them a bit, especially when they repeat.
Big finish. Bit of a cliff hanger.
I’m going to pre-order the next one.
I like the story; I wasn’t too fond of the regular math quizzes as the MC attempted to figure out the correct percentages of damage…
Need to pare down some of the verbiage in the system notifications. Condense them a bit, especially when they repeat.
Big finish. Bit of a cliff hanger.
I’m going to pre-order the next one.
December 19, 2024
I enjoyed the story. It’s all a bit ridiculous, but good fun.
There are a lot of unnecessary stats though. I enjoy some, but there’s so much repetition that I sometimes thought the author might be trying to increase the page count. It also ended rather abruptly, but I’m looking forward to the next one.
There are a lot of unnecessary stats though. I enjoy some, but there’s so much repetition that I sometimes thought the author might be trying to increase the page count. It also ended rather abruptly, but I’m looking forward to the next one.
February 24, 2025
Book four
I felt like I spent more time reading stat pages than I did reading actual story.
I feel like some major consolidation could have been done. I also felt like a lot of information was repeated needlessly.
Remember that this is my personal opinion and that it is okay for you to disagree.
4/10 I skimmed so much of the repeated information.
I felt like I spent more time reading stat pages than I did reading actual story.
I feel like some major consolidation could have been done. I also felt like a lot of information was repeated needlessly.
Remember that this is my personal opinion and that it is okay for you to disagree.
4/10 I skimmed so much of the repeated information.
March 23, 2025
A rather dull grind fest.
DNF at 40%
The story encompasses the worst aspects of mmoprg - constant grinding in massive but mostly anonymous groups while lacking mystery, adventure and meaningful human interactions..
The fights are extremely repetitive. The book is rather excessive regarding skills and stats sometimes making the story itself feel like a mere side note..
DNF at 40%
The story encompasses the worst aspects of mmoprg - constant grinding in massive but mostly anonymous groups while lacking mystery, adventure and meaningful human interactions..
The fights are extremely repetitive. The book is rather excessive regarding skills and stats sometimes making the story itself feel like a mere side note..
April 29, 2025
One Of My Favorite Series OAT!
The author does a fantastic job with this series! He keeps the suspense and action perfectly balanced with the stat spreads and character dialogues. Loved the twist with the adversarial elite at the end and how that played out! Overall, this is one of my favorites series and I can’t wait for more!
The author does a fantastic job with this series! He keeps the suspense and action perfectly balanced with the stat spreads and character dialogues. Loved the twist with the adversarial elite at the end and how that played out! Overall, this is one of my favorites series and I can’t wait for more!
September 23, 2025
Well, that was an expected development
Since the plot drove toward the ultimate battle of the book, I cannot say i was too surprised. But I also was confused by the final battle, so I didnt really understand it all.
The consequences of it all, as well as hidden agendas, etc, leave much to be explored.
Since the plot drove toward the ultimate battle of the book, I cannot say i was too surprised. But I also was confused by the final battle, so I didnt really understand it all.
The consequences of it all, as well as hidden agendas, etc, leave much to be explored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
Great book. Awful cover art
Definitely recommend this book but the Author seriously needs to get a good cover artist because the current covers are just downright terrible and should be burned at the stake
Definitely recommend this book but the Author seriously needs to get a good cover artist because the current covers are just downright terrible and should be burned at the stake
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews