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The Runic Artist #2
Painted Path
After an epic battle in Helmfirth, Nate helped defeat the Adventurer's Guild traitors, free the slaves and save Kiri's life - but will it cost him his own?
Still navigating his way in this new world, Nate's goal is to learn everything he can and rise up through the levels of the System. To educate himself, he needs to gain access to the Etrua Royal University which will be no easy task, having to compete in a tournament against the most skilled Silver-Ranked Adventurers the Guild has to offer. But the system has other ideas.
Will he succeed, or will he be hunted down before he can prove his worth?
Still navigating his way in this new world, Nate's goal is to learn everything he can and rise up through the levels of the System. To educate himself, he needs to gain access to the Etrua Royal University which will be no easy task, having to compete in a tournament against the most skilled Silver-Ranked Adventurers the Guild has to offer. But the system has other ideas.
Will he succeed, or will he be hunted down before he can prove his worth?
- GenresFantasyMagicYoung Adult
519 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2024
177 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 6, 2025
It's annoying that I have to read multiple chapters of the girl's POV. I will just skim them. I'm not reading this for her.
If every other chapter is dedicated to the edgy shadow daggers girl, I'm dropping this series.
Now and again is okay, but twelve chapters in and it's happening regularly.
Thank god. I don't know if all those boring chapters with the girl was a test by the author to judge our reaction or not, but the book was completed without it becoming a thing.
I don't know if the author feels that girl is entertaining, she is not. I don't care if she is around the protag, but I don't want to read whole chapters dedicated to her.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
If every other chapter is dedicated to the edgy shadow daggers girl, I'm dropping this series.
Now and again is okay, but twelve chapters in and it's happening regularly.
Thank god. I don't know if all those boring chapters with the girl was a test by the author to judge our reaction or not, but the book was completed without it becoming a thing.
I don't know if the author feels that girl is entertaining, she is not. I don't care if she is around the protag, but I don't want to read whole chapters dedicated to her.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
September 30, 2025
The Kiri chapters here are awful. Why do we trivialize Nate’s dungeon experience in the first book and let Kiri get her own special setup? Does she really need to copy all of his unique achievements?
I just got to the part where she’s concerned about beating Nate in the tournament so she’s holding things back from him. Disgusting behavior.
Maybe this deserves 1 star.
Edit:
After finishing this, it definitely deserves 1 star. Kiri is such a piss ass that she confidently thinks she could have beaten Nate’s trial? What the hell? Why are we reading this shitty POV? How are they even friends? They don’t have any deep conversations with each other. All they do is smirk at each other while Kiri jokes about Nate and women. There are no interactions between them that are small moments where they confide in each other.
I just got to the part where she’s concerned about beating Nate in the tournament so she’s holding things back from him. Disgusting behavior.
Maybe this deserves 1 star.
Edit:
After finishing this, it definitely deserves 1 star. Kiri is such a piss ass that she confidently thinks she could have beaten Nate’s trial? What the hell? Why are we reading this shitty POV? How are they even friends? They don’t have any deep conversations with each other. All they do is smirk at each other while Kiri jokes about Nate and women. There are no interactions between them that are small moments where they confide in each other.
December 13, 2024
An outstanding addition!
Ellake is one of my favorite new authors and this series is the reason why. Insanely creative and fresh story plot, fascinating characters that have depth and “are alive”, and beautiful writing. The story is alive and you become part of it on page 1 and never ant to leave.
Ellake is one of my favorite new authors and this series is the reason why. Insanely creative and fresh story plot, fascinating characters that have depth and “are alive”, and beautiful writing. The story is alive and you become part of it on page 1 and never ant to leave.
December 12, 2024
An excellent addition to the series
I loved the world building and character development in this. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Fully recommend!
I loved the world building and character development in this. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Fully recommend!
December 18, 2024
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action. Great magic system.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action. Great magic system.
May 16, 2025
This book is a fighting anime now and I love it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
thought over-share
Love the story. Love the action. Love most characters. Minus one star for the mc’s overshare of his thoughts when crafting, in battle, and choosing upgrades. It is way too wordy and could use some summarization and a few fewer sentences per paragraph. I eventually started skipping 5 pages ahead and not missing anything.
Love the story. Love the action. Love most characters. Minus one star for the mc’s overshare of his thoughts when crafting, in battle, and choosing upgrades. It is way too wordy and could use some summarization and a few fewer sentences per paragraph. I eventually started skipping 5 pages ahead and not missing anything.
February 8, 2025
Pretty solid sequel
The story is not without its flaws and the pacing is a little on the weak side but not horrible there's definitely much worse in the genre. Although the world building is still pretty limited It is expanded a bit. All in all definitely a solid addition though I think the biggest weakness is the lack of ear creation by the protagonist. I feel like a lot of the challenges would have been easier to overcome if he had spent some of his time especially while traveling to create some equipment for him and the sidekick
The story is not without its flaws and the pacing is a little on the weak side but not horrible there's definitely much worse in the genre. Although the world building is still pretty limited It is expanded a bit. All in all definitely a solid addition though I think the biggest weakness is the lack of ear creation by the protagonist. I feel like a lot of the challenges would have been easier to overcome if he had spent some of his time especially while traveling to create some equipment for him and the sidekick
March 19, 2025
This book was actually well-written, and the characters felt distinct, each with their own personality—none of them blended together or felt like the same person. But what really made me write this review was... no cliffhanger! I was fully expecting one, and honestly, it would have made sense with the pacing of the story. But instead, the author took the time to wrap things up in a satisfying way. I was so pleased that I would’ve instantly bought the third book if it were already available!
January 11, 2025
Another fantastic novel. The world setting is intriguing. The magic system is well thought out and I love watching Nate explore the system.
The complexity of the system is just right. Complicated enough to allow for clever solutions to problem but still simple enough to understand.
Looking forward to the next one!
The complexity of the system is just right. Complicated enough to allow for clever solutions to problem but still simple enough to understand.
Looking forward to the next one!
March 9, 2025
Another fun read
I’m not sure that I followed Nate’s logic in being able to overcome that last challenge. I had to re-read that several times and I still don’t quite believe anyone would rationally come up with that.
Other than that though, I enjoy Nate’s continued progress to try to learn more about his abilities.
I’m not sure that I followed Nate’s logic in being able to overcome that last challenge. I had to re-read that several times and I still don’t quite believe anyone would rationally come up with that.
Other than that though, I enjoy Nate’s continued progress to try to learn more about his abilities.
April 12, 2025
simply AWESOME
Love this series it’s full of Great characters with lots of action.
Nate is a guy with lots of potential, but seems to have to suffer to achieve it. He is building a great friendship base of powerful individuals.
Can’t wait for the next book to come out. But sad because it looks like it may be the last.
Love this series it’s full of Great characters with lots of action.
Nate is a guy with lots of potential, but seems to have to suffer to achieve it. He is building a great friendship base of powerful individuals.
Can’t wait for the next book to come out. But sad because it looks like it may be the last.
December 22, 2024
Interesting Idea - How being an artist could make a strong cultivator
I like the idea that being a creative person could become the basis of a strong cultvator. The character development is good and the storyline is exciting.
I like the idea that being a creative person could become the basis of a strong cultvator. The character development is good and the storyline is exciting.
December 30, 2024
As good as the first
Simply put. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. It just continues the story of the first book.
I can't wait until the next one.
Highly recommended.
Simply put. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. It just continues the story of the first book.
I can't wait until the next one.
Highly recommended.
January 8, 2025
Again awesome
Nate is awesome and creative, but I guess that's the point of this series. Poor guy never catches a break, but it makes this growth incredible. Hopefully, the next book comes out soon because I love this series..
Nate is awesome and creative, but I guess that's the point of this series. Poor guy never catches a break, but it makes this growth incredible. Hopefully, the next book comes out soon because I love this series..
February 1, 2025
this is an epic or mystic story
riveting riveting riveting. If you stop reading it, you feel exhausted from the tension. But after a break, you’re back in the middle of it again within words.
Colorful and original characters pull the story together.
riveting riveting riveting. If you stop reading it, you feel exhausted from the tension. But after a break, you’re back in the middle of it again within words.
Colorful and original characters pull the story together.
June 18, 2025
First half of the book sucks... I had to do a ton of skimming.
But then it does pick up a lot.
Wish the author wasn't so wordy with all the skill stuff.
The last fight was far too ridiculous. Not believable.
But then it does pick up a lot.
Wish the author wasn't so wordy with all the skill stuff.
The last fight was far too ridiculous. Not believable.
December 15, 2024
Great Story.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
I'm invested in the characters. Enjoy reading about their different outlooks and how they each solve problems.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
I'm invested in the characters. Enjoy reading about their different outlooks and how they each solve problems.
December 19, 2024
really good book.
I am truly enjoyed reading this book. Cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out. 🤩
I am truly enjoyed reading this book. Cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out. 🤩
December 25, 2024
Fantastic epilogue
Well written and enjoyable. The magic framework stays consistent. Overall worth the time to read. The epilogue really is good
Well written and enjoyable. The magic framework stays consistent. Overall worth the time to read. The epilogue really is good
December 30, 2024
Great!
Incredible book! I very much enjoyed this second Runic Artist book, with it’s great story and characters. I cannot wait for the next one.
Incredible book! I very much enjoyed this second Runic Artist book, with it’s great story and characters. I cannot wait for the next one.
February 5, 2025
Great book! Love this series!
March 13, 2025
Solid read
Good world mechanics and enjoyable characters with a bit of developmental angst thrown in for seasoning. One looking forward to more from this author.
Good world mechanics and enjoyable characters with a bit of developmental angst thrown in for seasoning. One looking forward to more from this author.
April 27, 2025
More crafting and theorycrafting. And Nate’s turned into kind of a smug little arsehole. End of the series for me I think.
January 12, 2026
Excelente libro por muchas razones, muy recomendado.
Excelente worldbuilding y pace.
Excelente worldbuilding y pace.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews