Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Magical Fusion #3

Aetheric InFusion: A Fantasy LitRPG Academy Adventure

Rate this book
Knowledge of Larek’s gifts have spread farther than just Copperleaf Academy…

Exposed as a “Fusion prodigy” to the Mages of Copperleaf Academy and the Martials of Fort Pinevalley, Larek struggles with the attention and expectations this label brings. Not only does he need protection against those who may wish him harm, but he also has to contend with the needs of his Professors and the Dean of Copperleaf Academy, who wish to use his abilities to help teach others about his discoveries and to outfit the local Scission Interception Corps with his powerful creations.

It's not because of selfish reasons that they desire the SIC to be better equipped, though, but one of necessity. Changes in Scission and monster behavior throughout the Kingdom has thrown all of their previous defensive strategies into turmoil, and more and more member of the SIC have to venture out from behind the safety of the city’s walls to hunt down and kill the threatening monsters roaming across the landscape.

If that wasn’t bad enough, word of Larek’s abilities – and potential origin – have begun to spread, leading to rumors that, if they were to reach the wrong ears, could result in devastation. The powerful Fusionist must now juggle the expectations of his Professors with keeping his presence at the Academy a secret, or else his entire world might come crashing down.

This weak-to-strong MC story contains LitRPG elements such as character progression and statistics, as well as a heavy crafting emphasis. No explicit sexual content or harems.

Audible Audio

First published January 3, 2024

522 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Jonathan Brooks

82 books482 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
912 (61%)
4 stars
392 (26%)
3 stars
145 (9%)
2 stars
27 (1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
5 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
Plot driven and lost the story. Too much deus ex machina.

I was absolutely in love with the power system, and in the previous two books, it was wonderfully balanced and quirky: a world with mages, where the MC has amazing stats but can’t cast spells. Sure, the MC is still OP, but that’s why we read this genre! An interesting world that has partial command economy that is somewhat state controlled, and lots of conscription. Interesting world building. All these were interesting enough and the first two books were consistent enough that I was actually looking forward to this release.
Unfortunately it was a bit of a let down. Characters are uncharacteristically naive or dumb at times to force scenarios and plot. The story gets forgotten, and kinda loses its identity, as narration or dialogue seems like an excuse to explain potential plot holes and why this must happen. All lot of “tell” instead of “show”. About three quarters into the book, I found myself disinterested and just completely disconnected from the story. Characters state one motive and then do another thing a few chapters later, because the plot demands it, so I’m not even sure what I’m reading anymore, as I’m led from point A to point B.


***Spoiler Alert***

I love that the author isn’t afraid to kill characters, but it’s starting to feel forced. The Dean and Shinpai’s goal is to give Larek time to grow, and ultimately for HIM to stop the breach… so they force him to become a production line of fusions for 6 months with no progress or growth??? I mean yes, gotta equip the SIC, but putting in no effort for his growth?

They’re running away, and trying to keep his identity as a fusionist hidden, so they freely flaunt the extra-ordinary fusions, explain each and every fusion that is on it, say that they were gifted it by the super fusionist, and then go ahead and make fusions in the inn, because “the innkeeper won’t reveal where she got them”, even though anybody with magic detection already know how unique it is just by passing by. Not to mention just handing it out so freely… I get Larek not appreciating the value, and they got two 11 year olds but they got martial and a noble with them, and none of them through a week of running away, talking and strategizing had done any thinking?? He even talked about how it’d be suspicious for him and the 11 year olds, but the older ones should be fine, so just wait outside of town and have Bart and Kimble go shopping or something. I mean somebody literally killed and destroyed your academy trying to find you and you’re running for your life but everyone is so nonchalant about everything. What happened to his “bodyguards” preaching precaution in the first few chapters, that won’t let regular curious students near him because they could be a threat? Or that lesson he learned when Viv poisoned him, to not let his guard down?

Not to mention that the building collapsed when he escaped, so they could be presumed dead, or even if the enemy knew he was alive, if him or his fusions get spotted in that town.. that just confirmed the direction he’s headed…

Everyone that helped Larek is dead, he’s now been through so many Scissions, he’s been treated like crap his entire life by hyumans, and falsely accused so many times, and realized that the Dean and Shinpai had (even if it’s for his benefit/forcing him towards their goal of closing the breach) manipulated and deceived him, but he still remains positive and naive enough to fully equip the SIC members that were going to rob him… sure he could potentially sabotage the weapons when he wanted, but everyone on his team went along with that??

Sure enough that was to equip the SIC members in the next fight against monsters that suddenly appeared right where they are because that was the plot. Then a Great-One shows up and he agrees to go with her, so you already know he’s going to get away, and all his “friends” have their memories wiped so you already know the plot is gonna reset the board and send him on a new adventure alone. So 3 books later, you’re getting the same character from page 1 of book 1 because “he is too stubborn to change” which means no character growth, with no friends, no mentors, but with a new stat sheet in a new land..

I think the best way to describe it, is that there is character growth, there is only stat progression. In fact, they have been reduced from characters to caricatures, with little to no flavor or influence on the story. She’s a Druid and cares for Larek so she says this, but doesn’t really influence the plot. Pen is gay so she slaps Viv’s ass and kisses her. Viv reveals her parents used to run an inn so she speaks to the innkeeper in the next page, and that’s it. Kimble is a pyromancer so he shoots fireballs, fire spears and a wall of fire. They are just stand-ins with no influence on the story, as the plot drags them from one event to the next.
Profile Image for Ford Miller.
704 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2024
Good continuation, however the story is more of a transitional book to move the plot along.

I really enjoyed this series. The third book appears to be more of a transitional addition to the plot. Not much really happens in the story to move the development of the characters and for the majority of the book the characters are just moving from point A to b with no agency to their actions. I enjoyed the writing, it's simple and clear without over explaining and the author again makes it fun to learn about the progression of the characters. Some minor annoyances where the pace of the story dragged in places and the cluelessness of the main character to normal interactions seems suspicious given how much trouble he's been having in the past year of his life. The plot takes a completely new twist towards the end of the book, again feeling like this was a setup to just try to continue the plot line. Because of that there really wasn't much meat on the bone, and it didn't feel very satisfying. I look forward to book four and hope that there is actually more to the plot in the main characters development.
Profile Image for Aaron Eichler.
748 reviews
July 31, 2025
School can't keep him

Larek loves learning, but something always happens to his school. He was able to see his other family and didn't like what he saw. I was not happy that his friends were made to forget him, but happy that his connection to them was stronger than another's power.
267 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2025
Another Royal Road Dud

Don’t know if this is on RR, but this is the exact kind of endless, boring, schlock that thrives over there.

The mc isn’t particularly interesting. Just an over powered Mary sue with one big flaw in place to make them ‘balanced’.

Autism is not a sin. Tylenol doesn’t cause it.

But my heavens if the mc wasn’t injected with weapons grade Tylenol by RFK at some point, I don’t know what they were hit with.

The book does have some interesting side characters. However, if they are an adult or in a position of authority, the author will just murder them with no fanfare or anything else. Hope you didn’t like them.

If you were to parse out all the uninteresting “pattern formations” from the story; you’d have about 70 pages of actual book.

Add in that the author has far exceeded his grasp in terms of creating the conflict for his MC to resolve, and you’ve got a prime piece of RR ‘masterpiece’ to read.

1/10 would not recommend. Go read an algorithmic trading instruction manual but replace buys and sells with the words adaptive and mana.
994 reviews13 followers
January 6, 2024
More goodness

. I enjoy the series immensely. Though obviously some of the situations the MC finds himself in is a bit annoying. Who sold I don't wanna save the world is still annoying but he's coming around even if it's for selfish reasons. I mean the MC is a good person he's just a bit cowardly. That said he does step up when necessary. A lot of twists and turns in this book Who is many revelations about the system and the changes it's undergoing. This book does have a fair bit of crafting at least within the system. It's not so cut and dry Like some other systems and other series but it's still a lot of fun. We readers are learning at the same time as the MC. Yay fun there. Biggest disappointment is the wait for the next book.
23 reviews
December 29, 2024
I liked the way this series was going. The characters were getting developed nicely and then everyone has to start all over. I guess the author was a GOT fan because he likes killing off characters. The way he describes the kingdom is great and the way he described the way to make some fusion is very interesting. But I don’t need to read how he does it every time. He describes the monsters very clearly and in detail. But he doesn’t say anything about the regular flora and fauna. And he doesn’t say anything about what happens to the monsters that are killed. Except that they’re burned. After a thousand years wouldn’t there be a whole industry built around them? Everything from tools and equipment to food and clothing.
Profile Image for Holly.
826 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2025
The author is a talented writer, with excellent dialogue and character development. He has created a marvelous "fusion" skill that fascinates me. The non-fighting segments really engage me.

I was not happy with the early deaths (at all), but went along on the journey, enjoying the travellers. Then the book took a turn I was not happy with, two turns, but at least the hateful one was resolved. The very end was intriguing.

I do not enjoy the monster battles and read through them as fast as I can while grasping the essence. I realize other readers might enjoy those the most. For instance, I loved far more the creations of lamplights and a floor game in the Inn, with meal descriptions, than the forest battle.
25 reviews
August 28, 2025
the MC is a bit whiny and a little dumb, he seems to forget incredibly important aspects of his own abilities and progression for the sake of the plot line and planned reveals. The author also has a habit of stating something important, and then rambling about absolute nonsense for 3 minutes until the original statement is actually explained. its mildly infuriating. something like "he noticed something was wrong" and then rambling nonsense that no one cares about before finally explaining what is wrong.

im generally enjoying the series, and there's enough OP MC to keep me going until the next book at this point, but im also consistently wishing he'd just get it together and stop being so lame half the time.
Profile Image for John #Audible.
365 reviews
February 16, 2024
At this point in book 3, I would expect some mental growth from Larek. We get none of that, he still acts like a child even though he has been in life-and-death combat countless times. He is still a work slave to the Kingdom.. Speaking of which, the author has some George RR Martin tendencies and it pisses me off to know end. When you start flushing out characters and making the reader start to get invested in them and then turn around and kill them outright it tends to get freaking old. It tells me, why should I invest time in this book if this author continues to do this. Every book so far.
36 reviews
September 1, 2024
This series actually gets better and better

After a slow start in book one and some slow bits in book two, things real up for our hero in this, book three.

Larek and his friends settle down to life in Copperleaf Academy. Larek grows and his fusions become more powerful but now he's getting really noticed and not always by the right kinds of people.

The book is nicely written with great characters and a fascinating story line. Taking LitRPG in a nice direction, these stories have no computer generated world and therefore everyone is more like a NPC but crossed with hero (and anti-hero) players.

I found this book utterly unputdownable.
99 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2024
Larek’s journey

I don’t know if this is a good thing or bad. Most great warriors and heroes don’t reach full glory. It is sometimes forced upon them. This seems to be the case with our MC. I really hope he decides that even though he does not want to be the hero Circumstances, dictated. Their “system” seem to be somewhat different. I wonder if it will grow and provide more information as the MC does. The “great ones“, never learned to use it so they do not get all the benefits. I guess I have to wait to see what the next book shows us
927 reviews6 followers
March 27, 2024
Larek learns his true origin of his biological father's race an class .

Larek has transferred to a new academy after the other one was attacked an partly destroyed along with other first years an one fourth year . After arriving he is sent to advanced fusion workshop . Along with his other scheduled classes . Later the Academy is under attack and amongst the confusion he is kidnapped and beat by an former classmate he is able to free himself an get revenge on his former classmate . recommend reading excellent series .
Profile Image for Andy Murphy.
310 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2024
Artheric InFusion

Larek and several of his classmates have thrived at the new academy. While Larek is learning more and advancing his Fusion knowledge, the world outside is changing rapidly to become more dangerous.

This is becoming one of my favorite crafting focused series. The is a change in this book that brings on more action as well! Maybe stepping back from the dungeon cores has done Jonathan Brooks well! As always, Miles Meili does fantastic narrating.

Content warning: none
Profile Image for Jonathan.
628 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2024
fun


The main character gets into more trouble. He is forced to leave his current school yet again. He finds out who his father is, and is on the run. He almost makes it to his new school, but he’s captured and escapes through a twist of fate winding up, lost in the world. Now we must work his way home.

Still a captivating story and world. The narrator and narrative is wonderful. Highly entertaining. Please enjoy.
Profile Image for Jack Vinson.
945 reviews48 followers
April 26, 2024
Get a move on.

Are the going to use “con-fusion” as a title at some point?

Larek and his friends run into more trouble and need to leave the (no longer) safety of the academy and travel across the kingdom to a different academy and hoped-for anonymity. That doesn’t work, of course, and they are waylaid before they get very far. Then monsters with teleporting capability attack…and they split the party, just in time for the next book.
Profile Image for Sundeep.
Author 9 books11 followers
January 4, 2024
This was another good addition to the series. While the academic part came to an abrupt end, what followed was good too. I especially liked the twists and turns, and how the author brought multiple foreshadowing together. The ending was kinda bittersweet, but it does bring the wider world into play! Also, the new ways to craft was cool - was a pleasant surprise.
Profile Image for David Campbell.
313 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2024
There's not much to like about this book, and I'm done with the series.

Everything just feels wooden. Characters aren't interesting anymore and just plod from plot point to boring repetitive actions and Stat increases. The MC and party are forced to flee again after a boring school sequence in a scenario copied from the last book.
Profile Image for Scott Wozniak.
Author 7 books95 followers
May 2, 2025
The magic system and world got really big in this book and I really enjoyed that. The characters mostly are simple creatures, though. So the dialogue is really basic at times. But the overall shape of the book was great. In fact, more plot twists happen in this book than I expected and I'm really eager to see where it goes in the next book.
63 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2025
Just keeps Growing better from one book to the next.

I just finished book 3 and this story just keeps expanding and I keep reading it more than ever !

Rich in imagination and characters as well.

I actually - read book 3, super fast, as it just kept pulling me in - with totally unexpected and brilliant concepts!

Yes ! Very good read !

Charles R.

380 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2024
Great read

Again another great read in this series of books more on larecks journey to find out about who he is and what he can do, a proper page turner.
Enjoy this book and onward to the next one.
Profile Image for Mike Goodman.
1,569 reviews12 followers
January 9, 2024
Fantastic as Usual

This story of a commoner logger going to mage school and becoming the best enchanter in the world was enchanting. This book sends him somewhere else, and all his classmates memory of him being erased.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,604 reviews61 followers
January 20, 2024
Overall good, but seemed to drag and took me a while to finish it. I feel there were a few sections that could have been cut/condensed to aid pacing, and that diminished my enjoyment of the overall story. Looks like it's nowhere near done, so we'll see what book 4 has to offer.
15 reviews
February 1, 2024
Good

Good series so far . I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I must say that it is a bit frustrating how stupid Larek can be at times. Also, when will he learn to cast spells??
314 reviews5 followers
February 28, 2024
Continues to be Awesome!

Understandable growth. Exciting trials. Loss of people along the way, (tears) and travel to new places. Lovable characters, gay couple on the side. Nice touch, not in your face but part of life. Great story overall.
Author 3 books
July 3, 2024
Solid followup

Larek is finally coming into his own better. It's nice seeing him not be such a constant coward. Enjoy the others character build8ng as well. Definitely love the world that was built. Way too much scene describing though. Really slows the pace down.
750 reviews5 followers
December 18, 2024
Good continuation of the series

Really enjoyed this book. Finding out more about the corruption and how it is affecting the world. Liked the twist at the end and wonder what new direction it will take.
2,177 reviews7 followers
January 4, 2024
Very good read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
Profile Image for Mark.
970 reviews80 followers
January 30, 2024
Still hanging in with this middling series but only because main plot still has forward momentum.
559 reviews
February 11, 2024
Good

A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.