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Viceroy's Pride #1
Into Twilight: An Apocalyptic LitRPG
Seek out new life and civilizations. Kill them for their mana. Aliens are blown away by science.
Daniel Thrush is the only known human with the ability to learn the magic which runs the various empires of the universe. Earth is in the crosshairs of the Tellask Empire, a race that discovered magic millennia before humanity even mastered fire.
All known aliens focus on the arcane. Upon learning of magic, their technological progress all but halted as great voidships spread their colonies across the galaxy. For all of Earth's military might, their only hope is to incorporate the alien's magic into technology, to use the enemy's own tools to fight them.
The government is dead-set on transforming magic into a standard-issue weapon. That means finding monsters and harvesting their mana, usually after sticking them with a sword. Despite his better judgement, and the world on his shoulders, Daniel leaves Earth behind to bring them back a future.
Daniel Thrush is the only known human with the ability to learn the magic which runs the various empires of the universe. Earth is in the crosshairs of the Tellask Empire, a race that discovered magic millennia before humanity even mastered fire.
All known aliens focus on the arcane. Upon learning of magic, their technological progress all but halted as great voidships spread their colonies across the galaxy. For all of Earth's military might, their only hope is to incorporate the alien's magic into technology, to use the enemy's own tools to fight them.
The government is dead-set on transforming magic into a standard-issue weapon. That means finding monsters and harvesting their mana, usually after sticking them with a sword. Despite his better judgement, and the world on his shoulders, Daniel leaves Earth behind to bring them back a future.
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First published December 1, 2021
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About the author
Cale Plamann
25 books107 followersA lifelong fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction, I usually spent my nerdy energy creating overly elaborate homebrew RPG campaigns. As it became harder and harder to juggle schedules for a half dozen players, I eventually made the logical choice and just cut them out of the picture entirely.
Now I write novels. They whine a lot less about critical failures.
Now I write novels. They whine a lot less about critical failures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 5, 2021
I read Blessed Time and was good with it until the very end, which caused me to skip book two. Now that same author is back with an apocalypse novel and a different publisher.
Daniel Thrush is the guy who can never say no to people who are more charismatic, stronger, have more power, or basically any kind of measure that elevates them over him. It doesn't make for a great hero, and while he is supposed to overcome his deficiency on the heroes journey per Joseph Campbell, the payoff isn't really there at the end.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. The story starts out strong, with space elves landing on Earth to subjugate the population as fodder for their way with space orcs. The landing doesn't go as planned, and from the aftermath of that non-battle Daniel is setup to travel to another planet to sleep with female space elves, kick ass and take names.
After the great setup, there is an immediate letdown. The fantasy story just isn't as strong as the setup, and that has nothing to do with how Daniel was prepared for the journey but is due to Daniel and his deficiencies.
In the heroes journey, Daniel is supposed to rise to the occasion and take over his own destiny, but it never happens. He goes along with a space human near Alpha Centauri, and it goes downhill from there.
I'll stop the recap there. I was amped up for what was going to happen when Daniel leaves Earth, and while he comes back stronger than he was when he left, it's more due to happenstance than anything he did himself.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the story, but I kept wondering how it might have been done differently in the back of my mind.
Now, the apocalypse isn't really an apocalypse. In fact, by the end of the book we only have a glimpse into what is going on as yet another antagonist is setup for Daniel.
This is a book I wanted to like. I really did, and I hope that with all the stuff Daniel brought back they head back out into the universe again. There are stats based on his mana/skills/stats and abilities, and he does level up.
It's hard to make a weak character likable. Humor can do it, but Daniel's not funny (some of the other characters are, however).
I will keep an eye out for book 2 in the hope that Daniel turns things around. 4/5*
Daniel Thrush is the guy who can never say no to people who are more charismatic, stronger, have more power, or basically any kind of measure that elevates them over him. It doesn't make for a great hero, and while he is supposed to overcome his deficiency on the heroes journey per Joseph Campbell, the payoff isn't really there at the end.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. The story starts out strong, with space elves landing on Earth to subjugate the population as fodder for their way with space orcs. The landing doesn't go as planned, and from the aftermath of that non-battle Daniel is setup to travel to another planet to sleep with female space elves, kick ass and take names.
After the great setup, there is an immediate letdown. The fantasy story just isn't as strong as the setup, and that has nothing to do with how Daniel was prepared for the journey but is due to Daniel and his deficiencies.
In the heroes journey, Daniel is supposed to rise to the occasion and take over his own destiny, but it never happens. He goes along with a space human near Alpha Centauri, and it goes downhill from there.
I'll stop the recap there. I was amped up for what was going to happen when Daniel leaves Earth, and while he comes back stronger than he was when he left, it's more due to happenstance than anything he did himself.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the story, but I kept wondering how it might have been done differently in the back of my mind.
Now, the apocalypse isn't really an apocalypse. In fact, by the end of the book we only have a glimpse into what is going on as yet another antagonist is setup for Daniel.
This is a book I wanted to like. I really did, and I hope that with all the stuff Daniel brought back they head back out into the universe again. There are stats based on his mana/skills/stats and abilities, and he does level up.
It's hard to make a weak character likable. Humor can do it, but Daniel's not funny (some of the other characters are, however).
I will keep an eye out for book 2 in the hope that Daniel turns things around. 4/5*
December 17, 2021
Book one
I just didn't like this book. Another beta male given power for no real reason. He is a traitor to boot.
He is a researcher for the United States government studying tech from a failed alien invasion. For some stupid and unknown reason he SWALLOWED some of the tech, this granted him magic. Instead of letting anyone in his chain of command know he keeps silent and waits for his contract to expire and immediately runs off to the private sector.
The company he goes to work for is a stealing alien technology from the government as well.
The author has no idea how burns work or how government labs work. Couldn't be bothered to do a little research.
No way in hell would the government shut down research into alien technology only months after getting it, even if they aren't getting anywhere. Nor would they leave one person unsupervised to study said technology by themselves.
Lazy writing for the sake of the story. I dropped it around 25%. I prefer stories to have some grounding in reality when they are supposedly originating from our reality.
3/10
I just didn't like this book. Another beta male given power for no real reason. He is a traitor to boot.
He is a researcher for the United States government studying tech from a failed alien invasion. For some stupid and unknown reason he SWALLOWED some of the tech, this granted him magic. Instead of letting anyone in his chain of command know he keeps silent and waits for his contract to expire and immediately runs off to the private sector.
The company he goes to work for is a stealing alien technology from the government as well.
The author has no idea how burns work or how government labs work. Couldn't be bothered to do a little research.
No way in hell would the government shut down research into alien technology only months after getting it, even if they aren't getting anywhere. Nor would they leave one person unsupervised to study said technology by themselves.
Lazy writing for the sake of the story. I dropped it around 25%. I prefer stories to have some grounding in reality when they are supposedly originating from our reality.
3/10
July 25, 2022
This is a concept in LitRPG that I'm really intrigued by. I'm eager to see how Plamann incorporates gaming helping the humans in this new world they're in. There was a bit of trepidation when I read that Nora met Daniel with Andrea and Emily, that this was going to turn into a harem story but I have never been happier to be so wrong! In saying that, Daniel really needs to meet a nice human who doesn't want anything but his affections from him and will return it in kind. Poor kid has the worse luck with women.
December 24, 2021
This was going to be three stars right up till the end.
Then it took responsibility and admitted how bad it's main character was. All the issues and complaints I had were acknowledged. If it had done it sooner so the first half of the book wasn't painful to read numerous times, it might have hit five stars. The only major issue left is that ALL the characters are pretty much unlikable, and I am actively rooting for the space orcs even though we have still read nothing about them.
Then it took responsibility and admitted how bad it's main character was. All the issues and complaints I had were acknowledged. If it had done it sooner so the first half of the book wasn't painful to read numerous times, it might have hit five stars. The only major issue left is that ALL the characters are pretty much unlikable, and I am actively rooting for the space orcs even though we have still read nothing about them.
October 19, 2022
This book was a really interesting twist on the system apocalypse trope that I have become quite familiar with recently. You get the familiar litRPG elements of combining a magic system with a gamer-style user interface, but the way in which those two things come together in this case was a little more unique.
That sense of familiarity with a twist carries through to the rest of the story as well. Often the story kept going to places that I expect this style of story to go, but the author put just enough of a twist on each occasion to keep me pleasantly surprised.
I think what this book does better than its competition is that it more seamlessly integrates our current (or more accurately near-future sci-fi) world with the new magical world. This is accomplished by using the advantages of an advanced technological society to excel in a magical system. This is a solution to a problem that has long been plaguing this type of novel and isekai novels; the issue of the fish out of water not applying the knowledge from their own world to succeed in the new. That has always been a concept that fascinates me and it was explored really well here.
The other thing that was refreshing about this book is how the protagonist reacts to what I thought were going to be some tired tropes that frustrate the hell out of me. The main one that I can think of right now is when the protagonist latches on to the first person they meet (especially if they are of the opposite gender) and overlook continual poor treatment from that person seemingly without reason. It was really refreshing to see a new twist on this as well.
And I think ‘refreshing’ is as good a word as I am going to get to sum up this entire novel. This sub-genre as a whole is something that I am really drawn to, but the many series are starting to get a little too familiar to one another and it was really nice to pick up a new book that takes it in a new direction.
I really look forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens next.
That sense of familiarity with a twist carries through to the rest of the story as well. Often the story kept going to places that I expect this style of story to go, but the author put just enough of a twist on each occasion to keep me pleasantly surprised.
I think what this book does better than its competition is that it more seamlessly integrates our current (or more accurately near-future sci-fi) world with the new magical world. This is accomplished by using the advantages of an advanced technological society to excel in a magical system. This is a solution to a problem that has long been plaguing this type of novel and isekai novels; the issue of the fish out of water not applying the knowledge from their own world to succeed in the new. That has always been a concept that fascinates me and it was explored really well here.
The other thing that was refreshing about this book is how the protagonist reacts to what I thought were going to be some tired tropes that frustrate the hell out of me. The main one that I can think of right now is when the protagonist latches on to the first person they meet (especially if they are of the opposite gender) and overlook continual poor treatment from that person seemingly without reason. It was really refreshing to see a new twist on this as well.
And I think ‘refreshing’ is as good a word as I am going to get to sum up this entire novel. This sub-genre as a whole is something that I am really drawn to, but the many series are starting to get a little too familiar to one another and it was really nice to pick up a new book that takes it in a new direction.
I really look forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens next.
January 8, 2022
Good, but for the epilogue
This manages to mesh tech and magic pretty well. A very slow system apocalypse, of sorts. MC remains consistent and develops slowly.
But that epilogue…yeesh.
First, there was no basis for the general to have been a general for *forty years*(!!!). Short of life extension tech (which was only available to the wealthy in book) its not reasonable. Direct commissioning to the rank of general as a fresh college grad (?!?) would still put him at 60 yrs old, never mind the absurdity of him doing the same job for 40 years. (I read that same sentence several times, ‘been a general for forty years’. Still can’t believe it.)
Then there was the ham-handed method of setting up the next book. Caricature-like stereotypes tossed about to make the narrative fit the desired plot: ex-wife, sleeping with yoga instructor, commune in California, teaching astral projection, hippies.
This ignores the orphaned granddaughter who happens to be a competitive e-sports ‘athlete’, just what is needed for the system.
I will probably read the sequel when it is released. The main story is readable and well constructed. But I hope the author does a little research into the military before it becomes a larger part of the story.
This manages to mesh tech and magic pretty well. A very slow system apocalypse, of sorts. MC remains consistent and develops slowly.
But that epilogue…yeesh.
First, there was no basis for the general to have been a general for *forty years*(!!!). Short of life extension tech (which was only available to the wealthy in book) its not reasonable. Direct commissioning to the rank of general as a fresh college grad (?!?) would still put him at 60 yrs old, never mind the absurdity of him doing the same job for 40 years. (I read that same sentence several times, ‘been a general for forty years’. Still can’t believe it.)
Then there was the ham-handed method of setting up the next book. Caricature-like stereotypes tossed about to make the narrative fit the desired plot: ex-wife, sleeping with yoga instructor, commune in California, teaching astral projection, hippies.
This ignores the orphaned granddaughter who happens to be a competitive e-sports ‘athlete’, just what is needed for the system.
I will probably read the sequel when it is released. The main story is readable and well constructed. But I hope the author does a little research into the military before it becomes a larger part of the story.
January 12, 2022
Not worth the money
If you like a weak somewhat stupid man for a mc then this book is for you.The writer made sure to be politicaly correct in making all the male characters dumb and all the female either a lesbian or super powerfull.. I just wish i could delete this writer from my Kindle!!!
If you like a weak somewhat stupid man for a mc then this book is for you.The writer made sure to be politicaly correct in making all the male characters dumb and all the female either a lesbian or super powerfull.. I just wish i could delete this writer from my Kindle!!!
August 1, 2022
Dan is the "wrong guy" at the "right place", and turns into the first "magic user" of a fantasy-dystopian "Earth". Because of trial and error and risking his life, eats some "alien" crystals that give him magical powers. Because he is able to use magic is able to go to another world Twilight, where he learns all he can about magic, runes, leveling up and fighting with magic.
The writing is well done, it is well organized, it is slow and somewhat flat. Around the 60-70% mark it picks up somewhat (when Dan really begins to learn new magic and runes, and buffs and de-buffs, etc.) No maps, no inside illustrations, about 350+ pages, with 43 chapters, so each chapter averages under 10 pages long (which means that the author does not write enough character development, world development, descriptions in each chapter. There are a lot (mostly) dialogues.
The author tries and tries to make the main character Dan, funny and kind of a fool. Because Dan lacks character, lacks initiative, lacks passion, I feel story could have been improved a lot by either improving the main character or improving his retinue. Although technically it is an isekai (travels to another world) and sometimes a harem-like retinue, because of Dan's lack of decisiveness and character, the girls really do not get involved with him at all, which is atypical but positive, because people who work together/adventure together in a team should not get emotionally involved...
This is the first volume of the Viceroy's Pride novel series. This series has 3 volumes so far. The third volume was published in March 2022.
The writing is well done, it is well organized, it is slow and somewhat flat. Around the 60-70% mark it picks up somewhat (when Dan really begins to learn new magic and runes, and buffs and de-buffs, etc.) No maps, no inside illustrations, about 350+ pages, with 43 chapters, so each chapter averages under 10 pages long (which means that the author does not write enough character development, world development, descriptions in each chapter. There are a lot (mostly) dialogues.
The author tries and tries to make the main character Dan, funny and kind of a fool. Because Dan lacks character, lacks initiative, lacks passion, I feel story could have been improved a lot by either improving the main character or improving his retinue. Although technically it is an isekai (travels to another world) and sometimes a harem-like retinue, because of Dan's lack of decisiveness and character, the girls really do not get involved with him at all, which is atypical but positive, because people who work together/adventure together in a team should not get emotionally involved...
This is the first volume of the Viceroy's Pride novel series. This series has 3 volumes so far. The third volume was published in March 2022.
March 18, 2022
Series 3.5 stars = a bit above average.
So.... it's litRPG partly set on modern Earth under alien invasion and partly set in a space empires conflict where mostly it is evil space elves versus evil space orcs. I want to describe it as not "wow original" but as fresh relative to the norms of its genre.
The standout character in volume 1 is an alcoholic alien ex-professor who trains the human protagonist only so he can write an academic paper on humans and regain his status at the university. There is also an egotistical tech billionaire who can't always distinguish between real life and fantasy.
If you read as much litRPG junk as I do, this series is worth trying.
I like the series. I feel like I'm damning with faint praise, but what else can I say? These aren't Tolstoy. They aren't even Tolkien. They are...maybe Sanderson level I guess?
So.... it's litRPG partly set on modern Earth under alien invasion and partly set in a space empires conflict where mostly it is evil space elves versus evil space orcs. I want to describe it as not "wow original" but as fresh relative to the norms of its genre.
The standout character in volume 1 is an alcoholic alien ex-professor who trains the human protagonist only so he can write an academic paper on humans and regain his status at the university. There is also an egotistical tech billionaire who can't always distinguish between real life and fantasy.
If you read as much litRPG junk as I do, this series is worth trying.
I like the series. I feel like I'm damning with faint praise, but what else can I say? These aren't Tolstoy. They aren't even Tolkien. They are...maybe Sanderson level I guess?
December 8, 2021
Decent book, but desperately needs editing
Decent plot and characters. Fairly standard alien invasion plot with a twist. However, it needs to be edited, as the grammar is not up to par. For example, the Past Perfect tense is used only 20-30% of the time it should be. For an author that has a few books under his belt, and can thus be at least be considered somewhat professional, at least in this genre, this is embarassing.
Decent plot and characters. Fairly standard alien invasion plot with a twist. However, it needs to be edited, as the grammar is not up to par. For example, the Past Perfect tense is used only 20-30% of the time it should be. For an author that has a few books under his belt, and can thus be at least be considered somewhat professional, at least in this genre, this is embarassing.
February 5, 2022
The main character was very flawed, but worked through it till he accomplished his mission and seemingly grew as a person. First book was good so I started the 2nd book. Where in the MC immediately reverted back to his former wimpy self, like the 1st book never happened. I became so degusted with the convoluted plot and shitty writing, that I gave up on this story around 100 pages in. My advice is to give this one a pass! Unless you like being jerked around by a crappy author.
January 29, 2022
A fun, novel idea and a good story, but it really needed another pass at editing. There are a ton of typos and small things that don't add up and disrupt the immersion. I almost gave up a quarter of the way in because it was just annoying me. I'm glad I didn't, I liked the story, but I don't think I can recommend it to anyone
February 11, 2022
Decent
Fairly decent story for something to read. Characters are a bit shallow and unrealistic, but it's not a bad story. It was something to read. I will probably read the next book
Fairly decent story for something to read. Characters are a bit shallow and unrealistic, but it's not a bad story. It was something to read. I will probably read the next book
February 11, 2022
Interesting and unique enough to warrant a read-through even though the plot is disjointed and glued together with your typical inane LitRPG inner-monologues.
Will still read the sequel though, in the hope it redeems itself.
Will still read the sequel though, in the hope it redeems itself.
February 4, 2022
not bad
Overall, an okay read. Shows a profound lack of understanding what science is, but otherwise story isn’t bad. If food, it’d be fast food.
Overall, an okay read. Shows a profound lack of understanding what science is, but otherwise story isn’t bad. If food, it’d be fast food.
July 27, 2024
Interesting. We see some modern tech against fantasy tropes. That is good. Unfortunately it is very quickly dropped. I can grant them carrying guns might be too suspicious, but there are so many other things that could have been done to equip somebody going into a high fantasy world. Any steel used for the blade would be of unmatched quality and even basic features such as just modern spring steel could make the protagonist's weapons significantly better than anybody else. He could have had clothes with layers of kevlar, not enough to be bullet proof, but easily sword and spear proof. He could have had coins of rare metals. Equipment of alumnium. Magic potions of antibiotics. So much wasted potential instead of just sending him into medieval world with average medieval crap.
I as yelling at the book at one point when the protagonist one chapter gets a second copy of a key magic camping supply, and then in the following chapter has the first one destroyed and have to live without because he only has one!! Why have a section on him acquiring a second you unedited author!! Please reread before publishing, and remove parts getting him items you need him to do without.
And of course we have standard tropes like the protagonist being an idiot. And while the book admits it, it fails at admitting just how deep the idiocy went. It wasnt just his condition that made him do something stupid, if that had been the case, he could have short cut the conflict much earlier and easier, no, he truly is a dumb person not just because of his condition.
I as yelling at the book at one point when the protagonist one chapter gets a second copy of a key magic camping supply, and then in the following chapter has the first one destroyed and have to live without because he only has one!! Why have a section on him acquiring a second you unedited author!! Please reread before publishing, and remove parts getting him items you need him to do without.
And of course we have standard tropes like the protagonist being an idiot. And while the book admits it, it fails at admitting just how deep the idiocy went. It wasnt just his condition that made him do something stupid, if that had been the case, he could have short cut the conflict much earlier and easier, no, he truly is a dumb person not just because of his condition.
December 10, 2021
Daniel Thrush is a regular boring pushover who works for the US government investigating alien technology. After many failed attempts to produce results - Thrush is left as the last of the dying department.
In a desperate attempt to change the pace of things - Thrush ingests a handful of the strange alien crystals and awakens within himself the ability to use magic. After being laid off by the military - he takes his budding talent to the private sector.
In exchange for a prototype nanite system that will help Thrush control his magic - he must travel through a mysterious alien portal to discover the empire beyond our solar system - and assess the threat they pose to earth.
Viceroy's Pride: Into Twilight is an exciting novel with a jocular tone that whips the genres of fantasy and scifi into a satisfying and original new blend. The world is immersive and familiar while also feeling fresh and stimulating.
In a desperate attempt to change the pace of things - Thrush ingests a handful of the strange alien crystals and awakens within himself the ability to use magic. After being laid off by the military - he takes his budding talent to the private sector.
In exchange for a prototype nanite system that will help Thrush control his magic - he must travel through a mysterious alien portal to discover the empire beyond our solar system - and assess the threat they pose to earth.
Viceroy's Pride: Into Twilight is an exciting novel with a jocular tone that whips the genres of fantasy and scifi into a satisfying and original new blend. The world is immersive and familiar while also feeling fresh and stimulating.
December 24, 2021
Excellent story and series start
This was a excellent and enjoyable book. Definitely a new twist on the apocalypse theme. I certainly enjoy the way technology and mana has become integrated. Dan was a but of a pushover in the book beginning but that changed and was definitely part of the story. There is no romance in this story but plenty of treachery anyway. That said Dan hat to learn many a lesson on dealing with people and elves. Dan has a mission to learn about magic and what better person to do this than an engineer like him. There are problems of course but Dan is a quick study. There were some good battles and lots of experiential learning by the MC. All of this to help earth fend off aliens. I am Looking forward to the next book and hope Dan gets more time on The battlefield.
This was a excellent and enjoyable book. Definitely a new twist on the apocalypse theme. I certainly enjoy the way technology and mana has become integrated. Dan was a but of a pushover in the book beginning but that changed and was definitely part of the story. There is no romance in this story but plenty of treachery anyway. That said Dan hat to learn many a lesson on dealing with people and elves. Dan has a mission to learn about magic and what better person to do this than an engineer like him. There are problems of course but Dan is a quick study. There were some good battles and lots of experiential learning by the MC. All of this to help earth fend off aliens. I am Looking forward to the next book and hope Dan gets more time on The battlefield.
July 31, 2022
interesting storyline makes you want to read further into the book to see if the character progresses and what kind of MC he will be.
Compelling storyline, makes you want to read the book.Good book, good storyline. Glad the character is starting to develop into a real man instead of a Simp. I don’t know why authors want to write books with the MC has no idea what he’s doing, is weak or ineffectual, or just a coward. I don’t think that’s what we need in our books today. We need real heroes men or women who kick butt and take names. I enjoyed this book very much because of the character development, I still think the progression for his skills are a bit slow but we will see how the rest of the series progresses. Going on to read the next book this book is worth your time.
Compelling storyline, makes you want to read the book.Good book, good storyline. Glad the character is starting to develop into a real man instead of a Simp. I don’t know why authors want to write books with the MC has no idea what he’s doing, is weak or ineffectual, or just a coward. I don’t think that’s what we need in our books today. We need real heroes men or women who kick butt and take names. I enjoyed this book very much because of the character development, I still think the progression for his skills are a bit slow but we will see how the rest of the series progresses. Going on to read the next book this book is worth your time.
January 2, 2022
I liked the author's groundhog day novel enough to give this a try.
Lol.
This seems like a mix between Science and fantasy. Using technology to bridge the gap that stops man from using magic. I'm also getting highlander vibes. He kills something and he is flooded with power and pleasure.
This actually turned out better than I thought it would. The protagonist actually making his own decisions by the end was also a nice cherry on top.
I will definitely be reading the sequel.
3.5/5 Stars
Lol.
This seems like a mix between Science and fantasy. Using technology to bridge the gap that stops man from using magic. I'm also getting highlander vibes. He kills something and he is flooded with power and pleasure.
This actually turned out better than I thought it would. The protagonist actually making his own decisions by the end was also a nice cherry on top.
I will definitely be reading the sequel.
3.5/5 Stars
March 22, 2022
Exciting first book
I have to say, the epilogue fell flat, for me, and soured a bit of my enjoyment for the book. It’s not going to keep me from reading more in this series, but someone who has been a general in the US Army for four decades has to be more politician than hot-headed loose cannon.
But, beyond that, I enjoyed Dan’s progression in developing himself, and learning to control his new abilities. It will be interesting to see how the Empire deals with a human planet that has access to runesmithing and has the technical understanding to utilize runes better, and more effectively than they do.
I have to say, the epilogue fell flat, for me, and soured a bit of my enjoyment for the book. It’s not going to keep me from reading more in this series, but someone who has been a general in the US Army for four decades has to be more politician than hot-headed loose cannon.
But, beyond that, I enjoyed Dan’s progression in developing himself, and learning to control his new abilities. It will be interesting to see how the Empire deals with a human planet that has access to runesmithing and has the technical understanding to utilize runes better, and more effectively than they do.
April 19, 2022
urban fantasy meets lit-rpg from the pov of a neck beard
It’s a relatively interesting world, system and character. It’s too bad the author chose to base their characters and world off things they, clearly, know nothing about. For example, the main character is an electrical engineer with a masters degree, but seems to have only the most basic understanding of some terms, like a fuse or amperage.
The same applies to their knowledge of the military and, really, every organization and character. The majority of them being caricatures so ridiculous I can only hope they were done in poor taste. For a perfect example, see the general in the epilogue.
It’s a relatively interesting world, system and character. It’s too bad the author chose to base their characters and world off things they, clearly, know nothing about. For example, the main character is an electrical engineer with a masters degree, but seems to have only the most basic understanding of some terms, like a fuse or amperage.
The same applies to their knowledge of the military and, really, every organization and character. The majority of them being caricatures so ridiculous I can only hope they were done in poor taste. For a perfect example, see the general in the epilogue.
January 22, 2022
Great read!
This book intertwines reality (with a little bit of alien confrontation) and LitRPG. Very good story, haven't looked to see if the second book is in digital print so now I'm whispering a prayer hoping the author is way ahead of me and book two is a few clicks away. I usually just read these for free with my Kindle subscription, but this author deserves the money for doing an outstanding job. If you haven't read this, you should!
This book intertwines reality (with a little bit of alien confrontation) and LitRPG. Very good story, haven't looked to see if the second book is in digital print so now I'm whispering a prayer hoping the author is way ahead of me and book two is a few clicks away. I usually just read these for free with my Kindle subscription, but this author deserves the money for doing an outstanding job. If you haven't read this, you should!
January 30, 2022
Put the troupes in the book and shake them up
The story has it’s high and low points and I almost gave it 2 stars but it redeemed its self near the end to create a great read that blends old and a few new tropes to get the story is own original feel that readers will injoy has I did. Do at time the system felt off has there is only one user so gives us unfair opinion on how strong a person of that Rank(Lv I mean) should be but it dosen’t take away from the story.
The story has it’s high and low points and I almost gave it 2 stars but it redeemed its self near the end to create a great read that blends old and a few new tropes to get the story is own original feel that readers will injoy has I did. Do at time the system felt off has there is only one user so gives us unfair opinion on how strong a person of that Rank(Lv I mean) should be but it dosen’t take away from the story.
March 16, 2022
Loved it
Man, some of the Amazon review were brutal. I loved it from the start, the ending in the first chapter had me lol. Yes MC was flawed, but he grew as the story progressed. This story did not take it self tO seriously, there ton of little jokes about LITRPG. I will read book two and reviews lighten up it KU so its free, if I had to pay for it would not be upset with purchase
Man, some of the Amazon review were brutal. I loved it from the start, the ending in the first chapter had me lol. Yes MC was flawed, but he grew as the story progressed. This story did not take it self tO seriously, there ton of little jokes about LITRPG. I will read book two and reviews lighten up it KU so its free, if I had to pay for it would not be upset with purchase
March 21, 2022
Great premise for a series. The protagonist is relatable, although his back story to set up his major flaw is a little heavy-handed. The magic system is excellent... a refreshing twist on a familiar trope. And the bad guys are believable... an apathetic master race type deal. We haven't really explored the author's world-building yet, but there are promising hints of complexity.
If you enjoy progression stories, then this should scratch that itch.
If you enjoy progression stories, then this should scratch that itch.
December 30, 2021
Really enjoyed the book
My only complaint is the end. That kind of mentality hasn't been in charge of combat units in decades. Most generals are pretty flexible and always willing to give the troops a edge, but discipline is paramount and no general would ever make say something so dumb. But it was funny
My only complaint is the end. That kind of mentality hasn't been in charge of combat units in decades. Most generals are pretty flexible and always willing to give the troops a edge, but discipline is paramount and no general would ever make say something so dumb. But it was funny
January 27, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this. The first half was lighter than the second, with some bits of dry humour that I quite liked. Got a bit darker from there, but the wit remained so it didn't get depressing.
This was sitting in my "to-read" for a few weeks, and interestingly I finish it on the very day that book two is released. That one won't wait in my queue anywhere near as long as this book did.
This was sitting in my "to-read" for a few weeks, and interestingly I finish it on the very day that book two is released. That one won't wait in my queue anywhere near as long as this book did.
February 14, 2022
KU Review
This is a cool take on System fantasy. Blending cultivation, sci-fi, fantasy, and apocalypse in one cohesive novel. Should be a fun series.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
This is a cool take on System fantasy. Blending cultivation, sci-fi, fantasy, and apocalypse in one cohesive novel. Should be a fun series.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
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