Peace has finally come to Last Stop. The school is growing and Eli has settled into his role as both a teacher and a father. His only concerns these days are keeping Mayari out of trouble and the pending birth of his child. That, and whether or not the school's dungeon, Beta, will ever let him drink any damned tea.
However, when Eli's World Quest updates with an ominous counter, he pushes for faster change, uncertain of what failure can mean. Things are further complicated when Alluria's long missing sister arrives with news of a time-bending dungeon.
Wondering if it's all connected, Eli sets out into the Edgelands to make contact with this new dungeon on Beta's behalf. Will this new dungeon be the ally Eli needs to succeed? Or is this the beginning of the end?
I like how these authors they tell a compelling story. The characters are flushed out and there is action and humor that is well balanced. This is a harem book and they do a very good job at balancing a very difficult prospect, how do you have meaningful sex scenes that don't detract from the story line. Apparently there is one more book to finish out the story line. The story line is Alluria's long lost sister has returned unexpectedly. Apparently she's been lost in a time variable dungeon. She's been gone over 3 years, but for her it's been just over a week. This unknown dungeon in the Edgelands is known as Alpha test dungeon. The Beta test dungeon is very eager to make contact. Mayari still needs help in her role as System Prophet and Eli is given a World Quest that failure could amount in a total system reset and the loss of everyone. There is more into Kassi class and her unique relationship with Beta. Also there is a little bit BDSM and the vague references to a lesbian relationship among two of the characters.
This book, like the ones before it in this series, is simply divine. The humor, the feels, the fights... it all comes together. This is just another excellent example.
There is a reason this series is called Master Class. Actually, there are several. The hidden meaning is what is important, though. This series is a master class in finely written novels. The humor, all delivered by children, is sublime. Kids can say things that end up being double entendres, and get away with it while the adults (and readers) laugh their butts off.
The only sad thing is the next book will be the last in this series.
Alternate universe, LitRPG, magic, save the world quest, harem adult situations
Eli, the teachers (Alluria, Bree, Kay, Rosemary, Miriel, and Alena), as well as Harker, Kyriana, Slepnir, Tess, Mayari, Kassi, and other students at the school work with their friends at Last Stop to rebuild their defenses and protect more people as their situation suddenly goes from looking good to an imminent countdown to System Reset and a complete world wipe of all survivors hanging in the balance. As the System Prophet decrees, there is blood and death!
So the kids are just as good in this book as all the others. With their antics and shenanigans with each other and the teachers and also how much they grow and seem to inspire each other to do better. There's some interesting plot twists in here that helps set up the series for its final book and plenty of character growth both good and bad. I really enjoyed how all the pieces are clicking into place for the story plot now and I'm excited to read the next book to see where the authors go with it.
Oh wow, this one was good. I loved how you guys transitioned from a nebulous fear, anxiety driven narrative into a much clearer "good guys vs. bad guys, smash the bad guys" storyline.
I had a bunch of quotes lined up to share for the lolz, but my laptop decided to take a sudden vacation and now I'm totally writing this on my phone. And I'm totally not lazy and you can't prove otherwise.
Excellent storytelling! The characters are great, and the plot flows nicely. The only disappointing thing is that at the end of this book that the next book will be the conclusion of this Tale. I'm sure the readers would love to watch the little ones grow up and become leaders of the world. And Eli still has other wives that want children of their own. I'm just saying...
It took awhile to get into this one as the conflict doesn't really start until past the midpoint. Our mulleted pater familias, Eli, continues to work toward making the world better for all the little children. It really felt like this one should have been the end, but the authors forced a reason to continue to book 6 at the last minute (undermining any sense of resolution). Beta got done dirty also.
Another win for the writing team of Hawthorne and Knightley!
This extends their Master Class series of books that have laughter, loss, love and a frisson of lust all wrapped up in an enticing dish that even their Banquet Chef, Rosemary, would be hard put to match! So looking forward to the final dish…
I feel that I'm getting a bit fatigued of this series, as this didn't hold my attention as well as the earlier books. Nothing particularly bad about it, but this should have ended here, not one more book from now. This won't stop me from reading book 6, but it seems the shine has come off this for me.
I've absolutely loved this series so Center book one!! Amazingly entertaining characters and a world that is so very interesting!!! The character development and world building have been a true joy to witness and I can't wait to see what happens next and what the authors come up with in the future!!!!
This is more hack and slash adventure than the previous books but it feels quite appropriate to the moment in the story. It feels like a good game of D&D hitting its moment of prime tension. And everything else fun is still there even if the adventure is taking pride of place.I’m looking forward to the last book.
Very much enjoyed the whole series. I was very happy to see that Hawthorne was the dominant voice throughout this series as I have been underwhelmed by her other collaborations with Knightly.
Hawthorne has created a big problem for me: her writing is league's above what I've been able to find available on Audible in the same genre!
I really enjoy the humor of the story, but the overall sense of dread and looming death threats gets to be a little long in the tooth at times. The characters are wonderful and fascinating to watch change/adapt from being war veterans.
This series has been an amazing read! It’s been on my TBR list for a long while and I’m sad I’m just now getting to it. It is definitely worth the read. It doesn’t disappoint. Can’t wait for the conclusion!
On the edge of my seat waiting for book 6. The only suggestion I have for the writers is to have a few paragraphs at the beginning on six to remind us of what happened in the prior five books
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and engaging. The story and characters were incredibly interesting and entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book and series are definitely worth checking out.
This novel 5 is full of action and intrigue. The read drags on in songs areas, but it all wraps up in the end. I love this series and look forward to the last novel.