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World Sphere
World Sphere : Book 2: The Academy
Storme and Gareth begin their first year at the Academy in Hen's Hollow, guided by some exceptional instructors. During his time, Storme experiences remarkable growth in both his martial and magical skills. However, Skyholme will face turbulence as the seed of corruption sprouts and forces the pair to confront it.
- GenresFantasy
644 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
52 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2025
What a FANTASTIC second book! Before I get started, this book is currently in final edits on the author’s patreon, that is where I read the rough draft. The first book of the series, I rated four stars. You can read my rating for more info, but essentially I was very happy with the characters, the setting, the magic system, the MCs path, the progression, the tone and story. My only star withholding came from a lack of action even if there’s a lot of combat training, but to the author’s credit, this does fit the narrative of the story and is something that would obviously change moving forward. And it sure did!
The second novel is a triumph! We have heavy investments in the base building niche as well as the magical school niche and even a good dose of slice of life. Base building is one of my favorites niches in this genre. I love getting into the little details.
But the true strength of this novel is in its fundamentals. The characters are not one dimensional. We see the personality shifts in the MC as he progresses, he contradicts himself, he makes mistakes. When you add the element that he remembers his past life, it’s a whole other layer of complexity to the situation. I’m on board, especially in book 3 when I think he starts making bad decisions but doesn’t realize it. We see the nature of his relationships change as people around him start to realize the gap between him and everyone else that’s only widening.
The magic system choices I went in depth with my review of the first novel. But essentially the magic systems I like best are those that don’t have as wide a gap between those with abilities. This means the plots can move laterally as we progress instead of a continuous elevation of stakes with contrived enemies conveniently near the levels of the MC. That stakes trope dominates the genre and it’s frankly getting boring. This series has the balanced system which means there’s many places for this series to go, it’s not limited to bigger and bigger.
The plot of this novel is my favorite element. I love the way the author weaves together all the different elements. Most authors in this genre write only from one perspective, and conflicts with others tend to reflect simply the struggle with the MC in overcoming them. But this author writes in way where we don’t understand the motivations of many of the players, we don’t know what they are up to, we don’t know what they are capable of. This makes for a more dynamic unfolding of events. And the plot of this series builds like snowball pushed down a gentle grade of a mountain, slowly gaining momentum until the snowball is a boulder then the size of a house then it crashes into a climax. Just magnificently well done.
And we finally get real action! And it does not disappoint. Exciting, nerve-wracking and not over powered or total domination. A culmination of the training and progression we’ve see tempered by lack of experience and limitations because as I said, the gaps are minimal in this magic system.
In summary, this book is a strong five stars, a score I only give to GREAT books. Not good, but GREAT! And having read all six of the author’s main series, A Soldier’s Life, I have to say World Sphere 2 is my favorite of all of them. A series like this one will really mesh with fans of Isekai anime, base building, slice of life, and even gridmark. Gridmark is usually fantasy that is gritty, realistic, violent, with morally ambiguous protagonists. This series has some of those elements being that the tone is realism, and the world is a violent, corrupt and repressive one with lots of injustices. The MC is faced with a lot of choices that are morally ambiguous, meaning every choice is not something the MC would prefer. He can only make a choice and hope it’s the right one and deal with the consequences. I’d say the only difference is the MC’s general positive moral compass, but I feel even that is brought into question in the third novel. I’m not yet sure if that is intentional by the author or not though.
All that said, this is top tier progression. This author is a natural. He’s easily one of my top two writers in the genre and I’ve read, and am usually up to date on, a couple dozen series. If you read the first novel and were turned off by the lack of action, then give this one a shot, you’ll be pulled into this world as I have.
The second novel is a triumph! We have heavy investments in the base building niche as well as the magical school niche and even a good dose of slice of life. Base building is one of my favorites niches in this genre. I love getting into the little details.
But the true strength of this novel is in its fundamentals. The characters are not one dimensional. We see the personality shifts in the MC as he progresses, he contradicts himself, he makes mistakes. When you add the element that he remembers his past life, it’s a whole other layer of complexity to the situation. I’m on board, especially in book 3 when I think he starts making bad decisions but doesn’t realize it. We see the nature of his relationships change as people around him start to realize the gap between him and everyone else that’s only widening.
The magic system choices I went in depth with my review of the first novel. But essentially the magic systems I like best are those that don’t have as wide a gap between those with abilities. This means the plots can move laterally as we progress instead of a continuous elevation of stakes with contrived enemies conveniently near the levels of the MC. That stakes trope dominates the genre and it’s frankly getting boring. This series has the balanced system which means there’s many places for this series to go, it’s not limited to bigger and bigger.
The plot of this novel is my favorite element. I love the way the author weaves together all the different elements. Most authors in this genre write only from one perspective, and conflicts with others tend to reflect simply the struggle with the MC in overcoming them. But this author writes in way where we don’t understand the motivations of many of the players, we don’t know what they are up to, we don’t know what they are capable of. This makes for a more dynamic unfolding of events. And the plot of this series builds like snowball pushed down a gentle grade of a mountain, slowly gaining momentum until the snowball is a boulder then the size of a house then it crashes into a climax. Just magnificently well done.
And we finally get real action! And it does not disappoint. Exciting, nerve-wracking and not over powered or total domination. A culmination of the training and progression we’ve see tempered by lack of experience and limitations because as I said, the gaps are minimal in this magic system.
In summary, this book is a strong five stars, a score I only give to GREAT books. Not good, but GREAT! And having read all six of the author’s main series, A Soldier’s Life, I have to say World Sphere 2 is my favorite of all of them. A series like this one will really mesh with fans of Isekai anime, base building, slice of life, and even gridmark. Gridmark is usually fantasy that is gritty, realistic, violent, with morally ambiguous protagonists. This series has some of those elements being that the tone is realism, and the world is a violent, corrupt and repressive one with lots of injustices. The MC is faced with a lot of choices that are morally ambiguous, meaning every choice is not something the MC would prefer. He can only make a choice and hope it’s the right one and deal with the consequences. I’d say the only difference is the MC’s general positive moral compass, but I feel even that is brought into question in the third novel. I’m not yet sure if that is intentional by the author or not though.
All that said, this is top tier progression. This author is a natural. He’s easily one of my top two writers in the genre and I’ve read, and am usually up to date on, a couple dozen series. If you read the first novel and were turned off by the lack of action, then give this one a shot, you’ll be pulled into this world as I have.
December 22, 2025
I didn't like the way this book started. Not only was there no prologue, to remind the reader of what happened in the prior book, but the first few chapters were so bland as to make it hard to reconnect with the series.
Having said that, once the action started it all clicked into place and I had to buckle in for an action-filled ride. Storme has such grand plans, he reaches so far, that it's mesmerising to watch. He's super competent and hard working... plus he is a likeable guy. Watching him succeed against corrupt and entrenched opponents is fun.
Disappointingly, Storme's best friend Gareth has become a two dimensional caricature of a frat-boy. All he does is fight and flirt. He's an idiot whose loose lips will undoubtably cause Storme major problems at some point. Luckily, aside from that one blind spot, Storme has a real talent for recruiting high performers; thus his business ventures become near over-night successes.
The book's ending was great. It built to a satisfying crescendo and left just enough space to define Storme's next impossible challenge.
Having said that, once the action started it all clicked into place and I had to buckle in for an action-filled ride. Storme has such grand plans, he reaches so far, that it's mesmerising to watch. He's super competent and hard working... plus he is a likeable guy. Watching him succeed against corrupt and entrenched opponents is fun.
Disappointingly, Storme's best friend Gareth has become a two dimensional caricature of a frat-boy. All he does is fight and flirt. He's an idiot whose loose lips will undoubtably cause Storme major problems at some point. Luckily, aside from that one blind spot, Storme has a real talent for recruiting high performers; thus his business ventures become near over-night successes.
The book's ending was great. It built to a satisfying crescendo and left just enough space to define Storme's next impossible challenge.
December 18, 2025
fast
It may be somewhat slice-of-life, but that life is on fast forward. Little more than 1-2 year’s time has moved the MC well down the OP road.
Not amazing, but I *am* going to continue reading the series.
It may be somewhat slice-of-life, but that life is on fast forward. Little more than 1-2 year’s time has moved the MC well down the OP road.
Not amazing, but I *am* going to continue reading the series.
December 21, 2025
give it a shot
As I write this I’m planning on rolling over to patreon to read the next two or two point five books…. While the MC is perhaps a bit more mercurial and mercenary in his relationships than I would prefer it is a good read. Well edited, no errors in grammar that I recall. Rather soft Isekai/LitRPG, with consequences and the like that do not always have the macguffin fix.
The only real improvement I’m hoping to see is a less stiff version of character interactions. Hard to write people though, and still well done, just can be better, at least if my reads of the greats in this genre are any example.
As I write this I’m planning on rolling over to patreon to read the next two or two point five books…. While the MC is perhaps a bit more mercurial and mercenary in his relationships than I would prefer it is a good read. Well edited, no errors in grammar that I recall. Rather soft Isekai/LitRPG, with consequences and the like that do not always have the macguffin fix.
The only real improvement I’m hoping to see is a less stiff version of character interactions. Hard to write people though, and still well done, just can be better, at least if my reads of the greats in this genre are any example.
December 27, 2025
Masterful
I loved thus book! It picks up nicely from book 1 and continues the exploits of Storme. He's an awesome MC that works overtime to achieve his OP status! He isn't some walking tank, but uses his talents and intelligence to forge an unbeatable behemoth he is to become. With all the women in his life clamoring for his attention, he's blissfully unaware of his charm on them! The pacing from ARA1 is fantastic and I couldn't put this down! I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat reading the last quarter of this tale. As you can tell from my experience reading this book......I'm locked in for book3! Cheers!
I loved thus book! It picks up nicely from book 1 and continues the exploits of Storme. He's an awesome MC that works overtime to achieve his OP status! He isn't some walking tank, but uses his talents and intelligence to forge an unbeatable behemoth he is to become. With all the women in his life clamoring for his attention, he's blissfully unaware of his charm on them! The pacing from ARA1 is fantastic and I couldn't put this down! I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat reading the last quarter of this tale. As you can tell from my experience reading this book......I'm locked in for book3! Cheers!
December 18, 2025
This is a great story hard to put down
Something about this story has hooked me. Its so easy to read and enjoy. Im enjoying the little twists that make this series unique. The magic system has plenty of detail and can be fun to imagine when not reading the book. All the characters are unique although i will admit there are so many side characters its easy to forget them. Ive pre-ordered the next book. Hope its out soon
Something about this story has hooked me. Its so easy to read and enjoy. Im enjoying the little twists that make this series unique. The magic system has plenty of detail and can be fun to imagine when not reading the book. All the characters are unique although i will admit there are so many side characters its easy to forget them. Ive pre-ordered the next book. Hope its out soon
January 3, 2026
Overall I liked the book and I preordered the next one. I enjoyed the world and skills, but the adolescent characters are probably some of the most annoying. every women adores the MC and his best friend is just horrible. His loyalty is the one good aspect, but his womanizing led to at least half of the chapters being about relationship drama. I also hated how he spent money. I would give it 7/10.
December 15, 2025
Continuing a good series
I have been looking forward to this book since reading the first in the series, and now I'll be looking forward to the next one.
5 stars despite a few things that better editing might have picked up.
I have been looking forward to this book since reading the first in the series, and now I'll be looking forward to the next one.
5 stars despite a few things that better editing might have picked up.
December 17, 2025
A great book idea continues with Book 2 of World Sphere.
Wow, Book 1 of World Sphere was great; full of action, adventure and well developed characters, so how do you top it, with Book 2 of World Sphere! It's now a great series too!
Wow, Book 1 of World Sphere was great; full of action, adventure and well developed characters, so how do you top it, with Book 2 of World Sphere! It's now a great series too!
December 27, 2025
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
December 27, 2025
Not bad. It has the same flavor but printing money isn’t the solution to everything.
January 5, 2026
Really enjoyed the book. Didn't want to put it down.
Don't like increasing costs but it was worth it. Liked the academy setting as it was different than most. Liked the restaurant idea - used it myself. The bad guys were like corrupt politicians with magic.
Don't like increasing costs but it was worth it. Liked the academy setting as it was different than most. Liked the restaurant idea - used it myself. The bad guys were like corrupt politicians with magic.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews