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A Soldier's Life #5
The Boutan Caliphate
Free from the Empire, Eryk flees with Maveith, following a thread of hope that Maveith's sister is alive. The journey is perilous, and success is not assured. To conceal their true objective, the pair become mercenary adventurers as they cross the continent.
785 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2025
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 12, 2025
Eryk and his Goliath best friend Maveith (both pictured on the cover of course) have finally escaped the Empire in the chaos of the final battle against the coalition of elves, orcs and humans who fear the human-supremacist empire's discovery of the ruins of the fallen Titans capital.
Freeing some Goliath slaves of the invading Orc Caliphate armada that took a large chunk of the Western Empire when the Telhans were fighting the coalition in the East (actually former Orc lands as we find out in this book), Eryk had found out that Maveith's sister Zorana who the goliath thought dead fighting orc slavers a decade ago, was actually alive - or at least has been some years back - and a slave of an orc Warlord whose domains are in the middle of the Orc Boutan Caliphate.
Luckily, Eryk is a member of the Adventurer's Guild respected throughout the world for its services and whose members have free passage everywhere (at least in theory), so small details like him being a former legionary who single handedly killed an entire squad of Pathfinders (the elite Orc commandos) or brought down the flying rok of the Orc Warlord commanding the invasion force, so killing him - though their Battle Cleric (mage) led them to victory anyway - presumably won't impede his travels through the Caliphate. This being said, the Caliphate is a civilized land if one follows its laws and being registered members of the Adventurer guild definitely helps, but (Eryk being Eryk) getting involved in Orc politics even quite un-intentionally is a different matter.
And to get there, he has to travel through the Elf duchy of Esenhem that, while not fanatically militant against the Empire like the Elf kingdom of Bartiradia, still contributed troops to the coalition, many of whom died in battle against the legions... Not to speak of Eryk killing in personal combat the old and very respected (Bartiradian but still...) elf mage Traeliorn who led an infiltration team in the empire
On the positive side of the ledger, Goliaths are very well regarded by the elves at least (though the orcs think they are only good to be slaves), the (Bartiradian) niece of an Elf regent of Esenhem is in his debt (twice), and while the Guild has been wary of his motives, somehow Eryk manages to ingratiate with some of its local leaders and is even promoted to silver status...
And so it goes, with The Boutan Caliphate being the most fun book to date as it is pure non stop adventure.
A few interludes detailing the fates of various other protagonists from earlier volumes add to the fun and the ending is also excellent - though of course it is another beginning as the adventure continues seemingly on a different continent.
Old and new characters shine, including a young recently hatched griffin, a powerful Orc battle cleric with secrets of her own and an acquaintance at least from a distance, an old exiled Orc cleric-politician with a pair of wolf companions and a wicked sense of humor, and cameos of legendary creatures of myth.
There are quieter but intense in their own ways moments like a dinner with an Elf Regent whose niece seemingly prefers adventure with Telhian (former) legionnaires in far off lands, to finery and balls.
And so it goes with inventiveness galore, lots of new settings, creatures, people and characters, but also with old friends from earlier volumes too.
Overall excellent stuff and a series that keeps going from strength to strength and now that it left the military setting of its first four volumes is just pure fun.
Book 6, Adventures in Godok which promises travel to another continent, the Goliaths' homeland and much more is a huge asap and I actually preordered my copy due next summer.
Freeing some Goliath slaves of the invading Orc Caliphate armada that took a large chunk of the Western Empire when the Telhans were fighting the coalition in the East (actually former Orc lands as we find out in this book), Eryk had found out that Maveith's sister Zorana who the goliath thought dead fighting orc slavers a decade ago, was actually alive - or at least has been some years back - and a slave of an orc Warlord whose domains are in the middle of the Orc Boutan Caliphate.
Luckily, Eryk is a member of the Adventurer's Guild respected throughout the world for its services and whose members have free passage everywhere (at least in theory), so small details like him being a former legionary who single handedly killed an entire squad of Pathfinders (the elite Orc commandos) or brought down the flying rok of the Orc Warlord commanding the invasion force, so killing him - though their Battle Cleric (mage) led them to victory anyway - presumably won't impede his travels through the Caliphate. This being said, the Caliphate is a civilized land if one follows its laws and being registered members of the Adventurer guild definitely helps, but (Eryk being Eryk) getting involved in Orc politics even quite un-intentionally is a different matter.
And to get there, he has to travel through the Elf duchy of Esenhem that, while not fanatically militant against the Empire like the Elf kingdom of Bartiradia, still contributed troops to the coalition, many of whom died in battle against the legions... Not to speak of Eryk killing in personal combat the old and very respected (Bartiradian but still...) elf mage Traeliorn who led an infiltration team in the empire
On the positive side of the ledger, Goliaths are very well regarded by the elves at least (though the orcs think they are only good to be slaves), the (Bartiradian) niece of an Elf regent of Esenhem is in his debt (twice), and while the Guild has been wary of his motives, somehow Eryk manages to ingratiate with some of its local leaders and is even promoted to silver status...
And so it goes, with The Boutan Caliphate being the most fun book to date as it is pure non stop adventure.
A few interludes detailing the fates of various other protagonists from earlier volumes add to the fun and the ending is also excellent - though of course it is another beginning as the adventure continues seemingly on a different continent.
Old and new characters shine, including a young recently hatched griffin, a powerful Orc battle cleric with secrets of her own and an acquaintance at least from a distance, an old exiled Orc cleric-politician with a pair of wolf companions and a wicked sense of humor, and cameos of legendary creatures of myth.
There are quieter but intense in their own ways moments like a dinner with an Elf Regent whose niece seemingly prefers adventure with Telhian (former) legionnaires in far off lands, to finery and balls.
And so it goes with inventiveness galore, lots of new settings, creatures, people and characters, but also with old friends from earlier volumes too.
Overall excellent stuff and a series that keeps going from strength to strength and now that it left the military setting of its first four volumes is just pure fun.
Book 6, Adventures in Godok which promises travel to another continent, the Goliaths' homeland and much more is a huge asap and I actually preordered my copy due next summer.
November 10, 2025
Tal como los anteriores, librazo! Es divertido todo el rato y engancha una barbaridad.
Deseando que salgan los próximos, estos 5 primeros han sido una gratísima sorpresa y un disfrute con mayúsculas.
Deseando que salgan los próximos, estos 5 primeros han sido una gratísima sorpresa y un disfrute con mayúsculas.
October 13, 2025
Eryk is hiding less and less even as he becomes more OP. The story might have devolved to a mere power fantasy except that his goals were benevolent.
My one complaint is that the old squad seems to be turning into one-dimensional caricatures of themselves. I miss the more realistic camaraderie.
My one complaint is that the old squad seems to be turning into one-dimensional caricatures of themselves. I miss the more realistic camaraderie.
October 14, 2025
Book five
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a long wait but I had my pre-order locked in on day one.
Now the long wait for book six will begin.
Lots of action. For me this was a fast read.
I did find a few mistakes and will list them on Goodreads.
If you can't afford to buy a copy then go over to Royalroad and read it. It's just started being posted there.
9/10
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a long wait but I had my pre-order locked in on day one.
Now the long wait for book six will begin.
Lots of action. For me this was a fast read.
I did find a few mistakes and will list them on Goodreads.
If you can't afford to buy a copy then go over to Royalroad and read it. It's just started being posted there.
9/10
November 14, 2025
you’re too established to use ai images
It’s one thing to throw together an ai cover when you’re just starting and need something for Royal Road, but at this point it’s pretty messed up to still be using it to generate images. The random ai pics throughout the book just made me mad.
It’s one thing to throw together an ai cover when you’re just starting and need something for Royal Road, but at this point it’s pretty messed up to still be using it to generate images. The random ai pics throughout the book just made me mad.
October 24, 2025
It was fine. About halfway through, it felt like the author was leaning a bit too much on AI writing. The character interactions started becoming more methodically robotic and empty. I suspect that author was under a rush to finish writing the book and more corners were being cut. As a result, many of the more climactic scenes were brief and didnt make much sense. There was one part that didnt make any sense whatsoever. I noted various odd sequences in which the MC's personality hitches oddly in favor and then suddenly vehemently opposed. I suppose it was just more of AI rearing its ugly little head. The story is good and enough to continue reading, and the author certainly writes well when he wants to. He just needs to keep that AI help on more of a leash. Thank you for the book.
October 23, 2025
I really enjoyed the first four books. This one was a huge disappointment. Most of the book felt like filler and it seems like the author is trying to capitalize on this series popularity by pumping out books as fast as he can at the expense of quality.
November 1, 2025
Erick Thiemke is one of my favorite authors in the progression genre. This book continues doing what the series does best, lovable characters, an engaging plot, a unique and fascinating magic system and progression, great combat tempered with the realistic pace of real combat, and finally what I appreciate the most, the relatable and realistic story. Our MC and other characters make mistakes, they aren’t perfect. They don’t always make the correct and most moral choice. Plans go to hell. Consequences are unforeseen. That said, I do have issues with the writing in general, but I’ll get to that after the heavy praise.
Too many authors in this genre, as their stories progress past the generally funnest beginning stages of initial exposure to a new world, a new magic system, choosing paths etc, as they progress into the meat of a larger story arc, they seem to forget what genre they are writing for. Progression slows. The stories are drawn out if not writing outright fillers. The combat gets repetitive.
But I love what this author does because he has created a magic system that isn’t naturally top heavy, where people at the top are literal gods and can stomp on people at the bottom like ants. There’s some interesting dynamics to explore in that kind of system, sure, but it’s so common it’s become a trope and it actually limits the kinds of stories authors can tell as their MC ranks into those tiers. Essentially all they can do is continuously escalate the stakes higher and higher. I call this the “DBZ Effect” and it can be one of many traps that burden a series as they go on.
This series’ system doesn’t have levels just potential for affinities for various physical, mental and magical abilities. So disparity between people is much smaller. Instead of Gods and ants, it’s more like a homeless person and a Billionaire. Still, vast differences in power and capabilities, but still within reach of each other. To me, this is the key to why this author’s series, not just ASL, work so well.
This is a way better way to write a progression series. It allows our MC to continue to play in the sandbox as if it was still the beginning of the series. He has trained his body to mostly maximize his potential, and is slowly acquiring magical abilities, but he still goes on dangerous missions to save a friend’s family member. That’s a great story that can’t be explored if your MC at this point can just teleport and dominate an entire planet’s population like say in Primal Hunter or DOTF.
That said, I do have issues, mainly with the way the author writes romance. I applaud him for doing it, as opposed to the “voluntary” celibate trope so common in this genre (looking at you HWFWM). But I HATE the way it’s done. Eryk is basically totally clueless to advances from most women around him, that is until they throw themselves at him. This is one of two ways that young men, in the real world who happen to be lacking in the attractiveness department (be it appearance, confidence and demeanor, or whatever), it’s one of two ways these types of young men react to women. The first is they delude themselves and fantasize about women who are not interested and seem to be mostly clueless to the signs they aren’t interested. Or, like in Eryk’s case, they are deeply insecure and so simply can’t process or don’t understand when a woman is flirting or showing interest.
And the issue is why is Eryk insecure? He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s extremely capable and wealthy. The earth he came from he was a medical school graduate in residency who dated a “yoga instructor”. Why is a guy this capable, accomplished, disciplined and supposedly experienced so clueless when women around him are flirting with him? I’ll tell you why, it’s the same reason the author’s name and Eryk’s are basically the same name, just both spelled in equally dumb ways. This character is an idealized version of the author. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, it’s actually quite common in this genre especially with so many inexperienced writers. HWFWM is probably the most egregious example, but there’s so many others.
My problem is that author Erick is so insecure about his body the only picture you can find of him is from a website for a job he held a decade ago that never got taken down for some reason. He’s really overweight. I’d wager he has very limited experience with women judging from his obvious body issues and the way he writes romance. That’s not to say he hasn’t dated or could even be married for all I know, but highly doubt. It’s that he doesn’t know what it’s like to be attractive or at least attune to the fact you attract some women, how to perceive that, and how to go from that to you know...
He also says really weird things, through his character, about other people’s relationships. In this book, when Mateo hooks up with Greshna, the Orc historian or whatever she is, while literally spying on them with earth speak spell, Eryk says it’s a “mistake”. Why is that? It’s just a hookup. Why is this guy judging some other guy for getting some? Just a bizarre thing to say.
I also don’t think Eryk’s background on earth fits the character we see in this story. And it’s never even brought up he was a resident physician, I’d be surprised if the author even remembered that’s what he wrote. Eryk never seems to care about anyone he left behind, which is the total opposite of the Eryk from the series.
Though I think Eryk’s leadership mantle is necessary for the direction of this series, I don’t think it’s handled well in this book. He’s basically a great leader right off the bat. To some extent, this is because he mirrors his examples, Castile and Konstantin, that’s great. The problem is the confidence Eryk has, that doesn’t fit the transition. Eryk was before a reserved guy, kept his secretes close to the vest, and kept his head down. That isn’t a natural leader persona. I think this was a missed opportunity for some growing pains and some drama and even fun as Eryk learns what works by doing what doesn’t.
So in summary of this extended complaint, I think some aspects of Eryk’s character are logically inconsistent with what’s already been established as well as being unrealistic in general. That’s not to say he’s totally inconsistent. Eryk has always been a person who puts himself on the line for those he cares about. Willing to sacrifice his wealth, his resources, his growth and even his life for others. That is very admirable and it’s the keel of his character. He’s always been that type of guy and probably always will be, and that’s a character I can get behind even if so much of the other stuff is frustrating or doesn’t make sense.
Other things I didn’t understand, why he let the Necromancer boy go. I think it makes more sense to store him, but that screws up the author’s spacial scene with the titans later, so they just sent him off to find a castle in another country across an ocean with a backpack. Makes zero sense. At a minimum, store the kid, get to a port, put him on ship for Nausis. I don’t have any problem with Eryk not dispensing the fate for other people who use these forbidden spells, he’s just a kid after all, but I don’t think the solution is logically consistent.
I also felt like that pace of this book was a bit off. Though, the pace is consistent, it just feels like less of a plan and more of stumbling from one situation to the next. And the reason for the entire leadership of the caliphate plot, is contrived. It’s clearly to service as set up for a using this connection to the new queen or whatever she’s called (not caliph in a caliphate?) down the line when an ally, or likely many like Renna, is needed. The same goes with the Titan test. That was a way of folding in a lore dump for the climatic focus of the overall series down the line, and also to wipe Eryk’s inventory since the author probably got tired of trying to remember what was in there.
Other minor issues, I mentioned the caliphate thing. Why is this country a caliphate without a caliph? These power brokers are clerics but the religion is never really explained nor does it seem all that important to orc culture. I do like, however, that their honor culture is a facade as is all honor cultures that have ever existed in reality.
I also hate the names. The Latin names makes no sense for the characters. The author is using the first name, last name system that didn’t develop for many centuries after the Romans were gone. They used a much more complicated system, and the words the author uses don’t make sense in either context. A lot of the totally made up names, also have similarities.
But most of that is nitpicking. No series is perfect, but this series is almost as good as it gets in this genre. I really do think this type of smaller gapped and limited magic system allows for the telling of lateral stories that don’t fall into the next-more-powerful-antagonist-up trope.
Still give it five stars despite all my whining.
Too many authors in this genre, as their stories progress past the generally funnest beginning stages of initial exposure to a new world, a new magic system, choosing paths etc, as they progress into the meat of a larger story arc, they seem to forget what genre they are writing for. Progression slows. The stories are drawn out if not writing outright fillers. The combat gets repetitive.
But I love what this author does because he has created a magic system that isn’t naturally top heavy, where people at the top are literal gods and can stomp on people at the bottom like ants. There’s some interesting dynamics to explore in that kind of system, sure, but it’s so common it’s become a trope and it actually limits the kinds of stories authors can tell as their MC ranks into those tiers. Essentially all they can do is continuously escalate the stakes higher and higher. I call this the “DBZ Effect” and it can be one of many traps that burden a series as they go on.
This series’ system doesn’t have levels just potential for affinities for various physical, mental and magical abilities. So disparity between people is much smaller. Instead of Gods and ants, it’s more like a homeless person and a Billionaire. Still, vast differences in power and capabilities, but still within reach of each other. To me, this is the key to why this author’s series, not just ASL, work so well.
This is a way better way to write a progression series. It allows our MC to continue to play in the sandbox as if it was still the beginning of the series. He has trained his body to mostly maximize his potential, and is slowly acquiring magical abilities, but he still goes on dangerous missions to save a friend’s family member. That’s a great story that can’t be explored if your MC at this point can just teleport and dominate an entire planet’s population like say in Primal Hunter or DOTF.
That said, I do have issues, mainly with the way the author writes romance. I applaud him for doing it, as opposed to the “voluntary” celibate trope so common in this genre (looking at you HWFWM). But I HATE the way it’s done. Eryk is basically totally clueless to advances from most women around him, that is until they throw themselves at him. This is one of two ways that young men, in the real world who happen to be lacking in the attractiveness department (be it appearance, confidence and demeanor, or whatever), it’s one of two ways these types of young men react to women. The first is they delude themselves and fantasize about women who are not interested and seem to be mostly clueless to the signs they aren’t interested. Or, like in Eryk’s case, they are deeply insecure and so simply can’t process or don’t understand when a woman is flirting or showing interest.
And the issue is why is Eryk insecure? He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s extremely capable and wealthy. The earth he came from he was a medical school graduate in residency who dated a “yoga instructor”. Why is a guy this capable, accomplished, disciplined and supposedly experienced so clueless when women around him are flirting with him? I’ll tell you why, it’s the same reason the author’s name and Eryk’s are basically the same name, just both spelled in equally dumb ways. This character is an idealized version of the author. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, it’s actually quite common in this genre especially with so many inexperienced writers. HWFWM is probably the most egregious example, but there’s so many others.
My problem is that author Erick is so insecure about his body the only picture you can find of him is from a website for a job he held a decade ago that never got taken down for some reason. He’s really overweight. I’d wager he has very limited experience with women judging from his obvious body issues and the way he writes romance. That’s not to say he hasn’t dated or could even be married for all I know, but highly doubt. It’s that he doesn’t know what it’s like to be attractive or at least attune to the fact you attract some women, how to perceive that, and how to go from that to you know...
He also says really weird things, through his character, about other people’s relationships. In this book, when Mateo hooks up with Greshna, the Orc historian or whatever she is, while literally spying on them with earth speak spell, Eryk says it’s a “mistake”. Why is that? It’s just a hookup. Why is this guy judging some other guy for getting some? Just a bizarre thing to say.
I also don’t think Eryk’s background on earth fits the character we see in this story. And it’s never even brought up he was a resident physician, I’d be surprised if the author even remembered that’s what he wrote. Eryk never seems to care about anyone he left behind, which is the total opposite of the Eryk from the series.
Though I think Eryk’s leadership mantle is necessary for the direction of this series, I don’t think it’s handled well in this book. He’s basically a great leader right off the bat. To some extent, this is because he mirrors his examples, Castile and Konstantin, that’s great. The problem is the confidence Eryk has, that doesn’t fit the transition. Eryk was before a reserved guy, kept his secretes close to the vest, and kept his head down. That isn’t a natural leader persona. I think this was a missed opportunity for some growing pains and some drama and even fun as Eryk learns what works by doing what doesn’t.
So in summary of this extended complaint, I think some aspects of Eryk’s character are logically inconsistent with what’s already been established as well as being unrealistic in general. That’s not to say he’s totally inconsistent. Eryk has always been a person who puts himself on the line for those he cares about. Willing to sacrifice his wealth, his resources, his growth and even his life for others. That is very admirable and it’s the keel of his character. He’s always been that type of guy and probably always will be, and that’s a character I can get behind even if so much of the other stuff is frustrating or doesn’t make sense.
Other things I didn’t understand, why he let the Necromancer boy go. I think it makes more sense to store him, but that screws up the author’s spacial scene with the titans later, so they just sent him off to find a castle in another country across an ocean with a backpack. Makes zero sense. At a minimum, store the kid, get to a port, put him on ship for Nausis. I don’t have any problem with Eryk not dispensing the fate for other people who use these forbidden spells, he’s just a kid after all, but I don’t think the solution is logically consistent.
I also felt like that pace of this book was a bit off. Though, the pace is consistent, it just feels like less of a plan and more of stumbling from one situation to the next. And the reason for the entire leadership of the caliphate plot, is contrived. It’s clearly to service as set up for a using this connection to the new queen or whatever she’s called (not caliph in a caliphate?) down the line when an ally, or likely many like Renna, is needed. The same goes with the Titan test. That was a way of folding in a lore dump for the climatic focus of the overall series down the line, and also to wipe Eryk’s inventory since the author probably got tired of trying to remember what was in there.
Other minor issues, I mentioned the caliphate thing. Why is this country a caliphate without a caliph? These power brokers are clerics but the religion is never really explained nor does it seem all that important to orc culture. I do like, however, that their honor culture is a facade as is all honor cultures that have ever existed in reality.
I also hate the names. The Latin names makes no sense for the characters. The author is using the first name, last name system that didn’t develop for many centuries after the Romans were gone. They used a much more complicated system, and the words the author uses don’t make sense in either context. A lot of the totally made up names, also have similarities.
But most of that is nitpicking. No series is perfect, but this series is almost as good as it gets in this genre. I really do think this type of smaller gapped and limited magic system allows for the telling of lateral stories that don’t fall into the next-more-powerful-antagonist-up trope.
Still give it five stars despite all my whining.
October 19, 2025
This series still hits me just as hard: I’m really fond of Eryk and his crew. The author has a sharp sense for character dynamics. We start off with a small group—which is perfect, since I’d forgotten most of the secondary characters—and gradually reconnect with familiar faces. It gave me time to settle back in.
Eryk himself is evolving too. His secrets are slowly surfacing within his close circle, which makes sense now that their relationships are healthier and more united. But sharing secrets also means they might slip out—or that Eryk is simply less guarded.
One moment really threw me: he hides his collector from someone, then uses it openly later. Did I miss something? It felt like a “Wait, what?” moment. I suspect that part was rewritten, because his behavior didn’t quite add up.
We’ve reached a pivotal point in the series. Eryk is now undeniably OP, and his group knows it. Loose ends are being tied up, and the seeds of the next arc are being planted.
I’m guessing the rest of the story will focus on his rise in political power—reclaiming wealth, building an economic base, expanding his forces (maybe a mercenary group with his inner circle at the core). Possibly even taking over a city or duchy to achieve the same goal.
It all seems to be setting him up to become Emperor… and I bet he’ll refuse the title at the very end to wrap things up. I doubt we’ll see the next book before 2027—if there is one.
And if the author reads this and that was the plan… well, they’ll probably change everything now 😉
Eryk himself is evolving too. His secrets are slowly surfacing within his close circle, which makes sense now that their relationships are healthier and more united. But sharing secrets also means they might slip out—or that Eryk is simply less guarded.
One moment really threw me: he hides his collector from someone, then uses it openly later. Did I miss something? It felt like a “Wait, what?” moment. I suspect that part was rewritten, because his behavior didn’t quite add up.
We’ve reached a pivotal point in the series. Eryk is now undeniably OP, and his group knows it. Loose ends are being tied up, and the seeds of the next arc are being planted.
I’m guessing the rest of the story will focus on his rise in political power—reclaiming wealth, building an economic base, expanding his forces (maybe a mercenary group with his inner circle at the core). Possibly even taking over a city or duchy to achieve the same goal.
It all seems to be setting him up to become Emperor… and I bet he’ll refuse the title at the very end to wrap things up. I doubt we’ll see the next book before 2027—if there is one.
And if the author reads this and that was the plan… well, they’ll probably change everything now 😉
October 22, 2025
This book is a bit of a side quest that lasts too long. The trials for leadership aspect wasn't very interesting and dragged. The whole making a supreme thing is not very interesting. The orcs are very much just humans with a tiny bit of flavor, significantly less foreign than even other earth cultures. The Honorable savage thing wasn't done very well. Much less interesting than the Pathfinder group encounter previously. I'm normally a big orc and dwarf fan, at least the dwarves kinda deliver.
It did it's job, it had a few bright spots, but the new characters didn't do much for me. The world building for the orcs was a bit of a failure, too cultured, too refined, too human. You could change the orcs to humans or elves and the dialogue wouldn't change. The world has Roman humans, elves that act like humans, orcs that act like humans, gnomes that act like humans and dwarves; oh and they all hate eachother.
Honestly instead of 30 chapters of the supreme trial junk a jailbreak and escape likely would have been more interesting. Could be the book should have ended at emperors death as this one really lacked any real momentum.
By the end of this one I was skipping 50%+ of chapters. The orcs just weren't orcs and were not interesting. They had basic generic NPC writing.
Will still try the next one but this one was hard to get through.
Also, maybe don't have someone being amazed by what the MC does every other paragraph. It wears out it's welcome fast. It's a bad trope and happens far too much in this book and the genre in general.
It did it's job, it had a few bright spots, but the new characters didn't do much for me. The world building for the orcs was a bit of a failure, too cultured, too refined, too human. You could change the orcs to humans or elves and the dialogue wouldn't change. The world has Roman humans, elves that act like humans, orcs that act like humans, gnomes that act like humans and dwarves; oh and they all hate eachother.
Honestly instead of 30 chapters of the supreme trial junk a jailbreak and escape likely would have been more interesting. Could be the book should have ended at emperors death as this one really lacked any real momentum.
By the end of this one I was skipping 50%+ of chapters. The orcs just weren't orcs and were not interesting. They had basic generic NPC writing.
Will still try the next one but this one was hard to get through.
Also, maybe don't have someone being amazed by what the MC does every other paragraph. It wears out it's welcome fast. It's a bad trope and happens far too much in this book and the genre in general.
November 30, 2025
I do not want this book to end. Boutan Caliphate is a simple story on the surface, but it’s executed with such elegance that every chapter feels intentional and quietly powerful. The author’s writing has a way of drawing you in without ever overreaching, steady pacing, and a world that unfolds with confidence.
The magic system is another highlight. It’s straightforward and easy to grasp, yet extremely satisfying in how it’s woven into the story. There’s a certain elegance in its simplicity; it’s never used as a crutch, only as an organic extension of the world and its characters.
If you’re looking for a beautifully crafted, deceptively simple fantasy that stays with you long after you finish, I highly recommend Boutan Caliphate. I highly recommend this entire series.
The magic system is another highlight. It’s straightforward and easy to grasp, yet extremely satisfying in how it’s woven into the story. There’s a certain elegance in its simplicity; it’s never used as a crutch, only as an organic extension of the world and its characters.
If you’re looking for a beautifully crafted, deceptively simple fantasy that stays with you long after you finish, I highly recommend Boutan Caliphate. I highly recommend this entire series.
November 24, 2025
I cannot adequately explain why I like this series so much; I just find it pleasant to listen to each book, this one included. I've listened to each book more than once and it doesn't ever bore me. I think it's the characters, as well as the OP nature of Eric, generally, but more specifically, the writing flows so nicely. Also, when I think that the story is going to go in one direction, the author pivots and the entire next novel is totally different. Even though it's not how I thought the novel would go, I am never displeased with what the author creates.
October 13, 2025
reread 4
Before starting 5, you need to refresh your memory. Because this jumps right in to the action and you might not recognize all the names.
Eryk continues to kick @$$ and take heads. And have a ridiculous collection of stuff stashed away that he has mostly forgotten about.
Gonna buy 6 when it is available.
Before starting 5, you need to refresh your memory. Because this jumps right in to the action and you might not recognize all the names.
Eryk continues to kick @$$ and take heads. And have a ridiculous collection of stuff stashed away that he has mostly forgotten about.
Gonna buy 6 when it is available.
October 16, 2025
a really good continuation of the pervious books, good thing to see that a permanent lover is getting added it will add depth to the books an excellent choice by the author. can't wait for the next book. if author can write more fantasy books with competent mcs it would be more interesting not just YA fantasy.
October 17, 2025
An amazing book
I believe this book is amazing. I find the world vast and full of great depth. I look forward to many more books and I personally find the characters to be inspired. The magic system is great, and the culture is deep.keep doing this kind of writing I thank you for your hard work and I now just wait for the audio
I believe this book is amazing. I find the world vast and full of great depth. I look forward to many more books and I personally find the characters to be inspired. The magic system is great, and the culture is deep.keep doing this kind of writing I thank you for your hard work and I now just wait for the audio
November 28, 2025
The series has reached the point where the main character feels overpowered. The author moves beyond pure action to explore broader themes like leadership and economics, but these additions feel shallow. The MC’s approach to management boils down to “I’ll do it myself,” and his economic strategy is “I’ll overpay for everything because I can generate unlimited wealth.”
October 17, 2025
I wish I could tell you what I find so exceptional about this series, but I cannot pin it down very easily. I love the characters, the world building, and the main character's magic prowess. I could've listened to another 30 hours of Eric's story.
October 17, 2025
Awesome Series
This story of a guy going to a magical world and being forced drafted into the military was an extremely interesting read. This book ends as he frees his buddies people from slavery and has to get them to the other side of the planet. Great Stuff
This story of a guy going to a magical world and being forced drafted into the military was an extremely interesting read. This book ends as he frees his buddies people from slavery and has to get them to the other side of the planet. Great Stuff
October 22, 2025
You're going to need a bigger boat.
Excellent continuation of the story; I really enjoyed the change of scenery and the MC gaining some agency over what he chooses to do next. Looking forward to the upcoming journey.
Excellent continuation of the story; I really enjoyed the change of scenery and the MC gaining some agency over what he chooses to do next. Looking forward to the upcoming journey.
November 8, 2025
Nice, but moves a bit slow
This book is more about plot movement and character development more so than making large gains in power. This is fine, but I felt like I needed more significant power gains for our main character. Good book otherwise.
This book is more about plot movement and character development more so than making large gains in power. This is fine, but I felt like I needed more significant power gains for our main character. Good book otherwise.
November 30, 2025
Couldn’t put it down!
I had eagerly awaited this book. I had a dilemma about whether to jump right in or reread the first books again. I chose to reread of course! Now I’m sad that I have to wait until July 2025 for the next book.
I had eagerly awaited this book. I had a dilemma about whether to jump right in or reread the first books again. I chose to reread of course! Now I’m sad that I have to wait until July 2025 for the next book.
October 14, 2025
A soldier's life is one of my favorite series. It has great world building and is fast paced.
My biggest issue is how the books seem to become more and more sexualized. Women become more and more objects of sex. And rarely more than that. In my opinion, it could be a lot less. While i don't think it detracts too much from the story, it can be rather annoying at times.
My biggest issue is how the books seem to become more and more sexualized. Women become more and more objects of sex. And rarely more than that. In my opinion, it could be a lot less. While i don't think it detracts too much from the story, it can be rather annoying at times.
October 12, 2025
No real stakes
October 13, 2025
Very good
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Ginger the horse. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Ginger the horse. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
October 18, 2025
Excellent addition to the Tales of Eryk
Excellent book. Great dialogue, plot, and world building. A definite must read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
Excellent book. Great dialogue, plot, and world building. A definite must read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
October 18, 2025
Like a fresh drink of water in a hot day
October 19, 2025
Solid
This author is always solid when it comes to these books while this one wasn't the fast paced and as flushed out as the previous books it's still great.
This author is always solid when it comes to these books while this one wasn't the fast paced and as flushed out as the previous books it's still great.
October 19, 2025
Great series!
I love this series- it really has everything. A cool magic system, deep characters, cool progression, setbacks, cool battles, etc.
Can’t wait for the next one!
I love this series- it really has everything. A cool magic system, deep characters, cool progression, setbacks, cool battles, etc.
Can’t wait for the next one!
October 20, 2025
Loved it
I love this series and this was another good book in it. I look forward to many more adventures in this world.
I love this series and this was another good book in it. I look forward to many more adventures in this world.
October 23, 2025
Excellent
As aways, an excellent, well written story. I look forward to the next one. What will happen now that more secrets are out?
As aways, an excellent, well written story. I look forward to the next one. What will happen now that more secrets are out?
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