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The Runic Artist #4
Brushstrokes of Defiance
Nate's time at the Etruan Royal University was turbulent, with attacks from both a fellow crafter and a Ducal House having been sent his way. Though he has come out victorious, the threat still looms, set against a greater backdrop of war with Asmuisil.
Nate would like nothing more than to keep his head down and continue to grow into his potential and indulge in his art. Will those who recognise his rising power let him remain on the side lines or will he be drawn deeper into their games?
Nate would like nothing more than to keep his head down and continue to grow into his potential and indulge in his art. Will those who recognise his rising power let him remain on the side lines or will he be drawn deeper into their games?
565 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 15, 2026
crafting extravaganza!
This was awesome. I loved all the crafting and character progression. Despite the crafting focus there was still tons of action, world building, and just a great all around story. Loved it.
This was awesome. I loved all the crafting and character progression. Despite the crafting focus there was still tons of action, world building, and just a great all around story. Loved it.
November 6, 2025
Love this series
Very crunchy, almost crafting. Even in the spell work. That isn't to say that the story isn't awesome as well. the MC is certainly progressing, and thiere is an awesome storyline. You know the kind of story that makes you want to read more and learn just what else is just around the corner? In this book, you learn one thing that is just around the corner.. and of course it's big. But before the pair can go down their new adventure, they have to deal with the kingdom and a war. I thoroughly enjoy this book and hope that the next one isn't too far around the corner..
Very crunchy, almost crafting. Even in the spell work. That isn't to say that the story isn't awesome as well. the MC is certainly progressing, and thiere is an awesome storyline. You know the kind of story that makes you want to read more and learn just what else is just around the corner? In this book, you learn one thing that is just around the corner.. and of course it's big. But before the pair can go down their new adventure, they have to deal with the kingdom and a war. I thoroughly enjoy this book and hope that the next one isn't too far around the corner..
November 1, 2025
Excellent
Excellent writing skills, good story, almost nonstop action. I hope this series will continue; I'm definitely buying the next book.
Excellent writing skills, good story, almost nonstop action. I hope this series will continue; I'm definitely buying the next book.
November 4, 2025
Can't wait
I'm sadden that I found this series before it Completion, now ill have to wait for each installment. I'm in love with this books.
I'm sadden that I found this series before it Completion, now ill have to wait for each installment. I'm in love with this books.
August 24, 2026
While I like this series.... Anytime "goblin mode" or 'I'm a badass boss girl who likes to fight with knives and don't you forget it" shows up, it really pisses me off. When things are serious, they get with the plan, otherwise they are hell of annoying.
This was okay, but I care zero percent for "badass girl's" relationship problems.
I'm here for Nate doing stuff, not badass crying because her GF won't open up. Have the protagonist do that, not "badass".
At least she ("badass") hasn't asked the protag to waste resources on her GF, to make her stronger, or spill secrets.
This was kind of a slog, because the author is trying to make "badass" a full POV.
They tried this in book two (giving the "badass" her own POV), now they are doing it again. I don't know if it's to stretch the series, but I'm fed up of this shit. I had too many shitty books before reading this book, and my tolerance levels are low.
I would have given this my default three stars rating, and moved on... But like I said, shitty books pissed me off, and I'm not letting this off the hook. I don't see how "badass" girl's shitty relationship problems was a major plot point.
Couldn't find something else to get them from point A to point B?
2/5 Stars
This was okay, but I care zero percent for "badass girl's" relationship problems.
I'm here for Nate doing stuff, not badass crying because her GF won't open up. Have the protagonist do that, not "badass".
At least she ("badass") hasn't asked the protag to waste resources on her GF, to make her stronger, or spill secrets.
This was kind of a slog, because the author is trying to make "badass" a full POV.
They tried this in book two (giving the "badass" her own POV), now they are doing it again. I don't know if it's to stretch the series, but I'm fed up of this shit. I had too many shitty books before reading this book, and my tolerance levels are low.
I would have given this my default three stars rating, and moved on... But like I said, shitty books pissed me off, and I'm not letting this off the hook. I don't see how "badass" girl's shitty relationship problems was a major plot point.
Couldn't find something else to get them from point A to point B?
2/5 Stars
November 7, 2025
The motivation of the MC doesn't feel plausible. The main reason why they don't simply leave the country torn by civil war is "Kiri's parents love their village and will not want to move'. Which simply doesn't make sense. Let imagine what Kiri can say when she talks with her parents and see how that can go:
- "Hey mom, I it is very dangerous for me to remain in this country. If I remain, I expect both the king and many of the nobles to try to kill me. I don't feel any attachment to the country, so how about we all move? You need to move also because if not you will probably be taken hostage soon"
case 1: "Nah, I like my village! You should stay here and risk your life"
case 2: "Nah, I like my village! You should move without us. It's no big deal that we probably be kidnaped and held hostage or killed, and you will need to live with that the rest of your live"
Does that make any sense?
- "Hey mom, I it is very dangerous for me to remain in this country. If I remain, I expect both the king and many of the nobles to try to kill me. I don't feel any attachment to the country, so how about we all move? You need to move also because if not you will probably be taken hostage soon"
case 1: "Nah, I like my village! You should stay here and risk your life"
case 2: "Nah, I like my village! You should move without us. It's no big deal that we probably be kidnaped and held hostage or killed, and you will need to live with that the rest of your live"
Does that make any sense?
November 17, 2025
intelligence with no smarts
Good book but this one thing really bugs me. And it probably wouldn’t bug me so much if the mc hadn’t bragged about having smarts along with a high intelligence stat. When playing truth or dare, which essentially they did, nobody with smarts accepts an open ended dare for a truth first. Smarts will always lead you to switch it and find out what the dare is before you ask your truth. If they had asked for their tasks first, they would have found that they were only useful if they stayed alive making the reciprocity for their truths much less than the dares.
Good book but this one thing really bugs me. And it probably wouldn’t bug me so much if the mc hadn’t bragged about having smarts along with a high intelligence stat. When playing truth or dare, which essentially they did, nobody with smarts accepts an open ended dare for a truth first. Smarts will always lead you to switch it and find out what the dare is before you ask your truth. If they had asked for their tasks first, they would have found that they were only useful if they stayed alive making the reciprocity for their truths much less than the dares.
November 2, 2025
Fantastic series
This is one of my all time favorite series, which is saying a lot considering I read more than sleep.
This entry picks up and carries on, giving answers, progression and moving Nate and Kiri's story on. Loved how the author handles relationships and the personal connections, they really feel real, not forced like so many do in stories.
Overall, keep reading. It'll only get better.
This is one of my all time favorite series, which is saying a lot considering I read more than sleep.
This entry picks up and carries on, giving answers, progression and moving Nate and Kiri's story on. Loved how the author handles relationships and the personal connections, they really feel real, not forced like so many do in stories.
Overall, keep reading. It'll only get better.
November 15, 2025
Love the story so far. Keep going ❤️
I'm so grateful for titles like this, that aren't written by AI, that have a coherent story, that's well written with characters that grow, a steady pace, and thougtful details. I really enjoy this story as an artist myself, and can resonate with the characters desire to create. Thanks. Keep it up.
I'm so grateful for titles like this, that aren't written by AI, that have a coherent story, that's well written with characters that grow, a steady pace, and thougtful details. I really enjoy this story as an artist myself, and can resonate with the characters desire to create. Thanks. Keep it up.
November 16, 2025
Good book
I enjoy this series a lot. Good book. The idea of embodiments is cool but I thought it was weird when the skill gains are linked to classes but changing a class didn't remove/alter associated skills.
I enjoy this series a lot. Good book. The idea of embodiments is cool but I thought it was weird when the skill gains are linked to classes but changing a class didn't remove/alter associated skills.
July 25, 2026
So so good!
Seriously love this series. It just gets better and better. The world and more keep expanding and we see things on a grander scale. The story is so captivating and well written and edited. The characters are fantastic and easy to love.
Seriously love this series. It just gets better and better. The world and more keep expanding and we see things on a grander scale. The story is so captivating and well written and edited. The characters are fantastic and easy to love.
November 3, 2025
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.
November 5, 2025
Enjoy!
I liked the story. It was easy to pick up where it left off. No cliffhanger but I really want to read the next installment!
I liked the story. It was easy to pick up where it left off. No cliffhanger but I really want to read the next installment!
November 14, 2025
An enjoyable sequel
A fun little with a proper crafter MC continues! I like where the story is going and I appreciate that the progression feels natural and well thought out!
A fun little with a proper crafter MC continues! I like where the story is going and I appreciate that the progression feels natural and well thought out!
December 4, 2025
Good series.
Great premise for books with good characters and a well thought out system. Thought provoking and fun. Can't wait to see more.
Great premise for books with good characters and a well thought out system. Thought provoking and fun. Can't wait to see more.
January 12, 2026
Me gustaron mas los libros anteriores, pero estuvo bastante bien.
April 25, 2026
Great story!
Started a little slow but it really picked up. I enjoyed the system talking to them and helping them. It sure made Ankril mad(sorry about the spelling).
Started a little slow but it really picked up. I enjoyed the system talking to them and helping them. It sure made Ankril mad(sorry about the spelling).
May 22, 2026
Needs some editing and also some of the awe of leadership towards Nate just doesn't make sense to me.
The final encounter with THAT trio was great
Audiobook performance is still good
The final encounter with THAT trio was great
Audiobook performance is still good
November 5, 2025
a nice continuation
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews