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Solo #1
Solo: Book #1
The next books of the series!
Solo (Book #2):
Solo (Book #3):
I was the greatest mage of chaos of my time, spending sixty years defending the world from rift creatures. If there was a mission—I completed it. If there was an enemy—I destroyed them. I was loyal to the Empire to my bone, until it decided to wipe out the Chaos clan and every last one of its members.
But life has a way of surprising you, and I got a second chance to walk the entire path again. Except the rules were different this time around. Now chaos is the weakest of the six elements, and its mages are considered bottom-feeders.
Well, time to show this world just how dead wrong it is. Chaos is mighty, and so is its true warrior!
Solo (Book #2):
Solo (Book #3):
I was the greatest mage of chaos of my time, spending sixty years defending the world from rift creatures. If there was a mission—I completed it. If there was an enemy—I destroyed them. I was loyal to the Empire to my bone, until it decided to wipe out the Chaos clan and every last one of its members.
But life has a way of surprising you, and I got a second chance to walk the entire path again. Except the rules were different this time around. Now chaos is the weakest of the six elements, and its mages are considered bottom-feeders.
Well, time to show this world just how dead wrong it is. Chaos is mighty, and so is its true warrior!
- GenresFantasy
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2025
622 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Vasily Mahanenko
95 books1,104 followersBe the first to know when Vasily Mahanenko’s next book is available! Follow him at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/v-mah... to get an alert whenever he has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 16, 2026
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.0)
Strong Hook & Momentum — The opening grabs immediately, and the pacing rarely slows. Between academy intrigue, assassination attempts, and faction maneuvering, there’s constant forward motion.
Satisfying Underdog Arc — Watching a former master rebuild a despised magic system gives every duel and training scene extra tension.
Clear, Game-Adjacent Worldbuilding — Six elemental schools, mixed combat teams, escalating rift threats. The system feels intuitive without overwhelming stat dumps.
Competent, Ruthless MC — A calculating protagonist who plays the long political game rather than stumbling through it.
Uneven Side Characters — Some rivals and allies shine; others feel underdeveloped or conveniently aligned.
Familiar Tropes — Regression advantages, noble antagonists, hinted harem dynamics, special royals—genre veterans will recognize the patterns.
Short First Installment — At ~347 pages, it reads more like a powerful opening arc than a fully self-contained story.
Revenge and restoration
Institutional prejudice
Political power struggles
Rebuilding a fallen legacy
Elemental hierarchy and power balance
Fans of LitRPG and progression fantasy
Readers who enjoy magic academy settings
Those who like overpowered protagonists in young bodies
Anyone who appreciates strategic, politically aware main characters
If you’re looking for a fast-paced LitRPG with a ruthless overpowered protagonist, academy rivalries, elemental magic, dungeon rifts, and political intrigue, this delivers.
The greatest chaos mage of his era dies—and wakes up sixty years later in a young, untrained body. The world now considers chaos magic weak and shameful. His clan is gone. History has been rewritten. The Empire he once served stands on the opposite side of the battlefield.
This is regression fantasy layered over a magic academy progression system, complete with duels, structured elemental schools, monster-filled rifts, noble politics, and steady power growth.
What Works
Strong Hook & Momentum — The opening grabs immediately, and the pacing rarely slows. Between academy intrigue, assassination attempts, and faction maneuvering, there’s constant forward motion.
Satisfying Underdog Arc — Watching a former master rebuild a despised magic system gives every duel and training scene extra tension.
Clear, Game-Adjacent Worldbuilding — Six elemental schools, mixed combat teams, escalating rift threats. The system feels intuitive without overwhelming stat dumps.
Competent, Ruthless MC — A calculating protagonist who plays the long political game rather than stumbling through it.
Where It Falls Short
Uneven Side Characters — Some rivals and allies shine; others feel underdeveloped or conveniently aligned.
Familiar Tropes — Regression advantages, noble antagonists, hinted harem dynamics, special royals—genre veterans will recognize the patterns.
Short First Installment — At ~347 pages, it reads more like a powerful opening arc than a fully self-contained story.
Themes
Revenge and restoration
Institutional prejudice
Political power struggles
Rebuilding a fallen legacy
Elemental hierarchy and power balance
The most compelling thread is the rehabilitation of chaos magic itself—turning a despised element into a symbol of strength again.
Who Should Read This?
Fans of LitRPG and progression fantasy
Readers who enjoy magic academy settings
Those who like overpowered protagonists in young bodies
Anyone who appreciates strategic, politically aware main characters
If you’re expecting deep literary introspection, this may not be your pick. If you want fast action, steady power growth, and a revenge-driven mage rebuilding his legacy, this is a strong entry in the genre.
Final Verdict
Solo: Book #1 is a high-energy regression LitRPG with strong pacing and a protagonist built for long-term escalation. Not flawless—but highly entertaining and clearly designed as the opening move in a larger saga.
August 23, 2025
a solid idea that ignores its own concept. the setting and antagonists are stereotypical and boring. the protagonist acts very out of character randomly. this needs to severely tighten up the story and characters.
August 17, 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.
August 9, 2025
Fun, But Too Short
I really liked it. I thought it was fun. I liked the MC. The world is very interesting. Looking forward to the series. The bummer is that it’s too short. I don’t believe the cost-value is balanced. Just as I really got into the story, it ended. This has been happening a lot recently for this genre. It may be a workable marketing ploy within some circles, but it is becoming annoying, and is having an adverse effect. I hope this author catches on. Like now.
I really liked it. I thought it was fun. I liked the MC. The world is very interesting. Looking forward to the series. The bummer is that it’s too short. I don’t believe the cost-value is balanced. Just as I really got into the story, it ended. This has been happening a lot recently for this genre. It may be a workable marketing ploy within some circles, but it is becoming annoying, and is having an adverse effect. I hope this author catches on. Like now.
October 11, 2025
Sadly, Mahanenko's stories are in general not for me.
Despite the story having a rather standard regression plot i found it quite entertaining. Duels, intrigues and assassin plots keep the training phase from becoming dull and i found the book refreshingly devoid of filler material.
The coincidental meetings and early boons were quite contrived but tolerable. I have mixed feelings about the MC's apprentices and the attention from highly places on him that early.
I was no fan of the harem vibes and the rehashed, tired, old princess trope.
The end seemed nonsensical. How could a ring of person who already was deceased at that time have this information.?
All in all, i found the book enjoyable and would have liked to read the next one. 9 Euro is too much for 320 pages, though, given my experiencs with the author..
Despite the story having a rather standard regression plot i found it quite entertaining. Duels, intrigues and assassin plots keep the training phase from becoming dull and i found the book refreshingly devoid of filler material.
The coincidental meetings and early boons were quite contrived but tolerable. I have mixed feelings about the MC's apprentices and the attention from highly places on him that early.
I was no fan of the harem vibes and the rehashed, tired, old princess trope.
The end seemed nonsensical. How could a ring of person who already was deceased at that time have this information.?
All in all, i found the book enjoyable and would have liked to read the next one. 9 Euro is too much for 320 pages, though, given my experiencs with the author..
September 4, 2025
Badly written and boring
This is not a good book. It was painful to finish. All of the side characters are terribly written. They are either stupid, completely flat or more likely both. They hate the MC for no logical reason or follow him for no reason.
This has all the usual tropes of the genre with no creativity. It just does them all worse than all the stories it steals it's plot points from. The MC is just more trash writing and I can't be bothered to break it down more than I have.
This is not a good book. It was painful to finish. All of the side characters are terribly written. They are either stupid, completely flat or more likely both. They hate the MC for no logical reason or follow him for no reason.
This has all the usual tropes of the genre with no creativity. It just does them all worse than all the stories it steals it's plot points from. The MC is just more trash writing and I can't be bothered to break it down more than I have.
August 31, 2025
This book is totally worth the read!!
Ok, so when i 1st started to read this book it reminded me so much of another series I started to read and hated because its nit a completed series so im having to wait for it to drop its next books which I hate and normally stop or don't start reading at all! But I read the book before I notice it was that type of book. Its called The Palidin series and this book had its flavor. Normally I stop reading book like that because I feel like its just a rip off a already good series and authors are just trying to copy in a very subpar way another author but I was so wrong about this book. This book is so awsome and even though I was once again tricked!! And I have to wait for new books which im anticipating will be at minimum 5 more books 😭 (I cry because what the role out time frame for this? Am I stuck in limbo waiting for a book and by the time it comes out I've forgotten the whole thing and I might not read the 1st book again to entice me in to the series once again and I'll never find out who destroyed the Chaos Clan!! 😭) but I think its worth it. This book is good. Better in my mind than the paladin. Way more interesting and I think it did better in the story telling and development. I will continue to follow this series. 😮💨😅🤣
Ok, so when i 1st started to read this book it reminded me so much of another series I started to read and hated because its nit a completed series so im having to wait for it to drop its next books which I hate and normally stop or don't start reading at all! But I read the book before I notice it was that type of book. Its called The Palidin series and this book had its flavor. Normally I stop reading book like that because I feel like its just a rip off a already good series and authors are just trying to copy in a very subpar way another author but I was so wrong about this book. This book is so awsome and even though I was once again tricked!! And I have to wait for new books which im anticipating will be at minimum 5 more books 😭 (I cry because what the role out time frame for this? Am I stuck in limbo waiting for a book and by the time it comes out I've forgotten the whole thing and I might not read the 1st book again to entice me in to the series once again and I'll never find out who destroyed the Chaos Clan!! 😭) but I think its worth it. This book is good. Better in my mind than the paladin. Way more interesting and I think it did better in the story telling and development. I will continue to follow this series. 😮💨😅🤣
August 13, 2025
Chaos is sweet
Action packed fast paced progressive genre. If this is your thing, no need to look any further. I read a lot of of this genre and it’s hard to find a book that doesn’t sound same old same old. This isn’t one of them. Yes you get the typical starting point of aged master flung into the past or in this case, the future ends up in a young body, but it doesn’t tell that typical story that follows.
Normally, I write a few criticisms here maybe about a book I don’t have anything bad to say about this book not one thing I would like to see changed not one thing I thought was done wrong. Nothing. My only hope is that we get the next book in the series sooner rather than later.
Action packed fast paced progressive genre. If this is your thing, no need to look any further. I read a lot of of this genre and it’s hard to find a book that doesn’t sound same old same old. This isn’t one of them. Yes you get the typical starting point of aged master flung into the past or in this case, the future ends up in a young body, but it doesn’t tell that typical story that follows.
Normally, I write a few criticisms here maybe about a book I don’t have anything bad to say about this book not one thing I would like to see changed not one thing I thought was done wrong. Nothing. My only hope is that we get the next book in the series sooner rather than later.
August 23, 2025
Interesting progression story
The MC was a powerful mage whose clan was destroyed, but he was saved and awakened 60 years later in a younger body. Of course the world had changed. He is in a mission to put a hurting on the nobles that conspired to do his clan in. Of course they re-wrote history to make his sphere of magic the lowest of the low.
No problem, he’s gonna kick butt and take names. He gains allies, of course also wastes no time creating new noble adversaries. Since nobles neither forgive nor forget, he’s soon targeted by assassins. Its not going to go well for them.
The MC was a powerful mage whose clan was destroyed, but he was saved and awakened 60 years later in a younger body. Of course the world had changed. He is in a mission to put a hurting on the nobles that conspired to do his clan in. Of course they re-wrote history to make his sphere of magic the lowest of the low.
No problem, he’s gonna kick butt and take names. He gains allies, of course also wastes no time creating new noble adversaries. Since nobles neither forgive nor forget, he’s soon targeted by assassins. Its not going to go well for them.
September 5, 2025
Betrayed
All sources of magic were trained in different schools but after graduation they would group together one from each of the disciplines to fight back monsters from rifts into other dimensions. The longer a rift was allowed to stay open the stronger the monsters grew. Then came the betrayal the chaos school was attacked almost everyone was killed then they went after lone chaos mages now sixty years later one trained mage from the past returns in an untrained twenty year old body but with memory intact, needing to retrain his body so he can resurrect the chaos mages from their unearned lowly status. Good Read.
All sources of magic were trained in different schools but after graduation they would group together one from each of the disciplines to fight back monsters from rifts into other dimensions. The longer a rift was allowed to stay open the stronger the monsters grew. Then came the betrayal the chaos school was attacked almost everyone was killed then they went after lone chaos mages now sixty years later one trained mage from the past returns in an untrained twenty year old body but with memory intact, needing to retrain his body so he can resurrect the chaos mages from their unearned lowly status. Good Read.
July 28, 2025
I received a review copy of this book.
This is a fun and engaging story. If you've read other things by this author and liked them, then you probably want to add this book to your to read shelf as well. It's very well done, and a story I enjoyed reading. I'd expect most LitRPG fans will like this one.
This is a fun and engaging story. If you've read other things by this author and liked them, then you probably want to add this book to your to read shelf as well. It's very well done, and a story I enjoyed reading. I'd expect most LitRPG fans will like this one.
October 21, 2025
A truly excellent read
A standard trope: powerful mage’s life ends and is reborn/resurrected/revived as a weakling. However, using his decades of knowledge, the mage rapidly gains power while gaining new, powerful enemies.
Mahanenko has created a novel and thoroughly enjoyable main character. He’s arrogant but not stupid. He’s powerful but willing to learn. He’s a loner and finds himself gathering followers and maybe companions.
I’m really looking forward to the next books in this series.
A standard trope: powerful mage’s life ends and is reborn/resurrected/revived as a weakling. However, using his decades of knowledge, the mage rapidly gains power while gaining new, powerful enemies.
Mahanenko has created a novel and thoroughly enjoyable main character. He’s arrogant but not stupid. He’s powerful but willing to learn. He’s a loner and finds himself gathering followers and maybe companions.
I’m really looking forward to the next books in this series.
August 10, 2025
Another amazing book from Vasily
Love Vasely stories main character are leveled ahead. Main character Joins forces with a powerful group that is betrayed then it travels to a different part of the world the only problem is that is moved 60 years into the future and the story developed from the with him going to an academy and being hated by everyone. fast paced world an amazing fight scenes 5 star book will continue to read the series.
Love Vasely stories main character are leveled ahead. Main character Joins forces with a powerful group that is betrayed then it travels to a different part of the world the only problem is that is moved 60 years into the future and the story developed from the with him going to an academy and being hated by everyone. fast paced world an amazing fight scenes 5 star book will continue to read the series.
July 25, 2025
I read this as an arc, and I've got to admit the more he writes the better he gets. I just enjoyed this. it's nothing deep, it's just an adventure. it won't change literature, but it will give you an afternoon of fun. I look forward to many more books in this series. I think you should read it and enjoy it. or don't that's your choice, but you'll be missing out.
August 16, 2025
Excellent first book
An interesting and well written variation of a regression story. Well worth the time to read. Well written, no editing issues with good characters and well written world. Looking forward to reading more in this series. Definitely would recommend reading this one!
An interesting and well written variation of a regression story. Well worth the time to read. Well written, no editing issues with good characters and well written world. Looking forward to reading more in this series. Definitely would recommend reading this one!
September 16, 2025
Interesting Story
Found the story to be entertaining and to flow well. The story has a nice pace, without getting bogged down in too much detail of the scenery or of the spell mechanics. The characters are well defined and relatable. Their progression seems organic and natural. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Found the story to be entertaining and to flow well. The story has a nice pace, without getting bogged down in too much detail of the scenery or of the spell mechanics. The characters are well defined and relatable. Their progression seems organic and natural. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 10, 2025
great read
Great take on a regression story. We get a hero who goes 60 years in the future and has to figure out what happened and why. We get solid foundational world building, great side characters, awesome fights and a hero you love rooting for. Can’t wait for book 2
Great take on a regression story. We get a hero who goes 60 years in the future and has to figure out what happened and why. We get solid foundational world building, great side characters, awesome fights and a hero you love rooting for. Can’t wait for book 2
August 11, 2025
Great book!!
I really liked this book!! The main character was likable and very interesting to read about, cannot wait for the second book to come out. I would recommend this book to anyone!!
I really liked this book!! The main character was likable and very interesting to read about, cannot wait for the second book to come out. I would recommend this book to anyone!!
August 19, 2025
Really good
Grabbed me from the beginning and we were off to the races. Magical framework is interesting, unique and is consistent. Martial framework is only partially spelled out but seems good. Epilogue needs work, we are not at a safe place.
Grabbed me from the beginning and we were off to the races. Magical framework is interesting, unique and is consistent. Martial framework is only partially spelled out but seems good. Epilogue needs work, we are not at a safe place.
September 15, 2025
A Great Start!
I’m loving the plot and direction this is going in! The conflict between clans and this underlying mystery of Candor is top tier! The lore is slowly coming together and I can’t wait for more to come!
I’m loving the plot and direction this is going in! The conflict between clans and this underlying mystery of Candor is top tier! The lore is slowly coming together and I can’t wait for more to come!
September 25, 2025
action and adventure series
Solo is an action and adventure liters from weak to strong hero good start waits on second book needs to be in audible than I would’ve have given five stars
Solo is an action and adventure liters from weak to strong hero good start waits on second book needs to be in audible than I would’ve have given five stars
November 8, 2025
Good book but ...
A well written and enjoyable book, however the next books in the series are not part of KU. Make sure you consider this if you are a KU reader and want to start this series.
A well written and enjoyable book, however the next books in the series are not part of KU. Make sure you consider this if you are a KU reader and want to start this series.
December 3, 2025
very good!
Interesting! Lots of action that made sense. No filler descriptions. Very interesting plot. Cool intelligent characters. Please let the next be just as good! Please don’t have Solo marry many women!
Interesting! Lots of action that made sense. No filler descriptions. Very interesting plot. Cool intelligent characters. Please let the next be just as good! Please don’t have Solo marry many women!
August 8, 2025
Very obvious but well-crafted. Sometimes you just want to watch the good guy duff up the bad guys for a while.
August 9, 2025
Excellent
Nice world building with a touch of cultivation, but not too much, and lots of action and politics. Great read!
Nice world building with a touch of cultivation, but not too much, and lots of action and politics. Great read!
August 10, 2025
A good start, a tad better than the author's other books.
August 10, 2025
Great read
This was fast paced and original. There were some nice twists that I didn't anticipate (which I always love) and a great underdog story. Can't wait for the next one!
This was fast paced and original. There were some nice twists that I didn't anticipate (which I always love) and a great underdog story. Can't wait for the next one!
August 11, 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
August 16, 2025
Really intriguing
As always, Vasily pulls you into his worlds and characters and before you have a rational thought you've read the whole book.
As always, Vasily pulls you into his worlds and characters and before you have a rational thought you've read the whole book.
August 26, 2025
Another solid book from Vasily Manhanenko!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews