What do you think?
Arcane Academy #3
Spell Breaker: A Progression Fantasy Adventure
He's Done Playing Their Game. Now He's Coming to Burn the Board.
Tortured, framed for murder, and hunted by a kingdom. For Daren Morin, it's a familiar taste of betrayal. His enemies think he’s cornered.
They're about to learn how wrong they are.
His only path to untouchable status lies within a mysterious, labyrinthine artifact—the stage for a deadly, kingdom-wide tournament.
But this competition has its own rules. Can Daren still flip the board?
Join Daren in his journey to power once again. For fans of Progression Fantasy, Magic Academy, and cunning Antiheroes who play to win.
Tortured, framed for murder, and hunted by a kingdom. For Daren Morin, it's a familiar taste of betrayal. His enemies think he’s cornered.
They're about to learn how wrong they are.
His only path to untouchable status lies within a mysterious, labyrinthine artifact—the stage for a deadly, kingdom-wide tournament.
But this competition has its own rules. Can Daren still flip the board?
Join Daren in his journey to power once again. For fans of Progression Fantasy, Magic Academy, and cunning Antiheroes who play to win.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 5, 2025
While overall I like this story and I have preordered the next one, it has some annoyances I dislike.
First, there's some strange inconsistencies at times, such as characters powers seem to randomly be different, and I don't mean Nyxara getting the deeper realm of invisibility or Samantha's evolving powers, I mean like how when the first book started there was a lot of comments about Nyx having electricity and storm powers she'd shocked Daren numb with, that all ended after the first infirmary visit in the first book and she's never used electrical powers since, it's just a really weird inconsistency, in this book it's the main antagonist of the book who's powers and motivation alike swaps around (I actually have no idea what powers he had that was actually his own rather from his items after having finished the book, nor if the main reason he was so eager to get his hands on Daren at least initially was just because he wanted Daren's familiar or if it was something else), random things like this build up annoyances.
Daren Morin is fun overall, and I like reading about antiheroes and questionable individuals, but he too seem to frequently change motivations and plans and pull new things he can do out of the air on a bit too frequent a basis. He also comes off as way too arrogant for his own good, like a third of the book he casually says no mage in the area could kill him, when he almost died at least twice already in the former chapters, and later. While arrogance is fitting to some degree, especially against classmates or against individuals who know less than him, some self awareness would be good to avoid just coming off as a Moron more often than not. The chocolate drink thing may be intended as a humorous inconsistency at first with the Evil Lord having a longing for something like that, but the joke didn't really work for me, and it's getting really old by now. I'd appreciate it if things went in a more consistently steady direction following onward and with less "when I was an Evil Lord" type callbacks. A more serious and consistent tone and Daren committing to full antihero status would be my preference.
Despite these gripes overall I enjoy this story, it's a quick and easy read, but I can't really bring myself to take it any more seriously than it seems to take itself.
First, there's some strange inconsistencies at times, such as characters powers seem to randomly be different, and I don't mean Nyxara getting the deeper realm of invisibility or Samantha's evolving powers, I mean like how when the first book started there was a lot of comments about Nyx having electricity and storm powers she'd shocked Daren numb with, that all ended after the first infirmary visit in the first book and she's never used electrical powers since, it's just a really weird inconsistency, in this book it's the main antagonist of the book who's powers and motivation alike swaps around (I actually have no idea what powers he had that was actually his own rather from his items after having finished the book, nor if the main reason he was so eager to get his hands on Daren at least initially was just because he wanted Daren's familiar or if it was something else), random things like this build up annoyances.
Daren Morin is fun overall, and I like reading about antiheroes and questionable individuals, but he too seem to frequently change motivations and plans and pull new things he can do out of the air on a bit too frequent a basis. He also comes off as way too arrogant for his own good, like a third of the book he casually says no mage in the area could kill him, when he almost died at least twice already in the former chapters, and later. While arrogance is fitting to some degree, especially against classmates or against individuals who know less than him, some self awareness would be good to avoid just coming off as a Moron more often than not. The chocolate drink thing may be intended as a humorous inconsistency at first with the Evil Lord having a longing for something like that, but the joke didn't really work for me, and it's getting really old by now. I'd appreciate it if things went in a more consistently steady direction following onward and with less "when I was an Evil Lord" type callbacks. A more serious and consistent tone and Daren committing to full antihero status would be my preference.
Despite these gripes overall I enjoy this story, it's a quick and easy read, but I can't really bring myself to take it any more seriously than it seems to take itself.
November 6, 2025
Over half of this book is just the protag talking about his allies tits, like its gross and doesn't do shit for the plot. The carving seen was needlessly sexual, and his personality has become pervy and arrogantly moronic .Case in point -(Nothing can kill me, yet I almost die constantly because I'm better than everyone else.)Power and skill inconsistencies between this book and the previous books are also pretty bad.
May 2, 2026
Grab the book with all the gusto you can muster because it's AwesomeSauce.
Friggintastic! And the cover art. Wow! This action-heavy gamelit adventure makes my heart sing! In this book Daren has his work cut out for him, since he and his team entered The Black Dragon Trial. His immediate goal is to strengthen both Nyx and Samantha, pushing them to reach their realm of Warrior and their realm of Mage classes which would normally take years to achieve, but when you're in The Black Dragon Trial all bets are off on what you'll actually be able to achieve! Nyx is actually in the Trial following Daren, for all intents and purposes what amounts to love. And while she heeding his every suggestion, Samantha is being contrary, like a rebellious teen, thinking that she can take her own path! But she's humbled to the point where she starts, listening to Daren, and finally Sam starts listening and making headway. But don't get me wrong Daren is taking every advantage that the Trial has to offer, and the more he pisses off the Black Dragon, the Guardian of the Trial, the harder each level of the Trial becomes!!! And well Daren eats it, up gaining strength that he wouldn't normally have received otherwise.
So yeah grab this with gusto and enjoy the best! Book! Evarrr!
Friggintastic! And the cover art. Wow! This action-heavy gamelit adventure makes my heart sing! In this book Daren has his work cut out for him, since he and his team entered The Black Dragon Trial. His immediate goal is to strengthen both Nyx and Samantha, pushing them to reach their realm of Warrior and their realm of Mage classes which would normally take years to achieve, but when you're in The Black Dragon Trial all bets are off on what you'll actually be able to achieve! Nyx is actually in the Trial following Daren, for all intents and purposes what amounts to love. And while she heeding his every suggestion, Samantha is being contrary, like a rebellious teen, thinking that she can take her own path! But she's humbled to the point where she starts, listening to Daren, and finally Sam starts listening and making headway. But don't get me wrong Daren is taking every advantage that the Trial has to offer, and the more he pisses off the Black Dragon, the Guardian of the Trial, the harder each level of the Trial becomes!!! And well Daren eats it, up gaining strength that he wouldn't normally have received otherwise.
So yeah grab this with gusto and enjoy the best! Book! Evarrr!
February 25, 2026
This book is friggintastic!
Daren is an inscrutable young man with a complex history! Gaining even more complexity when Daren cheats death again. He's realized which mistakes that he made and his second death gave him enough time to fix everyone of them. It's interesting to see how the story threads unfold as Daren fixes those same said mistakes. As Daren works hard to breakthrough the realms in both of his classes, the Soldier's class and Mage class, it’s really unheard of having more than one class. As Daren goes all out training he discovers several more Natural Truths, like NT of Deaths Threshold, the NT of Souls and the NT of Soul Split. And he absolutely needs to break into the Black Dragon Realm to locate an invaluable Artifact. And along the way he discovers two prisoners, yep you guessed it, Nyxara and Samantha are locked down in their failed attempt to rescue him. So the rescuers become the rescuees! 😆
So yeah this book is AwesomeSauce! Go grab it yourself and enjoy the pulse-pounding adventure.
Daren is an inscrutable young man with a complex history! Gaining even more complexity when Daren cheats death again. He's realized which mistakes that he made and his second death gave him enough time to fix everyone of them. It's interesting to see how the story threads unfold as Daren fixes those same said mistakes. As Daren works hard to breakthrough the realms in both of his classes, the Soldier's class and Mage class, it’s really unheard of having more than one class. As Daren goes all out training he discovers several more Natural Truths, like NT of Deaths Threshold, the NT of Souls and the NT of Soul Split. And he absolutely needs to break into the Black Dragon Realm to locate an invaluable Artifact. And along the way he discovers two prisoners, yep you guessed it, Nyxara and Samantha are locked down in their failed attempt to rescue him. So the rescuers become the rescuees! 😆
So yeah this book is AwesomeSauce! Go grab it yourself and enjoy the pulse-pounding adventure.
February 24, 2026
Who is Daren? That's the $64.00 question!
Once they meet Daren everyone asks... What is he? Where did he come from? How did he do that? And... How does he know? No one has ever dealt with someone like him! As an 18 year old with a 200 year memory and Daren is not about to tell anyone the real truth. Good this Princy, the principle's familiar doesn't ask questions about a student's personal life. Luckily Princy and the academy is on his side, unfortunately one of the teachers wants to kill him. In this book Daren and Nyxara and his other cohorts are fighting there way through a labyrinth and people have been plotting against them as they are not supposed to win! Oh and did I mention the Royal Family wants to execute Daren for the killing of Ashini an exiled Princess. And who knows what gonna happen when a Paradox comes up against Flame Truth.
You gots'ta' grab the book to find out what happens...
Once they meet Daren everyone asks... What is he? Where did he come from? How did he do that? And... How does he know? No one has ever dealt with someone like him! As an 18 year old with a 200 year memory and Daren is not about to tell anyone the real truth. Good this Princy, the principle's familiar doesn't ask questions about a student's personal life. Luckily Princy and the academy is on his side, unfortunately one of the teachers wants to kill him. In this book Daren and Nyxara and his other cohorts are fighting there way through a labyrinth and people have been plotting against them as they are not supposed to win! Oh and did I mention the Royal Family wants to execute Daren for the killing of Ashini an exiled Princess. And who knows what gonna happen when a Paradox comes up against Flame Truth.
You gots'ta' grab the book to find out what happens...
February 1, 2026
Great story, likable MC, MC needs more power, progression and growth.
I’ve enjoyed this book and the series very much. I like the MC, even though he’s supposedly a former or an evil Lord in his past life. I personally think he has a heart of maybe not gold but silver, he actually cares for the minions under his care, even though he does not want to admit it. The only issue I have with this story is the MC‘s power progression, we are three books in and he really has not grown that much. He uses a lot of trickery and deception, but if this is supposed to be a power progression book the MC needs to grow. That’s the only issue I have with the story, the as side characters are interesting and have personalities of their own which is being developed. We’ll go on and read the next book when it arrives.
I’ve enjoyed this book and the series very much. I like the MC, even though he’s supposedly a former or an evil Lord in his past life. I personally think he has a heart of maybe not gold but silver, he actually cares for the minions under his care, even though he does not want to admit it. The only issue I have with this story is the MC‘s power progression, we are three books in and he really has not grown that much. He uses a lot of trickery and deception, but if this is supposed to be a power progression book the MC needs to grow. That’s the only issue I have with the story, the as side characters are interesting and have personalities of their own which is being developed. We’ll go on and read the next book when it arrives.
September 7, 2026
Note: I'm giving the same review to books 1-4. Ss book 5 is out now and book 6 is due at the end of the month I'm doing a re-read of 1-4.
So the MC is a dark lord sent back to his childhood. As such he is able to advance much faster than before and even able to help out some classmates. As a dark lord he chooses to help those classmates who will make good underlings for him and he does so in the most efficient manner regardless of how brutal it may be. I like a story where the MC has clear goals and goes after them so the overall focus of the story appeals to me and the author does a good job writing scenes. The problem is the author set out to write a series so the books lack story resolution and do not stand alone. So don't start these books unless you are interested in reading 6 book (at least).
So the MC is a dark lord sent back to his childhood. As such he is able to advance much faster than before and even able to help out some classmates. As a dark lord he chooses to help those classmates who will make good underlings for him and he does so in the most efficient manner regardless of how brutal it may be. I like a story where the MC has clear goals and goes after them so the overall focus of the story appeals to me and the author does a good job writing scenes. The problem is the author set out to write a series so the books lack story resolution and do not stand alone. So don't start these books unless you are interested in reading 6 book (at least).
November 11, 2025
Interedting but very confusing
The MC is a regressed evil Lord on a mission to regain his former power. At an advesarial mage academy many are against him, but he has atracted a few subordinate allies. 2 women are his best minions, but he seemingly has little interest in them as women, just as pathways to power.
The story has a convuluted magic system and the politics of the various players is quite difficult to follow. For example one of his teachers hates him so much that she imprisioned and tortured him, yet barely got a slap on the wrist. There are conspiracies, secret agreements, nefarious schemes by noble potentates and in the background a demon and angelic invasion. There is some good conflict, but also quite a bit of plot confusion.
The MC is a regressed evil Lord on a mission to regain his former power. At an advesarial mage academy many are against him, but he has atracted a few subordinate allies. 2 women are his best minions, but he seemingly has little interest in them as women, just as pathways to power.
The story has a convuluted magic system and the politics of the various players is quite difficult to follow. For example one of his teachers hates him so much that she imprisioned and tortured him, yet barely got a slap on the wrist. There are conspiracies, secret agreements, nefarious schemes by noble potentates and in the background a demon and angelic invasion. There is some good conflict, but also quite a bit of plot confusion.
June 11, 2026
I am giving up on this series after this. I often enjoy dark, anti-hero stories, and I think the author is planning on "softening" and "warming up" the MC over time as he re-lives his life. (He was a 200 year-old sorcerer who called himself an "evil lord" who is killed and mysteriously ends up as his 18-year-old self at magic university.) But he is simply too narcissistic and sociopathic for me to care. He uses and manipulates others for his own ends and kills those in his way. So the idea that he gradually comes to help some of those who are devoted to him (because of his expertise in magic) is not enough for me to stay interested.
February 3, 2026
Good edition to the series! Fast paced, bit redundant...
The main characters proving to be a time traveler and once again resets his life span in which case 50% of the book is a do-over. It's interesting how the main character is maintaining his agency to do his own bidding yet as the world building in massive enemies keep building against him it's harder and harder to make the logic and power structure work. This was a good addition to the series, not as good as book three but a solid edition keeping the story in the reader interested.
The main characters proving to be a time traveler and once again resets his life span in which case 50% of the book is a do-over. It's interesting how the main character is maintaining his agency to do his own bidding yet as the world building in massive enemies keep building against him it's harder and harder to make the logic and power structure work. This was a good addition to the series, not as good as book three but a solid edition keeping the story in the reader interested.
November 16, 2025
Fun read
So far this has been a fun read, looking forward to reading more. Finding these dark Lord/morally ambiguous protagonists to be a fun chance of pace. My only complaint is done time the dialogue and internal monologue are not worded right to feel natural or can be a bit repetitive. Still a great read, so keep them coming.
So far this has been a fun read, looking forward to reading more. Finding these dark Lord/morally ambiguous protagonists to be a fun chance of pace. My only complaint is done time the dialogue and internal monologue are not worded right to feel natural or can be a bit repetitive. Still a great read, so keep them coming.
December 3, 2025
Continues to be interesting
Just like a third movie should be. Bigger, badder and more girls. The magic framework continues to be great. The martial framework still suffers. We do have more amazing fights. Some are too amazing and all seem to be more schoolyard than martial. Epilogue really sucked though.
Just like a third movie should be. Bigger, badder and more girls. The magic framework continues to be great. The martial framework still suffers. We do have more amazing fights. Some are too amazing and all seem to be more schoolyard than martial. Epilogue really sucked though.
December 19, 2025
Spell Breaker, book three of the Arcane Academy series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). I'm really loving Daren and his cool, calculating way of looking at the long game while keeping his enemies at bay. Very cleverly-written and paced nicely to hold reader attention. One of my favorite series in this Progression fantasy.
November 8, 2025
Good
It's good. Perhaps the darkest book I've read from the authors. Darren shows why he could be called the Evil Dark Lord.
The cliff hanger ending, when we can read the next book was nothing when compared to the couple of months wait I have to do now for the next book.
It's good. Perhaps the darkest book I've read from the authors. Darren shows why he could be called the Evil Dark Lord.
The cliff hanger ending, when we can read the next book was nothing when compared to the couple of months wait I have to do now for the next book.
February 18, 2026
I do like this series - and enjoyed book 4! The concept was the reason I read book 1, and this remains the interesting part of the series - I like the writing and the main character - Daren. Looking forward to the next one.
May 25, 2026
Spell Breaker, book four of the Arcane Academy series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). I enjoy the protagonist, Daren, and his amazing second life. The worldbuilding is layered and complex. A fun read.
November 1, 2025
Excellent
Non stop action combined with amazing world building. A quick refresher chapter at the beginning would be helpful. Great read!
Non stop action combined with amazing world building. A quick refresher chapter at the beginning would be helpful. Great read!
November 6, 2025
Plot Twists and Excitement
Good job. I like the evil protagonist. It’s definitely different from my normal reads but is so good I finished it in 24 hours of having it. Thanks A.P.
Good job. I like the evil protagonist. It’s definitely different from my normal reads but is so good I finished it in 24 hours of having it. Thanks A.P.
December 10, 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.
December 23, 2025
Captivating
The book was fast paced. Leaving you to want more. Must read for action livers. Can't wait for the rest of series.
The book was fast paced. Leaving you to want more. Must read for action livers. Can't wait for the rest of series.
February 4, 2026
Great Series
This story of a evil lord getting a do over in a kind of different time line was a very interesting entertaining read that I really enjoyed reading.
This story of a evil lord getting a do over in a kind of different time line was a very interesting entertaining read that I really enjoyed reading.
May 25, 2026
The first two were ok, but what is up with the MC suddenly perving out on everything? It throws off the whole tone of the series. I hate it.
May 30, 2026
Love this series
Very good book. l enjoyed it as it was quite entertaining and both well written and enjoyable. in the series dovetailed well. Kudos to the author.
Very good book. l enjoyed it as it was quite entertaining and both well written and enjoyable. in the series dovetailed well. Kudos to the author.
August 1, 2026
great book
Fast paced action a real page turner. Each book better than the first. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Fast paced action a real page turner. Each book better than the first. Can’t wait to read the next one.
August 25, 2026
entertaining but repetitive
The author is recycling plot devices. So far, the MC has been crippled 4 or 5 times. It gets old after a while.
The author is recycling plot devices. So far, the MC has been crippled 4 or 5 times. It gets old after a while.
September 26, 2026
This book tanked
I was looking forward to reading this book, however it tanked for me. This book could have been half the size and been 100 times better.
I was looking forward to reading this book, however it tanked for me. This book could have been half the size and been 100 times better.
August 27, 2026
Another solid book. I loved the competition element near the end. I wish it just focused on that and didn’t get side tracked with random conflicts. I’m still invested and enjoying the series.
Read
June 21, 2026Listening to audiobook, the same voice line gets repeated three times in chapter 36
November 5, 2025
Fast paced
As usual, this series delivers a fast paced and entertaining story. My only gripe is all the stages and breaking through nonsense that tends to dominate eastern stories. It's becoming a bit ridiculous to keep reading peak stage this realm that.
As usual, this series delivers a fast paced and entertaining story. My only gripe is all the stages and breaking through nonsense that tends to dominate eastern stories. It's becoming a bit ridiculous to keep reading peak stage this realm that.
November 8, 2025
Cool as shit
This has got to be one of the better reads I've had in a while. Dark, but colorful character commentary that, while rarely used, fits right in like real life.
This has got to be one of the better reads I've had in a while. Dark, but colorful character commentary that, while rarely used, fits right in like real life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews