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The Amatherean Tales #2
A Clockwork Ogre: An Isekai LitRPG
An unlikely hero is embroiled in village politics, a fantastical war, and an orphan’s vengeful quest in the second book of this portal fantasy series.
After a hobgoblin raid leaves the town of Killic in disarray, fae assassin SJ and her AI sidekick, Dave, know they’ll need to devise a strategic counterstrike. But when Cristy—a gnoll left orphaned by the attack—takes things into her own hands, a fierce war suddenly erupts at their doorstep.
As the battle rages on, SJ makes another troubling the level cap around Killic has doubled, allowing overpowered Legionnaires, mighty wyverns, and mysterious assassins to stir up even more trouble in the once-idyllic starter town. Since she rejected the System’s terms and conditions, strange trials have popped up all around her, but she’s never faced such dangerous enemies before.
Newly appointed to Killic’s council, SJ must be equal parts diplomat and warrior. The fate of the town and her new companions depends on her shrewdness and grit. But she has her sights set higher than just survival . . . She’ll do everything possible to wield the chaos to achieve glory.
The second volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
After a hobgoblin raid leaves the town of Killic in disarray, fae assassin SJ and her AI sidekick, Dave, know they’ll need to devise a strategic counterstrike. But when Cristy—a gnoll left orphaned by the attack—takes things into her own hands, a fierce war suddenly erupts at their doorstep.
As the battle rages on, SJ makes another troubling the level cap around Killic has doubled, allowing overpowered Legionnaires, mighty wyverns, and mysterious assassins to stir up even more trouble in the once-idyllic starter town. Since she rejected the System’s terms and conditions, strange trials have popped up all around her, but she’s never faced such dangerous enemies before.
Newly appointed to Killic’s council, SJ must be equal parts diplomat and warrior. The fate of the town and her new companions depends on her shrewdness and grit. But she has her sights set higher than just survival . . . She’ll do everything possible to wield the chaos to achieve glory.
The second volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 29, 2026
This was the second instalment of The Amatherean Tales series. It is an Isekai LitRPG story that mixes action, adventure, humour, and slice-of-life elements.
A Clockwork Ogre picks up after the events of the finale of book one, following a devastating hobgoblin raid on the town of Killic. Cristy, the orphaned gnoll that SJ took an interest in, went on a quest for vengeance that managed to spark another big conflict! On top of that, SJ and the locals had to deal with the fact that the level cap on their “starter” village was rising and drawing in higher-level beasts, assassins, and even another legionnaire!
It was a solid enough plot. Issues scaled up for SJ, but not too quickly. I actually really like the pacing of this series and the fact that SJ seems to be settling into Killic and forming bonds with the locals. I also think SJ herself is a pretty easy lead to root for. She is not perfect, but she seems like a decent sort of person and is not becoming so overpowered that she does not need help.
On the downside, I felt like this second instalment of the series had a fair few dull spots. The tale provided a mix of action and slice-of-life, but the dull spots were mixed pretty equally between both!
The other big downsides to this series are the dialogue, which just does not feel natural, even in audio, where Rebecca Woods does her best to breathe life into it and the “anime” feel to the tone and depth level of the story. The other negative is the AI sidekick, “Dave.” The dude just sucks. We did get an interesting development with him in this one, which holds some potential intrigue for future instalments at least.
All in all, this was just OK. I’m not sure if I’ll read the third book or not. This one caught my attention at times and lost it at others.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Audio Note: I think Rebecca Woods did a good job with the audio. She tried to breathe life into the weird and slightly unnatural dialogue.
A Clockwork Ogre picks up after the events of the finale of book one, following a devastating hobgoblin raid on the town of Killic. Cristy, the orphaned gnoll that SJ took an interest in, went on a quest for vengeance that managed to spark another big conflict! On top of that, SJ and the locals had to deal with the fact that the level cap on their “starter” village was rising and drawing in higher-level beasts, assassins, and even another legionnaire!
It was a solid enough plot. Issues scaled up for SJ, but not too quickly. I actually really like the pacing of this series and the fact that SJ seems to be settling into Killic and forming bonds with the locals. I also think SJ herself is a pretty easy lead to root for. She is not perfect, but she seems like a decent sort of person and is not becoming so overpowered that she does not need help.
On the downside, I felt like this second instalment of the series had a fair few dull spots. The tale provided a mix of action and slice-of-life, but the dull spots were mixed pretty equally between both!
The other big downsides to this series are the dialogue, which just does not feel natural, even in audio, where Rebecca Woods does her best to breathe life into it and the “anime” feel to the tone and depth level of the story. The other negative is the AI sidekick, “Dave.” The dude just sucks. We did get an interesting development with him in this one, which holds some potential intrigue for future instalments at least.
All in all, this was just OK. I’m not sure if I’ll read the third book or not. This one caught my attention at times and lost it at others.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Audio Note: I think Rebecca Woods did a good job with the audio. She tried to breathe life into the weird and slightly unnatural dialogue.
December 21, 2025
Brilliant!!!! A great compliment to the first book. The introduction of Darren added layers to the ever growing town Killic. To see the mayor express so much emotion was a plus. The last 70 pages were my favorite, there is so much joy, betrayal, scandal, such scintillating surprises ...it put me in awe, it was fantastic. Every major quest that gets completed, reveals deeper meaning with the next. Very well thought out with great purpose, this series has been a slice of pie, refreshing, rejuvenating, enthralling with entertainment, I look forward to the next
May 22, 2026
4.5⭐️
This sequel said “less cozy, more consequences” and I was here for it.
Still obsessed with SJ and Dave. The banter is just as good, but their relationship is getting deeper in a way that really works. They’re fully becoming each other’s person.
This one leans more political and character-driven, with less combat than book one. That might not work for everyone, but I loved how much more we get of the town and side characters. The world feels bigger and more lived in now.
There is betrayal in this one, and it actually adds emotional weight instead of just drama for the sake of it.
Only reason it’s not a full 5⭐️ is it was a little battle-light for me, but overall this is a strong sequel that builds on everything and left me wanting more.
This sequel said “less cozy, more consequences” and I was here for it.
Still obsessed with SJ and Dave. The banter is just as good, but their relationship is getting deeper in a way that really works. They’re fully becoming each other’s person.
This one leans more political and character-driven, with less combat than book one. That might not work for everyone, but I loved how much more we get of the town and side characters. The world feels bigger and more lived in now.
There is betrayal in this one, and it actually adds emotional weight instead of just drama for the sake of it.
Only reason it’s not a full 5⭐️ is it was a little battle-light for me, but overall this is a strong sequel that builds on everything and left me wanting more.
July 4, 2026
Book 2! More epic battles, fun adventures, new characters join the Frey! SJ is leveling and there are unforeseen consequences that will change Killic leading to assassination attempts and betrayal. This is such a great engaging story that draws you in and keeps you locked in the whole way! I can’t wait to see what happens next in book 3! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 18, 2026
A great continuation
This story has great character development and surprising world building, considering it is still set in a starter town. Light fighting, main character growth and mystery abound! I’m looking forward to the next book. ✌🏾
This story has great character development and surprising world building, considering it is still set in a starter town. Light fighting, main character growth and mystery abound! I’m looking forward to the next book. ✌🏾
December 7, 2025
love this series
I cant wait for book 3. I love the characters and their stories and the fresh approach to the system
I cant wait for book 3. I love the characters and their stories and the fresh approach to the system
January 13, 2026
Excellent
Very well written, lots of action, entertaining. Good story with potential for a long series; I hope. Looking forward to the next book.
Very well written, lots of action, entertaining. Good story with potential for a long series; I hope. Looking forward to the next book.
February 7, 2026
This is a good book and continues to be a very solid series, but man did the last hour have me yelling at my steering wheel while listening! 👍🏽👍🏽
December 6, 2025
I had a great time with this second instalment. SJ continues to be such a compelling character. The stakes feel bigger this time, but the heart of the story is still there, especially in how the characters look out for one another.
The worldbuilding expands in really clever ways, and the pacing kept me turning pages far later than planned.
I’m a big fan of isekai as a genre, and this series has quickly become a standout for me. I’m excited to see where book three takes things.
The worldbuilding expands in really clever ways, and the pacing kept me turning pages far later than planned.
I’m a big fan of isekai as a genre, and this series has quickly become a standout for me. I’m excited to see where book three takes things.
June 15, 2026
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews