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Hell Difficulty Tutorial #8
Hell Difficulty Tutorial: Book Eight
Maybe bringing two thermonuclear warheads to the Academy wasn't the best idea, especially as someone keeps stealing them.
While Nathaniel continues to suffer from severe mana deficiency, the Academy arc continues with him totally enjoying his role as Assistant Professor and trying to figure out what the hell is actually going on. This Floor Quest and setting are weird, to say the least.
Even visits to Beyond aren't going as… smoothly as they could. That place once again proves just how new Nathaniel and people from Earth are to the system, and that there are still attendees who are vastly more powerful.
Nathaniel gets to join a random group on a Beyond quest that for sure can't go wrong, and later has the chance to sign with one of the top Beyond guilds. An opportunity paired with a strong warning to read the contract properly. Some hidden clauses are truly nasty.
A lot of things happen, and Nathaniel meets many more people and attendees, among whom two shine. The most demon demon to ever demon, and one that is widely accepted as the most powerful attendee currently going through her tutorial.
While Nathaniel continues to suffer from severe mana deficiency, the Academy arc continues with him totally enjoying his role as Assistant Professor and trying to figure out what the hell is actually going on. This Floor Quest and setting are weird, to say the least.
Even visits to Beyond aren't going as… smoothly as they could. That place once again proves just how new Nathaniel and people from Earth are to the system, and that there are still attendees who are vastly more powerful.
Nathaniel gets to join a random group on a Beyond quest that for sure can't go wrong, and later has the chance to sign with one of the top Beyond guilds. An opportunity paired with a strong warning to read the contract properly. Some hidden clauses are truly nasty.
A lot of things happen, and Nathaniel meets many more people and attendees, among whom two shine. The most demon demon to ever demon, and one that is widely accepted as the most powerful attendee currently going through her tutorial.
741 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 14, 2026
Disappointing Characterization
I want to start with the things I enjoy about the book. The aspect that brought me the greatest joy is that the author brought back an emphasis on magic. We were missing that piece the last two novels. Additionally, the general story line and plot progression is still engaging. These couple reasons are why I gave the book as many stars as I did.
Now on to the disappointment. I have already been annoyed but Nathan’s low key sudden character change stating in book 5 but it was even more exaggerated in this novel. I loved the cold, methodical, and thoughtful character we got during the half of the series. He is now brash, impulsive, and temperamental. Quite literally the total opposite from what he was before. Now a change in character isn’t always a bad thing but I personally despise this change. To make matters worst the author then took this despicable personality troupe (imagine a gamer chat room) and grafted it onto everyone in the book. There is no beautiful diversity and nuance to the characters anymore. They are all just this crass blunt gaggle interacting with each other. Mind you this is from the lowest merchant to the highest god. They all read like teenage gamers.
This iteration in the series has left me torn. I still enjoy the plot and magic but I essentially don’t like or resonate with any of the characters. And it’s hard reading a book when you are scoffing at the characters every other page.
I want to start with the things I enjoy about the book. The aspect that brought me the greatest joy is that the author brought back an emphasis on magic. We were missing that piece the last two novels. Additionally, the general story line and plot progression is still engaging. These couple reasons are why I gave the book as many stars as I did.
Now on to the disappointment. I have already been annoyed but Nathan’s low key sudden character change stating in book 5 but it was even more exaggerated in this novel. I loved the cold, methodical, and thoughtful character we got during the half of the series. He is now brash, impulsive, and temperamental. Quite literally the total opposite from what he was before. Now a change in character isn’t always a bad thing but I personally despise this change. To make matters worst the author then took this despicable personality troupe (imagine a gamer chat room) and grafted it onto everyone in the book. There is no beautiful diversity and nuance to the characters anymore. They are all just this crass blunt gaggle interacting with each other. Mind you this is from the lowest merchant to the highest god. They all read like teenage gamers.
This iteration in the series has left me torn. I still enjoy the plot and magic but I essentially don’t like or resonate with any of the characters. And it’s hard reading a book when you are scoffing at the characters every other page.
August 24, 2026
I think I will be leaving the series for a while, I just keep rolling my eyes every other page.
It is just too cutesy anime-y right now. It was there before, but not at this level.
The side characters are no longer characters, they are just POVs that sometimes pop up to explain how awesome Nathaniel is. The author is struggling to come up ways of making them relevant in any way and he does a lot of tell and now show how they are progressing.
To much stuff shows up out of nowhere, like “mind-palace” now we have “fragments” now Nathaniel is doing “mind exercises” and splitting his mind, even though the author red conned the mind splitting stuff 4 books ago.
It just now feels like fight are no longer resolved through strategy but by some new “mind-palace” stuff or another.
For people that have read further on RR or Patreon, does it get more grounded/better? Should I pick this back up after a new book or 2 are out?
It is just too cutesy anime-y right now. It was there before, but not at this level.
The side characters are no longer characters, they are just POVs that sometimes pop up to explain how awesome Nathaniel is. The author is struggling to come up ways of making them relevant in any way and he does a lot of tell and now show how they are progressing.
To much stuff shows up out of nowhere, like “mind-palace” now we have “fragments” now Nathaniel is doing “mind exercises” and splitting his mind, even though the author red conned the mind splitting stuff 4 books ago.
It just now feels like fight are no longer resolved through strategy but by some new “mind-palace” stuff or another.
For people that have read further on RR or Patreon, does it get more grounded/better? Should I pick this back up after a new book or 2 are out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2026
In my view, *Hell Difficulty Tutorial* is the best LitRPG series currently being written, because the author has imposed a specific framework on the adventure—a five-year tutorial—that allows him to maintain narrative control without stifling his creativity.
This eighth installment focuses on the end of Level 8 and the start of Level 9; while that particular phase holds little interest on its own, it is completely redeemed by the adventures in the "Beyond" level.
The pacing is breakneck, Nat is firing on all cylinders as usual, and the story concludes with a climax that sets the stage beautifully for the next volume.
It remains incredibly intelligent, packed with brilliant ideas, and often very funny; the author’s ability to brilliantly manage such a large cast of supporting characters is truly impressive.
It is the only LitRPG series where 750-page tomes don't feel long enough.
This eighth installment focuses on the end of Level 8 and the start of Level 9; while that particular phase holds little interest on its own, it is completely redeemed by the adventures in the "Beyond" level.
The pacing is breakneck, Nat is firing on all cylinders as usual, and the story concludes with a climax that sets the stage beautifully for the next volume.
It remains incredibly intelligent, packed with brilliant ideas, and often very funny; the author’s ability to brilliantly manage such a large cast of supporting characters is truly impressive.
It is the only LitRPG series where 750-page tomes don't feel long enough.
August 16, 2026
More of the same, which for me is good. The "mystery" plot doesn't turn into much but it doesn't last very long either.
I found myself most interested in the non-Nathaniel point of view portions. I'm not tired of Nathaniel quite yet but I'm not sure there is much new to happen with his character. Other than have him die, which admittedly Cerim has laid the groundwork for. That would be bold.
Finally hints that the first Earth Beyonder will show up. Hopefully soon.
Multiple characters are revealed to have second identities. At least one has a third. Some of it makes sense (many/most tutorial levels are from the lives of the Rulers) but it might be pushing plausibility a wee bit for me.
I found myself most interested in the non-Nathaniel point of view portions. I'm not tired of Nathaniel quite yet but I'm not sure there is much new to happen with his character. Other than have him die, which admittedly Cerim has laid the groundwork for. That would be bold.
Finally hints that the first Earth Beyonder will show up. Hopefully soon.
Multiple characters are revealed to have second identities. At least one has a third. Some of it makes sense (many/most tutorial levels are from the lives of the Rulers) but it might be pushing plausibility a wee bit for me.
August 16, 2026
A really good entry
Cerim just keeps getting better at writing this story. The whole thing is really enjoyable. We see the focus shift much more to Nathaniel and not the other characters for this book and it is all the better for it.
There is also a significant amount of time that passes so the return timeline doesn’t seem to stagnate like in other books of the series.
Cerim just keeps getting better at writing this story. The whole thing is really enjoyable. We see the focus shift much more to Nathaniel and not the other characters for this book and it is all the better for it.
There is also a significant amount of time that passes so the return timeline doesn’t seem to stagnate like in other books of the series.
August 18, 2026
Still so much to grow yet
Looking forward to seeing how his build will inevitably be. Less floors than room to grow so I’m curious to see how this plays out from your mind, which is way more vengefully petty than it has any right. Great story and always get excited when I see a new one available
Looking forward to seeing how his build will inevitably be. Less floors than room to grow so I’m curious to see how this plays out from your mind, which is way more vengefully petty than it has any right. Great story and always get excited when I see a new one available
August 13, 2026
another great book in the series
This series keeps getting better and better and it was already so good. So many laugh out loud moments. Great new characters and storylines as well as real growth and development within the main characters. Can’t wait for the next book
This series keeps getting better and better and it was already so good. So many laugh out loud moments. Great new characters and storylines as well as real growth and development within the main characters. Can’t wait for the next book
Read
August 16, 2026These books just keep getting better
If you're struggling with some of the characters in the first half of the first book, stick with it because it's a necessary part of the arc that pays off in all the additional books
If you're struggling with some of the characters in the first half of the first book, stick with it because it's a necessary part of the arc that pays off in all the additional books
August 16, 2026
Never gets boring
Sociopath, check. Burrito dog, check. Lots of fighting and explosions with good character interactions, development, and surprising depth, check.
A lot of LitRPG books nowadays can be pretty one note. Not this one, this one is straight Primordial.
Sociopath, check. Burrito dog, check. Lots of fighting and explosions with good character interactions, development, and surprising depth, check.
A lot of LitRPG books nowadays can be pretty one note. Not this one, this one is straight Primordial.
August 17, 2026
Best Written LitRPG
Absolutely love this series. Keep it up! The lore and background is incredible, along with how the book avoids many of the pitfalls others run into when the main character continues to increase in power.
Absolutely love this series. Keep it up! The lore and background is incredible, along with how the book avoids many of the pitfalls others run into when the main character continues to increase in power.
August 17, 2026
Steady Progress
There is a lot of story left, but this volume moves well with interesting characters, engaging plot beats, wild violence, and enough mystery to get me wanting more story.
Looking forward to the next volume.
There is a lot of story left, but this volume moves well with interesting characters, engaging plot beats, wild violence, and enough mystery to get me wanting more story.
Looking forward to the next volume.
August 23, 2026
great
These books can’t come fast enough. Another great entry that advances the main story just enough to be satisfying and frustrating at the same time. Kind of like the main character.
These books can’t come fast enough. Another great entry that advances the main story just enough to be satisfying and frustrating at the same time. Kind of like the main character.
August 24, 2026
Brilliant
Another great installment to the series. Really looking forward to the next book and where you take the series. Really enjoying the character development and how Nat is so sure he's the most normal one.
Another great installment to the series. Really looking forward to the next book and where you take the series. Really enjoying the character development and how Nat is so sure he's the most normal one.
August 25, 2026
Great story great character progression
Amazing read. Big fan of the realism of Nathaniel. In this LitRPG realm, he is probably the only character that resembles how someone, most likely 'on spectrum', would actually behave in such situations.
Amazing read. Big fan of the realism of Nathaniel. In this LitRPG realm, he is probably the only character that resembles how someone, most likely 'on spectrum', would actually behave in such situations.
August 25, 2026
Highly recommended
Great series with relatable and distinct characters that you care about. Innovative magic system and world building. Even the dialogue is natural and interesting.
A cut above most
Great series with relatable and distinct characters that you care about. Innovative magic system and world building. Even the dialogue is natural and interesting.
A cut above most
August 29, 2026
Another banger!
Yet another greate addition to this series, the character development is amazing. The hints to future events, the reveals of who some of the Rulers are, and Beyond. I cant wait to see how the next book goes, especially with that ending.
Yet another greate addition to this series, the character development is amazing. The hints to future events, the reveals of who some of the Rulers are, and Beyond. I cant wait to see how the next book goes, especially with that ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Incredible entry. Will the bond return? Why is the nickname cockroach? Who can out wag Morwag?
All these questions and more might have answers.
All these questions and more might have answers.
August 16, 2026
so good
As always, this book is fantastic love the entire series. Nathaniel is one of my favorite main characters ever and I read a lot.
As always, this book is fantastic love the entire series. Nathaniel is one of my favorite main characters ever and I read a lot.
August 17, 2026
Still great
Man every time I finish one, I want more.
The gang is getting stronger and I am excited for this next event
Man every time I finish one, I want more.
The gang is getting stronger and I am excited for this next event
August 18, 2026
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 23, 2026
A favorite series
I am genuinely enjoying everything about this series. The character development, plot lines, writing style, superior editing and flow. Highly recommend.
I am genuinely enjoying everything about this series. The character development, plot lines, writing style, superior editing and flow. Highly recommend.
August 25, 2026
........
Damn, I want more, how dare you not have five more books out!!!.
Seven more words required for this review.
Damn, I want more, how dare you not have five more books out!!!.
Seven more words required for this review.
August 29, 2026
Fantastic Read
Love this series and each book somehow only seems to get better. Great humour keeps what could be a dark story lighthearted.
Love this series and each book somehow only seems to get better. Great humour keeps what could be a dark story lighthearted.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews