Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Was I taking this life for granted? Having this amount of power at my age had made me lose some of the sense of rationality I’d had in my former life. No longer a king, no longer tied down by rules and politics, I’d become careless. In this world, my potential was boundless.

Though Arthur Leywin would like nothing more than to pursue his studies at the esteemed Xyrus Academy, where he hopes to push his already potent magical abilities to new plateaus and perhaps discover something more about his reincarnation into this world, he finds the politics of the school’s halls even more challenging to navigate than those of the council chambers he once inhabited as King Grey. Arthur faces inept professors, jealous classmates, and an overeager director while fending off the affection of an old friend and the aggression of an old enemy. Then a routine class trip into a low-level dungeon turns out to be anything but, and Arthur discovers something that will change his life forever.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2016

642 people are currently reading
1639 people want to read

About the author

TurtleMe

47 books1,409 followers
Tae Ha Lee, writing under the pen name TurtleMe, is a fantasy novelist and webcomic author. Blending elements of Western and Eastern literature, TurtleMe creates a unique and compelling reading experience that resonates with global audiences. His award-winning series, The Beginning After the End, has been translated into over ten languages and has captivated readers worldwide.

Tae Ha, a proud UC Berkeley graduate, currently resides in Seattle with his beloved wife and dog. To find out more, follow @turtleme93 on Instagram.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
4,410 (55%)
4 stars
2,470 (31%)
3 stars
852 (10%)
2 stars
162 (2%)
1 star
42 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
Profile Image for Terence.
1,169 reviews390 followers
April 28, 2023
Arthur has enrolled at Xyrus Academy. He plans to learn and grow as much as he can. Drama ensues and danger isn't far away.

Beckoning Fates was ok. For some reason I can't quite pinpoint, I enjoy reading The Beginning After the End series. There isn't anything truly spectacular or noteworthy about it, but I keep finding myself going back to it. The story revolves around Arthur Leywin who is living his second life after being King Grey. Arthur is 12 years old in this book while he is at the mental age of an adult. He has to deal with all the drama of middle school while being incredibly powerful and popular.

I intend on continuing the series even though there is no one thing I can say that truly makes it special or even intriguing.
Profile Image for Iori.
593 reviews4 followers
January 10, 2017
I graded it Three star, because the start of the series was good. BUT, a big but the storyin this books devolved in a cheap rip off of mahouka koukou no rettousei, Gakuen Toshi Asterisk and Freezing, the anime the author took inspiration from. Seriously I understand that he want to send some winks to what he like, but being an author is also taking the works of other and making it your own. Doing something unique is best when you write a novel so xianxia in its setting.

I'll keep reading because I like Sylvie and Tessia, though.
Profile Image for Hella.
144 reviews
December 1, 2022
چقدر این بخشش وایب نام باد میده
یه مری سو که داره میره به مدرسه جادویی و یه دشمن از بین اشراف زاده ها داره و یکی از اساتید رو همون اول دشمن خودش میکنه 🤦‍♀️🌝
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Greg.
829 reviews44 followers
April 13, 2020
4/5 Not as action packed or humorous as the previous 2 installments but still a good read. The entertaining characters and usually humorous antics and banter were enough to keep this going strong even without the action of the previous volumes. Action picked up toward the end and it ends in a cliffhanger so that can be a little frustrating but since I’m going right into book 4 it’s not big deal to me.
Profile Image for Clint Young.
849 reviews
May 7, 2020
Alert

I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.

So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”

Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.

1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.

2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.

3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.

I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.

Cheers
Profile Image for Tony Hinde.
2,139 reviews76 followers
March 29, 2020
I'm still having fun; now for the school edition! Here's a bunch of observations in no particular order:-

For a book set mostly in the continent's premier magic school, there is surprisingly little education going on... unless you count classroom battles as education?

The low-key sexualization of minors is starting to bother me. It's mostly implied so I'm giving the author the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully, the characters will be age-appropriate soon enough.

It's a nice change to see a school head recognize the hero's destiny and actually take steps to push him farther along his path - rather than the typical obliviousness or active opposition.

I was disappointed to see Jasmine drop out of the story entirely after being Arthur's sole companion for three years. She seemed interesting.
Profile Image for Soo.
2,928 reviews346 followers
March 4, 2022
Notes:

#3 & 4 are bundled together in the audiobook. #3 was a good setup for #4. I recommend reading them close together.
Profile Image for Rizza✧˖°.
207 reviews59 followers
May 4, 2025
Arthur and Tessia are so cute and I love the times where they interacted with each other. But that’s not the only reason I love this series. This is isekai on another level and Arthur’s wit, knowledge, and skills lets him be at the top of most isekai protagonists.
Profile Image for Akshay.
805 reviews5 followers
January 23, 2024
Title: Beckoning Fates (The Beginning after the End, #3) by TurtleMe

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Review:

Beckoning Fates, the third installment in TurtleMe's The Beginning after the End series, stands as a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, seamlessly blending epic fantasy, intricate world-building, and deeply compelling characters.

Continued Character Development:


One of the strengths of TurtleMe's series is the evolution of its characters, and Beckoning Fates takes character development to new heights. Protagonist Arthur Leywin's journey of self-discovery, leadership, and the burdens of his past continues to unfold with nuance and emotional depth. The supporting cast also undergoes significant growth, adding layers of complexity to the interconnected web of relationships within the narrative.



Expansive World-Building:


TurtleMe's world-building reaches new heights in this installment. The magical realms, political landscapes, and mythical creatures are brought to life with meticulous detail. The author's ability to create a vast and immersive world enhances the reader's sense of exploration and wonder. From magical academies to mystical realms, Beckoning Fates expands the scope of the series, offering a rich and diverse backdrop for the unfolding saga.



Intricate Plot Threads:


The plot is a tapestry of intricate threads, skillfully interwoven to create a narrative that is both expansive and tightly crafted. Beckoning Fates introduces new challenges, mysteries, and conflicts, pushing the boundaries of the story while maintaining a sense of coherence. The pacing is masterfully managed, with moments of intense action, emotional resonance, and unexpected revelations propelling the plot forward.



Prose and Descriptive Elegance:


TurtleMe's prose is elegant and descriptive, capturing the essence of magical landscapes, intense battles, and poignant moments. The author's ability to convey the emotional states of the characters through nuanced language adds a layer of depth to the storytelling. The balance between descriptive elegance and straightforward narrative ensures an engaging and immersive reading experience.



Themes of Leadership and Sacrifice:


Beckoning Fates delves into themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding great power. Arthur Leywin's role as a leader is explored with a keen understanding of the moral complexities that accompany authority. The novel invites readers to reflect on the choices made by the characters and the broader implications of their actions on the fate of the world.



Conclusion:


Beckoning Fates is a triumph in the fantasy genre, showcasing TurtleMe's ability to craft a multi-layered narrative that captivates and resonates. With its rich character development, expansive world-building, and intricate plot dynamics, this installment solidifies The Beginning after the End series as a must-read for fans of epic fantasy. As Arthur Leywin's journey continues to unfold, readers can anticipate an immersive and emotionally charged experience in the books that follow.

Profile Image for Abril Luna.
263 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2024
Yo quiero ponerle 5 estrellas pero yo se que esto se esta por poner mejor. Pero igual esta siendo increíble esto. Sigo encantada enamorada y muy emocionada con todo lo que pasa.
Leí hasta el capitulo 105. No quiero terminarlo pero es que no puedo parar de leerlo es adictivo a más no poder no dejan de pasar cosas y te presentan un montón de conflictos que si o si queres saber como terminaran en algún momento. Yo siento que tiene mucho más trasfondo del que parece y me encanta. Esto recién empieza. A este punto cuando termine me voy a tener que leer la novela ligera para no quedarme con las ganas. Pero el formato manhwa también me encanta.

Y estaría horas escribiendo con lo que me parece todo. Pero bueno tampoco voy a ser tan pesada. Solo voy a decir que no me esperaba el beso que le da tessie. Y también creo que el prota en ese sentido es medio bld. Pero también se su vida y toda la bola asi qje entiendo por que no esta interesado en el romance aparte de que tiene 12 o 13 años aunque tenga la mentalidad de un adulto todavía tiene tiempo. pero me encantaría que activará un poco. Aunque tampoco creo que el romance es tan importante solo sería un plus.

Después tengo que mencionar a la directora por que siempre que aparece me hace reír aparte de que se la hace tan fácil al prota es como que esta para servirle. Y me encantó la escena en donde no se si el buho o que ave era le dice que es mejor tenerlo de aliado a traicionarlo y que destruya básicamente todo el contienen/reino de decathe eso sí que fue cine .🚬

Amo que el prota sea tan poderoso yo no se por que autoras de romances no saben hacer bien eso. y si te estoy viendo a vos Sarah j mass aunque amo tus libros necesito que escribas a tus protagonista como el de este manhwa. Por que en ese sentido siempre me dejas a medias. (Aunque amo a aelin) Y en este caso me llena en todos los sentidos.


Me vuelvo a retractar Averigüe de vuelta y el libro tres termina en la mazmorra de la viuda negra así que ya llegue a esta parte, ya sufrí, ya llore, ya me descargue. lo peor de todo es que esto recién empieza. Pero pónganle que recién termino este libro/manhwa. Muy bueno la verdad. Leí hasta el capitulo 121. 👌 después comenzaré con el siguiente.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dave Stone.
1,347 reviews96 followers
November 29, 2023
the series takes a dive, really just 3 & 1/2 stars
**UPDATE**
I originally gave this book all five stars while admitting in the written portion here that this was less than the five I gave it. This series started SO enjoyably that I wanted the ride to continue. I guess I feared that if I gave it a bad review that might jinx it or something, but the quality was in decline. I was telling myself that this was just an off book and things would get better again.
They did not get better. They got worse.
In book 4 they got much worse. If this series has started out with the writing in book 3, I might not have gone on after the end of the book. If this series has started out with the writing in book 4 I would have DNF it half way through. I'm in the middle of book 6 right now and I kinda wish I'd never started the series.
** Back to the original review**


The series turned into a "Magical Academy" story here in book 3, but it's still pretty good...
Even though it's nothing you haven't read a dozen times right down to the snooty rich kid antagonist, and the wacky head master.
Profile Image for Shabbeer Hassan.
654 reviews37 followers
February 3, 2022
It's getting better but still remains drenched in teenage angst and at times is quite replete with cringe dialogue. Part of the reason it's better than ones before this is that the MC is no longer the literal incarnation of god and the world is getting more balanced in terms of powers and character diversity.

My Rating - 3.5/5
Profile Image for Kristia Mae.
31 reviews
July 26, 2021
perfect amount of world building, a bit of romance and revalation of important plot. binge reading the whole series aaahh I'm finally passed the manhwa (mostly cuz they paused production cuz of health issue) looking forward to the adventure!
Profile Image for Carl Matthew.
82 reviews
May 14, 2024
Arthur Leyman, ladies’s man. Also, why is this so painful? Five stars.
Profile Image for Walbert.
44 reviews
September 24, 2024
Más entretenido que los anteriores, el final es muy bueno, pero sigue habiendo muchas conveniencias. 2.5/5
Profile Image for Timothy Nugent.
Author 3 books59 followers
February 29, 2020
Review of book 1 - 7

Book 1 - This was very entertaining, and while I have read something similar before, it was an enjoyable read. 4 Stars. However, only two things kept it from being 5 stars. First, there was no REAL conflict in this book. Everything was too easy for the MC and everything was pre-ordained. Second, there was an initial information dump in the form of the MC reading books in a library about his new world, but after this, we do not get much detail. I knew practically nothing about the world, how society works, etc.

Book 2 - This was also entertaining, and 4 stars, kept back because the author seemed to skip over the most enjoyable parts. I wanted to see the MC's first encounters, and read about his journey. Instead, it kind of skips over the interesting bits to summarize a 4 year period.

Book 3 - 5 Stars. The author has hit his stride. You can tell he has gotten better at writing. The author also shows that the MC has flaws and his character is changing. You see that he is not invulnerable and can be harmed.

Book 4 - 5 Stars. In this book, the author explores the wider world a bit more and you start seeing conflict on a larger scale. You finally find people who are insanely strong compared to the MC and it starts exploring the history of the world.

Book 5 - 5 Stars. This is a book of training. While it seems that a book focused mostly on training would be boring, the author did a good job of keeping the reader interested. You start to see the book from others point of view more often.

Book 6 - 4 Stars. This book shows that start of the true war and plot of the series. It is also twice as long as normal. While I normally love longer books, it almost seems as if he is padding the book. 30% of the book seems to come from other's point of view. While the writing was still good, I wanted to experience the world through the MC, not some random person.

Book 7 - 4 Stars. This book suffers from the same problems as the one before it. It is still an enjoyable read, but now about 50% of the book is either from other's point of view, or a flashback from the MC's past life. I will definitely read this series until the end. However, I am no longer furiously devouring it page by page like I did before. I find myself skimming the chapters on side characters and random enemies. There were 3 or 4 full chapters told from an enemy's point of view that ended up being pointless. I won't go into why, as that would be a spoiler.
1 review
March 31, 2021
While I like the world building and seeing how the magic works I felt that the plot was lacking. It feels like a lot of cliches were used just to use them and there were far too many events that were timed just perfectly in order to make the situation worse. For me it broke the immersion in the book.

MC feels very different compared to books 1&2. Earlier it felt as if the MC had a plan, but now it feels like he is just letting the wind take him wherever it pleases. It would have been better to just have a new main character if his thinking process does a 180 flip.

One of my major issues with the book is that it tries to justify a 50-ish year old man having romantic feelings for a 13 year old girl just because he is in the body of a kid.
3 reviews
December 27, 2019
Derivative, a mediocre copy of better works

Except for the main character Arthur, the other characters hardly have any development. Well edited with fine grammar, but I felt like I had read this story a dozen times over. Instead of this go read the translation of the excellent Mushoku Tensei or Clannad or read a fanfic of Fate Stay Night or Harry Potter. There's a lot of stuff freely available that is much better. I'm no longer giving this author any of my money.
Profile Image for Karl  Ben-Shachar .
100 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2020
I was into it until....

Okay, I really was enjoying the series until this book. If you made it to book 3, then you are aware that the mc 50 year old man, reincarnated into a child's body. What is unacceptable is that he decides to begin a romantic relationship with a 14, yes 14, year old girl!!! This. Is. Wrong!!!! There is no way this can be made okay.
12 reviews
May 14, 2017
Did I really just finish this?

It took me three hours to read this, and that was after promising myself I'd only read the first two chapters. THAT is how much a page turned this is, and I mean that about the entire series so far.
Profile Image for Gabriel d'Matos.
382 reviews21 followers
June 11, 2019
Nesse terceiro livro o autor pegou tudo que fez de errado nos anteriores e multiplicou por 10x...... Ele possui um potencial interessante mas infelizmente quase inteiramente desperdiçado.
Profile Image for John #Audible.
367 reviews
April 9, 2020
These two books 3-4 went down hill pretty fast, the MC turns into some drooling idiot that can't think and make rational decisions. the only thing good about the Books is that Travis is doing the VO work.


137 reviews
March 24, 2025
As I have written in a previous review of books in this series, I am attempting to re-read all of the books again.

As opposed to writing a new review for each book, I intend to cut/paste the "highlights" of my last opinion for each book as I complete them again:
**********************************************************************

The "Beginning after the End" is one of the best fictional series of the 21st Century.
It is not world shaking in it's complexity, but it is darned entertaining.
(I had apparently forgotten/blocked the memory of the Teen-aged Hormonal Circus that is featured in this particular volume. I suppose nothing in life is perfect. *sigh*)

I am beginning a campaign of rereading some of the over 1000 books that I have collected over the past approx. 25 years. The Beginning after the End is one of the first in my journey to read all of these works again. Long before I had ever heard of, Isekai, Regression, Game Lit or LitRPG there existed, "The Beginning after the End". Who knows, TurtleMe may have been the Grand Parent of all of those genres? There may be different works, but there are none better. :-)
399 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2023
The Beginning After The End: 3
This is the third book in the series, and I finally realized what's been bothering me, why I've been reluctant to give these books a higher rating - they're too short. Each of the books is barely a story in itself. Whatever the decision was to chop the larger work into these too small pieces was not a good one, imho. Each book is missing something that pulls it together to be complete on its own, be it an underlying thread, a climactic point, or plot turning character development/accomplishment. That's not to say the story so far hasn't been engaging. Arthur as a main character, is very sympathetic with admirable goals, never mind how over powered he seems to be as well as blessed by protagonist luck. Given that, I'm not sure how to rate these books going forward. So far, I think I'd give each book a 3, but the overall story for now at least, a 4. I'm going to stick with that and see where it goes. Am looking forward to the next installment. This one ended on a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Tina Sy.
1,003 reviews6 followers
May 26, 2022
Xyrus Academy.

Arthur decided to hide he is a quadra elemental and went to learn how to harness two of his weaker powers. His days at Xyrus wasn't peaceful but filled with hierarchy and flaunting of wealth.

Slowly, the story turns darker and more violent at the introduction of Asuras, a higher being, diety, the clan Sylvie belongs, and Arthur remembers the last thing Sylvia told him. He will be able to meet her to hear her stories when he turns to the white stage. His arrogance and lack of attention to maintaining his rise in power shook him. He realizes he must become more powerful so he can be able to protect those he loves.

Ahhhh it was so difficult trying to read this as slowly as possible. I wanted to surpass the webcomic so many times just to read ahead. This concludes Audiobook #3-4; manga chapter 140.
34 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2024
AUIDO BOOK covers 3-4 so same review for both

Emotional impact 7.4
The ending fights result is so satisfying (book 3)

Characters 6.9
Kinda the same as book 1 and 2 where you don’t get enough time with side characters. But I do love the characters that you do spend enough time with and expand more on.

Dialogue/acting 7
Dialogue between characters is done well as you tell who’s talking even if the book didn’t tell you. An improvement from books 1-2

Plot 7.5
It’s really picking up from the slower start of book 1. I like the direction it’s heading with how much potential it really has

World building / Power system 7.5
I think once the next books tell us more on what’s going on this world it could be some great world building but as of right it’s just giving us slightly more and more to wanna know what’s next. And the magic system gets more fleshed out with power ups

Overall 7.2
Great improvements from books 1 and 2. I see the next books do get longer which I feel like will improve the story. Allowing us to get to know characters better ect.
2 reviews
April 20, 2020
Great but not epic

I enjoyed the story, however, the cliches and over the top peranalities seemed forced. The flow and general out line of the story was a 7/10. Good, but not amazing. Romance progression is a plus, I hate the generic mc's who never take a step past friends until like vol. 15ish. The paceing was great, not too rushed or too drawn out; just enough to where I couldn't put down the book. I enjoy this series more tha reincation novels such as 'Slime'or 'Spider'. I do like me some gore that actually is described instead of a one liner description. Overall I would recommend this story to anyone, the tropes make me irritated sometimes. Ya-know a good time to get rid of trash is on a mission with limited survalence.
16 reviews
November 2, 2020
The focus of this book makes no sense

The internal conflict for this book, is that whether or not a 52 year old should have feelings for 13 year olds. Spoiler: it's OK cause the hormones caused it... If the author was going to introduce romance, why not age the characters up to make it actually make sense? The author is all over the place and the magic system seems to be incredibly inconsistent. The dialogue is awful, character do not need to repeatedly say each others name when the description gives the reader the information to know who is talking to whom. Neither this book or the last made any really progression with the "dragon" conflict, until the very last chapter of this book.

Tldr; preteen romance, terrible dialogue and no real conflict progression.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.