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The Valens Legacy #4
Head Down
Things are starting to look up for Sean, he has a safe place to stay, allies, way too many wolves and a couple of dangerously cute werefoxes around now as well. However the other Councils now know that he's serious, after the raid on Gradatim that left several important people dead.
Battle lines are starting to be drawn and the Council of the Ascendants realizes that they're next in line and starts to take precautions while the other councils start to play politics and jockey for position. Even the Council of Vestibulum, the most powerful in both Reno and the rest of the country, is starting to be concerned.
And how could any conflict between these major powers be complete without the assassin hired twelve years ago, being brought back to deal with the son of the man he killed?
WARNING: “Head Down” contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, attempted murder, actual murder, military style raids, mass combat, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, destruction of private property, vandalism, breaking and entering, tantric magic, polyamory, mayhem, bad movie quotes, gratuitous sex and violence, an opportunistic goblin, and Sean being completely and totally clueless about why his friend is embarrassed.
Battle lines are starting to be drawn and the Council of the Ascendants realizes that they're next in line and starts to take precautions while the other councils start to play politics and jockey for position. Even the Council of Vestibulum, the most powerful in both Reno and the rest of the country, is starting to be concerned.
And how could any conflict between these major powers be complete without the assassin hired twelve years ago, being brought back to deal with the son of the man he killed?
WARNING: “Head Down” contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, attempted murder, actual murder, military style raids, mass combat, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, destruction of private property, vandalism, breaking and entering, tantric magic, polyamory, mayhem, bad movie quotes, gratuitous sex and violence, an opportunistic goblin, and Sean being completely and totally clueless about why his friend is embarrassed.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2017
686 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Jan Stryvant
56 books550 followersI'm new to the Harem / LitRPG thing (If I'd known more about LitRPG when I wrote Shadow, I might have incorporated more elements of that into it).
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 20, 2017
This fourth book in the series is easily the best yet. Sean and his growing cast of mates and friends are deep in their struggle to free the lycanthropes from slavery to the wizards. There’s a nice mystery developing around the special place of werelions in the world of lycanthropes and a great subplot involving the assassin that killed Sean’s father. The action is fast paced and easy to read. In fact, despite two three star reviews I’ve given earlier books in the series, I pre-ordered this one when it came out and read it as soon as it was published. So it is a likeable series with engaging characters and a pretty tight storyline.
Yet my biggest complaint remains. There are almost no differences between the different species of wereanimals other than superficial ones. Cheetahs are fast, lions sleep around a lot, etc. I think that a series in which lycanthopes play such an important role ought to do the creatures justice by permitting the werebeasts to be different from each other. I also think we need to see lycanthropes struggling to control their beasts. Laurell K. Hamilton pulls this off extremely well. Stryvant doesn’t appear to be interested in the issue and I think it hurts his world building.
That being said, I’ll be pre-ordering the next book as soon as it becomes available.
Yet my biggest complaint remains. There are almost no differences between the different species of wereanimals other than superficial ones. Cheetahs are fast, lions sleep around a lot, etc. I think that a series in which lycanthopes play such an important role ought to do the creatures justice by permitting the werebeasts to be different from each other. I also think we need to see lycanthropes struggling to control their beasts. Laurell K. Hamilton pulls this off extremely well. Stryvant doesn’t appear to be interested in the issue and I think it hurts his world building.
That being said, I’ll be pre-ordering the next book as soon as it becomes available.
November 20, 2017
Stryvant hits his stride
I’ve been following the author under his other pen name for years, and while I’ve enjoyed a lot of his books to date, he really seems to hit his stride with the Valens Legacy. The books are well paced and the characters are engaging. Even with an ever growing cast he manages to give every character some time in the spotlight without making it
sound forced.
I’ve been following the author under his other pen name for years, and while I’ve enjoyed a lot of his books to date, he really seems to hit his stride with the Valens Legacy. The books are well paced and the characters are engaging. Even with an ever growing cast he manages to give every character some time in the spotlight without making it
sound forced.
November 27, 2017
Overpriced!
Book is just slightly over 200 pages. While I only found one mistake and though the story was decent, it isn't worth the price.
If however all the so called books in the series where to be bundled, it'd be worth about six dollars.
Until that happens I can not recommend this book to anyone that doesn't have kindle unlimited.
Book is just slightly over 200 pages. While I only found one mistake and though the story was decent, it isn't worth the price.
If however all the so called books in the series where to be bundled, it'd be worth about six dollars.
Until that happens I can not recommend this book to anyone that doesn't have kindle unlimited.
November 19, 2017
That was awesome!
And another win for the author, the story gain intensity and I really liked how the author have more screentime to Sean's girls. The alternating view points meshed well together and converged into an awesome final. I am happy to know that the next book in the series will be here soon after that bomb she'll at the end of the book!
And another win for the author, the story gain intensity and I really liked how the author have more screentime to Sean's girls. The alternating view points meshed well together and converged into an awesome final. I am happy to know that the next book in the series will be here soon after that bomb she'll at the end of the book!
August 11, 2018
Rating 4.0 stars
Sean continues to become more powerful. He gets more backstory about what it really means to be a lion. To be honest I think things are a little too easy for him. Magic that most people would consider impossible or at the very least would take them years to perform, he can do in about a minute. I thinks Sean is up to at least his 4th wife if not his 5th (he got one pregnant but she has not officially been called his wife). The funny thing is that there was much less sex in this book than in the previous 3 books. I would have thought that with more wives, there would have been much more sex scenes (again I am still not used to reading books with so much sex in them, usually the fantasy I read, any sex in the book is talked about more generally and is not as explicit - though none of the sex in this book is vulgar). I also just found out there is a genre of books called : Scifi Harem and Polygamy fiction. Who knew? Not sure what to think about that. On one hand, most fantasy books are fairly similar when it comes to the romance aspect, and this definitely would be something new. On the other hand, it is a little hard to wrap my head around ( I usually like to put myself in the main characters place and judge a story as being realistic if it is something that I can conceive I might do in the same circumstance). So far the books that I have seen in these genres all have these bold letter warning about how the book contains sex.
In Fact here is a disclaimer I copied directly from the summary of one of those books:
"WARNING: contains explicit sexuality, violence, nudity, inappropriate use of church property, portrayals of beings divine and demonic bearing little or no resemblance to established religion or mythology, trespassing, bad language, sacrilege, blasphemy, attempted murder, arguable murder, divinely mandated murder, justifiable murder, filthy murder, sexual promiscuity, kidnapping, attempted rape, arson, dead animals, desecrated graves, gang activity, theft, assault and battery, panties, misuse of the 911 system, fantasy depictions of sorcery and witchcraft, multiple references to various matters of fandom, questionable interrogation tactics, cell phone abuse, reckless driving, consistent abuse of vampires (because they deserve it), even more explicit sexuality, illegal use of firearms within city limits, polyamory, abuse of authority, hit and run driving, destruction of private property, underage drinking, disturbances of the peace, disorderly conduct, internet harassment, bearers of false witness, mayhem, dismemberment, falsification of records, tax evasion, an uncomfortably sexy mother, bad study habits, and a very silly white guy inappropriately calling another white guy “nigga” (for which he will surely suffer)."
I cant' tell if they are trying to be funny or if they are just worried about getting banned or something? Probably a little of both. Almost every book in the genre has something like that as well.
Sorry I went off on a tangent there. Overall this book is still fun and not based in any kind of reality (even for a fantasy book - I mean really, how can all his "wives" be so okay with him getting even more "wives" and how can he love each one so much after having sex with them just one time? The author also makes it sound like he and his wives have as much as 50 orgasms a day too.) Like I said in my previous reviews of this series, it is like the author took every male teenage SciFi geek's fantasies and threw them all into one book.
Sean continues to become more powerful. He gets more backstory about what it really means to be a lion. To be honest I think things are a little too easy for him. Magic that most people would consider impossible or at the very least would take them years to perform, he can do in about a minute. I thinks Sean is up to at least his 4th wife if not his 5th (he got one pregnant but she has not officially been called his wife). The funny thing is that there was much less sex in this book than in the previous 3 books. I would have thought that with more wives, there would have been much more sex scenes (again I am still not used to reading books with so much sex in them, usually the fantasy I read, any sex in the book is talked about more generally and is not as explicit - though none of the sex in this book is vulgar). I also just found out there is a genre of books called : Scifi Harem and Polygamy fiction. Who knew? Not sure what to think about that. On one hand, most fantasy books are fairly similar when it comes to the romance aspect, and this definitely would be something new. On the other hand, it is a little hard to wrap my head around ( I usually like to put myself in the main characters place and judge a story as being realistic if it is something that I can conceive I might do in the same circumstance). So far the books that I have seen in these genres all have these bold letter warning about how the book contains sex.
In Fact here is a disclaimer I copied directly from the summary of one of those books:
"WARNING: contains explicit sexuality, violence, nudity, inappropriate use of church property, portrayals of beings divine and demonic bearing little or no resemblance to established religion or mythology, trespassing, bad language, sacrilege, blasphemy, attempted murder, arguable murder, divinely mandated murder, justifiable murder, filthy murder, sexual promiscuity, kidnapping, attempted rape, arson, dead animals, desecrated graves, gang activity, theft, assault and battery, panties, misuse of the 911 system, fantasy depictions of sorcery and witchcraft, multiple references to various matters of fandom, questionable interrogation tactics, cell phone abuse, reckless driving, consistent abuse of vampires (because they deserve it), even more explicit sexuality, illegal use of firearms within city limits, polyamory, abuse of authority, hit and run driving, destruction of private property, underage drinking, disturbances of the peace, disorderly conduct, internet harassment, bearers of false witness, mayhem, dismemberment, falsification of records, tax evasion, an uncomfortably sexy mother, bad study habits, and a very silly white guy inappropriately calling another white guy “nigga” (for which he will surely suffer)."
I cant' tell if they are trying to be funny or if they are just worried about getting banned or something? Probably a little of both. Almost every book in the genre has something like that as well.
Sorry I went off on a tangent there. Overall this book is still fun and not based in any kind of reality (even for a fantasy book - I mean really, how can all his "wives" be so okay with him getting even more "wives" and how can he love each one so much after having sex with them just one time? The author also makes it sound like he and his wives have as much as 50 orgasms a day too.) Like I said in my previous reviews of this series, it is like the author took every male teenage SciFi geek's fantasies and threw them all into one book.
June 17, 2020
This is a combination review of the entire 17+ book series as I binged the entire The Valens Legacy over the about a month.
The Positives:
- The writing is really good. Often when I binge an author things like their crutch words become constant irritants that didn't happen here.
- Stryvant doesn't mess around. The plot never really stops or meanders, each story having important events that carry the narrative forward.
- There's two maybe three arcs in this series but each flow one into another smoothly so it all seams like a natural progression.
- All the arcs are entertaining and engaging I always wanted to know what would happen next or figure out the mystery.
- The Main character rides the line of being a Gary Stu never really crosses that line.
- Functional magic system and cohesive world.
The Negatives:
- The pervasive fetish portions. Even during serious portions Stryvant will often break my immersion with sexual talk or fetishes.
- Repetitive sex and romance. It does get better later in the series, but since Stryvant's fetishes don't change over the course of the book neither do these scenes. I started skipping them, but he'd often stick important plot points in the middle of them.
- The women characters tend to be on the bland side and over sexualized.
Over all I enjoyed the series.
The Positives:
- The writing is really good. Often when I binge an author things like their crutch words become constant irritants that didn't happen here.
- Stryvant doesn't mess around. The plot never really stops or meanders, each story having important events that carry the narrative forward.
- There's two maybe three arcs in this series but each flow one into another smoothly so it all seams like a natural progression.
- All the arcs are entertaining and engaging I always wanted to know what would happen next or figure out the mystery.
- The Main character rides the line of being a Gary Stu never really crosses that line.
- Functional magic system and cohesive world.
The Negatives:
- The pervasive fetish portions. Even during serious portions Stryvant will often break my immersion with sexual talk or fetishes.
- Repetitive sex and romance. It does get better later in the series, but since Stryvant's fetishes don't change over the course of the book neither do these scenes. I started skipping them, but he'd often stick important plot points in the middle of them.
- The women characters tend to be on the bland side and over sexualized.
Over all I enjoyed the series.
July 10, 2018
If you've gotten this far then you know what you're in for and the series continues delivering.
This one specifically fleshes out the mythos of were creatures and begins explaining why Lions are so special. At first I was worried that this might come off as the main character telling the readers "Listen up kiddos, this is why I'm awesome," but it never gets to full of itself.
The cast continues on their quest for independence and fleshing out the structure of situation, while confronting some old (and somewhat likeable) enemies.
The only thing that dropped this down from 5 stars for me were the occasional deus ex machina moments where suddenly the crew are ok because of "mystic shit."
All in all a great series and I've already started the next one!
This one specifically fleshes out the mythos of were creatures and begins explaining why Lions are so special. At first I was worried that this might come off as the main character telling the readers "Listen up kiddos, this is why I'm awesome," but it never gets to full of itself.
The cast continues on their quest for independence and fleshing out the structure of situation, while confronting some old (and somewhat likeable) enemies.
The only thing that dropped this down from 5 stars for me were the occasional deus ex machina moments where suddenly the crew are ok because of "mystic shit."
All in all a great series and I've already started the next one!
December 8, 2017
The Lion King
Sean the were lion keeps ending up with more responsibility, much to his chagrin. He would rather be left alone to his magic studies, inventions, and love making with his wives. However, he feels responsible for the people around him and as he frees werewolves they want to stay with him. A run in with an assassin from his past has an interesting twist. The story and characters strengthen as the series matures. I like the humor, action, and strategy. I look forward to the next book.
Sean the were lion keeps ending up with more responsibility, much to his chagrin. He would rather be left alone to his magic studies, inventions, and love making with his wives. However, he feels responsible for the people around him and as he frees werewolves they want to stay with him. A run in with an assassin from his past has an interesting twist. The story and characters strengthen as the series matures. I like the humor, action, and strategy. I look forward to the next book.
April 24, 2019
Heads Down is one of the best books in the series so far!
Wow, this series just continues to get better & better. I don’t understand how it’s possible, but the author keeps ratcheting up the action, the plot twists, the new types of magical beings, and amazingly enough the things that Sean can do with tarballs. Who would have thunk it?! As always, keep up the great work Jan! Plus, I’m looking forward to the next book even more than usual. Which is saying a lot! Read this book, you’ll be very glad you did!
Wow, this series just continues to get better & better. I don’t understand how it’s possible, but the author keeps ratcheting up the action, the plot twists, the new types of magical beings, and amazingly enough the things that Sean can do with tarballs. Who would have thunk it?! As always, keep up the great work Jan! Plus, I’m looking forward to the next book even more than usual. Which is saying a lot! Read this book, you’ll be very glad you did!
December 29, 2017
Good for a lazy afternoon, or a normal one
Every book of the Valens Legacy has been worth the time and money. I enjoyed the characters, some so realistic and others just way out there, I enjoyed the world, or at least the limited view we get from the snippets given to us, and above all the snark. I'm a sucker for snarky characters. My only complaint would be the length of each one, but with the speed with which the author is publishing these, it balances out.
Every book of the Valens Legacy has been worth the time and money. I enjoyed the characters, some so realistic and others just way out there, I enjoyed the world, or at least the limited view we get from the snippets given to us, and above all the snark. I'm a sucker for snarky characters. My only complaint would be the length of each one, but with the speed with which the author is publishing these, it balances out.
November 18, 2017
Another excellent entry to the series
A good action packed tale, that both finishes up some threads of the current story arc, and sets up new threads that should resolve the rest of the current plot, as well as give avenues into the next one.
I look forward to reading the next release.
A good action packed tale, that both finishes up some threads of the current story arc, and sets up new threads that should resolve the rest of the current plot, as well as give avenues into the next one.
I look forward to reading the next release.
November 19, 2017
Awesome Addition
I am so invested in this series and its characters I was it up all night for the next release. A complex plotline, intricate characters, and a brisk pace all make for a great adventure. The sexy shenanigans are a highlight amongst highlights. Eagerly waiting for the next installment!
I am so invested in this series and its characters I was it up all night for the next release. A complex plotline, intricate characters, and a brisk pace all make for a great adventure. The sexy shenanigans are a highlight amongst highlights. Eagerly waiting for the next installment!
December 1, 2017
Head Down
It was a good read overall, amazing addition to the ongoing Valen’s Legacy. Personally liked how the author has begun to explained how werelions are different from other shapeshifters. Even though it still left me with many questions. Good balance between action, rumps, and character development.
It was a good read overall, amazing addition to the ongoing Valen’s Legacy. Personally liked how the author has begun to explained how werelions are different from other shapeshifters. Even though it still left me with many questions. Good balance between action, rumps, and character development.
December 12, 2017
Good Read
While not a deep read by any means, it's a very good light read. As such by the standards that I judge books of this type, I'd say it's a 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for me. That said the universe is this series strong suit, with an interesting lore that I'm looking forward to discovering more of.
While not a deep read by any means, it's a very good light read. As such by the standards that I judge books of this type, I'd say it's a 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for me. That said the universe is this series strong suit, with an interesting lore that I'm looking forward to discovering more of.
January 15, 2018
The Hot Steak Continues
The Valens Legacy is habit forming. There is no drop off in any of the books so far. All of the characters are interesting and being developed further. The supernatural world continue to expand and there's action aplenty. The books are a little short, I go threw them quickly, other than that I'm a fan of the series.
The Valens Legacy is habit forming. There is no drop off in any of the books so far. All of the characters are interesting and being developed further. The supernatural world continue to expand and there's action aplenty. The books are a little short, I go threw them quickly, other than that I'm a fan of the series.
December 14, 2018
I really like this serie. I started it as an experiment to try something different and from that moment on it seems I cannot stop reading. I am used to read john conroe, drew hayes, jim butcher, benedict jacka, ben aaronovich.
To me the stories of those writers are a significant part of my life. As of now the stories of Jan Stryvant are part of it too.
for what it is worth; I recommend!
To me the stories of those writers are a significant part of my life. As of now the stories of Jan Stryvant are part of it too.
for what it is worth; I recommend!
January 13, 2022
Surprisingly good.
I'm especially impressed with the friend Chad. He's a little bit of a Gary Stu but I love him and he often has decent incite into tactics and keeping the primary goal in focus.
I could go and on but I honestly just wanted to say that. Worth reading for fans of the genre. Maybe even for those branching out and find this intriguing. Start with book 1 obviously.
I'm especially impressed with the friend Chad. He's a little bit of a Gary Stu but I love him and he often has decent incite into tactics and keeping the primary goal in focus.
I could go and on but I honestly just wanted to say that. Worth reading for fans of the genre. Maybe even for those branching out and find this intriguing. Start with book 1 obviously.
January 26, 2022
Fun, if shallow, popcorn read
Leans a little too much on ‘It’s a lion thing’ to explain stuff, relationships start up extremely fast (lion thing), and the characters are a little shallow. Still, it is fun, the writing is ok, and the MC is not a jerk (but if he is it’s just a ‘lion thing’).
Leans a little too much on ‘It’s a lion thing’ to explain stuff, relationships start up extremely fast (lion thing), and the characters are a little shallow. Still, it is fun, the writing is ok, and the MC is not a jerk (but if he is it’s just a ‘lion thing’).
November 22, 2017
Neato Beans
Another great entry, with new characters plot progression, some new stuff to the backstory and basically a big old helping of extras to keep this story fresh and exciting.
Another great entry, with new characters plot progression, some new stuff to the backstory and basically a big old helping of extras to keep this story fresh and exciting.
November 23, 2017
Fabulous
This is a great series and the storylines just make you want more. Like when you finish a book you want to know when the next one come out. Luckily this author writes fast about one book a month. So strap in and start on the Valens legacy ride. ENJOY
This is a great series and the storylines just make you want more. Like when you finish a book you want to know when the next one come out. Luckily this author writes fast about one book a month. So strap in and start on the Valens legacy ride. ENJOY
November 23, 2017
Amazing
Amazing books I love the series full action adventure twist Turns full of sex great great writing skills by the author I'm thoroughly impressed and cannot wait for the fifth book to come out
Amazing books I love the series full action adventure twist Turns full of sex great great writing skills by the author I'm thoroughly impressed and cannot wait for the fifth book to come out
November 25, 2017
Another Fun Romp
The story, friends, allies, family, abilities, magic, all grow. Good action, good plot, and great editing. If you’re hooked on the series then you need to read this. The series is really getting into its stride, and the next book should be even more fun.
The story, friends, allies, family, abilities, magic, all grow. Good action, good plot, and great editing. If you’re hooked on the series then you need to read this. The series is really getting into its stride, and the next book should be even more fun.
November 28, 2017
A good next step in the series
A good continuation of the series. By book 4 the series can bargain to drag. The author keeps it interesting by a little bit more world building and flushing out some supporting characters more. Looking forward to the next book.
A good continuation of the series. By book 4 the series can bargain to drag. The author keeps it interesting by a little bit more world building and flushing out some supporting characters more. Looking forward to the next book.
January 2, 2018
That is a lot to unpack
The story gets improved Sith each sequel. I still want the girls to be developed as characters more but the book has certainly improved a lot since the beginning.
The story gets improved Sith each sequel. I still want the girls to be developed as characters more but the book has certainly improved a lot since the beginning.
January 3, 2018
Great new series
Take one part D&D, one part Sister Wives, and one part coming of age tale, mix, add in a little Lion King and some old school Reno lore, bake, and you end up with this series; a tasty loaf of fantasy literature.
Take one part D&D, one part Sister Wives, and one part coming of age tale, mix, add in a little Lion King and some old school Reno lore, bake, and you end up with this series; a tasty loaf of fantasy literature.
January 21, 2018
To quote the Author...
...”sigh”
I’ve read this on nonstop since I bought it. Jan is a good writer, entertainer, and storyteller—and if his characters are any indication, a good man. I’m very impressed with his moral tone and will be definitely reading the rest of the series.
...”sigh”
I’ve read this on nonstop since I bought it. Jan is a good writer, entertainer, and storyteller—and if his characters are any indication, a good man. I’m very impressed with his moral tone and will be definitely reading the rest of the series.
January 31, 2018
Another awesome book
This writer is awesome this is the first time I've ever read this style before and I think I found a new style to appreciate. I can't wait to continue this series Sean and everybody else are awesome
This writer is awesome this is the first time I've ever read this style before and I think I found a new style to appreciate. I can't wait to continue this series Sean and everybody else are awesome
February 5, 2018
Good Read.
A harem story. The story continues with the main character looking to stay alive. Plans are made and new friends are made. Note: There are adult situations in the story as noted in the book description.
A harem story. The story continues with the main character looking to stay alive. Plans are made and new friends are made. Note: There are adult situations in the story as noted in the book description.
February 14, 2018
Really enjoying this series
Tons of new interesting backstory on why am lycanthropy, and on Sean’s childhood.
Primary plot revolved around freeing the lycanthrope, and the war with the mage guilds.
Ended with an irresistible cliffhanger hook for the next book, I can’t wait.
Tons of new interesting backstory on why am lycanthropy, and on Sean’s childhood.
Primary plot revolved around freeing the lycanthrope, and the war with the mage guilds.
Ended with an irresistible cliffhanger hook for the next book, I can’t wait.
April 10, 2018
Short and exciting
Book 4 continues the story with high quality and ease of reading. More were fights. More enchanting. I find the game aspects amusing as we never see a star sheet. Ready for #5.
Book 4 continues the story with high quality and ease of reading. More were fights. More enchanting. I find the game aspects amusing as we never see a star sheet. Ready for #5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews