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Alpha World #4
Playing For Keeps
Alpha Company is embarking on a grand mission, crossing the Dead Lands to find and conquer Gwain’s Keep. Led by Alburet, most of the guild embarks on what could be an epic and memorable journey, as they aim at being the first Two-souled guild to capture a keep.
Besides safeguarding the members of the guild, Alburet also has to worry about the natives that are with them on their journey. Deidre Crowley, Stacia’s sister, is the one he worries about most, having sworn to see her safely across the lifeless desolation of the Dead Lands.
Having to be ultra-vigilant during the day, night brings welcome relief and relaxation to the raid. For Alburet, Karen, and Stacia it also brings their chance to help Fluffball come to grips with her past.
Rejoin the group in Alpha World while they “Play for Keeps”.
(This book contains adult themes, just like the rest of the series. If you didn’t like those themes there, you won’t like them here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you ahead of time. After all, one of the main supporting characters is a Succubus.)
Besides safeguarding the members of the guild, Alburet also has to worry about the natives that are with them on their journey. Deidre Crowley, Stacia’s sister, is the one he worries about most, having sworn to see her safely across the lifeless desolation of the Dead Lands.
Having to be ultra-vigilant during the day, night brings welcome relief and relaxation to the raid. For Alburet, Karen, and Stacia it also brings their chance to help Fluffball come to grips with her past.
Rejoin the group in Alpha World while they “Play for Keeps”.
(This book contains adult themes, just like the rest of the series. If you didn’t like those themes there, you won’t like them here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you ahead of time. After all, one of the main supporting characters is a Succubus.)
305 pages, Audiobook
Published June 19, 2018
684 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schinhofen
69 books1,304 followersDaniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
March 2, 2018
Mental health.
So. Three quarters of this book is spent just traveling doing the same thing every day and reviewing each of their own mental health issues. Great and all. Not fun to really read the same thing over and over.
The guy created a guild, then basically does absolutely nothing with it anyways.
Short version of the review, it's a long book with only character development, and should have been about a third as long it is.
So. Three quarters of this book is spent just traveling doing the same thing every day and reviewing each of their own mental health issues. Great and all. Not fun to really read the same thing over and over.
The guy created a guild, then basically does absolutely nothing with it anyways.
Short version of the review, it's a long book with only character development, and should have been about a third as long it is.
April 13, 2020
Rating 4.0 stars
I liked this book better than the last few. Did the writing change? Nope. Did the magic system suddenly become more complex? Nope. Was the dialogue somewhat repetitive? Yep. So why did I like this book more than the others? The author focused on the things I was most interested in reading about. It is funny how focusing on something I am interested in affects my enjoyment even though the quality of the book doesn't change. A good portion of this book deals with Karen's, Fluffballs, and Alburet's past. It becomes very emotional reading about what Karen and Fluff had to go through, especially fluff. There still wasn't much revealed about Alburets past, though there were some hints. The last 15 percent of the book is dealing with the raid on the keep.
I liked this book better than the last few. Did the writing change? Nope. Did the magic system suddenly become more complex? Nope. Was the dialogue somewhat repetitive? Yep. So why did I like this book more than the others? The author focused on the things I was most interested in reading about. It is funny how focusing on something I am interested in affects my enjoyment even though the quality of the book doesn't change. A good portion of this book deals with Karen's, Fluffballs, and Alburet's past. It becomes very emotional reading about what Karen and Fluff had to go through, especially fluff. There still wasn't much revealed about Alburets past, though there were some hints. The last 15 percent of the book is dealing with the raid on the keep.
March 11, 2018
I don’t want to be a therapist.
I really liked the first few in the series. This one was a real slog though. The action was glossed over and every other chapter was about theses therapy sessions. Also I can only read so many sexually explicit scenes before it starts to feel like a filler. I think I’m done with this series.
I really liked the first few in the series. This one was a real slog though. The action was glossed over and every other chapter was about theses therapy sessions. Also I can only read so many sexually explicit scenes before it starts to feel like a filler. I think I’m done with this series.
April 12, 2018
The story is getting a little repetitive . I thought this was litrpg not twilight. I had to put it down at about 30 percent when I realized I could sum up that much of the book with a couple of paragraphs and someone could read the other 70 percent without feeling like they had missed any of the story.
June 20, 2018
Disappointed
I was really excited about this book coming out but sadly it makes me feel bored and temped to skip chapters, 2/3 of the book where about reading the same thing over and over, out of the 40 chapters in the book only 8 or so have anything to do with the title of the book "Playing for Keeps" should be more like "Playing with Others"
I live in hope that book 5 will better!!
I was really excited about this book coming out but sadly it makes me feel bored and temped to skip chapters, 2/3 of the book where about reading the same thing over and over, out of the 40 chapters in the book only 8 or so have anything to do with the title of the book "Playing for Keeps" should be more like "Playing with Others"
I live in hope that book 5 will better!!
April 6, 2022
Abject Failure.
I honestly can't even finish this book. I was so excited to experience the Dead Lands, an extremely disappointing letdown. All of the bull of his wife Stacia trying to force him into a situation he is not yet comfortable with, even if it appears to intrigue him. The more this theme progresses the more disgusted I am with the increasing level of drivel spewed. That the author goes so far as to have Stacia's character brag about twisting Alburet's nature towards women in distress and manipulating him has ruined this for me. That was roo far. It is beyond aggravating that the author took, so much further, the annoyance of discrepancies between treatment for Alburet's holdups and Fluff's. While yes they are two completely different people, with two completely different pasts, I can only be a certain level of understanding. It appears the author doesn't believe a man can have a valid excuse for not being a sex crazed, take everyone who comes, kind of macho manly man. The level of "you a sissy if you have feelings and not only think about sex" is strong with this one.
Thank you for completely ruining Alpha World. Which was such an intriguing concept and plot, left to waste away in the sewage that is this book. So much potential squandered.
I honestly can't even finish this book. I was so excited to experience the Dead Lands, an extremely disappointing letdown. All of the bull of his wife Stacia trying to force him into a situation he is not yet comfortable with, even if it appears to intrigue him. The more this theme progresses the more disgusted I am with the increasing level of drivel spewed. That the author goes so far as to have Stacia's character brag about twisting Alburet's nature towards women in distress and manipulating him has ruined this for me. That was roo far. It is beyond aggravating that the author took, so much further, the annoyance of discrepancies between treatment for Alburet's holdups and Fluff's. While yes they are two completely different people, with two completely different pasts, I can only be a certain level of understanding. It appears the author doesn't believe a man can have a valid excuse for not being a sex crazed, take everyone who comes, kind of macho manly man. The level of "you a sissy if you have feelings and not only think about sex" is strong with this one.
Thank you for completely ruining Alpha World. Which was such an intriguing concept and plot, left to waste away in the sewage that is this book. So much potential squandered.
March 24, 2018
Good...but feels...off
Ever had that one movie or book in the middle of a great series that just feels like a step down? That's this book. It's full of good gradual character growth and is obviously important to the overall story arc, but on its own it's a rather blah book.
Part of that is that almost exactly 2/3 of the book is a day by day account of the trip out to the keep...except it isn't, it's a recount of their time spent in camp, the actual travel is all brushed over. The raid on the keep is interesting enough, but feels rushed compared to the rather plodding pace of the first two sections of the book.
In short, if you have read the series this far then you should read this one so the character changes don't surprise you in book five, but don't expect to enjoy it much. This is a palate clenser so that book five's action and intrigue can better kick your teeth in (I hope).
Ever had that one movie or book in the middle of a great series that just feels like a step down? That's this book. It's full of good gradual character growth and is obviously important to the overall story arc, but on its own it's a rather blah book.
Part of that is that almost exactly 2/3 of the book is a day by day account of the trip out to the keep...except it isn't, it's a recount of their time spent in camp, the actual travel is all brushed over. The raid on the keep is interesting enough, but feels rushed compared to the rather plodding pace of the first two sections of the book.
In short, if you have read the series this far then you should read this one so the character changes don't surprise you in book five, but don't expect to enjoy it much. This is a palate clenser so that book five's action and intrigue can better kick your teeth in (I hope).
May 8, 2018
Dragged on
I've really enjoyed this series for the most part, but there are definitely parts where the story gets very focused on grinding and repetitive. That unfortunately is almost this entire book. The memory diving was interesting, but besides that it was just Alburet being indecisive and very similar fight scenes. Also I feel like the slow progression of levels in the first books makes this super fast progression even more lame, I feel like making the levels less of a grind early would have really helped out the flow of these books.
I've really enjoyed this series for the most part, but there are definitely parts where the story gets very focused on grinding and repetitive. That unfortunately is almost this entire book. The memory diving was interesting, but besides that it was just Alburet being indecisive and very similar fight scenes. Also I feel like the slow progression of levels in the first books makes this super fast progression even more lame, I feel like making the levels less of a grind early would have really helped out the flow of these books.
July 12, 2018
Alburet and the guild gather in favors and allies to make a two week trek across the Dead Lands to take Gwain's keep. The trek is very light on covering the fighting and heavy on the evening dreamwalks through Alburet, Karen, and Fluffball's memories. Alburet's resistance to the ladies desire for a polyamory relationship between all is a bit ridiculous and most of the book is heavy on the "feels" but still enjoyable. The raid battle at the end is pretty epic. Now if the fifth book would come out in Audible I could continue. Alas, I probably have a bit of a wait.
March 3, 2018
What happened? Really disappointed
Action only started around the 64% mark and most of the story was dealing with mc and others issues. While that did need to be tackled mostly a whole book of it left a lot to be desired. We didn’t even get to see what types of abilities he got and basically he was power leveled almost the entire book. Very disappointed
Action only started around the 64% mark and most of the story was dealing with mc and others issues. While that did need to be tackled mostly a whole book of it left a lot to be desired. We didn’t even get to see what types of abilities he got and basically he was power leveled almost the entire book. Very disappointed
April 14, 2020
I'm really liking this series
This book changes it up just a little, but in a way that was telegraphed and feels like a natural development.
Half LitRPG adventure, Half back story as flash back therapy.
I've read a lot of LitRPG at this point and this is the first book to deal with large party raids. That was very well done. I really like this series.
This book changes it up just a little, but in a way that was telegraphed and feels like a natural development.
Half LitRPG adventure, Half back story as flash back therapy.
I've read a lot of LitRPG at this point and this is the first book to deal with large party raids. That was very well done. I really like this series.
March 3, 2018
Good story
This was well written, as I only found one mistake.
Honestly though, this wasn't for me. To much time spent mind tripping to fix the characters mental hang ups.
The fight scenes where very short and just seemed like a secondary device to move the plot along.
This was well written, as I only found one mistake.
Honestly though, this wasn't for me. To much time spent mind tripping to fix the characters mental hang ups.
The fight scenes where very short and just seemed like a secondary device to move the plot along.
May 21, 2019
A good addition to the series.
Once again I find myself sucked into the story and staying up late reading this book. Overall it was fun to read and I enjoyed how the author worked to make you feel engaged with the story.
Once again I find myself sucked into the story and staying up late reading this book. Overall it was fun to read and I enjoyed how the author worked to make you feel engaged with the story.
May 22, 2019
3 stars, pretty much the same as the rest of the series. They do get a little repetitive at this point but I am sure if you did the other books that you will do this one as well.
January 8, 2025
📖 Title: Playing For Keeps (Alpha World #4)
Author: Daniel Schinhofen
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 Paws from your favorite Ice Wolf 🐺❄️)
Genres: Fantasy, LitRPG, Harem, Audiobook, Virtual Reality, Magic, Romance, Demons
🌨️ Introduction:
Welcome, my furry packmates and RPG enthusiasts! It's your alpha male Ice Wolf from the frosty, enchanted world of HowlStrom—Kiba Snowpaw, reporting in from the ever-chilling tundras where blizzards whisper ancient tales of magic and adventure. With over 38 winters behind me, countless raids completed, and more audiobooks devoured than the stars in the night sky, I'm thrilled to dive paw-first into “Playing For Keeps”, the fourth chapter of the Alpha World saga by Daniel Schinhofen.
This review is an epic quest in itself. I'm going full MMORPG mode—talking lore, mechanics, characters, and even the harem dynamics (because let's be honest, what's an adventure without a little love and drama?). Prepare yourselves for a deep dive, and don't forget to pack your mana potions! 💙❄️
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🧊 Basic Plot Summary:
The story picks up as Alburet Two-souled and his guild, Alpha Company, embark on a daring mission: to conquer Gwain’s Keep, located in the perilous, undead-infested Dead Lands. The stakes are high. They’re racing to be the first Two-souled guild to achieve such a feat, and the journey is fraught with danger—both external and internal.
The plot intertwines traditional dungeon-crawling, emotional character arcs, and harem-building romance. There's a steady balance of monster-slaying and campfire heart-to-hearts. However, some may find the focus on emotional healing (especially Fluffball's trauma) a bit overwhelming compared to the action-packed adventuring they expect.
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🎮 Game Mechanics & World Building:
The world of Alpha World is immersive AF! From leveling systems to quest logs, it feels like stepping into a real MMORPG. Schinhofen excels at crafting a believable game world that doesn’t just revolve around grinding mobs. Instead, we see dynamic guild interactions, political intrigue with NPC factions, and complex relationship-building.
The guild system introduced in earlier books is fleshed out here. Guild management, loyalty quests, and epic raids—this is the stuff we gamers live for! The Dead Lands add a new layer of danger, reminiscent of high-level PvP zones in MMORPGs. But here's the kicker: the emotional depth of these characters adds a layer of realism often missing from other LitRPGs.
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🐾 Originality & Themes:
What sets Playing For Keeps apart from other LitRPGs? It’s the emotional core. This isn’t just a game. It’s a journey of healing and self-discovery. Themes of trauma, identity, and love run deep.
But let’s talk about the elephant—or should I say wolf—in the room: the harem. The romance elements are a mix of wholesome and spicy, with Alburet struggling to balance his growing relationships. Some readers might find it excessive, but for those who love a good harem dynamic, it adds richness to the story.
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🧙♂️ Writer Analysis:
Daniel Schinhofen is a master of blending game mechanics with heartfelt storytelling. His characters aren’t just avatars—they’re people with flaws, fears, and dreams. Schinhofen’s ability to explore psychological trauma through a LitRPG lens is what makes this series stand out.
Compared to other LitRPG authors like Aleron Kong or Matt Dinniman , Schinhofen leans more into the emotional and relational aspects of the genre. If you’re looking for pure dungeon-crawling action, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you want a story with heart? This is it.
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📚 Characters & Development:
🧊 Alburet Two-souled: Our broody protagonist. He’s evolving from a reluctant hero to a leader, but his inner turmoil remains. His journey is less about leveling up and more about becoming whole.
🖤 Stacia: The succubus wife. She’s fiercely loyal and protective, but her possessiveness can be a bit much. Her relationship with Alburet is central to the story’s emotional core.
✨ Fluffball (Julia): The emotional heart of the guild. Her trauma and healing arc is beautifully written, though it might feel repetitive for some.
🛡️ Supporting Characters: Karen, Tiny, and Bob the Imp add humor and depth. Each character feels distinct, and their interactions bring the guild to life.
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📖 Structure & Pacing:
The book is structured like a raid: slow and methodical at the start, with a dramatic climax during the keep battle. Some readers might find the middle section dragging (too much campfire therapy, not enough action). But for those invested in the characters, it’s a rewarding journey.
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💬 Praise & Critique:
Praise:
Immersive world-building that feels like a true MMORPG.
Complex characters with emotional depth.
Thoughtful exploration of trauma and healing.
Critique:
The harem dynamics might feel overdone for some.
Middle sections are dialogue-heavy, slowing the pacing.
Alburet’s reluctance to embrace the harem feels repetitive.
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🔥 Impact & Hook:
The emotional impact of Playing For Keeps is what stays with you. It’s not just about leveling up—it’s about facing your inner demons (sometimes literally) and finding your place in the world.
The hook? Conquering Gwain’s Keep. The payoff? The emotional bonds formed along the way.
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🤝 Comparison to Similar Books:
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong — More action-packed, but less emotional depth.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman — Darker humor and more chaotic.
Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell — Focuses on moral dilemmas and player agency.
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🐺 Personal Evaluation:
As the Alpha Ice Wolf of HowlStrom, I seek tales that chill my bones and warm my heart. “Playing For Keeps” did both. While the pacing could be tighter, the emotional depth and immersive world-building kept me enthralled. It’s a tale of love, loss, and leadership in a world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 Paws 🐾)
May your journeys be epic, your loot legendary, and your guild bonds unbreakable. Until we meet again, adventurers! ❄️🐺
August 13, 2021
When Alburet married Stacia he believed it only right to be faithful to his wife, according to how his father had raised him. This new morality effectively cut off Karen from any further sexual contact with him. While Alburet felt Karen would understand, when in fact, she was very upset feeling betrayed. Due to her upbringing and forward personality, relationships were difficult, making her lonely. When she met Alburet, and then Stacia, Karen felt she had finally found a mate or mates. This abrupt turn of events was devastating, her psyche sliding into anger and depression. Alburet and Stacia loved Karen and they were determined to right this wrong. Meanwhile, Karen was becoming attached to Fluffball, wanting to help Fluff out of her extreme timidness, for Fluff’s sake and her not-so-hidden desires. Alburet and Stacia assisted in this goal, knowing it would benefit Fluff. Mindblown decided to offer the abandoned keeps/castles throughout Alpha World to the established guilds. To claim a keep, a guild “merely” had to occupy and retain control of it. Alpha Company crossed the desert, known as the Deadlands to find Gwain’s Keep. Stacia’s mother, Lilith, gave Alburet the location as a late marriage present. The trek across the Deadlands was very dangerous, requiring hiring mercenaries to accompany them. Desert monsters included sandworms reminiscent of the novel Dune Trilogy. Much of the story concerns Fluff’s repressed childhood memories, Alburet’s memories of the death of his close friend, its effect on the daughter Kaylee, and Stacia’s therapeutic help to both. Gwain’s Keep is an instance dungeon, a separate server instance from the other players in the game, having a very powerful boss at the end. Raids are much more dangerous than typical dungeons, usually requiring fifty to hundreds of adventurers of all types. The Battle for Gwain’s Keep is the most exciting part of the story. Time to play for keeps! This volume is composed of the expanding and deepening relationship of the four main characters, the adventures of the growing guild, and the fight for Gwain’s Keep. The guild and its adventurers encompass the gaming aspect of the tale versus the emotional interactions of the characters. Both combine to create an exciting, yet heart-warming story.
August 16, 2018
So far this book is nothing but flashbacks, succubus style. I hope it picks up soon.
Wow. Really? Shakespeare? The author really doesn't have anything to write if he is filling pages with frigging plays. I think this may be my last book in this series. I'm 10 chapters in and NOTHING HAPPENS.
I don't want to read about fluff and her "ugliness". I don't know about the author, but I didn't read this book because I like Shakespeare, I read books like this to get away from that crap.
I really want to drop this book. It looks like it will be one star.
To anyone planning to read this you can skip the first 26 chapters, as nothing happens.
The first 26 chapters of the book should have been a novel named "Playing for Fluff".
It seems the author only had enough ideas to fill fourteen chapters, but he wanted to write a forty chapter book. So he wrote the first twenty six chapters with literal filler of a bunch of crap NO ONE CARES ABOUT.
I can just imagine this protagonist with a fedora and a duster. I don't buy into the fedora meme, but this protagonist is the embodiment of it. I was going to give this one star, then I read the last fourteen chapters and considered giving it two stars an reading the next book. But I can't trust the author not to fill more than half of the next book with useless filler about frigging plays and fluff.
I would like to find out what happens with his abilities, but this author is not trustworthy.
Note to self. Don't touch more of this author's books.
1.5/5 Stars
Wow. Really? Shakespeare? The author really doesn't have anything to write if he is filling pages with frigging plays. I think this may be my last book in this series. I'm 10 chapters in and NOTHING HAPPENS.
I don't want to read about fluff and her "ugliness". I don't know about the author, but I didn't read this book because I like Shakespeare, I read books like this to get away from that crap.
I really want to drop this book. It looks like it will be one star.
To anyone planning to read this you can skip the first 26 chapters, as nothing happens.
The first 26 chapters of the book should have been a novel named "Playing for Fluff".
It seems the author only had enough ideas to fill fourteen chapters, but he wanted to write a forty chapter book. So he wrote the first twenty six chapters with literal filler of a bunch of crap NO ONE CARES ABOUT.
I can just imagine this protagonist with a fedora and a duster. I don't buy into the fedora meme, but this protagonist is the embodiment of it. I was going to give this one star, then I read the last fourteen chapters and considered giving it two stars an reading the next book. But I can't trust the author not to fill more than half of the next book with useless filler about frigging plays and fluff.
I would like to find out what happens with his abilities, but this author is not trustworthy.
Note to self. Don't touch more of this author's books.
1.5/5 Stars
February 10, 2019
This book is the closest this author has come to writing an actual story with a beginning, middle and END. Unfortunately the author does this in a very boring way. The story begins with a trek through wastelands to take a keep. Therefore the majority of this book is: breakfast, fight whatever accumulated around the camp wards during the night, march and fight, camp, nightly magical psycho-analysis of characters.
If anything this book has made me realize why characters have big climatic breakthroughs in dealing with their problems. That is because dragging them out over several books and then making those issues one of the primary focuses of the next book is BORING. At least in the prior books these issues were more in the background, essentially just ongoing teasers for stuff yet to come.
Even the big battle for the keep at the end of the book was somewhat anticlimactic. The most interesting part was the initial assault where the best way to overcome defenders had to be noodled out. But then one of the big two baddies just runs away for what might as well have been no reason at all. That was sufficiently bizarre that it took me out of the flow of the story and left me waiting for the inevitable end.
Bottom line: the author continues to display talent but doesn't seem to be able to bring an entire novel truly to fruition. If you like character based litRPG you'll still probably enjoy this book, otherwise it would be best not to waste your time.
If anything this book has made me realize why characters have big climatic breakthroughs in dealing with their problems. That is because dragging them out over several books and then making those issues one of the primary focuses of the next book is BORING. At least in the prior books these issues were more in the background, essentially just ongoing teasers for stuff yet to come.
Even the big battle for the keep at the end of the book was somewhat anticlimactic. The most interesting part was the initial assault where the best way to overcome defenders had to be noodled out. But then one of the big two baddies just runs away for what might as well have been no reason at all. That was sufficiently bizarre that it took me out of the flow of the story and left me waiting for the inevitable end.
Bottom line: the author continues to display talent but doesn't seem to be able to bring an entire novel truly to fruition. If you like character based litRPG you'll still probably enjoy this book, otherwise it would be best not to waste your time.
April 28, 2024
Painful, and honestly, regretful
This was almost miserable to read.
Such an incredible world, and incredible general story. I don’t know what the writer was thinking with this one though.
I read fantasy, litrpg specifically, so that I can live alongside a hero who is awesome. This book was half complaining about asinine values, whining constantly. He constantly gets his butt kicked, and even goes on to remark how another character says “it’s depressing seeing you lose all the time.” YEAH, that’s true for the readers too! Damn it man. I was hanging on during the “let’s talk about trauma” arch, even though I felt that was way over written. I found myself literally swiping page after page away looking for some content that wasn’t people being pathetic. Trauma is real, yes, but I go to books like this to escape from that, not sit through 4 hours of poorly written therapy sessions.
Day after day of the same exact thing happening was driving me mad but I stayed on so we could finally see our hero win at something with the keep and out of nowhere you decide to write that they came second!?
What the actual hell. He had more advantages than anyone, he was clever, he organized an impossible quest, he had the forces to aid him that NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE, and yet you still decide to screw the readers out of even the hero winning in this?
This was almost miserable to read.
Such an incredible world, and incredible general story. I don’t know what the writer was thinking with this one though.
I read fantasy, litrpg specifically, so that I can live alongside a hero who is awesome. This book was half complaining about asinine values, whining constantly. He constantly gets his butt kicked, and even goes on to remark how another character says “it’s depressing seeing you lose all the time.” YEAH, that’s true for the readers too! Damn it man. I was hanging on during the “let’s talk about trauma” arch, even though I felt that was way over written. I found myself literally swiping page after page away looking for some content that wasn’t people being pathetic. Trauma is real, yes, but I go to books like this to escape from that, not sit through 4 hours of poorly written therapy sessions.
Day after day of the same exact thing happening was driving me mad but I stayed on so we could finally see our hero win at something with the keep and out of nowhere you decide to write that they came second!?
What the actual hell. He had more advantages than anyone, he was clever, he organized an impossible quest, he had the forces to aid him that NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE, and yet you still decide to screw the readers out of even the hero winning in this?
April 30, 2019
Not even worth finishing
So first off can I get a refund and my wasted time back?
This book is not a LitRpg. If I had to give a description of it as a LitRpg I’d say it’s absolute garbage.
It is also not science fiction. The fact that it is allowed to be listed as a science fiction is an absolute insult to all of the great authors of science fiction.
This book is a harem psychological romance novel. And even as that it is mediocre.
The LitRpg aspect is completely pushed to the side and ignored which is obvious from the fact the fight scenes alone compose only a page not to mention all of the other aspects of the genre is barely touched upon.
The science fiction portion is the most generic uninteresting drivel I have ever read in my life.
The “romance” portion is portrayed in a way that just feels like the author wanted to do a kinky harem novel with troubled characters that struggle in completely unrealistic ways to their problems.
This book feels like the author didn’t put any effort into fitting the genres it’s listed as and did only the bare minimum so it could be listed as such and then continued their crappy harem psychological smut book.
Utter disappointment and will not touch another of his books.
So first off can I get a refund and my wasted time back?
This book is not a LitRpg. If I had to give a description of it as a LitRpg I’d say it’s absolute garbage.
It is also not science fiction. The fact that it is allowed to be listed as a science fiction is an absolute insult to all of the great authors of science fiction.
This book is a harem psychological romance novel. And even as that it is mediocre.
The LitRpg aspect is completely pushed to the side and ignored which is obvious from the fact the fight scenes alone compose only a page not to mention all of the other aspects of the genre is barely touched upon.
The science fiction portion is the most generic uninteresting drivel I have ever read in my life.
The “romance” portion is portrayed in a way that just feels like the author wanted to do a kinky harem novel with troubled characters that struggle in completely unrealistic ways to their problems.
This book feels like the author didn’t put any effort into fitting the genres it’s listed as and did only the bare minimum so it could be listed as such and then continued their crappy harem psychological smut book.
Utter disappointment and will not touch another of his books.
November 1, 2019
Review for complete series Books 1 - 8
Mr. Schinhofen's Alpha world series is an epic tale of pain, suffering, discrimination, and the healing through love and support. . A word of warning though the earlier books contain a moderate to extreme, depending on your view points, amount of erotica in them. This tapers off near the end of the story and I recommend readers not to judge harshly. I found the scenes to fit within the flow of the story and within scope of the personality of the characters involved.
It is my recommendation that these scenes be simply skimmed over by readers who might be put off by them. The series contains so much more than erotica that readers would miss out on. Mr. Schinhofen's series delves into the darker side of human nature and the traumatic wounds of the mind that we not only inflict upon others, but ourselves as well. I applaud Mr. Schinhofen for showing such trauma and how with help such conditions can be mitigated.
Mr. Schinhofen borrows heavily from World of Warcraft for his class system and for some points of his story. I believe he is a great author regardless and look forward to additional works he might create.
Very Respectfully,
Shea
Mr. Schinhofen's Alpha world series is an epic tale of pain, suffering, discrimination, and the healing through love and support. . A word of warning though the earlier books contain a moderate to extreme, depending on your view points, amount of erotica in them. This tapers off near the end of the story and I recommend readers not to judge harshly. I found the scenes to fit within the flow of the story and within scope of the personality of the characters involved.
It is my recommendation that these scenes be simply skimmed over by readers who might be put off by them. The series contains so much more than erotica that readers would miss out on. Mr. Schinhofen's series delves into the darker side of human nature and the traumatic wounds of the mind that we not only inflict upon others, but ourselves as well. I applaud Mr. Schinhofen for showing such trauma and how with help such conditions can be mitigated.
Mr. Schinhofen borrows heavily from World of Warcraft for his class system and for some points of his story. I believe he is a great author regardless and look forward to additional works he might create.
Very Respectfully,
Shea
March 6, 2018
“Action Temporarily Down For Character Growth”
This book in the series is very different in content, tone, and action: the comment title says it all. This isn’t snark or disappointment, because sometimes action does indeed need to take a back seat to story progression and character growth. This story has some good action at the climax, but is spent mostly inside the characters heads (no, really). All of the main guild members grow closer, both personally and professionally, and we see results of that in the efficient handling of a certain raid. The story is definitely progressed, with a few surprises and a fair bit of humor, and the random slap and tickle. This is not a wild action ride, but it’s not a snore fest either. It’s a pivot point where we Learn Things and set the stage for the next books - and that will be a wild ride. Recommended
Kudos to Paul Davies for the cover BTW: nicely done!
This book in the series is very different in content, tone, and action: the comment title says it all. This isn’t snark or disappointment, because sometimes action does indeed need to take a back seat to story progression and character growth. This story has some good action at the climax, but is spent mostly inside the characters heads (no, really). All of the main guild members grow closer, both personally and professionally, and we see results of that in the efficient handling of a certain raid. The story is definitely progressed, with a few surprises and a fair bit of humor, and the random slap and tickle. This is not a wild action ride, but it’s not a snore fest either. It’s a pivot point where we Learn Things and set the stage for the next books - and that will be a wild ride. Recommended
Kudos to Paul Davies for the cover BTW: nicely done!
May 29, 2018
This is the first review I have written on this series, I normally wait until the last one. The series is good, actually really good, butt.... I would agree with a couple of the other reviews that Daniel repeats things a lot but being a writer I kinda understand. Points are forgotten. I guess the issue that concerns me the most is that this is almost a psych book dressed in LITRPG clothing. Now if that has said a lot just to say nothing here is what I think. If you enjoy day-to-day stories, where the author spends lots of time making you feel like you are walking just behind and to the left of the characters you will probably enjoy these books. They drag at times but being day-to-day books, so does life. I recommend them with the caveat being that they are for a specific type of reader. If you are interested in finishing books instead of spending time in them then these might not be for you. If you enjoy the journey, then yes, I would recommend them.
April 19, 2018
Good once the raid began
I found this book in the series to be a bit off putting. It is still well done and in character and we learn a lot about why the main character and two of the female characters are messed up in the head - but that’s not what I wanted to read about. So the first half of the book, while well done, was a very glossed over approach to each character receiving dream therapy to come to terms with bad things that happened to them in the real world. Now once the story reached the raid on the haunted keep, then it got much better. Very much looking forward to what happens next as far as adventuring goes. And learning more about the game the players are playing.
I found this book in the series to be a bit off putting. It is still well done and in character and we learn a lot about why the main character and two of the female characters are messed up in the head - but that’s not what I wanted to read about. So the first half of the book, while well done, was a very glossed over approach to each character receiving dream therapy to come to terms with bad things that happened to them in the real world. Now once the story reached the raid on the haunted keep, then it got much better. Very much looking forward to what happens next as far as adventuring goes. And learning more about the game the players are playing.
July 17, 2018
**Slight Spoiler, not really tho**
Most of the story revolved around sex and mental health analysis of the main characters. I got into this series for the action - but not the 'action ;)'. This book goes day by day for a journey of about 2 weeks. Its very rinse and repeat. Wake up, eat, travel, celebrate, sex and/or mental health, then repeat. The only issue is the great part, the traveling, was maybe 1/4 if not less of each day (in terms of pages for each of the in-story days). Towards the last 1/4 of the book though, it was ALL action and it was great. That part was exactly what I was waiting for. For a while I was not planning on getting the 5th book, but I may give it a try just because the author finally got back into the action.
Most of the story revolved around sex and mental health analysis of the main characters. I got into this series for the action - but not the 'action ;)'. This book goes day by day for a journey of about 2 weeks. Its very rinse and repeat. Wake up, eat, travel, celebrate, sex and/or mental health, then repeat. The only issue is the great part, the traveling, was maybe 1/4 if not less of each day (in terms of pages for each of the in-story days). Towards the last 1/4 of the book though, it was ALL action and it was great. That part was exactly what I was waiting for. For a while I was not planning on getting the 5th book, but I may give it a try just because the author finally got back into the action.
March 6, 2018
Loved it
As with all the others I loved the book. It couldn't use more information on the loot items and also the beginning could use some sort of the transition from the last book to the first book instead of just randomly starting where it left off without much of a reminder. I love the characters I love the polyamory and I do like the attention to emotional detail that has not been used before at least to my knowledge. Some points it seems is going a little bit too much into the emotional aspect of the characters as it took pretty much half the book it seemed. But still it was well worth the read
As with all the others I loved the book. It couldn't use more information on the loot items and also the beginning could use some sort of the transition from the last book to the first book instead of just randomly starting where it left off without much of a reminder. I love the characters I love the polyamory and I do like the attention to emotional detail that has not been used before at least to my knowledge. Some points it seems is going a little bit too much into the emotional aspect of the characters as it took pretty much half the book it seemed. But still it was well worth the read
March 28, 2018
Not as good as the first or second books. The series slowed down in book three and this book continued the trend. While some of the back story was interesting, most was a waste of time. I skimmed about a third of this book. I hope the next book is better , otherwise it will be the last book of this series that I will read.
Not as good is the first 2 books. The series slowed down in book three and this book continued the trend. While some of the back story was interesting,most was a waste of time. I skimmed about a third of this book. I hope the next book is better, otherwise it will be the last book of this series that I will read.
Not as good is the first 2 books. The series slowed down in book three and this book continued the trend. While some of the back story was interesting,most was a waste of time. I skimmed about a third of this book. I hope the next book is better, otherwise it will be the last book of this series that I will read.
February 15, 2021
Action packed, high octane adventure!
This story was a ton of fun to read. Lots of plot happening, lots of lore, and a whole lot of mischief and fun. Definitely sets up the next entry, plus I'm excited to see what will happen next.
The reason I knocked off a star is because although it was a well-written, action-packed, bundle of excitement, there was a lot of deep psychological "repair" going on and I got kind of uncomfortable.I mean, I empathized, I would have reacted much the same way as the characters, but I found myself fast reading through some of it because I can only take so much of that to the face.
Next book here I come!
This story was a ton of fun to read. Lots of plot happening, lots of lore, and a whole lot of mischief and fun. Definitely sets up the next entry, plus I'm excited to see what will happen next.
The reason I knocked off a star is because although it was a well-written, action-packed, bundle of excitement, there was a lot of deep psychological "repair" going on and I got kind of uncomfortable.I mean, I empathized, I would have reacted much the same way as the characters, but I found myself fast reading through some of it because I can only take so much of that to the face.
Next book here I come!
March 26, 2018
The Gang’s All Back
Book four begins right where book three ended, the journey though the waste lands continues. The beginning and the ending, when the raid reached the keep was great, the middle was a little redundant. Plus, the relationships were a little overexposed and adolescent throughout the journey. The good part was that the supporting characters continued to evolve, which make the potential for the next book great. Overall, I did feel that this installment wasn’t up to the first three, still good, but the weaker of the four books. However, book five is on my radar.
Book four begins right where book three ended, the journey though the waste lands continues. The beginning and the ending, when the raid reached the keep was great, the middle was a little redundant. Plus, the relationships were a little overexposed and adolescent throughout the journey. The good part was that the supporting characters continued to evolve, which make the potential for the next book great. Overall, I did feel that this installment wasn’t up to the first three, still good, but the weaker of the four books. However, book five is on my radar.
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