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War Aeternus #3

The Culling

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Struggling to recover from his losses in Kirshtein, Lee is swept back into the fray when a dangerous new Herald sets her sights on him. Hell-bent on reshaping the world in her own image and with her own ideals, she is willing to commit even the most immoral acts in her pursuit of righteousness. At risk of losing everything he has worked so hard to create, Lee has to find a way to defend the weak against a madwoman whose deranged sense of justice has twisted the limits of the game.

To make matters even more difficult, Lee is forced to face these problems while dealing with an increasingly erratic system he doesn't understand and the Goddess of Blood's own strong-willed Herald.

This is the third installment of War Aeternus, a popular LitRPG Gamelit book that focuses on the adventures of Lee, a regular office worker stuck in a game-like world.

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2018

249 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

Charles Dean

60 books229 followers

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5 stars
349 (47%)
4 stars
255 (34%)
3 stars
107 (14%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for XR.
1,976 reviews105 followers
January 30, 2023
It's kinda dragging a tad but I have ennoyed the introd to Jada. She's a crack up!
Profile Image for GaiusPrimus.
851 reviews98 followers
January 28, 2020
Better than the second book

I hoped we would be left with a lot more settlement building this time around, but alas, we had a ton of cross country adventures that take an inordinate small amount of time.

Secondly, the Jade character is really one to push reader enjoyment off kilter.

I think I will continue and finish the series, but I think that what’s driving that is mostly the fact that the series is complete and that there is not a lot of interesting reads right now vs a true enjoyment of the book.
Profile Image for Soo.
2,928 reviews346 followers
September 1, 2021
01/03/19 Mini-Review:

Overall, I've had a great time listening to this series but there was a sudden shift in the story without a decent explanation or transition between book 2 & 3.

I felt that the changes in Lee, the game system (talking to Lee) and the "big event" put on display for this book were too forced vs naturally happening due to story progression. This book did not seem like a complete story and that a lot of extra stuff was put into place that doesn't have a whole lot of meaning.

In Sacrifices #2, I thought it was an odd choice to have Lee go willy-nilly and do stuff with his magical abilities on his home world. I shrugged it off and put it on the "just go with it" shelf. However, now that I've started reading the 4th book, I'm wondering if this thread will blow into the ut oh territory.

Ah! One thing I haven't noted before, I like that the updated stats are revealed towards the end of a chapter and you are told the option to skip to the next chapter and avoid listening to the status sheet. That was a nice touch for the audiobook.
Profile Image for Lukas Lovas.
1,392 reviews64 followers
September 21, 2018
Though I enjoyed the previous books, I must admit, the new main character that appeared here was....a bad choice. At least for me, it ruined the story as it didn't fit into the story. If it was there from the 1st book, it might have been enjoyable, but it doesn't fit into what I expected the series to be anymore. A pity....
82 reviews
August 9, 2018
Fun Plot, One Unfortunate Character

I enjoyed the story (both in-world and with Augustus), but the addition of the anime character (Jade) ruined a large part of the experience for me. She was obnoxious and constantly broke the fourth wall. I did not care for her in the slightest.

On the plus side, I do like that Lee changes as the series continues. He went from a kind, soft man to someone who does ruthless, horrible things on a regular basis. Given his predicament, it makes sense.

In the end, I think I will read another book. But if Jade continues to be a constant companion in her current incarnation, I’ll have to move on.
10 reviews
October 14, 2019
First and foremost I’d to congratulate Charles Dean for his work on The series “War Aeternus”. I have finished all 4 books each as captivating and entertaining on its own unique way. A big shout out to the amazing work of Jeff Hays and Annie Ellicott from Soundbooth Theater. This is my 5th book I have finished from Charles Dean ( The Heroic Villain). This was my introduction to litrpg. I’m very pleased on how the scenes were painted to the point of its smallest details( especially battle scenes). Also I’m just going to put this out here, Soundbooth Theater is a masterpiece. I think the combination of both how detailed Charles is and how deep Jeff Hays gets into each character. The scenes are narrated to perfection. Where as in other narrative teams they need to point out certain emotions, Soundbooth theater is able to bring it to life with no description needed. You can feel how each emotion, mood is happening as its played out. There is a difference in describing and acting out the scenes. I’m very pleased with how they operate. I believe its a perfect combination like wine and cheese. So as a reader, I’d rather pay more for quality work to have Soundbooth Theater narratives. It’s such an amazing difference compared to other audiobooks. It can really ruin a good book to be honest, if the narrative team is not as competent and passionate with the work of the author. I seen it happen, and would just like to give authors and readers out there the outlook on both teams. Like I mentioned earlier I’d wait and pay more to have a team like Soundbooth theater work passionately and bring the book to life. I’m not knocking other narrative teams but if anything I want to motivate them to improve and use them as an example. I have waited to finish all 4 books before reviewing. I wanted to have an overall outlook on the series. Each book you become closer and closer to all characters. You can feel the transition and growth of each character throughout the series. I’d love to see maybe War Aeternus 5 one day. There was another post that made a good point, when we want a series to continue, a good way to do that is to promote all previous books. So that others readers are aware and can generate the demand for the author. So if you are a fan, like myself. I’m going to do my best to spread the word and preach War Aeternus ! Follow the God of alcohol and crafts! Bring as many followers as you can! For justice and Glory!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Johnny.
2,160 reviews77 followers
July 26, 2018
Book three

I took a star from this book due to the fact that I think the editing is getting sloppy.
In the very first chapter you have a flow problem with the entire getting out of bed.
In the crossing the river but a part of it reads like the general swaps genders.
In the right with the main big bad at one point it reads like the giant cat is using the MC's shield.
These were the three biggest flaws i found. Each of them rip you right out of immersion and is very jarring.
I can't understand why these weren't caught by beta readers of editing.
I found the character Jade to be annoying and want her to die. She added nothing good to the story and I don't see how her very childish behavior helps the MC at all.
I did like the overall story, but I feel this one needs more work.
241 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2018
Interesting series, needs better editing

In this third instalment, Lee the NPC, continues on in his quest to build an protect his city whilst increasing the faith for his god Augustus. The travelling between worlds is a little confusing because when he returns to Earth, it feels less real than when he is in the game world. However, it is starting to feel as though there is bleedover when Lee is on Earth. Also, do not get too attached to the characters...Lastly, needs stronger editing as there are multiple errors. Starting to get interesting.
Profile Image for Dániel.
95 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2020
Most awesome representation of Circle of the Moon druids I've read so far. Creative main conflict, was a lot more interesting for me, than the previous book's "racism = bad" storyline.

Only irritating thing was the new, fourth wall breaking character. Her whole purpose was to provide a convenient way for the author to deus ex machina the hell out of the plot, and sometime artificially fast forward other characters' development. But, since I really liked the new enemy faction, I don't feel like taking away stars.
Profile Image for Niels Baumgartner.
265 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2018
Well that was fantastic...

So... now I’m wishing books 4-10 were out already and I couls just binge read all month but no. The dethpicable author decided to do things like sleep or eat things, and take an evening of every 13 off or so. Unacceptable. We wants moar. Back to writing or we will wish dread and twrrible things to happen to this author person who writes excellent books and characters. Well done. Honestly, cant wait for the series to be furthered.
Profile Image for Robert.
262 reviews
February 6, 2019
English degree?

This author claims he has a degree in English. I find that amazing and improbable when he uses words like "ahold". How the hell can you have a degree in English and not cringe at uses words illiterates make up? Is he going to start using "imma" next instead of "I am"?
Profile Image for Paula Mariscal.
68 reviews10 followers
November 8, 2019
Committed now. Who knew I'd get into Litrpg novels? Weird. Now, I have to know what happens to Lee. I've been listening on audible. I don't like the premise (culling) of this story as much as the first two. Hopefully it doesn't continue down that path. Jade was an interesting new character. I wonder what will happen with her? The A.I. was cute.
21 reviews
January 22, 2020
Continues to impress

I’m struggling with this book because most of the time you don’t stop reading a good book and end up staying up all night. Now I’m binge reading the series and I’m hitting a-book-a-day! Job performance dropping, friends wondering where I’ve disappeared of too...and I just want to go power some EXP.... ;)
Profile Image for Scott Wozniak.
Author 7 books95 followers
August 19, 2025
The adventure continued, but the story didn't progress as much. There was a new enemy, but it didn't take us to a new place. The main character barely used his special two-world opportunity. And at the end he had a big battle but he won thanks to a deus ex machina surprise and the main character didn't grow much or learn anything.
210 reviews4 followers
July 18, 2018
Loved it

Absolutely loved this book and finished it in one sitting with a short food break in between. Charles delivered quick and hard with this one. Non stop action and some really interesting new characters.
150 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2018
A good read

I enjoyed the character development of the main character and I actually really like the addition of the companion Herald. It's nice to have a random otaku pop up in a story
Profile Image for Mike Goodman.
1,569 reviews12 followers
July 22, 2018
GReat but Terrible

Why would you kill him? I loved everything about this story, but your ending made me feel depressed. Almost as bad as P.S. Powers. Also, killing kids not cool...you missed the opportunity for a Timmy.
68 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2018
Excellent as expected.

If you are this far in then you should already have read the previous two books in the series.
This third installment does not disappoint.
Book four can't come soon enough.
286 reviews4 followers
September 13, 2018
Excellent

If you like fun fantasy rooms with grim stakes and high octane action. This is the book for you. I liked that the plot keeps build. Like that the mc keeps changing. I look forward to the next entry.
13 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2018
Quick and fun series

I read this series in just over a day. Enjoyable and personable characters, fast pace plots with a nice twist in the MC maintaining powers in RL. You should definitely must give these books a try.
19 reviews
September 5, 2019
A resounding meh...

It's like the author forgets his characters own development and then writes them in a new direction. Didn't Lee learn that he needs people, that he needs to sacrifice, then goes off on his own and gets his ass handed to him. Boo.
Profile Image for Verne Arnold.
95 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2023
Good progression of the story.

Moving right along with the story.
More character development and game progression.
New characters introduced, oh and they are all crazy.
Looking forward to more from this series.
63 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2018
Loved it

The action was great. The suspense at times was palpable. There was humor too keep it from getting too dark.
Profile Image for M.A. Carlson.
Author 11 books55 followers
September 6, 2018
Good stuff

Enjoyed the read and I'm looking forward to the next book. Lots of twists an d turns in this one.
Profile Image for Jonathan.
628 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2018
Fun

A fun romp in a fictional world where an emotionally devastated young man uses cynicism, violence, and faux religion to cope with pain and trials foisted upon him.

Fun stuff.
20 reviews
January 17, 2019
Good story and the plot develops

Enjoyed the book, I like where the story is heading. The book gives what feels a brighter look to the genre.
Profile Image for John DeBlanc.
337 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2019
Wow

Ok this one was rough. Very tough to get through parts of it. War Aeternus 3 The Culling deals with some sensitive topics while following the story
Profile Image for Brian.
207 reviews53 followers
April 6, 2019
3.5 stars for my personal review / memory. maybe 3.75.
it started stronger than it finished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Adrian.
181 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2020
Must read series......

Great writing for this series. I eagerly await the next edition. Headed to Amazon right now........................
Let's go people 🌀!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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