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The Good Guys #2
Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow
Montana’s new life in Vuldranni, the medieval fantasy game world he lucked into, isn’t quite the tranquil extended fishing trip he’d been hoping for. But you gotta admit, he’s doing pretty well for himself. Now he’s Montana Coggeshall, heir to a dukedom. If he can get his crew to Osterstadt and claim it in time.
Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow is a heart-pounding adventure through uncharted territory. Montana and the party must cross WarWaters, a lake that offers everything but a pleasure cruise, and then race through a dense, forbidden forest full of hungry beasts, unfriendly races, and a few cocky nobles. If you’re ready for an epic quest full of hellbeasts, ghost royals, and wyrm guts, this is the book for you.
Dive into The Good Guys book 2 today!
Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow is a heart-pounding adventure through uncharted territory. Montana and the party must cross WarWaters, a lake that offers everything but a pleasure cruise, and then race through a dense, forbidden forest full of hungry beasts, unfriendly races, and a few cocky nobles. If you’re ready for an epic quest full of hellbeasts, ghost royals, and wyrm guts, this is the book for you.
Dive into The Good Guys book 2 today!
254 pages, ebook
First published October 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
February 13, 2020
4 stars
This book continues to impress me with wild ideas and likable characters. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Montana takes on the
Onward to book 3.
This book continues to impress me with wild ideas and likable characters. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Montana takes on the
Onward to book 3.
May 13, 2022
And we're back slaying monsters and placing an ungodly amount of skill points! And true to the MMORPG spirit, our MC is confused and have no idea what he's doing while all the other players are picking on him for not reading the raid guide. It feels very relatable to the extreme stress of starting a new RPG game, and i'm here for it. Eric continues with his humorous writing, and long descriptions of numbers and skills, and i'm loving it.
WARNING
These books are for people who are well versed in RPG games, and I believe not very enjoyable if you don't have much knowledge about them.
WARNING
These books are for people who are well versed in RPG games, and I believe not very enjoyable if you don't have much knowledge about them.
October 29, 2018
Dang!!
I'm glad book 3 is supposedly around the corner.
That's all I'm going to say on this matter. Do yourself a service and pick this up.
I'm glad book 3 is supposedly around the corner.
That's all I'm going to say on this matter. Do yourself a service and pick this up.
September 15, 2020
Rating 4.0 stars
The story continues. I still have the same problem with it that I had with the first one. Montana is not from the world. The people he is with know this. They tell him he is like and baby and doesn't know what he is doing. He readily agrees with this assessment. With that being the case, why isn't anybody teaching him about this world. Nikolai keeps calling him an idiot because he doesn't know anything but at no point in this story did I read about them explaining how this world works. It was always, "we don't have time". He was told he would need to learn all the ins and outs of the world and being the heir to a duke and how to navigate his way through court life, but nobody told him anything. He was left alone to do whatever, and then was yelled at when he didn't due what they wanted, even though he had no clue that they wanted because they didn't tell him. Montana didn't progress in any of his skills or learn any new ones in this book. I don't see the people traveling with him as his friends because they are so antagonistic. I don't get friendship out of there interactions. I do like the world building and I am also curious as to where the story is going. When I started the first book I didn't think this is where we would be, so now I feel anything can happen.
The story continues. I still have the same problem with it that I had with the first one. Montana is not from the world. The people he is with know this. They tell him he is like and baby and doesn't know what he is doing. He readily agrees with this assessment. With that being the case, why isn't anybody teaching him about this world. Nikolai keeps calling him an idiot because he doesn't know anything but at no point in this story did I read about them explaining how this world works. It was always, "we don't have time". He was told he would need to learn all the ins and outs of the world and being the heir to a duke and how to navigate his way through court life, but nobody told him anything. He was left alone to do whatever, and then was yelled at when he didn't due what they wanted, even though he had no clue that they wanted because they didn't tell him. Montana didn't progress in any of his skills or learn any new ones in this book. I don't see the people traveling with him as his friends because they are so antagonistic. I don't get friendship out of there interactions. I do like the world building and I am also curious as to where the story is going. When I started the first book I didn't think this is where we would be, so now I feel anything can happen.
October 27, 2018
MC got more stupid
Couldn't finish it. Every other page other characters would make fun of the MC. This rating is for halfway through the book. The MC got more stupid from book 1 and progressively more stupid as book to one along. However the skilled mechanics and items were top notch. The premise of the book was unique. I love those parts of the book wish there were more books like this, just what the smarter main character.
Couldn't finish it. Every other page other characters would make fun of the MC. This rating is for halfway through the book. The MC got more stupid from book 1 and progressively more stupid as book to one along. However the skilled mechanics and items were top notch. The premise of the book was unique. I love those parts of the book wish there were more books like this, just what the smarter main character.
November 7, 2026
Great book!
I'm pissed about the end! I don't feel like riding a review so I'm just going to go get the next book and read it right now!
I'm pissed about the end! I don't feel like riding a review so I'm just going to go get the next book and read it right now!
January 4, 2026
You know…just when I thought I could move on to something else, take a small break, then bang that fucking ending! Am I ready for book three you ask?! FUCK YA!
In all seriousness, what I really like about this series is the lack of grinding for levels and stats. I love that this series is plot and character focused vs. the grinding and leveling that most LitRPG books fall prey to. Are the plot and characters amazing? Heck no! But they are enjoyable enough that I can overlook the messiness.
Also, I love how short these books are! I wish more fantasy books were shorter. Oh and the fact that this author can make me laugh out loud is just an added bonus.
P.S I might have a tiny crush on Nikolai ❤️
In all seriousness, what I really like about this series is the lack of grinding for levels and stats. I love that this series is plot and character focused vs. the grinding and leveling that most LitRPG books fall prey to. Are the plot and characters amazing? Heck no! But they are enjoyable enough that I can overlook the messiness.
Also, I love how short these books are! I wish more fantasy books were shorter. Oh and the fact that this author can make me laugh out loud is just an added bonus.
P.S I might have a tiny crush on Nikolai ❤️
December 1, 2018
Must Read
Just enough "Monty Haul" to be fun, lots of twists and turns along the way, and while the MC earth life is somewhat sad, its not overly dwelt upon or angsty (unlike others i won't mention)
Over all a fun romp.
(I'd also like to mention that I have read probably over 300 Game lit LitRPG books in the past 2 years and this will be the fifth review i have taken the time to write. Bravo Eric)
Just enough "Monty Haul" to be fun, lots of twists and turns along the way, and while the MC earth life is somewhat sad, its not overly dwelt upon or angsty (unlike others i won't mention)
Over all a fun romp.
(I'd also like to mention that I have read probably over 300 Game lit LitRPG books in the past 2 years and this will be the fifth review i have taken the time to write. Bravo Eric)
January 6, 2020
Did you read/listen to book one and wonder where the rest of the book is? HER IT IS!
I did like this book. Though it suffered from some of the same issues of the first book, it did fix some. To summarize: Montana doing things is entertaining and clever, better flow then first book, much less bogged down by long winded descriptions of non-eventful walking and traveling. only 2 readings of the character sheet but they still take over 5 minutes to be read (book 1 did it about a dozen times, each about 3-4 minutes long), Montana still learning how things work in the game, people are still silent and sometimes completely mean and mad about him even asking any questions, and Montana finally makes a few lasting relationships. Oh, and Montana still likes to literally throw away magical weapons without retrieving them. So far he has discarded a super powerful gods blessed sword and shield (both in book 1), a bane-of-anything-from-hell greatsword, and a behemoth slaying greatsword. That's pretty frustrating to see.
However, after read books one and two I have come to a conclusion: Both books feel like they should have been combined, or that they were purposely separated just to make 2 books of what should have been a one book story arc. Each one is far too short on their own, working much better together as a single story arc of Montana finding his place in this new world. As Eric Ugland releases one of these books every 2-3 months I feel that this one arc was split in order to make 2 books. After asking other readers of the series I have found that this theory is not just my own, and that further books feel the same way in pairs; books 1 and 2, books 3 and 4, etc.
Again, the true gem of this audiobook is Neil Hellegers' narration. He reminds me of one of my favored voice actors, Ray Porter, mixed with Tom Hanks. The range of male voices is varied and the female ones are not to bad either
I did like this book. Though it suffered from some of the same issues of the first book, it did fix some. To summarize: Montana doing things is entertaining and clever, better flow then first book, much less bogged down by long winded descriptions of non-eventful walking and traveling. only 2 readings of the character sheet but they still take over 5 minutes to be read (book 1 did it about a dozen times, each about 3-4 minutes long), Montana still learning how things work in the game, people are still silent and sometimes completely mean and mad about him even asking any questions, and Montana finally makes a few lasting relationships. Oh, and Montana still likes to literally throw away magical weapons without retrieving them. So far he has discarded a super powerful gods blessed sword and shield (both in book 1), a bane-of-anything-from-hell greatsword, and a behemoth slaying greatsword. That's pretty frustrating to see.
However, after read books one and two I have come to a conclusion: Both books feel like they should have been combined, or that they were purposely separated just to make 2 books of what should have been a one book story arc. Each one is far too short on their own, working much better together as a single story arc of Montana finding his place in this new world. As Eric Ugland releases one of these books every 2-3 months I feel that this one arc was split in order to make 2 books. After asking other readers of the series I have found that this theory is not just my own, and that further books feel the same way in pairs; books 1 and 2, books 3 and 4, etc.
Again, the true gem of this audiobook is Neil Hellegers' narration. He reminds me of one of my favored voice actors, Ray Porter, mixed with Tom Hanks. The range of male voices is varied and the female ones are not to bad either
May 3, 2023
After a decent start, it went the political route
I got a little over halfway through when the MC decided he needed to start figuring out more about politics. Nikolai continues to be typically awful to the MC even when it"s too much.
Just because your hero makes a rash decision, doesn't mean your reader base is frothing at the mouth to ridicule him relentlessly - so why write a character or several who treat the MC like he's only some dumb brute?
I did enjoy the scene on the island with all the questing even though Nik was a turd.
If you like the whole politically-focussed LitRPG, this is super crunchy despite some number errors and the MC doesn't come across as a major entitled flopdoodle.
For me, it just all started to come together that quick decisions meant the MC was getting favoured by the gods, the first people he came across informed him of the big empire v queen war, the first caravan he joined was fortuitous enough for him to meet someone who would give him path and purpose and training.
All the MC wanted to do when he got to the world was settle down and fish and now he's embroiled with duchies and political backstabbing - so I'm out. Enjoyed what I read, but I still haven't found my niche in this genre yet.
I got a little over halfway through when the MC decided he needed to start figuring out more about politics. Nikolai continues to be typically awful to the MC even when it"s too much.
Just because your hero makes a rash decision, doesn't mean your reader base is frothing at the mouth to ridicule him relentlessly - so why write a character or several who treat the MC like he's only some dumb brute?
I did enjoy the scene on the island with all the questing even though Nik was a turd.
If you like the whole politically-focussed LitRPG, this is super crunchy despite some number errors and the MC doesn't come across as a major entitled flopdoodle.
For me, it just all started to come together that quick decisions meant the MC was getting favoured by the gods, the first people he came across informed him of the big empire v queen war, the first caravan he joined was fortuitous enough for him to meet someone who would give him path and purpose and training.
All the MC wanted to do when he got to the world was settle down and fish and now he's embroiled with duchies and political backstabbing - so I'm out. Enjoyed what I read, but I still haven't found my niche in this genre yet.
February 2, 2021
Yesss! This book is enjoyable! I just finished this second installment of the Good Guys series, Heir Today Pawn Tomorrow, a LitRPG series full of humor, adventure, and a very likable MC! I am so excited right now about what fun I am having! I wish these tales were longer. Oh well, on to the next story in this engaging series!
July 20, 2025
Montana has not gotten his wish. He wants to relax and fish, but because of the man he is he was chosen to be an adopted son to a noble and now he has responsibilities if they make it to the city on time.
April 8, 2021
I think I enjoyed the sequel more than the original! This was a fun book, good humor, and a great LitRPG series to get into. I’m excited to start book 3!
March 26, 2024
Hooooly crap, that ending! *immediately downloads book 3*
August 3, 2025
Still was pretty good. This was maybe more a setup for the next in the series I’m assuming as it seemed more like they’re ramping up the main character’s power for things to happen later
September 6, 2024
Det som är, det är och kan det gå fel så gör det nog det...
Mot nästa del!
Mot nästa del!
July 18, 2020
Gotta love these cliffhanger endings
Ok...the ending isn't quite a cliffhanger. Ugland definitely resolved the major conflicts posited at the beginning of the story for the MC, but he also named to open another can of worms for the MC along the way.
That said, I enjoyed this book more than the last. The language was a little rougher (more f-bombs in this one, if you care about that sort of thing), but I also felt Ugland was beginning to enjoy his MC, Montana, a bunch more.
Definitely a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Ok...the ending isn't quite a cliffhanger. Ugland definitely resolved the major conflicts posited at the beginning of the story for the MC, but he also named to open another can of worms for the MC along the way.
That said, I enjoyed this book more than the last. The language was a little rougher (more f-bombs in this one, if you care about that sort of thing), but I also felt Ugland was beginning to enjoy his MC, Montana, a bunch more.
Definitely a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
July 19, 2021
3.5/5
Even though the book continue to be an easy read, I feel the story is too superficial and books are overall too short for my taste.
The book is something I listen to not because I am eager to find out what is going to happen, but because it a pleasant story to have around while doing something else. This is something many audiobooks fail to do and if they aren't hooking me up, I normally just drop them.
I will most likely keep listening to the rest of the series because Neil Hellegers did such an amazing job for Montana, it feels like the narrator is the character itself.
Even though the book continue to be an easy read, I feel the story is too superficial and books are overall too short for my taste.
The book is something I listen to not because I am eager to find out what is going to happen, but because it a pleasant story to have around while doing something else. This is something many audiobooks fail to do and if they aren't hooking me up, I normally just drop them.
I will most likely keep listening to the rest of the series because Neil Hellegers did such an amazing job for Montana, it feels like the narrator is the character itself.
December 28, 2018
(Almost) continuous excitement
Following immediately after the events of the first book, the sequel revolves around how the main character grew from a traipsing bull to a somewhat acceptable character in the world.
The bits of comedy was still there, albeit subdued by the character development. The story was mostly character driven at this point, with a little shadow of things to come
Following immediately after the events of the first book, the sequel revolves around how the main character grew from a traipsing bull to a somewhat acceptable character in the world.
The bits of comedy was still there, albeit subdued by the character development. The story was mostly character driven at this point, with a little shadow of things to come
May 10, 2019
Good story but too much cursing.
While the book has less cursing than the first book it is still to much and distracts from the story. So it lost one star that I would have given to the story if there was no cursing.
It has been said that cursing is a sign of a lack of creativity. Now the author is definitely creative so I see no need for him to use cursing to have his characters get there points across.
While the book has less cursing than the first book it is still to much and distracts from the story. So it lost one star that I would have given to the story if there was no cursing.
It has been said that cursing is a sign of a lack of creativity. Now the author is definitely creative so I see no need for him to use cursing to have his characters get there points across.
October 26, 2018
Book two
Mistakes: I found only one, a simple little word needed to be added to finish a sentence correctly.
Plot: not much of one. Mostly running to a city to claim some land. The trip did have interesting parts to it.
Characters: I still like the MC even if he is OP.
7.3/10 short fast read. Now hurry up with book three and make it longer.
Mistakes: I found only one, a simple little word needed to be added to finish a sentence correctly.
Plot: not much of one. Mostly running to a city to claim some land. The trip did have interesting parts to it.
Characters: I still like the MC even if he is OP.
7.3/10 short fast read. Now hurry up with book three and make it longer.
December 29, 2018
Wow, another rocking adventure
These are cool. I'm seeing top budget humorous action films in my head when I read them. Breden Frasier in the mummy series or Indiana Jones. A great set of stories that I can't put down. The LitRPG is a welcome bonus on top of the exciting fun story. Enough enthusing. I've a third book to read.
These are cool. I'm seeing top budget humorous action films in my head when I read them. Breden Frasier in the mummy series or Indiana Jones. A great set of stories that I can't put down. The LitRPG is a welcome bonus on top of the exciting fun story. Enough enthusing. I've a third book to read.
June 17, 2019
Good continuation. I'm a bit worried about this becoming more political with intrigue or something, which would be lett enjoyable to me personally. Still...good so far, so I hope the trend will continue :)
December 8, 2018
Better than the first
Better than the first, the mc isn't quite as moronic, engaging storyline, good for a few laughs, but a terrible ending.
Better than the first, the mc isn't quite as moronic, engaging storyline, good for a few laughs, but a terrible ending.
May 11, 2019
I'm loving the tone of this series. It's light but still exciting.
June 27, 2019
Not a lot to say here other than I'm really digging this world and am invested in these characters and their story.
January 23, 2020
Maybe this series isn't educational or life changing, but I love it. interesting world building, nice writing, good humor. good old fashioned fun.
September 30, 2021
Great
I could not put down. Was shocked and wanted more every word was great. The ending was shocking and made me pick up the next book immediately!!!😀
I could not put down. Was shocked and wanted more every word was great. The ending was shocking and made me pick up the next book immediately!!!😀
April 13, 2022
Summary:
Book 2 proved more entertaining than the first as I became fully immersed in the adventure that Montana and his party quested on, the story having a very Russel Crowe “Gladiator” feel to it as his adopted dad is sought to be discredited, imprisoned, sabotaged, and outright killed at every turn. Their journey towards the capitol became more and more suspenseful the closer they drew.
The Good:
* Most negative reviews cite the MC’s stupidity but I disagree with that assessment. The characters are developed to a fault, which made the story more enjoyable for me since I could approximate what each party member might do in any given situation, and it also made their actions more significant when they stepped out of their roles. E.G.:
* Montana is the quintessential reckless hero. He flings himself headlong into the fray with little forethought and always comes out victorious from the battle but usually worsens the party’s situation in other ways.
* Lee is a coward. Anytime danger approaches, he hides behind Montana.
* The otters are completely devoted to Montana but still have their little quirks, such as when Montana asks for a dagger, one of them produces a dagger whereas the other makes a show as if he’s looking for one.
* As Montana’s mentor, Nikolai is a complete jerk to him but every once in awhile Montana does something well thought out, and we’re rewarded with a slight show of praise from Nikolai.
* Creative profanity continues to be entertaining
* Because MC lives in the game world instead of playing a character in it, each battle is approached like a Herculean epic.
* From day 1 in the game the MC yearns to fish but the simple pleasure constantly eludes him due to more pressing matters. Once he finally does get to fish, the author breaks out this Mark Twain worthy prose that is both endearing and glorifying to its pursuit. It was refreshing to hear since to that point, the author’s writing capabilities consisted of trash talking everyone the MC meets.
The Meh:
* No love or at least lust interests abound of the opposite sex. Instead we get reminded that there was a relationship the MC had irl but never any details are actually given.
* Nikolai continues to be annoying with his dialogue. It still would have been better if he was a she.
* The NPC’s weave in and out of “real world” dialogue when it suits them and then stare blankly at MC when it doesn’t. Author could’ve done a better job with that.
The Bad:
* A lot of emphasis is placed on male nudity. Not what I want to imagine as a male heterosexual.
* Montana barely gains any levels throughout the book. The story is based more on the adventure (which is engaging) but levels take a back seat. Moreover, when battles ensue, it seems like level, size, and quantity of monster(s) don’t even matter: Montana kills 43 little Merfolk just as easily as one huge wingless dragon.
Book 2 proved more entertaining than the first as I became fully immersed in the adventure that Montana and his party quested on, the story having a very Russel Crowe “Gladiator” feel to it as his adopted dad is sought to be discredited, imprisoned, sabotaged, and outright killed at every turn. Their journey towards the capitol became more and more suspenseful the closer they drew.
The Good:
* Most negative reviews cite the MC’s stupidity but I disagree with that assessment. The characters are developed to a fault, which made the story more enjoyable for me since I could approximate what each party member might do in any given situation, and it also made their actions more significant when they stepped out of their roles. E.G.:
* Montana is the quintessential reckless hero. He flings himself headlong into the fray with little forethought and always comes out victorious from the battle but usually worsens the party’s situation in other ways.
* Lee is a coward. Anytime danger approaches, he hides behind Montana.
* The otters are completely devoted to Montana but still have their little quirks, such as when Montana asks for a dagger, one of them produces a dagger whereas the other makes a show as if he’s looking for one.
* As Montana’s mentor, Nikolai is a complete jerk to him but every once in awhile Montana does something well thought out, and we’re rewarded with a slight show of praise from Nikolai.
* Creative profanity continues to be entertaining
* Because MC lives in the game world instead of playing a character in it, each battle is approached like a Herculean epic.
* From day 1 in the game the MC yearns to fish but the simple pleasure constantly eludes him due to more pressing matters. Once he finally does get to fish, the author breaks out this Mark Twain worthy prose that is both endearing and glorifying to its pursuit. It was refreshing to hear since to that point, the author’s writing capabilities consisted of trash talking everyone the MC meets.
The Meh:
* No love or at least lust interests abound of the opposite sex. Instead we get reminded that there was a relationship the MC had irl but never any details are actually given.
* Nikolai continues to be annoying with his dialogue. It still would have been better if he was a she.
* The NPC’s weave in and out of “real world” dialogue when it suits them and then stare blankly at MC when it doesn’t. Author could’ve done a better job with that.
The Bad:
* A lot of emphasis is placed on male nudity. Not what I want to imagine as a male heterosexual.
* Montana barely gains any levels throughout the book. The story is based more on the adventure (which is engaging) but levels take a back seat. Moreover, when battles ensue, it seems like level, size, and quantity of monster(s) don’t even matter: Montana kills 43 little Merfolk just as easily as one huge wingless dragon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews