What do you think?
Rate this book
Hero of Thera #2
A Thousand Drunken Monkeys
A Thousand Drunken Monkeys (Book 2 in the Hero of Thera series)
Continue Playing the Game? Yes / No
The Kingdom of Thera is a crossroads to many worlds and realities. Here a secret war between the gods plays out via their proxy mortal champions. These player-champions use all the augmented-reality interfaces and game mechanics that role-playing and video-gamers know and love.
Join Hektor Saint-Savage, Marine and martial artist extraordinaire; Morgana Nox, shapeshifting druid-thief and trickster; and the cantankerous dwarf, Elmac Arguson—as they punch, blast, stab, and slither their way through the second Hero of Thera novel.
Can they outwit, outfight, and outrun assassins? The Imperial Knight Champion of Chaos? Feisty gnomes with slide rules? A horde of a thousand inebriated simians?
There’s only one way to find out…
Eric Nylund is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels—including HALO: The Fall of Reach. He has helped create over 50 video games like Gears of War. He lives near rain-drenched Seattle.
Continue Playing the Game? Yes / No
The Kingdom of Thera is a crossroads to many worlds and realities. Here a secret war between the gods plays out via their proxy mortal champions. These player-champions use all the augmented-reality interfaces and game mechanics that role-playing and video-gamers know and love.
Join Hektor Saint-Savage, Marine and martial artist extraordinaire; Morgana Nox, shapeshifting druid-thief and trickster; and the cantankerous dwarf, Elmac Arguson—as they punch, blast, stab, and slither their way through the second Hero of Thera novel.
Can they outwit, outfight, and outrun assassins? The Imperial Knight Champion of Chaos? Feisty gnomes with slide rules? A horde of a thousand inebriated simians?
There’s only one way to find out…
Eric Nylund is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels—including HALO: The Fall of Reach. He has helped create over 50 video games like Gears of War. He lives near rain-drenched Seattle.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2019
173 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 27, 2019
I'm done.
Seriously, what the hell?! I'm completely done with this series. First off, the over all plot of The Game, is fascinating. I just wish it actually progressed as the point in this book. Secondly, the side characters Elmec and Morgana, are awesome. Well written and level headed. But what ends the series for me is the main character, Hector. For such a supposed great gamer, with above average intelligence, he is very dimwitted. And emotionally very immature. To the point where I literally facepalm. And he KEEPS WALKING INTO OBVIOUS TRAPS!!!!!!! This soooooo annoying!! And for a self described "perfectionist min-max" player, he's impulsive as hell. And no player ever should keep ignoring powerful gear, and abilities at their disposal. And he does so. Constantly. I nearly dropped the series by the end of the last book when after defeating a demon army, he sacrificed over 3000 levels. 3000!!!! WHAT GAMER DOES THAT?!?! AND IF THE POINT WAS TO BE THE ULTIMATE FORCE FOR THE LITTERAL ENTITY OF BALANCE, I'D THINK KIND OF POWER WOULD HELP. Nope, you cant make that make sense. And the book ends on a cliffhanger. Yep, done.
Seriously, what the hell?! I'm completely done with this series. First off, the over all plot of The Game, is fascinating. I just wish it actually progressed as the point in this book. Secondly, the side characters Elmec and Morgana, are awesome. Well written and level headed. But what ends the series for me is the main character, Hector. For such a supposed great gamer, with above average intelligence, he is very dimwitted. And emotionally very immature. To the point where I literally facepalm. And he KEEPS WALKING INTO OBVIOUS TRAPS!!!!!!! This soooooo annoying!! And for a self described "perfectionist min-max" player, he's impulsive as hell. And no player ever should keep ignoring powerful gear, and abilities at their disposal. And he does so. Constantly. I nearly dropped the series by the end of the last book when after defeating a demon army, he sacrificed over 3000 levels. 3000!!!! WHAT GAMER DOES THAT?!?! AND IF THE POINT WAS TO BE THE ULTIMATE FORCE FOR THE LITTERAL ENTITY OF BALANCE, I'D THINK KIND OF POWER WOULD HELP. Nope, you cant make that make sense. And the book ends on a cliffhanger. Yep, done.
January 26, 2019
One of my most anticipated sequels
I was incredibly interested in this sequel, and it did not disappoint. The sense of humor, the fun, everything I have come to expect from this author was delivered. 5 stars. Please write book 3!!!
I was incredibly interested in this sequel, and it did not disappoint. The sense of humor, the fun, everything I have come to expect from this author was delivered. 5 stars. Please write book 3!!!
February 5, 2019
Weird ending
I honestly don't know how we got to the end of the story.
The time between the first and second books also didn't help.
I honestly don't know how we got to the end of the story.
The time between the first and second books also didn't help.
January 27, 2019
Cliffhanger ending kills this series for me.
I don't know about anyone else, but I hate cliffhangers, ESPECIALLY when they're done in the middle of some kind of confrontation. It's not shocking or adds too the story or any other positive excuse the author can give to justify ending the story. It comes off as lazy storytelling and preditory as a sales tactic only. Also, the author seems to forget his own item descriptions in a few places, like an item that says you can't unequip weapon without amputation but has it removed from him multiple times. If you don't mind cliffhangers then this book is a pretty good Litrpg, with the usual standard editing issues that are found in this genre right now.
I don't know about anyone else, but I hate cliffhangers, ESPECIALLY when they're done in the middle of some kind of confrontation. It's not shocking or adds too the story or any other positive excuse the author can give to justify ending the story. It comes off as lazy storytelling and preditory as a sales tactic only. Also, the author seems to forget his own item descriptions in a few places, like an item that says you can't unequip weapon without amputation but has it removed from him multiple times. If you don't mind cliffhangers then this book is a pretty good Litrpg, with the usual standard editing issues that are found in this genre right now.
April 23, 2019
Stupid game system (only improves by levelling, never training??)
MC says he's a great gamer, but 9 times out of 10 he'll just dump points into skills on impulse during fights with no plans for his future build
Several times MC fights first, then brings up his quest
Inconsistent game/world rules
Stupid MC (at least when it is necessary for the plot which seems to be all the time)
Stupid plot (so anticlimactic and irrelevant)
Stupid ending that came out of nowhere
The villains always win
I mean, the MC doesn't have a single true victory the entire book. Always one step behind. Always realising things too late. Always running away...
MC says he's a great gamer, but 9 times out of 10 he'll just dump points into skills on impulse during fights with no plans for his future build
Several times MC fights first, then brings up his quest
Inconsistent game/world rules
Stupid MC (at least when it is necessary for the plot which seems to be all the time)
Stupid plot (so anticlimactic and irrelevant)
Stupid ending that came out of nowhere
The villains always win
I mean, the MC doesn't have a single true victory the entire book. Always one step behind. Always realising things too late. Always running away...
February 9, 2019
Rules to live by
I don’t normally like to trash people works but I think Orson Scott Card said it best when he proposed that fantasy can be anything. You build your world fantastic unique and wonderful, and you make your own rules. But once those rules are made, you live by them, because they are the rules of your world. I just felt this story had no rules, and things constantly changed or flexed and it took me out of the story multiple times. This author set rules but doesn’t live by them.
I don’t normally like to trash people works but I think Orson Scott Card said it best when he proposed that fantasy can be anything. You build your world fantastic unique and wonderful, and you make your own rules. But once those rules are made, you live by them, because they are the rules of your world. I just felt this story had no rules, and things constantly changed or flexed and it took me out of the story multiple times. This author set rules but doesn’t live by them.
July 5, 2019
I enjoyed the hell out of the first book, and enjoyed it just as much on multiple re-reads. This sequel is just as much fun, while planting plenty of seeds for further volumes. (To those who’ve posted negative reviews objecting to the cliff-hanger ending, I can only say: it’s totally in-keeping with the genre, so...if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.)
Now I have to start the painful wait for book 3...
Now I have to start the painful wait for book 3...
July 19, 2019
It's been a while since the first book and I'd forgotten quite a bit of the story. The characters are still good, and I really like world and mechanics, but the story wasn't as engaging as I'd remembered. This could very well be because my memory of the first book wasn't very good, but this one seems a lot smaller in scale with a less clear goal. Still very engaging, just might need to revisit these books before starting book 3 in a couple of years.
July 13, 2019
Hektor where have you been
Hektor is a witty, slightly naive, and chivalrous character you can’t help but love. Morgana is a woman after my own heart. Thanks for providing a more mature woman, and not a high school or college girl. Elmac is a rough around the edges dwarf, you can’t help but root for. I love the series and look forward to the next audible book.
Hektor is a witty, slightly naive, and chivalrous character you can’t help but love. Morgana is a woman after my own heart. Thanks for providing a more mature woman, and not a high school or college girl. Elmac is a rough around the edges dwarf, you can’t help but root for. I love the series and look forward to the next audible book.
May 30, 2019
Really?
Ok. Read this if you read the first one so im not the only one who is shaking the head in annoyed amusement impatiently waiting for book 3.
Ok. Read this if you read the first one so im not the only one who is shaking the head in annoyed amusement impatiently waiting for book 3.
August 30, 2022
I've read a LOT of LitRPG. Most of it is middling (and some of my 5-star ratings are a kindness to authors and a genre I want to see grow, rather than perhaps the most accurate estimation of how good a particular book is. I ENJOY them to 5-stars, they're not necessarily masterpieces), but this series is genuinely excellent. A *gasp* adult protagonist, compelling worldbuilding, stat and interface light but just enough to sell the RPG part of LitRPG, and MUCH better dialogue than the overwhelming majority of books in the genre.
I would like to see the main character be a bit more plausibly intelligent (or have his mistakes be better justified), but otherwise a solid read.
I would like to see the main character be a bit more plausibly intelligent (or have his mistakes be better justified), but otherwise a solid read.
January 28, 2019
Book two
Mistakes:= I found none. I thought about dropping a star for that ending, but the author wrote a great book.
Plot: Interesting enough that you want to keep going because you need to know what happens next. Everything flowed together smoothly leading to a nice twist at the end. I didn't like the cliffhanger ending though.
Characters: We still have the MC and both the main sidekicks. Everyone grew nicely. I do like the issue with the new implanted memories verses the memories from his old life.
9.7/10 Good job on the bit at the start to remind readers what happens in book one.
Mistakes:= I found none. I thought about dropping a star for that ending, but the author wrote a great book.
Plot: Interesting enough that you want to keep going because you need to know what happens next. Everything flowed together smoothly leading to a nice twist at the end. I didn't like the cliffhanger ending though.
Characters: We still have the MC and both the main sidekicks. Everyone grew nicely. I do like the issue with the new implanted memories verses the memories from his old life.
9.7/10 Good job on the bit at the start to remind readers what happens in book one.
February 3, 2019
Pretty good continuation of a well above-average litRPG saga, but this one doesn't conclude. It just ends, mid-scene, and I found it jarring and very unsatisfying. And there was the occasional typo (where instead of were at one point, I recall vividly) that also brings the score down. If it weren't for that and the ending being so abrupt I'd have ranked it higher.
Other than that, a highly enjoyable story which I look forward to continuing. I really appreciate the non-obvious unstructured way it proceeds, like a gamer wandering around a new world rather than a strict progression from beginning to end.
Other than that, a highly enjoyable story which I look forward to continuing. I really appreciate the non-obvious unstructured way it proceeds, like a gamer wandering around a new world rather than a strict progression from beginning to end.
October 30, 2021
I read the first of this series via Paperback, this is the only other other book series of Eric's I've read so far which wasn't Halo. I switched from Paperback to audiobook for this book, the second instalment of the series and this is the first time I've done with this a series ever. I usually try to keep things consistent, so if I start a book as a paperback or ebook I finish it as that, but I wanted to try mixing it up just once.
I really wish I got to see what Mr Nulls voice sounds like, I loved this narrator and the way he did ALL of the characters they were so well done! Such amazing talent!
The story itself was riveting, I found myself jumping from chapter to chapter and spending most of my evenings after work drowning myself in this book instead of watching TV or doing something else! It was so fun!
The story is a LITRPG so it takes place in a sort of game world which is real, it has Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Orcs and a litany of other RPG races in it which is much broader than Tolkiens world of course and mixed with a lot of real world mythology, in this one they use interdimensional portals to go to another planet for a side quest! It was a lot of fun! In my review for the first book I said that the characters didn't mean much to me, I found myself bonding way more with them on the second entry and that's probably just because I spent more time with them, I loved Morgana and Elmac.
Eric is one of my favourite authors and I tried to pick up some more of his style, he's a lot, and I meant a loooot better at cliffhangers and leading the audience from chapter to chapter than I am and I love him for it!
Can't wait for book 3 of Thera! I might have to check out his other works even though I'm not too interested in them from what I've seen so far.
I really wish I got to see what Mr Nulls voice sounds like, I loved this narrator and the way he did ALL of the characters they were so well done! Such amazing talent!
The story itself was riveting, I found myself jumping from chapter to chapter and spending most of my evenings after work drowning myself in this book instead of watching TV or doing something else! It was so fun!
The story is a LITRPG so it takes place in a sort of game world which is real, it has Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Orcs and a litany of other RPG races in it which is much broader than Tolkiens world of course and mixed with a lot of real world mythology, in this one they use interdimensional portals to go to another planet for a side quest! It was a lot of fun! In my review for the first book I said that the characters didn't mean much to me, I found myself bonding way more with them on the second entry and that's probably just because I spent more time with them, I loved Morgana and Elmac.
Eric is one of my favourite authors and I tried to pick up some more of his style, he's a lot, and I meant a loooot better at cliffhangers and leading the audience from chapter to chapter than I am and I love him for it!
Can't wait for book 3 of Thera! I might have to check out his other works even though I'm not too interested in them from what I've seen so far.
May 8, 2019
Once again a very fast paced adventure, however after adjusting to the pace of the first book I burned through this one in under a day. We get a few new characters in this book some interesting some annoying, We get some more character development for Hector and the main secondary characters become much more fleshed out. Unfortunately the main character doesn't come off as very bright though that seems to happen a lot in the genre so nothing can really be done about it, as a result it's a very seat of your pants story from one event into the next without the typical time spent going over stats and skills and only really using them in the heat of the moment to try and turn the tides of battle. A good portion of the book feels mostly like a side quest, with it being left over from book one and being used to escape another quest chain it basically is. After completing said side quest in one form or another the main quest catches up with them to get the main story progressing again then just ends abruptly, though I don't think it was as unsatisfactory as everyone seems to be complaining about as it was predictable that it would end that way. The world building advances a little bit but it feels like there were some changes to it between the first and second books making it feel a little too flex able. Overall it's a great continuation to the story and once again if you want a very fast paced Adventure LitRPG I recommend it.
January 26, 2019
Loved this continuation of the story of The Hero of Thera. Although I do have to say I kind of am curious about one thing.... WHY THE HELL IS IT PENDRIC!!! Had to love Ermac though his reincarnated story is just hilarious. He is like yea I gave up my arm to be a combat mage. Then it turns out he is also is Bastard Nobility. Now that is kind of interesting. I am kind of sad for Hector though. I kind of hoped that he would be able to see his bodies family. That would have been awesome. Well hopefully he will some day make it bad to that temple and meet the monks. Also when will his intellect be addressed!!! He is still dumb as a box of rocks technically. If he is going to be a sort of mage he needs a little bit of smarts!
Other than those small things Had to say loved this story. Can't wait for the next story.
Other than those small things Had to say loved this story. Can't wait for the next story.
January 29, 2019
Solid LitRPG
This guy knows how to write. From quick witted characters to interesting but not overpowered abilities he really sets the bar for litrpgs in my mind. Just enough numbers for it to be interesting and make sense but not swimming in them every other chapter using the much simplified dnd character structure. Plus I love the wuxia flavor of the main character and that SOMEBODY is writing an MC who decides not to go plain vanilla human. I mean come on you are presented with being an immortal elf and we are supposed to believe you choose weak short lived HUMAN? Anyway good book with solid writing and an interesting story.
This guy knows how to write. From quick witted characters to interesting but not overpowered abilities he really sets the bar for litrpgs in my mind. Just enough numbers for it to be interesting and make sense but not swimming in them every other chapter using the much simplified dnd character structure. Plus I love the wuxia flavor of the main character and that SOMEBODY is writing an MC who decides not to go plain vanilla human. I mean come on you are presented with being an immortal elf and we are supposed to believe you choose weak short lived HUMAN? Anyway good book with solid writing and an interesting story.
February 21, 2019
I couldn’t stay away long—promise
Oh man. Where to even begin!
The book was fantastic, the series itself is wonderful. The writing is crazy and I love the thought put into everything. The world being built is so wild and fantastic that I forget that the series plays off of so many different times and theories and styles that it seems to just have the rest of the worlds revolve around this game. I love the fight scenes. The banter is phenomenal. And good GODS don’t even get me started on the gaming aspect. I loved it. I always recommend this series to anyone who will listen. Cannot WAIT for the next book.
Oh man. Where to even begin!
The book was fantastic, the series itself is wonderful. The writing is crazy and I love the thought put into everything. The world being built is so wild and fantastic that I forget that the series plays off of so many different times and theories and styles that it seems to just have the rest of the worlds revolve around this game. I love the fight scenes. The banter is phenomenal. And good GODS don’t even get me started on the gaming aspect. I loved it. I always recommend this series to anyone who will listen. Cannot WAIT for the next book.
October 4, 2020
I was a bit worried about this sequel because of some of the negative reviews, but I needn’t have. It was just lovely. Beware, this is the middle book of a trilogy, and as such does not wrap every storyline up in a neat little bow...intentionally so. But it does tell a fun story, bond the three title characters further together, conclude one of the trailing storylines from the first book, and end with a surprise that I guessed...but my husband didn’t. Lots of fun, I can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out!
December 23, 2022
This is the second book in the series, and I'm looking for the third!
Hektor is starting to question how the game works...
Hektor is a fair person. He works his way through the game with more than slashing and fighting, though he does that when the moment calls for it. He makes plans on how he's going to play the game, but then wonders how things are going with other characters.
I do enjoy the adventure that happens in this book. And I love the surprises we get along the way! This book sets us up for book three and I'm curious to see how it all will play out!
Hektor is starting to question how the game works...
Hektor is a fair person. He works his way through the game with more than slashing and fighting, though he does that when the moment calls for it. He makes plans on how he's going to play the game, but then wonders how things are going with other characters.
I do enjoy the adventure that happens in this book. And I love the surprises we get along the way! This book sets us up for book three and I'm curious to see how it all will play out!
January 27, 2019
Excellent
A good book there are all to few monk builds in gamelit at least for the main character. Didn't really notice any typos but wasnt really looking. There was nothing to break the immersive but then nylund is an experienced author. The class choices were interesting though the line mage class wasnt quite what I expected though the mechanics made sense cant wait for the next book.
A good book there are all to few monk builds in gamelit at least for the main character. Didn't really notice any typos but wasnt really looking. There was nothing to break the immersive but then nylund is an experienced author. The class choices were interesting though the line mage class wasnt quite what I expected though the mechanics made sense cant wait for the next book.
February 4, 2019
Author skill rank 10 with a +2 to story weaving
The first book is the only one that I have ever reread because I was jonesing for the sequel. This book was even better, and leaving me wanting the third even more. Great characters, solid story with a great pace. Well done, sir. I like these stories with a more varied skill/class system that makes the creativity of the characters the true weapons.
The first book is the only one that I have ever reread because I was jonesing for the sequel. This book was even better, and leaving me wanting the third even more. Great characters, solid story with a great pace. Well done, sir. I like these stories with a more varied skill/class system that makes the creativity of the characters the true weapons.
February 11, 2019
A truly great sequel
The only critique that could be given of this book was the length of time that it took to get to readers. Just as with the first novel, Eric Nylund gives readers an almost near perfect book. The characters are all engaging, innovative and surprising. The story is layered, interesting and fun on both the gamer and fantasy book levels. Truly the next novel cannot get here soon enough!
The only critique that could be given of this book was the length of time that it took to get to readers. Just as with the first novel, Eric Nylund gives readers an almost near perfect book. The characters are all engaging, innovative and surprising. The story is layered, interesting and fun on both the gamer and fantasy book levels. Truly the next novel cannot get here soon enough!
February 16, 2019
Good fun and development!
You realize of course that I'm going to have to go back and re-read & watch some of those favorite old king-fu movies our hero is recalling as he progresses along with these several splendid compatriots... nice detail in the storytelling, and a surprise at the end that made me laugh out loud! You bet I'll be pre-ordering the next novel in this series.
You realize of course that I'm going to have to go back and re-read & watch some of those favorite old king-fu movies our hero is recalling as he progresses along with these several splendid compatriots... nice detail in the storytelling, and a surprise at the end that made me laugh out loud! You bet I'll be pre-ordering the next novel in this series.
February 5, 2020
I gave a pass to the whole min/max gamer as being a good gamer; I've only seen average gamers at best come out of doing that. But throughout this book the main character has shown himself to be a bad gamer and not very intelligent at all. Getting use to a new world and body would probably be tough, still nothing makes the character seem like a gamer at all. I might give the next book a chance but I hope he stops making the character an idiot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2019
Read this series!
What a blast! A different type of build from the usual, humorous in the right places, a protagonist with a flexible but still virtuous moral code with a healthy balance of introspection without becoming annoying. Plenty of action and very interesting character development.
What a blast! A different type of build from the usual, humorous in the right places, a protagonist with a flexible but still virtuous moral code with a healthy balance of introspection without becoming annoying. Plenty of action and very interesting character development.
February 7, 2019
Another fun read
I enjoyed this story, but it felt like more of a warm-up to the big event. Kind of a let down on the drunken master train up motif, it was more of a side quest. Writing was pretty good, timing was fine as well. I don't know, but it seemed to lack the spark of the first book. Will definitely be looking forward to the next installment.
I enjoyed this story, but it felt like more of a warm-up to the big event. Kind of a let down on the drunken master train up motif, it was more of a side quest. Writing was pretty good, timing was fine as well. I don't know, but it seemed to lack the spark of the first book. Will definitely be looking forward to the next installment.
September 21, 2019
Such a fun listen. Jeff Hays is a master of unique voices. The story is just FUN. Not sure why other reviewers are getting so upset, maybe it’s a difference in expectation. If you’re looking for a interesting, sometimes silly, ride - this is for you. Not so patiently waiting for the next installment.
November 26, 2019
MC is likable but kind of an idiot (self proclaimed). Saving skill points for “emergencies” and always being saved by luck or more powerful party members was fun for a while but it’s time to out grow this habit if I am going to finish the next book. Some inconsistencies with the mechanics of the system but nothing too extreme.
January 28, 2019
Fantastic
This author does not disappoint with his amazing writing and equally great story telling. I wish the novel were longer as I can’t get enough of this series. I eagerly await the next book and recommend this one to any and all.
This author does not disappoint with his amazing writing and equally great story telling. I wish the novel were longer as I can’t get enough of this series. I eagerly await the next book and recommend this one to any and all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews