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The Path to Peace brought them to the gates of the old city. Now Alburet and his friends will need to find their way into the vaults under the city. They will need to bypass the undead and the cultists that roam the city to even find those tunnels, and that’s only the start of the troubles they will face.

Traitors to Stormguard are uncovered, and the King will have to be told. That can only happen after they deal with the two quests that have brought them this far. Vladimir Dracon hopes to put his brother Dimitry to rest, slaying the one known as the Dragon Eater, while Sir Cody Carter has come to make sure the Urn of Souls is destroyed so it doesn’t fall into Stein’s hands.

What happens under Peace will tilt the balance of what is to come: either in favor of the Crown of Stormguard, or for Stein and his cultists.

Welcome back to Alpha World.

(This book contains adult themes. You’d think I could stop with these disclaimers, but even this far into the series, people are shocked by the content. This book contains a polyamorous relationship, with one of the four people in it being a Succubus. You’ve been warned.)

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2019

436 people are currently reading
108 people want to read

About the author

Daniel Schinhofen

67 books1,316 followers
Daniel 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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5 stars
864 (61%)
4 stars
388 (27%)
3 stars
118 (8%)
2 stars
18 (1%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
589 reviews
April 2, 2019
Book 7 adds conspiracy, revenge and the main villains

This book really brings the emotional extremes of love, happiness, rage and sorrow mixed together with action, humour and pop culture references. I really love this series and this book is a great addition to the story. Daniel really hits the mark to bring the emotions of the characters out with his words, one of the few authors in this genre who in one book can make me smile so hard my cheeks hurt, and a few chapters later has me on the verge of tears. The story seems to really be accelerating towards what I assume to be the end of a climactic story arc (rather than the series end) as the MC’s move past level 80 towards the 100 cap and a massive ‘Event’. I give books 5 stars if I really enjoyed reading it, but some I just want to give 6 stars like this one. Waiting patiently for more.
Profile Image for Eric Cooley.
91 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2019
Okay but obvious connector book

I enjoy the story overall. Even though I'm not a great reader of harem types. This one is at least mostly believable.

It is obviously a connection book running up to a grand conclusion. Some neat stuff, but not as fun as the previous books. The quests are good, but don't feel as epic. They seem to stumble onto the right path rather than work for it.

Also all the side characters feel they are only onstage and growing so our hero has someone to adventure with. Pretty sad for thus series that up until now had them pretty flushed out with serious flaws. Only one still has some and her flaws are just point out his too.
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,543 reviews125 followers
April 19, 2020
Rating 4.o stars

A good addition to the series. There were basically 2 parts to this story. The first half was about the raid in the dead lands. The second half is when everyone reaped the benefits of the first half. Alburet and Alpha company end up getting very OP from the rewards from the quest. There was a lot more political intrigue in this one and traitors were found. Some were obvious while others were not. I kind of wonder if we have uncovered all the traitors? While for Alburet and his family, alpha world is their new home and where they want to be. For others it is still a game, so when Alburet gets attacked, it is hard to blame people who are just trying to have fun in a game world.
10 reviews
April 2, 2019
Another wonderful addition to this series

Well I didn't see that twist coming. I am glad to have received this book of the series in a giveaway but I have bought all the others. And wow does this one continue to be entertaining! The characters are not just wining all the time and surprises are fun to watch them deal with. Seeing someone thrown into dealing with how an empire seals and wheels is fun to watch though to be honest I am glad Albert isn't me! My only complaint is how long character sheets are getting and having to mostly scroll past them as we are told what was added. Still and all a good read and I am glad I have read it and plan to read the entire series again soon.
241 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2019
A slow burn to an inferno

Initially, the story started slowly and it was difficult to evince interest. However, mid-way through someone turned up the gas and kicked me to the edge of my seat! Alburet et al., continue on a quest to the forgotten prison to confront a dangerous prisoner. Regrettably, it does not turn out as expected and tragedy occurs. Alburet and Gerald are raised to the peerage, in addition to other honours, admidst great hostility led by an old enemy. Meanwhile, whilst dealing with treachery, Alburet and Alpha company must team with others to pull down an evil God and his followers. If he is unsuccessful, he may lose everything.
Profile Image for Dave Stone.
1,353 reviews101 followers
June 30, 2019
despite a slow start, there is a lot packed in this one
No lie, I thought the first half of this book dragged. I was starting to think this is where the series ran out of gas, Oh shame on me for thinking that.
It does pick up the pace, and the plot thickens, and the stakes get raised. There is good character development, world expansion, and the surprising revelations feel perfectly natural. There is a lot of character development and character advancement in this book. This whole series has been masterfully crafted and each book has been a nearly perfect addition to the whole.
And then ended on a cliff hanger all too soon and I can't wait for the next one.
426 reviews7 followers
April 5, 2019
Wrap up and set up

Book 7 is all about wrapping up and setting up for the next big arc. The story advances, there's some nice character development, but overall, it's all about prepping for another awesome set. I like that the author does this, it gives a feeling of completion for me. Makes the entirety into a whole story, rather than individual books linked together. It's one long awesome story.
Profile Image for Crissy Moss.
Author 36 books42 followers
April 26, 2019
This has to be my favorite so far. It steps away from the interpersonal issues of the quartet and digs in deeper to the political intrigue and issues going on with the empire. There is a major fight, but the end is not quite here yet, but it is looming on the horizon. Only bad part about it is that the next book isn't out yet.
Profile Image for Kiba Snowpaw.
Author 2 books24 followers
September 26, 2023
Introduction:
Greetings, fellow beings of HowlStrom, the icy realm where winter reigns supreme. I am Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha male Ice Wolf with the power of ice magic, and I've been gaming for over 36 years. Today, I bring forth my thoughts on "Darkhand," the seventh installment in the Alpha World series by Daniel Schinhofen.

Basic Plot Summary:
The tale unfolds as Alburet and his companions venture into the ancient city's depths, seeking the vaults hidden beneath. Their journey is fraught with challenges, from the undead to the treacherous cultists. As they delve deeper, they uncover Stormguard's traitors and face quests that could tip the balance of power in the realm. The stakes are high, and the challenges many, but the allure of Alpha World beckons.

Analysis/Evaluation:
"Darkhand" is a testament to Schinhofen's storytelling prowess. The narrative is intricate, weaving together elements of fantasy, litRPG, and political intrigue. The world-building is immersive, drawing the reader (or listener) into the depths of Alpha World, making one feel the chill of the undead and the tension of the looming battles.

Characters:
Alburet stands out as a character of depth and complexity. His journey, both physical and emotional, is the heart of the story. The supporting characters, from Vladimir Dracon to Sir Cody Carter, add layers to the narrative, each with their motivations and challenges.

Structure:
The story flows seamlessly, with each chapter building upon the last. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action followed by periods of introspection and character development.

Impact:
For a gamer like me, who has treaded the icy plains of HowlStrom and faced countless adversaries, "Darkhand" resonates deeply. It's not just a tale of adventure; it's a reflection on loyalty, friendship, and the choices we make.

Hook and Thesis:
From the very beginning, the listener is drawn into the world of Alpha World, eager to accompany Alburet on his quest. The underlying theme is clear: in a world filled with challenges and adversaries, it's the bonds we forge that define us.

Praise and Critique:
The narrative's strength lies in its character development and world-building. Schinhofen has crafted a tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking. However, some might find the litRPG elements a tad overwhelming, especially if unfamiliar with the genre.

Comparison:
Compared to the earlier books in the series, "Darkhand" stands out for its depth and complexity. It feels like a culmination of the journey so far, setting the stage for even grander adventures.

Conclusion:
In the icy realm of HowlStrom, we value tales that warm our hearts and ignite our spirits. "Darkhand" does just that. It's a journey worth undertaking, filled with challenges, friendships, and moments of triumph. As Kiba Snowpaw, the alpha male Ice Wolf of HowlStrom, I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook to all who seek adventure and intrigue.

May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide your path.
377 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2022
The World Changes
Dives right into the action with some overland travel, and the dungeon crawl that is supposed to resolve several major quest paths. So much involvement from various super-beings makes the Alburet and the rest of the teams efforts less central to the part, and more like leaves floating down a turbulent plot river. A couple of the 2nd tier characters suffer permanent deaths.

Multiple gods and godlike creatures are getting directly involved, including Peace, Justice, Mother, the Dark Lord, the Prophet of Stein, Ophelia, Dimitry the Dragon Eater. Many have unexplained super-powers that make them unstoppable.

Alburet, Stacia, Fluff, Karen, Marysue and Gerald are almost overwhelmed by the confluence of dozens of other major characters introduced in various books all getting pulled into a final combat, made even more confusing by having two central objectives requiring the group to be split, resulting in two combats going on at once.

The upon return to town the group is just pounded by multiple events completely outside of their control, and more permanent deaths including some that are genuinely surprising and/or sad.

Regretting not reading this immediately after the previous books, but I was tired of the series. Jumping into it after a year, a lot of the momentum and interest in the plot was lost, although since every sub-plot seemed to have a serious plot twist, maybe it was for the better.
Profile Image for Shea.
53 reviews1 follower
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
150 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2019
As usual good

As usual this is a good book series to enjoy. The only flaw that I find in this is that every single time that a new book starts it's basically just starting from the end of the last book and with the time in between books one might become a little bit Rusty with memory pertaining to the storyline. I would enjoy seeing a little summary prologue of what happened in the last book at the beginning just to spark a bit of recollection. Otherwise it characters and plot are good. Please oh please let there be a more interesting death for the character known as Skippy. No random disappears and leaves an item how about make him the first Native that can be tortured that horribly and does not die for like 5 months of torture and then toss his body up as a example in public or some s***. You definitely got the this dude is an a****** character down with that prick
69 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2020
I think one of the worst things in this series is the entire time to mc ignored his enemies. He never kills them or stops he just dies and cries and swears to do something but never does. Skippy is a example as he even killed his new father and the mc just ignored it lol Like litterally skippy was burning down his family's business's and the mc litterally just sat there and went oh ok then leaves to go play with his friends he comes back and is like why is everyone upset? They are only burning down the city and killing everyone he knows and he still is like oh it's ok no reason to be mad lol Like the ending of this series is so stupid.
677 reviews10 followers
May 20, 2022
Getting better and better

Gotta love good storytelling, especially when it ends in a cliffhanger. The circle of life is a dream, a struggle, then a prize. Wash, rinse, repeat. It was great to read that the MC, his wives and guild leveled through hard work, overcame challenges and were finally recognized for their accomplishments. Then, of course, the wicked prosecuted their next nefarious schemes, which included arson, murder most foul, betrayals, planting false evidence and attempted regicide.

Really looking forward to the next installment which will likely be the raid on the forgotten prison.
176 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2019
Great follow up

Great follow up to the previous book. I love this series and am sad as it seems to be moving towards it's conclusion. The sex scenes were very toned down compared to the previous few books. It was great to see Alburet become a full Demon Lord and how his race change once again affected other peoples interactions with him.
Profile Image for Irizumi.
446 reviews3 followers
April 8, 2019
Holy smokes

Ok this one by far is the darkest of the series by far and has some of the biggest shocks in it. Can someone please please please kill Lord skippy already. Please. Seriously. Absolutely love this series and huge fan of this author and am now sad that I have to wait for the next book in a few months.
698 reviews
April 28, 2019
Excellent

This book just carries on in the tradition of the previous books in the series. Heart stopping action, betrayal, fun, magic, epic quests. The only downside is that the moment I get so invested in the book I don’t even notice that I’m close to the ending, and the ending is the usual cliffhanger. I swear the series just keeps on getting better and better.
288 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2020
Amazing book 7

We continue to see the amazing storytelling that has been prevalent throughout the series, with further maturity and feeling. This is a series that you'll spend countless hours reading, devouring a story that is amazing, at the same time dreading that at some point it will end... well done!!
20 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2020
Intrigue of the court follows alpha company as tensions rise towards a final confrontation.

Wonderful change of pace. Alpha company finishes their quest only to realize that there may be more enemies than they thought closer to home. Adventure pauses as Alpha company explores political arena of the court of Stormguard all the while growing to prepare for the big battle to come.
2 reviews
April 1, 2019
Awesome read

I love how the author close one book to another building on the past. Always entertaining opening up or I should more of this world. If you like good literary RPGs this is one series you won't forget.
Profile Image for Anthony Bishop.
10 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2019
GAH! That ending. Finally reaching the final in all of this!

The book is great, the character growth and adventure is fantastic and digging more into the lore of the world that we have all come to love was a fantastic experience.
278 reviews5 followers
April 3, 2019
Oh yeah

If I thought things were ramping up before this novel leveled the entire field. Plot threads tied off, new developments fast coming, and still more character growth. I love this series. It makes me think and still give me the action fix. I appreciate that.
Profile Image for James P.
1 review2 followers
April 3, 2019
Another great chapter in the series. My only disapointment is now I have to wait until the next book.
Also wouldn’t have minded a bit more smut but I’m sure more prudish minded people will appreciate the fade to black adult scenes.
Profile Image for Sena.
71 reviews
April 3, 2019
Back to the roots

Books 3-5 dove into a lot of character building and lore while this newest book rekindled the feel the first two had. Nasty fights and political intrigue, and sets the stage for a war we all can't wait for. 5/5 imp lords, would burn again.
388 reviews
April 4, 2019
Ripsnortin' action and gorgeous cover art.

I love that we get to see Kitten, Tiny, and Bob! Wonderful cover art by Anthony Bishop. Full out nefarious skullduggery. Arson, assassination, insurrection and a couple of weddings. There's even some surprise promotions.
18 reviews
April 6, 2019
Another great book

As always, a fantastic story. The role playing in this series is great. Really can’t wait for the next one. Good thing the Bindjng Words series is just as good so I can read each of those between each in this series.
229 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2019
Greatness Returnex

The series has finally gotten back to having fun and kicking butt. My only criticism is the foolishness of our MC not protecting his people or putting contracts on known enemies. Still looking forward to the next one.
275 reviews7 followers
April 11, 2019
Wow!!!

This was long awaited and greatly appreciated! The revelations were plentiful with some being expected and others coming out of nowhere. Very well done. I'm definitely impressed and looking forward to the next book.
267 reviews
April 13, 2019
Brill!

Wow seems iits taken ages to get to bk 7 but the wait is worth it. A good use of game mechanics to tell the tale and the big raid is approaching , i still feel that there willl be more revelations to come in Seamus life outside of the game!
Next book a bit sooner please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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