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The Realm Between #5
The Evil Within
All Azure wants to do is leave The Realm, but the Bower Boys throw a wrench in his plans. Mistakes that Azure made when he first joined The Adventurers Guild come back to haunt him. Uden flexes between good and evil once more as he's put in a precarious situation.
Is vengeance worth endangering all of your friends and possibly dying for? Azure answers that question with steel, taking a path he never thought he'd travel. Once he set foot down it, there was no going back. Decisions were made and someone will pay the ultimate price.
The adventure continues in this part slice of life, part dungeon crawl LitRPG that's reminiscent of a crazy homebrew campaign.
Is vengeance worth endangering all of your friends and possibly dying for? Azure answers that question with steel, taking a path he never thought he'd travel. Once he set foot down it, there was no going back. Decisions were made and someone will pay the ultimate price.
The adventure continues in this part slice of life, part dungeon crawl LitRPG that's reminiscent of a crazy homebrew campaign.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2019
231 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Phoenix Grey
18 books103 followersPhoenix Grey is the super secret nerd pen name of a USA Today bestselling author. She currently lives in a secluded podunk town outside of San Antonio, Texas where she can hermit away while working on books and playing video games. When she's not busy plotting her world domination, she can be found hosting game nights at the local comic book store or checking out the latest recommended anime.
She loves hearing from and interacting with fans, so feel free to stalk her in the following ways:
1. Phoenix Grey's Mailing List: http://www.subscribepage.com/TheRealm...
Sign up to learn when the next installment of The Realm Between is coming out.
2. The Realm Between's Facebook page: fb.me/TheRealmBetweenLitRPG
3. Phoenix Grey's Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Phoen...
4. Phoenix Grey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxd...
She loves hearing from and interacting with fans, so feel free to stalk her in the following ways:
1. Phoenix Grey's Mailing List: http://www.subscribepage.com/TheRealm...
Sign up to learn when the next installment of The Realm Between is coming out.
2. The Realm Between's Facebook page: fb.me/TheRealmBetweenLitRPG
3. Phoenix Grey's Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Phoen...
4. Phoenix Grey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxd...
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 11, 2021
Notes:
Story is range between dull to ok. Character development is there but not in a direction that I care to follow. Great narration with so-so story. Episodic format for the series did not work for me.
Story is range between dull to ok. Character development is there but not in a direction that I care to follow. Great narration with so-so story. Episodic format for the series did not work for me.
August 16, 2020
More of the same old garbage
MC is still a whiney douchebag, 5 books in. Still playing doormat to everyone and everything, while being an absolute moron that keeps intentionally not doing all the things he intends to do, and refusing to buy things he knows he needs.
By book 3 I was actively rooting for someone to permanently kill all the characters, and now it's just continuing this cesspool out of morbid curiosity for just how bad it can get.
MC is still a whiney douchebag, 5 books in. Still playing doormat to everyone and everything, while being an absolute moron that keeps intentionally not doing all the things he intends to do, and refusing to buy things he knows he needs.
By book 3 I was actively rooting for someone to permanently kill all the characters, and now it's just continuing this cesspool out of morbid curiosity for just how bad it can get.
December 9, 2019
Great series
It’s a little bit different.
I binge read the series and this book ended on a cliff hanger.
I can’t wait for the next one
It’s a little bit different.
I binge read the series and this book ended on a cliff hanger.
I can’t wait for the next one
November 16, 2019
4.35 stars
It’s survival of the fittest as the saga continues with the fifth book in the series and it is not a standalone. The game continues but all Azure really wants is to find a way out to return home. He is learning more and more but with his new found leveling up, there are challenges as well. Uden is downhearted as he was not granted access to magic school and decides to drown his sorrows for a bit much to the chagrin of his brother and Azure. As the pages turn, the days progress with the characters taking on various tasks in the hopes of getting them to what they are trying to achieve. However, when all is said and done, Azure winds up face to face with someone he least expected….Stay tuned as the book ends in a cliffhanger. If you enjoy gaming, then this is the book for you as you will feel as if you are an extra in the trenches with Azure as the pages turn. I volunteered to read a copy of this book.
It’s survival of the fittest as the saga continues with the fifth book in the series and it is not a standalone. The game continues but all Azure really wants is to find a way out to return home. He is learning more and more but with his new found leveling up, there are challenges as well. Uden is downhearted as he was not granted access to magic school and decides to drown his sorrows for a bit much to the chagrin of his brother and Azure. As the pages turn, the days progress with the characters taking on various tasks in the hopes of getting them to what they are trying to achieve. However, when all is said and done, Azure winds up face to face with someone he least expected….Stay tuned as the book ends in a cliffhanger. If you enjoy gaming, then this is the book for you as you will feel as if you are an extra in the trenches with Azure as the pages turn. I volunteered to read a copy of this book.
March 11, 2025
Unfortunately i gave up on this series. The writing is good, i like LitRPG. The problem with this series is that i really don't like the characters. It reminds me of an obnoxious group of teens that I would have quickly steered clear of as being toxic. Whiny, nasty, shallow, selfish, unlikable. Uden is a jerk. The "good" in him that the books constantly refer to never really materializes. Good for him is just not being fully evil? He is not a victim. He is a pushy, self centered thug. I realized that i didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't care what happened to them anymore. Why continue?
May 9, 2022
Best book in the series so far!
January 12, 2020
The best coherent series !
I chose five stars because I am totally committed to this series and feel deeply familiar with the characters and the world. I think this book has been the most intriguing of all. I literally cannot put the book down once I start reading it. I find the world of the realm compelling and interesting and believable. It's also been sad, funny, aggravating, and exciting. Characters are true to their selves, the mechanics of it are very enjoyable to me. I like the questing, the relationships, the resemblance to role playing games I'm somewhat familiar with and also I mentioned believability, to me,- that means he (Azure) isn't over the top heroic and he also doesn't blindly do stupid things and so far I like the way any attractions or relations dealing between characters has been handled. I would like to know a little more about his real world and what's going on there but I'm sure that will be covered. There hasn't been any holes in the story or contradictions, anything mentioned isn't just suddenly forgot about, it comes up again, etc. Even characters that are just a tiny mention are memorable and remarkable in their own ways to where I can even remember their names and that's a huge thing when I'm reading. I do not like to have to try extremely hard to figure out who a person is when their name's mentioned and in this series I have not hesitated a bit when a name or occupation, etc. comes up regarding characters. I especially love the small little things that Azure does like fishing and foraging, and cooking. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!!
I chose five stars because I am totally committed to this series and feel deeply familiar with the characters and the world. I think this book has been the most intriguing of all. I literally cannot put the book down once I start reading it. I find the world of the realm compelling and interesting and believable. It's also been sad, funny, aggravating, and exciting. Characters are true to their selves, the mechanics of it are very enjoyable to me. I like the questing, the relationships, the resemblance to role playing games I'm somewhat familiar with and also I mentioned believability, to me,- that means he (Azure) isn't over the top heroic and he also doesn't blindly do stupid things and so far I like the way any attractions or relations dealing between characters has been handled. I would like to know a little more about his real world and what's going on there but I'm sure that will be covered. There hasn't been any holes in the story or contradictions, anything mentioned isn't just suddenly forgot about, it comes up again, etc. Even characters that are just a tiny mention are memorable and remarkable in their own ways to where I can even remember their names and that's a huge thing when I'm reading. I do not like to have to try extremely hard to figure out who a person is when their name's mentioned and in this series I have not hesitated a bit when a name or occupation, etc. comes up regarding characters. I especially love the small little things that Azure does like fishing and foraging, and cooking. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!!
February 7, 2020
Slow burn
Ok, let me start off by saying Phoenix sound a pretty good tale. Her writing is above par and she has stayed away from a ton of the tropes of this genre. But, that is also what slows this series to a crawl.
Give books in and out MC has barely broken into the mid term levels. In the 1 book, he defeated two beings with levels light years ahead, but barely leveled up. In book five he defeats one guy TEN levels more. He gets 200 something points. That's it. His levels should have any rocketed.
The magic system is very linear with very very low level spells that aren't really learned, they're bought. Trump university style.There are no skill trees.
The constant state reminds about received beer and empty bails is ok for one book, but by book three, seeing such stats along with picked up non magical herbs is monotonous. No special gear or skills makes for a drab going.
Five books in, we feel like the MC is stuck in the Newb starter area and can't escape. He's just wandering around collecting bee wings and making sub par minor healing potions.
Now that that is out the way...
Phoenix does introduce us to a few really complex characters. Ones where you really want to see how\if they develop. Her dialog is pretty frigging good.
I say, if you've gone through your other books with characters slinging level one lightening or going to actual schools and learning from teachers, give this slow burn with good writing a chance.
Just know what kinda dungeon you're diving into though.
Ok, let me start off by saying Phoenix sound a pretty good tale. Her writing is above par and she has stayed away from a ton of the tropes of this genre. But, that is also what slows this series to a crawl.
Give books in and out MC has barely broken into the mid term levels. In the 1 book, he defeated two beings with levels light years ahead, but barely leveled up. In book five he defeats one guy TEN levels more. He gets 200 something points. That's it. His levels should have any rocketed.
The magic system is very linear with very very low level spells that aren't really learned, they're bought. Trump university style.There are no skill trees.
The constant state reminds about received beer and empty bails is ok for one book, but by book three, seeing such stats along with picked up non magical herbs is monotonous. No special gear or skills makes for a drab going.
Five books in, we feel like the MC is stuck in the Newb starter area and can't escape. He's just wandering around collecting bee wings and making sub par minor healing potions.
Now that that is out the way...
Phoenix does introduce us to a few really complex characters. Ones where you really want to see how\if they develop. Her dialog is pretty frigging good.
I say, if you've gone through your other books with characters slinging level one lightening or going to actual schools and learning from teachers, give this slow burn with good writing a chance.
Just know what kinda dungeon you're diving into though.
September 16, 2020
For some reason, it took me longer than usual to finish this book, even though the series has rather short volumes. Maybe I should stop book-hopping.
Anyway, Azur is slowly starting to annoy me, as a person, with his petulant and self-absorbed teenage mentality. BUT, what happens to him is rough enough that I don't mind. Hell, sock'im one more, author! He bloody deserves it. His level of naiveté is dangerous.
The fights are slowly losing oomph though .
And the tedium of Azur's life is starting to become... well, tedious. It doesn't look like he's moving forwards much. I mean we're at book 5 already and it still feels like we're in the opening moves. I'm not a fan of neverending stories. The fact that I'm still tracking is a testament to the quality writing, but that is starting to wear off with so little forward momentum.
Narration is very good, but the status pages are ANNOYING! Why do we have to go through absolutely EVERYTHING everytime? Can't we just jump to the part we care about?
So yeah. I'm still onboard with this one, but...
Anyway, Azur is slowly starting to annoy me, as a person, with his petulant and self-absorbed teenage mentality. BUT, what happens to him is rough enough that I don't mind. Hell, sock'im one more, author! He bloody deserves it. His level of naiveté is dangerous.
The fights are slowly losing oomph though .
And the tedium of Azur's life is starting to become... well, tedious. It doesn't look like he's moving forwards much. I mean we're at book 5 already and it still feels like we're in the opening moves. I'm not a fan of neverending stories. The fact that I'm still tracking is a testament to the quality writing, but that is starting to wear off with so little forward momentum.
Narration is very good, but the status pages are ANNOYING! Why do we have to go through absolutely EVERYTHING everytime? Can't we just jump to the part we care about?
So yeah. I'm still onboard with this one, but...
December 14, 2021
Adventuring is basically gambling yourself against the universe
I have been enjoying the Azure/William storyline and was a bit shocked by the loss in this one but the ups and downs are there as any adventurer knows. Lonnell always has had his own goals. Uden was too much of a wild card, leaving Azure to wonder if he could ever trust him when he was alive. However they have braved many dangers together and found adventuring to be the quickest source of coin for those willing to gamble their skills, abilities, and very lives for the chance to grow stronger and richer. Or just pay the rent.
The way dungeons are done is cool and there being single completion dungeons is a great idea. I am enjoying this saga of stories quite a bit and with this books cliffhanger, I am off to read the next.
I have been enjoying the Azure/William storyline and was a bit shocked by the loss in this one but the ups and downs are there as any adventurer knows. Lonnell always has had his own goals. Uden was too much of a wild card, leaving Azure to wonder if he could ever trust him when he was alive. However they have braved many dangers together and found adventuring to be the quickest source of coin for those willing to gamble their skills, abilities, and very lives for the chance to grow stronger and richer. Or just pay the rent.
The way dungeons are done is cool and there being single completion dungeons is a great idea. I am enjoying this saga of stories quite a bit and with this books cliffhanger, I am off to read the next.
November 27, 2019
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
October 13, 2020
Yessssss
That
Escalated
Quickly!
This was a complete joy to read. So many unexpected things, and other things that had been seeded ages ago that, in some cases, quite literally blew up.
Uden is still my favourite. I can't work out if he's actually trying to flirt withe Azure or not but im totally on that ship as its a ship that leads to hilarity.
Can we get Azure a container of a sort that he can fill with grease for lighting fire and torches though? It was painful reading him spending precious coins on that when he always ends up so broke lol.
Cant wait to see whats coming next
That
Escalated
Quickly!
This was a complete joy to read. So many unexpected things, and other things that had been seeded ages ago that, in some cases, quite literally blew up.
Uden is still my favourite. I can't work out if he's actually trying to flirt withe Azure or not but im totally on that ship as its a ship that leads to hilarity.
Can we get Azure a container of a sort that he can fill with grease for lighting fire and torches though? It was painful reading him spending precious coins on that when he always ends up so broke lol.
Cant wait to see whats coming next
April 14, 2021
Not sure why this book got the title it did, since the event the title refers to didn't happen until the end of the book, but what the heck.
For what it's worth, the story was fairly well done. I can't say all the characters stayed in character for the whole story, as more than once, I had to stop reading, and just go HUH? That seemed out of character, but still, if you've read other books in the series, this one will certainly carry along the story to a new point of interest. It will be interesting to see what comes next.
For what it's worth, the story was fairly well done. I can't say all the characters stayed in character for the whole story, as more than once, I had to stop reading, and just go HUH? That seemed out of character, but still, if you've read other books in the series, this one will certainly carry along the story to a new point of interest. It will be interesting to see what comes next.
June 4, 2024
Book 5 of The Realm Between series. This was a fun tromp forward and I do hope the author has plans to make the hero a grandmaster as I think it would be very entertaining. A sad loss in this one tugs a bit at the heartstrings. Overall a great read and looking forward to the next one. If you’ve not started this series be aware it has adult themes (PG-13) and language. Aside from those minor warnings if you’re looking to get your feet wet in LitRPG this is a good series.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
December 25, 2020
If you like the other ones, you would like this too. Although this one is a fair bit darker in tone.
I won't say much more as it would just give things away.
I'm not a fan of cliffhangers - so be warned, unlike the other books, this ends right in the middle of a scene.
Not sure why the text was part grey and part purple. The paragraphs kept changing colour in no pattern I could discern. Something to do with which bits were being edited, and it was accidental I'm assuming? 😂
I won't say much more as it would just give things away.
I'm not a fan of cliffhangers - so be warned, unlike the other books, this ends right in the middle of a scene.
Not sure why the text was part grey and part purple. The paragraphs kept changing colour in no pattern I could discern. Something to do with which bits were being edited, and it was accidental I'm assuming? 😂
November 30, 2020
This was another fun book
This was good. It kept me interested all the way through. It will be really interesting on how this progresses in the next few books, as the main character progresses in figuring out the realm and the quest with the other player that was talked about at the end of this book. I recommend it.
This was good. It kept me interested all the way through. It will be really interesting on how this progresses in the next few books, as the main character progresses in figuring out the realm and the quest with the other player that was talked about at the end of this book. I recommend it.
August 20, 2025
Books #4 and #5 are by far the best in the series to this point. Higher stakes, the MC becoming less of an ass and an idiot, and richer story-telling overall. Its clear the author's craft has vastly improved. I'm glad to have stuck with the series despite the disappointing books that introduced me to The Realm Between.
November 19, 2019
Well written, but too much whining
I had to push thru party of the book where a secondary character spent an excessive period of time winning and bemoaning their situation. It made that section very hard to read. That kept the book from 5 starts for me
I had to push thru party of the book where a secondary character spent an excessive period of time winning and bemoaning their situation. It made that section very hard to read. That kept the book from 5 starts for me
January 27, 2020
I love this series, but honestly this has been my least favorite so far... The tone is MUCH darker than the previous books, and the MC's struggles much more stressful for the reader. I'm still looking forward to the next one but hoping the tone will be lighter.
July 14, 2020
Good
Whelp, Azure sure is having some adventures. Poor Janine though! That was a nasty bit of savagery that I wasn't expecting. Now the Boys have caught up, and he's on the edge of evil, what happens next?
Whelp, Azure sure is having some adventures. Poor Janine though! That was a nasty bit of savagery that I wasn't expecting. Now the Boys have caught up, and he's on the edge of evil, what happens next?
November 18, 2019
Great job
I am looking forward to get the next book in the series. Thank you for sharing your beautiful imagination with us.
I am looking forward to get the next book in the series. Thank you for sharing your beautiful imagination with us.
March 21, 2020
Great book
Stellar work once again from Phoenix Grey! Lots of action and adventure, leveling and quests. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Phoenix Grey! Lots of action and adventure, leveling and quests. Looking forward to the next one!
June 25, 2020
Wow that's all I can say.
This is such a great series. I love the way this feel real life adventures. Can't wait to start the next book.
This is such a great series. I love the way this feel real life adventures. Can't wait to start the next book.
September 14, 2020
Good again
This installment sees the story get somewhat darker - which I liked. It also ends on quite the cliffhanger. Interested to see what happens nect
This installment sees the story get somewhat darker - which I liked. It also ends on quite the cliffhanger. Interested to see what happens nect
December 14, 2020
Azure just can't catch a break, but of course he gets himself into these problems.
April 29, 2021
The tone takes a dark turn towards the end of the novel and the stakes have undoubtedly risen. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
April 9, 2022
These last two books have gotten really good! 👍🏾👍🏾
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews