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Darkthorn Academy #1
Menacing Misfits
If Harry Potter lived in Middle Earth and had to loot dungeons to pay his school fees.
When Jack Vance's grandfather is murdered, his dying words are to get Jack to promise to attend Darkthorn Academy. Jack doesn't like it, but he'll do what is necessary to honor the man who raised him.
Surviving Darkthorn Academy won't be easy. Jack will have to make alliances, learn to harness magic and face dangerous enemies, both alive and dead. If he's lucky he might just make it to second year.
A coming of age, sword and sorcery fantasy adventure with gamelit aspects, including a slightly overpowered MC, a dragon companion, and a team of adventurers. Inspired by games like Skyrim and Diablo 2 and Fallout.
When Jack Vance's grandfather is murdered, his dying words are to get Jack to promise to attend Darkthorn Academy. Jack doesn't like it, but he'll do what is necessary to honor the man who raised him.
Surviving Darkthorn Academy won't be easy. Jack will have to make alliances, learn to harness magic and face dangerous enemies, both alive and dead. If he's lucky he might just make it to second year.
A coming of age, sword and sorcery fantasy adventure with gamelit aspects, including a slightly overpowered MC, a dragon companion, and a team of adventurers. Inspired by games like Skyrim and Diablo 2 and Fallout.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2019
1542 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
August 26, 2020
Rating 1.5 stars - DNF
This one started off a little rocky, then it became kind of interesting before the wheels fell off. The story follows Jack Vance. He is a half dwarf/half human 15 year old that lives in a land where prejudice is rampant. He travels with his grandfather, his only remaining family, who works as a traveling tinkerer. Jack gets into a lot of fights as people treat him poorly and he can't control his temper. Jack finds out that his grandfather has been keeping secrets from him about his mother and his heritage. Jack finds out he has magic and his mother was a warrior who went to a magic school called Darkhorn academy. His grandfather didn't want him to have anything to do with that life, but now that he is dying, he finally decides that going to the school is probably the right choice. Too bad he waiting so long and now Jack is at an extreme disadvantage. I didn't like the first part that much. Too many things were unfair and the answer Jack was given about those things was pretty much - "Oh well, that's the way things are" Things got better when he started at the school. I thought I knew where the author was trying to take me. There are dragons at the school and Jack learns about magic and dragons. He has to deal with bullies again but nothing to bad until ..... I was able to read from the 50% point to the 75% point before I had to put the book down. There were just too many things that I hated or didn't make any sense. Some of my questions/complaints might have been answered if I would have finished the book but at the 75% mark I realized I didn't care at all anymore.
This one started off a little rocky, then it became kind of interesting before the wheels fell off. The story follows Jack Vance. He is a half dwarf/half human 15 year old that lives in a land where prejudice is rampant. He travels with his grandfather, his only remaining family, who works as a traveling tinkerer. Jack gets into a lot of fights as people treat him poorly and he can't control his temper. Jack finds out that his grandfather has been keeping secrets from him about his mother and his heritage. Jack finds out he has magic and his mother was a warrior who went to a magic school called Darkhorn academy. His grandfather didn't want him to have anything to do with that life, but now that he is dying, he finally decides that going to the school is probably the right choice. Too bad he waiting so long and now Jack is at an extreme disadvantage. I didn't like the first part that much. Too many things were unfair and the answer Jack was given about those things was pretty much - "Oh well, that's the way things are" Things got better when he started at the school. I thought I knew where the author was trying to take me. There are dragons at the school and Jack learns about magic and dragons. He has to deal with bullies again but nothing to bad until ..... I was able to read from the 50% point to the 75% point before I had to put the book down. There were just too many things that I hated or didn't make any sense. Some of my questions/complaints might have been answered if I would have finished the book but at the 75% mark I realized I didn't care at all anymore.
January 11, 2020
Dang!
I picked this up from an Amazon recommendation.
First things first, it's a fantasy academy book with a slight Gamelit tint. I'm not even going to to call it Gamelit Lite. This is Gamelit like La Croix is a fruit drink.
Nonetheless, it was a very entertaining read, with some great character development (although the "origin" story felt very railroad-y) and some overall great plot pacing.
Sadly, this is a new book and I can't find anything about the next book, but I'm excited to keep tabs on it and snatching it up when it comes out.
I picked this up from an Amazon recommendation.
First things first, it's a fantasy academy book with a slight Gamelit tint. I'm not even going to to call it Gamelit Lite. This is Gamelit like La Croix is a fruit drink.
Nonetheless, it was a very entertaining read, with some great character development (although the "origin" story felt very railroad-y) and some overall great plot pacing.
Sadly, this is a new book and I can't find anything about the next book, but I'm excited to keep tabs on it and snatching it up when it comes out.
May 15, 2020
High hopes dashed low.
I recently gave a review to a book that had a great story horribly written. This one has great writing with a horrible story. The characters are good, the world is interesting, the dragons are untapped potential. The story is trite, cliche'd and overdone. I was calling out what would happen over and over. The plot is lacking originality and creativity.
I recently gave a review to a book that had a great story horribly written. This one has great writing with a horrible story. The characters are good, the world is interesting, the dragons are untapped potential. The story is trite, cliche'd and overdone. I was calling out what would happen over and over. The plot is lacking originality and creativity.
February 4, 2020
I have been a long time fan of Mr. Wideman’s books. I started with Stoneblood Saga, then proceeded to read the rest of his books. I have yet to find a story I didn’t like.
That being said, WOW!! This book was so wonderful!! Absolute perfection!
The Characters are all so wonderfully written. The book has magic, dragons, strong friendships, strong females, a bit of romance, determination, and loyalty. It touches on overcoming diversity. This book truly has everything. I absolutely LOVED IT!
If you choose to read this book, ( which I strongly encourage) I can only hope that you love it as much as I did.
That being said, WOW!! This book was so wonderful!! Absolute perfection!
The Characters are all so wonderfully written. The book has magic, dragons, strong friendships, strong females, a bit of romance, determination, and loyalty. It touches on overcoming diversity. This book truly has everything. I absolutely LOVED IT!
If you choose to read this book, ( which I strongly encourage) I can only hope that you love it as much as I did.
January 15, 2020
Very YA
Ok story. Pretty standard. Probably more basic than most coming of age. The plot is very predictable, and the protagonist is slow too. He doesn’t seem stupid or act against his own interests, so much as take ages to see things. It makes the book feel slow because you’re always in advance of the plot.
It’s not really important, but I am soooo bored of authors shoehorning something about gender on a spectrum into stories. It’s just hacky. I wonder if they do it so Amazon list them in an additional category or something.
Ok story. Pretty standard. Probably more basic than most coming of age. The plot is very predictable, and the protagonist is slow too. He doesn’t seem stupid or act against his own interests, so much as take ages to see things. It makes the book feel slow because you’re always in advance of the plot.
It’s not really important, but I am soooo bored of authors shoehorning something about gender on a spectrum into stories. It’s just hacky. I wonder if they do it so Amazon list them in an additional category or something.
November 30, 2021
I could not finish this book. I tried to like the characters as well as the overall plot, but the entire package was lucking in several aspects.
First of all, the character is often *handed* things. This is something that I genuinely find annoying, as this is a progression fantasy novel, and progression without a price or sacrifice is often meaningless.
Furthermore, the audiobook had so many weird pauses that it made me even more disgruntled with the way the story was being presented to me.
First of all, the character is often *handed* things. This is something that I genuinely find annoying, as this is a progression fantasy novel, and progression without a price or sacrifice is often meaningless.
Furthermore, the audiobook had so many weird pauses that it made me even more disgruntled with the way the story was being presented to me.
January 25, 2021
This book left a bad taste in my mouth, the syntax is well written but the overall writing style is one that I just hate. Maybe you'll like it if you're into the genre, but the "emotional manipulation" the author makes you go through for no pay off just makes me feel cheated.
Again, if you like the genre, you'll probably enjoy it. I didn't, I hated it.
Again, if you like the genre, you'll probably enjoy it. I didn't, I hated it.
June 16, 2022
The story was like an inventory of actions and thoughts. There was no life in there. I gave up after a dozen of pages. It might be getting better later.
And it's mildly woke. Racism explains everything. No need for a more elaborate plot driver.
And it's mildly woke. Racism explains everything. No need for a more elaborate plot driver.
May 9, 2020
This would be fine as a story line for a D & D adventure, but as a novel it's elementary and very rum of the mill fantasy swill.
January 30, 2020
Good
Basic story about a disadvantaged boy going to a magical academy, starts off as more of an epic fantasy then seems to turn into a light litrpg story, without any numbers or leveling statistics, learns spells and fighting, forms a group to go adventuring with, loots the mobs for gear and gold. Sort of half of each genre, would like to read the sequel.
Basic story about a disadvantaged boy going to a magical academy, starts off as more of an epic fantasy then seems to turn into a light litrpg story, without any numbers or leveling statistics, learns spells and fighting, forms a group to go adventuring with, loots the mobs for gear and gold. Sort of half of each genre, would like to read the sequel.
September 17, 2022
I am really trying to get through this book but its hard, almost painful. Its never a good sign when you hope a character is killed off in the first book, Stan, is killing all of the entertainment value, in the adventuring aspect of this story for me. Also, i dont understand, so this kid's grandfather dies, has all these business investments, sells a renowned forge....yet doesnt have 10k Gold to maintain his place at this school, huh WHAT? Also, all these people are like I knew your mother yadda yadda yadda, but he never asks about her, what she was like, what she did, who else knew her, and never once did he ever ask about his father. Story has a lot of good ideas, but i dont think the plot/characters are very thought out, far to many holes in the story. For the love of god, kill Stan off.
April 27, 2023
This had promise, but was lacking. The characters were bland and the school plot minimal. Things were very convenient - the MC getting handed everything and being overpowered is pretty standard, what bothered me was that we were to believe that the ancient lands were there for untold years and picked over yet they always found something even in the areas literally steps from the school? An area scrubbed by generations of questers?
August 12, 2021
Didn’t finish
Too much of a liberal political agenda for me. Politics ruin a book meant for leisure and you run the risk of alienating half of your readers.
Too much of a liberal political agenda for me. Politics ruin a book meant for leisure and you run the risk of alienating half of your readers.
July 7, 2020
This book was merely ok. It’s unfair to the author, but every story about a young child going to a magical school will automatically make me think of Harry Potter solely because I grew up with them. It started out kinda slow and didn’t really pick up in a way I would’ve liked. Tension increased throughout the novel, but a lack of a true villain really hampered the experience.
I can honestly say that whenever the eventual sequel comes out I’ll read it and check it out, but it won’t really be a must have. The characters were ok and I enjoyed the budding relationships between Stann and Talia along with Lana and Jack’s respectively. There were some built up ideas about Cora and Isaac that could’ve been interesting, but relegating them to background characters that have no lines or scenes about halfway through really ruined the impact.
I wouldn’t say the book was bad. Just merely mediocre due to my high hopes after reading the description. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy and a video game rpg like magic system, but to not expect anything groundbreaking.
I can honestly say that whenever the eventual sequel comes out I’ll read it and check it out, but it won’t really be a must have. The characters were ok and I enjoyed the budding relationships between Stann and Talia along with Lana and Jack’s respectively. There were some built up ideas about Cora and Isaac that could’ve been interesting, but relegating them to background characters that have no lines or scenes about halfway through really ruined the impact.
I wouldn’t say the book was bad. Just merely mediocre due to my high hopes after reading the description. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy and a video game rpg like magic system, but to not expect anything groundbreaking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2022
Jack’s future is about to change beyond anything he could dream
Sadly it will be some months before any good starts happening and before that he must survive tragedy. Then he will wonder whether his luck is good or bad or just always extreme as he nearly dies again and again. He pulls success from thin air as the world around him changes from new situation yo new situation. His temper will get the better of him but eventually he starts to work on his self control and things go well. And just as things are going well he gets a reminder that the bullies of the world want to kick him down. Being a half blooded dwarf has left him with years of other peoples resentment of his race, something he had no control over. We watch as he grows beyond that small mind and into his own as a warrior, a mage, and a healer. Oh and team leader.
Sadly it will be some months before any good starts happening and before that he must survive tragedy. Then he will wonder whether his luck is good or bad or just always extreme as he nearly dies again and again. He pulls success from thin air as the world around him changes from new situation yo new situation. His temper will get the better of him but eventually he starts to work on his self control and things go well. And just as things are going well he gets a reminder that the bullies of the world want to kick him down. Being a half blooded dwarf has left him with years of other peoples resentment of his race, something he had no control over. We watch as he grows beyond that small mind and into his own as a warrior, a mage, and a healer. Oh and team leader.
June 19, 2020
This is something between Harry Potter, Eragon and Lord of the Rings. And it's awesome!
I liked the characters a lot. The best was the magic system, it seemed so natural and I really liked that.
The only thing is that it often seemed that the MC was a bit too lucky. But I can live with that. I hope I'll not be waiting too long until the second part is released.
I liked the characters a lot. The best was the magic system, it seemed so natural and I really liked that.
The only thing is that it often seemed that the MC was a bit too lucky. But I can live with that. I hope I'll not be waiting too long until the second part is released.
June 22, 2022
Very long YA fantasy, arguably litRPG. Very far from a classic, but pretty enjoyable romp with a small group of good hearted magical teens fighting evil. The deplorable lack of curiosity from Academy administrators about why our heroes and heroines are being targeted (just one of several glaring plot holes) is waved away with absurd “Do I want to know?… No… Then I won’t ask.” Moments.
March 3, 2020
Good coming of age romp
Thought it was a great quick read. Small nit about watching for punctuation and grammar, but the story was engaging enough to carry through. Looking forward to the next one!
Thought it was a great quick read. Small nit about watching for punctuation and grammar, but the story was engaging enough to carry through. Looking forward to the next one!
May 13, 2022
Thanks to authors like this one, readers expect that there is no justice in the world. Alexandre Dumas, in classic novels like The Count of Monte Cristo, developed revenge, patience and huge injustice, centuries before the birth of this author. But what could be learnt from an author that starts a novel series with bullying of a half-ling dwarf, Jack Vance, then a corrupt and depraved antagonist of this fantasy novel series, murders Ramy (Jack's Grand Father) in front of everybody. As the author describes him: “McGovern is a low-life mage. He’s a thief and a liar. He used to be able to peddle himself off as an honest businessman, but too many of his victims came forward to your grandfather claiming they had been the ones to retrieve the items in question. Before he left, Ramy broke off trade with McGovern and made Sean promise not to do business with the man. McGovern never went to jail, and he managed to gain a degree of power within the city..."
Who in God's name would let the murder of Jack's grandfather Ramy, go unpunished other than this author? Jack and Tolliver were there when the Grand Father was murdered by McGovern and yet, the only solution left to Jack is go to the Darkthorn Academy? What are they going to teach him about honor, courage or justice? Naa, it's just an adventurer school (martial and magic arts). Could the author have created a better way to start this fantasy novel series? Uff, a billion different ways that didn't leave the main character, Jack, more of an orphan, less of a wimp and a moron...than what was written... Did the Grand Father Ramy need to go back to his home to get murdered and humiliated? Not really, is this going to motivate for a push over, weakling like Jack? Someone who lacks honor and character, with power, will still lack honor and character.
If Jack were an honorable person, even while being the weakest and wimpiest boy in that world, he would drop the biggest meteor he could find on top of that city until all of the corrupt constables, and all of McGovern's criminal organization died a horrible death. Who cares about going to a school where your mom went to before she died and left you an orphan. It seems the only person to care is the author...(copying a little too much from the Harry Potter main plot arc, by the way). Does the author deserve torture for a beginning like this one? Yes! Ramy, Jack, Jack's mom and Tolliver would be thankful.
Ramy was Jack's Grand Father, not his "only friend in the world". Family is blood and is stronger than friendships. Because Jack does not know this difference, Jack is even more lost in ignorance and vulnerability (pusillanimous), all due to the characterization of Jack by the author, as a beginning to this fantasy novel series. Jack in this way, will never be successful in anything, much less in an Academy filled with bullies, unjust teachers and an author that tortures his main characters at every turn. Who would want to read a story where the author is the biggest enemy to the main characters?
The only positive things that I could name from this fantasy story is Lord Scratches, Stannerios, Colin, Talia and Lana. All of the other characters colluded with the author to torture, bankrupt, assassinate Jack, the main character and his retinue.
The author forces Jack's destiny through driving tragedy into Jack's life and the lives of his family and his retinue the Menacing Misfits. What values or ethics can an author that uses his main characters as meat shields, punching bags or sacrifices? Is the story better, because of all of this "artificial Drama" created by the author being the main character's worst enemy?
Who in God's name would let the murder of Jack's grandfather Ramy, go unpunished other than this author? Jack and Tolliver were there when the Grand Father was murdered by McGovern and yet, the only solution left to Jack is go to the Darkthorn Academy? What are they going to teach him about honor, courage or justice? Naa, it's just an adventurer school (martial and magic arts). Could the author have created a better way to start this fantasy novel series? Uff, a billion different ways that didn't leave the main character, Jack, more of an orphan, less of a wimp and a moron...than what was written... Did the Grand Father Ramy need to go back to his home to get murdered and humiliated? Not really, is this going to motivate for a push over, weakling like Jack? Someone who lacks honor and character, with power, will still lack honor and character.
If Jack were an honorable person, even while being the weakest and wimpiest boy in that world, he would drop the biggest meteor he could find on top of that city until all of the corrupt constables, and all of McGovern's criminal organization died a horrible death. Who cares about going to a school where your mom went to before she died and left you an orphan. It seems the only person to care is the author...(copying a little too much from the Harry Potter main plot arc, by the way). Does the author deserve torture for a beginning like this one? Yes! Ramy, Jack, Jack's mom and Tolliver would be thankful.
Ramy was Jack's Grand Father, not his "only friend in the world". Family is blood and is stronger than friendships. Because Jack does not know this difference, Jack is even more lost in ignorance and vulnerability (pusillanimous), all due to the characterization of Jack by the author, as a beginning to this fantasy novel series. Jack in this way, will never be successful in anything, much less in an Academy filled with bullies, unjust teachers and an author that tortures his main characters at every turn. Who would want to read a story where the author is the biggest enemy to the main characters?
The only positive things that I could name from this fantasy story is Lord Scratches, Stannerios, Colin, Talia and Lana. All of the other characters colluded with the author to torture, bankrupt, assassinate Jack, the main character and his retinue.
The author forces Jack's destiny through driving tragedy into Jack's life and the lives of his family and his retinue the Menacing Misfits. What values or ethics can an author that uses his main characters as meat shields, punching bags or sacrifices? Is the story better, because of all of this "artificial Drama" created by the author being the main character's worst enemy?
December 30, 2022
Fun coming-of-age adventurer develops many talents and learns to handle dangerous bullying. Obtained for free from Amazon on August 5, 2021.
February 25, 2020
Good book
Enjoyed the book and the progression of the party. The questing seemed a little too easy as they blew through most battles with ease but fun to see them get lost and power up.
Enjoyed the book and the progression of the party. The questing seemed a little too easy as they blew through most battles with ease but fun to see them get lost and power up.
May 6, 2025
Fun times
I love me a litrpg, and not having numbers constantly bombard me was actually very nice.
A lot of jacks adventures felt like a "Oh no, anyways" type of mishaps, but it was still a lot of fun.
I love me a litrpg, and not having numbers constantly bombard me was actually very nice.
A lot of jacks adventures felt like a "Oh no, anyways" type of mishaps, but it was still a lot of fun.
May 4, 2020
A pretty decent story. I personally like scifi better than fantasy, but I do enjoy a good fantasy story from time to time, and this one certainly fit the bill. I'm very likely to continue this series, as I found it interesting, and well thought out.
February 21, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! And I was absolutely floored to find that it had just been published in December of 2019! That means I'll have to wait forever for the sequel! There were some typos and words left out but nowadays I'm getting used to that. I don't think anyone is editing books these days.
I especially loved the fact that while there was some romance there was no sex. In the first place I don't really enjoy all the sex. But besides that I have found that the more sex authors put into their books, the less of everything else they put into them! The less plot, the less emphasis on character development, etc. This book did all of this quite splendidly, plus actually getting me to read and enjoy a book in which the main character was not a badass female with super powers and not someone gorgeous but instead a half dwarf teenager. An amazing thing to accomplish. And then it says this is for ages 12-18, just after I told a friend that despite getting old my tastes remain as young as ever--young teens to twenties. Will I ever grow up? I don't think so! 76 & I still love stories about teenagers! Also, I read 200-300 books a year. It'd be more if it weren't for the computer. Easier now with a kindle too.
This author does a great job at making all of the characters very real and separate. I really love this book. So sad I have to wait for the sequel.
I especially loved the fact that while there was some romance there was no sex. In the first place I don't really enjoy all the sex. But besides that I have found that the more sex authors put into their books, the less of everything else they put into them! The less plot, the less emphasis on character development, etc. This book did all of this quite splendidly, plus actually getting me to read and enjoy a book in which the main character was not a badass female with super powers and not someone gorgeous but instead a half dwarf teenager. An amazing thing to accomplish. And then it says this is for ages 12-18, just after I told a friend that despite getting old my tastes remain as young as ever--young teens to twenties. Will I ever grow up? I don't think so! 76 & I still love stories about teenagers! Also, I read 200-300 books a year. It'd be more if it weren't for the computer. Easier now with a kindle too.
This author does a great job at making all of the characters very real and separate. I really love this book. So sad I have to wait for the sequel.
January 13, 2020
Great read
I really liked this book, it is definitely a page turner. I loved the characters progression. I couldn't put it down.
I really liked this book, it is definitely a page turner. I loved the characters progression. I couldn't put it down.
June 2, 2022
While initially I had my doubts regarding the 3 stars I gave this book, the fact that the gamelit setup is inherent to the world, and not part of some VR game, works in its favour, in comparison to the swill one normally finds with these series.
However, in a similar vein, the MC is a lowly nobody, in a world of elites, and groups with more lowly nobodies to start "levelling up". A few problems at the beginning are fortuitous enough to allow the group to overcome extraordinary opposition, both on quests and in navigating the political conspiracies "in-game".
This was where I decided to quit the series. Since the VR mechanic was absent, I thought I had found a good gamelit series that wasn't going to be filled with "world politics" and would focus on actual gameplay. Instead of the Russian corporations, the world's actual empire was full of political problems, indirectly revolving around the MC and his group.
Instead of "other players" hounding the MC and trying to obliterate him because he's oh-so-speshul, a bully with high connections gets his family to make the MC's life hell, paying exhorbitant sums to other characters to take out a sixteen-year-old, his familiar, and his group.
Why are these plotpoints so rampant in the genre? They're boring and bring nothing to the plot, often making the MC&co seem ever-more-OP by how often they escape those situations. Is it so wrong to want litRPG books that have main characters who ab/use game mechanics to become successful while not incurring the "wrath of the gods" or "Malfoys-on-steroids"? Leave the character and his group alone and let me enjoy the possibilities of the character progression in-world without having to suffer through the tedious slag of assassination attempts because other players/developers/characters are jealous.
However, in a similar vein, the MC is a lowly nobody, in a world of elites, and groups with more lowly nobodies to start "levelling up". A few problems at the beginning are fortuitous enough to allow the group to overcome extraordinary opposition, both on quests and in navigating the political conspiracies "in-game".
This was where I decided to quit the series. Since the VR mechanic was absent, I thought I had found a good gamelit series that wasn't going to be filled with "world politics" and would focus on actual gameplay. Instead of the Russian corporations, the world's actual empire was full of political problems, indirectly revolving around the MC and his group.
Instead of "other players" hounding the MC and trying to obliterate him because he's oh-so-speshul, a bully with high connections gets his family to make the MC's life hell, paying exhorbitant sums to other characters to take out a sixteen-year-old, his familiar, and his group.
Why are these plotpoints so rampant in the genre? They're boring and bring nothing to the plot, often making the MC&co seem ever-more-OP by how often they escape those situations. Is it so wrong to want litRPG books that have main characters who ab/use game mechanics to become successful while not incurring the "wrath of the gods" or "Malfoys-on-steroids"? Leave the character and his group alone and let me enjoy the possibilities of the character progression in-world without having to suffer through the tedious slag of assassination attempts because other players/developers/characters are jealous.
January 5, 2020
Wonderful Adventure
This was a great read. A few minor editing errors, but did not detract from the story. It is a suitable read for all ages about a group of students learning about life and hopefully lessons learned in their questing journey.
This was a great read. A few minor editing errors, but did not detract from the story. It is a suitable read for all ages about a group of students learning about life and hopefully lessons learned in their questing journey.
January 1, 2020
Academy/dungeon crawl adventure
Fun coming of age academy story. There's no teenage anxst or harem/reverse harem here (which I get so tired of). There's a tiny bit of m/f romance (more like a crush). Mostly just adventure. There are no gamelit elements but there's definitely a level up/advancement feel. This isn't a book to be taken seriously, but instead one to be enjoyed as fun. Even though this book doesn't have any military elements, it shares some of the 'innocence and determination in the face of hardship' flavor that you'll sometimes come across in that academy military genre. (So if your looking for Harry Potter, Twilight, or some other academy offering, this book isn't it. ). I'll definitely read the next book, but then I like action adventure.
Fun coming of age academy story. There's no teenage anxst or harem/reverse harem here (which I get so tired of). There's a tiny bit of m/f romance (more like a crush). Mostly just adventure. There are no gamelit elements but there's definitely a level up/advancement feel. This isn't a book to be taken seriously, but instead one to be enjoyed as fun. Even though this book doesn't have any military elements, it shares some of the 'innocence and determination in the face of hardship' flavor that you'll sometimes come across in that academy military genre. (So if your looking for Harry Potter, Twilight, or some other academy offering, this book isn't it. ). I'll definitely read the next book, but then I like action adventure.
May 22, 2020
DNF @ 17%
I attempted to pick this up again three times and only made it a couple pages further. The plot may become interesting (up to this point everything was basic), but what deterred me from reading further was the prose.
It was difficult to pinpoint why the book felt so boring to me, but I think it was because the writing was just so flat. All the characters basically sounded the same and used the same phrases. Some expressions were jarringly modern. There was a lack of description when it came to conversations. We were never shown how the characters expressed themselves visually (changing facial expressions and body language) and verbally (dialogue words).
I attempted to pick this up again three times and only made it a couple pages further. The plot may become interesting (up to this point everything was basic), but what deterred me from reading further was the prose.
It was difficult to pinpoint why the book felt so boring to me, but I think it was because the writing was just so flat. All the characters basically sounded the same and used the same phrases. Some expressions were jarringly modern. There was a lack of description when it came to conversations. We were never shown how the characters expressed themselves visually (changing facial expressions and body language) and verbally (dialogue words).
August 27, 2020
Cruel and Unusual
There’s an interesting mix of high fantasy and light LitRPG style elements here buried below the backdrop of a cruel world where the rich thrive and life is cheap.
There’s also a lot going on and things move at such a clip after the first few chapters that a lot of the side characters, rivalries and relationships don’t really have much of a chance to become very relatable. But all in all a great little adventure and a world I would love to delve more into.
There’s an interesting mix of high fantasy and light LitRPG style elements here buried below the backdrop of a cruel world where the rich thrive and life is cheap.
There’s also a lot going on and things move at such a clip after the first few chapters that a lot of the side characters, rivalries and relationships don’t really have much of a chance to become very relatable. But all in all a great little adventure and a world I would love to delve more into.
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