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The Good Guys #8
Eastbound and Town
Freshly respawned.
Far from home.
All alone.
Up until now, Montana’s journey really only went one direction: up. But now he’s back at square one, stuck on top of a mountain with only the most basic gear to help get him back to Coggeshall. It’s going to be a loooong walk.
But not a boring one.
In one of LitRPG’s most legendary medieval fantasy road trips (and also possibly the only one), Montana encounters a pack of just-this-side-of-feral wolf people; a town straight out of the Wild West - complete with heavy-handed sheriff; a lion desperately trying to take down a colossal fish monster; ancient cursed ruins; and a giant flying frog.
Eastbound & Town is an epic story full of combat, loot, and achievements. You better believe Montana is loaded up and truckin,’ and gonna do what they say can’t be done.
Far from home.
All alone.
Up until now, Montana’s journey really only went one direction: up. But now he’s back at square one, stuck on top of a mountain with only the most basic gear to help get him back to Coggeshall. It’s going to be a loooong walk.
But not a boring one.
In one of LitRPG’s most legendary medieval fantasy road trips (and also possibly the only one), Montana encounters a pack of just-this-side-of-feral wolf people; a town straight out of the Wild West - complete with heavy-handed sheriff; a lion desperately trying to take down a colossal fish monster; ancient cursed ruins; and a giant flying frog.
Eastbound & Town is an epic story full of combat, loot, and achievements. You better believe Montana is loaded up and truckin,’ and gonna do what they say can’t be done.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2020
934 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
April 2, 2020
Good for not going anywhere.
Glad the MC didn't go off on yet another side quests, though I didn't mind those earlier. What I take issue with is how MC didn't actually improve tangibly at all from start to finish of this book. He's got a bit more spine to not take as much verbal abuse the ENTIRE F**KING SERIES, but he doesn't use any magic improvement items, doesn't really seek them out for improvements, is really just the wrong role for this character as a story and doesn't get legitimate support the entire series. Training is not just being beaten and if he is a Duke, why are his subjects lining up to physically abuse the one dude saving them time and time again. This guy has been in a new world for an extended amount of time and has all sorts of new things to invest his time and apply himself to which he does do, but he never lets past self go or just embraces himself.
I take issue most with the MC continuing to be isolated, verbally and physically abused. I feel like I'm reading a version Of Mice and Men where our Montana is Lenny except he doesn't have a best friend and everyone sassing everyone world keeps trying to put that shot in the back of moppy's head, but it won't take.
Please consider giving this MC an actual partner who builds him up or at least defends him more. This MC doesn't have a legit reason to keep the responsibilities thurst upon him otherwise. He's everyone bitching rod of hate.
Literally one instance of a character in this book defending the MC, only after having a life-altering thing done for them by MC, from another's verbal abuse in front of the ruling council yet again and it seems like the only reason it was done was that they also saw the latest horrific thing survived by the MC protecting ungrateful side characters.
Personal Note: I feel it is hard to have a world where literally every exchange is passive-aggressive sass. Be it in the council meetings or just simple exchanges, there needs to be a limit. MC may be new to the world, but others have grown up in a hierarchy and class system. They should have a more ingrained hesitancy to always sass up the ladder.
I'm coming down pretty harshly on this series because I wanted more... acceptance and advancement. I liked that the MC had a great start and kept at it as things snowballed, but the MC just seems a functioning depressed punching bag now. Literally saved the world in the last book and didn't get any rewards in the game world for it? Really? He gets refocused by his benefactors to the game world again and again, and the odd method of giving him boons this books felt...longwinded and forced.
I started with the Bad Guys series and feel this is a MUCH better showing of the author's talents. That MC embraced the world, adapts, improves, and doesn't take an inordinate amount of shit or sass. While he has glaring flaws, *home security* he is also given supportive characters that do build him up, even with ribbings. 5 Stars on Bad Guys All the Way.
Glad the MC didn't go off on yet another side quests, though I didn't mind those earlier. What I take issue with is how MC didn't actually improve tangibly at all from start to finish of this book. He's got a bit more spine to not take as much verbal abuse the ENTIRE F**KING SERIES, but he doesn't use any magic improvement items, doesn't really seek them out for improvements, is really just the wrong role for this character as a story and doesn't get legitimate support the entire series. Training is not just being beaten and if he is a Duke, why are his subjects lining up to physically abuse the one dude saving them time and time again. This guy has been in a new world for an extended amount of time and has all sorts of new things to invest his time and apply himself to which he does do, but he never lets past self go or just embraces himself.
I take issue most with the MC continuing to be isolated, verbally and physically abused. I feel like I'm reading a version Of Mice and Men where our Montana is Lenny except he doesn't have a best friend and everyone sassing everyone world keeps trying to put that shot in the back of moppy's head, but it won't take.
Please consider giving this MC an actual partner who builds him up or at least defends him more. This MC doesn't have a legit reason to keep the responsibilities thurst upon him otherwise. He's everyone bitching rod of hate.
Literally one instance of a character in this book defending the MC, only after having a life-altering thing done for them by MC, from another's verbal abuse in front of the ruling council yet again and it seems like the only reason it was done was that they also saw the latest horrific thing survived by the MC protecting ungrateful side characters.
Personal Note: I feel it is hard to have a world where literally every exchange is passive-aggressive sass. Be it in the council meetings or just simple exchanges, there needs to be a limit. MC may be new to the world, but others have grown up in a hierarchy and class system. They should have a more ingrained hesitancy to always sass up the ladder.
I'm coming down pretty harshly on this series because I wanted more... acceptance and advancement. I liked that the MC had a great start and kept at it as things snowballed, but the MC just seems a functioning depressed punching bag now. Literally saved the world in the last book and didn't get any rewards in the game world for it? Really? He gets refocused by his benefactors to the game world again and again, and the odd method of giving him boons this books felt...longwinded and forced.
I started with the Bad Guys series and feel this is a MUCH better showing of the author's talents. That MC embraced the world, adapts, improves, and doesn't take an inordinate amount of shit or sass. While he has glaring flaws, *home security* he is also given supportive characters that do build him up, even with ribbings. 5 Stars on Bad Guys All the Way.
March 30, 2020
Holy shiznits.
I don't normally do this. I don't leave early reviews for books that I read before their release. Well, here we go.
Book 8 of the GG sets the whole story in nitro mode. Everything that we've seen so far gets amped up and the best part of the story, the growth and maturing that we started to see in book 7 follows in the same footsteps.
This doesn't need to be said, I don't think, but pick up this series!
I don't normally do this. I don't leave early reviews for books that I read before their release. Well, here we go.
Book 8 of the GG sets the whole story in nitro mode. Everything that we've seen so far gets amped up and the best part of the story, the growth and maturing that we started to see in book 7 follows in the same footsteps.
This doesn't need to be said, I don't think, but pick up this series!
January 20, 2022
01/20/2022 Notes:
Re-read with my copy of the audiobook. ;)
I enjoyed the first half more than the last. #7 & 8 were like transition pieces. I guess it would make more sense if the books had more of an episodic feel, but they don't. They have a distinct web serial format, and that can be good or bad.
01/18/2021 Notes:
Yay for libraries!
Montana may be more of the 'take all the outcasts' type than anything else. =)
Re-read with my copy of the audiobook. ;)
I enjoyed the first half more than the last. #7 & 8 were like transition pieces. I guess it would make more sense if the books had more of an episodic feel, but they don't. They have a distinct web serial format, and that can be good or bad.
01/18/2021 Notes:
Yay for libraries!
Montana may be more of the 'take all the outcasts' type than anything else. =)
December 4, 2020
So...nothing happened.
It read like a short story and I'm not sure anything happened. It took me half a day to read the entire "book" and I'm not a super fast reader. Lots happened but nothing happened.
Spoilers past this point.
He respawned and FINALLY went to look for the God tier equipment he lost in the opening sequence...but it was half as*ed looking, and he gave up way too easy.
He met people...but then they left and didnt join him. He found loot, but nothing in it was remarkable or important to the plot. He got gifts that really didnt do anything for him. He got 1 point in constitution...but never even leveled 1 time. He gained skills that he then didnt use. He found a dungeon but then it was erased from existence. He got 5 basically WISHES from Gods and didnt use them to solve ANY of his current or reoccurring problems. What he did wish for and got...he didnt use in any meaningful way to further the plot. He didn't vanquish any of his foes, and didnt upgrade his holdings in any significant way. So...nothing happened.
Book ended...with no cliffhanger, no catharsis, no victory, no loss...it just ended.
Feels like the author just rambled a while then stopped without any part of the story having any lasting impact on the story as a whole.
Love the series but this was not a well written book that added to the series...it was a long short story about characters I like, but not really a book that told a story that left me feeling anything. What was there was full of typos too...meh.
TL;DR- This story is like great sex that gets interrupted by the kids and you never end up getting to finish.
It read like a short story and I'm not sure anything happened. It took me half a day to read the entire "book" and I'm not a super fast reader. Lots happened but nothing happened.
Spoilers past this point.
He respawned and FINALLY went to look for the God tier equipment he lost in the opening sequence...but it was half as*ed looking, and he gave up way too easy.
He met people...but then they left and didnt join him. He found loot, but nothing in it was remarkable or important to the plot. He got gifts that really didnt do anything for him. He got 1 point in constitution...but never even leveled 1 time. He gained skills that he then didnt use. He found a dungeon but then it was erased from existence. He got 5 basically WISHES from Gods and didnt use them to solve ANY of his current or reoccurring problems. What he did wish for and got...he didnt use in any meaningful way to further the plot. He didn't vanquish any of his foes, and didnt upgrade his holdings in any significant way. So...nothing happened.
Book ended...with no cliffhanger, no catharsis, no victory, no loss...it just ended.
Feels like the author just rambled a while then stopped without any part of the story having any lasting impact on the story as a whole.
Love the series but this was not a well written book that added to the series...it was a long short story about characters I like, but not really a book that told a story that left me feeling anything. What was there was full of typos too...meh.
TL;DR- This story is like great sex that gets interrupted by the kids and you never end up getting to finish.
March 29, 2021
Ролевите игри са направени, за да може играчът да се вдъхнови, да се потопи в техния свят и не да "управлява" героя си, а да се идентифицира с него, самият той да стане герой и да действа и решава от своя гледна точка в измисления свят, сякаш наистина живее там.
В действителност, особено в компютърните такива игри, се получава нещо по средата - наистина човек до известна степен се идентифицира с героя си, но това си остава игра и той не действа като истинска личност в игровия свят, а като "външен елемент" в него - което довежда до някои странности и особености на действието.
Именно тези странности и особености на действието описва в литературна форма Ерик Угланд в серията си за Добрите - всъщност само за един добър, който, както подобава на жанра LitRPG, "попада" в игрови свят, подчинен на игрова логика... но и той действа в него като външен играч, а не като негов жител или (слава богу) типичен герой от фентъзи книги.
Действията му са точно толкова нелогични и водят до точно същите резултати, каквито наблюдаваме у себе си, докато играем RPG игри:
Героят ни много бързо става прекалено силен, следва по-скоро инцидентно, отколкото съзнателно сюжетната линия, която създателите на играта са сложили за основна, разпилява усилията си по странични куестове, не чете съобщенията и хелп-файловете на играта, така че често му се налага да взема решения без да има идея от ситуацията...
Също така, въпреки, че в играта е двуметров мускулест и брадат войн, че и владетел после, играчът си остава смачкан смотаняк по душа, какъвто е авторът всъщност и действа и говори по съответния начин (сигурен съм, че авторът не го е планирал това, но така се е получило, понеже никой не може да избяга от себе си).
Резултатът от всичко това е доста забавен.
В действителност, особено в компютърните такива игри, се получава нещо по средата - наистина човек до известна степен се идентифицира с героя си, но това си остава игра и той не действа като истинска личност в игровия свят, а като "външен елемент" в него - което довежда до някои странности и особености на действието.
Именно тези странности и особености на действието описва в литературна форма Ерик Угланд в серията си за Добрите - всъщност само за един добър, който, както подобава на жанра LitRPG, "попада" в игрови свят, подчинен на игрова логика... но и той действа в него като външен играч, а не като негов жител или (слава богу) типичен герой от фентъзи книги.
Действията му са точно толкова нелогични и водят до точно същите резултати, каквито наблюдаваме у себе си, докато играем RPG игри:
Героят ни много бързо става прекалено силен, следва по-скоро инцидентно, отколкото съзнателно сюжетната линия, която създателите на играта са сложили за основна, разпилява усилията си по странични куестове, не чете съобщенията и хелп-файловете на играта, така че често му се налага да взема решения без да има идея от ситуацията...
Също така, въпреки, че в играта е двуметров мускулест и брадат войн, че и владетел после, играчът си остава смачкан смотаняк по душа, какъвто е авторът всъщност и действа и говори по съответния начин (сигурен съм, че авторът не го е планирал това, но така се е получило, понеже никой не може да избяга от себе си).
Резултатът от всичко това е доста забавен.
November 21, 2021
Read them all
Well written story and characters . I am really glad to have found and the twelve parts of this great storyline. I am looking forward to reading the future books as well.
Well written story and characters . I am really glad to have found and the twelve parts of this great storyline. I am looking forward to reading the future books as well.
April 14, 2020
Never can get enough of Montana. Great LitRPG continuing adventure definitely worth reading. Highly recommended series.
April 17, 2020
I'm still enjoying this series although the author seems to be taking less care with each book. Little plot holes and inconsistencies crop up all over the place. For example, Montana decides to find his god-level sword and then a few pages later that idea just evaporates, never to be heard from again.
The ongoing tension between Montana claiming to be stupid and his companions half-heartedly doubting it, is growing wearisome. Can we all just agree that he is not wise? Not once does he make a plan. Those around him sometimes do, but never Montana. That's the opposite of wise. Okay, I've got that off my chest now.
One of the things that keep this story interesting is that enemies are converging all around the hero's small town. Foreign invaders, goblin hordes, ambiguous gods, an evil magical mastermind, conniving nobles, and a nebulous world-eating corruption. How will the good-guys survive against these impossible odds?
The ongoing tension between Montana claiming to be stupid and his companions half-heartedly doubting it, is growing wearisome. Can we all just agree that he is not wise? Not once does he make a plan. Those around him sometimes do, but never Montana. That's the opposite of wise. Okay, I've got that off my chest now.
One of the things that keep this story interesting is that enemies are converging all around the hero's small town. Foreign invaders, goblin hordes, ambiguous gods, an evil magical mastermind, conniving nobles, and a nebulous world-eating corruption. How will the good-guys survive against these impossible odds?
April 7, 2020
Disappointed
I want to start of by stating although I enjoyed the story that was told I can not give this more than 3 stars. It doesn't really push tha narrative at all. The plot was lacking. The story just seemed to be lacking in substance and then it ends with a cliff hanger from left field. It was disappointing.
I want to start of by stating although I enjoyed the story that was told I can not give this more than 3 stars. It doesn't really push tha narrative at all. The plot was lacking. The story just seemed to be lacking in substance and then it ends with a cliff hanger from left field. It was disappointing.
April 4, 2020
Not as good
Still like the series and will continue to follow it, but everything about it is getting a little old, or repetitive, there's been basically zero character development from the beginning of the series and while still entertaining and the plotline is moving forward slowly, Montana is exactly the same as the very beginning an entertaining dope, but less entertaining as the series continues.
Still like the series and will continue to follow it, but everything about it is getting a little old, or repetitive, there's been basically zero character development from the beginning of the series and while still entertaining and the plotline is moving forward slowly, Montana is exactly the same as the very beginning an entertaining dope, but less entertaining as the series continues.
May 26, 2022
Eastbound & Town
The Good Guys: Book 8
By Eric Ugland
Summary:
While books 6 and 7 were really good, book 8 is probably the most interesting section of story since “Dukes and Ladders” (book 5). The town expands outwards and Montana continues to make improvements inwards. 5/5 stars.
Roster of Notable Characters (phonetic spellings in some cases, last names of characters are mentioned once sometimes but hardly ever afterwards, alphabetical order):
* Amber: a 20-something girl of a fox-like race who can take on humanoid form but with 2 fox tails and upright ears. The race was bred for sexual promiscuity but Amber is not at all interested in that sort of thing. She wants to be a ranger and makes her home in a tree to avoid all the men pursuing her 24/7. She might have a thing for Montana, though.
* Baltu: an elder snobold and de facto leader of the Coggeshall kobolds, described as probably the smartest kobold alive thanks to a ton of points spent on the Intellect stat.
* Bear Snowgust: a brownie who is described as Tinker Bell without the wings. She’s very magical and aided Montana in book 7.
* Eliza Northwoods: daughter of a Baron whose land borders Montana’s dukedom. He sends her to spy out and possibly proposition Montana for marriage. It’s revealed in book 7 that the Northwoods fall under a separate dukedom so they would never actually be allies unless through marriage or ducal consent.
* Emiline (deceased): daughter of black market kingpin whose father asked Montana to spring her out of prison in book 3. She was beheaded by the mysterious “Master” or its sycophants in book 7, due to meddling in affairs that don’t concern her.
* Essie: a hired mancer (geomancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Fritz: a monster pet granted to Montana by Typhon, the god of monsters (in book 4) because Montana was killing way too many of his creations. If killed, Fritz comes back in another incarnation at Typhon’s choosing and timetable.
* Gregork: a snobold tracker/ranger who led Montana’s party to the corrupted ursas in book 7 after their original ursa tracker, Woof, deserted them upon encountering danger. Snobolds grow white fur that is near impervious to the elements and is the main reason why they’re hunted and killed (for their hides). He’s described as being an incredible ranger but not very punctual.
* Harmot: chief of the dwarves.
* Lee: the only other player from Earth that Montana has come across. Lee is strategic with things like supply chain and logistics and they commiserate about “back home” at times. He’s a retired old-timer widower in real life.
* Mercy Caufland: a hired mancer (hydromancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Mikalyon: a little white creature who is a pretty impressive cleric as well.
* Montana Coggeshall: protagonist of series, inherited last name and dukedom from adopted father, the late Benedict Coggeshall (who went by the alias Cleave Dye early in series). From Earth and respawns in-game after dying. Is insanely powerful due to boons and such granted by various gods, including super strength, Deadpool-like healing, unbreakable bones, night vision, unlimited stamina, reduced sleep requirements, vibration-sensing, and an instant polyglot ability if he hears 3 words spoken in a foreign tongue (but consequently his race of “Fallen” does not permit casting of spells). He was sucked into the game at the beginning of book 1, leaving no Earth-self behind.
* Mr. Paul: Montana’s in-game patron god who indoctrinated Montana into the game in book 1. Pops up every couple books and talks about ambiguous and/or ominous things like Montana’s viewer count, sponsors’ gifts, additional boons, and lagging behind on some over-arching but hidden objective.
* Natalie Glatan: cousin of assassinated emperor, co-lead of military (alongside Vyan Stokes) and head of the Coggeshall guard. (First Appearance in Book 3: Dungeon Mauling.)
* Nikolai Petroff: Montana’s mentor and a real nagging Nelly. Had his melee stats reset after imprisonment in book 3 and is still wise but no longer the fighter he once was. Second in command at Coggeshall. (First Appearance in Book 1: One More Last Time.)
* Princess heir Glatan: the daughter of assassinated emperor, niece to Valameer (who purportedly killed his brother the emperor), and by all accounts naive, weak, and very young (22 yo). She is not readily stepping up to take the throne and has been lodging in Coggeshall in books 5-7 in hopes that Montana would marry her. He declined.
* Ragnar HelfDane: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Ragnar is secretly in love with Amber the Kitzune-girl.
* Skeld Woodingson: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Skeld is much more level headed than his counterpart. Reincarnated as a Carcachoo, a wolverine-like race.
* Tarryn Flynn: a hired mancer (warmancer) who helps with defending Coggeshall.
* Vyan Stokes: former head of the Thingman (loyal to the assassinated emperor) and current co-head of the military in Coggeshall. (First Appearance in Book 5: Dukes & Ladders.)
The Good:
* Fritz returns!
* Finally more on the rival country of Mardune and their Dark Queen (the most we’ve gotten has been from book 2’s MC of the Bad Guys series).
* The administrative review on the town’s affairs with Nikolai upon Montana’s return was actually fun from a what to do next sort of way. It’s amazing what little has actually been accomplished after 7 books.
* Finally, the author reminds us who people are by giving their races and roles in places.
* The turmoil behind Skeld’s injuries and declining health is heart-breaking. I found myself wanting to console the poor otter alongside Montana.
* Probably the most entertaining exchange with Mr. Paul to date.
* Finally some conversation devoted to leveling up AND expanding their holding borders.
* More prinkies!
* Explanation of how dungeons are formed: after so many are sacrificed in one geographic location, an RPG like dungeon is born apparently.
* More of the Ragordioodi (sp?), nice.
The Meh:
* The author has really been pushing the homosexual agenda these past couple books, coming straight out of left field imo. The question of male-male lovers or male-male marriages specifically is irksome, but maybe that’s because I’m a heterosexual.
* Maybe it’s just friends and cohorts adopting the language of their superior but when Montana cusses all the time it can be fun but if everyone starts to do it than it seems a bit excessive.
* The blip in time was a neat trick with the story but felt kind of like an excuse to give out certain rewards.
The Good Guys: Book 8
By Eric Ugland
Summary:
While books 6 and 7 were really good, book 8 is probably the most interesting section of story since “Dukes and Ladders” (book 5). The town expands outwards and Montana continues to make improvements inwards. 5/5 stars.
Roster of Notable Characters (phonetic spellings in some cases, last names of characters are mentioned once sometimes but hardly ever afterwards, alphabetical order):
* Amber: a 20-something girl of a fox-like race who can take on humanoid form but with 2 fox tails and upright ears. The race was bred for sexual promiscuity but Amber is not at all interested in that sort of thing. She wants to be a ranger and makes her home in a tree to avoid all the men pursuing her 24/7. She might have a thing for Montana, though.
* Baltu: an elder snobold and de facto leader of the Coggeshall kobolds, described as probably the smartest kobold alive thanks to a ton of points spent on the Intellect stat.
* Bear Snowgust: a brownie who is described as Tinker Bell without the wings. She’s very magical and aided Montana in book 7.
* Eliza Northwoods: daughter of a Baron whose land borders Montana’s dukedom. He sends her to spy out and possibly proposition Montana for marriage. It’s revealed in book 7 that the Northwoods fall under a separate dukedom so they would never actually be allies unless through marriage or ducal consent.
* Emiline (deceased): daughter of black market kingpin whose father asked Montana to spring her out of prison in book 3. She was beheaded by the mysterious “Master” or its sycophants in book 7, due to meddling in affairs that don’t concern her.
* Essie: a hired mancer (geomancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Fritz: a monster pet granted to Montana by Typhon, the god of monsters (in book 4) because Montana was killing way too many of his creations. If killed, Fritz comes back in another incarnation at Typhon’s choosing and timetable.
* Gregork: a snobold tracker/ranger who led Montana’s party to the corrupted ursas in book 7 after their original ursa tracker, Woof, deserted them upon encountering danger. Snobolds grow white fur that is near impervious to the elements and is the main reason why they’re hunted and killed (for their hides). He’s described as being an incredible ranger but not very punctual.
* Harmot: chief of the dwarves.
* Lee: the only other player from Earth that Montana has come across. Lee is strategic with things like supply chain and logistics and they commiserate about “back home” at times. He’s a retired old-timer widower in real life.
* Mercy Caufland: a hired mancer (hydromancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Mikalyon: a little white creature who is a pretty impressive cleric as well.
* Montana Coggeshall: protagonist of series, inherited last name and dukedom from adopted father, the late Benedict Coggeshall (who went by the alias Cleave Dye early in series). From Earth and respawns in-game after dying. Is insanely powerful due to boons and such granted by various gods, including super strength, Deadpool-like healing, unbreakable bones, night vision, unlimited stamina, reduced sleep requirements, vibration-sensing, and an instant polyglot ability if he hears 3 words spoken in a foreign tongue (but consequently his race of “Fallen” does not permit casting of spells). He was sucked into the game at the beginning of book 1, leaving no Earth-self behind.
* Mr. Paul: Montana’s in-game patron god who indoctrinated Montana into the game in book 1. Pops up every couple books and talks about ambiguous and/or ominous things like Montana’s viewer count, sponsors’ gifts, additional boons, and lagging behind on some over-arching but hidden objective.
* Natalie Glatan: cousin of assassinated emperor, co-lead of military (alongside Vyan Stokes) and head of the Coggeshall guard. (First Appearance in Book 3: Dungeon Mauling.)
* Nikolai Petroff: Montana’s mentor and a real nagging Nelly. Had his melee stats reset after imprisonment in book 3 and is still wise but no longer the fighter he once was. Second in command at Coggeshall. (First Appearance in Book 1: One More Last Time.)
* Princess heir Glatan: the daughter of assassinated emperor, niece to Valameer (who purportedly killed his brother the emperor), and by all accounts naive, weak, and very young (22 yo). She is not readily stepping up to take the throne and has been lodging in Coggeshall in books 5-7 in hopes that Montana would marry her. He declined.
* Ragnar HelfDane: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Ragnar is secretly in love with Amber the Kitzune-girl.
* Skeld Woodingson: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Skeld is much more level headed than his counterpart. Reincarnated as a Carcachoo, a wolverine-like race.
* Tarryn Flynn: a hired mancer (warmancer) who helps with defending Coggeshall.
* Vyan Stokes: former head of the Thingman (loyal to the assassinated emperor) and current co-head of the military in Coggeshall. (First Appearance in Book 5: Dukes & Ladders.)
The Good:
* Fritz returns!
* Finally more on the rival country of Mardune and their Dark Queen (the most we’ve gotten has been from book 2’s MC of the Bad Guys series).
* The administrative review on the town’s affairs with Nikolai upon Montana’s return was actually fun from a what to do next sort of way. It’s amazing what little has actually been accomplished after 7 books.
* Finally, the author reminds us who people are by giving their races and roles in places.
* The turmoil behind Skeld’s injuries and declining health is heart-breaking. I found myself wanting to console the poor otter alongside Montana.
* Probably the most entertaining exchange with Mr. Paul to date.
* Finally some conversation devoted to leveling up AND expanding their holding borders.
* More prinkies!
* Explanation of how dungeons are formed: after so many are sacrificed in one geographic location, an RPG like dungeon is born apparently.
* More of the Ragordioodi (sp?), nice.
The Meh:
* The author has really been pushing the homosexual agenda these past couple books, coming straight out of left field imo. The question of male-male lovers or male-male marriages specifically is irksome, but maybe that’s because I’m a heterosexual.
* Maybe it’s just friends and cohorts adopting the language of their superior but when Montana cusses all the time it can be fun but if everyone starts to do it than it seems a bit excessive.
* The blip in time was a neat trick with the story but felt kind of like an excuse to give out certain rewards.
February 12, 2021
Nothing much happened in this book. At least that's how I felt.
Maybe the things happened in this book will have far reaching implications in the future but no idea where this is going. The egg might be useful.
Also, most complaints that we have about the story is mostly jotted down as Montana being an idiot. That's a bit sad though, He didn't use the stone inside the town as he's dumb. Fine. But why did none of his companions think of it either?
Plus why are characters being ignored all the time. The princess left the town. Good for her. But what about the Historian. Did she leave with the princess or is she still in town roaming around with the prinky? Dude got tons of mithril but still hasn't remembered the looted metal from WarWaters. Is the Brownie tree okay after his respawn?
What will happen to the God Tier weapons in the middle of nowhere which he loves to ignore?
So many questions. The writer has created so many threads that I will not be surprised if the series has to reach 20s in order to ever achieve a full closure of the story.
Maybe the things happened in this book will have far reaching implications in the future but no idea where this is going. The egg might be useful.
Also, most complaints that we have about the story is mostly jotted down as Montana being an idiot. That's a bit sad though, He didn't use the stone inside the town as he's dumb. Fine. But why did none of his companions think of it either?
Plus why are characters being ignored all the time. The princess left the town. Good for her. But what about the Historian. Did she leave with the princess or is she still in town roaming around with the prinky? Dude got tons of mithril but still hasn't remembered the looted metal from WarWaters. Is the Brownie tree okay after his respawn?
What will happen to the God Tier weapons in the middle of nowhere which he loves to ignore?
So many questions. The writer has created so many threads that I will not be surprised if the series has to reach 20s in order to ever achieve a full closure of the story.
April 5, 2020
Overall nice new installment
If you read this far, you are clearly a fan of the series. So to keep this short, it was a fun read and I think one of the better of the recent novels.
Positives:
-Montana continues to mature
-action sequences balanced
-strikes the same fun tone and bull in the China shop feel.
Negatives
-feels like it should be longer
-disappointed by the lack of depth in town development.
Other
-significant deus ex machina
-author seemed to respond to push back on why Montana didn’t use the stone to hunt corruption in last book.
If you read this far, you are clearly a fan of the series. So to keep this short, it was a fun read and I think one of the better of the recent novels.
Positives:
-Montana continues to mature
-action sequences balanced
-strikes the same fun tone and bull in the China shop feel.
Negatives
-feels like it should be longer
-disappointed by the lack of depth in town development.
Other
-significant deus ex machina
-author seemed to respond to push back on why Montana didn’t use the stone to hunt corruption in last book.
December 14, 2020
This felt very much like a filler book. Obviously Montana was going to have to get from his original spawn point back to his holding, but I thought there could be more interesting things that happened along the way.
For starters, he gave up on finding his original body with his starting gear awfully quickly. Really wanted that plot point wrapped up.
Second I was kind of hoping he'd end up in the city, possibly have a minor crossover with Clyde or one of the people from his book.
For starters, he gave up on finding his original body with his starting gear awfully quickly. Really wanted that plot point wrapped up.
Second I was kind of hoping he'd end up in the city, possibly have a minor crossover with Clyde or one of the people from his book.
April 16, 2020
Puns are the highest art form.
More like the highest fart form.
Every one of these books is a knockout A+. You made me laugh again dude, have your 5 stars
More like the highest fart form.
Every one of these books is a knockout A+. You made me laugh again dude, have your 5 stars
April 17, 2020
This is a 3.5 star rating for me, but I rounded up because I like the overall series.
The story is interesting as usual, and as usual the MC is too scatterbrained to get things done efficiently.
The book does feel short, just because even though the MC does a lot of .. things.. there is no change in his or his towns development. It is like a good setting for the second half of a full book.
---SPOILERS BELOW---
At the very beginning of the book, when he got the flying Fritz, why not fly over the mountain to find the chasm where he dropped the godly sword/shield?
When getting back to the valley when he saw a large cloud of somebody coming from the West - why not fly over to see who's heading his way? He walked to the enemy army earlier int he book , then flew over them to have a look , but he sees what could be a second enemy and doesn't care to check?
While on this topic - why didn't he do a second fly by to check on the progress of the enemy army headed towards him?
When at home, and he was told by a god that he should use a magical item to check for infiltrators in his own town why does he ignore it and do nothing? Especially after he was also told that people are disappearing all the time.
Why spend 3+ weeks building a road just to get to where a fortress will be built, when we are told it takes 2 weeks to build the actual fortress and Fritz can easily carry 10 tons of material and the bulk of the stone will be dug on location anyway?
Instead of making Fritz carry material and people for the road work for 3 weeks, just carry material to the fortress location and get it built in then start on the road. The fortress will stop your enemy's army (2 armies?) from coming in. That's more important than a road.
Why did he leave the dark goblin's commanders live? So they can take what they learned back to their city and make their weapons more efficient?
Want to stop them from performing sacrifices to their dark god - wouldn't killing a big bad who uses dark magics get rid of at least one guy who is most likely performing those sacrifices? Why let him go when he is within reach?
Since the dark goblins' cave entrance is next to a waterfall and lake/river, why not have Fritz drop some kinetic bombs with 10+ ton boulders on the outside to kill whatever forces they have there, then divert the river into the cave to drown and destroy the dark goblin city?
Why did he carry a few chests with loot from the beginning of the book to his town just to never open them?
Why did he not turn in the tons of mithril he was given, that can be used to create armor for his whole army when enemies are coming?
On the same page - why not get mithril weapons and armor created for himself? What's with walking around in rags all the time? Yeah we know he can regenerate - learn to avoid damage dude!
Why is he not checking on what that egg he got is and how to hatch it?
Why does he still not know where all his other lands and properties lay (the ones he won many books ago in Osterstadt) and what benefits they can give him?
And a couple of general things on the story overall - why did he stop gaining levels? He has been the same level for a few books now, but he keeps fighting many and strong foes.
Why is he not getting any worthwhile presents from the "viewers" of the game? In book 1 we were told if people are entertained by what he does he will get gifts - where are they? He kills Wyrms, inter-dimensional monsters, gets in and out of all sorts of crazy situations every other day, and what not a single viewer is entertained enough to send him something? He keeps getting stupid stuff like root beer and pizza?
Why isn't he using any magical items. He gets treasure all the time, has experienced people by his side, and nobody ever thinks that equipment matters?
Yes, the story is interesting, but why is the MC not growing mentally at all? How can anybody be this stupid all the time?
The story is interesting as usual, and as usual the MC is too scatterbrained to get things done efficiently.
The book does feel short, just because even though the MC does a lot of .. things.. there is no change in his or his towns development. It is like a good setting for the second half of a full book.
---SPOILERS BELOW---
At the very beginning of the book, when he got the flying Fritz, why not fly over the mountain to find the chasm where he dropped the godly sword/shield?
When getting back to the valley when he saw a large cloud of somebody coming from the West - why not fly over to see who's heading his way? He walked to the enemy army earlier int he book , then flew over them to have a look , but he sees what could be a second enemy and doesn't care to check?
While on this topic - why didn't he do a second fly by to check on the progress of the enemy army headed towards him?
When at home, and he was told by a god that he should use a magical item to check for infiltrators in his own town why does he ignore it and do nothing? Especially after he was also told that people are disappearing all the time.
Why spend 3+ weeks building a road just to get to where a fortress will be built, when we are told it takes 2 weeks to build the actual fortress and Fritz can easily carry 10 tons of material and the bulk of the stone will be dug on location anyway?
Instead of making Fritz carry material and people for the road work for 3 weeks, just carry material to the fortress location and get it built in then start on the road. The fortress will stop your enemy's army (2 armies?) from coming in. That's more important than a road.
Why did he leave the dark goblin's commanders live? So they can take what they learned back to their city and make their weapons more efficient?
Want to stop them from performing sacrifices to their dark god - wouldn't killing a big bad who uses dark magics get rid of at least one guy who is most likely performing those sacrifices? Why let him go when he is within reach?
Since the dark goblins' cave entrance is next to a waterfall and lake/river, why not have Fritz drop some kinetic bombs with 10+ ton boulders on the outside to kill whatever forces they have there, then divert the river into the cave to drown and destroy the dark goblin city?
Why did he carry a few chests with loot from the beginning of the book to his town just to never open them?
Why did he not turn in the tons of mithril he was given, that can be used to create armor for his whole army when enemies are coming?
On the same page - why not get mithril weapons and armor created for himself? What's with walking around in rags all the time? Yeah we know he can regenerate - learn to avoid damage dude!
Why is he not checking on what that egg he got is and how to hatch it?
Why does he still not know where all his other lands and properties lay (the ones he won many books ago in Osterstadt) and what benefits they can give him?
And a couple of general things on the story overall - why did he stop gaining levels? He has been the same level for a few books now, but he keeps fighting many and strong foes.
Why is he not getting any worthwhile presents from the "viewers" of the game? In book 1 we were told if people are entertained by what he does he will get gifts - where are they? He kills Wyrms, inter-dimensional monsters, gets in and out of all sorts of crazy situations every other day, and what not a single viewer is entertained enough to send him something? He keeps getting stupid stuff like root beer and pizza?
Why isn't he using any magical items. He gets treasure all the time, has experienced people by his side, and nobody ever thinks that equipment matters?
Yes, the story is interesting, but why is the MC not growing mentally at all? How can anybody be this stupid all the time?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2020
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.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
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.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
December 17, 2021
The MC respawns and FINALLY goes to look for the God tier equipment he lost in the opening sequence... and then he gives up way too fast and doesn´t even use respawned Fritz to look for it.
Instead of caring about the people he left behind he explores rather aimlessly and dreams of looting some forsaken place and fishing. He FINALLY and only by accident buys himself some useful eqipment.
The return to his domain felt a bit too easy. As the brainless oaf ignored the gods constant telling him that there are corrupted in his place the author decided to have his antagonist, the master, clean up brainless oaf´s mess.
Coming home he realizes that there is another approach into his valley. Totally disregarding the fact that his people hardly can defend their own base and are under constant threat by the night goblins and others, numbnut decides he has to build a road through the entire valley and build a fortress on the other end without scouting or providing adequate protection for the workers. The plot decides that the goblins only test them and don´t wipe them out as they would deserve for their sheer stupidity.
By accident he finds a hidden temple which is erased from existence by the gofs. He gets 5 basically WISHES from Gods and doesn´t use them to solve ANY of his current or reoccurring problems. And won´t do so until at least middle of book 12. Therefor nothing important or intelligent happened in the book.
Instead of caring about the people he left behind he explores rather aimlessly and dreams of looting some forsaken place and fishing. He FINALLY and only by accident buys himself some useful eqipment.
The return to his domain felt a bit too easy. As the brainless oaf ignored the gods constant telling him that there are corrupted in his place the author decided to have his antagonist, the master, clean up brainless oaf´s mess.
Coming home he realizes that there is another approach into his valley. Totally disregarding the fact that his people hardly can defend their own base and are under constant threat by the night goblins and others, numbnut decides he has to build a road through the entire valley and build a fortress on the other end without scouting or providing adequate protection for the workers. The plot decides that the goblins only test them and don´t wipe them out as they would deserve for their sheer stupidity.
By accident he finds a hidden temple which is erased from existence by the gofs. He gets 5 basically WISHES from Gods and doesn´t use them to solve ANY of his current or reoccurring problems. And won´t do so until at least middle of book 12. Therefor nothing important or intelligent happened in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
Typhan you God of weirdness... if you thought a 8 headed goose weird, lets begin this book with a giant frog with giant bat wings ( Yes.. that is Fritz and our esteemed Duke of Cogshall in the cover of the book). The absurd mix of game world dynamics with fantasy elements while still managing to keep the book on track with the plotline while deriving a laugh every few lines is just perfect.
I think Neil Hellegers as the voice over artist is just perfect for this series and I am seriously considering picking audiobooks by voice over artist now. The range of characters and emotions that he brings out is tremendous.
Yes, Montana died once again and has to restart his journey at the top of the mountain . The first place he entered the world of Vuldranni. You then have an Oz like adventure as he figures out the road back home , he meets a Courageous lion , tonne's of loot , murder and Fritz turning into another form that primarily works as a ferry for the remainder of the book and I could not stop grinning and wonder what could possibly happen next.
Ugland's pacing is sublime and now I am hoping that someone picks up the series and turns into the next big Netflix series.
Well one can always hope.
Enjoyed this book a tonne, please to pick it up to have some fun :)
I think Neil Hellegers as the voice over artist is just perfect for this series and I am seriously considering picking audiobooks by voice over artist now. The range of characters and emotions that he brings out is tremendous.
Yes, Montana died once again and has to restart his journey at the top of the mountain . The first place he entered the world of Vuldranni. You then have an Oz like adventure as he figures out the road back home , he meets a Courageous lion , tonne's of loot , murder and Fritz turning into another form that primarily works as a ferry for the remainder of the book and I could not stop grinning and wonder what could possibly happen next.
Ugland's pacing is sublime and now I am hoping that someone picks up the series and turns into the next big Netflix series.
Well one can always hope.
Enjoyed this book a tonne, please to pick it up to have some fun :)
May 23, 2023
Anyone who has read this far into this series will know it is made up of 3 types of stories:
1. A novel that's genuinely focused on progressing the main plot.
2. A novel that's filled with relevant side quests that help progress the main plot at a slightly slower rate.
3. A novel that's filled with irrelevant side quests that feel like filler and slow down the progression of the series.
All 3 are easy reading, if a little forgettable at worst, so there's nothing all that wrong with any of them. But regarding my enjoyment of these novels, they are in order from best to worst. Unfortunately, this book was the 3rd kind of novel and therefore only worthy of 3 stars in this reader's opinion.
Thankfully, I am binging this series via audiobooks or I might not want to continue, especially if there was a long wait after this novel for the next one to come out. As it stands though, I'll just get onto the next book and forget about this one pretty quickly. It's worth noting that I feel this way though because eventually, I'm going to be caught up with this series and if it finishes on one of the 3rd kind of novels, the odds of me coming back to this series in the future are much lower than if it was option 2, or preferably even story type 1.
1. A novel that's genuinely focused on progressing the main plot.
2. A novel that's filled with relevant side quests that help progress the main plot at a slightly slower rate.
3. A novel that's filled with irrelevant side quests that feel like filler and slow down the progression of the series.
All 3 are easy reading, if a little forgettable at worst, so there's nothing all that wrong with any of them. But regarding my enjoyment of these novels, they are in order from best to worst. Unfortunately, this book was the 3rd kind of novel and therefore only worthy of 3 stars in this reader's opinion.
Thankfully, I am binging this series via audiobooks or I might not want to continue, especially if there was a long wait after this novel for the next one to come out. As it stands though, I'll just get onto the next book and forget about this one pretty quickly. It's worth noting that I feel this way though because eventually, I'm going to be caught up with this series and if it finishes on one of the 3rd kind of novels, the odds of me coming back to this series in the future are much lower than if it was option 2, or preferably even story type 1.
April 17, 2020
The series is a good read
Still, I will not continue on this train.
First of all the tendency to finish with significant cliffhangers, author steps on trust of readers, by using this method. A reader pays for a chance to share the world the author creates. But to leave the reader hanging in the end is at least for me unacceptable. I will spend my money elsewhere, even if I enjoy the middle of the books.
Secondly, it is becoming exceedingly tiresome to see a MC, which shines in highly insightful dialogues and with quick banter (one of the main reasons for my enjoyment) behaving continuously like a spoiled child....there is nothing wrong with being unwilling to conform to a setting pressed upon oneself, but to continuously use the reason of being stupid, while being rather insightful on the other hand is just a cheap excuse by now.....and as I don’t see any change in this by now commonplace reasoning over these 8 books, it is probably not going to come....
Anyways, thanks Eric for the enjoyable ride sofar, but I’m getting off here. Cheers Leo
Still, I will not continue on this train.
First of all the tendency to finish with significant cliffhangers, author steps on trust of readers, by using this method. A reader pays for a chance to share the world the author creates. But to leave the reader hanging in the end is at least for me unacceptable. I will spend my money elsewhere, even if I enjoy the middle of the books.
Secondly, it is becoming exceedingly tiresome to see a MC, which shines in highly insightful dialogues and with quick banter (one of the main reasons for my enjoyment) behaving continuously like a spoiled child....there is nothing wrong with being unwilling to conform to a setting pressed upon oneself, but to continuously use the reason of being stupid, while being rather insightful on the other hand is just a cheap excuse by now.....and as I don’t see any change in this by now commonplace reasoning over these 8 books, it is probably not going to come....
Anyways, thanks Eric for the enjoyable ride sofar, but I’m getting off here. Cheers Leo
April 20, 2022
So I might just be getting fatigued from burning through this series too quickly. But it feels like it's been several books since we've seen really significant developments. Interesting things are still happening, sure. But at the end of the day... the night goblins are expanded on but the situation hasn't changed. Duke continues to say he should act more royal, and proceeds to not do so. (After 8 books this is less and less excusable) The overarching politics between gods and empires seem interesting but we only ever get glimpses. The town continues to change but none of it seems like growth or evolution.
I like that the bulk of these books are running off on unexpected adventures. I don't need the town building/politics to be a huge part of things. But just like playing an actual RPG, if all you do is go grind monsters and never advance any questlines, it gets boring. Shit, I feel like by now our duke should at least have decent reliable attire for when he's not getting shredded.
I like that the bulk of these books are running off on unexpected adventures. I don't need the town building/politics to be a huge part of things. But just like playing an actual RPG, if all you do is go grind monsters and never advance any questlines, it gets boring. Shit, I feel like by now our duke should at least have decent reliable attire for when he's not getting shredded.
April 8, 2020
One of the best authors, and series I have ever read
I read a lot.
There are many poor and mediocre authors out there, especially in the new wild west of digital authoring.
And then there are the superb, exceptional, and amazing authors who not only weave a good tale, but draw you in, completely.
Mr. Ugland is one of those authors. Every book I have read, every series, has been nothing but amazing. Like, binge reading in a day or so (wonderful isolation times we live in).
My only complaint (which is not really a complaint) is that the books are too short. Wish they were at least 500-600 pages, just so I wouldn’t finish them so quickly.
If you like Books 1-7, of course you will lime Book 8. Keep up the great work and series; hope you have at least 20 books each for “The Good/Bad Guys”!
I read a lot.
There are many poor and mediocre authors out there, especially in the new wild west of digital authoring.
And then there are the superb, exceptional, and amazing authors who not only weave a good tale, but draw you in, completely.
Mr. Ugland is one of those authors. Every book I have read, every series, has been nothing but amazing. Like, binge reading in a day or so (wonderful isolation times we live in).
My only complaint (which is not really a complaint) is that the books are too short. Wish they were at least 500-600 pages, just so I wouldn’t finish them so quickly.
If you like Books 1-7, of course you will lime Book 8. Keep up the great work and series; hope you have at least 20 books each for “The Good/Bad Guys”!
August 8, 2021
2.5/5
This one I think has been the worst so far. The entire book was a side quests and it did nothing to progress the story.
I still don't understand the the reasoning for the whole "wild west town arc" (if you can call 30-40 pages and 2 npcs an arc). It was important enough to be added to the book blurb but it was 100% useless to the story.
There was also the fact of how convenient Fritz being a Boing 747 was. I initially thought this book would be about the trouble of crossing the entire empire to get back to Coggshall, but no, he just flew there like it was nothing.
Initially the size of the books was one of the reasons I was considering dropping the series, but now it is the reason I am still going, after all reading one isn't a huge investment. I hope the story picks up on the next ones.
This one I think has been the worst so far. The entire book was a side quests and it did nothing to progress the story.
I still don't understand the the reasoning for the whole "wild west town arc" (if you can call 30-40 pages and 2 npcs an arc). It was important enough to be added to the book blurb but it was 100% useless to the story.
There was also the fact of how convenient Fritz being a Boing 747 was. I initially thought this book would be about the trouble of crossing the entire empire to get back to Coggshall, but no, he just flew there like it was nothing.
Initially the size of the books was one of the reasons I was considering dropping the series, but now it is the reason I am still going, after all reading one isn't a huge investment. I hope the story picks up on the next ones.
May 25, 2024
Montana is back from the dead—literally, as he is respawned from his death in the previous book. He shows up back on the mountainside where he started his adventure in the first novel and has to make his way home again. He gets some help from Fritz—his monster of many shapes.
I enjoyed the book, but it is definitely the weakest of the first eight. There is less of the craziness that typifies Montana for me. He has some good battles—not quite up to the level of the previous novels but interesting stuff just the same. And we wrap up a couple of lingering plot threads from earlier books, but mostly I felt like we were getting positioned for future stories in the series.
It did have a great cliffhanger ending, however.
I enjoyed the book, but it is definitely the weakest of the first eight. There is less of the craziness that typifies Montana for me. He has some good battles—not quite up to the level of the previous novels but interesting stuff just the same. And we wrap up a couple of lingering plot threads from earlier books, but mostly I felt like we were getting positioned for future stories in the series.
It did have a great cliffhanger ending, however.
April 17, 2020
Another fun one
Love this series and still enjoy the humor. I think that the author is pushing the "dumb" Montana a bit to much of late. I prefer the outside the box thinking that is portrayed. The series still has a lot of legs as the are still plenty of outstanding quests. That said Montana needs to grind some levels and get power items. Not just for himself but for his mini kingdom. He has been warned and still ignores. The banter is fun but the new experiences are what make a good story so hopefully Montana will do some questing so to speak and a little slaughter of the darker denizens. Looking forward to the next.
Love this series and still enjoy the humor. I think that the author is pushing the "dumb" Montana a bit to much of late. I prefer the outside the box thinking that is portrayed. The series still has a lot of legs as the are still plenty of outstanding quests. That said Montana needs to grind some levels and get power items. Not just for himself but for his mini kingdom. He has been warned and still ignores. The banter is fun but the new experiences are what make a good story so hopefully Montana will do some questing so to speak and a little slaughter of the darker denizens. Looking forward to the next.
September 26, 2023
This book felt a whole lot like filler and not much else, which speaks to the series as a whole: it's starting to feel way too drawn out.
You know how you watch a series and the first 3 seasons are fantastic, then seasons 4, 5, 6-12 feel like they should have wrapped it up and cut it off at 3? That's the sense I'm getting with The Good Guys. The story isn't terrible and it can be entertaining at times, but most of it is just fluff to generate more books (cash grab) so it has become quite diluted.
It was enjoyable for a time, but now I think I'll move on to something more deserving of my attention.
You know how you watch a series and the first 3 seasons are fantastic, then seasons 4, 5, 6-12 feel like they should have wrapped it up and cut it off at 3? That's the sense I'm getting with The Good Guys. The story isn't terrible and it can be entertaining at times, but most of it is just fluff to generate more books (cash grab) so it has become quite diluted.
It was enjoyable for a time, but now I think I'll move on to something more deserving of my attention.
January 27, 2025
Book 8 of The Good Guys series. A lot of action, pain, and killing meets the F word. So, there is some course language but it isn’t quite that prolific. Overall a fun addition to the series considering the end of the last book. A little peek behind the curtain deepens our perspective about the people behind the game. That said, it is a fun addition with the only criticism being that it talks a lot about his need to gain more skills, but not a lot of focus on that. Lots of fun foreshadowed with the egg. Will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
April 4, 2020
Hey author can you please tone down the dialogue between Montana and Nichole it has been negative to me since they have came to the valley and thats the reason I am taking away the star. And why the fuck he still doesn't has a wardrobe... He is a fucking Duke for gods sake.... and drop the bad guys series cause I haven't started yet and I don't want to be disappointed if its not that good. And I have a doubt is fritz supposed to be coming back from death even when he isn't absorbed by the montana....
April 7, 2020
Evil
Wow you are an evil evil man. What an ending. This is he type of book that you read and then want to pull your hair out. It was fantastic. The pace is amazing. The character development hilarious as always. You really can't ask for anything more. You would think at this point you would be getting less enjoyment for these book but no they just get better and better. And this one has twists and world shattering developments. Wow ugland just ruined my next few months waiting for the next one
Wow you are an evil evil man. What an ending. This is he type of book that you read and then want to pull your hair out. It was fantastic. The pace is amazing. The character development hilarious as always. You really can't ask for anything more. You would think at this point you would be getting less enjoyment for these book but no they just get better and better. And this one has twists and world shattering developments. Wow ugland just ruined my next few months waiting for the next one
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