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Death's Mantle #2
Death's Mantle 2
There isn't much time left for Lucian North to save his brother.Discovering a new way to grow exponentially stronger, Lucian forms an unsteady alliance with the angel Danira, one that he hopes could grow into something more. Matters are complicated once Lucian is given a deadline by the Council of produce his predecessor, who has mysteriously disappeared, or be tortured until he relinquishes his mantle.Hunted by parasites, injuresouls, fallen angels, and now his own kind, Lucian must level up in a way he's never fathomed before, crafting everything from mechas to bone armor designed to withstand even the strongest attack. He must forge new alliances, realize the impermanence of the alliances he already has made, and even become a Death Hunter if he hopes to save his brother from certain doom.But that's not all that's at stake.As Lucian grows closer to his goal, he's blindsided by an attack that he never saw coming. He's also asked to do something that will reignite a war between the Progeny of Light and the Progeny of Darkness. The decision Lucian makes will have grave consequences for his future, and that's before his final discovery, one that threatens the very existence of his family.t's going to be an uphill battle from start to finish. And while Lucian is always up to the challenge, he may not be ready for the consequences.Death’s Mantle is a dark fantasy GameLit novel that LitRPG, metaphysical fantasy, occult sci-fi, and thriller readers will love. Death’s Mantle is written by Harmon Cooper, bestselling GameLit author of Pilgrim, Cowboy Necromancer, The Feedback Loop, and Monster Hunt NYC. It was inspired by the anime Parasyte, the comic book series Sandman and Spawn, On a Pale Horse and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
531 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2020
About the author
Harmon Cooper
156 books384 followersHarmon Cooper was once a musician who recorded two hundred songs nobody ever heard.
Then he quit music, quit playing video games, and missed the games so much he accidentally wrote a LitRPG novel before he knew what he was getting himself into. That book was The Feedback Loop — published in 2015 and narrated by Jeff Hays, back when the genre barely existed.
Harmon has been writing bestselling fantasy books ever since: dark progression epics, post-apocalyptic westerns, satirical dungeon crawls, cultivation, LitRPG, and a few cosy books.
Death's Mantle, a dark fantasy LitRPG narrated by Andrea Parsneau, won an AudioFile Earphones Award; Sacred Cat Island, a cozy LitRPG narrated by Travis Baldree, won an Independent Audiobook Award. His bestsellers include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, Reborn Assassin, and the Aetherforged series, co-written with Luke Chmilenko.
He grew up in Austin, Texas, lived in Mongolia on a Fulbright, studied Tibetan in India and Nepal, spent a year in Japan writing in smoky coffee shops, and now lives near the sea with his artist wife and pet seagull named Harold.
Find him on Instagram and TikTok, where he talks writing, publishing, and posts update videos.
And don't forget to follow me on Goodreads!
Then he quit music, quit playing video games, and missed the games so much he accidentally wrote a LitRPG novel before he knew what he was getting himself into. That book was The Feedback Loop — published in 2015 and narrated by Jeff Hays, back when the genre barely existed.
Harmon has been writing bestselling fantasy books ever since: dark progression epics, post-apocalyptic westerns, satirical dungeon crawls, cultivation, LitRPG, and a few cosy books.
Death's Mantle, a dark fantasy LitRPG narrated by Andrea Parsneau, won an AudioFile Earphones Award; Sacred Cat Island, a cozy LitRPG narrated by Travis Baldree, won an Independent Audiobook Award. His bestsellers include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, Reborn Assassin, and the Aetherforged series, co-written with Luke Chmilenko.
He grew up in Austin, Texas, lived in Mongolia on a Fulbright, studied Tibetan in India and Nepal, spent a year in Japan writing in smoky coffee shops, and now lives near the sea with his artist wife and pet seagull named Harold.
Find him on Instagram and TikTok, where he talks writing, publishing, and posts update videos.
And don't forget to follow me on Goodreads!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 9, 2020
This is a fantastically action-packed, emotive, sequel. If you haven't noticed by now, Harmon Cooper does BIG books, by that I mean BIG storylines, BIG characters, and BIG quandaries. One relationship in particular is confusing for Lucian. Just when he thinks he has everything worked out... He doesn't.
He knows he shouldn't keep visiting his family, but who amongst us wouldn't do the same? Particularly when it comes to those damned parasites feeding off his loved ones. Lucian is in for a huge shock, and I mean H U G E. I audibly gasped at quite a few parts.
I love this series so much. The world building is superb and spot on. From the first page, you return straight away totally immersed into this world. You are with Lucian every. step. of. the. way. There are quite a few shockers in here, and he is hurt, mentally and emotionally, as was I. As will you be.
I adore the Buddhist references, the depth of the characters (good and bad, and all those in-between), and the vomit-worthy roller coaster ride that your heart, mind and soul will go on. It's a wonderful, adventurous story, written well (as always), with lots to think about in your own life. Enjoy! Roll on book three.
I chose this book from a selection, which I then voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.
He knows he shouldn't keep visiting his family, but who amongst us wouldn't do the same? Particularly when it comes to those damned parasites feeding off his loved ones. Lucian is in for a huge shock, and I mean H U G E. I audibly gasped at quite a few parts.
I love this series so much. The world building is superb and spot on. From the first page, you return straight away totally immersed into this world. You are with Lucian every. step. of. the. way. There are quite a few shockers in here, and he is hurt, mentally and emotionally, as was I. As will you be.
I adore the Buddhist references, the depth of the characters (good and bad, and all those in-between), and the vomit-worthy roller coaster ride that your heart, mind and soul will go on. It's a wonderful, adventurous story, written well (as always), with lots to think about in your own life. Enjoy! Roll on book three.
I chose this book from a selection, which I then voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.
January 3, 2021
As I know there is a book three (don't have/haven't read), I am operating on an assumption that this may be a trilogy? It not, carry on. However, when it does come to trilogies, I often find that book one is a fun character intro/setting with some action. Book two tends to be more development and a bit slow. Then, the third is full of action and wraps up the story.
Why am I talking about this? Well, because book two was better than book one! Maybe this means it won't be a trilogy!
Amywho, I enjoyed this installment. There was some solid action, and the pace was fast. Of course, readers (maybe it is just me) are waiting for Lucian and Danira to go all ying-yang with their bad selves.
Lucian is still on his quest to level up quickly in order to help out his living family. He is also going full-in on hunting the death hunters, which leads to quite a bit of action.
In this round the clock is ticking....which is a bit ironic since Lucian is already dead, but I digress. He has got to find his mentor-in-hiding or face some very dire consequences.
ARC provided. Read 2020
Why am I talking about this? Well, because book two was better than book one! Maybe this means it won't be a trilogy!
Amywho, I enjoyed this installment. There was some solid action, and the pace was fast. Of course, readers (maybe it is just me) are waiting for Lucian and Danira to go all ying-yang with their bad selves.
Lucian is still on his quest to level up quickly in order to help out his living family. He is also going full-in on hunting the death hunters, which leads to quite a bit of action.
In this round the clock is ticking....which is a bit ironic since Lucian is already dead, but I digress. He has got to find his mentor-in-hiding or face some very dire consequences.
ARC provided. Read 2020
April 12, 2020
Pretty good give it a read
I like this book. It's good. I recommend reading it and it's predecessor. The only issue I have is that the "game" he plays in the book is just him playing a game. If I read a book about a guy playing a game then thats one thing but if he is doing something else and the game is just filler for the book then i have an issue. If the angel also played the game and they were able to bond over it then i think it would have been acceptable. So just skip those parts. It is a Chekhov's gun. Right now the author keeps pointing out this game but it has had nothing to do with the story in any way.
I like this book. It's good. I recommend reading it and it's predecessor. The only issue I have is that the "game" he plays in the book is just him playing a game. If I read a book about a guy playing a game then thats one thing but if he is doing something else and the game is just filler for the book then i have an issue. If the angel also played the game and they were able to bond over it then i think it would have been acceptable. So just skip those parts. It is a Chekhov's gun. Right now the author keeps pointing out this game but it has had nothing to do with the story in any way.
February 7, 2020
Death just got so much bigger and better
Book 2 showcases all those ideas we wanted when we design kick ass superhero costumes, gadgets and then some.
Still with the emotional theme and partnership from the first in the series this gives a page turning satisfaction that gives a craving for more.
Having made such an amazing world ,i hope to see so much more from this from Cooper and i hope this helps in that realisation as to not get a barrage of books from this universe would be a travesty.
Book 2 showcases all those ideas we wanted when we design kick ass superhero costumes, gadgets and then some.
Still with the emotional theme and partnership from the first in the series this gives a page turning satisfaction that gives a craving for more.
Having made such an amazing world ,i hope to see so much more from this from Cooper and i hope this helps in that realisation as to not get a barrage of books from this universe would be a travesty.
December 14, 2020
The Death Mantle series is the best from Cooper yet as the listener really bonds with the story and the scenario with watching his brother increasingly lose his path, the Angel/ Death antagonists also set up a great theme as we watch tech and an explosion of soul point spending on upgrades help win the struggle with those set in the past and their ways. Parsneau is very good with this as you would expect but this series got an audiofile award for the 1st audio and I have to agree just how well it all matches.
February 10, 2020
Death’s Mantle 2 proves to be another entertaining book in the unusual series. The books have GameLit elements and bring up some real world problems along with the fantastical, twisted, and unusual supernatural world of reapers and angels. This is the second book, so I’d highly recommend starting with book one.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 27, 2021
Still interesting
Generally, I like this book.
What I'm not fond of is the decapitations, dismemberments, the general theme of fight, fight, fight, especially with Lucien and Danira. I believe I get where the story is heading, but it still.is following a trope, so I'm not sure how long it will.keep my interest. Knowing that, I'm still interested in the completion of the story, wanting to see how it plays out.
Generally, I like this book.
What I'm not fond of is the decapitations, dismemberments, the general theme of fight, fight, fight, especially with Lucien and Danira. I believe I get where the story is heading, but it still.is following a trope, so I'm not sure how long it will.keep my interest. Knowing that, I'm still interested in the completion of the story, wanting to see how it plays out.
February 7, 2020
Only Harmon would behead his own hero this many times.
Ok I really enjoyed this book and could really picture so many of the characters that are in this book. The pacing is good and the action scenes are well written. The dark comedy is their and you have to love some of the machines that the MC makes.
Ok I really enjoyed this book and could really picture so many of the characters that are in this book. The pacing is good and the action scenes are well written. The dark comedy is their and you have to love some of the machines that the MC makes.
February 15, 2020
Death is complicated
So wearing the mantle of death is no walk in the park as it seems everyone in the park wants a piece of you. Good fun and troubled romance in this book. Lots of battles and frustration with parasites and our MC learns the rules and gets stronger. Looking forward to the last book of the set.
So wearing the mantle of death is no walk in the park as it seems everyone in the park wants a piece of you. Good fun and troubled romance in this book. Lots of battles and frustration with parasites and our MC learns the rules and gets stronger. Looking forward to the last book of the set.
April 28, 2021
Frustratingly good!
Second book in the series and the newest Grim Reaper has me cheering for him and commiserating with him at every turn of the page. I approve of this series as it does actually have some serious issues brought up that will make you think, which is not something you get a lot of in a LitRPG, so good job Harmon Cooper.
Second book in the series and the newest Grim Reaper has me cheering for him and commiserating with him at every turn of the page. I approve of this series as it does actually have some serious issues brought up that will make you think, which is not something you get a lot of in a LitRPG, so good job Harmon Cooper.
January 18, 2022
I really enjoyed these 3 books. I always leave a review for a series rather than an individual book. I loved the creative idea's behind Lucian's powers and how a child of the 21st century would actually use these abilities compared to someone born many years ago. I can only imagine how different some Deaths would be in a few hundred years! Awesome idea's, Thanks for the good read Harmon Cooper.
May 9, 2020
When nerd's play god
Ok. I love the narrative of this book. I relate to the MC. The idea of our problems being demonic parasites is brilliant. Even in death the MC is doing all he can to be good and protect the ones he loves. Cant wait for book 3
Ok. I love the narrative of this book. I relate to the MC. The idea of our problems being demonic parasites is brilliant. Even in death the MC is doing all he can to be good and protect the ones he loves. Cant wait for book 3
May 27, 2020
Fun read
Lots of action and intense fighting. Lucian reminds me a bit of Simon from the Gurren Lagann anime. The LitRPG system is also a bit like that - based on power/will with some hard limits related to "levels". A good story, will definitely pick up the last book.
Lots of action and intense fighting. Lucian reminds me a bit of Simon from the Gurren Lagann anime. The LitRPG system is also a bit like that - based on power/will with some hard limits related to "levels". A good story, will definitely pick up the last book.
May 28, 2020
Love it
I love this new concept of angels and reapers. And how you turned this guys new world into a video game. I'm loving this series. You should make more of these with the same mane character.
I love this new concept of angels and reapers. And how you turned this guys new world into a video game. I'm loving this series. You should make more of these with the same mane character.
September 6, 2020
Great addition to the series
What an interesting twist on the grim reaper, with these books blending gamelit and memorable characters together and coming out with a book thats hard to put down. Looking forwars to seeing where it all goes.
What an interesting twist on the grim reaper, with these books blending gamelit and memorable characters together and coming out with a book thats hard to put down. Looking forwars to seeing where it all goes.
April 17, 2023
Medzi prvým a druhým dielom sa zmenil len názov a vypadla smrť hlavnej postavy (raz už zomrel, tým začala celá séria), inak je to dokola to isté. Pardon, sem-tam sa zjaví iný Smrťák a iný Anjel, ale, ups, je to len iné meno, všetko ostatné ostáva.
September 21, 2023
What a great book! I really love this concept. Great cliffhangers that aren't there for suspense sake only, but really adds to the story and gets you excited for the next. I am not a fan of the angel, Denira. Actually I kind of hate her! The Japanese Death woman is fantastic though. 👍🏽👍🏽
February 10, 2020
Gg
This was a pretty good book and I can't wait for the rest rooting for the Deaths in this war
This was a pretty good book and I can't wait for the rest rooting for the Deaths in this war
April 21, 2020
Same things he do in the first book. Make a decision then regret later, run after a girl like some idiot. Obsessed with his family to much, on the point it hurt him mentally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2020
Amazing
This series is a wonderful take on the eternal war between life and death. This book picks up right where the last left and leaves you wanting more.
This series is a wonderful take on the eternal war between life and death. This book picks up right where the last left and leaves you wanting more.
May 16, 2020
Great book
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one, about to make a start on your way of the immortals series.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one, about to make a start on your way of the immortals series.
June 16, 2020
Great series.
I highly recommend this series. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Well written interesting world.
I highly recommend this series. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Well written interesting world.
August 17, 2020
Entertaining page turner
Read both in 2 days. It is that good. I like the author's style of writing. Can't wait for the next book!
Read both in 2 days. It is that good. I like the author's style of writing. Can't wait for the next book!
February 19, 2021
Action Packed!
Wow! Epic battles throughout!! Unbelievable plot twists! It's wonderful to see how the MC is progressing in his role as Death!
Wow! Epic battles throughout!! Unbelievable plot twists! It's wonderful to see how the MC is progressing in his role as Death!
October 9, 2025
woah dang we got mechs
This installment was crazy exhilarating and is really leading up to some thing awesome. Lucian is growing and getting to be pretty badass. Let’s get em!
This installment was crazy exhilarating and is really leading up to some thing awesome. Lucian is growing and getting to be pretty badass. Let’s get em!
April 30, 2020
This was a fantastic book. Loved every part of it. This sequel was bigger than what there was in first book.
Lucian seems so frustrated and confused about so many things. I hope next book will have a lot of action which favors Lucian instead of he being cut down 10000 times in the book.
Lucian seems so frustrated and confused about so many things. I hope next book will have a lot of action which favors Lucian instead of he being cut down 10000 times in the book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews