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The Heroic Villain #2
The Heroic Villain 2
After conquering all of Hesse, creating a devilish new dungeon, and establishing himself as the villain that everyone loves to hate, Lucas decides to continue his quest to create new content by taking over as a dungeon master on the mainland.
Unlike the dominant force on the island he left behind, however, the once-mighty Imperium only controls a single capital city in a rapidly shrinking territory, leaving a group of scheming nobles to bicker among themselves and fight over scraps of land. Seen as an upstart and rabble-rouser, Lucas is instantly shunned and must struggle to find somewhere to begin building his new base. Now, after declaring himself the enemy of every man in the city, and with every player in the region hunting his head to claim the bounty placed there, Lucas has to decide which allies he can trust as he fights to stay alive long enough to establish a new lair and gain a foothold in a hostile land.
Introducing new monsters, a curious new group member, and flashy new spells, this Gamelit LitRPG adventure follows Lucas as he writes his own story as the greatest villain the game world has ever known.
-----
Dave Willmarth, writer of the Greystone Chronicles: "Another amazing chapter of the Heroic Villain story from Charles Dean. An enthralling story by an author who just keeps hitting homeruns!"
This book is brought to you from the author of the Litrpg series War Aeternus, The Bathrobe Knight and Merchant of Tiqpa.
Unlike the dominant force on the island he left behind, however, the once-mighty Imperium only controls a single capital city in a rapidly shrinking territory, leaving a group of scheming nobles to bicker among themselves and fight over scraps of land. Seen as an upstart and rabble-rouser, Lucas is instantly shunned and must struggle to find somewhere to begin building his new base. Now, after declaring himself the enemy of every man in the city, and with every player in the region hunting his head to claim the bounty placed there, Lucas has to decide which allies he can trust as he fights to stay alive long enough to establish a new lair and gain a foothold in a hostile land.
Introducing new monsters, a curious new group member, and flashy new spells, this Gamelit LitRPG adventure follows Lucas as he writes his own story as the greatest villain the game world has ever known.
-----
Dave Willmarth, writer of the Greystone Chronicles: "Another amazing chapter of the Heroic Villain story from Charles Dean. An enthralling story by an author who just keeps hitting homeruns!"
This book is brought to you from the author of the Litrpg series War Aeternus, The Bathrobe Knight and Merchant of Tiqpa.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2019
255 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 10, 2021
This LitRPG sequel was a bit disappointing in comparison to the first book and struggled to hold my attention towards the end. It was pretty similar to the first book in a lot of ways but suffered from the fact that most of the flaws were exacerbated and none of the strengths of the first book were built upon.
In terms of story Lucas had basically just levelled up and moved to a new location in order to carry on his quest of becoming a player boss villain for his favourite VR game. His player harem of women, plus Nick, join him for the journey.
For some reason I found the action even duller in this instalment than I did in the first story and I found the soft-harem building even more eye-rolling.
I might read the third book in the series but I might not. It looks like this might be another of those LitRPG series that goes downhill in rapid fashion.
Rating: 3 stars.
Audio Note: The Soundbooth team did a decent job with the audio.
In terms of story Lucas had basically just levelled up and moved to a new location in order to carry on his quest of becoming a player boss villain for his favourite VR game. His player harem of women, plus Nick, join him for the journey.
For some reason I found the action even duller in this instalment than I did in the first story and I found the soft-harem building even more eye-rolling.
I might read the third book in the series but I might not. It looks like this might be another of those LitRPG series that goes downhill in rapid fashion.
Rating: 3 stars.
Audio Note: The Soundbooth team did a decent job with the audio.
February 4, 2020
Notes:
I am a fan of Jeff Hayes & his team but I do not like sound effects & background music that overrides the narration. Either have it balanced for general listening or don't add affects.
I am a fan of Jeff Hayes & his team but I do not like sound effects & background music that overrides the narration. Either have it balanced for general listening or don't add affects.
July 19, 2021
This was such a letdown. Lucas was straight up dumb for large portions of this book and the main major new introduction to the story (Lilith) was actively the most annoying and obnoxious person in the story and she quickly became a main focus of this book as soon as she arrived.
I also just found the first 3/4 of this book INCREDIBLY boring and just when it got interesting the author turned it into a garbage heap of a harem. I liked when they were pretending to be that way for the story but it just got tedious by the end.
Unfortunately i am done with this series and most likely this author as he has fully ruined a very interesting concept with shitty dude-bro antics to appeal to that audience and that audience alone.
3/10
I also just found the first 3/4 of this book INCREDIBLY boring and just when it got interesting the author turned it into a garbage heap of a harem. I liked when they were pretending to be that way for the story but it just got tedious by the end.
Unfortunately i am done with this series and most likely this author as he has fully ruined a very interesting concept with shitty dude-bro antics to appeal to that audience and that audience alone.
3/10
January 11, 2021
This book isn't bad but I found the way the author handles time in this book is just goofy. The mc is like we have to hurry then spends like three hours flirting or talking about random unimportant things. It's just off putting. Like they are a block away yet like twenty minutes of audio go by and he still has not moved like fifty feet. At one point the book starts filling you in a huge lore dump in the middle of a rescue and you are like wait isn't he there to save the girls so like I guess that can wait? It's pretty poorly done.
December 29, 2019
I guess book I was as good as it was going to get. Story has lost any attempt at verisimilitude, and the jokes don't work for me anymore. Remains the plot, and there really is none. MC is a fan of his own voice and loves to soliloque. Skip. Ladies seem to have no life but the hero. Skip. Remains: nothing. Dropped at 35%.
July 13, 2021
One of the better LitRpg series. 👍🏽👍🏽
July 28, 2020
An exciting continuation to the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed the growth the characters experienced and how the MC handles situations. My biggest concern with most novels nowadays is if the main character will do things that I consider idiotic, or following the stereotypical dumb mc route to progress a story. But this story progresses without that dumb MC mechanic which is a breath of fresh air.
March 18, 2021
Wow shame I can only give a five guess I will settle for the charisma boost
Thanks for a great second book .The charters are out standing and I can't wait for round three . I like the fresh turn of environment from the first book. I enjoyed the different girth between the books I could not stop reading.Thanks again and again for a fun time to be had by all .p.s. little mis L. Was a break out star for me
Thanks for a great second book .The charters are out standing and I can't wait for round three . I like the fresh turn of environment from the first book. I enjoyed the different girth between the books I could not stop reading.Thanks again and again for a fun time to be had by all .p.s. little mis L. Was a break out star for me
March 30, 2020
Took me a while to get back into this book, but it was pretty good once I did. The main problem with the story is it needs a little more stakes. Wanting to save the game is fine, but other than him liking the game there's not much weight behind the events. At this point I'm actually more interested in his personal life than his attempts to be a villain.
April 20, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Had me chuckling in areas and evil grinning in others. My only pet peeve was I felt like it ended a little suddenly, I guess I like an epilogue (it didn't have one) as it wraps a book up nicely and prepare's me for the ending. Besides that, it was a great read, definite 5* book and I'm now fiending for the next issue in the series.
February 11, 2025
I enjoyed reading the second book in the series. I like the main character and how he looks like a villian to a lot of people but is typically saving people by doing villianous deeds. I think it is funny how he is turning out to look like a creep with the way he keeps attracting and stealing women to his side. I am interested to see where the story goes from here and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 7, 2020
Potential is high, but it could all go wrong.
I like the direction this book has gone but I hope they stay on track. The story could go sideways very badly if they are not careful with the next book.
I like the direction this book has gone but I hope they stay on track. The story could go sideways very badly if they are not careful with the next book.
July 21, 2020
Tons of fun! I really love this series so far. The MC takes a very atypical approach to the “game.” And it is pretty awesome. There is a light hearted feel between the characters when interacting which provides for fun dialogue.
August 6, 2020
I liked it
A very interesting take on game lit, my opinion anyway. It was a good story and went in directions i did not expect.I like the heroic villain angle. Can't wait to see what Lucas does next.
A very interesting take on game lit, my opinion anyway. It was a good story and went in directions i did not expect.I like the heroic villain angle. Can't wait to see what Lucas does next.
September 5, 2021
Good progression of plot and characters. The addition of the new female character kind of ended abruptly and she wasn't mentioned again... I thought there would be much more. Over all good book and I'm looking forward to book 3.
January 12, 2020
I'll admit I was on the fence about the first book, but in Book 2 Mr. Dean knocked it out of the park. Ignore the naysayers!
Book 1 was the setup, with the depressed MC deeply grieving over the loss of his beloved wife. It featured 99% heroics and no real villainy.
In book 2, the MC is still grieving over his wife, but through the game, he is *beginning* to allow himself to have a little fun. He is still mostly doing good guy stuff, but with the coaxing of his online friends (viola, etc) he is getting better at playing the Villain. Really, the villain stuff in the book is mostly theatrics: Windy speeches suitable for a Bond villain. Disgusting acts like eating eyeballs.... etc but again it is mostly theatrics. He is still going after the corrupt nobles in the Empire (and outside of it). He takes on the (NPC) school bullies. He goes *out of his way* to *not* kill inconvenient NPC bystanders (even saying the typical "I know its just a game, but I can't bring myself to do it" line.. ** see below) I could go on.
I've seen a couple of reviews complaining that he has gone in "too much" of a villain direction.
Frankly, I think they read a different book! I honestly don't get it. I think have to be fake reviews trying to sabotage the book for some reason because they are so out there...
Also, there is no harem! WTF are some reviewers talking about? (see audible reviews haha!) Even from book 1 the "obvious" foreshadowed GF is Liu. There are other women in the game to obviously create some "will they or won't they" tension for the two. But almost every other romance has the same thing. Have you guys watched any K-Drama? How about the TV Show friends? When Ross came back from China with his Chinese girlfriend Julie, people didn't say: "Well obviously Ross is going to have a harem with Rachel and Julie". It is called drama people! Will Lucas get over his grief? Will he find true with again with Liu? Or will Viola screw things up for them? It is dramatic tension! It is good writing. I don't know what some people are talking about here.
I was such a fan of book 2 that I even had a chat with Mr. Dean, and he even told me there is no harem planed, and that he based the MC's grieving process on his own experiences. Some people here are out to lunch.
There is an actual character arc for the MC! Incredible grief, to beginning to *maybe* move on from his wife. I look forward to book 3, where hopefully the MC will learn to have a little more fun as a Villain! After all, who looks like they having more fun in the Batman movie(the Tim Burton one)? Micahel Keeton as Batman, or Jake Nicholson as Joker? I hope that Lucas (the MC) will continue to learn to Role Play, and settle into a proper villain role in book 3.
I can honestly say, that I was looking for excuses to listen (I'm an audiobook guy) to the book. I shoveled the driveway 3 times in one day just to have an excuse to listen more. Top-notch book!
** P.S. I hate the line because it *is* just a game darn it. I mean, that's the point of setting a book in a game! You can get away with stuff that you can't get away within the real world.
Does anyone actually play GTA 5 while worrying about running over pedestrians while driving or worrying about smashing into stuff?
Book 1 was the setup, with the depressed MC deeply grieving over the loss of his beloved wife. It featured 99% heroics and no real villainy.
In book 2, the MC is still grieving over his wife, but through the game, he is *beginning* to allow himself to have a little fun. He is still mostly doing good guy stuff, but with the coaxing of his online friends (viola, etc) he is getting better at playing the Villain. Really, the villain stuff in the book is mostly theatrics: Windy speeches suitable for a Bond villain. Disgusting acts like eating eyeballs.... etc but again it is mostly theatrics. He is still going after the corrupt nobles in the Empire (and outside of it). He takes on the (NPC) school bullies. He goes *out of his way* to *not* kill inconvenient NPC bystanders (even saying the typical "I know its just a game, but I can't bring myself to do it" line.. ** see below) I could go on.
I've seen a couple of reviews complaining that he has gone in "too much" of a villain direction.
Frankly, I think they read a different book! I honestly don't get it. I think have to be fake reviews trying to sabotage the book for some reason because they are so out there...
Also, there is no harem! WTF are some reviewers talking about? (see audible reviews haha!) Even from book 1 the "obvious" foreshadowed GF is Liu. There are other women in the game to obviously create some "will they or won't they" tension for the two. But almost every other romance has the same thing. Have you guys watched any K-Drama? How about the TV Show friends? When Ross came back from China with his Chinese girlfriend Julie, people didn't say: "Well obviously Ross is going to have a harem with Rachel and Julie". It is called drama people! Will Lucas get over his grief? Will he find true with again with Liu? Or will Viola screw things up for them? It is dramatic tension! It is good writing. I don't know what some people are talking about here.
I was such a fan of book 2 that I even had a chat with Mr. Dean, and he even told me there is no harem planed, and that he based the MC's grieving process on his own experiences. Some people here are out to lunch.
There is an actual character arc for the MC! Incredible grief, to beginning to *maybe* move on from his wife. I look forward to book 3, where hopefully the MC will learn to have a little more fun as a Villain! After all, who looks like they having more fun in the Batman movie(the Tim Burton one)? Micahel Keeton as Batman, or Jake Nicholson as Joker? I hope that Lucas (the MC) will continue to learn to Role Play, and settle into a proper villain role in book 3.
I can honestly say, that I was looking for excuses to listen (I'm an audiobook guy) to the book. I shoveled the driveway 3 times in one day just to have an excuse to listen more. Top-notch book!
** P.S. I hate the line because it *is* just a game darn it. I mean, that's the point of setting a book in a game! You can get away with stuff that you can't get away within the real world.
Does anyone actually play GTA 5 while worrying about running over pedestrians while driving or worrying about smashing into stuff?
August 16, 2019
I received a copy of this book for free for review purposes.
The author kicked it up into an even higher gear than the first book in this series in this one. More action, drama, blood, references, humor, and even more ladies. As the main character goes from the big fish in the small pond to the small fish in the big pond we get a look at the larger political climate of the world, the scheming, back stabbing, and betrayal of all political stories and more blood than the bloodiest of war stories. There were lots of references to other authors in the genre and their works and those of the author himself and enough humor to keep the story from being too serious. The approach to combat in the series is nice too as it isn't rinse and repeat of the same popular skills many other stories and games use that end up feeling like the game is being played using a 4 button cycle of cool downs, and instead constantly introducing new skills. This is done in a clever way by binding most skills to items and objects in a similar manner to materia from FFVII or Skill Gems from PoE. Several of the new characters introduced show a lot of promise but bring with them a lot of questions that could lead to more interesting back stories in the future. This second book in the series moves this series even higher on the ladder of my favorites. If i had to find something to not like about it it would be the end of the epilogue but I understand the choice and that it's a direction the story needed to go. If you have already read the first book you shouldn't wait to read this one, if you haven't jump on it the series is only getting better.
The author kicked it up into an even higher gear than the first book in this series in this one. More action, drama, blood, references, humor, and even more ladies. As the main character goes from the big fish in the small pond to the small fish in the big pond we get a look at the larger political climate of the world, the scheming, back stabbing, and betrayal of all political stories and more blood than the bloodiest of war stories. There were lots of references to other authors in the genre and their works and those of the author himself and enough humor to keep the story from being too serious. The approach to combat in the series is nice too as it isn't rinse and repeat of the same popular skills many other stories and games use that end up feeling like the game is being played using a 4 button cycle of cool downs, and instead constantly introducing new skills. This is done in a clever way by binding most skills to items and objects in a similar manner to materia from FFVII or Skill Gems from PoE. Several of the new characters introduced show a lot of promise but bring with them a lot of questions that could lead to more interesting back stories in the future. This second book in the series moves this series even higher on the ladder of my favorites. If i had to find something to not like about it it would be the end of the epilogue but I understand the choice and that it's a direction the story needed to go. If you have already read the first book you shouldn't wait to read this one, if you haven't jump on it the series is only getting better.
August 29, 2019
Another great installment
This journey appends beautifully to the end of the first book. We reenter this world to find that Lucas has moved on from Noob Island. But where has he gone, and why? The depth of this universe gets explored more in this adventure and with that we get some more of those classic RPG gamer experiences we all remember and love.
This series reminds me of Sword Art Online, without the giant tower, before it went wrong. That's a complement of the highest level for those unfamiliar with SAO. Charles Dean is a tactician, and I appreciate the remarkable works of art he's bringing into the LitRPG world. In a subgenre filled with such a lack of quality yet so much potential, it's a breath of fresh air to see an author of his caliber.
Warning: this work, like many other mangas or LitRPG novels, contains harem elements.
This journey appends beautifully to the end of the first book. We reenter this world to find that Lucas has moved on from Noob Island. But where has he gone, and why? The depth of this universe gets explored more in this adventure and with that we get some more of those classic RPG gamer experiences we all remember and love.
This series reminds me of Sword Art Online, without the giant tower, before it went wrong. That's a complement of the highest level for those unfamiliar with SAO. Charles Dean is a tactician, and I appreciate the remarkable works of art he's bringing into the LitRPG world. In a subgenre filled with such a lack of quality yet so much potential, it's a breath of fresh air to see an author of his caliber.
Warning: this work, like many other mangas or LitRPG novels, contains harem elements.
December 15, 2019
The writing is good the plot and rpg elements are great and interesting. The down side is that this book seems anti men to some degree. Every man other then the MC is incompetent, greedy, creepy, weak, dumb, or sexist. Only the mc is portrayed as good or competent. Not even Nick seems to have any good treats other then being the women's punching bags.
And every women is strong, competent, and lusts for the MC. For his power, strength and money. His harem is just that.
I'm more a fan of balance as both sexs have both good and bad people. The book is still worth reading just no what you're in for.
And every women is strong, competent, and lusts for the MC. For his power, strength and money. His harem is just that.
I'm more a fan of balance as both sexs have both good and bad people. The book is still worth reading just no what you're in for.
August 29, 2019
A lovely and villainous tale
This story was a lot of fun. We got to see our mc progress both through the overacting plot and as a character. There was something intrinsically enjoyable about watching the characters overcome the challenge that were being thrown their way and grow from it. It was also nice learning a little more about our side characters and getting more insight there. Overall there was a lot of action the pacing was on point and the book was a blast. 5/5
This story was a lot of fun. We got to see our mc progress both through the overacting plot and as a character. There was something intrinsically enjoyable about watching the characters overcome the challenge that were being thrown their way and grow from it. It was also nice learning a little more about our side characters and getting more insight there. Overall there was a lot of action the pacing was on point and the book was a blast. 5/5
September 2, 2019
The Heroic Villain 2
Charles Dean is one of the most talented and skilled author's and it shows in this series. The characters are well written and growing as we learn more about the characters in this fantastic story.
We get to go deeper into this story as our hero's go to the main land after finishing noob Island and it's a rollercoaster ride from there. I can't wait to buy the next book of this series and the audible 12/10 stars...
Charles Dean is one of the most talented and skilled author's and it shows in this series. The characters are well written and growing as we learn more about the characters in this fantastic story.
We get to go deeper into this story as our hero's go to the main land after finishing noob Island and it's a rollercoaster ride from there. I can't wait to buy the next book of this series and the audible 12/10 stars...
September 26, 2019
Enjoying this series
Love the concept and the character development. The main character is going through personal issues that are fairly relatable and his pain is believable in his actions in the “game world”. Quite a few laugh out loud moments, at least for me.
Only concern is if this series devolves to a harem style ( which I hope not), keep it similar in concept to Ringo’s Dark Paladin series. Less is more.
Love the concept and the character development. The main character is going through personal issues that are fairly relatable and his pain is believable in his actions in the “game world”. Quite a few laugh out loud moments, at least for me.
Only concern is if this series devolves to a harem style ( which I hope not), keep it similar in concept to Ringo’s Dark Paladin series. Less is more.
January 5, 2020
Over all a good read, great voice acting from the audiobook. But one thing I still cannot understand. In book 1 a group of players come up to Lucas and say that they checked the player list and found he was the one in the area who hasn't done a certain quest, however since that moment it has constantly been a "are they NPC or players" system. If the first 3 had the ability to look up players in the area and determine who they are why can't anyone else?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2019
I am so mad that I skipped this series!
This was fantastic! I, to my shame, skipped this series for so long. I thought it wasn't going to have what I was looking for. Things like "real" villainy, mayhem, violence and political upheaval, and I got EXACTLY what I wanted! Charles Dean, did a awesome job! I can't wait for book 3!
This was fantastic! I, to my shame, skipped this series for so long. I thought it wasn't going to have what I was looking for. Things like "real" villainy, mayhem, violence and political upheaval, and I got EXACTLY what I wanted! Charles Dean, did a awesome job! I can't wait for book 3!
August 29, 2019
Way better than book 1
The story continues for Lucas and his rag tag group of villains which was fun, engaging, and perfectly paced. What really stole the show was the cast of characters that, while fell into their own tropes, provided comedy and fit perfectly within the plot. Very excited for book 3! 5/5 ant-dragons, would eat again.
The story continues for Lucas and his rag tag group of villains which was fun, engaging, and perfectly paced. What really stole the show was the cast of characters that, while fell into their own tropes, provided comedy and fit perfectly within the plot. Very excited for book 3! 5/5 ant-dragons, would eat again.
September 18, 2019
The villain we deserve
I love this story and cannot wait for The next installment. The dual ideas of this hero saving a game world by becoming the bad guy is unique as he is not an anti-hero, but really a heroic villian, lol.
I love the stories of the players helping him as well as they show the different types of people who plays these games.
I love this story and cannot wait for The next installment. The dual ideas of this hero saving a game world by becoming the bad guy is unique as he is not an anti-hero, but really a heroic villian, lol.
I love the stories of the players helping him as well as they show the different types of people who plays these games.
September 25, 2019
Really takes it up a notch.
I hope I'm not doing his other books a disservice. I think this is my favorite of Charles Dean's books so far. The pacing was great and it was interesting and varied from the very first page. Bravo on such a well executed book. Heroic Villain 3 is now on my read this first list. Oh and if you liked this, go check out Bathrobe Knight. That's fun too.
I hope I'm not doing his other books a disservice. I think this is my favorite of Charles Dean's books so far. The pacing was great and it was interesting and varied from the very first page. Bravo on such a well executed book. Heroic Villain 3 is now on my read this first list. Oh and if you liked this, go check out Bathrobe Knight. That's fun too.
November 20, 2019
That's just some great LitRPG right there...
I can't believe I missed this coming out, it's getting hard to keep track of so many ongoing series. The Bathrobe Knight was my first LitRPG series, and Dean keeps banging out such great books.
This was a great sequel; fun quests, a new party member and lots more enemies as an even greater villain. Look forward to more
I can't believe I missed this coming out, it's getting hard to keep track of so many ongoing series. The Bathrobe Knight was my first LitRPG series, and Dean keeps banging out such great books.
This was a great sequel; fun quests, a new party member and lots more enemies as an even greater villain. Look forward to more
August 19, 2019
So Good
I loved this book just as much, if not more, than the first. It shows a clear evolution of character development that makes reading all the more fun. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
I loved this book just as much, if not more, than the first. It shows a clear evolution of character development that makes reading all the more fun. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
August 17, 2019
Solid Sequel!
High stakes, Heroic Villains, and High School flash backs?
Solid plot line, the mainland is has a ton more to offer then Hesse did, so if you enjoyed the first you'll enjoy this one.
High stakes, Heroic Villains, and High School flash backs?
Solid plot line, the mainland is has a ton more to offer then Hesse did, so if you enjoyed the first you'll enjoy this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews