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The Valens Legacy #16
Times Like These
The war has begun in earnest. The main gateway has opened and the minions of the Onderwereld are starting to come through in greater and greater numbers. For now they can hold them off, but when your enemy just reincarnates a week after you kill them, what can you do? It's a war of attrition for Sean's side, a war that will come with a very high price.
However, Sean knows that there are weapons that can kill a demon so that it can't respawn and he's bound and determined to get them, even if it means going back through a gateway. He just has to find a way to sneak past a million demons and then run around their home without getting caught.
But he still has a few extra cards up his sleeve to play in this game.
WARNING: "Times Like These" contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, robbery, murder, demons doing nasty things, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, confiscation of public property, unscrupulous and manipulative people, polyamory, explicit sex, mayhem, more demons, people who aim to misbehave, gratuitous sex and violence, and two female werejaguars who put on an act at the casino that would really get your attention - too bad you missed it.
However, Sean knows that there are weapons that can kill a demon so that it can't respawn and he's bound and determined to get them, even if it means going back through a gateway. He just has to find a way to sneak past a million demons and then run around their home without getting caught.
But he still has a few extra cards up his sleeve to play in this game.
WARNING: "Times Like These" contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, robbery, murder, demons doing nasty things, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, confiscation of public property, unscrupulous and manipulative people, polyamory, explicit sex, mayhem, more demons, people who aim to misbehave, gratuitous sex and violence, and two female werejaguars who put on an act at the casino that would really get your attention - too bad you missed it.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2019
334 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Jan Stryvant
56 books550 followersI'm new to the Harem / LitRPG thing (If I'd known more about LitRPG when I wrote Shadow, I might have incorporated more elements of that into it).
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 1, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
The series continues. 16 and counting. I had thought the author wanted to end the series 2 books ago? I have to be honest. I was expecting more. There were a couple of very BIG developments in this book . Despite those major exciting changes, I was kind of bored with the rest of the story. Nothing else exciting happened. Not every book can be great and I am not saying that this was a bad book, I was just hoping for more - especially since I thought this was going to be one of the last, if not the last book.
The series continues. 16 and counting. I had thought the author wanted to end the series 2 books ago? I have to be honest. I was expecting more. There were a couple of very BIG developments in this book . Despite those major exciting changes, I was kind of bored with the rest of the story. Nothing else exciting happened. Not every book can be great and I am not saying that this was a bad book, I was just hoping for more - especially since I thought this was going to be one of the last, if not the last book.
August 29, 2019
The pride returns.
I enjoyed this book and was surprised by how the author managed to surprise me. The pacing was good and the characters continue to grow and develop into interesting engaging characters.
I enjoyed this book and was surprised by how the author managed to surprise me. The pacing was good and the characters continue to grow and develop into interesting engaging characters.
December 13, 2024
This is so unserious XD it's like written for teens but also needlessly spicy
June 17, 2020
This is a combination review of the entire 17+ book series as I binged the entire The Valens Legacy over the about a month.
The Positives:
- The writing is really good. Often when I binge an author things like their crutch words become constant irritants that didn't happen here.
- Stryvant doesn't mess around. The plot never really stops or meanders, each story having important events that carry the narrative forward.
- There's two maybe three arcs in this series but each flow one into another smoothly so it all seams like a natural progression.
- All the arcs are entertaining and engaging I always wanted to know what would happen next or figure out the mystery.
- The Main character rides the line of being a Gary Stu never really crosses that line.
- Functional magic system and cohesive world.
The Negatives:
- The pervasive fetish portions. Even during serious portions Stryvant will often break my immersion with sexual talk or fetishes.
- Repetitive sex and romance. It does get better later in the series, but since Stryvant's fetishes don't change over the course of the book neither do these scenes. I started skipping them, but he'd often stick important plot points in the middle of them.
- The women characters tend to be on the bland side and over sexualized.
Over all I enjoyed the series.
The Positives:
- The writing is really good. Often when I binge an author things like their crutch words become constant irritants that didn't happen here.
- Stryvant doesn't mess around. The plot never really stops or meanders, each story having important events that carry the narrative forward.
- There's two maybe three arcs in this series but each flow one into another smoothly so it all seams like a natural progression.
- All the arcs are entertaining and engaging I always wanted to know what would happen next or figure out the mystery.
- The Main character rides the line of being a Gary Stu never really crosses that line.
- Functional magic system and cohesive world.
The Negatives:
- The pervasive fetish portions. Even during serious portions Stryvant will often break my immersion with sexual talk or fetishes.
- Repetitive sex and romance. It does get better later in the series, but since Stryvant's fetishes don't change over the course of the book neither do these scenes. I started skipping them, but he'd often stick important plot points in the middle of them.
- The women characters tend to be on the bland side and over sexualized.
Over all I enjoyed the series.
April 3, 2021
Sean and his friends are back and digging into defend the planet from the demon invasion. The action in this novel is very straight forward. There are no big surprises and only one major advance in the plot when Sean discovers away to bring all the dead lions immediately to earth instead of having to wait to be born and grow up again. All in all, the plot moves along quickly as Sean plans to try and hold the demons on earth while sneaking back into their realm to search for a miracle weapon that will tip the tide of the war in their favor. Along the way we discover that from the perspective of most of the lions, they consider losing half the planet in the war acceptable losses, even though this would throw humans back to pre-industrial times and possibly end human civilization for all time. Sean would like a cleaner victory and he has to convince the First Lion to gamble with him.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
November 5, 2020
Getting to the end
I have buoy the series thus far and the play between Sean and the First. This book had some of that but I believe the next one will be even more detailed. Let’s go!
I have buoy the series thus far and the play between Sean and the First. This book had some of that but I believe the next one will be even more detailed. Let’s go!
February 3, 2021
Just not really all that good anymore.
Long series do this often. The story drags on so much that you do not feel that anything is happening. No real changes, just a lot of the same. Story so convoluted you do not remember where it all started.
Long series do this often. The story drags on so much that you do not feel that anything is happening. No real changes, just a lot of the same. Story so convoluted you do not remember where it all started.
March 28, 2020
Said it before and I’ll say it again. Outstanding series!!!
August 12, 2020
Another installment in the long war with the djevels, lots of action and butt kicking. There is a decent amount of back story about the lions and how they came to be the way they are.
September 2, 2021
Good
More of the same great action and whatever. Hey, I'm eating breakfast and you want a review? Three, two last
More of the same great action and whatever. Hey, I'm eating breakfast and you want a review? Three, two last
November 2, 2021
This is good
I have this series very much. I lost track of this as I was busy with other things, hospitals, but I am back reading this series and am still enjoying it.
I have this series very much. I lost track of this as I was busy with other things, hospitals, but I am back reading this series and am still enjoying it.
January 30, 2022
Cross Dimensions
A demon King is coming. How will the lions deal with him? And what about the scouting parties? Bring on the next chapter!
A demon King is coming. How will the lions deal with him? And what about the scouting parties? Bring on the next chapter!
August 5, 2024
This series has come much further than I ever expected. That is a good thing for the most part as I enjoy epic-sagas and love a nice long series.
However, the more experienced I grow as a reader, the more I appreciate efficiency. As much as I love a long series, I want every book in that series to be jam-packed with relevant story. Sadly, this hasn't been my experience with The Valens Legacy. Whilst always enjoyable, there's a lot of time spent retreading old ground and there are many pages of filler.
This book was both the best and worst of this. There's a lot that felt epic and just as much that could have been cut for the sake of telling a more concise story. Doing so makes the writing more punchy and gives emotional moments more impact. Therefore I'm left with a feeling of "That was pretty good" when I finished reading instead of "Oh my god, that was amazing. I can not wait until the next book."
So overall I enjoyed it, but I'm eager to see a finale. That's not because I want this series to end, but because I think this overarching story arc has naturally reached its climax and needs to be wrapped up. I'd be more than happy to come back to these characters and universe in a new series.
A solid 4-stars, and here's to hoping for a 5-star finale.
However, the more experienced I grow as a reader, the more I appreciate efficiency. As much as I love a long series, I want every book in that series to be jam-packed with relevant story. Sadly, this hasn't been my experience with The Valens Legacy. Whilst always enjoyable, there's a lot of time spent retreading old ground and there are many pages of filler.
This book was both the best and worst of this. There's a lot that felt epic and just as much that could have been cut for the sake of telling a more concise story. Doing so makes the writing more punchy and gives emotional moments more impact. Therefore I'm left with a feeling of "That was pretty good" when I finished reading instead of "Oh my god, that was amazing. I can not wait until the next book."
So overall I enjoyed it, but I'm eager to see a finale. That's not because I want this series to end, but because I think this overarching story arc has naturally reached its climax and needs to be wrapped up. I'd be more than happy to come back to these characters and universe in a new series.
A solid 4-stars, and here's to hoping for a 5-star finale.
February 13, 2020
One more hit!
Once again another successful story in the story arc. Each time I read one of these stories in this series I find myself anticipating the next one by the end.
Once again another successful story in the story arc. Each time I read one of these stories in this series I find myself anticipating the next one by the end.
September 9, 2019
This one is extremely unfocused and has a lot of scenes that really shouldn't exist. The main gate is open and millions of demons are streaming into the world. One would think all of the powers-that-be would be doing everything they can do to stem the tide. Instead, senior politicians in the DC are twiddling their thumbs, lions are spending time worrying about a random girls sex life and getting her turned into a jaguar lycan, and nearly every character is more worried with getting laid than fighting the millions of demons streaming into the world.
What ticks me off is the strategy to do this is EASY: Get some APC's with flame throwers to clear the gate area and set up some iron spikes facing the gate so the demons impale themselves the moment they exist the gate.
I think the author has no clue what he wants to do with the series. The books is almost completely filler with very little pertinent to the main story.
What ticks me off is the strategy to do this is EASY: Get some APC's with flame throwers to clear the gate area and set up some iron spikes facing the gate so the demons impale themselves the moment they exist the gate.
I think the author has no clue what he wants to do with the series. The books is almost completely filler with very little pertinent to the main story.
September 30, 2019
Good but not full story
This one is definitely a *necessary* piece of his overall arc, but isn’t a full story on its own. You’ll need to be caught up on the first 15 books (kind of seems like a ‘duh’ but some ‘series’ are just books in the same universe. This isn’t one of those) and it ends off leading directly into book 17 (not out as of this review).
That said, lots of good action, character and story development, etc. I enjoyed this installment *as an installment* and look forward to the coming installments.
FYI, with this kind of sweeping arc, it can be hard to create smaller, book-sized arcs. Totally get that. This review is not intended as a complaint, but as an informative commentary.
My 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.
This one is definitely a *necessary* piece of his overall arc, but isn’t a full story on its own. You’ll need to be caught up on the first 15 books (kind of seems like a ‘duh’ but some ‘series’ are just books in the same universe. This isn’t one of those) and it ends off leading directly into book 17 (not out as of this review).
That said, lots of good action, character and story development, etc. I enjoyed this installment *as an installment* and look forward to the coming installments.
FYI, with this kind of sweeping arc, it can be hard to create smaller, book-sized arcs. Totally get that. This review is not intended as a complaint, but as an informative commentary.
My 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.
February 8, 2020
Amazing writing
Loins unite! With the world on the line, Sean and family are in the thick of it and are determined to keep the world safe. Starting with Nevada, pick up this series and yup won’t regret it.
Loins unite! With the world on the line, Sean and family are in the thick of it and are determined to keep the world safe. Starting with Nevada, pick up this series and yup won’t regret it.
August 28, 2019
The nearing the Endgame now
The main gate as well as main antagonist is upon them. While sean and the first are finding ways to defeat the demons with minimal casualties, the demon king is nearing himself to invade. This chapter is mostly focus on these 2 points, not so much in the amtter of side stories for other characters. And their latest reinforcements is as shocking and as bad ass as it comes. Sean is really full of surprises in every chapter. Oh and the love making was ok too. That part is also one of the charms of this series. A MUST READ
The main gate as well as main antagonist is upon them. While sean and the first are finding ways to defeat the demons with minimal casualties, the demon king is nearing himself to invade. This chapter is mostly focus on these 2 points, not so much in the amtter of side stories for other characters. And their latest reinforcements is as shocking and as bad ass as it comes. Sean is really full of surprises in every chapter. Oh and the love making was ok too. That part is also one of the charms of this series. A MUST READ
September 3, 2019
Another great addition and another ending that leaves me wanting more
So reading the author notes at the end sums this review up nicely. I personally wasn't expecting 16 boons in the series and more yet to come and reading the notes neither was Jan Stryvant. This book sees more action being split between earth realm and the onderwearld and the ending now leaves me wanting the next book right now. Curse you Jan Stryvant for continuing to craft an absorbing read that continues to entertain. If you haven't started this series go back to the beginning and start it now!
So reading the author notes at the end sums this review up nicely. I personally wasn't expecting 16 boons in the series and more yet to come and reading the notes neither was Jan Stryvant. This book sees more action being split between earth realm and the onderwearld and the ending now leaves me wanting the next book right now. Curse you Jan Stryvant for continuing to craft an absorbing read that continues to entertain. If you haven't started this series go back to the beginning and start it now!
September 5, 2019
Book 16!
When it gets to book 16 you know you have a special series on your hands. The authors note at the end is very helpful. I was kind of hoping this series would go on forever. Still I do appreciate an ending to a story. Too often a series can't find a ending and the characters or plot shrivel and necrosis sets in. I hated how Lost babbled themselves into a corner and couldn't recover, or HIMYM lasted 3 seasons longer than they should have. Kudos for having an ending and giving us fans sombre forewarning.
When it gets to book 16 you know you have a special series on your hands. The authors note at the end is very helpful. I was kind of hoping this series would go on forever. Still I do appreciate an ending to a story. Too often a series can't find a ending and the characters or plot shrivel and necrosis sets in. I hated how Lost babbled themselves into a corner and couldn't recover, or HIMYM lasted 3 seasons longer than they should have. Kudos for having an ending and giving us fans sombre forewarning.
September 10, 2019
Who doesn't love a good demon smack down?
Now we're getting into the meat of the demon, sorry, djevil war. Gotta love the characters and their development as they become even more refined and nuanced. Action seems to be non-stop and realistic, particularly when it comes to tactics and weapons. Overall I enjoyed this edition of the Valens Saga and I feel it's content, pace, and style would appeal to many other readers. Looking forward to the next edition.
Now we're getting into the meat of the demon, sorry, djevil war. Gotta love the characters and their development as they become even more refined and nuanced. Action seems to be non-stop and realistic, particularly when it comes to tactics and weapons. Overall I enjoyed this edition of the Valens Saga and I feel it's content, pace, and style would appeal to many other readers. Looking forward to the next edition.
October 1, 2019
Another great read
I really enjoyed this one. With the Lions storming the Djevels home world and the battle drawing in closer to Reno the action is nonstop. Some more interesting information about the Lions origins comes to light as The First is called to the carpet by Sean. Chad has his hands full defending Reno. And The djevel king grows hungry and eager to cross the gate to earth and take his share of human souls.
I really enjoyed this one. With the Lions storming the Djevels home world and the battle drawing in closer to Reno the action is nonstop. Some more interesting information about the Lions origins comes to light as The First is called to the carpet by Sean. Chad has his hands full defending Reno. And The djevel king grows hungry and eager to cross the gate to earth and take his share of human souls.
October 23, 2019
Still like the series and I will read the next book, but I think that you can feel that the author wants to get over it. Pacing is not as good as it had been all the time. Feels a bit like the second last episode of game of thrones tv show. A bit of an artificial build up for the final clash.
I can understand the author, it was quite a long series to ride with. But I hope that he can spill out one final showdown with style and character that brings it all to a satisfying end.
I can understand the author, it was quite a long series to ride with. But I hope that he can spill out one final showdown with style and character that brings it all to a satisfying end.
August 28, 2019
Worth it
This was worth the wait....... I love this story, and surprisingly can keep track of the huge supporting cast. I know it's drawing to a close, but its so good I don't want it to. Glad we still have more to learn about the origins of everything, and I can't believe the revelations we got here. Must have more.
This was worth the wait....... I love this story, and surprisingly can keep track of the huge supporting cast. I know it's drawing to a close, but its so good I don't want it to. Glad we still have more to learn about the origins of everything, and I can't believe the revelations we got here. Must have more.
August 29, 2019
Great addition to but necessarily grim
This continuation of the Valens series has left some of the humor found in the prior books behind. Humanity’s defenders are fighting for their survival, and this installment tells of a necessary desperate effort. Just two more books in the series, and this one is an enjoyable read, though a grind for the characters.
This continuation of the Valens series has left some of the humor found in the prior books behind. Humanity’s defenders are fighting for their survival, and this installment tells of a necessary desperate effort. Just two more books in the series, and this one is an enjoyable read, though a grind for the characters.
August 31, 2019
Running battle
So another episode in the war with the djevils. This was more a run and fun with many small and large battles but with one major change.. Lions. Lots of lions. The scope and scale of the war has changed. I enjoy the slow reestabment of the magic and framework so should see more magic improvements in the future. Looking forward to the next book.
So another episode in the war with the djevils. This was more a run and fun with many small and large battles but with one major change.. Lions. Lots of lions. The scope and scale of the war has changed. I enjoy the slow reestabment of the magic and framework so should see more magic improvements in the future. Looking forward to the next book.
September 1, 2019
On Track
The previous couple of books in this series felt a bit off to me. This one is as good as the beginning books are and feels like the author is back on track. I liked this one and like all fun reads wish it were longer. 16 books and going for a strong finish it would appear. Well done to the author.
The previous couple of books in this series felt a bit off to me. This one is as good as the beginning books are and feels like the author is back on track. I liked this one and like all fun reads wish it were longer. 16 books and going for a strong finish it would appear. Well done to the author.
September 9, 2019
Lion's Pride
The demons are coming through the gate in great numbers. Sean uses his magic to counter the demon advantage of respawning after being killed. Invading the demon realm seems like a good idea. I like the action, humor, and love of the prides. Sean's character has developed greatly over the series. I look forward to the next book.
The demons are coming through the gate in great numbers. Sean uses his magic to counter the demon advantage of respawning after being killed. Invading the demon realm seems like a good idea. I like the action, humor, and love of the prides. Sean's character has developed greatly over the series. I look forward to the next book.
October 8, 2019
Yes, yes, yes!!!!
Like Jan said at the end of this book, I never expected this series to run this long! I am VERY happy it has though. I think it has allowed him to develop both characters and storylines and I think all of us have gained from that! THANK YOU, sir, for hanging in there, I know all of your fans appreciate it!
Like Jan said at the end of this book, I never expected this series to run this long! I am VERY happy it has though. I think it has allowed him to develop both characters and storylines and I think all of us have gained from that! THANK YOU, sir, for hanging in there, I know all of your fans appreciate it!
August 28, 2019
Love the whole series
Such an awesome perspective on the genre. Excited for the next book already. The story unfolds well and I enjoy the fact I can't totally figure out the next steps. Keep it up
Such an awesome perspective on the genre. Excited for the next book already. The story unfolds well and I enjoy the fact I can't totally figure out the next steps. Keep it up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews