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The Wraith's Haunt #4
Dungeon Lord: Ancient Traditions
The secrets of the Factory of Nightmares are free for the taking... and Dungeon Lord Edward Wright intends to claim them.
War is coming to Starevos, delivered by the navy of the Kingdom of Heiliges. The only hope Edward and his friends have at surviving the wrath of the Light is an ancient Factory whose defenses are as deadly as those seeking to conquer it.
However, Ed is not the only Dungeon Lord who seeks the power of the Factory. To save the Haunt, Ed must face war-forged Dungeon Lords older and crueler than he is, and everything he has learned shall be tested to its utter limit.
Even before the Endeavor starts, dark forces converge around the Haunt, threatening to drown Ed and his friends under a mass of corpses. If Ed is not careful, he may be forced to become as terrible as his enemies just to outlive them.
In fact, that may well be his only chance at victory.
Will Edward have what it takes to prove he is the meanest Dungeon Lord around, or will he become a footnote in the annals of History?
There's only one way to find out.
632 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2019
358 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Hugo Huesca
17 books414 followersHugo Huesca is a science fiction and fantasy writer. He has been reading avidly for the better part of two decades and writing fiction since he was ten. He is a swimmer, a tequila drinker and a fanatic of ridiculous science fiction book covers from fifty years ago.
Some quotes on Hugo Huesca from those who know him:
"Are you rich yet?" A family member, one day after Hugo self-published his first short story ever. (The answer is no.)
"He's the devil." A College professor.
"What do you mean there were TWO dragons?" His D&D group before a TPK.
"What are you doing in my house? No, I'm not giving you a quote for your biography, please leave before I call the police." Some random person.
Some quotes on Hugo Huesca from those who know him:
"Are you rich yet?" A family member, one day after Hugo self-published his first short story ever. (The answer is no.)
"He's the devil." A College professor.
"What do you mean there were TWO dragons?" His D&D group before a TPK.
"What are you doing in my house? No, I'm not giving you a quote for your biography, please leave before I call the police." Some random person.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 30, 2019
Stop everything else and read this.
I am an old guy. Not super old but I have kids married, in college and my last in high school.
I tripped into the litrpg genre by accident. After stumbling around with other authors and tripping briefly into the harem quagmire, I discovered author Hugo Huesca and this series. And while I keep re-reading the series while I was waiting for book 4, Hugo did not disappoint.
Seriously. Book 4 is amazing. A rollercoaster ride of emotions and action. Truly a culmination of events and decisions made by the main character and his supporting cast in the previous 3 books that leaves you burning through the Pages of this 4th chapter in the series.
Just read the series.
You’re welcome.
I am an old guy. Not super old but I have kids married, in college and my last in high school.
I tripped into the litrpg genre by accident. After stumbling around with other authors and tripping briefly into the harem quagmire, I discovered author Hugo Huesca and this series. And while I keep re-reading the series while I was waiting for book 4, Hugo did not disappoint.
Seriously. Book 4 is amazing. A rollercoaster ride of emotions and action. Truly a culmination of events and decisions made by the main character and his supporting cast in the previous 3 books that leaves you burning through the Pages of this 4th chapter in the series.
Just read the series.
You’re welcome.
August 6, 2021
Notes:
Hmm, I may need to re-visit this one again in future. I'm not sure if it's the story or me. I seem to be in a super picky reading mood lately! Enjoyed the first 1/3 more than the rest.
Hmm, I may need to re-visit this one again in future. I'm not sure if it's the story or me. I seem to be in a super picky reading mood lately! Enjoyed the first 1/3 more than the rest.
November 8, 2019
I didn't really like the MC in this one. This seems to be a long standing theme with books in this genre. The Main Character has a internal conflict with "the supreme beings" and they are just going to be the one's who set the god's straight. Wright is starting to become more and more insufferable in this book. In the previous iterations he was forced into situations and had to overcome them. In this one, he was over thinking everything and literally pushing everyone away and making himself into the bad guy and bemoaning his life the entire time all the while stating that "he did in fact ask for this." I'm going to read the 5th book in the hopes that he finally gets his act together or at least starts too because book 4 pretty much felt like a huge pity party for himself. I still like the story, but tbh, I would have like this one a lot better if they had just cut out like 90% of his inner dialogue. It's like listening to guy who cheats on his girlfriend complain that his girlfriend cheated on him. (inner dialogue), the rest of the story is awesome though, and that's why I'm so conflicted. Seriously. The rest of the book rocks. It's just.....if you've made it through the first 3, just read this so we can be ready for the 5th one.
January 29, 2020
If you're reading this far into the series and still looking at reviews, your question is "Does it still deliver? Is it still good?"
It. Delivers. Like. A. Fedex Truck.
I checked Audible every day for months waiting for this book, and finally it came out, and I ate it up fast. It serves up the promise of the Endeavor in a blaze like a fireball rune. But it goes above and beyond that with series reveals. The ending went places I did not expect at all, and left Ed in a situation more hairy and rough than a horned spider's dunghill. I need the next book NOW.
The only problem I have at this point is that I loved seeing the Haunt grow, and now it's exceeded that swet spot for me, now it's beyond the exciting point of advancement, it's no longer scrappy. Now there are nameless Netherworldly assistants rather than each character and advancement a victory and discovery, it comes off as hohum. No longer is the Building element of community building no longer hitting my sweet spot, but now it's moved into nation building.
I am so ready for the next book, like NOW.
It. Delivers. Like. A. Fedex Truck.
I checked Audible every day for months waiting for this book, and finally it came out, and I ate it up fast. It serves up the promise of the Endeavor in a blaze like a fireball rune. But it goes above and beyond that with series reveals. The ending went places I did not expect at all, and left Ed in a situation more hairy and rough than a horned spider's dunghill. I need the next book NOW.
The only problem I have at this point is that I loved seeing the Haunt grow, and now it's exceeded that swet spot for me, now it's beyond the exciting point of advancement, it's no longer scrappy. Now there are nameless Netherworldly assistants rather than each character and advancement a victory and discovery, it comes off as hohum. No longer is the Building element of community building no longer hitting my sweet spot, but now it's moved into nation building.
I am so ready for the next book, like NOW.
December 30, 2019
This series is really taking itself too seriously. A gamelit novel with ethical dithering (the author probably thinks it's nuance) would be annoying in any context. In this series, which starts off with a necromancer sorceresses seducing our MC because he has a skull face should not morph into anything remotely serious.
Similarly we have with Ryan, an antagonist who our MC beats up to because he's a sexist misogynist dickwad who literally watches videos of kids falling down, to laugh at them. Suddenly we're supposed to feel sorry for him because our author wants the ethical conundrum to be serious?
Bleh.
The action and world building is still fun but this is the end of my read of the series unless there's a significant shift back to fun.
Similarly we have with Ryan, an antagonist who our MC beats up to because he's a sexist misogynist dickwad who literally watches videos of kids falling down, to laugh at them. Suddenly we're supposed to feel sorry for him because our author wants the ethical conundrum to be serious?
Bleh.
The action and world building is still fun but this is the end of my read of the series unless there's a significant shift back to fun.
April 7, 2022
A company is as good as the people that manage it and the products and services they sell. The main character of Dungeon Lord (Wraith's Haunt) Edward Wright is a mediocre employee that seeks the acceptance and gratitude of his subordinates by offering them equality. A leader leads by example and good ideas, successful strategies and teamwork (delegation of duties).
Instead of selling the technology to every Demon Lord for the scrambling towers and using that wealth to raise an army, Ed, makes an enemy of all the demon lords. Instead of killing and defeating his enemies (inquisitors, church soldiers and enemy soldiers and enemy nobles) Ed has let them go and even cured the wounded enemies so that they can fight again.
Instead of becoming the main trader of goods and services between the human world and the netherworld, he fears the human guilds and avoids the netherworld. One thing is for sure, Ed is not at a level that he can succeed with the problems and enemies that he has and creates by his lack of diplomacy and lack of vision. His Dungeons and Powers need to urgently grow, but himself as the Dungeon Lord, is the biggest obstacle to his growth. Lack of imagination, lack of vision, lack of management, lack of experience, lack of diplomacy, etc. All of this together guarantees his eminent failures.
If Ed accepted to have hundreds or thousands of vampires for example, he could have fed them the blood of the Hell Chickens, to keep both at bay and to not only have beer, but chicken meat to sell to the world. If there are too many spiders but not enough food, you expand your territories, expand the Hell Chicken farms and feed the spiders while gaining territories and power.
So then, the author is to blame for creating a main character that is negative, has a lack of vision, lack of experience, lack of diplomacy, etc. and does not succeed in this alternate reality world. Success is hard. Nobody said it was easy.
This is another 600+ pages book, the fourth in the series. In comparison, this fourth book started with a series of skirmishes with bandit groups that are trying to benefit from thefts in Undercity. Then defending the eminent attacks from the Inquisitors and his enemies. The author becomes irrational at the moment Kharon (Dark Lord Murmur) teleport Ryan to the alternate world (Ivalis Game World). If at the end of the series, it turns out that it was a nightmare or that nothing really happened, reading this series would be the worst possible joke. I'm done, I do not recommend it! :(
Instead of selling the technology to every Demon Lord for the scrambling towers and using that wealth to raise an army, Ed, makes an enemy of all the demon lords. Instead of killing and defeating his enemies (inquisitors, church soldiers and enemy soldiers and enemy nobles) Ed has let them go and even cured the wounded enemies so that they can fight again.
Instead of becoming the main trader of goods and services between the human world and the netherworld, he fears the human guilds and avoids the netherworld. One thing is for sure, Ed is not at a level that he can succeed with the problems and enemies that he has and creates by his lack of diplomacy and lack of vision. His Dungeons and Powers need to urgently grow, but himself as the Dungeon Lord, is the biggest obstacle to his growth. Lack of imagination, lack of vision, lack of management, lack of experience, lack of diplomacy, etc. All of this together guarantees his eminent failures.
If Ed accepted to have hundreds or thousands of vampires for example, he could have fed them the blood of the Hell Chickens, to keep both at bay and to not only have beer, but chicken meat to sell to the world. If there are too many spiders but not enough food, you expand your territories, expand the Hell Chicken farms and feed the spiders while gaining territories and power.
So then, the author is to blame for creating a main character that is negative, has a lack of vision, lack of experience, lack of diplomacy, etc. and does not succeed in this alternate reality world. Success is hard. Nobody said it was easy.
This is another 600+ pages book, the fourth in the series. In comparison, this fourth book started with a series of skirmishes with bandit groups that are trying to benefit from thefts in Undercity. Then defending the eminent attacks from the Inquisitors and his enemies. The author becomes irrational at the moment Kharon (Dark Lord Murmur) teleport Ryan to the alternate world (Ivalis Game World). If at the end of the series, it turns out that it was a nightmare or that nothing really happened, reading this series would be the worst possible joke. I'm done, I do not recommend it! :(
September 25, 2019
So good!
Setups paying off, new plot lines being developed, all of the current characters getting thrown into a blender and put on high, it's great.
Some minor spelling and grammar errors need cleanup.
I think were a few minor continuity errors too, but nothing that stuck with me.
Setups paying off, new plot lines being developed, all of the current characters getting thrown into a blender and put on high, it's great.
Some minor spelling and grammar errors need cleanup.
I think were a few minor continuity errors too, but nothing that stuck with me.
October 2, 2019
Hmmm
I would judge this as my least favorite installment of this series. A large portion of the middle of the book was a slog to get through. Still plan to read the next one I am invested into the series outcome.
I would judge this as my least favorite installment of this series. A large portion of the middle of the book was a slog to get through. Still plan to read the next one I am invested into the series outcome.
May 22, 2022
Much much better!
I somehow lost count on how many years have passed but if the author says it's 3, even if it doesn't seem right, ok I guess. Our beloved dungeon lord grew in power in the last 3 years (3? Really? This is a weird time skip for them to end up in the same point from the last book). Finally he knows spells! Yes the ones he bought like a bazillion years (or 3) ago! And he is powerful! Not a sham that can die from a lucky strike. And best of all he grew in perspective! He now understands not every enemy can be left alone to grow and come back, and that most acts he will ever do will be considered evil to the other side, so he thinks F**k it! Let's do it with no regrets. When did he learn all of that? What happened? Oh wait, that's why there was 3 years, so we can fix the problems from the last books and not think about the way that makeup happened… umm ok fine, he is much more relatable and interesting now.
The world building got better, the characters are not just cartoons of themselves but thinking individuals, and best of all, the story (kind of) happens in a dungeon!
I'm glad I stayed for the ride and I hope there will be another one.
4/5 recommended if you have the nerves to see an author grow from one book to the other.
I somehow lost count on how many years have passed but if the author says it's 3, even if it doesn't seem right, ok I guess. Our beloved dungeon lord grew in power in the last 3 years (3? Really? This is a weird time skip for them to end up in the same point from the last book). Finally he knows spells! Yes the ones he bought like a bazillion years (or 3) ago! And he is powerful! Not a sham that can die from a lucky strike. And best of all he grew in perspective! He now understands not every enemy can be left alone to grow and come back, and that most acts he will ever do will be considered evil to the other side, so he thinks F**k it! Let's do it with no regrets. When did he learn all of that? What happened? Oh wait, that's why there was 3 years, so we can fix the problems from the last books and not think about the way that makeup happened… umm ok fine, he is much more relatable and interesting now.
The world building got better, the characters are not just cartoons of themselves but thinking individuals, and best of all, the story (kind of) happens in a dungeon!
I'm glad I stayed for the ride and I hope there will be another one.
4/5 recommended if you have the nerves to see an author grow from one book to the other.
September 20, 2020
Lord Wraith and his minions join a contest to assault a magical factory and attempt to conquer it. The event, which is held semi-regularly with no successes so far, is a deadly one and their competition is ready and willing to kill them to gain the ultimate prize. On top of this another contender has a secret weapon: Ryan, Ed's former boss and complete scuzzbag, has been brought into the game world and put at great risk. Ed could just let him get used up and possibly killed or worse, but is that who he wants to be?
This is a fun series that doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's so similar to another series I'm also reading, Viridian Gate Online, that when a new book comes out in either it often takes me way too long to untangle exactly which backstory elements go with the one I'm reading. And unfortunately, I'm inevitably mildly disappointed when I realize that this isn't the other series, which I kind of prefer.
This is a fun series that doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's so similar to another series I'm also reading, Viridian Gate Online, that when a new book comes out in either it often takes me way too long to untangle exactly which backstory elements go with the one I'm reading. And unfortunately, I'm inevitably mildly disappointed when I realize that this isn't the other series, which I kind of prefer.
March 19, 2020
Great base building, fun progression, felt like multiple good short stories leading to an amazing ending half of the book. The competition is coming up and has to make some impactful preparation. Even with all that preparation anything can go wrong, and it does. Only with luck and skill can Ed make it through the competition. Seeing how Hugo Huesca has nurtured this series, I just can't wait for more at this point. I'm just so sad it took until book 4 to reach this level of greatness. Some of my favorite moments were following the side characters doing their individual things to improve the Haunt and Ed's chances in the competition, the interludes staring Galio dealing with the Inquisition, and the entire competition was full of heart pounding excitement.
Audio performance was odd in this one. Jeff Hays and Annie Ellicott were amazing as always, with very special praise for Annie's performance with the Haunts Martial and Head Researcher. However, the addition of Dorrie Sacks feels like an odd choice. Dorrie Sacks performance was fine, but her voice was altered as if she was performing over the phone or talking through a pipe. It was just a strange decision to make her sound like that and took me out of emersion from the story. Also, I'm not even sure why there was a need for a second female performer, which was odd because Annie had some of her best performance and range in this book.
Audio performance was odd in this one. Jeff Hays and Annie Ellicott were amazing as always, with very special praise for Annie's performance with the Haunts Martial and Head Researcher. However, the addition of Dorrie Sacks feels like an odd choice. Dorrie Sacks performance was fine, but her voice was altered as if she was performing over the phone or talking through a pipe. It was just a strange decision to make her sound like that and took me out of emersion from the story. Also, I'm not even sure why there was a need for a second female performer, which was odd because Annie had some of her best performance and range in this book.
April 28, 2021
A solid installment! After my unmitigated dislike of Ryan, the author used him in creative and interesting ways this time. I had great misgivings about his character previously but now it’s all coming together.
Plot has been progressing nicely, and I like that this isekai protagonist has no desire to return back to Earth.
Excellent pantheon characterizations. The dark god and unaligned gods both were vivid and fascinating.
The mystery and flexibility of Objectivity is intriguing.
The audiobook studio used is excellent and also a curse. The sound of human flesh being rendered is horrifying 😱
Recommended for litrpg fans. I look forward to next book.
Plot has been progressing nicely, and I like that this isekai protagonist has no desire to return back to Earth.
Excellent pantheon characterizations. The dark god and unaligned gods both were vivid and fascinating.
The mystery and flexibility of Objectivity is intriguing.
The audiobook studio used is excellent and also a curse. The sound of human flesh being rendered is horrifying 😱
Recommended for litrpg fans. I look forward to next book.
July 3, 2021
Nice continuation of the series
++Potential Spoilers++
Ed moves forward clashing with the Lordship, with the Undercity assassins and nobility, with demigods, with the Militant Church, with the unknown forces from the Wetland, with pirates, with bandits, and more. Nicely written but a bit underwhelming at the end. The author builds up confrontation with everyone possible, opens unlimited fronts, puts forward several OP -- practically immortal-- bad guys (Wetland, Kharon, etc.) and ends up anti-climatically leaving everything up in the air. I understand the needs to build up curiosity for the next book, but it seems a bit excessive.
++Potential Spoilers++
Ed moves forward clashing with the Lordship, with the Undercity assassins and nobility, with demigods, with the Militant Church, with the unknown forces from the Wetland, with pirates, with bandits, and more. Nicely written but a bit underwhelming at the end. The author builds up confrontation with everyone possible, opens unlimited fronts, puts forward several OP -- practically immortal-- bad guys (Wetland, Kharon, etc.) and ends up anti-climatically leaving everything up in the air. I understand the needs to build up curiosity for the next book, but it seems a bit excessive.
May 8, 2022
improved on all fronts
It's taken 4 books but wright has grown into his mantle as a dungeon lord. He is still idealistic, but he has become more practical in his actions. Great story all together, with a surprise ending that makes you scratch your head and say, "whelp that happened, what now?". It's definitely a hook to get you coming for more, and it worked for me. Will be waiting in line for the next entry.
It's taken 4 books but wright has grown into his mantle as a dungeon lord. He is still idealistic, but he has become more practical in his actions. Great story all together, with a surprise ending that makes you scratch your head and say, "whelp that happened, what now?". It's definitely a hook to get you coming for more, and it worked for me. Will be waiting in line for the next entry.
April 15, 2023
Heart stopping action.
Yes, the main character is getting stronger, but in this LitRPG world, it takes a lot of work to gain skills. Rather, Lord Wright is growing through cunning and experience. And shear guts.
This particular installment had been building since at least the last book and even since the first. That said, the ending was both predictable and entirely unexpected. And this leaves me wondering where the author might go next.
Yes, the main character is getting stronger, but in this LitRPG world, it takes a lot of work to gain skills. Rather, Lord Wright is growing through cunning and experience. And shear guts.
This particular installment had been building since at least the last book and even since the first. That said, the ending was both predictable and entirely unexpected. And this leaves me wondering where the author might go next.
April 18, 2024
Excellent. The protagonist has earned everything given to him. Excellent story that has been building up through each book. Great characters and dialogue. Surprisingly deep for a litRPG, it doesn't let the (atrocious) tropes of the genre bring it down.
This is my second or first favorite book series I have read. Every book has been great so far and I cant wait for the next!
This is my second or first favorite book series I have read. Every book has been great so far and I cant wait for the next!
September 8, 2020
Great story telling
The journey has been amazing so far and the ride a wild one. Have been loving the story progression and character development so far. Amazing series and a must read.
The journey has been amazing so far and the ride a wild one. Have been loving the story progression and character development so far. Amazing series and a must read.
September 30, 2020
I definitely feel like the author is growing as he writes this series. There is a complex, entertaining plot that gets to show off some of the unique characters at their best. I didn’t expect some of the twists and turns in this book and they have left me wanting to get into the next book.
October 1, 2020
If you're a fan of the audio books there is a scene where Jeff Hays in his best demon lord and narrator voices is talking about cookies that had me absolutely delighted. Fantastic job as always, can't wait for the next one
July 2, 2020
One of the best books this summer
I couldn't stop reading. Great story line, fun action, and lots of fantasy. This series made each day fly by.
I couldn't stop reading. Great story line, fun action, and lots of fantasy. This series made each day fly by.
August 24, 2020
This is exactly what I expected, exactly what I wanted, exactly what I needed during the covid19 pandemic.
November 14, 2020
Best ltrpg I have read. Strongly Recomended. Cant wait for the next.
November 19, 2020
Astonishing
I find it hard to come up with the words for this book, it's such a vast improvement over the majority of gamelit that they should really be separate categories.
I find it hard to come up with the words for this book, it's such a vast improvement over the majority of gamelit that they should really be separate categories.
May 2, 2021
Phenomenal, can't wait for the next one
I loved the way this book went. It tied together the previous ones so we'll, and I look forward to the sequel.
I loved the way this book went. It tied together the previous ones so we'll, and I look forward to the sequel.
May 10, 2021
Decent
Overall, there was more than a little start and stop to reading this, but the story turned interesting in the end. If food, it’d be chain restaurant level.
Overall, there was more than a little start and stop to reading this, but the story turned interesting in the end. If food, it’d be chain restaurant level.
September 5, 2021
Great book.
I love the concept of this series. I also like the hat tips to other stories. Frankenstein and many others.
I love the concept of this series. I also like the hat tips to other stories. Frankenstein and many others.
November 9, 2021
Great story
I enjoy accomplished story tellers and this author is top notch. The only thing I don't like is that the next book isn't out.
I enjoy accomplished story tellers and this author is top notch. The only thing I don't like is that the next book isn't out.
March 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this series, but it's sad that this seems to be looking like an abandoned series.
June 17, 2023
I absolutely love this series, I'm Intrigued to see what happens next for Edward and his followers. I hope that Hugo is writing away and we get book five soon.
Keep it up!!
Keep it up!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews