What do you think?
Rate this book
Rise of the Grandmaster: Megabooks #2
The Trials of Tristholm
“Werewolves? You might as well glue sprinkles to a donkey and tell everyone it’s a rainbow colored unicorn.”
-Jedidiah Dawson before disappearing on the way to Tristholm.
Tim’s plan didn’t include going toe to toe with one of the most powerful men in Promethia, but he had, and he won.
Wasn’t winning supposed to make things easier?
Instead of getting to live on easy street, Tim’s victory only increased his reputation as a man who could solve problems.
This time those problems had teeth.
Thankfully Tim hit level ten, and once he settled on his upgraded class their newest adventure could began in earnest.
Life in The Etheric Coast wasn’t exactly what he expected, it was better. With new adventures and epic loot on the horizon, Tim was never more excited to see where his next quest would take him.
It was time for Tim to start his next adventure, and there was only one way to attack the unknown. “LeeeeeRoyyyyyyy!”
-Jedidiah Dawson before disappearing on the way to Tristholm.
Tim’s plan didn’t include going toe to toe with one of the most powerful men in Promethia, but he had, and he won.
Wasn’t winning supposed to make things easier?
Instead of getting to live on easy street, Tim’s victory only increased his reputation as a man who could solve problems.
This time those problems had teeth.
Thankfully Tim hit level ten, and once he settled on his upgraded class their newest adventure could began in earnest.
Life in The Etheric Coast wasn’t exactly what he expected, it was better. With new adventures and epic loot on the horizon, Tim was never more excited to see where his next quest would take him.
It was time for Tim to start his next adventure, and there was only one way to attack the unknown. “LeeeeeRoyyyyyyy!”
- GenresFantasy
650 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
268 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 29, 2020
Started ok. A mess by the end.
I stopped caring about this series about 25% of the way through this book. So it took me a very long time to finish. My problem at first was personal preference. I prefer litrpg books to be about someone either stuck in a game, transported to a game world, or the real world suddenly changes to include game rules.
I do not like books about people playing games. Where the game has no effect on the real world. Where the MC is getting paid to play the game for an unrealistic reason. Where the MC is never actually in any danger. It all makes me care even less than watching someone play a game on twitch.
Second annoyance was the constant pop culture references for current & recent events/media. I don’t want to hear about a kid who played World of Warcraft in the early days somehow also young enough to get into this game straight out of school. The technology required for this kind of full immersion VR does not exist and people who played the games and watched the movies referenced in this book are too old to be just getting out of school and jumping into a VR pod as an “employee”
Finally, in the last quarter of the book, editing errors started popping up with more frequency and the story started going all over the place. I had to start skimming and speed reading to get through it.
I stopped caring about this series about 25% of the way through this book. So it took me a very long time to finish. My problem at first was personal preference. I prefer litrpg books to be about someone either stuck in a game, transported to a game world, or the real world suddenly changes to include game rules.
I do not like books about people playing games. Where the game has no effect on the real world. Where the MC is getting paid to play the game for an unrealistic reason. Where the MC is never actually in any danger. It all makes me care even less than watching someone play a game on twitch.
Second annoyance was the constant pop culture references for current & recent events/media. I don’t want to hear about a kid who played World of Warcraft in the early days somehow also young enough to get into this game straight out of school. The technology required for this kind of full immersion VR does not exist and people who played the games and watched the movies referenced in this book are too old to be just getting out of school and jumping into a VR pod as an “employee”
Finally, in the last quarter of the book, editing errors started popping up with more frequency and the story started going all over the place. I had to start skimming and speed reading to get through it.
January 27, 2021
This was thoroughly enjoyable.
July 12, 2022
Not good
I got about half way through this book and could not read a single page more. I know these authors are good because I have read their solo series but together it is not good at all. Its like one person writes a page and the other doesn't read it before reading the next page. Example...when the beat the surgeon Tim says he saw a golden chest they would have to come back for because they had to save the tank first so they run to the alter to heal her....four pages and the start of a new chapter and Tim says I didn't see a chest when we beat the boss so let me scroll through my logs for loot! Really?! Four pages and they forgot what they wrote?! This is consistent through book one and what I read of book 2. We also continued the trend of the main character coming off as condescending but trying to disguise it as a hero trait. I'm not sure what happened or what the other people who gave this good reviews saw that I didn't but this book is inconsistent to the point of angering me as the reader
I got about half way through this book and could not read a single page more. I know these authors are good because I have read their solo series but together it is not good at all. Its like one person writes a page and the other doesn't read it before reading the next page. Example...when the beat the surgeon Tim says he saw a golden chest they would have to come back for because they had to save the tank first so they run to the alter to heal her....four pages and the start of a new chapter and Tim says I didn't see a chest when we beat the boss so let me scroll through my logs for loot! Really?! Four pages and they forgot what they wrote?! This is consistent through book one and what I read of book 2. We also continued the trend of the main character coming off as condescending but trying to disguise it as a hero trait. I'm not sure what happened or what the other people who gave this good reviews saw that I didn't but this book is inconsistent to the point of angering me as the reader
July 18, 2020
Alert
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
April 18, 2021
The Fun Continues
I really liked this book, and enjoyed the continued epic adventure of our Blue Dagger Society.
We are introduced to a new character, Lorelei, and have a few chapters from her POV. She was written very well, and I felt she would be a great addition to the BDS. Talking of which, they also help Gaston with a small problem he has, and take Ernie and Shadowlily's Dad with them on separate occasions.
As you can probably imagine, there is plenty of action and adventure, due to the fact this series is set inside a game. New bosses to fight and hurdles to overcome, quests to complete and a surprise ot two. You also get occasional updates on Tim's stats. The banter is hilarious in parts, and the dialogue is good too.
Overall, it was a great second book, if not a bit long with maybe a bit too much filler. I'm still trying to decide if it is relevant or not. If you have enjoyed the first in the series, you will enjoy this. It definitely continues several plot stories. Looking forward to reading Deserts of Naroosh.
I really liked this book, and enjoyed the continued epic adventure of our Blue Dagger Society.
We are introduced to a new character, Lorelei, and have a few chapters from her POV. She was written very well, and I felt she would be a great addition to the BDS. Talking of which, they also help Gaston with a small problem he has, and take Ernie and Shadowlily's Dad with them on separate occasions.
As you can probably imagine, there is plenty of action and adventure, due to the fact this series is set inside a game. New bosses to fight and hurdles to overcome, quests to complete and a surprise ot two. You also get occasional updates on Tim's stats. The banter is hilarious in parts, and the dialogue is good too.
Overall, it was a great second book, if not a bit long with maybe a bit too much filler. I'm still trying to decide if it is relevant or not. If you have enjoyed the first in the series, you will enjoy this. It definitely continues several plot stories. Looking forward to reading Deserts of Naroosh.
July 5, 2020
Sometimes things just needed doing...
More snark, witty comebacks, and dry humour amidst action, angst and ambushes. What more could you want?
New friends and allies, seemingly impossible quests, cool loot, and a little romance are all added in as well. The positive attitude Tim exudes, and his little insightful thoughts, are a bonus for me. We need to see more teamwork and positivity in the real world.
Another great story in the series.
More snark, witty comebacks, and dry humour amidst action, angst and ambushes. What more could you want?
New friends and allies, seemingly impossible quests, cool loot, and a little romance are all added in as well. The positive attitude Tim exudes, and his little insightful thoughts, are a bonus for me. We need to see more teamwork and positivity in the real world.
Another great story in the series.
December 7, 2022
Well, this one took me a longer time than I liked to finish, (mostly because I kept trying to read it late at night, and kept falling asleep), but I finally got it. Will read the next book in the series, though this book raised lots of questions about the world I don't expect will be answered, mostly because I wonder about things that don't really relate to the story line. But, in any case, it's onward to the next book in the series.
October 5, 2024
Really good book in this series
This is the second book in the series, and the second really good book as well. Loved the characters and that new plot twists pop up while others are tied up and closed. The characters are engaging and fun to watch move through their adventures. There is magic, intrigue, action, this book has all the fun things you want to read about in a story. I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it and the series.
This is the second book in the series, and the second really good book as well. Loved the characters and that new plot twists pop up while others are tied up and closed. The characters are engaging and fun to watch move through their adventures. There is magic, intrigue, action, this book has all the fun things you want to read about in a story. I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it and the series.
July 26, 2020
Can't recommend this series enough!!
Seriously, if you like gaming - electronic, d&d, whatever - this series is bloody fantastic and bloody brilliant! Very well written, good descriptions, personal and relationship growth, it has it all... oh and a shit ton of monsters. Can't forget those!
Seriously, if you like gaming - electronic, d&d, whatever - this series is bloody fantastic and bloody brilliant! Very well written, good descriptions, personal and relationship growth, it has it all... oh and a shit ton of monsters. Can't forget those!
July 29, 2020
I really enjoy this series. Bates does well with the game elements, without them getting in the way. The characters' banter is great and reminds me of my friends when I would play MMORPGs. The world building is interesting to see, and I'm curious to know where life takes the Blue Dagger Society next. I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Bates.
December 17, 2020
Most of the book consists of the MC lecturing the reader on pretty much every topic imaginable in order to show how morally upstanding and forward thinking he and by extension the author is. The first book had some of that. This one is far worse. If this book had been a horse, Bradford Bates would have beaten it death within the first 20 pages.
December 24, 2020
Fun series
The books keep getting better. Tim and his friends are doing very well in their role playing by taking more quests and meeting bigger and badder bosses. They are learning new skills and raising their stats and having a blast doing it. I am looking forward to the next book to see what kind of creatures they meet and how they take them down.
The books keep getting better. Tim and his friends are doing very well in their role playing by taking more quests and meeting bigger and badder bosses. They are learning new skills and raising their stats and having a blast doing it. I am looking forward to the next book to see what kind of creatures they meet and how they take them down.
August 22, 2024
Constant rambling, the reason I like the first book was because he was planning on opening clinic and revitalize the slums. About 12 hrs in and he just mentions it once . Had to drop with 5 hrs left and I had it on 2x speed . The women are just so out of place they sound like teenage boy . The whole book is just pop references, and horny women who can’t stop talking about or having sex .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
Onward and upward
Love this series. The concept is awesome, I bet gamers would love the chance to do this. The action is sometimes intense, but the story flows well. The characters are great and I found myself really cheering them on.
Love this series. The concept is awesome, I bet gamers would love the chance to do this. The action is sometimes intense, but the story flows well. The characters are great and I found myself really cheering them on.
July 20, 2020
Awesome book!
What an awesome instalment of the Rise of the Grandmaster! I just love ALL of the characters! The storyline is engaging and the book length is perfect. I can't wait to see what happens next! Keep churning out the awesome stories, guys!
What an awesome instalment of the Rise of the Grandmaster! I just love ALL of the characters! The storyline is engaging and the book length is perfect. I can't wait to see what happens next! Keep churning out the awesome stories, guys!
July 17, 2020
Read this.
April 13, 2021
Great read
Another great book in the series, any litrpg fan should enjoy this. Look forward to the next book. I recommend
Another great book in the series, any litrpg fan should enjoy this. Look forward to the next book. I recommend
September 1, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and magic type of books.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and magic type of books.
October 14, 2021
Fun story
Not as good as the first book but still interesting. I will read the next book and see where the story goes.
Not as good as the first book but still interesting. I will read the next book and see where the story goes.
Currently reading
June 7, 2024Purchased this edition on June 15, 2023, from Amazon for $0.99. Read the first book of the series on June 7, 2024.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews