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The Dark Herbalist #2
Stále ve střehu
Tim už si za svou krátkou kariéru korporátního testera MMORPG hry Svět bez hranic stihl vydobýt slušné renomé. Jeho videa o hraní za nepopulární rasu v totálně nudné lokaci mají čím dál víc zhlédnutí a mnohem víc reakcí na herních fórech, než by u postavy goblina na nízkém levelu kdo čekal.
Jenže s Timovým posledním videem se strhla vlna kritiky. Některým hráčům totiž leží v žaludku, že se takhle nový hráč snadno dostal k vzácnému mountovi, a korporace se v obavě ze ztráty příjmů rozhodne nabídnout šanci na získání Timovy wyverny každému, kdo ve stanovené lhůtě zvládne jeho postavu zabít. Nic takového si ovšem Tim nehodlá nechat líbit, a tak začíná divoký útěk plný skrývání, úskoků a zoufalého vymýšlení strategií proti mnohem silnějším hráčům. Má totiž jen dvě možnosti: buď dokáže využít vlastní vynalézavost a málo známé herní mechaniky naplno, nebo přijde o svůj klíč k hromadě peněz, které jeho sestra potřebuje na operaci.
I v druhém díle Temného bylinkáře obhajuje Michael Atamanov svou pozici mezi elitou autorů LitRPG. Bohaté herní prostředí, sympatické postavy a futuristické zasazení světa jen dokreslují příběh plný zvratů a toho nejlepšího, co může virtuální realita nabídnout. Každý rád fandí slabšímu a goblin Amra rozhodně má na to, aby si podal mnohem mocnější protivníky, než je on sám!
Jenže s Timovým posledním videem se strhla vlna kritiky. Některým hráčům totiž leží v žaludku, že se takhle nový hráč snadno dostal k vzácnému mountovi, a korporace se v obavě ze ztráty příjmů rozhodne nabídnout šanci na získání Timovy wyverny každému, kdo ve stanovené lhůtě zvládne jeho postavu zabít. Nic takového si ovšem Tim nehodlá nechat líbit, a tak začíná divoký útěk plný skrývání, úskoků a zoufalého vymýšlení strategií proti mnohem silnějším hráčům. Má totiž jen dvě možnosti: buď dokáže využít vlastní vynalézavost a málo známé herní mechaniky naplno, nebo přijde o svůj klíč k hromadě peněz, které jeho sestra potřebuje na operaci.
I v druhém díle Temného bylinkáře obhajuje Michael Atamanov svou pozici mezi elitou autorů LitRPG. Bohaté herní prostředí, sympatické postavy a futuristické zasazení světa jen dokreslují příběh plný zvratů a toho nejlepšího, co může virtuální realita nabídnout. Každý rád fandí slabšímu a goblin Amra rozhodně má na to, aby si podal mnohem mocnější protivníky, než je on sám!
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2017
389 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Michael Atamanov
58 books555 followersMichael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.
Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 7, 2023
This book continues the adventure of our Dark Herbalist Goblin who tries to fight against everyone in order to keep his flying mount. A game event started for the right of winning the mount. Following the company vice president's advice, he takes the event to the sea using sea battles and pirate ships.
He is officially a tester now and money for his event ideas is good. It gives him the possibility to buy a game capsule for his sister, only to find her in death danger. Criminal gangs are after his money too and only luck helps him to escape death.
He is officially a tester now and money for his event ideas is good. It gives him the possibility to buy a game capsule for his sister, only to find her in death danger. Criminal gangs are after his money too and only luck helps him to escape death.
October 28, 2018
'Sooooo...The people who gave this book a 4 or 5 stars decided that they were just gonna ignore the fact that someone is getting gang raped on a pirate ship...She is in a full immersion capsule...This is obviously fu*ked up'
There are 5 types of women in this book His disabled sister who depends on him, SEVERAL women who thirst for him so much that they complain about the fact that he hasn't spoken to them in 2 days, Women that he has HIT!,(and one character that he has both hit AND she still thirsty for him), a older woman who obviously can't be a love interest but is still amazed by him, and
The book reminded me at the end that all of this from book 1 to book 2 happened in a span of 2 weeks and I honestly could not give this anything more than 1 star
It had so much potential the game mechanics are really interesting
Timothy gets no consequences EVER! He beats level 90+players like it's no big deal
The company policy is that they don't try to give special treatment to company workers but everything that he does in this book is because the company gives him special treatment.
There are 5 types of women in this book His disabled sister who depends on him, SEVERAL women who thirst for him so much that they complain about the fact that he hasn't spoken to them in 2 days, Women that he has HIT!,(and one character that he has both hit AND she still thirsty for him), a older woman who obviously can't be a love interest but is still amazed by him, and
The book reminded me at the end that all of this from book 1 to book 2 happened in a span of 2 weeks and I honestly could not give this anything more than 1 star
It had so much potential the game mechanics are really interesting
Timothy gets no consequences EVER! He beats level 90+players like it's no big deal
The company policy is that they don't try to give special treatment to company workers but everything that he does in this book is because the company gives him special treatment.
December 2, 2017
Ugh. The way the women were presented somehow got Worse in this book.
Don't bother with this shit.
Don't bother with this shit.
March 22, 2019
Mini-Review:
The narrator is great. The story is interesting but it comes across as choppy & a little too clean. Everything falls into place just the way it needs to in order for ___ to happen. It's a fun story but not one with a lot of substance. I don't feel involved in either the game or real world, the characters or the plot line. The first book was more interesting because it was a different take on LitRPG. This one did not develop the story, characters or plot enough to keep me invested.
The narrator is great. The story is interesting but it comes across as choppy & a little too clean. Everything falls into place just the way it needs to in order for ___ to happen. It's a fun story but not one with a lot of substance. I don't feel involved in either the game or real world, the characters or the plot line. The first book was more interesting because it was a different take on LitRPG. This one did not develop the story, characters or plot enough to keep me invested.
September 22, 2017
If you read the first one and liked it, you pretty much get a very similar thing. Same concept, same idea, a few changes to the running jokes, and a whole new plot, or driving force.
To be honest, I simply want to say "bull****" to the fact that companies actually listen to their consumers and happily accept threats. Or the Russian companies are just that consumer oriented, who knows?! But here in America, companies, or at least gaming companies, generally don't give a crap about petitions, threats and etc. They have their own agendas and will definitely stick with them. They can and might squeeze in the player supported ideas, but not the way the players would expect it to be.
Being the most popular game in the world, losing your top players, or consumer, actually doesn't mean much. You lose some and new ones will arise. And that's especially so to take over what the players who quit left behind. And those players are probably addicts and have more to lose than the gaming company.
Thus, the basis, or driving force, of the whole plot made no sense. And the ending supported my claim too. The whole issue was solved with a snap by the finger. The start of the plot was forcefully driven by the author and the end of the plot was forcefully chopped off by the author.
The author did make it sound like everything should be so, but it really did lack logic and sense.
Everything else is great.
To be honest, I simply want to say "bull****" to the fact that companies actually listen to their consumers and happily accept threats. Or the Russian companies are just that consumer oriented, who knows?! But here in America, companies, or at least gaming companies, generally don't give a crap about petitions, threats and etc. They have their own agendas and will definitely stick with them. They can and might squeeze in the player supported ideas, but not the way the players would expect it to be.
Being the most popular game in the world, losing your top players, or consumer, actually doesn't mean much. You lose some and new ones will arise. And that's especially so to take over what the players who quit left behind. And those players are probably addicts and have more to lose than the gaming company.
Thus, the basis, or driving force, of the whole plot made no sense. And the ending supported my claim too. The whole issue was solved with a snap by the finger. The start of the plot was forcefully driven by the author and the end of the plot was forcefully chopped off by the author.
The author did make it sound like everything should be so, but it really did lack logic and sense.
Everything else is great.
Read
March 28, 2018I'm really disturbed by the casual gang rapes being presented as justified because the victim is an unlikable ass. The MC's thoughts about women and people with disabilites (that a woman without legs is to be pitied and can't ever find love because no man would want her) makes him very unlikable. However, the game system is very interesting and I felt like the players had to use the system to win and not just "want it" bad enough like in some books.
I think I would have really liked this book if the author had set the story in a world without women. Or maybe viewed men and women as being more alike than different. As a woman it's hard to accept and enjoy the story when the MC thinks blanket statements about us that makes us into either betrayers and succubi, ugly and mean or perfect angels.
I think I would have really liked this book if the author had set the story in a world without women. Or maybe viewed men and women as being more alike than different. As a woman it's hard to accept and enjoy the story when the MC thinks blanket statements about us that makes us into either betrayers and succubi, ugly and mean or perfect angels.
August 10, 2020
„To je přesně ten přístup, jaký korporace od svých hráčů očekává. Ale hráči se ve velké většině zdržují ve městech a nechce se jim projít branami ven, do rozlehlého neznámého světa. Místo toho se snaží objevit něco nového v místech, které před nimi navštívily tisícovky jiných hráčů.“
Timothymu se v prvním díle podařilo získat velmi vzácného létajícího mounta. Díky tomu, se zapsal do opravdu krátkého seznamu hráčů, kterým se také povedlo získat létajícího mounta. Jak už to ale bývá, herní komunitě se to rozhodně nelíbí. Proč by taky měl nováček mít něco tak velmi vzácného? Proto se korporace rozhodne udělat dvoutýdenní lov na Timothyho. Stačí, aby náš hrdina zemřel a o mounta přijde. Jak jednoduché. Zatímco tedy Timothy utíká před svými pronásledovateli, dostává opravdu pestrou řadu nabídek od nejlepších klanů a objevuje krásy moře, protože se mu povedlo stát se kapitánem pirátské lodi, musí se vypořádat i s problémy v reálném světě, které jej nečekaně zastihly.
Hned po přečtení prvního dílu jsem se vrhl na díl druhý, který pokračuje přesně tam, kde první skončil. Kniha je plná zvratů a napínavých scén, které mám opravdu rád. Ale autorovi bych vytknul jednu věc – ani jednou nebyl v knize zmíněný seznam aktivních questů. Je to škoda, protože když se Timothymu na konci knihy podařilo splnit quest z prvního dílu, bylo to pro mě celkem překvapení, protože se autor jeho vývojem nijak nezaobíral a ani jednou ho za celou dobu nezmínil. Co mě ale opravdu potěšilo, byl malý Easter egg před koncem knihy v podobně odkazu na důl Pryke z LitRPG série Cesta šamana. Bohužel je v knize opět značné množství překlepů a vynechaných slov, ale při takové rychlosti překládání se s tím už tak nějak počítá. Snad se co nejdřív dočkáme 3. dílu!
Timothymu se v prvním díle podařilo získat velmi vzácného létajícího mounta. Díky tomu, se zapsal do opravdu krátkého seznamu hráčů, kterým se také povedlo získat létajícího mounta. Jak už to ale bývá, herní komunitě se to rozhodně nelíbí. Proč by taky měl nováček mít něco tak velmi vzácného? Proto se korporace rozhodne udělat dvoutýdenní lov na Timothyho. Stačí, aby náš hrdina zemřel a o mounta přijde. Jak jednoduché. Zatímco tedy Timothy utíká před svými pronásledovateli, dostává opravdu pestrou řadu nabídek od nejlepších klanů a objevuje krásy moře, protože se mu povedlo stát se kapitánem pirátské lodi, musí se vypořádat i s problémy v reálném světě, které jej nečekaně zastihly.
Hned po přečtení prvního dílu jsem se vrhl na díl druhý, který pokračuje přesně tam, kde první skončil. Kniha je plná zvratů a napínavých scén, které mám opravdu rád. Ale autorovi bych vytknul jednu věc – ani jednou nebyl v knize zmíněný seznam aktivních questů. Je to škoda, protože když se Timothymu na konci knihy podařilo splnit quest z prvního dílu, bylo to pro mě celkem překvapení, protože se autor jeho vývojem nijak nezaobíral a ani jednou ho za celou dobu nezmínil. Co mě ale opravdu potěšilo, byl malý Easter egg před koncem knihy v podobně odkazu na důl Pryke z LitRPG série Cesta šamana. Bohužel je v knize opět značné množství překlepů a vynechaných slov, ale při takové rychlosti překládání se s tím už tak nějak počítá. Snad se co nejdřív dočkáme 3. dílu!
June 14, 2019
Dieses Buch lässt mich echt etwas verwirrt zurück 🤷🏼♀️
Den Anfang fand ich langweilig, die Piraten Abenteuer in der Mitte klasse, das Ende grottig.
Und was der Autor leider absolut überhaupt null und gar nicht kann sind realistische Beziehungen und Emotionen zwischen zwei Charakteren 😄🙈.
Er: „Mhhhh, die ist hübsch“
Sie: „ hey, willst du nicht umsonst in meiner super tollen Wohnung wohnen?“
Andere Situation:
Er: „überwach mich nie wieder“
Sie: „willst du mit mir gehen?“
Was sind denn das bitte für Dialoge? Und die beiden kennen sich gefühlt zwei Tage, weil er ja sonst die ganze Zeit im Spiel ist.
Mal ganz davon abgesehen das der Herr Schlawiner in der digitalen Welt eine andere Ehefrau hat 😱 huiuiui
Also da ist aber mal noch ordentlich room for improvement!
Aber wie bereits zu Anfang gesagt fand ich die Kämpfe und Abenteuer auf hoher See ziemlich unterhaltsam.
Natürlich merkt man dem Buch an, das es in seiner Gesamtheit einige Mängel hat. Das sind, wie erwähnt, die Beziehungen, aber auch Vorstellungen von neuen Charakteren generell.
Manchmal hätte ich auch das Gefühl, das bestimmten charakteren künstlich mehr Wichtigkeit verliehen wird, obwohl man sie für den eigentlichen Plot auch komplett hätte weg lassen können.
Im grossen und ganzen bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob ich die Reihe tatsächlich weiter empfehlen würde. Wenn man gerne litRPG liest und eventuelle Wartepausen anderer Reihen überbrücken möchte, ist der Kräutersammler ein netter Zeitvertreib. Um sich generell an das Genre heran zu wagen, gibt es deutlich bessere Optionen 😉
Den Anfang fand ich langweilig, die Piraten Abenteuer in der Mitte klasse, das Ende grottig.
Und was der Autor leider absolut überhaupt null und gar nicht kann sind realistische Beziehungen und Emotionen zwischen zwei Charakteren 😄🙈.
Er: „Mhhhh, die ist hübsch“
Sie: „ hey, willst du nicht umsonst in meiner super tollen Wohnung wohnen?“
Andere Situation:
Er: „überwach mich nie wieder“
Sie: „willst du mit mir gehen?“
Was sind denn das bitte für Dialoge? Und die beiden kennen sich gefühlt zwei Tage, weil er ja sonst die ganze Zeit im Spiel ist.
Mal ganz davon abgesehen das der Herr Schlawiner in der digitalen Welt eine andere Ehefrau hat 😱 huiuiui
Also da ist aber mal noch ordentlich room for improvement!
Aber wie bereits zu Anfang gesagt fand ich die Kämpfe und Abenteuer auf hoher See ziemlich unterhaltsam.
Natürlich merkt man dem Buch an, das es in seiner Gesamtheit einige Mängel hat. Das sind, wie erwähnt, die Beziehungen, aber auch Vorstellungen von neuen Charakteren generell.
Manchmal hätte ich auch das Gefühl, das bestimmten charakteren künstlich mehr Wichtigkeit verliehen wird, obwohl man sie für den eigentlichen Plot auch komplett hätte weg lassen können.
Im grossen und ganzen bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob ich die Reihe tatsächlich weiter empfehlen würde. Wenn man gerne litRPG liest und eventuelle Wartepausen anderer Reihen überbrücken möchte, ist der Kräutersammler ein netter Zeitvertreib. Um sich generell an das Genre heran zu wagen, gibt es deutlich bessere Optionen 😉
December 25, 2025
Do pokračování jsem se pouštěla s poměrně vysokými očekáváními, protože úvod série mě opravdu bavil. Akce i děje je tu pořád dost a autor si udržuje svižné tempo, díky kterému se kniha čte lehce a rychle. Herní svět i jeho pravidla zůstávají zajímavá a je znát, že autor má celý koncept dobře promyšlený.
Tentokrát mě ale výrazně brzdila jedna z hlavních postav. Taisha, která mi nebyla sympatická už v prvním díle, zde dostává mnohem více prostoru a moje averze k ní se tím jen prohloubila. Často mě vytrhovala z příběhu a místo aby děj obohacovala, působila na mě spíš rušivě. Stejně tak mi úplně nesedl motiv NPC ovlivňujícího reálný svět.
Celkově na mě tento díl působí jako slabší pokračování. Má své světlé momenty a potenciál série rozhodně nezmizel, ale nedokázal mě vtáhnout tak jako první kniha. Přesto ji zatím úplně neopouštím a budu zvědavá, jestli se v dalších dílech autor znovu trefí do toho, co mě na začátku dokázalo nadchnout.
Tentokrát mě ale výrazně brzdila jedna z hlavních postav. Taisha, která mi nebyla sympatická už v prvním díle, zde dostává mnohem více prostoru a moje averze k ní se tím jen prohloubila. Často mě vytrhovala z příběhu a místo aby děj obohacovala, působila na mě spíš rušivě. Stejně tak mi úplně nesedl motiv NPC ovlivňujícího reálný svět.
Celkově na mě tento díl působí jako slabší pokračování. Má své světlé momenty a potenciál série rozhodně nezmizel, ale nedokázal mě vtáhnout tak jako první kniha. Přesto ji zatím úplně neopouštím a budu zvědavá, jestli se v dalších dílech autor znovu trefí do toho, co mě na začátku dokázalo nadchnout.
June 13, 2017
Litrpg with a good plot. It is a good sequel to the previous novel. The climax was pretty intense for a litrpg. I liked it. Alex, thanks for this recommendation.
February 24, 2018
More of the same, which is quite good.
July 17, 2021
The real-life drama in this book just went OTT and nothing really came out of it; there wasn't a payoff for anything to be taken truly seriously.
The DHS scene was built up as a big thing, but then the police weren't looking for Tim even after he stole an ambulance. And his girlfriend's security team up and solved everything (twice, I'll get to the second later). In DHS, after he finds out that the criminals of his old neighbourhood are on the hunt for him (why the fuck would they be expending this much energy on one dude and his sister is beyond me, instead of just trying to shake down other people WHO STILL LIVE IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD???), he spends a paragraph or so stating that he was raised better than to ever hit a woman - but on reflex in book 1, he slapped Kira (his girlfriend, might I add) when she slapped him; his cheek stung a little, but Kira went down to the ground and he had to help her stand - I mean, really???
Val's attempted "suicide" didn't occur (Thank goodness! And I guess I did enjoy the author debunking the "digitization" myth for his series); but then the hospital just allowed her to hook up a huge virtual capsule in her room so she could play the game while she stayed there for the prostheses (why the novel uses "biotic" instead of "bionic" is a mystery) - the doctor's explanation was that the sensor electrodes stimulate the muscle response, but still, that's a huge draw on hospital resources just so a patient can play a video game four hours a day, not counting whether she needs transport help without her wheelchair (brand new I might add) - so yeah - busted her wheelchair while escaping DHS, received a brand new one, got a high-end virtual reality capsule and immediately tried to "digitise" her consciousness by taking sleeping pills, now is in the hospital and immediately up for undergoing bionic legs - all in one book, that shares plot with a video game
Then there was Jane, oh Jane, she went from temptress to rat-snake in like, two seconds, and it just seemed super-weird. Again, the criminals of his other neighbourhood are just so intent on tracking him down because he evaded paying protection money due to HIM AND HIS SISTER MOVING!! But then he's tied up and the criminals spend more time threatening and explaining what they're going to do and why rather than actually doing anything, giving his gf's security team ample time to come and save him, even after setting up surveillance equipment in an empty room on an opposite building.
I really don't understand the author's obsession with talking about female stuff when it's my understanding that women don't really talk like that - I mean, they might mention stuff vaguely and then handle things themselves, but for Kira to keep talking to Tim about his sister's "growing breasts" situation was just awkward. I think that's the problem, more than the mentioning - everytime it comes up, it's all just awkward or it has some nefarious purpose. (Veronica and her character should really have been left out, because all of that is being handled in really bad taste.)
Another thing the author does is to contantly refer to everyone by full names (both in-game and out-of-game), excepting a handful of people. We know who Max is, we don't need his surname every time he's mentioned. We don't need to read Miriam Standing_Right_Behind_You [GOONS] every single time - Miriam is just fine!
I really think this book could have benefited from spending less time in the real world and more time in the game, because the game is far more interesting than all the pointless drama in the real world. The book spent fourteen chapters talking about the hunt for his character, which because of Val's attempt and Tim's disconnect after he posted a video explaining the situation, ended in three days - fourteen chapters and it was only three day's (night's) worth of gaming, instead of the full two weeks?? And the company was okay with everything because they found someone else willing to stand in as a substitute hunt victim, who also had a unique mount - not to mention the nearly six hundred thousand credits the company transferred to Tim's bank account over the past two days, which they were fine with. It's more like the author didn't try to write Tim's character actively avoiding better players and levelling up while doing so for two weeks, because it would have been too hard to come up with increasingly difficult scenarios. I mean it - the video game content is far more interesting than anything going on with Tim's RL
Less impressed with/interested in Book 2's RL stuff than with Book 1's scenarios. The game stuff is getting pretty good, but I stand by my statement that the character is a dumbass for dumping points into Charisma with every level up and not raising his Intelligence or Perception AT ALL - it's a joke, honestly! His Ch is plenty high for a goblin; he needs to focus on I and P since they affect more of his skills - he's constantly told in-game that his I is too low to recognise objects but the dumbass refuses to increase his I with points
The DHS scene was built up as a big thing, but then the police weren't looking for Tim even after he stole an ambulance. And his girlfriend's security team up and solved everything (twice, I'll get to the second later). In DHS, after he finds out that the criminals of his old neighbourhood are on the hunt for him (why the fuck would they be expending this much energy on one dude and his sister is beyond me, instead of just trying to shake down other people WHO STILL LIVE IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD???), he spends a paragraph or so stating that he was raised better than to ever hit a woman - but on reflex in book 1, he slapped Kira (his girlfriend, might I add) when she slapped him; his cheek stung a little, but Kira went down to the ground and he had to help her stand - I mean, really???
Val's attempted "suicide" didn't occur (Thank goodness! And I guess I did enjoy the author debunking the "digitization" myth for his series); but then the hospital just allowed her to hook up a huge virtual capsule in her room so she could play the game while she stayed there for the prostheses (why the novel uses "biotic" instead of "bionic" is a mystery) - the doctor's explanation was that the sensor electrodes stimulate the muscle response, but still, that's a huge draw on hospital resources just so a patient can play a video game four hours a day, not counting whether she needs transport help without her wheelchair (brand new I might add) - so yeah - busted her wheelchair while escaping DHS, received a brand new one, got a high-end virtual reality capsule and immediately tried to "digitise" her consciousness by taking sleeping pills, now is in the hospital and immediately up for undergoing bionic legs - all in one book, that shares plot with a video game
Then there was Jane, oh Jane, she went from temptress to rat-snake in like, two seconds, and it just seemed super-weird. Again, the criminals of his other neighbourhood are just so intent on tracking him down because he evaded paying protection money due to HIM AND HIS SISTER MOVING!! But then he's tied up and the criminals spend more time threatening and explaining what they're going to do and why rather than actually doing anything, giving his gf's security team ample time to come and save him, even after setting up surveillance equipment in an empty room on an opposite building.
I really don't understand the author's obsession with talking about female stuff when it's my understanding that women don't really talk like that - I mean, they might mention stuff vaguely and then handle things themselves, but for Kira to keep talking to Tim about his sister's "growing breasts" situation was just awkward. I think that's the problem, more than the mentioning - everytime it comes up, it's all just awkward or it has some nefarious purpose. (Veronica and her character should really have been left out, because all of that is being handled in really bad taste.)
Another thing the author does is to contantly refer to everyone by full names (both in-game and out-of-game), excepting a handful of people. We know who Max is, we don't need his surname every time he's mentioned. We don't need to read Miriam Standing_Right_Behind_You [GOONS] every single time - Miriam is just fine!
I really think this book could have benefited from spending less time in the real world and more time in the game, because the game is far more interesting than all the pointless drama in the real world. The book spent fourteen chapters talking about the hunt for his character, which because of Val's attempt and Tim's disconnect after he posted a video explaining the situation, ended in three days - fourteen chapters and it was only three day's (night's) worth of gaming, instead of the full two weeks?? And the company was okay with everything because they found someone else willing to stand in as a substitute hunt victim, who also had a unique mount - not to mention the nearly six hundred thousand credits the company transferred to Tim's bank account over the past two days, which they were fine with. It's more like the author didn't try to write Tim's character actively avoiding better players and levelling up while doing so for two weeks, because it would have been too hard to come up with increasingly difficult scenarios. I mean it - the video game content is far more interesting than anything going on with Tim's RL
Less impressed with/interested in Book 2's RL stuff than with Book 1's scenarios. The game stuff is getting pretty good, but I stand by my statement that the character is a dumbass for dumping points into Charisma with every level up and not raising his Intelligence or Perception AT ALL - it's a joke, honestly! His Ch is plenty high for a goblin; he needs to focus on I and P since they affect more of his skills - he's constantly told in-game that his I is too low to recognise objects but the dumbass refuses to increase his I with points
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2024
RPG story has suddenly turned into psychological thriller :(
Upset, but must admit it is a great book
Upset, but must admit it is a great book
June 2, 2017
Great book 2
The adventures of Amra , vampire goblin continue. This book introduces swashbuckling joy, betrayal, and OOG chicanery. I can honestly say I can't wait for the next installment of this series; or for the audiobook to drop.
The adventures of Amra , vampire goblin continue. This book introduces swashbuckling joy, betrayal, and OOG chicanery. I can honestly say I can't wait for the next installment of this series; or for the audiobook to drop.
February 26, 2018
The second book of the The Dark Herbalist series. Honestly, I do not know what to think of it. At moments I thought the plot was really good. Other times the muscles that cause my eyes to roll were getting quite a work out. All in all it is not a bad book. As with the previous book in this series, I debated with myself as to whether to give this book two stars or three stars and ultimately decided on three stars, which is what I would give to a good book.
The book takes place in the future when there are flying cars which can cause in-air accidents easily enough, virtual reality machines where it can be difficult to deduce from reality when immersed within them, bank accounts where account security is almost negligible, and what appears to be no government taxation system present. Much of the story also takes place within a virtual reality MMO with a quest system and artificial intelligence far more advanced than what can be created today run by a company that has failed to learn certain lessons of MMOs of the past.
My advice if you are considering reading this book/series is to assess your enjoyment in fantasy-type books. Then strip away all expectations. If you come into this book with low expectations, you will likely find it much more enjoyable to read.
The book takes place in the future when there are flying cars which can cause in-air accidents easily enough, virtual reality machines where it can be difficult to deduce from reality when immersed within them, bank accounts where account security is almost negligible, and what appears to be no government taxation system present. Much of the story also takes place within a virtual reality MMO with a quest system and artificial intelligence far more advanced than what can be created today run by a company that has failed to learn certain lessons of MMOs of the past.
My advice if you are considering reading this book/series is to assess your enjoyment in fantasy-type books. Then strip away all expectations. If you come into this book with low expectations, you will likely find it much more enjoyable to read.
July 11, 2017
Excellent sequel. Look forward to book 3
Excellent sequel. Look forward to book 3.
Great pacing. Fun loot. Creative strategies. One of my favorite litrpg authors and I've read most of the books in the genre.
Excellent sequel. Look forward to book 3.
Great pacing. Fun loot. Creative strategies. One of my favorite litrpg authors and I've read most of the books in the genre.
September 2, 2020
Last book had finality but, instead, went down to a trickle. We begin book two at that trickle pace with no excitement whatsoever. Just a lackluster conclusion of book 1 which leads to a bad start for this book. The hunt was somewhat enjoyable, but this MC just solves everything too easily. Even in dire circumstances everything always gets solved far too easily.
I did enjoy MC's sister and her analysis of game mechanics to play to their advantage
And, as others have said, the author's portrayal of women is just deplorable.
I did enjoy MC's sister and her analysis of game mechanics to play to their advantage
And, as others have said, the author's portrayal of women is just deplorable.
June 21, 2017
A standout book in this genre, highly recommended
Started nnook 1 with some trepidation because so many litrpg books are tiresome and formulaic, not thidd series! Loved the story and the charecters, i cared about them and am looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended
Started nnook 1 with some trepidation because so many litrpg books are tiresome and formulaic, not thidd series! Loved the story and the charecters, i cared about them and am looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended
April 30, 2019
This was great 4☆
December 4, 2018
Another good volume. Enjoying these.
March 27, 2022
Once again. I got sucked in the book, BUT - known problems persisted mainly:
1) Problems are usually presented as a big deal, but in the end they are just minor inconvenience. Anything game related, boss related, relationship related and main character gets things for free just because....
2) World is inconsistent and numbers are just thrown around. MMO like (loot PvP) would not stand a chance in this world and when you start thinking about numbers, it just dones not add up...
Lets say that you have city where rent in semi-criminal outskirts are 400, not in the city center, but solid part of the city 700 credits per month. Then on the other side you receive information that another tester is streaming and you gain access to the stream for price of 10 credits per day which results in 300 credits per month. She got massive 7-8 thousands followers. So 7-8 thousand people were paying 75% of rent value in megapolis for "super" quality content of naked flirty lady that is low level. Yes, I am aware that onlyfans exists, but from what I read subscriptions are 10-40 USD and then you can buy photos and guys actually paying around 200USD/month are uncommon. Imagining that 7000 guys would pay 1500-2000USD (I am comparing it to rent in LA) to starting adult content creator is absurd - this would come to range around 10MUSD per month equivalent to our world. With that massive universe and game being on for 3-5 years I suppose Veronica would not be first one to come with this kind of content...
PS: I went to check data on statista and Bella Thorn is second in estimated monthly earning of 11MUSD per month, Mia Khalifa is 5th with earnings of 6,5MUSD per month (and it is out of 0,5M subscribers). So yeah, totally realistic for someone playing TWO weeks without existing audience prior to start of playin
1) Problems are usually presented as a big deal, but in the end they are just minor inconvenience. Anything game related, boss related, relationship related and main character gets things for free just because....
2) World is inconsistent and numbers are just thrown around. MMO like (loot PvP) would not stand a chance in this world and when you start thinking about numbers, it just dones not add up...
Lets say that you have city where rent in semi-criminal outskirts are 400, not in the city center, but solid part of the city 700 credits per month. Then on the other side you receive information that another tester is streaming and you gain access to the stream for price of 10 credits per day which results in 300 credits per month. She got massive 7-8 thousands followers. So 7-8 thousand people were paying 75% of rent value in megapolis for "super" quality content of naked flirty lady that is low level. Yes, I am aware that onlyfans exists, but from what I read subscriptions are 10-40 USD and then you can buy photos and guys actually paying around 200USD/month are uncommon. Imagining that 7000 guys would pay 1500-2000USD (I am comparing it to rent in LA) to starting adult content creator is absurd - this would come to range around 10MUSD per month equivalent to our world. With that massive universe and game being on for 3-5 years I suppose Veronica would not be first one to come with this kind of content...
PS: I went to check data on statista and Bella Thorn is second in estimated monthly earning of 11MUSD per month, Mia Khalifa is 5th with earnings of 6,5MUSD per month (and it is out of 0,5M subscribers). So yeah, totally realistic for someone playing TWO weeks without existing audience prior to start of playin
April 24, 2022
DNF @ 23%.
I couldn't finish this book. While I genuinely wanted to give the series a second chance, it simply wasn't possible. After reading others reviews, it was easy to see how other naysayers drew their conclusions. It really does seem as if the author has a very limited view of the women he writes. They're either walking sex dolls, ditzy, or scheming to for power with their body alone.
As well, the response of the game company to their players outrage over this mount didn't seem believable. They're trying to hide the fact that he's an employee. Yet, they want to create this worldwide quest that has his character as the "Boss" players need to be to drop the mount. In no way does this come across as an actual every day player. How could possibly get any person to agree to losing a rare mount they through fair means acquired and raised of their own hard work? Even with all of the rewards stipulated. It seems more that this is plot the author wanted to help realize. However, it came off as extremely forced and unbelievable. There are so many other routes that the gaming company could have taken to assuage their outrage and promote the gameplay/further increase interest. I have never known a company to so easily acquiesce to the outcry of their player base. What is that saying? "Even bad publicity, is good publicity"?
One of my highlights/notes lists the idea I came up with for resolving the issue. It honestly makes more sense to me. I wish the author all the best. His story/reason for writing is moving, to say the least. I just find it difficult to enjoy this book series.
I couldn't finish this book. While I genuinely wanted to give the series a second chance, it simply wasn't possible. After reading others reviews, it was easy to see how other naysayers drew their conclusions. It really does seem as if the author has a very limited view of the women he writes. They're either walking sex dolls, ditzy, or scheming to for power with their body alone.
As well, the response of the game company to their players outrage over this mount didn't seem believable. They're trying to hide the fact that he's an employee. Yet, they want to create this worldwide quest that has his character as the "Boss" players need to be to drop the mount. In no way does this come across as an actual every day player. How could possibly get any person to agree to losing a rare mount they through fair means acquired and raised of their own hard work? Even with all of the rewards stipulated. It seems more that this is plot the author wanted to help realize. However, it came off as extremely forced and unbelievable. There are so many other routes that the gaming company could have taken to assuage their outrage and promote the gameplay/further increase interest. I have never known a company to so easily acquiesce to the outcry of their player base. What is that saying? "Even bad publicity, is good publicity"?
One of my highlights/notes lists the idea I came up with for resolving the issue. It honestly makes more sense to me. I wish the author all the best. His story/reason for writing is moving, to say the least. I just find it difficult to enjoy this book series.
June 17, 2017
17.6.2017 - 3,5*
Chápu, že žánr LitRPG tak nějak defaultně mívá vždy dobré konce a hrdinům se daří. Jelikož, hry jsou koneckonců taky konstruované tak, aby je hráč mohl vyhrát a bavil se. Tudíž, kolem a kolem, si nemůžu stěžovat, že to Tim měl až moc jednoduché.
Stejně mi to ale ke konci začalo brnkat na nervy.
Nakonec jsem dala půlhvězdičku nahoru, jelikož autor udržel laťku, bylo to zábavné, zkoumal svět. Pirátskou stránku příběhu jsem nečekala a překvapilo mě, jak moc mě to bavilo, a docela bych si přečetla i něco v podobném duchu. :)
The Dark Herbalist není mým nejoblíběnějším LitRPG, ale spadá do takového lepšího průměru, a především si je věrné a drží laťku, což je možná lepší, než hektické skákání z absolutní dokonalosti k příšerné práci. Vím, co můžu čekat. :)
Chápu, že žánr LitRPG tak nějak defaultně mívá vždy dobré konce a hrdinům se daří. Jelikož, hry jsou koneckonců taky konstruované tak, aby je hráč mohl vyhrát a bavil se. Tudíž, kolem a kolem, si nemůžu stěžovat, že to Tim měl až moc jednoduché.
Stejně mi to ale ke konci začalo brnkat na nervy.
Nakonec jsem dala půlhvězdičku nahoru, jelikož autor udržel laťku, bylo to zábavné, zkoumal svět. Pirátskou stránku příběhu jsem nečekala a překvapilo mě, jak moc mě to bavilo, a docela bych si přečetla i něco v podobném duchu. :)
The Dark Herbalist není mým nejoblíběnějším LitRPG, ale spadá do takového lepšího průměru, a především si je věrné a drží laťku, což je možná lepší, než hektické skákání z absolutní dokonalosti k příšerné práci. Vím, co můžu čekat. :)
October 2, 2017
The Dark Herbalist manages to get out from under the shadow of Project Daily Grind with it's second book. The Great Hunt story line is different and events are fun and entertaining. I do also like that a fair amount happens outside the game world too.
All though, I getting a rather unfavorable impression on Russian society from all these books. It seems to be a given in these stories that there is a general state of lawlessness, corrupt police, ineffectual/absent government, and corporate power that is just taken as wrote. Violence over a game is common and expected, criminals are more often dealt with by private or corporate security rather than police. I've been chalking it up to a dystopian future type outlook for these books, but ALL the Russian translated books have it. Their views on their country and countrymen seem to be, without exception, negative and bleak. I know American's already tend to see them that way, but it's different seeing it from their point of view. It's sad. It comes off like they see it as the natural state of the world and all pervasive.
All though, I getting a rather unfavorable impression on Russian society from all these books. It seems to be a given in these stories that there is a general state of lawlessness, corrupt police, ineffectual/absent government, and corporate power that is just taken as wrote. Violence over a game is common and expected, criminals are more often dealt with by private or corporate security rather than police. I've been chalking it up to a dystopian future type outlook for these books, but ALL the Russian translated books have it. Their views on their country and countrymen seem to be, without exception, negative and bleak. I know American's already tend to see them that way, but it's different seeing it from their point of view. It's sad. It comes off like they see it as the natural state of the world and all pervasive.
November 17, 2017
Timothy's doing ok so far. In the game world of Boundless Realm, where he plays for his job as a plotline tester for the Boundless Realm Corporation, he might be a big-eared goblin, but he's a successful and talented big-eared goblin. A lot of players think he's entirely too successful. When it becomes known that Timothy has found a unique object the wrath of the players is unleashed at him and a lot of Boundless Realm's top, and high-rolling, players are most upset. The corporation has to placate them, right? So timothy finds himself the target of a ruthless hunt, lasting fourteen days. If anyone succeeds in catching and killing him he will almost certainly lose the precious thing he wants so very much to keep. When the whole world, both in game and out, envies and hates you who can you trust? Of course, there's Valeriana Quickfoot, AKA Valeria, Tim's beloved sister, and a very few other staunch friends, but will the lure of a flash of emerald in the sky be too much for them? Everyone can change sides.
This book was absolutely excellent. It had me on the edge of my seat a lot of the time, in tears some of the time, laughing quite a bit, it was just, as one of my friends says, all the things. I so want book 3.
This book was absolutely excellent. It had me on the edge of my seat a lot of the time, in tears some of the time, laughing quite a bit, it was just, as one of my friends says, all the things. I so want book 3.
May 17, 2021
Aj druhy diel je vynikajuci. Niektori sa vzrusuju nad tym, ako sa ani v tomto litrpg nedostava na silne zenske postavy, ale toto ja fakt neriesim a oddychovka to je fajna. Narozdiel od inych - zatial prelozenych litrpg knih - je tu uspokojivy pomer pribehovej linie v hre a mimo hry. Co sa tyka deus ex mašinky...mavnete rukou*. Samozrejme tam takych scen je viac, udeju sa a nasledne sa autor obhajuje/vysvetluje preco sa co stalo a preco je to v poho, ale vy chcete uverit ze to bolo v poho, tak idete dalej a tesite sa na dalsiu akciu. Aj ked, treba povedat, ze to levelovanie je oproti inym litrpg dost bezdopaminove. Len text, neviete kolko chyba do dalsieho levelu, proste dostane sto, tisic, miliardu XP a je to nicnehovoriace.
Cesky editor bol asi na dovolenke. Bambilion chyb.
...ale znova som mavol rukou*, tesim sa na dalsi diel.
(*ako taka Mavka. Haha.)
Cesky editor bol asi na dovolenke. Bambilion chyb.
...ale znova som mavol rukou*, tesim sa na dalsi diel.
(*ako taka Mavka. Haha.)
May 18, 2018
I like LitRPG for the boundless adventure. Therefore, for me, the background drama is only a positive if it informs or adds to the adventure somehow. In this second book in the series the author felt a need to flesh out the personal drama surrounding his main character. The author then uses that personal drama to conveniently give the MC everything he could want, including a convenient ending to this story.
On the plus side, the author writes scenes well and there is one central story line that does get resolved (albeit pretty ridiculously conveniently). So this book has a definite sense of resolution at its end, unlike the first book in this series.
Bottom line: I won't be rereading this book in the future but neither do I regret the time spent on it.
On the plus side, the author writes scenes well and there is one central story line that does get resolved (albeit pretty ridiculously conveniently). So this book has a definite sense of resolution at its end, unlike the first book in this series.
Bottom line: I won't be rereading this book in the future but neither do I regret the time spent on it.
July 28, 2017
Wonderful LitRPG book #2. Actually better than book 1.
Nice flowing plot in game, creative solutions. Even one of the better Real world description and motivation although that is pretty much impossible to do anyway.
I really like the analogy to current RPG where everybody stay on the beaten path of least resistance etc. and try to force and explore.
I like the non-combat character progression.
Funny how all LitRPG have PvP , "full loot" and "hardcore" servers where reality is totally opposite, but I guess it makes for better books.
I would have liked the protagonist not to be bad ass in the real world too.
Nice flowing plot in game, creative solutions. Even one of the better Real world description and motivation although that is pretty much impossible to do anyway.
I really like the analogy to current RPG where everybody stay on the beaten path of least resistance etc. and try to force and explore.
I like the non-combat character progression.
Funny how all LitRPG have PvP , "full loot" and "hardcore" servers where reality is totally opposite, but I guess it makes for better books.
I would have liked the protagonist not to be bad ass in the real world too.
October 9, 2017
Entertaining read, very well written
I recently discovered this genre and have found the stories interesting a d fast Paced. The hero is not overpowered and b used cunning instead of miracles.
The. Characters were engaging and well fleshed out. I cared what happened to them,cheering for the heroes and relishing the villains downfall. The book was more driven by story than game mechanics.
Please give this genre a try.
Finally, it is interesting to read fiction written from Russian authors. This book was not as overtly nationalistic as Akellas books but has the same flavor. pride in the little man fighting a system which is stacked against him.
I recently discovered this genre and have found the stories interesting a d fast Paced. The hero is not overpowered and b used cunning instead of miracles.
The. Characters were engaging and well fleshed out. I cared what happened to them,cheering for the heroes and relishing the villains downfall. The book was more driven by story than game mechanics.
Please give this genre a try.
Finally, it is interesting to read fiction written from Russian authors. This book was not as overtly nationalistic as Akellas books but has the same flavor. pride in the little man fighting a system which is stacked against him.
May 14, 2018
Again, the artifacts of Eastern Europe are there for readers, the story is believable (in its far-fetchedness) and fun. But, this one tackles some serious futurist and social questions, as well as asks the reader to consider chat forum trolls and other interesting, ephemeral social issues.
It was entertaining and the cover was still almost enough to trigger my *anxiety* and bite my tongue so I don’t get teased about by feed. Oh well!
People who like Way of the Shaman and The Land, etc, will most likely really enjoy this. Even when tackling serious issues and touching on a social commentary which seems too deep for such a cheesy goblin-clad cover, it’s relaxed and just plain fun.
It was entertaining and the cover was still almost enough to trigger my *anxiety* and bite my tongue so I don’t get teased about by feed. Oh well!
People who like Way of the Shaman and The Land, etc, will most likely really enjoy this. Even when tackling serious issues and touching on a social commentary which seems too deep for such a cheesy goblin-clad cover, it’s relaxed and just plain fun.
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