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Path of Graves
“The Light Pantheon rules from above. The Dark Pantheon rules from below. Together, they defeated the other divine races and became the masters of Etinhym.”
Eadric is the son of the Grave Queen, but he was raised in the Crown Realm as part of the alliance between the two pantheons. After reaching the age of eighteen, he’s finally able to choose the Path that will allow him to acquire demigod abilities and explore the many realms of Etinhym. Although his goal is to become a Grave Lord, serving under his mother, he finds himself following the trail of a conspiracy that threatens the Divine Pact that has kept the jotuns, the valkyries, the greater demons, and the dragons from uniting against the gods.
Eadric’s story will take him through strange realms—from a spatially disjointed forest that twists and turns on itself to a living ocean of blood and even a skyscape full of floating castles. He’ll also have to face off against strange monsters, corrupted spirits, and even towering abominations. If he fails, then the war that follows will likely be the last war Etinhym ever sees—a war that will surely lead to the extermination of the human race.
***This book contains RPG elements, harsh language in a few chapters, and violent descriptions.***
Eadric is the son of the Grave Queen, but he was raised in the Crown Realm as part of the alliance between the two pantheons. After reaching the age of eighteen, he’s finally able to choose the Path that will allow him to acquire demigod abilities and explore the many realms of Etinhym. Although his goal is to become a Grave Lord, serving under his mother, he finds himself following the trail of a conspiracy that threatens the Divine Pact that has kept the jotuns, the valkyries, the greater demons, and the dragons from uniting against the gods.
Eadric’s story will take him through strange realms—from a spatially disjointed forest that twists and turns on itself to a living ocean of blood and even a skyscape full of floating castles. He’ll also have to face off against strange monsters, corrupted spirits, and even towering abominations. If he fails, then the war that follows will likely be the last war Etinhym ever sees—a war that will surely lead to the extermination of the human race.
***This book contains RPG elements, harsh language in a few chapters, and violent descriptions.***
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2020
275 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
E.A. Hooper
12 books123 followersEA Hooper is a lifelong storyteller. As a child he made stories with action figures or legos that would go for months on end. In elementary school he made comics during classes. Then in middle school he started writing stories in notebooks for his friends to read, beginning his pursuit of becoming a writer. Eventually he went to Austin Peay State University and earned a Bachelors Degree in English in 2013. He now lives with his wife and their cats.
You can follow him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authoreahooper
Or twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_EAHooper
Or check his website: https://eahooper.com
You can follow him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authoreahooper
Or twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_EAHooper
Or check his website: https://eahooper.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 16, 2021
Read thru about halfway, the main character is still a total jerk. I'm sure he'll have a harsh comeuppance somewhere in the book, but I had to stop.
I couldn't sympathise with him at all, and I wasn't enjoying the reading.
I couldn't sympathise with him at all, and I wasn't enjoying the reading.
August 29, 2020
I like YA sometimes DNF
But this isn’t for me unfortunately. The characters read like cardboard. I couldn’t make it past 30%. I’ve tried this author before and had similar thoughts. I think I’ll be avoiding this author in the future.
But this isn’t for me unfortunately. The characters read like cardboard. I couldn’t make it past 30%. I’ve tried this author before and had similar thoughts. I think I’ll be avoiding this author in the future.
September 11, 2020
Got a fifth of the way through and am calling it done.
The main character is not likable, the fighting system is a joke. At no point was I intrigued by the story. This one misses on multiple points.
The main character is not likable, the fighting system is a joke. At no point was I intrigued by the story. This one misses on multiple points.
February 20, 2021
I have very mixed feelings about this book. There were little gems in that made me think this book could be more than it was. I liked the fight scenes. They were fairly well written and the limitations of the protagonists abilities were easy to follow with the gamified combat system. The world building was generally engaging and I found the author added some interesting little twists on old concepts in fantasy.
But this books character work and dialogue were painful. I read this book in audio format and I think that further hampered my experience of the book. As the narrator had the protagonist sounding like a petulant child instead of a feared demigod, making his gruff talk feel forced and cringeworthy. All the worst cliches in fantasy are on display here as well, from instant love to every female character feeling like a placemat to fulfil the protagonist's whims.
And even worse than all these other issues is after making the effort to slog through this book, it ends on a cliffhanger. What makes it especially egregious is the fact that I know it would've taken only a chapter or two to give me a somewhat satisfying ending.
Ending poorly, is not the only issue with the plot. The whole thing reads as a questing fantasy but is written like it's supposed to be an epic. The joys of reading a questing fantasy are the time spent with characters and the interesting conversations that occur in the downtime. Instead the characters in this book read like arrogant assholes, cowering damsels in distress, over the top villains (without the charm that can sometimes make them work) and sidekicks with as much personality as an Oblivion NPC.
If you enjoy good world building, interesting fight scenes and can ignore some serious flaws then I'd probably recommend this book. But I wouldn't chosen to read this book if I knew then what I know now.
5/10
But this books character work and dialogue were painful. I read this book in audio format and I think that further hampered my experience of the book. As the narrator had the protagonist sounding like a petulant child instead of a feared demigod, making his gruff talk feel forced and cringeworthy. All the worst cliches in fantasy are on display here as well, from instant love to every female character feeling like a placemat to fulfil the protagonist's whims.
And even worse than all these other issues is after making the effort to slog through this book, it ends on a cliffhanger. What makes it especially egregious is the fact that I know it would've taken only a chapter or two to give me a somewhat satisfying ending.
Ending poorly, is not the only issue with the plot. The whole thing reads as a questing fantasy but is written like it's supposed to be an epic. The joys of reading a questing fantasy are the time spent with characters and the interesting conversations that occur in the downtime. Instead the characters in this book read like arrogant assholes, cowering damsels in distress, over the top villains (without the charm that can sometimes make them work) and sidekicks with as much personality as an Oblivion NPC.
If you enjoy good world building, interesting fight scenes and can ignore some serious flaws then I'd probably recommend this book. But I wouldn't chosen to read this book if I knew then what I know now.
5/10
August 7, 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
September 1, 2020
Did not work for me. Language was modern while the setting was medieval fantasy, which was constantly jarring. Characters didn't feel authentic or fleshed out enough. Also like most lit RPGs, everything is too simplistic, finite and defined by a number that we're constantly made aware of. I've yet to read any lit RPG where the literature is the foreground and RPG elements take a supportive backseat. Usually the reader is constantly made aware of the numbers, which makes it feel like its just a game and not real, and takes away any sense of tension or threat. I want the books I read, especially mediaeval fantasy, to feel real and visceral.
July 14, 2020
An epic that twists litrpg with a pantheon
Once I started reading I had a hard time putting this down! The main character seems like a bit of a jerk, but it isn't enough to make you root against him. The other characters feel great and important in their world of gods and monsters and I'm excited to read the sequel! Definitely a must-read if you're a fan of adventure and good storytelling!
Once I started reading I had a hard time putting this down! The main character seems like a bit of a jerk, but it isn't enough to make you root against him. The other characters feel great and important in their world of gods and monsters and I'm excited to read the sequel! Definitely a must-read if you're a fan of adventure and good storytelling!
July 14, 2020
Good first book - interesting concept
I enjoyed this story for two reasons:
1) though the main character is an asshole for a good chunk of the book, he feels redeemable and you see real growth. He doesn’t remain inflexible in his ideas being challenged or the world proving his thoughts wrong.
2) the magic system is very interesting. The heart health system makes the combat feel very real, in a way I wouldn’t have expected from the description.
I will read book 2.
I enjoyed this story for two reasons:
1) though the main character is an asshole for a good chunk of the book, he feels redeemable and you see real growth. He doesn’t remain inflexible in his ideas being challenged or the world proving his thoughts wrong.
2) the magic system is very interesting. The heart health system makes the combat feel very real, in a way I wouldn’t have expected from the description.
I will read book 2.
August 24, 2020
Great Book
I really enjoyed the world tree series that Mr Hooper wrote so when I saw that he had started a new series I bought it right away. I loved this first book and can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
I really enjoyed the world tree series that Mr Hooper wrote so when I saw that he had started a new series I bought it right away. I loved this first book and can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
December 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
The main character has a distinct asshole streak in his character. The story, setting, and world building make it fit perfectly. The author did any excellent job on the characters. Definitely going to continue the story.
The main character has a distinct asshole streak in his character. The story, setting, and world building make it fit perfectly. The author did any excellent job on the characters. Definitely going to continue the story.
July 26, 2025
An interesting and immersive tale
I like the characters and how the main character slowly shifts some of his views as he meets more people.
He has some serious fights, meets some allies, and starts to uncover a major threat to their worlds.
Looking forward to the next book!
I like the characters and how the main character slowly shifts some of his views as he meets more people.
He has some serious fights, meets some allies, and starts to uncover a major threat to their worlds.
Looking forward to the next book!
July 17, 2020
We love it we do.
This was such a great book from start to finish I was totally enthralled.i really like this book.
Read the book.
This was such a great book from start to finish I was totally enthralled.i really like this book.
Read the book.
July 21, 2020
Unique and Epic
Another unique story from E.A Hooper filled with Epic quests and battle scenes. Loving the mechanics and story so far. Can’t wait for the next one!
Another unique story from E.A Hooper filled with Epic quests and battle scenes. Loving the mechanics and story so far. Can’t wait for the next one!
July 30, 2020
Great novel
Path of Graves has great power scaling, character development, world building and amazing visual fight scenes. looking forward to the sequel.
Path of Graves has great power scaling, character development, world building and amazing visual fight scenes. looking forward to the sequel.
September 6, 2020
Great book
After reading World Tree online i was recommended this book and wow did I love it! I really enjoyed the main character and the fun new world!
After reading World Tree online i was recommended this book and wow did I love it! I really enjoyed the main character and the fun new world!
October 12, 2020
Why is there a word count?
Very good book, I normally don't leave reviews due to the word requirement but I wanted to because this is a 5 star book
Very good book, I normally don't leave reviews due to the word requirement but I wanted to because this is a 5 star book
January 18, 2021
Enjoyable
Once again Hooper has brought me into a world of excitement. I eagerly await the next book in this series.
Once again Hooper has brought me into a world of excitement. I eagerly await the next book in this series.
February 16, 2021
The best of LitRPG
Truly some of the best litRPG there is to offer. And this is coming from one who has read hundreds of them.
Truly some of the best litRPG there is to offer. And this is coming from one who has read hundreds of them.
May 12, 2021
Good
Pretty good but the constant foreshadowing got annoying quickly. Once or twice is fine but when its happening constantly it really takes me out of the story.
Pretty good but the constant foreshadowing got annoying quickly. Once or twice is fine but when its happening constantly it really takes me out of the story.
December 1, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
Read
April 22, 2022Gave this book a try because I liked World Tree by the same author. This one didn't scratch the same itch.
More of a final fantasy vibe.
More of a final fantasy vibe.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews