Allies

Modern Paladin #2

by Arthur A. Bramlett

Settling into the game takes time.

Even after several months of living in the body of Archaeus, William is still coming to terms with what life is like in this strange new world as his tabletop Paladin, but he quickly finds that he has only scratched the surface of what is going on.

Things are looking up, until the town he is charged with falls under attack. His might alone can not protect his people, and he takes on several new protégé on his way to discovering the truths that surround him.

William does his best to meet these new challenges and finds out that he is not alone in the trials he is working to overcome. Unfortunately, he quickly realizes that playing as Archaeus with Dice and Paper and actually being Archaeus are two very different things, and he has a long way to go if he’s going to walk the road that lies ahead.

Genres: Fantasy

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Ross Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the portal fantasy series sees the accidental Paladin trying to help his current and new townsfolk to level up. Where the first book was a more enjoyable read than standard LitRPG style books was the almost complete lack of leveling and game mechanics, there is more in this book. But as the reader has a good grounding in the world now this is less intrusive than it would be otherwise, and it is still pretty low-key.
The main character finds some goblins making trouble in his neighborhood. But without a mom to get scared after his one little fight, instead of relocating he takes the fight to the goblins.
Enjoyable read with a great balance between game-world mechanics and flowing, engaging prose.

[Troy Osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different gamelit/litRPG. Playing as the role playing characters and having to follow those roles is unique. The set up for future books has me excited to read more.

Kreego is awesome.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arkais and Christina have become a couple. Arkais solidified his position with the King of the land, gaining the title of Baron after taking possession of Freed from Baron Lindmier (Mr. Monopoly). In the continuing story, Arkais proceeded to develop his new town; strengthening the defense, expanding, and training the citizens. All was going well but the Goblins from the UnderRealm had other plans. With a surprisingly organized effort, the Goblin War began. Modern Paladin is an easy-going, light-hearted LitRPG. The characters are great and the relationship between Arkais and Christina is heart-warming. I’ve discovered only these two books, which is a shame, as I would enjoy listening to more of this series.
I don’t understand the bad reviews. Maybe these people never played an MMO or RPG. It’s a fantasy tale incorporating D&D rules, not history, go with it and just enjoy the story. Geez!

[Jason Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was pretty exciting and managed to make all the characters sound pretty different. Some new characters are introduced in the story and some cool twists and turns are in the book. I graded this book down because I don't really think it should be LitRPG. There isn't much reference to improving on tech trees, and the characters' new abilities (which is the most exciting part of LitRPG) hardly happens. If all of the gamification was removed and it was just told as a simple Wizard of Oz-like story, it would work just as well.

[Crissy Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

With gamers stuck in a world where they must stay in character things can be.... Complicated. As a paladin, William isn't too put out, but he finds one of his friends from the real world that has more unique problems. I love that they delve into the problem a bit without getting too deep. There is also the added issue that the two characters can not speak out of character, not even to each other.

It's a very unique take on the litrpg theme, and I quite enjoy it.

[Andrew J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

Good second book and I enjoyed the story line. Characters are well thought out and I can fell the frustration the MC has with his inability to talk about his home world.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slice of life sometimes but still a good solid story I want to

A little slice of life sometimes but still a good solid story I want to know the rest of. Will have to wait for the rest of the story.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sequel. I enjoyed the plot of this book. Bringing up the weaker generation made it feel like there were higher stakes. The MC actually struggled with some of battlew.

[Vulpes · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 3.5, it was fun and a lot more happened than in the first book, although I was so disappointed there was no ending to Archaeus' story, and no other book afterwards. :(

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

What really irritated me about this is that you don't see the MC trying to work around things he knows but his character doesn't. Oh, he can't talk about it directly? He gives it up as impossible, instead of trying to do any number of things that might have told characters in a more roundabout way.
Another thing that was... Jarring, was that sometimes we'd see things from Archeus' point of view instead of the main character, for example when Archeus is unaware about the details of a monster, and other times it is from the point of view of the main character, like how he can't portray information about a thing because his character wouldn't know it - Pick a lane. Either we go through the frustration of not knowing, or of knowing and not being able to do anything with that knowledge. I was fine with either of those issues alone, but not both, except as a one time thing, MAYBE.