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Legends of Ascension #1
Vagrant Sword
In the savage dominions of Ashadar, there exists a structure unlike any other, a tower that reaches to the very heavens themselves. Built by the greater god Helion, each floor is like a vast and ever changing realm equipped with its own challenges, its own dangers, and its own rewards for those willing to risk it all. And for any strong enough to reach the tower’s peak comes the right to fight for the ultimate prize...
Valin Frost was a common thief from earth with little desire to risk his life in the tower. However, a twist of fate plunged him through its large, onyx doors. Now, Valin must join the ranks of the mana wielders, master his abilities, and learn how to fight if he plans on surviving the trials of Helion’s tower... and perhaps, one day carving his name into the book of legends.
This is a tower ascension novel with litrpg and cultivation elements.
Valin Frost was a common thief from earth with little desire to risk his life in the tower. However, a twist of fate plunged him through its large, onyx doors. Now, Valin must join the ranks of the mana wielders, master his abilities, and learn how to fight if he plans on surviving the trials of Helion’s tower... and perhaps, one day carving his name into the book of legends.
This is a tower ascension novel with litrpg and cultivation elements.
- GenresFantasy
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2020
252 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 27, 2021
Very good litRPG
I was pulled in the entire time I read this book. My only regret is that it wasn't longer! 10/10
I was pulled in the entire time I read this book. My only regret is that it wasn't longer! 10/10
October 27, 2021
The biggest issue in this book was the sheer amount of editing errors. This seriously needed another edit or three.
Some examples in the first 35ish pages:
"Below him lied a" should be lay (this was a continuous problem throughout the book)
"he began to mise a response," mise???
"“Were only on the first floor,”" should be we're
"woman trudged away, he rapier once again" should be her
I don’t typically make a big deal about editing, but in this case it just felt constant in the beginning. I’m not 100% sure if it got better or I noticed it less as the book continued.
For those who enjoy crunchier litrpg, look elsewhere because this is not it. There are some numbers, but it isn’t really clear what they mean. Numbers are provided without real context. A percentage increase in his mana regeneration doesn’t really mean anything when we aren’t provided with that stats that he had previously or after the fact. What is high resistance in comparison to light? I have no clue.
At the end of this book what do I know about our MC? Very little if I’m honest. He is a thief. He was good at it. He claims to be quick of wit, but I think it is easy to say and hard to write. I didn’t find him particularly clever and felt his quips to be lacking, but that is a matter of opinion I suppose.
The relationship in this story isn’t well developed. It's just one of those “at first sight” kinda things. Which makes it feel bland, unearned and forced in.
I’m not saying this book didn’t have any enjoyable features. I like the fact that our MC is shocked with the reality of the brutality of the tower and has a realistic reaction to it. I think the MCs signet has a lot of potential to be useful, powerful, and fun. It does deliver on the tower ascension premise (unlike Tower Climber’s first book). The action is fairly quick paced. So, it really depends on what you want to get out of your litrpg if you’ll enjoy this.
Some examples in the first 35ish pages:
"Below him lied a" should be lay (this was a continuous problem throughout the book)
"he began to mise a response," mise???
"“Were only on the first floor,”" should be we're
"woman trudged away, he rapier once again" should be her
I don’t typically make a big deal about editing, but in this case it just felt constant in the beginning. I’m not 100% sure if it got better or I noticed it less as the book continued.
For those who enjoy crunchier litrpg, look elsewhere because this is not it. There are some numbers, but it isn’t really clear what they mean. Numbers are provided without real context. A percentage increase in his mana regeneration doesn’t really mean anything when we aren’t provided with that stats that he had previously or after the fact. What is high resistance in comparison to light? I have no clue.
At the end of this book what do I know about our MC? Very little if I’m honest. He is a thief. He was good at it. He claims to be quick of wit, but I think it is easy to say and hard to write. I didn’t find him particularly clever and felt his quips to be lacking, but that is a matter of opinion I suppose.
The relationship in this story isn’t well developed. It's just one of those “at first sight” kinda things. Which makes it feel bland, unearned and forced in.
I’m not saying this book didn’t have any enjoyable features. I like the fact that our MC is shocked with the reality of the brutality of the tower and has a realistic reaction to it. I think the MCs signet has a lot of potential to be useful, powerful, and fun. It does deliver on the tower ascension premise (unlike Tower Climber’s first book). The action is fairly quick paced. So, it really depends on what you want to get out of your litrpg if you’ll enjoy this.
October 14, 2020
Editing needed
This was a fairly stock standard Tower climb novel.
The characters have some interesting abilities and the world building is solid.
However, it could use a good pass by an editor, most notably the use of the word lied instead of lay.
The characters were also a bit flat, so a little more development would help.
This was a fairly stock standard Tower climb novel.
The characters have some interesting abilities and the world building is solid.
However, it could use a good pass by an editor, most notably the use of the word lied instead of lay.
The characters were also a bit flat, so a little more development would help.
October 16, 2020
Rough
Not a bad premise, but lacks depth and is in serious need of editing cleanup. At one point the author used the wrong their, there, they're. The whole thing would have been a lot more palatable had the author given it a once over before publishing. Also, this is not a cultivation story!
Not a bad premise, but lacks depth and is in serious need of editing cleanup. At one point the author used the wrong their, there, they're. The whole thing would have been a lot more palatable had the author given it a once over before publishing. Also, this is not a cultivation story!
October 26, 2020
I liked it
Good short book with a good plot line. I am looking forward to the next one. The only issue that could be improved on that I see is that the book should slow down and instead of fight after fight then hurry up to the next fight after that the story could use a little slice of life and team bonding. Good luck and keep writing.
Good short book with a good plot line. I am looking forward to the next one. The only issue that could be improved on that I see is that the book should slow down and instead of fight after fight then hurry up to the next fight after that the story could use a little slice of life and team bonding. Good luck and keep writing.
November 6, 2020
Great start looking forward to the next installment
I liked the world and the tower master idea. I didn't like the pace of the book it seemed to move far too quickly and there was no time for character building. Also the ability of the MC seems to be undefined and seems to be able to fight first thing with no training but for a snippet of it at the beginning.
I liked the world and the tower master idea. I didn't like the pace of the book it seemed to move far too quickly and there was no time for character building. Also the ability of the MC seems to be undefined and seems to be able to fight first thing with no training but for a snippet of it at the beginning.
March 14, 2021
I was shocked when I finished it so quickly.
This is a fun and rejuvenating book. It's not the most unique nor is it the most common telling of this type of story, but it has its place and it's quite acceptable. My only comments aside from how good it is, is that it could use another pass of editing, far too many grammar or spelling errors to ignore.
This is a fun and rejuvenating book. It's not the most unique nor is it the most common telling of this type of story, but it has its place and it's quite acceptable. My only comments aside from how good it is, is that it could use another pass of editing, far too many grammar or spelling errors to ignore.
June 23, 2021
it's a short book however it is Non-Stop action and it's extremely well written. While the powers and skills are unique it doesn't have that feeling of being to Op and what I like most about the book is there's no unneeded fluff but it does not lack for details either all around it's an amazing book and you should definitely check it out.
June 30, 2022
Talk about a deal
I got this book for $.99 on sale man was in a deal. Tower LITRPG to the fullest good main character good side characters good story it’s all you could ask for it’s a compact it’s got a nice piece to it I finished it in a day well worth the original price for the book I can’t wait to start the next book in the series.
I got this book for $.99 on sale man was in a deal. Tower LITRPG to the fullest good main character good side characters good story it’s all you could ask for it’s a compact it’s got a nice piece to it I finished it in a day well worth the original price for the book I can’t wait to start the next book in the series.
October 15, 2020
Great story with an amazing start
I was super excited about this story and Darren didn't disappoint. This is honestly one of the better books I've had the chance to read in a while.
I was super excited about this story and Darren didn't disappoint. This is honestly one of the better books I've had the chance to read in a while.
July 25, 2022
An exciting beginning!!!
A very interesting and exciting fantasy adventure story!!! Outstanding characters, great interactions and uniquely interesting magical abilities!!! I for one can't wait to see what comes next!!!
A very interesting and exciting fantasy adventure story!!! Outstanding characters, great interactions and uniquely interesting magical abilities!!! I for one can't wait to see what comes next!!!
October 21, 2020
Good read.
Fair warning it’s in 3rd person. Still a good story. Fast paced, nothing too deep. Will be fun to lean more skills.
Fair warning it’s in 3rd person. Still a good story. Fast paced, nothing too deep. Will be fun to lean more skills.
October 25, 2020
Good but needs some polish
This was a decent first book, I think some of the anime tropes are a bit annoying. I give this a solid 3.5 stars. I would read the next one.
This was a decent first book, I think some of the anime tropes are a bit annoying. I give this a solid 3.5 stars. I would read the next one.
October 27, 2020
Could have been better
Would have been 4 stars but way to many spelling errors and wrong words. Need a good editor or proofed.
Would have been 4 stars but way to many spelling errors and wrong words. Need a good editor or proofed.
November 1, 2020
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like cultivating type of books
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like cultivating type of books
November 16, 2020
Fast paced
There is non stop action and non stop betrayal. There is not much happiness in this survival book. They barely had time to eat and once they didnt.
There is non stop action and non stop betrayal. There is not much happiness in this survival book. They barely had time to eat and once they didnt.
May 3, 2021
Falls short
An interesting premise that quickly falls flat. Plagued by erratic character behavior, poor pacing, and a seriously drastic need for a proofreader.
An interesting premise that quickly falls flat. Plagued by erratic character behavior, poor pacing, and a seriously drastic need for a proofreader.
September 12, 2021
Great short LitRPG, I do wish the author spent a little more time world building, and showing off each of the first two floors of the tower. However, the action is great and pretty well written and establishes how dangerous the tower really is.
March 28, 2023
Not fully sure how to rate this:
I'd say 4/5 for the story
2/5 for Spelling and Grammar, because holy cow there are a LOT of spelling and grammar errors.
It's even so bad that he spells his own characters names and towns wrong. Taking quotes directly from TV shows and movies is also a big no-no.
For the love of all readers, please re-edit your books!
I'd say 4/5 for the story
2/5 for Spelling and Grammar, because holy cow there are a LOT of spelling and grammar errors.
It's even so bad that he spells his own characters names and towns wrong. Taking quotes directly from TV shows and movies is also a big no-no.
For the love of all readers, please re-edit your books!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews