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Henchman #1
Lair
A deserted island. An impregnable fortress. Step up or be stepped on.
Gus is a Henchman separated from his friends at his new job, a Henchman on an orbiting space base. He's happy with the gig, and has no real delusions of grandeur. Well… small delusions, but he’s seen all too often what happens to minions that get too uppity around their Supervillain bosses.
His father had pulled a few strings and landed him a Henchman position in hopes he could make something of himself. Before he's barely gotten used to the job, Gus narrowly escapes the base's destruction and is chucked at the planet below. The only reason he survived the fall was a damaged escape pod and the activation of his own latent powers. Marooned on a deserted island and yet somehow being hunted, Gus needs to step up and become the master of his own story.
Gus is a Henchman, some would now say a Villain, so there’s no chance of a Hero coming to his rescue.
Gus is a Henchman separated from his friends at his new job, a Henchman on an orbiting space base. He's happy with the gig, and has no real delusions of grandeur. Well… small delusions, but he’s seen all too often what happens to minions that get too uppity around their Supervillain bosses.
His father had pulled a few strings and landed him a Henchman position in hopes he could make something of himself. Before he's barely gotten used to the job, Gus narrowly escapes the base's destruction and is chucked at the planet below. The only reason he survived the fall was a damaged escape pod and the activation of his own latent powers. Marooned on a deserted island and yet somehow being hunted, Gus needs to step up and become the master of his own story.
Gus is a Henchman, some would now say a Villain, so there’s no chance of a Hero coming to his rescue.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2020
324 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 22, 2020
This book was okay. (AKA Goodreads 2 stars). The writing wasn't the worst and there are so many litrpg books that this surpassed but I didn't particularly like it and I felt it was a weak "first effort" book in so many ways.
The book is nominally about the son of a superhero. He's dropped onto a deserted island, that just happens to be the lair of a missing villain, and the story deals with his powering up to face the villain and save the island with a timer that spells certain doom unless he finishes in time.
The hero goes on a journey from weak to strong. And, nominally, from "my dad sucks" to "my dad had wisdom I didn't see but I was too much of an ass". But his dad really did suck. He goes into the henchman trade because he has no abilities (that he knows of) as a super, with a domineering, supercritical father. (No, he really is, even if a few words of wisdom suddenly show up at the end). That said, the character growth isn't subtle, the changes are told not experienced, and the entire story rests far too much on essentially playing a game with a series of lucky coincidences that just happen to intersperse the narrative, like cut scenes.
Along the way, the author drops lots and lots of cultural references that are highly dated, and many obscure, that will not age well. He also makes every ability a bad pun on the word "wreck" (like Wreck It Ralph, T-Wrecks, Ewrector Set, Home Wrecker, Moral Wrecktitude, I'm just making these up now because I honestly don't remember what was what), making it nearly impossible to remember what each ability does, especially as the number of abilities starts to exceed three or four (and they do). It's infuriating trying to figure out what the hero is doing without creating a cheat sheet and translating the self-indulgent names.
He has his "Friday"/"Wilson" to accompany him It made the latter half of the book even more of a chore to get through.
The story is intercut with flashbacks that feel like word count padding more than insight. I don't really feel that I understood the villain or his motivation despite a lot of words being thrown at them, and
So wrap up: there's a lot I didn't like. So no Goodreads 3 star "I liked it". But people less annoyed than I might enjoy it more and it's not a terrible book. So...it's okay.
The book is nominally about the son of a superhero. He's dropped onto a deserted island, that just happens to be the lair of a missing villain, and the story deals with his powering up to face the villain and save the island with a timer that spells certain doom unless he finishes in time.
The hero goes on a journey from weak to strong. And, nominally, from "my dad sucks" to "my dad had wisdom I didn't see but I was too much of an ass". But his dad really did suck. He goes into the henchman trade because he has no abilities (that he knows of) as a super, with a domineering, supercritical father. (No, he really is, even if a few words of wisdom suddenly show up at the end). That said, the character growth isn't subtle, the changes are told not experienced, and the entire story rests far too much on essentially playing a game with a series of lucky coincidences that just happen to intersperse the narrative, like cut scenes.
Along the way, the author drops lots and lots of cultural references that are highly dated, and many obscure, that will not age well. He also makes every ability a bad pun on the word "wreck" (like Wreck It Ralph, T-Wrecks, Ewrector Set, Home Wrecker, Moral Wrecktitude, I'm just making these up now because I honestly don't remember what was what), making it nearly impossible to remember what each ability does, especially as the number of abilities starts to exceed three or four (and they do). It's infuriating trying to figure out what the hero is doing without creating a cheat sheet and translating the self-indulgent names.
He has his "Friday"/"Wilson" to accompany him It made the latter half of the book even more of a chore to get through.
The story is intercut with flashbacks that feel like word count padding more than insight. I don't really feel that I understood the villain or his motivation despite a lot of words being thrown at them, and
So wrap up: there's a lot I didn't like. So no Goodreads 3 star "I liked it". But people less annoyed than I might enjoy it more and it's not a terrible book. So...it's okay.
January 18, 2021
The book started off great with the SciFi ish super hero feel to it. Then it devolved into a training montage and a disgusting amount of flash backs. At the end of the day you got some YA playing with staff weapon in a super hero universe. He is a one trick pony and totally clueless.
Why would you give this dumb ass some high tech base that never uses sensors so he will not be I don't know be ambushed and defend the base ( not until the last hour )?
The only plus for this book is the VA and that is Travis Baldree
Why would you give this dumb ass some high tech base that never uses sensors so he will not be I don't know be ambushed and defend the base ( not until the last hour )?
The only plus for this book is the VA and that is Travis Baldree
December 30, 2020
Not bad
Intriguing idea, but could use some development and polishing. MC is essentially power leveled and ends up quite OP while still having weaknesses.
A little too much info dumping and monologuing to be truly awesome. Part of the problem is a lack of active supporting characters.
I read this in KU. I am going to try the sequel.
Intriguing idea, but could use some development and polishing. MC is essentially power leveled and ends up quite OP while still having weaknesses.
A little too much info dumping and monologuing to be truly awesome. Part of the problem is a lack of active supporting characters.
I read this in KU. I am going to try the sequel.
December 29, 2020
A pretty good start
This book had a fun premise and a decent execution. For some reason, I had trouble getting pulled into the story and I felt like it was so close to being genuinely fun and enjoyable. Maybe it needed some more polishing. Either way, I sincerely enjoyed some of the mechanics, despite any issues with plotholes or pacing.
This book had a fun premise and a decent execution. For some reason, I had trouble getting pulled into the story and I felt like it was so close to being genuinely fun and enjoyable. Maybe it needed some more polishing. Either way, I sincerely enjoyed some of the mechanics, despite any issues with plotholes or pacing.
February 17, 2021
*Audio book review*
I had to write this review, to warn fellow readers from a hot mess that is "Henchman".
The good:
Okay, so this a super powered dystopia world, where "might means right". You got the MC, who is a normal human henchman who's family are actually super powered but not him, and yada yada yada ends up washed ashore on a secluded "abandoned" island. An island where a mad scientist or evil meta human cult would call "home", as they have left goodies behind for loot plundering ...along with some zombies. Okay, so a place is for the MC to power level and explain the lore and the various super powers of this world; seems almost reasonable. The MC has some adventure around the island, figures things about himself and his new found powers and a story driven tutorial level to boot. Seems reasonable enough.
The BAD:
Oh boy, what is the MC like? Ever met that kid from high school with rich parents that owns a car dealership? The parents are loaded, famous with a lot of charisma while the son has the personality bowl of white rice. I mean, the MC is not a jerk or anything but talking about rice farming AND the applications of the food would have been more interesting than the character. Whiny, dull, unintelligent, introverted, no sense of adventure, zero risk taking, reactionary and lastly (and the worst of all) LUCKY. The MC pretty much won the lottery, inherited his parent's trust fund and the car dealership; all the while ends up being two dimensional and white bread confronting with white people problems. "Boo Hoo, my mom left my dad, brother is a jerk and my dad bullies me with mean words and controls my life and lowers my self-esteem" ....and that is the jest of the MC White rice. Early on, he gets a symbiotic "as a level system" that is helpful, funny and intelligent. The symbiotic explains the "science of supers/meta humans" and actually does an interesting job at it. The MC of course goes "duhh, I dont know big science words, PLZ dumb down and my daddy is mean superhuman bully". Seriously, the MC is dumber than ...white rice (sorry, if i keep insulting rice but the more think about it the more it sounds apt". I could go on forever, on how a bowl of white rice can become the next white bread super hero but I trudge though to the end of the book to end it all and kill my last brain cell (due to covid, i ran out of booze). Took a peek at book 2 and I had to stop reading/listening to this story...FOREVER. What drew the line for me, is when the MC's view and choice on how to run his powers. Namely, he gets a choice on how to use his powers, if he forever chooses the non-lethal mode he can get benefits while lots of NEGATIVES; like he can't even accidentally slaps his foes to death. I mean hell, even Batamn and Superman goes on a killing spree for the greater good. So ff course, he chooses non-lethal like an idiot even after his symbiotic tells him not to. His reason are that of a ramblings 10 year old who still drinks his mother's milk, right from the tit. This is a henchman, that has killed and done general damage to society and thinks he is going for a karma rewind by not killing a group of murdering slaver pirate rapist. I don't know about you guys, but If I was in a uninhabited island , where there are no cops or any law what so ever, I would have been judge, jury and executioner to a bunch of rapist pirates. One last bit, technically he does very little henching as he was employed by a wannabe megneto for like 5 minuets. The saddest thing in the book...he is a henchman to his abusive family, to his symbiotic and to his self-douths and to his childish sense on how the world works.
I had to write this review, to warn fellow readers from a hot mess that is "Henchman".
The good:
Okay, so this a super powered dystopia world, where "might means right". You got the MC, who is a normal human henchman who's family are actually super powered but not him, and yada yada yada ends up washed ashore on a secluded "abandoned" island. An island where a mad scientist or evil meta human cult would call "home", as they have left goodies behind for loot plundering ...along with some zombies. Okay, so a place is for the MC to power level and explain the lore and the various super powers of this world; seems almost reasonable. The MC has some adventure around the island, figures things about himself and his new found powers and a story driven tutorial level to boot. Seems reasonable enough.
The BAD:
Oh boy, what is the MC like? Ever met that kid from high school with rich parents that owns a car dealership? The parents are loaded, famous with a lot of charisma while the son has the personality bowl of white rice. I mean, the MC is not a jerk or anything but talking about rice farming AND the applications of the food would have been more interesting than the character. Whiny, dull, unintelligent, introverted, no sense of adventure, zero risk taking, reactionary and lastly (and the worst of all) LUCKY. The MC pretty much won the lottery, inherited his parent's trust fund and the car dealership; all the while ends up being two dimensional and white bread confronting with white people problems. "Boo Hoo, my mom left my dad, brother is a jerk and my dad bullies me with mean words and controls my life and lowers my self-esteem" ....and that is the jest of the MC White rice. Early on, he gets a symbiotic "as a level system" that is helpful, funny and intelligent. The symbiotic explains the "science of supers/meta humans" and actually does an interesting job at it. The MC of course goes "duhh, I dont know big science words, PLZ dumb down and my daddy is mean superhuman bully". Seriously, the MC is dumber than ...white rice (sorry, if i keep insulting rice but the more think about it the more it sounds apt". I could go on forever, on how a bowl of white rice can become the next white bread super hero but I trudge though to the end of the book to end it all and kill my last brain cell (due to covid, i ran out of booze). Took a peek at book 2 and I had to stop reading/listening to this story...FOREVER. What drew the line for me, is when the MC's view and choice on how to run his powers. Namely, he gets a choice on how to use his powers, if he forever chooses the non-lethal mode he can get benefits while lots of NEGATIVES; like he can't even accidentally slaps his foes to death. I mean hell, even Batamn and Superman goes on a killing spree for the greater good. So ff course, he chooses non-lethal like an idiot even after his symbiotic tells him not to. His reason are that of a ramblings 10 year old who still drinks his mother's milk, right from the tit. This is a henchman, that has killed and done general damage to society and thinks he is going for a karma rewind by not killing a group of murdering slaver pirate rapist. I don't know about you guys, but If I was in a uninhabited island , where there are no cops or any law what so ever, I would have been judge, jury and executioner to a bunch of rapist pirates. One last bit, technically he does very little henching as he was employed by a wannabe megneto for like 5 minuets. The saddest thing in the book...he is a henchman to his abusive family, to his symbiotic and to his self-douths and to his childish sense on how the world works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2021
This book started out excellent.
The first one or two chapters was average. The main character's name is Gus, and he's working as a low-level minion on a space station, above an alternate version of Earth set in an unknown time that appears to be somewhere around the 21st century.
After something happens on the space station, Gus falls to Earth below and ends up passing through an invisible barrier to a top-secret island, somewhere he isn't supposed to be. This is where the story became more interesting.
This is a LitRPG Supervillain story. I liked the progression and the survival gameplay mechanics as Gus learns how to go from being a weak villain his father looks down on, to a supervillain that will rival his father. It's a classic underdog story.
Gus is a likable character. He's a little quirky and weird, just the way I like it. One of his powers (Wreck-It-Gus) is also very unique, and something I hadn't seen before in other superhero or superpower comics/movies. I also liked how Gus got headaches after using all his MP up. It's a quality of life thing. He also makes references to Gandalf and Morpheus though, so if pop-culture references aren't your thing, don't read this.
The flashbacks in this story are also handled well. There aren't an excessive amount of flashbacks, and when they happen they happen at the right time, like after Gus falls asleep, or when he's unconscious, and not in the middle of a fight.
However, I only managed to read 70% of the story. Somewhere after 50-60%, the story became more of a drag to read, because Gus kept training and training. In the beginning, it was interesting reading the enemies, survival, crafting, leveling, and training, but after a while, it became repetitive.
One of the worst parts in this book (the major factor that made me drop this book) is Nick's - the AI that bonded with Gus - personality changed about halfway through the book. We were already told it would happen, but after it happened, Nick went from likeable to annoying. Before, he sounded like Alfred - very formal, polite, and friendly. After the change, he made a lot of pop-culture references, was rude, and sounded like a child. For example: "Give them a bit, something things take a little time, Mr. Microwave-burrito-mentality, they're repairing a ton of stuff after you Hulked out back there." (Page 256) (Yes, the run-on sentences are indeed real)
This book needed developmental (taking a look at character inconsistencies - like the one above - plot inconsistencies, and pacing) and line editing (to fix strange sentences, run-on sentences, etc.). In one instance, the AI was talking. Then Gus interrupted him, and the dialogue tag read "he", when the author should have used Gus' name instead, since "he" would refer to the previous speaker, except in this case it was clear Gus was talking. Another sentence read "Let's get back to the manor, that was too close." This is a run-on sentence.
The author also needs to explain the sequence of events a little better. One part mentioned it being low-visibility around Gus. Then the next moment, lightning flashed and revealed a dark object, a tower, had poked out of the ground. The description made it sound like the tower suddenly came from out of nowhere, but the author should have described how it wasn't there before and suddenly was revealed by the lightning. But because the author had mentioned "another flash" instead of "another flash of lightning" (the lightning was mentioned two paragraphs earlier), the sudden changes in subject without using enough descriptor words made reading the section jarring.
There are also inconsistencies, such as "Time seemed to move more slowly" (page 247), but a few paragraphs earlier time stood still. On page 141, it says Gus has 10 Constitution, while two pages later it says he has 9 Constitution (8+1). I lost count of the errors in this book after reading 50-100+ grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and inconsistencies.
There are also minor instances where the author didn't do enough research. For example, "he had abs, and his lats became more visible, forming a nice V to his torso." (page 189). The V-shape comes from having well-defined obliques coupled with abs, not lats. Your lats are muscles that go from your upper to mid-back, toward your side. Lats can contribute to the V-shape, coupled with obliques and abs, but the sentence was referring to the entire torso, so he should have mentioned obliques, abs, and lats, not abs and lats.
The author also uses some weird word choices and sentences, like "Through the viewport, he could see the tumbling of the sky, then water, then sky again as the pod flipped and shimmied through the atmosphere" (page 9). The sky can't tumble and escape pods can't shimmy.
I also didn't like the puns in this book. They were terrible. Don't get me wrong, I like puns. But these were done poorly, like "Moping while mopping" (page 1).
The abilities all or mostly ended in "Wrecks", which was interesting at first but quickly became boring. For example, these are actual abilities in the book: "T-wrecks" (page 251), "Wreck-It-Gus" (page 47), "Wreck-less", "Wreck-Lord", "Wreck-Tums", "Wreck-ognize", and "Wreck-luse".
One problem I had with the training in this book, besides the fact that too many training notifications popped up, was that they disappeared if they weren't accepted or finished in a few hours. Since this LitRPG is pretty realistic, there's no reason that you would suddenly be unable to train in certain weapon skills if you didn't train right away. Games very rarely have timed quests like this (only in escort or base defense quests), and especially never around quests about learning new skills or weapon abilities.
I gave this 3/5 because Gus was likable, Nick was cool (for 50%), and the progression and worldbuilding was unique.
I removed 2 stars because there were too many inconsistencies, plot holes, and strange phrases, Nick's personality became childish instead of butler-like like he was originally, and because of the strange ability names.
It's a shame I can't continue this series. I was really looking forward to discovering new LitRPG series because I'm nearly out of LitRPG books to read, since I'm on the last book of The Divine Dungeon and New Era Online series.
The first one or two chapters was average. The main character's name is Gus, and he's working as a low-level minion on a space station, above an alternate version of Earth set in an unknown time that appears to be somewhere around the 21st century.
After something happens on the space station, Gus falls to Earth below and ends up passing through an invisible barrier to a top-secret island, somewhere he isn't supposed to be. This is where the story became more interesting.
This is a LitRPG Supervillain story. I liked the progression and the survival gameplay mechanics as Gus learns how to go from being a weak villain his father looks down on, to a supervillain that will rival his father. It's a classic underdog story.
Gus is a likable character. He's a little quirky and weird, just the way I like it. One of his powers (Wreck-It-Gus) is also very unique, and something I hadn't seen before in other superhero or superpower comics/movies. I also liked how Gus got headaches after using all his MP up. It's a quality of life thing. He also makes references to Gandalf and Morpheus though, so if pop-culture references aren't your thing, don't read this.
The flashbacks in this story are also handled well. There aren't an excessive amount of flashbacks, and when they happen they happen at the right time, like after Gus falls asleep, or when he's unconscious, and not in the middle of a fight.
However, I only managed to read 70% of the story. Somewhere after 50-60%, the story became more of a drag to read, because Gus kept training and training. In the beginning, it was interesting reading the enemies, survival, crafting, leveling, and training, but after a while, it became repetitive.
One of the worst parts in this book (the major factor that made me drop this book) is Nick's - the AI that bonded with Gus - personality changed about halfway through the book. We were already told it would happen, but after it happened, Nick went from likeable to annoying. Before, he sounded like Alfred - very formal, polite, and friendly. After the change, he made a lot of pop-culture references, was rude, and sounded like a child. For example: "Give them a bit, something things take a little time, Mr. Microwave-burrito-mentality, they're repairing a ton of stuff after you Hulked out back there." (Page 256) (Yes, the run-on sentences are indeed real)
This book needed developmental (taking a look at character inconsistencies - like the one above - plot inconsistencies, and pacing) and line editing (to fix strange sentences, run-on sentences, etc.). In one instance, the AI was talking. Then Gus interrupted him, and the dialogue tag read "he", when the author should have used Gus' name instead, since "he" would refer to the previous speaker, except in this case it was clear Gus was talking. Another sentence read "Let's get back to the manor, that was too close." This is a run-on sentence.
The author also needs to explain the sequence of events a little better. One part mentioned it being low-visibility around Gus. Then the next moment, lightning flashed and revealed a dark object, a tower, had poked out of the ground. The description made it sound like the tower suddenly came from out of nowhere, but the author should have described how it wasn't there before and suddenly was revealed by the lightning. But because the author had mentioned "another flash" instead of "another flash of lightning" (the lightning was mentioned two paragraphs earlier), the sudden changes in subject without using enough descriptor words made reading the section jarring.
There are also inconsistencies, such as "Time seemed to move more slowly" (page 247), but a few paragraphs earlier time stood still. On page 141, it says Gus has 10 Constitution, while two pages later it says he has 9 Constitution (8+1). I lost count of the errors in this book after reading 50-100+ grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and inconsistencies.
There are also minor instances where the author didn't do enough research. For example, "he had abs, and his lats became more visible, forming a nice V to his torso." (page 189). The V-shape comes from having well-defined obliques coupled with abs, not lats. Your lats are muscles that go from your upper to mid-back, toward your side. Lats can contribute to the V-shape, coupled with obliques and abs, but the sentence was referring to the entire torso, so he should have mentioned obliques, abs, and lats, not abs and lats.
The author also uses some weird word choices and sentences, like "Through the viewport, he could see the tumbling of the sky, then water, then sky again as the pod flipped and shimmied through the atmosphere" (page 9). The sky can't tumble and escape pods can't shimmy.
I also didn't like the puns in this book. They were terrible. Don't get me wrong, I like puns. But these were done poorly, like "Moping while mopping" (page 1).
The abilities all or mostly ended in "Wrecks", which was interesting at first but quickly became boring. For example, these are actual abilities in the book: "T-wrecks" (page 251), "Wreck-It-Gus" (page 47), "Wreck-less", "Wreck-Lord", "Wreck-Tums", "Wreck-ognize", and "Wreck-luse".
One problem I had with the training in this book, besides the fact that too many training notifications popped up, was that they disappeared if they weren't accepted or finished in a few hours. Since this LitRPG is pretty realistic, there's no reason that you would suddenly be unable to train in certain weapon skills if you didn't train right away. Games very rarely have timed quests like this (only in escort or base defense quests), and especially never around quests about learning new skills or weapon abilities.
I gave this 3/5 because Gus was likable, Nick was cool (for 50%), and the progression and worldbuilding was unique.
I removed 2 stars because there were too many inconsistencies, plot holes, and strange phrases, Nick's personality became childish instead of butler-like like he was originally, and because of the strange ability names.
It's a shame I can't continue this series. I was really looking forward to discovering new LitRPG series because I'm nearly out of LitRPG books to read, since I'm on the last book of The Divine Dungeon and New Era Online series.
May 5, 2023
I'd though this book was going to be about a villain, but it isn't really. A henchmen is just a 'normal' in the employ of a 'super'. In fact the question of who is good and who is evil doesn't quite seem to be as straight forward. In fact, I'm not so sure that the previous master of the lair this book is based on wasn't a good guy...
On my second read I caught a lot more of the geek culture references I blew past the first time. I'm loving those!
On my second read I caught a lot more of the geek culture references I blew past the first time. I'm loving those!
December 17, 2021
This book is about a LitRPG, solo, tropical-island-survival-story set in a near future superhero distorted earth society.
I find this to be a very dry story, set on fast forward, with little-to-no world building, and with no characters whatsoever, except the MC and his helper avatar. The hero of this story, defeated a former Earth's top 10 superhumans with under 2 weeks of practice.
There's some power leveling, with some very few artifacts, also a bit of tower defence with some base building elements (actually the base is driving the plot toward book two). A bit of all over the place. The lack of magic is compensated by a decent number of skills and abilities.
The power system is based on a nice and intriguing idea with nanobots rewriting the DNA enabling superpowers with level-ups. Still there's some quantum something, trying to explain "the ability" system. With some other something about some semi-sentient mineral used to create scaling artifacts. All this felt ... dry.
Underneath the LitRPG story, there's nothing much, except for a frustrated introvert young adult, marginalized by his family while growing up in the shadow of his superpowered father, and pushed into mediocrity all his life. Somehow he finds himself stranded in a hidden, mysterious and deserted island, with a huge source of power available, where he fully transforms in a matter of days (rags to riches story). The worst part is the rushed, irrational and unnatural evolution of this individual, transforming in under two weeks as if someone can push a button and change overnight 180⁰ without any effort or impact on the psyche or persona. So dry! So unrewarding!
Countinuing being dry, half the action scenes are sparing fights in the training area.
The song chain was a very cool addition to the action scenes and the mechanic was nicely integrated in the ability system. GG!
I'm glad I didn't start my litRPG adventure with this book.
I find this to be a very dry story, set on fast forward, with little-to-no world building, and with no characters whatsoever, except the MC and his helper avatar. The hero of this story, defeated a former Earth's top 10 superhumans with under 2 weeks of practice.
There's some power leveling, with some very few artifacts, also a bit of tower defence with some base building elements (actually the base is driving the plot toward book two). A bit of all over the place. The lack of magic is compensated by a decent number of skills and abilities.
The power system is based on a nice and intriguing idea with nanobots rewriting the DNA enabling superpowers with level-ups. Still there's some quantum something, trying to explain "the ability" system. With some other something about some semi-sentient mineral used to create scaling artifacts. All this felt ... dry.
Underneath the LitRPG story, there's nothing much, except for a frustrated introvert young adult, marginalized by his family while growing up in the shadow of his superpowered father, and pushed into mediocrity all his life. Somehow he finds himself stranded in a hidden, mysterious and deserted island, with a huge source of power available, where he fully transforms in a matter of days (rags to riches story). The worst part is the rushed, irrational and unnatural evolution of this individual, transforming in under two weeks as if someone can push a button and change overnight 180⁰ without any effort or impact on the psyche or persona. So dry! So unrewarding!
Countinuing being dry, half the action scenes are sparing fights in the training area.
The song chain was a very cool addition to the action scenes and the mechanic was nicely integrated in the ability system. GG!
I'm glad I didn't start my litRPG adventure with this book.
January 25, 2021
I found Lair to be quite fun, and it's the first time I've read/listened -to, a Superhero genre book wound around a litRPG novel... Our Main Character finds himself initially on what appears to be a deserted island and at the start of a RPG with a count down, he has 9 days to win or die! Will he accept the challenge Y/N? But, the island isn't what it seems because, something dark is out there and it has been waiting/lurking for years in order to get even!
Gus and his game AI (actually smart nanotech) have to work out the rules in order to play the RPG. Gus starts out normal but gradually becomes OP during the play of the game as his recessive genes and the nanites take over...
At times Gus is overwhelmed by his memories and terrible relationship with his father... as a normal, he's always been a disgrace to his father's Superhero image!
If I had any complaint it would be about the amount of time spent dwelling on his relationship with his dad, but I also get it. Family, and what they think of you, is pivotal to a childs well being, so there's that. But we get enough of everything else too, which keeps the story moving forward!
And Travis Baldree is in very fine form as he narrates Lair!
Gus and his game AI (actually smart nanotech) have to work out the rules in order to play the RPG. Gus starts out normal but gradually becomes OP during the play of the game as his recessive genes and the nanites take over...
At times Gus is overwhelmed by his memories and terrible relationship with his father... as a normal, he's always been a disgrace to his father's Superhero image!
If I had any complaint it would be about the amount of time spent dwelling on his relationship with his dad, but I also get it. Family, and what they think of you, is pivotal to a childs well being, so there's that. But we get enough of everything else too, which keeps the story moving forward!
And Travis Baldree is in very fine form as he narrates Lair!
March 26, 2021
Awesome Sci-fi LitRPG /Superhero Crossover
This book is a LitRPG with superhero powers explained via sci-fi and delivered with a Ready Player One style. There is XP, leveling, quests and even the equivalent of a holodeck.
The book is well written and edited. I don't think I found a single error, which is uncommon in the LitRPG genre.
The MC is a bit whiney, but experiences good personal growth throughout the book. The are a couple OP MC moments, but they are offset by powerful foes.
The are tons of 80's and 90's pop culture references, and they're delivered well. I especially enjoyed the music playlists; they had me asking Alexa to play songs I had forgotten I liked so much.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!
This book is a LitRPG with superhero powers explained via sci-fi and delivered with a Ready Player One style. There is XP, leveling, quests and even the equivalent of a holodeck.
The book is well written and edited. I don't think I found a single error, which is uncommon in the LitRPG genre.
The MC is a bit whiney, but experiences good personal growth throughout the book. The are a couple OP MC moments, but they are offset by powerful foes.
The are tons of 80's and 90's pop culture references, and they're delivered well. I especially enjoyed the music playlists; they had me asking Alexa to play songs I had forgotten I liked so much.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!
November 23, 2020
Good start
A good start to a series but with a few little annoyances. The MC is mostly alone with only his system guide voice. This leads to most conversations being explanations of system function and history. I was easily able to skip these details without impacting the story and the length of the book still delivered a good story.
There were also a lot of flash backs, I don’t know the quality as I skipped these on principle.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to more contact with others.
A good start to a series but with a few little annoyances. The MC is mostly alone with only his system guide voice. This leads to most conversations being explanations of system function and history. I was easily able to skip these details without impacting the story and the length of the book still delivered a good story.
There were also a lot of flash backs, I don’t know the quality as I skipped these on principle.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to more contact with others.
November 29, 2020
Book one
Mistakes: I didn't find any. However I found the book to be a bit of a drag.
Plot: If you work one day to find nanobots had basically fused with your body and you had a limited time to level up or you would die, you'd be busting your butt to level as fast as possible. Not this guy! Sleep seems to be his main goal.
Characters: Very laid back. Shows little to no concern for anything. The author seems to have to manipulate things so that the MC gets anything done.
5/10 This book was a bit of a drag to get through.
Mistakes: I didn't find any. However I found the book to be a bit of a drag.
Plot: If you work one day to find nanobots had basically fused with your body and you had a limited time to level up or you would die, you'd be busting your butt to level as fast as possible. Not this guy! Sleep seems to be his main goal.
Characters: Very laid back. Shows little to no concern for anything. The author seems to have to manipulate things so that the MC gets anything done.
5/10 This book was a bit of a drag to get through.
January 1, 2021
Fresh, cheeky, adventure about what to do when your delusions become fact
Life has pretty much sucked as a Reg or human with no superpowers. He’s a minion, wishing his father showed any approval or support, missing his mom and resigned to being less. Then he almost dies and a moments decision changes his fate, or delays his death. Which happens is you to him as Gus crossed from Reg to Super trapped on an island. Oh, it’s not deserted either.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book and the new ideas, world design, powers, etc. off to book 2 now!
Life has pretty much sucked as a Reg or human with no superpowers. He’s a minion, wishing his father showed any approval or support, missing his mom and resigned to being less. Then he almost dies and a moments decision changes his fate, or delays his death. Which happens is you to him as Gus crossed from Reg to Super trapped on an island. Oh, it’s not deserted either.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book and the new ideas, world design, powers, etc. off to book 2 now!
February 11, 2021
An amusingly different approach
I greatly enjoyed the author's take on superpowers and his explanation for their existence and how they functioned. It was much more thought out and explained than I typically find. The story doesn't take itself or the characters too seriously, while still allowing character growth both in leveling and maturity. I loved the pop culture references and music selections. The editing was first rate, and the story stands alone, while leaving room for the next story. I strongly recommend it and look forward to the next story in the series.
I greatly enjoyed the author's take on superpowers and his explanation for their existence and how they functioned. It was much more thought out and explained than I typically find. The story doesn't take itself or the characters too seriously, while still allowing character growth both in leveling and maturity. I loved the pop culture references and music selections. The editing was first rate, and the story stands alone, while leaving room for the next story. I strongly recommend it and look forward to the next story in the series.
December 24, 2020
Okay, is nobody else bothered by the Matrix reference? He says Morpheus made the "bring it on" hand wave/gesture popular. BRUCE LEE MADE IT POPULAR! That's where Morpheus got it from. This happened at the beginning of the book and I thought about it the whole way through.
However, this is a pretty unique take on LITRPG and I did enjoy it. I'm removing 1/4 star because if the failed pop culture reference. (The rest are pretty good and add a fun element to the book,)
3.75 stars.
However, this is a pretty unique take on LITRPG and I did enjoy it. I'm removing 1/4 star because if the failed pop culture reference. (The rest are pretty good and add a fun element to the book,)
3.75 stars.
December 2, 2020
More of a 3.5. Well, I was bored and looking for something to read and I picked this audiobook up because it was narrated by my favourite narrator, Travis Baldree. It was interesting but there were no iconic scenes that I could point out. It was a good way to pass the time and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
December 18, 2020
This one was a bit tough.
So the idea for the book was good, the mechanics and writing fine. The problem was the setting. This is a guy on an island. He is not interesting enough to pull it off. I found myself skimming through sections to see what happened. I'm going to try the next to see if it can be corrected.
So the idea for the book was good, the mechanics and writing fine. The problem was the setting. This is a guy on an island. He is not interesting enough to pull it off. I found myself skimming through sections to see what happened. I'm going to try the next to see if it can be corrected.
January 27, 2021
Superhero litrpg
Finally the little genre joins the modern zeitgiest
Constant time constraints from events prevent this book from really exploring what could be done with the genre mashup.
There a bit of come with me if you want to live/no time to explain but that's just a staple of this style of writing. Worth a read. You will enjoy.
Finally the little genre joins the modern zeitgiest
Constant time constraints from events prevent this book from really exploring what could be done with the genre mashup.
There a bit of come with me if you want to live/no time to explain but that's just a staple of this style of writing. Worth a read. You will enjoy.
November 23, 2020
Great beginning to a fun series.
A great read. If you enjoy LitRPG, this book does a great job of not overwhelming you with stat sheets. It is a well-balanced story with plenty of room to grow.
A great read. If you enjoy LitRPG, this book does a great job of not overwhelming you with stat sheets. It is a well-balanced story with plenty of room to grow.
November 23, 2020
Henchman but maybe more
So, you’re mopping floors for the Big Guys and then the world falls out from under you, Something Happens, and you suddenly have more options than you ever considered possible. Do you go for it, or will your old mindset hold you back?
So, you’re mopping floors for the Big Guys and then the world falls out from under you, Something Happens, and you suddenly have more options than you ever considered possible. Do you go for it, or will your old mindset hold you back?
December 3, 2020
Not the best but also not the worst
I've read worse. I've also read better. The writing isn't exactly flowing or gripping. The opening is a bit weak. The ending anticlimactic. The lone hero is likeable enough. The situation is interesting. I'm going to look for any sequel.
I've read worse. I've also read better. The writing isn't exactly flowing or gripping. The opening is a bit weak. The ending anticlimactic. The lone hero is likeable enough. The situation is interesting. I'm going to look for any sequel.
December 17, 2020
Solo round
All together a well done book. It was a little heavy on pop culture references, and conversely did not seem to draw much from "The Venture Brothers" which I really expected it to do.
All together a well done book. It was a little heavy on pop culture references, and conversely did not seem to draw much from "The Venture Brothers" which I really expected it to do.
December 21, 2020
Pretty good story
Unique, creative and choice playlists make this a good read. It reads easy and doesn't overtly focus on mechanics. I believe the main character is a bit shallow, but still an enjoyable read.
Unique, creative and choice playlists make this a good read. It reads easy and doesn't overtly focus on mechanics. I believe the main character is a bit shallow, but still an enjoyable read.
February 6, 2021
Moving up in the world
This is a interesting and unique premise with a healthy dose of self reflection on the part of our new protagonist! The world building is interesting and I can't wait for the next one!
This is a interesting and unique premise with a healthy dose of self reflection on the part of our new protagonist! The world building is interesting and I can't wait for the next one!
June 20, 2021
Great book
Interesting combination of litrpg brought to the world of super heros. Interesting characters and enjoyed the character development. Siting recommend this book to anyone.
Interesting combination of litrpg brought to the world of super heros. Interesting characters and enjoyed the character development. Siting recommend this book to anyone.
July 18, 2021
It's okay
This was your standard litrpg. It's okay for what it is. It doesn't stand out, nor is it compelling. This is a decent distraction. Happy to say it does have a beginning middle and end unlike most litrpgs which is a bit refreshing.
This was your standard litrpg. It's okay for what it is. It doesn't stand out, nor is it compelling. This is a decent distraction. Happy to say it does have a beginning middle and end unlike most litrpgs which is a bit refreshing.
November 6, 2022
Above average
Not bad, not overly excited about Gus as a hero, but he might grow on me. As with most of the LitRPG lots of technical jargon that is very hard for me to understand, so those pages I just skimmed. I would recommend this book.
Not bad, not overly excited about Gus as a hero, but he might grow on me. As with most of the LitRPG lots of technical jargon that is very hard for me to understand, so those pages I just skimmed. I would recommend this book.
April 2, 2023
Interesting
Uninteresting start that you know honesty was satisfying For a book-a-holic like me. They're right that most people don't know about the system in this world and Intrigue is a bit of added spicestat makes me stop and think about this book before I continue reading
Uninteresting start that you know honesty was satisfying For a book-a-holic like me. They're right that most people don't know about the system in this world and Intrigue is a bit of added spicestat makes me stop and think about this book before I continue reading
December 8, 2020
Fun. Fast paced adventure
You almost have to feel bad for Gus at the beginning, but things do turn around. A fun book and I look forward to more of them in the series. Thank you.
You almost have to feel bad for Gus at the beginning, but things do turn around. A fun book and I look forward to more of them in the series. Thank you.
December 19, 2020
Great series start
Great start to a series. Good characters and world building. Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next
Great start to a series. Good characters and world building. Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next
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