Jack is back. Jack and the rest of the Misfits have just finished rescuing the professors at Darkthorn Academy, and prevented the dragons from being used to start a war. However, Quarnon, the group led by the Dixons, seems to have full control of the Westdrift Empire, which makes Jack and the rest of the Misfits enemy number one. Needing a place to hide and wanting to rebuild Darkthorn Academy into the school it was meant to be, Jack and the Misfits travel to the remote gnomish regions of the Ancient Lands to the Valley of Eagles and the village of Kusharna. If they can survive it the dangerous beasts, undead monsters and a unique dungeon, they'll be able to grow into something truly special. But even the air in Kusharna is deadly and everyone will have to learn more of Willmarth's mana techniques to grow stronger. And even if they do thrive in their new home, the Empire has a few new tricks up their sleeve as well!
I'm genuinely gutted to have to rate this book so low having enjoyed the first two immensely. However it seems to me the author at some point took a turn I just don't enjoy.
Now disclaimer. I only made it through 70% of the book. That was all I could manage.
The characters have gone from being interesting to being shallow Mary sue tropes of themselves. Jack does everything right. He is always the hero at no point did I feel there was anything on the line as he effortlessly does everything. All of his interactions up to where I read is. This guy is great or I wasn't sure about you but now you are great.
As for the rest Stank turned into mostly a joke with a few weak puns but stayed strong despite all the awkward kisses and innuendo which made up 90% of his relationship.
The plot had turned nearly non existent. There is no urgency as they leisurely explore and build for most of the book. Themes I normally enjoy but there were no problems outside of minor easily solved one's.
In conclusion I found this entry vapid and pointless. I might go back and do a re-read at some point but honestly I'm just too disappointed. The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is due to the past 2 books.
Settlers is the third book in the Darkthorn Academy series by Robyn Wideman.
The civilization development in this book was refreshing and brought new life to this literary world. I've been anticipating our main group of characters eventually taking advantage of the bounty the Ancient Lands offers. This approach to building a new, more inclusive, Academy to tackle to coming war and incorporate older, lost to time, teachings such as mana cultivation has had a revitalizing effect overall.
I was relieved when this book introduced to the Elven culture of this literary world. Further, giving us insight into Lana's upbringing and hidden depths. The Wild Lands were an appreciated addition to the story. A wonderful counterpart to the barren dangers of the Ancient Lands.
The relocation of their allies across all species and locations with inevitably make for interesting cohesion. I cannot wait to explore the crossover between cultures and cooperative learning in their future. The Gnomish dungeone/ghost inside it, are the most intriguing aspect so freshly presented in this book. Paired with the ingenuity of their initial creations and explorations thus far, I have high hopes for what they will develop later. Especially, when considering the advancements they hope to make towards the mana tablets.
The warnings of war on every horizon, facing down the oppressors of the same ilk as Dixon, and taking into account the other races governments overindulged self-importance will make for an interesting medley of new experiences to come. I imagine this next book will showcase Stann's connection to orc society, and possibly further introduce us towards Colin's familial ties. If the trend continues.
P.s. And perhaps more animal companions like Oscar for Stann, and the little piglet already bonding with Asrin? Even if he's not entirely receptive to it, yet.
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
By all accounts, this is a perfectly worded review. Unfortunately, some of our fellow readers are offended that I am not pouring my heart out and offering a detailed and intimate breakdown of my thoughts on the books. As such they have reported me to the authorities and I have been warned against continuing my bad behavior. I will not. So I may be banned. If so, it was a fun journey with you.
If I enjoy a book, my goal is to promote it and help the author by encouraging others to read it. I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. I am simply saying that I liked it. I would like you to read it and make your own decision. After all, you are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Author continues to use main characters, supporting characters as hostages, blackmail, meat shields, punching bags. Main Character, Jack and the rest of the Misfits, create a small village in the ruins of a Gnome City Kusharna. With advanced technology, main characters spend most of this volume 3, investigating and improving this small village. Author waits until the end of this volume to migrate Tolliver, and the people from Sunder, just so that Isaac Dixon and the Empire use them to find the Misfits and the old teachers of the Darkthorn Academy. The Darkthorn Academy restarts in this Gnome village Kusharna. Although the Misfits only received a semester of classes, they do not receive any more classes, so the name of the series is really not relevant. Author leaves teleportation circles behind so that the Ogron soldiers hired by the empire are tracking the Misfits and possibly the Gnome village Kusharna. The level of action and moving forth of the main plot arcs slowed down in this Settlers, Volume 3 of this fantasy novel series. So the Academy is rebirthed, but without many teachers or students. Empire is preparing for war, but Jack and the Misfits are late rescuing their friends, late fighting the Ogrons, the Dixons and the main enemy of Jack and the Misfits, the author of his fantasy novel series. The neatest character Willmarth, the Sillkirk Dragon, goes missing in most of this 3rd. Volume. Dragon becomes the teacher of teachers and students of mana cultivation (so as not to be poisoned at the gnome village). So in all of the action, and all of the adventures, Willmarth is missing.
I found the first book by accident and by the end I was hooked. It's the characters that keep the plot going more than anything else.
We start book 3 right at the end of book 2, and there are no reminders or flashbacks of who the characters are or where we are in the story. Jack, Stann, Talia, Lana and Colin are off into the ancient lands to recreate Darkthorn Academy after Isaac Dixon took it over.
Most of the book is taken up in getting an ancient gnomish village going again, which means exploration, cleaning and fixing a lot of broken stuff. There is also an interlude as Lana takes Jack to meet her parents, while also dealing with some stuff going on over there.
Personally, I could have done without the trip to Elven lands. I understand why it was added, but it took away from time with the group and the book seems *less* somehow when all five Misfits aren't together.
The ending also felt rushed, which I won't spoil. It felt like a last minute addition to deal with a grudge match, yet it really won't change anything in the future books.
Anyway, despite my complaints, I still enjoyed the book. The notifications are few and far between, but enough to give you an idea of what's happening. A lot of the level ups and increased mana, etc are embedded in the text instead of in tables. As someone who's read a lot of tables, I don't mind in the least.
The third part of Darkthorn academy and it keeps getting better. The Misfits build their own place in the world and we start with a little settlement building arc. To be fair, Im not the biggest fan of the trope, but with the addition of a bit of action in form of a dungeon it wasn’t too bad.
What I really found exciting in this book was the part focused on the elven wields and Lana‘s family. The location was better described than the previous books. Jack having to prove himself in front of Lanas family was a refreshing development. It was good to see him struggling in the new environment and to finally have some real progress in his relationship to Lana. Now I have seen a review complaining about Jack being the golden boy that doesn’t make any mistakes and is being loved by everyone. - Thats true. Once again, Jakes learns things very fast and saves the day, but by now you should be used to it. Its the third book - its how the missfits work. A really entertaining addition to the series. It focuses and improves what was already good in part 2 and reduces the flaws. In my opinion: The people that keep complaining about the direction of the story are just mad they didn’t get their Harry Potter litRPG blend.
The books started really well but started to drop in book 2 and continued in book 3. Events are fast but lack depth and there is never a problem or foe who isn't defeated within a chapter.
Book 3 could use a re-write. Build jn supporting characters leading the settlement rather than inexperienced students, build depth to the jaunts around the nations and give the supporting characters more of a role than a couple of paragraphs that make them one dimensional.
This is critical but with many similar books available, the author needs to work on what makes his series different.
Jack must make choices as he's chosen by his classmates as leader of their little group .
Jack and his classmates get to school at the academy an find changes have been while on break . They have a new headmaster that don't like questers or any half blood races attending the academy period .No scholarships students allowed just elite full born students . So jack an his band of misfits are forced out no apartment so jack takes his classmates to his grandparents house now his since they both passed away . An try to figure out a new life for themselves an survive ..recommend reading excellent series .
Tone of series changes to heavier focus on litrpg, town building, cultivation elements - which is ok - but the story really meandered as the author tries to find a plot amidst the new style. Rushed it too. Characters called by the wrong name, etc.
Darn it, fist two books were epic! I gave both of them five stars and meant it!! You should still read them despite a weak third book. And who knows, maybe the series can recover!
Liked the story line. Enjoyed the fact they brought in the dwarf and elf culture. And the families of course. The thing I don’t really like is that even though he’s only 16 everyone including the elders seem to be listening to him and agreeing. The only reason I’m still reading is because I know that Alexander the Great was only a teenager too. The only other thing I don’t care for is the fact they put the wrong names in conversations. But that’s the proof readers job to catch
First let me say that I like the book until the end. I was concerned that there were no clear threats that the characters faced but then you get to the last three to four pages and that changes. But sadly it went cliche. At the end your book title is worthless. Frustrating having a story with such promise go this way. Typical third book issue.
I was ready excited for this iteration of the story as one of my favorite genres is Gamelit is settlement building. Unfortunately, we spend very little time doing that here, and the pace of the story doesn't match with the previous volumes.
Will I read the next one? Yes. Will I pick it up right away? Maybe not.
Still a good story, likable characters, but seemed a bit disjointed - like he is trying to build for the next in series. Definitely not as good as the previous two, but still a good read. I will assuredly read the next, it was well worth the read overall.
The two stars ("It was okay") goodreads rating is...generous.
It's more of the same and I just was weary of it. Instead of making book 3 return to character growth the entire thing is everyone either admiring Jack or hating him.
Bored me. I ended up flipping through the second half of the book, waiting for it to be over.
Epic battles! Military Strategy! Ogres vs. underdog hero mages!
Our gang of misfits is threatened by the worst of the worst. But they go searching for allies,whom they train with superior magic they’ve developed. Can’t wait to see how it turns out? Which spells are most effective? Check it all out here!
I don't know how, but it gets more exciting with every book. I think I am ready for book 4, but I'm not sure. I haven't been so excited about a series since I read any of Lindsay Buroker's series or any of R. A. Salvatore The Legend of Drizzt. All I can say is "WOW".
Just finished book 3 and ready for book 4! The characters are interesting and continue to advance in power. New friends settle in seamlessly. I really like the play ( although subtle) on names etc that cause chuckles while reading. Good books!
This series has turned out to excellent. Written in a clean and easy to understand style with a good character set and wonderful development of those characters. The range of characters and the skill development makes this a series I will read again and again.
A good follow up the timing felt a bit off some part too short some too long. I was also hoping for more new spell. Good read well see what the next tome brings
A well-written book that is enjoyable to read. Short and very uneventful, mostly fluff. Felt like an anime filler episode that sprinkles in just a bit of canon to make it seem legit.
I'm being a typical reader of a series to the author...write faster. You need to write faster so I know what is going to happen. Forget about sleeping or eating just write the next book so I can read it!
A great book. I think the only thing that i didn't like was the amount of time spent out of the village. I think there was some lost potential in that way, but Robyn Wideman makes it up with everything else.
Cool story building and great characters. Another great installment. Lots of building characters and town. Young people becoming stronger and tougher and maybe smarter. Of course now I have to start waiting for more.
Better than usual. Plot actually connects and the characters are interesting. There's a decent twist on the rehabilitation of a post apocalyptic zone. Less Mad Max more of a beastiary.
Plenty of good action in this chapter. Jack and company move forward with their war against the Dixon family. Their new settlement is established and now Jack and Lana go into hiding.
The third book expands on everything previous, and adds more characters, growth, environments, and action. Still clean and clear as a shonen anime, but things are getting rough at times. Definitely recommended (15+)
Finally got around to reading this instalment of this series and I’m enjoying it more so with each book . Looking forward to reading more from this really good author