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Blue Core #2
Blue Core: Book Two
With Tarnil free, Blue and his Companions, friends, and allies consolidate and recover from the mage-king's depredations. As he establishes himself for firmly at home, he starts reaching out to the world that he is now a part of. There is a lot of work to be done to prevent further war, or worse. Book two of the Blue Core series. This story contains occasional scenes of explicit consensual sex.
Updated 6/10/21 with fewer typos.
Updated 6/10/21 with fewer typos.
624 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2021
102 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 1, 2024
I'm still enjoying this series even though I skip the sex scenes (there are only a few) and I can't help but skim some of the prolonged crafting tangents Blue goes on at times. I've never really been huge on crafting stories, mainly because they get lost in the crafting and forget to actually have a story.
That isn't the case here and I'm curious to see where things go for the series resolution. Something the author does well across their series is realistically building various world factions that operate by rules that make sense to them. That skill is also apparent in how the author creates a variety of characters who are all somewhat on the same side of the faction disagreements, but have different degrees of morality or loyalty, so there is always the chance for interpersonal drama even when the international drama is simmering.
I also can't help but be fascinated with the elements of this series as a fan of the author who read the newer works before this debut series. It's interesting to me how the author has similar thematic elements of tropes, but uses them in a way that doesn't feel repetitive or stale. There are so many similarities with this series and Paranoid Mage along with many Easter eggs that end up recurring in future works. I don't mind when the pacing gets awkward because I can compare it to course corrections the author made in future books to improve.
There's only one more book left and quite a bit of ground to cover, but I also appreciate that the author ends their series in a timely manner rather than dragging them out into 20-volume quagmires that ultimately collapse under their own weight before finding their proper resolution.
That isn't the case here and I'm curious to see where things go for the series resolution. Something the author does well across their series is realistically building various world factions that operate by rules that make sense to them. That skill is also apparent in how the author creates a variety of characters who are all somewhat on the same side of the faction disagreements, but have different degrees of morality or loyalty, so there is always the chance for interpersonal drama even when the international drama is simmering.
I also can't help but be fascinated with the elements of this series as a fan of the author who read the newer works before this debut series. It's interesting to me how the author has similar thematic elements of tropes, but uses them in a way that doesn't feel repetitive or stale. There are so many similarities with this series and Paranoid Mage along with many Easter eggs that end up recurring in future works. I don't mind when the pacing gets awkward because I can compare it to course corrections the author made in future books to improve.
There's only one more book left and quite a bit of ground to cover, but I also appreciate that the author ends their series in a timely manner rather than dragging them out into 20-volume quagmires that ultimately collapse under their own weight before finding their proper resolution.
May 30, 2021
In a desperate attempt to save her people, Queen Iniri triggered a doomsday weapon that consequentially drained the future of her kingdom. All she has left is to make a deal with Blue, one that at least gives her domain a chance. Blue accepts, but restoring a kingdom is a lot of work and winning the battle against the Mage-Kings is not the end of the war nor is the problem of depletion solved.
Compared to Book 1 the story is a bit less focussed, spending somewhat more time on the R&D of being a dungeon, depletion and magic creating a for me rather intriguing worldbuilding on the nature of the story's world. The non-human races are rather unique. The whole politics is also interesting, although I am not an overly big fan of the whole Anell plot. It feels a bit too mundane for a being like Blue, a distraction at best. The story at times feels rather slow paced and a bit of a power fantasy - after all most problems are easily solved (especially economical ones) while only a few lead to real issues. As with book 1, it is a bit long, but it is a tad worse since the second half of the book lacks any overarching plot.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, although it was slightly worse than book 1 - 3.5 stars rounded up.
Compared to Book 1 the story is a bit less focussed, spending somewhat more time on the R&D of being a dungeon, depletion and magic creating a for me rather intriguing worldbuilding on the nature of the story's world. The non-human races are rather unique. The whole politics is also interesting, although I am not an overly big fan of the whole Anell plot. It feels a bit too mundane for a being like Blue, a distraction at best. The story at times feels rather slow paced and a bit of a power fantasy - after all most problems are easily solved (especially economical ones) while only a few lead to real issues. As with book 1, it is a bit long, but it is a tad worse since the second half of the book lacks any overarching plot.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, although it was slightly worse than book 1 - 3.5 stars rounded up.
February 12, 2024
The story is still good (just like book 1), but uh....well...there's a bit of a giant gaping plot hole.
Still, it's enjoyable. If you got through book 1, then book 2 is more of the same, but in a good way. Plot happens, stuff advances, fun scenes occur.
Still, it's enjoyable. If you got through book 1, then book 2 is more of the same, but in a good way. Plot happens, stuff advances, fun scenes occur.
June 16, 2021
Good start, but then it became just a litany of resource management and resource combinations. So dull I stopped before the end. I wasn’t bothered enough about any of the characters to push through it.
December 11, 2023
Tarnil may have won its war with Tor Kot, but Iniri had to Bargain away her country to save it anyway. Now Blue has a whole country to manage, in addition to his dungeon, and trying to keep everything from falling apart would be easier if the mage-kings weren't coming back in force.
So this is everything I liked about the first book on a bigger stage. Blue is now responsible for the infrastructure of an entire country (in addition to his usual spaces), and trying to keep things from falling apart is anything but simple. There are the usual post-war issues with staff and infrastructures, the fact that all the neighboring nations have noticed Tarnil is very weak, and the mage-kings taking their loss badly enough to send out a much bigger force to get revenge.
And in between the politics and the new war stuff, Blue keeps inventing things, playing with magic, and forging new relationships with various peoples. I like that we get our first good look at some of the other nonhuman races here, with the biggest focus being the Scalemind. One-Eye-Green is a lot of fun.
I also appreciate that Ansae gets to flex a bit, in a couple of ways. She's been a fun addition to the cast from the start, but her unwillingness to engage had kept her more on the sidelines. Now Blue gets to finally see just who it is he's hosting (and it remains sweet that they're friends because they're both Powers with ridiculous skills, just in different ares).
We also finally get to see Shayma's parents, and they're hilarious. Blue's gift to her dad in particular was great. It's also a chance for Blue and Shayma to work out some more of the implications of their relationship, and the impact it has on her parents.
Overall if you liked the first book, the second is equally good. The explicit content warning still applies, but again the chapters are labeled and therefore easy to skip if you prefer fade-to-black. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
So this is everything I liked about the first book on a bigger stage. Blue is now responsible for the infrastructure of an entire country (in addition to his usual spaces), and trying to keep things from falling apart is anything but simple. There are the usual post-war issues with staff and infrastructures, the fact that all the neighboring nations have noticed Tarnil is very weak, and the mage-kings taking their loss badly enough to send out a much bigger force to get revenge.
And in between the politics and the new war stuff, Blue keeps inventing things, playing with magic, and forging new relationships with various peoples. I like that we get our first good look at some of the other nonhuman races here, with the biggest focus being the Scalemind. One-Eye-Green is a lot of fun.
I also appreciate that Ansae gets to flex a bit, in a couple of ways. She's been a fun addition to the cast from the start, but her unwillingness to engage had kept her more on the sidelines. Now Blue gets to finally see just who it is he's hosting (and it remains sweet that they're friends because they're both Powers with ridiculous skills, just in different ares).
We also finally get to see Shayma's parents, and they're hilarious. Blue's gift to her dad in particular was great. It's also a chance for Blue and Shayma to work out some more of the implications of their relationship, and the impact it has on her parents.
Overall if you liked the first book, the second is equally good. The explicit content warning still applies, but again the chapters are labeled and therefore easy to skip if you prefer fade-to-black. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
June 9, 2021
Dungeon crafting at its finest
The sex scenes are skiable and pretty good with high variety.
The story is amazing and the characters, even the villains, are flavorfull. It is not a high stress but it is a bit dark at times.
Also, the chapters end on hill hangers. Not cliff hangers but definitely leaves you wanting the next book.
The most ridiculous part is the length. I go through most dungeon novels in 3-4 hours tops. This has literally taken me 24+ hours. Definitely getting a lot of bang for your buck. Though a good bit is world crafting woven in. The author does an amazing job of balancing rising and falling action instead of the constant down hill Rollercoaster.
Overall I would rank it as one of the best novels I have read for dungeon mechanics, characters, and story.
My only complaint is that there are only two books and I need the third!
The sex scenes are skiable and pretty good with high variety.
The story is amazing and the characters, even the villains, are flavorfull. It is not a high stress but it is a bit dark at times.
Also, the chapters end on hill hangers. Not cliff hangers but definitely leaves you wanting the next book.
The most ridiculous part is the length. I go through most dungeon novels in 3-4 hours tops. This has literally taken me 24+ hours. Definitely getting a lot of bang for your buck. Though a good bit is world crafting woven in. The author does an amazing job of balancing rising and falling action instead of the constant down hill Rollercoaster.
Overall I would rank it as one of the best novels I have read for dungeon mechanics, characters, and story.
My only complaint is that there are only two books and I need the third!
May 22, 2021
Weird mix of porn and crafting
Not really mixed. The erotic fiction is in discrete chapters. It also much less…I mean, it’s still tentacle porn and quite graphic…also a bit bestial/furry…but there’s no sadomasochism this time, so…
A lot of intricate rules and crafting. Building on a nation level instead of town, but also quite a bit of theory crafting. Diplomacy and power moves.
Yeah, I’m gonna get the next novel when it is released. Still feels a little odd.
Not really mixed. The erotic fiction is in discrete chapters. It also much less…I mean, it’s still tentacle porn and quite graphic…also a bit bestial/furry…but there’s no sadomasochism this time, so…
A lot of intricate rules and crafting. Building on a nation level instead of town, but also quite a bit of theory crafting. Diplomacy and power moves.
Yeah, I’m gonna get the next novel when it is released. Still feels a little odd.
June 5, 2021
Not really for those that want combat
While I immensely enjoy this world, this volume has quite a bit of dungeon building and crafting and not so much actual combat. There are "maybe" two fights in the entire thing, though there are a few instances where it ends up something like "and then Blue just erased the enemy." That said I still enjoyed the story and all the intrigue that happens in the middle and will be reading the next book when it comes out.
While I immensely enjoy this world, this volume has quite a bit of dungeon building and crafting and not so much actual combat. There are "maybe" two fights in the entire thing, though there are a few instances where it ends up something like "and then Blue just erased the enemy." That said I still enjoyed the story and all the intrigue that happens in the middle and will be reading the next book when it comes out.
July 23, 2023
I'm a glutton for punishment it seems. I'm back once again for the author's tentacle fetish.
The smut wasn't as bad as the first? (Can't remember how bad), but boy was the story thick, this took a while to finish.
I didn't expect this to go here when I first read the book. So much responsibility, and still restricted from doing certain things.
I will pick up the sequel when out. Nothing major to make note of.
3/5 Stars
The smut wasn't as bad as the first? (Can't remember how bad), but boy was the story thick, this took a while to finish.
I didn't expect this to go here when I first read the book. So much responsibility, and still restricted from doing certain things.
I will pick up the sequel when out. Nothing major to make note of.
3/5 Stars
June 7, 2021
Blue's Shenanigans Continue
Blue continues to break social conventions and the laws of magic and reality to fulfill his Bargain with Iniri, Queen of Tarnil, on the world of Orm. More complications arise as refugees from disasters in both the Underground and the surface flock to Blue to beg for shelter and aid.
Blue continues to break social conventions and the laws of magic and reality to fulfill his Bargain with Iniri, Queen of Tarnil, on the world of Orm. More complications arise as refugees from disasters in both the Underground and the surface flock to Blue to beg for shelter and aid.
June 26, 2021
Interesting followup
Ok.......
The book alludes to some interesting backstop for Blue that hopefully will be expanded on the following book...... the story itself its interesting and it keeps you reading..... the story continues with all the original characters, there is some explanation about Blue origings and new challenges arise. Hopefully the story will continue.
Ok.......
The book alludes to some interesting backstop for Blue that hopefully will be expanded on the following book...... the story itself its interesting and it keeps you reading..... the story continues with all the original characters, there is some explanation about Blue origings and new challenges arise. Hopefully the story will continue.
September 23, 2021
Bad foundation, but amazing story telling
The whole concept of sex being a crucial mechanism and a pillar of the story is inescapably flawed and will never be worthy of five stars. The story construction beyond this is compelling and gradual, so one doesn't have to suffer through long boring parts.
The whole concept of sex being a crucial mechanism and a pillar of the story is inescapably flawed and will never be worthy of five stars. The story construction beyond this is compelling and gradual, so one doesn't have to suffer through long boring parts.
October 20, 2021
A great story continues
Blue is just a wonderful character, a mix of overpowered abilities combined with drastic limitations and blind spots. It's lovely that Blue is very self aware of his own limitations, and works with his Companions too overcome them. Looking forward to the next book.
Blue is just a wonderful character, a mix of overpowered abilities combined with drastic limitations and blind spots. It's lovely that Blue is very self aware of his own limitations, and works with his Companions too overcome them. Looking forward to the next book.
February 23, 2022
More of the same great story
Not much to say about this one since it's a sequel, pick it up if you liked the first book, although not of your only reason for enjoyment were the explicit scenes, because there are less of them in this book, or at least it felt like less. All told, a great sequel and I'll definitely be picking up the next one.
Not much to say about this one since it's a sequel, pick it up if you liked the first book, although not of your only reason for enjoyment were the explicit scenes, because there are less of them in this book, or at least it felt like less. All told, a great sequel and I'll definitely be picking up the next one.
May 28, 2021
The plot continues
Great read! As good as the first one!
Already eagerly awaiting the next book.
The quality of the editing is great, I have not noticed any mistakes which says a lot for a book this long!
I am looking forward to what else will be revealed about blues origins...
Great read! As good as the first one!
Already eagerly awaiting the next book.
The quality of the editing is great, I have not noticed any mistakes which says a lot for a book this long!
I am looking forward to what else will be revealed about blues origins...
July 10, 2021
Interesting concept
It has some interesting concepts. I like the science aspect and how the protagonist has to try to blend it with magic. I wish there was a way to follow the author. I'm looking forward to the next book.
It has some interesting concepts. I like the science aspect and how the protagonist has to try to blend it with magic. I wish there was a way to follow the author. I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 31, 2021
Truly awesome book!
The story of Blue the Dungeon Core. Is a fantastic story. With great characters like Blue his self, his wives Shayma and Tealha, and Queen Iniri. I'm really looking forward to book three when it comes out.
The story of Blue the Dungeon Core. Is a fantastic story. With great characters like Blue his self, his wives Shayma and Tealha, and Queen Iniri. I'm really looking forward to book three when it comes out.
October 29, 2021
Liked it
I have enjoyed the series so far plenty of action and interesting characters. Maybe a little bit to much crafting but still interesting. I will be getting book three when it comes out
I have enjoyed the series so far plenty of action and interesting characters. Maybe a little bit to much crafting but still interesting. I will be getting book three when it comes out
January 24, 2022
awesome read and a great continuation
Blue is all over an awesome being. But dealing with his problems has got to cause a lot stress for his poor companions lol. I really want to read book three, so I’m looking forward to it!
Blue is all over an awesome being. But dealing with his problems has got to cause a lot stress for his poor companions lol. I really want to read book three, so I’m looking forward to it!
December 14, 2022
This series continues to be very interesting. My review of the first book continues to be entirely accurate. The author tends to go on tangents explaining things, but most of the time this works and is quite interesting. My main complaint, and it's a minor one, is that this occasionally happens in the midst of a conversation. Most of the time this simply adds context, etc, but occasionally it goes long enough that when it gets back to the conversation I had a "wait, what were they talking about?" moment. It didn't happen terribly often though. On the good side, the concept, world building, and characters are all very well done. I highly recommend it.
July 24, 2023
Consistently good, consistently vaguely uncomfortable on *so* many levels while being one of the few books I've seen that really pays attention to consent as a tangent, and some utterly lovely world building.
May 19, 2021
Good
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
May 27, 2021
Great book
Well thought out and executed. Would definitely recommend it. Some sections are highly explicit but are marked as such in chapter titles.
Well thought out and executed. Would definitely recommend it. Some sections are highly explicit but are marked as such in chapter titles.
June 7, 2021
Not as good as the first one in my opinion. Everything feels a bit "too easy". Still not bad, 3.5 stars.
June 9, 2021
How it should be done.
This is how a dungeon core story is written. Its got the sauce, its got the power its got the girth?
This is how a dungeon core story is written. Its got the sauce, its got the power its got the girth?
August 3, 2021
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed the second book! Waiting for the third, eagerly! A lot nice character development, can't wait to see how the dragon stuff plays out!
Thoroughly enjoyed the second book! Waiting for the third, eagerly! A lot nice character development, can't wait to see how the dragon stuff plays out!
April 20, 2024
This was another crafting dream :) less fantastical battles but still fun.
May 6, 2024
This just got boring. I'm DNF @61%. Pretty annoyed I actually spend money on this book. There is no overall story or character development.
May 17, 2022
Rating based on popcorn factor.
Volume 2 seems to fit somewhat awkwardly between 1 and 3, it's not really filler, but it also feels somewhat lacking. It's still enjoyable but honestly it feels like it could have used some additional plot editing.
As I noted, volume 1 ends in a forced cliff hanger and this volume suffers because of that - although also due to the author's choices. The ending of volume 1 could have lead to a bit of "outside of the dungeon" intrigue, however it's all wrapped up way too fast (IMO). It feels like the author realized that another genera was being pulled in an then decided to try and avoid it by wrapping everything up really fast and getting back to dungeon growth.
The adult scenes continue although at a less frequent pace. One thing I did appreciate is that each of the women has something of her own personality, although those aren't explored in as much detail as they could be because the center piece is how awesome Blue's dungeon is.
Volume 2 seems to fit somewhat awkwardly between 1 and 3, it's not really filler, but it also feels somewhat lacking. It's still enjoyable but honestly it feels like it could have used some additional plot editing.
As I noted, volume 1 ends in a forced cliff hanger and this volume suffers because of that - although also due to the author's choices. The ending of volume 1 could have lead to a bit of "outside of the dungeon" intrigue, however it's all wrapped up way too fast (IMO). It feels like the author realized that another genera was being pulled in an then decided to try and avoid it by wrapping everything up really fast and getting back to dungeon growth.
The adult scenes continue although at a less frequent pace. One thing I did appreciate is that each of the women has something of her own personality, although those aren't explored in as much detail as they could be because the center piece is how awesome Blue's dungeon is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews