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Descend #3

Going Deeper

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Jay has gotten his cluster to come together.

But new challenges always appear.

Most frustrating is an old crush from Earth joins them and throws questions
into all of Jay's relationships.

One truth remains. Their only hope is to grow stronger.
To do that they have to descend deeper into the dungeon.

At the same time, Jay has to decide how he feels about the women in his life.

Warning: this book contains detailed adult activities and unconventional relationships

583 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2021

237 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

About the author

David Burke

38 books131 followers
David Burke is a mild manner something who tries to enjoy each day a bit more than the last. It dawned upon him at some point that life was racing him by and he wasn’t nearly as young as he used to be.

So now he spends his nights and lunch hours and any other free time he can putting down on paper all the stories that have collected up over a life time.

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5 stars
358 (52%)
4 stars
212 (30%)
3 stars
84 (12%)
2 stars
23 (3%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,504 reviews127 followers
October 26, 2025
Rating 4.0 stars

"Re-read October 2025. Original review below. I do like the pop culture references. I can't believe I missed mentioning it in my first review. Here is a test for you. What movie is this from. "It goes from God, to Jerry, to me" Answer: I love when I catch those little easter eggs. Anyone else pick up on it? "

This was much better than the last book. It got back to basics. OP main character getting way more OP. A bunch of cool powers to explore. Tons of sex. There was a little bit of strife in the new group with Trina showing up but nowhere near what happened with Jasmine in the previous books. Jay isn't as much of a dumbass in this one. He still does some stupid stuff now and then, but he is dealing with the hand he has been dealt better. Overall, well done.
Profile Image for James .
1,346 reviews20 followers
January 12, 2021
Extremely enjoyable read.

This series continues to keep me entertained and engaged with the characters. The world building is interesting and the characters are fun to read about.Overall I really liked this book.
243 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2021
Oh Boy

Just finished book 3 and found out about books 4 & 5. So far a pretty good series. I highly recommend it.
72 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2021
Love this series!

This third book the the series “Going Deeper” is simply amazing. Just another knock out with an amazing cast and world. I’m very excited for the next book coming in March.
Profile Image for Russell Gray.
681 reviews137 followers
April 10, 2021
This series is very close to losing its luster for me at this point. The pacing of the overall story slumped significantly in the middle of the book and it honestly wasn't very enjoyable. It was even a mild form of torture for me as Jay, our MC, eventually spent all his time managing all of the whims of the dozens of women wanting him and having all their own individual demands. Even with the ability to create his own version of a DBZ-style hyperbolic time chamber, he doesn't have enough time to deal with all the emotional maintenance needed.

This is honestly a version of my own personal nightmare and if I was in Jay's position, I would have likely bailed and left a lot of these women to rot.

The last 15% of the book got back to business and moved the plot forward again, but unfortunately was full of typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting problems. The trajectory of my enjoyment seems to be inversely related to the growth of Jay's harem collection, so there is a fair chance that the next book in the series will be my last.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,616 reviews60 followers
January 13, 2021
I liked this more than book 1, and overall it was good. I did notice an increasing number of typos as the book went on, but that's the biggest complaint I had. Lots of room to expand this to the planned 5 books, dependent on solid execution of course.

For me there has to be hope in the story, so at some point "the bitch" must die, preferably sooner than later. She's already pushing my tolerance for a nemesis that just won't die, and with the Forlorn as the galaxy-spanning existential threat, one of them has to go or this will just get too depressing for me.
Profile Image for Sean Oswald.
Author 52 books287 followers
Read
January 20, 2021
Edits have gone live on the book.

If you downloaded a copy of it previously, redownloading will give you the edited copy.

Profile Image for David U..
151 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2021
More of a 3.5 star. I enjoyed this story, although it was quite predictable, the narrative performances were top notch.
398 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2022
Jay's boy scout personality is getting pretty annoying. I'm almost cheering for Jasmin at this point. Almost.
Profile Image for Kiba Snowpaw.
Author 2 books24 followers
September 22, 2023
Introduction:
Greetings, dear listeners. This is Kiba Snowpaw, your ice-bound alpha male wolf from the frozen world of HowlStrom. As the winter season grips our world in its icy embrace, I took a dive into the heated pages of "Descend #3: Going Deeper" by David Burke. Let me share my thoughts, as a lifelong gamer and book enthusiast, on this intriguing novel.

Basic Plot Summary:
Jay, the protagonist of this tale, finds himself in a constant battle to strengthen his group, or 'cluster' as it's called in the narrative. They must delve deeper into a dungeon, a task that's as perilous as it is essential for their growth. However, the waters are muddied when a past flame from Earth makes a sudden appearance, questioning the very fabric of Jay's relationships. The narrative navigates through Jay's struggles with his feelings for the various women in his life and their joint efforts to confront the ever-present challenges.

Analysis/Evaluation:
The story is a thrilling blend of genres, combining elements of harem, fantasy, science fiction, and erotica. The author, David Burke, crafts a world that's both captivating and complex. His world-building is immersive, and he has successfully managed to maintain a gripping plot throughout.

Characters:
Jay, our central figure, is a dynamic character facing both external threats and internal dilemmas. The women surrounding him, from his old crush to his current cluster, are intriguing with distinct personalities and abilities. Their interactions with Jay and among themselves add layers to the story, revealing the intricate web of relationships that form the core of the narrative.

Structure:
The story's pacing is balanced, with action sequences interspersed with emotional moments that provide depth to the characters. However, some reviewers have noted certain inconsistencies and typos that could be ironed out for a smoother reading experience.

Impact:
"Descend #3: Going Deeper" leaves an indelible mark on the reader, much like the frosty patterns the winter winds of HowlStrom etch onto our icy plains. The emotional roller-coaster the characters go through resonates deeply, making it a memorable read.

Hook and Thesis:
This book promises a deep dive into unconventional relationships, survival, and growth against a backdrop of challenges and uncertainties. It's a tale that hooks you from the start and keeps you engaged till the end.

Praise and Critique:
The world-building and character development have received high praise, making it a standout in its genre. However, some readers felt the erotic elements were excessive, and certain editorial oversights affected the overall reading experience.

Comparison:
While "Descend #3" shares similarities with other litRPG and gamelit harem novels, its distinct blend of genres and well-developed world sets it apart. It's an exploration of strength, relationships, and survival in a uniquely crafted universe.

Conclusion:
"Descend #3: Going Deeper" by David Burke is a compelling continuation of the series, rich in action, emotion, and intricate relationships. Despite certain editorial issues, it's a tale that will resonate with fans of the genres it represents. As the winter winds howl outside my den in HowlStrom, this book provided a fiery escape, and I eagerly await the next installment.
1 review2 followers
January 20, 2021
This book feels like someone published a draft because they had a deadline.

The first half is mostly ok, only some smoothing of the flow needed. But the second half is a train wreck. There are the usual mistakes you see in any unedited work (typos, random symbols, wrong words, missing words), but there also are errors in the story. Simple contradictions from one chapter to the next, information that is delivered as new to the characters twice, and so on.

And then comes chapter 56...which skips a whole level after the previous chapter ended in a cliffhanger. And it isn't even good in any way. It delivers exposition to the characters that's already known to the reader in the most boring way. And the next chapter isn't much better. Another time skip (not a look ahead/interlude---there are also 3 of those around the last chapter), and there's nothing happening other than exposition about what the new status after the time skip is. Something you'd excuse at the start of a sequel, or as the "happily ever after" chapter at the end of a series, but not as the last chapter of a "to be continued" book.

My suggestion to the author would be to move chapters 56 and 57 to the next book and end with one the 3 interludes which ere around chapter 57 at the moment. One can go earlier, one can go into the next book. Clean end on a nice cliffhanger.

Alternatively rewrite chapter 56 as the solution for the cliffhanger and move just 57 to the next book. But as it is now, it's a mess.
161 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2022
My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, could not physically stop reading/listening, wanted more afterword.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterword.
3- Enjoyed the book, could see others loving it, need to think if I want more.
2- Can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for but definitely not for me).

[Audiobook Version]

This is an alright series. I like the powers and how they are handled and the basic premise of the story. However, it's hard to really care about any of the characters they are not flat but they are definitely lacking the spark that makes them come to life within the story. I might continue the series just to finish it, but not sure how to feel about this one. Also, I feel like the story focuses too much on erotic details and descriptions (although I guess it does make sense story-wise), at the same time I think it could be toned down a bit. Overall, the basic premise is interesting and could have been amazing, but the execution was focused on readers who love erotica, and there's not much else left.
224 reviews7 followers
May 14, 2021
An excellent continuation

I remember enjoying the first book but having some reservations, but after making my way through to this one I'm enjoying it and glad I've stuck it out.
The back and forth with the glimpses into the future, and changes are rather interesting. There was an interesting build up for the next book, I can't wait to read it and see how the story progresses.
I enjoy the tension of what is discussed in the future, will it come to pass? Will some hardship be avoided? Some victories seem to also cause other issues as well, which is good that there are negative consequences with good.
The smut diversified more, also a plus anything that keeps it from being repetitive is a plus in my book. Mild spoiler:

A little saddened the missed chance for alien shmexy times .

Also him constantly pressing ahead/shutting others out seems to not be something he's growing out of which is frustrating, though anything is a process and he does have his reasons.
Overall still one of the better reads on this genre and I'll be reading more!
Profile Image for Ford Miller.
722 reviews6 followers
September 15, 2021
Good read.

This book was an approvement over the last, the main character still seems to have emotional issues with being a man . but it wasn't every other paragraph in this book. The plot is okay... it's the story moving along what kind of got stuck. really just introducing new characters nothing NEW by way of the story has happened, except maybe the characters power up? It also seems to me that books of this type, the girls get to control and dominate the male character simply because the man feels guilty for being able to hook up with a lot of women, who are begging to be hooked up? Being a nice guy aside, it doesn't make sense!
691 reviews10 followers
April 2, 2022
To live is to Decend Deeper

Jay is only 1 of a few remaining male humans vs to dozens of beautiful women. An alien experiment is the only reason that the human race is still alive after the Earth was destroyed. Their job is to Decend into the dungeon experiment and survive, but they must also procreate to keep the race alive. The problem is that they are not told anything except to survive. Team Jay consists of 6 wives controlling a 'pod' of 9-14 additional women. His job is to have sex with each and every women on his team and improve his and their skill levels.

Fun read and good sex with 1,2,3 and or more partners.

Read in 4 days
Profile Image for Jake.
249 reviews7 followers
November 2, 2021
Decent story; needs a proofer

I came back to this book because I was interested to see how the overall story turned out. While it's an interesting story, it's sometimes hard to read due to the various mistakes that are present. Numerous typos, couple of plot errors, and the worst offender is when the wrong names are used. With a lit RPG you tend to remember which people have which powers and stats and such, so when they say the wrong person using a power in a given situation, it really puts a damper on everything.
59 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2021
Just another Biggest Dickest, superman MC that gets all the girls. It had an interesting premise but became "let's great a giant harem and forget about all the girls as soon as the next one is introduced."

Also, it starts as game lit but introduces cultivation stuff to break the system. It just seemed odd to me but I guess that's what you do when you create a superman knockoff character.

Was it just me or does the author have a skewed view of women? Where he has them basically raped and killed off by the thousands. It was just uncomfortable.
663 reviews10 followers
September 25, 2022
wow, just wow

What an ending to this book, but thankfully not the series. The MC and his cohort have adjusted to the relationship and breeding pressures, so Jay must expand his harem and is now a daddy. They continue to level and join forces with D’varn after defeating the Bal’gi and capturing the crown. Oh but wait, a Forlorn armada has arrived but Jasmine, now known as Queen has something to say about that.

Really enjoying this series as l have also enjoyed the 4 Laws series by the author.
275 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2021
Surprised and happy!

I had only just finished reading the second book 2 days ago. This one coming out so soon after I finished that book was a pleasant surprise. Things are definitely ramping up and taking a turn that I wasn't expecting. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where we go in the next books of this series. Can't wait to read the next book in March . maybe we'll get lucky and it'll come out a little sooner LOL.
51 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2021
Amazing story highly recommend but should have been edited better.

I really enjoyed this book and can't sit for the next. That said there were an excessive amount of typos and errors in the 2nd half of the book that really should have been caught if anyone had done a read through. The one error that was understandable but repeated was a percentage sign in the level of one of jays skills but really it would be 5 stars if not for the errors
266 reviews13 followers
January 19, 2021
Needs editing for sure

I've never been one who knocks a book for small typos, but dear god this book needs a proofread. He calls his kid the wrong name! Melissa instead of Michelle! Whole sentences are messed up all over the place. Also Jay is still pretty annoying and very much a boy scout, so much talk of how he isn't resisting anymore as I have to continually read about him resisting.
Profile Image for Eric Bertone.
286 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2021
Very entertaining read

Overall this was a great read. I really love the gaming elements to the story and the evolved plot line. I also appreciate the MCs strength but also his interactions with the women so that he doesn't come across as an ass. I think he is still not doing it right at the end, but that's a very minor gripe. It also helps this book is a little longer than the average for the genre and reads like a slice of life with a lot of detail.
85 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2021
Good one

We get to learn more about the ship and aliens in the universe. I like seeing the growth of each character. I'm a bit frustrated with the MCs lack of sexual promiscuity. Everyone one on both sides begs him, he rationalized and eventually agrees, but still spends a good portion of the book whining that he has to be with more than one woman.
266 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2021
Good book bit of editing issues.

Many parts were just fine then you would run into a section where letters were missing or words were used very incorrectly and made that section of the book crawl as you had to translate what was being said. The rest of the book was a fun read with interesting fusions and power combinations.
226 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2021
Damn March is a long time from here

Evolution into a stronger better faster human. Something all us geeks have dreamed of. Amazingly crafted world, characters, villains with multiple plot woven into one great book. Only issue I saw was the need for a better proof reader, lots of minor mistakes that weren't in the first 3 book appear in this one.
16 reviews
January 28, 2021
Incredibly addictive

I just finished the third book, once I start the first book out of curiosity I couldn't stop reading till now, Avery single time off, day or night. Sleep on 4 hours so I can use the extra 4 to read. The sacrifice was worth the price. Is January and the 27th and can't believe I will have to wait till March to read the 4th book.
166 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2021
Another great read !

Another great story sad that I just had to read through it so fast. Only problem would be the formatting around chapter 21 it changed to smaller font and single space being a little annoying from there it went back and forth a few times. Ready for more though !
Profile Image for Tony Fecteau.
1,530 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2021
Well, the story seems to be repeating a little now. I'd like to see more lore presented and learn more about the other races. Having an ex introduced into the storyline was a little disappointing to me. But, this will stop me from reading the next story. We must continue to find out what will happen to our happy/crazy gang.
62 reviews
July 1, 2022
Oh man, ride hard

So much great about this series and this specific book, but to favorite for me, a harem story with happy adult "back door" fun time. Very few other authors think to include it, and I personally am a huge fan. Plenty more to love from this story, but that was a real treat imo
Profile Image for Jamie Ross.
851 reviews14 followers
May 27, 2023
Insanely thrilling and hard to put down

An insane, but truly outstanding and thrilling read!
There is a lot going on, but woven in well to the book that it flows relatively well and has brilliant twists and turns that leave you glued to the pages.

Already looking forward to reading the next book!
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