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The Archemi Online Chronicles #5
Spear of Destiny
A showdown of titanic proportions is developing in Archemi. Kingdoms are falling like dominoes to the self-styled Emperor of Nothing and his swelling armies.
Hector Park and his Queen dragon Karalti stand in their way. Linked by an unbreakable bond, they are the Paragons, heroes who are destined to overcome the dark forces mustering on the horizon, or die trying.
Will Hector unlock the true potential of the Dark Lancer Path and stop the ancient enemies of Archemi, or will the Emperor succeed in his mission to become a God above Gods?
Join Hector and Karalti on this epic Final Fantasy-style LitRPG adventure, in which the heroes find love, triumph, and struggle against overwhelming odds in the battle to save their world, while the bad guys are not just scary - they're smart.
Hector Park and his Queen dragon Karalti stand in their way. Linked by an unbreakable bond, they are the Paragons, heroes who are destined to overcome the dark forces mustering on the horizon, or die trying.
Will Hector unlock the true potential of the Dark Lancer Path and stop the ancient enemies of Archemi, or will the Emperor succeed in his mission to become a God above Gods?
Join Hector and Karalti on this epic Final Fantasy-style LitRPG adventure, in which the heroes find love, triumph, and struggle against overwhelming odds in the battle to save their world, while the bad guys are not just scary - they're smart.
Audible Audio
Published November 9, 2021
142 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
James Osiris Baldwin
26 books266 followersDragon Award-nominated author James Osiris Baldwin is a transgender man from Australia who writes gritty LGBT-inclusive, dark fantasy and science fiction. He was the former Contributing Editor for the Australian Journal of Dementia Care and has also worked for Alzheimer's Australia.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 21, 2022
This was really entertaining... and the quest for Vash and his sister was so chillingly scary.
It's kinda turning into a harem thing, which makes me cringe, but I love Karalti and Suri's characters, so it's a tad bearable. I hope Baldwin doesn't make it a focus to the series.
Anyhow, I started the series 'cause I thought there was only five books, and so that abrupt ending really sucks 'cause now I gotta wait for book six.
It's kinda turning into a harem thing, which makes me cringe, but I love Karalti and Suri's characters, so it's a tad bearable. I hope Baldwin doesn't make it a focus to the series.
Anyhow, I started the series 'cause I thought there was only five books, and so that abrupt ending really sucks 'cause now I gotta wait for book six.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2021
LitRPG is still a relatively new genre, and aside from RPGers, many don’t know about it and others think that if they’re not into RPGs (Role Playing Games, like the classic Dungeons & Dragons) then they won’t like LitRPG. I admit that I’m biased here, as I’ve been playing RPGs since I was a child and met a guy in my college gaming club who became my husband. Nevertheless, being an lifelong sci-fi and fantasy reader (among other genres) I contest this. Good LitRPG brings out the best thing in RPGs themselves: they unleash the imagination. As such they easily stack up against the best of sci-fi and fantasy when done well. So now (yes, this is a book review) we come to James Osiris Baldwin and his The Archemi Online Chronicles series. I urge anyone who hasn’t read this series to take it from the start (the first book is Dragon Seed, which I reviewed separately). You’ll find a wildly imaginative and wonderfully written series of perfectly interwoven tales. And best of all, there are dragons (as I’ve always loved fantasy tales with dragons in them), and they are perfectly depicted and wonderfully crafted characters in the books. That includes Spear of Destiny (Book 5), though this is the darkest chapter in the series even if essential to the storyline. Enough so that newcomers won’t get the best impact of the series even though the writing here, storyline, character development etc., are all superb. For series fans, run to download this one. I did on KU as soon as I could. For newcomers I’d still recommend a book 1 start, but promise that you’ll have a blast with this one too by the time you reach it. As such I’m very happy to highly recommend this book.
September 27, 2025
I think I'm up to date with this series or have read as far as I wanted to go. I loved the first few books and have recommended to many as a good example of the rollicking fun of litRPG coupled with fairly good treatment of women and female characters (which is kinda rare) and quite a bit of fun world exploring and twisted tropes that are amusing and fun. The series takes a dark turn for me - it might have been this book - and as a person who works in areas that often expose the darkness of (man)kind I choose not to read that for entertainment. I would not say it crossed any rating lines such as child explotation but my appetite for graphic violence is at the cozy level and happens largely off page it at all. I would do not go to the Colloseum in my reads.
Hey but I can enjoy fighting and violence - currently loving The Salvage Crew for instance.
There is another series this author has written which I highly recommend: I am Legion. I read on Royal Road. I eargerly anticipate more of the series.
Hey but I can enjoy fighting and violence - currently loving The Salvage Crew for instance.
There is another series this author has written which I highly recommend: I am Legion. I read on Royal Road. I eargerly anticipate more of the series.
February 4, 2022
How is this already book five?
As usual, I can only recomend, get the audiobook! Its almost a play at this point! What the author gave this book (wonderfull cheesy jokes, silly down time, all the relationship of mostly stable minded grown ups, and action packed battles, sprincled with some not boring politics and jucy parts of revelations) is only enhanced by the ensamble of Soundbooth Theatre.
All praise set aside, there where points of this book where I thought good gods get it over with. But they where over quick enough and never in direction of James Orsiris Baldwin and more in the direction of the characters.
I have loved every minute of this book and i cant wait to have the next one in hands!
As usual, I can only recomend, get the audiobook! Its almost a play at this point! What the author gave this book (wonderfull cheesy jokes, silly down time, all the relationship of mostly stable minded grown ups, and action packed battles, sprincled with some not boring politics and jucy parts of revelations) is only enhanced by the ensamble of Soundbooth Theatre.
All praise set aside, there where points of this book where I thought good gods get it over with. But they where over quick enough and never in direction of James Orsiris Baldwin and more in the direction of the characters.
I have loved every minute of this book and i cant wait to have the next one in hands!
Read
November 19, 2024Still reading it, but I have to comment on the cover art...
Books 1-4 have Karalti as a sleek, feminine, elegant dragon with a horn ridge. Suddenly in Books 5 & 6 she looks like a massive, ugly, mean dragon (with onl 2 horns) - and a completely different type of dragon than the first 4. Hector goes from looking like a lithe, mid-20's Korean man to a bulky 30-something European warrior with white hair. And where did the sword come from? The title is Spear of Destiny, and the artist gave him a big SWORD? Is the cover supposed to be Baldr instead? Did we change artists & the new one didn't get the memo?
The books continue to be great fun - outside of Hector basically being rufied & used & everyone being "ok with it because he agreed to it"
That bit was a bit disturbing, not gonna lie.
Books 1-4 have Karalti as a sleek, feminine, elegant dragon with a horn ridge. Suddenly in Books 5 & 6 she looks like a massive, ugly, mean dragon (with onl 2 horns) - and a completely different type of dragon than the first 4. Hector goes from looking like a lithe, mid-20's Korean man to a bulky 30-something European warrior with white hair. And where did the sword come from? The title is Spear of Destiny, and the artist gave him a big SWORD? Is the cover supposed to be Baldr instead? Did we change artists & the new one didn't get the memo?
The books continue to be great fun - outside of Hector basically being rufied & used & everyone being "ok with it because he agreed to it"
That bit was a bit disturbing, not gonna lie.
February 10, 2021
Exciting read!!!
First off, I would like to say that I'm sorry you got covid because people are selfish and inconsiderate assholes!! And second, it is awesome that you were able to recover!!!!
What a giant cliffhanger you left, just WOW!! It doesn't really seem like you need a make over, you've done a great job. Your a really good story teller. Especially the action scenes. Very detailed.. And your funny as hell with your dad jokes, lovem!!! I know it'll be a while but I Cant wait to read the 6th book..
First off, I would like to say that I'm sorry you got covid because people are selfish and inconsiderate assholes!! And second, it is awesome that you were able to recover!!!!
What a giant cliffhanger you left, just WOW!! It doesn't really seem like you need a make over, you've done a great job. Your a really good story teller. Especially the action scenes. Very detailed.. And your funny as hell with your dad jokes, lovem!!! I know it'll be a while but I Cant wait to read the 6th book..
February 12, 2021
Cliffhanger. Again.
I really love these books, they are great fun. The story is long and winding, the characters are interesting and the game aspect is really cool, if not always easy to follow. I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings though. They leave me feeling anxious for days until I manage to absorb myself in another story. With the authors notes at the back, I'd imagine it's going to be a good long wait for the next one.
I really love these books, they are great fun. The story is long and winding, the characters are interesting and the game aspect is really cool, if not always easy to follow. I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings though. They leave me feeling anxious for days until I manage to absorb myself in another story. With the authors notes at the back, I'd imagine it's going to be a good long wait for the next one.
February 9, 2021
Awesome book yet again
I really like these books and the story. The world that has been built is amazing. I would like to see some more grinding and some more side quest like Vashe's quest.
I really like these books and the story. The world that has been built is amazing. I would like to see some more grinding and some more side quest like Vashe's quest.
February 10, 2021
A great read
I loved this book and the ups and downs that the hero goes though. There was a lot that happened and was accomplished to further the story and character development. I am excited for the next one.
I loved this book and the ups and downs that the hero goes though. There was a lot that happened and was accomplished to further the story and character development. I am excited for the next one.
February 21, 2021
Epic Fantasy Litrpg
If you're looking at 5 you know what to expect. Great characters and terrific action. This book resolves some of what has been building and sets the stage for the final battle.
If you're looking at 5 you know what to expect. Great characters and terrific action. This book resolves some of what has been building and sets the stage for the final battle.
March 6, 2021
Hard to decide if give 1 or 2 stars but what read to had some decant parts so decided give what did.
Way too much swearing cursing sexual innuendos and potty mouth virtually constant mean can understand a bit every now and again but this just way too much. And then world building of his kingdom and team work yawn but be fair just not into that.
Wondering how many books in whole series's hope not too many as when are usually get boring.
Way too much swearing cursing sexual innuendos and potty mouth virtually constant mean can understand a bit every now and again but this just way too much. And then world building of his kingdom and team work yawn but be fair just not into that.
Wondering how many books in whole series's hope not too many as when are usually get boring.
May 13, 2021
Great Action
A great load of action packed scenes with plenty of surprises and some great character development moments. Particularly liked the new characters in this one and hope to see a lot more of them in books to come.
A great load of action packed scenes with plenty of surprises and some great character development moments. Particularly liked the new characters in this one and hope to see a lot more of them in books to come.
July 2, 2021
Very enjoyable
Despite typos and incorrect, missing, extra words, I very much enjoy this series. The battles do not go on forever as in many LITrpg books. Warning - If you are intolerant of foul language and sexually related scenes, you will want to skip this book.
Despite typos and incorrect, missing, extra words, I very much enjoy this series. The battles do not go on forever as in many LITrpg books. Warning - If you are intolerant of foul language and sexually related scenes, you will want to skip this book.
February 8, 2021
Loved it!
Another great addition to the series! Hector and Kiralti are back it again and what a joy it is to read about them again! Get it now!
Another great addition to the series! Hector and Kiralti are back it again and what a joy it is to read about them again! Get it now!
February 11, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like litRPG type of books.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like litRPG type of books.
April 28, 2021
Better and better
The story just keeps getting better and better with each book. Keep them coming! I for one can’t wait for more.
The story just keeps getting better and better with each book. Keep them coming! I for one can’t wait for more.
May 30, 2021
Wow
What more can I say. Aerial battles, ancient knowledge and constant world building as Hector unlocks secrets from the past. Lots of twists and turns in this book.
What more can I say. Aerial battles, ancient knowledge and constant world building as Hector unlocks secrets from the past. Lots of twists and turns in this book.
May 7, 2022
Wow
I enjoyed this book. Hector's journey has been fun, and watching karalti grow into a beautiful queen is a special treat.
Check out this whole series!
I enjoyed this book. Hector's journey has been fun, and watching karalti grow into a beautiful queen is a special treat.
Check out this whole series!
July 12, 2023
The story is getting intense. I don’t like the relationship stuff. I just skip to the next chapter now and am happier. There is another pretty big cliff hanger at the end which is just mean.
February 26, 2024
Solid entry in the series.
June 2, 2021
Very confusing & somewhat up/down. I realize the author had Covid-19 during the period he was writing this, but still, it just didn't seem as well-constructed as its predecessor volumes...oh, did I mention how OP the protagonist is? The only redeeming grace here is that the antagonists (more than one) are, as well.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews