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Four Laws #3

Law of Freedom

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Little by little Rob has been gaining the strength he needs to protect not only himself
but the family and town he is coming to love.

One threat has been removed but a new criminal element has moved into town.
This one seems more organized and has Rob scrambling to decipher their plans.
Worse they seem to know things about Rob that even he doesn't.

This time it is freedom which is on the line as these new criminals are more interested
in convincing Rob to join them than in killing him. But Rob isn't the only one struggling
with freedom. Mursha the beautiful orc would rather be a blacksmith or a warrior than the
domestic path set out by her father.

The investigations are open but Rob won't let the trail grow cold as he tracks down
the answers they need.

651 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2022

214 people are currently reading
82 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
597 (60%)
4 stars
264 (26%)
3 stars
99 (10%)
2 stars
23 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Charles Daniel.
585 reviews6 followers
June 6, 2022
Freedom Can Be A Slippery Thing To Grasp.

“Freedom” is an expansive concept. There can be, as Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" expounds, "freedom from" and "freedom to." In some cases, one begets the other and in others the two meld together. In this novel Rob Case, his wives, and his deputies fight for their individual forms of freedom. Some triumph and some die in their fights, but all learn a new understanding of the Law of Freedom.

This novel, and the series of which it is a part, fits into the Isekai, Harem, Erotica, Body Cultivator, LitRPG genres, but may interest fans of the wider Fantasy genre and those who enjoy playing RPGs.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,618 reviews60 followers
April 7, 2022
You read the first two books? You know what you're getting here, and it's generally well executed. MC is finally getting his head around the fact that things are different on the magical world full of beast people, something he notes the necessity for in the story. A good read, and it rates the 4 ("very good") I gave it.
415 reviews7 followers
January 21, 2024
The annoying parts of this series just keep getting more prominent, sadly.

There's just way too much "protagonist does stupid thing, it goes poorly, but he survives and ends up stronger due to plot armour and luck". Which is frustrating, because the setting and premise would be great for a "protagonist gets ahead by being canny and determined" style story, and we started book 1 with a decent focus on determination (although even then, not a ton of cleverness).

But not only does he never seem to get smarter, even the "hard work and grit" is being de-emphasised, and at this point it's just getting silly.

Further, conflict between the protagonist and love interests is becoming an increasing plot point, and I don't enjoy it not do I think it works.

I dislike everything to do with Nimeera (I get it, she's trying to sow discord and be duplicitous, which makes sense for her and is working, but it doesn't make for a pleasant plot.) Similarly the long long saga of when or if the protagonist is going to sleep with Daria, the weirdly contrived conflict over whether Mursha will join, the never ending question of whether Rava will join and the constant reminders that she isn't trusted by the other girls, and even the periodic ruffled feathers with Josie and Lina over small things is increasingly tedious. Some of this gets partially resolved at the end of the book, but it's too little too late.

Way too much of this book is taken up with conflict that doesn't matter and in most cases shouldn't exist. The protagonist has a long list of problems, and if he's just make a list of them, prioritise them, and then work his way through solving them, it'd make things so, so much easier, because a ton of the problems facing him are only issues because he's not even trying to solve them.
Profile Image for Vance Olmstead.
67 reviews10 followers
April 6, 2022
Poor editing or character changes

Poor editing or character changes caused me to almost quit this entire series even though I made it to book 3!!! Multiple words throughout the whole book had the work monkey substituted into it, and it became unbearable. Someone whether it be the author, editor or whoever failed! They wasted customers time and money! This was unacceptable! The ONLY reason I gave it a 3 instead of a 1 was out of respect of the first two books. Whether David Burke is a pen name or an author is irrelevant as I'll remember it going! forward with distrust and a grimace
Profile Image for Kiba Snowpaw.
Author 2 books24 followers
September 21, 2023
Introduction:
Greetings, fellow denizens of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, the alpha male Ice Wolf of our icy realm. With over 36 years of life experience and a lifetime of gaming, I've ventured into many worlds, both real and imagined. Today, I shall share my thoughts on the audiobook "Law of Freedom" by David Burke, a tale that resonated with the icy magic within me.

Basic Plot Summary:
In this third installment of the Four Laws series, Rob, our protagonist, finds himself in a constant battle to protect not only himself but also the family and town he has grown to love. As one threat is vanquished, another, more organized and sinister, takes its place. This new adversary seems to have knowledge about Rob that even he is unaware of. The stakes are higher than ever, with freedom hanging in the balance. Alongside Rob's journey, we also follow Mursha, a fierce orc who wishes to break free from the domestic life her father envisions for her.

Analysis/Evaluation:
"Law of Freedom" delves deep into the concept of freedom, exploring its many facets. The narrative draws parallels with Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," distinguishing between "freedom from" and "freedom to." Through Rob, his wives, and deputies, we witness various forms of freedom being fought for, with some achieving it while others tragically lose their lives in the pursuit.

Characters:
Rob's character development is commendable. He's not just a static hero; he evolves, learns, and adapts. Mursha, the orc with dreams beyond her societal norms, adds depth and a fresh perspective to the story. Their struggles, triumphs, and relationships are intricately woven, making them relatable and real.

Structure:
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with moments of intense action juxtaposed with quieter, introspective moments. This balance ensures that the listener remains engaged throughout.

Impact:
The tale left a profound impact on me, making me reflect on the freedoms I often take for granted. It serves as a reminder that freedom, in any form, is a gift that should never be taken lightly.

Hook and Thesis:
The hook of the story lies in its intricate plot, where freedom is at stake, and the choices made can lead to dire consequences. The underlying thesis revolves around the exploration of freedom and the lengths one would go to attain it.

Praise and Critique:
The world-building is immersive, drawing the listener into the magical realm filled with beast people and intriguing magic systems. However, there were moments where certain details, like the differentiation between archers and crossbowmen, were overlooked, slightly disrupting the flow of the narrative.

Comparison:
While the novel fits snugly within the Isekai, Harem, Erotica, Body Cultivator, and LitRPG genres, it also holds appeal for fans of broader fantasy genres and RPG enthusiasts. The depth and complexity of the story set it apart from typical entries in these genres.

Conclusion:
"Law of Freedom" by David Burke is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends action, emotion, and profound philosophical musings on freedom. As an Ice Wolf from HowlStrom, I felt a deep connection with the icy challenges and heated battles that the characters faced. It's a tale that will resonate with many, and I eagerly await the next installment in this series. May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide you to this audiobook.
Profile Image for Dannan Tavona.
983 reviews10 followers
June 29, 2022
Good, but with mistakes

Fantasy magic LitRPG cultivation harem adult situations monster girls
Story was engaging and kept my interest, and considering story length, it felt like two books for the price of one.

That said, archers and crossbowmen are not the same and are not interchangeable. When using the word "archer," you are talking about people who use bows and arrows. Crossbowmen use bolts. Both use missiles, and missile units can include spears, slingers, and javelins. During a prolonged battle, enemy units were said to be using crossbows, yet were described as archers and firing arrows. A newbie mistake. Not critical, but it kept taking me out of the battle.

Second critique is the group telepathy; MC Rob talked about how nice it would be to have group broadcasting without having to have Rob be the hub. Then, suddenly the deputies have that ability. I could missed where it became a Feature, but I don't think so; twice it was an important ability that Rob was not a part of. Unless I missed the event, I consider it a continuity error, hence the ding.

Still, story and characters continue to be engaging. If you've read the first two books, a lot happens in this over 600 page novel.
Profile Image for Thorsten.
315 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2023
This book felt rushed, unplanned and haphazard. The story lacked focus like the author had a checklist of ideas and crammed them in without any real regard for the story's flow. The cultivation system continues to feel like it's being made up on the spot. The boy band gang names are an ongoing irritant, like having gotten a hilariously bad tattoo while out drunk one night ... on your forehead. The relationship drama is just all over the place.

However, what really grated on me in this book was the use of gravity magic. Every time it was mentioned it just got worse. You have magic, you don't need to butcher physics. It's the difference between inventing frost-fire and using a plain fireball to give someone frostbite. One is fun new magic, the other is wtf?

I read the author's books because he usually tells a fun, engaging story and I mostly just ignore a lot of the harem-lit elements. However, he also seems to have a tendency where one or more books in a series feel very rush and underdeveloped. This book feels like it fell victim to too little time and too little care.
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,509 reviews126 followers
April 12, 2022
Rating 3.5 stars

Not as good as the previous books. The MC is still something of an idiot. He has women throwing themselves at him and he keeps putting them off. He knows that the women around him took the job so that they could do good work AND be with a man. He keeps telling them to wait, that it would be better later, blah, blah, blah. That worked okay in the first 2 books but he should know how the world works now. Daria wanted him since the first page of this book. The story also isn't really progressing well. All the MC does is train but despite that he only has growth when he does something crazy that should kill him. He just has to bear with the pain and trust his feelings and then he gets stronger. This happens over and over again. Then there is all the internal monologue. A couple of sentences of dialogue followed by multiple pages of him explaining his inner thoughts. It wouldn't be so bad except that he just seems to repeat himself over and over again. This adds nothing to the story, plot or character development, so it ends up just be filler words. Overall it was still okay but I was hoping for more.
447 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2022
A interesting mix of Isekai and cultivation

The story continues our heroes are exposed to more challenges and the things that he and his deputies and clerks have to go through is an interesting mix of kind of a western with magic thrown in urban fantasy and cultivation. The characters are well developed and they have different personalities and the things like the battles and the challenges are well described and generate a good mental picture of what is going on. I also enjoyed reading about the characters they're all pretty interesting even the bad guys.. and of course there are the spicy scenes but they're more like part of the story as opposed to overshadowing the story. The drama action and humor are well done in this story and I hope to read the next one soon.
20 reviews
April 7, 2022
Very enjoyable, toss up for 4 or 5 stars though

I like that it is not harem focused and that the harem parts are actually thought out to give a different perspective on the monster girl harem. The detail level was better than expected and there is much more focus on story line and action than on the sex scenes. The sex scenes had just the correct balance of detail (for new experiences) and implied action that it was enjoyable not as just another harm story.

I don't like all the implied side stories that are getting brought up unless this is going to be more than 4 books long.
Profile Image for Jamie Ross.
851 reviews14 followers
April 6, 2022
Fun, thrilling and amazing to read!

It's always a blast seeing what Rob and his wives are getting up to, especially some of the antics and life threatening situations he puts himself in.

This book was as thrilling, if not more so that the first two with questions being answered and only raising more questions, plots within plots both in Olimero and among the gods...

And the bonds forged with his friends and family.
No to mention some long sought vengeance being delivered
Can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Marked Twaine.
221 reviews13 followers
April 7, 2022
Awful truly Awful

Series started off Good but I can no longer read anymore. The main MC Rob is so ooo ooo stupid and blind it goes beyond just being ignorant. He can't see the female enemy right in front of him. I mean OMG how stupid can one guy be but Rob is very very very stupid. I kept wishing he'd get killed off. Don't read this book. It is beyond frustrating. For all his gifts and power he can't see hoe he's being manipulated. By pass this story it is not worth the frustration.
224 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2022
An excellent continuation

I liked it. It was light on smut, but the story itself is good.
I was a little...eh about a point where something happens and they don't really get into /how/ the bad guys find out? I'm gonna chalk it up to mind magic though.
For what resolution there was, a lot of new things were set up. I anticipate the next book to see if they come to give good fruit.
665 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2022
Excellent follow up

The MC is leveling up his martial skills and mana cultivation, as he resists the sinister forces, arrayed against his family and his deity. Those forces include organized crime, a pending monster surge, local potantates, an unknown nefarious organization and the machinations of at least 5 deities. All told this is a fun series and l look forward to reading more.
519 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2022
This series is far better than the average litRPG. There is an editing issue - in the 1st half of the book the Hawkin Daria is often improperly referred to as a monkykin. This series is actually so good that I will be sorry to see it end as expected after volume 4. There is an intriguing line in the interludes that could be extended past volume4.
278 reviews5 followers
April 6, 2022
Awesome

The great storytelling continues in the third installment of this series. Not only are the characters fun, but the action is immersive and paced to compliment the slower cultivating portions. I only saw a few typos, and they were not enough to detract from a really entertaining book. Already preordered the next!
Profile Image for Eric Bertone.
286 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2022
Always a fun read

I always appreciate how the author ties both Haremlit and litrpg together. Its a great solid
progression for the character. I enjoy how the MC acts with his women as it seems more natural and not the domineering attitude some authors project. Lastly there is so much going on the book never seems to drag and you can't wait for what comes next.
908 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2022
Incredible Series

Well written series combining, cultivation, action adventure and more than a bit of spice. Rob gains new friends, deputies and grows in his cultivation. Not only that his wives and others increase, and Mursha frees herself from the bonds of her family. If you haven't started this series, what the hell are you waiting for?
107 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
Fast paced sequel to a great series

It had been a while since I read book 2 before picking this one up. But in no time at all I was back in the story of Rob and his family. I feel this book was more fast paced than the previous one. Lots of things are happening, some storylines come to a close other open up and I will now pick up book 4.
Profile Image for Bobby Nichols.
163 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2023
Lots of surprises

After the last book, I thought it was going to be more of the same old, same old: MC has a problem, MC finds a new power, MC overcomes said problem. But the characters get more complex, the storyline is more convoluted, and the dialogue is more entertaining. I am looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Steven Allen.
1,188 reviews24 followers
February 27, 2024
This book was a decent entry in this series. I like the creativity of the world and the slightly different approach to monster girls.

What really drove me crazy and pulled me out of the story was the race of the hawk monster girl changed from hawkkin to monkeykin several times. If the author makes such a basic mistake and cannot keep the species of his characters correct, it really pulls me out of the story.

I am reading the next book in the series and lets see if the author can keep the races of his characters correct this time.
1,474 reviews15 followers
April 5, 2022
Wow

So many questions answered and so many new ones to puzzle over!!! An incredible journey this author has created for our imaginations to run wild in!!! As always excellent adventures, unique magic and great adult fantasy activities!!!
927 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2022
The adventures of the city of Yonderton continues

The 3rd installment of this series as Rob has to learn how to save the city he loves from corruption defeat criminal organizations an increase his family by taking more wives . Recommend reading . Looking forward to the next book.
195 reviews
April 12, 2022
More adventures

There were parts that had me concerned, but the story delivered. There's still a lot going on in the background that hasn't been revealed but looking forward to seeing where it goes.
230 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2022
Excellent!

That was a lot of fun, it’s great to see Rob progress and all of his people with him. A lot of question remain unanswered and that bodes well for book 4, only wish it was already out
99 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2022
Gods have plans

Ok, I love that Rob is the first cultivator, but old scratch may lose control of his plans. I love that he is connecting with his wives and each of them is getting new powers. I can’t wait to see how his son develops and how quickly that will happen.
50 reviews
April 29, 2022
Another great book

The characters become more lifelike and th
e story more captivating in the third book of the series. More intrigue is added with the other new curves in the plot.
341 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2022
Awesome Sauce!!

Loved this so much, so much going on with Rob the Sheriff, and his deputy wives. It had some exciting things happening, and quests were completed. I can't wait till the next book, Law of Blood.
2 reviews
May 18, 2022
can’t wait till June

This is the reason why I normally wait until a book series is complete before starting. I love this series, how does one go about become an early access reader lol
54 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2022
A goodie

I'm enjoying most of the series David burke puts out and this one is no exception I enjoyed this book more than the first 2 because everything with Rob just feels like luck. It makes for an annoying and frustrating read but this book has less of that
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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