Accorded Nobility

Binding Words #8

by Daniel Schinhofen

After Magistrate Amerut’s attempt to kill him, Sean knew he still had troubles ahead of him. He knew that removing those who still stood against him would be difficult, but with his friends and family by his side, he started making plans.

Sean knew better than to simply rush off and commit murder. He worked to protect those dear to him, using his Talents and knowledge to bend the rules of the world he found himself in— sometimes near the breaking point— to craft new marvels

New doors opened when he healed the sister of Knight Toivo Bloodheart, setting more events into motion. Dame Hallie Bloodheart, for her part, proposed a plan to shield Sean from Lord Sharpeyes’s retaliation. She would marry him, which would raise Sean to the station of Knight.

Sean accepted the proposal with his wives’ approval, but first, he married Helga, his Chooser. The former Valkyrie was torn over how she should feel about Sean and treat him, but she loved him and was happy to fully join their family.

With two new wives and his intentions set, Sean went to Lord Sharpeyes’ party. Though his plan to force the Lord into a duel was thwarted, so too was Lord Sharpeye’s plan to murder all of his enemies. The battle left many nobles dead and Lady Sharpeyes indebted to Sean.

Once all of his troubles in Hearthglen had been dealt with, Sean was ready to move on. While the massive city of Accord was certain to present its own problems, Sean felt confident that he could face them with the backing of his family and friends.

Genres: Fantasy, Harem, Romance, Audiobook, Magic, Erotica, Adventure

537 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2022

About the author

Daniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.

Reviews

[Cloak88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the other books in the series, Pretty Good!

After the events in book 7 Sean takes his household to Accord for the next part of his journey. This book concerns the preamble, travel to Accord and his first few days in Accord as he sets up shop.

By now readers wil know what to expect from this series. Sean's power continues to grow and as he extends his reach, makes friends and allies and encounters new opponents. This book further opens the world with the large city of Accord. More rules, more roles and a new start in a new city.

I'm looking forward to the next novel in this series. Thus far I haven't been bored yet.

[Dave Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not up to his usual standard
Binding Words is one of Schinhofen's best series. The Characters, The story, The world, and the Heroes goals all combine to create one hell of a ride. Some very inspired writing tie it all together. That's for the series as a whole, This book in particular stumbles.
This book Feel like filler. It's comprised of odds & ends stuffed unceremoniously between the last book and the next one. This is more bridge than destination.

So much time is wasted on grief and parting from hearthglen. Packing bags, and Saying goodbye, and canceling the newspaper subscription, and checking the house one more time for something being left behind. I know that much of this series, and much of it's charm is the 'day in the life' feel of mundane tasks done with loved-ones, but this is too much. You do not need 35% of this book dedicated to domestic minutiae that lend the whole thing a taint of melancholia. They don't even get on the road until chapter 20! Couldn't this have been wrapped up in a few montages? even 5 chapters worth, not 20?
* The feel of this book is a bit more sour. We all know Sean hates playing at being a noble lord, but to have him hate it for the last 60% of the book is off putting. Sean is grumpy and irritable for much of the rest of the book. He finds no perverse joy in the charade, just a low key resentment.
* At last went we do get to the city of Accord and it's time for new beginnings, OH look! Now Mr. Schinhofen wants to hurry the pace along and skip over details. This pacing is all backwards. Linger over ending and partings that can't tell us anything new, but rush over beginnings and meetings that I'll need to keep straight in my head going forward? Where is the sense in that? The last third of the book wouldn't need to be rushed past if you hadn't wasted the first 35%.
There are a few other sour notes here. The flirty teasing Sean's wives give him feels more like taunting than flirting, And Sean gets bizarrely anal-retentive about what activities can be performed in what room of the house. I'm going to chalk up that last one to Sean being very out of sorts and not himself at all.

So over all, we have a book that is not as much of a pleasure to read. It forgets how to have fun, and rushes past the good stuff the linger over sad and dull. Hopefully that means that we got all that out of our system and can get back to the fun, sexy adventure in book 9.

[Steve Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

This is one of my favorite series from this author. I like the tie-in to the Tuatha. We learn a little more about what happened to them and what the MC is becoming in this one. The group has travelled to a new town in this one and they are basically starting again, though with much more going for them this time. I do like the day-in-the life kind of writing. Nothing big really happened, we are just along for the ride as the MC goes about living his life. Sometimes I have a problem with the way the MC talks to his women. It is always over the top with the love and support. Then I think about what the world would be like if people talked like that in real life.

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another day and another book done, another day and another DS's book done. This one took a little longer to finish as I started a few more books and was reading those. But this one is done now, and I liked this as well. However, it was a slow slice of life tale as the McDougal family travels to Accord and sets up things there. Although this one ended suddenly, not even on a cliffhanger, but just a thought and done. Ah, wel,l maybe I will take some time for starting book 9, but who knows, I might start that today itself, just haven't decided yet. Let's see what to read and then just Keep on Reading.

People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres, but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read, so I can't stay and spend more time on this review. Remember, I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and then just Keep on Reading.

[Jonathan Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit slower pace than before but a lot of good character interaction

If you haven't realized from the first 7 books Schinhofen writes in a slice of life style, this installment merely is a bit slower pace and has much less action than has been the case previously as should be rather obvious from the wrap up of book seven. Personally I loved the parts of getting to know the staff/ladies in waiting as I think of those just waiting to become wives. I'm among those who love the story and characters and I'm glad they're getting a stretch of peace as they deserve! If you're worried you might not be able to make it through the whole book then maybe wait for the audio version but it seemed to pick up pace around chapter eighteen or so if that helps you action junkies.
TLDR
I loved it and make sure to get to around chapter thirty before you possibly consider putting it down.

[Donny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accorded Nobility continues Sean's journey for justice against Truestrike. We get some wrapup on affairs in Hearthglen then a bit of a road trip to Accord. Upon arriving at Accord, Sean and family start to settle in and make connections. Including a new enterprise beyond Forged Bonds.

This is not an action packed novel. It is a thoroughly enjoyable slice of life entry in the series. Sean and co have to get their feet under them before attempting to go after someone of Truestrike's status.

[Michael Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the slice-of-life stuff, you'll give this a 5. For me, too much of that and not enough action/story progression, so my overall experience is a 4.

[Jason Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

underwelming

A great book about feelings, loving and being loved, mixed in with lots of confirmation of consent. Sadly it felt like only a few chapters worth of story advancement for a 500+ page book. Almost had to force myself to finish it. Not really a page burner I couldn’t set down. I plan to reread some of his other books and see if this is just his writing style, perhaps I just didn’t notice til now.

Feels well written an rather well developed as far as world building goes. For me it had a pacing issue reminiscent of LOR Lots and lots of walking with one or two quick skirmishes then lots more walking.

[Marked Twaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goid but very weak MC

While I found this book enjoyable to read I have discovered that the main character has become a weak fool. Too much time is spent with him ringing his hands regarding the torture he has to do in the bog. Too much time is blushing because one of his girls teases him. Overall I recommend this book is part of the story. Just don't make a special case of reading it.

[Jonathan Werner · Rating 2 out of 5]

To Slow, To Emotional

Well written as always. New characters are interesting but not enough time spent with them. 90% of this book was MC managing the emotions of this fiancés.

I found this book the most tedious to date. Im not left wanting more. I think this is the end for me…

[Junior · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but little substance

The book almost seemed like a novella set between two standard books in a series. Very little action and almost no substance or growth of any characters.

[Deitra Brunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

4-5 star worthy except...

The story, plot, characters, sex scenes, etc. are all worthy of 4 and 5 stars. I deducted a star because of the amazingly unnecessary cliffhanger ending. And, there's no mention of the story's continuation. Yeah, major let down for me.

[RoRo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a criticism!

I am having some troubles with book 7 and 8 of Binding Words. This issue is the staff joining the harem. Ever since the author said that the staff was all but guaranteed a spot in the harem, I kinda lost the urge to want to know more from this story. This stems from me losing interest in the harem. In general when authors add too many girls in a harem (10 plus) I think it dilutes not only the characters but the story as well. And I think that this is happening in this story.

I was generally enjoying every book up until the author was like, well Sean is going to marry every staff ever. For six books Sean was like I don't want to hurt my current wives but now he is "getting over it" and be like everyone here gets the D.

It started in book 7 and now especially on book 8 he writes these one on one scenes to show that Sean is getting to know these women, yet they all feel empty. After reading these scenes, I don't feel like I want to know much more about any of the women. They aren't interesting and he knows that. He even outright skipped a few interactions and just briefly mentions that Sean had these conversations off screen. They feel like "Staff". They all have a story but not enough to be more than that.

For me this is dragging the story down. I genuinely do enjoy the story here, and I do like the previous cast of wives, but for me the addition of so many new women is just diluting the characters the author spent so long developing. Example Arya has been in the harem a while now (maybe since book 5), yet I know more about Rumia who wants to tend the bushes of Sean's version of hell than Arya. The author even knows this as there are times where he addresses when Sean was all but disrespectful to her. Let's not even get started with Halle.

Also why add women when the others are pregnant? Why add more women now? I understood Helga and Halle, but why focus on other women when the women who he got pregnant are put aside as if they were no longer important at all. I don't like this shift. Like when was the last time Fell, Ida and Ryann was important to the story, maybe book 4? Choosing to focus on other women who are not the ones pregnant feels disrespectful in a way, as if they were no longer a main part of the story now that they are pregnant and Sean must get new women instead.

To iterate this point again, why the staff. They are all boring! They add nothing to the story if they marry Sean, except for maybe three, the one who tends the bushes, the driver and the main cook! And that is a maybe! This is just my point of view, but if you are adding women to a well established harem, they must serve a purpose other than being sex objects, example Helga and Halle. The staff doesn't add anything.

Every single one of them is written essentially the same. They all worship Sean, all are boardline fanatic about jumping into bed with him, and their entire personality is based on hero worship and nothing else. This is just boring and terrible writing. Hell, Dame Iceblood had significantly less screen time (maybe two scenes), yet had a more lasting impression than all the staff. What does that say about the writing? Jeez!

Maybe I won't have felt this way if this book had something more than Sean moving from place A to B and with him talking to some people. Very little was done in this book, so maybe I just fixated on this too much.


This whole thing with the staff just feels so wrong. It feels like those pastors who have sex with those women who are fanatically devoted to the church. Every time I see that in the news it feels gross, and it's the same feeling here. They lack any uniqueness. All the maids feel like just maids, the cooks feel like cooks and the ground keepers feel like ground keeps. Chasity was kinda similar to these staff but had more intrigue with her character than the entire staff put together and multiplied by 11. Lillee had more charm just being a silent serving girl, compared to the same metric. It baffles me that the author chose to add the staff to the harem. Why not add more interesting characters? He has shown he can do this. My guess is that he just got tired or lazy!

Yet the author makes the choice to write more scenes with them, and neglect the previous wives. Like when was the last time Sean and Fiona had a decent conversation like in book 1? One of the reasons I like Daniel Schinhofen's work was the fact that he takes time to introduce a girl to the harem and never forgets the previous members, but it seems he is just as bad as Eric Vall and Logan Jacobs. Women are now just a conquest! Look at Halle and Arya and to some extent Ida, Flora, Ryann and Helga. Fucked them, then move right the fuck on.

[Kevin Zigman · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.5/5

Honestly the book isn't that great. A solid third is closing the Hearthglen arc which is cathartic and all, but more than a bit long winded. It could have been done in half the time if he cut the minor details out. Another 1/3 is mostly just how great Sean is and how sweet he is, and how great his wake up is every morning, the remaining 1/3 is the meat of the story, the advancement of the plot to Accord, setting up the new cast of major secondary characters, Sean and family's new connections to them, etc... Less technical this time which was nice, I like that stuff sometimes but others... well it can get tedious. Thankfully that wasn't the case here.

The constant flitting back and forth to the plane also got old pretty fast though. Of course it needs to exist because it's a major plot point and if it didn't I'd have the opposite problem, that it wasn't used enough. There's a balance and a soft limit before even people who love the story kind of blow it off and it shouldnt be a section that can be ignore because some of it is interesting and relevant. I think it was used 4+ times... I really don't know because I lost track when I lost interest in the planes and how he was going there for other people and so full of remorse. Honestly, we get it, he's a good guy. Really we know. He doesn't like torturing the people who hurt his family. Great. He's still doing it. Okay. Don't revisit his guilt over the whole situation every time. It was alright the first time because he needed that scene, now it's like Ryann... annoying and superfluous to the plot. Sorry, not sorry... I still don't like her... moving on...

The characters are much the same but Sean's learning to play the game and not bull over those who could be useful, which is a mistake from the earlier books he's learning from... so personal growth yay! That said the harem is getting a bit out of control in terms of numbers, I don't know about the rest of you but I had to go back and lookup some names to know who some of them where because honestly most of them aren't memorable and there isn't time to make them memorable since the inner harem of wives is who we know and love best. It's a shame that this happened to Schinhoffen and to one of his best series but it happens to every author in this genre. Worst comes to worst he can pull another Will Arand and kill off some wives for a revenge plot... I hate that that is a viable strategy because I despise that trope but with him expanding the harem so large it might be necessary to keep the interest and focus of readers. That said and keep in mind that I love this series, it's a filler book. Like book 6 it's to set up the next book. Most of the knowledge we get about the next book will be reiterated in the next anyways, and it's not one of his best. Thankfully less bathroom scenes in this one... Or at least awkward ones are becoming less frequent which is fantastic because that was annoying in book 3 and he's finally fixing it in book 8. Maybe they'll be completely out by the time he finishes the series. Probably not because he seems to fall back on them to push relationships forward but a reader can hope right?

Anyways not the best not the worst should really be a 2.5 and not a 3.5 but there was some witty banter, some catharsis and closure, and the parts that were forwarding the plot did so quickly. Without those elements it's mediocre at best for Schinhoffen which is still better than 90% of the people writing in this genre. He really isn't that bad but this book isn't one of his best. Thats all for now I guess.... Here to hoping book 9 is much better than this.

Oh it should go without saying the 5 stars are for the algorithm and helping the author. Anything less than a five lowers their ability to market a book. I'm on KU so this is literally the least I can do. That said I'll always give my honest opinion in the review and while I might trash this book a little it's still not a bad book, nor is the author incompetent. He's trying to do too much at once, some of it is fan service but some of it is him feeling out new ways to do things. At least new to his style of writing and I appreciate that, I do. He's going to fumble a bit but the books are still readable which is really all I can ask for.... okay now I'm done. Cheer to book 8, here's to a better book 9.

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction:
Greetings, fellow denizens of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha male Ice Wolf with over 36 years of gaming experience. Today, I bring forth my thoughts on the audiobook "Accorded Nobility," narrated by the talented Andrea Parsneau.

Basic Plot Summary:
The tale revolves around Sean, who, after surviving an assassination attempt by Magistrate Amerut, realizes that danger still lurks in the shadows. With the support of his loved ones, Sean uses his Talents and knowledge to craft wonders and protect those dear to him. His journey takes a turn when he heals Knight Toivo Bloodheart's sister, leading to a proposal from Dame Hallie Bloodheart. The story unfolds with political intrigue, battles, and Sean's ever-growing family.

Analysis/Evaluation:
The world-building is intricate, with a blend of medieval settings and magical elements. The plot, however, seems to be a bridge between major events, making it feel like a setup for the next installment.

Characters:
Sean stands out as a protagonist who is not just powerful but also values his relationships. His character development is evident as he navigates through political and personal challenges. The introduction of Dame Hallie Bloodheart adds an interesting dynamic to the story, and the bond between Sean and his wives is heartwarming.

Structure:
The narrative structure is well-paced, though some might find certain sections slow. The balance between action, dialogue, and internal monologues is commendable.

Impact:
The story leaves a lasting impression, especially for those who have followed the series. It highlights the importance of family, loyalty, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones.

Hook and Thesis:
The intrigue begins with an assassination attempt, setting the tone for the challenges Sean would face. The central theme revolves around power, politics, and personal relationships.

Praise and Critique:
The narration by Andrea Parsneau is impeccable, breathing life into the characters. The story, while engaging, feels like a filler, setting the stage for future events. Some sections might seem slow, but the character interactions make up for it.

Evaluation:
While the book has its highs and lows, it remains a worthy addition to the series. The character development and world-building are its strong points.

Comparison:
Compared to other litRPG books, "Accorded Nobility" stands out for its intricate character relationships and political intrigue. However, some might find it lacking in action-packed sequences.

Conclusion:
In the icy realms of HowlStrom, where every moment is a battle for survival, tales of loyalty, love, and power resonate deeply. "Accorded Nobility" is one such tale that, despite its flaws, remains close to the heart. As an Ice Wolf who has seen many winters, I recommend this audiobook to those who value relationships and political intrigue. May your paths be clear and your hunts successful.

Frosty howls,
Kiba Snowpaw

[Bob Wester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story

First, thank you Daniel for the re-introduction to the family. It makes it much easier for me to place a name when I am given a few characteristics to provide context.

I love slow-building stories. Reminds me of web novels with the ability to "waste" chapters on character growth and empire building instead of zealously following the main plot.

Here the main character transitions from living in one city to another to follow the villain who orchestrated the death of his friends and loved ones. But Sean cannot simply attack him without revealing himself to the powerful Queens of this world. So instead he starts building his network of connections to the noble and powerful in the city to counter the villain.

Most of the content is "slice of life". Tea parties to meet nobles. " Shaping" small items for merchandise. Small increases in personal power instead of training montages to explain the jump in power. All good stuff.

My only complaint is that as the cast of characters keeps increasing, the story can feel less like a returning character is coming out and more like it is time to pull this dusty doll out of the toy box before hiding it away again. This is less the author forgetting to use characters and more that a television show or comic can have characters move in the background or silently follow the main cast to stay involved, but in a book, unless a character talks in a scene, anyone not mentioned gets forgotten. I wish I knew of a good method to keep characters feeling fresh besides limiting the cast.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope there is more story and less fake love / relations in this book. I'm sure the book will start with the protagonist doing smut in his bus or something.

I'm 80% sure book seven ended with them leaving the city on a bus, but I don't feel like going to check and confirm.
A third of this book was spent on preparing to leave (filler) and I'm sure book seven already fixed that.

I knew this would have happened. The protag has so many women that I don't know who is who anymore. At least there isn't cringey scenes padding the book about how much love they have or whatever.

This book felt fillery. The third of the book they used to leave the city could have been done in a sixteenth of that. The protagonist needs to stop behaving like an awkward school boy when he is "teased". He has sex with many different women on a daily basis, and at the same time sometimes.

Another book without a cliffhanger. I think the author finally realized that people weren't joking with him when they are vexed with cliffhangers. I still remember when he made fun of his readers crying about the cliffhangers in one of his books ("many people complained about cliffhangers, but I [the protagonist in that story, which is basically a stand in for the author] think it was well done, and added to the story", or something like that). I don't know which reader thinks that a cliffhanger adds to a story.

3/5 Stars

[Jon Svenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

By book eight it's pretty clear what you can expect from any Daniel Schinhofen novel, and his latest in Binding Words follows that pattern. The only big difference is that we get a road trip, and I can't recall many LitRPG books that focus on road trips.

Sean gets some big news after the battle that ended book seven, and it's also a big help as he, his family, and his servants head to the city of Accord. Once they get there, they need to setup shop quickly to get ready for a sales bonanza, as well as securing assistance from some of the more sympathetic leaders of the city.

I think it goes without saying that there is a lot of loving is sharing and that kind of stuff, and I've long lost track of all the characters, the same as happens in book two of a William Arand series. :) There is a bit of action, but that's definitely not the focus.

Meanwhile, Sean's power is growing and it doesn't seem like there is a limit cap on his growth.

When I first started this book I couldn't get into it, but then I picked it up again and flew through it. The same thing happened for book eight of Apocalypse Gates, which I'm going to go back and read since I wasn't into it when it came out.

Reliable, dependable, with just enough twists, action, and political maneuvering to make it enjoyable. 5/5*

[Brett R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 8 rocks! Read them in order to really enjoy the series.

I haven't written reviews for all of this series...but I should have! This series is definitely D&D ... with some twists! The use of the Tuatha & specifically Morrigan is great! Not too many D&D modules have been designed using the Celtic mythos, making this very interesting because of it. The MC has an interesting BG and the lack of overt (graphic) sex with his many wives should keep all but the seriously jaded reader happy. I also love the regular, non-MCs ... the MC's friends.

Keep up the great work and please write the next book soon! (But not so soon that the quality goes down!)

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean finally moved his wives and staff an some other families to Accord to expand the association .

Sean learned new abilities an talents shared with his friends and the association invented new ways of transportation the steam engine to the electric engine cars,trucks,an bus for his personal use an armour plated for safety .He moved his wives and staff an some other families to Accord to expand the association and finally get revenge on the person that killed all his friends an almost killed him also by setting a trap for him when he just coming to this new world wasn't expecting anyone to know about him yet . recommend reading excellent series .

[Bill Tomenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Transitional Chapter That Puts "Slice of Life" to the Test [3.5/5 Stars]

After the seismic, action-packed conclusions of Noble Solutions, you might be ready for Sean MacDougal and his ever-growing family to dive headfirst into their next big challenge in the capital city of Accord. Pump the brakes a little. Accorded Nobility is the quintessential transition novel, a 500-page bridge that meticulously packs up life in Hearthglen and slowly unpacks it in a new city. For fans deeply invested in Schinhofen's "slice of life" style, it's a comforting, character-rich interlude. For others, its glacial pacing and lack of conventional plot might feel like a chore. It’s a book of two halves, earning a conflicted 3.5 out of 5 stars from this reviewer.

Key Themes: Transition, Legacy, and the Weight of Nobility
The Burden of a Peaceful Transition: The central theme isn't an external villain, but the internal and logistical process of change. The book explores the melancholy of leaving a home you've built and the exhausting administrative grind of establishing a new one, even when you're powered up. It's a surprisingly grounded look at what happens after the epic victory.

Found Family Expansion and Consolidation: The "found family" core expands formally with two significant marriages—to the Valkyrie Helga and Dame Hallie Bloodheart. The theme here is less about recruitment and more about solidifying these bonds into a stable, politically powerful unit. The family itself becomes Sean's primary weapon and shield.

Reluctant Leadership and Social Climbing: Sean is dragged kicking and screaming into higher nobility. The story delves into his resentment toward the pageantry and manipulation of noble society, contrasting his direct, moral-centric approach with the entrenched, corrupt games of lords like Sharpeyes.

Character Analysis: Settling Roles and New Beginnings
Sean MacDougal: Sean's development is subtle but significant. He's learning to wield social and political power alongside his magical Talents. However, a common critique is that his constant grumpiness about noble life and his sometimes overly sentimental dialogue with his wives can become repetitive, making him feel less dynamic than in prior books.

Helga & Hallie: These two new wives get meaningful focus. Helga's full integration into the family resolves long-running tension, while Hallie's marriage is a strategic masterstroke that redefines Sean's place in the world. Their additions are plot-critical rather than just harem expansion.

The Supporting Cast: With a household now numbering in the dozens, some characters inevitably get less spotlight. The focus remains on the core wives, with new aides and staff in Accord introduced to set the stage for future conflicts.

Writing Style & Pacing: The Divisive "Slice of Life"
This is where the book lives or dies for readers. Schinhofen's prose remains easy and conversational, perfect for the genre. However, the pacing is the most debated aspect of the entire series to date.

The book is unabashedly a slow burn. The first third is dedicated entirely to wrapping up affairs in Hearthglen—saying goodbyes, packing, and managing estates. One prominent reviewer noted it took 20 chapters just to hit the road. This deliberate, "day-in-the-life" detail will either immerse you deeply or try your patience. The latter half, once in Accord, ironically feels rushed as it scrambles to establish new settings and side characters. The ending is notably abrupt, not on a cliffhanger, but on a simple thought.

What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:

Meaningful Character Moments: The emotional beats with the family, especially solidifying the bonds with Helga and Hallie, feel earned and satisfying.

Strategic World-Building: Moving to Accord opens the world dramatically, introducing the seat of the Queens' power and setting the ultimate stage for the confrontation with Truestrike.

A Necessary Breather: After the high-stakes drama of Book 7, this quieter period allows both characters and readers to process and recalibrate.

Disliked:

Severe Pacing Imbalance: The choice to spend over 35% of the book on departure minutiae, then rush the arrival in the new city, is a fundamental structural flaw that disrupts narrative flow.

Sean's Stagnant Mood: His persistent irritability and the cyclical nature of domestic/romantic dialogue can make sections feel redundant.

"Filler" Feel: Despite being over 500 pages, the plot advancement is minimal. It functions almost entirely as set-up for Accord (Book 9).

Conclusion/Recommendation
Final Verdict: Accorded Nobility is a challenging but necessary entry for series devotees. It's less a standalone novel and more an extended prologue to the final arc.

You'll love this book if: You are deeply invested in Sean's household and cherish the slow, domestic, "cozy fantasy" interludes as much as the action. If your favorite parts of the series are the character interactions and building phase, this is a fulfilling read.

You should skim or read a summary if: You prefer strong plot momentum and action. The criticism of this feeling like "filler" or a "bridge" is valid for readers with this preference. If the slice-of-life elements ever tested your patience before, this book might be a DNF.

Think of it as a long, scenic, and sometimes meandering road trip between two major destinations. Your enjoyment depends entirely on whether you love the journey for its own sake. For committed fans, it's a must-read to stay connected. For others, it may be the series' most significant pacing hurdle.

[Tim Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a great read

This book continues the story that was started a while ago each book gets better and better and continues the story. The people both the goods ones and the bad ones and the neutrals ones are well written and have distinct personalities. For me this is a well woven story full of adventure strength weakness happiness love danger and drama. I will continue to read the books as they come out the story is getting more and more interesting and I can't wait to see what happens next well read what happens next that is haha.

[Alan K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less action, more slice of life in this book

This book contains the move to the larger city and forming the base of their new operation, so felt more of a World Building book than an action/thriller. Occasional sex scenes that appeared in previous books was basically non-existent with more fade to black and/or fading in at the end - not complaining as it’s not the reason for reading Daniel’s books. The book was very emotional especially after the end of the previous book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Will wait impatiently for the next in the series.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Another entry in the series that I could scarcely put down.
Something I found interesting about this book is that all the intimate scenes are either FTB or simply alluded to. This means that this entry was essentially all story, which I found fantastic.
There was a point near the end where I found myself saying "oh no" out loud because I feared for something that was going to happen. A book that can keep me on the edge my seat like that is definitely an enjoyable experience.

[Dannan Tavona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome filler

Fantasy LitRPG light harem fade to black magic fae
This picks up from right from the last novel, which had a major battle. Sean's goal, with his family's support, remains ending the life of the noble fae who dealt so much harm to the Macdougall household, their friends, and the city of Hearthglen. Mostly this is a set up for the next volume, but nonetheless satisfying. If you're this far into the series, you will enjoy book 8. My only complaint is wanting more books more often, and thankful it's not a cliffhanger. Recommended.

[Andrew Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great instalment.

Really enjoyed this instalment in the series liked how it was seeing up for the next stage. The first part was sad but really lets you feel how much he cares for people. Really looking forward to hopefully quite a few more books in this series as so far it's your best series that has plenty more for us to read about. Just going back and rereading from the beginning.

[Penny Hampshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

still going strong

What I like about this series is that the action builds slowly and logically, you’re not being rushed from one thing to the next but lead through the daily lives, without being boring.
The family grew a lot in the last couple of books so some seem to get left out a little now, like Sean worries about not giving each enough attention I think Daniel has a similar problem. Still good though!

[Jacob Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great progress in the plot

Great plot progression in this book. The only downside I'm feeling right now, and it's a very minor one, is there are so many characters throughout the last seven books, that I'm forgetting who people are. Specifically the people in the pete. I don't have a clue who Zachary was. I don't remember who velen was, or whatever that woman is. It's not a super big deal, but it does bear mentioning

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good part of the series.

I have to start with "Thank you Mr. Schinhofen!"

I think this is the first where there wasn't a conflict to end the book, and I find myself grateful for that. To have it end so low key was a breath of fresh air and still keeps me hooked to read the next one.

Characters are well developed and rotating so everyone is fresh in the mind, while introducing a few new ones too keep the story moving. Looking forward too the intrigue coming.