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Creation's Bane #1
God of the Feast
Running a restaurant was hard, but it filled Clive’s life with meaning… running through a portal was easy, but it filled Clive’s life with demons.
Weak in a world full of strength. All he and his friends have is their grit and determination to survive, as they navigate this brutal, war-torn land of magic in search of a way home.
There’s a problem, though. Clive’s been cursed. A little stabby, stabby from a demonic knife, catapults them into a race against time to find a cure. Fighting their way across Falritas, they need friends and levels like there’s no tomorrow. Because there might not be…
Note: This is a LitRPG GameLit Portal Fantasy. Set in a chaotic land, ruled by ruthless Gods, complete with game mechanics, progression system and empire-building. A place where demons, werewolves, dwarfs, and elves roam. Warning: Despite their best efforts, these individuals are driven by anger, fear, and lust, and as a result their journey is full of dark humor, violence, and profanity.
Weak in a world full of strength. All he and his friends have is their grit and determination to survive, as they navigate this brutal, war-torn land of magic in search of a way home.
There’s a problem, though. Clive’s been cursed. A little stabby, stabby from a demonic knife, catapults them into a race against time to find a cure. Fighting their way across Falritas, they need friends and levels like there’s no tomorrow. Because there might not be…
Note: This is a LitRPG GameLit Portal Fantasy. Set in a chaotic land, ruled by ruthless Gods, complete with game mechanics, progression system and empire-building. A place where demons, werewolves, dwarfs, and elves roam. Warning: Despite their best efforts, these individuals are driven by anger, fear, and lust, and as a result their journey is full of dark humor, violence, and profanity.
1172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
586 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 4, 2023
So this book is huge. Like, over a thousand pages huge. So bear in mind that this review is only going to scratch the surface. Which is a shame because there is a lot of depth here.
Clive loves being a chef even though his mentor was something of a prick. He's also mostly alone in the world with the exception of his three best friends. They are, fortunately, the kind of friends who show up when you are in trouble and need backup. All four end up going through a portal into a different world where the demons who tracked them into our world aren't the scariest things around. Fortunately, they find an ally or two and do their best to find a way home.
Only going home is complicated, and not just because those capable of throwing portals around like candy are bad guys. Clive, it turns out, is special. This is a mild spoiler because it doesn't come up for a bit, but his mentor gave him more than just cooking skills and that gives Clive an edge in this new world. It also makes him a target of bad guys.
I was initially worried a bit about Clive. He's not the type to take motivations for granted and it seemed he spent a lot of time being suspicious of people. Fortunately, it turns out that he isn't without grounds and I came to value his skepticism over time and appreciate the worldbuilding along the way. I'll admit, though, that I was relieved when his friend, .
The LitRPG side of things worked out well-enough. Clive's special specialness is a little over-the-top and makes a lot of the levelling irrelevant, but that's not necessarily bad. Plus, the characters we meet and offend along the way were interesting. And once Clive got to community building, I loved all the secondary characters attached to him, most especially Sania, but I even came around to Joel in the end.
Anyway, this was four stars for good characters and okay worldbuilding and plot. I wish the author hadn't gimped the final victory by . Still, I'm interested in the next book and that's no small thing after one as long as this one was. If you're curious, a sample should be adequate for if you'll enjoy the whole thing.
A note about Steamy: Clive gets a girlfriend. They have sex. Some of it explicit. It's on the low side of my steam tolerance as mostly the author doesn't give details. I think the choices were well-founded for when to share and when not to, so that's good.
Clive loves being a chef even though his mentor was something of a prick. He's also mostly alone in the world with the exception of his three best friends. They are, fortunately, the kind of friends who show up when you are in trouble and need backup. All four end up going through a portal into a different world where the demons who tracked them into our world aren't the scariest things around. Fortunately, they find an ally or two and do their best to find a way home.
Only going home is complicated, and not just because those capable of throwing portals around like candy are bad guys. Clive, it turns out, is special. This is a mild spoiler because it doesn't come up for a bit, but his mentor gave him more than just cooking skills and that gives Clive an edge in this new world. It also makes him a target of bad guys.
I was initially worried a bit about Clive. He's not the type to take motivations for granted and it seemed he spent a lot of time being suspicious of people. Fortunately, it turns out that he isn't without grounds and I came to value his skepticism over time and appreciate the worldbuilding along the way. I'll admit, though, that I was relieved when his friend, .
The LitRPG side of things worked out well-enough. Clive's special specialness is a little over-the-top and makes a lot of the levelling irrelevant, but that's not necessarily bad. Plus, the characters we meet and offend along the way were interesting. And once Clive got to community building, I loved all the secondary characters attached to him, most especially Sania, but I even came around to Joel in the end.
Anyway, this was four stars for good characters and okay worldbuilding and plot. I wish the author hadn't gimped the final victory by . Still, I'm interested in the next book and that's no small thing after one as long as this one was. If you're curious, a sample should be adequate for if you'll enjoy the whole thing.
A note about Steamy: Clive gets a girlfriend. They have sex. Some of it explicit. It's on the low side of my steam tolerance as mostly the author doesn't give details. I think the choices were well-founded for when to share and when not to, so that's good.
April 10, 2022
Not sure what the point of the story is
The world building was interesting, the system of opposing gods, skill tiers, combination of cultivation with piety.
Other than that though the dialogue becomes mindnumbing, and from halfway through the book becomes largely about politics interspersed with combat despite having no depth to the politics (and the combat being a series of encounters of beating people he shouldn't beat by no particularly good reason).
I don't understand why the XP system even exists when the MC gains levels 3-15x at a time, other than as a way to grow dramatically faster than literally everyone else in the world.
If you cut out all the awkward dialogue of the MC justifying his Mary sue existance and struggling with being learning to become deserving of all the shit he clearly doesn't deserve the book could be 20% of the length.
Read properly for about 40%, skimmed the next 30%, gave up and started flipping to the end for the last 30 yet lost interest before I even got to the last page.
The world building was interesting, the system of opposing gods, skill tiers, combination of cultivation with piety.
Other than that though the dialogue becomes mindnumbing, and from halfway through the book becomes largely about politics interspersed with combat despite having no depth to the politics (and the combat being a series of encounters of beating people he shouldn't beat by no particularly good reason).
I don't understand why the XP system even exists when the MC gains levels 3-15x at a time, other than as a way to grow dramatically faster than literally everyone else in the world.
If you cut out all the awkward dialogue of the MC justifying his Mary sue existance and struggling with being learning to become deserving of all the shit he clearly doesn't deserve the book could be 20% of the length.
Read properly for about 40%, skimmed the next 30%, gave up and started flipping to the end for the last 30 yet lost interest before I even got to the last page.
April 3, 2022
This is a MASSIVE book. Massive.
It's also filled with Kevin Sinclair's style of writing, with a lot of character development and action, and most importantly, a good amount of distinct and equally as important cast of characters. Not a lot of lone wolfing going on around, which really helps the situations in the story to feel like they happened organically, with nothing really being railroaded by the author.
Kevin is now in the 3 must-read series categories for me.
Get it!
It's also filled with Kevin Sinclair's style of writing, with a lot of character development and action, and most importantly, a good amount of distinct and equally as important cast of characters. Not a lot of lone wolfing going on around, which really helps the situations in the story to feel like they happened organically, with nothing really being railroaded by the author.
Kevin is now in the 3 must-read series categories for me.
Get it!
April 10, 2022
KU Review
Based on the title, not at all what I thought I’d be getting in to. That said, it’s a very good portal story with an insanely OP MC that still repeatedly gets his butt kicked. Fun!
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Based on the title, not at all what I thought I’d be getting in to. That said, it’s a very good portal story with an insanely OP MC that still repeatedly gets his butt kicked. Fun!
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
September 14, 2022
Happy it's over
Absolute slog to get through the whole novel. You know when an MC just gets constantly thrown into the grinder, where everyone wants to destroy them, where every character not on their side is so evil that all conflicts lose meaning? Yeah that's this entire book. The whole world is full of bastards out for themselves, everyone is batshit crazy, and the MC is constantly screwed over. It just gets so, so boring. There's just too much overly dramatic drama. The anti religious trope is a main theme of the book as well, and honestly it's worn out and tired as heck.
MC is unrelatable due to constant anger and then self pity, followed by not having a backbone to make tough calls. Yet has plenty of backbone to piss everyone off. Side characters aren't much better. There's always a whiny one.
This isn't the worst gamelit book I've read, but due to the sheer quantity of poor quality over the top conflict, OP bad guys, unlikable characters, and just being a drag to read... pretty much any generic gamelit book is a better read. It's just not fun. It's barely interesting. Just blah. Happy I'm done with it.
Absolute slog to get through the whole novel. You know when an MC just gets constantly thrown into the grinder, where everyone wants to destroy them, where every character not on their side is so evil that all conflicts lose meaning? Yeah that's this entire book. The whole world is full of bastards out for themselves, everyone is batshit crazy, and the MC is constantly screwed over. It just gets so, so boring. There's just too much overly dramatic drama. The anti religious trope is a main theme of the book as well, and honestly it's worn out and tired as heck.
MC is unrelatable due to constant anger and then self pity, followed by not having a backbone to make tough calls. Yet has plenty of backbone to piss everyone off. Side characters aren't much better. There's always a whiny one.
This isn't the worst gamelit book I've read, but due to the sheer quantity of poor quality over the top conflict, OP bad guys, unlikable characters, and just being a drag to read... pretty much any generic gamelit book is a better read. It's just not fun. It's barely interesting. Just blah. Happy I'm done with it.
April 6, 2022
Excellent
You would think a book with1172 would be a bit of a grind not so this is a real page turner . expect some late nights reading!
You would think a book with1172 would be a bit of a grind not so this is a real page turner . expect some late nights reading!
April 4, 2022
book one
Mistakes: I did find a few. Mostly the ground being called the floor. I’m almost positive that there are some more, but with the slang used I couldn’t be 100% sure.
Another mistake is in the fact that everyone understands the slang except for in two places. Even I had trouble with some of it and had to get the meaning from context.
Plot: This is a portal to another world book. It is truly a book at over a thousand pages.
There is a distinct lack of looting though.
Characters: I found them to be interesting. Does the MC get fleas from sleeping with a beastkin?
8/10
Mistakes: I did find a few. Mostly the ground being called the floor. I’m almost positive that there are some more, but with the slang used I couldn’t be 100% sure.
Another mistake is in the fact that everyone understands the slang except for in two places. Even I had trouble with some of it and had to get the meaning from context.
Plot: This is a portal to another world book. It is truly a book at over a thousand pages.
There is a distinct lack of looting though.
Characters: I found them to be interesting. Does the MC get fleas from sleeping with a beastkin?
8/10
Read
July 26, 2022Good Job Mr. Sinclair, Good Job :)
Long book with great character work and an engaging storyline can't wait for the next book. There are some plot points that feel a bit forced and convoluted. I also did not appreciate the obvious foreshadowing of major plot point where a character goes from brave enough enough jump through fire for your friend to want to desert that same friend.
Long book with great character work and an engaging storyline can't wait for the next book. There are some plot points that feel a bit forced and convoluted. I also did not appreciate the obvious foreshadowing of major plot point where a character goes from brave enough enough jump through fire for your friend to want to desert that same friend.
May 18, 2022
This was only 1 book?!
Phenomenal world building, and character growth. Not just the leveling. Though our main character gets ridiculous powers, we never stop seeing him get slapped around like a rag doll. The boys truly gave each other insults like no tomorrow, and felt like a real group of adult friends.
Phenomenal world building, and character growth. Not just the leveling. Though our main character gets ridiculous powers, we never stop seeing him get slapped around like a rag doll. The boys truly gave each other insults like no tomorrow, and felt like a real group of adult friends.
June 13, 2022
Not what I expected- in a good way
Got hooked really quick. Thought I could predict what would happen and who could be trusted - wrong every time and happy to be.
Story is engaging and doesn't feel long at all. What an epic first step in the journey and can't wait for the next!
Got hooked really quick. Thought I could predict what would happen and who could be trusted - wrong every time and happy to be.
Story is engaging and doesn't feel long at all. What an epic first step in the journey and can't wait for the next!
August 6, 2022
wonderful LitRpg read
Great read, significantly different from other books in the genre. I enjoyed this book and am certain you will also
Great read, significantly different from other books in the genre. I enjoyed this book and am certain you will also
April 14, 2022
Good story
Good story! Nice characters and excellent works building. Only downside is that it is a truly MASSIVE book. It's a great, fast paced story, but it can be a bit hard to maintain. Overall, fantastic start to the series.
Good story! Nice characters and excellent works building. Only downside is that it is a truly MASSIVE book. It's a great, fast paced story, but it can be a bit hard to maintain. Overall, fantastic start to the series.
May 4, 2022
Epic fantasy
I really enjoyed this book. It's long though. If that's an issue, you might want to look elsewhere. While technically LITRPG, it has a definite epic fantasy feel. It's well worth the read, though it's a long ride.
I really enjoyed this book. It's long though. If that's an issue, you might want to look elsewhere. While technically LITRPG, it has a definite epic fantasy feel. It's well worth the read, though it's a long ride.
May 24, 2022
Wow and amazing build up
I was hooked on the first page and have been all the way through. No protagonist that is really strong from the start but one that builds up and grows. I cant wait for the next book in this series to come out.
I was hooked on the first page and have been all the way through. No protagonist that is really strong from the start but one that builds up and grows. I cant wait for the next book in this series to come out.
May 29, 2022
Engaging and creative
I thought the MC was a bit dumb at first. But that changes as the character levels, the story fleshes out, and the MC invests a few in Int!
Seriously though, I’m very much looking forward to more of this storyline.
I thought the MC was a bit dumb at first. But that changes as the character levels, the story fleshes out, and the MC invests a few in Int!
Seriously though, I’m very much looking forward to more of this storyline.
June 18, 2022
Fantastic. 5 Stars. More.
Really enjoyed a litRPG that doesnt pull punches. Lots of fun characters, funny, dark. Read it in one sitting. Great work kevin, I highly recommend this book.
Really enjoyed a litRPG that doesnt pull punches. Lots of fun characters, funny, dark. Read it in one sitting. Great work kevin, I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2022
All of the main characters are insufferably stupid, stubborn, and rude. I don't mind this behavior in moderation, but it's like they took four copies of Jax from the UnderVerse series and turned them up to 11 for 30+ hours.
April 13, 2022
Don't waste your time
Author constantly has to change his name because none would buy his Plagiarist stories. Please use same name and stop using bots to leave a review of your work
Author constantly has to change his name because none would buy his Plagiarist stories. Please use same name and stop using bots to leave a review of your work
May 4, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially enjoyed listening to it in audiobook form. The author nails the accents, which really help bring this book to life in a way I can't imagine replicating in my mind when reading the book physically.
This is the story of Clive, a chef from Sunderland on the verge of opening his own restaurant, when he gets attacked out of the blue by a demon and gets dragged to another magical world with three of his best mates and his friend's dog. All of them are in over their head as they face off against forces well beyond their ability to deal with. They have no idea what they are doing, no idea why they are hunted, and no idea how to get home... and the stakes only go up from there.
By far, the highlight of this book is the relationship between the core group of characters. Each of these friends feels like real, believable people, and their underlying loyalty to one another is the core strength of their group. This helps so much with the stakes of the story, getting you attached to their plight and also delivering legitimate emotional moments at times.
Speaking of those emotional moments, this book does not pull its punches. Despite having an overall light-hearted and jokey tone from page to page, this is well balanced with some dark content and heavy material. This balance is key here, as without that more serious material, the jokes would have become overbearing and annoying, and without the light-hearted tone, the book would have felt dreary and a chore to read. With that balance, it gets the best of both worlds, making this a really enjoyable book with genuine impact.
My final praise for this book comes from the author's delivery on the main character's potential. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that Clive is destined for big things, and the author isn't afraid to deliver on those promises. This was a massive bonus for me as my favourite stories are about exceptional people realising their potential.
So, with all this good to say, why did the loss of a fifth star?
Unfortunately, it's what might be the kryptonite of this genre of novels: mindless action for the sake of action.
I enjoy action scenes in books, they have the potential to be the best parts of stories, but that always comes with the caveat that it is meaningful action . A book crammed with non-stop action from cover to cover without ever meaningfully progressing the overarching story and character arcs will drag far more than a novel with no action that consistently delivers on both elements.
This book has too many action scenes that feel like they are there simply because it had been a while since the last action scene, and not because they were genuinely working in service to the plot. As a result, the book dragged quite a bit in those scenes, and in a book this large, that adds up to enough of a problem to remove a star from this review.
Overall, though, this was an excellent novel with a brilliant protagonist, plenty of potential, and a plethora of reasons to get you, as a reader, well and truly hooked. I can't wait to see what comes next.
This is the story of Clive, a chef from Sunderland on the verge of opening his own restaurant, when he gets attacked out of the blue by a demon and gets dragged to another magical world with three of his best mates and his friend's dog. All of them are in over their head as they face off against forces well beyond their ability to deal with. They have no idea what they are doing, no idea why they are hunted, and no idea how to get home... and the stakes only go up from there.
By far, the highlight of this book is the relationship between the core group of characters. Each of these friends feels like real, believable people, and their underlying loyalty to one another is the core strength of their group. This helps so much with the stakes of the story, getting you attached to their plight and also delivering legitimate emotional moments at times.
Speaking of those emotional moments, this book does not pull its punches. Despite having an overall light-hearted and jokey tone from page to page, this is well balanced with some dark content and heavy material. This balance is key here, as without that more serious material, the jokes would have become overbearing and annoying, and without the light-hearted tone, the book would have felt dreary and a chore to read. With that balance, it gets the best of both worlds, making this a really enjoyable book with genuine impact.
My final praise for this book comes from the author's delivery on the main character's potential. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that Clive is destined for big things, and the author isn't afraid to deliver on those promises. This was a massive bonus for me as my favourite stories are about exceptional people realising their potential.
So, with all this good to say, why did the loss of a fifth star?
Unfortunately, it's what might be the kryptonite of this genre of novels: mindless action for the sake of action.
I enjoy action scenes in books, they have the potential to be the best parts of stories, but that always comes with the caveat that it is meaningful action . A book crammed with non-stop action from cover to cover without ever meaningfully progressing the overarching story and character arcs will drag far more than a novel with no action that consistently delivers on both elements.
This book has too many action scenes that feel like they are there simply because it had been a while since the last action scene, and not because they were genuinely working in service to the plot. As a result, the book dragged quite a bit in those scenes, and in a book this large, that adds up to enough of a problem to remove a star from this review.
Overall, though, this was an excellent novel with a brilliant protagonist, plenty of potential, and a plethora of reasons to get you, as a reader, well and truly hooked. I can't wait to see what comes next.
October 14, 2023
The beginning is funny, exciting, entertaining and organized well. It is contradictory in the sense that everything wrong that happens to the main character and his friends is due to their drunken stupors, lack of conviction, lack of maturity, preparation and effectiveness.
Before their departure to see about healing Clive's demon left arm, the friends have a night of excessive drinking which causes them to not have any stamina, speed and strength when a monster attacks them and tragedy sparks. Same thing happens later to Joel, while drunk is kidnapped and caged in a criminal night club in a town protected by the strongest human of this other world. Living a life of excessive alcohol does have consequences in real life, but is it necessary in a comedic-fantasy-isekai-teleported-to-another-world(Falritas)-book-series???? Why the fatalism?? Extreme realism?? with comedy?? Can both mix well?? No. Why make Clive have all three "religious" tendencies at the same time?? Why make it all a Gordian knot of contradictions?? If the main theme of this Fantasy Isekai was to return home, to save Clive's demonic arm, etc. what is the lack of conviction of the main characters for?? When the good are evil and the evil are good, then what could ever be the message/values that the author is trying to give to the readers??
Usually in communication, only clear messages are successfully received, the more noise (contradictions, unclear information like the author not deciding whether this should be a comedy or a drama, whether the main characters need to leave or should stay, etc.) just confuse the readers and create antibodies, rejection from the readers.
This story has two maps (page 390-91), no inside illustrations, it does have over 900+ pages in 117 chapters that I consider well-written and organized but the contradictions aside, there are positive and negative things that make this fantasy-isekai book average.
I don't particularly like complicated, convoluted, contradictions. To create a dark world, similar to the real world that we live in today (slavery, organized crime, religious fanatism, genocide, etc.) kills whatever "fantasy" other world was possible. This author proves time and time again in this story that either he wants to destroy his creation (writing/characters) which indirectly means that he might have suicidal tendencies (self-destruction) or that for some strange reason (sadomasochism) he is either a sadist/masochist or maybe a little bit of both. Who in their right mind would start out a comedy, that turns into a terrible tragedy and then to a hell-like-apocalyptic world?? Nobody I could ever recommend.
Before their departure to see about healing Clive's demon left arm, the friends have a night of excessive drinking which causes them to not have any stamina, speed and strength when a monster attacks them and tragedy sparks. Same thing happens later to Joel, while drunk is kidnapped and caged in a criminal night club in a town protected by the strongest human of this other world. Living a life of excessive alcohol does have consequences in real life, but is it necessary in a comedic-fantasy-isekai-teleported-to-another-world(Falritas)-book-series???? Why the fatalism?? Extreme realism?? with comedy?? Can both mix well?? No. Why make Clive have all three "religious" tendencies at the same time?? Why make it all a Gordian knot of contradictions?? If the main theme of this Fantasy Isekai was to return home, to save Clive's demonic arm, etc. what is the lack of conviction of the main characters for?? When the good are evil and the evil are good, then what could ever be the message/values that the author is trying to give to the readers??
Usually in communication, only clear messages are successfully received, the more noise (contradictions, unclear information like the author not deciding whether this should be a comedy or a drama, whether the main characters need to leave or should stay, etc.) just confuse the readers and create antibodies, rejection from the readers.
This story has two maps (page 390-91), no inside illustrations, it does have over 900+ pages in 117 chapters that I consider well-written and organized but the contradictions aside, there are positive and negative things that make this fantasy-isekai book average.
I don't particularly like complicated, convoluted, contradictions. To create a dark world, similar to the real world that we live in today (slavery, organized crime, religious fanatism, genocide, etc.) kills whatever "fantasy" other world was possible. This author proves time and time again in this story that either he wants to destroy his creation (writing/characters) which indirectly means that he might have suicidal tendencies (self-destruction) or that for some strange reason (sadomasochism) he is either a sadist/masochist or maybe a little bit of both. Who in their right mind would start out a comedy, that turns into a terrible tragedy and then to a hell-like-apocalyptic world?? Nobody I could ever recommend.
March 24, 2023
Rating 4.0 stars
This book is very long. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first. I listened to the audiobook and the characters were from northern England. Not sure what exact accent was used, sort of cockney but not really. I got the impression that the main character and his friends were the British version of poor white trash. Not super bright, likes to party, but very loyal. Not really my people so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Stupid characters are one of my pet peeves. I had to reprimand myself with that statement. Just because the characters weren't intellectual giants, didn't really make them stupid. The characters acted in the way they were written, and the author did a good job of being true to mold.
The story mainly follows Clive. He is just about to start his own restaurant. He was an orphan and his mentor took him under his wing in his restaurant and showed him how cook. His mentor disappeared years ago, and Clive finally has enough money to open up the old restaurant. Everything is going great until demons show up and want the recipe. He is attacked and threatened. Clive is able to get a call out for help and 3 friends and a dog show up to help him out. Those are some true friends. They are just about to beat the demon when they are sucked into a portal to another world. What comes next is more than 30 hours of fun and excitement. There really is too much that happened for me to write a review. At least a review that makes any kind of sense. I will say the characters are very well written. There is more depth to them than most characters I have read. The magic system is interesting. The world building is really good and there are great character interactions. There are other aspects such as town building, skills and leveling and even cooking that are great. Sometimes I wished there was more time spent on those aspects instead of the overall epic-ness of the story but that is a minor gripe. Overall, this was really fun, and I can't wait to read the next book.
This book is very long. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first. I listened to the audiobook and the characters were from northern England. Not sure what exact accent was used, sort of cockney but not really. I got the impression that the main character and his friends were the British version of poor white trash. Not super bright, likes to party, but very loyal. Not really my people so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Stupid characters are one of my pet peeves. I had to reprimand myself with that statement. Just because the characters weren't intellectual giants, didn't really make them stupid. The characters acted in the way they were written, and the author did a good job of being true to mold.
The story mainly follows Clive. He is just about to start his own restaurant. He was an orphan and his mentor took him under his wing in his restaurant and showed him how cook. His mentor disappeared years ago, and Clive finally has enough money to open up the old restaurant. Everything is going great until demons show up and want the recipe. He is attacked and threatened. Clive is able to get a call out for help and 3 friends and a dog show up to help him out. Those are some true friends. They are just about to beat the demon when they are sucked into a portal to another world. What comes next is more than 30 hours of fun and excitement. There really is too much that happened for me to write a review. At least a review that makes any kind of sense. I will say the characters are very well written. There is more depth to them than most characters I have read. The magic system is interesting. The world building is really good and there are great character interactions. There are other aspects such as town building, skills and leveling and even cooking that are great. Sometimes I wished there was more time spent on those aspects instead of the overall epic-ness of the story but that is a minor gripe. Overall, this was really fun, and I can't wait to read the next book.
March 17, 2023
What an amazing first book in this series. Seriously I can't believe a few negative reviews had me overlooking this series before. It has it all an Epic story that starts out in a really unique way. Seriously Clive is just an awesome MC. Yeah he pisses people off because he refuses to be shady and be fake polite and rather be straight forward and honest. Some people some to hate that I don't get why but w/e to each their own. The world building is really solid and the plot is just so wicked amazing.
You would think that a book that is 30 hours long would have some parts where the plot lagged and the flow would be a bit slower. Well let me tell you that doesn't happen in this book, every part of it has a consistent great pace and there are no boring parts.
It's not one of those where the author wrote a book long just for the sake of word count and it's littered with padding.
Mad props to Kevin Sinclair for not being one of those authors that follow the trend these days, where they split 1 book into 2., just so they can make more money. Kevin Sinclair just landed on my favorite author of all time top 10 list. Also amazing Narration by Simon Wright big props for making the story come to life in the audiobook.
I love the character development and power development as well. I can't say more without spoiling anything but the way he wrote one of Clive's friends that takes a different path. Also the MC doesn't start out OP and never really becomes ridiculously OP either. That's not to say he doesn't progress and gets strong.
You would think that a book that is 30 hours long would have some parts where the plot lagged and the flow would be a bit slower. Well let me tell you that doesn't happen in this book, every part of it has a consistent great pace and there are no boring parts.
It's not one of those where the author wrote a book long just for the sake of word count and it's littered with padding.
Mad props to Kevin Sinclair for not being one of those authors that follow the trend these days, where they split 1 book into 2., just so they can make more money. Kevin Sinclair just landed on my favorite author of all time top 10 list. Also amazing Narration by Simon Wright big props for making the story come to life in the audiobook.
I love the character development and power development as well. I can't say more without spoiling anything but the way he wrote one of Clive's friends that takes a different path. Also the MC doesn't start out OP and never really becomes ridiculously OP either. That's not to say he doesn't progress and gets strong.
August 24, 2022
Did not finish. I rarely write reviews but this one deserves one because I want to spare other readers the arduous task of plodding through pages of wonky dialogue from and because of a very unlikable MC.
I reached 30% of this long book and at this point the MC and his little crew had gone through numerous encounters YET the MC still had a juvenile mindset and unbelievably maladjusted. He oscillates between a self described angry person who can’t control his potty mouth to deliberately antagonize others who he perceives to have slighted him to being this very reasonable guy who speaks in well delivered, mature lines. It’s like there are two characters that coexist in the same person. The switching between personalities has no rhyme or reason.
One minute he’s dropping f-bombs because he feels insecure and the next he speaks seriously with empathy and concern to his accidentally bonded teammate.
I really tried to like this book. The overview of the world and its main players was interesting but the MC is just truly unbearable. I couldn’t find any redeeming quality. The side characters are a smidge more interesting than him. He’s a mix of a pick me dude, a Chad, and soft boi incel.
I just want the big bad to find him, capture him, and then eat him because I can’t take back the time I spent trying to like this book.
I reached 30% of this long book and at this point the MC and his little crew had gone through numerous encounters YET the MC still had a juvenile mindset and unbelievably maladjusted. He oscillates between a self described angry person who can’t control his potty mouth to deliberately antagonize others who he perceives to have slighted him to being this very reasonable guy who speaks in well delivered, mature lines. It’s like there are two characters that coexist in the same person. The switching between personalities has no rhyme or reason.
One minute he’s dropping f-bombs because he feels insecure and the next he speaks seriously with empathy and concern to his accidentally bonded teammate.
I really tried to like this book. The overview of the world and its main players was interesting but the MC is just truly unbearable. I couldn’t find any redeeming quality. The side characters are a smidge more interesting than him. He’s a mix of a pick me dude, a Chad, and soft boi incel.
I just want the big bad to find him, capture him, and then eat him because I can’t take back the time I spent trying to like this book.
September 28, 2022
how to put this
So quick summary: kidnapped to another world Clive learns he’s super special, he annoys everyone unapologetically, he travels, gets Allie’s, gets put in charge, and fights big shots while trying to become a god and save the world.
It is an interesting world and premise. Fairly good writing and consistency; there are some continuity errors in the stat blocks, and random other sentences. For me however, the MC is more than a self titled…..jerk, he is a narcissistic antagonistic narrow minded child. He enslaved the soul of someone but then expected the person to accept “I’m sorry” and a vague promise of freedom to set it right. He even DEMANDED that his enslaved be nice because he had apologized. He then ridiculed his friends and foes alike. He doesn’t show gratitude but demands more. I found myself rooting for his destruction and finding reasons NOT TO READ to avoid the character. Support characters had the say the MC had grown; What?! When? How? What evidence?
In essence the book is aggravating, the MC unlikable, and it was an experience I didn’t enjoy.
That said I know it has good points. I did enjoy the world and idea immensely.
So quick summary: kidnapped to another world Clive learns he’s super special, he annoys everyone unapologetically, he travels, gets Allie’s, gets put in charge, and fights big shots while trying to become a god and save the world.
It is an interesting world and premise. Fairly good writing and consistency; there are some continuity errors in the stat blocks, and random other sentences. For me however, the MC is more than a self titled…..jerk, he is a narcissistic antagonistic narrow minded child. He enslaved the soul of someone but then expected the person to accept “I’m sorry” and a vague promise of freedom to set it right. He even DEMANDED that his enslaved be nice because he had apologized. He then ridiculed his friends and foes alike. He doesn’t show gratitude but demands more. I found myself rooting for his destruction and finding reasons NOT TO READ to avoid the character. Support characters had the say the MC had grown; What?! When? How? What evidence?
In essence the book is aggravating, the MC unlikable, and it was an experience I didn’t enjoy.
That said I know it has good points. I did enjoy the world and idea immensely.
April 7, 2023
Fine, but nothing special.
Pretty average fare. The world building is lackluster and sparse. The main characters continue to make stupid mistakes even when they are aware they are doing so.
I have to admit to only getting 20% finished. I tried to continue but decided I had no interest in the characters. Their insistence on getting drunk every evening and treating the world like a poor 2nd hand roleplaying experience grated.
One could suggest their actions stemmed from a traumatic reaction, but it felt more like a bachelor party weekend on magic mushrooms.
The system for skills, advancement and all the ancillary paraphernalia is so sparse that at the stage I finished no coherent framework could be discerned. The characters seemed mostly uninterested. They could gain a skill for flailing an improvised sock weapon once, but received no skills for travelling many days over different terrain at different speeds. No running, orienteering, dodging, perception skills or such like. I couldn't figure out how the skill system worked.
One of the highlights is unfortunately a spoiler.
Other good points. It is a good length so you get value for money if you enjoy it.
Pretty average fare. The world building is lackluster and sparse. The main characters continue to make stupid mistakes even when they are aware they are doing so.
I have to admit to only getting 20% finished. I tried to continue but decided I had no interest in the characters. Their insistence on getting drunk every evening and treating the world like a poor 2nd hand roleplaying experience grated.
One could suggest their actions stemmed from a traumatic reaction, but it felt more like a bachelor party weekend on magic mushrooms.
The system for skills, advancement and all the ancillary paraphernalia is so sparse that at the stage I finished no coherent framework could be discerned. The characters seemed mostly uninterested. They could gain a skill for flailing an improvised sock weapon once, but received no skills for travelling many days over different terrain at different speeds. No running, orienteering, dodging, perception skills or such like. I couldn't figure out how the skill system worked.
One of the highlights is unfortunately a spoiler.
Other good points. It is a good length so you get value for money if you enjoy it.
March 28, 2023
Not the longest single book I've read, but it's comfortably up there. The book I will give a 5, as it is quite well done. The (main) characters are particularly well developed, even if the MC is a mouthy wanker.
Seriously, he's unnecessarily obstinate and insulting, and his "special sauce" is the only reason he hasn't been killed (much) to date. There are signs that his head is emerging from his arse, likely the result of investments in Int and Cha, but far overdue.
I am aware that people today, especially young people, are institutionally incapable of accepting that other people have valid reasons for what they do when it's different from the diktats of the Western liberal "hive mind". This is a violent world, and Clive is barely understanding that at a practical level even at the end of this book. It is literally kill-or-be-killed, so some KTF is definitely in order.
Anyway, on to books 2. A less "holier than thou" MC would be nice, but I guess we'll see how this goes.
Seriously, he's unnecessarily obstinate and insulting, and his "special sauce" is the only reason he hasn't been killed (much) to date. There are signs that his head is emerging from his arse, likely the result of investments in Int and Cha, but far overdue.
I am aware that people today, especially young people, are institutionally incapable of accepting that other people have valid reasons for what they do when it's different from the diktats of the Western liberal "hive mind". This is a violent world, and Clive is barely understanding that at a practical level even at the end of this book. It is literally kill-or-be-killed, so some KTF is definitely in order.
Anyway, on to books 2. A less "holier than thou" MC would be nice, but I guess we'll see how this goes.
April 6, 2023
I bought this on sale with hope of something entertaining but not high expectations. it's not a top tier story or even litRPG, but it's definitely good in its own way and right. like a train picking up steam, it took a little while to really hook me, but has some really interesting ideas and world building that the author develops in fun ways. I personally liked the narrator, I love Nick podehl and Andrea parsneau as much as the next guy/gal, but it was a nice change of pace and I got used to the accents quickly.
Overall, there's definitely occasional flaws, like MC turning more and more into a Gary Sue and the many gibberish names for races and such that I have zero chance of remembering (though it's likely only a limitation of audio format), but it was a fun ride and that's what I care about more. I'm getting book 2 now to continue Clive's wild adventures.
Overall, there's definitely occasional flaws, like MC turning more and more into a Gary Sue and the many gibberish names for races and such that I have zero chance of remembering (though it's likely only a limitation of audio format), but it was a fun ride and that's what I care about more. I'm getting book 2 now to continue Clive's wild adventures.
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June 9, 2024The biggest turnoff is the conversation style, especially with the MC. It feels very unnatural and misplaced in the context of the conversations. Everyone else talks more or less normally, but the MC feels so overly affected as to become a caricature of a wisecracking Aussie; maybe I'm just old, but it's just weird to me to refer to people that may be your best and only option, short of amputation, to cure your curse as the "dudes and dudettes," for example.
Couple that with everyone, of course, talking English, no colloquialisms, of course, translating, and the MC and his friends, of course, going out of their way to use as many of them as possible. It makes all the conversations kind of tedious.
No rating since I DNF'd at 10% and was just not in the mood for it. I may pick it up again later.
Couple that with everyone, of course, talking English, no colloquialisms, of course, translating, and the MC and his friends, of course, going out of their way to use as many of them as possible. It makes all the conversations kind of tedious.
No rating since I DNF'd at 10% and was just not in the mood for it. I may pick it up again later.
February 13, 2023
My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I 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]
DNF: I really couldn't care about Clive or his personality. I might come back to the series later but not the kind of story or character I want to read/listen to right now.
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I 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]
DNF: I really couldn't care about Clive or his personality. I might come back to the series later but not the kind of story or character I want to read/listen to right now.
February 22, 2023
Started amazingly slow with more detail than anyone needs. The author starts to pull it together about a third of the way through the book. After that (experience?) he seems to hit a decent stride. The rest of book one and book two are about like that. Looking forward to the audio version of book 3.
Bit more: Also, the MC has two strong women in his life though this series (as of yet) doesn't devolve to the overused 'harem' trope. One of the strong women is the MC's mate, the other is an ex-queen and often acts as an advisor.
The characters are interesting and (amazingly) the MC isn't written as 'stupid'. He can be a bit forgetful or miss some things but he has plans of things he wants and acts to get them.
Bit more: Also, the MC has two strong women in his life though this series (as of yet) doesn't devolve to the overused 'harem' trope. One of the strong women is the MC's mate, the other is an ex-queen and often acts as an advisor.
The characters are interesting and (amazingly) the MC isn't written as 'stupid'. He can be a bit forgetful or miss some things but he has plans of things he wants and acts to get them.
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