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Unbound #1
Dissonance
A New World. A Thousand Threats. Welcome to The Continent.
Felix's life on Earth had become a series of dead-end jobs, ruined relationships, and rotating apartments smaller than most postage stamps. By all accounts, even his own, he was a coward. Too afraid to move forward, to take risks. Yet when given the chance to choose between risking his life or walking away from a deadly encounter, he didn't hesitate.
Moments before his untimely demise, Felix was snatched from earth and thrust into a magical world known only as ‘The Continent’. Empowered by the ‘System’, he learns that he can strengthen himself through combat and dedication. To survive he'll have to push himself beyond his limits, or else fall to the monsters all around him.
Levels, stats, and magic. Death is the start of a terrible fate, but if he lives…no one knows what he will become.
Felix's life on Earth had become a series of dead-end jobs, ruined relationships, and rotating apartments smaller than most postage stamps. By all accounts, even his own, he was a coward. Too afraid to move forward, to take risks. Yet when given the chance to choose between risking his life or walking away from a deadly encounter, he didn't hesitate.
Moments before his untimely demise, Felix was snatched from earth and thrust into a magical world known only as ‘The Continent’. Empowered by the ‘System’, he learns that he can strengthen himself through combat and dedication. To survive he'll have to push himself beyond his limits, or else fall to the monsters all around him.
Levels, stats, and magic. Death is the start of a terrible fate, but if he lives…no one knows what he will become.
778 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2022
2776 people are currently reading
2892 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
October 22, 2022
Series was ok for awhile, but then the author started going out of their way to pander to the LGBTQ community until i completely lost interest in the series. If you like books where none of the romance is hetrosexual then you'll probably enjoy the series. I don't. I really don't like series that add more and more non-binary characters each book until every character is either gay, lesbian, genderless, or bi-sexual. I'm not a hater, i just don't like the romance in books to revolve around relationships i have no interest in.
I read almost the entire series before i lost interest due to more and morein time being spent painfully describing all the non-binary relationships (and drama), with virtually no time being spent on binary folks--a complete 180 from how the series started.
Meh. Like i said, if you are non-binary you will love the series. I'm not, and i found it very boring after book 3 or so because the author seemed to spend a lot of time on the drama of all the non-binary folks.
I read almost the entire series before i lost interest due to more and morein time being spent painfully describing all the non-binary relationships (and drama), with virtually no time being spent on binary folks--a complete 180 from how the series started.
Meh. Like i said, if you are non-binary you will love the series. I'm not, and i found it very boring after book 3 or so because the author seemed to spend a lot of time on the drama of all the non-binary folks.
May 10, 2022
Plot armour
Too much fat unnecessary pages, but the big reason im dropping this series is MC ability to survive and cheat death 24/7 without any reason except being the MC. Litrpg means numbers matter I cant believe a character with 100+ strengths can't win against a 20+ st.
Too much fat unnecessary pages, but the big reason im dropping this series is MC ability to survive and cheat death 24/7 without any reason except being the MC. Litrpg means numbers matter I cant believe a character with 100+ strengths can't win against a 20+ st.
September 2, 2025
An interesting isekai LitRPG with Felix landing in a hostile world with a race chosen for him and skills he doesn't understand. And his instinct to bite the tentacle that squoze him lands him with a nifty Gourmand skill where he can eat monsters to gain skills. I'm glad Gonnella didn't lean into the gross on that and that this mechanic became interesting instead.
The first part of the book is Felix making his way in a land where everything is more powerful than he is, even the insects. At least he's enough of a gamer to go for powerleveling the important skills; like run, jump, dodge, and hit things with a stick. Over time, he gains some comfort with his survival capabilities and begins branching out. A fortuitous find or two impels him on his way, as does the occasional system-bestowed quest.
Eventually, he meets up with adventurers who wonder why he doesn't know so many obvious things, but who can at least appreciate his can of whoop-ass; a can with a screw-top lid because he is forever opening it on bad guys.
I enjoyed riding along with Felix. Yeah, it's a power-fantasy as he gains more and more overpowered skills, but Gonnella is incredibly creative and the challenges never felt stale or random. The plot is a little bit beads-on-a-string, but that's not unexpected with this type of story. And livening things up is Felix's bound companion, the chimera Pit (a mix of raven head and fox/dog body with wings). Bonding with Pit gave Felix an emotional outlet the story desperately needed and Gonnella made that work in spades.
The end got a bit repetitive and I kind of hate the final big-bad, so I'm going to go with four stars for this story. With a note that it is headed towards a high-fantasy tone with nation building and factional in-fighting so I'm not going to pursue the series at all. I'm glad for what I got, but I'm good stopping here.
A note about Chaste: Felix is alone for much of the story and once he finds others, they have enough to do and no time for socializing of an intimate nature. So this is very chaste, with nary a kiss or tingle.
The first part of the book is Felix making his way in a land where everything is more powerful than he is, even the insects. At least he's enough of a gamer to go for powerleveling the important skills; like run, jump, dodge, and hit things with a stick. Over time, he gains some comfort with his survival capabilities and begins branching out. A fortuitous find or two impels him on his way, as does the occasional system-bestowed quest.
Eventually, he meets up with adventurers who wonder why he doesn't know so many obvious things, but who can at least appreciate his can of whoop-ass; a can with a screw-top lid because he is forever opening it on bad guys.
I enjoyed riding along with Felix. Yeah, it's a power-fantasy as he gains more and more overpowered skills, but Gonnella is incredibly creative and the challenges never felt stale or random. The plot is a little bit beads-on-a-string, but that's not unexpected with this type of story. And livening things up is Felix's bound companion, the chimera Pit (a mix of raven head and fox/dog body with wings). Bonding with Pit gave Felix an emotional outlet the story desperately needed and Gonnella made that work in spades.
The end got a bit repetitive and I kind of hate the final big-bad, so I'm going to go with four stars for this story. With a note that it is headed towards a high-fantasy tone with nation building and factional in-fighting so I'm not going to pursue the series at all. I'm glad for what I got, but I'm good stopping here.
A note about Chaste: Felix is alone for much of the story and once he finds others, they have enough to do and no time for socializing of an intimate nature. So this is very chaste, with nary a kiss or tingle.
June 3, 2022
I got just shy of 6 hours into the audiobook on this one before giving up. I only made it that far because of all the good reviews for this book and I just thought I had to make it past a slow beginning. However, there is only so much time I can wait for a story to really get going and this one earned way more than I normally give books.
I know that some people will say that the story was well and truly underway by that point, and in some ways they are right. The protagonist is well into the second act and is working hard to survive. However, what I was waiting for was some kind of hook that would set this book apart from other LitRPG novels. So many of these series (many of which have turned into favourites of mine) start out in an identical manner to this one with a lone protagonist struggling to survive and master the LitRPG magic system. As much as I am not a fan of reading almost exact replicas of each other over and over again, in the case of series like Defiance of the Fall and The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound, it's worth sticking through these slow parts because they eventually find a hook that sets them apart and become something much more than what they started out as.
This book just never seemed to want to take that next step, and I had reached a point where even if it did come soon, my mind had spaced out on what was happening as this lone wolf survival part of the LitRPG story is just tedious to read these days as I have read it so many times before. Like the rest of the fantasy genre, LitRPG books have near limitless potential for the type of stories that can be told, it's a shame then that most authors just create stories that mimc what they've already read many times before.
I know that some people will say that the story was well and truly underway by that point, and in some ways they are right. The protagonist is well into the second act and is working hard to survive. However, what I was waiting for was some kind of hook that would set this book apart from other LitRPG novels. So many of these series (many of which have turned into favourites of mine) start out in an identical manner to this one with a lone protagonist struggling to survive and master the LitRPG magic system. As much as I am not a fan of reading almost exact replicas of each other over and over again, in the case of series like Defiance of the Fall and The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound, it's worth sticking through these slow parts because they eventually find a hook that sets them apart and become something much more than what they started out as.
This book just never seemed to want to take that next step, and I had reached a point where even if it did come soon, my mind had spaced out on what was happening as this lone wolf survival part of the LitRPG story is just tedious to read these days as I have read it so many times before. Like the rest of the fantasy genre, LitRPG books have near limitless potential for the type of stories that can be told, it's a shame then that most authors just create stories that mimc what they've already read many times before.
May 22, 2022
Dropped the book 55% of the way through. The way they treat one of the only characters with sense in the book finally becomes unbearable.
Without spoiling it, there becomes a point in the book where the younger portion of the group of guilders finds out why they were really in their version of Harran from dying light, and that they've been essentially lied to/tricked on a double mission and have their lives put in more danger than the original job which they themselves paid to be a part of so they could get stronger. Upon finding out this the male mage in the group becomes rightfully livid, I mean imagine PAYING two bodyguards to lead you to somewhere and keep you safe essentially, and the whole time they never really planned on doing their job but instead were breaking guild rules to save someone you have no connection to.
Any sane individual would be angry right? But no, another younger member of the group chews the mage out and is essentially calling him a wimp or honorless for not being willing to possibly die for someone who he has no obligation towards, who lied to him, who has been berating him the entire trip for rightfully being suspicious that they were making no progress on their mission and who is essentially 1/3rd working for HIM as his master paid for him to be there.
But no, somehow no one can respect the idea that, while it is very noble to do so, no one HAS to put their life on the line to save someone they have no obligation towards, and the author essentially paints the mage with common sense out to be the bad guy. I could've stood this if at least one other person mentioned that while he was being a jerk, it isn't exactly fair to expect him to just be happy and willing to put his life on the line for that person, but nope every other person in the group saw the noble girl who chewed him out to be a hero.
Pure white knightism, and it shows me that the author is incapable of putting himself in the shoes of the characters he's creating, instead of just inserting his on values on each character and painting the mage as the "other". If I was in the shoes of the main character, I would see no problem helping the guilders who lied with their goals, cause the mc has no one he's beholden to and it likely helps his own goals in a roundabout way, but if you were the mage, and you could have a family at home, a master you respect and want to see again, and maybe more, why in gods name would you be okay with the betrayal you faced and being put in danger for the sake of someone you have no obligation towards.
I'll even throw the author a bone and say it makes sense for the character who treated the mage that way to respond like that, as they're the daughter of a duke, and thus likely feel some sort of nobles responsibility for everyone and the drive to be a "hero". However her childish nature shows by trying to force that ideology on those around her, and the author's clear intent to promote the white knightism showed when everyone agreed with her.
I'm usually able to at least suffer through to the end and give such a book a 2 or a 3 if it recovered, but the mage was treated poorly from his introduction, sometimes rightfully so but often times not, yet every interaction was treated as if he was clearly the bad guy. Unbearable.
Without spoiling it, there becomes a point in the book where the younger portion of the group of guilders finds out why they were really in their version of Harran from dying light, and that they've been essentially lied to/tricked on a double mission and have their lives put in more danger than the original job which they themselves paid to be a part of so they could get stronger. Upon finding out this the male mage in the group becomes rightfully livid, I mean imagine PAYING two bodyguards to lead you to somewhere and keep you safe essentially, and the whole time they never really planned on doing their job but instead were breaking guild rules to save someone you have no connection to.
Any sane individual would be angry right? But no, another younger member of the group chews the mage out and is essentially calling him a wimp or honorless for not being willing to possibly die for someone who he has no obligation towards, who lied to him, who has been berating him the entire trip for rightfully being suspicious that they were making no progress on their mission and who is essentially 1/3rd working for HIM as his master paid for him to be there.
But no, somehow no one can respect the idea that, while it is very noble to do so, no one HAS to put their life on the line to save someone they have no obligation towards, and the author essentially paints the mage with common sense out to be the bad guy. I could've stood this if at least one other person mentioned that while he was being a jerk, it isn't exactly fair to expect him to just be happy and willing to put his life on the line for that person, but nope every other person in the group saw the noble girl who chewed him out to be a hero.
Pure white knightism, and it shows me that the author is incapable of putting himself in the shoes of the characters he's creating, instead of just inserting his on values on each character and painting the mage as the "other". If I was in the shoes of the main character, I would see no problem helping the guilders who lied with their goals, cause the mc has no one he's beholden to and it likely helps his own goals in a roundabout way, but if you were the mage, and you could have a family at home, a master you respect and want to see again, and maybe more, why in gods name would you be okay with the betrayal you faced and being put in danger for the sake of someone you have no obligation towards.
I'll even throw the author a bone and say it makes sense for the character who treated the mage that way to respond like that, as they're the daughter of a duke, and thus likely feel some sort of nobles responsibility for everyone and the drive to be a "hero". However her childish nature shows by trying to force that ideology on those around her, and the author's clear intent to promote the white knightism showed when everyone agreed with her.
I'm usually able to at least suffer through to the end and give such a book a 2 or a 3 if it recovered, but the mage was treated poorly from his introduction, sometimes rightfully so but often times not, yet every interaction was treated as if he was clearly the bad guy. Unbearable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2022
Very nearly a five star book for me.
Great portal setting, with a huge amount of overpowered main character and a dash of plot armor make it for an awesomely entertaining story.
The book gets a little lost about 2/3rds of the way in, but it picks back up for a strong finish.
Highly recommended. Narration was superb.
Great portal setting, with a huge amount of overpowered main character and a dash of plot armor make it for an awesomely entertaining story.
The book gets a little lost about 2/3rds of the way in, but it picks back up for a strong finish.
Highly recommended. Narration was superb.
June 25, 2022
I am so entertained... what a great LitRPG story to lose myself in.
May 12, 2022
like an avalanche
Slow to start, but it moves to a massive finish.
This dances around the edges of cultivation, but is clearly more LitRPG than not. MC spends much of the 1st half of the book alone.
No sex. Clean prose. Quite well written.
I look forward to the sequel. Will pre-order.
Slow to start, but it moves to a massive finish.
This dances around the edges of cultivation, but is clearly more LitRPG than not. MC spends much of the 1st half of the book alone.
No sex. Clean prose. Quite well written.
I look forward to the sequel. Will pre-order.
May 15, 2022
Felix (the MC) is a normal guy who gets sent through a portal and ends up in a strange world. He faces a giant monster, survives somehow, then goes through character creation before being thrust out into the world to survive.
The first 20% of the book was the best part of the book for me. There's no story, just Felix jumping from one problem to the next as he and his trusty sidekick try to survive. The area he's in is filled with monsters who would like nothing more than to suck the marrow from his bones, yet he always (mostly) manages to elude them.
After the 20% mark, the story begins. Felix meets other people, helps them, etc. It's still good, but it doesn't have the craziness of first fifth of the book.
The story does drag a bit during the next 80%, especially when the other group refuse to trust him despite Felix doing nothing to earn their ire. Yes, he's odd and has odd stats, but still.
I also think it's worth noting that the ending is a cliffhanger, for those that dislike them. I didn't mind, but that's me.
Overall, the book is decently edited, has plenty of stat pages to keep the mathematician in the family happy, and the plot moves along at a decent pace. I am looking forward to book two.
5/5*
The first 20% of the book was the best part of the book for me. There's no story, just Felix jumping from one problem to the next as he and his trusty sidekick try to survive. The area he's in is filled with monsters who would like nothing more than to suck the marrow from his bones, yet he always (mostly) manages to elude them.
After the 20% mark, the story begins. Felix meets other people, helps them, etc. It's still good, but it doesn't have the craziness of first fifth of the book.
The story does drag a bit during the next 80%, especially when the other group refuse to trust him despite Felix doing nothing to earn their ire. Yes, he's odd and has odd stats, but still.
I also think it's worth noting that the ending is a cliffhanger, for those that dislike them. I didn't mind, but that's me.
Overall, the book is decently edited, has plenty of stat pages to keep the mathematician in the family happy, and the plot moves along at a decent pace. I am looking forward to book two.
5/5*
August 13, 2022
This story had a lot of problems. Some of the usual genre hangups, and then some basic storytelling issues as well. This was a 2.5 star experience that I rounded down since the ending was a flop.
Character 5/10, Plot 5/10, Setting/Game Mechanics 7/10, Writing 7/10, Enjoyment 2/10
Rather than give an explanation for each category, I think it’s easier to break my experience up into Beginning, Middle, and Ending.
Beginning 4/10
The beginning of this story suffered from a problem common to the gamelit genre: the MC was by himself for the first third of the book. This by itself isn’t an issue, but it limits the author's options for keeping the reader entertained. Additional characters give so many more tools to work with. This book unfortunately tried to rely on the tension of fight scenes, but there was none because: Plot Armor. There was absolutely no tension or stakes in fight scenes because the only character around is the MC and he can’t die. The only thing the fight scenes were good for was giving some info on game mechanics and setting. I felt like the author should have leaned into that instead.
Luckily, the setting and the game mechanics were just interesting enough to keep me afloat through this section of the book until we got to the middle. I wasn’t a big fan of how the system kept throwing free sh*t at the MC though. He kept gaining stats and skills while absolutely sucking and falling unconscious constantly.
Middle 7/10
The story picked up in the middle for me because we finally got a supporting cast of characters. I didn't find any of them exceptionally fun or interesting, but they weren’t shallow and everyone had their own motivations and reasons for doing what they were doing. Most importantly, not everyone’s motivations lined up, which is key to some interesting group dynamics.
We also got the usual interactions of MC being completely OP compared to the other characters. It’s basically the trope of a person from the end-game dungeon joining up with some noobs from the starting area and both sides are confused by each other's behavior.
The usual fun of these scenes felt lackluster to me since the MC didn’t actually earn any of his strength. All he did was go unconscious after nearly every fight but get gifted a bunch of legendary skills and titles.
Ending 2/10
Unfortunately, this part of the story mostly focused on the MC and introduced some brand new characters that I had no reason to care about. There was too much emphasis on the fights, but I was completely bored because: Plot Armor. And like usual, the MC didn’t really earn anything and a bunch of Deus Ex System shenanigans came into play to resolve things.
This story just managed to stay above my drop threshold initially due to the game world, then from the supporting cast, and finally because I was so far into it that I felt obligated to finish. But at the end of the day, a lame ending kind of ruins the few things I enjoyed in the story and I have no motivation to continue the series.
Character 5/10, Plot 5/10, Setting/Game Mechanics 7/10, Writing 7/10, Enjoyment 2/10
Rather than give an explanation for each category, I think it’s easier to break my experience up into Beginning, Middle, and Ending.
Beginning 4/10
The beginning of this story suffered from a problem common to the gamelit genre: the MC was by himself for the first third of the book. This by itself isn’t an issue, but it limits the author's options for keeping the reader entertained. Additional characters give so many more tools to work with. This book unfortunately tried to rely on the tension of fight scenes, but there was none because: Plot Armor. There was absolutely no tension or stakes in fight scenes because the only character around is the MC and he can’t die. The only thing the fight scenes were good for was giving some info on game mechanics and setting. I felt like the author should have leaned into that instead.
Luckily, the setting and the game mechanics were just interesting enough to keep me afloat through this section of the book until we got to the middle. I wasn’t a big fan of how the system kept throwing free sh*t at the MC though. He kept gaining stats and skills while absolutely sucking and falling unconscious constantly.
Middle 7/10
The story picked up in the middle for me because we finally got a supporting cast of characters. I didn't find any of them exceptionally fun or interesting, but they weren’t shallow and everyone had their own motivations and reasons for doing what they were doing. Most importantly, not everyone’s motivations lined up, which is key to some interesting group dynamics.
We also got the usual interactions of MC being completely OP compared to the other characters. It’s basically the trope of a person from the end-game dungeon joining up with some noobs from the starting area and both sides are confused by each other's behavior.
The usual fun of these scenes felt lackluster to me since the MC didn’t actually earn any of his strength. All he did was go unconscious after nearly every fight but get gifted a bunch of legendary skills and titles.
Ending 2/10
Unfortunately, this part of the story mostly focused on the MC and introduced some brand new characters that I had no reason to care about. There was too much emphasis on the fights, but I was completely bored because: Plot Armor. And like usual, the MC didn’t really earn anything and a bunch of Deus Ex System shenanigans came into play to resolve things.
This story just managed to stay above my drop threshold initially due to the game world, then from the supporting cast, and finally because I was so far into it that I felt obligated to finish. But at the end of the day, a lame ending kind of ruins the few things I enjoyed in the story and I have no motivation to continue the series.
May 10, 2022
WOW! This is his first novel?
This novel is right up there with, Defiance of the Fall, Fracture, He Who Fights with Monsters, And Dungeon Crawler Carl.
I found myself holding my breath on a couple of fights. And I never do that. Felix is torn from Earth into a new world called The Continent. Felix up until he saved his sister and her friend life, well he had been coasting through life with the bare minimum effort. Telling himself that this was enough and regretting his lack of nerve. After he is transported?
We need a new numbering system. Let's call it Adventure Per Pages. Well that does spell APP, but for now that will have to do.
Most books have an APP of one adventure per 100 pages. I think Felix's APP score is 1 adventure per 10 pages.
And the world building and the character development is fantastic. I actually felt sorry for him with everything he was going through!
This was a page turner for me, with me being slightly irritated that the real world intruded on me and I had to put it down.
Why? Because Felix was battling for his life! How could I leave him there unread?
Felix uses the gifts that he has, in very creative ways. And pushes himself in ways that make you yearn for him to succeed!
When I finished the book I was hoping that there was already book 2 out. At this time not yet. I want book 2!
I highly recommend this novel, and I only review books that I love.
This novel is right up there with, Defiance of the Fall, Fracture, He Who Fights with Monsters, And Dungeon Crawler Carl.
I found myself holding my breath on a couple of fights. And I never do that. Felix is torn from Earth into a new world called The Continent. Felix up until he saved his sister and her friend life, well he had been coasting through life with the bare minimum effort. Telling himself that this was enough and regretting his lack of nerve. After he is transported?
We need a new numbering system. Let's call it Adventure Per Pages. Well that does spell APP, but for now that will have to do.
Most books have an APP of one adventure per 100 pages. I think Felix's APP score is 1 adventure per 10 pages.
And the world building and the character development is fantastic. I actually felt sorry for him with everything he was going through!
This was a page turner for me, with me being slightly irritated that the real world intruded on me and I had to put it down.
Why? Because Felix was battling for his life! How could I leave him there unread?
Felix uses the gifts that he has, in very creative ways. And pushes himself in ways that make you yearn for him to succeed!
When I finished the book I was hoping that there was already book 2 out. At this time not yet. I want book 2!
I highly recommend this novel, and I only review books that I love.
August 14, 2022
Rating 4.0 stars
I liked this book. Not great but pretty good. MC is a nobody back on Earth. Nothing really going for him, his friends aren't really his friends. He does one good thing before he dies though. He helps his sister and her friend out of a bad situation. He gets struck by lightning and wakes up on another world. Sort of like Defiance of the Fall the first 6 hours are of the MC just trying to survive a horrible situation. He is in a terrible spot. The only saving grace is that he seems to be able to level his skills pretty quick as well as his stats. The other thing is that he ends up with a chimera companion which is nice. This story picked up for me when the MC met up with other people from this world. He is something of an enigma to these people. He is both super powerful and clueless at the same time. He doesn't tell them his story because he isn't sure he can trust them, or what his background means in this world. Towards the end the fighting gets a little too over the top. The odds too against the group for my liking. Overall though I was content with the story and picked up the next 2 on audiobook already.
I liked this book. Not great but pretty good. MC is a nobody back on Earth. Nothing really going for him, his friends aren't really his friends. He does one good thing before he dies though. He helps his sister and her friend out of a bad situation. He gets struck by lightning and wakes up on another world. Sort of like Defiance of the Fall the first 6 hours are of the MC just trying to survive a horrible situation. He is in a terrible spot. The only saving grace is that he seems to be able to level his skills pretty quick as well as his stats. The other thing is that he ends up with a chimera companion which is nice. This story picked up for me when the MC met up with other people from this world. He is something of an enigma to these people. He is both super powerful and clueless at the same time. He doesn't tell them his story because he isn't sure he can trust them, or what his background means in this world. Towards the end the fighting gets a little too over the top. The odds too against the group for my liking. Overall though I was content with the story and picked up the next 2 on audiobook already.
October 26, 2024
I don't support the alphabet people in fiction any more than I do in life.
May 14, 2022
4.5 stars this was almost a 5-star book and I had never heard of it before. Ignore the people who DNF this book they didn't go far enough into it to appreciate what the author has written here. The best I can describe this is a mix between He Who Fights With Monsters and Cradle. It's an amazing start to what promises to become another Amazing series similar to the 2 I mentioned above.
So let me start by saying why it's not quite 5 stars for me.
1. The start of the book is very weak, it's a bit boring and I can see some people not giving it a fair chance because of this.
2. Too many damn useless skills for just about everything. Don't get me wrong I love LITRPG as much as the next fan but there is such a thing as too much. Also, many of them are quite useless.
and that is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.
Now for all the positive things.
1. The author does some incredible world-building. Like he is up there with the big-time Authors. It's a really interesting world with so much to discover and so well done.
2. The magic system is pretty damn great and interesting. I wouldn't call it unique but it has unique elements to it.
3. The plot pace is amazing once you get past the first few hours and it keeps being amazing until the end.
4. The MC does get a bit OP but he still needs other people and gets his ass handed to him regularly.
5. The action scenes are great and the interaction between Felix and Pit is cool and gives you a great feeling. Pit isn't just some sidekick pet. He is so much more.
6. The mystery and coincidental encounters that seem random but are they? Read to find out.
I can't wait for the next book as it promises to be just as amazing if not more so.
So let me start by saying why it's not quite 5 stars for me.
1. The start of the book is very weak, it's a bit boring and I can see some people not giving it a fair chance because of this.
2. Too many damn useless skills for just about everything. Don't get me wrong I love LITRPG as much as the next fan but there is such a thing as too much. Also, many of them are quite useless.
and that is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.
Now for all the positive things.
1. The author does some incredible world-building. Like he is up there with the big-time Authors. It's a really interesting world with so much to discover and so well done.
2. The magic system is pretty damn great and interesting. I wouldn't call it unique but it has unique elements to it.
3. The plot pace is amazing once you get past the first few hours and it keeps being amazing until the end.
4. The MC does get a bit OP but he still needs other people and gets his ass handed to him regularly.
5. The action scenes are great and the interaction between Felix and Pit is cool and gives you a great feeling. Pit isn't just some sidekick pet. He is so much more.
6. The mystery and coincidental encounters that seem random but are they? Read to find out.
I can't wait for the next book as it promises to be just as amazing if not more so.
December 12, 2022
I'm doing this from memory but I didn't like this book enough to make it worth the effort of going back and verifying my comments.
Essentially MC lands in another world and gets power up after power up and fights unbeatable monster after unbeatable monster and then the story ends- sort of. This is clearly the first book in a series and the author wasn't concerned about telling a complete story. The MC & co. beat some of the immediate bad guys (the ice giants) but plenty are left for later (assassin and the evil adventurer leader who sicked the assassin on other adventurers). Also the MC encountered a ton of ancient mysteries along the way only some of which are resolved.
Bottom line, however, is that the MC should have died. Every single fight the MC gets into is with something or someone that should be able to kill the MC relatively easily. Basically the MC only survives because he is the MC and that is just bad writing. As a result I don't expect to continue with this series.
Essentially MC lands in another world and gets power up after power up and fights unbeatable monster after unbeatable monster and then the story ends- sort of. This is clearly the first book in a series and the author wasn't concerned about telling a complete story. The MC & co. beat some of the immediate bad guys (the ice giants) but plenty are left for later (assassin and the evil adventurer leader who sicked the assassin on other adventurers). Also the MC encountered a ton of ancient mysteries along the way only some of which are resolved.
Bottom line, however, is that the MC should have died. Every single fight the MC gets into is with something or someone that should be able to kill the MC relatively easily. Basically the MC only survives because he is the MC and that is just bad writing. As a result I don't expect to continue with this series.
May 16, 2022
Quite good for LitRPG: a somewhat engaging world and its mystery that's at least partly revealed by the end of the book, a lot of fights, a ridiculously overpowered protagonist, somewhat annoying and very numerous passages describing his growth pains that seem to be able to always surpass the previous ones, decent secondary characters and a cliffhanger that promises more to come. The overlap with multiple narrators mostly seems to be there for no other purpose than fatting up the book, but sometimes even manages to put the events in a somewhat more nuanced perspective. Go, Nicoli!
Audiobook narration isn't bad at all either.
Audiobook narration isn't bad at all either.
March 3, 2023
One of the most boring litrpg novels I've ever read. These books should come with a printed Gary Stu warning. It got rediculous at times. It was so wordy at times when he tried to justify the convenient happenstance popping up. But that just killed the suspence -as little as there was.
Felix is 30 going on 13.
Firstly, Why the author would create an almost middle age character that thinks, talks and acts like a young teen is beyond me. Gonnella should have just adjusted the MC age then cut some of the cursing dialogue and shipped this one off to the middle school shelf.
Felix is 30 going on 13.
Firstly, Why the author would create an almost middle age character that thinks, talks and acts like a young teen is beyond me. Gonnella should have just adjusted the MC age then cut some of the cursing dialogue and shipped this one off to the middle school shelf.
July 19, 2022
Three people said I should read this, then asked me "if I read it yet", so I'm going to see what the fuss is about.
This turned out pretty good at the start. I was enjoying the book until the last quarter. The events that took place just lost me. It turned my slight expectation of the next book into ambivalence.
I will read the next book (and I already have it), but it will be placed on the back burner for a few weeks.
We will see how it goes.
3/5 Stars
This turned out pretty good at the start. I was enjoying the book until the last quarter. The events that took place just lost me. It turned my slight expectation of the next book into ambivalence.
I will read the next book (and I already have it), but it will be placed on the back burner for a few weeks.
We will see how it goes.
3/5 Stars
February 23, 2024
Enough mystery, surprises, revelations, and action for me to keep reading the book despite the repetitive nature of it.
It dragged, it repeated, but it got balanced out towards the end. I was about to give it three stars but the last few chapters was enough to merit it an extra star.
It dragged, it repeated, but it got balanced out towards the end. I was about to give it three stars but the last few chapters was enough to merit it an extra star.
June 17, 2025
““Quest Received," Felix said in a serious voice. "Fight monsters, almost die, do it again. Reward: Aaabbbs." He chuckled to himself”
Excerpt From
Dissonance: A LitRPG Adventure (Unbound Book 1)
Nicoli Gonnella
This material may be protected by copyright.
Excerpt From
Dissonance: A LitRPG Adventure (Unbound Book 1)
Nicoli Gonnella
This material may be protected by copyright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2022
It got there in the end
The beginning seemed absorbed with the system handing out everything that Felix needed, most of which did not feel very earned. Then Felix actually started learning to use his skill instead of just heaping more on the pile. Finally, the story came full circle to explain things in a satisfying ending. I enjoyed my time reading this book, but there were several story elements that could have been edited out to boil it down and make it feel more substantial.
The beginning seemed absorbed with the system handing out everything that Felix needed, most of which did not feel very earned. Then Felix actually started learning to use his skill instead of just heaping more on the pile. Finally, the story came full circle to explain things in a satisfying ending. I enjoyed my time reading this book, but there were several story elements that could have been edited out to boil it down and make it feel more substantial.
July 26, 2022
Not a bad read
It's a decent read for the genre despite the MC being an idiot and having a ridiculous amount of stats and freebies dropped in his lap.
It's a decent read for the genre despite the MC being an idiot and having a ridiculous amount of stats and freebies dropped in his lap.
October 6, 2024
4.4 stars. I found the first 50% of the book to be enjoyable but predictable. However, from then on, I had a difficult time putting it down. Teams are definitely my preference within this genre, and the author did an excellent job getting me in the evolving group. Hopefully, the next book will continue in this direction!
May 21, 2022
Firstly, let me say I'm a big fan of LitRPG books. I prefer the ones where we focus on a single main character struggling to survive and succeeding against all odds.
Well, I just summed this book up for you. A roller coaster ride of adrenaline (for me - just reading it!) as Felix navigates a strange world.
That's the thing, though. All LitRPGs do that, right?
Except there's a bit of a dark twist to Felix...and he doesn't even know it.
Mostly he doesn't know anything, which suited me and the story just fine.
My biggest disappointment was the last few chapters. I expected something different than what I got.
Still, for most of the book, this was a tale to enjoy.
If you like LitRPG, especially the ones where the plucky character manages to do well, grab this one and give it a try.
Well, I just summed this book up for you. A roller coaster ride of adrenaline (for me - just reading it!) as Felix navigates a strange world.
That's the thing, though. All LitRPGs do that, right?
Except there's a bit of a dark twist to Felix...and he doesn't even know it.
Mostly he doesn't know anything, which suited me and the story just fine.
My biggest disappointment was the last few chapters. I expected something different than what I got.
Still, for most of the book, this was a tale to enjoy.
If you like LitRPG, especially the ones where the plucky character manages to do well, grab this one and give it a try.
May 9, 2022
book one
Mistakes: While this was a good story with a nice length, I really got the impression that the author wasn’t paying attention to his own tables. Stuff that should have updated just repeated or showed less when they had just updated a few pages before.
Plot: After being attacked because he saves a drugged girl from being raped our MC is brought to another world. He has no idea what is going on. Just that he must keep fighting for survival.
Characters: The mc gains skills like crazy. He is fun to follow.
7/10 Those tables just kept feeling really off.
Mistakes: While this was a good story with a nice length, I really got the impression that the author wasn’t paying attention to his own tables. Stuff that should have updated just repeated or showed less when they had just updated a few pages before.
Plot: After being attacked because he saves a drugged girl from being raped our MC is brought to another world. He has no idea what is going on. Just that he must keep fighting for survival.
Characters: The mc gains skills like crazy. He is fun to follow.
7/10 Those tables just kept feeling really off.
November 17, 2023
What a good read this is!!
July 10, 2022
ok so 92/100
Definitely worth reading. A few small things i didnt like, but nothing shattering. Its a good story, similar to one or two other series out there but quite unique. The people and characters work well, and the hero's journey is fun to follow. Recommended :)
Definitely worth reading. A few small things i didnt like, but nothing shattering. Its a good story, similar to one or two other series out there but quite unique. The people and characters work well, and the hero's journey is fun to follow. Recommended :)
May 27, 2022
Gave more stars for this book until hit 35% wear mc meets human of that world sigh, (was too much hero complex at times extea.)
But did enjoy the training he got and few answers answered.
And found him beating higher level entities to make sense way he did it.
Also was unnecessary drawn out and long stretched in parts that had me thinking just get on with it already, and offer parts wanting more longer lol.
There wear offer reasons for giving rating did good and bad but didn't want to go on and on.
Will end with saying if like fantasy LitRpg and isakued (sorry if spelt wrong.) Will probably like this.
Was a good read but dame was a big big book lol.
But did enjoy the training he got and few answers answered.
And found him beating higher level entities to make sense way he did it.
Also was unnecessary drawn out and long stretched in parts that had me thinking just get on with it already, and offer parts wanting more longer lol.
There wear offer reasons for giving rating did good and bad but didn't want to go on and on.
Will end with saying if like fantasy LitRpg and isakued (sorry if spelt wrong.) Will probably like this.
Was a good read but dame was a big big book lol.
May 31, 2022
4.5 stars. Seemed it could have used a bit of trimming in the middle-third of the book, but otherwise it kept my attention. MC was well done for the genre.
The latter is something I'm finding less books are doing right now. I don't record the ones that I borrow, read a few pages and go "meh" and return, but finding a good new (to me) author/series is always nice. I will certainly read the next one and see where this goes.
The latter is something I'm finding less books are doing right now. I don't record the ones that I borrow, read a few pages and go "meh" and return, but finding a good new (to me) author/series is always nice. I will certainly read the next one and see where this goes.
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