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The Heartfire Healer #3
Viridian Gate Online: Perdition: A litRPG Adventure
Dr. Liset Chen vowed to save her world from the Darklings’ influence, but when divine will directs her to Ankara and the Fighting Pit of Kar’Kun—a coliseum that pits the Priest against monsters and other Travelers alike—she must win the tournament and successfully clear a dungeon rumored to be a gateway to Morsheim itself…one no team has returned from.
With her lover on the rival team and only one respawn left, Liset must prove her conviction, leadership, and faith are enough to seize this last chance to eliminate a source of Darkling power, even if it risks her own damnation.
From James A. Hunter—author of Viridian Gate Online, Rogue Dungeon, and Bibliomancer—and author E.C. Godhand, comes the final, epic installment in the Heartfire Healer Series!
With her lover on the rival team and only one respawn left, Liset must prove her conviction, leadership, and faith are enough to seize this last chance to eliminate a source of Darkling power, even if it risks her own damnation.
From James A. Hunter—author of Viridian Gate Online, Rogue Dungeon, and Bibliomancer—and author E.C. Godhand, comes the final, epic installment in the Heartfire Healer Series!
ebook
First published April 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 3, 2022
Perdition is a great book for LitRPG. It's the third book in a great _series_ for LitRPG.
To be fair, it violates a lot of LitRPG tropes. It has a _female_ MC, the MC is not only _female_ but is a lesbian, she's not only a lesbian but she's a _healer_, she's not only a lesbian healer but the lesbian aspect doesn't veer into harem - she's monogamous - and she's not only a monogamous lesbian healer but she's not even overpowered!
And the story itself goes into why someone might choose to be one of the "bad guys," to the point where you start to question whether the "bad guys" are even the actual "bad guys," as opposed to being the primary antagonists in the service of _other_ stories.
It's written in a humane, funny, appealing style - you'll groan your way through some of the jokes (and follow up by grinning at them), you'll giggle your way through homages to other games, you'll fully recognize the MMORPG chops of the author - and if you're wise, like I hope I am, you might even change how you look at RPGs.
The strategy and the writing is _that good_.
But wait - there's more.
In Perdition, the third book, the author introduced a new character, what I think is a groundbreaking character for me. I can't say there's been no other such role in LitRPG - I don't have that kind of exhaustive knowledge - but I can say I know of no other author who's gone in this direction.
There's a person who is insane, and not in the A-Team's "Murdock is crazy, ha ha" sense, but clinically mentally ill, with schizophrenia and epilepsy in the life he had before he entered the VGO game world. He's not even sure which world was "real" - neither was consistent, neither made sense to him, neither one looks to him like it would to anyone else. He's constantly hallucinating, constantly warping in and out of what is and what should be.
And the effects of that warping are portrayed realistically, in the context of the series. It's got humor to it, because life is funny, but it's also tragic to read, and when you factor in the author's actual awareness of such illnesses... it ends up causing an emotion on the part of the reader that serves as an accurate gauge of who the reader _actually is_.
The MC even tries to address it; it's fiction, and it's in a game world, so who can say what the "real outcome" would be, but it serves to demonstrate a humanity that's largely missing in the genre. And that it's not played for laughs - even though laughter is present - only makes it more poignant.
And then the story continues as it should around him - an outcome that will break your heart - and in the end, he is left broken, but in a way that ends up being incredibly uplifting despite its essential sadness and cost.
I can't say Heartfire is for everyone. But I can say that in all of LitRPG, with all of the joy I have managed to find in the genre, Heartfire is probably the best actual literary achievement I've found, and the series I'm most glad to have been able to read.
To be fair, it violates a lot of LitRPG tropes. It has a _female_ MC, the MC is not only _female_ but is a lesbian, she's not only a lesbian but she's a _healer_, she's not only a lesbian healer but the lesbian aspect doesn't veer into harem - she's monogamous - and she's not only a monogamous lesbian healer but she's not even overpowered!
And the story itself goes into why someone might choose to be one of the "bad guys," to the point where you start to question whether the "bad guys" are even the actual "bad guys," as opposed to being the primary antagonists in the service of _other_ stories.
It's written in a humane, funny, appealing style - you'll groan your way through some of the jokes (and follow up by grinning at them), you'll giggle your way through homages to other games, you'll fully recognize the MMORPG chops of the author - and if you're wise, like I hope I am, you might even change how you look at RPGs.
The strategy and the writing is _that good_.
But wait - there's more.
In Perdition, the third book, the author introduced a new character, what I think is a groundbreaking character for me. I can't say there's been no other such role in LitRPG - I don't have that kind of exhaustive knowledge - but I can say I know of no other author who's gone in this direction.
There's a person who is insane, and not in the A-Team's "Murdock is crazy, ha ha" sense, but clinically mentally ill, with schizophrenia and epilepsy in the life he had before he entered the VGO game world. He's not even sure which world was "real" - neither was consistent, neither made sense to him, neither one looks to him like it would to anyone else. He's constantly hallucinating, constantly warping in and out of what is and what should be.
And the effects of that warping are portrayed realistically, in the context of the series. It's got humor to it, because life is funny, but it's also tragic to read, and when you factor in the author's actual awareness of such illnesses... it ends up causing an emotion on the part of the reader that serves as an accurate gauge of who the reader _actually is_.
The MC even tries to address it; it's fiction, and it's in a game world, so who can say what the "real outcome" would be, but it serves to demonstrate a humanity that's largely missing in the genre. And that it's not played for laughs - even though laughter is present - only makes it more poignant.
And then the story continues as it should around him - an outcome that will break your heart - and in the end, he is left broken, but in a way that ends up being incredibly uplifting despite its essential sadness and cost.
I can't say Heartfire is for everyone. But I can say that in all of LitRPG, with all of the joy I have managed to find in the genre, Heartfire is probably the best actual literary achievement I've found, and the series I'm most glad to have been able to read.
January 4, 2023
The story of Dr. Liset Chen, ER doctor turned healer in a fantasy world, has a lot of problems. Her goddess is sending her on a quest, her lover's life is in danger, and she needs to level up her cooking skill!
I haven't read a lot of LitRPG but this is a lot of fun, with some very different ideas. The main character is a healer, and a lesbian, and far from perfect. But she struggles hard to do the right thing, no matter what this new life throws at her. And it just came up with a hell of a curve ball.
Liset and her friends get captured and forced to fight to the death in an arena where death isn't permanent, there's no way out and she's the only one willing to actually make a decent meal for everyone. She can't continue her quest for her goddess if she's trapped in PVP hell, and things are getting worse. Can she lead everyone to victory and then escape? Can they clear the dungeon no one has come back from? Will she and her lady get to live happily ever after?
This is a really enjoyable story with some great humor (the names of the teams in the arena are great, and there was even a South Park joke that made me laugh and I don't like the show) and a lot of surprises. A lot of the cliches of fantasy stories get twisted in fun new directions.
I enjoyed this trilogy, and I hope to see more from this author.
I haven't read a lot of LitRPG but this is a lot of fun, with some very different ideas. The main character is a healer, and a lesbian, and far from perfect. But she struggles hard to do the right thing, no matter what this new life throws at her. And it just came up with a hell of a curve ball.
Liset and her friends get captured and forced to fight to the death in an arena where death isn't permanent, there's no way out and she's the only one willing to actually make a decent meal for everyone. She can't continue her quest for her goddess if she's trapped in PVP hell, and things are getting worse. Can she lead everyone to victory and then escape? Can they clear the dungeon no one has come back from? Will she and her lady get to live happily ever after?
This is a really enjoyable story with some great humor (the names of the teams in the arena are great, and there was even a South Park joke that made me laugh and I don't like the show) and a lot of surprises. A lot of the cliches of fantasy stories get twisted in fun new directions.
I enjoyed this trilogy, and I hope to see more from this author.
April 19, 2022
Dr Liset Chen believes in Gaia and has vowed to rid the world of darklings but when she is sent to Ankara and the fighting pits of Kar'kun she fights both against monsters and other humans in a tournament which she must win. She is not taken seriously by her team as she is a healer not a fighter but Liset has brains and makes full use of these to solve riddles and to save the people she cares for, namely Kismet, her wife and Corvus her dear friend, even when these are fighting on rival teams. She starts a revolution for freedom from the pits to which they had all been enslaved but once they break out they face another challenge that of the dungeon known as the labyrinth of the lost, which is a gateway to Morsheim itself and from which no other player had ever returned. The team could not afford to lose as winning would grant them freedom from the pits of Kar'kun forever. However winning was not easy as they fought the aspects of the Gods themselves and were it not for Liset's intelligence and courage they would have fared like all others before them. I love the exciting rhythm of the book full of non-stop action and I look forward to the next book which considering where we left off is bound to be even more exciting.
May 10, 2022
Perdition is Masterfully Written and Engrossing from beginning to end!!
I really enjoyed this series because of the way the MC is written. Liset is so flawed and so damaged but her spirit is indomitable. You can’t help but love her. Liset is a cult of personality, that doesn’t want to be one. This book has some really great drama, wicked battles and an ending that breaks your heart and gives you hope. I can’t wait to see if theres more to come. Quit reading my review! Buy the book!!!
I really enjoyed this series because of the way the MC is written. Liset is so flawed and so damaged but her spirit is indomitable. You can’t help but love her. Liset is a cult of personality, that doesn’t want to be one. This book has some really great drama, wicked battles and an ending that breaks your heart and gives you hope. I can’t wait to see if theres more to come. Quit reading my review! Buy the book!!!
May 24, 2022
Not sure I expected that.
Liset’s fate takes a different turn in this edition of her story. She’s a healer and an extraordinary leader. But where does that take her? How does she follow Gaia’s direction and quests? And what does “mission impossible” mean when you can’t die?
Liset’s fate takes a different turn in this edition of her story. She’s a healer and an extraordinary leader. But where does that take her? How does she follow Gaia’s direction and quests? And what does “mission impossible” mean when you can’t die?
May 29, 2022
stick with it
The first two books were not my favorite of the VGO series but over time have really grown on me. I can’t wait to see the adventure Liset takes or what happens to Corvius.
The first two books were not my favorite of the VGO series but over time have really grown on me. I can’t wait to see the adventure Liset takes or what happens to Corvius.
February 26, 2025
Absolute Pinnacle Healer Awesomenesd
ECG delivers a tense and action packed story anchoring around stakes both social and lethal. The overall arcs are fantastic, the character work excellent, Corvus remains an icon throughout, and Liset earns every moment of it and every flex.
ECG delivers a tense and action packed story anchoring around stakes both social and lethal. The overall arcs are fantastic, the character work excellent, Corvus remains an icon throughout, and Liset earns every moment of it and every flex.
March 6, 2023
Great side story
Did not expect priests and holy jargon to work for me but here i am at the end of the three books, quite satisfied.
Did not expect priests and holy jargon to work for me but here i am at the end of the three books, quite satisfied.
October 16, 2023
The Heartfire Healer series is a masterclass in character-driven fantasy, and EC Godhand proves herself not just a skilled storyteller, but a deeply attentive steward of the people she creates.
What struck me most is the emotional realism. These aren’t archetypes moving through a plot—they are complex individuals navigating impossible circumstances with imperfect information. Godhand allows her characters to make nuanced, sometimes messy choices that feel grounded in lived experience. Motivations conflict. Loyalties strain. Good intentions collide with unintended consequences. The result is a cast that feels startlingly human, even in the midst of magic and warfare.
Her care for her characters is evident in the quiet moments as much as the climactic ones. She gives them space to doubt, to grieve, to laugh, and to grow. Development never feels rushed or engineered. It unfolds organically, shaped by prior wounds and evolving relationships. That level of narrative patience pays off in powerful emotional beats that genuinely land.
The banter is another standout strength. The dialogue is sharp without feeling forced, witty without undermining the gravity of the stakes. It provides relief in tense moments while simultaneously deepening character dynamics. You learn who these people are not through exposition, but through the way they spar verbally, tease one another, or hold back what they’re afraid to say.
Combat scenes are equally compelling. Godhand writes action with clarity and sensory detail—every clash, spell flare, and desperate maneuver feels visceral. The pacing keeps momentum high, yet she never sacrifices emotional stakes for spectacle. Each battle advances character arcs as much as it advances plot.
Most of all, the series excels in presenting difficult moral terrain. The choices her protagonists face rarely have clean answers. There are trade-offs, sacrifices, and long shadows cast by decisions that seemed right at the time. That moral complexity gives the story weight and credibility. It respects the reader’s intelligence.
The Heartfire Healer series is thoughtful, emotionally resonant fantasy with heart, grit, and sharp wit. EC Godhand’s storytelling balances intensity with tenderness, and spectacle with introspection. It’s a rare series that entertains deeply while also trusting its audience to sit with ambiguity—and that trust is richly rewarded.
What struck me most is the emotional realism. These aren’t archetypes moving through a plot—they are complex individuals navigating impossible circumstances with imperfect information. Godhand allows her characters to make nuanced, sometimes messy choices that feel grounded in lived experience. Motivations conflict. Loyalties strain. Good intentions collide with unintended consequences. The result is a cast that feels startlingly human, even in the midst of magic and warfare.
Her care for her characters is evident in the quiet moments as much as the climactic ones. She gives them space to doubt, to grieve, to laugh, and to grow. Development never feels rushed or engineered. It unfolds organically, shaped by prior wounds and evolving relationships. That level of narrative patience pays off in powerful emotional beats that genuinely land.
The banter is another standout strength. The dialogue is sharp without feeling forced, witty without undermining the gravity of the stakes. It provides relief in tense moments while simultaneously deepening character dynamics. You learn who these people are not through exposition, but through the way they spar verbally, tease one another, or hold back what they’re afraid to say.
Combat scenes are equally compelling. Godhand writes action with clarity and sensory detail—every clash, spell flare, and desperate maneuver feels visceral. The pacing keeps momentum high, yet she never sacrifices emotional stakes for spectacle. Each battle advances character arcs as much as it advances plot.
Most of all, the series excels in presenting difficult moral terrain. The choices her protagonists face rarely have clean answers. There are trade-offs, sacrifices, and long shadows cast by decisions that seemed right at the time. That moral complexity gives the story weight and credibility. It respects the reader’s intelligence.
The Heartfire Healer series is thoughtful, emotionally resonant fantasy with heart, grit, and sharp wit. EC Godhand’s storytelling balances intensity with tenderness, and spectacle with introspection. It’s a rare series that entertains deeply while also trusting its audience to sit with ambiguity—and that trust is richly rewarded.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews