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The Hero of the Valley #3
The Arnite Empire
Duncan's time at the Academy of Steel has been cut short by the undead invasion. Still a stranger to the empire, Duncan sets out to explore how the society functions, and to increase his power so that he may face the forces of the outworlders.
- GenresFantasy
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2022
152 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 28, 2022
Hi! I'm Rose! The male author had me Raped multiple times so that I can get AWESOME magic powers! I'm so happy! My life is great!
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
July 27, 2022
Nice 3rd book.
My only problem was Rose.
My only problem was Rose.
March 9, 2023
Rose makes no sense and ruins this book.
July 18, 2022
Back in wood chipper mode: bad guys go in the front and bits of corpse spray out at the back. Why’s he murdering all these people? Something something protect everyone. Be more convincing if he didn’t treat them all like dirt. People are good if they suck up to him, otherwise into the wood chipper they go. These are well-written, technically speaking, but I’m really losing my motivation to continue.
Update: I’m revising it down a star because of the ending chapters. After further thought, they were definitely really unpleasant. I shan’t be continuing the series, I think.
Update: I’m revising it down a star because of the ending chapters. After further thought, they were definitely really unpleasant. I shan’t be continuing the series, I think.
July 19, 2022
This series is fantastic. Give me more please
July 17, 2022
Books 1 and 2 were amazing, and book three is no less than they were. There is a different focus here from book 2, which is where we had the undead invasion into the city that has the Academy of Steel.
Duncan still wages war on the undead, and his growth in power and levels hasn't waned. He decides to help those that can't help themselves, and that takes him north to San Sebastian where the Chevrolet clan are taking out the neighboring clans while their best warriors are away fighting the undead.
As expected, Duncan takes exception to this. He meets someone along the way who levels even faster than he does, and again dungeons are a big focus due to the weak levels of mana in the Arnite Empire.
This is a great series. The action sequences are well done, and Duncan is a mostly balanced character. There are editing errors, and if you thought the stat sheets were long in the first two books, you haven't seen anything yet.
I'm excited to see where the story goes in book 4. Book three wraps up the first story arc as they move on to new things. The editing is just okay, but it didn't take me out of the story.
Recommended. 5/5*
Duncan still wages war on the undead, and his growth in power and levels hasn't waned. He decides to help those that can't help themselves, and that takes him north to San Sebastian where the Chevrolet clan are taking out the neighboring clans while their best warriors are away fighting the undead.
As expected, Duncan takes exception to this. He meets someone along the way who levels even faster than he does, and again dungeons are a big focus due to the weak levels of mana in the Arnite Empire.
This is a great series. The action sequences are well done, and Duncan is a mostly balanced character. There are editing errors, and if you thought the stat sheets were long in the first two books, you haven't seen anything yet.
I'm excited to see where the story goes in book 4. Book three wraps up the first story arc as they move on to new things. The editing is just okay, but it didn't take me out of the story.
Recommended. 5/5*
September 18, 2023
Better paced, bigger world, and finally someone who has the potential to keep up.
October 8, 2025
The MC's motto is "that was dumb of me"
Reread before the publication of book 5
At this point of the story i would like to have maps of this world!
The main plot is good but the book has one huge problem: Rose.
R is a very flawed character. It's super contrived that after seing family members slaughtered an being raped for days, she would simply forget about her trauma and act that sexually aggressive. Acting like a horny teenager should be the last on her list at this point! I found the powerful awakening after being continously raped quite problematic as it infers a new power cultivation method. "You want to get stronger? Get raped brutally! It will be good for you...". The MC's fascination with R. contradicts his personality. I keeps showering her with gifts and attention as soon as he meets her and even lets her break rocks on his head. He turns into an utter simp and keeps on rambling while she keeps reminding me of Ciri of the horrible witcher series.. Despite the author forcingly making her a second ridiculously powerleveling and op main character, i didn't care for her and was annoyed about the banter.
Criticism and comments
I found the repeated endless ramblings about the faults of the leveling system really tiresome and increasingly annoying. He made his point several books ago but repeats it again and again and again..
"Level 0 Laborers were not uncommon." If any skill increase gives a level this seems unbelievable.
It is hilarious that the MC was told to keep a secret and he keeps telling it again and again, especially to people he just met..
Rose's level is preposterous for her only diving one dungeon with others for a short period...
It was sad that the MC wasted all his skill spots and couldn't learn void magic.
I didn't quite get Moira's behaviour.
The author seems to have a nude prisoner fetish..
Reread before the publication of book 5
At this point of the story i would like to have maps of this world!
The main plot is good but the book has one huge problem: Rose.
R is a very flawed character. It's super contrived that after seing family members slaughtered an being raped for days, she would simply forget about her trauma and act that sexually aggressive. Acting like a horny teenager should be the last on her list at this point! I found the powerful awakening after being continously raped quite problematic as it infers a new power cultivation method. "You want to get stronger? Get raped brutally! It will be good for you...". The MC's fascination with R. contradicts his personality. I keeps showering her with gifts and attention as soon as he meets her and even lets her break rocks on his head. He turns into an utter simp and keeps on rambling while she keeps reminding me of Ciri of the horrible witcher series.. Despite the author forcingly making her a second ridiculously powerleveling and op main character, i didn't care for her and was annoyed about the banter.
Criticism and comments
I found the repeated endless ramblings about the faults of the leveling system really tiresome and increasingly annoying. He made his point several books ago but repeats it again and again and again..
"Level 0 Laborers were not uncommon." If any skill increase gives a level this seems unbelievable.
It is hilarious that the MC was told to keep a secret and he keeps telling it again and again, especially to people he just met..
Rose's level is preposterous for her only diving one dungeon with others for a short period...
It was sad that the MC wasted all his skill spots and couldn't learn void magic.
I didn't quite get Moira's behaviour.
The author seems to have a nude prisoner fetish..
July 27, 2022
Good book
I really liked the book and found the action, plot, and character development enjoyable. I dropped a star for the ridiculous addition of Rose. It seems the author wanted Duncan to have a comparable partner so just gave her super powered abilities out of no where. What took Duncan years of constant combat to evolve, rose gets it instantaneously along with a super rare perfect affinity. She needs a flight skill to keep up with Duncan, she learns one just by watching him fly once. She could use
a super rare void power, Duncan just happens to have a one in a million affinity stone in his pocket. There were better ways to introduce a powerful companion than this.
I really liked the book and found the action, plot, and character development enjoyable. I dropped a star for the ridiculous addition of Rose. It seems the author wanted Duncan to have a comparable partner so just gave her super powered abilities out of no where. What took Duncan years of constant combat to evolve, rose gets it instantaneously along with a super rare perfect affinity. She needs a flight skill to keep up with Duncan, she learns one just by watching him fly once. She could use
a super rare void power, Duncan just happens to have a one in a million affinity stone in his pocket. There were better ways to introduce a powerful companion than this.
January 3, 2023
I think that some of the reviews of this one miss the mark a little even if most are in the right neck of the woods for some of the criticism, there are many issues with this release compared with previous entries and the end of the book honestly feels like it was written by a different author entirely (it’s quite rough). It’s possible this book was simply a bit too rushed when it probably could have used a bit more work.
Not sure if I’m going to pick up the next book in this series as this one was quite the let down to an otherwise stellar series.
Not sure if I’m going to pick up the next book in this series as this one was quite the let down to an otherwise stellar series.
October 30, 2025
I went into this book full speed after finishing the first two in the series. With the second novel being so strong, I fully expected the third to follow that same upward trend. Unfortunately, it was the opposite. This third installment lost all the momentum the second book had built. It felt like the entire purpose of this novel was simply to level Duncan up as much as possible—and because of that, the plot and storytelling suffered.
I wasn’t invested in the story at all, except for when Duncan entered the Scholastic Dungeon. I didn’t really care about his mission to rescue the hostages, even though it was clear that Rose would be important later on. I also didn’t find Duncan and Rose’s relationship believable—he funds her entire progression and gives her a small fortune without even knowing her. It just didn’t feel genuine or realistic, and Rose herself wasn’t particularly likable.
I mostly flew through this book because I wanted to get to the Scholastic Dungeon, and I’ll admit, that section didn’t disappoint. I liked seeing all of the different opponents Duncan faced and overcame and the rewards Duncan received. I also enjoyed how his time inside the dungeon—just eight days—was long enough for the entire town to descend into chaos by the time he returned.
While this book definitely felt like a filler entry, I’m still excited to see what happens next. Despite the weaker plot and pacing, this series remains a fun, easy read with satisfying progression and rewards. This one just disappointed me after how great the second novel turned out to be.
I wasn’t invested in the story at all, except for when Duncan entered the Scholastic Dungeon. I didn’t really care about his mission to rescue the hostages, even though it was clear that Rose would be important later on. I also didn’t find Duncan and Rose’s relationship believable—he funds her entire progression and gives her a small fortune without even knowing her. It just didn’t feel genuine or realistic, and Rose herself wasn’t particularly likable.
I mostly flew through this book because I wanted to get to the Scholastic Dungeon, and I’ll admit, that section didn’t disappoint. I liked seeing all of the different opponents Duncan faced and overcame and the rewards Duncan received. I also enjoyed how his time inside the dungeon—just eight days—was long enough for the entire town to descend into chaos by the time he returned.
While this book definitely felt like a filler entry, I’m still excited to see what happens next. Despite the weaker plot and pacing, this series remains a fun, easy read with satisfying progression and rewards. This one just disappointed me after how great the second novel turned out to be.
December 18, 2023
I was able to tolerate this series until the introduction of Rose. That was the most hamfisted, cringy, unbelievable love interest introduction I have ever read.
I can tolerate a Mary Sue character mindlessly going about killing monsters and leveling up, but two of them, with the second one being a love interest, doesn't work for me.
Then this really awkwardly handled bit about her being a rape victim becoming a sex fiend, basically rubbing herself against him because he can sense and smell her really well, with descriptions of her 'vulva swelling' ... I am sorry but I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
There really needed to be some steady companion or sidekick characters, solo delving and monster can carry a story only so far. I was hoping he would find some adventurer comrades who could keep up with him, or maybe joining a stronger group, going to a higher level kingdom, anything but that.
I can tolerate a Mary Sue character mindlessly going about killing monsters and leveling up, but two of them, with the second one being a love interest, doesn't work for me.
Then this really awkwardly handled bit about her being a rape victim becoming a sex fiend, basically rubbing herself against him because he can sense and smell her really well, with descriptions of her 'vulva swelling' ... I am sorry but I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
There really needed to be some steady companion or sidekick characters, solo delving and monster can carry a story only so far. I was hoping he would find some adventurer comrades who could keep up with him, or maybe joining a stronger group, going to a higher level kingdom, anything but that.
July 19, 2022
Good but hurried at the end
I'm still enjoying this series this book was a great edition. Ask Duncan levels up the battles are less individualized unless it's against the high level foe. VMC is thinking more strategically about himself and those around him. I guess that comes with the power. He is finally starting to learn more on what it takes to advance And make himself truly stronger. I was a little disappointed at the way they brought her in his love interest. The just add water instant powerhouse was quite annoying considering it took 2 books for Duncan to get where he is. However it's good to see any has somebody to share With. Especially one who can help him. The whole man of starved environment thing is a great way to keep a low manor kitty kingdom from being invaded by stronger neighboring regions. I'm enjoyed this series and look forward to the next book.
I'm still enjoying this series this book was a great edition. Ask Duncan levels up the battles are less individualized unless it's against the high level foe. VMC is thinking more strategically about himself and those around him. I guess that comes with the power. He is finally starting to learn more on what it takes to advance And make himself truly stronger. I was a little disappointed at the way they brought her in his love interest. The just add water instant powerhouse was quite annoying considering it took 2 books for Duncan to get where he is. However it's good to see any has somebody to share With. Especially one who can help him. The whole man of starved environment thing is a great way to keep a low manor kitty kingdom from being invaded by stronger neighboring regions. I'm enjoyed this series and look forward to the next book.
July 20, 2022
So I'll just say it, this is my #1 gamelit series. We're still a little early considering this is just Book 3 and I probably said similar things about He Who Fights With Monsters and Defiance of the Fall.
I guess the difference is that by book 3, HWFWM had already shit the bed for the first time and DotF, while consistently enjoyable, had a lot of annoying writing quirks. So as of Book 3, Hero of the Valley is #1 compared to the other Book 3's out there and I would say has my favorite game mechanics and world-building of the genre.
I don't think any other series has blended cultivation and XP/leveling as successfully and I'm excited to see where the next book takes us.
I guess the difference is that by book 3, HWFWM had already shit the bed for the first time and DotF, while consistently enjoyable, had a lot of annoying writing quirks. So as of Book 3, Hero of the Valley is #1 compared to the other Book 3's out there and I would say has my favorite game mechanics and world-building of the genre.
I don't think any other series has blended cultivation and XP/leveling as successfully and I'm excited to see where the next book takes us.
December 26, 2022
brilliant third book
Duncan leaves the academy and heads of to explore the Empire , heading North into the clan lands he finds that one clan has taken advantage of the living dead plague to attack the other clams who's warriors have heeded the call to arms , he immediately starts his own war against the usurpers and their barbarian mercenaries finding an aly Rose who is potentially even more powerful than him. Duncan and Rose realise just how low the mana content and skill levels are in the Empire and as we leave them they are heading of to the unknown to adventure and grow stronger
Duncan leaves the academy and heads of to explore the Empire , heading North into the clan lands he finds that one clan has taken advantage of the living dead plague to attack the other clams who's warriors have heeded the call to arms , he immediately starts his own war against the usurpers and their barbarian mercenaries finding an aly Rose who is potentially even more powerful than him. Duncan and Rose realise just how low the mana content and skill levels are in the Empire and as we leave them they are heading of to the unknown to adventure and grow stronger
July 15, 2022
A Solid Sequel
Another good book in the Hero of the Valley series, looking forward to future installments. Would definitely recommend the series to anyone who hasn’t read it.
To the author: PLEASE organize the status page. Sort the affinities by strength, sort the techniques and skills by level and tier. Mark which techniques are tier 1 clearly. It’s a huge mess and drives me crazy every time I try to read it. I almost gave this story 4 stars just because of this. Besides that, keep up the good work :)
Another good book in the Hero of the Valley series, looking forward to future installments. Would definitely recommend the series to anyone who hasn’t read it.
To the author: PLEASE organize the status page. Sort the affinities by strength, sort the techniques and skills by level and tier. Mark which techniques are tier 1 clearly. It’s a huge mess and drives me crazy every time I try to read it. I almost gave this story 4 stars just because of this. Besides that, keep up the good work :)
July 22, 2022
Overall I enjoyed this book. The first half was a little disheartening because it just felt like nothing more than fluttering about and then blink/fold/stab/bladestorm/internal monologue.
What saved this book and really makes me hopeful for the next book is Rose. This book desperately needed more characters and more variety; solo delving had played out and had become tediously repetitive. Having someone to interact with and enriching the variety of magic and skills adds so much more dimension to the story.
What saved this book and really makes me hopeful for the next book is Rose. This book desperately needed more characters and more variety; solo delving had played out and had become tediously repetitive. Having someone to interact with and enriching the variety of magic and skills adds so much more dimension to the story.
July 25, 2022
Going in the right direction
Happy with the trajectory of this book and I think that the next one has potential to be great. The author seemed to embrace interacting with other people and the outside world a bit more, and finally introduced someone that could be a lasting companion. I get that it's a progression fantasy, but the amount of solo training in the first 2 was absurd. This one has more side characters and fun events and I really enjoyed reading it. Hopeful for the next one.
Happy with the trajectory of this book and I think that the next one has potential to be great. The author seemed to embrace interacting with other people and the outside world a bit more, and finally introduced someone that could be a lasting companion. I get that it's a progression fantasy, but the amount of solo training in the first 2 was absurd. This one has more side characters and fun events and I really enjoyed reading it. Hopeful for the next one.
July 16, 2022
not as exciting, but still fun
For the most part, the MC is OP. But it’s a brittle kind of strength. And he knows that. So most of the time is spent working on techniques and skills. Which means he rarely gets into a fight that is truly difficult.
Much like the earlier books, this is a little dry and many of the supporting characters are thin. But I still like the world I still like the concepts and I’m eager to see where he goes as he leaves the empire.
For the most part, the MC is OP. But it’s a brittle kind of strength. And he knows that. So most of the time is spent working on techniques and skills. Which means he rarely gets into a fight that is truly difficult.
Much like the earlier books, this is a little dry and many of the supporting characters are thin. But I still like the world I still like the concepts and I’m eager to see where he goes as he leaves the empire.
July 16, 2022
Fantastic First Arc
This story of a young man who comes from a secluded place getting thrown into the empire was awesome. This first arc was the the regular system where our boy soloed dungeons and outgrew the regular system. The next arc will be a cultivating system, though I don’t get how he’s going from overpowered to a weakened person. Can’t wait for the next installment.
This story of a young man who comes from a secluded place getting thrown into the empire was awesome. This first arc was the the regular system where our boy soloed dungeons and outgrew the regular system. The next arc will be a cultivating system, though I don’t get how he’s going from overpowered to a weakened person. Can’t wait for the next installment.
July 21, 2022
Well now isn't this interesting
A rather nice continuation of a rather enjoyable story, decent progression of character and whole the MC is rather OP, it's not singular. There are many stronger, wiser, smarter, better gifted and more experienced, giving you a sense that while rare his type of power isn't unheard of. Making it a great setting rather like a good DnD game, the heros tend to waffle stomp the bad guys yet aren't the only big fish. Well done.
A rather nice continuation of a rather enjoyable story, decent progression of character and whole the MC is rather OP, it's not singular. There are many stronger, wiser, smarter, better gifted and more experienced, giving you a sense that while rare his type of power isn't unheard of. Making it a great setting rather like a good DnD game, the heros tend to waffle stomp the bad guys yet aren't the only big fish. Well done.
July 16, 2022
As for ending a story arc, this is about as smooth as it gets.
It really is that simple. This is a well balanced transition piece. It provides additional story but without sacrificing a proper ending. There is good character development as well as narrative development. Very much looking forward to more of the same.
It really is that simple. This is a well balanced transition piece. It provides additional story but without sacrificing a proper ending. There is good character development as well as narrative development. Very much looking forward to more of the same.
July 16, 2022
amazing sequel. take a bow Gary
The books begins where book 2 ended. We visit some earlier places and meet some of the known people. The. The new story arc begins. Great and smooth power curve increase for Duncan. Very satisfactory power growth. He also finds a new companion who will keep up with him. Waiting to see how that relationship develops. Book 4 quickly pls Gary
The books begins where book 2 ended. We visit some earlier places and meet some of the known people. The. The new story arc begins. Great and smooth power curve increase for Duncan. Very satisfactory power growth. He also finds a new companion who will keep up with him. Waiting to see how that relationship develops. Book 4 quickly pls Gary
July 17, 2022
each book is better than the last
Book one and two start slow for the series, introducing the reader to the world and the mechanics. Each book builds off the last, introducing more of the system, world building and character development. Fascinating plot, interesting characters, great system. Can’t wait to see where the story goes.
Book one and two start slow for the series, introducing the reader to the world and the mechanics. Each book builds off the last, introducing more of the system, world building and character development. Fascinating plot, interesting characters, great system. Can’t wait to see where the story goes.
July 24, 2022
The introduction of a companion for Duncan helped to liven a flagging situation. As Duncan became a big fish in this small pond the main plot started to lose its impact. His humbling of the evil clan was therefore anticlimactic. Thus the ending was lackluster. Despite this, I'm keen to read book four as it is set in a supposedly bigger pond.
July 25, 2022
very video game
This series is fun and reads more like playing an rpg game than many of the litrpg I read. The main character is overpowered for his area but it is explained in the story and he gets a companion that it seems will also be overpowered. They talk most of the book about going to a harder area and that is where we leave them.
This series is fun and reads more like playing an rpg game than many of the litrpg I read. The main character is overpowered for his area but it is explained in the story and he gets a companion that it seems will also be overpowered. They talk most of the book about going to a harder area and that is where we leave them.
July 26, 2022
not bad not great
There are definitely some interesting elements to this story. That said, it’s pretty shallow. The NC has no emotional depth. He has no friends, doesn’t seem to miss his family. He just spends all of his time in dungeons. The leveling system doesn’t make much sense either.
There are definitely some interesting elements to this story. That said, it’s pretty shallow. The NC has no emotional depth. He has no friends, doesn’t seem to miss his family. He just spends all of his time in dungeons. The leveling system doesn’t make much sense either.
August 1, 2022
Honestly one of my top three favorite series, and I was happily surprised when I saw this book came out since the time between this and the second was longer than between the first two. I also can’t find any info online about the series. So I’m hoping a fourth is in the works. Love the characters, love the setting, love the premise, love the power system, love the series.
July 16, 2022
Truly great series
Good continue to the series. Was a bit more complicated than the first two books, but definitely worth the time to read. One of the best series I have been reading for a while.
Good continue to the series. Was a bit more complicated than the first two books, but definitely worth the time to read. One of the best series I have been reading for a while.
July 16, 2022
amazing
That what this story is. You’ve read the other two and this one delivered just like the last. More action good background depth and our hero kicking ass and taking names afterwards
That what this story is. You’ve read the other two and this one delivered just like the last. More action good background depth and our hero kicking ass and taking names afterwards
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews