What do you think?
Rate this book
New Game Minus #3
Breaking Rules - A LitRPG Adventure
Bloodwraith was a villain who hated adventurers until he found himself transferred into the body of one. Trapped without his magic, he discovered that alien beings were using his reality as a game... and he had just become a player. Teaming up with a glitched NPC and other adventurers, he has no choice but to learn the truth about himself and his world.
The original adventurer may be defeated, but Bloodwraith and his allies have attracted the attention of the beings that control his world. They're coming in force, bringing both control of the system and bizarre alien powers. Bloodwraith will have no choice but to fight for his life while trying to understand the conflicts among the box gods. That battle will take him back to Cresthaven, to new cities entirely, through the most dangerous dungeon yet, and against opponents unlike any he's ever faced...
The original adventurer may be defeated, but Bloodwraith and his allies have attracted the attention of the beings that control his world. They're coming in force, bringing both control of the system and bizarre alien powers. Bloodwraith will have no choice but to fight for his life while trying to understand the conflicts among the box gods. That battle will take him back to Cresthaven, to new cities entirely, through the most dangerous dungeon yet, and against opponents unlike any he's ever faced...
470 pages, Paperback
Published July 29, 2020
78 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Lin
24 books449 followersHello! I'm Sarah Lin and I write various kinds of fantasy. If you want to keep up with my work, feel free to check out the following:
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/dMSw2A
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sarahlin
Blog: http://sarahlinauthor.blogspot.com/
Join either list to get immediate access to illustrations of all my characters, plus bonus content and previews. If you've tried my work, I'd be happy to hear from you!
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/dMSw2A
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sarahlin
Blog: http://sarahlinauthor.blogspot.com/
Join either list to get immediate access to illustrations of all my characters, plus bonus content and previews. If you've tried my work, I'd be happy to hear from you!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 18, 2022
Series is definitely worth a read if you're just after something kinda easy and fun, as is all of Lin's stuff.
May 8, 2019
A good conclusion
I actually enjoyed the second book more, but this was satisfying in its own way.
The "out of the box" ideas that we were exposed to in the previous books continue to make it a fun read but there were a couple of times where the story felt slower than it needed to be, with more instrospective moments than what I felt was required.
Nonetheless, it's awesome to read something in the genre that is complete.
Highly recommend this series.
I actually enjoyed the second book more, but this was satisfying in its own way.
The "out of the box" ideas that we were exposed to in the previous books continue to make it a fun read but there were a couple of times where the story felt slower than it needed to be, with more instrospective moments than what I felt was required.
Nonetheless, it's awesome to read something in the genre that is complete.
Highly recommend this series.
May 2, 2019
The third book in the New Game Minus series delivers on everything that made the previous two books great. An interesting villain turned hero, great party dynamics, some very funny lines and a well-plotted story. The book also features a fantastic dungeon crawl and an epic final battle. I loved the fact that the heroes actually talked to their enemies instead of just bashing heads in!
It is always hard to know if a series is going to be worth the journey. I am glad to report that in this case the plot gets wrapped up, the dangling story lines neatly tied back and the whole trilogy completed as a beautifully presented package. I really enjoyed the character growth throughout the journey and I am going to miss spending time with this group of NPCs. Hopefully Bloodwraith gets to rename his skills at some point ;)
It is always hard to know if a series is going to be worth the journey. I am glad to report that in this case the plot gets wrapped up, the dangling story lines neatly tied back and the whole trilogy completed as a beautifully presented package. I really enjoyed the character growth throughout the journey and I am going to miss spending time with this group of NPCs. Hopefully Bloodwraith gets to rename his skills at some point ;)
March 24, 2022
I read the audio version, and went on to purchase the text sequels. This is a good LitRPG series, especially if you like seeing into gaming culture. Ithink it’s better as a text book, due to the character status updates, and the language used by some characters, but the audio version is well produced and performed with sound effects.
October 12, 2022
This book series started like Agent Smith from Matrix going to the Westworld series. That would describe the first book. The second book was like the movie Trading Places, where the Barbarian, "player" "outlander" received all of the weapons, equipments, artifacts, Over-Powered abilities, skills and spells, while the main character, Bloodwraith started out without any clothes, no weapons, and at level zero. The author, erased the Barbarian's avatar, even though the character that died was the Lich character of the main character. So, the one who should have started at zero again should have been the player outlander, not the NPC (Non Player Character) exLich Bloodwraith.
Although this game-like-game is not really a game, because the NPC's do not respawn, so the NPC retinue that follow the main character are doing everything possible not to die. Regular NPC's with normal Artificial Intelligence engines do not care if they live or die, do not have personalities, motivations, etc. they act and react according to their directives.
The author has no real reason for this third book. To prove my point, I will quote the book, at a point that the main character and his retinue reached the third floor of a Dungeon. The author wrote: "[Holy fuck, somebody got this far? If you're a beta tester, seriously talk to AdventureCorp about a raise. Look, I'll be honest with you: we didn't really expect anyone to get here. The third floor is a mess of shit we left on the cutting room floor. Is that mixing metaphors? Fuck it, I'm just writing this because I don't like leaving un-commented code. If you're determined to go forward, I strongly recommend turning on God Mode and just enjoying the ride. The floor layout is a mess, though, so if you just want to get out, it might be easier to head back than to head up.]"
Not even the game designers completed the design of this game. Not even the author polishes and finishes the ideas, plot arcs, theme for this Sci-Fi novel series. Less game-like, almost no fantasy, and lacking real reasons for reading/publishing a story like this one. Story lacks a point, lacks common sense and is contradictory and convoluted. The main character could have "escaped to the real world but didn't". So what is the point of staying to play and play and play by the main character and his all female retinue?
Although this game-like-game is not really a game, because the NPC's do not respawn, so the NPC retinue that follow the main character are doing everything possible not to die. Regular NPC's with normal Artificial Intelligence engines do not care if they live or die, do not have personalities, motivations, etc. they act and react according to their directives.
The author has no real reason for this third book. To prove my point, I will quote the book, at a point that the main character and his retinue reached the third floor of a Dungeon. The author wrote: "[Holy fuck, somebody got this far? If you're a beta tester, seriously talk to AdventureCorp about a raise. Look, I'll be honest with you: we didn't really expect anyone to get here. The third floor is a mess of shit we left on the cutting room floor. Is that mixing metaphors? Fuck it, I'm just writing this because I don't like leaving un-commented code. If you're determined to go forward, I strongly recommend turning on God Mode and just enjoying the ride. The floor layout is a mess, though, so if you just want to get out, it might be easier to head back than to head up.]"
Not even the game designers completed the design of this game. Not even the author polishes and finishes the ideas, plot arcs, theme for this Sci-Fi novel series. Less game-like, almost no fantasy, and lacking real reasons for reading/publishing a story like this one. Story lacks a point, lacks common sense and is contradictory and convoluted. The main character could have "escaped to the real world but didn't". So what is the point of staying to play and play and play by the main character and his all female retinue?
June 21, 2021
A fitting conclusion to this trilogy. If you liked the first two books, you'll enjoy this book as it's more of the same. For me personally, I found this book more enjoyable than the first two because it felt more like the kind of LitRPG style books that I enjoy. The explanation of the state of the world and the larger conflict was also somewhat satisfying and even the reasons for the resolution of the major conflict seemed acceptable. Some of the explanations of why things work seemed a bit handwavy (), but that seems fair since this book isn't try to be a hard fantasy novel. But I do have to point out two things that make this series pretty great. One, you get to see real character growth in each of the characters and that is wonderful to experience. And two, the author is damn good at humorous banter.
June 1, 2021
My selection for the 'Self-Published' square in the 2021 r/Fantasy Bingo. I read the first two books in this series for two other belated Bingo attempts and this third one is a satisfying conclusion to the series. It's LitRPG that doesn't take itself too seriously and provides several very interesting characters (my favorite was Izzy). And for the first time in quite a while, I've actually completed a series whilst attempting Bingo.
(Other 2021 Bingo categories for this novel are: "Found Family", "New to You Author" and "Revenge-Seeking Character").
(Other 2021 Bingo categories for this novel are: "Found Family", "New to You Author" and "Revenge-Seeking Character").
May 5, 2019
First off, Wow! What a great series!
The final book in the series is a great ride!
Mistakes: I found three in the entire book.
Plot: Lose ends are tied up nicely as our band of semi bad good guys fight to save their world from being a plaything of other worlds.
Characters: The author does a great job of making you root for the group. The characters interactions really bring them to life.
8.4/10
The final book in the series is a great ride!
Mistakes: I found three in the entire book.
Plot: Lose ends are tied up nicely as our band of semi bad good guys fight to save their world from being a plaything of other worlds.
Characters: The author does a great job of making you root for the group. The characters interactions really bring them to life.
8.4/10
May 5, 2019
Disclaimer: I was provided an advance copy of this book on the condition i leave an honest review upon official release
I really enjoyed this ride! Many authors have difficulty ending their series, but not so for Sarah Lin. Breaking Rules wraps up all of the linger plot lines, does justice to each character's fears and aspirations, and altogether neatly wraps the series up. My only problem with the book is that I'm done with it and have to wait for the author to write more!
I really enjoyed this ride! Many authors have difficulty ending their series, but not so for Sarah Lin. Breaking Rules wraps up all of the linger plot lines, does justice to each character's fears and aspirations, and altogether neatly wraps the series up. My only problem with the book is that I'm done with it and have to wait for the author to write more!
June 10, 2019
Great End to the Trilogy!!
This is a great series, and this book is a great ending to it. It follows an interesting trope - the NPCs fighting against the system built against them, and after the main character getting used to his new form in the first book, fighting off the original player in book 2... book 3 is fighting the system itself!
Book 3, as fun as it was, is bittersweet because I enjoyed the story so much.
This is a great series, and this book is a great ending to it. It follows an interesting trope - the NPCs fighting against the system built against them, and after the main character getting used to his new form in the first book, fighting off the original player in book 2... book 3 is fighting the system itself!
Book 3, as fun as it was, is bittersweet because I enjoyed the story so much.
June 15, 2021
I liked this book. It looks like it's the final book in the series, and it wraps up things nicely. I guess there could be more, if the author wants to explore more ideas raised in this book, but for the most part, all dangling plot lines have been resolved, and I have to say, I like the way it was done. If you liked earlier books in the series, then you'll want to read this one to finish up the existing plots.
May 4, 2019
Satisfying conclusion to an outstanding series
Sarah Lin’s series does a great job of weaving interesting characters whom one can’t help but like, with a clever adventure and great LITRPG elements. This would be well worth the read even if one isn’t a fan of LITTPG; however the smart treatment of those elements (as both tool for the protagonist and annoying obstacle) only adds to the story.
Highly recommended.
Sarah Lin’s series does a great job of weaving interesting characters whom one can’t help but like, with a clever adventure and great LITRPG elements. This would be well worth the read even if one isn’t a fan of LITTPG; however the smart treatment of those elements (as both tool for the protagonist and annoying obstacle) only adds to the story.
Highly recommended.
May 18, 2019
A terrific finale
The story of Bloodwraith comes to a dramatic conclusion here, realizing the end of plotlines laid out in the previous books. Once again our hero must go up against apparently far more powerful enemies, closing the gap through wits and the help of his allies. I'll definitely look for more from the author.
The story of Bloodwraith comes to a dramatic conclusion here, realizing the end of plotlines laid out in the previous books. Once again our hero must go up against apparently far more powerful enemies, closing the gap through wits and the help of his allies. I'll definitely look for more from the author.
November 6, 2019
Great end to a trilogy
Book has it all. Meeting the final boss and not being sorry wusses, not turning on their virtues for the sake of convenience, video game culture references galore, and all of the characters showing independence and badassery without the main character having to hold their hand. Would read another, but even the epilogue leaves you sated.
Book has it all. Meeting the final boss and not being sorry wusses, not turning on their virtues for the sake of convenience, video game culture references galore, and all of the characters showing independence and badassery without the main character having to hold their hand. Would read another, but even the epilogue leaves you sated.
Read
January 14, 2020(Mini-review for r/fantasy Bingo.)
I had a blast seeing all the plots come together and it was great how every character got at least one moment! However it's still very LitRPG and I had mixed feelings about those parts. I love Sarah's work but I think I'd prefer it if she wrote more of other genres.
I had a blast seeing all the plots come together and it was great how every character got at least one moment! However it's still very LitRPG and I had mixed feelings about those parts. I love Sarah's work but I think I'd prefer it if she wrote more of other genres.
June 26, 2021
This just went nowhere.
The entire front half was pointless and dull. The ending was contrived. The situation reached a point that you were no longer invested in any character. If you do not care what happens, if you do not care how it is resolved, if you do not care about the characters, why bother reading the book?
The entire front half was pointless and dull. The ending was contrived. The situation reached a point that you were no longer invested in any character. If you do not care what happens, if you do not care how it is resolved, if you do not care about the characters, why bother reading the book?
December 4, 2019
Liked it better than 2nd book, but the first book still remains my favorite in this series. The leveling up in the middle was better than expected and enjoyed it more compared to the final fight. Some more POV chapters from the other sides would've been interesting to read.
September 6, 2021
I've just finished reading all three parts to this series and I rather enjoyed them! This book did the whole LITRpg thing very well with an interestingly explained system. The characters were all well written and interesting, thank you Sarah Lin.
May 11, 2019
Very satisfying ending to the series. I will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews