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Battle Mage Farmer #3
Cultivation
With the mystery of the world deepening, John Sutton is running out of time.
The apocalypse is approaching as his Doom Points tick up and John is filling it harder and harder to keep it together. His deepening knowledge of magic seems to be helping but as a hidden society creeps out of the shadows, intent on throwing the world into chaos, it may not be enough.
The only good news seems to be the new crops springing up on his farm. Balancing his growing relationship with Ellie and the increasing productivity of the farm with the impending destruction of everything he fought for, John has no choice but to step back into the limelight, whether he wants to or not.
The apocalypse is approaching as his Doom Points tick up and John is filling it harder and harder to keep it together. His deepening knowledge of magic seems to be helping but as a hidden society creeps out of the shadows, intent on throwing the world into chaos, it may not be enough.
The only good news seems to be the new crops springing up on his farm. Balancing his growing relationship with Ellie and the increasing productivity of the farm with the impending destruction of everything he fought for, John has no choice but to step back into the limelight, whether he wants to or not.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2022
1404 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
November 26, 2022
Big change from last 2 books and I didn’t like it. The villians are OP until they are out Oped by MC. Additionally they changed the doom points to seconds now just to have a reason he is it using full power but still uses power.
Also by the end Doom points no longer make sense, they work off seconds but also don’t.
The end is just one Deus ex Machina after another to the point I have literally no clue what happened. I will probably not read the next as the end of this book gave me a visceral reaction and changed my view of the series.
Also by the end Doom points no longer make sense, they work off seconds but also don’t.
The end is just one Deus ex Machina after another to the point I have literally no clue what happened. I will probably not read the next as the end of this book gave me a visceral reaction and changed my view of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2022
The best parts are missing.
The things I loved from book one are gone. This has become a generic apocalypse book. The villains, the ending, the doom points, it has all become mundane and boring.
The things I loved from book one are gone. This has become a generic apocalypse book. The villains, the ending, the doom points, it has all become mundane and boring.
December 6, 2022
Rating 4.0 stars
A good addition to the series. I still think the first one was the best. While there is still some farming in this one it seems like action that has been put on the back burner for the last 2 books. Don't get me wrong, I liked the fighting and the magic system. I liked the characters. However, this was built as a farming series and except for the first book that part has been lacking. We find out the reason for the end of the world in this one. We find out that John is the problem. They have come up with a way of slowing it down. The problem is that there is a horde of undead coming to the valley. Overall I really like the series and I am looking forward to the next one.
A good addition to the series. I still think the first one was the best. While there is still some farming in this one it seems like action that has been put on the back burner for the last 2 books. Don't get me wrong, I liked the fighting and the magic system. I liked the characters. However, this was built as a farming series and except for the first book that part has been lacking. We find out the reason for the end of the world in this one. We find out that John is the problem. They have come up with a way of slowing it down. The problem is that there is a horde of undead coming to the valley. Overall I really like the series and I am looking forward to the next one.
December 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
This one didn't hit as strongly as the first two books. There didn't seem to be a lot happening.
The undead army encroaching on the valley should have caused a feeling of dread but in the end, it felt like one of those faceless Marvel armies that the hero can exterminate without guilt. The biggest drawcard of a zombie army was left out... contagion. It was implied that the necromancer could use the allies' dead to fuel his army but it was never demonstrated. Thus no exponential threat growth.
The ending was a bit of a mess. It wasn't clear to me how the antagonist's soul power worked, thus I didn't understand why such a convoluted setup was necessary. Couldn't he just walk up to someone and do his thing? If not, why not? Maybe I missed something.
This one didn't hit as strongly as the first two books. There didn't seem to be a lot happening.
The undead army encroaching on the valley should have caused a feeling of dread but in the end, it felt like one of those faceless Marvel armies that the hero can exterminate without guilt. The biggest drawcard of a zombie army was left out... contagion. It was implied that the necromancer could use the allies' dead to fuel his army but it was never demonstrated. Thus no exponential threat growth.
The ending was a bit of a mess. It wasn't clear to me how the antagonist's soul power worked, thus I didn't understand why such a convoluted setup was necessary. Couldn't he just walk up to someone and do his thing? If not, why not? Maybe I missed something.
March 1, 2025
This is the end. I understand the author continued the series after the 3 book long threat and boss was vanquished but I don't want to restart the same journey except with a less likeable MC. The thing I liked about the series was the MC. He was a great character and an ideal strong male lead. As book 2 and 3 oozed out he was slowly corrupted into what I guess people want in a male lead these days... softer. meeker. emotional. ugh. I'm going to stop here and not witness his final transformation into a beta simp.
Also the plot is stupid. The bad guy is going to empower a powerful ritual by killing 300 people by sending 100's of thousand of zombies to kill them?
Also the plot is stupid. The bad guy is going to empower a powerful ritual by killing 300 people by sending 100's of thousand of zombies to kill them?
February 12, 2023
I'm still interested but it's getting gimmicky. Lots of very tedious tropes all over now. Being self-aware doesn't fix the issue.
May 26, 2024
Another good addition. The book is getting further away from slice of life and everything is getting much more plot focused. We will see if this a good thing or not. The plot is cool. Things are moving a lot faster than I would have expected. I’m interested to see what happens next.
October 12, 2023
Absolutely fantastic series so far. Damn I wish I knew about these books sooner. I'm sad that my humble bundle ended with this one. Lit-RPG may be my new favorite genre. So many good moments and character realizations, makes it hard to stop reading.
April 18, 2023
Battle Mage Farmer: 3
This book is set two weeks after the end of the previous one, and supposedly it's been two years since John arrived on the farm - really? Where did all the time go? After using his abilities to defeat Earl Vacek, who turned out to be a vampire, John is dismayed to find that the doom points are currently at 95/100, and he decides he needs help to try to determine why they seem to be going up and down seemingly at random and turns to his new ally, Rebya. The threat of Infinitum, a group of mages seeking immortality, ramps up, and John is forced to use his strongest attacks, inching the doom points closer to max. Unfortunately, though there are bits more farming in this book than the last, it's obvious the farming concept has fallen by the wayside. The author juggles several plot threads, and the characters are still well drawn and evolving, but this book felt less interesting than the previous, being mostly battle after battle where John is forced to keep using his devastating mana attacks. Am losing interest in this series, unfortunately, though I do love Ferdie and Sigvald.
This book is set two weeks after the end of the previous one, and supposedly it's been two years since John arrived on the farm - really? Where did all the time go? After using his abilities to defeat Earl Vacek, who turned out to be a vampire, John is dismayed to find that the doom points are currently at 95/100, and he decides he needs help to try to determine why they seem to be going up and down seemingly at random and turns to his new ally, Rebya. The threat of Infinitum, a group of mages seeking immortality, ramps up, and John is forced to use his strongest attacks, inching the doom points closer to max. Unfortunately, though there are bits more farming in this book than the last, it's obvious the farming concept has fallen by the wayside. The author juggles several plot threads, and the characters are still well drawn and evolving, but this book felt less interesting than the previous, being mostly battle after battle where John is forced to keep using his devastating mana attacks. Am losing interest in this series, unfortunately, though I do love Ferdie and Sigvald.
July 2, 2025
Farmer John Sutton is trying to fend off the apocalypse. His doom points keep counting up toward 100. When they hit 100, the apocalypse will begin. But John can’t figure out why his points go up or down, so that’s why he’s farming and researching magic. His single quest, to grow wheat, persists. A storm is building in the peaceful valley. There is an undead army that is shuffling toward the farm. John and his farm family must protect the farm and the people of the nearby town. As they rally the townsfolk, John finds an old friend, Katherine, who was also summoned from Earth and developed into a powerful sage. Katherine seeks John’s help and protection after being driven out of her country by the evil organization called Infinitum. John and his powerful friends face off against an evil necromancer and his cronies. The final battle feels cheesy, and the team discovers that it is a trap for John. The necromancer tries to steal John’s body, but the plot backfires. In the end, the sages discover a door to another realm and develop a way to save their world from mana poisoning.
This is for zombie apocalypse fans.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Michael Kramer, 12:28)
This is for zombie apocalypse fans.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Michael Kramer, 12:28)
November 23, 2022
Pheeeeewwwww
This book made me so nervous! This series is good over all and this particular entry in the series was no different, but there were so many times where I thought the author was going to leave it at some terrible cliff. But he didn't so its all good, and this story ended excellently. Looking forward to the next one.
This book made me so nervous! This series is good over all and this particular entry in the series was no different, but there were so many times where I thought the author was going to leave it at some terrible cliff. But he didn't so its all good, and this story ended excellently. Looking forward to the next one.
May 22, 2023
Rise of the doom points!
This books up right where the last left off. Mostly it was more of the same, but in a good way. It wasn't a rehash of the previous stories, but a fascinating continuation. And a bit of a twist at the end. I definitely enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book.
This books up right where the last left off. Mostly it was more of the same, but in a good way. It wasn't a rehash of the previous stories, but a fascinating continuation. And a bit of a twist at the end. I definitely enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book.
March 2, 2023
Great Book that pushes the series in a new direction.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. This book started off as more of the same and I was wondering if he could spice it up in terms of the overall story. I am no longer worried. I can’t wait for the next one.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. This book started off as more of the same and I was wondering if he could spice it up in terms of the overall story. I am no longer worried. I can’t wait for the next one.
February 17, 2026
I don’t know what to think of this. It’s not the best thing ever, but I like the characters and the magic. A rooster that throws lightning? I started this series thinking that I’d never read all 9 books, but I’m invested now! I want to know how this ends.
May 14, 2024
I really enjoyed the first 2 books but this one just got dark and I found myself not always enjoying the story. One day I’ll leave better reviews haha.
December 8, 2024
Unlike many others I'm not bothered by the MC being overpowered, no idea why though as this is totally something that would generally irk me.
February 15, 2025
This is a really satisfying series!
March 13, 2024
there was a build-up throughout the series that came to a point i was both expecting and not - it was the way it happened and the subsequent events that made me keep going. onto the next!
April 24, 2025
Eh, I don't think the book was bad or anything like that. It's more that the novelty of the series has worn off. Not sure if I'll be continuing.
December 4, 2022
Nearly and ending
Enjoyed the continuation of the story. Can't wait to see how the story keeps unfolding. Making cheese to save the world.
Enjoyed the continuation of the story. Can't wait to see how the story keeps unfolding. Making cheese to save the world.
February 27, 2026
This seems like simultaneously the most balanced and unbalanced litRPG style I’ve seen.
4.2 🌟
4.2 🌟
November 29, 2022
Book 3
Very well written, very well edited. I did get the sense that a lot of time has passed between book 2 in book 3
Overall I enjoyed the book. I will be reading book four.
I’ll give this book a seven out of 10 due to my sense of feeling like I’ve missed a bunch.
Very well written, very well edited. I did get the sense that a lot of time has passed between book 2 in book 3
Overall I enjoyed the book. I will be reading book four.
I’ll give this book a seven out of 10 due to my sense of feeling like I’ve missed a bunch.
November 25, 2022
KU Review
Another great entry. Much more high intensity in this one. Ramping up into a climactic ending. Or maybe just a new beginning.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Another great entry. Much more high intensity in this one. Ramping up into a climactic ending. Or maybe just a new beginning.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
November 24, 2022
wild ride
An excellent blend of themes from the first and second book. And I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Looking forward to the next book.
An excellent blend of themes from the first and second book. And I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Looking forward to the next book.
November 22, 2022
Stilted prose, awkward dialogue, and a plot begging to be taken out back and put down. Probably not worth reading.
Seriously, the dialogue is awful. Haha. That's how every character expresses humor, by the way. Haha. Don't you think that's entertaining? Haha.
On the plot:
This story is basically Ubermensch John and and TradWaif Ellie deciding to grow magical GMOs (TM) and fighting the necromancer mentioned in the previous books. But somewhere in between doing those things, they're struck by the colonial impulse and decide to civilize some silly Mongolian horse archers who are too brutish and stupid to understand the benefit of trade. (It's fine, it's cool to do that because John has a raider friend). So obviously the Eternal Flame needs to wave his flaming John around to get 'em in line.
Also had a really fun time with the
Okay, back to the painful dialogue. There are so many Whedon-lite quotes in this story it's impossible to keep track of them all. Here's one example:
It's just painful.
Seriously, the dialogue is awful. Haha. That's how every character expresses humor, by the way. Haha. Don't you think that's entertaining? Haha.
On the plot:
This story is basically Ubermensch John and and TradWaif Ellie deciding to grow magical GMOs (TM) and fighting the necromancer mentioned in the previous books. But somewhere in between doing those things, they're struck by the colonial impulse and decide to civilize some silly Mongolian horse archers who are too brutish and stupid to understand the benefit of trade. (It's fine, it's cool to do that because John has a raider friend). So obviously the Eternal Flame needs to wave his flaming John around to get 'em in line.
Also had a really fun time with the
Okay, back to the painful dialogue. There are so many Whedon-lite quotes in this story it's impossible to keep track of them all. Here's one example:
“Do you know what he’s doing?” Katrine asked, staring at Ellie, whose eyes had brightened. “I have no idea, but doesn’t he look awesome?” Snorting, Katrine just rolled her eyes, but inside she secretly agreed.
It's just painful.
January 10, 2025
John Sutton the man that you are
July 23, 2023
This third book has dropped the farming content to barely any. John and Ellie delegate most of the chores to others and focus on magical research instead. The last quarter of the book is an extended action sequence that seem to annoy and bore even the characters.
I probably won't bother continuing the series.
I probably won't bother continuing the series.
January 10, 2023
I do not like the battles and this book has many.
Did not finish the book. Stopped at 80%.
Did not finish the book. Stopped at 80%.
June 18, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None that I recall.
Violence: Moderate. There is a lot of fighting in this. Battle arena type fighting, with magic, swords, stabbing, and blood depicted. It's on par with a higher violence PG-13 film. Lots of zombies die, heads cut off etc.
Sexual: Mild. The romance is slow burn and mild. There is hand-holding, carrying, and some chaste kisses. Others often call the main characters 'lovers' but there is nothing sensual.
AUDIOBOOK
So, I listened to the Dramatized audiobook version on this as a first read! I never do that. Well, I've only done it with one other read (Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart trilogy, which is fantastically narrated btw). I am not a great auditory person, I know I'll zone out if I try to listen to a book and can't see the words. My memory/focus needs visual. But the dramatized version of this series is keeping my attention by being more stimulating with music, sound effects, and a full cast of voices. It's night and day for my poor focus. I still am having recall problems because my memory needs visual to get it to stick long-term, but this held my attention in the moment just fine.
The cast were all fantastic, with a bunch of fun standout voices from side characters that weren't there long, but sure made an impression with those unique voices! Haver is still a favorite for me because he is always bringing up how they have to go into caves and he nearly dies every time. I love how he came around from being a bad guy to one of John's inner circle, and that when he calls for help, Haver always answers. I wish he'd been in this one more.
The Moritoi (Spelling? I just heard it, didn't see it) was my least favorite part of the book. What a bunch of hard-headed conniving women. "Wise-women" my foot. They irritated me so much, John was way too nice to them. Although I really don't like when he gets murdery either, so I'll just suck it up. The violence level in general in this is my least favorite part. I wince a lot. Some descriptions are...too descriptive.
My favorite thing in this? John and Ellie. I love their relationship. They're basically married without being married. They are so in tune with each other, comfortable, and supportive that it was heart-warming to just watch them tackle everything in this book, from the mundane farming to the life-or-death fighting. I adored the end when This is romance to me. It's not about the physical with them, it's about doing life together, and being each other's safe place to land. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. At the very end when Happy sighs abound.
The next book should be interesting now that John has a new quest/goal to figure out. I'm interested how this is going to pace out for six more books. I kinda have an inkling there will be a couple books in there that I'm not going to be enthused about, but I NEED to know how it ends. I just can't fathom how he can pull the story out for six more books....but we shall see. My guess is he's got it in arcs of 3, so this next book will be a soft reset book, with book 5 being a false win/lose book, and book 6 being a climax of some sort again, with the last three doing it again, but scaled up. That's how I would've done it, but we'll see. (I love writing craft and seeing how authors plan these bigger series out).
Profanity: None that I recall.
Violence: Moderate. There is a lot of fighting in this. Battle arena type fighting, with magic, swords, stabbing, and blood depicted. It's on par with a higher violence PG-13 film. Lots of zombies die, heads cut off etc.
Sexual: Mild. The romance is slow burn and mild. There is hand-holding, carrying, and some chaste kisses. Others often call the main characters 'lovers' but there is nothing sensual.
AUDIOBOOK
So, I listened to the Dramatized audiobook version on this as a first read! I never do that. Well, I've only done it with one other read (Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart trilogy, which is fantastically narrated btw). I am not a great auditory person, I know I'll zone out if I try to listen to a book and can't see the words. My memory/focus needs visual. But the dramatized version of this series is keeping my attention by being more stimulating with music, sound effects, and a full cast of voices. It's night and day for my poor focus. I still am having recall problems because my memory needs visual to get it to stick long-term, but this held my attention in the moment just fine.
The cast were all fantastic, with a bunch of fun standout voices from side characters that weren't there long, but sure made an impression with those unique voices! Haver is still a favorite for me because he is always bringing up how they have to go into caves and he nearly dies every time. I love how he came around from being a bad guy to one of John's inner circle, and that when he calls for help, Haver always answers. I wish he'd been in this one more.
The Moritoi (Spelling? I just heard it, didn't see it) was my least favorite part of the book. What a bunch of hard-headed conniving women. "Wise-women" my foot. They irritated me so much, John was way too nice to them. Although I really don't like when he gets murdery either, so I'll just suck it up. The violence level in general in this is my least favorite part. I wince a lot. Some descriptions are...too descriptive.
My favorite thing in this? John and Ellie. I love their relationship. They're basically married without being married. They are so in tune with each other, comfortable, and supportive that it was heart-warming to just watch them tackle everything in this book, from the mundane farming to the life-or-death fighting. I adored the end when This is romance to me. It's not about the physical with them, it's about doing life together, and being each other's safe place to land. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. At the very end when Happy sighs abound.
The next book should be interesting now that John has a new quest/goal to figure out. I'm interested how this is going to pace out for six more books. I kinda have an inkling there will be a couple books in there that I'm not going to be enthused about, but I NEED to know how it ends. I just can't fathom how he can pull the story out for six more books....but we shall see. My guess is he's got it in arcs of 3, so this next book will be a soft reset book, with book 5 being a false win/lose book, and book 6 being a climax of some sort again, with the last three doing it again, but scaled up. That's how I would've done it, but we'll see. (I love writing craft and seeing how authors plan these bigger series out).
May 12, 2025
DR
Two years have passed since John's 'retirement'. Infinitum led by Kythov the eyeless has found the door of the first mage. Wise woman Ellie has been challenged by the high priests of the morotoi for falsely claiming the title of a wise woman. Katrine, the former empress of Illira, arrives and sets up an inn in the village. Spectres join the stage. The mana level of the world has reached a critical stage, the Apocalypse has begun. How will John, Ellie and the rest of Sutton farm deal with these issues?
Religion has a separate skill tree and unique interactions in the 'Battle Mage Farmer' system. John, being thrown head first to drown or swim into the world, has become an idol of a religion. The reluctant god archetype.
John and Ellie continue to improve their respective magical skills in different systems, the witch's magic based on symbiotic relation between the class holder and mana found in nature and the mage's magic system focusing on commanding mana, under Rebya's tutelage. From his head first arrival John hasn't stopped learning and improving from Haver, dirty fighter, Rebya etc. Truly a joker of all trades master of none. Of course, excluding the overwhelming force.
The reader has been reminded of the growing food crisis throughout the books 1-3 with dry matter of fact information exchange, lacking emotions or pov experience, when John is talking to people from outside valley i.e. merchant Godfried, morotoi warriors doing convoy duty. To portray the seriousness of the situation outside of the Sutton farm, this information would be better served with intermission chapters of people fleeing to Lapiera or the valley portraying the invisible line of famine on the map. Keeping to the existing story, the meeting with morotoi tribes was one such excellent chance, to say that tribe 'A' has starved or to describe how gaunt and malnutritioned some warriors look.
Shower thought: something doesn't match up in magic system as explained by Rebya. Altered summon water, a novice mage spell, can destroy the world. Open an unlimited water gate and ta-dah. Self eliminating mages being dropped into enemy territory to summon a flood resulting in damage equivalent to a forbidden level spell could've been a thing in 'Battle Mage Farmer' universe's history. Unless it's a mana pool and purity thing and just another reminder how out of the world John is.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible for 1 credit. Narrated by: Michael Kramer. I feel betrayed. The lead up the preceding two books has been about the Apocalypse drawing closer but in 'Cultivation' the Apocalypse comes & goes with little to note, yet. Hopefully the author isn't pulling the readers by their noses to extend the series, rather has a plan why system quests still matter and readers should stay invested. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 1.79 $/hour ( 21.49$ / 12 hrs 00 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Two years have passed since John's 'retirement'. Infinitum led by Kythov the eyeless has found the door of the first mage. Wise woman Ellie has been challenged by the high priests of the morotoi for falsely claiming the title of a wise woman. Katrine, the former empress of Illira, arrives and sets up an inn in the village. Spectres join the stage. The mana level of the world has reached a critical stage, the Apocalypse has begun. How will John, Ellie and the rest of Sutton farm deal with these issues?
Religion has a separate skill tree and unique interactions in the 'Battle Mage Farmer' system. John, being thrown head first to drown or swim into the world, has become an idol of a religion. The reluctant god archetype.
John and Ellie continue to improve their respective magical skills in different systems, the witch's magic based on symbiotic relation between the class holder and mana found in nature and the mage's magic system focusing on commanding mana, under Rebya's tutelage. From his head first arrival John hasn't stopped learning and improving from Haver, dirty fighter, Rebya etc. Truly a joker of all trades master of none. Of course, excluding the overwhelming force.
The reader has been reminded of the growing food crisis throughout the books 1-3 with dry matter of fact information exchange, lacking emotions or pov experience, when John is talking to people from outside valley i.e. merchant Godfried, morotoi warriors doing convoy duty. To portray the seriousness of the situation outside of the Sutton farm, this information would be better served with intermission chapters of people fleeing to Lapiera or the valley portraying the invisible line of famine on the map. Keeping to the existing story, the meeting with morotoi tribes was one such excellent chance, to say that tribe 'A' has starved or to describe how gaunt and malnutritioned some warriors look.
Shower thought: something doesn't match up in magic system as explained by Rebya. Altered summon water, a novice mage spell, can destroy the world. Open an unlimited water gate and ta-dah. Self eliminating mages being dropped into enemy territory to summon a flood resulting in damage equivalent to a forbidden level spell could've been a thing in 'Battle Mage Farmer' universe's history. Unless it's a mana pool and purity thing and just another reminder how out of the world John is.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible for 1 credit. Narrated by: Michael Kramer. I feel betrayed. The lead up the preceding two books has been about the Apocalypse drawing closer but in 'Cultivation' the Apocalypse comes & goes with little to note, yet. Hopefully the author isn't pulling the readers by their noses to extend the series, rather has a plan why system quests still matter and readers should stay invested. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 1.79 $/hour ( 21.49$ / 12 hrs 00 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
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