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Vigil Bound #3
Vigil's Balance
There is one rule. Join the Hunt, or become the Hunted…
Boyd Knight, Marine turned Vigil, has been formally invited to join the Wyld Hunt.
To refuse is a death sentence. Participating might not be any safer.
As the Caller of the Hunt, it is up to the Queen of Oblivion to select targets worthy of the wrath of the Fae Court. Hunters from across the Wylds are unleashed like hounds to track down each target and exact bloody vengeance against those who have struck dark deals for money, fame, and power. But nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems, and cheating, murder, and treachery are all just a part of the rules of decorum when it comes to the Hunt.
Can Boyd navigate the perilous politics of the Fae Courts and survive the murderous, inhuman nobles looking for any excuse to execute him?
From James A. Hunter—bestselling author of Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer (Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), Shadowcroft Academy for Dungeons, and the LitRPG epic Viridian Gate Online—comes a brand-new, shoot-'em-up LitRPG fantasy series brimming with spells, upgrades, guns, and monsters!
Boyd Knight, Marine turned Vigil, has been formally invited to join the Wyld Hunt.
To refuse is a death sentence. Participating might not be any safer.
As the Caller of the Hunt, it is up to the Queen of Oblivion to select targets worthy of the wrath of the Fae Court. Hunters from across the Wylds are unleashed like hounds to track down each target and exact bloody vengeance against those who have struck dark deals for money, fame, and power. But nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems, and cheating, murder, and treachery are all just a part of the rules of decorum when it comes to the Hunt.
Can Boyd navigate the perilous politics of the Fae Courts and survive the murderous, inhuman nobles looking for any excuse to execute him?
From James A. Hunter—bestselling author of Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer (Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), Shadowcroft Academy for Dungeons, and the LitRPG epic Viridian Gate Online—comes a brand-new, shoot-'em-up LitRPG fantasy series brimming with spells, upgrades, guns, and monsters!
- GenresFantasy
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2023
338 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
James A. Hunter
97 books1,138 followersJames Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 30, 2023
I loved this book. Boyd, as usual, is hilarious, and I deeply enjoy seeing the new world expand. The magic system is so excellent, and I love the characters. I would love to see more about the world. I can not wait for the next book and recommend this series.
October 19, 2023
I guess I'm in for another whodunit.
This isn't a whodunit, it's more the tournament/ treasure hunt arc. I really dislike books that start a plot, and don't finish it by the end of the book.
I guess I will have to read the sequels to see how this ends.
Meh.
3/5 Stars
This isn't a whodunit, it's more the tournament/ treasure hunt arc. I really dislike books that start a plot, and don't finish it by the end of the book.
I guess I will have to read the sequels to see how this ends.
Meh.
3/5 Stars
March 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and will be getting the next one immediately, but in a rare move I'm going to voice my biggest complaint first to get it out of the way.
Book 1 = 466 pages. Book 2 = 484. This book? 304! The next book is 306! I feel like I'm watching a movie series where they decided to split the third movie into two for no good reason. The Wild Hunt arc is an interesting story that can understandably stretch across multiple books, but I feel like I just finished half of something. I wager I'll feel the same after the next and that's a frustrating experience, as there's so much of this world and story I want to hear more about.
Venting aside, I was thrilled to get right back into the groove with Boyd. He keeps getting more stuff and getting better at what he does, while still encountering bigger problems and quests that keep him from seeming overpowered all the time. He's used a good amount of the different abilities, but it still feels like there's endless new things to see and do. You get the sense in this book that he's finally "comfortable"- he's got a place to call home, a solid set of allies, and can at least pretend to know what's going on most of the time.
The Fae world adds all kinds of new possibilities in worlds to explore, characters to meet, and adventures to have. The first hunt was pleasingly reminiscent of The Witcher in that you roll into town, figure out a mystery, fight a bunch of monsters, and have to make some choices that might be right but sure don't feel that way. I like to think of this book as an episodic western, since it gives you a short adventure, hints at some bigger trouble, keeps the emotion light, and then it's on to the next thing. I do feel Boyd deserves bigger and better than that, so I'm hoping after the next book he gets a pretty epic conclusion (or just an epic story and it keeps going!).
Overall just as fun of a story as the last two, and I have every confidence the next one will keep that spirit going strong.
Book 1 = 466 pages. Book 2 = 484. This book? 304! The next book is 306! I feel like I'm watching a movie series where they decided to split the third movie into two for no good reason. The Wild Hunt arc is an interesting story that can understandably stretch across multiple books, but I feel like I just finished half of something. I wager I'll feel the same after the next and that's a frustrating experience, as there's so much of this world and story I want to hear more about.
Venting aside, I was thrilled to get right back into the groove with Boyd. He keeps getting more stuff and getting better at what he does, while still encountering bigger problems and quests that keep him from seeming overpowered all the time. He's used a good amount of the different abilities, but it still feels like there's endless new things to see and do. You get the sense in this book that he's finally "comfortable"- he's got a place to call home, a solid set of allies, and can at least pretend to know what's going on most of the time.
The Fae world adds all kinds of new possibilities in worlds to explore, characters to meet, and adventures to have. The first hunt was pleasingly reminiscent of The Witcher in that you roll into town, figure out a mystery, fight a bunch of monsters, and have to make some choices that might be right but sure don't feel that way. I like to think of this book as an episodic western, since it gives you a short adventure, hints at some bigger trouble, keeps the emotion light, and then it's on to the next thing. I do feel Boyd deserves bigger and better than that, so I'm hoping after the next book he gets a pretty epic conclusion (or just an epic story and it keeps going!).
Overall just as fun of a story as the last two, and I have every confidence the next one will keep that spirit going strong.
April 25, 2023
Ionia, the queen of oblivion had issued an invitation to Boyd Knight to join the hunt, an invite he could not refuse as if he did he would be hunted. She had organised the hunt to retain her place as queen since Renholm, the crazy pixie and companion of Boyd was calling himself the King of said court. The hunt was set up very unfairly as it pitted Boyd and his team made up of Renholm and his steed the cat sir Jacob-Francis , Cal the ghost, and Melwyn the princess of the petal court, the weakest court in the fae lands, against ten of her chosen evil warriors. Ionia was sure she would win, however she was not expecting Boyd, who had previously been a marine and experienced war first hand, and who was now a vigil for the god Raguel to be so innovative and who used his wits and his many weapons and Raguel's gifts to him rather than just his brawn. All those of the fae lands were out for power and the hunt was really a political power game, but Boyd was above politics and just wanted to get the hunt over and done with, and see his quest posed by Raguel himself, that of killing Telvyss, the void tree seen to as well. Boyd's life is not an easy one but he was never one to back down so together with his team he sets out to win the hunt. Vigil Bound is full of action, very exciting but makes one very angry to see how dirty the fae play their games. Onward to the next part of the hunt!
October 3, 2023
The constant references to Earth pop culture on a different world make the protagonist look like an utter moron.
The use of guns in a magical world gets even worse (while staying rather inefficient). The protagonist uses heaviest machine guns, sniper rifles and even automated sentinel turrets aginst mostly melee based enemies but of course also is a master of martial arts and an okay melee fighter and magician...
I think the story would have been better if the author would have let the protagonist become/stay a monster hunter a la "Geralt of Rivia" but unfortunately he wants to make him into a king.. Prior introduced characters seem only to exist to support his efforts, which especially regarding the master craftsman, is really preposterous.
The use of guns in a magical world gets even worse (while staying rather inefficient). The protagonist uses heaviest machine guns, sniper rifles and even automated sentinel turrets aginst mostly melee based enemies but of course also is a master of martial arts and an okay melee fighter and magician...
I think the story would have been better if the author would have let the protagonist become/stay a monster hunter a la "Geralt of Rivia" but unfortunately he wants to make him into a king.. Prior introduced characters seem only to exist to support his efforts, which especially regarding the master craftsman, is really preposterous.
November 10, 2025
Likable Series with issues
I like the series, I even like the MC. The is, the story is only about 290 pages long. After you take out the repetitive listings of his character sheet and spells then remove the explanations from books 1 and 2, you have less than 200 pages of actual story. This is the third book and going over everything from the previous books, which lasted well into the 2nd half of this book, is extremely irritating and made it obvious the author was filling pages upon pages with nothing of value to increase the page count and try to cover up the lack of story.
I like the series, I even like the MC. The is, the story is only about 290 pages long. After you take out the repetitive listings of his character sheet and spells then remove the explanations from books 1 and 2, you have less than 200 pages of actual story. This is the third book and going over everything from the previous books, which lasted well into the 2nd half of this book, is extremely irritating and made it obvious the author was filling pages upon pages with nothing of value to increase the page count and try to cover up the lack of story.
April 27, 2023
Well done in general, so a 4.5 as it didn't quite clear my 5 rating. I like the MC, the cornerstone of me liking any story, and the writing is good. The story still has legs, and with only the 1st of three hunts complete we can see where a lot of the next book will be focused on.
There are some bigger movements in the background, the previous Inkarnate's spawn being troublesome being one of them. I suspect that won't just be a bounty, but watch and shoot.
There are some bigger movements in the background, the previous Inkarnate's spawn being troublesome being one of them. I suspect that won't just be a bounty, but watch and shoot.
August 28, 2023
Interesting concept
Omg most of it's just so boring, many of the terms Are crap and has the appeal of a very long winded run on sentence. Honestly if I had bought this book I would have stopped at book one. Ok the main guy is from a different world and all the human phrases.. This is just badly written, the story plot is weak the main character is kinda stupid and for a marine I expected more.
Omg most of it's just so boring, many of the terms Are crap and has the appeal of a very long winded run on sentence. Honestly if I had bought this book I would have stopped at book one. Ok the main guy is from a different world and all the human phrases.. This is just badly written, the story plot is weak the main character is kinda stupid and for a marine I expected more.
May 1, 2023
Astounding Success
Hunter does world building very well, almost as much as his action and characters come to life.
With this the 3rd in the series, then yet again, we see more quick thinking, novel soul forge, and levelling ideas as he battles against bigger foes.
Love how this series has been working, and this read was just as well enjoyed as the rest.
Hunter does world building very well, almost as much as his action and characters come to life.
With this the 3rd in the series, then yet again, we see more quick thinking, novel soul forge, and levelling ideas as he battles against bigger foes.
Love how this series has been working, and this read was just as well enjoyed as the rest.
May 4, 2023
Great addition to the series!
Hunter keeps knocking it out of the park. Love the MCs gruffness complemented by character foils. Maybe his long time buddy relationship could be a little more fleshed out, but otherwise, from plot to mechanics this is an excellent series to read. Can't wait for the next one!
Hunter keeps knocking it out of the park. Love the MCs gruffness complemented by character foils. Maybe his long time buddy relationship could be a little more fleshed out, but otherwise, from plot to mechanics this is an excellent series to read. Can't wait for the next one!
May 17, 2023
The Hunt is on!
Vigil Boyd Knight is facing one of his toughest challenges yet, going up against the fey Queen and her minions. The book is packed with excitement and twists and turns. If you enjoyed the first two books you will definitely enjoy this o e too. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Vigil Boyd Knight is facing one of his toughest challenges yet, going up against the fey Queen and her minions. The book is packed with excitement and twists and turns. If you enjoyed the first two books you will definitely enjoy this o e too. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 30, 2023
James is talented
Great continue on the story... If you dig a litrpg witch hunter style character putting the hurt on monsters, you will get a kick out of this... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and The Dream
Great continue on the story... If you dig a litrpg witch hunter style character putting the hurt on monsters, you will get a kick out of this... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and The Dream
May 4, 2023
Can’t wait till 4
Love the addition of the Hunt and added characters. Knowing James and how he creates his worlds, I am truly excited to hopefully get some side stories on the main characters. Especially Remholm, I want to specifically know what got him kicked out of the court.
Love the addition of the Hunt and added characters. Knowing James and how he creates his worlds, I am truly excited to hopefully get some side stories on the main characters. Especially Remholm, I want to specifically know what got him kicked out of the court.
June 19, 2023
Still going strong, good book
I have enjoyed the series so far and look forward to the next book. Fast paced with lots of action. His companions have his back. What more could you ask for? Good story telling.
I have enjoyed the series so far and look forward to the next book. Fast paced with lots of action. His companions have his back. What more could you ask for? Good story telling.
July 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this book.
I really enjoy this world and the story. I cannot wait for the next story. Love the fact. The fae is evil not not just misunderstood like is more common in modern fantasy
I really enjoy this world and the story. I cannot wait for the next story. Love the fact. The fae is evil not not just misunderstood like is more common in modern fantasy
March 16, 2024
Good, but the end could have been better
The only complaint I have is that the twist at the end was incredibly obvious, and none of our heroes saw it coming. At one point I was yelling at the book, "How can you not know what to do!"
Otherwise lots of fun. Tom out
The only complaint I have is that the twist at the end was incredibly obvious, and none of our heroes saw it coming. At one point I was yelling at the book, "How can you not know what to do!"
Otherwise lots of fun. Tom out
July 5, 2024
Entertaining enough, but the plot is more than a bit out of nowhere. Good action scenes, weak political elements, weak character development, and intrusive game elements.
For audiobook readers, the narrator's voices are annoying, though is general narration is quite good.
For audiobook readers, the narrator's voices are annoying, though is general narration is quite good.
April 25, 2023
Such a blast! Lots of action, great characters and interesting world-building. Can't wait for the next book
April 26, 2023
Excellent
Fun read with amazing world building and a lot of action in a tight, well written story. The upbringing of the Kentucky Marine and his knowledge reads true.
Fun read with amazing world building and a lot of action in a tight, well written story. The upbringing of the Kentucky Marine and his knowledge reads true.
April 30, 2023
As expected…
This book was another excellent read. A great story! I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
This book was another excellent read. A great story! I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
February 2, 2024
Another Winner
What can I say, I love me some James Hunter litRPG. He's a great storyteller with a great imagination. Always good fun and a couple of twists!
What can I say, I love me some James Hunter litRPG. He's a great storyteller with a great imagination. Always good fun and a couple of twists!
February 11, 2024
3.25 stars
Bored. Where’s the rest of the book? Anyways, I’ll probably not continue this series after this book.
Bored. Where’s the rest of the book? Anyways, I’ll probably not continue this series after this book.
August 7, 2023
Vigil's Balance, book 3 in James A. Hunter's LitRPG fantasy series, takes readers on a thrilling journey through the treacherous Fae Courts. Marine turned Vigil, Boyd Knight, faces a deadly choice: join the Wyld Hunt or become the hunted. The Hunt's deadly politics and treacherous foes make this a gripping and action-packed read.
December 30, 2024
Good Story
I like the series. The book is well-written and enjoyable. It's just too short and most of the chapters are fluff. Disappointed with the wait for how long until it was released, the price paid, and then to see the next book comes out in July.... 🤨😶🙄
I like the series. The book is well-written and enjoyable. It's just too short and most of the chapters are fluff. Disappointed with the wait for how long until it was released, the price paid, and then to see the next book comes out in July.... 🤨😶🙄
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews