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It’s amazing what the lack of immediate threat to one’s life and wellbeing can do for a person’s disposition. High risk, high reward endeavors suddenly seem far less appealing, month-long delays are no longer a cause for concern, and sleeping in every single day of the week becomes an extremely attractive proposition. Indeed, without a pressing need to aggressively expand its power, Boxxy T. Morningwood is finally able to simply sit back, enjoy life, and watch the world both turn and burn. Questions such as ‘Who started those fires?’ and ‘Should I do something about them?’ are answered with ‘Don’t know’ and ‘Don’t care.’ Having finally achieved the slow life it never knew it wanted, Boxxy is quite unwilling to jeopardize its newfound safety for no good reason.
Of course, old habits die hard. Acquiring things of the tasty and/or shiny variety remain an enticing goal, as does the steady accumulation of power. Just because it no longer has the threat of death looming over it doesn’t mean that the once-mimic won’t take the occasional calculated risk in exchange for immense personal gain. Admittedly, developments outside its predictions will inevitably put carefully laid plans to waste, but that’s how it always has been and always will be. Boxxy will deal with those issues in the same manner it always has – with cunning ingenuity, brutal efficiency, and old-fashioned dumb luck. Despite what one might think, all three of those traits can be nurtured and improved, even something as seemingly unreliable as good fortune. Especially good fortune.
The time for the Hero of Chaos to get thrown about by the whims of fate is over, and it is now Boxxy’s turn to make the world bend to its will, starting with the savage orcs of the far south.
Of course, old habits die hard. Acquiring things of the tasty and/or shiny variety remain an enticing goal, as does the steady accumulation of power. Just because it no longer has the threat of death looming over it doesn’t mean that the once-mimic won’t take the occasional calculated risk in exchange for immense personal gain. Admittedly, developments outside its predictions will inevitably put carefully laid plans to waste, but that’s how it always has been and always will be. Boxxy will deal with those issues in the same manner it always has – with cunning ingenuity, brutal efficiency, and old-fashioned dumb luck. Despite what one might think, all three of those traits can be nurtured and improved, even something as seemingly unreliable as good fortune. Especially good fortune.
The time for the Hero of Chaos to get thrown about by the whims of fate is over, and it is now Boxxy’s turn to make the world bend to its will, starting with the savage orcs of the far south.
635 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2022
109 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 31, 2023
After such a long wait I was pretty bummed out by this entrance in the ELLC series.
The story in this book seemed like a let down, Boxy was significantly less Boxy like than I was really looking forward to. I have no idea what the main characters motivations and goals are at this point, he/she/them/it didn't even seem to be obsessed with attaining new shinies in this one. This series seems to have gone down a road of Boxy attaining new followers/companions constantly but to what end? why?
The God of Chaos never having the same name, while quaint at the start makes it hard to tell when a new name is used if the characters are talking about said god or someone other character we haven't met yet. I wish there was a better way to indicate to us the reader (listener) that this is definitely who is being referenced.
I listen to the books on Audible which generated two unique issues for me that also lowered the enjoyment potential of this story:
1) This book references a ton of stuff that is in a book/audiobook I can not get on Audible, the Small Chests Are Fine Too series by Neven Iliev. They are available through Sound Booth Theater directly, but at the time of this writing they are sold chapter by chapter which doesn't feel awesome when considering purchasing the story at SBT.
2) The problem of sound effects being too loud at points compared to the narrator/reader seems to be less frequently in this book (I'm guessing because there were fewer sound effects in this one) but is stills a major problem in almost all SBTs releases. I believe simply telling the audio engineers "People want to hear the words more than anything else, because the words in this care ARE the story; the sound effects should only add to the performance not overpower the performance." could and would make that product better.
The story in this book seemed like a let down, Boxy was significantly less Boxy like than I was really looking forward to. I have no idea what the main characters motivations and goals are at this point, he/she/them/it didn't even seem to be obsessed with attaining new shinies in this one. This series seems to have gone down a road of Boxy attaining new followers/companions constantly but to what end? why?
The God of Chaos never having the same name, while quaint at the start makes it hard to tell when a new name is used if the characters are talking about said god or someone other character we haven't met yet. I wish there was a better way to indicate to us the reader (listener) that this is definitely who is being referenced.
I listen to the books on Audible which generated two unique issues for me that also lowered the enjoyment potential of this story:
1) This book references a ton of stuff that is in a book/audiobook I can not get on Audible, the Small Chests Are Fine Too series by Neven Iliev. They are available through Sound Booth Theater directly, but at the time of this writing they are sold chapter by chapter which doesn't feel awesome when considering purchasing the story at SBT.
2) The problem of sound effects being too loud at points compared to the narrator/reader seems to be less frequently in this book (I'm guessing because there were fewer sound effects in this one) but is stills a major problem in almost all SBTs releases. I believe simply telling the audio engineers "People want to hear the words more than anything else, because the words in this care ARE the story; the sound effects should only add to the performance not overpower the performance." could and would make that product better.
December 20, 2022
The best book in the Series (So far)
Excellent, it just keeps getting better. I think Neven Iliev is the new Terry Pratchet. I can't wait for the next one.
Excellent, it just keeps getting better. I think Neven Iliev is the new Terry Pratchet. I can't wait for the next one.
December 1, 2025
Enjoyable as always, but hampered by a bit of convoluted plot threads and less interesting developments. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
As always, fantastic audio narration by Soundbooth Theater.
As always, fantastic audio narration by Soundbooth Theater.
December 17, 2022
This just stays fresh.
It focuses on story so as to not fall prey to a skewed power curve with its characters. The characters stay true to form, and the interactions reflect that. This is just as funny and entertaining as the first book.
It focuses on story so as to not fall prey to a skewed power curve with its characters. The characters stay true to form, and the interactions reflect that. This is just as funny and entertaining as the first book.
December 23, 2022
Short stories
Unlike the previous books in the series this is a group of related vignettes. The previous books were building up to the fight with Edward and crew. This seems to be the intermetzio, the pallet cleaner between courses. The next story arch(s) start to be fleshed out with loose ends being tied up.
If this was the first book I would not have gotten the second, by in the context of the series it is a fine addition. Tom out
Unlike the previous books in the series this is a group of related vignettes. The previous books were building up to the fight with Edward and crew. This seems to be the intermetzio, the pallet cleaner between courses. The next story arch(s) start to be fleshed out with loose ends being tied up.
If this was the first book I would not have gotten the second, by in the context of the series it is a fine addition. Tom out
December 30, 2022
Rollercoasters have fewer twists and turns than this masterpiece.
Book 9 of the ELLC series had a massive hurdle to overcome given the events of the last Book. I am not above admitting that my expectations were low for this volume but damn it Neven, you delivered a story that was confusing and entertaining at the same time.
The confusion came from the time-hops. For a series that focused a LOT on how time passed to do a miniature “Endgame” stunt it took a bit to compute. But once it did…damn, talk about a great way to develop everything. The artwork was what finally affirmed that a chunk of time had passed off-page, but it was so subtle that it felt like an Easter Egg of sorts.
The time-hop also helped the character growth seem FAR more natural across the board. Seeing how everyone had matured was a nice touch.
Entertaining…seeing the walking Tsar Bomba that Boxxy T. Morningwood is face off against opponents that actually challenged it was sweet. Yeah Boxxy won, but in new ways from his past challenges.
Seeing the Hero of the Hammer working with the Hero of Chaos was tasty. I would have loved to see their first meeting, but that is something that could be a potential flashback.
That ending…I entered this book thinking that none in the series could possibly have a better ending with so much potential as Book 2’s ending… I was wrong. Is it wrong to feel a little bite of pity for the dragons?
(Can’t wait for the audio book…or Book 10. Neven Iliev, damn fine job. Thank you for releasing this book near my Winter Break, I might of gotten in trouble if I tried to consume this novel instead of doing my work.)
Book 9 of the ELLC series had a massive hurdle to overcome given the events of the last Book. I am not above admitting that my expectations were low for this volume but damn it Neven, you delivered a story that was confusing and entertaining at the same time.
The confusion came from the time-hops. For a series that focused a LOT on how time passed to do a miniature “Endgame” stunt it took a bit to compute. But once it did…damn, talk about a great way to develop everything. The artwork was what finally affirmed that a chunk of time had passed off-page, but it was so subtle that it felt like an Easter Egg of sorts.
The time-hop also helped the character growth seem FAR more natural across the board. Seeing how everyone had matured was a nice touch.
Entertaining…seeing the walking Tsar Bomba that Boxxy T. Morningwood is face off against opponents that actually challenged it was sweet. Yeah Boxxy won, but in new ways from his past challenges.
Seeing the Hero of the Hammer working with the Hero of Chaos was tasty. I would have loved to see their first meeting, but that is something that could be a potential flashback.
That ending…I entered this book thinking that none in the series could possibly have a better ending with so much potential as Book 2’s ending… I was wrong. Is it wrong to feel a little bite of pity for the dragons?
(Can’t wait for the audio book…or Book 10. Neven Iliev, damn fine job. Thank you for releasing this book near my Winter Break, I might of gotten in trouble if I tried to consume this novel instead of doing my work.)
December 2, 2025
DR (entertainment, non-educational)
2 year time skip happens between the book #8 and book #9 of the series. Some loose ends (Golden hand) get tied up. A recurring background character gets a prime time mention - Boneshaper. MC, Boxy, gets stronger and gains new minion. Everything seems to be good for the life ending monstrous box, and all readers' know that that's when the defecation hits the fan.
Jackson feels mostly like a world building book between two arcs. Setting up for a new arc after having had dealt with the empires spy organization, Gold hand. Building on the ridiculousness of how strong Boxy has become, chanting spells in divine language, geesh, and what awaits in future books.
Conclusion: 4/5. Listened on Audible bought for 1 credit. Narrated by: Jeff Hays, Annie Ellicott, Dorrie Sacks, Justin James, Laurie Catherine Winkel, Alejandra LaFlor, Lucky Byfleet, Gary Furlong, Will Watt. Amazing audio quality. The hinted at meeting of fate between the current hero of chaos and the previous one draws nearer. A new exciting event is dropped, Dragon festival. While not quite gutter level, the promiscuous humor is great fun. Bad value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 1.37 $/hour ( 24.95 $ / 18 hrs 01 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Masterpiece, recommended to everyone
2 year time skip happens between the book #8 and book #9 of the series. Some loose ends (Golden hand) get tied up. A recurring background character gets a prime time mention - Boneshaper. MC, Boxy, gets stronger and gains new minion. Everything seems to be good for the life ending monstrous box, and all readers' know that that's when the defecation hits the fan.
Jackson feels mostly like a world building book between two arcs. Setting up for a new arc after having had dealt with the empires spy organization, Gold hand. Building on the ridiculousness of how strong Boxy has become, chanting spells in divine language, geesh, and what awaits in future books.
Conclusion: 4/5. Listened on Audible bought for 1 credit. Narrated by: Jeff Hays, Annie Ellicott, Dorrie Sacks, Justin James, Laurie Catherine Winkel, Alejandra LaFlor, Lucky Byfleet, Gary Furlong, Will Watt. Amazing audio quality. The hinted at meeting of fate between the current hero of chaos and the previous one draws nearer. A new exciting event is dropped, Dragon festival. While not quite gutter level, the promiscuous humor is great fun. Bad value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 1.37 $/hour ( 24.95 $ / 18 hrs 01 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Masterpiece, recommended to everyone
January 6, 2023
A time filled Advance for boxy and co
Another series of unfortunate (and highly tasty) adventures from everyone's favorite sentient mass murder box. Boxy and co discovers the monotony of downtime and how power leveling murder hobos must deal and adapt with such lulls. One can only imagine how the fans in the beyond will react to another montage training session of "The Boxy Shows" filler content soecial with the occasional breast reduction sleepy time stress eating sessions. But that's okay for this sentient box cause small chests are fine too. Boxy has achieved a high enough level to suddenly become one of the playground bullies and not have to watch over its shoulder every second and thus we get to see the variety show as heroes gather, endless fun puns are made, the godfather of happenstance stirs up shenanigans, and a new snekkyily cute cast member is added to the roster. While some may feel that this is a transitory piece it has its moments of laughter, power leveling and helping one recall all of the fun voices and effort the audio guys do for the audiobooks. Not to mention we finally get to see what happens when you cross a perverted box with an otherwise indescribably deviant demon.
Another series of unfortunate (and highly tasty) adventures from everyone's favorite sentient mass murder box. Boxy and co discovers the monotony of downtime and how power leveling murder hobos must deal and adapt with such lulls. One can only imagine how the fans in the beyond will react to another montage training session of "The Boxy Shows" filler content soecial with the occasional breast reduction sleepy time stress eating sessions. But that's okay for this sentient box cause small chests are fine too. Boxy has achieved a high enough level to suddenly become one of the playground bullies and not have to watch over its shoulder every second and thus we get to see the variety show as heroes gather, endless fun puns are made, the godfather of happenstance stirs up shenanigans, and a new snekkyily cute cast member is added to the roster. While some may feel that this is a transitory piece it has its moments of laughter, power leveling and helping one recall all of the fun voices and effort the audio guys do for the audiobooks. Not to mention we finally get to see what happens when you cross a perverted box with an otherwise indescribably deviant demon.
August 28, 2023
Let me preface this by saying that I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I can't help but be disappointed by what could have been.
Slight spoilers ahead.
This book is basically a series of short stories with no overall direction including time jumps which makes it a bit of a confusing read. I'm disappointed because there are a lot of cool ideas that are basically ruined by time jumps. A quest to unite a group of divine objects? Awesome! Let's skip to the end of the adventure... Training a group of new adventures? A lot of potential fun! Let's skip to the end again, sigh. It takes till about halfway through the book to have a storyline that goes for more than a few chapters and even that has little jumps here and there. I listened to the audiobook and the production is awesome as usual, it is 18ish hours and I would say 75-85 percent is content that doesn't matter and should have been in a series of side novels. While they are amusing they feel unfinished and could use some fleshing out.
Slight spoilers ahead.
This book is basically a series of short stories with no overall direction including time jumps which makes it a bit of a confusing read. I'm disappointed because there are a lot of cool ideas that are basically ruined by time jumps. A quest to unite a group of divine objects? Awesome! Let's skip to the end of the adventure... Training a group of new adventures? A lot of potential fun! Let's skip to the end again, sigh. It takes till about halfway through the book to have a storyline that goes for more than a few chapters and even that has little jumps here and there. I listened to the audiobook and the production is awesome as usual, it is 18ish hours and I would say 75-85 percent is content that doesn't matter and should have been in a series of side novels. While they are amusing they feel unfinished and could use some fleshing out.
September 24, 2023
These ridiculous books grow more mature and serious with their antihero becoming more powerful and intelligent. Somehow they still retain a lot of their humor and strike a nice balance between parody and creativity.
I miss the perverse, sexual flavour that the series almost completely abandoned. I get that the author might've gotten tired of it, but it really used to strike a chord with me. There aren't really that many fantasy books that I've read that feature sex and erotica in a light, humorous way without going off the deep end into love stories.
I know the original story used to be (or still is?) publisher on Royal Road and I always wonder if the book editions get censored in some major way.
Anyway, good fun.
I miss the perverse, sexual flavour that the series almost completely abandoned. I get that the author might've gotten tired of it, but it really used to strike a chord with me. There aren't really that many fantasy books that I've read that feature sex and erotica in a light, humorous way without going off the deep end into love stories.
I know the original story used to be (or still is?) publisher on Royal Road and I always wonder if the book editions get censored in some major way.
Anyway, good fun.
September 6, 2023
My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for, but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for, but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
December 1, 2023
Long live Boxy!!
I can't enjoy this series more than I already have. I wouldn't say it's the best one of the series but how many times can you shit diamonds? sometimes you only shit gold.
Boxy is building a huge state for himself which is going to be massive in the next story.
I would like more within the Boxy and his servants storyline as this one is more about the world as a whole and the characters in there so I'm hoping the next book goes back to being more about this loveable monster.
I can't enjoy this series more than I already have. I wouldn't say it's the best one of the series but how many times can you shit diamonds? sometimes you only shit gold.
Boxy is building a huge state for himself which is going to be massive in the next story.
I would like more within the Boxy and his servants storyline as this one is more about the world as a whole and the characters in there so I'm hoping the next book goes back to being more about this loveable monster.
October 10, 2023
why No whispersync
Loved the book and audio. Again. But why no whispersync. For someone who always buys both versions this is a big letdown in ease of reading and enjoyment. Especially since it was present in previous books. And part of the reason I even started the series. If this trend continues I might stop the series again. Simply too much wasted time trying to match kindle and audible constantly when I switch multiple times a day for method of enjoyment.
Loved the book and audio. Again. But why no whispersync. For someone who always buys both versions this is a big letdown in ease of reading and enjoyment. Especially since it was present in previous books. And part of the reason I even started the series. If this trend continues I might stop the series again. Simply too much wasted time trying to match kindle and audible constantly when I switch multiple times a day for method of enjoyment.
January 7, 2023
Fragmented
The story feels fragmented and bounces around a lot. It might just be a lack of general mayhem as well. From the sounds of the next book I am looking to get a lot more fighting and hope it gets back the the previous level. I was glad to see Ambrosia play a smaller role as she is an annoying character though.
The story feels fragmented and bounces around a lot. It might just be a lack of general mayhem as well. From the sounds of the next book I am looking to get a lot more fighting and hope it gets back the the previous level. I was glad to see Ambrosia play a smaller role as she is an annoying character though.
February 2, 2023
Just copied and pasted from old books
I was looking forward to the next Boxxy instalment, so I bought this and realised I was re-reading parts from the old books. Cross-checked and yep; copy and paste! I persevered to the end, hoping the last chapters would be something new, but no; nothing.
I will be requesting a refund.
I was looking forward to the next Boxxy instalment, so I bought this and realised I was re-reading parts from the old books. Cross-checked and yep; copy and paste! I persevered to the end, hoping the last chapters would be something new, but no; nothing.
I will be requesting a refund.
January 6, 2024
I'm going to take the star rating more carefully starting now. I did like this audiobook, the people at Sound Booth Studios always makes a stellar recording (If you're into the whole production with ambient noises and sound fx) Honestly I'm just a fan of this silliness that's why I like it. I wouldnt call it amazing literature but I like it
April 28, 2024
Excellent read to date
Absolutely amazing how the author unfolds his favourite character to be both caring and sadistic within a few shot pages, just tells you how much he values Boxxy as a character, also his care of his secondary characters as well. Can't wait to further my enjoyment of these books.
Absolutely amazing how the author unfolds his favourite character to be both caring and sadistic within a few shot pages, just tells you how much he values Boxxy as a character, also his care of his secondary characters as well. Can't wait to further my enjoyment of these books.
January 23, 2025
Been a while since I read one of these, but it seems to have hit the spot. I've been getting lackluster reads all December, and this did entertain.
Hopefully January will entertain more than December did.
I see two of the sequels got named dropped in here. Don't know when I will be in the mood for the "Law" sequel. We will see.
3/5 Stars
Hopefully January will entertain more than December did.
I see two of the sequels got named dropped in here. Don't know when I will be in the mood for the "Law" sequel. We will see.
3/5 Stars
August 30, 2023
I didn't realize how much I missed this series. Love the characters, love the story, love the shenanigans. This book is one of the best of the series. And of course, the SBT crew completely slayed the performance.
August 31, 2023
Great addition to the series kind but more of a series clean up taking care of any lose ends very well write not usually a fan of books that have multiple story lines at one but the way he does it it feels like a bunch of interesting short stories all put together 5 stars can't wait to read law
October 23, 2023
meh. This really should have been book 8.1. Nothing really happens. It's just a bunch of fluff and filler. Really like a book of short stories that are all irrelevant minutia. All the exact same jokes from the other books are retold.
March 14, 2025
Within this book, the author seems to have lost any forward direction and is just kind of doing short stories. Parts of short stories. Not great but whatever. Hopefully, the author will figure out how to get a goal for his MC or perhaps move the series toward its close.
January 13, 2023
I enjoy this series
Looking forward to the next book. Always keeps me wanting to see what craziness Boxxy will do next in his journey.
Looking forward to the next book. Always keeps me wanting to see what craziness Boxxy will do next in his journey.
January 31, 2023
Outstanding!
I love the character development. Further depth to the main character, as well as the supporting characters, just adds to the overall story.
I love the character development. Further depth to the main character, as well as the supporting characters, just adds to the overall story.
February 8, 2023
Unsimply great
This story gets better and more fun. I just lobe the characters. Each has quirks that are so enjoyable. Entertainment at it's best.
This story gets better and more fun. I just lobe the characters. Each has quirks that are so enjoyable. Entertainment at it's best.
June 30, 2023
Great as usual
Some unexpected turns an interesting side story or 2 and all the usual crazy shenanigans I have come to expect from this series.
Some unexpected turns an interesting side story or 2 and all the usual crazy shenanigans I have come to expect from this series.
September 13, 2023
Excellent. I'm really excited about where this is going. Lots of setup.
September 27, 2023
Foundations of a New Arc, so you don't have to read this until the arc is complete otherwise there will be a long wait
January 17, 2024
Awesome ending, least amount of cringe jokes so far. Overall a pretty awesome addition.
January 22, 2024
Fun enough :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews