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The Completionist Chronicles #3
Rexus: Side Quest
Vengeful assassins. A treacherous companion. T-Rex Head Hands.
After the Wolfman nation is shattered, Jaxon has enough spare time to advance his skills and specialize into a better class. Since Joe and his other teammates are either incapacitated or on a mission Jaxon does not believe in, the misunderstood chiropractor turned gamer strikes out on his own.
The issue with creating your own path is that you have no idea what awaits you, especially when low charisma guarantees legendary misunderstandings. For Jaxon, that’s half the fun.
Rexus is a Completionist Chronicles side quest focused on Jaxon and is meant to be read following Regicide.
After the Wolfman nation is shattered, Jaxon has enough spare time to advance his skills and specialize into a better class. Since Joe and his other teammates are either incapacitated or on a mission Jaxon does not believe in, the misunderstood chiropractor turned gamer strikes out on his own.
The issue with creating your own path is that you have no idea what awaits you, especially when low charisma guarantees legendary misunderstandings. For Jaxon, that’s half the fun.
Rexus is a Completionist Chronicles side quest focused on Jaxon and is meant to be read following Regicide.
198 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
1785 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Dakota Krout
76 books2,876 followersAuthor of the best-selling Divine Dungeon, Completionist Chronicles, and Full Murderhobo series, Dakota Krout was chosen as Audible's top 5 fantasy pick of 2017, has been a top 5 bestseller on Amazon, and a top 6 bestseller on Audible.
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
February 28, 2021
Pure goofy LitRPG fun. I mean, after all, how else should we describe a professional chiropractor (monk) with some of the absolute worst charisma in any game?
It's just misadventures after misadventures, especially since the game itself modifies the player and changes what they understand, feel, and say to fit the role.
But that's not all. It's really all about the bad choices. The many, many bad choices. The extremely funny and outrageous bad choices that enlivens any GameMaster's day and make all the other players groan in disbelief.
Sure, why not get t-rex hands as a skill reward? WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
I couldn't stop chortling with this guy's misadventures. He certainly earned some HIGH intimidation scores. :)
It's just misadventures after misadventures, especially since the game itself modifies the player and changes what they understand, feel, and say to fit the role.
But that's not all. It's really all about the bad choices. The many, many bad choices. The extremely funny and outrageous bad choices that enlivens any GameMaster's day and make all the other players groan in disbelief.
Sure, why not get t-rex hands as a skill reward? WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
I couldn't stop chortling with this guy's misadventures. He certainly earned some HIGH intimidation scores. :)
March 18, 2021
08/19/2020 Notes:
Audiobook Narrated by Luke Daniels
Read Kindle 1x, Listened to Audio 2x
I should have read & listened to this already. This is actually the second time I've listened to the book. Not going to try & figure out exactly when I listened to it the first time.
01/07/2019 Mini-Review:
Rexus should be 2.5 in the series list. It is a side story novella.
Jaxon is one of the new members for Joe's maverick team. Jaxson was a chiropractor in real life and thrilled to continue his study of bodies in the game. Due to his extreme focus, Jaxson has a really low charisma & perception stats. This is the setup for hilarious/aggravating situations in game. Jaxson thinks everyone is saying nice stuff to him when they are actually some form of unease, disgust or fear. Only a handful of people figure out Jaxson is a nice, old man with extremely low charisma/perception stats.
Hopefulky, Jaxson will realize that perception will help him learn about body mechanics faster. Ya know, in addition to Intel & Wisdom. =P
This story was a fun romp where Jaxson makes a new friend and forges his own special class.
Audiobook Narrated by Luke Daniels
Read Kindle 1x, Listened to Audio 2x
I should have read & listened to this already. This is actually the second time I've listened to the book. Not going to try & figure out exactly when I listened to it the first time.
01/07/2019 Mini-Review:
Rexus should be 2.5 in the series list. It is a side story novella.
Jaxon is one of the new members for Joe's maverick team. Jaxson was a chiropractor in real life and thrilled to continue his study of bodies in the game. Due to his extreme focus, Jaxson has a really low charisma & perception stats. This is the setup for hilarious/aggravating situations in game. Jaxson thinks everyone is saying nice stuff to him when they are actually some form of unease, disgust or fear. Only a handful of people figure out Jaxson is a nice, old man with extremely low charisma/perception stats.
Hopefulky, Jaxson will realize that perception will help him learn about body mechanics faster. Ya know, in addition to Intel & Wisdom. =P
This story was a fun romp where Jaxson makes a new friend and forges his own special class.
July 26, 2019
Rating 3.0 stars
Jaxon is probably the most interesting side character in the completionist chronicles, but as a main character in this book he is kind of lacking. The most interesting thing about his character is that because his charisma level is so low the game changes what he hears and what he says. So when he thinks he is being nice and thoughtful, to other people it comes across as creepy and intimidating. Once that issue has been identified though, it should have been an easy fix, just put more point into charisma, just enough to get to a normal person threshold. That doesn't happen though. While the interactions are at times funny, the jokes get kind of old after a while. Now I am more interested in what his personality would be like if he got his charisma level up to 10. Most of the story is Jaxon going on solo quests to find his specialty. I still like him as a character but prefer it to be a supporting character, I think that is where the character shines.
Jaxon is probably the most interesting side character in the completionist chronicles, but as a main character in this book he is kind of lacking. The most interesting thing about his character is that because his charisma level is so low the game changes what he hears and what he says. So when he thinks he is being nice and thoughtful, to other people it comes across as creepy and intimidating. Once that issue has been identified though, it should have been an easy fix, just put more point into charisma, just enough to get to a normal person threshold. That doesn't happen though. While the interactions are at times funny, the jokes get kind of old after a while. Now I am more interested in what his personality would be like if he got his charisma level up to 10. Most of the story is Jaxon going on solo quests to find his specialty. I still like him as a character but prefer it to be a supporting character, I think that is where the character shines.
January 13, 2022
DNF @ P36 (17% - Ch.5)
Loved the first two books and while I like Jaxon in them, I don't want to read a whole book about him. It was already repeating and pointless at 17%, I just can't bring myself to care. Will continue to Book #3 of course, just not reading this one. ✔
January 1, 2019
Rexus is the side story about Jaxon, the party Monk. A kindly old master of acupuncture and chiropractor IRL, he plays a hand to hand fighter with dump stat charisma, and the game is always changing what he hears and is heard to say and randomly triggering his intimidation skill. My sides hurt from laughing. So nice to see things from inside his head for a change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
Rexus is a fantastic side quest that expands the world of The Ritualist. Jaxon, a guild member from Joe's Noble guild, takes center stage alongside the new character, Jess. This book proves that the world is much bigger than Joe, and Jaxon's story is just as compelling. If you loved The Ritualist, you'll love Rexus.
January 9, 2019
Love
Poor charisma deprived Jaxon *sigh* I just want to hug him and tell him it’ll be alright but with luck like his and CAL adjusting what he hears and says I’d probably end up in traction with a boost to strength and dexterity! Love the book Give Me More!!! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!!!
Poor charisma deprived Jaxon *sigh* I just want to hug him and tell him it’ll be alright but with luck like his and CAL adjusting what he hears and says I’d probably end up in traction with a boost to strength and dexterity! Love the book Give Me More!!! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!!!
October 22, 2025
Filler book
This felt like a filter book. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it was just irritating. Give a pass on this one.
This felt like a filter book. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it was just irritating. Give a pass on this one.
February 10, 2019
Not a terrible book. Why the bad rating? They call this Book 3 on Amazon when it's clearly a side story. Bought this right away when I saw 'Book 3' was released only to be disappointed.
February 1, 2023
Jackson is a team member of Joe, the main protagonist of the Completionist Chronicles. This side quest is all about him and his journeys through wolfmen land. Jackson is a real-life chiropractor and so he was very excited to learn more about anatomy and physiology in-game as there are so many interesting species to study (he once tells a very deadly, very venomous snake that she is marvalleous because she is "all spine"). Due to his heavy stat focus he has really low perception and charisma, leading to some hilarious scenes. Jackson is actually very creepy and intimidating but the game changes dialogues so that Jackson mostly hears compliments when people talk to him and doesn't understand when he puts himself in grave danger.
Jackson is kind of a one trick pony, his social ineptitude is very funny, but also repetitive. In a longer book that might have turned out boring. For this short side quest it was everything I needed it to be.
Re-Read 2023: I have enjoyed this book so much, probably most of the entire series. It is short and sweet and hilarious.
Jackson is kind of a one trick pony, his social ineptitude is very funny, but also repetitive. In a longer book that might have turned out boring. For this short side quest it was everything I needed it to be.
Re-Read 2023: I have enjoyed this book so much, probably most of the entire series. It is short and sweet and hilarious.
August 11, 2020
Rating: 3.2/5
Review: Like the name says, this is a side quest with Jaxon, the douche chiropractor. Dunno why the author expended so much energy into a character that is not funny or interesting. It is really hard to make socially oblivious characters interesting.
The quest is inventive and interesting along with a new character addition for the main series. Still, well written and engrossing.
Review: Like the name says, this is a side quest with Jaxon, the douche chiropractor. Dunno why the author expended so much energy into a character that is not funny or interesting. It is really hard to make socially oblivious characters interesting.
The quest is inventive and interesting along with a new character addition for the main series. Still, well written and engrossing.
December 21, 2025
Dec 2025: Still a 5, and I still don't care
Oct 2023 update: 5 stars idc. The book is far from perfect, but it's one of my most favorite comfort reads. Jaxon is my favorite character in the Completionist Chronicles, and this one is always fun to come back to
4.5
Oct 2023 update: 5 stars idc. The book is far from perfect, but it's one of my most favorite comfort reads. Jaxon is my favorite character in the Completionist Chronicles, and this one is always fun to come back to
4.5
September 23, 2019
this book was a disappointment. jackson is the most interesting side character in the book but this book on him was just plain boring.
November 25, 2021
Great read
Great continuation to the series. The MC gains some power but does not become OP. Will definitely read the next one
Great continuation to the series. The MC gains some power but does not become OP. Will definitely read the next one
March 13, 2024
I didn't like the MC of this side quest. I imagine that the authors were going for amusingly quirky, but I couldn't get beyond stupidly annoying.
March 2, 2020
Will add review later. Need to take a break from this series after this.
Slight spoilers...
Living weapons would be excusable if the main character didn't blatantly ignore what was right in front of his face - that the system was swapping people's words around. His intelligent stat just isn't that low.
Slight spoilers...
Living weapons would be excusable if the main character didn't blatantly ignore what was right in front of his face - that the system was swapping people's words around. His intelligent stat just isn't that low.
August 20, 2025
I refuse to start my day reading this bad book, so I had to finish it today, even though it's almost 2 AM. Yes, I stay up late to read bad books.
I HATE when someone's perception of reality is falsified. The system making Jaxon hear something totally different than what people are actually saying was nearly my undoing
I HATE when someone's perception of reality is falsified. The system making Jaxon hear something totally different than what people are actually saying was nearly my undoing
December 29, 2018
I was predisposed to dislike this novel, Jaxon is my least preferred member of the CC series, but Mr. Krout has once again knocked it out of the park. This was a fast paced and fun way to get to see things from his point of view; and to watch him power up! I'd say more but I don't want to spoil the book for you.
January 1, 2019
Krout does it again
While Jaxon might not be a person I'd like to spend time with in the real world. Spending a couple hours with him in this book was just what the doctor ordered. You'll crack up laughing throughout.
While Jaxon might not be a person I'd like to spend time with in the real world. Spending a couple hours with him in this book was just what the doctor ordered. You'll crack up laughing throughout.
January 2, 2019
Fun but too fast
My two boys giggled through their reading of this. And then I read it and had to laugh as well.
The story takes Jaxon, a secondary character from Completionist Chronicles, and tells his story. It turns out he is another Completionist, like the main character. A lot of the humor is more sensible in the context of the other books.
As my 12-year-old said, the only thing he didn’t like was that it was over too soon.
My two boys giggled through their reading of this. And then I read it and had to laugh as well.
The story takes Jaxon, a secondary character from Completionist Chronicles, and tells his story. It turns out he is another Completionist, like the main character. A lot of the humor is more sensible in the context of the other books.
As my 12-year-old said, the only thing he didn’t like was that it was over too soon.
August 15, 2019
This book had some bad reviews and I don’t really understand why. It’s just like the first two books. Yes it’s a bit more irreverent but damn it’s like Sheldon Cooper plays an MMORPG. That’s good right there and then to add in Trex head hands?! It’s not Fibble delicious but it’s pretty dang close.
December 30, 2018
Great interlude to the next book in the Completionist series. Have to agree with Colin that Mr. Krout knocked it out of the park with this. I am looking forward to hearing Vikas Adams reading this.
January 3, 2019
First of all I have to congratulate the artist of the cover for capturing Jaxon's character so well. So well I had to think more that twice before I started reading it. Just looking at that face made me not want to read it.
Contrary to that, I really enjoyed the story and the characters in it and had a laugh throughout most of the book. I really like the way low charisma affects a player. Very humorous and none of those horrible puns of the previous book! Please, never again!
Side note: Same phylum? Even humans and sharks are in the same Phylum as snakes. This was stretched nearly to the max to make that skill possible with a snake connection. Really, simple snake hands would have been fine, Jaxon is 'special' in any case.
Contrary to that, I really enjoyed the story and the characters in it and had a laugh throughout most of the book. I really like the way low charisma affects a player. Very humorous and none of those horrible puns of the previous book! Please, never again!
Side note: Same phylum? Even humans and sharks are in the same Phylum as snakes. This was stretched nearly to the max to make that skill possible with a snake connection. Really, simple snake hands would have been fine, Jaxon is 'special' in any case.
December 19, 2019
When I saw the midway book between 2 and 3 was a Jaxon story I was a bit disappointed. He was my least favorite character in the second book and so I went into this expecting to dislike this.
For about a third of the book my fears were confirmed, Jaxon was really painful. Then he gets a companion about a third in a the book becomes somewhat charming. Jaxon is still annoying, but him playing off of his companion makes this work.
You get to learn a bit more about Jaxon which is nice, but I'm still left being kind of annoyed with the character. The joke of his low charisma feels like it needs to end.
Overall, the book is fine if you liked the first two but easily the weakest entry so far.
For about a third of the book my fears were confirmed, Jaxon was really painful. Then he gets a companion about a third in a the book becomes somewhat charming. Jaxon is still annoying, but him playing off of his companion makes this work.
You get to learn a bit more about Jaxon which is nice, but I'm still left being kind of annoyed with the character. The joke of his low charisma feels like it needs to end.
Overall, the book is fine if you liked the first two but easily the weakest entry so far.
November 30, 2021
Tech Duinn and the birth of a Void God provided an initial glimpse in the status of the world prior to the Ether Flows. Edda Gaia expands that glimpse into a small field of view that one can start to form some suspicions about what lead to the collapse of Ether. For those that have read the Ether Flow series this is a must read series.
This is an academy story the continues into the growth of Azrael, his class an character build and his part to facilitate the expansion of Apep on Gaia. Without providing any spoilers, the training that was provided to Azrael as a Sovereign Son, only prepared him for his initial class selection. His life and his experiences now are forming the basis for the man he will become
This is an academy story the continues into the growth of Azrael, his class an character build and his part to facilitate the expansion of Apep on Gaia. Without providing any spoilers, the training that was provided to Azrael as a Sovereign Son, only prepared him for his initial class selection. His life and his experiences now are forming the basis for the man he will become
January 29, 2022
Continuing Azrael's adventures in Ryan DeBruyn's wonderful Etherverse.
After listening to the audiobook version of book 1, I simply couldn't wait for the audio version of this one and broke my long held habit of listening only. This book has revived my love of reading with eyeballs.
Azrael's personality is developing as he discovers more about the Etherverse than his sheltered upbringing led him to believe was possible. Along the way we meet some new allies, rivals perhaps even more. Our new and existing characters are engaging and the world is described in vivid clarity.
This series is fabulous and I already hankering for book 3 as well as book 4 of the companion series Ether Collapse.
Ryan...More Words!
After listening to the audiobook version of book 1, I simply couldn't wait for the audio version of this one and broke my long held habit of listening only. This book has revived my love of reading with eyeballs.
Azrael's personality is developing as he discovers more about the Etherverse than his sheltered upbringing led him to believe was possible. Along the way we meet some new allies, rivals perhaps even more. Our new and existing characters are engaging and the world is described in vivid clarity.
This series is fabulous and I already hankering for book 3 as well as book 4 of the companion series Ether Collapse.
Ryan...More Words!
November 23, 2019
Why did I start this book? I'm sure I told myself I would skip this...
It's from the eyes of the most annoying character in the series. he is good for a few laughs, but a whole book for him is too much.
Any stats I see I will just have to skip parts. Never read this series for the stats, and it's just annoying that this character "loves stats".
I'm a few chapters in and it has gotten somewhat entertaining. I never really liked this character, but people I know found a grown man skipping everywhere funny, I didn't.
The book was enjoyable by the end, but hopefully I wouldn't pick side stories of side characters in teh future.
2.5/5 Stars
It's from the eyes of the most annoying character in the series. he is good for a few laughs, but a whole book for him is too much.
Any stats I see I will just have to skip parts. Never read this series for the stats, and it's just annoying that this character "loves stats".
I'm a few chapters in and it has gotten somewhat entertaining. I never really liked this character, but people I know found a grown man skipping everywhere funny, I didn't.
The book was enjoyable by the end, but hopefully I wouldn't pick side stories of side characters in teh future.
2.5/5 Stars
October 4, 2019
Jaxon is a fun character with an amusing build... but centering a story around him alone wasn't the best idea. Jaxon is rather one note and he's at his best when playing off his other eccentric team mates. His traveling companion does help a bit, but even so I found myself getting fatigued with it around the half way point.
Also, not a big fan of the T-Rex hands, that's a silly step too far for me. (Feels like this should be a spoiler but it's the cover art) So after he gets them my interest really fell off.
Also, not a big fan of the T-Rex hands, that's a silly step too far for me. (Feels like this should be a spoiler but it's the cover art) So after he gets them my interest really fell off.
December 3, 2021
Azreal delves deeper.
The main character, Azreal, has made it to earth and into the academy. But he has to deal with a mega-bully and the standard silliness of an academy for people with enhanced powers.
It took me a while to remember the story from book 1, though the author dropped reminders into the story. And it reads fast enough that I want the next book sooner than later. And I still want to know how this story arc fits with the Ether Collpase series - there are some obvious elements, but there is clearly more in the brain of the author.
The main character, Azreal, has made it to earth and into the academy. But he has to deal with a mega-bully and the standard silliness of an academy for people with enhanced powers.
It took me a while to remember the story from book 1, though the author dropped reminders into the story. And it reads fast enough that I want the next book sooner than later. And I still want to know how this story arc fits with the Ether Collpase series - there are some obvious elements, but there is clearly more in the brain of the author.
December 12, 2021
Ryan is turning into one of my favorite writers.
This particular story hovers the edge between revenge and redemption of the main character, with really strong similarities to the Dark Tidings series.
The pull off characters from the collective mythos also bring a level of familiarity that not only advances the story, but if done correctly, like in this case, furthers the story along without having to rush to exposition.
Really looking forward to any of the next books by Ryan.
This particular story hovers the edge between revenge and redemption of the main character, with really strong similarities to the Dark Tidings series.
The pull off characters from the collective mythos also bring a level of familiarity that not only advances the story, but if done correctly, like in this case, furthers the story along without having to rush to exposition.
Really looking forward to any of the next books by Ryan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews