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The Shatterfist #3
The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III (The Shatterfist Series)
*Every new beginning comes at the end of another*
They called him Sven, the Shatterfist.
And they will again.
An S Ranked Adventurer who lost his way.
His journey will take him far and wide.
Back to the places he used to know.
He’s not alone. Friends, comrades.
Ash.
Memories found and memories gained.
Answers give rise to other questions.
The Shatterfist moves on.
Join the adventure! Buy a copy or download for free on Kindle Unlimited Today
They called him Sven, the Shatterfist.
And they will again.
An S Ranked Adventurer who lost his way.
His journey will take him far and wide.
Back to the places he used to know.
He’s not alone. Friends, comrades.
Ash.
Memories found and memories gained.
Answers give rise to other questions.
The Shatterfist moves on.
Join the adventure! Buy a copy or download for free on Kindle Unlimited Today
- GenresFantasyLight Novel
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 29, 2022
189 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 24, 2021
A lot of loose ends but really interesting
Seems like a lot of build up hopefully there is some payoff coming in the next installment. Really interesting world.
Seems like a lot of build up hopefully there is some payoff coming in the next installment. Really interesting world.
July 27, 2023
The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III (Light Novel) (The Shatterfist, #3) by Wolfe Locke is the third installment in the popular light novel series of the same name. The series follows Sven, a former S-ranked adventurer who has retired from the adventuring life to run an inn. However, Sven's peaceful life is soon interrupted when he is forced to return to adventuring to save his friends and family.
In Volume III, Sven and his friends travel to a new continent in search of a powerful artifact that can help them defeat the Demon Lord Mannon. Along the way, they encounter new challenges and obstacles, and they must learn to work together if they want to succeed.
The plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is well-paced and engaging. The story is full of action, adventure, and suspense, and it keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the world-building is detailed and immersive.
One of the things that I enjoyed most about The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is the way that it explores the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice. Sven and his friends are a close-knit group, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other. This is a powerful message that I think many people will be able to relate to.
However, there are a few potholes in the plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III. For example, the villain of the story is not very well-developed, and his motivations are not entirely clear. Additionally, the ending of the story feels a bit rushed.
Overall, I enjoyed The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III. It is a well-written and engaging light novel that explores some interesting themes. However, there are a few potholes in the plot that prevent it from being a truly great novel.
Here is a table of the pros and cons of the book:
**Pros:**
* Well-paced and engaging plot
* Well-developed characters
* Detailed and immersive world-building
* Explores the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice
**Cons:**
* Villain is not well-developed
* Villain's motivations are not clear
* Ending feels rushed
Overall, I would recommend The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III to fans of light novels who enjoy action, adventure, and suspense. However, I would also recommend that they be aware of the potholes in the plot before reading the book.
**Comparison with Contemporaries:**
The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III can be compared to other light novels in the isekai genre, such as *The Rising of the Shield Hero* and *Sword Art Online*. However, The Retired S Ranked Adventurer is unique in its focus on the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice. The book also features a more detailed and immersive world-building than many other light novels in the isekai genre.
**Critique of Plotholes:**
One of the potholes in the plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is the way that the villain is introduced. The villain, a powerful demon lord, is suddenly introduced in the middle of the story without any prior build-up. This makes it difficult for the reader to understand the villain's motivations and goals.
Another pothole in the plot is the way that the story ends. The ending of the story feels rushed and unsatisfying. There are a number of loose ends that are left unresolved, and the reader is left with a sense of unfinished business.
Overall, The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is a well-written and engaging light novel. However, there are a few potholes in the plot that prevent it from being a truly great novel.
In Volume III, Sven and his friends travel to a new continent in search of a powerful artifact that can help them defeat the Demon Lord Mannon. Along the way, they encounter new challenges and obstacles, and they must learn to work together if they want to succeed.
The plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is well-paced and engaging. The story is full of action, adventure, and suspense, and it keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the world-building is detailed and immersive.
One of the things that I enjoyed most about The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is the way that it explores the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice. Sven and his friends are a close-knit group, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other. This is a powerful message that I think many people will be able to relate to.
However, there are a few potholes in the plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III. For example, the villain of the story is not very well-developed, and his motivations are not entirely clear. Additionally, the ending of the story feels a bit rushed.
Overall, I enjoyed The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III. It is a well-written and engaging light novel that explores some interesting themes. However, there are a few potholes in the plot that prevent it from being a truly great novel.
Here is a table of the pros and cons of the book:
**Pros:**
* Well-paced and engaging plot
* Well-developed characters
* Detailed and immersive world-building
* Explores the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice
**Cons:**
* Villain is not well-developed
* Villain's motivations are not clear
* Ending feels rushed
Overall, I would recommend The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III to fans of light novels who enjoy action, adventure, and suspense. However, I would also recommend that they be aware of the potholes in the plot before reading the book.
**Comparison with Contemporaries:**
The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III can be compared to other light novels in the isekai genre, such as *The Rising of the Shield Hero* and *Sword Art Online*. However, The Retired S Ranked Adventurer is unique in its focus on the themes of friendship, teamwork, and sacrifice. The book also features a more detailed and immersive world-building than many other light novels in the isekai genre.
**Critique of Plotholes:**
One of the potholes in the plot of The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is the way that the villain is introduced. The villain, a powerful demon lord, is suddenly introduced in the middle of the story without any prior build-up. This makes it difficult for the reader to understand the villain's motivations and goals.
Another pothole in the plot is the way that the story ends. The ending of the story feels rushed and unsatisfying. There are a number of loose ends that are left unresolved, and the reader is left with a sense of unfinished business.
Overall, The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume III is a well-written and engaging light novel. However, there are a few potholes in the plot that prevent it from being a truly great novel.
May 16, 2022
I called it a day on this book and series at about the 60% mark. The primary reason for this is that not much of the story I started reading this series for remains. The title of this series is The
Retired
S Ranked Adventurer, with (in my mind) an emphasis on the word Retired. Surely that has to be the case because that is the unique element of this title and the thing that sets this series apart from a very crowded genre. The twist of Sven having come back from the dead and having to figure out what this means is kind of interesting, but as this series starts turning into your generic 'good-guy adventurer and crew must save the world' story without even a hint of the retired adventurer trying to start down a different life path, I am quickly losing interest.
On top of this, I can't help but feel like this author is retconning the story as it progresses. A good example is the 'history' between Sven and his recruits. The story needs a connection between them to give them a reason to be following him around, so it ignores the fact that they spent at most about two to three weeks with the man and barely even got started with their training, and starts inserting false memories of lots of time spent with them and trying to create relationships out of nothing.
This same phenomenon happened a few times throughout this book with other elements, making me feel like I had missed a book or two. That in itself is an uncomfortable feeling, but the real frustration is that it changed the characters into people I don't recognise anymore. They are all in this now weird place where they are not the characters they pretended to be when Sven didn't have his memories, but instead the characters they were before, characters the readers never met and therefore have no attachment to. There's history here we don't know and as a result, the characters feel like strangers and their story now has the impression that it is being made up on the spot.
Ultimately, I felt uncomfortable with what I was reading and less connected with this series than ever before as I approached the end of book three, and that's a problem. The story we are being told feels rushed, has barely any relationship with the title of the series anymore, and basically doesn't keep my attention like it should at this point. I'm rounding up to 2-stars to account for my own personal tastes/desires for this series getting in the way here, but ultimately this one is a bit of a disappointment.
On top of this, I can't help but feel like this author is retconning the story as it progresses. A good example is the 'history' between Sven and his recruits. The story needs a connection between them to give them a reason to be following him around, so it ignores the fact that they spent at most about two to three weeks with the man and barely even got started with their training, and starts inserting false memories of lots of time spent with them and trying to create relationships out of nothing.
This same phenomenon happened a few times throughout this book with other elements, making me feel like I had missed a book or two. That in itself is an uncomfortable feeling, but the real frustration is that it changed the characters into people I don't recognise anymore. They are all in this now weird place where they are not the characters they pretended to be when Sven didn't have his memories, but instead the characters they were before, characters the readers never met and therefore have no attachment to. There's history here we don't know and as a result, the characters feel like strangers and their story now has the impression that it is being made up on the spot.
Ultimately, I felt uncomfortable with what I was reading and less connected with this series than ever before as I approached the end of book three, and that's a problem. The story we are being told feels rushed, has barely any relationship with the title of the series anymore, and basically doesn't keep my attention like it should at this point. I'm rounding up to 2-stars to account for my own personal tastes/desires for this series getting in the way here, but ultimately this one is a bit of a disappointment.
December 10, 2021
Still confused, still intrigued
Despite all the rough patches, I am still enjoying the story enough to keep following the series. The series is still full of great moments and great characters that manage to outshine plot inconsistencies, typos and odd formatting choices...like the lizard man who was a basilisk in a couple chapters and then went back to being a lizardman. What's up with that? Or the few chapters where every sentence in each paragraph was a different font size. Hella annoying, but worth reading nonetheless.
Despite all the rough patches, I am still enjoying the story enough to keep following the series. The series is still full of great moments and great characters that manage to outshine plot inconsistencies, typos and odd formatting choices...like the lizard man who was a basilisk in a couple chapters and then went back to being a lizardman. What's up with that? Or the few chapters where every sentence in each paragraph was a different font size. Hella annoying, but worth reading nonetheless.
December 30, 2021
Looking forward to the next one
Really looking forward to the next one. This book was a bridge and it sets up the story for some real adventure in the next. This is a big metaphor for coming back from war damage, PTSD, finding your real friends, and providing for the next generation. Maybe they won't have to be destroyed by the same trauma. Hits a lot of feels if you've got any experience with combat or combat veterans. Or you can completely ignore the metaphor and just enjoy a story of an old adventurer trying to improve his bit of the world.
Really looking forward to the next one. This book was a bridge and it sets up the story for some real adventure in the next. This is a big metaphor for coming back from war damage, PTSD, finding your real friends, and providing for the next generation. Maybe they won't have to be destroyed by the same trauma. Hits a lot of feels if you've got any experience with combat or combat veterans. Or you can completely ignore the metaphor and just enjoy a story of an old adventurer trying to improve his bit of the world.
January 29, 2022
Retirement has not gone the way Sven expected. His plan was to set up an inn and relax. It started with training a few recruits. Then, undead started appearing. Finally, there is his own missing memories.
This is a very chilI series. Sven has had his adventures. He is one of the most powerful warriors alive. He’s just tired. When action does come up, he will handle it swiftly and effectively. He wants to do something different, he’s just not quite sure what that is. I’ve really enjoyed this series. It’s a nice change of pace for the MC to have this type of mindset.
Content warning: None.
This is a very chilI series. Sven has had his adventures. He is one of the most powerful warriors alive. He’s just tired. When action does come up, he will handle it swiftly and effectively. He wants to do something different, he’s just not quite sure what that is. I’ve really enjoyed this series. It’s a nice change of pace for the MC to have this type of mindset.
Content warning: None.
August 26, 2025
The Retired S Ranked Adventurer : (Light Novel) Vol 3, my twentieth read from author Wolfe Locke. A captivating, 5-hour 59-minute/347-page-turning, well-written read leaving you panting for more. “I received a complementery Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with The Retired S Ranked Adventurer : (Light Novel) Vol 4 high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
September 1, 2021
Decent
I’m not sure what to make of this book. The first two set up the world and characters even if in a sort of 2 dimensional fashion for most of the characters. It seemed to be building up to a conflict. Nothing really happens in this book other than some moving around of the pieces established in the earlier books. It’s not till the very very end that there is any hint of what this story is going to be.
I’m not sure what to make of this book. The first two set up the world and characters even if in a sort of 2 dimensional fashion for most of the characters. It seemed to be building up to a conflict. Nothing really happens in this book other than some moving around of the pieces established in the earlier books. It’s not till the very very end that there is any hint of what this story is going to be.
September 9, 2021
This went exactly where you thought it was going, and not one step further.
With how book two ended, book three had some expectations of story development. Those did not happen. The very next step was shown, and nothing else. If this was part of a third book, that would be fine. But on its own, there is nowhere near enough content. Four fifths of this book is obvious and boring.
With how book two ended, book three had some expectations of story development. Those did not happen. The very next step was shown, and nothing else. If this was part of a third book, that would be fine. But on its own, there is nowhere near enough content. Four fifths of this book is obvious and boring.
September 15, 2021
Light easy read with good pacing and characters
Fun story, makes me want to read the next book. Characters are a little flat but not annoying, which is saying a lot actually since it can be hard to pull that off. Best part of the book is the story-line, I found the progression interesting with just enough ongoing mystery to keep me engaged.
Fun story, makes me want to read the next book. Characters are a little flat but not annoying, which is saying a lot actually since it can be hard to pull that off. Best part of the book is the story-line, I found the progression interesting with just enough ongoing mystery to keep me engaged.
October 14, 2021
I glad they continued the series!
One thing this book does well is the characters and relationships. Everyone feels very human, it’s interesting and refreshing. The ideas were really interesting, some parts felt a bit rushed near the end but I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the book I definitely get the next one.
One thing this book does well is the characters and relationships. Everyone feels very human, it’s interesting and refreshing. The ideas were really interesting, some parts felt a bit rushed near the end but I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the book I definitely get the next one.
October 17, 2021
3.5 stars. If you've read the first two books, this is a sensible if uninspired continuation. This book was a bit too short to do everything I feel it should have done for this part of the story arc.
I have a feeling this series will be/is stretched beyond the natural strength of the story idea, but I'll give it one more book and see if it's worth my time to continue.
I have a feeling this series will be/is stretched beyond the natural strength of the story idea, but I'll give it one more book and see if it's worth my time to continue.
May 10, 2022
A good read.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story and characters continue to be interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I really don't have any complaints. It could use a little more proof reading. This book and series is definitely worth reading.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story and characters continue to be interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I really don't have any complaints. It could use a little more proof reading. This book and series is definitely worth reading.
April 30, 2023
Excellent Read
Sven and Ash are trying to reconcile their separation but things are a bit weird. Sven has enemies that he doesn’t even know about. However, he also has friends and others that support him. The powers that be make attempts to arrest him. More of his suppressed memories are reveled. I like the action, humor, mystery and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Sven and Ash are trying to reconcile their separation but things are a bit weird. Sven has enemies that he doesn’t even know about. However, he also has friends and others that support him. The powers that be make attempts to arrest him. More of his suppressed memories are reveled. I like the action, humor, mystery and romance. I look forward to the next book.
October 7, 2023
Broken momentum
Volume 3 sees a change to the pacing more in line with the first book, this loss of narrative momentum and deviation from what was set up in volume 2 is jarring to say the least. However Sven and his expanding cast of allies continue to be an entertaining and complex group. Additionally the ever deepening complexity of conspiracies remains intriguing.
Volume 3 sees a change to the pacing more in line with the first book, this loss of narrative momentum and deviation from what was set up in volume 2 is jarring to say the least. However Sven and his expanding cast of allies continue to be an entertaining and complex group. Additionally the ever deepening complexity of conspiracies remains intriguing.
August 21, 2021
Good book
Really like the storyline but could use a little more action to get it to the five star rating. But if you like reading about a background of characters and world building great book.
Really like the storyline but could use a little more action to get it to the five star rating. But if you like reading about a background of characters and world building great book.
September 4, 2021
Good story
The story continues to be well written, with good character development and interesting directions. The MC struggles in remembering his life, and not everything goes his way, which makes the story worth reading. Looking forward to the next one.
The story continues to be well written, with good character development and interesting directions. The MC struggles in remembering his life, and not everything goes his way, which makes the story worth reading. Looking forward to the next one.
September 19, 2021
Stellar
This book was really good it keeps you interested I particularly like how it shows the main character either over the hill or getting very close to and having to keep that in his mind
This book was really good it keeps you interested I particularly like how it shows the main character either over the hill or getting very close to and having to keep that in his mind
September 22, 2021
Great book.
I really enjoyed this book because it is different from all those that seem to follow scripts and yet has great characters and a really good plot definitely worth a read but definitely want to start with the first as it is not a stand alone book.
I really enjoyed this book because it is different from all those that seem to follow scripts and yet has great characters and a really good plot definitely worth a read but definitely want to start with the first as it is not a stand alone book.
October 26, 2022
I think this is the last book I have in the series. Guess it's time to finish it and clear up my backlog.
I finally finished this book. I don't think that I will read the sequels.
3/5 Stars
I finally finished this book. I don't think that I will read the sequels.
3/5 Stars
February 20, 2023
I tried
I tried to enjoy this series but I'm not going further than this one was. The actual important story is basically spoon fed to you and it's really annoying when everyone is being coy and only filling in certain bits of information at certain times.
I tried to enjoy this series but I'm not going further than this one was. The actual important story is basically spoon fed to you and it's really annoying when everyone is being coy and only filling in certain bits of information at certain times.
March 24, 2023
wholesome book, no gore, very light novel.
Light wholesome, fun read. No gore, no profanity very little violence, slice of life. If you were looking for a hack and slash book, this is not it.
Light wholesome, fun read. No gore, no profanity very little violence, slice of life. If you were looking for a hack and slash book, this is not it.
August 2, 2025
I really don't know where this is going based on the last chapter - feels like an unexpected twist. Since these are generally very short and quick reads, I'll go for book 4. Reviews say to skip 5, and I am so inclined, so 4 will be the last.
August 24, 2021
Great!
Love the storyline so far, everything is always new and interesting. Explanations of the DL's was of course fascinating - keep going!
Love the storyline so far, everything is always new and interesting. Explanations of the DL's was of course fascinating - keep going!
August 25, 2021
5 star
This series has really surprised me. It has gone in a direction I wouldn't have predicted and I am enjoying it thoroughly.
This series has really surprised me. It has gone in a direction I wouldn't have predicted and I am enjoying it thoroughly.
August 26, 2021
Looking forward to the next in the series
I really enjoy the story and the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Great job so far.
I really enjoy the story and the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Great job so far.
August 27, 2021
Excellent
Fantastic read! I absolutely loved it! I can not wait for the next one to be release! Such great characters in this book!
Fantastic read! I absolutely loved it! I can not wait for the next one to be release! Such great characters in this book!
September 3, 2021
Good
Based on the 5 point review scale the author helpfully wrote at the end of the book.
Earlier books I enjoyed more. Hopefully the pace will pick up in the next book.
Based on the 5 point review scale the author helpfully wrote at the end of the book.
Earlier books I enjoyed more. Hopefully the pace will pick up in the next book.
September 4, 2021
Great series
If you liked the first two, then you'll like this one. I really like the character development, especially between Sven and Ash.
If you liked the first two, then you'll like this one. I really like the character development, especially between Sven and Ash.
September 9, 2021
Sven Fan
I love Sven's journey so far. One thing I would ask is a slowdown of release.
1 and 2 felt like 1 book and 3 feels like a good first half of a sequel.
I love Sven's journey so far. One thing I would ask is a slowdown of release.
1 and 2 felt like 1 book and 3 feels like a good first half of a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews