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The Mage of Shimmer Mountain #1
Crafting Magics
Hugo’s new lease on life starts out so well. A trip up the mountain grants him the chance to be a mage. But then the train he is on explodes.
Unknown magic flings him back in time, and he avoids the explosion this time. While he is trying to unravel the mystery of this unexpected second chance, life goes on. His new gifts lead him to the magic academy. At the school, he will face off against noble students that don’t want him to be there, teachers that expect him to already know everything, and literal monsters that want to kill him.
Can he forge allies in a place where he's hated? Can he learn to master the magic that the academy demands he know? Can he even survive to discover the secret of his second chance and what it all means?
Manapunk - Magic School - Crafting Style Magic - LitRPG - Time Loop featuring slice of life and slow buildup of power.
Unknown magic flings him back in time, and he avoids the explosion this time. While he is trying to unravel the mystery of this unexpected second chance, life goes on. His new gifts lead him to the magic academy. At the school, he will face off against noble students that don’t want him to be there, teachers that expect him to already know everything, and literal monsters that want to kill him.
Can he forge allies in a place where he's hated? Can he learn to master the magic that the academy demands he know? Can he even survive to discover the secret of his second chance and what it all means?
Manapunk - Magic School - Crafting Style Magic - LitRPG - Time Loop featuring slice of life and slow buildup of power.
756 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2023
614 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Adam Sampson
5 books11 followersAdam has spent the last several years living in Utah with his wife and four kids. He works in telecommunications now, but used to be a English teacher, and uses those skills when writing.
He has a passion for writing and a deep and abiding love for his family. His hobbies include reading an obscene amount of fiction and the occasional small crafts, like origami. He has sold origami at local craft fairs.
Adam grew up traveling with his family and has been to dozens of countries all around the world. Since he grew up and got a job, his travels are strictly in his imagination. He really hopes you enjoy the journey you take in his books.
He has a passion for writing and a deep and abiding love for his family. His hobbies include reading an obscene amount of fiction and the occasional small crafts, like origami. He has sold origami at local craft fairs.
Adam grew up traveling with his family and has been to dozens of countries all around the world. Since he grew up and got a job, his travels are strictly in his imagination. He really hopes you enjoy the journey you take in his books.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 20, 2023
Hugo isn't a great protagonist. He's brash and single-minded and a bit harsh with the people around him. He's not a complete user, but his practicality and emotional distance is marked and that made it hard for me to like him much.
The world he inhabits is interesting enough to keep me going, though, and I liked how he played with his capabilities and continually strove to make himself better. The odd mechanic of him jumping back to a start-point when he dies was jarring. Indeed, at one point his life gets screwed up enough I very nearly gave up before we got to a reset just because I disliked everything by that point.
I'm afraid the author made a mistake with regards to me at the end, though. I became invested in the relationship when he finds himself a girlfriend so the story ending with his next iteration put me off enough I have no plans to read the next book. At least, not before the finale is published in May. We'll see.
As it stands, I'm at three stars, mostly due to his internal isolation.
A note about Chaste: Hugo never gets close enough for a relationship to get intimate. So this is very chaste, with only a kiss or two.
The world he inhabits is interesting enough to keep me going, though, and I liked how he played with his capabilities and continually strove to make himself better. The odd mechanic of him jumping back to a start-point when he dies was jarring. Indeed, at one point his life gets screwed up enough I very nearly gave up before we got to a reset just because I disliked everything by that point.
I'm afraid the author made a mistake with regards to me at the end, though. I became invested in the relationship when he finds himself a girlfriend so the story ending with his next iteration put me off enough I have no plans to read the next book. At least, not before the finale is published in May. We'll see.
As it stands, I'm at three stars, mostly due to his internal isolation.
A note about Chaste: Hugo never gets close enough for a relationship to get intimate. So this is very chaste, with only a kiss or two.
February 28, 2023
Here is the essence of why I liked Mage of Shimmer Mountain so much. We have a time loop/time travel (yay), we have a sweet skill cheat and we have a mid book plot twist to keep the mother of learning knockoff plot interesting. The world building is also a positive - we're not info dumped and the idiosyncrasies sprinkled throughout added to my enjoyment . Oh and the crafting. I wavered between bored and utterly captivated.. theres math and the author does a great job of making you feel the school grind. Some boring parts but worth powering through. Your mileage may vary. Thanks for the book Mr Sampson, looking forward to the sequel.
March 8, 2023
Book one
Well written and edited for the most part.
I didn't like the MC for the first 30+% of the book. Didn't like the way he acted. He does get better later in the book, but honestly I almost dropped the story before I reached that point. Not because of anything wrong with the story itself. I just didn't like the MC.
6/10 because I didn't like the MC in the first 35% of the book.
Well written and edited for the most part.
I didn't like the MC for the first 30+% of the book. Didn't like the way he acted. He does get better later in the book, but honestly I almost dropped the story before I reached that point. Not because of anything wrong with the story itself. I just didn't like the MC.
6/10 because I didn't like the MC in the first 35% of the book.
April 16, 2023
Sorry it's a bit dull.
I like the idea, the world is fine. But I disliked the lead character. And I grew bored with a shallow story. The progression of his gifts could have been explained a lot better.
I like the idea, the world is fine. But I disliked the lead character. And I grew bored with a shallow story. The progression of his gifts could have been explained a lot better.
June 13, 2023
It is like "Mother of Learning", but bad.
May 1, 2023
Rating 4.0 stars
This one is very similar to The mother of Learning series. Guy is braving monsters to get a chance at a better life. He is going up the mountain to be awakened and get magic. The first attempt didn't work and he was full of despair until a ritualist gives him a second chance but there is more risk this time. Some shady things happen but he ends up alive and with magic. He makes it back down the mountain and gets on the train home only for the train to be attacked by pirates and blown up. He ends up back at the top of the mountain in a groundhog day moment. He uses his knowledge to change a few things this time and he is able to keep the train from exploding this time. He gets back to the city and ends up joining the magic academy. Overall I liked the book. The magic system and world building were good. I didn't like the MCs decision making process through the first 1/3 of the book but he did get better. Overall a solid 4 stars.
This one is very similar to The mother of Learning series. Guy is braving monsters to get a chance at a better life. He is going up the mountain to be awakened and get magic. The first attempt didn't work and he was full of despair until a ritualist gives him a second chance but there is more risk this time. Some shady things happen but he ends up alive and with magic. He makes it back down the mountain and gets on the train home only for the train to be attacked by pirates and blown up. He ends up back at the top of the mountain in a groundhog day moment. He uses his knowledge to change a few things this time and he is able to keep the train from exploding this time. He gets back to the city and ends up joining the magic academy. Overall I liked the book. The magic system and world building were good. I didn't like the MCs decision making process through the first 1/3 of the book but he did get better. Overall a solid 4 stars.
March 5, 2023
Childish and unrealistic
Childish, naive dialogue and actions. Very poorly edited. Very unlikable MC. Very boring first half of the book. Nothing that hasn't been done in a lot of different books.
Childish, naive dialogue and actions. Very poorly edited. Very unlikable MC. Very boring first half of the book. Nothing that hasn't been done in a lot of different books.
did-not-finish
February 28, 2023Dnf at 28%
Still don’t really know what it’s about but I’m trying to procrastinate and this isn’t holding my interest, so I should probably just get back to work.
Still don’t really know what it’s about but I’m trying to procrastinate and this isn’t holding my interest, so I should probably just get back to work.
March 13, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author.
Hugo heads up Shimmer Mountain to get marked and have his magical abilities opened up. He's with a group of other people hoping for the same. When he finally gets there after a long hike, things don't go to plan. He's about to head back down the mountain and figure something else out when a ritualist comes along and says he has another option.
That's the setup for the book. There is a bit of time travel but not as much as I thought when I read some other reviews. The book is at its best when it goes into the politics and high level maneuvering of the nobles, merchants and others. When it's focused on academy life and nothing else, the story slows down and becomes less interesting.
On top of all that is a mystery, which is key to the entire story. Why does Hugo have to keep going back in time over and over again? Who's behind the attacks that are killing him? Along the way Hugo meets a number of different groups, from the Fox gang that lives in the same area his mother calls home, merchants, other students, nobles, the Sentinels, the hedge mages and much more.
At first I thought I could figure out the mystery, but I don't think that's possible (it wasn't for me at least). And once it's known who's responsible that doesn't answer the question of why they're doing what they're doing. There are plenty of ideas but that's all.
The editing is okay. I counted plenty of errors but I stuck with the story anyway. The stats are limited and skills are even more limited. As Hugo goes through the same time period a second and then a third time, we get to see different aspects of the various characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It's not a perfect book, but it's good enough to keep me awake on a work night. I hope book two tightens the story up somewhat and empowers Hugo more than he is currently.
5/5*
Hugo heads up Shimmer Mountain to get marked and have his magical abilities opened up. He's with a group of other people hoping for the same. When he finally gets there after a long hike, things don't go to plan. He's about to head back down the mountain and figure something else out when a ritualist comes along and says he has another option.
That's the setup for the book. There is a bit of time travel but not as much as I thought when I read some other reviews. The book is at its best when it goes into the politics and high level maneuvering of the nobles, merchants and others. When it's focused on academy life and nothing else, the story slows down and becomes less interesting.
On top of all that is a mystery, which is key to the entire story. Why does Hugo have to keep going back in time over and over again? Who's behind the attacks that are killing him? Along the way Hugo meets a number of different groups, from the Fox gang that lives in the same area his mother calls home, merchants, other students, nobles, the Sentinels, the hedge mages and much more.
At first I thought I could figure out the mystery, but I don't think that's possible (it wasn't for me at least). And once it's known who's responsible that doesn't answer the question of why they're doing what they're doing. There are plenty of ideas but that's all.
The editing is okay. I counted plenty of errors but I stuck with the story anyway. The stats are limited and skills are even more limited. As Hugo goes through the same time period a second and then a third time, we get to see different aspects of the various characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It's not a perfect book, but it's good enough to keep me awake on a work night. I hope book two tightens the story up somewhat and empowers Hugo more than he is currently.
5/5*
February 27, 2023
The book wasn’t very good!
The main character was to naive and not well thought out and was to wimpy! And there were to many boring parts!!!
The main character was to naive and not well thought out and was to wimpy! And there were to many boring parts!!!
November 13, 2025
This is a time-looping LitRPG with a light SF gloss. As is fairly typical of the genre, the protagonist is poor and hoping that awakening his power will allow him to enter the local magic school and pull him out of poverty.
The school scenes are more prominent early in the book, but this book doesn't have a lot of the school-based anxiety that is so common in other school fantasies. Here, the primary plotlines are more intrigue based. And there seems to be a solid background plotline that drives most of the smaller, local plotlines.
The character work is quite good. The protagonist is fairly believable as a 17-y.o. from a plebian background. The result is that he is at times not the most sympathetic of characters. He has a core of good will, but he is often impulsive and occasionally vindictive, which makes him more believable for me. The supporting characters are also relatively deep and often surprising, both the students and the teachers. Their personalities are memorable and often surprising, and the interactions between the protagonist and the supporting characters are handled well.
There is perhaps a bit more character-sheet recitation than I would prefer (a bigger problem in audio than in print), but the magic system as originally presented is well crafted and interesting. And the way that the reader's understanding of the magic system changes through the book increases my interest.
There is some world description, but that is definitely not a focus of the book. The world is largely just a background for the action, though there are hints that this will change in later volumes.
All of which probably sounds like a recipe for a 5-star read. There isn't anything seriously wrong with the book, but for me it lacks the spark that would push it up to a true favorite for me. That said, this book is definitely recommended, and I'm starting book two of the series immediately.
The school scenes are more prominent early in the book, but this book doesn't have a lot of the school-based anxiety that is so common in other school fantasies. Here, the primary plotlines are more intrigue based. And there seems to be a solid background plotline that drives most of the smaller, local plotlines.
The character work is quite good. The protagonist is fairly believable as a 17-y.o. from a plebian background. The result is that he is at times not the most sympathetic of characters. He has a core of good will, but he is often impulsive and occasionally vindictive, which makes him more believable for me. The supporting characters are also relatively deep and often surprising, both the students and the teachers. Their personalities are memorable and often surprising, and the interactions between the protagonist and the supporting characters are handled well.
There is perhaps a bit more character-sheet recitation than I would prefer (a bigger problem in audio than in print), but the magic system as originally presented is well crafted and interesting. And the way that the reader's understanding of the magic system changes through the book increases my interest.
There is some world description, but that is definitely not a focus of the book. The world is largely just a background for the action, though there are hints that this will change in later volumes.
All of which probably sounds like a recipe for a 5-star read. There isn't anything seriously wrong with the book, but for me it lacks the spark that would push it up to a true favorite for me. That said, this book is definitely recommended, and I'm starting book two of the series immediately.
August 13, 2025
Really good time loop series with an interesting magic system. All backed up by a great plot woven by said magic system.
February 9, 2023
First half
Ok book but the middle to the end was not very good I started to skip pages to the point I lost the story
Ok book but the middle to the end was not very good I started to skip pages to the point I lost the story
March 22, 2023
reworking of mother of learning
This book was obviously based on the Mother of Learning series. There are a couple of interesting ideas about the system. Editing is ok, a few problems with the status screens. The main problem is that the MC is an idiot and only gradually seems to make occasional better decisions. Not as well done as MoL Arc. On the fence about reading anymore.
This book was obviously based on the Mother of Learning series. There are a couple of interesting ideas about the system. Editing is ok, a few problems with the status screens. The main problem is that the MC is an idiot and only gradually seems to make occasional better decisions. Not as well done as MoL Arc. On the fence about reading anymore.
February 9, 2023
KU Review
Super fun timeloop litrpg. Really likable main character and solid development. Definitely a twist in the genre that makes it even more interesting.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Super fun timeloop litrpg. Really likable main character and solid development. Definitely a twist in the genre that makes it even more interesting.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
March 16, 2024
Great ideas very poor dialog
The content and ideas are pretty good but the dialog is stilted and plays out like a bad anime. The women and the main characters attitude towards them are fairly flawed as well. This would be fine if it was a character trait but its written as though its witty and its unfortunately just not.
The content and ideas are pretty good but the dialog is stilted and plays out like a bad anime. The women and the main characters attitude towards them are fairly flawed as well. This would be fine if it was a character trait but its written as though its witty and its unfortunately just not.
July 14, 2025
I like many of the ideas in the novel but I’m finding myself disliking this more and more.
——————
The protagonist appears to be a flawed but mature at first. However, it becomes clear that he doesn’t have enough character depth and his motivations are near nonexistent.
It doesn’t help that he's "forced" to be a doormat. He frequently puts up with deep injustice, betrayal, and even literal torture, and… well he has repertoire of responses by now. Apologizing for provoking the attack, thanking his attacker, resolving to be a better friend to the person who destroyed his life, deciding to be a better worker (criminal) for the crime boss that semi-mind controls him into deadly situations, etc.
This reminds me of the very beginning of this novel when I felt that MC was an enormous asshole. He halfheartedly remembers to thank his friend (and ex girlfriend) who saved him from a lifetime of poverty. Then he sees her hugging a guy who "stole" MC's almost-job. He treats her like shit, stops her attempts to explain her circumstances, and actively sabotages her. MC doesn’t even think about her (or the huge depth he owes her that he can now easily pay) until he stumbles across her dead body. If he didn’t lack so much in the depth and motivations department I’d see him as a poorly constructed inconsistent mess.
-Dropped 'Second Prestige Chapter 14: Running His Mouth'
PS. Every significant character is a pointlessly antagonistic snob, an aggressive member of a gang, or a decent person eventual revealed to be a disguised scumbag. It’s exhausting to read, especially with the MC coming from the poorest and least educated social class. The second arc compounded on this issue in several ways. Even if there was no other flaw in this novel I wouldn't have picked up the sequel due to this.
——————
The protagonist appears to be a flawed but mature at first. However, it becomes clear that he doesn’t have enough character depth and his motivations are near nonexistent.
It doesn’t help that he's "forced" to be a doormat. He frequently puts up with deep injustice, betrayal, and even literal torture, and… well he has repertoire of responses by now. Apologizing for provoking the attack, thanking his attacker, resolving to be a better friend to the person who destroyed his life, deciding to be a better worker (criminal) for the crime boss that semi-mind controls him into deadly situations, etc.
This reminds me of the very beginning of this novel when I felt that MC was an enormous asshole. He halfheartedly remembers to thank his friend (and ex girlfriend) who saved him from a lifetime of poverty. Then he sees her hugging a guy who "stole" MC's almost-job. He treats her like shit, stops her attempts to explain her circumstances, and actively sabotages her. MC doesn’t even think about her (or the huge depth he owes her that he can now easily pay) until he stumbles across her dead body. If he didn’t lack so much in the depth and motivations department I’d see him as a poorly constructed inconsistent mess.
-Dropped 'Second Prestige Chapter 14: Running His Mouth'
PS. Every significant character is a pointlessly antagonistic snob, an aggressive member of a gang, or a decent person eventual revealed to be a disguised scumbag. It’s exhausting to read, especially with the MC coming from the poorest and least educated social class. The second arc compounded on this issue in several ways. Even if there was no other flaw in this novel I wouldn't have picked up the sequel due to this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
Disclaimer:
Due to the nature of Goodreads’ aggregate review system, I only leave 5-star reviews. Please note that a 5-star rating does not mean the book is perfect; it simply means I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. I will try to specify in my review the type of reader who might enjoy the book.
Negative reviews are not something I typically write.
I primarily listen to audiobooks, so I’m not concerned with punctuation or minor editing errors. However, I may comment on the quality of the narration.
Review
This was a very enjoyable listen. This may verge into very minor spoiler territory, so here’s the TL;DR:
Interesting magic, solid character growth, and a unique take on the typical LITRPG time loop pattern. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s an easy recommendation.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
The time loop mechanics covered a much larger timeframe than I initially expected, typically resetting after a full year of progress. It also introduced elements that force the MC to follow a different path in practically every loop. This allows us to see the MC’s growth in both knowledge and skill, without relying on him experiencing the exact same situation over and over again. I found it to be quite refreshing.
The narrator was unfamiliar to me but did a solid, competent job.
Due to the nature of Goodreads’ aggregate review system, I only leave 5-star reviews. Please note that a 5-star rating does not mean the book is perfect; it simply means I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. I will try to specify in my review the type of reader who might enjoy the book.
Negative reviews are not something I typically write.
I primarily listen to audiobooks, so I’m not concerned with punctuation or minor editing errors. However, I may comment on the quality of the narration.
Review
This was a very enjoyable listen. This may verge into very minor spoiler territory, so here’s the TL;DR:
Interesting magic, solid character growth, and a unique take on the typical LITRPG time loop pattern. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s an easy recommendation.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
The time loop mechanics covered a much larger timeframe than I initially expected, typically resetting after a full year of progress. It also introduced elements that force the MC to follow a different path in practically every loop. This allows us to see the MC’s growth in both knowledge and skill, without relying on him experiencing the exact same situation over and over again. I found it to be quite refreshing.
The narrator was unfamiliar to me but did a solid, competent job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
I was close to dropping the book after a few chapters — writing was average, not properly edited, not-so-likeable main character and a few deaths (was afraid the book would turn overly dark). However, it had been more than a month since I last read progression fantasy and even the small power up at the start got me hooked. And it helped that the time-loop had a nice twist.
Around the 10% mark, I got a better feeling for the world and could look past the writing to enjoy the plot. I might have still dropped the book, but I was interested to see at least the next time-loop. I kept reading and then I found myself staying up late to finish this rather long book (I did skim a few sections on the next loop though).
I liked the magic system and I feel academy settings always enhance the learning/discovery process. Along with better power progression due to time-loops, the main character also became a bit more likeable (particularly in terms of getting help instead of trying to do it all by himself and rejecting dangerous powerful paths). Some of the side characters were interesting, but their impact was muted due to Hugo getting most of the attention.
I'm still hesitant to recommend the book, but overall I did enjoy it and would likely give the sequel a shot.
Around the 10% mark, I got a better feeling for the world and could look past the writing to enjoy the plot. I might have still dropped the book, but I was interested to see at least the next time-loop. I kept reading and then I found myself staying up late to finish this rather long book (I did skim a few sections on the next loop though).
I liked the magic system and I feel academy settings always enhance the learning/discovery process. Along with better power progression due to time-loops, the main character also became a bit more likeable (particularly in terms of getting help instead of trying to do it all by himself and rejecting dangerous powerful paths). Some of the side characters were interesting, but their impact was muted due to Hugo getting most of the attention.
I'm still hesitant to recommend the book, but overall I did enjoy it and would likely give the sequel a shot.
July 26, 2023
MC is unlikeable
I really like the world building in this book and the magic system. I just don't like the mc. He is just so mediocre in personality. He gets walked over by everyone around him and just accepts it and doesn't even try to stand up for himself or fight back. He keeps telling himself that diplomacy is the best thing because he wants to get a job with nobles after he gets out of the college. He's going back in time twice and he's worried about Noble kids and how they feel about him so he changes his personality to meet with them and be with them. It's weird. Also he has a friend that got him expelled and he comes back after time travel and is just cool with him? Then his second time around he's just telling everybody that he time traveled and basically even all his secrets away under the guise of trying to save the whole city from an explosion but the way that he goes about it is just really lame and anticlimactic. I don't really like the body hopping thing and it doesn't make sense because it didn't happen to the other person who could time travel... And the last body hop in the last sentence is even lamer. He doesn't really have an inner monologue that lets you like him.
I really like the world building in this book and the magic system. I just don't like the mc. He is just so mediocre in personality. He gets walked over by everyone around him and just accepts it and doesn't even try to stand up for himself or fight back. He keeps telling himself that diplomacy is the best thing because he wants to get a job with nobles after he gets out of the college. He's going back in time twice and he's worried about Noble kids and how they feel about him so he changes his personality to meet with them and be with them. It's weird. Also he has a friend that got him expelled and he comes back after time travel and is just cool with him? Then his second time around he's just telling everybody that he time traveled and basically even all his secrets away under the guise of trying to save the whole city from an explosion but the way that he goes about it is just really lame and anticlimactic. I don't really like the body hopping thing and it doesn't make sense because it didn't happen to the other person who could time travel... And the last body hop in the last sentence is even lamer. He doesn't really have an inner monologue that lets you like him.
May 10, 2023
4.5 Stars
I'm a sucker for reversionist stories, and this is one of the better ones. While the stakes don't seem all that high, the world-building is unique... think sci-fi aliens with cultivation and progression magics. It also depicts cultural conflict realistically, with both race and economic divides causing tension.
For me, the highlight was the magic system. It's complicated but logical, with practical limits and no obvious choices. This is one of the few occasions where I enjoyed an academy setting. The protagonist, Hugo, was allowed almost complete agency despite being a mere student. It's such a nice change from the usual authoritarian schoolmasters.
I'm diving straight into book two.
I'm a sucker for reversionist stories, and this is one of the better ones. While the stakes don't seem all that high, the world-building is unique... think sci-fi aliens with cultivation and progression magics. It also depicts cultural conflict realistically, with both race and economic divides causing tension.
For me, the highlight was the magic system. It's complicated but logical, with practical limits and no obvious choices. This is one of the few occasions where I enjoyed an academy setting. The protagonist, Hugo, was allowed almost complete agency despite being a mere student. It's such a nice change from the usual authoritarian schoolmasters.
I'm diving straight into book two.
June 23, 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]
This series is similar to Mother of Learning, as others have pointed out. Overall, it is a really interesting series with great worldbuilding, realistic characters, and great progression.
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]
This series is similar to Mother of Learning, as others have pointed out. Overall, it is a really interesting series with great worldbuilding, realistic characters, and great progression.
January 22, 2024
Magical Groundhog Day Gone Wrong
Parents- PG13- middle school and up
Language- PG13 - some bad language but no f-bombs
Violence- PG13- normal for the genre, there is one scene with exploding bug gore but it is not bad
Sexual Content- references and kissing but this book is kept clean
A ritual gone wrong causes him to return after he dies as a different person. He's trying to learn magic and prevent destruction and disaster along the way. My 18-year-old son, who is into all things fantasy, really enjoyed this one. I would say not to judge this one by the cover art and to give it a try, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Narrator- Has a great British accent and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG13- middle school and up
Language- PG13 - some bad language but no f-bombs
Violence- PG13- normal for the genre, there is one scene with exploding bug gore but it is not bad
Sexual Content- references and kissing but this book is kept clean
A ritual gone wrong causes him to return after he dies as a different person. He's trying to learn magic and prevent destruction and disaster along the way. My 18-year-old son, who is into all things fantasy, really enjoyed this one. I would say not to judge this one by the cover art and to give it a try, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Narrator- Has a great British accent and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 1, 2024
pantless pantsing
An interesting idea for a system, but it suffers from a lack of narrative structure. Things happen in a straight line, with little to no foreshadowing, specially noticeable when it some thing that *should* have been mentioned previously. Like it’s all being built in the moment without regard to if the pieces actually fit.
The MC also doesn’t have a solid grounding. Poor/not poor, smart/not smart…he is whatever best suits the narrative of the moment.
It’s not *terribly* written. Some odd word choices, but most of the prose is readable. It simply doesn’t have solid foundations.
DNF 67%
An interesting idea for a system, but it suffers from a lack of narrative structure. Things happen in a straight line, with little to no foreshadowing, specially noticeable when it some thing that *should* have been mentioned previously. Like it’s all being built in the moment without regard to if the pieces actually fit.
The MC also doesn’t have a solid grounding. Poor/not poor, smart/not smart…he is whatever best suits the narrative of the moment.
It’s not *terribly* written. Some odd word choices, but most of the prose is readable. It simply doesn’t have solid foundations.
DNF 67%
January 26, 2024
Finally a time-travel loop that is enjoyable (writing the review after reading all 3 books). The first book is a little slow to start with but builds momentum around the 60% mark. Our protagonist is a little daft to begin with but we see a true coming of age arc as he discovers new avenues for magic and uncovers the mystery behind his power and the events in the book.
Don't want to write more as it might reveal stuff from later books or might ruin the overall arc. Definitely recommend picking the series up and finishing all 3 over a long weekend
Don't want to write more as it might reveal stuff from later books or might ruin the overall arc. Definitely recommend picking the series up and finishing all 3 over a long weekend
July 13, 2024
Very interesting World
Very interesting world. The book itself And the story Do have stats but it is not super crunchy. Local system and it's dynamics are unique as well as of course our MCs Little problem. Hugo After he gets the ability to cast magic it's also connected him to something that brings Back in Back in timetime to the same point.. Groundhog day Magic style. Still the story was slow at points but engaging overall. Certainly Worth reading the second book in my opinion.
Very interesting world. The book itself And the story Do have stats but it is not super crunchy. Local system and it's dynamics are unique as well as of course our MCs Little problem. Hugo After he gets the ability to cast magic it's also connected him to something that brings Back in Back in timetime to the same point.. Groundhog day Magic style. Still the story was slow at points but engaging overall. Certainly Worth reading the second book in my opinion.
February 13, 2023
I'm not usually a fan of anything time-travel related so I was a bit hesitant to start this when I noticed the blurb mentioned a time-loop. I needn't have worried, this is not your classic time loop. I really enjoyed the world building in this and the characters. I also liked that the MC isn't afraid of hard work and is helpful towards others without being a complete pushover. I can't wait for book two after that cliff-hanger ending.
April 4, 2023
A good time travel book with magic.
I'm looking forward to book two.
It's hard to do a review on a book like this, because there are several items that are central to the book. But if discussed?
They are spoilers.
It has an very interesting world with a complex back history that seems consistent with what we know of human nature. The mistakes that he makes are what you would expect a young man to do. Even if they leave you sitting there thinking why would he do that???!!!
I'm looking forward to book two.
It's hard to do a review on a book like this, because there are several items that are central to the book. But if discussed?
They are spoilers.
It has an very interesting world with a complex back history that seems consistent with what we know of human nature. The mistakes that he makes are what you would expect a young man to do. Even if they leave you sitting there thinking why would he do that???!!!
May 20, 2025
When I started this book, it seemed a little slow to me. It then got better. There was a mid-book change which I thought I wouldn't like; however, that was not the case. I gave this book a five-star rating because it ultimately was a book I didn't want to stop reading even though I had to for one reason or another. I am now about 60% through the second book in the series and still don't want to stop reading.
February 14, 2023
wonderful book
The author uses a unique combination of iseki, litrpg and time travel to tell a very entertaining story. The MC matures thru the process but like most of todays MC he lacks even the tiniest shreds of confidence. This small matter doesn’t deter from the entertaining read.
The author uses a unique combination of iseki, litrpg and time travel to tell a very entertaining story. The MC matures thru the process but like most of todays MC he lacks even the tiniest shreds of confidence. This small matter doesn’t deter from the entertaining read.
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