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The Secrets of Giantskarl Mountain #1
The Runesmith's Trials
This is it, the day I take over my father’s adventuring shop!
Set at the base of Gianskarl mountain, where lies a vast and mysterious dungeon, this is the perfect spot, as many adventurers come to try their hand at the Karl in the hopes of hitting it big. And it’s up to me now to sell them the equipment they’ll need to face the dangers that await them.
But where my father was content selling trinkets for a pittance, I want to turn this modest shop into the industry leader. Heck, I want to make a fortune out of it so I can help grow my poor village, Karlton, into a thriving city and accomplish my dream of building New Valley.
To help me in this endeavor, I can count on my skills as a Level 1 Runesmith. My plan is simple enough: inscribe the items I sell with various enchantments, to improve their stats and command higher prices. There’s just one tiny little problem. See, my shelves are pretty much empty. I have no inventory and I also miss the scrive I would need to create the runes in the first place. To add insult to injury, that scrive ought to be fashioned from a magical beast’s body parts; the more magical, the better. And I just happen to know exactly where to get such a rare find. In the boneyard of Giants, resting within the dungeon.
Yep, seems like the only way for me to kick start my new venture is to delve into that death trap, in search of items to sell and the magical bone for my scrive. But there’s a reason no one from our village dares to enter the foreboding place. As I’ll soon find out, the Karl is home to all manner of strange creatures and spirits that will not hesitate one second to turn you into their next lunch. One thing is certain, I will need all the skills I learned as an apprentice Runesmith to succeed in my mission and come back alive.
But hey, who said the life of a shopkeeper was a peaceful and uneventful one?
Set at the base of Gianskarl mountain, where lies a vast and mysterious dungeon, this is the perfect spot, as many adventurers come to try their hand at the Karl in the hopes of hitting it big. And it’s up to me now to sell them the equipment they’ll need to face the dangers that await them.
But where my father was content selling trinkets for a pittance, I want to turn this modest shop into the industry leader. Heck, I want to make a fortune out of it so I can help grow my poor village, Karlton, into a thriving city and accomplish my dream of building New Valley.
To help me in this endeavor, I can count on my skills as a Level 1 Runesmith. My plan is simple enough: inscribe the items I sell with various enchantments, to improve their stats and command higher prices. There’s just one tiny little problem. See, my shelves are pretty much empty. I have no inventory and I also miss the scrive I would need to create the runes in the first place. To add insult to injury, that scrive ought to be fashioned from a magical beast’s body parts; the more magical, the better. And I just happen to know exactly where to get such a rare find. In the boneyard of Giants, resting within the dungeon.
Yep, seems like the only way for me to kick start my new venture is to delve into that death trap, in search of items to sell and the magical bone for my scrive. But there’s a reason no one from our village dares to enter the foreboding place. As I’ll soon find out, the Karl is home to all manner of strange creatures and spirits that will not hesitate one second to turn you into their next lunch. One thing is certain, I will need all the skills I learned as an apprentice Runesmith to succeed in my mission and come back alive.
But hey, who said the life of a shopkeeper was a peaceful and uneventful one?
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
744 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 19, 2023
A waste of good cover art
They let another aroused basement person write a book. That’s exact how this book comes off. I don’t mind sex or cussing but having it just because without context that make sense is annoying. Why would a dragon stoop to that level. Beautiful cover I thought we might get a interesting magic system and was whole heartedly disappointed. Basic system with even more basic characters. If your looking for the equivalent of a dumb jock personified by a book this is for you.
They let another aroused basement person write a book. That’s exact how this book comes off. I don’t mind sex or cussing but having it just because without context that make sense is annoying. Why would a dragon stoop to that level. Beautiful cover I thought we might get a interesting magic system and was whole heartedly disappointed. Basic system with even more basic characters. If your looking for the equivalent of a dumb jock personified by a book this is for you.
February 21, 2023
Reads like a YA
The protagonist's goal is to build his poor town into a city that hosts the dungeon. I'd say it was a lofty goal, but he and his father are pretty well off so there's not really a need to build up the town The townspeople don't seem to be lacking anything that the author has shown in the writing. It reads like a ya because the amount of wish fulfillment in a naked dragon lady who just wants to have sex with the MC is so sooo cringey. Every sexual interaction with them is just so badly written and embarrassing. Maybe it's because she is the only female voice with more than two lines and she is just there to be attracted to MC or mad at mc. I was really intrigued by the runes and that's why I held on till the end despite the cartoonish interactions and motivations, but there wasn't alot of innovative ideas that received depth of attention. MC mostly fixed runes and begged for some from others vs innovate or learn on his own. Just not really anything special here.
The protagonist's goal is to build his poor town into a city that hosts the dungeon. I'd say it was a lofty goal, but he and his father are pretty well off so there's not really a need to build up the town The townspeople don't seem to be lacking anything that the author has shown in the writing. It reads like a ya because the amount of wish fulfillment in a naked dragon lady who just wants to have sex with the MC is so sooo cringey. Every sexual interaction with them is just so badly written and embarrassing. Maybe it's because she is the only female voice with more than two lines and she is just there to be attracted to MC or mad at mc. I was really intrigued by the runes and that's why I held on till the end despite the cartoonish interactions and motivations, but there wasn't alot of innovative ideas that received depth of attention. MC mostly fixed runes and begged for some from others vs innovate or learn on his own. Just not really anything special here.
February 27, 2023
Dragon lover, didn’t finish
Spoiler:
The whole dragon turning into a beautiful lady and throwing herself at the MC gaining himself a. Supremely powerful lover/ally all because he didn’t treat her poorly tanked the story for me.
Spoiler:
The whole dragon turning into a beautiful lady and throwing herself at the MC gaining himself a. Supremely powerful lover/ally all because he didn’t treat her poorly tanked the story for me.
April 14, 2023
story could have been great
The story had potential. Nothing new or ground breaking but the early writing was pretty good. Very few litrpg books do dialogue well. So that was entertaining. However the author really wanted to push the economics of the story, so much so the early book really is a merchant story first litrpg second.
The writing was actually pretty pleasant however it felt more like a young adult novel. Don’t think it is, the author makes it very clear he wants to write an adult novel.
What is boring is the runesmithing. The title of this book really doesn’t matter till the middle and even then it’s slow. The economy parts could be stronger but for me the author blew it when he said an old mule was worth 50 gold. While a cart was 20? Obviously a city writer.
The other cringe worthy part is the easy dragon who somehow falls in love with the protagonist. The author does make it clear that the dragon has slept with everything under the mountain that can be slept with. It’s mainly at these junctures that the story kind of goes blah. It might be the reason he added in the adult stuff to make bearable.
The story had potential. Nothing new or ground breaking but the early writing was pretty good. Very few litrpg books do dialogue well. So that was entertaining. However the author really wanted to push the economics of the story, so much so the early book really is a merchant story first litrpg second.
The writing was actually pretty pleasant however it felt more like a young adult novel. Don’t think it is, the author makes it very clear he wants to write an adult novel.
What is boring is the runesmithing. The title of this book really doesn’t matter till the middle and even then it’s slow. The economy parts could be stronger but for me the author blew it when he said an old mule was worth 50 gold. While a cart was 20? Obviously a city writer.
The other cringe worthy part is the easy dragon who somehow falls in love with the protagonist. The author does make it clear that the dragon has slept with everything under the mountain that can be slept with. It’s mainly at these junctures that the story kind of goes blah. It might be the reason he added in the adult stuff to make bearable.
March 16, 2023
Simplistic entertainment
Rather simplistic with shallow characters but still an enjoyable storyline. Doubt I would read a 2nd book, but I have read far worse litrpg.
Rather simplistic with shallow characters but still an enjoyable storyline. Doubt I would read a 2nd book, but I have read far worse litrpg.
March 30, 2023
Overall okay
I liked the magic, the shop keeping, but not the random sex with the dragon/women(?) on page 148 which is where I stopped reading.
I liked the magic, the shop keeping, but not the random sex with the dragon/women(?) on page 148 which is where I stopped reading.
October 8, 2023
Trashy.
Take an interesting story and good writing, then add a bunch of trash. To the author, tone it down. Couldn't even finish the story.
Take an interesting story and good writing, then add a bunch of trash. To the author, tone it down. Couldn't even finish the story.
April 13, 2023
Don't let the Dragon Lover bad part fool you....The whole thing is bad
Perhaps this is the author's first attempt at writing and as far as that goes. It's not bad. It's a decent story line but ....highly illogical. First the characters are a bit shallow but the main problem is the ease in which the MC does everything.
The MC easily after one trip makes enough gold to invest in his store, finds a provider of weapons, resells them and goes to look for runes that he easily finds. He thinks he might get robbed, a solution shows up. He wants to save a dragon, he easily finds a way to do that. He wants to level up, it takes like 2 enemies per level. The main character has no struggle.
Now the level system. There doesn't seem to be a point to leveling beyond skills that you gain more knowledge in. It seems like a level 5 could put it all in swordmaster and go from rank F to rank A easily. Then the all powerful enemy in the book is equal to a level 9 divine priest and the super powerful dragoness who has lived for so long that history about her is forgotten can't beat a level 9? The MC gets to level 5 after like..10 battles.
Then there is the runes. Apparently super easy to find since he reads the Giant's language but this Dungeon has been there for thousands and thousands of years, and him a random peasant boy in the village learnt from his mentor in the village to read it. In those thousands of years, he is the only one to read the runes and start selling them near there?
If there is that popular of a dungeon the town near it should be huge and everyone should know of it and it's runes by that point. The runes he sells are literally right at the start of the dungeon before even the danger. It makes no logical sense how all the runes he learns aren't known by everyone..
I can take he saves the imprisoned dragoness and she becomes his lover. Fine. Need that YA bro saves girl and gets sex stuff. I just skipped most those scenes but the rest, how easily he finds runes, wins battles, how easy his battles are and how fast he levels up with there being no seeming point to levels, along with how easy it is to make gold. It all just seemed impossible.
Literally all he had to do was learn one rune. Take a sword he bought for 50g and sell it for 150g. Making 100g profit on each sword and apparently 100g is a lot, I forget if it'sa month or year's wages but either way. That's all it takes. He could stop there and be rich with ease. That means anyone could learn that and be rich
He also harps on others hording their knowledge of runes but at the same time isn't going around sharing his runes or taking apprentices. So he's also a hypocrite.
Overall while the story of a dungeon and a boy learning forgotten runes in it is interesting. The mechanics, lack of struggle and logic of the history and culture of the book tend to ruin that storyline.
Perhaps this is the author's first attempt at writing and as far as that goes. It's not bad. It's a decent story line but ....highly illogical. First the characters are a bit shallow but the main problem is the ease in which the MC does everything.
The MC easily after one trip makes enough gold to invest in his store, finds a provider of weapons, resells them and goes to look for runes that he easily finds. He thinks he might get robbed, a solution shows up. He wants to save a dragon, he easily finds a way to do that. He wants to level up, it takes like 2 enemies per level. The main character has no struggle.
Now the level system. There doesn't seem to be a point to leveling beyond skills that you gain more knowledge in. It seems like a level 5 could put it all in swordmaster and go from rank F to rank A easily. Then the all powerful enemy in the book is equal to a level 9 divine priest and the super powerful dragoness who has lived for so long that history about her is forgotten can't beat a level 9? The MC gets to level 5 after like..10 battles.
Then there is the runes. Apparently super easy to find since he reads the Giant's language but this Dungeon has been there for thousands and thousands of years, and him a random peasant boy in the village learnt from his mentor in the village to read it. In those thousands of years, he is the only one to read the runes and start selling them near there?
If there is that popular of a dungeon the town near it should be huge and everyone should know of it and it's runes by that point. The runes he sells are literally right at the start of the dungeon before even the danger. It makes no logical sense how all the runes he learns aren't known by everyone..
I can take he saves the imprisoned dragoness and she becomes his lover. Fine. Need that YA bro saves girl and gets sex stuff. I just skipped most those scenes but the rest, how easily he finds runes, wins battles, how easy his battles are and how fast he levels up with there being no seeming point to levels, along with how easy it is to make gold. It all just seemed impossible.
Literally all he had to do was learn one rune. Take a sword he bought for 50g and sell it for 150g. Making 100g profit on each sword and apparently 100g is a lot, I forget if it'sa month or year's wages but either way. That's all it takes. He could stop there and be rich with ease. That means anyone could learn that and be rich
He also harps on others hording their knowledge of runes but at the same time isn't going around sharing his runes or taking apprentices. So he's also a hypocrite.
Overall while the story of a dungeon and a boy learning forgotten runes in it is interesting. The mechanics, lack of struggle and logic of the history and culture of the book tend to ruin that storyline.
March 13, 2023
I liked this one. It had lots of the checkboxes for a great story. Building, Dragons, Exploration, creating (an offshoot of building I guess), and so much more. I've always enjoyed the stories where characters build settlements, and where they have runes, and try to figure out how they work, and how to combine them to make better things, building from scratch. You can't beat that. This story had all of that, and the characters weren't overpowered, which makes for interesting predicaments as well. I especially like the way the main character finally got rid of his biggest enemy, quite the solution there, and amusing to boot.
If you're looking for a good LitRPG story that tips the scales at good story telling, building, (did I mention it has some building), adn of course dragons, (who doesn't love dragons?), then this book is what you're looking for. Go ahead and add it to your to read shelf, you can thank me later.
If you're looking for a good LitRPG story that tips the scales at good story telling, building, (did I mention it has some building), adn of course dragons, (who doesn't love dragons?), then this book is what you're looking for. Go ahead and add it to your to read shelf, you can thank me later.
March 30, 2023
it was ok.
The more books I read, the more I feel like I know a really good book when I read it. I also know a bad book and an ‘ok’ one. What I often have a hard time with, is expressing exactly what it is about a book that puts it into one of those categories.
For this book, it was the overall tone of the book, which brought to mind the words “juvenile” and “adolescent” many times as I read through it.
I don’t know if this book was intended to be targeted at teens or young adults. But the main characters attitude, the overall tone of the story, and the PG-13 sex, all lead me to believe it was. I actually tried googling the author to see if I could find out if they WERE a teenager.
I might read the next one, but I doubt it will be any time soon. I’ll need to get through many more books in my to-read shelf first. Lol
The more books I read, the more I feel like I know a really good book when I read it. I also know a bad book and an ‘ok’ one. What I often have a hard time with, is expressing exactly what it is about a book that puts it into one of those categories.
For this book, it was the overall tone of the book, which brought to mind the words “juvenile” and “adolescent” many times as I read through it.
I don’t know if this book was intended to be targeted at teens or young adults. But the main characters attitude, the overall tone of the story, and the PG-13 sex, all lead me to believe it was. I actually tried googling the author to see if I could find out if they WERE a teenager.
I might read the next one, but I doubt it will be any time soon. I’ll need to get through many more books in my to-read shelf first. Lol
October 22, 2023
Has potential
Ok it's cute at times and has lots of potential but honestly it reads like a memoir rather than a real story. There are very few real interactions, just mental talk about this and that. How very boring most of the time. Very bad story telling as the active role of the characters doing more than a cameo appearance. It's like saying oh lets have a baking contest and you have to use key ingredients creatively not just throw them on say pumpkin pie and ginger bread men and it be like hamburger flavored cake shape and just having a slice of pie and a small gingerbread man just for show. A total failure. Honestly you are all over the place have to much going on its consolidated and has people as a decoration rather than really being part of the story as well as being rushed and has a quantity over quality written all over the place.
Ok it's cute at times and has lots of potential but honestly it reads like a memoir rather than a real story. There are very few real interactions, just mental talk about this and that. How very boring most of the time. Very bad story telling as the active role of the characters doing more than a cameo appearance. It's like saying oh lets have a baking contest and you have to use key ingredients creatively not just throw them on say pumpkin pie and ginger bread men and it be like hamburger flavored cake shape and just having a slice of pie and a small gingerbread man just for show. A total failure. Honestly you are all over the place have to much going on its consolidated and has people as a decoration rather than really being part of the story as well as being rushed and has a quantity over quality written all over the place.
July 2, 2023
To much naivety and dues ex manchina
The MC is A likable character, but he is an adult who acts like a selfish child in his decisions. Through most of the book I could not understand what motivated him to do the things he did or waned to do. At about 80% of the way through, he is arrested for a really poor decision, and I was hoping he would have to deal with the consequences of making poor decisions (most likely with his life.) My wish didn't happen, through plot armor, he able to bribe the lord to let him off and all it took was to promise to give the lord the most powerful amlet in the world once he obtained it. This is where I had to finally stop.
The MC is A likable character, but he is an adult who acts like a selfish child in his decisions. Through most of the book I could not understand what motivated him to do the things he did or waned to do. At about 80% of the way through, he is arrested for a really poor decision, and I was hoping he would have to deal with the consequences of making poor decisions (most likely with his life.) My wish didn't happen, through plot armor, he able to bribe the lord to let him off and all it took was to promise to give the lord the most powerful amlet in the world once he obtained it. This is where I had to finally stop.
June 10, 2024
Why do so many of these plots get bogged down with clichés? Town bully that the MC outsmarts even though we know that will either backfire later and the bully will become an enemy or wind up dying in a freak accident (and of course our MC will feel bad because he's not a monster *eyeroll*). Unique situations/quests that only the MC is smart enough to come across or magically survive where completion awards him with either more power, an instant love interest, or both (with the instant LI turning the book into a sex-fest instead of GameLit).
The story actually sounded really good. MC has a Runesmithing Skill that allows him to upgrade items and sell them so he can start to improve his general store and become a wealthy merchant. He travels to nearby towns and sets up some trade connections so he can get bulk orders discounted. He imbues the items with magic and sells for profit. He adventures into the local mountain for ingredients, items, spells, and runes so he can keep offering new things.
But he saves a dragon, who then has the ability to shift into a humanoid shape so she can reward the MC with lots of sex. Peace, it was nice knowing you, Runesmith - not continuing.
The story actually sounded really good. MC has a Runesmithing Skill that allows him to upgrade items and sell them so he can start to improve his general store and become a wealthy merchant. He travels to nearby towns and sets up some trade connections so he can get bulk orders discounted. He imbues the items with magic and sells for profit. He adventures into the local mountain for ingredients, items, spells, and runes so he can keep offering new things.
But he saves a dragon, who then has the ability to shift into a humanoid shape so she can reward the MC with lots of sex. Peace, it was nice knowing you, Runesmith - not continuing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
If you love the idea of runes this is the book for you
What a fun and exciting book. A totally different take on the dungeon world instead of fight after fight you actually have a wonderful story in between that helps you become more immersed into the characters. Warning: there is some semi graphic love scenes included, though easily skipped over, that may not be appropriate for younger adults. I totally would recommend this book to those that love the RPG genre, but get tired of the continually involved in life or death battles that some other books seem to love.
What a fun and exciting book. A totally different take on the dungeon world instead of fight after fight you actually have a wonderful story in between that helps you become more immersed into the characters. Warning: there is some semi graphic love scenes included, though easily skipped over, that may not be appropriate for younger adults. I totally would recommend this book to those that love the RPG genre, but get tired of the continually involved in life or death battles that some other books seem to love.
July 14, 2023
inconsistency with world and characters
A few details are missing and don’t add up at times. He talks about how he got to level two and that the next level is three times the experience. He got 100 XP and then leveled and then it’s theee times that for level two. The next sentence he says if I do ten jobs at 10 XP I’ll be halfway to level three. Also he is a little off with his dialogue and people have already mentioned the cringe scenes so yeah. It’s not bad very focused on trade like CivCEO and that’s cool just seemed to miss the mark a little bit.
A few details are missing and don’t add up at times. He talks about how he got to level two and that the next level is three times the experience. He got 100 XP and then leveled and then it’s theee times that for level two. The next sentence he says if I do ten jobs at 10 XP I’ll be halfway to level three. Also he is a little off with his dialogue and people have already mentioned the cringe scenes so yeah. It’s not bad very focused on trade like CivCEO and that’s cool just seemed to miss the mark a little bit.
December 9, 2023
While 'The Runesmith's Trials' lacks in aspects like world-building, character development, and the overall story, surprisingly, I never felt compelled to put it down. I even went on to read the second book. While it's not a favorite of mine, it managed to hold my interest during a time when I didn't have access to particularly engaging reads.
The experience might depend on your expectations at the time of reading; starting with lower expectations allowed me to find some enjoyment, but if you've recently read a very compelling book, you might not find the same satisfaction here.
The experience might depend on your expectations at the time of reading; starting with lower expectations allowed me to find some enjoyment, but if you've recently read a very compelling book, you might not find the same satisfaction here.
June 3, 2024
I couldn't get into it
The story had a decent voice, and the characters were well developed, the premise was interesting but I lost interest about a quarter of the way through.
The world didn't resonate, we have a time villiage at the mouth to the only dungeon in the world, that is super popular with adventurers willing to fork out tons of gold, yet it's tiny and poor. We have an expert runcrafter who had no idea how to craft anything, yet can make exquisite armor from untreated snakeskin with only runes...
Just needed more work on the world to draw me in.
The story had a decent voice, and the characters were well developed, the premise was interesting but I lost interest about a quarter of the way through.
The world didn't resonate, we have a time villiage at the mouth to the only dungeon in the world, that is super popular with adventurers willing to fork out tons of gold, yet it's tiny and poor. We have an expert runcrafter who had no idea how to craft anything, yet can make exquisite armor from untreated snakeskin with only runes...
Just needed more work on the world to draw me in.
July 3, 2025
Andrew, what happened? I devoured the civCEO series. I've spent more money on this author's work than any other. That being said, the first 2 chapters of this book were so bad, I had to DNF it. The super fast pace at which the main character unloaded the exposition and his hopes & dreams was jarring. This wasn't the magic that lured me into civCEO; I was expecting a peasant coming across something that allows them to runesmith, and discover the craft 1 rune at a time and put it all to practical use. Karevik knows how to write this stuff, he didn't do it this time.
February 24, 2023
Sorry couldn't finish
Ok if you like a weak MC that doesn't have the balls to do what needs to be done then this book is for you. Really is sad too because I liked the story line and the writing wasn't bad but the MC is just to weak minded and weak willed for me. Also seems like he would be alot harder if he had truly grown up around the things the book stated he did. Just didn't make sense for him to be such a panzy.
Ok if you like a weak MC that doesn't have the balls to do what needs to be done then this book is for you. Really is sad too because I liked the story line and the writing wasn't bad but the MC is just to weak minded and weak willed for me. Also seems like he would be alot harder if he had truly grown up around the things the book stated he did. Just didn't make sense for him to be such a panzy.
March 5, 2023
Very interesting litRPG
I wasn't sure initially but it's a really good book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series, I hope MC can level up quickly because he'll need it. With the last encounter being orchestrated by him and bringing all the parties together he should have gotten a whole bunch of xp, but I guess it didn't occur to the author.. kind of a wasted opportunity...
I wasn't sure initially but it's a really good book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series, I hope MC can level up quickly because he'll need it. With the last encounter being orchestrated by him and bringing all the parties together he should have gotten a whole bunch of xp, but I guess it didn't occur to the author.. kind of a wasted opportunity...
April 21, 2023
Artemis seeks to make his fortune an stop a war between two races
Artemis Landon a shop owners son takes over his fathers shop . He renames the shop Adventurer Awaits he delves into the local dungeon to make his fortune . Runesmith by second trade he tries to learn the dungeons secrets left by ancient giants builders of the dungeon . He befriends a female dragon by helping her escape from her confined prison . Excellent book recommend reading .
Artemis Landon a shop owners son takes over his fathers shop . He renames the shop Adventurer Awaits he delves into the local dungeon to make his fortune . Runesmith by second trade he tries to learn the dungeons secrets left by ancient giants builders of the dungeon . He befriends a female dragon by helping her escape from her confined prison . Excellent book recommend reading .
July 26, 2023
Runesmith has a small shop and big ambition. He wants to transform his sleepy town into a tourist attraction so he can sell more gear. Like all Karevik's books this again is focused on Town-buliding. If you don't like that sub-genre you have no business picking up Karevik. But to be quite honest this new series is just rehash of his latest series Humble Beginning (Village Manager). It's a rinse repeat p with Karevik. Still fun little book though.
October 3, 2023
One of the most conceited and self important MC I think I have read. He feels everyone should give him what he wants how he wants it. Mopes around if the other person wants what they want and not to give in to him. You would think that he is a Prince or something, but no he is nothing. Then he is able to kill monsters that a party of 3 at higher levels may not be able to kill and he was at Level 2, not believability at all.
December 29, 2023
2 1/2 stars. Overall, I like the MC, usually. I liked that he wanted to be a merchant and help his town grow. He didn't want to be an adventurer. The runes were an interesting system. The dungeon is pretty typical for any book of this type and was fun. It was the dragon lady and the sex that particularly seemed juvenile. It lacked some depth and was a bit rough in places. But overall, I enjoyed it.
January 29, 2023
Everything I read an Andrew Karevik book I either love it or hate it.
Nothing inbetween. Some of the choices are infuriating, but everything makes sense from the characters perspective. The tone and pacing are perfect for a slice of life story. So this one is in the 'love it' category.
Nothing inbetween. Some of the choices are infuriating, but everything makes sense from the characters perspective. The tone and pacing are perfect for a slice of life story. So this one is in the 'love it' category.
February 11, 2023
Awesome fun original experience
A great book blending crafting and adventure quite well with a wonderful cast of friends and adventure that's quite exciting and entertaining. The book shows steady growth and tons of hopefully many more books in the series. A highly recommended book to anyone. A few somewhat explicit scenes but very much enjoyable read. An excellent book.
A great book blending crafting and adventure quite well with a wonderful cast of friends and adventure that's quite exciting and entertaining. The book shows steady growth and tons of hopefully many more books in the series. A highly recommended book to anyone. A few somewhat explicit scenes but very much enjoyable read. An excellent book.
March 18, 2023
I loved this for the most part. Stories that incorporate runes and crafting have always been some of my favorites. I also enjoy ones about shopkeepers and town building.
I don’t love stories where the MC makes dumb decisions due to naïveté. Let’s not kill these bad people. What could possibly go wrong? I also am not a huge fan of graphic sex scenes.
I don’t love stories where the MC makes dumb decisions due to naïveté. Let’s not kill these bad people. What could possibly go wrong? I also am not a huge fan of graphic sex scenes.
May 29, 2023
Eh not my kind of story
The book was well written the story was goo same as the characters but I was not a fan of the the mc thinks and does things I don't like how the Dragon treated him I don't like how he let himself be captured by rich ass holes and really don't like that he surrendered to them and made a "deal" with them I won't be reading anymore
The book was well written the story was goo same as the characters but I was not a fan of the the mc thinks and does things I don't like how the Dragon treated him I don't like how he let himself be captured by rich ass holes and really don't like that he surrendered to them and made a "deal" with them I won't be reading anymore
November 9, 2023
Some of the other reviewers must have not ascribed to the saying "never judge a book by it's cover."
Ever seen Mom and Dad Save The World? A couple makes a journey to a planet of idiots. The planet's people are smart enough to maintain their society but are otherwise handicapped. The MC here is the future ruler of this planet.
It was fun. I jumped into #2 right away.
Ever seen Mom and Dad Save The World? A couple makes a journey to a planet of idiots. The planet's people are smart enough to maintain their society but are otherwise handicapped. The MC here is the future ruler of this planet.
It was fun. I jumped into #2 right away.
January 8, 2025
Fun and different
This a tale of a runesmith or is it, yep I thought another zero to hero but this has a twist, you have fighting, dungeons, dragons, and a bit of steamy romance going on with village (well tavern building) thrown in for good measure so most tropes even stats are catered for, throw in snarky humour and bingo a great page turning book.
This a tale of a runesmith or is it, yep I thought another zero to hero but this has a twist, you have fighting, dungeons, dragons, and a bit of steamy romance going on with village (well tavern building) thrown in for good measure so most tropes even stats are catered for, throw in snarky humour and bingo a great page turning book.
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