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Binding Words #1
Morrigan's Bidding
Sean was just waiting for his best friend to show up at the bar so they could play some pool. It came as a shock when the tall blonde man accosted Sean and demanded that he change seats. His refusal would change his life...
When the fight ended, Sean found himself in the strangest meeting of his life. Odin, Archangel Michael, Lucifer, and Morrigan all vied for his soul, each offering different deals. Sean had to choose, so he chose to go with the goddess of Fate, Death, and Battle.
Placed on a new world, gifted with a new body crafted by the gods, and more gifts from other deities of the Tuatha De Danann, Sean now has the chance to live out a new life on a new world. Not everything will be sunshine and roses, however, in this world ruled by the Summer and Winter Queens. He learns quickly that words have power in this world, and that Agreements are binding.
Sean has his work cut out for finding his place in this new world.
When the fight ended, Sean found himself in the strangest meeting of his life. Odin, Archangel Michael, Lucifer, and Morrigan all vied for his soul, each offering different deals. Sean had to choose, so he chose to go with the goddess of Fate, Death, and Battle.
Placed on a new world, gifted with a new body crafted by the gods, and more gifts from other deities of the Tuatha De Danann, Sean now has the chance to live out a new life on a new world. Not everything will be sunshine and roses, however, in this world ruled by the Summer and Winter Queens. He learns quickly that words have power in this world, and that Agreements are binding.
Sean has his work cut out for finding his place in this new world.
246 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2019
1243 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schinhofen
66 books1,286 followersDaniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
July 15, 2019
Totally biased. The first book of my OP MC series that is set to have a harem from the get go. If either of those things bother you, this series is not going to be enjoyed.
February 11, 2019
It's a shame...
"Your Shame has no meaning for me"
For every one line that advances the plot or is genuinely interesting, it feels like you get ten that mention Shame and how Sean doesn't care.
If it weren't for the constant reminders of how special and accepting Sean is, I'd have given the story a 4.
The world building is good, the characters are interesting, if a bit flat at times, and you get a nice reminder of how amazing and special and accepting Sean is EVERY SINGLE PARAGRAPH.
Hopefully the author has learned from this mess, and doesn't make the same mistakes in the sequel, because despite the irritating reiteration of Sean's greatness, I am interested in seeing where the story goes.
"Your Shame has no meaning for me"
For every one line that advances the plot or is genuinely interesting, it feels like you get ten that mention Shame and how Sean doesn't care.
If it weren't for the constant reminders of how special and accepting Sean is, I'd have given the story a 4.
The world building is good, the characters are interesting, if a bit flat at times, and you get a nice reminder of how amazing and special and accepting Sean is EVERY SINGLE PARAGRAPH.
Hopefully the author has learned from this mess, and doesn't make the same mistakes in the sequel, because despite the irritating reiteration of Sean's greatness, I am interested in seeing where the story goes.
March 5, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
I have had this book on my waiting list for a long time. I think the main thing that kept me from from reading this book for so long was the cover art. It just seemed kind of bland so for a while I felt that maybe the story would be the same way. I know that is a shallow way to think about books but it usually is the cover art that draws me in to read the synopsis.
The story revolves around Sean who died in a bar fight. After he dies he is given a choice of an afterlife by the archangel Michael, Odin, Lucifer, and the Morrigan. It is still a little unclear why they all seem so interested in this on particular person. Sean chooses the Morrigan and she gives him a brand new body that is made for him by others in the Tuatha de danann pantheon. The body is made much stronger than a normal body and he was given many gifts. He is sent to a new world in which the Fae rule. Apparently, 1000 years ago the Tuatha de danann made a deal with the Fae queens and sent some of their followers to this world, now they feel a little bad about it. The morrigan hopes that Sean will do something about it, but she didn't actually task him with doing that in exchange for the body. She is just hoping that being the good guy that he is, he will end up doing the right thing.
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. Many of the rules are similar to Fae in which a bargain that is made is magically enforced. Nothing is free and everything needs to be bargained or traded. Sean finds himself in a small town and needs to learn about this new world, so he strikes a bargain with the town leader for information in exchange for work. While he is there he finds out just how amazing a body the Tuatha de danann have given him. He does one wondrous thing after another and the majority of the story is learning new skills and controlling his power, as well as learning the rules of this crazy new world. This book is more about the journey than the destination, which I really do enjoy. The warning about the graphic sex was a little overstated, there was only one sexual encounter and it really wasn't that graphic. I highly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
I have had this book on my waiting list for a long time. I think the main thing that kept me from from reading this book for so long was the cover art. It just seemed kind of bland so for a while I felt that maybe the story would be the same way. I know that is a shallow way to think about books but it usually is the cover art that draws me in to read the synopsis.
The story revolves around Sean who died in a bar fight. After he dies he is given a choice of an afterlife by the archangel Michael, Odin, Lucifer, and the Morrigan. It is still a little unclear why they all seem so interested in this on particular person. Sean chooses the Morrigan and she gives him a brand new body that is made for him by others in the Tuatha de danann pantheon. The body is made much stronger than a normal body and he was given many gifts. He is sent to a new world in which the Fae rule. Apparently, 1000 years ago the Tuatha de danann made a deal with the Fae queens and sent some of their followers to this world, now they feel a little bad about it. The morrigan hopes that Sean will do something about it, but she didn't actually task him with doing that in exchange for the body. She is just hoping that being the good guy that he is, he will end up doing the right thing.
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. Many of the rules are similar to Fae in which a bargain that is made is magically enforced. Nothing is free and everything needs to be bargained or traded. Sean finds himself in a small town and needs to learn about this new world, so he strikes a bargain with the town leader for information in exchange for work. While he is there he finds out just how amazing a body the Tuatha de danann have given him. He does one wondrous thing after another and the majority of the story is learning new skills and controlling his power, as well as learning the rules of this crazy new world. This book is more about the journey than the destination, which I really do enjoy. The warning about the graphic sex was a little overstated, there was only one sexual encounter and it really wasn't that graphic. I highly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
January 4, 2019
I like the start. It took its time but did not feel slow. My problem was that MC is overpowered, I got tired of reading about how amazed everyone is at his unlearned unearned powers. And how amazing it is that he treats a certain creatures and people with respect; a common trope seen and Japanese counterpart of this genre, example being when MC will encounter a slave, release or treat slave kindly and that being portrayed as a super amazing thing to do.
Also they way he reacts to men and women are drastically different for obvious reasons. One villager hates him and he reacts with equal dislike, but when a woman berates him its all he goes into a long winded explanation about why he is sorry and how he meant know offence and that he will do anything to make it right. I wonder why.
Now that being said, I think this would be a fine read for others, but I have read many many stories like this so I am suffering from fatigue and reviews in this genre are harsher for it. Dont let this stop you from reading it but if you have read 20+litrpg are more then maybe not for you
Also they way he reacts to men and women are drastically different for obvious reasons. One villager hates him and he reacts with equal dislike, but when a woman berates him its all he goes into a long winded explanation about why he is sorry and how he meant know offence and that he will do anything to make it right. I wonder why.
Now that being said, I think this would be a fine read for others, but I have read many many stories like this so I am suffering from fatigue and reviews in this genre are harsher for it. Dont let this stop you from reading it but if you have read 20+litrpg are more then maybe not for you
August 18, 2018
This book started and ended well, in typical Schinhofen fashion. The hero is a good guy who made a tough choice and paid for it. Now he is in a situation that put him at risk from gods and Faes. I really liked the philosophy and the worlbuilding in this new series! Bidding words, promises hold a contractual value in this new world, but you know that people are people and take shamelessly advantage of it. The hero is still not on track to change things like the Goddess who gifted him his new life hope to, but I can feel it coming.
I just hope it's not a case of Book 1 being good and the rest of the sequels end up being akin to Japanese lightnovels (really bad) like a certain Alpha Company book... Daniel don't fail me!
I just hope it's not a case of Book 1 being good and the rest of the sequels end up being akin to Japanese lightnovels (really bad) like a certain Alpha Company book... Daniel don't fail me!
August 19, 2018
While not ground breaking, it really isn't a complete waste of time, despite my seeming low score. I'm used to reading books much worse than this one, and I expect it to please its intended target audience.
The books starts fast. The usual death by god that deserves repayment. And since we're all tired from reading this, if you are going to go that way the least you can do is make it as fast as possible. The book doesn't dwell too much on what happened before his death, either, which is a major gripe I have with this settings (they tend to be dull and repetitive). So these are the not bad points I can identify.
Unfortunately, right in the beginning of the book we come across a character sheet. This is not a game book, not a stuck in a VRMMO, transported into a game world etc. It really is completely out of place in this story (not that I'd consider it a good point in any story either way). The good thing is it's very brief, with only 2 or 3 appearances in the whole book, and that is the extent of the game elements this book features; although it could be 0 for they are completely irrelevant. I feel this was done maybe because the author was afraid of marginalizing his habitual readers, of which I am not one.
The plot itself has the potential of being very interesting. The world feels a little bit rigid and set, but there are some places the author can explore that could prove worthwhile if he decides to get creative. The two Queens in particular, their relationships and the cities they inhabit. I don't have much faith, though, and I truly expect to find them to be not as interesting as I hope and the cities to be copies of medieval europe, not unlike all of fantasy out there.
The dialog is weak and simple, as are the characters. The exposition we get from the story feels like a scripted event in a game: the protagonist has 3 questions he can ask every day about the world and they all look like this: "what is x?", followed by a boring dialog of exposition, explaining the world. The usual Tell, not Show. This routine makes me feel like the world they live in is 15 hours long, all he has time to do is sleep, eat, work a bit, and ask 3 questions, if he asks anymore he might lose precious time he needs to recover. This is not how talking works. The past of an important character is similarly explained, and I felt like skimming it from the boredom. It was actually kind of funny, thinking about it now, it goes like this
The main character is dumb in how stubborn he is. He is warned time and time again about how he isn't in his world anymore, a reality he more than anyone should recognize, but refuses to adapt. There are books in which the same situation is handed more satisfactorily; he may refuse to adapt, but only because he is in shock about how different it all is and can't come to grips with his new reality, something that is not present in this one. After the third time he does this, I felt compelled to throw my phone into the wall, which made me review the rating lower yet.
The books starts fast. The usual death by god that deserves repayment. And since we're all tired from reading this, if you are going to go that way the least you can do is make it as fast as possible. The book doesn't dwell too much on what happened before his death, either, which is a major gripe I have with this settings (they tend to be dull and repetitive). So these are the not bad points I can identify.
Unfortunately, right in the beginning of the book we come across a character sheet. This is not a game book, not a stuck in a VRMMO, transported into a game world etc. It really is completely out of place in this story (not that I'd consider it a good point in any story either way). The good thing is it's very brief, with only 2 or 3 appearances in the whole book, and that is the extent of the game elements this book features; although it could be 0 for they are completely irrelevant. I feel this was done maybe because the author was afraid of marginalizing his habitual readers, of which I am not one.
The plot itself has the potential of being very interesting. The world feels a little bit rigid and set, but there are some places the author can explore that could prove worthwhile if he decides to get creative. The two Queens in particular, their relationships and the cities they inhabit. I don't have much faith, though, and I truly expect to find them to be not as interesting as I hope and the cities to be copies of medieval europe, not unlike all of fantasy out there.
The dialog is weak and simple, as are the characters. The exposition we get from the story feels like a scripted event in a game: the protagonist has 3 questions he can ask every day about the world and they all look like this: "what is x?", followed by a boring dialog of exposition, explaining the world. The usual Tell, not Show. This routine makes me feel like the world they live in is 15 hours long, all he has time to do is sleep, eat, work a bit, and ask 3 questions, if he asks anymore he might lose precious time he needs to recover. This is not how talking works. The past of an important character is similarly explained, and I felt like skimming it from the boredom. It was actually kind of funny, thinking about it now, it goes like this
The main character is dumb in how stubborn he is. He is warned time and time again about how he isn't in his world anymore, a reality he more than anyone should recognize, but refuses to adapt. There are books in which the same situation is handed more satisfactorily; he may refuse to adapt, but only because he is in shock about how different it all is and can't come to grips with his new reality, something that is not present in this one. After the third time he does this, I felt compelled to throw my phone into the wall, which made me review the rating lower yet.
July 8, 2020
Rating the whole series:
FYI I listened to the audio book
TLDR: The MC is an oblivious fool that drags down the entire series, but the world around him, and the other characters were good enough I listened to the whole series. Solid narration, Parseneau does good work.
I’ll probably buy the next book when it comes out.
Full Review (minor spoilers)
First, calling this gamelit or a LitRPG is disingenuous, there’s a “status screen” that pops up 2 maybe 3 times per book (1 always at the end). If those 5 minutes were removed it would just be a fantasy book and better for it. The status screen seems crammed in and can be jarring to the story, but it’s infrequent so it’s easy to ignore.
The world that Schinhofen builds is excellent, and nearly all of the secondary characters are well developed and quite interesting. The story has all the right twists and turns to drag you in wanting to hear how it ends, with an occasional touch of humor to lighten the mood. The mechanics of the world are very interesting, bonding, shaping, magic, all make me want to learn more. The various creatures we meet along the way are intriguing as well. The society of the world is probably my favorite part, it’s interesting how it’s structured and the changes Sean makes through his journey.
Speaking of Sean.... hands down one of the worst main characters I’ve read. I almost quit reading the series several times after he spoke, but pushed through because of the secondary characters. He’s an unbelievably dense idiot, which is pointed out several times by himself and others in the story, but doesn’t change in the slightest through 4 books, it honestly gets a little worse in books 3/4. Several women are constantly throwing themselves at him and every single time he’s confused and awkward in a way that makes me cringe. This continues through all of the books, not just the first few times where he’s a new person in a new world. Every Single Time. Even at moments where he should know what’s going on, it’s happened before, and had it explained to him by other characters, he still acts like it’s brand new information that he’s scared of. He also fails to really take advantage of things in the world, in 4 books he only really learns 1 spell, which happens in book 1. It’s really hard to like or relate to him
The sex scenes are well written if a little sparse, pretty much only his first time with each girl gets its own scene. There’s several moments where it seems to be leading up to a good scene, but then stops jumping to the next morning which is disappointing. Sex in books is hard to balance, some have far too much, others too little; with how well written these scenes are, and all the lead ups that just tease I think this book falls on the too little side, but that’s just me.
I’m not her biggest fan but Andrea Parseneau does good work. Consistent distinct voices for each character that seem to match who they are. She sometimes overdoes some of the accents, especially the hissing in book 1.
Overall the 2 star rating comes primarily from the awful MC and somewhat from the forced/misleading gamelit elements.
FYI I listened to the audio book
TLDR: The MC is an oblivious fool that drags down the entire series, but the world around him, and the other characters were good enough I listened to the whole series. Solid narration, Parseneau does good work.
I’ll probably buy the next book when it comes out.
Full Review (minor spoilers)
First, calling this gamelit or a LitRPG is disingenuous, there’s a “status screen” that pops up 2 maybe 3 times per book (1 always at the end). If those 5 minutes were removed it would just be a fantasy book and better for it. The status screen seems crammed in and can be jarring to the story, but it’s infrequent so it’s easy to ignore.
The world that Schinhofen builds is excellent, and nearly all of the secondary characters are well developed and quite interesting. The story has all the right twists and turns to drag you in wanting to hear how it ends, with an occasional touch of humor to lighten the mood. The mechanics of the world are very interesting, bonding, shaping, magic, all make me want to learn more. The various creatures we meet along the way are intriguing as well. The society of the world is probably my favorite part, it’s interesting how it’s structured and the changes Sean makes through his journey.
Speaking of Sean.... hands down one of the worst main characters I’ve read. I almost quit reading the series several times after he spoke, but pushed through because of the secondary characters. He’s an unbelievably dense idiot, which is pointed out several times by himself and others in the story, but doesn’t change in the slightest through 4 books, it honestly gets a little worse in books 3/4. Several women are constantly throwing themselves at him and every single time he’s confused and awkward in a way that makes me cringe. This continues through all of the books, not just the first few times where he’s a new person in a new world. Every Single Time. Even at moments where he should know what’s going on, it’s happened before, and had it explained to him by other characters, he still acts like it’s brand new information that he’s scared of. He also fails to really take advantage of things in the world, in 4 books he only really learns 1 spell, which happens in book 1. It’s really hard to like or relate to him
The sex scenes are well written if a little sparse, pretty much only his first time with each girl gets its own scene. There’s several moments where it seems to be leading up to a good scene, but then stops jumping to the next morning which is disappointing. Sex in books is hard to balance, some have far too much, others too little; with how well written these scenes are, and all the lead ups that just tease I think this book falls on the too little side, but that’s just me.
I’m not her biggest fan but Andrea Parseneau does good work. Consistent distinct voices for each character that seem to match who they are. She sometimes overdoes some of the accents, especially the hissing in book 1.
Overall the 2 star rating comes primarily from the awful MC and somewhat from the forced/misleading gamelit elements.
July 1, 2019
Slow-build transported to another world story.
Sean ends up at the wrong end of a fight and end up dying at the hands of a angry god. As recompense a bunch of deities vie for is soul in the afterlife where Sean accepts Morrigan's offer. He has a new body crafted for him and is send to a new world where he can rebuild his life.... Turns out this may just be quite an interesting new life!
Schinhoven builds an interesting world, with interesting possibilities, and a slow-build story line. Sean is your typical goodguy that bit by bit grows in power while dealing with the quirks and idiosyncrasies of this new world. As expected of the genre there are a number of attractive ladies and the requisite amount of action scenes. The most interesting bit about this new world however is that world are binding. Promises, deals, contracts, bets and agreements are all magically enforced. An interesting concept in a world where magic, Fea and medieval weapons rain.
Overall I enjoyed listening to this book. Sean is a good fit as the main characters and the supporting characters managed to both diversify the cast as well as expand and explain the world. 4 stars well earned.
Sean ends up at the wrong end of a fight and end up dying at the hands of a angry god. As recompense a bunch of deities vie for is soul in the afterlife where Sean accepts Morrigan's offer. He has a new body crafted for him and is send to a new world where he can rebuild his life.... Turns out this may just be quite an interesting new life!
Schinhoven builds an interesting world, with interesting possibilities, and a slow-build story line. Sean is your typical goodguy that bit by bit grows in power while dealing with the quirks and idiosyncrasies of this new world. As expected of the genre there are a number of attractive ladies and the requisite amount of action scenes. The most interesting bit about this new world however is that world are binding. Promises, deals, contracts, bets and agreements are all magically enforced. An interesting concept in a world where magic, Fea and medieval weapons rain.
Overall I enjoyed listening to this book. Sean is a good fit as the main characters and the supporting characters managed to both diversify the cast as well as expand and explain the world. 4 stars well earned.
January 3, 2020
Better than I thought it would be (Worlds better than this awful cover)
I like this one quite a bit. Yeah it has a few rough spots where the writing feels a little amateurish, but only few. The opening set up is a bit clunky but this book hits it's stride quickly and maintained a nice tone throughout.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book, bit the one that stands out for me is the way the MC treats other people. I just can't stand a main character who shouts down the supporting cast and gets his way with brawn and bluster. In this book the MC listens to others, tries to be helpful, builds relations on trust and mutual respect, and helps people who are in no position to help him back just because it's the right thing to do. That's a guy I can root for, That's a book where I care what happens to people.
I like this one quite a bit. Yeah it has a few rough spots where the writing feels a little amateurish, but only few. The opening set up is a bit clunky but this book hits it's stride quickly and maintained a nice tone throughout.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book, bit the one that stands out for me is the way the MC treats other people. I just can't stand a main character who shouts down the supporting cast and gets his way with brawn and bluster. In this book the MC listens to others, tries to be helpful, builds relations on trust and mutual respect, and helps people who are in no position to help him back just because it's the right thing to do. That's a guy I can root for, That's a book where I care what happens to people.
November 16, 2018
It was quite an okay book until about first half. Main character was quite stupid, way overpowered and not very believable. I was quite annoyed how the 'love' part of the story progressed. I found the eternal love claims and unnecessary sex scenes to be very annoying and distracting. I found the dialogue between the main characters to be very weak. Would not recommend this book.
October 16, 2018
Suprised and delirious.
Wonderful writing. Lovely characters.
The world building is top notch.
The flow of the story is gratifying.
The story is an impressive concoction of action & romance.
Excited to read the next one!
Wonderful writing. Lovely characters.
The world building is top notch.
The flow of the story is gratifying.
The story is an impressive concoction of action & romance.
Excited to read the next one!
February 12, 2019
I had such high hopes for this book and I wasn't disappointed until about 80%. Then it got very explicit and turned into a harem book. Blugh. If very descriptive sexual scenes and multiple adoring women that are unable to mind sharing a man are something you like, this is for you. If, like me, this is something that ruins a good story, try reading another book.
February 20, 2019
I liked this book, although it wasn't super exciting or adventurous - mostly learning about the new world Sean found himself in. I liked Fiona. Sean was okay. The magic was interesting. Sean is overpowered, which was a bit annoying. Not sure I will read book two, as it looks relationship heavy and not plot and adventure heavy. 3 stars.
February 7, 2019
Brilliant
Real. Not sure how else to describe this masterpiece. It hit with feels, twists, and turns. Even the “boring” somehow drew it all together. Loved this one!
Real. Not sure how else to describe this masterpiece. It hit with feels, twists, and turns. Even the “boring” somehow drew it all together. Loved this one!
May 10, 2019
After some heavy convincing, I'm going to read another book of Daniel Schinhofen, after that dumpster fire Shakespeare play that was Alpha World.
If it turns out the same as before, somebody who said it was different is going to get smacked a few times.
I really dislike books like these, where a "Nice Guy" gets transported somewhere, and he is so pretentiously being this upstanding gentleman who always has a snarky come back for the eventual bully he will meet. He also stands up for the downtrodden. Good God, I imagine the protagonist walking around with a giant fedora, and tipping it at everybody. This was some of the crap that rubbed me the wrong way in the author's other book series, Alpha World.
Jebus, this behavior is getting my goat too easily. It doesn't help that after he tips his fedora, he is a more than competent fighter, and while a pure gentleman in the streets, he can also give mind shattering orgasms. Ugh.
Well, it's done. Of course the protagonist is going to end up with a budding harem, which he will spend the book ravishing. The set up in this novel was visible a mile away, but I'm going to give the second book a try sometime in the future.
2.5/5 Stars
If it turns out the same as before, somebody who said it was different is going to get smacked a few times.
I really dislike books like these, where a "Nice Guy" gets transported somewhere, and he is so pretentiously being this upstanding gentleman who always has a snarky come back for the eventual bully he will meet. He also stands up for the downtrodden. Good God, I imagine the protagonist walking around with a giant fedora, and tipping it at everybody. This was some of the crap that rubbed me the wrong way in the author's other book series, Alpha World.
Jebus, this behavior is getting my goat too easily. It doesn't help that after he tips his fedora, he is a more than competent fighter, and while a pure gentleman in the streets, he can also give mind shattering orgasms. Ugh.
Well, it's done. Of course the protagonist is going to end up with a budding harem, which he will spend the book ravishing. The set up in this novel was visible a mile away, but I'm going to give the second book a try sometime in the future.
2.5/5 Stars
March 19, 2021
Boring, beta simp Marty stu MC with no movement
I read up to about the 30% mark and decided to stop wasting my time. In all of that, pretty much nothing has happened other than the setup and a single day of log cutting. The characters are stupid, knowing that they have a newcomer in their midst but being constantly surprised that he doesn't know their customs time and time again.
The MC seems to have consumed overly polite virtue signaling simpery with strength of character, and it really grates. Especially when about 25% of the "dialogue" is just Apologies going back and forth in ways that no modern person would speak. It's pretentious drivel for the most part.
The MC is gifted with super strength, super stamina, super constitutions, and a variety of other completely OP abilities from the get go but it is done poorly. Characters constantly demean the super-powered person in their midst for seemingly no reason other than to be a paper cutout villain or to give a chance for the MC to show off "accidentally". This is painful stuff to read.
Do yourself a favor and skip this. It's a waste of time.
I read up to about the 30% mark and decided to stop wasting my time. In all of that, pretty much nothing has happened other than the setup and a single day of log cutting. The characters are stupid, knowing that they have a newcomer in their midst but being constantly surprised that he doesn't know their customs time and time again.
The MC seems to have consumed overly polite virtue signaling simpery with strength of character, and it really grates. Especially when about 25% of the "dialogue" is just Apologies going back and forth in ways that no modern person would speak. It's pretentious drivel for the most part.
The MC is gifted with super strength, super stamina, super constitutions, and a variety of other completely OP abilities from the get go but it is done poorly. Characters constantly demean the super-powered person in their midst for seemingly no reason other than to be a paper cutout villain or to give a chance for the MC to show off "accidentally". This is painful stuff to read.
Do yourself a favor and skip this. It's a waste of time.
August 31, 2018
A compelling world, but slow burn
I'll start with the fact that by the end I was totally into the world and main characters. But I felt that the strong content advisory was misleading. While it is a really good one and well earned, there was only one graphic sex sceen.. maybe more in the next book.
I was also lukewarm on the setup of the story. But once the choice was made it got really good. The characters the MC meets are interesting. And the world vivid.
I am looking forward to the next book. Hopefully we are past the q&a lord dumps. And will learn more about the world more organically. More naughty stuff would also be great.
All in all worth the read if you like high fantacy. The fei And slow burn harem building stories....I do
I'll start with the fact that by the end I was totally into the world and main characters. But I felt that the strong content advisory was misleading. While it is a really good one and well earned, there was only one graphic sex sceen.. maybe more in the next book.
I was also lukewarm on the setup of the story. But once the choice was made it got really good. The characters the MC meets are interesting. And the world vivid.
I am looking forward to the next book. Hopefully we are past the q&a lord dumps. And will learn more about the world more organically. More naughty stuff would also be great.
All in all worth the read if you like high fantacy. The fei And slow burn harem building stories....I do
October 21, 2019
An excellent start
It took a little bit, in my opinion, to get the story going. Once it started, however, I had a hard time putting the book down.
An interesting premise that is explained enough to understand with being beaten over the head with ride and exposition. We learn as the character does and I felt this was very well done.
I can relate to the character in their view of certain customs and people, so that made it easier to keep turning pages until I finished the book.
Great pacing, few errors, some excellent quotes and references, and interesting characters and backgrounds made for a wonderful start. Going after book two now!
It took a little bit, in my opinion, to get the story going. Once it started, however, I had a hard time putting the book down.
An interesting premise that is explained enough to understand with being beaten over the head with ride and exposition. We learn as the character does and I felt this was very well done.
I can relate to the character in their view of certain customs and people, so that made it easier to keep turning pages until I finished the book.
Great pacing, few errors, some excellent quotes and references, and interesting characters and backgrounds made for a wonderful start. Going after book two now!
May 26, 2023
Very Slice of Life - which I do enjoy reading. Story goes along with the Protagonist learning how to live in this new world. But there is a turn at the end that dropped a star for me. Literally the last bit of the book. Practically out of nowhere. Definitely not how I expected that interaction to go.
The cool thing in this world run by Fae is that words have power. Make a verbal agreement and it is magically binding. I'll check out the next book in the series. This volume felt more like an introduction to the world and setup to give the Protagonist something to solve.
The cool thing in this world run by Fae is that words have power. Make a verbal agreement and it is magically binding. I'll check out the next book in the series. This volume felt more like an introduction to the world and setup to give the Protagonist something to solve.
April 17, 2019
The premise is interesting and checks most of the lists of op protagonist in a litrpg universe. With that said, the MC is kind of boring. There is a backstory of why he is put into the situation, but his personality is so bland, a stereotype of a young male Western MC in a litrpg with all the typical situation you find in such a novel, a hero complex against injustice, timid with women, daft with respecting local customs. Basically like an American tourist. He is supposed to be a hero, but besides his op powers, he doesn't have the qualities of a hero.
May 19, 2019
Really good story. Worth the time to check it out.
Has zero harem elements in book one. Why people marked this as harem is beyond me.
The main character has sex one time with one of the characters. It was a well done tactful scene also.
Def will be reading book 2
BTW.. I seriously think some people need to look up the definition of harem. FYI Requires 3 or more women among other things. Maybe book 2 the MC gets more.
Has zero harem elements in book one. Why people marked this as harem is beyond me.
The main character has sex one time with one of the characters. It was a well done tactful scene also.
Def will be reading book 2
BTW.. I seriously think some people need to look up the definition of harem. FYI Requires 3 or more women among other things. Maybe book 2 the MC gets more.
August 19, 2019
Good Read.
Transported to a fantasy world. People have skills/gifts. Light RPG mechanics. A character sheet is shown, but has no numbers and shows the blessings that were given and his skills. Enjoyed the story with the plot shift near the story’s end. Note: The story does have adult situations in it.
Transported to a fantasy world. People have skills/gifts. Light RPG mechanics. A character sheet is shown, but has no numbers and shows the blessings that were given and his skills. Enjoyed the story with the plot shift near the story’s end. Note: The story does have adult situations in it.
August 10, 2021
I have rated it 3 stars and would have given it 4 but there was too much of harem tendencies especially in the last portion of the book. If you enjoy that type of story or you can look past it, the book and story are worth the read.
July 7, 2025
Book Review: Morrigan’s Bidding (Binding Words #1) by Daniel Schinhofen
Essential, Hook, and Thesis
What happens when a regular man is killed by a god, offered a new life by fate itself, and thrust into a world where every promise is literally binding?
Morrigan’s Bidding launches Daniel Schinhofen’s Binding Words series with a mix of isekai, fantasy, and harem elements. While the book has its share of rough edges, its unique world-building and earnest approach to character make it a worthwhile entry for fans of the genre and anyone looking for something that values morality and choice over mindless power-ups.
Basic Plot Summary
Sean’s ordinary night at a bar turns extraordinary (and fatal) when he’s killed in a fight—then finds himself in a celestial bidding war for his soul. Rejecting Odin, Michael, and Lucifer, Sean chooses the Morrigan, goddess of fate and battle, and is reborn in a magical world ruled by Fae. Gifted a powerful new body and a suite of supernatural blessings, Sean must navigate a harsh society where every spoken agreement becomes magically enforced. Along the way, he forges alliances, learns hard lessons about trust, freedom, and power, and begins to shape his new destiny—though not without mistakes, awkwardness, and the first hints of a potential harem.
Praise and Critique
World-Building: The book’s greatest strength lies in its world of binding words and magical contracts. The social, magical, and political systems feel distinct and integral, lending the story a sense of weight and consequence that’s often missing from more game-like isekai. Schinhofen’s Celtic-inspired world feels alive, and the fae’s rules and dangers are consistently applied.
Character Morality: Sean stands out in the genre for his morality, kindness, and willingness to treat even outcasts and “slaves” with respect. While some readers find his politeness and “nice guy” attitude a bit much, others appreciate a protagonist who tries to do the right thing, even when awkward or out of his depth.
Pacing and Slice-of-Life Feel: Much of the narrative is focused on learning the world, building relationships, and making deals. It’s less about epic battles and more about gradual, believable progression. The slow build works for readers who like immersion and small victories, but will frustrate anyone seeking constant action.
Dialogue and Repetition: The writing can be stiff, and dialogue sometimes suffers from over-explanation and repetition (the word “shame” gets a workout). Some character interactions feel forced or unnatural, especially in early chapters. Sean’s repeated confusion about local customs becomes tiring, and exposition sometimes feels like checking off a “question of the day” list.
Overpowered but Awkward: While Sean is blessed with major powers and gifts from multiple gods, his lack of self-confidence and social awareness prevents him from feeling like an unstoppable “Mary Sue.” This awkwardness is both a blessing (for depth) and a curse (for pacing and reader patience).
Harem and Adult Content: The book is explicit about sexuality and harem themes, but the actual “harem” doesn’t really take shape until the very end. Most intimacy is treated as genuine, not gratuitous, though readers sensitive to this subgenre may still be put off. The “life bond” mechanic explaining why characters fall in love is both clever and controversial among reviewers.
Criticism
Stilted and repetitive dialogue, especially around morality and social issues (“shame”).
Sean’s passivity and confusion can make him hard to root for, especially for those tired of the “nice guy” isekai trope.
Pacing can feel slow, and the plot sometimes wanders, especially in the “learning the world” segments.
Game elements (status screens) are nearly irrelevant—may disappoint LitRPG fans.
Cover art and presentation are weak compared to the creativity of the world.
Evaluation
Morrigan’s Bidding is a solid, if imperfect, opening volume that thrives on its unique magic system and strong world-building. It’s less about epic quests and more about adaptation, morality, and building a new life—one awkward, magical contract at a time. Readers who appreciate a thoughtful protagonist and don’t mind a slow pace or a heavy dose of slice-of-life will find much to enjoy. If you’re after constant action, power fantasy, or seamless dialogue, you may want to look elsewhere.
Conclusion
Morrigan’s Bidding is an ambitious start to a series that values character, consequence, and a fully-realized magical society. While its execution is uneven and the protagonist divisive, the core ideas and emotional authenticity make it stand out in a crowded genre. Worth a try for those open to a different, more thoughtful approach to isekai fantasy.
Recommended for: Fans of isekai, Celtic-inspired fantasy, morality-driven stories, and slow-burn harem. Not for those wanting constant action or the typical “OP MC solves everything instantly.”
Essential, Hook, and Thesis
What happens when a regular man is killed by a god, offered a new life by fate itself, and thrust into a world where every promise is literally binding?
Morrigan’s Bidding launches Daniel Schinhofen’s Binding Words series with a mix of isekai, fantasy, and harem elements. While the book has its share of rough edges, its unique world-building and earnest approach to character make it a worthwhile entry for fans of the genre and anyone looking for something that values morality and choice over mindless power-ups.
Basic Plot Summary
Sean’s ordinary night at a bar turns extraordinary (and fatal) when he’s killed in a fight—then finds himself in a celestial bidding war for his soul. Rejecting Odin, Michael, and Lucifer, Sean chooses the Morrigan, goddess of fate and battle, and is reborn in a magical world ruled by Fae. Gifted a powerful new body and a suite of supernatural blessings, Sean must navigate a harsh society where every spoken agreement becomes magically enforced. Along the way, he forges alliances, learns hard lessons about trust, freedom, and power, and begins to shape his new destiny—though not without mistakes, awkwardness, and the first hints of a potential harem.
Praise and Critique
World-Building: The book’s greatest strength lies in its world of binding words and magical contracts. The social, magical, and political systems feel distinct and integral, lending the story a sense of weight and consequence that’s often missing from more game-like isekai. Schinhofen’s Celtic-inspired world feels alive, and the fae’s rules and dangers are consistently applied.
Character Morality: Sean stands out in the genre for his morality, kindness, and willingness to treat even outcasts and “slaves” with respect. While some readers find his politeness and “nice guy” attitude a bit much, others appreciate a protagonist who tries to do the right thing, even when awkward or out of his depth.
Pacing and Slice-of-Life Feel: Much of the narrative is focused on learning the world, building relationships, and making deals. It’s less about epic battles and more about gradual, believable progression. The slow build works for readers who like immersion and small victories, but will frustrate anyone seeking constant action.
Dialogue and Repetition: The writing can be stiff, and dialogue sometimes suffers from over-explanation and repetition (the word “shame” gets a workout). Some character interactions feel forced or unnatural, especially in early chapters. Sean’s repeated confusion about local customs becomes tiring, and exposition sometimes feels like checking off a “question of the day” list.
Overpowered but Awkward: While Sean is blessed with major powers and gifts from multiple gods, his lack of self-confidence and social awareness prevents him from feeling like an unstoppable “Mary Sue.” This awkwardness is both a blessing (for depth) and a curse (for pacing and reader patience).
Harem and Adult Content: The book is explicit about sexuality and harem themes, but the actual “harem” doesn’t really take shape until the very end. Most intimacy is treated as genuine, not gratuitous, though readers sensitive to this subgenre may still be put off. The “life bond” mechanic explaining why characters fall in love is both clever and controversial among reviewers.
Criticism
Stilted and repetitive dialogue, especially around morality and social issues (“shame”).
Sean’s passivity and confusion can make him hard to root for, especially for those tired of the “nice guy” isekai trope.
Pacing can feel slow, and the plot sometimes wanders, especially in the “learning the world” segments.
Game elements (status screens) are nearly irrelevant—may disappoint LitRPG fans.
Cover art and presentation are weak compared to the creativity of the world.
Evaluation
Morrigan’s Bidding is a solid, if imperfect, opening volume that thrives on its unique magic system and strong world-building. It’s less about epic quests and more about adaptation, morality, and building a new life—one awkward, magical contract at a time. Readers who appreciate a thoughtful protagonist and don’t mind a slow pace or a heavy dose of slice-of-life will find much to enjoy. If you’re after constant action, power fantasy, or seamless dialogue, you may want to look elsewhere.
Conclusion
Morrigan’s Bidding is an ambitious start to a series that values character, consequence, and a fully-realized magical society. While its execution is uneven and the protagonist divisive, the core ideas and emotional authenticity make it stand out in a crowded genre. Worth a try for those open to a different, more thoughtful approach to isekai fantasy.
Recommended for: Fans of isekai, Celtic-inspired fantasy, morality-driven stories, and slow-burn harem. Not for those wanting constant action or the typical “OP MC solves everything instantly.”
June 9, 2020
Entertaining and fun
An entertaining book. Well paced, interesting characters with a well thought out world. Really looking forward to further adventures of Sean.
An entertaining book. Well paced, interesting characters with a well thought out world. Really looking forward to further adventures of Sean.
November 14, 2018
3.5 stars, great start to a series, I will be looking for more by this author. This one is one of the better litRPG books.
November 15, 2018
Awesome story like always
Really how different this author's stories always are. Not too much sex, just the right amount to show us they are also human. Can't wait for book 2.
Really how different this author's stories always are. Not too much sex, just the right amount to show us they are also human. Can't wait for book 2.
April 10, 2019
A decent fantasy only marred by the protagonist being a Mary Sue.
July 31, 2025
Combined rating for books 1-3. Despite my rating, I find entertainment value in these books and don't necessarily recommend skipping them, as long as you go into them with the right expectations.
I began reading Morrigan's Bidding with the expectation of it being an action-oriented, epic fantasy, gamelit harem story. And it is.... kind of. Really, it's slice of life with elements of action and fantasy that the author uses to drive a harem story. This is okay, but it would have been better to understand that going into the story.
The author introduces an interesting premise and world with strong potential, but fails to deliver on it. What seems to be a strong call to action ("Help Morrigan") is quickly turned into a mechanism to make the main character, Sean, annoyingly overpowered.
Even that could be okay under the right circumstances, but those circumstances aren't found here. We're introduced to a diverse cast of characters who could be fleshed out and interesting, but universally feel artificial due to poorly written dialogue and a complete lack of descriptive writing. Other reviews have commented on this, but the writing reads like stage directions. Or even a "brain-dump" first draft. There are entire chapters that have NO description of the environment, the people in the chapter, facial expressions... anything. It's just repetitive, stilted dialogue. I can't press hard enough that if you value descriptive writing or natural dialogue, this series is not for you. As an example... In the first three books, Sean visits several towns and cities. You'd think this would be something worth describing: architecture, people, mannerisms, accents, geographical location, etc. But no. Nothing. I have almost no conception of the race, accents, dress, or architectural style for almost any location in the first three books.
This lack of descriptiveness also applies to the harem and adult scenes. One of the pinnacle scenes in the first few books, which should have been a chance to share poetic imagery of two lovers, is instead closer to hearing my High School gym teacher describe how babies are made. I ended up skipping it entirely.
Many others have harped on how dense Sean is as a person, which I agree with. I'll add that that results in even more repetitive dialogue, since he seems incapable of understanding things the first seventeen times they're said. Considering there is no description to break up the dialogue, this sometimes results in very similar dialogue existing only paragraphs apart! Annoying.
So... I've described how this story poorly adheres to its genre, how the writing and dialogue are sparse and basic, and even attacked the basics of the characters and their relationships. Sounds like a DNF, right?... Well, as mentioned in the beginning... there is still good here. The author has introduced an interesting world that still manages to prod and poke me along, despite all of the issues described above. I am invested in Sean & team growing and persevering against the adversity they face. I want to know what happens next. And I have no idea why.
If you can look past some of the start issues that are immediately apparent when you begin ready this story, I believe you'll also end up sticking with it.
It just has a certain "Je ne sais quoi," and I'll keep it at 3 stars for that alone.
If the author ever happens to read this, I'd strongly encourage them to get an editor who can help them clean up their dialogue, ensure basic descriptors are present where needed, and reduce the jarring tonal shift in the first book when transitioning to slice-of-life. This could be polished into a pleasant story if they do.
I began reading Morrigan's Bidding with the expectation of it being an action-oriented, epic fantasy, gamelit harem story. And it is.... kind of. Really, it's slice of life with elements of action and fantasy that the author uses to drive a harem story. This is okay, but it would have been better to understand that going into the story.
The author introduces an interesting premise and world with strong potential, but fails to deliver on it. What seems to be a strong call to action ("Help Morrigan") is quickly turned into a mechanism to make the main character, Sean, annoyingly overpowered.
Even that could be okay under the right circumstances, but those circumstances aren't found here. We're introduced to a diverse cast of characters who could be fleshed out and interesting, but universally feel artificial due to poorly written dialogue and a complete lack of descriptive writing. Other reviews have commented on this, but the writing reads like stage directions. Or even a "brain-dump" first draft. There are entire chapters that have NO description of the environment, the people in the chapter, facial expressions... anything. It's just repetitive, stilted dialogue. I can't press hard enough that if you value descriptive writing or natural dialogue, this series is not for you. As an example... In the first three books, Sean visits several towns and cities. You'd think this would be something worth describing: architecture, people, mannerisms, accents, geographical location, etc. But no. Nothing. I have almost no conception of the race, accents, dress, or architectural style for almost any location in the first three books.
This lack of descriptiveness also applies to the harem and adult scenes. One of the pinnacle scenes in the first few books, which should have been a chance to share poetic imagery of two lovers, is instead closer to hearing my High School gym teacher describe how babies are made. I ended up skipping it entirely.
Many others have harped on how dense Sean is as a person, which I agree with. I'll add that that results in even more repetitive dialogue, since he seems incapable of understanding things the first seventeen times they're said. Considering there is no description to break up the dialogue, this sometimes results in very similar dialogue existing only paragraphs apart! Annoying.
So... I've described how this story poorly adheres to its genre, how the writing and dialogue are sparse and basic, and even attacked the basics of the characters and their relationships. Sounds like a DNF, right?... Well, as mentioned in the beginning... there is still good here. The author has introduced an interesting world that still manages to prod and poke me along, despite all of the issues described above. I am invested in Sean & team growing and persevering against the adversity they face. I want to know what happens next. And I have no idea why.
If you can look past some of the start issues that are immediately apparent when you begin ready this story, I believe you'll also end up sticking with it.
It just has a certain "Je ne sais quoi," and I'll keep it at 3 stars for that alone.
If the author ever happens to read this, I'd strongly encourage them to get an editor who can help them clean up their dialogue, ensure basic descriptors are present where needed, and reduce the jarring tonal shift in the first book when transitioning to slice-of-life. This could be polished into a pleasant story if they do.
October 15, 2023
Sean, main character gets a second chance at life, because the Viking Deity Thor killed him on Earth at a local bar. Seems like the start of a bad joke, but it's actually the start of this Fantasy-Isekai (Life-after-death-in-another-world) book and book series. It is slow-going and the author/main character have deep value/ethical problems. In this other world, Beast-Spirit-folk are enslaved and exploited. Sean's purpose in this World is to change and improve it and one of the first things that he does is enslave/Bond with Fiona a half-breed Druid (to save her life from a knife to the heart), does the same bonding and exchanging energies/skills to the Snake-kin Misa (but she dies) and yet again to Myna (kind of half-breed Cat-kin) and she survives??? Convenient, chance or totally nonsensical?? and then one thinks, if Sean and Fiona wouldn't have spent the extra half-day having orgasmic intercourse (half-day honeymoon Isekai package), wouldn't they have been able to save the small village and all of the inhabitants from such a tragic and bloody end?? Isn't it Sean's (main character's) goal/end game to change and improve this other world??? While doing as the "romans do" and enslaving/bonding every other beast-spirit-folk girl that he finds on his way???
The cover art needs improvement. There are no maps, no inside illustrations, no real game-like system, no world descriptions (depicting geopolitical, territorial, economic, social, religious, etc. systems in place in this other world). No character summaries. This book has 281 pages and 29 chapters making it an average of less than 10 pages a chapter which does not have enough space, to properly deepen the character or world descriptions. It is more journal-like list of activities done during each day and less of a cohesive and balanced story.
The cover art needs improvement. There are no maps, no inside illustrations, no real game-like system, no world descriptions (depicting geopolitical, territorial, economic, social, religious, etc. systems in place in this other world). No character summaries. This book has 281 pages and 29 chapters making it an average of less than 10 pages a chapter which does not have enough space, to properly deepen the character or world descriptions. It is more journal-like list of activities done during each day and less of a cohesive and balanced story.
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