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Смертник из рода Валевских #5
Condemned, Book 5
A tournament to name the best mage in the empire. What could go wrong when everything is carefully planned down to the last detail, and only the best of the best are invited to participate? The answer is obvious: everything!
Once again, Maximilian Valevsky will have to save everyone to preserve the integrity of the empire. This time, however, forces far more powerful than anything he has encountered before have taken an interest in his affairs.
What will Maximilian do? Will he back down, or will he remember the main maxim of the doomed soldiers? Do or die! Die, but save!
Once again, Maximilian Valevsky will have to save everyone to preserve the integrity of the empire. This time, however, forces far more powerful than anything he has encountered before have taken an interest in his affairs.
What will Maximilian do? Will he back down, or will he remember the main maxim of the doomed soldiers? Do or die! Die, but save!
- GenresFantasy
587 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2023
79 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Vasily Mahanenko
81 books1,104 followersBe the first to know when Vasily Mahanenko’s next book is available! Follow him at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/v-mah... to get an alert whenever he has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 23, 2026
3.5 - 4 Stars
Book #5
The Lord Valevsky: Last of the Line Series by Vasily Mahanenko is a gripping blend of dark fantasy, political intrigue, and relentless personal struggle. Across the ten books (with more on the horizon), the series follows Max - formerly Maximilian Valevsky - on his harrowing journey through a world where light dominates and darkness is hunted.
What makes this saga stand out is its moral complexity. Max is not your typical flawless hero - he’s cunning, pragmatic, and often forced to make brutal choices. His quest for vengeance is both deeply personal and intricately tied to the fate of the realm. Mr. Mahanenko excels at showing how power, loyalty, and survival often clash in unpredictable ways.
As expected, the world-building is rich, with a unique magic system and a society shaped by the tension between light and dark forces. The political maneuvering is as intense as the battles, and the pacing keeps you hooked - each book ends with enough intrigue to make you reach for the next.
If there’s any drawback to this collection at all, it’s that the series can be emotionally heavy at times - as Max’s journey is filled with much betrayal, loss, and moral dilemmas. But for us readers who enjoy character-driven epics with shades of grey, then this is a strength rather than a flaw.
A dark, intelligent, and addictive fantasy series with a deeply layered story and a protagonist you can’t easily forget.
Happy Reading…
Book #5
The Lord Valevsky: Last of the Line Series by Vasily Mahanenko is a gripping blend of dark fantasy, political intrigue, and relentless personal struggle. Across the ten books (with more on the horizon), the series follows Max - formerly Maximilian Valevsky - on his harrowing journey through a world where light dominates and darkness is hunted.
What makes this saga stand out is its moral complexity. Max is not your typical flawless hero - he’s cunning, pragmatic, and often forced to make brutal choices. His quest for vengeance is both deeply personal and intricately tied to the fate of the realm. Mr. Mahanenko excels at showing how power, loyalty, and survival often clash in unpredictable ways.
As expected, the world-building is rich, with a unique magic system and a society shaped by the tension between light and dark forces. The political maneuvering is as intense as the battles, and the pacing keeps you hooked - each book ends with enough intrigue to make you reach for the next.
If there’s any drawback to this collection at all, it’s that the series can be emotionally heavy at times - as Max’s journey is filled with much betrayal, loss, and moral dilemmas. But for us readers who enjoy character-driven epics with shades of grey, then this is a strength rather than a flaw.
A dark, intelligent, and addictive fantasy series with a deeply layered story and a protagonist you can’t easily forget.
Happy Reading…
March 8, 2024
Once again super short
In my opinion the author contradicts the plot in the former books more and more. The constant subversion and destablisation of the empire and the try to destroy the capital by creating a mega rift by the dark ones now seem contraproductive and stunningly idiotic. The same goes for the converts who seem to be actually less suited to achieve the now stated goals.. If the dark ones are in fact dependent on this empire they rather should protect it and try to increase the output.
The book itself is so-so. Plots that don´t lead anywhere, actions that don´t make much sense, an underwhelming harem sub story for "dramatic reasons" and an constantly overbearingly knowledged,insidious, powerful and helpful Kimal...
All in all the story seems to have to have lost its way. The protagonist has no defined goals or motivation anymore, there are no clear threats (as just every faction seems to be awful and corrupt)and the old enemies seem like a mere nuissance now. There are no interesting mysteries or encounters and the only mildly interesting thing for me was the story of the legendary first emperor..
In my opinion the author contradicts the plot in the former books more and more. The constant subversion and destablisation of the empire and the try to destroy the capital by creating a mega rift by the dark ones now seem contraproductive and stunningly idiotic. The same goes for the converts who seem to be actually less suited to achieve the now stated goals.. If the dark ones are in fact dependent on this empire they rather should protect it and try to increase the output.
The book itself is so-so. Plots that don´t lead anywhere, actions that don´t make much sense, an underwhelming harem sub story for "dramatic reasons" and an constantly overbearingly knowledged,insidious, powerful and helpful Kimal...
All in all the story seems to have to have lost its way. The protagonist has no defined goals or motivation anymore, there are no clear threats (as just every faction seems to be awful and corrupt)and the old enemies seem like a mere nuissance now. There are no interesting mysteries or encounters and the only mildly interesting thing for me was the story of the legendary first emperor..
October 6, 2024
I received a review copy of this book.
Condemned book 5 is a piece of this series where things really take off. All kinds of things are happening. We meet characters only whispered about in previous books, we find out new information about rifts, and our main character endures some major trials and tribulations, all while trying to keep his freedom with other characters plotting in the background to tie him down. It all makes for a very interesting story.
Condemned book 5 is a piece of this series where things really take off. All kinds of things are happening. We meet characters only whispered about in previous books, we find out new information about rifts, and our main character endures some major trials and tribulations, all while trying to keep his freedom with other characters plotting in the background to tie him down. It all makes for a very interesting story.
March 5, 2024
This book is good when things are happening, but far too much of it is the “I’ll trade you five stones for three jewels and a scroll of recipes; I’ll combine these fragments to get another fragment which I can then use for a third fragment.” It’s like watching somebody put together a particularly dull Lego set.
November 26, 2024
Slow... Ok. But tedious
Book five
A lot of the same with the character never being able to catch up to the situation and he has no agency.
Book five
A lot of the same with the character never being able to catch up to the situation and he has no agency.
March 29, 2025
I'm not sure how I managed to read every other book in this series, and yet managed to flat out miss this one. For this screw up I apologize to everyone that reads this review.
This mistake has been corrected. I just finished my ARC for this book and have sent in my little list of corrections. I don't know how many they might have already fixed, but I hope that it helps make a smoother read for others.
I've enjoyed reading this series from the beginning and I'm A little sad to see it coming to the end. A ten book series isn't bad though.
8/10 Answered some long standing unanswered questions that I have had.
This mistake has been corrected. I just finished my ARC for this book and have sent in my little list of corrections. I don't know how many they might have already fixed, but I hope that it helps make a smoother read for others.
I've enjoyed reading this series from the beginning and I'm A little sad to see it coming to the end. A ten book series isn't bad though.
8/10 Answered some long standing unanswered questions that I have had.
October 7, 2025
6th ese
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews