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Road to Mastery #5
Road to Mastery 5
Jack Rust vs. Animal Kingdom: It ends today.
Jack’s animosity with the Animal Kingdom faction runs deep. Finally possessing the power to face them, he launches himself into an all-out war. Man against faction—one of the two must be utterly destroyed.
Unfortunately, not everything is simple. A larger war brews across the universe, the Church resisting the fearsome Immortals, and a single spark is enough to detonate everything. Can Jack grow powerful enough to face B-Grades in time? Can he and his bros destroy the Animal Kingdom before he needs to leave the galaxy for a grander stage?
And, most importantly… Can he overcome the darkness of his heart?
Jack’s animosity with the Animal Kingdom faction runs deep. Finally possessing the power to face them, he launches himself into an all-out war. Man against faction—one of the two must be utterly destroyed.
Unfortunately, not everything is simple. A larger war brews across the universe, the Church resisting the fearsome Immortals, and a single spark is enough to detonate everything. Can Jack grow powerful enough to face B-Grades in time? Can he and his bros destroy the Animal Kingdom before he needs to leave the galaxy for a grander stage?
And, most importantly… Can he overcome the darkness of his heart?
552 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2024
456 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Valerios
29 books58 followersValerios enjoys letters and numbers. One day, combining them crossed his mind, and now he spends most of his time placing one after the other until something pleasant appears.
Besides transforming words into worlds, Valerios also enjoys moving figurines over chess boards, spending quality time with quality people, and stubbornly trying to convince machines that cats are not, in fact, dogs.
Besides transforming words into worlds, Valerios also enjoys moving figurines over chess boards, spending quality time with quality people, and stubbornly trying to convince machines that cats are not, in fact, dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 8, 2025
Painfully Broken
The author did something in this book that is ridiculously painful to read about and in doing so broke the rules he established for his literary world; as a reader that is the number one taboo, don't break your own rules.
Spoiler... Jack's son is murdered in front of him. I already have a hard time reading a book that goes after children, but this author uses this kind of pain to cause a deliberate trauma to make his character grow. The rule the author created of a Dao tree breaking and stopping the progress of a cultivated was established in book one; I believe the author hinted at the time that it was almost impossible to recover from that kind of injury. And yet somehow Jack heals enough of his own trauma over witnessing the death of his own son in a year, that he is able to completely heal is Dao tree?!? This author attempts to have an audience try to understand Jack, but I have NEVER heard of any parent who loses a child that traumatic a fashion and be okay enough a year later to get on with their lives.
This book beginning at roughly 22% just becomes a farce. It just doesn't make sense and has a feel that the author is running out of content.
Not sure if I want to continue the series as I feel betrayed by the author.
I hope you enjoy the book more than myself.
The author did something in this book that is ridiculously painful to read about and in doing so broke the rules he established for his literary world; as a reader that is the number one taboo, don't break your own rules.
Spoiler... Jack's son is murdered in front of him. I already have a hard time reading a book that goes after children, but this author uses this kind of pain to cause a deliberate trauma to make his character grow. The rule the author created of a Dao tree breaking and stopping the progress of a cultivated was established in book one; I believe the author hinted at the time that it was almost impossible to recover from that kind of injury. And yet somehow Jack heals enough of his own trauma over witnessing the death of his own son in a year, that he is able to completely heal is Dao tree?!? This author attempts to have an audience try to understand Jack, but I have NEVER heard of any parent who loses a child that traumatic a fashion and be okay enough a year later to get on with their lives.
This book beginning at roughly 22% just becomes a farce. It just doesn't make sense and has a feel that the author is running out of content.
Not sure if I want to continue the series as I feel betrayed by the author.
I hope you enjoy the book more than myself.
October 14, 2024
Disappointing
Author, this is your most disappointing work in this series, it feels as if it is just some sloppy meat slapped on a table. Please respect yourself, get some reviewers, and don't - don't ruin the story for me.
Now that I got that out of my system, I am proud of how far Jack has come. I dislike the turn it the family took (SPOILER) not sure the mum not reaching D grade is necessary and Eric dying certainly isn't but it is a good turning point and brought Brock forward in importance.
Author, this is your most disappointing work in this series, it feels as if it is just some sloppy meat slapped on a table. Please respect yourself, get some reviewers, and don't - don't ruin the story for me.
Now that I got that out of my system, I am proud of how far Jack has come. I dislike the turn it the family took (SPOILER) not sure the mum not reaching D grade is necessary and Eric dying certainly isn't but it is a good turning point and brought Brock forward in importance.
December 2, 2024
quality of writing has diminished
This series was one of my favorites but this most recent installment has tarnished my affections. It felt at many points like I was reading a hurried, first iteration of the story, banged out during a creative drought while pressured by a submission deadline. A shame really, I hope the author finds himself in a different position for the next volume and delivers something closer to the pinnacle our protagonist strives to embody.
This series was one of my favorites but this most recent installment has tarnished my affections. It felt at many points like I was reading a hurried, first iteration of the story, banged out during a creative drought while pressured by a submission deadline. A shame really, I hope the author finds himself in a different position for the next volume and delivers something closer to the pinnacle our protagonist strives to embody.
October 16, 2024
Stupid book...
This series is dumb as hell! It's a meat head punching his way through space with his Bro-Code Gorilla Bro! It's Bros, and Spanking, and Idiocy...it isn't supposed to make me cry!
Parents be warned, there is some significant parent/child happenings here that will tug at you.
Well worth the read and I can't wait for more Bro-ing out.
This series is dumb as hell! It's a meat head punching his way through space with his Bro-Code Gorilla Bro! It's Bros, and Spanking, and Idiocy...it isn't supposed to make me cry!
Parents be warned, there is some significant parent/child happenings here that will tug at you.
Well worth the read and I can't wait for more Bro-ing out.
November 8, 2024
Another great read, the only problem is that book 6 isn't available yet. It has minimal romance, lots of action, and level-ups. The Bro Code concept is new and exciting, and this series is near perfect for me. I can lose myself in the book; before I know it, hours have passed, but I've enjoyed every moment.
I am looking forward to book 6.
I am looking forward to book 6.
November 18, 2024
Out of all the cultivation stories, this is the one that has the best pacing in my opinion.
The story doesn't take itself seriously enough, which improves the enjoyment, and allows the reader to just go along for the ride.
The power curve is ridiculous, but then again, it's a cultivation story.
The story doesn't take itself seriously enough, which improves the enjoyment, and allows the reader to just go along for the ride.
The power curve is ridiculous, but then again, it's a cultivation story.
November 26, 2024
Not up to par with the previous books
I want to say this book was great. The plot is solid, the characters enjoyable. However it feels very rushed and there are some obvious mistakes, such as easily looked up distances between galaxies. The jumps between major plot points are abrupt.
I want to say this book was great. The plot is solid, the characters enjoyable. However it feels very rushed and there are some obvious mistakes, such as easily looked up distances between galaxies. The jumps between major plot points are abrupt.
January 10, 2025
Great except for one thing
I would’ve given this book 5 stars except you just had to kill Jack’s son. Seriously, that was not worth the plot moving forward, if anything I think you ruined it with that event. I don’t believe I’ll read the rest of the series after this. So thank you for that.
I would’ve given this book 5 stars except you just had to kill Jack’s son. Seriously, that was not worth the plot moving forward, if anything I think you ruined it with that event. I don’t believe I’ll read the rest of the series after this. So thank you for that.
October 11, 2024
Don't waste your time on this one
I enjoyed the series up until this installment. It was whimsical and entertaining. I couldn't get more than a few chapters into this one, before and feeling the need to remove it from my library.
I enjoyed the series up until this installment. It was whimsical and entertaining. I couldn't get more than a few chapters into this one, before and feeling the need to remove it from my library.
October 15, 2024
Really good!
This book, more so than the rest... was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! It was sad, riveting, and expertly written! The way that you felt that this might be it for Jack.. Think Again! A solid Addition. I can't wait for the next book to drop!
This book, more so than the rest... was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! It was sad, riveting, and expertly written! The way that you felt that this might be it for Jack.. Think Again! A solid Addition. I can't wait for the next book to drop!
October 20, 2024
This installment takes a dark and depressing turn that made me want to stop reading. I continued on in hopes of redemption, it almost made it. Please Valerios, if you read this, don't continue down this road. I hope for better in vol. 6.
November 8, 2024
hard to put down
Was excited to see this next release, and read it in 1 week straight. Very satisfying to see the characters develop and crescendo to next level through thoughtful soul forming that applies to our mortal non-fiction world. Bring me more!
Was excited to see this next release, and read it in 1 week straight. Very satisfying to see the characters develop and crescendo to next level through thoughtful soul forming that applies to our mortal non-fiction world. Bring me more!
January 15, 2025
I enjoyed this a lot!
Once again Jack and Brock brought a golden light of Bro-ness that made stop what I was doing to see where they would end up. Thank you for moments of freedom from the mundane.
Once again Jack and Brock brought a golden light of Bro-ness that made stop what I was doing to see where they would end up. Thank you for moments of freedom from the mundane.
May 3, 2025
Nothing Special about this Book , has good action and an Okay Main Chracter but an idiotic Secondary Monkey Character makes me almost want to down vote this. Skip the Chapters that has "Brock" as a focus they are insufferablely stupid.
June 6, 2025
Holy shit! At first I thought this book was a good one in the series but oh boy… one of the most exciting and heart pounding climaxes I’ve ever read. Jack you are the man.
Spoilers below
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The author must be a one piece fan. “Freedom” “liberation” and punching… yea jack is luffy
Spoilers below
—
The author must be a one piece fan. “Freedom” “liberation” and punching… yea jack is luffy
January 19, 2026
Doing the impossible.
Jack Rust makes it a habit to do what others think he cannot. It's a great habit to have and saves his life time and time again. Cultivation is a marathon but Jack makes it look easy at a sprinter's pace. Can't wait to read book 6.
Jack Rust makes it a habit to do what others think he cannot. It's a great habit to have and saves his life time and time again. Cultivation is a marathon but Jack makes it look easy at a sprinter's pace. Can't wait to read book 6.
October 10, 2024
EXCITING AND ACTION PACKED
If you like cover to cover action, this book is for you. This series continues to maintain its standards and indeed gets better.
If you like cover to cover action, this book is for you. This series continues to maintain its standards and indeed gets better.
October 14, 2024
One of my fav series
Great series with Jack and his buddy Brock... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and Nocturne
Great series with Jack and his buddy Brock... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and Nocturne
October 16, 2024
Excellent
Great world building with vivid descriptions of Dao and cultivating breakthroughs with a logical system. Plus a story full of action.
Great world building with vivid descriptions of Dao and cultivating breakthroughs with a logical system. Plus a story full of action.
October 19, 2024
Great book
Great book awesome series. This series is awesome I love it it never feels rushed even during high speed moments I can't wait for more
Great book awesome series. This series is awesome I love it it never feels rushed even during high speed moments I can't wait for more
October 30, 2024
I would write an UNPRECEDENTED review if i could stop thinking about ARMPITS for a moment
November 16, 2024
Better than the last one, but still too much Brock. Based on how this book ends, that's inevitable moving forward, which is disappointing.
December 27, 2024
Not bad but had a lot that annoyed & frustrated me, fight scenes are well described well written & story was ok? cultivation thing's not bad done but.
#. Brock - in too much & bro thing is tedious.
#. MC family. - ahh so boring thought stupid idea from beginning & continues to be.
#. Lack adding to mental & will when said why important not let fall so far behind & no consequences makes no sense.
Add mc caring about loss had so much & for so long to basically a stranger,
to wanting to kill whole family/species for what 1 person did that they had nothing do with was yeah...
#. Brock - in too much & bro thing is tedious.
#. MC family. - ahh so boring thought stupid idea from beginning & continues to be.
#. Lack adding to mental & will when said why important not let fall so far behind & no consequences makes no sense.
Add mc caring about loss had so much & for so long to basically a stranger,
to wanting to kill whole family/species for what 1 person did that they had nothing do with was yeah...
November 13, 2025
Good but doubtful I will read next in series
This book has battles so big that it was too much, too often. Such a thing as too much of a good thing??
This book has battles so big that it was too much, too often. Such a thing as too much of a good thing??
April 28, 2025
The way this started out, I was sure that this was going to be a 3-star review, and there are still elements of this book that I dislike, but the second half was such a blast to read that it made up for all the flaws in the first half and then some. Before I get to the good stuff, though, let's talk about the bad.
I said in my last review that I didn't like how the author was dealing with the relationship between Jack and his family. Relationships have never been a high point of this series (with the exception of Brock and anyone he interacts with). This is not a strength of the author, and he wisely avoided dealing with a topic that he couldn't make great for the most part by relying on his strengths. He stayed away from romance and other relationship elements in favour of focusing on action, magic and advancement. For the most part, that worked for him... but then he decided to give Jack a family.
Given the way the series had played out to that point, my fear was that the author would try and trade on the relationship with that family as a point of motivation for the main character without putting in any of the work to make that genuinely meaningful, and that was exactly what happened. They play a big part in motivating the main character in this book despite the fact that he has spent next to no time as a family man and is basically a stranger to these people. Still, now we are expected to believe that his relationship with them is so deep that it will drive him to extreme action in a way that nothing else has done in this series so far. I just don't buy that based on the lack of relationship development work I have seen in this series so far.
That made the first half of this book ring hollow for me, especially when it sends our protagonist backwards for a good chunk of time, meaning we need to devote a significant portion of the story to getting back to where we started. In progression fantasy stories especially, any step back is a big blow to the story's pacing as the whole point of the story is moving forward, and it was here as well. The only upside would be if the main character comes out stronger for his experiences... which nicely leads to what was good about this book.
At about the halfway point, this book takes a turn as the protagonist starts his forward momentum again, and it is genuinely satisfying to read. He not only makes up for the step backward in the first half of the novel, but goes far and beyond that. If, like me, you love reading books like this because you enjoy reading about exceptional people living up to their potential, then you will come out of this book buzzing. As I mentioned in my review of book 3 (the other 5-star review in this series), a good series delivers on its promises regularly rather than just waiting for the end of the series, and here it does that again to great effect.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers, so will instead move onto my favourite character in this series; Brock.
Everyone needs someone like Brock in their life. He has long been the heart and soul of this series, and in this book, that pays off in massive ways. I also love that in this book, Brock gets his chance to shine in big ways, showing that while he may be the sidekick of Jack's story, he is not to be overlooked in any way. I love this character so much, and it is great to see him get some awesome scenes in this book.
In summary, this one was off to a rocky start, but it nailed the landing in a big way and I am more excited than ever to see where this story goes next.
I would be happy to see this series progress in the same way that it has been, with the author leaning on what he does best. However, if the author wants to continue to trade on relationships to motivate the story, I hope he spends a bit more time developing them... and not just the ones with Jack's family. Jack has had multiple "masters" at this point, none of them spending any time actually teaching him, yet all of them becoming deeply attached to him in a very short time. Relationships like these need significant work if they are going to work going forward.
I said in my last review that I didn't like how the author was dealing with the relationship between Jack and his family. Relationships have never been a high point of this series (with the exception of Brock and anyone he interacts with). This is not a strength of the author, and he wisely avoided dealing with a topic that he couldn't make great for the most part by relying on his strengths. He stayed away from romance and other relationship elements in favour of focusing on action, magic and advancement. For the most part, that worked for him... but then he decided to give Jack a family.
Given the way the series had played out to that point, my fear was that the author would try and trade on the relationship with that family as a point of motivation for the main character without putting in any of the work to make that genuinely meaningful, and that was exactly what happened. They play a big part in motivating the main character in this book despite the fact that he has spent next to no time as a family man and is basically a stranger to these people. Still, now we are expected to believe that his relationship with them is so deep that it will drive him to extreme action in a way that nothing else has done in this series so far. I just don't buy that based on the lack of relationship development work I have seen in this series so far.
That made the first half of this book ring hollow for me, especially when it sends our protagonist backwards for a good chunk of time, meaning we need to devote a significant portion of the story to getting back to where we started. In progression fantasy stories especially, any step back is a big blow to the story's pacing as the whole point of the story is moving forward, and it was here as well. The only upside would be if the main character comes out stronger for his experiences... which nicely leads to what was good about this book.
At about the halfway point, this book takes a turn as the protagonist starts his forward momentum again, and it is genuinely satisfying to read. He not only makes up for the step backward in the first half of the novel, but goes far and beyond that. If, like me, you love reading books like this because you enjoy reading about exceptional people living up to their potential, then you will come out of this book buzzing. As I mentioned in my review of book 3 (the other 5-star review in this series), a good series delivers on its promises regularly rather than just waiting for the end of the series, and here it does that again to great effect.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers, so will instead move onto my favourite character in this series; Brock.
Everyone needs someone like Brock in their life. He has long been the heart and soul of this series, and in this book, that pays off in massive ways. I also love that in this book, Brock gets his chance to shine in big ways, showing that while he may be the sidekick of Jack's story, he is not to be overlooked in any way. I love this character so much, and it is great to see him get some awesome scenes in this book.
In summary, this one was off to a rocky start, but it nailed the landing in a big way and I am more excited than ever to see where this story goes next.
I would be happy to see this series progress in the same way that it has been, with the author leaning on what he does best. However, if the author wants to continue to trade on relationships to motivate the story, I hope he spends a bit more time developing them... and not just the ones with Jack's family. Jack has had multiple "masters" at this point, none of them spending any time actually teaching him, yet all of them becoming deeply attached to him in a very short time. Relationships like these need significant work if they are going to work going forward.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews