The Society of Starry Eyes: An Isekai LitRPG

A Budding Scientist in a Fantasy World #2

by acaswell

A determined young woman struggles to uncover the secrets of the System itself—before the unthinkable happens—as this LitRPG adventure continues.Transported from Earth to an entirely new planet, filled with magic and monsters, Alice Verianna has not only had to figure out how to survive but to learn and grow while she’s at it. But what’s really driven her from the time of her arrival is the desire to investigate—and determine the true nature of—the seemingly omnipotent System that holds sway over all things in the world of Luliv. Alice takes a major leap forward when she finds a patron researcher who helps her gain admittance to magic school, where she gets to study everything from self-defense to monster biology. But the more she advances both academically and personally, the more she suspects something might be wrong with the System itself . . .Adding to the danger and darkness, the enigmatic Society of Starry Eyes has been working in the shadows, conducting experiments with broken mana and human beings—to horrifying results. With the Society growing ever bolder and the land on the precipice of disaster, can Alice discover what’s wrong with the System before it’s too late?The second volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series—with almost two million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Mistress OP · Rating 4 out of 5]

This highly talented author has a hook problem. A hook problem that could be fixed with content editors who is actually into the genre. Namely two main problems with this wonderful piece of work. The MC has issues connecting to the world. She's a research robot so but as a reader the author does a really poor job doing emotional hooks. I think the audiobook reader hired for this does a really good job putting those emotional hooks into the piece of work that isn't in the written word. Honestly, it's to bad the sag actor isn't a writer so that the sag actor could help the author HEAR the places where they need to add moments. Because the sag actor reading it really lets the author work bloom in ways the written word themsevles don't. It's extremely flat in places not enough action. Not enough reaction to wins. The real joy she feels about these wins aren't there. I think there's this dungeon core fantasy like crafters core or something. I can't remember the name has a very simlar MC. Where your dealing with a low/no romance female MC. But the MC is super into the "subject" of creation. Nutty levels of into it. The author really played with stakes in a smart way. Also used the connection of friendship really well. Where as this book lacks in your face stakes. (think a mini human boss moment) We have the big bad starry eyes and that's it as a huamn level boss. But that's almost to distance to be a real in your face every second omg threat for most of the book. They show up but it's not really in a way that was actually about her. Just a oops drop this mini threat here. Keep it moving. and it's a lot like watching a fantasy version of TLC but without really an animated narrator / jokes / heavy personal connection. It works as a story. It's very good because I'm into this kind of thing. But as a work of art... it's extremely nitch (not that it's a bad thing) I think with the audiobook reader this will be a 4 star book. maybe 5. But right now I hope the author learns how to emote better in there writing.

not sure if this is part of book 3 because I'm on royal road reading right now. But Ethan joins and it actually turns into a much better story. Seriously though content edits and brighting in places darkening in others could really make this book shine.

[Ariel Leaym · Rating 4 out of 5]

So while I did enjoy these books I will say the unnecessary amount of times we were read her full sheet of perks and classes was a bit much along with very repetitive lines that seemed to happen very often. For some reason the “Alice sighed” or “she frowned” lines stick out to me the most. The amount of times these were used was sort of ridiculous… especially when they were also used in a large amount in the first book as well. They character development and interest in things other than research were lacking. And then when she would start going on thinking tangents that she had right as a question or conversation were directed at her were a lot. It was actually frustrating because while I know she is big on wanting to focus on research and getting better knowledge on the system itself she could be a little more interested in other people since she didn’t seem like a hermit if she was one of those characters that stayed holed up and hardly talked or interacted with anyone it would make more sense. But she went to an Academy had a best friend that in the first book was slightly more relevant and she had made friends in the Academy as well if not a lot she still had some and as the this second book went on it was like they stopped existing.

I don’t want to talk about too much in case others want to read this book but the ending as well was slightly confusing. Based on the audiobook ending it sounds like this is the last book in the series which if I’m not wrong doesn’t make a lot of sense to me unless everyone just died there? But also based on the prologue it sounded like the society of starry eyes was actually going to be going after our main character but just based off of both the kindle book and the audiobook made it sound like that was the end of the series entirely. Now I know most books aren’t updated on releases till much later after the last book was released and that we could get updates later. However, I will say for now that if that was the end of this book series I’m a little disappointed. If not great and maybe I’ll get some answers. Also. Whoever that other immortal was with the basically robot made it sound like he fixed things to his liking and only killed one person unless I read that incorrectly? But then the prologue has the society freaking out and wanting to get researchers. So basically the ending to me was just very confusing which is why I’m hoping there actually will be a third book.

[Donald Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The well told and unique story of Alice continues. Its a great concept and I really like it. Alas it also somewhat shares the fatal flaw of the litRPG genre. In this case the character sheets don't fall into the overly repetitious trap that so many do to simply pad the story length. But the do edge into the 2nd most common trap. They are LONG each one has huge amounts of text describing minor aspect of skills, perks, ability's et al. that simple are relevant to the context at the time of presentation. IE Alice interacts with here environment, this gives her some improvements to considerably less then 5% of the character sheet as relevant to that interaction. Yet we are present with yet another copy of the entire character sheet that is 95+% irrelevant at that time. Not nearly as bad as an overabundance of copies, yet still a waste of literary time both in the creating and in the reading. I like the genre a lot but authors please hold yourselves to higher literary standards! The character sheet and mechanisms does is a necessary part of the genre but it should be an adjunct piece with the actual story and characterization being the major elements.

[Scott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this one as much as the first, but there was too much time wasted without story content that moved things forward. Alice has her first major battle with the Society of the Starry Eyes, but while her research classes went up a lot, we really don't know too much. The reader is left wondering why, if everything is so bad, the Society doesn't just present itself to the worlds Nations and explain what they are doing and why it's important. Instead they do horrible things to prisoners with very little benefit. It made a good backstory in the first book but in the second we see those reasons starting to play out, and they're not very good reasons. A whole chapter is spent talking about Alice's lack of horseback riding skills. Well over an hour is spent reading the character sheet verbatim, without any way to simply skip it (it would be great if the audiobook was parsed so you could just skip to the end.) I'm really looking forward to the next book, but I have to admit, when I got to the end I thought "Is that it? It's over already?"

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Excellent read period truly a fun story with the basis. Still being a person from our Earth transported to a magical world but with a scientific bent. Alice Alice believes in science experimentation study and to achieve her goals.She has to do a lot of that in this book.She goes to college, a magical college, and continues her learning about things that even the locals don't know. I love the way the book is written and the progression. The MC is not a fighter by want or trade, but when the time comes she is good at it. This is needed because more and more people in the future will target her for her rapid growth and knowledge. Unfortunatellying I have to wait for the next book hope is is soon.

[George Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book so I picked this up the first day that it was available in audio book form. I quickly finished the story and found it was a fun continuation.

Alice has traveled to Luliv. She finds a patron the enables her to enter the magical academe. She continues to study the magic system itself. Finding out more and more about the system and making some powerful immortal friends.

I like the story but most of the important events with the Society of Starry Eyes and other magic users happen around Alice. Alice only plays a small role in the story. Which is realistic feeling and not really that typical for the protagonist to do so little.

The story ends on a huge cliff hanger I didn't see coming in the slightest.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the book, it ends with such awful cliffhanger that I strongly recommend that you do *not* read this book before the part 3 is released! That's the main reason I am giving it such low rating.


At the end of the book the entire system mana disappears. Why? We don't know. Did the system itself die? We don't know. The implications of such change for the society will obviously be awful. And you need to wait for book 3 to learn!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

The MC goes to magic school and befriends an immortal. She starts investigating cores and magic in ernest and finds the System is starting to have problems. She also helps defeat the Society of Starry Eyes and free their experiments.

A fun continuation of the series. This isn’t a standalone novel. The pacing is good and the magic system and world expands for the reader. In all a great listen. Please enjoy

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Intelligent Hero

I prefer to read about strong, intelligent women. A!ice not only looks like a woman she thinks like one. And she can talk without every other word being four letters of boring crude profanity. I want the next volume so much, I have bought the first volume and I am buying this one.

[Sundeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this better than the first book, especially after Alice got to work with high level users. Getting to see more of the world and their culture was good too. The magical science experiments continued to be the major focus - they were fine for the most part, just wish there were more people who could have helped Alice and it becomes a tad boring with endless list of things to do.

[Seth Dwyer-frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful continuation of the story

Starry Eyes continues the world building and development that made the first book in the series delightful. This book also raises the stakes and provides new goals for our protagonist. All in all the series remains entertaining and I look forward to the next book.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book and anticipated this one for months. I had a hard time giving it my full attention. I didn't enjoy the narration this time around, and my interest faded in and out. I gave a glowing review to the first book.

[Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the RR version. Much nifty.

[Christopher SJ Charleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun times

Another great entry to the series. I am excited for what comes next and can't wait to read the next book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not disappoint!

I enjoyed the first book and had been waiting for this one to come out. Now I guess I'll be waiting on the next one. Greatly enjoyed it!

[M Hamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

the itch is continuously being scratched

the school ,lessons and parties extended chapters are the malaise of a fantasy writer

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything I wanted!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take out the brackets!

What is this with all the brackets? It is distracting and causes the eye to stop every time they are used. It basically ruins the reading experience!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

More clearly focused and less annoying than book 1.

[Travis Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid follow up to book 1.

[Johnie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.

[Velhala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Definitely hoping she doesn’t get kidnapped by the Society next book though, hate kidnapped stories

[Robin Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly great series

What a great read. A very unique take on system magic with a very unique protagonist as well. A delightful read I highly recommend.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I just enjoyed this, still like the main character and the details of the world.

[Roh Bawt · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far this series is a very solid 2 stars for me. Would be a three star for sure but its a little too repetitive on the stats for my taste and... I don't find the MC particularly compelling. Not bad but just kinda meh. But the cool setting and story will have me coming back for book three with it hits audio.

[Alexandra AwkwardSnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I love most of it. The one critique i have is showing too much of the "character sheet" fully or going over the math again. A fee times was a bit, eh. Small issue but would be easily fixed by just adding in a link of some kind and then her explanation being how much more was added instead of restating the whole sheet.