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How I Built a Magic Empire #1

How I Built a Magic Empire: Book 1

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The next books of the series!
How I Built a Magic Empire (Book 2):
How I Built a Magic Empire (Book 3):


I have been reborn from an advanced techno-magic world into a world where magic is still in its infancy.

In this new world I have the body of a young baron and my entire worldly possessions are one village—a village surrounded by monsters and hostile aristocrats on the fringes of a young, rapidly expanding empire.

The other thing I have, though, is knowledge beyond what this world has dreamt of, and nothing will stop me from building my own magic empire!

477 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2024

1075 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

Konstantin Zubov

38 books12 followers

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5 stars
575 (49%)
4 stars
349 (29%)
3 stars
186 (15%)
2 stars
35 (3%)
1 star
20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
92 reviews
January 3, 2025
it’s a very Russian story

The spelling, punctuation and translation seem solid.
A little rough in overall story, a bit choppy and rushed. Not uncommon for slice of life Russian progression/build novels.
Never figured out if that’s just how Russian stories work, and we are just experiencing different cultural patterns, or if something else is at play.
No gratuitous sex, the one event was more referencing than telling, struck a happy medium that will keep no one happy.
Overall, if you’d like this type of literature, and you have access to the prime reading program, read it. If you’re looking for the best of the best, keep looking.

Profile Image for Garrett.
40 reviews
December 26, 2024
Couldn’t finish it. Stopped around a third of the way.

There isn’t much of a story. It is just quick snippets of interactions with no explanation other than “I could’ve done this numerous ways in my old world, but this will do”. It is rushed and has no details or build up.
Profile Image for Zachary.
687 reviews13 followers
January 15, 2025
Intriguing start

A fascinating start to an intriguing series. I found myself captivated by the simple and straightforward writing. A few random punctuation and grammar errors scattered throughout, but it was still a fun read. Don't think the story was originally written in English, so it's been interesting to see a story told with a slightly different value system than typical American/western values. Fun read though - looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Frodis.
28 reviews
February 19, 2025
VERY Russian. At times it reads more like a Russian spy thriller than a fantasy novel.
I'm not sure if ChatGPT was used for translation or what but it definitely was a computer program and not a human that did the translation to English. Some of the glaring errors made it difficult to read at times (double words, missing words, misspellings to the point where even one of the main characters name changes).
The concept was OK, and it held my interest long enough to finish the book but not the series. Let's just say it was not quite my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Akshay.
781 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2025

How I Built a Magic Empire (Book 1) by Konstantin Zubov is a compelling addition to the portal progression fantasy genre. It offers a blend of strategic empire-building, magic system development, and socio-political intrigue. While it showcases notable strengths, it also presents areas that may not resonate with every reader.

Plot and Premise

The narrative follows a protagonist who is reincarnated from a technologically advanced, magic-infused world into a realm where magic is nascent. Awakening in the body of a young baron with dominion over a single village, he leverages his prior knowledge to establish a burgeoning magical empire. The story emphasizes the challenges of introducing advanced concepts into a primitive society, focusing on infrastructure development, magical innovation, and political maneuvering.

Character Development

The protagonist is portrayed as a pragmatic and driven individual, often prioritizing efficiency over emotional connections. While this approach underscores his commitment to progress, it may lead to a perceived lack of depth in interpersonal relationships. Supporting characters serve functional roles within the narrative but could benefit from more nuanced development to enhance reader engagement.

World-Building and Magic System

Zubov excels in constructing a detailed world where magic is treated as a discipline to be studied and refined. The integration of magical research, experimentation, and application adds a layer of realism to the fantastical elements. The socio-political landscape, marked by rival nobles and external threats, provides a dynamic backdrop that challenges the protagonist's ambitions.

Writing Style and Pacing

The author's prose is straightforward, focusing on clarity and progression. The pacing is consistent, with a balance between action sequences and strategic planning. However, the emphasis on technical details and logistical considerations may appeal more to readers interested in the intricacies of empire-building than those seeking character-driven narratives.

Overall Assessment

How I Built a Magic Empire (Book 1) offers a methodical exploration of constructing a magical society from the ground up. Its strengths lie in its detailed world-building and the logical progression of the protagonist's endeavors. While it may not cater to readers seeking emotional depth or complex character arcs, it stands as a solid entry for those intrigued by the mechanics of societal development within a fantasy setting.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars)

For readers interested in the logistical aspects of empire-building and the evolution of magic systems, this book provides a satisfying experience. Those looking for more character-centric stories may find it less engaging.

Profile Image for Logan Horsford.
563 reviews20 followers
May 26, 2025
Less misogyny than normally found in Russian novels. Note - I didn't say 'none'. If that sort of thing upsets you, steer clear of this book. Meeting the large gang of seamstresses may stress you out.

Some 'WTF' sayings as a result of 'who translated this' but less than normal. The translator is a step or two better than the 'friend who speaks some English' normally employed (cheap) to do LitRPG books. I suppose there is enough strange turn of phrase to try to keep some of that 'Russian feeling'.

There are still references to rubles, the Russian Federation and such despite the world either being different or a big gap in time.

A lot of the stuff (you have died. Welcome to a new world!) was just sped over - it has become character background. That suits me.

Unlike a lot of wholly reactionary MC's, this one has a goal and a plan. This is a good thing.

There is some plot armor and "I came from a much more advanced world so now I am the new developing super power" as well as "I can outwit long established powers".

And there is a LOT of 'cast bloat'. Keeping track of who is who becomes more of a problem as you go.

The fact that nothing really seems to be a problem for the MC (at all - just give him time and you know he will win) is what keeps this book from being a four star book.

Would I read another in the set? Sure - if I either found it soon in audio or if it started with a brief 'here is what happened in the last book' because I don't think the events of this book are really super memorable and will stick with me.

141 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2025
This was a book... I think it suffers a bit in translation (one character drooled a statement at one point, which was an odd picture), but also the typical Russian point of view vs my own cultural views. It wasn't helped by the fact that the audible reader for this was . . bombastic? It took me a good portion of the book to get used to that. So maybe it would have worked better in more traditional print. (By bombastic I mean: I SAID I would help YOU and I MEAN IT BUT shouldn't the important part have been emphasized, I HAVE NO clue what's important in THIS sentence.)

I was sure I wouldn't continue with additional books after the first part, but the ending was a bit more solid (although not a proper book ending in my opinion). Also, some badly needed explanations started to arrive later in the book.
The explanations helped, but.. I kind of expected I'd get an earthling portalling into a magical realm. Instead I got to near-earths, both infested with magical crystals, with our hero leaving/fleeing(?) one and ending up in the other. Which meant that the typical explanation to the stupid 'I don't know what's going on' main character NEVER happens (bombastic at the right place!).

Also, all the women seem to exist to be pretty and want the main character. To be fair they are almost all also exceedingly competent/powerful in their own right, but still.

I think that if it's a cheap pick up I could see following along but there are so many books in my to read pile right now.
258 reviews6 followers
July 13, 2025
Audio - Narration is over the top..

Imagine if you arrive in a town where all the people act as if exercising social distancing while also hard of hearing,.. you stop in at the local eatery for lunch..
You try to order and the personnel holler at you out of the blue.. still you overcome this issue only to find that all the other patrons of the establishment also keep conversing with one another in this same hollering manner.. After a while you decide f-it! you've had enough walk up to the service counter/bar, change your order -to go-, get your complementary coffee in a travel cup and gtfo of both eatery and town as fast as your conveyance and the speed limit allows.

Well it seems as if the narrator reads nearly every conversation between characters as if they are consistently conversing separated by 5-10 meters in places with a lot of background noise.
Sadly the only way to manage something close to the luncheon analogy would be to acquire a text version of the story. But that would be like settling for a mix of canned dog & cat food for lunch from a lunch restaurant that was supposed to serve you a nice steak with all the trimmings.

There are also some minor errors.. like the naming continuity for the local currency.
Profile Image for Travis.
2,791 reviews51 followers
December 1, 2024
I received a review copy of this book.
How I Built a Magic Empire is the first book in this series, and if you've looked at any of my other reviews, you probably already know I really like building LitRPG tales, and this one falls squarely in that category. It's not all building all the time, but it's not a hero adventuring to the ends of the known universe all the time either. I think this one struck a nice balance (well, of course, there's more world building than adventuring, what with it being the first book and all), but I liked the balance, and I think the author did quite well. I'll definitely be looking forward to more books in this series.
106 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2025
The book had everything to please me since it directly tackles one of my guilty pleasures... In this regard, it succeeds quite well in its Isekai/Reincarnation. The MC is too strong, but that's classic and the job is done.

I don't usually judge the editing/translation since I'm not a native English speaker, but this time... I had enormous difficulties! Quite unbearable difficulties! I found some elements really irritating! Can't you guess?! Well, you should! It's this constant feeling that everyone is shouting! All the time! With "!" everywhere!

At least it made me laugh. In short: A nice start, somewhat classic and intriguing, but it lost its charm due to the way it was written, which caused a bit of a block for me. A solid 4 drops to a 3.
Profile Image for Robert Baucom.
87 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2024
Very enjoyable

Great world building. And the main character is intelligent and cunning.
The fact that he comes from a more advanced world? And moved to a world where removing your political opponent permanently is normal.
You do not have the artificial hand wring about oh I just killed a person that was a human slaver for the last 20 years , and had photographs of him doing unwrittable activities to minors. He just removes them permanently.
And dreams about how correct an action it was.
Got to love a hero like that.
He never wondered about right or wrong, he just knew.
Waiting for book two.
Profile Image for Ford Miller.
691 reviews6 followers
December 17, 2024
Enjoyable. Good writing, fast paced and fun.

There was some editing issues however the overall book was fun and enjoyable. It's nice to read something where the main character reveals the storyline instead of information dumps and expose that leave the reader feeling like he's reading textbook 8th grade science. The storyline was logical with good dialogue. I enjoyed the way the story revealed its world building through The eyes of the characters. The multiple supporting cast worked well, as well as the short spurts of storyline of the antagonists. I enjoyed it and look forward to book two!
244 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2025
Meh boring but not bad

So the story wasn't really a progression story at all which was pretty disappointing. There is some talk of growth but it's very nebulous and does not play any part of the story besides that the protagonist is gaining strength over time. There's no defined rules or anything like that.

The story itself is somewhat boring there's not a lot of action there's not a lot of growth there is a decent amount of politics if that's your thing.

But champs may ask the most though is that the first book is on KU and the rest are not which kind of feels like a bait and switch.
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,710 reviews29 followers
September 5, 2025
I'm thinking this is going to be another Legend of the Arch Magus knockoff. I hope it's fun.

Seems it isn't fully a Legend of the Arch Magus knockoff. The part with the Magus with years of knowledge is here, so is the reborn into a Noble's Body. The difference is the capture of nodes (areas of power) gives powers.
It feels more like a dungeon core story, especially with the "assistant".

Okay, this definitely wasn't knockoff of the book I mentioned. It has elements of that story, but is a completely different creature. Like I said, more a dungeon core or "rifts" type story.

I will pick up the sequel.

3/5 Stars
21 reviews
December 27, 2024
Good Town Building Isekai Adventure

The isekai part was a bit confusing at first. The main character is from an alternate world that is similar to ours in a techno-magical future. He arrived into a different alternate world that is also similar to ours as well in a post technical civilization after an event occurred and magic is ‘new’. Both are focused around the Russian area.
Once the story gets going, everything falls in place and moves along at a captivating pace.
I look forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Shane Lawrence.
107 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2025
Simplistic and somewhat disjointed

When I look at the number of reviews, and I see the pricing on the following books and the large number of reviews… It seems like pump and dump fiction, give you a simplistic story for free and hope you pay nine bucks to see if it gets any better. The plot development is simplistic and follows a very popular standard now, village building however it lacks real plot elements, and even the main protagonist are dealt with easily, with little or no character development at all
630 reviews9 followers
April 8, 2025
Started off a bit slow but picke up speed and interest

Fairly well written with interesting situations and developments. The characters could use some more development but the storyline is interesting. There were a few typos. The worldbuilding wasnt too in depth other that being an alternate universe of Russia.

I enjoyed the story and am moving on to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for James Riley.
1,184 reviews14 followers
November 25, 2024
Really good

I liked this book quite a bit. The ending, not as much. If the pseudo cliffhanger ending annoys you, this might not be the book for you. At least, you might want to wait until the next one is released. Still, it's a well written book and, for the most part, very enjoyable.

Recommended
1,055 reviews13 followers
December 17, 2024
Good light entertainment

In an postapocalyptic Russia a young isekaied mage strives for greatness. Very similar to the stories of other Russian authors like Oleg Sapphire.

The plot is nice even though the story is rather simplistic and most characters act like NPC's.. Somehow the story felt like a computer game on easy mode..
382 reviews15 followers
January 1, 2025
great isekai

So a mage has his world destroyed and then wakes up in a new world in a new body. A body that’s just been assasknated. Surrounded by enemies and cut throats all he has is his guards, his wits, and his magical knowledge. It was fun, fast paced, and kept me completely engaged the entire time! I can’t wait for book2
Profile Image for Wolfgarr.
340 reviews20 followers
January 26, 2025
The story is ... ok
But the editing is sub par
There are portions that were never translated and are in Russian.
Mistakes like that would have been caught by any decent editor or even a basic proofread.
...
I don't recommend anyone buying this series.
Wait until its free and then read it.
48 reviews
January 31, 2025
What is up with this new trend

Putting the first book out under Kindle Unlimited and then charging for the rest?

It won't work as well as they think with people like me.

I want to read the lot under Kindle Unlimited and those I love, I buy especially if once it's complete you put it out as a complete set.
5 reviews
March 9, 2025
Didn't finish. Needs proper English editing.

The story itself was enjoyable. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish due to the horrendous editing. There was too much misused and unnecessary punctuation, as well as, too many misspelled words and typos. Words like "our" were instead "out". Too many simple errors killed the experience.
844 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2025
Really good introduction to a series

This book was a really good series introduction. The characters were interesting, lots of action and adventure, and fascinating magic thrown in too. Even though it seems like a hard world to live in, I do think it would be fun to visit. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
5 reviews
July 16, 2025
This book is a power fantasy at its core. The protagonist’s rise to dominance is not through brute force but through the clever application of knowledge. Watching a young baron with the world’s most advanced knowledge navigate through political scheming and dangerous monsters offers a satisfying sense of empowerment for readers who crave stories of underdog triumph.
89 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2025
Solid

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has the distinct Russian writing style I've come to learn most (all?) Russian authors use, but this one has far less repetition.

The story moves quickly without getting bogged down in too many pointless conversations, a gripe I have with other stories.

Overall, a good book 1.
5 reviews
August 7, 2025
Poor, not worth paying for outside of KU

The spelling and grammar are okay, the author has let through some inconsistency in the setting and asumes most of the characters other than the mc are idiots. Cannot write a female character that is not a stereotype or bimbo. Its not worth paying for outside of kindle unlimited. I will not be reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews18 followers
November 24, 2024
Entertaining Read

Sebastian has taken over a barony at the edge of the Empire, facing challenges from monsters and other dangers. The story features action, humor, and intrigue, leaving the reader anticipating the next book.
508 reviews4 followers
December 10, 2024
Good story line, lots of action and some novel concepts about magic and how it works. -1 star because shallow charter development for the MC produces little in the way of empathy. It's also slight overpriced. I'll try volume two bit if there is no improvement will be dropping out there.
Profile Image for Jim Phillips.
924 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2024
Love the building

Pretty sure this was written in a different language and run through Google translate. So you get some odd turns of phrase. However its not very distracting from a very good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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