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The Healer #3
The Healer: Book 3
At night, I cleanse the world of the undead, and in the morning, I enjoy a nice breakfast under my friends' curious gazes. But their questions will have to wait, because no matter how you spend your free time, life goes on.
Sometimes in unexpected ways, both for you and your acquaintances. After all, what could be more unexpected than the sudden arrival of your roommate's relatives? At least I know how to deal with the undead. Cut off the head and — boom — problem solved. But what should I do with an aunt ready to curse me from the doorstep?
Bribe? Flatter? Intimidate?
But that's not the worst of my troubles. I also have a bloodsucker on my trail who wants to use me against his superiors.
And as if that isn't bad enough, there are still the problems of the mundane life. I need to further develop my reputation as a healer and legalize my unusual talents. There's also the sword school. I have the skills, but will anyone believe that an orphaned commoner was just born so talented?
Sometimes in unexpected ways, both for you and your acquaintances. After all, what could be more unexpected than the sudden arrival of your roommate's relatives? At least I know how to deal with the undead. Cut off the head and — boom — problem solved. But what should I do with an aunt ready to curse me from the doorstep?
Bribe? Flatter? Intimidate?
But that's not the worst of my troubles. I also have a bloodsucker on my trail who wants to use me against his superiors.
And as if that isn't bad enough, there are still the problems of the mundane life. I need to further develop my reputation as a healer and legalize my unusual talents. There's also the sword school. I have the skills, but will anyone believe that an orphaned commoner was just born so talented?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 2, 2025
Roman Romanovich’s *The Healer (The Healer, #3)* is a commendable continuation of a series that has steadily matured into one of the more distinctive voices in the portal fantasy subgenre. With this installment, Romanovich deepens both the world-building and the emotional core of the narrative, maintaining a fine balance between grounded character arcs and high-concept fantasy stakes.
The novel once again follows the MC, a healer with a mysterious past and an increasingly complex present. Their dual life—part dedicated medical professional, part nocturnal slayer of the undead—provides fertile ground for both tension and introspection. The introduction of the MC’s roommate’s quirky, and at times, disruptive relatives adds a layer of domestic chaos that offsets the graver elements of the story. Romanovich’s ability to juxtapose mundane absurdity with existential danger is one of the series’ most charming qualities, and it's in full force here.
The MC remains one of the more refreshingly non-traditional protagonists in recent fantasy literature. They are competent, yes, but not all-powerful—a rarity in a genre often dominated by hyper-competent heroes. Their struggles to earn respect as a healer in a skeptical society, combined with the gradual mastery of their gifts, are rendered with convincing psychological nuance. Romanovich’s pacing here is deliberate but never sluggish, allowing ample space for character development without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Where the book truly shines, however, is in its imaginative expansion of the magical infrastructure. The use of portals, a staple of the genre, is handled with a flair that feels both logical and novel. The author’s integration of magical mechanics with real-world logic enhances the believability of the setting and lends weight to the stakes the MC faces. The core conflict—facing off against a tenacious bloodsucker while trying to protect and heal a community—feels urgent, yet never overwrought.
That said, seasoned readers of the series may find echoes of prior climaxes in the action-heavy finale. While still well-executed, it treads familiar ground. Additionally, the absence of a concise recap of previous events may leave returning readers disoriented, especially given the complex web of narrative threads now in play.
Nonetheless, *The Healer (The Healer, #3)* reaffirms Romanovich’s growing command of the genre. It's a thoughtful, well-crafted novel that respects the reader’s intelligence while delivering plenty of genre pleasures. For fans of progression fantasy looking for a more character-driven, philosophically grounded approach, this is an installment not to miss.
The novel once again follows the MC, a healer with a mysterious past and an increasingly complex present. Their dual life—part dedicated medical professional, part nocturnal slayer of the undead—provides fertile ground for both tension and introspection. The introduction of the MC’s roommate’s quirky, and at times, disruptive relatives adds a layer of domestic chaos that offsets the graver elements of the story. Romanovich’s ability to juxtapose mundane absurdity with existential danger is one of the series’ most charming qualities, and it's in full force here.
The MC remains one of the more refreshingly non-traditional protagonists in recent fantasy literature. They are competent, yes, but not all-powerful—a rarity in a genre often dominated by hyper-competent heroes. Their struggles to earn respect as a healer in a skeptical society, combined with the gradual mastery of their gifts, are rendered with convincing psychological nuance. Romanovich’s pacing here is deliberate but never sluggish, allowing ample space for character development without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Where the book truly shines, however, is in its imaginative expansion of the magical infrastructure. The use of portals, a staple of the genre, is handled with a flair that feels both logical and novel. The author’s integration of magical mechanics with real-world logic enhances the believability of the setting and lends weight to the stakes the MC faces. The core conflict—facing off against a tenacious bloodsucker while trying to protect and heal a community—feels urgent, yet never overwrought.
That said, seasoned readers of the series may find echoes of prior climaxes in the action-heavy finale. While still well-executed, it treads familiar ground. Additionally, the absence of a concise recap of previous events may leave returning readers disoriented, especially given the complex web of narrative threads now in play.
Nonetheless, *The Healer (The Healer, #3)* reaffirms Romanovich’s growing command of the genre. It's a thoughtful, well-crafted novel that respects the reader’s intelligence while delivering plenty of genre pleasures. For fans of progression fantasy looking for a more character-driven, philosophically grounded approach, this is an installment not to miss.
December 18, 2024
very good but
Another solid installment. There are two issues. One the whole vow not to kill other humans in a world that’s full of violence and d where the MC is being actively targeted makes no sense and becomes quite tiresome. Couldn’t have made a cow not to kill unless it was in defense of himself or others (i.e. to preserve life)?
The women are also very problematic. They’re mostly conniving manipulators, gossips or naive busybodies. I think the author can do better.
Another solid installment. There are two issues. One the whole vow not to kill other humans in a world that’s full of violence and d where the MC is being actively targeted makes no sense and becomes quite tiresome. Couldn’t have made a cow not to kill unless it was in defense of himself or others (i.e. to preserve life)?
The women are also very problematic. They’re mostly conniving manipulators, gossips or naive busybodies. I think the author can do better.
May 28, 2025
Oleg's life continues to get more dangerous, ahead of "schedule"
Oleg is constantly pushing himself, as safely as he can, to become stronger and better trained. He's also working harder to find more allies, though sometimes they force their way into his life unexpectedly.
There are some minor grammar issues, but not many. In two places, a space and a quotation mark were reversed, etc.
Oleg is constantly pushing himself, as safely as he can, to become stronger and better trained. He's also working harder to find more allies, though sometimes they force their way into his life unexpectedly.
There are some minor grammar issues, but not many. In two places, a space and a quotation mark were reversed, etc.
December 17, 2024
Still enjoying
Still enjoying the series, if you're interested in a new read, check out this series. My only concern is that with the story moving slowly it's going to take a large number of books to get to the conclusion but so far it's been worth the wait.
Still enjoying the series, if you're interested in a new read, check out this series. My only concern is that with the story moving slowly it's going to take a large number of books to get to the conclusion but so far it's been worth the wait.
May 17, 2025
Another good distraction from reality.
Mister Romanovich has continued in his intriguing series of Oleg's exploits. Some of the scenes induced an exciting viceral tension. Enjoyed the journey. Thank you Mister Romanovich. I look forward to book four.
Mister Romanovich has continued in his intriguing series of Oleg's exploits. Some of the scenes induced an exciting viceral tension. Enjoyed the journey. Thank you Mister Romanovich. I look forward to book four.
December 13, 2025
Missed this review when I did a load of updating.
The series is really getting into its stride at this point and we are starting to learn about what really happens in this world and its connection to the one our protagonist came from.
The series is really getting into its stride at this point and we are starting to learn about what really happens in this world and its connection to the one our protagonist came from.
December 17, 2024
Excellent!
Lots of action and a plot! Amazing works building in the best tradition of Russian LitRPG. The characters are well crafted and are multi dimensional.
Lots of action and a plot! Amazing works building in the best tradition of Russian LitRPG. The characters are well crafted and are multi dimensional.
October 10, 2025
Enjoyed it
He quickly became one of my favourite author. This is another solid entry to the series, with fast pacing balanced by enough character moments.
He quickly became one of my favourite author. This is another solid entry to the series, with fast pacing balanced by enough character moments.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews