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Nightlord #3
Orb
We all have inner demons. We fight them all the time. Some of us achieve inner peace by coming to terms with them.
But how do you come to terms with inner demons that tear free and become outer demons?
Eric has been a vampire for nearly a century, and his demons are more than metaphors. While they controlled him, he was the Demon King. Now he has to avoid the monsters in his own mind, as well as angry nobles, fanatical religions, assassins, magi, other vampires, criminal organizations, and the neighborhood gossip.
He wants two things: To find Tort, and to have someplace to call home.
It may be too much to ask.
But how do you come to terms with inner demons that tear free and become outer demons?
Eric has been a vampire for nearly a century, and his demons are more than metaphors. While they controlled him, he was the Demon King. Now he has to avoid the monsters in his own mind, as well as angry nobles, fanatical religions, assassins, magi, other vampires, criminal organizations, and the neighborhood gossip.
He wants two things: To find Tort, and to have someplace to call home.
It may be too much to ask.
660 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2016
214 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Garon Whited
23 books1,267 followersGaron Whited was supposedly born in 1970, but the original birth certificate is suspiciously unavailable and other records do not agree. After spending some years in college playing role-playing games, he finally settled down into a steady job working with computers—and still plays role-playing games. He finally joined a radicalized group of jellyfish-herding nomads. Having fought zombie dolphins, quasi-corporeal wine and spirits, as well as brain-sucking mole rats, he is uniquely qualified to write fantastic fiction. His subsequent attempts at professional salsa repairman and ley line salesman met with similar success. An affinity for science fiction and fantasy has condemned him to write whenever he has a chance, despite therapy involving shocks and rubber hoses. He claims he lives on this planet, but impartial observers have expressed some doubt. He currently lives in Texarkana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 12, 2016
(Some spoilers)
I absolutely loved these books but I'm slowly getting more and more annoyed with them.
The writing is still awesome and the characters still rock. It's the plot progression I am beginning to hate.
The main dude is epic and is one of the best characters ever made(in my opinion). He spends his time creating ridiculously awesome weapons, bases, new magic and developing relationships with the other characters. Basically, hes building the empire of awesome.
But at least once per book the author decides to go "muahahahaha" and undoes almost everything the dude accomplished so far. I didn't mind it the first, or even the second time it happened but it's getting rediculous now. For example, he spends hualf this latest book in another world making friends and having some fun, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then BAM!. Guess what, all his friends are dead.... again.
Made a bunch of friends? They all died :)
Gained trust and good will with other nations? Got possessed and now they hate u :)
Trained a bunch of epic fighters? They wandered off and got other jobs :)
Managed to get a queen who respects and adores u? Yep, she hates and doesn't trust you anymore:)
The list goes on and on. I want to see what he can ACTUALLY accomplish, not an infinate loop of re starts.
On a side note, I miss smart hellar. His iq seems to be dropping more and more. Even side characters in the book point it out.
I absolutely loved these books but I'm slowly getting more and more annoyed with them.
The writing is still awesome and the characters still rock. It's the plot progression I am beginning to hate.
The main dude is epic and is one of the best characters ever made(in my opinion). He spends his time creating ridiculously awesome weapons, bases, new magic and developing relationships with the other characters. Basically, hes building the empire of awesome.
But at least once per book the author decides to go "muahahahaha" and undoes almost everything the dude accomplished so far. I didn't mind it the first, or even the second time it happened but it's getting rediculous now. For example, he spends hualf this latest book in another world making friends and having some fun, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then BAM!. Guess what, all his friends are dead.... again.
Made a bunch of friends? They all died :)
Gained trust and good will with other nations? Got possessed and now they hate u :)
Trained a bunch of epic fighters? They wandered off and got other jobs :)
Managed to get a queen who respects and adores u? Yep, she hates and doesn't trust you anymore:)
The list goes on and on. I want to see what he can ACTUALLY accomplish, not an infinate loop of re starts.
On a side note, I miss smart hellar. His iq seems to be dropping more and more. Even side characters in the book point it out.
July 20, 2016
Whited does a good job of creating new, believeable characters and introduce them into the series. We also meet a few old acquaintances that developed in Halars absence though not as many as i hoped.
Alas, the plot is more chaotic then usual. There are so many good ideas but they dont weave into a nice rug but a pile of hay. They are picked up but aren´t finished and leave a lot of loose ends. For me it feels like Halar didn´t achieve or resolve anything he set out to do and is even worse off then when the book started. The story seems like 1 1/2 books really, with the too long part on Future Earth and half a book on Karvalen.
The writing was good though there were, for my taste, too many passages where Halar had philosopical monologues or thoughts on trivial daily things.
The world building is one of the things Whited does the best. The atmosphere, rules and geography of the different worlds were written as concise and good as always.
For the most part this book continues the series with the same strengths and weaknesses as its predecessors. The last ~3% of the book were quite upsetting though and felt like a devil ex machina.
Characters 3/5
Plot 1/5
Suspense 3/5
Writing 3/5
World Building 4/5
Alas, the plot is more chaotic then usual. There are so many good ideas but they dont weave into a nice rug but a pile of hay. They are picked up but aren´t finished and leave a lot of loose ends. For me it feels like Halar didn´t achieve or resolve anything he set out to do and is even worse off then when the book started. The story seems like 1 1/2 books really, with the too long part on Future Earth and half a book on Karvalen.
The writing was good though there were, for my taste, too many passages where Halar had philosopical monologues or thoughts on trivial daily things.
The world building is one of the things Whited does the best. The atmosphere, rules and geography of the different worlds were written as concise and good as always.
For the most part this book continues the series with the same strengths and weaknesses as its predecessors. The last ~3% of the book were quite upsetting though and felt like a devil ex machina.
Characters 3/5
Plot 1/5
Suspense 3/5
Writing 3/5
World Building 4/5
August 31, 2019
I'm not sure what to think about this book... Is the author making his MC stupid and clueless on purpose? Does he like bad ends that much? Because it is pissing me off. I don't think mister Whited and his works are doing it for me. Though I like some of the characters he creates, Mary was so badass and the voice of reason... but the mc still ignore her warnings and see what happens? Well, thanks for the ride mister Whited.
December 10, 2016
This book was just so CHAOTIC and NOTHING was accomplished. It was more like a filler. I don't tink I will stick with this series. So DISAPPOINTED right now.
October 30, 2016
You can skip this book. It's almost entirely filler. 50% of the book is Halar eating. I'm probably not even exaggerating. Maybe, if I'm being very generous, about 10% of this book is relevant to the story. Nothing new happens with Halar. A few new powers/spells are mentioned, but if anything he's weaker now than ever before. He gets a new girlfriend that berates him and calls him a retard, which is 100% accurate. Hilariously, almost the entire book people say they are scared of him, but he doesn't do anything aside from get his ass beat, captured, tortured, chased, etc. Honestly, the book should just be titled; Nightlord Avoidance. Whole thing is Halar avoiding his problems, which ironically, he was dealing with slowly and would have eventually dealt with them all, but he was "saved" so now he's a weak cunt mentally. Good times.
Also, there are a ton of simple solutions to his problems.
He wants to get back to his home world. In the first part of the book he wonders if the creature under the bed could appear in the world he's in, but he never fucking checks. Why not come up with a way to contact him or just fucking try? The creature can clearly travel between dimensions. He even has evidence of it. The creature also said it could take him. Why not crawl under a fucking bed and find out? If his daughter can do it, why not him? Just stupid as all fuck. If he can't be contacted from that world, why not use the under the bed tactic he uses to send a message to Tyiel?
Then he wants to find out what happened to Tort/Tyiel. Why not ask one of your 5 fucking god friends, retard? Sparky is showing she cares about him enough to answer any question he has. Ask her to fucking help. If she doesn't know, Sparky can ask the other gods.
How come in the previous book he was able to use his god power, but in this book he cant? I specifically remember a time he blessed someone or some shit. 0 evidence of that in this.
Why not finish what you start and just kill all the cartels involved? How fucking hard is it to find out, really? Why does he have to be careful? Bullets don't hurt. Pure stupidity.
Why is he scared of vampires? Can't he just absorb their powers and make himself stronger. Even if he doesn't, his tendrils alone should be able to murder them all. When the guy turned into a bunch of fucking bats, why not wreck his shit with the Tendrils?
He can see souls and tell if someone is lying yet he is constantly deceived? What?
He at one point needs a quantumn computer for some protection or some shit. Why not use the computer you fucking brought with you, cunt? What happened to the crystals he brought? Why not use a locator spell to find it? Why not make a gateway to his original world and spend some time there in his head-space, since its a massive time differential there and solve his shit?
Why not go find out if there are nodes there that you can access or something in that world.
I mean, the entire book is like that. Every issue he brings up, you know he can find a solution for like in the previous books, but he never bothers. I also like how it's been 3 books and he still hasn't bothered with flight even after going to a world where the rules are consistent with his knowledge. Why not do it there and see if his idea would work in that world? He's too busy trying to find his Tort!
Why not finally take a fucking minute to compile all your knowledge of spells from zerofell and other magicians you've killed? UGH!
Honestly, nothing in this book makes any fucking sense and almost everything in it is pointless. All I got was a lot of torture porn and Halar getting his ass beat by mortals complete with a cliffhanger ending. This book was a complete waste of time. I hope 4 will be better.
Sorry, I wrote this at 2 AM. I'm very tired.
Also, there are a ton of simple solutions to his problems.
He wants to get back to his home world. In the first part of the book he wonders if the creature under the bed could appear in the world he's in, but he never fucking checks. Why not come up with a way to contact him or just fucking try? The creature can clearly travel between dimensions. He even has evidence of it. The creature also said it could take him. Why not crawl under a fucking bed and find out? If his daughter can do it, why not him? Just stupid as all fuck. If he can't be contacted from that world, why not use the under the bed tactic he uses to send a message to Tyiel?
Then he wants to find out what happened to Tort/Tyiel. Why not ask one of your 5 fucking god friends, retard? Sparky is showing she cares about him enough to answer any question he has. Ask her to fucking help. If she doesn't know, Sparky can ask the other gods.
How come in the previous book he was able to use his god power, but in this book he cant? I specifically remember a time he blessed someone or some shit. 0 evidence of that in this.
Why not finish what you start and just kill all the cartels involved? How fucking hard is it to find out, really? Why does he have to be careful? Bullets don't hurt. Pure stupidity.
Why is he scared of vampires? Can't he just absorb their powers and make himself stronger. Even if he doesn't, his tendrils alone should be able to murder them all. When the guy turned into a bunch of fucking bats, why not wreck his shit with the Tendrils?
He can see souls and tell if someone is lying yet he is constantly deceived? What?
He at one point needs a quantumn computer for some protection or some shit. Why not use the computer you fucking brought with you, cunt? What happened to the crystals he brought? Why not use a locator spell to find it? Why not make a gateway to his original world and spend some time there in his head-space, since its a massive time differential there and solve his shit?
Why not go find out if there are nodes there that you can access or something in that world.
I mean, the entire book is like that. Every issue he brings up, you know he can find a solution for like in the previous books, but he never bothers. I also like how it's been 3 books and he still hasn't bothered with flight even after going to a world where the rules are consistent with his knowledge. Why not do it there and see if his idea would work in that world? He's too busy trying to find his Tort!
Why not finally take a fucking minute to compile all your knowledge of spells from zerofell and other magicians you've killed? UGH!
Honestly, nothing in this book makes any fucking sense and almost everything in it is pointless. All I got was a lot of torture porn and Halar getting his ass beat by mortals complete with a cliffhanger ending. This book was a complete waste of time. I hope 4 will be better.
Sorry, I wrote this at 2 AM. I'm very tired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2017
What a colossal waste of time.
This is the first time I've ever finished a book and then felt a sense of loss and rage. Not at the characters. Not at the book itself, but almost entirely directed towards the author.
Nothing. freaking. happens. in. this. book!
Absolutely nothing.
It felt like a perpetual series of side quests in an open world MMO. I found myself three quarters of the way through the book before the plot seemed to actually be going somewhere. At this point I let out a sigh, thinking to myself "Finally! Something that actually matters is going to happen!", only to be not just disappointed, but completely disillusioned.
I very nearly contacted Audible requesting a refund. I've never been tempted to do that before.
Which is a shame. I had high hopes for this story. Yes, the first two books were flawed. Yet I still loved the world that Whited created. I love Bronze, and Firebrand. I was willing to overlook the extreme over-explanation of every single detail. I was willing to overlook the long, self-pitying bouts of introspection and self-recrimination. Unfortunately, this third book took all the flaws of the first two, doubled their occurrences, and then amplified them so much that it was almost unbearable. When you couple that with the fact that there's a TON of foreshadowing and buildup in the story; with absolutely no resolution....it makes for a very, very frustrating read.
I'm still undecided as to whether or not I'm willing to subject myself to such torture again when the next book is released.
This is the first time I've ever finished a book and then felt a sense of loss and rage. Not at the characters. Not at the book itself, but almost entirely directed towards the author.
Nothing. freaking. happens. in. this. book!
Absolutely nothing.
It felt like a perpetual series of side quests in an open world MMO. I found myself three quarters of the way through the book before the plot seemed to actually be going somewhere. At this point I let out a sigh, thinking to myself "Finally! Something that actually matters is going to happen!", only to be not just disappointed, but completely disillusioned.
I very nearly contacted Audible requesting a refund. I've never been tempted to do that before.
Which is a shame. I had high hopes for this story. Yes, the first two books were flawed. Yet I still loved the world that Whited created. I love Bronze, and Firebrand. I was willing to overlook the extreme over-explanation of every single detail. I was willing to overlook the long, self-pitying bouts of introspection and self-recrimination. Unfortunately, this third book took all the flaws of the first two, doubled their occurrences, and then amplified them so much that it was almost unbearable. When you couple that with the fact that there's a TON of foreshadowing and buildup in the story; with absolutely no resolution....it makes for a very, very frustrating read.
I'm still undecided as to whether or not I'm willing to subject myself to such torture again when the next book is released.
July 18, 2017
Slow and arduous
The book is a pain to read. With how events transpired on the previous book, you'd come to expect lots of action and dynamics on the story. Instead it was just another slow and winding road of someone trying to play hero, coping with minor adversities, and trod slowly through everything, busy with moralising and justifying things. While it build up to a nice cliffhanging climax, the road to get there is as tiring as watching a soap opera
The book is a pain to read. With how events transpired on the previous book, you'd come to expect lots of action and dynamics on the story. Instead it was just another slow and winding road of someone trying to play hero, coping with minor adversities, and trod slowly through everything, busy with moralising and justifying things. While it build up to a nice cliffhanging climax, the road to get there is as tiring as watching a soap opera
January 13, 2024
Ēriks ir tik viens, vairāk vai mazāk ierindas iedzīvotājs, pēc profesijas skolotājs, un vēl nesen līgavaiņa statusā esoša persona, kad pēc liktenīgā ballītē, uz kuru devies tieši tā iemesla dēļ, ka vairs neksaitās kā līgavainis, sapazīstas ar daiļu skaistuli vārdā Saša. Un iepazīšanās liktenīga ne tikai aiz noprotamā nākošajā rītā, kad abi pamostas zem vienas segas, bet arī faktā, ka galvassāpes nav vienkāršu paģiru simptomi, bet tajā, ka pēc attiecīgas nakts Ēriks nu ir pārvērsts par vampīru.
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https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
October 8, 2016
Poor Eric. He's gone from starting to build things and being torn away from his projects before they are finished, to never even having time to get them properly started before he's interrupted. No longer just busy, but rushed, sleep-deprived, and without sufficient time to process his emotions or even figure out what he wants to do, or who he is.
Slipping between a high-tech alternative reality and a sword-socery high magic reality, we get self-driving cars and magical living mountains, and, of course, our sarcastic and humorous, but increasingly tragic, vampire. This book was just as much fun as the last, but the ending sure left me hoping this poor guy isn't going to be spat out another hundred years in the future with everyone he knows dead or aged, as before. If he is.. well, I'll still keep reading.
I love these books, and I love Eric.
Slipping between a high-tech alternative reality and a sword-socery high magic reality, we get self-driving cars and magical living mountains, and, of course, our sarcastic and humorous, but increasingly tragic, vampire. This book was just as much fun as the last, but the ending sure left me hoping this poor guy isn't going to be spat out another hundred years in the future with everyone he knows dead or aged, as before. If he is.. well, I'll still keep reading.
I love these books, and I love Eric.
November 4, 2016
So after finishing 36 hours of the audiobook all I can say is where the hell was the plot? 36 hours and nothing has happened. No conclusions at all, just more setup for another book and judging with how poorly he handled the last cliff hanger ending I can only assume it will be all be just hand waived away and we will get another 30 hours of Eric just bumbling about making spells and doing nothing.
October 10, 2017
I have to say that I found myself quite disappointed by the story presented in this third volume of the series. There are so many things that I found to be both contrary to past books or simply lacking intelligence on such a grand scale, that I could not reconcile it with the character that I had been presented with in the previous novels.
I know that in the previous two books Eric had a habit of making incredibly poor decisions, but those decisions were based on a fundamental desire to keep those he loved and cared about safe. No matter the cost to himself, so long as those he cared for were protected he was willing to take everything on his own shoulders. This lead to some of the dumbest choices in the history of mankind, but it made sense. In this volume he makes stupid choices for the sake of making stupid choices. There is no over whelming desire to protect or preserve. Just a string of inane decisions with almost no basis in the personality of the man we have been presented for the last two books.
At the same time the overwhelming self-deprecation has gotten completely out of control. In the past believing that he was a terrible king, was comical when presented with all the evidence of how he was a wonderful king who truly cared about his citizens. However we lost that in this book. Instead we are forced to endure an endless litany of self-recrimination, with no humor or anything behind it. It's as if he is actually turning into this wretched, idiotic and pathetic excuse for a man. All things that do not lend themselves to being an inspiring main character, or even one people want to continue reading about.
I will read Knightfall to see if the author is capable of redeeming himself after a foray into the realms of uninspired, unimaginative, series-immolating writing, but truthfully I am not holding out much hope unfortunately.
I know that in the previous two books Eric had a habit of making incredibly poor decisions, but those decisions were based on a fundamental desire to keep those he loved and cared about safe. No matter the cost to himself, so long as those he cared for were protected he was willing to take everything on his own shoulders. This lead to some of the dumbest choices in the history of mankind, but it made sense. In this volume he makes stupid choices for the sake of making stupid choices. There is no over whelming desire to protect or preserve. Just a string of inane decisions with almost no basis in the personality of the man we have been presented for the last two books.
At the same time the overwhelming self-deprecation has gotten completely out of control. In the past believing that he was a terrible king, was comical when presented with all the evidence of how he was a wonderful king who truly cared about his citizens. However we lost that in this book. Instead we are forced to endure an endless litany of self-recrimination, with no humor or anything behind it. It's as if he is actually turning into this wretched, idiotic and pathetic excuse for a man. All things that do not lend themselves to being an inspiring main character, or even one people want to continue reading about.
I will read Knightfall to see if the author is capable of redeeming himself after a foray into the realms of uninspired, unimaginative, series-immolating writing, but truthfully I am not holding out much hope unfortunately.
February 17, 2018
The Eric/Hellar character is so amusingly stupid, that I more than once screamed in frustration. He needs slapping that's how much of an idiot I think he is. How can you be a king, a wizard and a vampire and be so clueless about strategy. You cannot protect anyone or anything when you fail to heed sound advice and still plunge stupidly into danger.
I laughed out loud the entire book and I especially enjoyed when the fool protagonist gets captured and tortured, and eats a bunch of kids which agonizes him beyond all measure. Masterfully done as far as comedy goes. I wonder what it says about the author as the reader start rooting for the evil villain just because you hate the hero so much for being a complete and hopeless fool.
I laughed out loud the entire book and I especially enjoyed when the fool protagonist gets captured and tortured, and eats a bunch of kids which agonizes him beyond all measure. Masterfully done as far as comedy goes. I wonder what it says about the author as the reader start rooting for the evil villain just because you hate the hero so much for being a complete and hopeless fool.
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October 5, 2016started listening to this yesterday after a re listen to books 1 and 2.
It's finally hit me why I like this series so much. As I have said 1 reason is that it really feels like you are in Erics head, the 1 that has just hit me is that I like the fact that the rational behind magic and it's working is explained. It's logical and thus brings it in line with something that I can understand.
It's finally hit me why I like this series so much. As I have said 1 reason is that it really feels like you are in Erics head, the 1 that has just hit me is that I like the fact that the rational behind magic and it's working is explained. It's logical and thus brings it in line with something that I can understand.
December 4, 2023
*deleted comment due to me writing it in a poor emotional state* Keep writing and I'm sure I'll love your books in the future :). I already have book 4 on my kindle, but I'm hoping the audible book comes out soon as I enjoy the audible narration of the series.
November 30, 2016
I hadn't read any of the earlier books in this series although I realized early on that there must be earlier books because he had started as a human, became a vampire (among other things) and was fairly advanced along the usual progression of acquiring unusual powers. In a paranormal fiction series, the plot is generally pretty predictable. The hero encounters various life or world-threatening powers in course of countering which he acquires at least one gnarly new power and/or new incarnation per book. Rinse and repeat.
The interest is in how the author fleshes out the genre stereotypes; the consistency of the worlds created (are they believable at least for the period of time you're reading the novel) and of course how entertaining this new universe is. Mr. Whited's book does pretty well in this regard (I read all of it). I was reasonably entertained for most it.
The reason I didn't give it more stars is because I felt the quality of the writing was uneven and rough. The book needed a lot more polishing. At times it felt like the author was using a search and replace function to complete his main character dialogue. To name one example, Eric has a habit of asking random questions and replying to almost all of them with 'Fair enough.' This gets quite irritating over a novel of this length (another negative point) and after a while you start wondering if Eric is quite right in the head.
The situation is not improved by Eric's (shall we say) fluidity of character; we are asked to believe that he is a Bad Ass Vampire Lord although despite tough talk, his main method of dealing with even the most intransigent foes is to try to reason with them. The only times he ever gets what I would call badass is when his blood hunger gets out of control after which he can't help it (part of the vampire schtick). He also behaves quite stupidly in many ways but the way I'm going to talk about here is his penchant for putting himself in danger for no good reason. Case in point, his visit to the Queen with his daughter which ends badly (as any reasonably intelligent chimpanzee could have predicted) and culminates in the final cliffhanger of the book. Eric is too old (over a hundred years) to keep acting like an inexperienced teenager who never read a book.
Final thoughts; not a terrible book if you get it through Kindle Unlimited as I did but if you have to pay for a book, I'd recommend one of the Laundry Files books by Charles Stross which is an intelligent and well-written series in all the ways this one isn't.
The interest is in how the author fleshes out the genre stereotypes; the consistency of the worlds created (are they believable at least for the period of time you're reading the novel) and of course how entertaining this new universe is. Mr. Whited's book does pretty well in this regard (I read all of it). I was reasonably entertained for most it.
The reason I didn't give it more stars is because I felt the quality of the writing was uneven and rough. The book needed a lot more polishing. At times it felt like the author was using a search and replace function to complete his main character dialogue. To name one example, Eric has a habit of asking random questions and replying to almost all of them with 'Fair enough.' This gets quite irritating over a novel of this length (another negative point) and after a while you start wondering if Eric is quite right in the head.
The situation is not improved by Eric's (shall we say) fluidity of character; we are asked to believe that he is a Bad Ass Vampire Lord although despite tough talk, his main method of dealing with even the most intransigent foes is to try to reason with them. The only times he ever gets what I would call badass is when his blood hunger gets out of control after which he can't help it (part of the vampire schtick). He also behaves quite stupidly in many ways but the way I'm going to talk about here is his penchant for putting himself in danger for no good reason. Case in point, his visit to the Queen with his daughter which ends badly (as any reasonably intelligent chimpanzee could have predicted) and culminates in the final cliffhanger of the book. Eric is too old (over a hundred years) to keep acting like an inexperienced teenager who never read a book.
Final thoughts; not a terrible book if you get it through Kindle Unlimited as I did but if you have to pay for a book, I'd recommend one of the Laundry Files books by Charles Stross which is an intelligent and well-written series in all the ways this one isn't.
November 5, 2016
I'm surprised to see so many call this the worst book of the series, personally I feel number of things have improved.Given how the last book ended I expected some battles for control, etc but the whole thing was almost instantly resolved at the start so it is a bit of a bait and switch, especially since story moves to an average suburb. I did not mind, mostly because I enjoyed those parts. Eric building up his house and doing his usually stuff went over better than before. spoilers ahoy
General directionlessness: it worked better in a modem setting than in fantasy. I felt comfortable lazing around in the suburbs or going on an RV ride with a "new age hippie". With no deadlines and directions I was more willing to get sidetracked by mini arcs. Which worked for the most part but final part of the arc was often missing, for example we never got to see the final mob boss, vampire trio never came back, etc. Not all things need resolution(including things I listed) but if there are multiple stories running its best to have a pay off in some of them or at least fully develop the stuff that will have resolution.
"Over arching plot": Freeze side quest becomes the semi main focus of the story.They play a substantial part but are very underdeveloped, underdeveloped to a point where when story was at the mendoza compound and young Mr freeze showed up I asked myself "Who?" I had to check to make sure that he was indeed the first client. I even checked to see if I had an abridged version since the antagonist seemed cartoonishly evil for the sake of evil and power. While The hand of light was not much deeper I somehow believed their vampire hate more than Freeze despite Freezes living in the world with 3 kinds of vampire. There might not even be vampire elders.
Someday: While contemplation about pseudoscience could use even more cutting, this time around it actually felt like someones musings. I will take "Someday" over "or something like that" any day. humour also seemed to work more often than it used to.
Tort: it may seem like Eric is half-hearted in his attempts to seek Tort but I feel like he thinks she is dead, on some level he knows she is dead, he find a new girlfriend and generally moves on. Torvill most likely went into hiding after feeling his unhinged insistence to seek someone dead.I guess its more about him realization it than anything else because I see no reason why he would not call on all his power and connections to resurrect her just as she was, the second he had the opportunity. It could also be that I'm overthinking it
No one goes to hell to rescue Carl: in the previous book I did not get why Eric was so mad about bronze. I did not see the big deal but I did understand that it was important to him. some readers seem to have a problem with that so many authors try to use universal pain (stuff that everyone will get) but sloppily and frequently tapping that vein maybe unwise. yes I'm still salty about the 4, fifth came off as comical almost a "and your dog too" moment. What I am saying is that sometimes less is more and not every rescue encounter needs to be about pedo guards, abused hookers, etc. I don't want to come off as saying "was that necessary" nothing is ever necessary and I do like limitless swing in authors but I also like the occasional nuances, I saw a lot of the 1 but little of the other.
My ramblings:
Things I liked: 1. Despite there been few red flags Marry did not turn out to be a traitor and a liar. 2. Eric's shadow doing small things on its own. 3. The dream, maybe it was the fact that I went through the book really fast but I assumed it was about something that would happen in Karvalen so I liked when it turned out to have been about events on earth. 4.The Charity drive, I liked that he did not just dump money into it and actual thought went into things(less so with the dad but hey, it can't all line up with me) 5.hypothesis about time travel.Accidental time travel could make a good bookend/eventual explanation for Eric that Sasha knew, with teleportation there is also a way to make seem like old Eric and Sasha died without them being dead.It would not explain why firebrand never said anything but could be waved away with something like "you did not ask", anyways it opens up possibility and it is interesting to contemplate even if nothing ever comes of it. My hope is that it won't be used as a cop out for some mistake.
Neutral:1.I liked the first part a lot more then the second part, I feel like things became less engaging after they went back to Karvalen. 2.Eric seemed out of it and while I did buy the whole "sleep deprived" bit and there was a lot going on even when he started to sleep again, I think I would have enjoyed erratic behavior(like the bit with the sick baby) more than this shambling.
3.I was puzzled by rehabilitation of the fire goddess
Things I did not like: 1. Eric did not go under the bed when in Karvalen. 2.no ones prayers got answered . 3.Marry taking the death seekers who ride up the king's way.While she needs to eat I thought Eric would still make time to comfort his people in their dying moment. Imagine making a pilgrimage to your mysterious Godking in hopes he will ease your passing and being delegated to a stranger/secretary.
4.All the anti power talk and how you can't fix everything. While it maybe true for some people, Eric seemed to could and want to improve peoples lives, that is why they have roads and other things so yes I think he could fix the socioeconomic situation to a point where an 8 year old does not have to work. Any lines drawn on the subject seem arbitrary and defeatist, it is perfectly natural to help someone infront of you while knowing that you can't help all the people of the world.While I don't think I would mind if he himself chose to no longer have lines to give out free healthcare, Marry trying to "fix"/convert him rubbed me the wrong way.
Minor things:
There are some moments where you may go "but .." like when marry can't recognize eye of sauron but can tell the difference between keebler elf and a tolkien elf but if you think about it its possible her world did not have the movies. Most puzzling moments like that can be answered with some thought, you will still find moments like when Eric is surprised to find out wizard guy is by queens side despite being told about it before but for the most part there is internal constancy.
Hype: Despite all series flaws I was unreasonably hyped for this book. While it deflated mildly when the audio book took a long time, it all came back the second the audio book came out. I even took a moment to appreciate that it got an audio book, which many series do not. I finished the book in 3 days. It can't all be Sean Runnette, the book must be doing something right. While I'm less hyped for the next one, I'm still interested in it.
General directionlessness: it worked better in a modem setting than in fantasy. I felt comfortable lazing around in the suburbs or going on an RV ride with a "new age hippie". With no deadlines and directions I was more willing to get sidetracked by mini arcs. Which worked for the most part but final part of the arc was often missing, for example we never got to see the final mob boss, vampire trio never came back, etc. Not all things need resolution(including things I listed) but if there are multiple stories running its best to have a pay off in some of them or at least fully develop the stuff that will have resolution.
"Over arching plot": Freeze side quest becomes the semi main focus of the story.They play a substantial part but are very underdeveloped, underdeveloped to a point where when story was at the mendoza compound and young Mr freeze showed up I asked myself "Who?" I had to check to make sure that he was indeed the first client. I even checked to see if I had an abridged version since the antagonist seemed cartoonishly evil for the sake of evil and power. While The hand of light was not much deeper I somehow believed their vampire hate more than Freeze despite Freezes living in the world with 3 kinds of vampire. There might not even be vampire elders.
Someday: While contemplation about pseudoscience could use even more cutting, this time around it actually felt like someones musings. I will take "Someday" over "or something like that" any day. humour also seemed to work more often than it used to.
Tort: it may seem like Eric is half-hearted in his attempts to seek Tort but I feel like he thinks she is dead, on some level he knows she is dead, he find a new girlfriend and generally moves on. Torvill most likely went into hiding after feeling his unhinged insistence to seek someone dead.I guess its more about him realization it than anything else because I see no reason why he would not call on all his power and connections to resurrect her just as she was, the second he had the opportunity. It could also be that I'm overthinking it
No one goes to hell to rescue Carl: in the previous book I did not get why Eric was so mad about bronze. I did not see the big deal but I did understand that it was important to him. some readers seem to have a problem with that so many authors try to use universal pain (stuff that everyone will get) but sloppily and frequently tapping that vein maybe unwise. yes I'm still salty about the 4, fifth came off as comical almost a "and your dog too" moment. What I am saying is that sometimes less is more and not every rescue encounter needs to be about pedo guards, abused hookers, etc. I don't want to come off as saying "was that necessary" nothing is ever necessary and I do like limitless swing in authors but I also like the occasional nuances, I saw a lot of the 1 but little of the other.
My ramblings:
Things I liked: 1. Despite there been few red flags Marry did not turn out to be a traitor and a liar. 2. Eric's shadow doing small things on its own. 3. The dream, maybe it was the fact that I went through the book really fast but I assumed it was about something that would happen in Karvalen so I liked when it turned out to have been about events on earth. 4.The Charity drive, I liked that he did not just dump money into it and actual thought went into things(less so with the dad but hey, it can't all line up with me) 5.hypothesis about time travel.Accidental time travel could make a good bookend/eventual explanation for Eric that Sasha knew, with teleportation there is also a way to make seem like old Eric and Sasha died without them being dead.It would not explain why firebrand never said anything but could be waved away with something like "you did not ask", anyways it opens up possibility and it is interesting to contemplate even if nothing ever comes of it. My hope is that it won't be used as a cop out for some mistake.
Neutral:1.I liked the first part a lot more then the second part, I feel like things became less engaging after they went back to Karvalen. 2.Eric seemed out of it and while I did buy the whole "sleep deprived" bit and there was a lot going on even when he started to sleep again, I think I would have enjoyed erratic behavior(like the bit with the sick baby) more than this shambling.
3.I was puzzled by rehabilitation of the fire goddess
Things I did not like: 1. Eric did not go under the bed when in Karvalen. 2.no ones prayers got answered . 3.Marry taking the death seekers who ride up the king's way.While she needs to eat I thought Eric would still make time to comfort his people in their dying moment. Imagine making a pilgrimage to your mysterious Godking in hopes he will ease your passing and being delegated to a stranger/secretary.
4.All the anti power talk and how you can't fix everything. While it maybe true for some people, Eric seemed to could and want to improve peoples lives, that is why they have roads and other things so yes I think he could fix the socioeconomic situation to a point where an 8 year old does not have to work. Any lines drawn on the subject seem arbitrary and defeatist, it is perfectly natural to help someone infront of you while knowing that you can't help all the people of the world.While I don't think I would mind if he himself chose to no longer have lines to give out free healthcare, Marry trying to "fix"/convert him rubbed me the wrong way.
Minor things:
There are some moments where you may go "but .." like when marry can't recognize eye of sauron but can tell the difference between keebler elf and a tolkien elf but if you think about it its possible her world did not have the movies. Most puzzling moments like that can be answered with some thought, you will still find moments like when Eric is surprised to find out wizard guy is by queens side despite being told about it before but for the most part there is internal constancy.
Hype: Despite all series flaws I was unreasonably hyped for this book. While it deflated mildly when the audio book took a long time, it all came back the second the audio book came out. I even took a moment to appreciate that it got an audio book, which many series do not. I finished the book in 3 days. It can't all be Sean Runnette, the book must be doing something right. While I'm less hyped for the next one, I'm still interested in it.
February 5, 2021
The first 2 books are 5's even though Id argue against the ending of book 2. I thought it was truly ridiculous.
I found ALOT to be irritated with in this book. I know book 4 gets WAY better but he really let me down in this book. The MC constantly feels like 2 steps forward 2 .. sometimes 2.5 steps back. The brilliant character often times felt like an idiot, whining child. The constant running... sigh. He constantly feels like he's on the back foot. Especially with this orb and the magi at the end. The magi were just silly. Come on. They were way too OP. Especially for a world with little magical knowledge or magical power. The ease with which they attack him is frustrating... this goes into book 4 especially. He is always defending or running. It makes the story less interesting.
The MC has to stop being so doubtful of himself all the time it gets old. Some of his choices were frustrating. We spent WAY WAY too much time on mark. Like after the vampire attack he wasnt going to leave with her prodding him? come on man. The bowling ball gets stolen like instantly? Really... Some of his passive ways make no sense considering the lessons he should have learned. I swear to god HOW MANY TIMES will he get ambushed. WTF. The electical shock in the back... come one, the sucker punch in a pub.. He has stolen the souls of thousands and for some reason he is jumped all the damn time.
I found myself skimming a good bit. Because as soon as things are going well and engaging me the author has been basically deleting all the progress. That shit is annoying.
I really could have done without the black ball and the whole... i dont want to deal with my inner demons stuff.
Side Note- I really dont understand his rage at "sparky" his child was gone. It was literally a demon. Letting it live then makes you responsible for all the evil it would do. Let it live now to kill a few years later after it kills people? After seeing what it became? It makes no sense to me at all. It would have had god like fire powers.... one of the more frustrating sections for me.
I found ALOT to be irritated with in this book. I know book 4 gets WAY better but he really let me down in this book. The MC constantly feels like 2 steps forward 2 .. sometimes 2.5 steps back. The brilliant character often times felt like an idiot, whining child. The constant running... sigh. He constantly feels like he's on the back foot. Especially with this orb and the magi at the end. The magi were just silly. Come on. They were way too OP. Especially for a world with little magical knowledge or magical power. The ease with which they attack him is frustrating... this goes into book 4 especially. He is always defending or running. It makes the story less interesting.
The MC has to stop being so doubtful of himself all the time it gets old. Some of his choices were frustrating. We spent WAY WAY too much time on mark. Like after the vampire attack he wasnt going to leave with her prodding him? come on man. The bowling ball gets stolen like instantly? Really... Some of his passive ways make no sense considering the lessons he should have learned. I swear to god HOW MANY TIMES will he get ambushed. WTF. The electical shock in the back... come one, the sucker punch in a pub.. He has stolen the souls of thousands and for some reason he is jumped all the damn time.
I found myself skimming a good bit. Because as soon as things are going well and engaging me the author has been basically deleting all the progress. That shit is annoying.
I really could have done without the black ball and the whole... i dont want to deal with my inner demons stuff.
Side Note- I really dont understand his rage at "sparky" his child was gone. It was literally a demon. Letting it live then makes you responsible for all the evil it would do. Let it live now to kill a few years later after it kills people? After seeing what it became? It makes no sense to me at all. It would have had god like fire powers.... one of the more frustrating sections for me.
June 28, 2016
Good,but waiting to see what happens next.
This book is not a book that leads directly to the finish line, if anything it is a book that builds up the world and it's characters. This book introduces many new enemies, while also increasing the tool box from which the main character can draw from in order to face these enemies. I will admit I did not get a very good impression from the reviews that I read before delving into this book, and I was hesitant about reading it. But after I began to read this book I could not stop. While the main character does always end up in extreme doomsday situations every now and then, time is also spent just showing him on the human level attempting to live on a human level and contrasting those human experiences with his problems, and powers. I enjoyed the slower pace presented in this book due to the fact that it makes it a story about the main characters development and personal growth, both in himself and the world around him rather than just a story about a main character who develops his powers merely to save the world once again. Like the other reviewers said he was kinda stupid at a lot of points in the book, hopefully these bad decisions can be explained by him not getting enough sleep as his companions pointed out, but as with all book series I see this book in the context that it is merely a few chapters of a story rather than a thing of itself, and I hope when the next part comes out the main character develops and fixes some of his flaws.
This book is not a book that leads directly to the finish line, if anything it is a book that builds up the world and it's characters. This book introduces many new enemies, while also increasing the tool box from which the main character can draw from in order to face these enemies. I will admit I did not get a very good impression from the reviews that I read before delving into this book, and I was hesitant about reading it. But after I began to read this book I could not stop. While the main character does always end up in extreme doomsday situations every now and then, time is also spent just showing him on the human level attempting to live on a human level and contrasting those human experiences with his problems, and powers. I enjoyed the slower pace presented in this book due to the fact that it makes it a story about the main characters development and personal growth, both in himself and the world around him rather than just a story about a main character who develops his powers merely to save the world once again. Like the other reviewers said he was kinda stupid at a lot of points in the book, hopefully these bad decisions can be explained by him not getting enough sleep as his companions pointed out, but as with all book series I see this book in the context that it is merely a few chapters of a story rather than a thing of itself, and I hope when the next part comes out the main character develops and fixes some of his flaws.
June 30, 2022
If there is one word to describe this book in one word, it would be "filler".
About half of the book is pointless filler with no real point to the story as a whole. For instance, there's an entire chapter dedicated to Eric/Halar/Vlad looking for a place to play sword fighting. Not to train, literally just jump back into his old hobbies and play around. Another instance was the awkward semi-porno scene when Eric/Halar/Vlad tries goes to help Susan with a plumbing problem and she tries to seduce him. These scenes literally have no effect on the plot as a whole, which honestly there really wasn't much of one, to begin with, and exist simply to exist.
To be honest book and series should have ended a third of the way in. Eric/Halar/Vlad or whatever flavor of the week he wants to call himself is supposed to be near godlike but apparently, all it takes to take him down is to be poked with a cattle prod and roofied?!
Another thing to note is that it's almost as if the author is aware of all the criticisms of his previous work and wrote in Mary as a means to make fun of it. She constantly points out Eric's idiotic line of thinking and highlights that there really is no direction to the story. She straight-up asks what it is they are doing!
About half of the book is pointless filler with no real point to the story as a whole. For instance, there's an entire chapter dedicated to Eric/Halar/Vlad looking for a place to play sword fighting. Not to train, literally just jump back into his old hobbies and play around. Another instance was the awkward semi-porno scene when Eric/Halar/Vlad tries goes to help Susan with a plumbing problem and she tries to seduce him. These scenes literally have no effect on the plot as a whole, which honestly there really wasn't much of one, to begin with, and exist simply to exist.
To be honest book and series should have ended a third of the way in. Eric/Halar/Vlad or whatever flavor of the week he wants to call himself is supposed to be near godlike but apparently, all it takes to take him down is to be poked with a cattle prod and roofied?!
Another thing to note is that it's almost as if the author is aware of all the criticisms of his previous work and wrote in Mary as a means to make fun of it. She constantly points out Eric's idiotic line of thinking and highlights that there really is no direction to the story. She straight-up asks what it is they are doing!
November 7, 2017
This is the 3rd installment of the series and the author picks right up where he left us hanging! I say that because most did not like book two's ending because Halar got possessed by Demon King. But we find out at the start of this book 9 years have past and his friends find a way to pull the Demon King out and trap him in an Orb! But he has done so much damage in 9 years Halar has to flee to another universe to where he and Bronze his horse find them self in another version of earth.
So Halar uses his knowledge and powers to get them set up out west and then he finds Mary (another breed of vampire to which he works his magic wink!) who changes he life on that earth. Halar is also going by Vlad. During this time he is make friends with the fab 4 a group of kids that Vlad likes alot and ends up helping out. But where he was having run-ins with mages and vampires he and Mary end up going back to his home under the mountain to deal with his problems there.
So Halar uses his knowledge and powers to get them set up out west and then he finds Mary (another breed of vampire to which he works his magic wink!) who changes he life on that earth. Halar is also going by Vlad. During this time he is make friends with the fab 4 a group of kids that Vlad likes alot and ends up helping out. But where he was having run-ins with mages and vampires he and Mary end up going back to his home under the mountain to deal with his problems there.
November 13, 2016
It was great! Loved the first two books in the series but this was one was by far the best. I didn't like the whole demon taking over his body part from book 2 but I'm glad it got resolved relatively fast in this book and then Eric/Halar/Vlad was left to deal with the consequences.
The death of Fabulous Four wasn't something I expected I just hope Johann Fries pays for that dearly in the next book.
I'm not sure about Mary. On one hand she seems great for Eric on the other hand not so much. And what the hell happened to Tort and T'yll? I kind of have a suspicion T'yll did something to her.
So many plot points that need answers!!! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
The death of Fabulous Four wasn't something I expected I just hope Johann Fries pays for that dearly in the next book.
I'm not sure about Mary. On one hand she seems great for Eric on the other hand not so much. And what the hell happened to Tort and T'yll? I kind of have a suspicion T'yll did something to her.
So many plot points that need answers!!! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2017
Diminishing returns
There needs to be an ebb and flow to stories, peaks and valleys. Unlike the first book, The last two books feel...I struggle to define it... they feel, self absorbed. Aliases if the story has taken a back seat to the authors ego, like a big F U to readers. The comedy lines less authentic, almost a "look at how smart and witty I am" from the author.
I don't know, it's hard to explain, when I read the first book, I thought it was cool and eclectic, now they feel less cool, more self indulgent.
There needs to be an ebb and flow to stories, peaks and valleys. Unlike the first book, The last two books feel...I struggle to define it... they feel, self absorbed. Aliases if the story has taken a back seat to the authors ego, like a big F U to readers. The comedy lines less authentic, almost a "look at how smart and witty I am" from the author.
I don't know, it's hard to explain, when I read the first book, I thought it was cool and eclectic, now they feel less cool, more self indulgent.
January 2, 2019
Frustratingly incompetent protagonist who is always not very self aware and always expounds on tangents that never get revisited. I really hope the next one fares better, the way he always seems to REACT rather than actively does thing- an errand boy who arrives to an area, get bombarded with requests and stumbles into being the center of attention. The pattern is starting to develop from the first and second book and is getting rather repetitive.
October 9, 2016
It is long ( I like), it is well written (like) and it is NOT boring (like very much ;-)
BUT it also reads like two books. As if the first half and last chapters of one book, and the first half of an other book were put together. Or better said, put after another
And not much happens in relation to the end of the previous book, so it reads like a filler.
Which I don't like.
BUT it also reads like two books. As if the first half and last chapters of one book, and the first half of an other book were put together. Or better said, put after another
And not much happens in relation to the end of the previous book, so it reads like a filler.
Which I don't like.
January 9, 2018
Slightly better than the last ending but not by much!
This author sure knows how to take a great story and turn it into a tortuous ending of misery and hatred. I have read all three of these novels and each one has a horrible ending and I am not just talking about a cliffhanger, it’s more like tormented twisted.
This author sure knows how to take a great story and turn it into a tortuous ending of misery and hatred. I have read all three of these novels and each one has a horrible ending and I am not just talking about a cliffhanger, it’s more like tormented twisted.
October 10, 2016
Don't get me wrong but i liked the first 2 books best so this one i expected eric to complete some of the unfinished business from book 2 whcih didn't happen and he was reacting to to events instead of being proactive like before, Oh well i guess i'll have to wait for book 4. Love the series.
October 20, 2016
Great book, and I love the Nightlord series. This book is deferent from the others, in that Eric/Halar is acting a bit off here and there. But that makes it just more intresting to me. The audiobook is great as usual thanks to Sean Runnette. Alreddy I'm looking forward for book 4! :)
November 28, 2018
3.5 to 4 stars
Great series, I will for sure continue with it
Great series, I will for sure continue with it
June 13, 2022
Trash book... good premise but each book in the series gets worse than the one before. The protagonist is the dumbest guy who has ever existed even though he has millions of lives worth of knowledge and experience. He falls into every trap and has no idea of his own capabilities. He puts himself in fights he doesn't need to have and he runs from fights he doesn't need to run from. The story just goes in circles spinning it's wheels and never feels like it's actually progressing. If anything the story constantly regresses. When ever you think something cool is going to happen you can be sure whatever cool thing your thinking of won't happen. That cool new power that's being teased, nope he won't be getting that. It's a book about a bad ass vampire wizard god but instead of crushing his enemies he spends all his time trying to talk things out, which often leads to him being fooled since he is so incredibly stupid. He constantly makes obviously bad decisions yet because he is immortal he survives though everyone around him pays the price for his idiocy. He has the most annoyingly frustrating personality, literal god worshipped by everyone yet he won't stop with his self deprecation and whining. He's faster, stronger, has better senses than any human and magical and psychic powers, a telepathic sword and invincible metal golem. Yet a normal human will just walk up to him and knock him in the head and he's out cold. This book is so comically ridiculous you can't help but wonder if it's meant to be a comedy.
May 19, 2022
first of all, narrator talks so slow I had it on 1.9x speed & didnt miss anything.
next up: main character is DUMB. he is annoyingly repetitive & extremely predictable. I might not have known what obstacles would be in his path but as soon as they were explained I knew what he would do about it.
He still rambles like no ones business & I literally said "we KNOW" so many times even my husband rolled his eyes
surprise (just kidding) it ends mid-thought again so cliffhanger.
I did like the new character Mary until about ¾ of the way through. then she seemed to be the "typical" female character (you know, the aloof, hot, unknowable, angry type thing. also she randomly starts to apparently hate him???? and then he ignores her. both MC & author.)
also, spoiler alert: literally killed hundreds of kids in this book. I'm done with the series.
next up: main character is DUMB. he is annoyingly repetitive & extremely predictable. I might not have known what obstacles would be in his path but as soon as they were explained I knew what he would do about it.
He still rambles like no ones business & I literally said "we KNOW" so many times even my husband rolled his eyes
surprise (just kidding) it ends mid-thought again so cliffhanger.
I did like the new character Mary until about ¾ of the way through. then she seemed to be the "typical" female character (you know, the aloof, hot, unknowable, angry type thing. also she randomly starts to apparently hate him???? and then he ignores her. both MC & author.)
also, spoiler alert: literally killed hundreds of kids in this book. I'm done with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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