An Adventurer's Heart

Adventures on Brad #2

by Tao Wong

Having returned from their time with the Army, Daniel and Asin must now complete the Dungeon in Karlak. To do so though, they will need to get better gear,more Skills and higher Levels. Taking a quest, the pair must leave Karlak to travel across the Kingdom of Brad and learn a few life-lessons along the way.

The Tales of Brad series is a traditional fantasy story with LitRPG elements.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Light Novel

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2017

About the author

Tao Wong is the author of the A Thousand Li progression fantasy series and the System Apocalypse LitRPG series, among others. His work has been released in audio, paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, and translated into German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and several other languages. He was shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect. In 2026, the first three books in the A Thousand Li series will be republished in hardcover by Ace Books.

When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Chris Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just fine. It's characters and world are good enough, and even the events of the story are decently entertaining. The biggest problem with this story is there's no plot, no story line. The whole series feels like a the written adventures of Daniel doing a casual play through of some sandbox RPG. Is there going to be a point to all this?

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, while it is written "Brad" it is pronounced "Broad", something I can tell you since I listened to the audio book version. However, since that version isn't listed on Goodreads.com at this time I am placing my review here. It should also be noted that I summarize what happens in this book and so in that respect the following paragraphs may be considered a SPOILER. However, since this story has no big reveal, I don't really feel like it can be spoiled (I don't mean that as an insult, I believe well told stories are their own reward even when they lack a big reveal).

Book 2 starts just a couple of days past book 1. Daniel and Asin are on level 7 (ogres) of the dungeon. This level is sufficiently difficult that D&A decide to take on a quest that will give Daniel significantly improved armor. The first part of the quest requires D&A to travel via caravan to the city of Silverstone and return with goods. The caravan stops at another beginner dungeon town, Peel (sp?), for a couple of days so D&A have a chance to try out a new dungeon. (NOTE: at this time Daniel is reported as level 6 and Asin level 8 but this is apparently a typo since Daniel was level five at the end of book 1 and is level 5 later when entering Silverstone) D&A make it through the first two levels before the caravan leaves, but they are disappointed in this performance so Daniel buys a small crossbow and Asin buys bolos.

A ranger accompanies the caravan for the next stretch an he helps Daniel learn the crossbow. Most of the rest that happens during this part of the story is pointless world-building by the author. The only really significant event is Daniel exposing his healing abilities when he helps an injured child. It is a major story point that unaligned healers are rare and highly valued so Daniel's abilities result in D&A being invited to accompany a higher level party into a dungeon that would otherwise be too difficult for D&A.

Upon reaching Silverstone D&A have a couple of days to kill before their advanced dungeon dive. They end up taking low level sewer clearing quests for the money. While bathing in the public baths after a day in the sewer Daniel needlessly heals an adventurer again exposing his secret. Note that the author has done a good job of presenting Daniel as a genuinely nice guy so the healing is in character, it is also just plain stupid for guy who has basically spent his life running from being just a healer.

D&A then get to their trip into Porthos Dungeon, where they see imps for the first time. Afterwards D&A are approached by the party about joining their guild. When it comes out that the offer is based on Daniel's healing abilities Asin becomes upset and storms off. Asin had been fooling around with one of the party and now she believes he was just leading her on to get to Daniel. To get away from the party D&A take a quest outside of town (D&A have a couple of weeks to kill before their caravan will leave). It turns out that the quest has also been taken by some adventurers who have "retired" from dungeon diving. These adventurers are now known as "questers" since that is all they do anymore and they share their stories with D&A giving D&A some insight into what can go wrong adventuring.

Upon returning to Silversone D&A take on a few more quests including a somewhat amusing quest to be guinea pigs for a potions maker. But eventually the time comes for the caravan back to Carlack (sp?) to leave. Daniel, while traveling, looks into how best to allocate points from leveling and gets a new attack as a part of it. (NOTE: Daniel leveled up to level six so further evidence of an earlier typo.)

A large group of bandits attack the caravan back to Carlack (sp?) and Daniel nearly dies. The rest of the trip back to Carlack (sp?) is uneventful. But Daniel is in turmoil over the offers to join guilds and an issue with his elven healer girlfriend, Khy'ra (pronounced "Kira") so he takes a day wandering around and getting advice but eventually makes up with Khy'ra and gets his head on straight. Returning to the dungeon with little changes to their weapons or abilities, D&A decide to just stay on level 7 and farm it for as profit as they are able. However on level 7 they encounter a party apparently lead by a half naked crazy person who throws himself at every ogre he sees even to the point of "stealing" kills from D&A. Later the "half naked crazy person" tracks D&A down to congratulate them on besting the floor boss. It turns out his name is Omrak and he enters a battle rage when fighting.

Working the dungeon allows D&A to get the mana stones that complete the second part of their quest. The third and final part of the quest requires D&A to head to a forest to harvest "quirk" (sp?) spider venom bags. This proves an extremely difficult task that takes weeks but is eventually completed. The quest was for a blacksmith who needed the items to make a masterpiece in demonstration of his skill. The venom bags degrade with time so when they are turned over to the blacksmith he immediately closes up shop and goes to work on his masterpiece. Eventually the masterpiece is done and D&A get their reward- a full set of armor for Daniel and, as a bonus, a small piece of armor, a gorget, for Asin. D&A immediately return to the dungeon to tryout their new toys and all goes well and they make it to the eighth (of 10) floor. Daniel also makes level 7.

Daniel begins to work with Khy'ra on learning a new healing spell and Asin gets a shield spell added to her gorget. The dungeon then closes to remodel itself and that is where the story ends so it lacks resolution. This isn't as fatal a flaw as it could be. The book is focused on Daniel's journey, not his destination. As a result the lack of resolution is more about the book ending with a whimper instead of a bang.

Bottom line: If you like gamelit you will probably enjoy this book but it is a fairly uninspired telling with no resolution.

[Soo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:

Lack of plot makes me rather grumpy. There's potential for a cool story but there's no development to it. A slice of life story is fine but this isn't quite that or anything else.

[Joshua (ithildins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:

This book has more of a focus on questing, rather than Daniel and Asin grinding/levelling. The main quest is a three-part quest for the Karlak smith, Maxwell, and the reward is a full armour set for Daniel (though Maxwell has steel left over enough to give Asin something, as well). Since the reward is only one set despite there being two people and they don't know Asin will be receiving a gift, Daniel and Asin compromise by splitting the loot one-quarter to three-quarters, in Asin's favour.

Overall sub-plot spoiler: The two Adventurers visit other places, meet new parties, Asin gets it on with another Catkin, Daniel sleeps with another woman and feels guilty about it, there's talk of joining Guilds, and they have more than one conversation with a Northerner named Omrak, who will probably end up joining their party.

This was a book more about internal growth, rather than external, and I actually enjoyed it. I'm eager to get to book 3, and I hope it has better editing than this one. Errors listed after the two positive highlights I made - if the author wants to hire me as an editor, I'll be more than happy to take a fine-toothed comb to this whole series.

Positives:

A character said "Hello, there." My brain went "General Kenobi."

The Advanced Dungeons in Silverstone are called Porthos and Aramis. If there aren't two more somewhere else called Athos and D'Artagnan, it's a waste of opportunity.

Errors (contain unmarked spoilers):

Lots of missing commas; two commas that should have been semicolons; a semicolon that should have been a comma; pass, past, passed being used/not used correctly; subject-predicate disagreements abound; Tevfik's name was misspelled as Tevkin three times; "worse", not "worst"; Archery Skill stat was "(18/100_", instead of "(18/100)"; desolAtely, not "desolutely"; usage of the word "orb" to refer to an eye *shudder*; and the word "disconsolately" was used three times within the book, between 86%-98% - there are synonyms, such as: dejectedly, sullenly, forlornly - branch out!

Intentional typos in dialogue to "represent" mispronunciation, but don't actually make sense: in book one, we got Kyra, but the Elf corrects him to Khy'ra - what's the difference? In this book, we have papricha, corrected to paprika - "ch" can be a sound like in chair, but also loch - how was it pronounced differently? When words are in dialogue, people don't speak in typos - avoid them. A character mispronuncing something can be mentioned as getting corrected, without resorting to typos. Correct the character if they are writing the word/name incorrectly, but other than that, drop it! Especially when the author doesn't even provide an IPA guide to pronouncing the names - apparently, it's not Brad (like grad), it's Brad (like brawd/broad)

There was a levelling error - at the end of book one, Daniel had gone from Level 7 to 5 due to his Gift, but I was hard-pressed to believe that fighting on the seventh floor of the dungeon didn't level him back up to 6. He said he was level 6 in Peel, but afterwards, when he was in Silverstone, his Status Screen showed him to be a Level 5 Adventurer (6%), which is barely any progress from the end of book one. This comes a third of the way into book 2. It takes him the entirety of book 2 to gain back the levelling progress he had made before he used his Gift at the end of book 1, and that's with the enchanted ring that gives him an experience boost. He used Minor Healing more in this book, and less of his Gift, but he gained seven levels and lost two in book 1, and only gained two levels this book? Something wasn't calculated correctly.

Perin's Blow was used in all instances, save one, which was termed Perin's Wrath. I actually like Perin's Wrath better. Since the other Skill was titled Crushing Blow, using Perin's Wrath would give the Skill names a little more variety. Speaking of Perin's Blow, why did he end up choosing that Skill over the upgrade to his Gift, which would have given him a 10% boost to Health and Stamina REGEN! This boost would provide him with an advantage working in the Dungeons; he wouldn't have to heal himself as often, or as much, and could push himself a little more in the Dungeons, levelling further until he gets another Skill upgrade/choice. DEM stated that he would get more use out of Perin's Blow, though, so character made a choice based on author knowledge of upcoming events, since he chooses it right before the bandit attack.

When Daniel is pitying himself over using his Gift and losing "memories of evenings with Khy'ra" and "conversations with his Grandfather" (should be grandfather), he states that he still has memories about the bandit attack and his brush with death and the stench of the clean-up, yadda yadda, but also mentions "being turned by Pearl." One, how does he know which memories he's missing if they're gone? Two, who's Pearl? Three, Pearl turned him into what? Daniel needs to start keeping a journal so he knows what's happened to him, even when he can't remember it. It is strange he never seems to lose levels in his Miner sub-class...

He has a Skill Profiency of Mapping (II). When he's questing at the forest with the Querk Spiders, he buys a low-quality map from hunters who don't even have the Mapping Skill. Why didn't he just use his skill and sell a higher quality map back to the hunters? Why doesn't he use his skill to make maps of more areas and sell those? It would be a good way to earn some extra coin.

Several terms that should be hyphenated: narrowed-eye, ever-increasing, kitchen-cum-workshop, easy-to-get-to

Meat deposited and payment received, the two Adventurers part ways. Asin to meet her family and Daniel to head to the Spinning Top, the inn where he resides. -> Meat deposited and payment received, the two Adventurers part ways--Asin to meet her family and Daniel to...

...taking the time to wash himself down in the provided washbasin. -> taking the time to clean himself, using the provided washbasin OR wash himself in the provided basin

The target was only fourty yards away,... -> forty

'Reminds of that time when...' -> 'Reminds me of...'

the never-ending stench of civilization pressing on her expanded senses - heightened sense (of smell, which is implied by the word "stench")

...he realizes how much of a rube he is looking like... -> how much of a rube he looks like...

...who points to where the sign of a crossed fork and lamp are painted above the restaurant's name 'The Fork & Lamp' are painted. -> who points to where the sign of a fork and a lamp are painted above the restaurant's name, 'The Fork & Lamp'.

...and a girlfriend he had to confess too. -> he had to confess to OR to whom he had to confess

...this strike sends concentrates the force of the user's blow... -> sends OR concentrates, not both

For a moment the last of the bandits' pause, wavering... -> For a moment, the last of the bandits pause, wavering... / no apostrophe

...even as Asin closes and hamstrings the Champion. -> closes in and hamstrings...

the last group had managed to take his feet off him,... -> knock him off his feet / the way it's worded here implies the Ogres dismembered him

...but at the least, he was on the way. -> but at least he was on the/his way

...already distracted by the squishy, pleasant presence on his lap. -> this is in reference to Khy'ra. No, just no - replace "squishy, pleasant presence" with "woman", or "Elf", or "retired Adventurer", or any other descriptor noun!

...that Levi near the docks is always working for strong dock workers to help... -> looking for strong workers / since Levi is near the docks, the fact that the workers are dock workers is heavily implied.

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Adventurer's Heart (Adventures on Brad #2) by Tao Wong

"Strength is earned, not given. The dungeon doesn’t care who you are—it’ll break anyone unprepared."

An Adventurer's Heart, the second book in Tao Wong's Adventures on Brad series, continues the story of Daniel Chai as he grows from a novice adventurer into a more seasoned dungeon delver. The series, a blend of LitRPG and classic fantasy, emphasizes progression, both in terms of character development and RPG mechanics. In this installment, Wong dives deeper into the intricacies of Daniel's world, presenting both new challenges and opportunities for growth.

Plot Overview:

The story picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with Daniel continuing to navigate the perils of dungeon crawling in the town of Brad. As Daniel sharpens his skills and advances through the adventurer ranks, he faces increasingly difficult monsters, but also uncovers more of the world's lore and the politics surrounding adventuring. His party grows stronger, and so do the dangers they face.

What sets *An Adventurer's Heart* apart from its contemporaries is the focus on Daniel's internal struggles. While many LitRPG series emphasize stats and power-ups, Wong weaves these mechanics into a larger narrative about self-worth, responsibility, and the price of power. This focus gives the novel a more introspective tone compared to books like The Land series by Aleron Kong or Travis Bagwell’s Awaken Online, which often lean more heavily into action-packed sequences and flashy skill trees.

Character Arcs:

Daniel Chai (Main Protagonist): Daniel continues his journey from a cautious young adventurer to someone more confident in his abilities. His growth is steady and realistic, mirroring the RPG elements of the story where experience points are hard-earned. His internal conflict about the risks involved in adventuring—both for himself and those around him—adds depth to his character, especially as he contemplates his growing responsibility. This arc makes him more relatable than some LitRPG heroes, who are often overpowered from the outset.

Asin (Major Character): As Daniel’s main companion, Asin, the cat-like beastkin rogue, serves as both a mentor and friend. Her arc in this book deepens, revealing her own struggles with balancing her mysterious past with her current life. Her guidance helps Daniel, but she also faces her own growth as she begins to trust more deeply, hinting at a more emotional side beneath her tough exterior.

Mat (Minor Character): Mat, a blacksmith and secondary character, plays a pivotal role in Daniel's progression by providing him with better equipment and advice. Though his role is limited, Mat serves as a grounding figure, offering a more experienced perspective on adventuring life, helping to illustrate how non-combatants can still have profound effects on the adventurers around them.

Theresa (Minor Character): A relatively minor but noteworthy character is Theresa, a healer who offers Daniel both physical and emotional support. While her arc isn't central to the plot, her presence as a caretaker allows for moments of reflection and recovery, balancing out the action with moments of healing and camaraderie.

Comparison to Contemporaries:

Similar to LitRPG giants like Aleron Kong’s The Land or Dakota Krout’s Divine Dungeon series, *An Adventurer's Heart* features the familiar RPG mechanics—leveling up, skill acquisition, and dungeon crawling. However, what sets this series apart is its slower pacing and focus on character growth. While books like The Land often throw the reader into a whirlwind of non-stop action, Tao Wong takes his time to build his world, giving readers a chance to connect with the characters and appreciate the smaller details of adventuring life.

In comparison to Travis Bagwell’s Awaken Online, Wong’s work leans less on dark, moral quandaries and more on traditional fantasy tropes with a LitRPG twist. Daniel’s journey is more about self-discovery and teamwork, rather than the solo, often morally ambiguous, paths that Bagwell's protagonists tend to walk.

Character Dynamics and Themes:

The dynamics between Daniel and Asin are one of the core strengths of the novel. Their partnership grows organically, with moments of trust, frustration, and mutual respect. The exploration of adventuring not just as a series of battles but as a profession with deep social and political implications is another interesting layer.

 Key Theme: Growth, both literal and metaphorical. Daniel’s advancement in power parallels his emotional and psychological maturation, making his development feel meaningful beyond just leveling up. 

One of the recurring themes in the book is how adventuring changes people, not just in strength but in their worldview. The trials faced in the dungeon are just as much about understanding yourself as they are about defeating monsters.

Verdict:

For fans of slower-paced, character-driven LitRPG stories, An Adventurer's Heart delivers a solid continuation of Daniel’s journey.

[Steven Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two is a fun fast adventure that pulls you in.

Two Wong is a talented author who I have enjoyed reading before coming to his startup series. In this series you can tell a difference I feel between how the third person omniscient present tense narration is in book one and is here. It feels smoother in a way and that could very well be my mind and readers I adjusting to his storytelling style. In either case I was locked in and burned through the entire book fairly quickly. This series is young adult and above with a protagonist that is in his early twenties. It does have some adult humor but I do not feel that the series is inappropriate in any way.

What I find numerous is that the RPG part of the lit has my gamer mind working. While this is considered lit RPG the world feels flushed out and it's not cheesy but very much a world where a gaming like structure and leveling structure exist. I do think that the writing style and the genre itself will heavily depend on the taste of the reader. elements of humor is here as well as action of course a plenty but while there is a romantic subplot in a way it is very much in the background to an extent. It's there they have relationships but nothing deep and everything is mostly off page.

The price also is well within the range of the size of the story and the quality. In fact I feel that story quality is very high. Too many times I've seen books from one drafters not on Kindle unlimited and set at a price that's really not worth it. You can tell the author took his time and took care to ensure It is Well edited whether a content or grammar.

The world building does borrow a lot from the familiar in fantasy in gaming but that only adds to the strength of the story. I am interested in learning more of the political and social aspects of the story.. There is a good subplot within the first two books between humans and beast kind that is interesting.

Also something that I find fun is the progression of the character skills and strength. While they go stronger and more adept in what they're doing it is not a one book and suddenly they are Superman. It makes things feel worth it. the gaming aspect of it and what I think is funny is the decisions the characters make or the character made in this book between what he would choose to improve or add to his skill set. Of course he chose exactly not what I thought he should but I was so into the reading of it happy frustration was fun. almost as if I wanted to go to the author and go "no no you don't do this you do this instead" because NERD LOL.

Need the case the story kept me locked in from beginning to end. It was not as deep as I would have liked But it's getting there and it's fun. It's a series of short stories or shorter stories that are fast reads and builds a world that is familiar and strange. I've been reading long enough close to the genre that it wasn't too off putting to jump into it. I think this series is a good read for anyone just curious about this genre of lit RPG. In the same way that certain paranormal romances are good introduction reads for those coming outside of the genre and the same with sci-fi and epic fantasy.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having already read Adventures on Brad #1 some time ago I was thrilled to find an offer by Tao Wong for ebooks 2 thru 5 for free! I really like that the main character HAS character. He sticks to his beliefs and acts as he should even when no one is looking. That said, An Adventurer's Heart was a great continuation of book 1. Our heroes are no longer noobs, but certainly not advanced, do some questing and dungeon diving, trying to improve their lot in life. The characters are now fully fleshed out, we have a good idea of how this world called Brad works. A few minor character-building issues come up and are resolved. Nothing really of note occurs in this book until the surprise ending that brings up why everyone is going to have to read book 3. Hopefully, we will see a little more character advancement in book 3.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventurers Explore a bit more of the world

To me, it seems as though the story moves between a slice of life and delving with quite slow progression.
This is definitely a slower paced story than others, but that is not terrible.
I still do not care for the intimacy aspects of the story, as lightly as they are portrayed.
However it seems necessary for the story to deal with the negative aspects of the gift.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow this series has cozy vibes, even though it’s all about adventure and fighting monsters. I guess it comes from the life lessons being more low key, and the fact I never once doubted that Daniel and Asin would succeed in the quests they take on. The worldbuilding is good enough, and the LitRPG moments listing stats and more game-oriented information was less distracting than I’ve found such things to be before.

This is a nice light read to just get away from all the chaos in real life.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read

Another good book in this series with the MCs growing steadily and new monsters and adventures to be had in new towns and cities. The author is weaving a great wee world and colouring in parts of Brad as the story grows & adding in new characters who promise to add interest to the overall scheme of things. I look forward to the next in the series 😁

[Andy Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damon I'm impressed

Love this author. I've read all 4 of his books so far and I cannot get enough don't know what I'm gonna do waiting for book 3 of either series well worth the money well worth the wait

[Justin Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done sequel

I enjoyed the first book, but this one was even better. I think the author got his flow down and the world building fit in well. Just taking time to write this review before I start book 3.

[Ian Denner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Enjoyed this story almost as much as the the fipone, although personally I felt that it lacked just a little of the depth of both story and character that was present in the first book,

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things happen, but don’t seem to go towards any big point. Author has described this as slice of life, but most slice of life at least shows character growth. Without any sort of direction, the story is aimless and the reader finishes wondering what the point was.

[Bender · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of books 1-2:

A very simplistic and vanilla take on the genre. Probably targeted at a teen'ish audience looking to get into this genre.

Pretty much sticks to the tropes and nothing stands out.

Am done with this series for now.

[Caius Fabius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop reading!

For all the DnD games where we dungeon crawled or questions or range the city, the same flavor is here. For myself, Tao Wong brings back nostalgic memories. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

Did not know what to expect since this is the second book the series. Not you normal LitRPG book. Well written an keep you turning pages. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Paps · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good continuation to the series, the is still a slice-of-life story about adventures, the pace is slowed to show the day to day situations someone in this profession face, not focusing only on the fighting but the preparations for quests, the income management for equipment, the role they play at society and how they are viewed. An interesting take on things.

[Jay Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly the same as the first book, maybe a little weaker. This book is between 2.5 and 3 stars

[Rhonda Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I've enjoyed this immensely. Great characters and plot. My only complaint is that I have to wait for the next book in the series lol.

[Shady Lubbad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

[Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dungeon Explore

Great mix of dungeon diving and question. Great chance for new armor in new experiences. Especially with guild interest. Wow

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot is still not explained like the world we are inn how everything is working. Even so it was enjoyable.

[Matthew James · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Totally fantastic!

The an adventure's heart series is awesome. Daniel and Asin are really great characters. As is Tao's take on Beast Kin. Truly an epic series.

[Richin109 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I Really enjoy this book and the series. It is worth every penny I spent. Well written and very interesting.

[Chris Calow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Great book. The writing style the author uses needs a little time to get used to but other than that it's a great book with huge potential

[michael hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it

Fast paced page turner that was way to short. I can't put these books down and I am immediately getting book three

[Taylor Breen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warm and quick

Characters are a little one dimensional, but it's a warm and quick read. I really enjoy Daniel and Asim's teamwork.

[Dawn Mielke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. On to the next one.

[Chris Pelham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great

Another great read from Tao Wong. This series is a little light on the RPG elements but a good story and dungeon crawl book!