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The Wandering Inn #3
Flowers of Esthelm
“No killing Goblins.”
So reads the sign outside of The Wandering Inn, a small building run by a young woman named Erin Solstice. She serves pasta with sausage, blue fruit juice, and dead acid flies on request. And she comes from another world. Ours.
It’s a bad day when Erin finds herself transported to a fantastical world and nearly gets eaten by a Dragon. She doesn’t belong in a place where monster attacks are a fact of life, and where Humans are one species among many. But she must adapt to her new life. Or die.
In a dangerous world where magic is real and people can level up and gain classes, Erin Solstice must battle somewhat evil Goblins, deadly Rock Crabs, and hungry [Necromancers]. She is no warrior, no mage. Erin Solstice runs an inn.
She’s an [Innkeeper].
So reads the sign outside of The Wandering Inn, a small building run by a young woman named Erin Solstice. She serves pasta with sausage, blue fruit juice, and dead acid flies on request. And she comes from another world. Ours.
It’s a bad day when Erin finds herself transported to a fantastical world and nearly gets eaten by a Dragon. She doesn’t belong in a place where monster attacks are a fact of life, and where Humans are one species among many. But she must adapt to her new life. Or die.
In a dangerous world where magic is real and people can level up and gain classes, Erin Solstice must battle somewhat evil Goblins, deadly Rock Crabs, and hungry [Necromancers]. She is no warrior, no mage. Erin Solstice runs an inn.
She’s an [Innkeeper].
1008 pages, ebook
First published November 4, 2020
694 people are currently reading
2137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
November 1, 2022
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing reading fantasy books.
One of the most addicting series that has ever been created just continues to impress more and more each book.
It's been a long time since I went into a book with such high confidence that it would be a 5 star rating, and this book absolutely did not let me down in any way. It takes everything that was good about the first couple books, and just moves things along to both expand this world , and improves on the writing quality in an overwhelming way.
It's shocking that an author can improve so much in such a short amount of time. What went from rather clunky prose turned into something you would expect from a top tier author.
While I think the story in this book was very good, what really made this book stand out to me even more than the previous entries were the characters. Erin and Ryoka took a bit of a backseat here after having two volumes almost entirely focused around them. And while they did exist in this book, they are just one of several different POVs and arguably not the main ones.
What we got instead was one new character that is featured at the beginning of this book and gets several chapters laced throughout that I am absolutely enthralled with and could read an entire book devoted to them. And we got several characters that got a renewed focus, characters I didn't realize I wanted to read so much about but I am not absolutely obsessed with.
For a while into this book I kept thinking that while this was great and all, I really wanted to get back to the main story - but what I realized eventually was that there really isn't a main story here, and instead is just telling many stories that slowly get stitched together, and I am here for it.
I have every single confidence in the world that I am not only going to enjoy future entries into this series, but am going to likely enjoy them more and more until this series turns into an all time great for me. I cannot wait to continue this journey.
One of the most addicting series that has ever been created just continues to impress more and more each book.
It's been a long time since I went into a book with such high confidence that it would be a 5 star rating, and this book absolutely did not let me down in any way. It takes everything that was good about the first couple books, and just moves things along to both expand this world , and improves on the writing quality in an overwhelming way.
It's shocking that an author can improve so much in such a short amount of time. What went from rather clunky prose turned into something you would expect from a top tier author.
While I think the story in this book was very good, what really made this book stand out to me even more than the previous entries were the characters. Erin and Ryoka took a bit of a backseat here after having two volumes almost entirely focused around them. And while they did exist in this book, they are just one of several different POVs and arguably not the main ones.
What we got instead was one new character that is featured at the beginning of this book and gets several chapters laced throughout that I am absolutely enthralled with and could read an entire book devoted to them. And we got several characters that got a renewed focus, characters I didn't realize I wanted to read so much about but I am not absolutely obsessed with.
For a while into this book I kept thinking that while this was great and all, I really wanted to get back to the main story - but what I realized eventually was that there really isn't a main story here, and instead is just telling many stories that slowly get stitched together, and I am here for it.
I have every single confidence in the world that I am not only going to enjoy future entries into this series, but am going to likely enjoy them more and more until this series turns into an all time great for me. I cannot wait to continue this journey.
January 13, 2024
4.0 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/ty65PoWv0I8
Another solid installment in this fantasy series. I didn't care for the Shakespeare parts but that is merely my negative feelings about high school English.
However I loved the beginning of this one with the introduction of two of my new favourite characters. I love each of them independently as well as their relationship together. I look forward to reading the next volume soon.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/ty65PoWv0I8
Another solid installment in this fantasy series. I didn't care for the Shakespeare parts but that is merely my negative feelings about high school English.
However I loved the beginning of this one with the introduction of two of my new favourite characters. I love each of them independently as well as their relationship together. I look forward to reading the next volume soon.
February 12, 2022
*** 4.65 ***
This is one of the most addictive reads I have ever encountered! It is a web serial and as such it has its own specific flow, but the author is obviously very gifted and is leaps and bounds above any other web serial I have ever read before.
The series started a bit slow, but if you give it a chance and get past the initial 15%, I guarantee you will be addicted right away and would want to know more and more about Erin, Ryoka, the other characters and this InnWorld!
In this volume we continue with the adventures of Erin and Ryoka, but we meet a whole new character from Earth who happens to be blind, the villagers he is around, the people from the city Erin is visiting, and most of all, the Soldiers of the Antinium, the Painted Ones, who are discovering a whole another side to their world. Also, theater is introduced to the Innverse and a new class of Actors is established 😃😃😃. You guys really have to give the story a try! It has been bundled up in e-books for Amazon and even better, audiobooks from Audible! Try them that way, the narration is great 👍👍👍
This is one of the most addictive reads I have ever encountered! It is a web serial and as such it has its own specific flow, but the author is obviously very gifted and is leaps and bounds above any other web serial I have ever read before.
The series started a bit slow, but if you give it a chance and get past the initial 15%, I guarantee you will be addicted right away and would want to know more and more about Erin, Ryoka, the other characters and this InnWorld!
In this volume we continue with the adventures of Erin and Ryoka, but we meet a whole new character from Earth who happens to be blind, the villagers he is around, the people from the city Erin is visiting, and most of all, the Soldiers of the Antinium, the Painted Ones, who are discovering a whole another side to their world. Also, theater is introduced to the Innverse and a new class of Actors is established 😃😃😃. You guys really have to give the story a try! It has been bundled up in e-books for Amazon and even better, audiobooks from Audible! Try them that way, the narration is great 👍👍👍
October 5, 2025
5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 these books are addictive! There’s thrill, excitement, drama, comedic moments, but at its heart, this series is a cozy fantasy. I have been reading other books in between these wandering inn books otherwise I will just read these nonstop and nothing else!
May 14, 2021
05/14/2021 Notes:
The audiobook release for Vol3 Part 1 was the push I needed to finish the whole thing. So, I read & listened to half of the volume. Reading and listening are very different experiences! I pick up more by reading the series online and enjoy the audio theatre when I listen. =)
Onto Vol4! May take several months. =P
01/01/2021 Notes:
Re-reading Vol3! Well, that's the plan. Will have to see if I make it far or give it up. ;)
I didn't get far at the tail end of 2020. I'll start over from the beginning. That way it can count for the FBR Team Challenge.
12/12/2019 Notes:
A+ for Characters & Concepts
D- Sloppy Transitions & Pacing
C- Big plot/character holes & lots of grammar/spelling mistakes.
Story flow basically follows the author's state of being. Lots of cool ideas, some great moments but chunky flaws that keep the story from being great. I'm entertained but kinda sad because I could see how the whole thing could be amazing but only in small fragments of the 2000k pages.
The audiobook release for Vol3 Part 1 was the push I needed to finish the whole thing. So, I read & listened to half of the volume. Reading and listening are very different experiences! I pick up more by reading the series online and enjoy the audio theatre when I listen. =)
Onto Vol4! May take several months. =P
01/01/2021 Notes:
Re-reading Vol3! Well, that's the plan. Will have to see if I make it far or give it up. ;)
I didn't get far at the tail end of 2020. I'll start over from the beginning. That way it can count for the FBR Team Challenge.
12/12/2019 Notes:
A+ for Characters & Concepts
D- Sloppy Transitions & Pacing
C- Big plot/character holes & lots of grammar/spelling mistakes.
Story flow basically follows the author's state of being. Lots of cool ideas, some great moments but chunky flaws that keep the story from being great. I'm entertained but kinda sad because I could see how the whole thing could be amazing but only in small fragments of the 2000k pages.
October 6, 2023
Fantastic! Takes the characters To the next level…puns aside this book if the best so far which is saying something in my opinion. Loved seeing Lyonettes character growth the most.
September 12, 2024
We get a new character perspective in Laken who is starting to achieve Emperor rank - a blind human who finds himself in a new world with lofty ambitions to protect those around him.
We also learn more about the Antinium with a certain graphic scene which was heartbreaking. It isn’t just humanity who wishes for a blissful paradise. A reward.
I wasn’t as drawn in to Erin and Ryoka this time around.
Erin’s whole story felt forced in as she is away from the Inn and trying to find something else to occupy her time. Erin feels frustrated with everyone in Celum because they weren't having the sort of "fun" she perceived as correct coming from her world. She tries to put together a play and it just felt very random.
Ryoka just lost her distinct spunk I loved so much previously. She is either eager for bloodshed or scared and holding back.
I was just so bored the entire time. Nothing happened. If this book didn’t happen, I don’t think anything would be lost.
Again, the audiobook elevated the story. There is no way I would have gotten through it without the incredible narrator.
Bookstagram
We also learn more about the Antinium with a certain graphic scene which was heartbreaking. It isn’t just humanity who wishes for a blissful paradise. A reward.
I wasn’t as drawn in to Erin and Ryoka this time around.
Erin’s whole story felt forced in as she is away from the Inn and trying to find something else to occupy her time. Erin feels frustrated with everyone in Celum because they weren't having the sort of "fun" she perceived as correct coming from her world. She tries to put together a play and it just felt very random.
Ryoka just lost her distinct spunk I loved so much previously. She is either eager for bloodshed or scared and holding back.
I was just so bored the entire time. Nothing happened. If this book didn’t happen, I don’t think anything would be lost.
Again, the audiobook elevated the story. There is no way I would have gotten through it without the incredible narrator.
Bookstagram
December 12, 2020
Aka - Dammit Toren Seriously!
How to make Beth ugly cry 🤔; how did the author make me love the dirty dozen (+1) and why did he do that to us (and make it beautiful)?
The same amazing blend of humor, action & soul destroying noble sacrifice of characters you didn't expect.
Adds layers to Antinium characters and the depths of the changes Erin accidentally began.
How to make Beth ugly cry 🤔; how did the author make me love the dirty dozen (+1) and why did he do that to us (and make it beautiful)?
The same amazing blend of humor, action & soul destroying noble sacrifice of characters you didn't expect.
Adds layers to Antinium characters and the depths of the changes Erin accidentally began.
October 2, 2024
2024/10/02 Notes: 4th Audio Read
Several highlights in #3-1, but the one that makes the most impact:
Hobs & Monster Girl
02/11/2022 Notes: 3rd Audio Read
Several people new to the Innverse have started to read the series and I'm having a great time chatting about it as they dive in for the first time. =)
Lots of great plot elements in Vol3 Pt1, but I like the later half of the volume more and may start my re-read sooner vs later. =D
04/28/2021 Notes: 1st Audio Read
4 Stars for Great Narration by Andrea Parsneau!
Several highlights in #3-1, but the one that makes the most impact:
Hobs & Monster Girl
02/11/2022 Notes: 3rd Audio Read
Several people new to the Innverse have started to read the series and I'm having a great time chatting about it as they dive in for the first time. =)
Lots of great plot elements in Vol3 Pt1, but I like the later half of the volume more and may start my re-read sooner vs later. =D
04/28/2021 Notes: 1st Audio Read
4 Stars for Great Narration by Andrea Parsneau!
October 19, 2024
English version below
****************
Ich habe jetzt den 3. Band der LitRPG-Reihe The Wandering Inn beendet.
Dies war mein erster Versuch LitRPG zu lesen und anfangs war ich ziemlich begeistert.
Nach wie vor halte ich der Autorin/dem Autor zugute, dass die Bücher wirklich viel gute und sogar innovative Ideen enthalten. Dennoch stoßen mir mit der Zeit etliche Dinge sauer auf.
Wir treffen hier auf unglaublich viele Charaktere, die auch häufig auf verschiedenen Erzählsträngen verfolgt werden. Wenn man wie ich Serien nicht unmittelbar hintereinander liest oder mehrere Bücher parallel liest, dann kann das ab und an schon ganz schön verwirrend sein.
Außerdem gefielen mir ausgerechnet die Charaktere am Besten, die nur selten vorkommen (z.B. Laken und Geneva), während unsere ursprüngliche Protagonistin Erin übermäßig häufig vorkommt und mir mittlerweile unglaublich auf die Nerven geht, da sie eine ausgesprochen dämliche Trulla ist. Warum sie von allen Seiten nur Bewunderung erfährt, ist mir vollkommen rätselhaft.
Dann die RPG-Charakteristik mit den Klassen und Skills. Anfangs war das irgendwie ganz witzig, inzwischen finde ich es nervig. Klar, es erlaubt dem Autor/der Autorin eine Charakterentwicklung zu beschreiben, die ansonsten komplett unglaubwürdig wäre, aber ich könnte darauf gerne verzichten.
Ein weiterer Punkt ist, dass die Bücher schlecht (oder vielleicht auch gar nicht) redigiert sind. An vielen Stellen ist der Text unglaublich redundant und repetetiv. Insgesamt fällt auch auf, dass die Kapitel sich qualitativ massiv voneinander abheben.
Man muss natürlich bedenken ,dass der Autor/die Autorin neben einer regulären Berufstätigkeit über Jahre regelmäßig große Mengen Text aufs Papier (bzw. in die Textdatei) bringt. Diese Leistung kann man gar nicht genug anerkennen.
Was kann ich also abschließend sagen?
Über weite Strecken hat mir die Serie gut gefallen, leider gab es aber auch viele Kapitel, die für mich dann doch ein bisschen langweilig waren. Ich hatte alles in allem durchaus Lesevergnügen, aber ich werde es mit diesem dritten Band gut sein lassen und die Serie nicht weiter verfolgen.
Ich werde jedoch noch einen Versuch mit einer anderen LitRPG-Serie machen, um festzustellen, ob das Genre vielleicht generell nichts für mich ist.
-----------------------------------
I have now finished the 3rd volume of the LitRPG series The Wandering Inn.
This was my first attempt at reading LitRPG and at first I was quite excited.
I still give the author credit for the fact that the books contain a lot of really good and even innovative ideas. However, there are still a few things that annoy me over time.
We meet an incredible number of characters here, who are often followed along different storylines. If, like me, you don't read series in quick succession or read several books at the same time, this can be quite confusing from time to time.
I also liked the characters who only appear rarely (e.g. Laken and Geneva) the most, while our original protagonist Erin appears excessively often and is now getting on my nerves because she's a really daft wench. Why she only receives admiration from all sides is a complete mystery to me.
Then there are the RPG characteristics with the classes and skills. It was kind of funny at first, but now I find it annoying. Sure, it allows the author to describe character development that would otherwise be completely implausible, but I could happily do without it.
Another point is that the books are poorly edited (or perhaps not edited at all). In many places, the text is incredibly redundant and repetitive. Overall, it is also noticeable that the chapters differ massively in terms of quality.
Of course, you have to bear in mind that the author regularly puts large amounts of text on paper (or into the text file) over a period of years alongside a regular job. This achievement cannot be recognised enough.
So what can I say in conclusion?
I enjoyed the series for long stretches, but unfortunately there were also many chapters that were a bit boring for me. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but I'm going to call it a day with this third volume and stop following the series.
I will, however, give another LitRPG series a try to see if the genre is generally not for me.
****************
Ich habe jetzt den 3. Band der LitRPG-Reihe The Wandering Inn beendet.
Dies war mein erster Versuch LitRPG zu lesen und anfangs war ich ziemlich begeistert.
Nach wie vor halte ich der Autorin/dem Autor zugute, dass die Bücher wirklich viel gute und sogar innovative Ideen enthalten. Dennoch stoßen mir mit der Zeit etliche Dinge sauer auf.
Wir treffen hier auf unglaublich viele Charaktere, die auch häufig auf verschiedenen Erzählsträngen verfolgt werden. Wenn man wie ich Serien nicht unmittelbar hintereinander liest oder mehrere Bücher parallel liest, dann kann das ab und an schon ganz schön verwirrend sein.
Außerdem gefielen mir ausgerechnet die Charaktere am Besten, die nur selten vorkommen (z.B. Laken und Geneva), während unsere ursprüngliche Protagonistin Erin übermäßig häufig vorkommt und mir mittlerweile unglaublich auf die Nerven geht, da sie eine ausgesprochen dämliche Trulla ist. Warum sie von allen Seiten nur Bewunderung erfährt, ist mir vollkommen rätselhaft.
Dann die RPG-Charakteristik mit den Klassen und Skills. Anfangs war das irgendwie ganz witzig, inzwischen finde ich es nervig. Klar, es erlaubt dem Autor/der Autorin eine Charakterentwicklung zu beschreiben, die ansonsten komplett unglaubwürdig wäre, aber ich könnte darauf gerne verzichten.
Ein weiterer Punkt ist, dass die Bücher schlecht (oder vielleicht auch gar nicht) redigiert sind. An vielen Stellen ist der Text unglaublich redundant und repetetiv. Insgesamt fällt auch auf, dass die Kapitel sich qualitativ massiv voneinander abheben.
Man muss natürlich bedenken ,dass der Autor/die Autorin neben einer regulären Berufstätigkeit über Jahre regelmäßig große Mengen Text aufs Papier (bzw. in die Textdatei) bringt. Diese Leistung kann man gar nicht genug anerkennen.
Was kann ich also abschließend sagen?
Über weite Strecken hat mir die Serie gut gefallen, leider gab es aber auch viele Kapitel, die für mich dann doch ein bisschen langweilig waren. Ich hatte alles in allem durchaus Lesevergnügen, aber ich werde es mit diesem dritten Band gut sein lassen und die Serie nicht weiter verfolgen.
Ich werde jedoch noch einen Versuch mit einer anderen LitRPG-Serie machen, um festzustellen, ob das Genre vielleicht generell nichts für mich ist.
-----------------------------------
I have now finished the 3rd volume of the LitRPG series The Wandering Inn.
This was my first attempt at reading LitRPG and at first I was quite excited.
I still give the author credit for the fact that the books contain a lot of really good and even innovative ideas. However, there are still a few things that annoy me over time.
We meet an incredible number of characters here, who are often followed along different storylines. If, like me, you don't read series in quick succession or read several books at the same time, this can be quite confusing from time to time.
I also liked the characters who only appear rarely (e.g. Laken and Geneva) the most, while our original protagonist Erin appears excessively often and is now getting on my nerves because she's a really daft wench. Why she only receives admiration from all sides is a complete mystery to me.
Then there are the RPG characteristics with the classes and skills. It was kind of funny at first, but now I find it annoying. Sure, it allows the author to describe character development that would otherwise be completely implausible, but I could happily do without it.
Another point is that the books are poorly edited (or perhaps not edited at all). In many places, the text is incredibly redundant and repetitive. Overall, it is also noticeable that the chapters differ massively in terms of quality.
Of course, you have to bear in mind that the author regularly puts large amounts of text on paper (or into the text file) over a period of years alongside a regular job. This achievement cannot be recognised enough.
So what can I say in conclusion?
I enjoyed the series for long stretches, but unfortunately there were also many chapters that were a bit boring for me. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but I'm going to call it a day with this third volume and stop following the series.
I will, however, give another LitRPG series a try to see if the genre is generally not for me.
December 19, 2018
An epic neverending adventure full of well developed characters, a world full of unique and interesting races, descriptions so rich the reader feels like they are a part of the story without becoming bogged down with details and a strong emotional connection to the tale. You'll find laughter and tears, friends and enemies, knowledge and magic and more. Just so much more. Read this series and you won't regret it.
August 17, 2024
Absolutely loved massive parts of this story,
The emperor chapters were very interesting and he is going to be an exciting new character to follow in future books.
The whole section in Esthelm also is probably the best in the series. So dark in parts and very well written.
My drawbacks come from the Erin/Ryoka and the new adventurer group chapters. I just wasn’t as drawn in with them as previous books. Which is really surprising as they have been my favourites in the previous books.
Overall though this is a great book and I look forward to the next one
The emperor chapters were very interesting and he is going to be an exciting new character to follow in future books.
The whole section in Esthelm also is probably the best in the series. So dark in parts and very well written.
My drawbacks come from the Erin/Ryoka and the new adventurer group chapters. I just wasn’t as drawn in with them as previous books. Which is really surprising as they have been my favourites in the previous books.
Overall though this is a great book and I look forward to the next one
June 3, 2022
This is the story of Deus Ex Machina. Where a contrived situation is there only so someone or something else will intervene. Sometimes this happens several times in a single chapter.
This is the story of tragedy. Tragedy that the author thinks needs to happen every few chapters.
This is the story of what could be a good story is ruined by constant bad things thrown in for no reason.
This is the story of how repeating something over and over can get really annoying. An example might be "this is the story of..."
This is the story of unending sadness that happiness is visited only on occasion and never for very long.
This is the story of how to make a disaster out of what could be an amazing series.
This is the story of how an amazing narrator can make constant tragedy better. Once again I am giving this story a plus 1 star to what it is worth because of the narrator.
This is the story of regret. Regret that we can't see more than a couple of chapters of the day to day life of the MCs without cities full of people get murdered and raped. Or people losing limb/fingers/friends.
This is the story of poor choices by the author that turns a what could be a great series into a toxic waste dump.
This is the story of tragedy. Tragedy that the author thinks needs to happen every few chapters.
This is the story of what could be a good story is ruined by constant bad things thrown in for no reason.
This is the story of how repeating something over and over can get really annoying. An example might be "this is the story of..."
This is the story of unending sadness that happiness is visited only on occasion and never for very long.
This is the story of how to make a disaster out of what could be an amazing series.
This is the story of how an amazing narrator can make constant tragedy better. Once again I am giving this story a plus 1 star to what it is worth because of the narrator.
This is the story of regret. Regret that we can't see more than a couple of chapters of the day to day life of the MCs without cities full of people get murdered and raped. Or people losing limb/fingers/friends.
This is the story of poor choices by the author that turns a what could be a great series into a toxic waste dump.
November 23, 2021
After absolutely loving the first two books- with ALLLLLL my heart... this one is a disappointment :( PirateAba seems to have crossed into a new style of writing, and lost a lot of the pure joy of the first two books. Even when Skinner was advancing, and Ryoka was terrified- the story held hope as it's core. No matter the situation the first two books were had a certain light about them... this one just seemed more dark, and seemed to have more of an ultimatum. And what was with all the story line rabbit trails offshoots? The story as a whole just seemed less intericately woven, although the writing has developed and is less messy than the first book.
I really wanted to shake PirateAba in the whole scene where Erin gets angry with everyone in Celum because they weren't having the sort of "fun" she designated as acceptible. It was out of character for Erin and a stupid arguement. Nobody can dictate how fun somethin is for other people.
I really wanted to shake PirateAba in the whole scene where Erin gets angry with everyone in Celum because they weren't having the sort of "fun" she designated as acceptible. It was out of character for Erin and a stupid arguement. Nobody can dictate how fun somethin is for other people.
March 25, 2023
This is my easy bed time audiobook series.
I am still really enjoying it, and will buy the next one right away.
It's grown a lot darker since the first book, but as much as I live it for its quick and light tone, I feel it sometimes doest strike the balance between the dark and light places too well. It just goes from "everything is horrible and awful" to "yay" in the space of a minute and that at times throws me out of the story a bit.
Regardless of that I still really enjoy the characters and the different directions they take and choices they make.
I love how easy to sink into the world is. I enjoy spending my time in the Inn and exploring a bit more of the world. Though some characters seem to fall in and out of the story willy nilly.
It's really engaging and entertaining and I can't see myself growing bored of it anytime soon.
I am still really enjoying it, and will buy the next one right away.
It's grown a lot darker since the first book, but as much as I live it for its quick and light tone, I feel it sometimes doest strike the balance between the dark and light places too well. It just goes from "everything is horrible and awful" to "yay" in the space of a minute and that at times throws me out of the story a bit.
Regardless of that I still really enjoy the characters and the different directions they take and choices they make.
I love how easy to sink into the world is. I enjoy spending my time in the Inn and exploring a bit more of the world. Though some characters seem to fall in and out of the story willy nilly.
It's really engaging and entertaining and I can't see myself growing bored of it anytime soon.
March 13, 2021
Fantastic!
One of the best fantasy series I've read and I read a LOT! These volumes are massive and it's great. The negative reviews I've seen don't seem to appreciate just how realistic these characters are compared to idealized, unrealistic personalities you'll see in other series.
One of the best fantasy series I've read and I read a LOT! These volumes are massive and it's great. The negative reviews I've seen don't seem to appreciate just how realistic these characters are compared to idealized, unrealistic personalities you'll see in other series.
April 2, 2025
The Wandering Inn just continues becoming better and better with each installment. Even though this book is technically half a volume, it does feel like a complete arc, at least for certain characters. Flowers of Esthelm has such a unique atmosphere from the other books in the series. It’s definitely the eeriness, mercilessness, and darkest in the series, yet it makes that prorating sense of hope makes it all the more satisfying. Despite the plot progression being pretty much at a standstill for the majority of the book, it still ironically feels the best (so far). The new perspectives—Emperor, Doctor, Small Redfang Tribe group, and the florist—all added to the experience. You could make an argument that if this were a traditionally published book, most of these subplots would be cut entirely or stripped to their bare-bones essentials and probably be the right decisions if that were the case. Yet there's something just fun about Pirateaba indulgences. Yet the MVP of this book would be Lyonette. I really enjoyed her brief POV in Book 2, and Book 3, despite having very few perspectives, was fantastic. Her growth, making small victories, and when Pirateaba just writes slice-of-life, it’s just fantastic; Liscor in general is such a vibe.
If I had criticised the book briefly, the Ryoka chapters would still be some of my least favourite in the series, while she is getting better, there’s a level of arrogance to the character that’s quite frustrating. At least her subplot has interesting aspects, and she is around interesting people, which makes it a compelling read (well, listen in this case). While Erin's arc by the end of the book is fantastic, having to deal with some uncomfortable truths and handling that quite well, her initial POV (which begins like after 60%+ into the book…) I did not like the moral. I’m not sure if this is a Pirateaba perspective or Erin’s, but let’s just say her judgement of people and what they deem as fun was pretty rude, frankly speaking. There’s just sort of an American exceptionalist perspective, which I disliked about Ryoka and Erin having that kind of perspective, but in a very different manner. I’m just happy that side tangent was moved on to more interesting things, and it did actually segue to some of the most fun chapters in the book; honestly, the entertainment the book needed after, well, the very dark tone it took for most of it. Another thing was a stylistic decision that came across as more frustrating than meaningful: it’s the line “This is the story of a… within 4 chapters. I think during the beginning and ending of the chapter it was fine (even good), but when it’s repeated 22 times in the span of 4 chapters, it gets really old fast. I should mention a non-spoiler positive: the Horns of Hammerad subplot was great!
There are some other positives, but that will lead to spoilers, so I will tag the remaining section:
Before doing any conclusions, I will just give another shout-out to Andrea Parsneau Narration. While PirateAba is the visionary of it all, it’s Andrea’s voice that fully realises it and makes it so rich. It’s the kind of performance that no way I could probably eyeball read the series. She has made my commute, work, and exercise more enjoyable with every minute and hour I’m listening to her voice. In conclusion, I can’t say anything to convince anyone at this point; over a million words, you will know if it’s for you, but I love the scope being bigger, wider, more emotional, and more satisfying character arcs.
8/10
If I had criticised the book briefly, the Ryoka chapters would still be some of my least favourite in the series, while she is getting better, there’s a level of arrogance to the character that’s quite frustrating. At least her subplot has interesting aspects, and she is around interesting people, which makes it a compelling read (well, listen in this case). While Erin's arc by the end of the book is fantastic, having to deal with some uncomfortable truths and handling that quite well, her initial POV (which begins like after 60%+ into the book…) I did not like the moral. I’m not sure if this is a Pirateaba perspective or Erin’s, but let’s just say her judgement of people and what they deem as fun was pretty rude, frankly speaking. There’s just sort of an American exceptionalist perspective, which I disliked about Ryoka and Erin having that kind of perspective, but in a very different manner. I’m just happy that side tangent was moved on to more interesting things, and it did actually segue to some of the most fun chapters in the book; honestly, the entertainment the book needed after, well, the very dark tone it took for most of it. Another thing was a stylistic decision that came across as more frustrating than meaningful: it’s the line “This is the story of a… within 4 chapters. I think during the beginning and ending of the chapter it was fine (even good), but when it’s repeated 22 times in the span of 4 chapters, it gets really old fast. I should mention a non-spoiler positive: the Horns of Hammerad subplot was great!
There are some other positives, but that will lead to spoilers, so I will tag the remaining section:
Before doing any conclusions, I will just give another shout-out to Andrea Parsneau Narration. While PirateAba is the visionary of it all, it’s Andrea’s voice that fully realises it and makes it so rich. It’s the kind of performance that no way I could probably eyeball read the series. She has made my commute, work, and exercise more enjoyable with every minute and hour I’m listening to her voice. In conclusion, I can’t say anything to convince anyone at this point; over a million words, you will know if it’s for you, but I love the scope being bigger, wider, more emotional, and more satisfying character arcs.
8/10
January 5, 2024
Iedomājies savu ikdienu, kas līdz tam rit kā ierasts, bet tad pēkšņi un bez jebkāda brīdinājuma nākošais spertais solis turpat mājas ap vannasistabas stūri aizved tevi uz traku, visādu mošķu un citu rasu/sugu piepildītu pasauli. Turklāt vēl pasauli, kurā tās iemītnīeki iegūst dažādas klases, līmeņus tajās un cita veida prasmes, kas reizēm dod iespēju paveikt ko tādu, ko pats par sevi neiemācītos. Šādā situācijā attopas viena no Wandering Inn sērijas galvenajām varonēm Erin Solstice.
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
November 10, 2025
Another solid instalment int eh ongoing wandering tale of the Wandering Inn. It was a great story, but it lost one start after the 50th time the narrator says "This is the story of" during one part of the story, it drove us absolutely nuts. BUT other than that it was super entertaining as always. We are so damn invested. In fact we reinstated out Netflix account a month ago and still haven't watched a SINGLE thing because all we do is listen to the Wandering Inn.
May 23, 2021
I think the novella-like form factor has a big influence on the general consistency of the series.
Allowing for that oddity, I'll still observe that half this volume was filler narration, with lots and lots of repetitive moments (), inconsistent chapter titling, patchwork writing style, bad editing... I found myself skipping ahead a lot in this book (especially the Toren chapters), which is something I almost never do in audiobooks. And honestly, I don't think I missed anything of import at all.
Character creep is starting to seriously diffuse focus. In as much as I like a nice epic sprawling story, it's really disconcerting to jump around without any rhythm or pattern, sometimes staying for hours with support characters. From my estimation, our MCs POVs combined make less than half the book this time around. Some characters from last book got dropped, new ones got introduced. It all looks very... haphazard.
This being said.
Once again, Andrea Parsneau's vocal performance takes an average piece of literature and pushes it into the realms of an audio experience. I was floored at how connected to the characters I got, how accurately the beats and nuances of speech were recreated. This is just... amazing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Andrea Parsneau is the best audiobook narrator I've ever heard. Period.
So yeah. The book's around 2 stars for me this time around, but I stuck with it and gave it a third star just for the narration. YMMV.
Allowing for that oddity, I'll still observe that half this volume was filler narration, with lots and lots of repetitive moments (), inconsistent chapter titling, patchwork writing style, bad editing... I found myself skipping ahead a lot in this book (especially the Toren chapters), which is something I almost never do in audiobooks. And honestly, I don't think I missed anything of import at all.
Character creep is starting to seriously diffuse focus. In as much as I like a nice epic sprawling story, it's really disconcerting to jump around without any rhythm or pattern, sometimes staying for hours with support characters. From my estimation, our MCs POVs combined make less than half the book this time around. Some characters from last book got dropped, new ones got introduced. It all looks very... haphazard.
This being said.
Once again, Andrea Parsneau's vocal performance takes an average piece of literature and pushes it into the realms of an audio experience. I was floored at how connected to the characters I got, how accurately the beats and nuances of speech were recreated. This is just... amazing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Andrea Parsneau is the best audiobook narrator I've ever heard. Period.
So yeah. The book's around 2 stars for me this time around, but I stuck with it and gave it a third star just for the narration. YMMV.
December 16, 2021
This book continues the adventures of Erin, Ryoka, and all the other great characters that we met in the previous two volumes.
The one irksome thing that annoyed me reading this on my old kindle was the text for the frost faeries. It was done in such a faint font colour that I had to use a torch to make it readable. Might be OK on a colour kindle or the like but my black and white kindle made it difficult to read. Maybe it was because of this that I didn't enjoy spending time with Ryoka and the frost faeries very much.
Was fun to meet the [Emperor]. I look forward to seeing where his story arc leads.
Had a small story arc about a monster-girl, 13 goblin warriors, a gold-ranked adventurer, a goblin army and Toren controlling other undead; all battling against each other in the City of Esthelm. That small story arc was built up over chapters and even referenced events from earlier books. It was some of the finest story telling I've ever read. I felt every cut, arrow, and bite. Spending time with Grunter, Headscratcher, and the others was a pleasure but it got me right in the feels too (that arc alone was worth 5 stars for me)
But the rest of the book wasn't quite on that level but still an awesome read in total. So, I guess I loved this one.
Loved it - 4 stars
The one irksome thing that annoyed me reading this on my old kindle was the text for the frost faeries. It was done in such a faint font colour that I had to use a torch to make it readable. Might be OK on a colour kindle or the like but my black and white kindle made it difficult to read. Maybe it was because of this that I didn't enjoy spending time with Ryoka and the frost faeries very much.
Was fun to meet the [Emperor]. I look forward to seeing where his story arc leads.
Had a small story arc about a monster-girl, 13 goblin warriors, a gold-ranked adventurer, a goblin army and Toren controlling other undead; all battling against each other in the City of Esthelm. That small story arc was built up over chapters and even referenced events from earlier books. It was some of the finest story telling I've ever read. I felt every cut, arrow, and bite. Spending time with Grunter, Headscratcher, and the others was a pleasure but it got me right in the feels too (that arc alone was worth 5 stars for me)
But the rest of the book wasn't quite on that level but still an awesome read in total. So, I guess I loved this one.
Loved it - 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2020
There were some real highlights in this book. Things that get you in the feels.
Erin, though, is driving me batty. She is thoughtless and sometimes quite cruel, yet everyone loves her.
Also, I don’t like that Ceria seems to have Ryoka’s personality now.
Erin, though, is driving me batty. She is thoughtless and sometimes quite cruel, yet everyone loves her.
Also, I don’t like that Ceria seems to have Ryoka’s personality now.
September 23, 2020
Outstanding and completely absorbing world and characters, never failing to surprise.
Some of the dark--horror--material is anathema to me, yet Pirateaba manages to redeem that particular element of the vast web serial, every single time. I love nearly all the characters and care about their well-being. I waited a long time to read this one, but realized it will be ages before volumes three and up might appear in Audible, or even Kindle. So I am reading it from the web, on my kindle, over the internet. The books and world are delicious...
I don't understand readers who dislike Erin and Ceria--the author makes them as real as you and me when she shows them making mistakes in speech or behavior. It is not different than when she does that with a few of the key male characters, but it is just the female characters who come up against this ridiculous sexist standard in literature. In the end, they redeem themselves. I love Pirateaba's creative work, and became a patreon while reading volume two, even though I am only up to book four now. I tolerate the typos very well because she is writing at a prodigious pace--and really grand writing, too!
Some of the dark--horror--material is anathema to me, yet Pirateaba manages to redeem that particular element of the vast web serial, every single time. I love nearly all the characters and care about their well-being. I waited a long time to read this one, but realized it will be ages before volumes three and up might appear in Audible, or even Kindle. So I am reading it from the web, on my kindle, over the internet. The books and world are delicious...
I don't understand readers who dislike Erin and Ceria--the author makes them as real as you and me when she shows them making mistakes in speech or behavior. It is not different than when she does that with a few of the key male characters, but it is just the female characters who come up against this ridiculous sexist standard in literature. In the end, they redeem themselves. I love Pirateaba's creative work, and became a patreon while reading volume two, even though I am only up to book four now. I tolerate the typos very well because she is writing at a prodigious pace--and really grand writing, too!
August 31, 2019
Well this only took me FOREVER to read. I finished the first 2 volumes back-to-back and "picked up" the third and I think I just got a little OD'd on the Wandering Inn, because about half way through I took a short break that turned into like... a year. Maybe more. I honestly don't remember how long it's been. I think not having an actual book format made it easier for me to set down and walk away from for an extended period of time. But then I started it back up and it was like the break never happened. I got so absorbed and finished the whole last half in like 2 days. There is just so much content; which is definitely NOT thing I'm complaining about, but I am using it as an excuse for why I needed to step away for a minute/year. Too much of a good thing, ya know?
But anyway. I love this series! I love the characters and the action and the mystery and the magic and all of it. I can't wait to read more and get to experience all the different characters meeting and reacting to each other! Eeee! I'm so excited!
But anyway. I love this series! I love the characters and the action and the mystery and the magic and all of it. I can't wait to read more and get to experience all the different characters meeting and reacting to each other! Eeee! I'm so excited!
August 24, 2023
Pirateaba's extremely epic web serial marries Andrea Parsneau's narration, blessed by Audible, the superbly skilled Priestess...this is but a drop in the bucket of a stunning story. It is full of myriad story arcs, and even more myriad characters, in a world fully realized, with a magic system that is far and away the most charming I have encountered. Other than my beloved Tolkien, to which nothing compares, this is the best in fantasy writing. This particular installment has one of the three elements of the vast tale that I am not keen on (horror...with Flos and the Clown the other two elements I do not like at all), yet the author is so skilled, that she redeems even the worst horror. She is able to "bring everything around" to make it poignantly "human" (or perhaps I should say emotional). Of course, I hated it coming to an end...and fervently hope "Book 4" arrives soon on Audible, as I go back to my reading and re-reading of her remarkable and colossal story.
May 25, 2021
Disparate plot lines that don't intersect and are just jumbled together.
Incredibly annoying main characters. Hypocritical actions, rude behavior. The characters are very un-lovable.
Both Erin and Ryoka are annoyingly childish. Erin's extremely rude behavior towards the other innkeeper are appalling. And she kept calling people boring, and their dreams. She's elitist and condescending. Controlling and immature
Terrible dialogue. Rambling descriptions. Unskilled pacing. Repetitive sentences.
A clever world can't disguise the lazy editing and ramshackle writing.
This series is a cult classic among readers of web serials, but I have been very much unimpressed by the writing.
Incredibly annoying main characters. Hypocritical actions, rude behavior. The characters are very un-lovable.
Both Erin and Ryoka are annoyingly childish. Erin's extremely rude behavior towards the other innkeeper are appalling. And she kept calling people boring, and their dreams. She's elitist and condescending. Controlling and immature
Terrible dialogue. Rambling descriptions. Unskilled pacing. Repetitive sentences.
A clever world can't disguise the lazy editing and ramshackle writing.
This series is a cult classic among readers of web serials, but I have been very much unimpressed by the writing.
February 8, 2023
This is the story of an author who needs to hire a better editor. Seriously. How many times can one person write “This is the story of…” before being driven insane by their poor ability to craft a creative sentence. The world is still cool as hell and some of the characters are becoming very interesting. I just can’t give the book a higher rating as a result of its absolutely terrible prose at points. The quality of the writing is distractingly bad at times. So bad that it brings down an otherwise very entertaining story.
August 24, 2018
Still loving it, a lot of the plot threads are coming together wonderfully and the character's are all getting some very nice growth! Cant wait to see what happens next.
Remember, this series is available for free at https://wanderinginn.com/ , support Pirateaba on patreon etc if you do my route with epubs and kindles :)
Remember, this series is available for free at https://wanderinginn.com/ , support Pirateaba on patreon etc if you do my route with epubs and kindles :)
June 4, 2025
5/5
Best one yet. Just such an amazing world. Perfect mix of slice of life and epic fantasy.
Truly a case of less Erin equals more better. Every side character is better then the main two and this book had very littel of them.
S tier audiobook. Works perfect as a light read between other more complex fantasy.
Best one yet. Just such an amazing world. Perfect mix of slice of life and epic fantasy.
Truly a case of less Erin equals more better. Every side character is better then the main two and this book had very littel of them.
S tier audiobook. Works perfect as a light read between other more complex fantasy.
November 25, 2020
Love love love
The vividness of all the characters! I can see all of them so clearly in my mind's eye. I absolutely love this series and I hope the next part comes sooner than later
The vividness of all the characters! I can see all of them so clearly in my mind's eye. I absolutely love this series and I hope the next part comes sooner than later
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