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The Good Guys #5
Dukes and Ladders
The continuing adventures of Montana Coggeshall, Duke of Coggeshall in the gamified world of Vuldranni.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2019
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207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 15, 2020
I’ve run out of non spoiler praise for the book, so if you liked the 1st four books in the series you’ll like this one. If you haven’t read them, read them first because this is a series with cliffhangers at the end of each book.
I really liked that this book focused on
I really liked that this book focused on
May 16, 2022
At this point I don't even know what to say about these books. They are getting exceedingly ridiculous, and i'm here for it.
We start of this adventure with our loving Fritz coming back from the dead as a LAND SHARK and well.... It's awesome.
LAND SHARK LAND SHARK LAND SHARK
Now for the rest of the book it's mostly Montana trying to figure out how to manage a holding. Which he fails miserably at. But with his lovable fool persona, his followers, herd and friends are more than happy too help out. Even though they get frustrated at times with him being overly optimistic when it comes to trusting people and wanting to help out everybody.
And this loveable nature really shines through when it comes to our cortiasan kitsune. Her species in this world is created solely to be, well... "entertainment". Which he finds revolting and starts a quest to help her become a ranger like she want's, and he's extremely attentive to her needs and wants regarding her mistrust towards men.
( although there is something to be said about the author including a species of women with the sole purpose of being sexually abused. Although i'm inclined to believe the author meant this is a commentary towards the fetishation of these types of tropes in Anime )
As the whole thing is handled really nicely.
Even though I have an abundance of experience with pen and paper roleplaying games as well as the video game versions, i'm quite shocked about how much i'm loving this series. It's really charming, it scratches that leveling/hoarding/quest grinding itch so well, and the humor is endearing.
I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and the bad guys series next. I should be reading the books i've pledged to a reading challenge, but instead i'm reading the next and the next and the next books of this series. Good work Mr Eric Ugland
We start of this adventure with our loving Fritz coming back from the dead as a LAND SHARK and well.... It's awesome.
LAND SHARK LAND SHARK LAND SHARK
Now for the rest of the book it's mostly Montana trying to figure out how to manage a holding. Which he fails miserably at. But with his lovable fool persona, his followers, herd and friends are more than happy too help out. Even though they get frustrated at times with him being overly optimistic when it comes to trusting people and wanting to help out everybody.
And this loveable nature really shines through when it comes to our cortiasan kitsune. Her species in this world is created solely to be, well... "entertainment". Which he finds revolting and starts a quest to help her become a ranger like she want's, and he's extremely attentive to her needs and wants regarding her mistrust towards men.
( although there is something to be said about the author including a species of women with the sole purpose of being sexually abused. Although i'm inclined to believe the author meant this is a commentary towards the fetishation of these types of tropes in Anime )
As the whole thing is handled really nicely.
Even though I have an abundance of experience with pen and paper roleplaying games as well as the video game versions, i'm quite shocked about how much i'm loving this series. It's really charming, it scratches that leveling/hoarding/quest grinding itch so well, and the humor is endearing.
I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and the bad guys series next. I should be reading the books i've pledged to a reading challenge, but instead i'm reading the next and the next and the next books of this series. Good work Mr Eric Ugland
April 12, 2019
I try not to give out five stars very often anymore because amazing books need a spot in the ratings to distinguish themselves and this one does that. Lets face it if you're reading this review or looking at this book you already know what this series is about and you just want to know if this book is a credit to the series and worth reading. It is. This book is back up there with the earlier books with plenty of humor, combat and more. The main character grows ever more likeable with each book and to me is still very relatable. The only problem some people might have with this book is that the litrpg elements are slowly fading into obscurity, while there is a stat dump at the beginning of the book and an inventory dump of sorts at one point leveling and stats don't seem to be the authors priority despite mentioning that other characters needed to level up, The main character doesn't even seem to remember he has an identification spell most of the time anymore either so it rarely gets used. The book is about average length for the series which to me is entirely to short, only a few hours long it could be stretched another hour or so with numbers added easily but honestly it doesn't really need them and they would probably just interrupt the pacing which is fantastic currently. I would need to reread the earlier books but setting the first one aside as it got me into this series this is probably the second book in the series thus far. I can't await the next book
April 15, 2019
Go good guys
So Montana is at it again. Breaking stuff and enemies. Of course Montana is a bit of a bumbling fool but a well meaning one. Definitely the proverbial bull in the China shop. His town is growing and so do the problems, but Wide shoulders are there to carry heavy responsibility. Love this series and the humor. Can't wait till the next one.
So Montana is at it again. Breaking stuff and enemies. Of course Montana is a bit of a bumbling fool but a well meaning one. Definitely the proverbial bull in the China shop. His town is growing and so do the problems, but Wide shoulders are there to carry heavy responsibility. Love this series and the humor. Can't wait till the next one.
February 6, 2021
Yes! I am digging this series more and more! I am enjoying Montana's adventures with his Motley Crew of folks in his dukedom! I look forward to the next installment!
April 12, 2019
Could be the best so far.
The adventures continues and things are getting hearted. Montana is a nut with integrity and a big heart just doing the best he can, it's what good guys do and I hope things work out. This story is truly a fun series to read and this episode is maybe the best in the series so far and i highly recommend this series to anyone young or old. (There is some profanity and violence in the telling of the story!).
The adventures continues and things are getting hearted. Montana is a nut with integrity and a big heart just doing the best he can, it's what good guys do and I hope things work out. This story is truly a fun series to read and this episode is maybe the best in the series so far and i highly recommend this series to anyone young or old. (There is some profanity and violence in the telling of the story!).
April 14, 2019
So much fun
I really, really, really enjoy this series.
There's plenty for everyone on here but most importantly, things move forward. Characters grow, plot lines get closed and new ones start and enjoyment can be had throughout.
As usual with this series, the worst part is waiting for the next book.
The Good Guys is Great, and Kyle is a jerk.
I really, really, really enjoy this series.
There's plenty for everyone on here but most importantly, things move forward. Characters grow, plot lines get closed and new ones start and enjoyment can be had throughout.
As usual with this series, the worst part is waiting for the next book.
The Good Guys is Great, and Kyle is a jerk.
April 11, 2019
Fantastic
I love this series and my only complaint is I wish there was more of it. Every book goes too fast for me and I wish I could just keep reading.
I love this series and my only complaint is I wish there was more of it. Every book goes too fast for me and I wish I could just keep reading.
April 12, 2019
Another good addition to the series
But...
I _-REALLY-_ need each book to be longer.
Pretty, pretty please, with a cherry on top?
Three more words.
But...
I _-REALLY-_ need each book to be longer.
Pretty, pretty please, with a cherry on top?
Three more words.
March 11, 2020
The book where Montana plays Dwarf Fortress
The stats came back! (Mostly, we are missing a stanza earned near the end of the last book) but we do get to see more numbers this time, bringing the book back into LitRPG territory.
We also get a bit of an homage to Dwarf Fortress, with dwarves, town building, night sneaks, what could have been a procedurally generated beast, and other stuff that would be spoilers at describe.
Montana is taking the Duke thing more seriously, and the story is less of a silly romp than previous books but I am still eating it up.
Still a few editing and (apparent) continuity issues but nothing that can't be forgiven since the story is entertaining and fun. Montana makes fewer truly stupid choices which is a positive change too. I do wish we got a better explanation of how stats work and why physical stats are so imbalanced vs non physical (except maybe luck) but looks like there are plenty of books left to explain things.
Warning, major cliffhanger! Looking forward to the next one
The stats came back! (Mostly, we are missing a stanza earned near the end of the last book) but we do get to see more numbers this time, bringing the book back into LitRPG territory.
We also get a bit of an homage to Dwarf Fortress, with dwarves, town building, night sneaks, what could have been a procedurally generated beast, and other stuff that would be spoilers at describe.
Montana is taking the Duke thing more seriously, and the story is less of a silly romp than previous books but I am still eating it up.
Still a few editing and (apparent) continuity issues but nothing that can't be forgiven since the story is entertaining and fun. Montana makes fewer truly stupid choices which is a positive change too. I do wish we got a better explanation of how stats work and why physical stats are so imbalanced vs non physical (except maybe luck) but looks like there are plenty of books left to explain things.
Warning, major cliffhanger! Looking forward to the next one
April 14, 2019
More than any other current series, I look forward to each successive installment in "The Good Guys" story. It's evident that the author has a story arc planned out, something not always shared by multi-book series these days. By my assessment #5 seems to be about the halfway point in the arc, +/- 1 book.
I am happy to see that Montana is starting to use his brain, as the stumbling from one near-disaster to another isn't going to cut it from this point on. I still expect him to go all Conan/Genghis Khan on his enemies, as they are truly evil f*ckers and they deserve being bisected, heads punched in half, etc. He does need a love interest however, as I think he needs that balance as he moves forward as the Duke. A very short list of contenders for that at this point, but I hope someone comes his way. Assuming they survive the beginning of book #6...
I am happy to see that Montana is starting to use his brain, as the stumbling from one near-disaster to another isn't going to cut it from this point on. I still expect him to go all Conan/Genghis Khan on his enemies, as they are truly evil f*ckers and they deserve being bisected, heads punched in half, etc. He does need a love interest however, as I think he needs that balance as he moves forward as the Duke. A very short list of contenders for that at this point, but I hope someone comes his way. Assuming they survive the beginning of book #6...
April 12, 2019
Pretty good book
The book is in line with the rest of the series which is them starting on town building and the like and fighting of enemies and dealing with treachery. While the book is good and is staying in line with the series I find that with all of the town building and politics we get away from the mc going on adventures and getting more powerful, I would like to see him get so powerful that he can take on anything but it looks like the story is going away from that.
The book is in line with the rest of the series which is them starting on town building and the like and fighting of enemies and dealing with treachery. While the book is good and is staying in line with the series I find that with all of the town building and politics we get away from the mc going on adventures and getting more powerful, I would like to see him get so powerful that he can take on anything but it looks like the story is going away from that.
April 13, 2019
“This series is so good it spoils me.”
This series is awesome if you read the others what are you waiting on. Otherwise this series is a fun litrpg has bit of everything good in litrpg. Stats, bad guys, good guys, skills mini God’s with benefits, dungeons, base building, side quest, character building, and finally muscles and more muscles. Best of all if you like reading a book ever few months then this is a must read of litrpg.
This series is awesome if you read the others what are you waiting on. Otherwise this series is a fun litrpg has bit of everything good in litrpg. Stats, bad guys, good guys, skills mini God’s with benefits, dungeons, base building, side quest, character building, and finally muscles and more muscles. Best of all if you like reading a book ever few months then this is a must read of litrpg.
April 12, 2019
Love the story, and the structure
The story is great. Love the characters. Its funny and violent, what do you want. My issue is that every damn book ends in a cliff hanger. No book feels finished. Cliff hangers are fine if a book is coming out weekely, but they are not. Though t
The story is great. Love the characters. Its funny and violent, what do you want. My issue is that every damn book ends in a cliff hanger. No book feels finished. Cliff hangers are fine if a book is coming out weekely, but they are not. Though t
April 17, 2019
Book five
Mistakes: I found four.
Plot: town building and settlers arriving.
Characters: The MC acts dumber than he is. Likable fellow that does what he feels is right.
8/10 Very fast read with yet another cliffhanger ending.
Mistakes: I found four.
Plot: town building and settlers arriving.
Characters: The MC acts dumber than he is. Likable fellow that does what he feels is right.
8/10 Very fast read with yet another cliffhanger ending.
April 29, 2019
Man this series is fun
Where is book7? Im about to read book 6 and am sad already in advance. For the record, i’ve slept 4 hours in two days reading every moment between work shifts.
Where is book7? Im about to read book 6 and am sad already in advance. For the record, i’ve slept 4 hours in two days reading every moment between work shifts.
April 11, 2019
Great book!
Loved this installment! Only complaint is that it isn't long enough. Can't wait for the next one. Its good stuff.
Loved this installment! Only complaint is that it isn't long enough. Can't wait for the next one. Its good stuff.
April 12, 2019
Awesome. Keeping with the amazingness that the last 4 had. Only thing missing is a relationship. But its good enough that I am not bothered by it.
April 16, 2019
I swear this series keeps getting better and better. The only thing wrong with this book is that it is way too short. Eagerly waiting for book 6. Recommended.
May 14, 2019
I was worried that the series would turn into a city building simulator... but no. Maybe not as strong as the last but still good.
February 6, 2025
4.5 stars. I continue to enjoy this series.
July 2, 2019
I thought this book was a great continuation of the series. I have one serious question though... When will Montana think about mentioning to his buddies that he has Royal Blood XD
June 9, 2019
Still great
I am still hooked on this series. My only issue is that I now have to wait for the next book to come out. The next 3 days of waiting will be brutal, and I should give the author a 1 star review for his impudence. Alas, his books are too entertaining. Sad face.
I am still hooked on this series. My only issue is that I now have to wait for the next book to come out. The next 3 days of waiting will be brutal, and I should give the author a 1 star review for his impudence. Alas, his books are too entertaining. Sad face.
April 13, 2019
I like where this is headed
I liked this one more than the previous one in the series. Interesting plot while also setting up lots of cool stuff for the future. The supporting cast also came across as more notable this time around, at least to me.
The only problem is that it seems like the author is still losing track of some stuff from the story. One of the main side characters from the past two books is not even mentioned in this one, not even in a "she's over there, doing that" kind of a way. And as for the stats/attributes, yikes. We only see the main character's stats once, with the following missing from it: at least one skill (Jumping), three languages he knows (Infernal, Hobgoblin Battle Chant, and Troll), and the blessing he received from a major deity in the prior volume. I don't know if this is an editing problem or what, but come on. He fights trolls in this book, remembering the main character can speak their language should be obvious.
I liked this one more than the previous one in the series. Interesting plot while also setting up lots of cool stuff for the future. The supporting cast also came across as more notable this time around, at least to me.
The only problem is that it seems like the author is still losing track of some stuff from the story. One of the main side characters from the past two books is not even mentioned in this one, not even in a "she's over there, doing that" kind of a way. And as for the stats/attributes, yikes. We only see the main character's stats once, with the following missing from it: at least one skill (Jumping), three languages he knows (Infernal, Hobgoblin Battle Chant, and Troll), and the blessing he received from a major deity in the prior volume. I don't know if this is an editing problem or what, but come on. He fights trolls in this book, remembering the main character can speak their language should be obvious.
October 28, 2019
Still enjoyable, though I'm periodically raising my eyebrows, as our hero suddenly seems weaker and weaker. Before, he could slay legions and defeat monsters....now, he almost gets killed by a few humans. The series seems to be hitting an issue, where the hero was too powerful. The "why can't I just go out and kill them all?" question is answered by "you don't want to be known as a monster" - which seems weird to me, as I'd expect the priority to be on the survival of the people in his care rather than on reputation. I think I might stop reading the series soon, if it becomes less fun due to the hero not utilizing his full potential.
August 17, 2020
The plot became about building Socialism in a fairyland:
- Nobody gets paid.
- Everyone works for the greater good.
- Everyone who joins the group is forced, usually by circumstances, to pledge allegiance personally to the leader.
- It's kind of democracy. The leader is equal to everyone. Just a simple guy. But when his minions don't obey or don't share his ideals he demands obedience, becomes violent and threatens murder.
- There is a set of simplistic principles that make insiders good and outsiders bad. It's justified to fight bad people.
The story was so much funnier and deeper when the protagonist just tried to take care of himself and solve the problem at hand.
- Nobody gets paid.
- Everyone works for the greater good.
- Everyone who joins the group is forced, usually by circumstances, to pledge allegiance personally to the leader.
- It's kind of democracy. The leader is equal to everyone. Just a simple guy. But when his minions don't obey or don't share his ideals he demands obedience, becomes violent and threatens murder.
- There is a set of simplistic principles that make insiders good and outsiders bad. It's justified to fight bad people.
The story was so much funnier and deeper when the protagonist just tried to take care of himself and solve the problem at hand.
March 23, 2020
Missing climactic event
I for one, totally appreciate the crazy fast pace at which these books are coming out, and this book had two or three pretty decent minor themes going on but it missed an epic central theme and epic progressional conclusion. It was a good first stab at the city building part of the genre but missed the big dungeon boss, fight off a siege, whatever that has gone so well in the books leading up to this. I’m excited by the cliffhanger that promises two big events in the next book, but I would have liked a bit more here
I for one, totally appreciate the crazy fast pace at which these books are coming out, and this book had two or three pretty decent minor themes going on but it missed an epic central theme and epic progressional conclusion. It was a good first stab at the city building part of the genre but missed the big dungeon boss, fight off a siege, whatever that has gone so well in the books leading up to this. I’m excited by the cliffhanger that promises two big events in the next book, but I would have liked a bit more here
May 31, 2019
Fantastic
Suprised to find the series just keeps getting more exciting. Can't wait for more! Some of the newer characters need some fleshing out but otherwise excellent.
Suprised to find the series just keeps getting more exciting. Can't wait for more! Some of the newer characters need some fleshing out but otherwise excellent.
April 13, 2019
Great continuation!
Very few stories grab me as a must read like these, but this series has done it. I like how the character interacts with the world, and the richness of the world around him in contrast to... well his sometime simpleness.
Being simple isn’t bad though, he’s just focused on being a “good guy”. And I feel like the series becomes more aptly names as each book comes out. Right now this is a must read in the genre for me.
Very few stories grab me as a must read like these, but this series has done it. I like how the character interacts with the world, and the richness of the world around him in contrast to... well his sometime simpleness.
Being simple isn’t bad though, he’s just focused on being a “good guy”. And I feel like the series becomes more aptly names as each book comes out. Right now this is a must read in the genre for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews