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Ethria #1
The Pioneer
“Offered a choice by powers far greater than himself between returning home at great risk, or entering a world named Ethria where he might find another, supposedly safer, path home, Daniel “Rayid” Tear will enter Ethria. A world that operates similar to the video games Daniel has always enjoyed, Ethria is a place where power can be found in many forms, both light and dark, and whose true purpose is unknown even to most of its denizens.
Taking the long way home, Daniel will make another choice, to help a group of persecuted people whose story mirrors that of his pioneer ancestors. But In a time when Gods are changing, the people of every race suffer, the foundations of nations shift, and change and danger are in the very air, what can one under-leveled, foreign wizard do?
All the while at the roof of the world, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains a darkness grows, a creature plots, and an ancient evil from the foundations of the world seeks to re-emerge onto Ethria.”
Taking the long way home, Daniel will make another choice, to help a group of persecuted people whose story mirrors that of his pioneer ancestors. But In a time when Gods are changing, the people of every race suffer, the foundations of nations shift, and change and danger are in the very air, what can one under-leveled, foreign wizard do?
All the while at the roof of the world, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains a darkness grows, a creature plots, and an ancient evil from the foundations of the world seeks to re-emerge onto Ethria.”
598 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 2, 2020
Two prologues???
Okayy.... Why not.
Then we get into the story and everything that I dislike about LitRPG just jumps out at me. The "I happen-to-have-ism" was so overpowering in the very first (actual) chapter, that I just knew I was going to spend most of my listen being pissed off. Life's too short for that.
Okayy.... Why not.
Then we get into the story and everything that I dislike about LitRPG just jumps out at me. The "I happen-to-have-ism" was so overpowering in the very first (actual) chapter, that I just knew I was going to spend most of my listen being pissed off. Life's too short for that.
October 12, 2019
Ok, I have to say, I'm extremely disappointed in this book.
It was an excellent book, one that really deserves a great rating, the story was top notch, the world building was phenomenal, and the character development was amazing. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for great LitRPG to read.
Unless simple things like grammar bother you.
The mere fact that where was used *every* *single* time the word should have been were was only the most irritating of said grammar errors. We're also plagued with sentence tenses changing midstream, verb tenses not matching the rest of the sentence )kind of goes with the last one), and even wrong versions of words to instead of too, (ok, that one's forgivable, loads of folks do that one), but when you pool all of this together, it makes for a terrible reader experience, and one that was completely avoidable. Look, I'm no grammar teacher, I'm not even a professional letters person, but these are simple things that really *need* to be caught in proofing/beta reading.
I find it sad that so many authors don't take enough pride in their own work to want it to be the best it can be, and unfortunately, this book is no exception. I loved the story, but I have a hard time recommending stories with such poor workmanship, so feel free to give this one a whirl, it's truly a great story, but try not to let the lack of decent editing bother you, if it does, then you'll want to stay far away from this one.
It was an excellent book, one that really deserves a great rating, the story was top notch, the world building was phenomenal, and the character development was amazing. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for great LitRPG to read.
Unless simple things like grammar bother you.
The mere fact that where was used *every* *single* time the word should have been were was only the most irritating of said grammar errors. We're also plagued with sentence tenses changing midstream, verb tenses not matching the rest of the sentence )kind of goes with the last one), and even wrong versions of words to instead of too, (ok, that one's forgivable, loads of folks do that one), but when you pool all of this together, it makes for a terrible reader experience, and one that was completely avoidable. Look, I'm no grammar teacher, I'm not even a professional letters person, but these are simple things that really *need* to be caught in proofing/beta reading.
I find it sad that so many authors don't take enough pride in their own work to want it to be the best it can be, and unfortunately, this book is no exception. I loved the story, but I have a hard time recommending stories with such poor workmanship, so feel free to give this one a whirl, it's truly a great story, but try not to let the lack of decent editing bother you, if it does, then you'll want to stay far away from this one.
September 12, 2019
Solid!
The world building is ok, the story enjoyable and the protagonists nice enough that you want to root for them!
There is a small problem of pacing in the structure with too much exposition in the first half and probably too much action in the second, but it’s minor!
The main reason I can’t give 5 stars is the spelling, the book is good enough it could use an editor, or even simply a spellcheck...
(A Tomb is not a tome, where is not were ...
Etc...)
Looking forward to the next instalment !
P.S.: as it is a first book, I won't take a star away due to spelling and editing!
The world building is ok, the story enjoyable and the protagonists nice enough that you want to root for them!
There is a small problem of pacing in the structure with too much exposition in the first half and probably too much action in the second, but it’s minor!
The main reason I can’t give 5 stars is the spelling, the book is good enough it could use an editor, or even simply a spellcheck...
(A Tomb is not a tome, where is not were ...
Etc...)
Looking forward to the next instalment !
P.S.: as it is a first book, I won't take a star away due to spelling and editing!
February 24, 2020
Immersive and incredibly well written
I have been reading this one since it’s release (I know, I’m slow) but I’ve gotta say that the second half of this book only took me a couple days to finish (again, for a book of this size, that is impressive for me), it was that good.
The characters are well thought out and while the author may inject some of his beliefs into the story, they are handled respectfully and actually add to the story imo.
The stats are well thought out and do not overwhelm you and the fight scenes are action packed and fun to read.
I can’t wait to read more in this universe. Keep up the good work!
I have been reading this one since it’s release (I know, I’m slow) but I’ve gotta say that the second half of this book only took me a couple days to finish (again, for a book of this size, that is impressive for me), it was that good.
The characters are well thought out and while the author may inject some of his beliefs into the story, they are handled respectfully and actually add to the story imo.
The stats are well thought out and do not overwhelm you and the fight scenes are action packed and fun to read.
I can’t wait to read more in this universe. Keep up the good work!
February 15, 2020
I listened to an audio book but no such book is currently listed on Goodreads.com so I'm placing my review here.
This book really gets a 3.5 rating. The story resolution is weak but the author tells an intelligent story well for the most part. At times it feels like he's going out of his way to gin up sympathy for the Church of Ladder Day Saints ("Mormons") and the author gives background that is not pertinent to the story (like all the details on how the MC's family plays VR games together).
The resolution is weak because the author makes it clear that there is a big baddie out and about the so the reborn necromancer that is threatening the MC & co. is a relative small fry, but then so is the MC and co. currently.
MC is recruited by a couple of gods to help save their few remaining followers in a sword and sorcery world. The Judeo-Christian god places some restrictions on the recruitment and gives the MC some gifts, like the gift of tongues so he can speak and understand any language. Still The Judeo-Christian doesn't make an appearance because He wishes to remain mysterious.
The MC arrives on the new world and is given a fairy as a guide. The fairy stays on after her guide period is done as she and MC have become friends. The MC, able to learn all forms of magic thanks to a gift from the gods, initially becomes a powerful fire mage. The MC meets a traveling merchant who takes the MC and fairy to the nearest human town. Along the way they meet a couple of mischievous elven children and the barbarian sent to bring them home. After making friends with the humans the MC heads into elf lands and makes friends with them. In this way the MC is permitted to build a refugee camp for the displaced followers of the gods who recruited him. While building this camp the necromantic attacks begin.
Bottom line: If you enjoy litRPG you will enjoy this book. If not, not. For my part it is good enough that I expect to read book 2 should the opportunity present itself but not good enough that I'll monitor the author's website and run out and spend my hard earned cash on it as soon as it is published.
This book really gets a 3.5 rating. The story resolution is weak but the author tells an intelligent story well for the most part. At times it feels like he's going out of his way to gin up sympathy for the Church of Ladder Day Saints ("Mormons") and the author gives background that is not pertinent to the story (like all the details on how the MC's family plays VR games together).
The resolution is weak because the author makes it clear that there is a big baddie out and about the so the reborn necromancer that is threatening the MC & co. is a relative small fry, but then so is the MC and co. currently.
MC is recruited by a couple of gods to help save their few remaining followers in a sword and sorcery world. The Judeo-Christian god places some restrictions on the recruitment and gives the MC some gifts, like the gift of tongues so he can speak and understand any language. Still The Judeo-Christian doesn't make an appearance because He wishes to remain mysterious.
The MC arrives on the new world and is given a fairy as a guide. The fairy stays on after her guide period is done as she and MC have become friends. The MC, able to learn all forms of magic thanks to a gift from the gods, initially becomes a powerful fire mage. The MC meets a traveling merchant who takes the MC and fairy to the nearest human town. Along the way they meet a couple of mischievous elven children and the barbarian sent to bring them home. After making friends with the humans the MC heads into elf lands and makes friends with them. In this way the MC is permitted to build a refugee camp for the displaced followers of the gods who recruited him. While building this camp the necromantic attacks begin.
Bottom line: If you enjoy litRPG you will enjoy this book. If not, not. For my part it is good enough that I expect to read book 2 should the opportunity present itself but not good enough that I'll monitor the author's website and run out and spend my hard earned cash on it as soon as it is published.
March 30, 2020
More than fantasy. An adventure in alternate reality.
This story moves along in a more thoughtful pace than many I have read. There is some battle action, but I felt more involved in the story, as though I was growing along with our humble wizardling. I noticed several errors that would have benefited from having an editor. Most of these were words incorrectly used, similar sounding words that had entirely different meanings than intended. It was noticeable, but not distracting.
Now the book is finished and I am looking for a sequel. There is much more here and I want to know.
This story moves along in a more thoughtful pace than many I have read. There is some battle action, but I felt more involved in the story, as though I was growing along with our humble wizardling. I noticed several errors that would have benefited from having an editor. Most of these were words incorrectly used, similar sounding words that had entirely different meanings than intended. It was noticeable, but not distracting.
Now the book is finished and I am looking for a sequel. There is much more here and I want to know.
December 24, 2022
Might not be worth your time
- Unreadable formatting. System notifications were images that were jarring and had font too small to read easily. Every time they occurred I had break my focus on reading. They also do not work with screen readers for visually impaired.
- Over pontification of religious bias. Do not mind an MC with morals, but the writers religious preferences were too apparent in the story.
- Slow plot. 20 percent into story and not a single aspect of the plot had hooked me. Just another LitRPG trope, grinding through a system introduction with a snarky guide. Been there, done that, have better thing to do with my time. - Eject, Eject, Eject!
- Unreadable formatting. System notifications were images that were jarring and had font too small to read easily. Every time they occurred I had break my focus on reading. They also do not work with screen readers for visually impaired.
- Over pontification of religious bias. Do not mind an MC with morals, but the writers religious preferences were too apparent in the story.
- Slow plot. 20 percent into story and not a single aspect of the plot had hooked me. Just another LitRPG trope, grinding through a system introduction with a snarky guide. Been there, done that, have better thing to do with my time. - Eject, Eject, Eject!
March 26, 2022
Ambitious endeavor. There are a lot of solid contents to this story. I really enjoyed the characters and I feel like that was the main strength of the book. There is a diverse cast of unique characters that are really entertaining. The story is fun, too. My main stumbling block was the ambitious world creating that lead to expositional delays in the story. A lot of attempts to describe the world were made and we were getting many data dumps about how the game system works. I am curious to see if these issues work themselves out in future books.
March 17, 2020
Decent read
Interesting story although I thought there was a lot of additional writing that seemed superfluous. I was quite irritated at incorrect word usage such as now instead of know. A higher level of such than I would have expected.
Having said that, this book was quite long for an independent author and I felt like I got a lot of story for my time invested. Will look for the sequel.
Interesting story although I thought there was a lot of additional writing that seemed superfluous. I was quite irritated at incorrect word usage such as now instead of know. A higher level of such than I would have expected.
Having said that, this book was quite long for an independent author and I felt like I got a lot of story for my time invested. Will look for the sequel.
June 22, 2021
Classic isekai Litrpg
The plot points and storyline are classic isekai stuff in Litrpg. The adventures, world building, characters and plot points are enjoyable nonetheless. Good clean and fun read. The characters are fleshed out and Not much of the moral dilemmas and guilt trip moaning some authors are fond of using to increase word count. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
The plot points and storyline are classic isekai stuff in Litrpg. The adventures, world building, characters and plot points are enjoyable nonetheless. Good clean and fun read. The characters are fleshed out and Not much of the moral dilemmas and guilt trip moaning some authors are fond of using to increase word count. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
February 7, 2020
Please edit!!!
Not a bad story really. Terrible lack of editing. Author profile says he working on masters at BYU, but if nay professor read this they’d expel him on the spot.
Use of Mormonism was interesting, not too heavy handed but inconsistent at best.
With some editing and revising this could become a decent series.
Not a bad story really. Terrible lack of editing. Author profile says he working on masters at BYU, but if nay professor read this they’d expel him on the spot.
Use of Mormonism was interesting, not too heavy handed but inconsistent at best.
With some editing and revising this could become a decent series.
October 25, 2023
Well while the main idea of the book is ok - nothing original but ok, there are so many mistakes in the writing. It is screaming for a proof reader or two if not an editor. I mean not just grammar mistakes but other really obvious mistakes. Like listing seven elemental magics and then a sentence later saying they were laid out on a eight pointed star with one in the middle.
November 19, 2020
A bit preachy but not bad
I have tried a few times to read this.
The overly preachy part (16-19% in) had me stop a few times.
Finally tried again, and once you are past it, it’s not bad.
It’s a good story, Mc was multi dimensional.
I have tried a few times to read this.
The overly preachy part (16-19% in) had me stop a few times.
Finally tried again, and once you are past it, it’s not bad.
It’s a good story, Mc was multi dimensional.
April 22, 2020
Good story. Author needs a good editor or group of beta readers.
June 25, 2020
Written by a mormon, so it is preachy and no hanky-panky.
February 16, 2021
Good read
It was slow going at first. There was a lot of needless conversations but ultimately the book did speed up and became quite interesting.
It was slow going at first. There was a lot of needless conversations but ultimately the book did speed up and became quite interesting.
July 3, 2021
Bad book
This book kept going on and on about descriptions of everything !! It got to the point I was flipping pages just to see if ther was a story somewhere, never did find it..
This book kept going on and on about descriptions of everything !! It got to the point I was flipping pages just to see if ther was a story somewhere, never did find it..
July 12, 2021
Drop the Mormon cult nonsense
Drop the Mormon cult nonsense And the book would be readable. Anytime someone has to “escape” your group, take that as a sign you are in a cult.
Drop the Mormon cult nonsense And the book would be readable. Anytime someone has to “escape” your group, take that as a sign you are in a cult.
August 2, 2023
This is a roundabout isekai (teleported to another world because of vast experience playing video games - VRMMORPG). Starts rather slow, positive are, that the author is knowledgeable about LitRPG, included a map of the other world, and the novel series appears to be organized. The author knows that sapience is the intelligence and reason that separates men from beasts. While sentient is the usage of senses (perception of feelings) (touch, speech, taste, sight, hearing, etc.)
This review will include the first 3 books of Ethria Series by this author.
Problems are, that the story starts slow...apparently the author does not know that parry (defend a weapon attack) is spelled with an "a" and not like the last name of the musical group Journey, Steve Perry. Dual (as in dual wielding), not duel as in a fight of honor to the death. Guerrillas are terrorists (enemy soldiers) that fight for a revolution (or to depose a government) and gorillas are apes. But again, if someone is unsure about how to write gorilla, then why not use "giant ape"? If gorilla is too complicated to spell correctly why not use an Ogre? An Orc, A giant? I get the feeling (strongly) that this author never reads, and has little to no criteria (quotes Hitler, song writers, people from other world, in a weird kind of melange, etc.) Apparently the author uses Star Wars movie series and stories as inspiration for the pop-culture references, and character names (but because author spells really badly - or maybe suffers from an auditory deficiency, spells them differently).
From the second book on, the story is really not going anywhere. There seems to be 2 major quests (themes), saving the Pervolin people and finding and bringing back Pina a dryad. The main character, (Daniel “Rayid” Tear), doesn't even meet the Pervolins traveling to the town he is building and the evil mage that abducted Pina, does everything possible to keep her imprisoned, enslaved, tortured and more...
This story series needs a lot of work. The author uses a lot of musical references, but main character is not a bard, nor a musician, the author prizes the main character with a sword (Spark) that the main character never uses, several times loses, and then gives it away in the third book...just because...without any martial arts training, without any real abilities training, main character creates artifacts, golems, and other things that lack logic and substance.
I believe that authors that want to write should research, read as much as possible, to gain criteria, to avoid common mistakes by other authors/stories.
Second read of the first two books: Aug. 1st 2023- 2nd 2023
Even though this fantasy book series includes game-like systems, abilities, skills, skill-ups, etc. main character was abducted by "unidentified Gods" from Earth and forced to complete an incredibly difficult quest, to protect the migration of the almost extinct Pervolin race and then set up for them a haven where they can be safe, in peace and live. There is no rule of equivalent exchange. Main character gets a universal translator/automatic language learner, but other than that, the "unidentified Gods" do not lift a finger (except that they give the main character a Fairy guide/helper).
I think that the author has strong ethical values/ religious dogmas, and truly believes governmental propaganda (related to nuclear genocide of WWII, war is justified, etc. etc.) which is scary. No war is justified, especially by incompetent and corrupt public officials that never bleed or die or pay the Karma or consequences of their personal interests, group interests, etc. in those wars.
The author extrapolates keeping the real name of the main character a secret (as if main character were a demon) that needs to be free from being enslaved by the magical powers of this other world (Ethria). Kind of ridiculous because the "unidentified Gods" have already abducted and enslaved him, so main character is really no longer free.
While the first book had one specific goal to achieve (create a haven for the Pervolin people). The main character doesn't really achieve this goal (reason why he was eternally isekai-ed to this other world). The second book it totally off the main theme compass: main character wants to become a Golem Summoner and dungeon adventurer. What ever happened to the Pervolins?? Who cares right?? Why don't the Gods chastise the main character for not completing his only role in this other world?? Did the author forget/get bored by his main theme?? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) maybe??
This fantasy-isekai series had potential. The author seems capable as a writer, just requires focus to write about the main theme, secondary plot arcs, write towards them, complete them and then continue the story with other plot arcs. If main theme was simplistic and easy to achieve, then main character should have become an adventuring hero, in this other world, Ethria, so, that his adventures and quests become limitless.
This review will include the first 3 books of Ethria Series by this author.
Problems are, that the story starts slow...apparently the author does not know that parry (defend a weapon attack) is spelled with an "a" and not like the last name of the musical group Journey, Steve Perry. Dual (as in dual wielding), not duel as in a fight of honor to the death. Guerrillas are terrorists (enemy soldiers) that fight for a revolution (or to depose a government) and gorillas are apes. But again, if someone is unsure about how to write gorilla, then why not use "giant ape"? If gorilla is too complicated to spell correctly why not use an Ogre? An Orc, A giant? I get the feeling (strongly) that this author never reads, and has little to no criteria (quotes Hitler, song writers, people from other world, in a weird kind of melange, etc.) Apparently the author uses Star Wars movie series and stories as inspiration for the pop-culture references, and character names (but because author spells really badly - or maybe suffers from an auditory deficiency, spells them differently).
From the second book on, the story is really not going anywhere. There seems to be 2 major quests (themes), saving the Pervolin people and finding and bringing back Pina a dryad. The main character, (Daniel “Rayid” Tear), doesn't even meet the Pervolins traveling to the town he is building and the evil mage that abducted Pina, does everything possible to keep her imprisoned, enslaved, tortured and more...
This story series needs a lot of work. The author uses a lot of musical references, but main character is not a bard, nor a musician, the author prizes the main character with a sword (Spark) that the main character never uses, several times loses, and then gives it away in the third book...just because...without any martial arts training, without any real abilities training, main character creates artifacts, golems, and other things that lack logic and substance.
I believe that authors that want to write should research, read as much as possible, to gain criteria, to avoid common mistakes by other authors/stories.
Second read of the first two books: Aug. 1st 2023- 2nd 2023
Even though this fantasy book series includes game-like systems, abilities, skills, skill-ups, etc. main character was abducted by "unidentified Gods" from Earth and forced to complete an incredibly difficult quest, to protect the migration of the almost extinct Pervolin race and then set up for them a haven where they can be safe, in peace and live. There is no rule of equivalent exchange. Main character gets a universal translator/automatic language learner, but other than that, the "unidentified Gods" do not lift a finger (except that they give the main character a Fairy guide/helper).
I think that the author has strong ethical values/ religious dogmas, and truly believes governmental propaganda (related to nuclear genocide of WWII, war is justified, etc. etc.) which is scary. No war is justified, especially by incompetent and corrupt public officials that never bleed or die or pay the Karma or consequences of their personal interests, group interests, etc. in those wars.
The author extrapolates keeping the real name of the main character a secret (as if main character were a demon) that needs to be free from being enslaved by the magical powers of this other world (Ethria). Kind of ridiculous because the "unidentified Gods" have already abducted and enslaved him, so main character is really no longer free.
While the first book had one specific goal to achieve (create a haven for the Pervolin people). The main character doesn't really achieve this goal (reason why he was eternally isekai-ed to this other world). The second book it totally off the main theme compass: main character wants to become a Golem Summoner and dungeon adventurer. What ever happened to the Pervolins?? Who cares right?? Why don't the Gods chastise the main character for not completing his only role in this other world?? Did the author forget/get bored by his main theme?? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) maybe??
This fantasy-isekai series had potential. The author seems capable as a writer, just requires focus to write about the main theme, secondary plot arcs, write towards them, complete them and then continue the story with other plot arcs. If main theme was simplistic and easy to achieve, then main character should have become an adventuring hero, in this other world, Ethria, so, that his adventures and quests become limitless.
December 10, 2019
The first Ethria.
The first book in the hopefully long series. I loved this book. It had everything you could want in a litrpg. The plot and characters were involved and interesting. Look forward to another. Not a lot to not like. Great read.
The first book in the hopefully long series. I loved this book. It had everything you could want in a litrpg. The plot and characters were involved and interesting. Look forward to another. Not a lot to not like. Great read.
November 23, 2019
Enjoyable
The book has interesting characters and the story held my interest. I found the usage of words off putting. The author needs to find a better editor. When faced with the choice of similar sounding words, which had different meaning the author chose the wrong one as example board for bored. With good editing the book would flow better.
The book has interesting characters and the story held my interest. I found the usage of words off putting. The author needs to find a better editor. When faced with the choice of similar sounding words, which had different meaning the author chose the wrong one as example board for bored. With good editing the book would flow better.
November 18, 2019
Almost a 5
This honestly deserves a 5 star rating, but I removed a star for the incorrect usage of were. The author instead used where. There were also quite a lot of misspelled words and words that were incorrectly used like tomb for tome. Things like that. Kept jarring me out of the story as I had to stop reading to figure out what word was supposed to used of what the author was trying to say.
This honestly deserves a 5 star rating, but I removed a star for the incorrect usage of were. The author instead used where. There were also quite a lot of misspelled words and words that were incorrectly used like tomb for tome. Things like that. Kept jarring me out of the story as I had to stop reading to figure out what word was supposed to used of what the author was trying to say.
September 10, 2019
A good first book.
Okay. To start off with I want to say that I enjoyed the book and that I'm looking forward to the next one. It was a very good first book!
Now the book had some editing issues. This made it difficult to read at times. I had to stop and think about the sentence and the context of the story and say to myself "Oh, this is what should have been written." That takes the fun out of the book when you need to do that more than a handful of times. This occurred many times when a correctly spelled word was placed in the wrong spot. There were several instances of incorrect punctuation as well.
It also seemed to me that the author's writing improved over the course of the book except for a few times near the end where it seemed like the author was on a hurry.
Also, I was very disappointed that there was profanity in the book. Profanity is not needed in the book. It just distracts from the story. I encourage the author to be more creative and find ways to express the characters feelings without cursing and using bad language.
I recommend that a reread and edit be done on the book. Many of the issues in the book will not be caught by spell check because the words are spelled correctly. They are just used incorrectly. Then while you are at it you can edit out the profanity because it doesn't fit with the story anyway.
Also rewrite the prologues. They are hard to
read and I almost put the book down. I'm glad I didn't though.
Okay. To start off with I want to say that I enjoyed the book and that I'm looking forward to the next one. It was a very good first book!
Now the book had some editing issues. This made it difficult to read at times. I had to stop and think about the sentence and the context of the story and say to myself "Oh, this is what should have been written." That takes the fun out of the book when you need to do that more than a handful of times. This occurred many times when a correctly spelled word was placed in the wrong spot. There were several instances of incorrect punctuation as well.
It also seemed to me that the author's writing improved over the course of the book except for a few times near the end where it seemed like the author was on a hurry.
Also, I was very disappointed that there was profanity in the book. Profanity is not needed in the book. It just distracts from the story. I encourage the author to be more creative and find ways to express the characters feelings without cursing and using bad language.
I recommend that a reread and edit be done on the book. Many of the issues in the book will not be caught by spell check because the words are spelled correctly. They are just used incorrectly. Then while you are at it you can edit out the profanity because it doesn't fit with the story anyway.
Also rewrite the prologues. They are hard to
read and I almost put the book down. I'm glad I didn't though.
July 14, 2020
Good, but desperately needs an editor
The book has great world building, a unique take (at least uncommon) magic system, and the like. Definitely worth 4 to 4.5 stars.
However there are so many mistakes from minor things like misplaced quotation marks and spaces, the wrong use of to and too, so many in fact that I sent in more than 4 reports on a single page. While that wouldn't normally ruin a book, while describing the magic system the author contradicts himself just a couple paragraphs apart stating there are 9 base schools of magic and then lists 7 (not the known 7, he just forgot to list two or should have said 7?) When making a big deal if the sentimental value of a sword he lists the damage and a couple pages later the damage is different.
Using Microsoft word or Google docs would have gotten a 4* for sure from me but this was so bad I don't think I went more than 2 pages without either content or glaring grammatical errors.
I'm still looking forward to book two, I just hope an editor was hired.
The book has great world building, a unique take (at least uncommon) magic system, and the like. Definitely worth 4 to 4.5 stars.
However there are so many mistakes from minor things like misplaced quotation marks and spaces, the wrong use of to and too, so many in fact that I sent in more than 4 reports on a single page. While that wouldn't normally ruin a book, while describing the magic system the author contradicts himself just a couple paragraphs apart stating there are 9 base schools of magic and then lists 7 (not the known 7, he just forgot to list two or should have said 7?) When making a big deal if the sentimental value of a sword he lists the damage and a couple pages later the damage is different.
Using Microsoft word or Google docs would have gotten a 4* for sure from me but this was so bad I don't think I went more than 2 pages without either content or glaring grammatical errors.
I'm still looking forward to book two, I just hope an editor was hired.
September 25, 2019
Strong world building, strong character, weak grammar
The author offers a nice take in world building working with the notion "what if Gods are all real and want agents" and putting it into a LitRPG setting. The MC gets yanked from our world with the Judeo Christian God's measured hand off to Gods of the new world.
The characters were interesting. The plot moved along. And the world was the star of the book.
But.
This book is a example of the fact that spell check is not Grammar check. I believe the author misused every hominem. Every. Single. One. Multiple times. The constant errors pulled me out of the story.
If the story and world and characters were any less well done, this would be a 3 or a 2 review.
The author offers a nice take in world building working with the notion "what if Gods are all real and want agents" and putting it into a LitRPG setting. The MC gets yanked from our world with the Judeo Christian God's measured hand off to Gods of the new world.
The characters were interesting. The plot moved along. And the world was the star of the book.
But.
This book is a example of the fact that spell check is not Grammar check. I believe the author misused every hominem. Every. Single. One. Multiple times. The constant errors pulled me out of the story.
If the story and world and characters were any less well done, this would be a 3 or a 2 review.
March 26, 2021
Interesting enough. Quite a few editing mistakes but I’m starting to feel like that has become the norm, not the exception. I might pick up the next one but it’s certainly not something I’m waiting on with bated breath. It just didn’t really stand out to me, and I thought the author put maybe a little to much of his personal religion into the book. I’m all about fictional religions but I don’t want to be preached to in my daily repose. It wasn’t a straight sermon so I’m not implying that the author was in fact preaching, but it also didn’t feel necessary. I believe it was the authors first book so I might give the next one a go just to see if there’s any growth. Like a good character, authors should grow too.
September 13, 2019
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
September 16, 2019
A but of a mixed bag
An Interesting and captivating story, but with odd pacing, parts of which are exceedingly slow, and badly crafted, spending dozens of pages on tedium, ongoing monologue and navel gazing, and then passing over critical plot elements in most of a paragraph. Still the author finds his stride halfway through the book and the writing greatly improves. I will warn the author about plaigeresim, the story has several ideas that look as they have been 'sourced' from elsewhere, which is a shame as there's real brilliance and creativity that allow it to stand out from the crowd. Well worth the read.
An Interesting and captivating story, but with odd pacing, parts of which are exceedingly slow, and badly crafted, spending dozens of pages on tedium, ongoing monologue and navel gazing, and then passing over critical plot elements in most of a paragraph. Still the author finds his stride halfway through the book and the writing greatly improves. I will warn the author about plaigeresim, the story has several ideas that look as they have been 'sourced' from elsewhere, which is a shame as there's real brilliance and creativity that allow it to stand out from the crowd. Well worth the read.
October 3, 2019
Decent story, horrible editing
The plot of this story is rather run of the mill but is nonetheless engaging. The characters having compelling motivations and make reasonable decisions based on there knowledge. The biggest problem is the consistently bad editing with many grade school level mistakes. I counted five instances of too replacing to alone which was also augmented with many similar homonyms being misspelled and one extremely egregious example of a section being repeated entirely. This would be a solid 4.5 if it was given even cursory editing.
The plot of this story is rather run of the mill but is nonetheless engaging. The characters having compelling motivations and make reasonable decisions based on there knowledge. The biggest problem is the consistently bad editing with many grade school level mistakes. I counted five instances of too replacing to alone which was also augmented with many similar homonyms being misspelled and one extremely egregious example of a section being repeated entirely. This would be a solid 4.5 if it was given even cursory editing.
September 16, 2019
A lot of potential
..but littered with lots of spelling/grammatical errors. Was not an easy read to the end.
Saving grace was that there is an interesting story under those errors, slower pace is good for developing characters and their class/skills. It is refreshing to read that not all abilities/skills are instantly understood by the main character upon landing in a new world.
..but littered with lots of spelling/grammatical errors. Was not an easy read to the end.
Saving grace was that there is an interesting story under those errors, slower pace is good for developing characters and their class/skills. It is refreshing to read that not all abilities/skills are instantly understood by the main character upon landing in a new world.
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