The Emissary Bard

World of Chains #3

by Lars Machmüller

"Double, double, bard in trouble. Mob will catch him in a couple..."

Okay, the mobsters looking for Daniel still hadn't found him. That was the good news.

Bad news? The net was tightening - and Daniel was running out of places to hide inside the Dawnlight Forest in the World of Chains. His skills and achievements as a bard did not help avoid attention - quite the opposite, in fact.

Maybe it was time to leave the forest? Or maybe... maybe take that Council quest and search for a more long-term solution to his predicament?

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

508 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2020

Reviews

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Emissary Bard (World of Chains #3) by Lars Machmüller

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Review:

Lars Machmüller's "The Emissary Bard," the third jewel in the World of Chains series, stands as a testament to the author's mastery of the fantasy genre. With the finesse of a bard and the precision of a skilled craftsman, Machmüller weaves a tale that transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling, delivering an epic that resonates with both depth and splendor.

World-building:

Machmüller's world-building continues to shine in "The Emissary Bard," expanding the horizons of the World of Chains. The intricately detailed settings, ranging from celestial realms to earthly landscapes, create a tapestry of vivid imagery. The author's commitment to consistency in lore and culture enriches the narrative, inviting readers to explore a realm that feels both ancient and alive.

Character Dynamics:

The characters in this installment evolve with a grace that mirrors the author's narrative finesse. The emissary bard, at the heart of the story, is a beacon of complexity, navigating the intricate dance between duty and desire. Supporting characters play pivotal roles, each contributing to the symphony of emotions and motivations that drive the plot forward.

Plot Resonance:

The plot unfolds with a cadence that captures the imagination. Machmüller's ability to interweave political intrigue, divine conflict, and personal journeys results in a narrative that feels both grand and intimately personal. Each revelation, each twist, is delivered with a narrative precision that keeps the reader on the edge of anticipation.

Prose and Elegance:

Machmüller's prose is a melody of elegance, enriching the narrative with a poetic quality that elevates the storytelling. Descriptions are lush without overwhelming, painting scenes that linger in the reader's mind. Dialogue retains its sharpness, reflecting the diverse voices within the tale.

Themes and Reflections:

"The Emissary Bard" explores profound themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the enduring power of stories. Machmüller's contemplation of these universal themes resonates with depth, offering readers moments of introspection that elevate the narrative beyond the realms of mere fantasy.

Conclusion:

"The Emissary Bard" is a magnum opus within the World of Chains series. Lars Machmüller's narrative prowess reaches its zenith as he guides readers through a tapestry of worlds, characters, and themes. With each word, the author proves himself a true emissary of the fantastical, leaving readers enraptured and eager for more. This installment solidifies Machmüller's place among the luminaries of contemporary fantasy literature.

[Omri Dallal · Rating 5 out of 5]

another unique perspective on Litrpg from a musician point of view. If you like music, this series is for you

Damn this book is fun. I don’t know why I waited so long to get to it after the first two books. The MC has a unique understanding on how crowds and music works and it's giving the story a fun and fresh feel. The characters are well written and fun, even if the author knows how two write only two types of women, Badass fighter or a kindly badass older lady, it's still fit the story well. I guess we see the women the MC is more comfortable with, and the other women just aren't getting much of the spotlight.

The story is interesting and a lot of the plot lines are starting to get together, but I can't say all of the plot twists are really that surprising. I really look forward to see how things will turn out.

But the most important aspect of this series is the music combined to the story. Lars M (the author) is doing a spectacular job with combining real music to the story, and the unique experience from listening to the book on audio is even better.

Money well spent! :)

5/5 highly recommended

[William Patrick]

Bardic Inspiration

This is the third book in stellar series, World of Chains Series. Yet again the pacing is not interrupted by annoying stat screens (I know that is LITRPG standard to see the meta-data but the mix here suits me best). The world contuines to be expanded on, with Daniel's real life issues creeping in, with more lore being introduced and characters growing into their stories. If you enjoy LITRPGs, or if you enjoy MMOs with riveting story lines this series might be for you. The combat is remeincscient of most MMOs and I mean, who doesn't like a Spoony Bard?

[Joe Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid sequel. Was feeling a little redundant at first but once the mission to visit the harpy village started, the story really picked up. Kept expanding on the secondary characters but not much more worldbuilding, which is fine. More of a slow-building story, giving us time with the characters and expansion of the powers.

[Travis Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is run of the mill stuff. No outside the game stuff at all this book, that was disappointing. 👍🏽

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I generally hate boxed sets (too many words, and what if I don't like the first book), I grabbed World of Chains Compendium because of 3 reviews I found written back to back by a friend I trusted on FB and yes I seriously couldn't wait to binge the Emissary Bard.
With the mobsters trying to close in on David's location he's feeling a little bit claustrophobic in Grant's Crossing a place he now considers home, plus there's still plenty of quests to finish before he's ready to take his leave. However there's one quest that he can finish that'll get him outta the town for a while and helping out Grant's Crossing. David is to be the Emissary to broker a mutual and beneficial agreement with High Hold a Harpy town and the closest Chronicler repository. David grabs his team of adventurers including Atlas his pet companion and set off. With a initial shaky introduction to High Hold all of them set off to learn everything they can. But hopefully he'll seal the deal soon.

Yeah and I can't say enough about Soundbooth Theater they're simply awesome. Justin Thomas James is great narrating David story. Jeff Hays has an incredible range as he narrates all other male characters in the book. Jeff is just crazy good! I really don't quite have a handle on Laurie Catherine Winkle as she mostly did the AI but she did the other female voices too leaving me with a good impression. But here's where Soundbooth Theater really shone weaving a story of a Bard with music. It's a perfect combination of words and music, making their own magic, it was AwesomeSauce! My hat's 👒 off to the violinist! Or the foley guys.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues the story perfectly, everything dovetailing into place. The narrative flow through the series works brilliantly. The plotting is strong with recurring elements that allow us to feel that we are peeling back the layers and starting to understand the complexity and depth of the world that Lars has created for us here.

Although the book is set in a game, it doesn't feel like a game. The characters (PCs and NPCs) feel real and complex. We become emotionally involved in the struggle. We feel the danger. A death is not a quick respawn but a failure that would harm his friends.

One thing that I have to praise this series for is the avoidance of some of the uglier tropes that seem common in litRPG. There is no racism or harems here. There is little to make your maiden aunt blush.

The geek references are perhaps a shade over done but that is a matter of taste. The descriptions of the music and the emotion that it carries are beautifully done. I have not seen music incorporated so well into a story since Name of the Wind.

Is this a perfect book? No, but no book is. Is it a damn fine one well worth a read? It certainly is.

[H.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

I was so bored reading this book. Nothing happened in it until the 15% mark, and it was only a small scene before it went back to being boring. The entire story just seemed to be the main character trying to figure out how to help the village he was in grow. It was so boring. I skimmed through the book because it wasn’t holding my interest. The story started to get interesting around the 75% mark. It was disappointing.