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The Good Guys #10
Eat, Slay, Love
An endless night, full of hungry shadows.
The most dangerous night of the year is upon Coggeshall. Fiends’ Night, when the boundary between Vuldranni and hell is the weakest.
And so hell comes out to play.
To survive the night, Montana must put his entire holding on lockdown, and turn hastily made cave apartments into an actual, inviting home for thousands of Coggeshall residents. Most of whom don’t really know or like each other. And all of whom have different ideas of what needs to be done on Fiends’ Night.
So, intent on becoming the duke his people deserve, Montana spends the night flitting about Imperial balls, handing out gifts to children, squeezing through kobold tunnels, and building with the dwarves. It’s his hand-shaking, baby-kissing time to shine.
Oh, except that The Master he just took care of in Osterstadt? That was the wrong one.
The real Master is hiding in Coggeshall, and Montana has to catch him before the entire holding becomes his dinner.
Eat, Slay, Love is high-drama, fast-paced LitRPG at its finest. Pick up this page-turner today for palace intrigue, deals with the devil, and yes, even a little romance.
The most dangerous night of the year is upon Coggeshall. Fiends’ Night, when the boundary between Vuldranni and hell is the weakest.
And so hell comes out to play.
To survive the night, Montana must put his entire holding on lockdown, and turn hastily made cave apartments into an actual, inviting home for thousands of Coggeshall residents. Most of whom don’t really know or like each other. And all of whom have different ideas of what needs to be done on Fiends’ Night.
So, intent on becoming the duke his people deserve, Montana spends the night flitting about Imperial balls, handing out gifts to children, squeezing through kobold tunnels, and building with the dwarves. It’s his hand-shaking, baby-kissing time to shine.
Oh, except that The Master he just took care of in Osterstadt? That was the wrong one.
The real Master is hiding in Coggeshall, and Montana has to catch him before the entire holding becomes his dinner.
Eat, Slay, Love is high-drama, fast-paced LitRPG at its finest. Pick up this page-turner today for palace intrigue, deals with the devil, and yes, even a little romance.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2021
520 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
February 26, 2021
I'm done. This was Disappointing.
This isn't litRPG anymore.
This isn't good anymore
This MC is sad to read, and I find myself wishing the enemies would end his suffering.
The MC isn't as strong as he was earlier in the story for NO EXPLAINABLE REASON
Stats mean nothing, magic is not used, no idea what MC level is, and he's killing stuff and getting exp towards nothing.
MC getting more stuff he never uses.
MC can't make a decision
Author Deus ex machinas interactions and the MC still suffers
The storyline is how a toddler might tell it.
Sass and sniping is way too much.
MC has no reason short of "wanting to be better" to suffer everyone's hate.
This isn't litRPG anymore.
This isn't good anymore
This MC is sad to read, and I find myself wishing the enemies would end his suffering.
The MC isn't as strong as he was earlier in the story for NO EXPLAINABLE REASON
Stats mean nothing, magic is not used, no idea what MC level is, and he's killing stuff and getting exp towards nothing.
MC getting more stuff he never uses.
MC can't make a decision
Author Deus ex machinas interactions and the MC still suffers
The storyline is how a toddler might tell it.
Sass and sniping is way too much.
MC has no reason short of "wanting to be better" to suffer everyone's hate.
May 16, 2021
Null development total filler
Eric, you have got to give some closure! I enjoy your books, a lot, but how about you tie up some loose ends. Cliffhangers are fine, but several books now you just end on a high.
Readers, MC i think has taken a step back and needs to put some points in intelligence, or wisdom. It has become painful to read almost how inept he remains, like, preteen level, oblivious to women, clues, general problem solving, guy needed to ask about where to get clothes... leads me to my second point, filler. There was almost no point in reading half this book, last chapter and maybe the first few. Interactions with Mr. Paul on all accounts, pointless short of a spoon. Yes, a spoon. Quote about it is a nice relatable touch, but silly not in a good way.
I am not sure where the story is going or ends, i feel it just will keep on, keepin on. Not sure how i feel about that as there is nothing to punctuate this book except for last few chapters and that is a shame.
Summary, MC runs around getting ready for a weird holiday, continues to struggle wrapping his head around being in a fantasy world, figure it out FFS already, Holding goes on lockdown, bad stuff happens because MC does dumb stuff and charges off alone, per norm, gets rescued, bad guy dies, book ends, no loot, no closure, no end of holiday, just, bad guy dies, end. Very un fulfilling and because of that, 2 star as it makes me not look forward to future unfulfilling books in the series.
Eric, you have got to give some closure! I enjoy your books, a lot, but how about you tie up some loose ends. Cliffhangers are fine, but several books now you just end on a high.
Readers, MC i think has taken a step back and needs to put some points in intelligence, or wisdom. It has become painful to read almost how inept he remains, like, preteen level, oblivious to women, clues, general problem solving, guy needed to ask about where to get clothes... leads me to my second point, filler. There was almost no point in reading half this book, last chapter and maybe the first few. Interactions with Mr. Paul on all accounts, pointless short of a spoon. Yes, a spoon. Quote about it is a nice relatable touch, but silly not in a good way.
I am not sure where the story is going or ends, i feel it just will keep on, keepin on. Not sure how i feel about that as there is nothing to punctuate this book except for last few chapters and that is a shame.
Summary, MC runs around getting ready for a weird holiday, continues to struggle wrapping his head around being in a fantasy world, figure it out FFS already, Holding goes on lockdown, bad stuff happens because MC does dumb stuff and charges off alone, per norm, gets rescued, bad guy dies, book ends, no loot, no closure, no end of holiday, just, bad guy dies, end. Very un fulfilling and because of that, 2 star as it makes me not look forward to future unfulfilling books in the series.
February 26, 2021
tl;dr: Hated the ending, loved the book.
I've noticed something recently. A lot of the series and authors I generally enjoy have injected some of the malaise that surrounds us from politics to the pandemic into their writing. In some cases, it's to affirm their commitment to certain ethical and moral belief systems. In others it's to make the work more relevant. Even those that don't have an agenda (for example, being more inclusive, or underlining the dignity of individual rights) have produced writings that are heavy with sadness.
Generally, we as readers can look for some escape in light fantasy and progression, where we become strong second hand and capable through written proxies. Ugland has always grounded the Montana character, keeping him flawed and growing. However, as is the general mood of the day, some sadness seeps into this installment. I do not judge whether it is necessary or not, whether it allows a better path for the growth and development of Montana. It's there. So if you're feeling down or not immediately emotionally resilient, this might not be the book for you.
Despite that, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments, some great interactions, and fun to be had in this installment. Those who love Mr Paul and his gifts won't be disappointed. And there's a particularly magnificent set of interactions with a book that I'm pretty sure nearly any reader will delight in.
So call it a bittersweet installment. The high points are high. The low points are sad. And, as with recent events, there's an ever present sense that things are bad and the actions of an individual can never be strong enough to turn things around and bring back security, comfort, and community.
I've noticed something recently. A lot of the series and authors I generally enjoy have injected some of the malaise that surrounds us from politics to the pandemic into their writing. In some cases, it's to affirm their commitment to certain ethical and moral belief systems. In others it's to make the work more relevant. Even those that don't have an agenda (for example, being more inclusive, or underlining the dignity of individual rights) have produced writings that are heavy with sadness.
Generally, we as readers can look for some escape in light fantasy and progression, where we become strong second hand and capable through written proxies. Ugland has always grounded the Montana character, keeping him flawed and growing. However, as is the general mood of the day, some sadness seeps into this installment. I do not judge whether it is necessary or not, whether it allows a better path for the growth and development of Montana. It's there. So if you're feeling down or not immediately emotionally resilient, this might not be the book for you.
Despite that, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments, some great interactions, and fun to be had in this installment. Those who love Mr Paul and his gifts won't be disappointed. And there's a particularly magnificent set of interactions with a book that I'm pretty sure nearly any reader will delight in.
So call it a bittersweet installment. The high points are high. The low points are sad. And, as with recent events, there's an ever present sense that things are bad and the actions of an individual can never be strong enough to turn things around and bring back security, comfort, and community.
June 19, 2024
Read, Shake Head, Write Critical Review
I’ve come back to this series after a long break. It’s one I really enjoy, but I also find it frustrating. The first thing that hit me is how Montana is both the best and worst part of the book. On one hand, he’s naturally brave, protective of others, and loves to kill and loot. All big pluses in my book. On the other hand, he’s not just slow witted but willfully stupid when others are trying to help him. It’s like the author thinks it’s cute to give so much power and responsibility to someone so incompetent. Reading Montana’s more idiotic thoughts and dialogue can really ruin the story for me.
That being said, it’s clear that the author is trying to evolve Montana into a wiser character and leader. Slowly. Never mind that it was criminally stupid putting someone with below average IQ and zero leadership skills in charge of thousands of sentient beings in the first place. I guess that’s the point, that Montana was somehow the best of the worst choices with lots of room to grow. In the beginning, it sort of made sense because he was so ridiculously overpowered due to his stat growth potential, but the stats have mostly been pushed into the background. In fact, I don’t remember Montana leveling up a single time in the last couple of books.
So, that brings up another issue. The LitRPG elements in the series are pretty much nonexistent at this point. Sure, there’s a scattering of XP notifications and talk about stats, but it’s an inconsistent and halfhearted effort. A bit disappointing, but I always thought having to manage a homebrew system that isn’t crap and write a good story at the same time was a silly idea. A few authors pull it off and it really enhances the story, but most of the time it is nothing but filler and stage props. In fact, I’ve seen systems so poorly designed that it literally ruined the story for me. So, whatever. No stats is fine.
As far as the story goes, this book in the series is decent. Not as much dawdling around, which the author has a really bad habit of doing in all his books. Some loose plot threads get pulled together in creative ways and I like the dark twist, but I do think one major story arc... falls flat. Also, it feels like the cast of characters has gotten too big and cumbersome for the author to manage. Most of the appearances feel like cameos, shallow without direct connection to the story and no character building. At least none of the other characters are as dumb as Montana.
All in all, a fun book but not much progress where it counts - developing Montana. The author is fully capable of writing intelligent characters and dialogue. Ok, so he intentionally wants to write about a hero who isn’t very bright. It can be an interesting characteristic and obstacle to overcome, but there’s dumb and then there’s just being a moronic manchild. So, please stop giving us the full Montana treatment.
I’ve come back to this series after a long break. It’s one I really enjoy, but I also find it frustrating. The first thing that hit me is how Montana is both the best and worst part of the book. On one hand, he’s naturally brave, protective of others, and loves to kill and loot. All big pluses in my book. On the other hand, he’s not just slow witted but willfully stupid when others are trying to help him. It’s like the author thinks it’s cute to give so much power and responsibility to someone so incompetent. Reading Montana’s more idiotic thoughts and dialogue can really ruin the story for me.
That being said, it’s clear that the author is trying to evolve Montana into a wiser character and leader. Slowly. Never mind that it was criminally stupid putting someone with below average IQ and zero leadership skills in charge of thousands of sentient beings in the first place. I guess that’s the point, that Montana was somehow the best of the worst choices with lots of room to grow. In the beginning, it sort of made sense because he was so ridiculously overpowered due to his stat growth potential, but the stats have mostly been pushed into the background. In fact, I don’t remember Montana leveling up a single time in the last couple of books.
So, that brings up another issue. The LitRPG elements in the series are pretty much nonexistent at this point. Sure, there’s a scattering of XP notifications and talk about stats, but it’s an inconsistent and halfhearted effort. A bit disappointing, but I always thought having to manage a homebrew system that isn’t crap and write a good story at the same time was a silly idea. A few authors pull it off and it really enhances the story, but most of the time it is nothing but filler and stage props. In fact, I’ve seen systems so poorly designed that it literally ruined the story for me. So, whatever. No stats is fine.
As far as the story goes, this book in the series is decent. Not as much dawdling around, which the author has a really bad habit of doing in all his books. Some loose plot threads get pulled together in creative ways and I like the dark twist, but I do think one major story arc... falls flat. Also, it feels like the cast of characters has gotten too big and cumbersome for the author to manage. Most of the appearances feel like cameos, shallow without direct connection to the story and no character building. At least none of the other characters are as dumb as Montana.
All in all, a fun book but not much progress where it counts - developing Montana. The author is fully capable of writing intelligent characters and dialogue. Ok, so he intentionally wants to write about a hero who isn’t very bright. It can be an interesting characteristic and obstacle to overcome, but there’s dumb and then there’s just being a moronic manchild. So, please stop giving us the full Montana treatment.
January 21, 2022
Notes:
Yay for libraries!
The story would have been better with a tighter plot line. There was too much going on, and the story felt rather scattered brained in how things worked out. Montana is not the brightest, blah blah. The crutch of him understanding that he doesn't know enough can only be dragged out in the same manner for so long before it sinks the ship.
Yay for libraries!
The story would have been better with a tighter plot line. There was too much going on, and the story felt rather scattered brained in how things worked out. Montana is not the brightest, blah blah. The crutch of him understanding that he doesn't know enough can only be dragged out in the same manner for so long before it sinks the ship.
February 27, 2021
Half way through this I decided that I was tired of Montana. Not because we're ten books in, but rather the fact that he has barely progressed from the clueless oaf who arrived in Vuldranni.
I won't get in to spoilers, but by the end he seemed to finally get a bit of self-awareness, so there is some hope moving forward. Still, lack of character progression and a lot of pointless snark and banter mire it in the mediocre range. I expect more, but I'm beginning to wonder if I should.
I won't get in to spoilers, but by the end he seemed to finally get a bit of self-awareness, so there is some hope moving forward. Still, lack of character progression and a lot of pointless snark and banter mire it in the mediocre range. I expect more, but I'm beginning to wonder if I should.
November 23, 2024
Frustrating.
I love this series, and its characters. However, after 10 freaking books I am getting VERY tired of the main character ignoring literally all of his 50 unique overpowered abilities, as well as the persistent same stupid obligatory flashback of “the girl” from his previous life on Earth.
It’s extremely frustrating to know all of the main character’s abilities, items and see how extremely obvious it is to know how he should use them in almost every situation, better than the mc himself.
Almost every single time, having had the guy NOT learn from any of his 30+ life threatening nearly fatal mistakes is just ridiculous. Knowing he has literal armies and his own personal nearly indestructible monsters at his command and then have him take off once again on his own and almost die, again, is extremely pointless, and it nearly ruins the series.
Does the author forget the guy has all of the abilities, creatures & items he gave his character?
Seriously, please stop doing the same stupid shit in every single book. It makes the rest of it, which is overall very fun and interesting, feel so much less so.
I love this series, and its characters. However, after 10 freaking books I am getting VERY tired of the main character ignoring literally all of his 50 unique overpowered abilities, as well as the persistent same stupid obligatory flashback of “the girl” from his previous life on Earth.
It’s extremely frustrating to know all of the main character’s abilities, items and see how extremely obvious it is to know how he should use them in almost every situation, better than the mc himself.
Almost every single time, having had the guy NOT learn from any of his 30+ life threatening nearly fatal mistakes is just ridiculous. Knowing he has literal armies and his own personal nearly indestructible monsters at his command and then have him take off once again on his own and almost die, again, is extremely pointless, and it nearly ruins the series.
Does the author forget the guy has all of the abilities, creatures & items he gave his character?
Seriously, please stop doing the same stupid shit in every single book. It makes the rest of it, which is overall very fun and interesting, feel so much less so.
March 6, 2021
Disappointing
This felt poorly planned. The whole master storyline has just been completely underwhelming. The reveal felt forced and the whole hero gets used to do villains work bit is horribly cliche. Ive expected better of this series in the past but these seem to be getting worse as they go on. Hope the next one isn't this bad.
This felt poorly planned. The whole master storyline has just been completely underwhelming. The reveal felt forced and the whole hero gets used to do villains work bit is horribly cliche. Ive expected better of this series in the past but these seem to be getting worse as they go on. Hope the next one isn't this bad.
April 26, 2021
Good Guys and bad guys review 04/2021
Hello! Thanks again for your time!
It has been a couple of months since I’ve read them all, that’s why I won’t review them individually.
The good:
The author is charismatic and funny, the fight scenes in both books are cool, the skills are mostly fun. For instance, improvised weapons skill is hilarious, the plot never stagnates, in fact it’s very, very fast paced.
Some characters are likeable, the kobolds are the best! So comedic!
I also enjoy the creature comforts that Montana gets during the books, I delighted with his great shower, infinite soda and pizza. I felt as emotional as I think Montana did.
The bad:
It feels like he just throws stuff around ,that perhaps he may use at some point, you shouldn’t expect it anytime soon. Which frustrates me to no end. I think he just throws around as many as possible plot points, so he can pick them up when he ends the current plot. Skills that don’t get used until several books later, if ever. Like Clyde’s summon familiar. Reminds me a bit of “The Land” By Mr. Kong.
Some other examples of that: Book one of The Bad Guys, Clyde decided to keep the mechanisms of the many noob crossbows that he looted “to make something out of it later” and never mentioned again, or the coins that he got to get checked with his fencer or find out who they belong to,, and many other things like this happens in both books. Very frustrating to a reader that expect certain things to happen.
It's like he is so worried to have material for more books that he doesn't focus on the main plot.
I'm so very mad with all the " Oh, there's still the basement to investigate".
Also the dialogues, especially in the good guys, specially between Nikolai and Montana, it got old and annoying fast, lots of F words in those.
Final considerations:
All in all, I definitely recommend both series , I had fun reading the books, even though it can be frustrating to a reader that expects things that have been introduced to happen or due to the dialogues, I believe the author good storytelling skills, overshadow all of it’s flaws making them a highly entertaining series. I await eagerly for the next installment in both series, particularly for “Back to One”(BadGuys) that ending was the biggest cliffhanger that Mr.Ugland threw yet.
This is my first review ever, I’m still learning the language and grammar, thank you for the patience and I’ll edit this as I learn more.
March 3, 2021
Pretty much all filler
June 1, 2022
Eat. Slay. Love.
The Good Guys: Book 10
By Eric Ugland
Summary:
The title of the book is kind of dumb. It should be named “the holiday you get when Halloween is combined with Thanksgiving: Thanksween of Hallowgiving?” Still, people do eat, Montana slays (although not as much as in book 9), Skeld gets his groove on with an unlikely female, and Montana FINALLY begins to initiate romantic overtures. All in all, it took a while for this novel to get up to speed but it finished OK. 3.5/5 stars.
The Good
* I’m glad to see the final events of book 9 resolve into book 10 as well as most notable characters continuing to get mentioned in this otherwise massive cast of characters (see roster below).
* It seems like if Montana takes anyone to bed it’ll be Lady Northwoods which would be nice and all since she is so helpful throughout book 10.
* The author has an almost preternatural sense to pick up on some of my annoyances and then rectify them later in the book. Such as: “whom”. Montana always says “who” where he should’ve used “whom”. And then at some point he says “By who? Whom, I should’ve said whom”. Ha.
* I do appreciate the overall plot conflict and tension of each novel. There’s usually one main objective/threat and then 5 other ones. E.G.: Book 10 contains… The Master, Fiend’s Night, the assassins, the centaurs, the empty throne.
* I have never read any other fantasy novel which goes into so much detail about kobold lore. According to this series at least, apparently their race and dwarves are ancient enemies, but the 2 races were brought into Coggeshall to live peacefully side by side of each other, some of whom think this a good decision and some who do not. It has a very “Terry Pratchett Coom-Valley dwarves vs. trolls” feel to it, in a good way.
* Finally Montana uses the magical book of etiquette… but in ways one may not think to use…
* In book 9 Emiline adds jackshit to the actually storyline. In book 10, she continues her streak until it is revealed that she’s been a guise of The Master (who can take on the appearance of anyone it has eaten) all along (the simulacrum was what the Master said to Montana as it’s cover story). The Master is killed in a very lackluster fashion, the mystery of the Master is resolved, quests are completed, and Montana FINALLY attains level 30.
The Meh
* Montana learned the Rogerdioodi’s language in book 8 but now he can’t speak/understand them. I think maybe the author forgot about what he wrote?
* It takes half the book to finally take off in entertainment value. Kind of a slog before that.
* Quests are given out more for the entertainment value from the snarky game’s AI than actually being important to the story. It felt kind of slapstick in this book.
The Bad
* The reason to keep everyone within the walls leading up to an in-game holiday (of sorts) felt flimsy and more of an excuse to push the plot in a certain direction rather than an organic creation. It felt like a pretentious siege from book 6. Moreover, they didn’t even carry out their edict themselves, going out hunting for dark goblins.
* Another annoying thing is that Montana only uses a fraction of what he’s actually been given in terms of skills, abilities, or items. In any given fight scene, Montana is guaranteed to shed blood and gore but in any given book, there might 1 or 2 skills used.
Roster of Notable Characters (phonetic spellings in some cases, last names of characters are mentioned once sometimes but hardly ever afterwards, alphabetical order):
* Amber: a 20-something girl of a fox-like race who can take on humanoid form but with 2 fox tails and upright ears. The race was bred for sexual promiscuity but Amber is not at all interested in that sort of thing. She wants to be a ranger and makes her home in a tree to avoid all the men pursuing her 24/7. She might have a thing for Montana, though.
* Arnaux: mancer who confirmed Montana’s vampire kills at the palace of Osterstot in book 9 then later accompanied him to hunt vampires.
* Baltu: an elder snobold and de facto leader of the Coggeshall kobolds, described as probably the smartest kobold alive thanks to a ton of points spent on the Intellect stat.
* Bear Snowgust: a brownie who is described as a miniature pin-up model or like Tinker Bell without the wings. She’s very magical and aids Montana in battles starting from book 7 by standing invisible upon his shoulder and casting support spells like Firebolt and Haste.
* Cicely Bigsby: the head of the witches that were found in the valley outside Coggeshall in book 7. They were originally mislabeled as Hags of the region (another race/class entirely). As a coven, they take on new members and train them, such as Clyde’s magic trainer from the Bad Guy series.
* Darius: an earth born “traveler” who plays as a Minotaur and is in charge of the stables in Coggshall. Was originally part of Cleave’s band of travelers from book 1 as well.
* Eliza Northwoods: daughter of a Baron whose land borders Montana’s dukedom. He sends her to spy out and possibly proposition Montana for marriage in book 5. It’s revealed in book 7 that the Northwoods fall under a separate dukedom so they would never actually be allies unless through marriage or ducal consent. Eliza trains Montana in social and regal etiquette in book 9, herself still residing as a guest of Coggeshall.
* Emiline Rogers: daughter of black market kingpin whose father asked Montana to spring her out of prison in book 3. She was beheaded by the mysterious “Master” or its sycophants in book 7, due to meddling in affairs that don’t concern her. She was found to be alive in book 9, explaining that she created a simulacrum of herself which was beheaded in book 7.
* Essie: a hired mancer (geomancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Fritz: a monster pet granted to Montana by Typhon, the god of monsters (in book 4) because Montana was killing way too many of his creations. If killed, Fritz comes back in another incarnation at Typhon’s choosing and timetable.
* Gregork: a snobold tracker/ranger who led Montana’s party to the corrupted ursas in book 7 after their original ursa tracker, Woof, deserted them upon encountering danger. Snobolds grow white fur that is near impervious to the elements and is the main reason why they’re hunted and killed (for their hides). He’s described as being an incredible ranger but not very punctual.
* Harmot: chief of his clan of dwarves and serves on the Coggeshall council. His brother-Grorhys-committed regicide by killing their father, the former king of dwarves. Harmot rebelled against his brother’s rule by leading several clans away to Coggeshall (in which conflict in book 10 arose based on that decision).
* Lee: an earth born “traveler” who is good with things like supply chain and logistics. He’s a retired old-timer widower in real life.
* Mercy Caufland: a hired mancer (hydromancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Mikalyon: a little white creature who is a pretty impressive cleric as well.
* Montana Coggeshall: protagonist of series, inherited last name and dukedom from adopted father, the late Benedict Coggeshall (who went by the alias Cleave Dye early in series). From Earth and respawns in-game after dying. Is insanely powerful due to boons and such granted by various gods, including super strength, Deadpool-like healing, unbreakable bones, night vision, unlimited stamina, reduced sleep requirements, vibration-sensing, and an instant polyglot ability if he hears 3 words spoken in a foreign tongue (but consequently his race of “Fallen” does not permit casting of spells). He was sucked into the game at the beginning of book 1, leaving no Earth-self behind. In book 9 we learn that Montana’s in-game race of “Fallen” is one of four “primal” races (Lower, Upper, Risen, Fallen) when the world began. Whereas the Risen tried to take over the world, the Fallen succeeded, only to be struck down by the gods themselves for being too powerful (Numenoreans anyone?)
* Mr. Paul: Montana’s in-game patron god who indoctrinated Montana into the game in book 1. Pops up every couple books and talks about ambiguous and/or ominous things like Montana’s viewer count, sponsors’ gifts, additional boons, and lagging behind on some over-arching but hidden objective.
* Natalie Glatan: cousin to assassinated emperor, co-head of Coggeshall military (alongside Vyan Stokes) and head of the Coggeshall guard. Also sister to the Viceroy of the Empire, Leon Glatan, who was beheaded by a mob of Osterstot citizens in book 9. Despite her position and nobility, Natalie is often overlooked when it comes to important meetings and sensitive information-intentionally or negligently.
* Nikolai Petroff: Montana’s mentor, father figure, chancellor of Coggeshall, and a real nagging Nelly. Had his melee stats reset after imprisonment in book 3 and is still intellect-wise but no longer the fighter he once was. Nikolai is the quintessential pessimist of the series but often makes important and valid points about how Montana should rule and govern his people, to which Montana trusts implicitly.
* Princess heir Glatan: the daughter of assassinated emperor, niece to Valameer (who purportedly killed his brother the emperor), and by all accounts naive, weak, and very young (22 yo). She is not readily stepping up to take the throne and has been lodging in Coggeshall in books 5-7 in hopes that Montana would marry her. He declined.
* Ragnar HelfDane: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Ragnar is secretly in love with Amber the Kitzune-girl.
* Skeld Woodingson: one of two Lutra, an otter-like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Skeld is much more level-headed than his counterpart, Ragnar. Died of wounds inflicted by a demon from book 7 and then reincarnated in book 8 by the god of the dead as a Carcachoo, a wolverine-like race. Hooks up with Bear Snowgust in book 10.
* Tarryn Flynn: a hired mancer (warmancer) who helps with defending Coggeshall.
* Timmerlin: the life weaver of Coggeshall, uses magic and farming techniques to grow, harvest, and cultivate the holding’s food needs (both plants and animals).
* Yuri: a Leonan or lion-like humanoid similar in size and strength to Montana who helped him defeat a 100’ crocodile creature in Mardune from book 8. They became friends afterwards but Montana wasnt able to convince him to come back to Coggeshall. He shows up in Osterstot as the Monster Hunter in book 9.
* Vyan Stokes: former head of the Thingman (loyal to the assassinated emperor) and current co-head of the military in Coggeshall.
* Zoe: a human woman/mother who was found sick with illness in the slums of Osterstot. Zoe is now the master blacksmith of Coggeshall, able to craft up to level 6 metals. She took on Norffin, a dwarf girl, among others as an apprentice.
The Good Guys: Book 10
By Eric Ugland
Summary:
The title of the book is kind of dumb. It should be named “the holiday you get when Halloween is combined with Thanksgiving: Thanksween of Hallowgiving?” Still, people do eat, Montana slays (although not as much as in book 9), Skeld gets his groove on with an unlikely female, and Montana FINALLY begins to initiate romantic overtures. All in all, it took a while for this novel to get up to speed but it finished OK. 3.5/5 stars.
The Good
* I’m glad to see the final events of book 9 resolve into book 10 as well as most notable characters continuing to get mentioned in this otherwise massive cast of characters (see roster below).
* It seems like if Montana takes anyone to bed it’ll be Lady Northwoods which would be nice and all since she is so helpful throughout book 10.
* The author has an almost preternatural sense to pick up on some of my annoyances and then rectify them later in the book. Such as: “whom”. Montana always says “who” where he should’ve used “whom”. And then at some point he says “By who? Whom, I should’ve said whom”. Ha.
* I do appreciate the overall plot conflict and tension of each novel. There’s usually one main objective/threat and then 5 other ones. E.G.: Book 10 contains… The Master, Fiend’s Night, the assassins, the centaurs, the empty throne.
* I have never read any other fantasy novel which goes into so much detail about kobold lore. According to this series at least, apparently their race and dwarves are ancient enemies, but the 2 races were brought into Coggeshall to live peacefully side by side of each other, some of whom think this a good decision and some who do not. It has a very “Terry Pratchett Coom-Valley dwarves vs. trolls” feel to it, in a good way.
* Finally Montana uses the magical book of etiquette… but in ways one may not think to use…
* In book 9 Emiline adds jackshit to the actually storyline. In book 10, she continues her streak until it is revealed that she’s been a guise of The Master (who can take on the appearance of anyone it has eaten) all along (the simulacrum was what the Master said to Montana as it’s cover story). The Master is killed in a very lackluster fashion, the mystery of the Master is resolved, quests are completed, and Montana FINALLY attains level 30.
The Meh
* Montana learned the Rogerdioodi’s language in book 8 but now he can’t speak/understand them. I think maybe the author forgot about what he wrote?
* It takes half the book to finally take off in entertainment value. Kind of a slog before that.
* Quests are given out more for the entertainment value from the snarky game’s AI than actually being important to the story. It felt kind of slapstick in this book.
The Bad
* The reason to keep everyone within the walls leading up to an in-game holiday (of sorts) felt flimsy and more of an excuse to push the plot in a certain direction rather than an organic creation. It felt like a pretentious siege from book 6. Moreover, they didn’t even carry out their edict themselves, going out hunting for dark goblins.
* Another annoying thing is that Montana only uses a fraction of what he’s actually been given in terms of skills, abilities, or items. In any given fight scene, Montana is guaranteed to shed blood and gore but in any given book, there might 1 or 2 skills used.
Roster of Notable Characters (phonetic spellings in some cases, last names of characters are mentioned once sometimes but hardly ever afterwards, alphabetical order):
* Amber: a 20-something girl of a fox-like race who can take on humanoid form but with 2 fox tails and upright ears. The race was bred for sexual promiscuity but Amber is not at all interested in that sort of thing. She wants to be a ranger and makes her home in a tree to avoid all the men pursuing her 24/7. She might have a thing for Montana, though.
* Arnaux: mancer who confirmed Montana’s vampire kills at the palace of Osterstot in book 9 then later accompanied him to hunt vampires.
* Baltu: an elder snobold and de facto leader of the Coggeshall kobolds, described as probably the smartest kobold alive thanks to a ton of points spent on the Intellect stat.
* Bear Snowgust: a brownie who is described as a miniature pin-up model or like Tinker Bell without the wings. She’s very magical and aids Montana in battles starting from book 7 by standing invisible upon his shoulder and casting support spells like Firebolt and Haste.
* Cicely Bigsby: the head of the witches that were found in the valley outside Coggeshall in book 7. They were originally mislabeled as Hags of the region (another race/class entirely). As a coven, they take on new members and train them, such as Clyde’s magic trainer from the Bad Guy series.
* Darius: an earth born “traveler” who plays as a Minotaur and is in charge of the stables in Coggshall. Was originally part of Cleave’s band of travelers from book 1 as well.
* Eliza Northwoods: daughter of a Baron whose land borders Montana’s dukedom. He sends her to spy out and possibly proposition Montana for marriage in book 5. It’s revealed in book 7 that the Northwoods fall under a separate dukedom so they would never actually be allies unless through marriage or ducal consent. Eliza trains Montana in social and regal etiquette in book 9, herself still residing as a guest of Coggeshall.
* Emiline Rogers: daughter of black market kingpin whose father asked Montana to spring her out of prison in book 3. She was beheaded by the mysterious “Master” or its sycophants in book 7, due to meddling in affairs that don’t concern her. She was found to be alive in book 9, explaining that she created a simulacrum of herself which was beheaded in book 7.
* Essie: a hired mancer (geomancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Fritz: a monster pet granted to Montana by Typhon, the god of monsters (in book 4) because Montana was killing way too many of his creations. If killed, Fritz comes back in another incarnation at Typhon’s choosing and timetable.
* Gregork: a snobold tracker/ranger who led Montana’s party to the corrupted ursas in book 7 after their original ursa tracker, Woof, deserted them upon encountering danger. Snobolds grow white fur that is near impervious to the elements and is the main reason why they’re hunted and killed (for their hides). He’s described as being an incredible ranger but not very punctual.
* Harmot: chief of his clan of dwarves and serves on the Coggeshall council. His brother-Grorhys-committed regicide by killing their father, the former king of dwarves. Harmot rebelled against his brother’s rule by leading several clans away to Coggeshall (in which conflict in book 10 arose based on that decision).
* Lee: an earth born “traveler” who is good with things like supply chain and logistics. He’s a retired old-timer widower in real life.
* Mercy Caufland: a hired mancer (hydromancer) who helps with building up Coggeshall.
* Mikalyon: a little white creature who is a pretty impressive cleric as well.
* Montana Coggeshall: protagonist of series, inherited last name and dukedom from adopted father, the late Benedict Coggeshall (who went by the alias Cleave Dye early in series). From Earth and respawns in-game after dying. Is insanely powerful due to boons and such granted by various gods, including super strength, Deadpool-like healing, unbreakable bones, night vision, unlimited stamina, reduced sleep requirements, vibration-sensing, and an instant polyglot ability if he hears 3 words spoken in a foreign tongue (but consequently his race of “Fallen” does not permit casting of spells). He was sucked into the game at the beginning of book 1, leaving no Earth-self behind. In book 9 we learn that Montana’s in-game race of “Fallen” is one of four “primal” races (Lower, Upper, Risen, Fallen) when the world began. Whereas the Risen tried to take over the world, the Fallen succeeded, only to be struck down by the gods themselves for being too powerful (Numenoreans anyone?)
* Mr. Paul: Montana’s in-game patron god who indoctrinated Montana into the game in book 1. Pops up every couple books and talks about ambiguous and/or ominous things like Montana’s viewer count, sponsors’ gifts, additional boons, and lagging behind on some over-arching but hidden objective.
* Natalie Glatan: cousin to assassinated emperor, co-head of Coggeshall military (alongside Vyan Stokes) and head of the Coggeshall guard. Also sister to the Viceroy of the Empire, Leon Glatan, who was beheaded by a mob of Osterstot citizens in book 9. Despite her position and nobility, Natalie is often overlooked when it comes to important meetings and sensitive information-intentionally or negligently.
* Nikolai Petroff: Montana’s mentor, father figure, chancellor of Coggeshall, and a real nagging Nelly. Had his melee stats reset after imprisonment in book 3 and is still intellect-wise but no longer the fighter he once was. Nikolai is the quintessential pessimist of the series but often makes important and valid points about how Montana should rule and govern his people, to which Montana trusts implicitly.
* Princess heir Glatan: the daughter of assassinated emperor, niece to Valameer (who purportedly killed his brother the emperor), and by all accounts naive, weak, and very young (22 yo). She is not readily stepping up to take the throne and has been lodging in Coggeshall in books 5-7 in hopes that Montana would marry her. He declined.
* Ragnar HelfDane: one of two Lutra, an otter like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Ragnar is secretly in love with Amber the Kitzune-girl.
* Skeld Woodingson: one of two Lutra, an otter-like race, and the first of Montana’s vassals. Skeld is much more level-headed than his counterpart, Ragnar. Died of wounds inflicted by a demon from book 7 and then reincarnated in book 8 by the god of the dead as a Carcachoo, a wolverine-like race. Hooks up with Bear Snowgust in book 10.
* Tarryn Flynn: a hired mancer (warmancer) who helps with defending Coggeshall.
* Timmerlin: the life weaver of Coggeshall, uses magic and farming techniques to grow, harvest, and cultivate the holding’s food needs (both plants and animals).
* Yuri: a Leonan or lion-like humanoid similar in size and strength to Montana who helped him defeat a 100’ crocodile creature in Mardune from book 8. They became friends afterwards but Montana wasnt able to convince him to come back to Coggeshall. He shows up in Osterstot as the Monster Hunter in book 9.
* Vyan Stokes: former head of the Thingman (loyal to the assassinated emperor) and current co-head of the military in Coggeshall.
* Zoe: a human woman/mother who was found sick with illness in the slums of Osterstot. Zoe is now the master blacksmith of Coggeshall, able to craft up to level 6 metals. She took on Norffin, a dwarf girl, among others as an apprentice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2021
Ролевите игри са направени, за да може играчът да се вдъхнови, да се потопи в техния свят и не да "управлява" героя си, а да се идентифицира с него, самият той да стане герой и да действа и решава от своя гледна точка в измисления свят, сякаш наистина живее там.
В действителност, особено в компютърните такива игри, се получава нещо по средата - наистина човек до известна степен се идентифицира с героя си, но това си остава игра и той не действа като истинска личност в игровия свят, а като "външен елемент" в него - което довежда до някои странности и особености на действието.
Именно тези странности и особености на действието описва в литературна форма Ерик Угланд в серията си за Добрите - всъщност само за един добър, който, както подобава на жанра LitRPG, "попада" в игрови свят, подчинен на игрова логика... но и той действа в него като външен играч, а не като негов жител или (слава богу) типичен герой от фентъзи книги.
Действията му са точно толкова нелогични и водят до точно същите резултати, каквито наблюдаваме у себе си, докато играем RPG игри:
Героят ни много бързо става прекалено силен, следва по-скоро инцидентно, отколкото съзнателно сюжетната линия, която създателите на играта са сложили за основна, разпилява усилията си по странични куестове, не чете съобщенията и хелп-файловете на играта, така че често му се налага да взема решения без да има идея от ситуацията...
Също така, въпреки, че в играта е двуметров мускулест и брадат войн, че и владетел после, играчът си остава смачкан смотаняк по душа, какъвто е авторът всъщност и действа и говори по съответния начин (сигурен съм, че авторът не го е планирал това, но така се е получило, понеже никой не може да избяга от себе си).
Резултатът от всичко това е доста забавен.
В действителност, особено в компютърните такива игри, се получава нещо по средата - наистина човек до известна степен се идентифицира с героя си, но това си остава игра и той не действа като истинска личност в игровия свят, а като "външен елемент" в него - което довежда до някои странности и особености на действието.
Именно тези странности и особености на действието описва в литературна форма Ерик Угланд в серията си за Добрите - всъщност само за един добър, който, както подобава на жанра LitRPG, "попада" в игрови свят, подчинен на игрова логика... но и той действа в него като външен играч, а не като негов жител или (слава богу) типичен герой от фентъзи книги.
Действията му са точно толкова нелогични и водят до точно същите резултати, каквито наблюдаваме у себе си, докато играем RPG игри:
Героят ни много бързо става прекалено силен, следва по-скоро инцидентно, отколкото съзнателно сюжетната линия, която създателите на играта са сложили за основна, разпилява усилията си по странични куестове, не чете съобщенията и хелп-файловете на играта, така че често му се налага да взема решения без да има идея от ситуацията...
Също така, въпреки, че в играта е двуметров мускулест и брадат войн, че и владетел после, играчът си остава смачкан смотаняк по душа, какъвто е авторът всъщност и действа и говори по съответния начин (сигурен съм, че авторът не го е планирал това, но така се е получило, понеже никой не може да избяга от себе си).
Резултатът от всичко това е доста забавен.
February 27, 2021
Okay
The story is okay and amusing at times. The MC still qualifies as too stupid to live, but I guess that’s his shtick. If food, it’d be cheap fast food.
The story is okay and amusing at times. The MC still qualifies as too stupid to live, but I guess that’s his shtick. If food, it’d be cheap fast food.
September 10, 2021
On this corner we have Montana of Coggeshall!! ... the smash hulk human with more brain power in Vuldranni, the protagonist of The Good guys series of which this book is the 10th.
On the other corner we have the mysterious master who is still alive! Our hulk killed a different master in the previous book... Oops!
However Fiends Night is here and everyone must party and act as family behind closed doors lest the fiends break in and take your soul.
Coggeshall is turning out to be the rainbow nation for every kind of intelligent life form in Vuldranni . The introduction of each new group bring in new rules and rituals and Montana is struggling to lead with his advisors and his hearth. Ah- life was so much simpler when all he had to do was stab or kill something.
The time to vote for the next ruler is also fast approaching and as Duke his vote has a lot of weightage but he has no clue of politics and what needs to be done.
Phew!!
Now just go read the series , fair warning you are likely to burst out laughing at the GG! What a mighty hero you are! or Cool Beans! You levelled up! or ....let not forget the the prinkies!!! I love the prinkies!!
Sorry! Sorry! .... I just love the Good guys and bad guys series by Eric Ugland. There are litRPG elements but the writing is so funny and tight ... that I just want to read more.
And if you mighty people out there with buying power... would buy and read more of the author's work.. the quicker the next book would be published. (Though I think he is already pretty quick, like a good corporate employee... I want it delivered yesterday!... hmm ... someone should parody Backstreet boy's ' I want it that way' with that phrase. )
On the other corner we have the mysterious master who is still alive! Our hulk killed a different master in the previous book... Oops!
However Fiends Night is here and everyone must party and act as family behind closed doors lest the fiends break in and take your soul.
Coggeshall is turning out to be the rainbow nation for every kind of intelligent life form in Vuldranni . The introduction of each new group bring in new rules and rituals and Montana is struggling to lead with his advisors and his hearth. Ah- life was so much simpler when all he had to do was stab or kill something.
The time to vote for the next ruler is also fast approaching and as Duke his vote has a lot of weightage but he has no clue of politics and what needs to be done.
Phew!!
Now just go read the series , fair warning you are likely to burst out laughing at the GG! What a mighty hero you are! or Cool Beans! You levelled up! or ....let not forget the the prinkies!!! I love the prinkies!!
Sorry! Sorry! .... I just love the Good guys and bad guys series by Eric Ugland. There are litRPG elements but the writing is so funny and tight ... that I just want to read more.
And if you mighty people out there with buying power... would buy and read more of the author's work.. the quicker the next book would be published. (Though I think he is already pretty quick, like a good corporate employee... I want it delivered yesterday!... hmm ... someone should parody Backstreet boy's ' I want it that way' with that phrase. )
December 6, 2021
Why, 7 books later, is the main theme still about how horridly run his town is.
How many times across those 7 books has this been brought up, and yet we still have it as a major part of the book theme. Having him bumbling around trying to make everything work is great, but let him move on from the town or at least have it run well enough that the normal ignorance of the world is what creates moments of strife instead of the complete clusterfuck of a town he has built.
I understand the big reveal in this book is possibly an explanation as to why it was this way, but I am so burned out on the series that I don't even want to read the next book to see if it finally gets better.
How many times across those 7 books has this been brought up, and yet we still have it as a major part of the book theme. Having him bumbling around trying to make everything work is great, but let him move on from the town or at least have it run well enough that the normal ignorance of the world is what creates moments of strife instead of the complete clusterfuck of a town he has built.
I understand the big reveal in this book is possibly an explanation as to why it was this way, but I am so burned out on the series that I don't even want to read the next book to see if it finally gets better.
February 28, 2021
Comic strip as a book
If you like the old comic strips in newspapers, where action (situations) happen around a fixed character and very slow plot progression (just swap in/out villains), this series is for you. Don't get me wrong, the author does an awesome job of this, but don't expect more than "boys own adventure."
If you like the old comic strips in newspapers, where action (situations) happen around a fixed character and very slow plot progression (just swap in/out villains), this series is for you. Don't get me wrong, the author does an awesome job of this, but don't expect more than "boys own adventure."
May 24, 2023
Probably the most forgettable book in the series so far, despite a few notable deaths. It's just more filler and I found my mind couldn't stay focused on it this time round. I went back a couple of times to re-listen to chapters that I missed and even then I just couldn't stay engaged with the story all that well.
It's hard to believe we're 10 books into this series and the overarching plot can be summed up in a few sentences:
That's it! Sure, there are details I skipped over that will pad this out some, but in the main that's all that's happened. There's no meaningful character growth, plot development, or world change. Truth be told, I think you could have wrapped up everything that has happened so far into a trilogy of novels and the story would have been much better for that.
It's a shame because this is an easy-reading series and sometimes that's exactly what I am looking for. Literary excellence is all well and good, but just plain, fun, easy-reading can be just as enjoyable, if not more so for how little effort is involved in consuming it. However, this series is starting to lose me. It's always been hit and miss, but another book like this and I'll finally call it a day to go find something else to read.
It's hard to believe we're 10 books into this series and the overarching plot can be summed up in a few sentences:
That's it! Sure, there are details I skipped over that will pad this out some, but in the main that's all that's happened. There's no meaningful character growth, plot development, or world change. Truth be told, I think you could have wrapped up everything that has happened so far into a trilogy of novels and the story would have been much better for that.
It's a shame because this is an easy-reading series and sometimes that's exactly what I am looking for. Literary excellence is all well and good, but just plain, fun, easy-reading can be just as enjoyable, if not more so for how little effort is involved in consuming it. However, this series is starting to lose me. It's always been hit and miss, but another book like this and I'll finally call it a day to go find something else to read.
February 28, 2021
Alert
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Second, I am not a bot...at least I don’t think I am. Yes this is copy pasta (just learned that term, so fun!) simply because I feel like any book I read deserves acknowledgement but at the same time my feelings on reviews conflict with the normal review process.
I enjoyed this book, so my goal is to promote it and help the author. If you are a potential reader, just stop reading now and take the above as all you need to know. I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. It is my opinion that Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. Or not if you don’t think this book is for you. That choice is all yours and the beauty of art appreciation. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
If you are a member of the IAK Guild (thanks, Jason) or part of the review police, feel free to criticize me and challenge my philosophy on reviewing art. I think we all love a good debate. The forums are open and I welcome your comments. I was wrong in my previous request to get you to stop. Your blatant disregard for that request has led to some fun discussions. Growth is important for us all.
Cheers
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Second, I am not a bot...at least I don’t think I am. Yes this is copy pasta (just learned that term, so fun!) simply because I feel like any book I read deserves acknowledgement but at the same time my feelings on reviews conflict with the normal review process.
I enjoyed this book, so my goal is to promote it and help the author. If you are a potential reader, just stop reading now and take the above as all you need to know. I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. It is my opinion that Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. Or not if you don’t think this book is for you. That choice is all yours and the beauty of art appreciation. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
If you are a member of the IAK Guild (thanks, Jason) or part of the review police, feel free to criticize me and challenge my philosophy on reviewing art. I think we all love a good debate. The forums are open and I welcome your comments. I was wrong in my previous request to get you to stop. Your blatant disregard for that request has led to some fun discussions. Growth is important for us all.
Cheers
April 13, 2021
Fantastic!
This book is excellent! I read many of the reviews prior to reading this book and I wonder if the other reviewers actually read the book.
*The person who said there were 4 in a fight and only 3 deaths were described? Wrong.
*The person who said Montana lost something valuable at the end and must get it back? Wrong.
*The one who said it was merely mentioned that someone opened a door on fiend night and it was never addressed? Very wrong.
*That there weren’t LitRPG kill notices or leveling? Wrong
*That there were multiple characters with the same basic name? Wrong
*That slavery was mentioned for no reason? So wrong
*That there were celestial materials from WarWaters? Definitely wrong... they were infernal
READ the book... it’s EXCELLENT!!
Yes, Nicholai dies, but he was so morose, I don’t really miss him. I can understand why he got drunk at the party - and to realize the cleaning lady was the Master in disguise? Crazy!
Emaline dead didn’t really surprise me because you just stop to think... how long has she been dead???? Intriguing!
I hope the little hidden guy whose home is by the people-eating chute comes back in another book!!
This book is excellent! I read many of the reviews prior to reading this book and I wonder if the other reviewers actually read the book.
*The person who said there were 4 in a fight and only 3 deaths were described? Wrong.
*The person who said Montana lost something valuable at the end and must get it back? Wrong.
*The one who said it was merely mentioned that someone opened a door on fiend night and it was never addressed? Very wrong.
*That there weren’t LitRPG kill notices or leveling? Wrong
*That there were multiple characters with the same basic name? Wrong
*That slavery was mentioned for no reason? So wrong
*That there were celestial materials from WarWaters? Definitely wrong... they were infernal
READ the book... it’s EXCELLENT!!
Yes, Nicholai dies, but he was so morose, I don’t really miss him. I can understand why he got drunk at the party - and to realize the cleaning lady was the Master in disguise? Crazy!
Emaline dead didn’t really surprise me because you just stop to think... how long has she been dead???? Intriguing!
I hope the little hidden guy whose home is by the people-eating chute comes back in another book!!
December 17, 2021
The master killed in the last book turns out not to have been THE master. The slow witted, willfully stupid MC only has the time of the lock down during the upcoming demon infestation days to find and hunt him. At this time everything is under lock down, which is why the MC brings everybody to his cave fortress. Even (once again) monsters.
The story is a mix of our idiot fighting with court intrigues like an elephant in a china shop, him being childish and willfully stupid as a spoilt toddler, him being an imbecile detective a la inspector Clouseau, him talking sh*t with gods and getting the "ultimate" idiotic weapon, him defending the holding and saving everybody mostly by (once again) blindly throwing stuff around.
This whole master plot was very arbitrary and stupid in the end. The master would have had no problems to capture and eat numb nut before as we learn in the end. The presents were useless and rather contraproductive.
There is no progress of character and main plots. The MC defends his position as the village idiot.
The story is a mix of our idiot fighting with court intrigues like an elephant in a china shop, him being childish and willfully stupid as a spoilt toddler, him being an imbecile detective a la inspector Clouseau, him talking sh*t with gods and getting the "ultimate" idiotic weapon, him defending the holding and saving everybody mostly by (once again) blindly throwing stuff around.
This whole master plot was very arbitrary and stupid in the end. The master would have had no problems to capture and eat numb nut before as we learn in the end. The presents were useless and rather contraproductive.
There is no progress of character and main plots. The MC defends his position as the village idiot.
Read
August 5, 2022A lot of words, not much content
While I've enjoyed most of this series, this particular book feels like a novella that has been stretched to the breaking point. I kept waiting for something to happen, hoping for something to happen, but this book seems to be mostly *talking* about things that might happen, or preparing for something to happen.
There are a couple of nonverbal conflicts, but it has a huge number of disappointed looks, failing to meet expectations, no matter how low they may be, self-doubt, and let's face it, the duke isn't a brainiac so he misses even the most obvious hints from Mr. Paul.
Spoiler below.
The worst of it, though, is that we see the end of the Master in such a pathetically anticlimactic way that I felt betrayed as a reader. This was a confrontation that had been brewing for a number of books leading up to this one, and this powerful, brilliant mastermind is essentially defeated by accident. That's a poor payoff for such a long and intense buildup.
While I've enjoyed most of this series, this particular book feels like a novella that has been stretched to the breaking point. I kept waiting for something to happen, hoping for something to happen, but this book seems to be mostly *talking* about things that might happen, or preparing for something to happen.
There are a couple of nonverbal conflicts, but it has a huge number of disappointed looks, failing to meet expectations, no matter how low they may be, self-doubt, and let's face it, the duke isn't a brainiac so he misses even the most obvious hints from Mr. Paul.
Spoiler below.
The worst of it, though, is that we see the end of the Master in such a pathetically anticlimactic way that I felt betrayed as a reader. This was a confrontation that had been brewing for a number of books leading up to this one, and this powerful, brilliant mastermind is essentially defeated by accident. That's a poor payoff for such a long and intense buildup.
March 4, 2021
I have to admit this book really pissed me off. I mean REALLY WHY! Just had to kill off that character. That is so messed up. Now I am just hoping that he might be able to come back maybe as another being/creature. I hope that. That happens possibly. What was the love aspect? I mean is there supposed to be a set up for Montana to have a love interest. I don't really see it..
Though I have to say his godly backer gave Montana a massive clue... Montana seriously needs to up his intelligence if he couldn't figure out "Thing" I mean hello! The THING... Its a cult classic even a dummy would have at least heard of it... T.T when I read that I was like omg the master is THE THING... The MASTER IS THE THING! Who is he!
Though I have to say his godly backer gave Montana a massive clue... Montana seriously needs to up his intelligence if he couldn't figure out "Thing" I mean hello! The THING... Its a cult classic even a dummy would have at least heard of it... T.T when I read that I was like omg the master is THE THING... The MASTER IS THE THING! Who is he!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
Always Amazing
I am picky about what series I give 5 stars because of stories like Mr. Ugland writes. Always too short but full of wit and action every book I get a little more attached to the colorfully crafted MC and his cohort. This book reads a little like a mystery novel in a fantasy setting which requires a more thoughtful MC. Some threats finally resolved but you get the expected cliffhanger which makes the wait for the next book so torturous, and I loved every word of it.
I am picky about what series I give 5 stars because of stories like Mr. Ugland writes. Always too short but full of wit and action every book I get a little more attached to the colorfully crafted MC and his cohort. This book reads a little like a mystery novel in a fantasy setting which requires a more thoughtful MC. Some threats finally resolved but you get the expected cliffhanger which makes the wait for the next book so torturous, and I loved every word of it.
February 27, 2021
Love. Just Love.
The characters and their interactions make me laugh. Multiple times per book. I care about them, they're unique and the story is something I cannot even predict. I don't know where it's going, and I love every minute of it. The first book I was skeptical from the other reviews, mostly the bad ones, but those people don't know what they're talking about. I have loved every word on every page. Go ahead, find out for yourself. Adventure is this book, and the humor is great too.
The characters and their interactions make me laugh. Multiple times per book. I care about them, they're unique and the story is something I cannot even predict. I don't know where it's going, and I love every minute of it. The first book I was skeptical from the other reviews, mostly the bad ones, but those people don't know what they're talking about. I have loved every word on every page. Go ahead, find out for yourself. Adventure is this book, and the humor is great too.
July 14, 2021
i like the world and i recommend the bad guys series but man the MC is such a big sack of shit, he is always complaining about having responsibilities and is a huge moron.
If you read the other books you get more of the same, i liked the last book more than this one but man this one made me just want to stop reading, he is the biggest cry baby while being a op human tank, sack of shit always complaining about being a duke, its been 8 books in and he still cries rivers about telling people what to do.
I wish the author would just redo the character to be less shit.
If you read the other books you get more of the same, i liked the last book more than this one but man this one made me just want to stop reading, he is the biggest cry baby while being a op human tank, sack of shit always complaining about being a duke, its been 8 books in and he still cries rivers about telling people what to do.
I wish the author would just redo the character to be less shit.
July 18, 2021
Better than the last book
I'm getting tired of Montana being the only one able to solve problems. I love him as a wrecking ball, but now he's the only one in the world who can investigate and get to the bottom of every mystery. Those are fundamentally two different characters and it doesn't ring true as a reader. It very much feels like the writer is trying to force his character to do things to make his plot work.
Also, so many of the arguments in this book and the last are just bull. They are like bad romance novel tension.
I'm getting tired of Montana being the only one able to solve problems. I love him as a wrecking ball, but now he's the only one in the world who can investigate and get to the bottom of every mystery. Those are fundamentally two different characters and it doesn't ring true as a reader. It very much feels like the writer is trying to force his character to do things to make his plot work.
Also, so many of the arguments in this book and the last are just bull. They are like bad romance novel tension.
January 23, 2023
I have no real defense for reading this - as it is middling pulpy trash sword and sorcery. When I start skimming some of the homosexual references- example main character joking with friend that he is attracted to him - and just some of the plodding argument parts I begin to think it is hardly worth some of the fun action parts…. But some of the previous ones were 4 starish-3 and a half so I guess I justify continuing to read with that… but be prepared to skim some of the somewhat funny somewhat tedious discussions if you insist on reading this
December 15, 2023
This sat on my kindle for 5 months (a bit surprising - would have assumed longer, but it also have been in the queue to get added to the kindle for months too), and I nearly didn't read it.
I had a bad experience with the other series. It wasn't fun. But I re-read my comments here on the last two books in this series and decided I'd give it a few chapters worth of chance.
I'm glad that I did. I do enjoy this series. There's a greater level of humor and joy to it. More laughter from me as a reader.
I had a bad experience with the other series. It wasn't fun. But I re-read my comments here on the last two books in this series and decided I'd give it a few chapters worth of chance.
I'm glad that I did. I do enjoy this series. There's a greater level of humor and joy to it. More laughter from me as a reader.
June 19, 2024
The Master is in Montana’s duchy and he has to figure out how to expose him. And while he’s at it, it’s the night of the year when all the demons come calling. Lots of tension, lots of fighting, and frankly, an important moment of character growth.
This story is also useful for reminding us of the seemingly dozens of groups of people that Montana has invited into his duchy. Most of them don’t like or trust each other, but somehow he keeps making it all work.
This one has a very solid ending.
This story is also useful for reminding us of the seemingly dozens of groups of people that Montana has invited into his duchy. Most of them don’t like or trust each other, but somehow he keeps making it all work.
This one has a very solid ending.
April 9, 2025
Book 10 of The Good Guys. All preparations for Fiend’s Night. So much going on and a goodbye. This one is a little sad, but about time on the hero’s journey. A fast and furious ride through and a guided tour through Coggeshall. I love that this addresses probably the biggest hurdle in leadership, delegation. A strong builder book to the next steps. This book was fun in different was than past books. The book fight in particular. Warning: course language.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
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