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City of Masks #1
Fall of a Dungeon House
James Toledo is dungeon descended, third son of a Dungeon Lord.
His father was one of the fourteen rulers of the Empire of Varad, each in charge of a dungeon core.
James never believed he would have a chance to become a Dungeon Lord on his own, despite his dungeon-enhancing perk. But his grandfather found a new dungeon core, and made a deal with a creature of unimaginable power to become the new dungeon’s boss monster.
Unfortunately, before James was given control of the new dungeon core, his grandfather was assassinated, and his family murdered or kidnapped by unknown, masked assailants. James’ house burned down around him.
Barely surviving, James seeks the power necessary to take vengeance on all those who have wronged him and his family. He vows to put an end to the evil lurking deep within his city, but thugs and gangsters are only the beginning of what he’ll find.
His father was one of the fourteen rulers of the Empire of Varad, each in charge of a dungeon core.
James never believed he would have a chance to become a Dungeon Lord on his own, despite his dungeon-enhancing perk. But his grandfather found a new dungeon core, and made a deal with a creature of unimaginable power to become the new dungeon’s boss monster.
Unfortunately, before James was given control of the new dungeon core, his grandfather was assassinated, and his family murdered or kidnapped by unknown, masked assailants. James’ house burned down around him.
Barely surviving, James seeks the power necessary to take vengeance on all those who have wronged him and his family. He vows to put an end to the evil lurking deep within his city, but thugs and gangsters are only the beginning of what he’ll find.
- GenresFantasy
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2022
58 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 3, 2022
The reviews are right
Looking at some of the other reviews, I assumed they might just be by readers that are easily offended.
I'm no stranger to grimdark or antiheroes so I gave it a try.
And hoo boy this book is a great example of
White male entitlement
It's not even a harem or a typical power fantasy, it's just straight up entitlement at its least ambiguous.
If you want to read the novel of how people get jobs they're completely unqualified for, while patting themselves on the back for the hard work of being born into everything going their way...
While sermonizing about the righteousness of killing anyone who gets in your way, because the MC has the moral high ground of not raping women when he kidnaps and threatens them
Entire sociology classes could be taught from this book
Looking at some of the other reviews, I assumed they might just be by readers that are easily offended.
I'm no stranger to grimdark or antiheroes so I gave it a try.
And hoo boy this book is a great example of
White male entitlement
It's not even a harem or a typical power fantasy, it's just straight up entitlement at its least ambiguous.
If you want to read the novel of how people get jobs they're completely unqualified for, while patting themselves on the back for the hard work of being born into everything going their way...
While sermonizing about the righteousness of killing anyone who gets in your way, because the MC has the moral high ground of not raping women when he kidnaps and threatens them
Entire sociology classes could be taught from this book
January 14, 2022
I just can't take anymore. Seventy percent through and I quit.
This has a useless, ridiculous main character. At no point do the "good guys" drive the story forward. They are continually reacting and have no follow through. They are inept and the thought of any of them being the hope of the Light is just beyond belief. This is attempting to have broken characters doing the "right thing", it fails on multiple levels.
This has a useless, ridiculous main character. At no point do the "good guys" drive the story forward. They are continually reacting and have no follow through. They are inept and the thought of any of them being the hope of the Light is just beyond belief. This is attempting to have broken characters doing the "right thing", it fails on multiple levels.
January 15, 2022
Shaky at first.
I was sooo close to putting this book down, but I'm glad I didn't. The author realized what plot hole was happening and rectified it. I really enjoy the cast of characters and how imperfect and damaged they are. Looking forward to the next book.
I was sooo close to putting this book down, but I'm glad I didn't. The author realized what plot hole was happening and rectified it. I really enjoy the cast of characters and how imperfect and damaged they are. Looking forward to the next book.
April 13, 2022
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/37baiu0.
James was born with the unique perk to be an overlord, but as third son to the next Dungeon lord his chances to use it are slim. His grandfather, Leviathan - who was over level 50, found a way around this by securing the first Tier 2 dungeon core and a monster boss willing to ally with the new faction. When Leviathan is killed the Toledo house passes on to James' father and he learns of this path his grandfather intended for him. The only problem is the Dark Gods do not want this champion of the light to succeed and James' family is slain. Being level 1 and betrayed by those closest to him James escapes to the wharf and must now find trustworthy allies to seek his vengeance, secure the future his grandfather intended, and stay alive.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. When I read that it was a LitRPG I expected the traditional type of someone playing a VR game and us reading the adventure. In this book however, it is just a normal adventure story with leveling up and perks. Basically if an RPG decided there would be no actual players only NPCs who didn't know it was a game and they were left to their own devices. That is the best way I have to explain this. It was a big difference from what I have come to expect from this genre, but I enjoyed the read from cover to cover. I also hope to be able to read the rest of this series when it comes out.
James is 19 in this book and he acts it. Thinking with his dick for large portions of the book while Flea, who is of a similar age, calls him on it. You can tell that he lived a sheltered life from his inexperience and how he refers to things throughout. Flea tries to act tough, but with her slim build it is basically like a small child threatening you. All bark and no bite. Although Leviathan was only portrayed in James' thoughts and in journal excerpts he was probably my favorite character in the story.
This book ends at a good stopping place, but with much more of the story left to complete. You don't feel like the author paused mid thought like in some books. Also, this book is one of the seemingly rare anymore that titles the chapters. There is even a Theory of a Deadman title as one. Not that I'm complaining. It made me smile when I read it.
James was born with the unique perk to be an overlord, but as third son to the next Dungeon lord his chances to use it are slim. His grandfather, Leviathan - who was over level 50, found a way around this by securing the first Tier 2 dungeon core and a monster boss willing to ally with the new faction. When Leviathan is killed the Toledo house passes on to James' father and he learns of this path his grandfather intended for him. The only problem is the Dark Gods do not want this champion of the light to succeed and James' family is slain. Being level 1 and betrayed by those closest to him James escapes to the wharf and must now find trustworthy allies to seek his vengeance, secure the future his grandfather intended, and stay alive.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. When I read that it was a LitRPG I expected the traditional type of someone playing a VR game and us reading the adventure. In this book however, it is just a normal adventure story with leveling up and perks. Basically if an RPG decided there would be no actual players only NPCs who didn't know it was a game and they were left to their own devices. That is the best way I have to explain this. It was a big difference from what I have come to expect from this genre, but I enjoyed the read from cover to cover. I also hope to be able to read the rest of this series when it comes out.
James is 19 in this book and he acts it. Thinking with his dick for large portions of the book while Flea, who is of a similar age, calls him on it. You can tell that he lived a sheltered life from his inexperience and how he refers to things throughout. Flea tries to act tough, but with her slim build it is basically like a small child threatening you. All bark and no bite. Although Leviathan was only portrayed in James' thoughts and in journal excerpts he was probably my favorite character in the story.
This book ends at a good stopping place, but with much more of the story left to complete. You don't feel like the author paused mid thought like in some books. Also, this book is one of the seemingly rare anymore that titles the chapters. There is even a Theory of a Deadman title as one. Not that I'm complaining. It made me smile when I read it.
October 9, 2022
So now I know
what RPGLit dungeon leveling etc etc is. 3 stars for the storytelling of a good plot, an admirable try. I, however, have had my curiosity sated and will never again read anything with such genre descriptors.
what RPGLit dungeon leveling etc etc is. 3 stars for the storytelling of a good plot, an admirable try. I, however, have had my curiosity sated and will never again read anything with such genre descriptors.
April 1, 2022
awesome book
I really enjoyed the book. There’s enough fresh ideas, the characters are smart, and the relationships are mostly believable. The plot advanced at a good rate. Lots of adventure.
I really enjoyed the book. There’s enough fresh ideas, the characters are smart, and the relationships are mostly believable. The plot advanced at a good rate. Lots of adventure.
March 29, 2022
A start to another excellent series
Stovall's writing continues to impress with another intriguing exploration of Dungeon Core fantasy. Between divine machinations and mortal politics the story is tense and thrilling ride. I can't wait to read the next one.
Stovall's writing continues to impress with another intriguing exploration of Dungeon Core fantasy. Between divine machinations and mortal politics the story is tense and thrilling ride. I can't wait to read the next one.
January 23, 2022
Amazing Story with a unique twist.
Great story with a combination of litRPG and a little bit of Dungeon Core. Has some intense themes but balance perfectly with humor. Highly recommend, cannot wait to see where this store leads!
Great story with a combination of litRPG and a little bit of Dungeon Core. Has some intense themes but balance perfectly with humor. Highly recommend, cannot wait to see where this store leads!
January 25, 2022
Amazing new series
This book was a ride. It was really well written, fleshed out characters and a tight story line. I'm looking forward to the next one.
This book was a ride. It was really well written, fleshed out characters and a tight story line. I'm looking forward to the next one.
March 10, 2022
The story isn't horrible, underdog type guy trying to rise up and defeat an ultimate evil. Its a known trope, but there are some interesting tweaks to it.
The LitRPG pieces are pretty interesting, hoping they get more interesting as the story progresses. I have minor annoyances with style, but maybe thats personal.
However, I think the author should give up on writing any kind of "adult" scenes into the books. They came across as very bad erotica. It almost made me quit reading at one of the scenes.
The LitRPG pieces are pretty interesting, hoping they get more interesting as the story progresses. I have minor annoyances with style, but maybe thats personal.
However, I think the author should give up on writing any kind of "adult" scenes into the books. They came across as very bad erotica. It almost made me quit reading at one of the scenes.
August 3, 2022
3 Bleed You Stars
Fall of a Dungeon House is the first book in the City of Masks series by John Stovall.
The dichotomy of prose and writing shifting was an internal interruption to the flow of the story. While, this author's style is not anywhere in the realm of a favorite of mine, there were moment when the quality of the writing truly dropped off. I think most of them revolved around around Flea's character progression. Her portrayal as a wronged, abused, nearly psychotic woman was poorly done. It appeared more along the lines of really deplorable acting. Paired in with the truly annoying mentions of sexual needs in both disgusting and unnecessary settings leave much to be desired. (Might be a pun, who knows?)
The concept behind the story is still, at the very least, intriguing. Combine this draw of interest with the growing cast making up the main team and I may find myself just curious enough to come back and give this series one more chance in the future....
The convoluted nature of the traitors within the Toledo family and their allies, the crime families responsible for their destruction, the Dungeon Families most likely to accomplices or in fault, and the ever-present behind the scenes tug-of-war between the forces of Light and Dark gods is a web fairly difficult to untangle and I can't Eben decide if I really want to spend the effort trying.....
I think the author was attempting to implant some humor into the story, dark humor on that note. But, if that was their intention, it all fell flat.
Fall of a Dungeon House is the first book in the City of Masks series by John Stovall.
The dichotomy of prose and writing shifting was an internal interruption to the flow of the story. While, this author's style is not anywhere in the realm of a favorite of mine, there were moment when the quality of the writing truly dropped off. I think most of them revolved around around Flea's character progression. Her portrayal as a wronged, abused, nearly psychotic woman was poorly done. It appeared more along the lines of really deplorable acting. Paired in with the truly annoying mentions of sexual needs in both disgusting and unnecessary settings leave much to be desired. (Might be a pun, who knows?)
The concept behind the story is still, at the very least, intriguing. Combine this draw of interest with the growing cast making up the main team and I may find myself just curious enough to come back and give this series one more chance in the future....
The convoluted nature of the traitors within the Toledo family and their allies, the crime families responsible for their destruction, the Dungeon Families most likely to accomplices or in fault, and the ever-present behind the scenes tug-of-war between the forces of Light and Dark gods is a web fairly difficult to untangle and I can't Eben decide if I really want to spend the effort trying.....
I think the author was attempting to implant some humor into the story, dark humor on that note. But, if that was their intention, it all fell flat.
January 13, 2022
Book one
Mistakes: Anything I found I listed on Goodreads, as well as two really gross food options.
Plot: A potential dungeon lord has his family betrayed and is seeking vengeance. I'm afraid that this is going to turn into a harem series. If it does I will drop it.
Characters: Some interesting characters. Flea is the most interesting but if this goes harem I'm afraid that her uniqueness will be lost.
8/10 Pretty decent as is.
Mistakes: Anything I found I listed on Goodreads, as well as two really gross food options.
Plot: A potential dungeon lord has his family betrayed and is seeking vengeance. I'm afraid that this is going to turn into a harem series. If it does I will drop it.
Characters: Some interesting characters. Flea is the most interesting but if this goes harem I'm afraid that her uniqueness will be lost.
8/10 Pretty decent as is.
February 7, 2022
A decent first entry.
Not quite the usual dungeon book. But I do enjoy the cast of characters even if I don't always agree with the choices they made. But it was a delightful romp all the way through. Though I will say there was quite the unusual amount of female characters introduced, kind of gives off some light ecchi vibes.
Not quite the usual dungeon book. But I do enjoy the cast of characters even if I don't always agree with the choices they made. But it was a delightful romp all the way through. Though I will say there was quite the unusual amount of female characters introduced, kind of gives off some light ecchi vibes.
May 16, 2022
good read
There’s a bit of dark Content but it’s pretty well written. Minor grammar issues and only a few at that. Would recommend for someone looking for something different, a bit darker with an edge.
There’s a bit of dark Content but it’s pretty well written. Minor grammar issues and only a few at that. Would recommend for someone looking for something different, a bit darker with an edge.
September 25, 2022
The book takes a bit to get going, but once it does, it is amazing.
This book is dark and gritty. There is a lot of physical violence and some sexual violence. (It makes sense in context.) But the story is very good and well written.
This book is dark and gritty. There is a lot of physical violence and some sexual violence. (It makes sense in context.) But the story is very good and well written.
September 6, 2023
Good book
Nice storyline, different enough from other litrpgs to make this very interesting. The characters are growing and learning. James comes across as someone between 16 and 20. I am sure James will be doing a lot of growing too. I will be reading the next book.
Nice storyline, different enough from other litrpgs to make this very interesting. The characters are growing and learning. James comes across as someone between 16 and 20. I am sure James will be doing a lot of growing too. I will be reading the next book.
January 12, 2022
Good book
Good read, too short. I like seeing dungeon core type reads where the dungeon lord is separate from the core. Allows forore development and branching off.
Good read, too short. I like seeing dungeon core type reads where the dungeon lord is separate from the core. Allows forore development and branching off.
January 21, 2022
Starts with an exposition dump.
January 1, 2024
An interesting setup for a story. Though, my favorite aspect is the idea that Gods with future sight are thwarted by a character they can't see.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews