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True Calling #2
Relic Tamer
"Don’t talk about this to anyone. Follow the hidden message. Do your best to act like an ordinary player and everything will be okay. And above all, don’t die."
One adventure ends while another begins. Along with Ada, Dusty, Clay, and Milly – plus a familiar stowaway – Ike leaves Weir and travels to the capital city of Halorin. On the surface, it’s a quest to meet the King, but Ike’s primary goal is to find the Sage Keys so he can finally log out.
Too bad nobody’s heard of them and the big city has other plans. Ike’s new armor takes on a mind of its own, leading to friction within the party. A guild of World First holders has their eye on Ike. And he’s still getting used to his newfound hero status. All of which might be easier to handle if Ada were around, but real life keeps pulling her away from him.
Meanwhile, darker truths lurk in the city’s shadows. The gruesome Tawdd, a masked assassin, a cursed relic, and worse await Ike in the Hallowed Labyrinth for which the city is named. Getting in will be hard, but getting out might just be game over.
One adventure ends while another begins. Along with Ada, Dusty, Clay, and Milly – plus a familiar stowaway – Ike leaves Weir and travels to the capital city of Halorin. On the surface, it’s a quest to meet the King, but Ike’s primary goal is to find the Sage Keys so he can finally log out.
Too bad nobody’s heard of them and the big city has other plans. Ike’s new armor takes on a mind of its own, leading to friction within the party. A guild of World First holders has their eye on Ike. And he’s still getting used to his newfound hero status. All of which might be easier to handle if Ada were around, but real life keeps pulling her away from him.
Meanwhile, darker truths lurk in the city’s shadows. The gruesome Tawdd, a masked assassin, a cursed relic, and worse await Ike in the Hallowed Labyrinth for which the city is named. Getting in will be hard, but getting out might just be game over.
- GenresLitrpg
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2022
About the author
Thad Ward
5 books13 followersWriting litRPG novels is a first love / second job for Thad Ward, who works as a web developer from his home in rural North Carolina. When he’s not authoring books or code, Ward spends time with his wife and two boys, helps run his LARP group (OrnLARP.com), and watches an unhealthy amount of isekai anime.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 12, 2022
Another solid entry
This LitRPG is an oddity. Well written. Interesting world. Great companions that you care about. But the "crunchiness" is light. This is the second novel and the party spends most of it at Level 3. The end of the first book had them defeat a dragon. So there is a disconnect between individual power and what you can accomplish with that power. This is good in that at any power level, you can make a difference, but it also flattens leveling as a goal.
Overall, I like this series and recommend it to readers who enjoy conversations and character growth over non-stop battles
This LitRPG is an oddity. Well written. Interesting world. Great companions that you care about. But the "crunchiness" is light. This is the second novel and the party spends most of it at Level 3. The end of the first book had them defeat a dragon. So there is a disconnect between individual power and what you can accomplish with that power. This is good in that at any power level, you can make a difference, but it also flattens leveling as a goal.
Overall, I like this series and recommend it to readers who enjoy conversations and character growth over non-stop battles
April 9, 2022
Ike will never be the same…
Wow! That was about the last thing that I was expecting to happen.
Ike keeps growing stronger as he absorbs new enchantments, creates new enchantments, and relies on his game family. Now everything is likely to change, but will he remember what he’s learned in this book, or will he continue to insist that he is the only one that is allowed to take risks?
Where will he go from here? How will he respond to this new information? Will he continue to cooperate with Neil?
Wow! That was about the last thing that I was expecting to happen.
Ike keeps growing stronger as he absorbs new enchantments, creates new enchantments, and relies on his game family. Now everything is likely to change, but will he remember what he’s learned in this book, or will he continue to insist that he is the only one that is allowed to take risks?
Where will he go from here? How will he respond to this new information? Will he continue to cooperate with Neil?
June 12, 2022
Well wow. A bit of a cliffhanger at the end but good
Much like the 1st book quite a fun read. Go enchanted thing is quite enjoyable. There's no real crafting involved still but The enchantments themselves a kind of fun. The MC basically is a thinker And continuous to use his wit and intelligence to overcome his obstacles. A bit of a change in this genre. One which I like of course. Considering the revelations near the end of the book the tone of the next book might be slightly different. I do certainly look forward to it but I don't have to wait long.
Much like the 1st book quite a fun read. Go enchanted thing is quite enjoyable. There's no real crafting involved still but The enchantments themselves a kind of fun. The MC basically is a thinker And continuous to use his wit and intelligence to overcome his obstacles. A bit of a change in this genre. One which I like of course. Considering the revelations near the end of the book the tone of the next book might be slightly different. I do certainly look forward to it but I don't have to wait long.
February 14, 2023
So are you looking for a series of books to read , but only 1 series for the whole year ? Or are you looking adrenaline rush from an action movie ? Maybe you want to find that drama that will be truly captivating ? Well this work of art has that but also embraces the talent for the story twist that only Stephen King created, Thad Ward has artfully mastered. This by far is the best book I have ever had the pleasure read and re-read. I must say even the greatest fantasy writers this day should get some pointers beyond excellently well written.
April 13, 2022
book two
I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one. To me this read like an episode of Scooby-Doo meeting the Care Bears. Unmasking the villains but nobody dies and peace, love, and friendship win the day!
Editing was top notch. Good twist at the end, though I don’t agree with him leaving the party.
Seems every book these days has the mascot goblin as well. Would have chosen something different myself.
5/10
I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one. To me this read like an episode of Scooby-Doo meeting the Care Bears. Unmasking the villains but nobody dies and peace, love, and friendship win the day!
Editing was top notch. Good twist at the end, though I don’t agree with him leaving the party.
Seems every book these days has the mascot goblin as well. Would have chosen something different myself.
5/10
April 7, 2022
Relic Tamer was an excellent sequel that offered exciting new insights into old characters, introduced intriguing new characters, and further developed the world and mechanics of True Calling. This book is an approachable read for any fantasy or gaming nerd regardless of their level of programming knowledge. I am curious to see what Ike will do next!
August 9, 2022
good
I enjoyed the book , Ike and his companions travel to the capital and get involved in all sort of shenanigans , I must admit I find his abilities pretty incomprehensible but entertaining , I suspected something like the ending , lot of clues pointed to a similar outcome and I'm pretty torn as too , do I care what happens next , I'll probably give book three a shot.
I enjoyed the book , Ike and his companions travel to the capital and get involved in all sort of shenanigans , I must admit I find his abilities pretty incomprehensible but entertaining , I suspected something like the ending , lot of clues pointed to a similar outcome and I'm pretty torn as too , do I care what happens next , I'll probably give book three a shot.
April 8, 2022
This has an incredible slow start.
The entire first two thirds are incredibly boring. The back end has numerous plot points that are very obvious. As entertaining as the first book was, this one's story is struggling.
The entire first two thirds are incredibly boring. The back end has numerous plot points that are very obvious. As entertaining as the first book was, this one's story is struggling.
April 21, 2022
Top Tier
This, my friends. This is how you write a compelling story with characters that speak to you. Everyone has complexity and depth. The story makes sense. There is a ton of consistent world building, both in and out of game. I love it.
This, my friends. This is how you write a compelling story with characters that speak to you. Everyone has complexity and depth. The story makes sense. There is a ton of consistent world building, both in and out of game. I love it.
April 14, 2022
Entertaining
Fairly entertaining. Took a twisted turn but still enjoyable and entertaining. Beats a lot of the junk I've seen lately.
Fairly entertaining. Took a twisted turn but still enjoyable and entertaining. Beats a lot of the junk I've seen lately.
July 29, 2023
Fantastic
Terrific follow up to the first book! Fully fleshed out characters and storylines. Lets keep this party rockin! Well done!
Terrific follow up to the first book! Fully fleshed out characters and storylines. Lets keep this party rockin! Well done!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews