What do you think?
Rate this book
Convergence #1
Convergence
My name is Kazimir Wolfe, people call me ‘Kaz’, except they don’t. I never use my real name, it’s too dangerous, for me and for anyone I meet. I’m on the run from the law, who think I killed my aunt, and from whoever did kill her, because they want to finish the job. So, I move around a lot, working construction or whatever job I can find. It’s a lonely life, I don’t let anyone get close, people who are close to me end up dead. Why?
I’m a wizard. The world’s only wizard, as far as I know. I don’t have a wand or a sword, and I don’t ride a dragon. I carry a Glock 9MM, and drive around in a beat-up RV, with a talking dog.
Yeah. The talking dog was a surprise to me too. Duke is inhabited by the spirit of a 3,000-year-old wizard from Babylon, and he’s a good dog, but he is still a dog, and that’s a problem. Like, he still thinks squirrels are his mortal enemy. And that I don’t feed him enough. How did the spirit of an ancient wizard reach across time?
I don’t know.
The truth is, I’m not much of a wizard, because there’s not much magic in the world for me to work with.
But there used to be magic.
And magic is coming back, as our world converges with the Nether.
Unless I can stop it.
I’m a wizard. The world’s only wizard, as far as I know. I don’t have a wand or a sword, and I don’t ride a dragon. I carry a Glock 9MM, and drive around in a beat-up RV, with a talking dog.
Yeah. The talking dog was a surprise to me too. Duke is inhabited by the spirit of a 3,000-year-old wizard from Babylon, and he’s a good dog, but he is still a dog, and that’s a problem. Like, he still thinks squirrels are his mortal enemy. And that I don’t feed him enough. How did the spirit of an ancient wizard reach across time?
I don’t know.
The truth is, I’m not much of a wizard, because there’s not much magic in the world for me to work with.
But there used to be magic.
And magic is coming back, as our world converges with the Nether.
Unless I can stop it.
565 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2022
662 people are currently reading
1147 people want to read
About the author
Craig Alanson
41 books4,176 followersIf you want to stay up to date on releases, receive promotion alerts and speak to me directly, please join my Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
August 22, 2022
While I love what Craig created with Joe and Skippy in the Expeditionary Force series, and I very much enjoyed the Ascendant trilogy, I think this was a pretty big miss for the Author.
The Ascendant trilogy had gravitas, but this is much more schtick. The author tries to create the chummy, comedic flavor of Expeditionary Force, but that only results in the novel becoming much more of a joke than a serious novel. The group of characters are so awkward that it really just becomes annoying.
I understand that Kaz is just a novice magician, but I was really surprised at how Craig did not even try to explain either (1) the background of how Kaz learned he was a magician, or (2) all of the different magical things Kaz could do. Sure, we see a few things when there's a confrontation, but there was almost no description of what he has tried and accomplished, or has tried and failed, or what he thinks is possible. Craig was too busy coming up with jokes and silliness to worry about the development of the magic.
Unfortunately, I'm done with this series. I stuck with it out of respect for Craig's past novels, but I would have quit it earlier if I hadn't read a dozen of his other novels. I'll wait till Craig goes onto a different topic, or revisits an old story from the Expeditionary Force or the Ascendant trilogy. While I don't intend to go on, to the extent that Craig reads this, I would caution him not to follow in the footsteps of the Iron Druid series. Around book 6 or 7, the dog was 50% of the story, and it was way too much to handle. This story seemed to have about the right amount of dog, but any more just becomes detrimental to the story.
The Ascendant trilogy had gravitas, but this is much more schtick. The author tries to create the chummy, comedic flavor of Expeditionary Force, but that only results in the novel becoming much more of a joke than a serious novel. The group of characters are so awkward that it really just becomes annoying.
I understand that Kaz is just a novice magician, but I was really surprised at how Craig did not even try to explain either (1) the background of how Kaz learned he was a magician, or (2) all of the different magical things Kaz could do. Sure, we see a few things when there's a confrontation, but there was almost no description of what he has tried and accomplished, or has tried and failed, or what he thinks is possible. Craig was too busy coming up with jokes and silliness to worry about the development of the magic.
Unfortunately, I'm done with this series. I stuck with it out of respect for Craig's past novels, but I would have quit it earlier if I hadn't read a dozen of his other novels. I'll wait till Craig goes onto a different topic, or revisits an old story from the Expeditionary Force or the Ascendant trilogy. While I don't intend to go on, to the extent that Craig reads this, I would caution him not to follow in the footsteps of the Iron Druid series. Around book 6 or 7, the dog was 50% of the story, and it was way too much to handle. This story seemed to have about the right amount of dog, but any more just becomes detrimental to the story.
June 7, 2023
June 2023
Refresh re-read.
August 2022
At this point, I'm not sure I'd rate anything that Alanson writes at less than 5 stars.
It has to do with character development and interaction - the dialogue is priceless at times. I like the characters he invents. He seems to have the unique ability to place an ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances that he doesn't understand. And yet he has to understand to survive, so he hobbles along doing the best he can until he figures it out.
Just about the time I thought I'd come upon a plot hole, Alanson proves me wrong. And if a book has me laughing out loud more than once, it deserves 5 stars for just that.
I doubt I'd have any of this to say if not for RC Bray. He brings Alanson's writing like no other.
Refresh re-read.
August 2022
At this point, I'm not sure I'd rate anything that Alanson writes at less than 5 stars.
It has to do with character development and interaction - the dialogue is priceless at times. I like the characters he invents. He seems to have the unique ability to place an ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances that he doesn't understand. And yet he has to understand to survive, so he hobbles along doing the best he can until he figures it out.
Just about the time I thought I'd come upon a plot hole, Alanson proves me wrong. And if a book has me laughing out loud more than once, it deserves 5 stars for just that.
I doubt I'd have any of this to say if not for RC Bray. He brings Alanson's writing like no other.
September 27, 2022
I feel like I should tell you I am a huge fan of all other Craig Alanson books before you'll believe me how bad this particular book is.
Like I'm not sure if this was a ghostwriter, or a slump. But it's just bad.
There is CONSTANT explaining of stuff. Either he's explaining stuff to a dog. Or explaining stuff to medieval people. I, as the reader, know what a microwave is. I know where America is. I know what space is. I know what a car is.
I just quit when 2/3ds through we were STILL at the "dog does dog things but can talk" and "Medieval people don't understand modern world" jokes. If you're wondering, did he go for the trope where people from pre-tv times think TV is real life? Yup. With Star Wars. The character is really worried about the Black Wizard Fighting With Flaming Swords. And this happens constantly. Seriously, almost nothing of note has happened in this book except explaining stuff and people misunderstanding stuff.
It's just so incredibly lame. Plus I'm really not sure why the obvious love interest has to be 17. Would the story have been measurably different were she an adult? So why not do that and save everyone the skeeve.
As you can read from my tone, this book almost angered me in how bad it was. And that's because I usually expect so much more from Alanson and usually he delivers. This one just seems like an insult to his fans.
Like I'm not sure if this was a ghostwriter, or a slump. But it's just bad.
There is CONSTANT explaining of stuff. Either he's explaining stuff to a dog. Or explaining stuff to medieval people. I, as the reader, know what a microwave is. I know where America is. I know what space is. I know what a car is.
I just quit when 2/3ds through we were STILL at the "dog does dog things but can talk" and "Medieval people don't understand modern world" jokes. If you're wondering, did he go for the trope where people from pre-tv times think TV is real life? Yup. With Star Wars. The character is really worried about the Black Wizard Fighting With Flaming Swords. And this happens constantly. Seriously, almost nothing of note has happened in this book except explaining stuff and people misunderstanding stuff.
It's just so incredibly lame. Plus I'm really not sure why the obvious love interest has to be 17. Would the story have been measurably different were she an adult? So why not do that and save everyone the skeeve.
As you can read from my tone, this book almost angered me in how bad it was. And that's because I usually expect so much more from Alanson and usually he delivers. This one just seems like an insult to his fans.
October 11, 2022
I really enjoyed Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Forces series, and the premise for this seemed interesting, so I gave it a listen. The narration by R.C. Bray is standout as always, but the pace was glacial, and the writing was repetitive and in desperate need of editing for brevity. I gave up two-thirds of the way through.
May 27, 2024
I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK! It was a bit slow at the starting line but it didn’t take long for the story to build. I loved the characters and the world building in this book, and listening to the audiobook helped me get attached to the characters! Duke and Macarius are my absolute favourites so far and the narrator did a fantastic job with Duke (who is a DOG!!! And not just any dog but the best boy ever!) The author does a great job writing from a Dogs perspective too, ahhh I love Duke!!
If you like world building and character growth, as well as dogs, science fiction, history, magic, and laughter, this is THE BOOK (and series for you), although I’m just starting on book 2 now!
If you like world building and character growth, as well as dogs, science fiction, history, magic, and laughter, this is THE BOOK (and series for you), although I’m just starting on book 2 now!
August 15, 2022
This book got on my nerves, and then stayed there
Urban Fantasy, Thriller/action, "comedy".
Imagine Expeditionary Force, but with no breaks from the Joe & Skippy scenes. If you love that idea then you are in for a treat. The "humor" here is very much in the same vein.
I found it to be too much.
The book starts out dead serious, establishes the stakes, and then turns into a "comedy" by threatening the life and freedom of the MC with a series of buffoonish pranks and pratfalls.
Craig Alanson also tries to falsely raise the stakes by making every NPC in this fictional world way more observant and nosy than suspension of disbelief can bear. Seriously, seeing an out of state license plate is not a note worthy event.
Urban Fantasy, Thriller/action, "comedy".
Imagine Expeditionary Force, but with no breaks from the Joe & Skippy scenes. If you love that idea then you are in for a treat. The "humor" here is very much in the same vein.
I found it to be too much.
The book starts out dead serious, establishes the stakes, and then turns into a "comedy" by threatening the life and freedom of the MC with a series of buffoonish pranks and pratfalls.
Craig Alanson also tries to falsely raise the stakes by making every NPC in this fictional world way more observant and nosy than suspension of disbelief can bear. Seriously, seeing an out of state license plate is not a note worthy event.
August 9, 2022
After a couple hours I just gave up on this 17 hr audio book. Holy crap, it's like the author was getting paid by the word.
Gosh, we just got done taking stuff out of some dead ladies house - let's sit around in our vehicle talking for a few minutes - or longer - rather than say driving while talking.
It was just a bit painful for me.
Gosh, we just got done taking stuff out of some dead ladies house - let's sit around in our vehicle talking for a few minutes - or longer - rather than say driving while talking.
It was just a bit painful for me.
October 19, 2023
I truly wished I liked this more than I did, but it was a big book of nothing that could have lost half its chapters and not suffered one bit. Despite having a top notch audiobook narrator in the field, the story swiftly devolves into the hero explaining, at length, the mundane of modern society to time displaced warriors. And then the dog says something a talking dog would say about food and reasserts that humans are stupid. Pepper in some cartoonish thuggery as needed, so our heroes can actually do something before continuing to meander aimlessly through the heart of America. Rinse. Repeat. Ad infinitum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
Not up to his standards.
Poorly written, filled with cliches, so many things were repetitive or just used to fill in space. Not up to his usual quality.
Poorly written, filled with cliches, so many things were repetitive or just used to fill in space. Not up to his usual quality.
October 27, 2023
More Like Divergence
What do you do when an author you love produces something that highlights all their flaws? Convergence is Craig Alanson’s latest, but if you’re a fan of his Expeditionary Force series, then you’ll be disappointed. That claim to fame also had a rocky start, but this urban fantasy epic doesn’t even begin until the third act. The pace is excruciatingly slow. It explores irrelevant tangents, ignores its central themes and has the nerve to end with a cliffhanger.
Kazimir Wolfe is the world’s only wizard, has a talking dog and is a fugitive from the law. The latter is almost the focus of the entire novel, whereby we explore the author’s thoughts about how to hide from present-day law enforcement. An early example of unnecessary detail involves wiping off the hero’s boots, searching for footprints on hardwood, and replacing the dirty towel. As the novel progresses, we delve into online pattern tracking and USA vehicle license restrictions. I felt trolled as the author launched into repetitive explanations of modern technology to children[1] while avoiding the topic of magic.
Convergence is also held back by Kazimir’s solo narrative. First, he and his dog sound similar to the buddy-comedy duo of Expeditionary Force. The protagonist even exhibits similar mental tics, such as using pop culture as an analogy before realizing how inappropriate it is. Second, much of the plot occurs without Kazimir’s knowledge. The author introduces one-off characters to address these plot contrivances, but the attempts are clumsy. We needed additional viewpoint characters to guide the conspiracies taking form. Then, instead of being frustrated by Kaz explaining the importance of a well-balanced diet, the reader would worry at his ignorance while the villains proceed with their schemes. It would also address the lack of a characterized antagonist.
Convergence is memorable and my frustrations stem from how fun the central concepts were. Kaz and the talking dog are fantastic, and the mix of magic and alternate-universe history is inspired. Unfortunately, the novel is smothered by chapters explaining modern society and the logistical struggles of a fugitive. There’s an enormous sidequest that takes the focus away from the lead and his dog, and the story abruptly ends without any further worldbuilding. Perhaps the novel should have been marketed as part 1 of 2, but it certainly doesn’t stand on its own.
Not Recommended, with Reservations. Fans of the author may be more willing to give the next part a chance.
[1]
What do you do when an author you love produces something that highlights all their flaws? Convergence is Craig Alanson’s latest, but if you’re a fan of his Expeditionary Force series, then you’ll be disappointed. That claim to fame also had a rocky start, but this urban fantasy epic doesn’t even begin until the third act. The pace is excruciatingly slow. It explores irrelevant tangents, ignores its central themes and has the nerve to end with a cliffhanger.
Kazimir Wolfe is the world’s only wizard, has a talking dog and is a fugitive from the law. The latter is almost the focus of the entire novel, whereby we explore the author’s thoughts about how to hide from present-day law enforcement. An early example of unnecessary detail involves wiping off the hero’s boots, searching for footprints on hardwood, and replacing the dirty towel. As the novel progresses, we delve into online pattern tracking and USA vehicle license restrictions. I felt trolled as the author launched into repetitive explanations of modern technology to children[1] while avoiding the topic of magic.
Convergence is also held back by Kazimir’s solo narrative. First, he and his dog sound similar to the buddy-comedy duo of Expeditionary Force. The protagonist even exhibits similar mental tics, such as using pop culture as an analogy before realizing how inappropriate it is. Second, much of the plot occurs without Kazimir’s knowledge. The author introduces one-off characters to address these plot contrivances, but the attempts are clumsy. We needed additional viewpoint characters to guide the conspiracies taking form. Then, instead of being frustrated by Kaz explaining the importance of a well-balanced diet, the reader would worry at his ignorance while the villains proceed with their schemes. It would also address the lack of a characterized antagonist.
Convergence is memorable and my frustrations stem from how fun the central concepts were. Kaz and the talking dog are fantastic, and the mix of magic and alternate-universe history is inspired. Unfortunately, the novel is smothered by chapters explaining modern society and the logistical struggles of a fugitive. There’s an enormous sidequest that takes the focus away from the lead and his dog, and the story abruptly ends without any further worldbuilding. Perhaps the novel should have been marketed as part 1 of 2, but it certainly doesn’t stand on its own.
Not Recommended, with Reservations. Fans of the author may be more willing to give the next part a chance.
[1]
August 8, 2022
I loved the Expeditionary Force series, but this book is horrible.
R.C. Bray does everything humanly possible to sell this piece of junk, but it is an impossible task.
The story just drags on and on, without a slightest hint of excitement or effort to make things bearable.
The dog angle gets old very quickly and after 2-3 chapters it isn't funny anymore, just annoying humorless crap.
Do not touch it.
R.C. Bray does everything humanly possible to sell this piece of junk, but it is an impossible task.
The story just drags on and on, without a slightest hint of excitement or effort to make things bearable.
The dog angle gets old very quickly and after 2-3 chapters it isn't funny anymore, just annoying humorless crap.
Do not touch it.
September 23, 2023
Craig alanson has exactly one joke in his repertoire. The joke is for other characters to talk to the protagonist as if he were an idiot. It's a joke that can be funny once or twice. This book has characters calling the protagonist stupid on just about every page of the book (not an exaggeration). I wanted to like this book. I really really did. If someone wants to read and enjoy this book, I recommend going in with expectations as low as possible. It would also be a good idea to develop partial amnesia after reading each page.
August 15, 2022
Craig Alanson is Awesome… Not this Book
All of Craig Alanson’s previous books have been amazing and I’ve read all of them. This book was way too filler-wordy. Perhaps done so to lay the groundwork for the series. Still made this book a chore to get through to the 84% completed mark.
All of Craig Alanson’s previous books have been amazing and I’ve read all of them. This book was way too filler-wordy. Perhaps done so to lay the groundwork for the series. Still made this book a chore to get through to the 84% completed mark.
March 10, 2023
A few basic ideas repeated ad nauseam with a final rushed build-up to the ending with a cliffhanger because, after all, this is the first book of a series that I do not plan to pursue.
The narrator certainly captured the essence of a talking Golden Retriever.
I believe this book is available only via Audible - duh, yeah, like the yellow banner on the icon says.
The narrator certainly captured the essence of a talking Golden Retriever.
I believe this book is available only via Audible - duh, yeah, like the yellow banner on the icon says.
August 16, 2022
Anything read by R.C. Bray is good, and I like Alanson’s writing style. I’ve read all of the Expeditionary force books and this is starting off with the same pace and character development. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 13, 2022
meh
Expected more based on reading the author’s other series. Ok story and characters. Pointless side story and 30% of this was repetitive whining by the MC. Skimming a must. If food, it’d be gas station food.
Expected more based on reading the author’s other series. Ok story and characters. Pointless side story and 30% of this was repetitive whining by the MC. Skimming a must. If food, it’d be gas station food.
September 25, 2023
This book was quite a long listen on audiobook with hardly any action until the final 2 chapters. Not worth continuing to read the series to figure out the outcome.
August 18, 2022
This was a fun read and had a lot of tropes I actually like.
Talking animal sidekick? Check
Time traveler strangers having to learn recent technology? Check
Paranoid Mage on the run from something? Check
The entire book is like being inside Kaz's mind, (other than the few other pov we sometimes see) and sometime Kaz gets sidetracked thinking about absolutely completely random things. I think it would all have been better had the book been 100 pages smaller tbh (which isn't something I often complain about).
My biggest complaint, other than certain inner monologues going too far and things getting dragging along, is that the first half of this book had certain.. sexist vibes.
Kaz gets sent two protectors from the past. One is a young woman who is smoking hot. And Kaz instantly gets a crush on her, and treats her like a little girl. (Hint she's a murder ninja). He was constantly thinking about how good looking she was, and getting angry at the other protector doing innocent things like.. putting his hand on her shoulder.
On one side, it kinda makes sense. Kaz has spent most of his life on the run and doesn't actually have the most experience with women, so it makes sense he gets a little distracted. But there was a point in the book I considered dropping it. I was quite happy when it changed, and it became clear that neither Kaz nor this other guy was actually interested in her.
Either way, it was a really solid read and I'll definitely read the next book!
Talking animal sidekick? Check
Time traveler strangers having to learn recent technology? Check
Paranoid Mage on the run from something? Check
The entire book is like being inside Kaz's mind, (other than the few other pov we sometimes see) and sometime Kaz gets sidetracked thinking about absolutely completely random things. I think it would all have been better had the book been 100 pages smaller tbh (which isn't something I often complain about).
My biggest complaint, other than certain inner monologues going too far and things getting dragging along, is that the first half of this book had certain.. sexist vibes.
Kaz gets sent two protectors from the past. One is a young woman who is smoking hot. And Kaz instantly gets a crush on her, and treats her like a little girl. (Hint she's a murder ninja). He was constantly thinking about how good looking she was, and getting angry at the other protector doing innocent things like.. putting his hand on her shoulder.
On one side, it kinda makes sense. Kaz has spent most of his life on the run and doesn't actually have the most experience with women, so it makes sense he gets a little distracted. But there was a point in the book I considered dropping it. I was quite happy when it changed, and it became clear that neither Kaz nor this other guy was actually interested in her.
Either way, it was a really solid read and I'll definitely read the next book!
May 31, 2024
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading
; skaitom nakties rezimu
My Opinion: Sassy but very silly golden retriever. Two knights from the past who have no idea how modern world is, and hence get protagonist in more trouble than they themselves are worth (that is aside from accusing microwave of lies). Very sensibly written characters, truly, peak work. And superb plot that just felt like watching Supernatural series again. A ride that serves for a home, peppered by stays in motels. Fake identities, and supernatural beings closing in. Artifacts, secrets, family’s murder, and Craig Alanson’s unrivaled humor. Do yourself a favor, read it, this is proper urban fantasy, with some sci-fi, and magic tossed in there, quality and quantity all in one.
My Opinion: Sassy but very silly golden retriever. Two knights from the past who have no idea how modern world is, and hence get protagonist in more trouble than they themselves are worth (that is aside from accusing microwave of lies). Very sensibly written characters, truly, peak work. And superb plot that just felt like watching Supernatural series again. A ride that serves for a home, peppered by stays in motels. Fake identities, and supernatural beings closing in. Artifacts, secrets, family’s murder, and Craig Alanson’s unrivaled humor. Do yourself a favor, read it, this is proper urban fantasy, with some sci-fi, and magic tossed in there, quality and quantity all in one.
December 17, 2023
This is one time I wish I could leave a negative star review. This was horrible. Rambling, unedited, no action, and you will have deja vu all the time if you read expeditionary force by the same guy or just paying attention within this repetitious mess.
Characters: Craig Alanson can only write one character apparently. Especially since the voice dude is the same you will have this weird sensation and disequilibrium about what story you are in (Expeditionary Force versus this Train wreck). The guy is the same fish-out-of-water/underprepared/woe is me I have to save the world but have no official training/what will I do/sarcastic character as in Expeditionary Force. Instead of a beer can you have dog as a companion (wow-I guess no one will notice they are the same characters if one is in space and one has magic and one is a beer can and one is a dog-NO ONE WILL NOTICE). They are literally the same characters just different forms/titles. The Knights from old could have been cool but they were written very weakly and annoying.
The writing style is rambling. Ever had that drunk co-worker or relative at a party who corners you and starts rambling on topics and shit about which they know absolutely the trucking nothing? Well, if you enjoy that and waterboarding then this book is for you!!!! The character had to leave school because the Order was after him, I get that (ASIDE: don't make the bad guys the Knight's Templar you arse!). So what does Craigey-boy do? Has the guy ramble, ramble, shamble, blather, splather for hours and hours about shit he knows nothing about. Hey, I am not reading this to expand my mind-I know it is not a history book, I know it is not a science book then don't ramble stupid-arse facts or half truths. One painful example of many mines within this minefield of crap. The main dude sees a flower and for some unknown and useless reason rambles off hyacinth, hydrangea, hibiscus and says it's one of those. How does this prattle add to the story? He doesn't know anything and just spouts random facts which may or may not be true?
Most of the unedited story centers around funny(NOT) and awkward situations that two Knights from centuries ago getting into. These blooper filled moments are mindless, empty-headed, vacuous situations that I guess Alanson expects us to think is funny? IT'S NOT!! That is like 95% of the book. There is almost no magic here, there is almost no action (except stupid "McAction" like the redheaded girl squeezing a ball until it pops which makes drunk iceholes run away at an RV park? What? Not how drunk iceholes act. Or getting into fights with an icehole McGangster. Wow, exactly why I bought this book. Who would want dragons and magic? Apparently not Craigey-boy.
Speaking of the 17 year old redheaded girl (which he repeated like five thousand times. Yeah we get it, after the first hundred or so, she has RED hair-okay already, we got it. Anyhoo, the attraction of a mid-twenties guy to a 17 year old is creepy as hell and I don't care if it is legal or not and if it does not bother you great, it bothers me. What crosses the line for me into the creepy-as-he11 factor is she is dependent on him for survival in this world (food, shelter, money) which makes the poorly written and more told not shown "sexual-tension" super, super awkward and again creepy as he11 and most HR people would be firing his creepy, creepy arse.
I mentioned deja vu above and if you have read expeditionary force you will see Alanson uses the same phrases over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. I am jumping off the Alanson train and that includes Expeditionary force (not that he gives a shit as he laughs all the way to the bank with his unedited drivel fueling his ego). I literally cannot handle having him say their "shoulders shook" for laughter. Even the frickin dog apparently laughed by having his shoulders shake? WHAT? So obtuse and imbecilic, learn a different way to convey they are laughing. He even writes "Barney Style" explanation in this book. No, seriously the dude went there. No really, the phrase we were force fed with a feeding tube multiple times per book in Expeditionary Force we have repeated here!?!?!?!? WHAT? I can understand it in the space books as there was a Barney ice cream truck in book one but here? WHY? Also Joe in Expeditionary Force says like ten times a book "thanks for the vote of confidence" after an insult and (you will be shocked) so does the knucklehead main character in this book! It's almost like Alanson is a one joke, on trick pony! Whaaaaat?
There is a jin in the story who specifically says do NOT call me a genie and gets seriously pissed off! Then a few chapters later calls himself a genie? WHAT? So ridiculous and obviously something a well written character would not do. Again absolutely cannot imagine this was even re-read much less edited. It is so repetitious. Much of the story is spent in the vacuous head of the main character and he repeats that the Knights gave up everything to help him like five-hundred times. We GET IT!
THERE IS ALMOST NO MAGIC IN THIS. IT IS A RAMBLING FUGITIVE STORY with a tiny, teensy-weensy bit o' magic mostly at the end. There are no dragons until the last five minutes and the ending was super, super disappointing and lame. I bought book two but I will not read it and (yes I know Alanson does not give two shites) I will never read anything by him again. So much potential, so much excrement!
Characters: Craig Alanson can only write one character apparently. Especially since the voice dude is the same you will have this weird sensation and disequilibrium about what story you are in (Expeditionary Force versus this Train wreck). The guy is the same fish-out-of-water/underprepared/woe is me I have to save the world but have no official training/what will I do/sarcastic character as in Expeditionary Force. Instead of a beer can you have dog as a companion (wow-I guess no one will notice they are the same characters if one is in space and one has magic and one is a beer can and one is a dog-NO ONE WILL NOTICE). They are literally the same characters just different forms/titles. The Knights from old could have been cool but they were written very weakly and annoying.
The writing style is rambling. Ever had that drunk co-worker or relative at a party who corners you and starts rambling on topics and shit about which they know absolutely the trucking nothing? Well, if you enjoy that and waterboarding then this book is for you!!!! The character had to leave school because the Order was after him, I get that (ASIDE: don't make the bad guys the Knight's Templar you arse!). So what does Craigey-boy do? Has the guy ramble, ramble, shamble, blather, splather for hours and hours about shit he knows nothing about. Hey, I am not reading this to expand my mind-I know it is not a history book, I know it is not a science book then don't ramble stupid-arse facts or half truths. One painful example of many mines within this minefield of crap. The main dude sees a flower and for some unknown and useless reason rambles off hyacinth, hydrangea, hibiscus and says it's one of those. How does this prattle add to the story? He doesn't know anything and just spouts random facts which may or may not be true?
Most of the unedited story centers around funny(NOT) and awkward situations that two Knights from centuries ago getting into. These blooper filled moments are mindless, empty-headed, vacuous situations that I guess Alanson expects us to think is funny? IT'S NOT!! That is like 95% of the book. There is almost no magic here, there is almost no action (except stupid "McAction" like the redheaded girl squeezing a ball until it pops which makes drunk iceholes run away at an RV park? What? Not how drunk iceholes act. Or getting into fights with an icehole McGangster. Wow, exactly why I bought this book. Who would want dragons and magic? Apparently not Craigey-boy.
Speaking of the 17 year old redheaded girl (which he repeated like five thousand times. Yeah we get it, after the first hundred or so, she has RED hair-okay already, we got it. Anyhoo, the attraction of a mid-twenties guy to a 17 year old is creepy as hell and I don't care if it is legal or not and if it does not bother you great, it bothers me. What crosses the line for me into the creepy-as-he11 factor is she is dependent on him for survival in this world (food, shelter, money) which makes the poorly written and more told not shown "sexual-tension" super, super awkward and again creepy as he11 and most HR people would be firing his creepy, creepy arse.
I mentioned deja vu above and if you have read expeditionary force you will see Alanson uses the same phrases over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. I am jumping off the Alanson train and that includes Expeditionary force (not that he gives a shit as he laughs all the way to the bank with his unedited drivel fueling his ego). I literally cannot handle having him say their "shoulders shook" for laughter. Even the frickin dog apparently laughed by having his shoulders shake? WHAT? So obtuse and imbecilic, learn a different way to convey they are laughing. He even writes "Barney Style" explanation in this book. No, seriously the dude went there. No really, the phrase we were force fed with a feeding tube multiple times per book in Expeditionary Force we have repeated here!?!?!?!? WHAT? I can understand it in the space books as there was a Barney ice cream truck in book one but here? WHY? Also Joe in Expeditionary Force says like ten times a book "thanks for the vote of confidence" after an insult and (you will be shocked) so does the knucklehead main character in this book! It's almost like Alanson is a one joke, on trick pony! Whaaaaat?
There is a jin in the story who specifically says do NOT call me a genie and gets seriously pissed off! Then a few chapters later calls himself a genie? WHAT? So ridiculous and obviously something a well written character would not do. Again absolutely cannot imagine this was even re-read much less edited. It is so repetitious. Much of the story is spent in the vacuous head of the main character and he repeats that the Knights gave up everything to help him like five-hundred times. We GET IT!
THERE IS ALMOST NO MAGIC IN THIS. IT IS A RAMBLING FUGITIVE STORY with a tiny, teensy-weensy bit o' magic mostly at the end. There are no dragons until the last five minutes and the ending was super, super disappointing and lame. I bought book two but I will not read it and (yes I know Alanson does not give two shites) I will never read anything by him again. So much potential, so much excrement!
June 30, 2024
Craig Alanson is an amazing author. I adore his Expeditionary Force Novels and was excited to see his take on an Urban Paranormal plot. While it had a slightly slow beginning, I am now eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Without a doubt, Duke is the standout character, especially because he's a talking a dog.
September 30, 2022
Great lesson on how to write a book while taking care of the dog and retail buying!
On the serious side, I thoroughly enjoy this book. Can't wait for the next one!
On the serious side, I thoroughly enjoy this book. Can't wait for the next one!
June 13, 2024
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
November 11, 2024
2.5* really.
Tries to replicate the dynamics of the Skippy books but in an urban fantasy setting and with a talking Dog, cat and a sarcastic Djinn to replace the magnificent beer can. Add in a pair of knights sent forward from the post Roman era and you end up with a book half filled with data dumps about everything from the Vikings to electricity as these characters (and us) have the modern world explained to them.
If you enjoyed the merry band of pirates you will probably enjoy these too, just not as much.
Tries to replicate the dynamics of the Skippy books but in an urban fantasy setting and with a talking Dog, cat and a sarcastic Djinn to replace the magnificent beer can. Add in a pair of knights sent forward from the post Roman era and you end up with a book half filled with data dumps about everything from the Vikings to electricity as these characters (and us) have the modern world explained to them.
If you enjoyed the merry band of pirates you will probably enjoy these too, just not as much.
February 9, 2025
Extra 1/2 star for not killing the dog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2022
Good, but too much needless banter
Overall, I liked this book but I found all the constant banter with the knights and especially the dog very annoying. This writing style was mostly effective in "Columbus Day" but it greatly overused here.
Overall, I liked this book but I found all the constant banter with the knights and especially the dog very annoying. This writing style was mostly effective in "Columbus Day" but it greatly overused here.
October 5, 2023
I love everything Alanson has written, and as a witer, he is what I aspire to be. However, I am not sure what to say about Convergence. The entire first book just felt like "set up". Almost nothing happened other than introducing some characters and letting them chit-chat. There was barely a plot... yet I enjoyed the character interaction enough to still like the book overall, and will read the next one in the series... But I just can't rate this one any higher on its own. It also felt like some of the Joe/Skippy type of conversations were kinda forced. Less like it was the writer writing the way his brain worked and more like the writer was trying to write his old popular characters just differently enough to not call them by the same names.
TLDR:
Characters: Good.
Plot: Barely.
Joe/Skippy type banter: A solid meh.
TLDR:
Characters: Good.
Plot: Barely.
Joe/Skippy type banter: A solid meh.
August 14, 2022
boring
Craig, go back to writing about Skippy!
I could not finish this book it was so boring
Or feed that dog
Craig, go back to writing about Skippy!
I could not finish this book it was so boring
Or feed that dog
March 3, 2023
Ok, I think I'm done with Alanson as a writer. The Expiditionary Force series was fun(but too long), but the repetitive nature of Alanson's writing is becoming more apparent now that he's working in a different setting.
Spoilers ahead:
First of all, the main character is far too much of a loveable goofball like Joe from ExForce. I don't think it works very well in this setting. The character has lived on the run as a fugitive for half his life. He's so dumb there's no way he should have been able to avoid getting caught. And he frequently loses focus and ends up in danger because of it.
Secondly we have Alanson's incessant repetition and padding of the story. At one point Kaz thinks about how he's responsible for these people that are travelling with him. The very next chapter Kaz thinks about how he's responsible for these people that are travelling with him. These are not the only 2 times he has this internal monologue. Also, we really don't need all the science lessons that Kaz has to give his travelling companions. We get the point after like one of those.
There's also too much dialogue like "or whatever it is". It just reinforces how dumb the main character is and makes me not want to root for him.
Spoilers ahead:
First of all, the main character is far too much of a loveable goofball like Joe from ExForce. I don't think it works very well in this setting. The character has lived on the run as a fugitive for half his life. He's so dumb there's no way he should have been able to avoid getting caught. And he frequently loses focus and ends up in danger because of it.
Secondly we have Alanson's incessant repetition and padding of the story. At one point Kaz thinks about how he's responsible for these people that are travelling with him. The very next chapter Kaz thinks about how he's responsible for these people that are travelling with him. These are not the only 2 times he has this internal monologue. Also, we really don't need all the science lessons that Kaz has to give his travelling companions. We get the point after like one of those.
There's also too much dialogue like "or whatever it is". It just reinforces how dumb the main character is and makes me not want to root for him.
August 11, 2022
Too many holes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews