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Alex Khan #1
Flame Dancer
Get ready to be transported to a world beyond your wildest imagination in this fast paced adventure! When Alex Khan's military service comes to an end, he's eager for a change. Little does he know, fate has a different plan in store for him.
A nearby lightning strike triggers an ancient stone portal, whisking Alex away to a mysterious alien world teeming with magic and danger. Elves, Orcs, monsters, and fantastic beasts abound in this realm of endless adventure and limitless potential. And as Alex discovers, he possesses a powerful gift that sets him apart from the rest.
With his newfound strength coursing through his body, Alex embarks on a perilous journey to carve out his place in this strange new world. But with danger lurking around every corner, and powerful forces vying for control, he’ll have to rely on his wit, strength and a little bit of luck to survive.
Featuring immersive world-building, a relatable hero, and strong captivating female characters, this book will transport you to the mysterious world of Ktor. Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime - pick up your copy today!
***Flame Dancer is the first in an isekai/portal fantasy series that features magic and fantasy creatures, a definite sense of progression, occasional violence and slow burn team building. For audiences comfortable with non traditional relationships with human and non-human species, and everything that implies. ***
A nearby lightning strike triggers an ancient stone portal, whisking Alex away to a mysterious alien world teeming with magic and danger. Elves, Orcs, monsters, and fantastic beasts abound in this realm of endless adventure and limitless potential. And as Alex discovers, he possesses a powerful gift that sets him apart from the rest.
With his newfound strength coursing through his body, Alex embarks on a perilous journey to carve out his place in this strange new world. But with danger lurking around every corner, and powerful forces vying for control, he’ll have to rely on his wit, strength and a little bit of luck to survive.
Featuring immersive world-building, a relatable hero, and strong captivating female characters, this book will transport you to the mysterious world of Ktor. Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime - pick up your copy today!
***Flame Dancer is the first in an isekai/portal fantasy series that features magic and fantasy creatures, a definite sense of progression, occasional violence and slow burn team building. For audiences comfortable with non traditional relationships with human and non-human species, and everything that implies. ***
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2022
250 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 19, 2024
*weak sauce* I lost interest really fast.
First off, he is by far the most "weakest" Green beret, out there. Unless the author was trying to spell "Boy's scout" and accidentally wrote green beret. I mean, after the first counter, I don't think the author watched a war movie. I mean, the MC keeps on charging the enemy like an idiot, smashing into the enemy and getting tangled together. The guy keeps talking about his time in the middle east, about his many experience on and off the battlefield...but end of the day, the best idea is ..."just hit the guy harder". Also, the characters are dumb; especially the women. The reason for sex...is sad. I don't mean tragic, but ...it feels like it was written by a horny teenager. Sex = Magic; reads like sad porn with B grade porn stars with no acting ability. The settings, politics etc...just felt uninteresting version of John Carter (of Barsoom).
First off, he is by far the most "weakest" Green beret, out there. Unless the author was trying to spell "Boy's scout" and accidentally wrote green beret. I mean, after the first counter, I don't think the author watched a war movie. I mean, the MC keeps on charging the enemy like an idiot, smashing into the enemy and getting tangled together. The guy keeps talking about his time in the middle east, about his many experience on and off the battlefield...but end of the day, the best idea is ..."just hit the guy harder". Also, the characters are dumb; especially the women. The reason for sex...is sad. I don't mean tragic, but ...it feels like it was written by a horny teenager. Sex = Magic; reads like sad porn with B grade porn stars with no acting ability. The settings, politics etc...just felt uninteresting version of John Carter (of Barsoom).
September 14, 2023
Coming into a fantasy world the protagonist is very strong and also has a special gift that allows him to "boost" female character with special magical skills.
Good story that incorporates the harem aspect without making it the main part of the story. likeable hero.
Good story that incorporates the harem aspect without making it the main part of the story. likeable hero.
July 26, 2025
Very Good
Interesting story with unique characters. A very impressive world to explore I'm certainly looking forward to finding out more about it. The set-up is there so bring on the second book!
Interesting story with unique characters. A very impressive world to explore I'm certainly looking forward to finding out more about it. The set-up is there so bring on the second book!
July 8, 2024
So this is a fantasy book with sex in it, making it an experimental read for me. It is also a "man from the modern world dropped into a fantasy world" book. There is some use of tropes: protagonist is an ex-Green Beret medic and hung well enough several of the women he has sex with are concerned at first. Least believable thing is that an ex-soldier "didn't drink a lot".
The story feels organic, meaning nothing seems to happen because the plot demands it (other than the original world hop, which is required). The writing is solid and the characters are believable.
The sex scenes are written by an adult, NOT a man-child giggling to himself while writing "adult words" and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. There are some minor bits I'd quibble about (use of the word "panties" by female characters who previously used the word underwear), but the sex scenes read reasonably.
I want to see where the backstory goes. Something is obviously going on. Will our hero work it out? Will he be able to stop it?
The story feels organic, meaning nothing seems to happen because the plot demands it (other than the original world hop, which is required). The writing is solid and the characters are believable.
The sex scenes are written by an adult, NOT a man-child giggling to himself while writing "adult words" and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. There are some minor bits I'd quibble about (use of the word "panties" by female characters who previously used the word underwear), but the sex scenes read reasonably.
I want to see where the backstory goes. Something is obviously going on. Will our hero work it out? Will he be able to stop it?
November 11, 2022
Entertaining Read
What an interesting way to supercharge your power! Alex is transported to a medieval world where he apparently has magic. He is taken captive and meets Taiya a fellow captive who is a magical Flame Dancer. They find a way to slip their magical bonds and take the fight to their captors. Magic, heroics, and machinations ensue. I like the action, humor, magic system, intrigue, and love/lust. I look forward to the next book.
What an interesting way to supercharge your power! Alex is transported to a medieval world where he apparently has magic. He is taken captive and meets Taiya a fellow captive who is a magical Flame Dancer. They find a way to slip their magical bonds and take the fight to their captors. Magic, heroics, and machinations ensue. I like the action, humor, magic system, intrigue, and love/lust. I look forward to the next book.
January 22, 2023
As required by U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations and Audible.com requirements, I am disclosing that I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request. I have listened to the audiobook, and I have voluntarily left an honest review. Receiving a review copy did not influence my rating nor my review.
Hercules West is a new author to me, which isn’t surprising given that “Flame Dancer - Alex Khan, Book 1” is his first published book! What is surprising is that his first book has been followed up with an audiobook after only three months! Perhaps the author is actually yet another new pen name for an established author, and already had experience and contacts for producing an audiobook.
Whether this is a new author or new pen name, I enjoyed the story and the narration. The story moves along quickly, and is a fun isekai adventure, though as a presumed first novel there are a few flaws that the author will likely improve upon with further experience.
MC Alex is a former Green Beret (a member of an elite U.S. Army team specializing in counterinsurgency). He self-describes as being a trained survivalist, and then quickly drinks from a mountain stream because it smells ok. Alex is also a very nice, shy, guy, not quite the confident man one might expect from a military man used to high-risk situations. Plot-wise, there are a few glitches. Minor things such as The “Prancing Mare” Inn becoming the “Dancing Mare” inn a few paragraphs later could be eliminated with better outlining and proofreading. Other things such as “I want to talk with Taija when she awakes before making a decision”, and then immediately making a decision while she’s sleeping diminishes the MC’s character.
Now, the good news for anyone hoping to enjoy this book is that these items are relatively minor, subtracting no more than perhaps a quarter star from a potential 5 star rating for the story.
The story itself, the dialogues and the characters reminded me very much of early sci-fi stories (I’m thinking of “The Star Kings: John Gordon, Book 1” by Edmond Hamilton (audiobook version narrated by Kevin Foley), and early sci-fi movies such as the classic 1956 “Forbidden Planet”. There’s a strong focus on action, with relatively little attention paid to character development and emotions. Like these two examples, “Flame Dancer” is a fun story of a man who finds himself a stranger in a strange land. Happily, the author adds the haremlit twist of the adventure including several women interested in our MC, and the “interactions” between several of those women and our MC are quite nicely described.
Both of the narrators are new to me, but each have narrated a couple other audiobooks. Patrick DuBois does a fine job, better than many of the newer male narrators. Hannah Blaire does an excellent job; her voices are different for each of her characters…many of them delightfully sensual. I will happily listen to both narrators again in the future!
I rate Flame Dancer 4.6 for the story; I look forward to more depth in the MCs in the sequels. I rate the performances 5* and the audiobook overall 5*.
Hercules West is a new author to me, which isn’t surprising given that “Flame Dancer - Alex Khan, Book 1” is his first published book! What is surprising is that his first book has been followed up with an audiobook after only three months! Perhaps the author is actually yet another new pen name for an established author, and already had experience and contacts for producing an audiobook.
Whether this is a new author or new pen name, I enjoyed the story and the narration. The story moves along quickly, and is a fun isekai adventure, though as a presumed first novel there are a few flaws that the author will likely improve upon with further experience.
MC Alex is a former Green Beret (a member of an elite U.S. Army team specializing in counterinsurgency). He self-describes as being a trained survivalist, and then quickly drinks from a mountain stream because it smells ok. Alex is also a very nice, shy, guy, not quite the confident man one might expect from a military man used to high-risk situations. Plot-wise, there are a few glitches. Minor things such as The “Prancing Mare” Inn becoming the “Dancing Mare” inn a few paragraphs later could be eliminated with better outlining and proofreading. Other things such as “I want to talk with Taija when she awakes before making a decision”, and then immediately making a decision while she’s sleeping diminishes the MC’s character.
Now, the good news for anyone hoping to enjoy this book is that these items are relatively minor, subtracting no more than perhaps a quarter star from a potential 5 star rating for the story.
The story itself, the dialogues and the characters reminded me very much of early sci-fi stories (I’m thinking of “The Star Kings: John Gordon, Book 1” by Edmond Hamilton (audiobook version narrated by Kevin Foley), and early sci-fi movies such as the classic 1956 “Forbidden Planet”. There’s a strong focus on action, with relatively little attention paid to character development and emotions. Like these two examples, “Flame Dancer” is a fun story of a man who finds himself a stranger in a strange land. Happily, the author adds the haremlit twist of the adventure including several women interested in our MC, and the “interactions” between several of those women and our MC are quite nicely described.
Both of the narrators are new to me, but each have narrated a couple other audiobooks. Patrick DuBois does a fine job, better than many of the newer male narrators. Hannah Blaire does an excellent job; her voices are different for each of her characters…many of them delightfully sensual. I will happily listen to both narrators again in the future!
I rate Flame Dancer 4.6 for the story; I look forward to more depth in the MCs in the sequels. I rate the performances 5* and the audiobook overall 5*.
August 24, 2025
Rating 4.0 stars
Pretty good. Pretty standard for this type of thing. I wasn't a huge fan of how the MC got transported to another world. He was a former green beret who is going to college for a history degree. He loved seeing the old artifacts from around the world. He actually had one on his wrist that he got from someone whose life he saved. He just so happened to come across some ruins that had a similar symbol and was transported to another world.
Pretty good. Pretty standard for this type of thing. I wasn't a huge fan of how the MC got transported to another world. He was a former green beret who is going to college for a history degree. He loved seeing the old artifacts from around the world. He actually had one on his wrist that he got from someone whose life he saved. He just so happened to come across some ruins that had a similar symbol and was transported to another world.
April 7, 2023
A really exciting and well done adventure
An interesting Isekai adventure that is well written with good world building. All the elements of the story hang together without annoyingly obvious inconsistencies. The supporting characters feel realistic and relatable. The attitudes of the people reflect a different worldview as should be expected in different cultures. The MC is a likable character that is powerful, but not OP so his conflicts are believable. I definitely appreciate that he realizes his need for a guide through his new world and weapons training to survive. He makes some mistakes, that cost him, but nothing too onerous. If fact, as in real-life, they turn out to be opportunities. As a single and unattached man, he took advantage of his opportunities to get naked with some attractive women, while escaping the clutches of a “man-eater”, which strengthened his relationship with Taiya. The erotic parts were decently written and flowed with the story. They did not feel like excuses to describe sex, literary porn if you will.
All told this story was well written, exciting and engaging. I look forward to continuing this series and will look for other works by the author as this is my first introduction to his work.
An interesting Isekai adventure that is well written with good world building. All the elements of the story hang together without annoyingly obvious inconsistencies. The supporting characters feel realistic and relatable. The attitudes of the people reflect a different worldview as should be expected in different cultures. The MC is a likable character that is powerful, but not OP so his conflicts are believable. I definitely appreciate that he realizes his need for a guide through his new world and weapons training to survive. He makes some mistakes, that cost him, but nothing too onerous. If fact, as in real-life, they turn out to be opportunities. As a single and unattached man, he took advantage of his opportunities to get naked with some attractive women, while escaping the clutches of a “man-eater”, which strengthened his relationship with Taiya. The erotic parts were decently written and flowed with the story. They did not feel like excuses to describe sex, literary porn if you will.
All told this story was well written, exciting and engaging. I look forward to continuing this series and will look for other works by the author as this is my first introduction to his work.
March 16, 2023
Pretty decent overall, but makes the mistake of having the MC fall easily fall into bed with many of the women he meets. Thankfully it doesn't make the mistake of having them fall in love after knowing each other for a day, and many of the encounters are one night stands, so it can be forgiven more easily than some other books in this genre. The story itself is decent, as are the characters. The writing isn't bad but could be improved in places. For example, when the MC first wakes up in the new world he doesn't even consider more logical conclusions, but jumps straight to 'I must have been teleported to another world' before he really stops to consider anything. It feels very much like the 'it must be aliens' meme. Despite these criticisms I enjoyed it and curious about the next book.
October 27, 2024
DNF. I didn't get very far into it. The MC is supposed to be a Army Special Forces Green Beret but it's just a meaningless title. He certainly doesn't act like one. He's weak and stupid. He is nearly instantly captured and imprisoned with a elf girl. She is immediately, aggressively belligerent and insulting and of course he is obsequious and contrite. Reading this betafag being such a wuss and this mouthy hoe insulting him is vomit inducing. Anyway she demands sex from him to try to get a power up. When he hesitates she starts shaming him by calling him a virgin and questioning his manhood. That's when the book went into the trash. Tired of books with pussy male MCs and domineering aggressive hoe bag females.
March 8, 2023
Fun romp
Nothing too fancy here. There are Some interesting twist that you don't see in the genre. the MC's sex brings power to both participants but there is a price. This makes the encounters less wanted and more Strategic of swords. Those are still plenty of fun to go around. Not much of the world was explored in this book only 1 major mission and a basic setup. Nero hits of things to come and the magic in this series is both powerful and simple. I'm interested in the second book and see how the author flesh is out and expands the world and the capabilities of those in it.
Nothing too fancy here. There are Some interesting twist that you don't see in the genre. the MC's sex brings power to both participants but there is a price. This makes the encounters less wanted and more Strategic of swords. Those are still plenty of fun to go around. Not much of the world was explored in this book only 1 major mission and a basic setup. Nero hits of things to come and the magic in this series is both powerful and simple. I'm interested in the second book and see how the author flesh is out and expands the world and the capabilities of those in it.
November 19, 2022
Alot better then I thought it would be
I'm kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book. Honestly the blurb just didn't catch my attention and made the story sound kind of average and not really my thing. Fortunately I gave it a shot while I was out of other things to read. It was a bit unique and it was fun. The story was solid and the characters where great. The MC is the type I like. Strong, smart, and not ruled by his little head. I am Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
I'm kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book. Honestly the blurb just didn't catch my attention and made the story sound kind of average and not really my thing. Fortunately I gave it a shot while I was out of other things to read. It was a bit unique and it was fun. The story was solid and the characters where great. The MC is the type I like. Strong, smart, and not ruled by his little head. I am Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
October 11, 2023
Alex is working on getting his degree after serving time in the service a storm brews overhead .
Alex a retired service man is getting his degree at a small local college to become an history teacher . As he finishes putting together a ancient artifact gifted to the college a storm starts brewing up lighting strikes the sky around the artifact an strikes the artifact twice lighting up the power within it an propells Alex through a portal into the unknown .recommend reading excellent book .
Alex a retired service man is getting his degree at a small local college to become an history teacher . As he finishes putting together a ancient artifact gifted to the college a storm starts brewing up lighting strikes the sky around the artifact an strikes the artifact twice lighting up the power within it an propells Alex through a portal into the unknown .recommend reading excellent book .
November 5, 2022
A pure pleasure to read!!!
Fellow readers you will be extremely hard pressed to find a book in any genre as well written as this authors work!!! Such an amazing vivid world they have begun to build for us!!! Characters that are easy to understand and enjoy!!! Fantastic adventures in a new world, magic that is both familiar and different!!! Adult fantasy activities throughout the whole story!!! I for one will anxiously await their next story!!!!
Fellow readers you will be extremely hard pressed to find a book in any genre as well written as this authors work!!! Such an amazing vivid world they have begun to build for us!!! Characters that are easy to understand and enjoy!!! Fantastic adventures in a new world, magic that is both familiar and different!!! Adult fantasy activities throughout the whole story!!! I for one will anxiously await their next story!!!!
November 19, 2022
Mr West is the real deal. Has the right mind set of spec ops firmly ingrained(as he should)! As a old Ranger can tell. But his story telling I have to say is a step even above that! Caught my attn in the first couple of lines and held firm for the whole book. The only thing that I would ask for is more pages. For me the only thing better than a great book, is a great book that has MANY more pages! This book is well worth your time and money. Sorry I don't give spoilers.
February 10, 2023
fun read
Good start to a series. Good pacing with enough world building and room to expand. Some great characters that I hope come up again as well as some good sex scenes. I’m on the fence if this is a harem book, most of the sex was casual, not as part of a relationship, but then it hints towards turning that direction towards the end of the book.
Looking forward to the next one!
Good start to a series. Good pacing with enough world building and room to expand. Some great characters that I hope come up again as well as some good sex scenes. I’m on the fence if this is a harem book, most of the sex was casual, not as part of a relationship, but then it hints towards turning that direction towards the end of the book.
Looking forward to the next one!
March 12, 2023
a fun quick read
this is a great beginning to a new series or story and I am looking forward to learning more of the world that our main character lives in. I think the characters are interesting and the adventure and the drama that goes on both political Intrigue and relationships are fun to read about. although I think there might be a little too much spicy scenes in it but other than that it's an enjoyable and a fun read.
this is a great beginning to a new series or story and I am looking forward to learning more of the world that our main character lives in. I think the characters are interesting and the adventure and the drama that goes on both political Intrigue and relationships are fun to read about. although I think there might be a little too much spicy scenes in it but other than that it's an enjoyable and a fun read.
April 13, 2023
Fun and good book
This is was a good first book.
The MC is a good character to follow and his interaction with the others, especially the girls was funny and interesting.
The plot, while at times felt too simple; it was at least easy to follow and understand.
The only thing I had problems keeping up was with the power system of this world.
Either way, looking forward to reading the next book of this series.
This is was a good first book.
The MC is a good character to follow and his interaction with the others, especially the girls was funny and interesting.
The plot, while at times felt too simple; it was at least easy to follow and understand.
The only thing I had problems keeping up was with the power system of this world.
Either way, looking forward to reading the next book of this series.
October 22, 2022
Pretty good start
Pretty good start for a new author. Interesting world and magic system. Hopefully we can learn more about Mc's abilities in next book. Looking forward to the next book.
Pretty good start for a new author. Interesting world and magic system. Hopefully we can learn more about Mc's abilities in next book. Looking forward to the next book.
November 3, 2022
Fun
A fairly decent read with a couple unique things going on. And the mc was actually fairly relatable. The only part I had a hard time believing was that he was a soldier just because of his lack of tactical awareness. I will be getting the next one.
A fairly decent read with a couple unique things going on. And the mc was actually fairly relatable. The only part I had a hard time believing was that he was a soldier just because of his lack of tactical awareness. I will be getting the next one.
February 25, 2023
Written by a child who doesn't know how to write. So many exclamation marks! And he spells it out when people do a battle cry or whatever, like "aaaaaiiiiii" which.. wtf? The story itself is nothing interesting.
March 17, 2023
A good book
I think the review was spot on. I loved the characters and enjoyed the non standard of fantasy races. I enjoyed the world and found the characters to be life like and the world to be rich. Thanks for your hard work I look forward to reading more
I think the review was spot on. I loved the characters and enjoyed the non standard of fantasy races. I enjoyed the world and found the characters to be life like and the world to be rich. Thanks for your hard work I look forward to reading more
July 2, 2023
Finding a new life.
So the MC is a regular joe. Special forces with a good heart. Transported to a new world and life. Lots of well thought out plot as well as good action. Character interaction is tip notch. Can't wait for the next one.
So the MC is a regular joe. Special forces with a good heart. Transported to a new world and life. Lots of well thought out plot as well as good action. Character interaction is tip notch. Can't wait for the next one.
August 6, 2023
Very lacklustre...MC got isekaied, got some kind of power, got kidnapped, saved himself and FMC, worked for a guild, and that's it. There is nothing memorable. No explanation or further discovery of his power.
May 30, 2024
He is as strong as a horse with the c**k to match! Combat sequences are over quickly and leave the reader unsatisfied. Bedroom sequences are longer and leave the ladies wanting more. Beyond that, the narrative is fun, if poorly edited.
October 19, 2022
Entertaining Read
I enjoyed the story-line, the characters, and the unique world of this book. I am looking for the follow up to this 1st installment.
I enjoyed the story-line, the characters, and the unique world of this book. I am looking for the follow up to this 1st installment.
October 28, 2022
Good start
Nice cover to the book. A few typos but not too bad. Book could have been longer. Hope the next book is out soon.
Nice cover to the book. A few typos but not too bad. Book could have been longer. Hope the next book is out soon.
October 28, 2022
Mr Walker
I cannot wait for the next book in this series wish it was a little bit longer most enjoyable good job sir
I cannot wait for the next book in this series wish it was a little bit longer most enjoyable good job sir
November 13, 2022
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the orcs. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the orcs. I anxiously await the sequel.
November 14, 2022
I couldn't finish it! Short sentence structure made it choppy reading! And the overuse of exclamation points drove me crazy!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews