Haley and the Town of Refuge

Haley and Nana #6

by M.C.A. Hogarth

A girl, a town... and a final choice.
Spring is just around the corner when the town of Refuge is at last asked to confront the Trial's true challenge, an event that kicks off a furor in its population. But for Haley Landry, level 9 Questgiver, the challenge is more personal. After nine months of working with the alien system and overseeing the growth of her tiny town, a questline brings her to a crossroads, not only for herself, but for Refuge as well.

It's the hardest decision Haley has had to make, and no one can make it for her. But her choice will shape the future, inside her heart, and out of it.

Join Haley, Nana, and the residents of Refuge for one final adventure in this cozy LitRPG apocalypse. There's a brownie recipe in the back, because no matter how heavy the material, that's still the kind of series this is.

Genres: Fantasy, Coming Of Age

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2023

About the author

Daughter of two Cuban political exiles, M.C.A. Hogarth was born a foreigner in the American melting pot and has had a fascination for the gaps in cultures and the bridges that span them ever since. She has been many things—-web database architect, product manager, technical writer and massage therapist—-but is currently a full-time parent, artist, writer and anthropologist to aliens, both human and otherwise.

Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sixth in a series that you really should read together. Haley and the town are cohesive and having the full background is particularly important in this story.

This is the kind of book that makes me wish I were stingier with five-star ratings so I can express simply how outstanding I think it is. It's the perfect culmination for Haley and the township and I was eye-leaking through vast swathes of it. Fine. I was weeping. It was just that good.

I think I'll leave it here. If you're intrigued, read my review of the first and know that it is so worth the journey knowing this is its end. It is as perfect as humans can get.

A note about Faith: Yeah, that last sentence was deliberate. A large part of this story has been built around a Christ-centered faith. I was surprised in the afterward to learn that Hogarth isn't a Methodist herself because everything about this speaks true to people of faith—including powerful and moving episodes of sacrifice, gratitude, virtue, and moving past mistakes and sin. I'd double-recommend this to those, like myself, who have a Christ-centered faith because it nails those aspects of its story the way few do (including those writing explicitly from that tradition).

A note about Chaste: There's more movement on the Haley/Oliver romance front. And done so well! I loved seeing this progress, even if there was only a cheek-kiss along the way. I'm so happy for these two seeing the best in one another and encouraging each other in trust and understanding. And it's only a happy bonus that he has become an actual Knight Errant even if his trusty steed is still a bicycle!

[Jon Svenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're six books in now and the story has to come to an end. I won't say a word about what happens or how, but the author wraps up the series in the best possible way.

I thoroughly enjoyed book six as well as the series, and I hope the author tackles LitRPG again. It's not that I won't read her other books, but the usual LitRPG tropes go against almost everything in this series. I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. If there are Christians of any kind in a LitRPG book, it's because they're God ordained to be the leader.

Suffice it to say that I will miss Haley and Nana, and the rest of the town. 5/5* for book six, and 5/5* for the series.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is engaging, sweet and interesting. It is especially good to see questions of faith and meaning being explored from a Christian perspective in a fantasy setting. However, Haley's faith felt a little hollow to me - a Christianity in which Christ and his death to save us from sin and judgement didn't actually seem very important. Of course it is hard (perhaps impossible) to portray these things properly in a fiction series of this kind, but it niggled at me because it seemed somewhat to miss the point of what being a Christian is all about.

[A.A.B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While still too much on the nose with all the religious stuff* (you don't get any more Christian with the theme of the book revolving around self sacrifice and all that), this book was more in line with the first books in the series: bringing back the coziness, the joy of creative discovery and the exploring curiosity about the world. We are back to characters' religious beliefs being part of who they are - as opposed to the only thing they are. And so I was able to thoroughly enjoy and love this one again. I am glad I hadn't given up after the aggravation of the 5th book.

*The afterword explained some of it, but not in a way that would excuse the sledge hammer tactics of the previous book.

The editing could use some polish in this book - there are some confusing sentences and missing punctuation issues. But if this means we got the book faster than we would've otherwise, the editing hiccups are minor enough to be a non-issue.

The afterword could be interpreted as this book marking the end of the series, and I hope that it's not the case. I'd love to keep reading about Haley and her friends.

[erforscherin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series was… just okay. I didn’t mind the religious bits as much as some other reviewers - frankly, it was a little refreshing to see a fantasy world with some acknowledgment of faith - but the crafting sequences never held my attention, and the characters were all rather flat. In this last story especially it struck me that Hailey often asks for material help through quests, but rarely seeks out others for advice, which felt like a missed opportunity - and kind of at odds with the community-centric messages of the stories.

I also had a lot of cognitive dissonance around Hailey’s age, especially in the later stories. Something about the writing made my brain peg her at maybe 12ish, and every mention of 17-18 kept throwing me out of the story. I almost wonder if these stories were meant to be for younger-grades first, and then the age was tweaked upward in hopes of appealing to a larger audience…

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this whole series of short stories which never felt short and they were very fulfilling.
I really did think the author was bona fide Christian lol and I absolutely loved the perspective of faith in an alien invasion and magic. It even mentioned Muslims in one bit but overall the faith in God and His presence throughout was just really nice. And also humbling and emotional at times. I dont believe in the same things within Christianity but Islam aligns a lot in that sense and I also felt "seen".
The magic or game system of the book was very cool. I've only just forayed into this sort of genre and this is my first litrpg series. It was confusing in some ways but its apparent that the system was dependent on the person and the fact this was basically an NPC character setup whose actions governed the rest of the players, which was really creative
The book and whole series is so creative and cosy.

I definitely hope to read more of this author

[Karen A. Wyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers should be aware that the spiritual/religious elements in this series, which until now could be viewed largely as aspect of Haley's and Nana's characters, become somewhat more prominent in this series conclusion, though not in an evangelistic way, and not in a way inconsistent with the plot as previously developed.

The alien "trials" have reached a predicted and dangerous point, and Haley is faced with decisions that will affect the town and everyone in it. Her dilemmas and conflicts are the heart of this story, and their resolution is (at least for this reader) unexpected as well as satisfying.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 6 and last! Spoilers ahead for the rest!

As in, all the major threads are concluded. There's still potential for stories around the edges, but they will be different stories.

It opens with an attack on the inn by a full-blown monster, not just the mutant opossums and the like they have been getting. This, it turns out, is a major shift. Decisions must be made. Sacrifices as well. Weighing whether to let the town vote when you were given the choice. Healing of injuries. And questions of food and futures.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rating is for the whole series and this book as well. Even with the disappointing fifth story, I deeply enjoyed this book and series. I love the calligraphy aspect, the town development, the food and home and hearth. I’d love to read more side stories about her parents’ adventures, and the other beloved characters. I’d love to see Nana’s pov as well.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the parts of this journey that dealt with discovery, gaining skills, leveling up, building up defenses, etc. I liked the friendships and the community building. I am not fond of the omnipresent religious aspect of these stories. I just can’t relate.

That said, the way this story concluded was very satisfying.

[Jeremie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

I really enjoyed this series. It is a fun premise, and likeable characters who grow through their experiences. It is a fun combination of SciFi and Fantasy, LitRPG, set in a believable world, and just about the only apocalyptic story that l've ever enjoyed.

[Lydia Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful series

I enjoyed the whole series. Haley's
honest relationship with God is much appreciated. She is neither fanatical nor apathetic. I hope this book isn't the end of this pleasant series.

[Henry Reidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley and the Town of Refuge

This was a great series to read and a great book on its own! I enjoyed this one very much and recommend for all to read!

[Shaun McClintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this whole series. A great slice of life in a smaller town that's in the apocalypse but still running pretty much the same due to being a rural farming community. Grat characters and worldbuilding. Although the scale of adventures are small, they still resonate and are interesting.