Review: System Overclocked

Title: System Overclocked

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLP6VCTS/

Author: Randi Darren 

Rating: 3.8/5

Comments: This is a new series by Arand using his Darren penname.  It's easily his most inventive setting and premise.  My "issue" (if that's the right word, not sure it is) with it is I don't really identify with the Wrench who basically has "retire and do as little as possible" as his highest goal.  I'm also not sure how this fits in the larger Meta-Arc which makes it confusing.  Anyway, give it a shot, it's kind of a unique story in the portfolio.

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Review: Blue-collar Noble

Title: Blue-Collar Noble: Here Be Dragons (A LitRPG Saga, Book 1) 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCVH4S3H/

Author: T.S. Gray

Rating: 3.9/5

Comments: This is a first book, and it shows.  There is a LOT of world building and it really slows down the story.  What there is of the story seems pretty interesting and the protagonist has a very laudable reason for doing what he does.  That being said he makes some very questionable decisions, but it isn't too bad.  I will probably read the next one, if only to see if he improves his writing.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Paladin of the Sigil series

Title: Paladin of the Sword (Paladin of the Sigil Book 1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GYRNC1R/

Author: Marvin Knight 

Rating: 4.1/5

Comments: I don't really have a lot of commentary for this series.  It turns out to be harem, but I wasn't expecting that when I started it.  The story is pretty engaging because despite the explicitly defined "good" and "bad" the reality isn't as clear.  The power creep and the slow degradation of the protagonist's friend's contributions makes the story less engaging, kind of like the later Superman stories.  If nothing can hurt the protagonist, then where's the drama and interest?

Not sure about book 4, but I'll probably at least check it out. 

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Title: Paladin of the Shield (Paladin of the Sigil Book 2)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TGQH8D6

Author: Marvin Knight 

Rating: 4/5

Comments: See above

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Title: Paladin of the Spirit (Paladin of the Sigil Book 3)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDW1H8ZN

Author: Marvin Knight 

Rating: 3.8/5

Comments: See above

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Review: Warlord

Title: Warlord: A Green Beret Conquers Mars 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BJS1Z3R6/

Author: Doc Spears

Rating:2/5

Comments: This one is (currently) a DNF.  The idea sounds good, but about 25% into I have confirmed to my own satisfaction that this is essentially a rip-off of Edgar Rice Burrough's classic "A Warlord of Mars" which I believe has entered public domain, so there's no copyright issues.  Maybe someone thinks John Carter's epic needs an update, but I'm not one of them.  I don't see me finishing it, so here you go.

Bedroom Activities: No idea

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Review: Path of Ascension

Title: The Path of Ascension: A LitRPG Adventure  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5WNDY21/

Author: C. Mantis

Rating: 4.8/5

Comments:  Another from Discord and it's very good.  Good characters, good twist to the power structures, and a generally decent narrative.  I have some minor quibbles, but nothing that will prevent me from reading the next one.  I think I even put the sequel drop date on my calendar.

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Review: Power Vacuum

Title: Power Vacuum (Maelstrom Rising Book 8)  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DV1G3XL/

Author: Peter Nealen

Rating: 4/5

Comments: This series is a palate cleanser when I need a change of pace.  Peter is doing well keeping the story interesting and engaging.  This one seems to be a nice wrap-up of one storyline but as a preface to turning up the intensity of the other storyline.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Astral Threads

Title: Astral Threads (Guardian of Aster Fall Book 4) 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4KQYS3K/

Author: David North

Rating: 4/5

Comments: I really enjoyed books 1-3 in this series because an important part of those books is the protagonist's relationship with his family and friends.  This book has a much reduced role for them, and a lot more of the action is in Sam's head or solo.  I found the story less charming than the others because of that.  Book 5 could be a make or break book for the series.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Eight

Title: Eight: A LitRPG Novel of Magical Survival 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8XQXKFJ/

Author: Samer Rabadi  

Rating: 4.8/5

Comments: This is a rather unique premise for this kind of story.  Rather than being plopped down in a new world as an adult, our protagonist is an adult personality in an 8 year old body.  It makes for some really interesting and unique challenges but some of the interactions seem a little implausible for someone who is supposed to be 8.  Still, a great story, highly recommended.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Title: Eight 2: A LitRPG Novel of Magical Survival

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8XVGLV8/

Author: Samer Rabadi 

Rating: 4.8/5

Comments: See above

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Artificer's Apprentice

Title: Small-Town Crafter: The Artificer's Apprentice (A low-stakes LitRPG series) (Small Town Crafter Book 1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDZSWYY2/

Author: Tom Watts 

Rating: 3.5/5

Comments:  As the title says, this is a low stakes story and it was a palate cleanser between other books with more dramatic heft.  As a change of pace, it worked well.  Is it the "Next Big Thing"?  No, but hey it's not terrible either.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Mark of the Fool

Title: Mark of the Fool: A Progression Fantasy Epic 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B134YJYF/

Author: J.M. Clarke 

Rating: 4.5/5

Comments:  This was a recommendation I got from my Discord, and my only regret is that the book 2 won't be out until next year.  It's a great story of being a "Chosen One" but being chosen kind of sucks and ruins his hopes for the future.

Some points deducted for random narrative wanders which are pretty much extraneous to the actual story.  Still great.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Battleborne Book III

Title: Battleborne Book III: Dungeons & Guardians

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BD2WB54L/

Author: Dave Willmarth

Rating: 4/5

Comments:  This is one of those series that I read, think "that's really good" but then I don't engage with the sequel when it comes out.  I don't know why that is, but this was a really good story.  Maybe I will make the next one more of a priority when it comes out.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Fury

Title: Fury: A LitRPG Adventure (Unbound Book 4)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B85GDR22/

Author: Nicoli Gonnella 

Rating: 4.6/5

Comments: This is a continuation of the Unbound series previously reviewed.  The action in this one is pretty solid and the narrative flow is good.  I think it is overall an improvement if only because the story is more developed than the previous books.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Accord

Title: Accord (Binding Words Book 9)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGQ961BG/

Author: Daniel Schinhofen

Rating: 5/5

Comments:  This is book one of a new arc for Sean and Co.  It's off to a good start and I look forward to finding how it develops.

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Review: Invasion series

Title: Activation: Book 1 of of the Invasion Series - A Nanomachine Magical World LitRPG

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QZ4K5FH/

Author: D.I. Freed

Rating: 4/5

Comments:  I picked this up because it's the same author as Jade Phoenix.  It's pretty good, has a notable feature of a committed, monogamous relationship with the protagonist.  It has some challenges to deal with as the protagonist rapidly becomes way too powerful for normal challenges to provide any tension.  Still a decent read, and I will most likely read the next one.

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Title:Assault: Book 2 of of the Invasion Series - A Nanomachine Magical World LitRPG

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0979Q1Y2Q/

Author: D.I. Freed

Rating: 4/5

Comments:

See above

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Review: Steamforged Sorcery

Title: Steamforged Sorcery: A LitRPG Adventure

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09S8C8DRC/

Author: Actus

Rating: 3.8/5

Comments:  As a general rule I don't find steampunk settings very engaging, but this one was fairly decent.  I finished it, which is notable, and I wouldn't mind reading the next one, but it's not a priority.  Maybe someone with more interest in steampunk settings would find it a 4+.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: He Who Fights with Monsters 7

Title: He Who Fights with Monsters 7

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4KSR9HT/
 

Author: Shirtaloon

Rating: 4.5/5

Comments:  

After some lackluster stories in books 3-6, which I liked but were not as "fun" as the ones in 1-3, Jason Asano returns to the magical world and it's a lot of fun.  I highly recommend it.

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Review: Saving Supervillains

Title: Saving Supervillains

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XCKT6D1/

Author: Bruce Sentar

Rating: 4/5

Comments:  Fairly standard and somewhat interesting setup for superhero/villain premise where Our Hero turns the misunderstood and reviled super criminal with the heart of gold through the power of his heart.  Book 1 is pretty decent, book 2 kind of drops off, but it's not awful

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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Title: Saving Supervillains 2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5VY3VR4/

Author: Bruce Sentar

Rating: 3.5/5

Comments: See above.

Bedroom Activities: Explicit

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