Reading Activity roundup

My reading continues apace, but not a lot of new series that I have tried that I thought were exceptional, but I'll be adding some reviews for them regardless.

Existing series that I have read recently:

Victor of Tucson 7 and 8 - Plum Parrot has continued to deliver a strong story.  It's really remarkable the quality hasn't wavered.

Unintended Cultivator 6 - Still good.  Some foreshadowing.

Iron Tyrant 3 - A rare instance of the 3rd book being better than the other two.

Path of Ascension 9 (I think) - Powered through because I'm already 8 books into it.  The end was excellent though.

Ultimate level 1 book 8 - Lots of things have changed since the early books. I'm not sure where this one is going, but I will be reading book 9

Review: Iron Tyrant 2

Title: Crow's Fortune: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Iron Tyrant Book 2)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DK5NJ373/

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.5/5

Comments: This is a book 2 review, which I am trying to avoid, but in this case, I was undecided about how I felt about the series after book 1.  Book 2 clarified my feelings that I like the series. The story in the second book really expands and matures, and most importantly, it has some unforeseen developments.  I will be reading book 3 when it comes out May 14th (2025).

The parts I really like are the relationship between Mateo and his friends, the unorthodox way Mateo's powers work, and the aforementioned unforeseen development.  I still hate the Empire that they're attached to.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Iron Tyrant 1

Title: Chain of Feathers: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Iron Tyrant Book 1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D74FW36D/

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.25/5

Comments: This is a new series from the author of Battlemage Farmer (which has reached Plaid Power level).

Pretty good series, but there are certain parts which evoked an extremely negative response.  They are perpetrated by the bad guys which is why it wasn't an instant DNF.  I'll see how I feel after book 2, but I will read it.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Dreamer's Throne

Title: Dreamer's Throne: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C9VW6BYM

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 3/5

Comments:  I picked this up because Seth writes Battlemage Farmer, and that's great.  Objectively the writing in this book is just as good as Battlemage Farmer but the protagonist's actions in this story seriously bothered me.  Morally and ethically, I find what he does to be wrong on so many levels.  Sorry, hard pass on this series.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Battlemage Farmer 7

Title: Separation: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 7)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CFMDHXWS/

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.8/5

Comments:  This story has come a long, long ways from book 1.  It's evolved to the point where it's almost unrecognizable, but the important parts are still there.  Honestly, I am amazed I not only still read the series, but that I like it so much.  I have the impression that the overall story is about to wrap up in a book or two, but I don't know that for sure.

Nice work Seth.

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Review: Battlemage Farmer 6

Title: Preservation: Battle Mage Farmer 6 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3DKLV92/

Author: Seth Ring

Rating:  4.5/5

Comments: It was a crazy ride.  I have no idea where book 7 is going to go, but I'm going to read it.

Bedroom Activities: FTB

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Review: Battlemage Farmer 5

Title: Transformation: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 5) 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BTMY4R27/

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4/5

Comments:  You'd think that 5 books into a series you'd have a pretty good handle on what's going on in a story, and an idea of where you're going.  You'd like to think that wouldn't you?  

Well not in this series.

There are still a lot of threads in this story that I am not clear where they're going, which is fairly impressive.  I don't want to get into spoilers, but I will say that this story will not disappoint the fans of the series.

Non-spoiler teaser, I can't believe what happens with Katrine.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Forge Master

Title: Forge Master: A LitRPG Adventure (Tower Book 1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BKR1X9JM/ 

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4/5

Comments:  So reading this book was kind of a mistake because it's book 1 of series 2 for this protagonist.  I was not aware of this when I started it.  Having read it I don't feel like reading the first series because I know how it ends.  Anyway, it's pretty good and I enjoyed it, mostly.  There were some plot points that I found a little too obvious but it's not enough to make me quit reading.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Battle Mage Farmer 4

Title: Fermentation: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 4) 

Amazon.com: Fermentation: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 4) eBook : Ring, Seth: Kindle Store

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.9/5

Comments:  The end of book 3 changed the goal for John Sutton and Co.  With the start of book 4 we start to get the lay of the new land and the new situation.  Lots of things change, and some kind of hurt.

There are some great scenes in this book which really make you want to cheer, and others that are very sad.

All in all, it's a great sequel and things look pretty good for book 5, which is out in May.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Battlemage Farmer 3

Title: Battlemage Farmer 3: Cultivation

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8FYRJWL

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.5/5

Comments: It's book 3 of the series, and a lot of the teasers that have been dropped in the previous two books are being blown up.  The ending of this book genuinely surprised me, which exceptionally difficult to accomplish.  Only a few niggling things like POV switches kept it from a full 5/5

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Germination

Title: Germination: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 2)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1JPNL1S/

Author: Seth Ring  

Rating: 4.5/5

Comments:  Knowing a little more about the story going into this one, I obviously didn't have the same "Wow" moments as I did on book one, but it was still really good.  A lot more of the larger world is touched upon and the stakes of the story become more apparent.

Definitely a good read, and I don't know how he's going to wrap this in one more book, but I have no doubt the door will be open for additional series.

Bedroom Activities: None

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Review: Battlemage Farmer

Title: Domestication: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 1) 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09T75GYN7

Author: Seth Ring

Rating: 4.8/5

Comments:  I really didn't know what to expect with this book, but I'm glad I picked it up.  The premise of the story as presented is not that intriguing, but as you get into reading the story it draws you in and you find that things are very much not what they first appear.  As a reader, I love it when the author can surprise me like that.  Hoping for a book 2.

Bedroom Activities: None

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