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BJ

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I read Mimic & Me so you don't have to

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-22-24

I'm not sure where to begin, so how about what everyone else is gushing about... Yes, Soundbooth Theater is amazing. Ryan Reid, Dorrie Sacks, and (especially) Jeff Hays carry this novel. It was the only thing that got me to finish it. I can let the other reviewers gush over that piece, but what about the rest?

Let's move to the ugly... the writing Mimic & Me is atrocious. I'm not just talking about plot or story; I'm talking about basic fundamental writing such as consistency and continuity. It's not just one or two instances, it's constant.... It's things like, I'm traveling to the market square with the Mimic, my sister (Named), my female elf friend (Named), and this Nobel Lady (Named); and the next sentence, we are in the market with 2 beautiful women (RIP one of the women I guess)... Another is: I'm going to skip town because (paraphrase) bad things went down, and I'm not even going to write my father figure a goodbye note -> several pages later -> I finish packing my belongings and leave a note for my father figure -> several paragraphs later -> I decide to write a note to my father figure. It's so immersion-breaking.

The bad... the characters and story are just bad. Characters with their subsequent plot points, traits, and flaws are introduced randomly. The actual connections are not established in any form other than basic tropes and attraction... No, seriously, it's that shallow. My favorite is the merchant that sells a random item to the MC, then is introduced as a completely different person (berserker?), and was in disguise because they are a Master spy. At no point is this built on or explained other than later, there is a random sentence where the character demonstrates a flaw that they start talking to themself. The MC describes this as something he notices constantly, but this is the FIRST TIME it's been brought up, and it never happens again. The only good characterization is the Mimic, where it appears a person might have actually written the dialogue. These interactions are fleeting.

The weird... the author's use of time and space. Battles/fights are written like they are turn-based but also in real-time. Characters take actions almost in a bubble with no reaction from other characters, whether ally or foe. Movement between locations doesn't have any sense of travel scale or time committed. People are everywhere without connection to the world they occupy (where did these fishermen come from?). It's very bizarre...

The boring... the MC's inner-prattle. It's a constant word vomit of thought in an attempt to describe the world around him and the events unfolding. However, it's written in the most basic of prose, which is little more than repetitive drivel. So much could be shown or left to the audience to interpret.

Final comments: Don't buy this.

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How can Rate the Performance Greater than 5 Stars?

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-17-24

What a fantastic and fun novel, and the Sound Booth Theater is out of this world as far as quality and performance. It adds so much to this series, and its hard not to gush about it. What an absolutely stellar performance by all of the narrators!!!

The story is pretty good, and engaging. I wish it was longer as it didn't feel like a fleshed out 1,2,3rd act in a sense, but assume the story will progress over its sequels. Differently looking forward to those.

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1 person found this helpful

Stellar

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-08-23

What an amazing series that continues moving forward with excellent character development and world building. Will admit, the last section of the book felt like it dragged at times, but always building. Also, Min is terrible at Chess...

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Stellar - If you are a fan of LitRPGs, buy this

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-01-23

What an absolute treat of a novel. One of the few novels that had me laugh out loud and ode to all the fathers out there. What a superb story, and do yourself a favor and listen to this now.

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Keep it coming!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-08-23

Great series, and continues to move the story forward toward the next arc. One thing that would be nice for a future editor to review and quash out the re-hash (re-explanation) of previous events and thoughts. It’s helpful for things from a few books ago, but annoying from a few chapters ago. I feel it’s an issue from the transition from a serial on Royal Road as other such works have this issue.

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Fantastic!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-17-23

The series once again is picking up speed and gets better and better. Can’t wait for the next one!

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Fantastic

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-07-23

As good as the first and can’t wait for the next in the series. Written eight love and attention.

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Spoiler - Pacing Issues

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-28-22

More of the same, which is good, and concluding plot lines is always a bonus. However, the grand conclusion comes during the middle of this book, which is bizarre. Should have either been at the end of the 6th book or staggered differently. The juxtaposition is weird.

Pravi is does an okay job, but I always need a hour or more to get use to his delivery. Everything always comes across at the same tone and inflection.

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Stellar

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-02-22

Fantastic read and feel the series keeps getting better and better. It’s great to see the plot continue to move forward as many books feel as if they muddle through. Not the Spellmonger series!

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Absolutely amazing

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-16-22

Not sure if I’m crazy, but the series feels even better after Noon Game Plus. Another great addition!

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