Joe

Absolutely Crap, Deceptive rating

Reviewed: 01-18-25

I have close to 800 titles in my library and this book ranks with the worst of them. I am surprised and annoyed because it had average 4.8 rating and stellar reviews. I kept listening hoping it would develop into something but no - crap throughout. Absolutely no skill at creative writing or character development at all. There is no world building or interesting plot developments. The story and MC just plod bluntly ahead with litrpg elements thinking I suppose this makes for an interesting story. please save your credit.

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1 person found this helpful

Dissapointing & Disorganized

Reviewed: 12-15-24

While I will admiit that Branden Sanderson has talent regarding worldbuilding and creativity that is entertaining, there is something lacking that makes for a complete and compelling story. I think it is plot development. This series was very disjointed and disorganized with illogical plot arcs and convenient but inconsistent developments to help the author when needed. This series had some wonderful moments but many more mediocre. Kaladan's arc was interesting. Shallan's a complete waste of time. Her uninteresting struggle with the ghostbloods seemingly just went in circles and never advanced. Odium's sudden omnipotent maneuvering inconsistent and detrimental to the suspense of the story and his choice of champion for the final "battle" was laughable. I heard the suggestion predicted from fans online and thought it was ridiculous and low and behold they were right and it was ridiculous. Then there is Yasnah. What happened there. She is built up as the smartest most capable person in the world, possibly the first radiant, and contributes nothing of note to the series. Overall you get a lot of hours out of the credit but left unfulfilled. I have close to 800 titles in my audible library and this series would rank somewhere between 50 and 100.

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1 person found this helpful

overly simplistic black and white characters

Reviewed: 09-27-24

interesting premise, some good plot development but painful character interaction. antagonists are too simple and too bad, wrong, dumb, etc. the male female character interactions are painful.

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Terrible writing and narration.

Reviewed: 07-21-24

Couldn't finish. Be wary of books with high rating but few reviews. I will seek to return this is possible.

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Worst one yet.

Reviewed: 07-08-24

This is a good series overall due to the terrific world building and characterization. But this installment was underwhelming and dragged on. Multiple POV chapters of Doreen certainly did not help. Also the non-stop lamentations about the discrimination against goblinkind is getting old.

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bad writing

Reviewed: 06-23-24

This story is awful. know it all MC who spends zero time thinking or learning about his new situation with advanced aliens so stupid they apparently know nothing about defense. Plot armor protects this uninteresting mc who becomes a genius making simple suggestions.

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3 people found this helpful

Shallow plot, one dimensional and morally flexible characters

Reviewed: 02-06-24

I was dissapointed with this audiobook as I had high expectations based upon the reviews. Now I wonder if they were a reflection of selection bias (those who read and liked the kingfountain series more likely to purchase this prequel and review it positively). My primary issue with this book has to do with the immorality of its MC. as a young girl she is taken in by a "liege lord" whom she agrees to serve. The MC almost immediately betrays this lord and his daughter (her best friend) with very little explanation as to why aside from perhaps she has a crush on another character (who is himself ambitious, greedy and disloyal).

It is almost as though the author realizes that this betrayal may result in readers losing interest, connection to the MC as he appears to paint the betrayed lord and allies as one-dimensionally villanous as possible. The problem is this occurs after the MC's disloyalty. I found it very difficult to empathizie with the MC or care about what happened to hear. Also - this preteen is trained as a poisoner and assassin - the process by which is completed skipped over. suddenly we are to believe she is a skilled poisoner with apparent unparalleled understanding of politics and strategy at 16 years old. it does not work. there's is no explanation or the magic system either.
As a result of these faults I am unsure if I will continue with this series.

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Dissapointing

Reviewed: 01-07-24

This book started out great - especially for a free one. The Tasmanian special forces were intriguing and the backstop of the MC was interesting - especially her balance-based martial arts. However after she completes training the story takes a precipitous nosedive. the MC is a Mary Sue who does everything right - and it gets boring fast. She has the ground breaking idea of thinking before acting. Wow how originial. The needless double exposition after each action where the character thinks about how only she knows the right answer and then the echo by the other characters externally is painful. The dialogue is as dry as burnt toast. Also as previously noted it's hard to root for her when her mission involves murdering indigenous rebels fighting against an exploitative imperial colonizers. kinda like she is a thinking stormtrooper.

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One dimensional

Reviewed: 11-24-23

I tried to finish but could only get about halfway through. the characters are about as one-dimensional as it gets. completely uninteresting.

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Okay Book, Amazing Series

Reviewed: 09-07-23

DCC is simply the best fantasy/litrpg series going so far. Entertaining action, system and awesome characters. this was not the best installment of the series but still very good and setting up to what should be an awesome next floor.

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