LitRPG Audiobook Podcast 059 - Bibliomancer, PrimeVerse, Save Point
LitRPG Audiobook Podcast 059 - Bibliomancer, PrimeVerse, Save Point
“Hello everyone. Welcome to the LitRPG Audiobook Podcast. I’m Ray. I’ll be reviewing some recent and classic LitRPG Audiobooks for you. I’ll begin with: ”
PrimeVerse: Forced Login (01:12)
Score: 7.9 out of 10
Bibliomancer (17:57)
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Save Point: Upload (34:13)
Score: 8.2 out of 10
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PrimeVerse: Forced Login
PrimeVerse Series 1
By: R. K. Billiau
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
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This is a book I was excited to get. A first time author puts out his book and the thing practically blows up in no time at all. I was curious as to what all the hype was, and so my inner greedy pig directed me to check it out.
Yes, the book is good, and it has some well deserved praise. The premise is one in which the MC, Hudson, is forced into a video game for life. He doesn’t have a choice, and he can never log out so he has to make the most of it.
The book really shines during the tutorial phase of the story . It is here that we learn how to play the game, and we get to see Hudson develop a gaming style. Honestly, the story starts to drift a little after Hudson acquires his treasure hunting class, because once he makes it to civilization and we get to other characters some small flaws pop up. The first is that there is a character that I cannot understand why they are punched in the face on a daily basis. The two companions that Hudson befriends are both pretty cool, and that becomes an issue later in the story when a lynchpin partner is suddenly taken off the board. I really take umbrage when a great character, like the monk, vanish after showing a lot of potential. Also, the leader of the tribe tends to think more with his . . . heart rather than his head when it comes to a specific character.
The book is family friendly for the most part, at least it is for my kids, and that was a real bonus. There are some things that I just don’t want to give away, like the death maze, and what Hudson finds at the end of it, and the impact that his discovery will have upon the game.
There were some aspects that I didn’t quite get, such as why the MC only threw stones. There are plenty of other things to throw you know like spears, knives, cats. A well thrown cat can send an army into disarray so don’t discount them. You get the point, and why Hudson never tried crafting. Most players who are thrust into a world permanently, no this isn’t a new idea, try to round themselves out a bit to make their lives easier. Some cook, some fish, some sew but they all take up skills that will benefit them or their allies. Hudson doesn’t really do that.
Still, the writing is smooth and flows, and while some people may not like certain characters you have to admit RK makes you hate them pretty easily. Like I said, there is one character that just needs Rick James to step up and do his job. Weak writing can’t do that. So, the book is about team work overcoming spawn camping and building up a new civilization from scratch. It also does a lot with loyalty, featuring those who are loyal and dedicated and those who are not. Good themes to work with.
The narration by Eric Martin is really good, and if you like him I would steer you over to another excellent series he’s worked on by SL Rowland, called Sentence to Troll, ya mighta heard of it. Martin really does story justice and I think that he elevates it some too. He infuses some fun and thoughtfulness into the tale and gives everyone a distinctive voice. Really nice job.
Final score 7.9, lots of potential, and the book is well so it has a good fanbase, but a couple of flaws hold it back.
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Bibliomancer
Wolfman Warlock, Book 1
By: James Hunter, Dakota Krout
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Series: Wolfman Warlock, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
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If this is what its like when worlds collide I want to see Jupiter smash into Saturn. That’s right, two of the biggest names in LITRPG, got together and penned a wee tale of pure awesomeness that any fan of either the Juggernaut James Hunter or the Ever Lovin’ Dakota Krout will spill ice cream on their jeans (that cleaned up enough for ya Youtube?).
Yup this dynamic duo have combined their powers for good, and created a story that I think simultaneously showcases their varied talents and brings their different and yet coherent senses of humor together perfectly. This is lightning in a bottle, and I think I actually enjoyed this a little more than the first Completionist book. That said, before I go any further, do you love me, will you love me forever . . . .sorry, Meatloaf is my middle name, but I would love to see the collab go the other direction and the pair pen a tale set in VGO. BTW, I compare this book to the Competetionist Chronicles because it is set in the same universe, and for a prequel it still manages to feel fresh, while impacting later characters in unforeseen but hilarious ways. I sincerely hope that this isn’t a one off, and would love to see Sam pop up the regular series somewhere just to flaunt his jaunty locks at Joe.
I will admit that there was one point I was confused on, and that was and please let me know if I am wrong, but I thought that Joe and Crew were the first ones to survive a night in the wilds. And, my one nit I must pick is that the title is a touch misleading, as there is mention of the MC being something in the title, but he is that in only the thinnest of extremes. I am curious how Sam and his crew fare after the big Wolfman battle, because it seems to be something that they would really have been involved with.
Either way the story is fun and just never stops. It’s one of the better books I’ve read in a while and cannot recommend it more highly.
The Key to this book, and I honestly hate to say this, is that the narration actually fits the style and the humor superbly, and I regret that Nick Pohdel didn’t get the complete Completionist contract because his reading is everything that the newer books in the series seem to lack. Pohdel has a snark that isn’t biting, and can do a passable couple of female voices. It’s not that I don’t think Daniels isn’t a great narrator, but Pohdel is a much better fit and he is solid as Sam. Pohdel is a hit or miss for me in the sense that either he is brilliant or he is ok, and it’s the material and this material suits him right down to the ground.
8.5 stars. A great book.
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Save Point: Upload
By: Matthew Siege
Narrated by: Will M. Watt, Annie Ellicott, Jeff Hays
Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
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So, in keeping with the apocalyptic theme due to the pandemic I have for my Soundbooth Spotlight a little book called Save Point by Mattew Siege. You may remember that last time I talked about Siege’s One in the Head zombie Apoc novel I had a few issues, some things didn’t make sense to me, and the book was more about income inequality than it was about zombies (or so it felt).
Anyway, Siege eschews his social commentary in favor of just good old plain fun, and it works. He lays out some nuggets early on, so that if you are paying attention you can see how the book will end, and the biggest indicator comes from a question that the MC is asked after his abduction and prior to going into the “other world” as a player.
The MC, Adam, has cancer of the brain, and has a very short lifespan. He is abducted by a shadow agency operated by the government, that has been forced to play an alien game that will sort of dictate whether humanity will be wiped out, become slaves, or beat all the odds and end up winning the game as the dominant players. Adam is given no prep time to learn much and is just shoved in over his head before he even realizes that his feet are wet.
Adam is a compelling character, and the struggles he has, such as earning a nemesis, and being targeted for execution so that he has less time in the game will keep your attention like a weed eater aimed at your crotch. Thrilling, yes? He also befriends his “AI” companion, and runs into other human gamers who aren’t having the best of luck at surviving in their world.
This is a game world, with quirky rules and alien competitors, and Adam’s gameplay style really work here, and this was what I was looking for in his Zombie novel. This was an excellent novel. From start to finish, and I can’t wait for book 2 to come to audible.
The work by Soundbooth is like smooth jazz on a cool night. Will Watt, whose dulcet tones you may recognize from the Shadow Sun Series, takes the lead and impresses once again. I am really coming to respect this cat who hails from across the pond. He can read a story. Annie Ellicott lends her incomparable acting chops to the ladies side of things, and I have to say that she absolutely stuns. There are some characters who are so worn out that you can hear it in her voice, and another so tough that she makes Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn 99 seem like a grade school bully. Jeff Hays also pops in to add some texture and spice to an already amazing job. This guy is the Richard Blais (since I started his review off with food references I had to compare him to the Best Top Chef of all time) of narration. You know when you hear him show up the story is gonna pop.
Final score, 8.2 stars. I liked this book and cannot wait for the next to come to audible.
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Thanks oh so very much for watching everyone, I do appreciate you taking the time to watch or listen to the show. If you want to support us, you can like the LitRPG Podcast facebook page or the YouTube Page, or just share and like the video. I’m going to ask for more suggestions for the ‘Is it LIT’ segment, I’ve got a good one for next time, but will always need ideas. Please leave comments or suggestions in the comments below, and feel free to tell me whatever you like. I enjoy the feedback.
For LitRPG Audiobook Podcast, I’m Ray. Keep listening!!!
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