LitRPG Audiobook Podcast 060 - Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon, Battle Master, The Heroic Villain 2

“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: ”

Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon (01:30)

Score: 8.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3d1Ce13

Battle Master - A LitRPG Adventure (The Blood Crown, Book 1) (20:35)

Score: 7.7 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2WYTgqY

The Heroic Villain 2 (38:04)

Score: 8.4 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2TANuJU

-------------------------

Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon

By: Matt Dinniman

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins

Release date: 04-21-20

Pause

Imma gonna try to hold it together for this review. But all I can say is this freaking book blew my mind. Anyone who has watched this podcast can certify that I am a horror nut. I grew up wishing I could be bitten by a werewolf, and live every single day preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Growing up my two favorite monsters were the wolfman, and Godzilla. Guess what. They are both in this book. Do I like gore? I went to see the Fly part 2 in theaters, and there’s a scene where a guy’s head gets crushed by an elevator and when that happened I literally stood up and cheered as I ripped the armrest from my seat. For me, gore is like a wonderful waterfall and sun dappled pools. The gorier the gorefest the better it is. I have never flinched at the sight of blood or mutilation in real life or on film. Why am I telling you this? Because this book was written for people like me.

The book has hints of Neil Gaiman’s Dollhouse run in issues 9-16 of his acclaimed Dollhouse arc in his Sandman series. It also is about as grindhouse as you can get, Dinniman, that dude that brought us Dominion of Blades, does not practice restraint in the slightest. He pushes for the most revolting scenes he can cobble together, and the one that hit me the hardest was the spoiled milk drinking challenge. As someone who literally lived through a very similar event I can say that the description coupled with the memories almost made me gag.

So, the story takes the concept of trapped in the game to a new level, and I liked the premise. It then takes time to build up questions about the pixie like companion, the timer that hangs over both of their heads, and the rapidly spiraling dark twist at the end. Honestly, this book goes out of its way to combine numerous ideas, concepts, and genres in constantly unexpected ways. You really have no idea of what’s coming, especially at the end until maybe one or two paragraphs away, and by then it is too late.

Joe Hemple has one hell of a job. He has to describe scenes that are utterly horrific, but not be off-putting to the listener. Having spoken to several people since finishing the book they have all agreed that he was what really held the whole thing together, where they would not have been able to finish certain parts if he didn’t do it for them. I think the key was that Hemple didn’t try to amp up the gore factor, but played it straight like an impartial observer. If he had attempted to gross the listener out it would have gone campy, but he plays it straight and it works so well.

I purposely did not go into a lot of detail here about the story, because while I could discuss its merits piecemeal I would rather do so in whole. Here is my advice. If you like horror, gore, mind bending scenes, never before seen classes, races, and one hell of a weird full immersion game then this is the book for you. Go and take my score as gospel and enjoy.

However, if blood, cruelty, moral ambiguity, horror, drug issues, marital strife, or other such topics (because there are so many I can’t come close to naming them) then you want to stay the heck away from this blasphemy. It really will not be for you. Not kidding. Demonic donkey’s that lay eggs, kaiju sperm cells, and hookworms as pets are just a few things you will find here.

My final score is 8.8 stars. No lie. I have never seen anything that comes close to this in terms of originality, nightmare concepts, and gore levels. The only thing I found to be semi-tame was the vulgarities, of which plenty are used, but not to a level I would expect from someone trapped in this Lovecraftian torture. Dinniman. I salute you, and bow to the brilliance of this book. My only regret is that this is a one shot novel, but I will say that it does tie into DOB.

--------------------------

Battle Master

A LitRPG Adventure (The Blood Crown, Book 1)

By: Damian Boyle

Narrated by: Steve Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Pause

Here is a book that sort of flips everything you know and serves you up with an alternative you didn’t know you wanted. Battle Master is a book that throws tradition out the window and creates a unique class in which the battle master uses other characters like chess pieces. By that I mean that the titular class acts more like a general than a combatant, although he does fight (which sort of goes against everything that other people in the class do). The Battle master is able to choose other players abilities in preparation of upcoming battles. If the book’s beginning feels familiar it is somewhat reminiscent of MSE’s Tamer novel. Familiar, but not copied. Very distinct from one another, but I still picked up the vibe. Maybe being on a beach with deadly reptiles is enough to draw comparisons.

This is the one issue that nags at me, and I think it is my utter and complete disdain for all authority, but I can’t imagine letting someone limit my ability to decide what is best for me in battle. I think I might happily fight side by side with one and all of his playmates, but I would never submit to that kinda of loss of control. Thankfully, in Boyles world the people there sorta kinda seem ok with letting a good BM guide them.

The cool part is the way that Paul really does play the chess board, and figuring out the best use of each person under his authority; and of course the way that Paul, the MC deals with surprises. To back up and give you some info, the book centers on Paul who is one of a handful of people who can enter a game like world. Most people who go into the grinder don’t last long, but there are some who manage to make it beyond their intro to the game world. Paul is looking for one of those people, Mira, who is like him a gamer that was sent to this crazy world, but has managed to survive better than anyone else.

The narration by Campbell is excellent, and he very thankfully gives everyone a distinctive voice that is appropriate for who and what they are. He also adds some nice exasperation and exhilaration to the story, in other words you can hear what the characters are feeling as the tale progresses. Campbell is a real pro, and I know that he cares about every line he utters. That comes across quite plainly.

Overall, the book does a good job at setting up the world and the things that populate it. The MC is interesting, and there some twists that will really bring out some genuine concern about the lives of the other npc characters. Given that the MC has to generally think his way out of predicaments rather than strong arm his way through is also a nice diversion.

My only real issue is that early on there is another contender for the role of leader of the group of survivors named Richard, and I don’t think that the name is a coincidence. Richard is an A-hole from the start and rapidly transforms into another body part in the same general region. I will never understand how protagonists let people like this continue on, knowing that they will be trouble until they are killed, banished, or run off with all the supplies. All I know is that if I’m in a game world then I’m whacking A-holes right and left until I’m the last man standing. Being honest, it is characters like this that actually make me drive down points. I read for enjoyment, not irritation and people like Richard rub me the wrong way. Same thing in Primeverse. There is a character there whose actions are so obnoxious that you know they are either evil or a detriment. Either way, they gotta go.

Final score, 7.7 stars. Great world building, and a unique class.

-------------------------

The Heroic Villain 2

By: Charles Dean

Narrated by: Jeff Hays, Annie Ellicott, Justin Thomas James

Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins

Pause

The first thing I have to say is that I am so glad that we still have this series. If you weren’t aware, War Aeternus is concluding, and that just leaves on Charles Dean book for us to subsist upon until he comes up with another series. So, as a PSA I will gladly perform a PDA if you all would just go and pick up the Bathrobe Knight series so that it generates enough sales to coerce Charles back to finish the series.

That said, I am going to cheat and give you two Soundbooth Spotlights tonight for the price of one, which is free for your earholes, and recount for you the awesomeness of the heroic villain part duex.

IN this book, our intrepid MC who has taken on the role of a villain leaves the starting point (no longer a noob) and heads off for bigger and badder deals. He finds that the Imperium isn’t as strong as it was back on the starting stage, and that he has a ton of work to do if he is going to take over and regain lost territory.

The book does deviate some from the first novel insofar as Lucas pretty much achieves a lot of goals in a very short time, so he his forced to forgo his usual planning and plotting for doing things off the cuff, and this is really fun. For me the battle at the university was probably the best because of all the mental and physical gymnastics that went on as Lucas and his rival go toe to toe, although I also loved the complete the Vampire questline ultimatum just as much. So, you can tell that the fight scenes are amazing. There is just one thing I wish that Charles would do. He always seems to write in these almost harem situations, with numerous girls vying for his MC. He just needs to pull the trigger or ease off a bit because it is such a freaking tease. I love the scheming that Lucas does (don’t fall in love with a schemer . . .) and the way he manipulates his foes.

Can I just say that SBT rocked my Socks off with this. We get the cuddly, er, totally cool vocal stylings of Jeff Hays on most of the book, and while I love his cameos everywhere I really just want him to read to me as much as possible. Justin Thomas James continues to impress me, and I just wish he’d call me brother like the big monkey monster does Lucas. Everytime I heard him say that word it made me think of Gomez and Fester Addams singing their song the Mamushka, "the dance of brotherly love” in the first movie, because he just made it plain that the freaky flying monkey monster just loved Lucas. Annie Ellicot is not outdone by her compatriots. Nay, I say she really keeps them on their toes with her wiley and witty tones, and the way that you can hear a practically predatory growl come from Lucas’s newest companion, the one who stirs up all the trouble. Again, this is my tribute to SBT, because I have omitted them from some shows.

Final Score 8.4 stars. Dean + SBT = INTENSE story telling!

-------------------------

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!!!

This podcast is sponsored by Soundbooth Theater, makers of great audiobooks.

http://www.soundbooththeater.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SoundBoothTheater/

You can follow us on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/litrpgpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LitRPGPodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3-eBvpm-g7IkjfVktObGAA

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geekbytespodcast

Our Webpage: www.litrpgpodcast.com

Some other LitRPG facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPG.books

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPGsociety/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheFantasyNation/

If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us you can also find all the other ways to support the podcast at www.litrpgpodcast.com/support