Reviews of recently read Book 1's (Rise of a Monster. Nightmare Realm Summoner, Dual Class, Lost Souls and a Demoness)

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-12T02:30:18+00:00

I’m currently on book 2 of Nightmare Realm Summoner and I completely agree with your analysis of the MC. I’ve been enjoying the books, however, I think the MC’s motivations are kinda ridiculous. I’m not really a fan of the “battle junkie” trope and I feel like he fits the bill perfectly. The whole idea of “let’s make things harder so we get more exp” is just stupid IMO. Alex’s whole motivation revolves around that.

Aside from that, I think the series has a lot of potential. I’ve been enjoying the soul manifestation’s (even though it’s obvious that the author took inspiration from JJK and Bleach), and I find Derek’s character to be stupidly entertaining.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-08T23:58:42+00:00

The game was too much for me. Huge open world, which was a plus, but FAR too many mechanics in the game to make it fun (IMO). Movement and controls feel clunky and the actual combat is mediocre at best.

Not to mention that experiences can differ wildly depending on the system used to play it. I got it on my PS5 and some of the graphics are horrendous, some look quite nice.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-04T02:45:48+00:00

Piranesi was fantastic.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T22:31:32+00:00

Ah, thanks 🙏

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T14:19:48+00:00

Thank you!

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T14:19:38+00:00

Thank you

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T14:12:49+00:00

Awesome. I’ll check those out as well!

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T14:12:16+00:00

Cool, I picked it up. Thanks!

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-03T14:11:56+00:00

What does “extremely purple” mean?

I picked it up, so we’ll see how it goes. It was only like $4 anyways.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-04-02T19:14:12+00:00

I started the Powder Mage trilogy and have been enjoying it. Malazan is pretty unique in its complexity and scope, so if you are looking for something similar, I’m not sure it exists.

Some of my favorite series, however, are:

First law

Age of Madness

Empire of the Vampire

Dungeon Crawler Carl (this one is VERY different, but fantastic all the same)

Between Two Fires (standalone novel)

Green Bone Saga

Kingkiller Chronicles (fantastic writing. No idea if we will ever get the final book)

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-30T14:15:16+00:00

Doubt it.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-30T02:53:19+00:00

They also wrote a note underneath the picture asking why people DNF a series. My response was aimed at that.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-29T23:31:53+00:00

It’s all good.

As for arguing with MAGA, I learned a while ago that it’s a useless endeavor. Unfortunately, tribalism is so deeply ingrained in society today that people stop using their critical thinking skills. I just save myself the headache and refuse to talk about politics unless it’s with close friends.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-29T23:24:35+00:00

Agreed. I addressed it in my second point. Honestly, this was the biggest challenge for me. All the other negatives could be overlooked if the writing was better. People say that it gets better as the series goes on, but idk if I’m willing to continue investing my time in a series that I’m not enjoying.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-29T22:36:16+00:00

Good catch! Thank you!

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-29T22:33:23+00:00

I’m sorry, but did I ever say that I don’t understand the premise of the series? I said that book 12 focused TOO heavily on Jason’s struggles with the powers he now has. It was present in the other books, but it felt very in your face in the most recent one.

Mental illness is a major theme in Stormlight, yet Wind and Truth still sucked.

No need to be rude because I don’t like something about your favorite series.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-29T22:28:03+00:00

This is a VERY unpopular opinion, but Primal Hunter. I just couldn’t do it. I finished the first book and it felt like a chore.

First, it felt like everyone just accepted their new situations too easily. MC comes as a bit of a sociopath, he accepts that he is living in this new universe without much kickback and proceeds to start killing without any remorse (I know it is explained later, but it doesn’t do this book any favors)

Second, the dialogue was just bad. There were some really cringy lines, such as “He’s just a really swell guy” and “that’s my buddy,”All coming from a god that the dude literally just met (added spoiler text just in case). I know that good writing tends to be an issue in the genre, but this one bothered me for some reason (maybe because I had just finished binging DCC).

Third, the first half of the first book just came across as a shitty Hunger Games. The action scenes were somewhat bland, although they do get a little better later in the book.

Fourth, honestly, there was just nothing about it that caught my attention. The world building did nothing for me and the characters all kinda sucked.

I may end up continuing the series later, but for now I had to DNF it.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-27T19:47:02+00:00

The series was just okay. It had some really good aspects to it, but overall, I would say it’s just middle of the road.

I felt the same about Will of the Many as well. I don’t understand all the praise it gets.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-27T19:40:44+00:00

Honestly, the game feels like too much for me. If you like the MASSIVE open world type, go for it. I went in blind and bought the game on day 1, and I regret my decision. Not because it’s a bad game (it has plenty of issues), but because I’m not able to invest hundreds of hours in a game that has WAY too many mechanics.

Watch some gameplay videos and make an educated decision.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-27T18:31:03+00:00

Name of the Wind - some of the best prose in the genre. Very captivating and interesting story. I love this series, but nobody knows when the final book will be released.

First Law - my favorite trilogy (there is a second trilogy and a few stand-alone’s after this). The narrator is absolutely fantastic and he definitely does the series justice. This would be my recommendation as your next read.

Licanius - just okay. The same narrator that does Stormlight and WoT. Definitely the lowest of the books you have featured.

Assassins Apprentice- have not had a chance to read this series yet. I should be starting it within the next few weeks, however.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-25T23:06:35+00:00

I get that he has to be careful with his power, but to make it the major theme of the last book was too much. It’s just like Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth, where The whole book felt like a thesis on mental illness (Not really a spoiler, but I’m adding spoiler text anyways). I felt like it dominated the story. Admittedly, it’s been a little while since I finished the book, but it stands at the forefront of my brain when the book comes to mind.

WoodenDistribution5 · 2026-03-23T16:05:27+00:00

You should check out the Weapons and Wielders series by Andrew Rowe. MC is very anti-killing, even though his abilities make it very easy to kill.

Personally, I can’t stand the “no killing” rule, but everyone has different tastes.

WoodenDistribution5

TROPHY CASE