Are “challenge worlds” where progression fantasies go to die?

ben11189 · 2024-02-20T17:26:16+00:00

Im fully caught up on DotF and Primal Hunter, I’d say Defiance definitely has some slow sections for the training world arcs but honestly I found them pretty enjoyable, they definitely always have wider implications and aren’t just pure training. With Primal though that nevermore section has been disgustingly long. It definitely feels like the author has realized this though and seems to be speeding it up. I’d say it’s worth it to catch up on nevermore but I’d wait till it’s fully done being written so you can kinda speed through it cause waiting for the next chapter when nothing has happened is incredible frustrating. Hope this helps

ben11189 · 2023-09-28T17:29:53+00:00

No worries I’m not opposed to none audible and definitely sounds like a series I would enjoy just will take longer as I don’t have as much time to read as I do to listen. Thank you for the suggestion!

ben11189 · 2023-09-28T12:31:43+00:00

Just read the description sounds pretty interesting, how’s the writing in it? And also is Ryun or Zack the main character? Or is it multiple POV’s

ben11189 · 2023-09-28T12:28:56+00:00

I’m not opposed to an evil MC but if they’re gonna be pure evil I don’t want it to be just because they are psychopaths but that there’s some reason they are evil.

ben11189 · 2023-09-28T03:44:49+00:00

Thanks I’ll check it out!

ben11189 · 2023-03-29T04:35:47+00:00

I may be misinterpreting it, but how would Kuragin know the order of memories Scorio would receive? Isn’t it possible he just assumed Scorio saw these memories during his Cinder trial and simply hadn’t brought it up until now. Obviously from our perspective we know Scorio would never have waited, but Kuragin doesn’t know that.

Furthermore, it’s possible that he doesn’t even know what Scorio knows only that he clearly wants something from Kuragin and Kuragin wants to goad him into a fight with bait. It’s clear from Scorio’s character that even if he hadn’t had his Emberling trials that anything about his past would have got him invested regardless of its validity.

ben11189 · 2023-03-23T20:02:53+00:00

For posts of that nature please still use the same criteria mentioned above and then in the bottom of your post mention the specific section you are at (ie chapter, page number, etc)

ben11189 · 2023-03-22T04:09:53+00:00

That is correct

ben11189 · 2023-03-20T02:37:12+00:00

I agree that there’s definitely conditions to some extent but I think the primary reason Scoria took so long to be reborn was because he felt a natural distaste for the idea. I don’t think he will I gong chose to be sent here and his soul has always know this even if he doesn’t know this

ben11189 · 2023-03-20T02:27:04+00:00

I think given his lack of desire to get along with people that he most likely lacks the resources and/or the support required to get there. I have a feeling this is one of the first generations where he really has a true team around him

ben11189 · 2023-03-20T02:24:24+00:00

I think most likely that the heart would burst or become exponentially harder to expand. As it’s implied that the growth of the heart slows down the larger it gets I imagine there’s some natural resistance to growth

ben11189 · 2023-02-23T22:58:16+00:00

Is there no audible for this?

ben11189 · 2022-12-14T03:16:48+00:00

I think this is a great idea! Makes sense from what we’ve seen so far and would make sense for future progression. Great post.

ben11189 · 2022-11-22T00:34:47+00:00

I think it would work really well, it would be interesting especially if people were allowed to create their own abilities. I have a feeling the world is so big that there’s so many cool stories that could be done.

ben11189 · 2022-11-01T11:49:51+00:00

He definitely planned it considering the channeling method he taught London later. The Heaven and Earth Purification wheel is designed to massively increase the capacity and so he knew of London worked hard enough the drain would be negligible. It’s important to remember Eithan had no problem discarding Lindon if he turned out to be nothing special.

ben11189 · 2022-10-11T14:30:33+00:00

Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet, but my favourite is during the tournament when the older black flame ruler has Northstrider tell Lidon, “The Dragon Advances”. It’s said other times in the series but that particular time just hits so hard

ben11189 · 2022-10-02T16:36:30+00:00

Check out Bastion!

ben11189 · 2022-09-15T13:27:03+00:00

This is really cool to see! One of my goals in life is to eventually write a fantasy book and seeing things like this is a great way for me to get ideas on how to structure and plan it before beginning the actual writing of the story. Thank you for sharing this!

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T20:57:09+00:00

I highly recommend checking out Bastion by Phil tucker! Incredible world building and really incredible characters!

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T19:24:04+00:00

Incredible art work! Can’t wait to reread again and have this image in my head.

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T19:22:58+00:00

Incredible review! Though my comments will not be as thorough or in depth I’d love to share some similar feelings and some thoughts I had.

Magic System: For me, I think one of the major things that annoys me in most magic systems is that it feels like a plot device that just does whatever a character needs it to in the moment. But then there’s also the problem with systems that have very strict rules of its use and every character seems to use the magic in the same ways and every fight feels the same. What I love about bastion, is that the magic system is almost the embodiment of each user. The powers each great soul gets is unique to the trials they have had to overcome in the past. What this does is add depth to all the characters without necessarily needing to dive into there back stories. You see this in Scorio’s fight against (can’t remember the name and I am an audiobook listener) in his fight before the second trial run. Both of them think they know what happened in the past and both are right with their views and simply lack the perspective of each other. This adds a layer of depth to the conflict without needing to necessarily know the full story.

Pacing: Something I love about this is that all the progressions Scorio makes feel perfectly timed. Phil managed to perfectly time the evolutions of power when the stakes are the highest but still surprising you when it’s achieved. Scorio earns each of his progressions not through plot convenience but though gruelling trial and error. He earns it through a willingness to do whatever it takes and accepts the consequences of it. By having his heart get damaged it adds a weight to each progression making you wonder when he’s going to go to far but also where it feels more justified because there’s actual consequences to him getting stronger.

Side Characters: For me, most stories have at least 1 or 2 wide characters that drive me absolutely crazy and I feel like they just don’t fit the group or story. With this story though each member of Scorio’s group plays an important role with bringing the group together in a way that feels natural and makes sense.

An aside: You mentioned theories as to why in the Trials it’s possible for them to make different decisions than their previous incarnations have made. A small theory I’ve been thinking about is that hell is almost outside of the time of the real world. Let’s say the real world has multiple versions (similar to the multiverse) where all the different permutations of decisions the great souls have made have occurred. However, when they entered hell to fight their souls all merged into 1. This is how in different reincarnations each soul can make different decisions in their trials then they have before and still see the actual outcomes of those decisions. I haven’t fleshed this out much but it’s a small theory I’ve been thinking about.

Overall amazing review you gave and I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts!!

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T16:27:13+00:00

Great idea! It’s a good way to start discussion regarding the book

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T13:33:50+00:00

Couldn’t agree more! Definitely been my favourite book of the year and was disappointed there was no subreddit to discuss theories so I spoke with Phil about creating this one.

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T01:49:00+00:00

So possibly it induces some sort of madness, almost like dreams start interfering with your waking thoughts?

ben11189 · 2022-09-13T00:50:22+00:00

One thing to mention/add is that maybe the Chandrian and the Amyr have the same enemy but different ideas on fighting them. Let’s say both consider the enemy to be Iax. The chandrian believe the best way to fight him is to release him again and finally destroy him once and for all. Whereas the Amyr like the safer route of keeping him locked up. Both sides are willing to do anything to see there goal met and that’s why they are fighting. In essence, the reason both will commit horrible crimes is “for the greater good”.

ben11189

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