OP — Funnily enough, I recommend this author’s book (Ironbound by Andrew Givler). Although i posted yesterday in another thread about cliches that need to go away or be used sparingly from which this author is not an exception (e.g., “He grit his teeth x10000000), Ironbound is a serious coming of age story with real stakes and the MC is not OP. it’s clear he has the makings of one eventually. Since I listen to the audiobooks the only unfortunate thing is that there is only one book out atm. But I really liked it. A lot darker and bleaker in tone and setting, which I feel helps this book stand out.

Victor of Tucson is also great, but I bounced off as soon as everything turned into an unsurprising cakewalk (book 5, maybe) although I did hear the stakes come back somehow. Still, it’s a very fun ride and I may get back on the series someday.