Great MC

What a great progression story this one is. The MC goes through he'll in order to save his family, and in the end, literally gets strong enough to impress a goddess.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent, no nonsense protagonist

Spoiler free review
This is an Apocalypse Cultivation Novel with some wonderful twists, it includes a diestic struggle and is bloody superb. I'm hugely looking forward to the next in the series and I binged this book like no ones business. If you are looking for an MC who is not afraid to kill or remove people, but who isn't a psycho (he has good established reasons why he has developed this mindset), one who is not a witty comeback king, but often favours slow and methodical (unless it can't be avoided or his emotions get the best of him). Then this is a book for you.
The main review will include a minor spoiler that is mentioned I believe at the end of chapter one or two. Since it's pretty integral to the what's going on, if you want to go in blind like I did, then stop here.
TLDR
Apocalypse Cultivation Novel, where "Gods" exist and [SPOILER] plans, includes a time reset.
It all began with Purple Rain, an event which deiminated humanity and brought monsters, myths and legends to our world. The story begins with our protagonist Jake, a low level morally driven mercenary traveling with his team towards a recent incursion. After [SPOILER] events occur he finds himself transported back to day one, moments before purple rain was about to fall. Armed with the memories and habits of his past life, he can't stop the event from happening, but maybe just maybe he can reduce the suffering and horrors that beset humanity. If only things still happened exactly the way they had previous...
Why I liked it.
Partly I love the initial premise. That the time-reset happened provides the a solid reason for the MC being able to cope with the horrors that are set upon the world rather than him being "hard as nails". It enables the character to delve straight into what's going on, without the adjustment period. This is not to say that I don't enjoy stories in which characters struggle with the adjustment period, its just nice to read a range. Please note, this does not mean that the character is impervious to the horrors around him, nor that he doesn't grow and struggle with the events that are occuring, these things definitely do occur, it just means he is more settled to handle the world as it turns back into what he was previously living in the time (years?) before the reset.
There is a feeling of a large mythos surround what's going on, which is only slowly hinted at, with more going on in the background than the MC is aware of. I'm a sucker for a good world build and I suspect there are quite a few notes or stickies plastered around Balise's room with what might be going on. What's more the story feels like the author has written rules as to the way the universe works with lots of story aspects coming from these rules.
The gods actively have plans and machinations that interact with each other and not all of the gods are friends, even if they are on the "same side". What's particularly good about the way this is written is that none of these plans are dependent on a "hero of the ages", this gives the world a very lived in feeling rather than a world that exists to orbit the main character and his actions.
Reading the story I feel like there are several valid (if what disturbing) reflections about human behaviour, this leads to an interesting read.
The story is genuinely compelling, with Jake now living his life anew there are bound to be knock on effects from his actions and while there are other reasons as to why things are changing its interesting to see the unintended effects of his actions, these effects are not always beneficial.
The MC thinkings things through but is no genius and doesn't always come to the right conclusion or see all the angles.
Please note there is ALOT I'm not talking about in the story here, this is because I want to avoid spoilers and there are more compelling aspects of the story.
Why you might not like it.
If you want a system that is laid out in intricate detail this might not be as an attractive read to you.
Likewise if you are looking for a story in which the MC adapts to the changing world, this may be less of an attractive read.
This isn't a light read, while it is not graphic (nor as personal) about the darker aspects of what can occur in an apocalyptic setting, it does not ignore their existence. Personally I didn't have an issue with it, while in comparison books like The Wandering Inn, made me actively uncomfortable.
Things to note.
This is not a time loop book, if the MC dies, then that may be it.
Overall:
I absolutely loved this book. I thought Luke Daniels did a stellar job bringing the story to life. I hugely look forward to the next in the series.

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3 people found this helpful

Great take on a apocalypse story

I enjoyed the main character, his development and the perspective of the story. It made me laugh and kept me listening. The narrator is good, with lots of different voices.

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Refreshing western take on wuxia

Refreshing western take on wuxia. I’m interested to see where it goes, but it works pretty well as a standalone novel too.

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Phenomenal

This is honestly one of the best books I've enjoyed in ages, Jake is a likable MC who is very easy to empathize with. The action is quick and engaging. The only bad thing is I keep singing purple rain in my head lol

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ugh

I don't know what Luke was smoking when he narrated this book but man he's so over the top I just can't listen to it,.

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