![]() Intel doesn't immediately result in ability, instantly picking up a totally new skillset for a non-gamer who hates and avoids everything she's suddenly decided to do. Sure, Gloria was given information or Intel about the game, but come on. Sure, they only had access to low-level spells, but how could Gloria be able to simultaneously and instantly control so many others, and PLAYERS no less, when it took Jason months of hard work to gain access to the seige function of the dark mana well, to control hordes of feral undead as he did in Sandscrit. In the last fight, Gloria was totally unreasonably overpowered, without really any explanation or enough time for her to learn to control thousands of other players as bot clones under her command. Besides Alex, they have each demonstrated repeatedly that they're far more capable than they usually showed this book. Most of the fights in this book shouldn't have been so hard for the avatars. Eliza has a seemingly endless supply of useful potions, plants and many offensive spells. How could our heroic avatars be so ineffective repeatedly, in fights with overall less capable players? Finn can cast 4 channels simultaneously, and invent amazing spells and tech on the fly. I kept getting frustrated and being yanked out of immersion becauae I could not hold onto suspension of disbelief. The biggest problems I have with this book are that so many major plot points and combat balance decisions make no sense. Beforehand though, it was built up and dragged on in leadtime far too long. That's not the author's fault it's the way we're raised, even though it's not ideal for anyone's wellbeing or connectedness.) Their conversation right before, during and after the Keeper trial was a highlight of the book. (That would have been better explored if our societal programming didn't encourage and shame male friends into being awkward about affection, emotional intimacy and sharing intense feelings. The only truly necessary conflict that was worth so much time in Barrow was between Frank and Jason, about trust and the third Keeper trial. Throughout the book, Frank kept getting drunk, pouting and raging like a frat boy with no emotional control. In Barrow, everyone was being immature, childish, petulant, irresponsible, impulsive, often unnecessarily violent, and downright infuriating for pretty much no reason. Every single conversation in Barrow except Jason and Frank actually doing the Keeper trial and (spoiler) Evelyn's reveal as Queen in disguise could have and should have been easily resolved within one or two chapters total. Most characters heavily regressed in progress they had already made towards changing into better versions of themselves, rehashing the exact same conversations, introspection, and character flaws again.Ī lot of the interpersonal drama was juvenile and forced, especially the entire time in Barrow. Their previous complexity, nuance got lost. Brian and Frank were like grouchy guard dogs, single-minded in their focus on their female mate's safery. This is something the author had previously done quite well, so the slips were noticeable.Įliza was previously a much more nuanced character, but most of this book, she was just 2D: like other voices except timid, cowardly and hesitant in conversation. Almost every conversation in-game (before the Death and Taxes guild leaders forced the avatars to teleport to the previous air avatar's flying city) felt like the same three voices interchangeably talking, one informative, one snarky or silly, and one contrary or grumpy, with the character names swapped between a large cast but without voice/tone or much personality in how the dialog was written, and without descriptions to tell them apart. ![]() Finn, Dom, Kyyle and Jason often had exactly the same tone, attitude and phrasing. Most of the characters and conversations largely became indistinguishable. Other Goodreads reviewers have explained why, in a more succinct way, but here goes: But, to be honest, a lot of this book was kind of a mess and disappointing in comparison. I'm highly invested in the world, plot, and characters. I love this series, and the last book, Hellion, was my favorite so far.
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