the new monster evolution litrpg by RinoZ. I bought this because that cover demands to tell the story of its creation. Ant evolution litrpg? Yes please.
TLDR: The narration is outstanding, even more than expected, and the story has all kinds of fun elements that entertained me silly all the way to the end.
Fresh off listening to Jeff Hays crush Dungeon Crawler Carl, I was very curious to see how he handled this. The MC is an English/Australian reincarnated into a typical hive worker ant. Jeff is nailing the accent, and has really given the character a voice. The pesky, but lovable and loyal new hive ant comes across as a fun guy to have around. When he gets excited, I’m excited.
Jeff and Soundbooth Theater do an incredible job. This is already launching them to a new level of skill. It starts out with a Primus style baseline and keeps going from there, adding in a twist with the ending. My version does not have full sound effects, but that intro really set the tone. The fact that I can barely recognize Jeff’s voice from his Carl persona is very impressive. The system AI is well done as well, and the personality is flowing with the mc to make me sympathetic for his adventure. I’m not sure if I’ve heard Annie’s part yet, but regardless, it’s great audio.
The story comes in with 30 million eye balls on it, so unsurprisingly, the first ten chapters are well sorted with action and how this guy is going to be a bada** acid slinging, mandible chomping ant. It feels very realistic for what becoming an ant must be like, and the potential for commanding a massive ant army is going to be fun to discover. I like the foraging element and cost for leveling up his skills and gaining new ones. You really feel it. Kind of reminds me of Jez Caijio’s Underverse in its vivid descriptions.
“I’d like to introduce you to what I like to call the Business District. Pow!”
🤣🤣Every time Jeff Hays says “Pow!” I wanted to high kick and laugh maniacally. I can’t get enough of this ant evolution awesomeness.
“I began to think, isn’t this going rather well?”
This line at the end of ch 71 epitomizes the feel of a good part of this book. The sarcastic, yet still sympathetic voice for our hero will carry us through many ups and downs. The low of finding out he’s evolved into a regular ol hive ant has its highs when he accesses awesome mutated abilities. “Aura mandibles, chomp!”
It sucks that he’s been resurrected into an ant body, but the journey is incredible. Perfect for fans of OP MC’s with style and a likeable demeanor.
“Hope you’re ready for this bear! Crushing bite!”
Thunk.
“Holy bristling eyebrows of the White Wizard. That is tough.”
I knew when I saw the cover that an ant evolution LitRPG would be a romp, but I didn’t expect RinoZ’s execution. It’s bloody antastic!
Feel the wrath of Anthony!
May your robes be ever gray!