When I came across this book I admit I was a bit excited. I like to see some variation in the LitRPG space, and this presented as a departure from the stock standard protagonist. Also, Jeff Hays gives stellar performances, and while I couldn’t stand the story, he once again carried the show.
I managed to struggle through about 10 hours of this book but the constant homophobic and misogynistic situations, thoughts and actions of the main character pushed me past the breaking point. The red flags started pretty early on, but I didn’t want to judge the book so early as I saw some people mention character development.. but there just wasn’t any. The number of times the MC talks about how much he hates manipulative/emotionally abusive tactics and then immediately follows with “classic woman” is staggering. Yet he still claims he “gets chicks.” At one point saying alls it takes is having a boat.
If the above wasn’t enough, the character is also textbook edgelord against all odds. I often think about what protagonist’s lives are like outside of the game/other world etc. but every mention to his felt like a 12 year old writting their first dnd rogues backstory… but worse? And he finds himself in constant situations that seem to put him at an insane disadvantage to most other players, but somehow does something that doesn’t make much sense and breaks the game. All while being given the highest praise by the AI leveling system.