Once again, I find myself completely drawn in by Jeff Hays and his narration. I enjoyed it immensely, even though I went into it not expecting to like it as much, as I had not had any interest in this deck building concept previously. The story felt very much like a first arc should, where the character builds up their strength while enduring hardship (though not much, which is expected to some degree: the story is set up to make the first part of the journey very easy for the main character).
Some parts that I did not like in the story where related to the first ability the main character had earned; several times, a few of which were in quick succession, their first power apparently doesn’t work properly and they do not acknowledge that at all. maybe it’s being set up that way on purpose, but the main character constantly references the effect of their first power, so it feels like something they would notice not working.
This was still in a very good listening experience overall for me, but it is definitely a story in which the cards are stacked in the main characters favor. if you’re looking for a lot of trials and hardship, this character only has them briefly, and thus far there was never a real feeling conveyed to the reader (or listener) that any of these problems that the main character was aware of would persist for more than a few chapters. there are events at the main character is not yet aware of that appear to have some gravitas, but it is unclear this time whether or not they will find it challenging.