This series started off strong with an interesting intro and character building, but followed up with a rushed and lackluster sequel. Maybe the first book caused expectations that were too high, but in the 7 hour story I can only think of one or two chapters that were interesting and easy to listen to. The rest were just day to day adventuring with many allusions to things that were hard to follow due to the protagonists lengthy past that we have yet to fully understand. The story itself is about them rushing in this book, but that doesnt mean it should be told in a rushed way and in such a short time. They barely stayed in one place long enough for me to really take in what went on. The romance at the end felt like it came out of nowhere. Even though it could be explained with the main characters past, it still doesnt mean we as readers can internalize it in a couple of chapters.
As someone who listens to a bunch of audiobooks, I find myself constanly checking for new iterations of the best series I manage to find, and abandon the series which follow the usual tropes of progression or litrpg books. Those tropes being plotless and endless progression fluffed up by funny or well written banter, given out in shorter and shorter books in order to seemingly squeeze more sales out. This series’ first book had me wanting more, but I had to force myself to finish just 7 hours of this second one. Hopefully it is an isolated incident and the third book will be as exciting and interesting as the first. And as long, please.
Jeff Hayes is top notch but the female voices are a bit too similar.