I’ll start off by saying this series has some incredibly sound design work. I’m loving the addition of music and special effects to key elements, and the dual narrators for a full cast of characters really helps bring the story to life. It’s an absolute joy to listen to these productions!
The story is getting really complicated this far into the series, but is no less interesting. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear about what was happening with Haley (and am mildly annoyed that that doesn’t get a direct answer in this book, but I expect it will factor in soon) and waiting for Owen to make his appearance. Summers is generally very good at writing interesting, deep characters while keeping the story moving at a pretty fast pace. If you’re looking for might and magic fantasy LitRPG this is entire series is a fantastic read, and I think Vault of the Magi brings about a turning point on the series’ main quest in a very rewarding way.
That being said, and this is a bleeding a little into Book 4 territory but far, far worse here is the long foreshadowed but no less cringe-worthy romance with Emerson is starting to rear it’s goblinoid head. I dislike being overly negative in general, and I’ll admit to being more-or-less OK with Emerson as a character–he was even a favorite of mine up until Book 4–but the complete lack of compatibility and chemistry between the characters is palpable, which only serves to make Emerson’s entirely romance-driven sub-plot all the worse. It’s difficult to express exactly why without spoiling quite a number of plot points, but I’ll say that it makes his sections of the book (which revolve heavily around Devon and his perceptions of himself as related to her) very difficult to sit through, particularly juxtaposed with how little he crosses her mind.
All that said, Bob is a wondrous creature, and I would read a spin off about each and every one of Devon’s guildmates in a heartbeat.