Dissonance by Nicoli Gonnella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This LitRPG is a bit chaotic. Usually we see a grand, slow, and sometimes fast but mostly slow progression of skill gains in variously interesting or bland fantasy worlds, be it isekai or VR or cultivation. But this one?

It's throw this Isekai character into highish level skyrim, let them level everything and anything, only to find out later that this bit is slightly unusual. And then we have consolidation time, more cultivation, and a totally chaotic mish-mash of skills we never really get to know except for the one that has to do with eating memories, and then have a grand high level blow out that threatens...

Well, I won't spoil. It's fun, mind you, and it's kinda wild on the power progression speed, but if it's going in the direction I think it is, I think I'll be happy. Write yourself in a corner? No problem. Eat your mistakes. :)



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The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I went into this almost blind. The only thing I knew about it, strangely enough, was the movie trailer and the big letters saying, "based on novel", and the fact it was a post-apoc with some very recognizable peeps.

So, I thought, "Huh. I guess I better get on that."

I expected, and somewhat dreaded, a bleak future, but also dreaded a saccharine future, too. Neither was going to to me any good at this point.

Fortunately for me, this novel came out with just the right tone. Gritty, sure, but focused on competence and realism just enough hope and even curiosity to get not only the protagonist, but the reader, too, out of bed.

It isn't so much a novel about friendship and pinning your hope to a star, (or a dog), but a realization that all things can--and will--change.

I'm just glad this didn't come out bittersweet. Or sweet. Too much pain for that.

It's the writing that really came out on top, however. Beautifully imagined. Core, solid as hell.

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Last Save Dave: A LitRPG Adventure by Michael James Ploof
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a solid LitRPG but it does have a couple of caveats and/or manage-your-expectations moments.

For one, expect it to be a LitRPG that leans more heavily into super mario bros mixed with light leveling, with a focus on temporary powerups and a restart option.

If you like that kind of thing, you're gonna love this NY plumber in action.

I personally read it for the novelty factor, and it has that.

It also has a light riff on DC Carl going on, but that part's very light.

Still, it's all pretty amusing and heartwarming in the right ways. And like many of these LitRPGs, there always seems to be little DARK easter eggs hidden in here. Story element that usually would derail other kinds of novels with the emotional weight, but don't do that in LitRPGs because the MCs are just TOO DAMN BUSY. :)





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Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It lives up to the cozy fantasy romance billing. Nerdy researchers in the real world, 1909, getting the low-down on the fae.

Only one of them isn't quite what they seem. And the other is a bit more competent than they seem. And they're both idiots.

Which makes for a fun adventure/romance overloaded with fae lore.

I won't say it's the best I've ever read, but it, also, follows all the rules of the fae... AND romance novels. So, props for that.

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He Who Fights with Monsters 12 by Shirtaloon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How do you continue a story when your MC is a god? By reframing the question. Or rather, continue to keep asking the very question the series started with.

He who fights with monsters runs the risk of becoming one.

The real story is about power. Wisdom. Abuse. And the sometimes obvious, oftentimes oblivious solutions.

And in this novel, we see a LOT of wrap-up. But to be fair, a LOT has happened and we get to follow the grand procession of all those people Jason has interacted with--after the fact of such change. It's delicious. Crazy. Bittersweet.

But above all that, the flavor of hard-earned wisdom permeates the text. One might say it's soul-healing.

At this point, I could read this novel forever. I appreciate a good bit of wisdom. Shown wisdom. :)

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He Who Fights with Monsters 11 by Shirtaloon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A true two-parter of a novel. Building that domain, making friends of enemies, and then the lead-up to truly becoming a king.

Which is, of course, very funny, considering Jason's opinions.

Saying goodbye is also hard.

But the second part of the novel was also rather healing. Moving on. Growing. And it was interesting to see what everyone else did with their lives.

It's not the end, of course, but it feels damn necessary. And somewhat unique, thinking about transition periods in so many other novels like this.

Quite good.

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He Who Fights with Monsters 10 by Shirtaloon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's honestly fun to see the rest of the world sigh in deep resignation when dealing with Jason, and not just his closest friends. It's a far cry from the times when all those others would just use and abuse him, betray, kidnap, murder, or otherwise play deeply disturbing political games before setting him up for massive death.

Sighs of resignation are definitely an improvement. At least they're taking the godling seriously now. Or not. Or they wish they didn't have to. One of those. :)

This one definitely leads up to some serious compromises and tragedies, however. Because that's what happens in real life when you have to pull off miracles.

You know. Pull one out. But that also makes for some pretty great fiction, too.

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