Laith
Mana Toast.
This is Toast.
It refills your mana. That's it. Nothing more. Fuck you.
I get that comedy is subjective but if this book can't get a laugh out of you, well, first let me express my condolences about your surgically removed funny bone and simultaneously congratulate you on that nifty promotion to Gulag Warden.
Seeing as how I am currently in the midst of binging this series front to back, I guess my opinion is pretty obvious; this rocks. This first book specifically is a gem among gems, it not only establishes the (fairly involved) premise, but it sets the comedic bar about as high as it can get. Every character is funny, the flavor text and AI notifications? Some of those almost killed me. Your experience may vary, the humor is definitely topical and makes references/uses words that will probably date this piece in the future. What's really impressive is how the story manages to balance the hilarity with more serious/somber moments that don't feel out of place. This story is wacky and silly, but it's also extremely self-aware- so don't worry about the story not going anywhere interesting.
I'm not going to outline the premise or the plot because this is not a difficult read. But I am going to strongly recommend the Audiobook version, it is the definitive way to experience this series (at least to me, and especially if you have a tendency to skip past system dialog/achievement notices). Between the incredible voice talent and over-the-top production you'd think you were listening to audio cut straight from a cartoon/TV adaptation. Honestly, that's what they should do whenever they adapt this for TV, just draw the scenes and use the audiobook audio.
For fans of LitRPG, this has all the elements you've come to expect: A system, dungeons, stats, and progression. The system is definitely funnier than your typical fare, but the real difference maker is just how creative Dinniman manages to be about the abilities, classes, races, monsters (etc.). He's not making stuff up from scratch, but I seriously doubt there's another book that features meth-producing-lava-spitting Bad Llamas, or pyramid-scheme fairies, or a system AI with a big time crush fetish.
I couldn't finish this review without at least mentioning Mongo. Oh Mongo, your entry onto the scene had me giggling like a school boy in church.
Mana Toast.
This is Toast.
It refills your mana. That's it. Nothing more. Fuck you.
I get that comedy is subjective but if this book can't get a laugh out of you, well, first let me express my condolences about your surgically removed funny bone and simultaneously congratulate you on that nifty promotion to Gulag Warden.
Seeing as how I am currently in the midst of binging this series front to back, I guess my opinion is pretty obvious; this rocks. This first book specifically is a gem among gems, it not only establishes the (fairly involved) premise, but it sets the comedic bar about as high as it can get. Every character is funny, the flavor text and AI notifications? Some of those almost killed me. Your experience may vary, the humor is definitely topical and makes references/uses words that will probably date this piece in the future. What's really impressive is how the story manages to balance the hilarity with more serious/somber moments that don't feel out of place. This story is wacky and silly, but it's also extremely self-aware- so don't worry about the story not going anywhere interesting.
I'm not going to outline the premise or the plot because this is not a difficult read. But I am going to strongly recommend the Audiobook version, it is the definitive way to experience this series (at least to me, and especially if you have a tendency to skip past system dialog/achievement notices). Between the incredible voice talent and over-the-top production you'd think you were listening to audio cut straight from a cartoon/TV adaptation. Honestly, that's what they should do whenever they adapt this for TV, just draw the scenes and use the audiobook audio.
For fans of LitRPG, this has all the elements you've come to expect: A system, dungeons, stats, and progression. The system is definitely funnier than your typical fare, but the real difference maker is just how creative Dinniman manages to be about the abilities, classes, races, monsters (etc.). He's not making stuff up from scratch, but I seriously doubt there's another book that features meth-producing-lava-spitting Bad Llamas, or pyramid-scheme fairies, or a system AI with a big time crush fetish.
I couldn't finish this review without at least mentioning Mongo. Oh Mongo, your entry onto the scene had me giggling like a school boy in church.