I am SO addicted to this series. The best part is the books just keep getting *better*. I finished #3 LastRock and WOW WOW WOW. I think it's the best of the three. I'm really looking forward to #4, it can't come out fast enough.
@@ansh2771 Since it's a series, it would be foolish for the writer to try and resolve everything because why would someone want to keep reading. However, there is a resolution to the current book's arc, but it also has the very beginning of the arc covered in book 2.
@@alliedavidson4175 yea ofc. But since there are going to be more books (like 7-8) im not ready to be left off at a complete cliffhanger lol. Thank you for replying!
@@ansh2771 It's actually not a bad idea to wait until the entire series is finished, so many readers have been burned because of authors quitting on them. However, Phil Tucker is an indie author, and as an indie author myself, putting out books on a regular basis is our bread and butter. If we stumbled, we don't have some big publisher contract to hold us up. I have no doubts that Phil will finish it.
Wow what a pleasant surprise! Thanks for putting this on my radar-after being underwhelmed by Cradle overall I wasn’t sure I’d go for more progression series but this sounds like a must try
Yeah it definitely has all the cradle vibes, so if you liked the potential of cradle you might like this one. If you couldn't connect with cradle at all this might not be your cup of tea.
Great review!! After Cradle, I tried to keep reading similar stuff, but the books are not on the same level. This one seems very underrated, and I will read it.
Had the pleasure of hanging with the author at WorldCon this week, and can confirm he - frustratingly - is also a first class human being. Glad you loved the book; just wait till you see what happens next…
This was on my tbr since you released the video, but I was skeptical since I never read progression fantasy. Started yesterday night and already 400 pages in, thank for reviewing it!
The issue with Progression Fantasy (as an avid reader of the genre myself) is that ultimately, the genre is too young. It is flush full of indie writers breathing fresh life into the subgenre, but it has not been able to raise any standout authors that can really elevate the community as a whole to the next level. I suspect that in 5-10 years, all of the small kinks will be worked out.
I just finished reading the second book, and everything mike said about it is true, best book i read this year. I got hooked in the first pages stuff that rarely happens for me. Oh and thank you mike fot the video.
has he written other books with progression fantasy? could you also recommend some good series in progression fantasy, I've read cradle, mother of learning, warformed stormweaver.
@@sakshathsm20 I've read another series he's written called Apocalypse Trilogy, I finished the first in the series, Dawn of the Void but didn't continue, it wasn't nearly as good as Immortal Great Souls. I also tried his others, but they didn't spark interest. I think Immortal Great Souls is by far his most popular.
I've been waiting for your thoughts on this book since I've been thinking of picking it up. Sounds like a chonk though. Maybe I can get an ebook for my upcoming vacation. Thanks Matt!
I have yet to get into progression fantasy. I’m between starting with the wandering inn or he who fights with monsters-unless I’m totally misclassifying them
Neither are bad choices! Though I'd honestly say that Bastion is on another level from them both. HWFWM, Defiance of the Fall, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Primal Hunter, etc., are all on the same level. Cradle easily sits above those, but Bastion sits above Cradle. It's a shame that more people haven't discovered the series yet. They're all extremely fun reads though. I'd add Iron Prince to the lot as well. I would place it below Cradle, though the second and third books stray slightly. Ultimately, I agree with Matt. Start with Bastion. If you like it but want more of an eastern influence, try Cradle. If you don't like either, progression fantasy may not be your genre.
Better than Cradle you say? I am on the 2nd to laat book of Cradle right now and have been loving that series so guess I will have to add to my tbr list
I had the same issue with the cover of Iron Prince which is currently my favourite progression book. It’s a massive spoiler for the end of the book, same with the second one, and it’s really annoying Absolutely love the book but I hate when they have spoilers on the cover
I read a book I believe was the beginning of a series over 30 years ago when I was younger but don't remember a lot about it. where would I go to find out the title by giving a brief description of what I remember from it? I would appreciate any help you guys could offer
Oh I loved Def read rascor plains. It is faster paced as well. I too am not a fan of the covers or title as it is a Lil spoiler like. A great read nonetheless
This book sounds awesome. How does it compare, in terms of enjoyment factor, to something like Dungeon Crawler Carl? I realize that series is LitRPG vs. just progression fantasy, but I couldn’t help but subconsciously compare your heaps of praise for this book to when you had similar feelings about DCC. And I tried and loved DCC after your review of those books lol
I stopped reading it as people do say it declines after forgotten shore(initial) arc... how are the later chapters and arcs? plot as engaging as cradle?
@@kushal4516 so obviously the forgotten shore was a banger of an arc because it introduces you to this new world that's so different from everything that you've ever seen in fantasy that even if your not super into the story you stick around because it just throws at you cool new idea after cool new idea. After the forgotten shore there are people who stopped reading because of an event at the end of the forgotten shore arc and yes, while that character is blocked away the story will stagnate a bit but I did not find it a problem. After that there is a new very interesting arc that I can't say anything about because it's foreshadowed a bit and every crumb will be a spoiler, you eventually will get to the third nightmare, that I don't consider a spoiler because yeah obviously you will that's the story, and that nightmare is very long, it introduces some reeeeally cool concepts (like the river or the island in the middle of the vortex) but it's so long that it became a bit stale and at that point you have been reading for so long that you feel that you have seen it all and know it all, but please stick around and keep reading because the end of the nightmare finds a way to keep the story fresch that really is incredible i really tought that there was no way to surpise me at that point but it seems that the author always has a trick up his sleeve. After that the things that happens at the end of the third nightmare changes so many things that keeps the story fresch and it remains very cool and with new things to do, right now I'm at chapter 1800 and the story is going strong managing not to loose plot points around or become stale, I'm really impressed and so far it's truly a banger
Is there anything you suggest starting with if wanting to get in to progression fantasy? Or could a normal fantasy enjoyer just hop in to something like this?
It doesn't deter the readers the author is trying to attract i.e. progression fantasy/LitRPG readers. I'm not a fan of these video game covers either but it's clearly what the fanbase in those genres want which is why most authors go for it. Traditional fantasy readers are not the target market.
@@ulysses17_ oh really. I didn't realise or was aware that this is the type of covers that they wanted. I assumed that it was due to some budgetary reason. For me seeing a cover like this for a fantasy book is equivalent to seeing a cover of half naked moody men of trashy romance books. It just gives off a trashy vibe. For me everything is fantasy, and yes I do have my preferences in tropes and sub genres but I generally I'm interested in most fantasy books, granted I didn't enjoy Cradle and had to dnf it, it doesn't mean I hate the genre. I loved the first book of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and I even liked its cover. Even Cradle has a very appealing cover. My point was that, I could very well enjoy this, but I would never randomly pick up this book if I ever see it randomly at a store.
@@pranavprasad8793 I just like the colour scheme. The demon’s pretty cool imo, too. But I can see why people would dislike it, especially if it’s giving away spoilers.
I've avoided it for the longest time because the cover art always screamed cringe to me, like another Primal Hunter or Defiance of the Fall or something like that. I may have to give it a go after this review.
I read this one and gave it 1 star lol. Crazy and awesome how different people’s opinions on books can be. Glad you enjoyed it but I wouldn’t wish this book on my worst enemy.
As a Christian, is there anything anti-Christianity? Given that it takes place in hell, I don't want to root for Satan and demons given the biblical framework of their attempt to thwart God's purpose. Is this a separate framework that doesn't come across as promoting evil over good?
It's okay. It's definitely bearable. I've read it and listened to it. I believe that reading it is the best way to go, but that's just me. There are audiobooks that I absolutely cannot listen to due to the narrator. This one isn't one of those.
Progression Fantasy is the super-genre; all LitRPG are progression fantasy, but not all progression fantasy is LitRPG. I've never been able to bring myself to read these--the description smells of power fantasy/wish fulfillment.
So two questions! How much cursing is in the book? And would you describe as Grimdark? I picked up dungeon crawler carl and thought it was really good but theres way too much cursing and taking The Lords name in vain for me. Picked up a lot of good books from your channel! I realize though that these types if things dont matter to most others
For whatever reason I just hated this book, loved cradle and other progression fantasy books but this one just rubbed me the wrong way. I liked the setting, premise and central mysteries, but didn’t care about any of the characters. I think “the world is against me” kind of stories just put me off. The ending did get me excited for the next book, I didn’t like it either. Maybe I’ll give the third one a try.
The second book is even better, but imo the series goes downhill with the third book. The writing quality is not as good, the plot feels forced and the dialogue is worse
I love this. @alliedavidson4175 is absolutely correct. They get better with each book. I'm stoked that you loved it. Took you long enough to get to it!
I am SO addicted to this series. The best part is the books just keep getting *better*. I finished #3 LastRock and WOW WOW WOW. I think it's the best of the three. I'm really looking forward to #4, it can't come out fast enough.
That is so nice to hear!! Lots of times, it's the opposite. Sometimes, I have to drop at book 3 because the plot and storytelling get boring.
Does book 1 work as a standalone ?
@@ansh2771 Since it's a series, it would be foolish for the writer to try and resolve everything because why would someone want to keep reading. However, there is a resolution to the current book's arc, but it also has the very beginning of the arc covered in book 2.
@@alliedavidson4175 yea ofc. But since there are going to be more books (like 7-8) im not ready to be left off at a complete cliffhanger lol. Thank you for replying!
@@ansh2771 It's actually not a bad idea to wait until the entire series is finished, so many readers have been burned because of authors quitting on them. However, Phil Tucker is an indie author, and as an indie author myself, putting out books on a regular basis is our bread and butter. If we stumbled, we don't have some big publisher contract to hold us up. I have no doubts that Phil will finish it.
Wow what a pleasant surprise! Thanks for putting this on my radar-after being underwhelmed by Cradle overall I wasn’t sure I’d go for more progression series but this sounds like a must try
Yeah it definitely has all the cradle vibes, so if you liked the potential of cradle you might like this one. If you couldn't connect with cradle at all this might not be your cup of tea.
Fine. I’m in. Audiobook purchased.
Please let me know if it's worth a credit whenever you listen to it. There's not enough reviews on the store page.
Great review!! After Cradle, I tried to keep reading similar stuff, but the books are not on the same level. This one seems very underrated, and I will read it.
Welp, I bought Bastion on ebook a while back and it's been sitting on my TBR list for a while. Guess I have to push it up by a lot now 😂
Yeeees I’m so glad you liked it!! Book 2 is even better!!
Wow I picked this one up on Amazon a month back because I seen someone on Instagram recommend it. Haven't read it yet but it's moved right up my TBR.
Had the pleasure of hanging with the author at WorldCon this week, and can confirm he - frustratingly - is also a first class human being. Glad you loved the book; just wait till you see what happens next…
I would love to met Phil Tucker and seriously fangirl over his Immortal Great Souls books.
@@alliedavidson4175 The guy is a gent - would not disappoint!
This was on my tbr since you released the video, but I was skeptical since I never read progression fantasy.
Started yesterday night and already 400 pages in, thank for reviewing it!
Finished all 3 😅
Can't wait for the next one
The issue with Progression Fantasy (as an avid reader of the genre myself) is that ultimately, the genre is too young. It is flush full of indie writers breathing fresh life into the subgenre, but it has not been able to raise any standout authors that can really elevate the community as a whole to the next level. I suspect that in 5-10 years, all of the small kinks will be worked out.
The GOAT has uploaded
This just jumped to the top of my TBR. I'm interested to see where this lands in your top 100!
I just finished reading the second book, and everything mike said about it is true, best book i read this year. I got hooked in the first pages stuff that rarely happens for me.
Oh and thank you mike fot the video.
Phil Tucker is the man. Liked all his series.
has he written other books with progression fantasy?
could you also recommend some good series in progression fantasy, I've read cradle, mother of learning, warformed stormweaver.
@@sakshathsm20 I've read another series he's written called Apocalypse Trilogy, I finished the first in the series, Dawn of the Void but didn't continue, it wasn't nearly as good as Immortal Great Souls. I also tried his others, but they didn't spark interest. I think Immortal Great Souls is by far his most popular.
@@sakshathsm20which stormweaver is that? Who's the author?
@@joedoe7572 that is the series including iron prince by Bryce O'Connor
I've been waiting for your thoughts on this book since I've been thinking of picking it up. Sounds like a chonk though. Maybe I can get an ebook for my upcoming vacation. Thanks Matt!
I have yet to get into progression fantasy. I’m between starting with the wandering inn or he who fights with monsters-unless I’m totally misclassifying them
Neither are bad choices! Though I'd honestly say that Bastion is on another level from them both. HWFWM, Defiance of the Fall, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Primal Hunter, etc., are all on the same level. Cradle easily sits above those, but Bastion sits above Cradle. It's a shame that more people haven't discovered the series yet. They're all extremely fun reads though. I'd add Iron Prince to the lot as well. I would place it below Cradle, though the second and third books stray slightly. Ultimately, I agree with Matt. Start with Bastion. If you like it but want more of an eastern influence, try Cradle. If you don't like either, progression fantasy may not be your genre.
@@skystrickland4416 ahhh I see. Okay so bastion is the king of all. Roger that and thank you
@@Chance.Dillon maaaan, it's all subjective, but in my opinion, yes. Take that with a grain of salt, but I hope you enjoy it as much!
Book 3 is not available in paperback 😢
Better than Cradle you say? I am on the 2nd to laat book of Cradle right now and have been loving that series so guess I will have to add to my tbr list
I second that it is better than Cradle and I LOVED Cradle. Cradle was one of the first progression fantasy series that I fell in love with.
bruh moment got me chucklin
I feel like this would be a guilty pleasure i wouldn't want to like but would end up enjoying.
I've had this on my TBR for quite some time, have to move it up with your rave.
My book of the year!
u convinced me
im going to read this next
after the break from fantasy thisll be good
This author's Dawn of the Void trilogy is also worth adding to the TBR. It's a LitRPG apocalypse story set in New York and it's really enjoyable.
What he has an urban apocalyptic fanatasy series?
Well adding this one to the tbr
I just read Down Of The Void.. amazing book...
Hi Matt! I was wondering how much time you spend reading/listening to audiobooks a day?
About 3 hours
I love that!
I had the same issue with the cover of Iron Prince which is currently my favourite progression book. It’s a massive spoiler for the end of the book, same with the second one, and it’s really annoying
Absolutely love the book but I hate when they have spoilers on the cover
👀
Why do you do this? I am already struggling to find time with the stuff already on my TBR and dont know what to start next.
I do it specially to mess with you in particular.
I read a book I believe was the beginning of a series over 30 years ago when I was younger but don't remember a lot about it. where would I go to find out the title by giving a brief description of what I remember from it? I would appreciate any help you guys could offer
Reddit has a community for it. Id go there.
ChatGPT could be of use
That beginning: Person waking up from a como without memories sounds like the beginning of Amber 🙂
Oh I loved Def read rascor plains. It is faster paced as well. I too am not a fan of the covers or title as it is a Lil spoiler like. A great read nonetheless
This book sounds awesome. How does it compare, in terms of enjoyment factor, to something like Dungeon Crawler Carl? I realize that series is LitRPG vs. just progression fantasy, but I couldn’t help but subconsciously compare your heaps of praise for this book to when you had similar feelings about DCC. And I tried and loved DCC after your review of those books lol
Similar levels of pure enjoyment, but I liked the story and world of Bastion quite a bit more.
4 minutes 3 seconds in to this video I’ve already bought all 3 in the series
Love it!
lol I also stopped at 430 after he said it was better than Cradle
Shadow slave best progression fantasy hands down
Who's the author? I'm trying to find it
@@joedoe7572 It's a webnovel written by GuiltyThree
@@joedoe7572 it's still a novel like mother of learning but trust me it's stupid how good it is
I stopped reading it as people do say it declines after forgotten shore(initial) arc... how are the later chapters and arcs? plot as engaging as cradle?
@@kushal4516 so obviously the forgotten shore was a banger of an arc because it introduces you to this new world that's so different from everything that you've ever seen in fantasy that even if your not super into the story you stick around because it just throws at you cool new idea after cool new idea.
After the forgotten shore there are people who stopped reading because of an event at the end of the forgotten shore arc and yes, while that character is blocked away the story will stagnate a bit but I did not find it a problem. After that there is a new very interesting arc that I can't say anything about because it's foreshadowed a bit and every crumb will be a spoiler, you eventually will get to the third nightmare, that I don't consider a spoiler because yeah obviously you will that's the story, and that nightmare is very long, it introduces some reeeeally cool concepts (like the river or the island in the middle of the vortex) but it's so long that it became a bit stale and at that point you have been reading for so long that you feel that you have seen it all and know it all, but please stick around and keep reading because the end of the nightmare finds a way to keep the story fresch that really is incredible i really tought that there was no way to surpise me at that point but it seems that the author always has a trick up his sleeve. After that the things that happens at the end of the third nightmare changes so many things that keeps the story fresch and it remains very cool and with new things to do, right now I'm at chapter 1800 and the story is going strong managing not to loose plot points around or become stale, I'm really impressed and so far it's truly a banger
I will check it out 👍
My favourite series after Cradle. Each book gets better. Can’t wait for book 4
Does book 1 work as a standalone ?
Yes it does as there is as each book has its own mini arc you could say so there is a satisfying conclusion to each book
@@michaeltoomer4090 thank you!
Is there anything you suggest starting with if wanting to get in to progression fantasy? Or could a normal fantasy enjoyer just hop in to something like this?
Hop right in to this one!
@@MattsFantasyBookReviewsordering it now!!
The Cover is so bad Imo. Covers like that seriously deter readers away from picking up the book
It doesn't deter the readers the author is trying to attract i.e. progression fantasy/LitRPG readers. I'm not a fan of these video game covers either but it's clearly what the fanbase in those genres want which is why most authors go for it. Traditional fantasy readers are not the target market.
I like the cover.
@@ulysses17_ oh really. I didn't realise or was aware that this is the type of covers that they wanted. I assumed that it was due to some budgetary reason.
For me seeing a cover like this for a fantasy book is equivalent to seeing a cover of half naked moody men of trashy romance books. It just gives off a trashy vibe.
For me everything is fantasy, and yes I do have my preferences in tropes and sub genres but I generally I'm interested in most fantasy books, granted I didn't enjoy Cradle and had to dnf it, it doesn't mean I hate the genre. I loved the first book of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and I even liked its cover. Even Cradle has a very appealing cover.
My point was that, I could very well enjoy this, but I would never randomly pick up this book if I ever see it randomly at a store.
@@JasonsWeirdReads fair. I guess, not every readers
@@pranavprasad8793 I just like the colour scheme. The demon’s pretty cool imo, too. But I can see why people would dislike it, especially if it’s giving away spoilers.
Sold.
How's the prose? Is it at least First Law/ ASOIAF level?
Not even close.
Thank you... I thought fantasy has been dying this year. There hasnt been something that caught my eye for months! Dungeon Crawler is too short....
Is this book more YA friendly like cradle or more for adult audience?
YA friendly.
I'm with everyone about the cover being so bad tbh
I've avoided it for the longest time because the cover art always screamed cringe to me, like another Primal Hunter or Defiance of the Fall or something like that.
I may have to give it a go after this review.
I read this one and gave it 1 star lol. Crazy and awesome how different people’s opinions on books can be. Glad you enjoyed it but I wouldn’t wish this book on my worst enemy.
That was unnecessarily cruel. Why not say "It wasn't for me" and leave it at that.
Top 5? Top 3? Best book of the year so far?
Top 4 or so of the year so far out of the 60 or so I've read.
Nice
As a Christian, is there anything anti-Christianity? Given that it takes place in hell, I don't want to root for Satan and demons given the biblical framework of their attempt to thwart God's purpose. Is this a separate framework that doesn't come across as promoting evil over good?
I don't think so, but I could be wrong. Feels like a totally separate thing.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews thanks!!
Sounds like Malazan has competition
Anyone read the audiobook? Performance good?
It's okay. It's definitely bearable. I've read it and listened to it. I believe that reading it is the best way to go, but that's just me. There are audiobooks that I absolutely cannot listen to due to the narrator. This one isn't one of those.
Nick Podehl is a fantastic audible reader. I highly recommend
Progression Fantasy is the super-genre; all LitRPG are progression fantasy, but not all progression fantasy is LitRPG.
I've never been able to bring myself to read these--the description smells of power fantasy/wish fulfillment.
So two questions! How much cursing is in the book? And would you describe as Grimdark? I picked up dungeon crawler carl and thought it was really good but theres way too much cursing and taking The Lords name in vain for me. Picked up a lot of good books from your channel! I realize though that these types if things dont matter to most others
I don't recall any cursing in it at all. And it's definitely not grimdark. The good guys are unambiguously good and will obviously succeed in the end.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews thanks! Im gonna check it out!!
I would agree, first cursing I saw was halfway in book 3 👌🏼
This is a 38hr book on audible
For whatever reason I just hated this book, loved cradle and other progression fantasy books but this one just rubbed me the wrong way. I liked the setting, premise and central mysteries, but didn’t care about any of the characters. I think “the world is against me” kind of stories just put me off. The ending did get me excited for the next book, I didn’t like it either. Maybe I’ll give the third one a try.
And the tbr gets longer
That cover is abysmal lol
The second book is even better, but imo the series goes downhill with the third book. The writing quality is not as good, the plot feels forced and the dialogue is worse
This book is ass 💀 5 stars for the most generic recycled progression slop
What progression do you think is good? Or do you just dislike that subgenre?
This book was so boring
.....bruh
i enjoyed the first one but got bored on 2nd book... maybe i just went it with different mindset but it was a drag
The ratings for all 3 books are very high on goodreads
@@Digger-Nickit's called a subjective opinion...
@@Digger-Nick that literally doesn’t mean anything
This book is a slog
I love this. @alliedavidson4175 is absolutely correct. They get better with each book. I'm stoked that you loved it. Took you long enough to get to it!
Thanks for hooking me up with the books Sky!