I do highly recommend but...

Positives:
Overall, this was a great find and im glad I bought it. You can tell that the author put a lot of time and effort in the ideas and concepts that fill his story. Every one of his ideas blends perfectly together and just works to make the story as interesting as possible. Honorable mention: the world building was perfectly executed. The author has written a story that beats out some of the books dropped by even the most well known fantasy authors this year. As for inside the ligrpg genre? This is the best I've ever read. All of the characters in this book are fully fleshed out and interesting. You come to learn about the characters naturally throughout the story in a way thats easy to digest. The author also did a good job of setting up circumstances, goals, and picking the best PoV for a scene--such that I was always engaged and interested to see what would happen --(or what the chosen PoV character might think react or say)--next in a scene.

Critiques:

I have a few minor critiques for this book.

First, where the book ends makes it feel as though it ended in the middle of its arc rather than at its end with a plot resolution (even just a minor milestone in the plot would have sufficed). That said, because the book was enjoyable throughout, I'm not as upset over this fact as I suspect I otherwise would be.

Second. The author by no means fails in his pros, and infact, I'd say that within the litrpg genre he's head and shoulders above his peers. But, with regards to Tyron being a prodigy with magic, I think in some instances more 'show' and less 'tell' was called for. Even still, within the class of 'telling', I found it most easy to digest and maintain emersion when it was done through the PoV of a different characters inner thoughts and reactions. That said, all that I've said is really only in specific regards to one side character (shows up later on), and with his personality being as it is, some might argue that the way he speaks to Tyron is somewhat fitting of his character.

Some expectations I have for book 2:

I hope that the M.C continues to have good character growth arcs, in such a way that meaningfully impacts how they see, make decisions, and interact with the world and its people.

I also look forward to seeing what other kinds of personal powers the MC will gain to allow him to play a more active role in the fighting.

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Wow. Bro. Rinoz. Wow. Bro.

This book is utterly perfected LitRpg. You aren’t aware yet how much you need to listen to this book but you do. It’s just fantastically portrayed and scratches an itch for a solid necromancer MC that all of us have been waiting for, whether we knew it or not. Phil Thron is a TOP TIER narrator as well. Leave it to Rinoz to always get the best working on his books. What a great addition to your works Rinoz my dude. I hope you don’t take too long before continuing this series as more of these is what the world needs, what the world craves, and just might save us all.

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Very very good

Small sort of spoiler ahead, also Im reviewing after reading both first and second books.

Probably one of the best litrpg's I've ever read, so far probably in my top 5. A few little nitpicks like a few of the skill choices are clearly just deus ex machina's. They made me actually yell out loud in my car that's how little sense it made when he takes them, only for the skill to be exactly what he needs a few chapters later.
Other then that the only negative is something I personally disliked but potentially others may not care about; that almost literally everyone but the main character dies. Like more death then a GRRM book. Which I guess could be expected from the title, but like wow if your a sensitive person or maybe want to take a liking to one(or any) of the side characters, just don't. I can off hand think of only 3 side characters out of maybe 15 we get POV time with, that actually survive or at least die in a satisfying way, everyone else was just depressing or disappointing. Still it doesn't really take away from the great pacing and mostly great writing, at least not enough for me to take any stars off. It's just one of those books that make you wish for some fan fiction or maybe change some of the characters fates for your own head cannon.

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don't talk to the minions.

such a good book. a fantastic example of litrpg with a strong world and stronger characters. I loved every moment of it and can't wait for book 2

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excellent

excellent story, well performed. one of the best of the genre.
I look forward to the sequel.

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One of the best examples of the genre

This is the first Litrpg I've listened to that has great writing and a more serious, mature subject matter. Great story, great pacing, great read.

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Very good

Rinoz is writing some of the best litrpg around currently. This is another start to what im sure will be a great series. But if im comparing the performance of this audiobook with the antventures, then its just not quite as good but solid anyway

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new narrator for me. good stufd

self recommended after keeping up to date on ant series. totally worth it. straight onto book #2!

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Better than expected

I’ve read quite a bit of necromantic fantasy. This one is a banger. Reminded me of my recent favourite non-necro fantasy series. Always love the rift setting.

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I loved it

I really liked both the first and second book and I'd recommend the series so far after book 2

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