I'll give you a hint on how to get through the first part of this book. Drink two of Alex's Haste Potions, and speed read through it as fast as you can. It was really bad writing. They briefly watched the cloud of ash that was once their ‘invincible’ master drift away. Then they looked at their dead, lying in mounds around Thundar, Claygon and Kyembe. Lastly, their eyes fell on the dozens of summoned monsters and Ezerak’s painted beasts hungrily watching them. The Fool—according to all Alex’s teachers—had nothing to offer anyone, save for a nominal but necessary service to the Heroes. Uldar’s Prophecies called those that bore the mantle necessary, but history had suggested otherwise. Life normally quieted pretty early in Alric with the arrival of sunset: after darkness fell, burning wood and candles for light was too expensive, so it was avoided. So, the evenings were gloomy around town. But, it seemed that things were even quieter in town than they had been when he was in the graveyard. It never happens. Instead, we get dumped in Hogwarts. That I kept reading is actually a testament to the quality of the writing because for me, magic school is an instant DNF.

Mark of the Fool 5: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kindle Edition

So far it's a decent series though the male MC is being portrayed (yet again) as a blundering incompetent fool, and the female he likes is strong, intelligent, and confident (never wrong about anything). Maybe he grows out of it in the second book, but in the first book he repeatedly screams in terror at things the the female MC shrugs off (in fact, everyone but him reacts better), and it's hard to relate to someone so cowardly. So this book has a lot of my favorite scenes in the story so far. Alex meeting the Heroes is a big one---we finally get to see the others Chosen besides Alex and Cedric. And Alex might feel sorry for them, but he has absolutely no desire to get dragged into their world. He'd rather help from the side, by pulling in his university, instead of trekking into the dungeons without all the things he's gained from his last year in classes. The writing is actually very good. Good enough that it carried me through to the end of the book even I wanted to quit. If you forgive the odd immersion-breaking anachronisms and pop culture references. The story literally died right there, and got swapped out for a shapeless slice-of-life tedium of magic system exposition, that I really didn't care for.It also reads somewhat like a power-fantasy fanfic. I was expecting a romantic rival for his not-girlfriend-but-sorta-girlfriend. I was expecting plot development for the Mark. It never came. Maybe a third of the book after the halfway point (so most of the second half) felt unnecessary. I was glad for the interesting magic-system building, but I would trade all that in a heartbeat for plot development with the mark and that whole plot. Using the last of his staff’s magic, he grabbed a piece of waybread from the bag, then cast invisibility on himself and muttered the incantation for Call Through Ice. Anyway, I think I'll wait for an in depth review before grabbing the second book, slated for January 2023, I think.

Mark of the Fool 3: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kindle Edition Mark of the Fool 3: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kindle Edition

Ellina is an expanded universe character who appears only within the Hollow Knight Wanderer's Journal- acting as the fictional author of the book. Her book details her experiences within the kingdom of Hallownest and acts as an outside source providing some unique reflections, accounts, and opinions on her findings. Ellina's character beyond her time spent in Hallownest is not explored and is unknown. The worst attempt I’ve ever seen,” Paul groaned as he lifted himself from the fountain. “But, if he’s willing to try something that stupid, then maybe we should take a look. Last thing we need is for some bigwig to turn all green in the face and keel over. Come on, Peter.” Shaman Stone allows Shade Soul to kill many flying enemies (most notably Primal Aspids and Armoured Squits) in a single blast, allowing the Knight to deal with enemies from afar and not risk getting hit. This is especially useful during the section without any floor, as the SOUL can't be spent on healing anyway.

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There! And you only get that so folk know that McHarris is no cheat! Now get out—” The baker snatched up a rolling pin. “—or you’ll need to put those silvers where your teeth used to be!” You’re fired! Fired! Get all of your things and get out of my shop! If I ever catch you here again, I swear on Uldar’s beard you’ll wish I called the guards for you!” Master McHarris roared, his face turning beet red. Rather than die or serve other Heroes like past Fools, he takes a stand, rejects divine decree…and leaves. With his little sister, his childhood friend, and her cerberus, Alex flees for the university, hoping to research the mystery of the Ravener. He’ll make lifelong friends, learn magic from mad wizards, practice alchemy, fight mana vampires and try to pay tuition.