In Glory Seeker 2: Bonewalker's Hunt, the thrilling LitRPG adventure continues. Laran, despite his victory over the ghoul commander, remains a target of the Undying Empire. The relentless Master of Ten Thousand Bones unleashes hordes of skeletal creatures to reclaim the mysterious Vestige Laran possesses. Hunted by the emperor's bonewalker and besieged by city rats and scrofa, Laran faces overwhelming odds. His faerie companion, Toot, offers little reliable help as the true nature of this world—virtual sim, Purgatory, or alien casino—remains shrouded in mystery. With his Tinkering skills, Shadow Magic, and his loyal tauran companion Daisy, Laran must fight for survival in this action-packed sequel from game design veteran Bruce Nesmith.
Review Glory Seeker 2
Okay, so I just finished "Glory Seeker 2: Bonewalker's Hunt," and wow, what a ride! It's like Bruce Nesmith took everything awesome about a classic dungeon crawl, blended it with the best parts of a chaotic, unpredictable D&D campaign, and then tossed in a healthy dose of absurdist humor. The result? A wildly entertaining LitRPG adventure that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Laran, our protagonist, is a fantastic character. He's resourceful, clever, and often just barely manages to scrape by against overwhelming odds. I loved his relationship with Daisy, the seven-foot-tall tauran warrior – their dynamic is fantastic, providing both a source of strength and some genuinely funny moments. And the supporting cast? A delightful mix of quirky individuals, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. I especially appreciated the gnome assassin mentioned in one of the reviews – a character I’m now eager to see more of.
But it's not just the characters that make this book a winner. Nesmith's creativity truly shines through in his monster designs and the ways they utilize their abilities. Seriously, his ideas are brilliant and inventive – I'm already brainstorming how I can adapt some of these creatures and their tactics into my next D&D campaign. It’s clear Nesmith's experience in game design shines through. He understands pacing, escalating challenges, and how to keep the reader engaged.
The plot itself is a whirlwind. One minute Laran’s facing down hordes of skeletal beasts sent by the Undying Empire, the next he's dealing with a rat rebellion, and then – bam! – the scrofa are besieging the city. It’s relentless, chaotic, and utterly captivating. While some might find the sheer number of problems a bit overwhelming, I found it exhilarating. It perfectly captures that feeling of a truly desperate situation where you're constantly scrambling to survive.
And speaking of the tone, one of the reviews perfectly captured the absurdist nature of the story. It's true, at times the plot veers into the utterly ridiculous, with illogical leaps and ludicrous skill names aplenty. But that's part of its charm! It's not meant to be taken too seriously, and it embraces its own silliness wholeheartedly. Instead of being a flaw, this adds to the overall fun and frantic energy of the book. It's a breakneck pace, a wild ride that keeps you guessing – and laughing.
So, if you're looking for a meticulously crafted, deep-lore fantasy epic, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you want a fast-paced, action-packed, and hilariously unpredictable LitRPG adventure with memorable characters and inventive monsters, then "Glory Seeker 2: Bonewalker's Hunt" is a must-read. I, for one, can't wait for book three!
Information
- Dimensions: 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 398
- Publication date: 2024
Preview Book
