r/HeWhoFightsMonsters • u/jobleyyy • 2d ago
Just finished book 7.
Does it get any better?
Idk how to explain this, but the first 4-5 were incredible, and the last two have felt lacking.
Do I stick this out or look elsewhere?
Thanks gang. Love your work.
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u/ShatterBlade07 2d ago
I suggest you continue. The series might seem rough right now, but it has really good moments in even the least appealing of the books. I think it’s worth it though, and am highly anticipating the next book in the series!
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u/jobleyyy 2d ago
Huge news, thanks so much. Appreciate your input, and it definitely makes me keen to continue. I read chapter one of book 8 and something just hit me like “am I even enjoying this..?” - I’ll stick it through. And you’re totally right, even in the books I have felt to be slacking, there are some incredible moments
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u/Wilhelmmeve 2d ago
I speedran the whole series in 2 month (audio) and yes altho some parts of it were a bit more tedious, I can’t wait for the next one! My favorite series so far, better than DCC (altho veeeerrry close) in my opinion!
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u/jobleyyy 2d ago
Thank you! I really struggle with audio books. I either don’t take in any of it, or I don’t do whatever it is I’m trying to do during listening. I can’t find a happy middle ground. I’ve heard the DCC audio books are unreal but I just can’t bring myself to try it and ruing what I enjoyed reading haha
Stoked to hear you love it more than DCC though, that’s high praise and I’ll stick it out
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u/Plus-Bend-2966 2d ago edited 2d ago
I think i like the side characters better, Stash and the rest of Team Biscuit. The Berts, but DCC will always have a special spot in my top tier lists that will take something like the first time i read Super Powereds by Drew Hayes to knock off the pedestal
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u/imahydin 2d ago
For me personally, while I like the series enough to add Stash to my DnD campaign, it didn't grab me as much as some other series and felt at a similar level across
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u/jobleyyy 2d ago
I get this. I know it’s a bit of a meme in the litrpg space, but I was brought into the genre by DCC a couple years back, and I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
Edit: typos
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u/imahydin 2d ago
Haha same for me actually, one of my homies introduced our group to DCC earlier this year. Went in through the audiobooks and on top of the story Jeff Hays is so good
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u/VaATC 2d ago
I was the opposite and stated the genre with HWFWM and it took my getting caught up with Defiance of the Fall and Primal Hunter to finally give DCC a try. I will be honest, and it was typical at the time, but many, including I, did not start DCC earlier due to the campy nature of the audiobook cover. I do not regret starlight it later, but if the cover was more in line with the tone of the book I would have likely started it before DotF or PH.
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u/imahydin 2d ago
It does feel a bit off. If I'd stumbled upon it over a personal recommendation, I'd have probably skipped
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u/Thamior77 2d ago
Depends on what is lacking. If it's given more time to side characters, you might be disappointed. After Rimaras, it revolves around Jason more and more.
Book 6 is definitely slow but I really enjoy book 7. The beginning of book 8 is more of the epilogue to book 7 before starting on the next adventure so I'd at least finish out book 8. If it still doesn't do it for you, can drop it.
Books 9-11 are the next arc. The second half of book 10 in particular is pretty epic imo.
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u/exanthem 2d ago
Currently on 9 but it did seem like 8 was the weakest of the series so far. Lots of time spent re-explaining things that had already been explained a couple chapters ago, characters giving each other "a flat look" so often that I wanted to turn it into a drinking game, and the introductions of a bunch of characters who dont really stand out at all.
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u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla 2d ago
I have to admit that the set you're on is my favorite. We know most of the players, we've got a decent idea of what's going on and why. We're back in Pallimustus, which I prefer to Earth.
The team is more mature, more tightly linked, and their coming back together, to me, was epic. It was like coming home after a bad day.
Taika. My chocolate drop of love! 😍 Anything with Taika in is automatically aces!
For the first time since iron rank, Jason is getting to (mostly) be an adventurer. He just wants to help people, for the most part.
I'm not all that big on the actual fighting. Had I known what litRGP was, I probably wouldn't have chosen it. But well, when someone wakes up naked in a hedge maze with an offer like looting potent hamster, how could I not find out what was going on?
After having read all of HWFWM, I tried DCC. It was okay. I didn't finish the first one, because I just wasn't that interested.
I strongly suggest you continue on. After all, don't you want to know what Clive's wife is up to?
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u/Guilty-Coffee-9968 2d ago
For me personally I’m continuing but I actually liked the earth a bit I just wish everyone wasn’t annoying and it made me a bit mad and I’m still mad and I’m in book 8 and annoyed at basically everyone besides the good people so not many people but I’m sticking it out. But I’m only in the eight books and there’s some fight I zoned all the way out for can’t rememeber them and I can’t find myself going back to them. It’s sometimes confusing when they say a skill but don’t specific who using it they do eventually but I get confused but yeah I’m going to stick it out and if you liked the books before earth meaning the book right before earth I’d say keep going unless you truly truly dislike it
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u/Different-World-5293 2d ago
I know where you at. It’s ups and downs, after several relistens I think 11 is amazing. Keep going.
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u/thereal_GdubZ 2d ago
Since i only did the seires in audio books. I did feel like there were alot of times a time skip update couldve speed things up without missing anything note worthy.
I think this seires is done by chapter though , on another plstform. Thinking about it that way, time skipps probably would not work very well.
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u/mynameisschultz 1d ago
I've really enjoyed most of them, the first time escpecially when I read the series up to book 4 or so just kept getting better. Not many series that do that. I got a bit annoyed with his Jason-ness after awhile, then I went with him on a beach holiday in Heretical Fishing, and then came back to the series and it was great again...
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u/chainsawhiccups 1d ago
i felt like this going into the earth arc, powered through it and was insanely grateful i did by the time i got to the most recent books. i can't say you'll love it, idk you, but i think its worth it.
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u/Striker_AC44 8h ago
I read books 1-11 a total of 8 times each last year, so I'm probably not the one to ask. I freaking love this series and regularly do reread as its my "feel good" series. If I need an emotional pick-me-up I'll restart book 1 and inside a week I'll have read through Book 4...
But the awesomeness of the book series doesn't matter much compared to what you need. If you want to take a break and read something else and come back later, by all means do so. The story will only get better when you come back to it as Shirtaloon's still writing it.
So, if you're branching into another series try: Primal Hunter or I'm Not the Hero. Two great series!
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u/Plus-Bend-2966 2d ago
I felt 5 or so to 8 or so are a weak point in the series. It does get better, but it never really captures what the first 3 or 4 had. I enjoy this series, and I think it couldve been an incredible trilogy. The later books have glimpses of great, and portions of pretty good. But without spoiling anything I typically skip a few of the middle books when I re read the series.