Disapointing.

I listened to most of it one day at work, as in, over six hours and forty minuts of the book. It is not very inconsistent in and of itself, One character's fighting style quickly goes from being basically a mindless brut to talented but inexpianced in the span of two or three fights. The IRL part is next to ignored, no one has any life aside from tending to the main character out of the game. Despite being Very wealthy there is no atendent or the like aside from the kids who, despite likely being well off themselves, are just there for him whenever it might convenience the main character no matter what. Someone who is basically a Real Life Murderer gets off with what amounts to a slap on the wrist. And What Really annoyed me. The main character is a full-on Mary Sue. Sure there are failings, but they never matter. A master blacksmith is dumped into a game that has realistic smithing. The smith learns that they are able to make End game level gear out of steel, They are level 1. Later the Smith learns that steel items are lower end next to the magical metals; Rather than have to do anything meaningful to learn how to work with Literally Magic Metal, They test said metal, Go "Oh, it is just made of these very common real-world metals that make it this color" then works it with barely an effort and blam. End game level item from magic metal X on the first go. I got this book wanting something like Magic-Smithing on RR. I was Highly disappointed.

4 people found this helpful

Great first book

I liked everything about this book I hope there is a second book coming out

3 people found this helpful

Good story

Good story ok narrator. Just fair warning to anybody that actually knows and likes blacksmithing the author may have talk to somebody who knows how to do it and that’s about it. He does seem to know his armor and weapons though no 10 pound long swords here.

2 people found this helpful

Privilege? Really?

This reads like a 15 year old’s fan fic. Folks don’t act the way the characters in this book do. Marginally entertaining, the narrator, Mr. Kramer, saves the book. Mr. Mandani, if you read this, get out of the social group you’ve fallen into, go meet some different types of people. Get a variety of jobs. Experience life. Then write the next book.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

I will not lie I had doubts when I started this book, a litrpg all about crafting no adventure no dungeons murder hobos etc. but this book is a masterpiece a true work of art much like the smithing of our beloved mc. The book is engaging, imaginative and much more I can’t wait for the next book and highly surest you stop reading reviews bye the book and get lost in this beautiful world of smithing and fantasy. (Warning this book, Will make you have the feels you will smile, cry and much more with this mc)

I wish is was longer.

I can't wait until the next book comes to Audible. This book was far better then I expected.

Filled with nitpicky smithing details but very little story.

It’s okay. I love hearing the process of crafting, but this wasn’t done so anyone could understand. Your only options are to look up a million words for weapons and armor or to go with the flow and not care when there isn’t enough detail, just names, to describe what is being made. Not approachable for someone who knows nothing of metalworking or ancient weapon or armor styles. Spoiler* Deals with suicide and then people lying about it. The narrator speaks pretty fast so it’s extra hard visualizing the pieces the main character crafts. Overall the story is okay. Take out all the names of weapons and armor and it would be short. It’s half baked. Some parts are overly descriptive and others lacking. This isn’t a book where one can pause a look up a picture of the item. Since names are hard when spoken and very close to other names. When it is an item that is modified we get and excellent visual as it is needed. Using the names of existing items feels like a crutch for this author. It’s either one or the other, rarely both. The story is made of petty BS akin to “I have power because of my family, and a big head, so ima put you down and then brag about it :P” then plot armor “I have skill and you’re actually stupid so ima logic this shit, hope it works out, then tell on you :P” And while this isn’t bad per se it isn’t the most riveting plot. Don’t get me wrong I love crafting novels, but I like an inventive plot too. I probably would listen to a second one, but I wouldn’t read it. Too many names and too little hook. The beginning was good, as well as the little clips at the beginning of each chapter, but the childish fights are dumb and bring the whole novel down. It’s like all the intellect of the characters and author stayed within the blacksmith’s forge.

Good stand alone book.

while I liked the book I doubt I will get the next one as I do not see what else another one has to add in the premise.

A Harty Meal

This noble VR story is thought proving and heart felt. The adventure was absolutely juicy with the craft of Blacksmithing. I'd be willing to bet this book could be used to teach people how to be a real smith! Praises To The Writer!!!

Not explaining anything leads to problems

The MC is pretty much just a mary sue type character that only ever seems to have trouble or problems when people don't bother to explain basic game concepts to him. Everything he makes is automatically the best it can be of that material. Set backs never feel like a big deal at all and everyone else is either immediately his loyal follower or is obviously evil and hates his guts.