War Aeternus: The Beginning

For Beginners.

TL;DR It is a decent LitRPG. Chapter 8 and 9 are likely the highlights in my opinion.
Edit : Second book is much better and is full of interesting character development and an unraveling plot. If you like series, then this wouldn't be bad if you can get through the first book.

Problem 1: The Main Character - The first hour or so is indeed hard to get through. Lee, the main character, knows nothing. I suppose it is appropriate that someone would be disoriented after being plucked from their life, but it is exaggerated a bit too much for my taste. If you consider that he is an avid gamer, every gamers dream is to be in an actual game at least once, they should at least be able to cope or recognize the signs quicker.

I suppose the intro is the way it is for the purpose of explaining things to readers who have never touched a game before, but then why would they get this book?

Problem 2 : Narrator - Jeff Hays is a mastermind in voice acting. I love his voice range and control. My problem lies more with the fact that he mixes up the voices. He has a voice for narrating surroundings and actions and one for the main character. The issue is that when the character thinks or has an inner monologue, Jeff Hays swaps between the narrator voice and the MC voice. This presents the problem of not knowing the context of the information provided; If the character is talking out loud or just thinking.

It is more difficult to put these words on paper than to actually experience it. If the narration isnt something that you are avid about or are not a nitpicker, this will likely not bother you.

It is very generic in the sense of being whisked away to a different world, being trapped there, and having to survive or die for real. Nevertheless, after having completed ongoing series like "The Land", "Dungeon Lord", "Life Reset", "Unbound Deathlord", my standards are extremely high and this book is a place holder while I wait for the next book in one of said series. If you like this, check the others, I guarantee you will enjoy them.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The Best performed audio book I've heard.

I have over 300 audible titles and I have to say that the narration and performance of this book is one of the best I've heard. It's a compelling universe with a great story and awesome characters. I can't wait for a sequel.

17 of 20 people found this review helpful

fast forward to an amazing story

the author does something rather amazing he allows people to make a choice do you want to listen to the character sheet if no fast forward and in doing this he gives the people choice of listening to his amazing story in two ways if you're the hardcore gamer who likes to listen to the character sheets go ahead do so otherwise skip the next chapter something else is by doing this we get to really get into what's like for mpc's show me how some people treat them as second-class Citizens While others treat them as equals and the effect that has on gameplay

23 of 30 people found this review helpful

a very interesting story

a well written take on the reluctant protagonist, good game design and a nice premise on the world itself

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

amazing imagination and theological insight

War Aeternus takes on the everyman imagination when it comes to how gods work. From the mind of Charles Dean comes a hilarious account of a god looking out for its offspring by taking him from his dull world into a game like world to break his mind free from living like a drone. depending on how religious you are, you may take offence but I spoke with Charles before reading this and I knew that his intent was not to offend. when someone thinks their thoughts are crazy and another friend tells them it's normal.... this is that friend in the form of a book. hilarious. entertaining. and down to earth. very much worth your time. recommended snacks while reading. bacon and blueberry waffles. and beer. lots of beer.

11 of 15 people found this review helpful

Another FANTASTIC book narrated by Jeff Hays

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

With Jeff Hays narrating, it is no wonder this was a highly entertaining listen. Like Delvers, LLC, this is a nice take the LitRPG genre. If you like Jeff Hays' other work, you'll love this one. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and pick this one up.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unlikable characters. Disappointing narration.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm not exactly sure which listeners would enjoy this book. From the reviews, I see several people did love it. So, I guess it depends on your personal preferences. For my part, I didn't like any of the characters. Not sure whether that's just misfire or author was really going for the "unlikely hero" and turned that into "unlikable hero" instead. The plot too seemed to jump all over the place. And there's sort of too much religion angle mixed in for my liking.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jeff Hays Soundbooth Theater’s performances?

I love Jeff Hays' narration. The other books I've listened to before, are all awesome. His narration always adds value to any story. But this book turned out to be exception. Every transition between two different characters OR transition between dialog and monologue felt jarring. He also used some weird accent from time to time which felt off.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook for free from the author / narrator / publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

a bit different than me usual books

A story where you are the pawns in a game played against the God's.

the narrator had me with the first paragraph. his voices and the way he uses his voice

I requested a copy of this audible free and am happy to give my honest review.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Makes war fun again!

Let me start off by saying that Jeff Hays ought ot be listed as one of the gods in this book. Maybe the god of storytelling, or the god of the ten-thousand voices. He always does an amazing job, but here he really brings his divinity, when telling Dean's tale about a regular guy pulled into an RPG type world to fight for a god of alcohol. His vocal stylings make him the Frank Sinatra of narrators.

Dean, a favorite of my family, has penned the Bathrobe Knight. That was humorous, but this baby is packed full of funny. He also givesnods to several of his writing pals, or at least I gleaned that from some of the characters, and has little bits of fun hidden throughout for the attentive reader/listener. The story is well paced, fun, and you care about the characters. As much as I loved the bathrobe knight, I think this will shape up to better it in the long run. There is a lot of potential here, and the story is not yet close to being over.

Get it, read it, love it. Thank me later.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not a single likable character.

This book starts with a full chapter long prolog because the author is apparently super proud of his cliche framing device. It then proceeds to introduce the main character as a spineless lackwit. That's when I stopped listening because, honestly, why would I want to listen to that?

8 of 12 people found this review helpful