Overall this book does a decent job with the setup, something glossed over in most LitRPGs, not a great job but decent. It has interesting characters, and a plot with ever-increasing stakes which is not something easy to do in the game-type sub-genre.
Where this series shines is its other sub-genre, being base building. Lots of details, layered systems, all the nitty gritty for folks who enjoy this type of story. My only complaint is the pace of build progression is kind of slow. I personally enjoy the base building sub genre, but I don’t want to wait chapters to build one single building. I think the entire book, MC went from 18 to fifty-something members.
Even though I think the multiple overarching plots are partly where this series stands out, there are some contrivances in the execution which seriously bugged me. These mainly focus around a the climax of the story, which unfolds over many, grueling chapters. It includes a disturbing episode of MC and one of his followers being brutally tortured. And the entire reason for this situation is superficially to save said follower and complete some quests to get rid of this boss, the torturer, and his minions and their threat to the local forest. But the MC possesses a single use item that could have got them all these results. To the author’s credit, he does acknowledge before-hand that it would “be a waste” of this power on this lowly boss. But the boss quickly turns out to be not so lowly. And the power of this ability we already know isn’t omnipotent, it has limits at least less than the boss that the MC comes to worship earlier. So to me, it makes no sense being captured and tortured not to use it. Further, since MC has the power to respawn his followers, the best plan to attack this base was to simply get in, kill his follower, and himself if necessary, and then respawn back at base. Safe and sound. Instead he goes on this elaborate rescue mission that fails, he’s captured, tortured, and unlocks a new ability. So the real purpose of the bizarre choice to attack an entire base of overpowered opponents was to unlock this power. He didn’t use the smart strategy or his item because that wouldn’t allow him to unlock his power. This is a contrivance. And annoying as all get out.
Finally my last complaint is the author says some monster talks like some “Ghetto black guys”… I mean I haven’t used that term in over 20 years when my gf at the time told me it was inappropriate. I think the author is probably older than me, so that would explain the outdated way he spoke here. For example he references an A-Team catch phrase. All in all, I won’t deduct stars for those three words alone, just don’t like it.
I don’t find other reviewers complaints about the MC valid. To me, he seems to be good-natured, but is understandably frustrated by his situation. Additionally, he gets annoyed by things that would annoy any of us. He complains about things we would complain about in his situation. He’s proud when he accomplishes something. He doesn’t whine. He doesn’t brag. He doesn’t break a fourth wall. Honestly, as to what those reviewers are referencing specifically, I have no idea where they got that from. Perhaps they are frustrated with how he handled the climactic battle, as that was a contrivance? And maybe their frustration with watching an MC in power fantasy get his butt kicked and his eyes gouged out, just turned them off?
So I would say this series probably isn’t for people who just want to watch OP characters coast. And other than some plot contrivances, this is a strong first novel for a new author. I imagine he can only get better.