Book 7 is finished... on to the next!
Added 2024-08-02 07:00:06 +0000 UTCHi all,
Book 7 is finished, and a whole month early at that, lol. Well, not really :) But certainly, in comparison to other books in the series, I have finished it much earlier than the amazon pre-order date.
I actually planned to finish Book 7 by the end of May, then aimed for June, only to actually finish in July (so much for my planning!) But despite being unable to write as fast as I wanted, I have managed to deliver the manuscript to the narrator, Andrew, a whole month before the ebook release. This should translate into an early release for the audiobook (perhaps a week or two after ebook).
Anyway, it's on to the next book.
Book 8 chapter postings will start on Monday, the 5th August. Again, my target (read, early finish date) is 3 months to complete, but realistically, I'm allowing myself 5 months (late finish).
But enough of the future. What did everyone think of Book 7? Did you enjoy it? Or did it frustrate you? Please share your thoughts freely, I welcome honest criticism!
Lastly, some random artwork I commissioned.
No prizes for guessing who this is :)
Happy reading,
Tom
Comments
I love this story. It’s vast, new and interesting. I enjoyed Michaels journey and I was honestly more partial to the idea of them having a time skip so that everyone is stronger and can actually contribute. There are too many threads in the storyline and having each book maybe tackle one but add more to the backlog is kinda frustrating. Given the power differential I don’t see anything being resolved without Michael getting directly involved. I really hope to see some conclusions achieved although I do understand that long term goals will take time.
Abhishek
2024-08-14 08:58:51 +0000 UTCThat makes sense and I can get why people would use telepathy to communicate with a species that primarily uses telepathy to communicate like the dire wolves. But I feel like that doesn’t explain why the other houses wouldn’t just use beast tongue instead of psi to communicate with their house beastkin assuming most house beastkin would be sentient.
mark janson
2024-08-04 14:38:52 +0000 UTCIts more like an OR situation. Those with beast tongue can communicate with sentient beasts (limited to talking with beasts only) OR those with telepathy (which allows mindspeech with anyone). Other things to note, beast tongue is a trait, which means a few classes can gain access to them (eg. druids at tier 4) whereas telepathy is a skill. As for the arctic wolves, they are NOT sentient beasts, hence they can't 'talk.' I hope that all makes sense.
Tom Elliot (Rohan Vider)
2024-08-04 13:39:02 +0000 UTCIt confuses me because he can’t communicate with the arctic wolves. I don’t think it was mentioned why either. Also in the first book he got the beast tongue trait but didn’t aira mention they could talk because of his psionic ability?? Also he was able to communicate with the wyvern in book 2. So I’m seriously confused about how the beast tongue and psi classes work. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Mike
2024-08-04 12:31:28 +0000 UTCMichael seems far more reactive whereas in the first few books he displayed more cunning, ruthlessness, and an ability to weave things to his will. Just ask anyone in Wolf Valley how messing with Michael turns out. The last couple of books he seems to end up in bad spots not of his making and finds away to get out or just overpower his way out. Rather than tying off loose ends, more and more threads appear. So, I trust you know where it’s going, but I really want some devious payoff as he and his faction wreak havoc against their foes. Also, I love your attention to character (sheet) development, so keep up the introspective character development monologues. And more loot for all the Forerunners, who doesn’t like more loot?
Marty Nelson
2024-08-04 03:38:45 +0000 UTCworst case, the paperback and hardback will release on the same day as the ebook. But maybe even a bit sooner...
Tom Elliot (Rohan Vider)
2024-08-03 16:57:58 +0000 UTCI think the implication was that each House would have telepathy users for better communication with the corresponding beast species, if applicable. Not all scions were going to be prime material, after all. Agreed on the beast tongue trait though.
Flopmind
2024-08-03 04:32:20 +0000 UTCThis book was an amazing conclusion of the book 6’s build up while expanding the world even further and the introduction to new characters gave me a decent amount to chew on growing Michael’s hoard is coming along nicely but still the hoard must grow further looking forward to the next book
Jkorry simmons
2024-08-02 22:02:53 +0000 UTCEnjoyed it, not every chapter has to be action packed to keep me interested. Definitely can’t wait for book 8, how long does it take to get the paperbacks out typically? I like to have a physical library!
Michael Rabbitt
2024-08-02 21:52:57 +0000 UTCI wouldn’t say I’m against it and it didn’t shock me because there was something from the other chapter that leaned that way as well. It just feels a bit contrived. If we’re going to start seeing them, then maybe mix it up. Make it an unconventional relationship or unrequited. Just a thought. I don’t think it matters too much, but I think the fact that it seems expected and ties everyone neatly together when relationships and people are anything but… is off.
Joshua Adams
2024-08-02 15:28:58 +0000 UTCI recently became a patron, so I think I'm gonna wait for the ebook release. I cant wait to see what you've concocted this time!
YTAHA
2024-08-02 15:18:41 +0000 UTCOverall I liked the book. It was well written and enjoyable to read. I liked the blades and raiders plot becouse it helped provide a solution to an existing plot point and gave Micheal the chance to gain some much needed levels. I’m still opposed to trying to combine all the houses into one. I feel like it removes part of what makes the books interesting. I feel like having multiple houses is more enjoyable and interesting from a readers perspective and in my opinion more practical from a narrative perspective.
mark janson
2024-08-02 15:12:09 +0000 UTCIn chapter 485 you said that the houses primarily used telepathy to communicate with their houses animal kin. But based on the rest of the series I feel like it doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t houses have been able to communicate with their beast kin using the beast tongue trait alone? Aside from this in prior books it was implied that each of the houses have their own unique preferred class builds physical, magic, psi, for house wolf and presumably other class combinations for other houses. Maybe all magic for house dragon or magic, magic, physical or say all physical classes for house bull and so on. Requiring all houses to have a psi class reduces the number of possible combinations by about half. I get that this might be a harder point to alter if you want to make psi one of the defining traits of the old houses.
mark janson
2024-08-02 14:52:42 +0000 UTCi haven't, but i still need to find the time to get to it again.
Tom Elliot (Rohan Vider)
2024-08-02 14:28:36 +0000 UTCLoved it. No gripes except it did feel short. I really enjoy speculating about what comes next and being dead wrong… you making MC out to be a general Maximus, general of the Felix legions, commander of the armies of the north lol.
obiwann
2024-08-02 14:25:53 +0000 UTCit came in at 130k, the same length as book 1
Tom Elliot (Rohan Vider)
2024-08-02 14:25:26 +0000 UTCHard to tell when only reading one section every few days, but felt unexpectedly short. Could be I've forgotten already just how much happened.
Michael Kantor
2024-08-02 14:18:37 +0000 UTCI enjoyed it - thanks :). The reminders on how many days left for the task in the wolves valley seems inappropriate and premature because that's not what this book is about. I would have enjoyed a chapter each about Safyre's past, Enriq telling Michael about his Dungeon run and later search of the Nether sector, the twins time in the Tundra, the separate wolf pacts meeting each other etc.. I would have enjoyed more commentary from the others about Michael's abnormal speed in growth. I'm not sure how he's supposed to keep the nether sector a secret if he has to seek help from new people to claim it.
Harley Dalton Jr.
2024-08-02 13:59:48 +0000 UTCI do have a question you completely ended the dragon mage series
Aaron
2024-08-02 13:08:00 +0000 UTCIncredible book series imo and absolutely loved it but my only small gripe is just how little it felt actually happened in this one, with the book only covering what felt like one encounter, and a reunion when his list of task is ever growing and I’m left with so many things I want to see but will have to wait ages for, although that’s only an issue because of how well-written and engaging the series is in the first place.
Matthew Bowley
2024-08-02 11:16:24 +0000 UTCI’m hoping we see Michael and safyre get together. The comment about anriq sitting a little to close to nyra shocked me though lol not against it though
Mike
2024-08-02 10:57:46 +0000 UTCI love all your books. Listened to all them a few times and read all new chapters at least twice! lol my only complaint is about the last two books. Not about what happened in them; I loved them. I feel like Michael didn’t get much done in them. Like this latest book.. he gets out of the reach, beats up thugs lol and finally gets back to his allies. Only for the book to end. Other books I feel like so much happens and he gets into more. Does that make sense??? I hope so at least. I feel they are to quick. Still my favorite series though!!
Mike
2024-08-02 10:55:11 +0000 UTCI liked it! But would have liked to see ghost make/rekindle a friendship with a pack pup while she was off on her own to expand the scope of the pack beyond just the elders. Also, would love to see some lore prologue/prelude chapters to start off book 8 or round out some of the bigger picture stuff. An underdweller chapter would be great, or maybe one from the “legit” merchant from the nexus regarding the loot firesale and the dead drop payment. Or just a broader picture lore chapter of the new primes discussing the nether encroachment and how they are looking at it. Anyways, thanks for the chapters 🤙
Spencer
2024-08-02 08:38:08 +0000 UTCOverall, I enjoyed the book and I’m already looking forward to the next one. I’m really glad that it will probably continue with the first chapters next week, so I don’t have to wait too long. I found the interlude with the Riders and the Blades a bit tedious. On the other hand, I understand that some story elements require proper setup, and this part allowed us to witness the battle for a sector between two factions and gain a few insights into the organization of the factions. I’m very happy that Michael is now reunited with the rest of the group and they are targeting a new goal together. I was also surprised that Michael now wants to build a communal house for many different people. I currently worry that some of the original great aspects and qualities of House Wolf might be lost here. However, I am open to being pleasantly surprised in this regard. As I mentioned, I like the direction the story is currently taking, and I’m excited to read about how the nether-infested sector will be reclaimed.
Marco Ramon
2024-08-02 07:47:02 +0000 UTCLove it
kingofshibainu
2024-08-02 07:39:28 +0000 UTCThanks for another great book and one of the most interesting art commissions for the series. I really enjoyed the book. I can’t wait for more action. I do think that the reunion with Safyre, Anrique, and Michael became one of the best interactions. I look forward to the development of his apprentice, though I’m unsure if everyone is about to be paired off in neat little relationships.
Joshua Adams
2024-08-02 07:37:40 +0000 UTC
