Settlers

Darkthorn Academy, Book 3

By: Robyn Wideman, Shannon Wideman

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Jack is back.

Jack and the rest of the Misfits have just finished rescuing the professors at Darkthorn Academy and prevented the dragons from being used to start a war. However, Quarnon, the group led by the Dixons, seems to have full control of the Westdrift Empire, which makes Jack and the rest of the Misfits enemy number one.

Needing a place to hide and wanting to rebuild Darkthorn Academy into the school it was meant to be, Jack and the Misfits travel to the remote gnomish regions of the Ancient Lands to the Valley of Eagles and the village of Kusharna. If they can survive it - the dangerous beasts, undead monsters, and a unique dungeon - they'll be able to grow into something truly special. But even the air in Kusharna is deadly, and everyone will have to learn more of Willmarth's mana techniques to grow stronger.

Even if they do manage to thrive in their new home, the empire has a few new tricks up their sleeve as well....

©2021 Robyn Wideman (P)2021 Podium Audio

Writer is Repetitive

I have greatly enjoyed the story so far, and it has even given me inspiration for Dungeons and Dragons campaign. You can tell that the writer has put deep thought into how magic in this world works, and it's great.
However, the further into the series that I dive, I realize more and more just how similar this story is becoming more like a video game with a display feature that works exactly like in games.
But the biggest issue has to be how the writer repeats themselves WAY TOO MUCH when it comes to conversations.
Lana said. Jack said. Stan said. etc.
"Jack looked to the west. Lana raised her hand a pointed out a ridge to the west." rather than stating that Jack looked to the west, it should just be Lana pointing out the ridge instead. And when it comes to conversations, there are plenty of words that could be used in place of "said", like stated, answered, replied, suggested. Even when ending a paragraph of a new speaker. One should give a scentence, then state who was speaking, then continue the stated paragraph. It's a bit bothersome when you listen to an entire paragraph that just rambles on until it finally states who was speaking at the very end.
As I stated before, this happens often and only seems to happen moreso as the progresses.
Besides that, it's a fun and captivating story.

Narrator is weird

I dont particularly like the narrator girl voice but other than that its awesome

Great

Great story and narration. Some of the voices are kind of grating but the idea and attempt to differentiate the characters is good. Author could have thrown him a bone or two by utilizing different words, I find that the repeated “jack said Lana said” makes my mind wander and I have to consciously bring myself back to focusing.
Another odd issue is the conversational cadence- the random pauses after someone says something and before they reply. Feels like everyone needs to think deeply before they speak… even when it’s just “ok I will” or something simple. That has to be something that’s happening in post-recording editing or whatever. I don’t mind how YA it is, since the summary mentioned Harry Potter with dragons, so I expected some cheesy younger adult stuff. Not too bad imo.

In all, I love both narration and the book, just certain things bug me. That’s the only reason we’re at a 4 not a 5.

Most interesting

Great build up to what's to come. MC and crew kept growing and building to something but what? Drop some very interesting clues about the world in this one need more.

dag

very good.
quick review the lit rpg is succinct the characters a relatable
a little to YA but what can ya do.