Kevin Sinclair

Genre: Action / Adventure / Isekai / LitRPG (Adult)
---
❤️ Personal Takeaway

I had so much fun with this double feature LitRPG, and constantly burst into cackles of laughter to terrify my poor family. Scrappy, full of violence, found family, and crude humour, the writing style is both rebellious and hopeful at the same time

This was my first LitRPG, and I really enjoyed seeing the creative ways these brothers rose through their levels: from Adam inventing brand new spells, to Earl's show more resourceful fighting style. I never knew what to expect from them or the alien world they were thrown into.

The narration from Simon Wright added so much more to this experience as well, with even some audio filters and mixing that brought a new radio drama quality to the production. Not only that, but his range of character voices is incredible. The cast for this audiobook was enormous, and he managed to craft such drastically different voices for all of them: think Ms. Doubtfire, to Cactar, to a creature hissing through sharp fangs. I did find though that the voices for the brothers were a little too similar for me, and I would have to rely on context clues during midchapter listens to ground myself back in.

I can't wait to see even more out of pocket magic from Adam, and inventive fighting from Earl. I was so convinced he was going to try boxing with buckler shields and that would be just his style. I can't even imagine how much wilder both brothers will get as they grow even stronger, but I want to see it!

---

🧩 Tropes

- Portal fantasy
- Progression magic/training
- Warrior academy / Mage school
- Brothers on opposite paths
- Arena combat
- Antihero protagonists
- Cosmic stakes

---

🧠 Themes

- Their brand of violence builds their identity
- Power earned, not given
- Corruption of Systems
- Survival through growth and transformation

---

🧭 Recommendation

For readers who love magical academies, arena fighting, and dual-track storytelling.

---

Thank you very much to Kevin Sinclair, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ALC in exchange for an honest review. 💕 show less

Not the most practical cookbook, as most of the recipes would best be served as banquet dishes (or require fresh ingredients that are simply unavailable (e.g. crabs from a particular river)) - but I've rarely encountered a book that so subtly lays out regional differences while highlighting the overwhelming versatility, deep traditions, astounding presentation, and mix of economy and richness that embodies what is likely the world's greatest cuisine. Part of an excellent series, and despite show more it's awkward size, it will always have a place on my shelf. show less

Fat man enters a full immersion fantasy video game for therapeutic reasons.
Gets kidnapped soon, later finds a panther-girl as companion.
The relationsship between them is nicely made. No trust at the beginning.
The pacing of the story is good. Only the end of the quest is a bit too easy in my eyes. The final chapter sounds like a bit too much...
I will possibly read the next book but I am not sold that the author can turn that ending into a start if an interesting story.

I like this series, but found this volume light on customs and etiquette. The history was nicely presented, considering how vast and old China is, but there was too much emphasis on moving to China and not enough on how to behave.