Frostburn

Shaman's Call, Book 1

By: Sean Oswald

Narrated by: Daniel Wisniewski

Length: 13 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

What happens when the game isn't a game?

After a bait and switch, Frank ends up transformed into an HI. That's a hybrid intelligence: part AI, part organic. He finds himself at the mercy of the system fulfilling the role of an ogre shaman meant to create fun opportunities for the purely organic players. Except not everything is what it seems to be. The very system may not be what he thinks it is. Breaches into the game world prove there are other forces at work. This game may be more of an isekai.

Not that Frank wants to save the world. Before he just wanted to play his games, now he just wants to be left alone to explore his new life. One thing he does know for sure, he can't spend the rest of his existence in the company of ogres. Their conversation leaves much to be desired, and that's not even considering how bad their food is.

This story features a monster MC unlike others you may have seen before. There is fantasy violence, character sheets, levels, and XP. It is single POV and has no harem elements.

©2022 Sean Oswald (P)2022 Podium Audio

AWESOME

Definitely a LITRPG worth reading... it's survival of the strongest. filled with fights, mystery and drama, you will definitely be sucked into this story of one's attempt at survival in the game.

Another fantastic series!

I know it might sound kind of lame, but one of my favorite things about all of Sean Oswald's writing is that unlike most authors, he intentionally does not use loads of gratuitous foul language in his books yet when a player is angry, excited, etc. you still know it. anything he writes I am going to buy and enjoy thoroughly!

good

I really don't like the minimum word count requirements for audible reviews. . . .

Frosty!

First off, I've been skeptical of "turned into a monster in a game" themed LitRPG. However, this series takes a VERY interesting approach in pitting the main character against not just the human players in the game, but primarily the AI which seeks to fully integrate all other Human-AI entities, coined "hybrid intelligence". The way Sean Oswald executes the development of the plot through Frank's interactions with the AI and the very short interludes between chapters is excellently done and really gets you invested in the story very early on. There's almost zero filler content that isn't in some way meaningful for further developing the story. The only real time-consuming content in the audiobook is the semi-frequent stat sheet reading that goes over every single stat and ability of the character. Aside from that, which if I'm being honest, I completely understand that it's a difficult translation from physical book form to audio format, the story is fantastic!

Daniel Wisniewski does a GREAT job narrating this story and is top-notch in his execution of different voices for different characters, communicating emotion and feeling through the voices he performs. He definitely makes the story that much more fun to listen to and get immersed in.

Overall, for being a <15 hour (I like to get around 12 hours of true listening time at 1.3-1.5x playback) audiobook, it's a well written and expertly performed book that leads into an even better second book!

Perfect average with a good twist

A totally normal LitRPG that is standard across the board. Doesn’t sound like much, I know, but that also means that it didn’t mess anything up. I particularly enjoyed the way the extradimensional plot line made actual sense, which added real stakes to the usually bland genre of in-game stories.

If you’re tired of bad books, this one is a good palate cleanser. If you looking for a compelling story with phenomenal characters and incredible depth, not so much.

original and interesting

fun character and plot. well read.
occasional humor.
why do they need so many words here?

Amazing.

I almost overlooked this book but I am so glad that I gave it a shot. The MC is funny and well thought out. The plot was amazing. A fun ride from start to finish.

The narrator has quickly become my favorite and I’ve only heard them in two series so far.

This book has found it’s way into my top three. Don’t skip this one trust me.

Great story

I loved this series. All the ones I’ve read from Sean Oswald have been great.

Great start to a new adventure

The story is very captivating. The narrator is on point highly recommend this book another great one.

Enjoyable listen!

I started out reading, then gave the audio a try.
I found listening very enjoyable.

It takes a bit to get behind the main character, but the stakes do rise and it gets more compelling.

There’s a lot of promise for this series and I look forward to more!