Sovereign Soul

Scale & Sea, Book 1

By: James T. Callum, K.H. Sohmer

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Deklin will become a villain to rival the gods… somebody should probably tell him.

For now, Deklin's just a fourth-year magi looking for a post-midterm vacation from Earth. When a failed portal spell strands Deklin on a dangerous, massive worldshard, he unwillingly embarks on an adventure where spire climbers compete for ever higher standings, and cultivators bind magical aspects to strengthen their spirits.

Transformed into a dragonblood and branded as an outlaw, Deklin is forbidden from advancing past the first threshold alongside his growing band of exiles. To seek anything more is to risk execution and slavery.

To attain limitless progression, Deklin and his group must defy the Lightbound kingdoms and their corrupted heroes and carve out a cursed and forgotten path of darkness.

Dive into the Scale & Sea series. This portal fantasy fusion of LitRPG and cultivation blends tower climbing, stat leveling, and guild building garnished with nostalgic humor.

©2023 James T. Callum and K.H. Sohmer (P)2023 Podium Audio

Good humor

Great overall but the different way of saying items in the story throws off the flow

the furt moments were the best

great writing, amazing story with the perfect amount of comedy. Would read again. Love this author.

Great Book… one problem

I really hope to see more of this kind of content from James Callum! It’s got a good character cast and I love the expansion on the BeastBorn universe.

I do, however, have one major gripe. James, stop putting item titles in people's dialogue. People don’t stop mid-sentence, drop their voice several octaves, and use a narrator's voice when referencing a named object. It’s freaking weird and very jarring, especially when it’s repetitive. Nick Podehl doesn't need his narrator's voice to butt into a description or section of dialogue every time a potentially unknown or "named" object is mentioned. Things like a "warrant" only need to be pointed out and explained once. Then just say it like a normal person. That voice should be reserved for what is essentially a codex entry to define a new object or substance WHEN A CHARACTER IS READING SOMETHING! I’M SERIOUS! MAKE IT STOP! PLEASE!

Also, write faster. I need a constant flow of books in both of your series. Thank you!

Ouch

The overall concept was interesting enough. There are magi that exist on modern Earth. These magi can realm walk (project) to other worlds, and when they die on those worlds, are transported back to their bodies that remained behind. Sadly, that premise has very little relevance to the actual story, maybe moreso in subsequent novels.

I normally really like Nick Podel, but this is not his best work. I don't know if the author italicized items and skill names, but the constant change of voice both showcases Nick's skill as an narrator and disrupts the flow for the listener.

The story is also mildly woke. I can tolerate it if it doesn't extend beyond where it's at, but authors often get deeper and deeper into virtue signaling as the saga progresses.

a villian's journey

it was a wonderful villains journey started a bit slow but definitely picked up and had me on the edge of my seat by the end. I will be patiently waiting for the continuation of the adventures of kimchi and her soul companion.

Fun start to a new journey

This is the first book I've read by the authors, but right away you can tell it is part of a larger universe. This is a new story though and the start of something greater. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, and will probably check out more in this universe when I figure out where to start.

Yeaaaah

"This is like not so serious at all. Fart magic, Greed magic, and other weird magic afoot." This sums it up well but it does get old and I have no clue still what the plot was or who the target audience was.

this was fun

there was a few scenes I really enjoyed. I enjoyed the comic relief character immensely. there's a few tropes you will recognized but organized in such a way that it tries to make sense of it all.

would recommend and would listen to another book I'm the series.

I really liked this!!!

I don't the authors by name, but it feels like they are "real" authors ...like they received training, and they r honest to goodness professional writers.
In this genre, a lot of books are authored by amateur authors. And, I love that ...they have cool ideas and they shoot their shot. That said, a lot of the time the writing isn't "the best" ...even when the writing is good it's not quite professional grade.

This book feels like a real legit author decided to take a crack at LitRPG
...n if ur like me n u read a ton of these then u've come to expect certain things a certain way in this genre
This is like an NBA player playing pick-up games at the local rec center ....so this is their interpretation of LitRPG
A lot of stuff is different ...but I like it, I'm here for it ..can't wait for book 2

PLEASE STOP EMPHASIZEING THE ITEMS

Whenever an "item" is mentioned even by a character, the narrator drops several octaves and really puts an emphasis on it. It disrupts the story and gets old quickly. The story isn't bad though, nor is the narration, I believe it's a writer's choice.