Dawn: A Slice-of-Life Reverse Isekai

My Children from Another World, Book 1

By: Payton Fletcher, _Glasses

Narrated by: Amir Abdullah

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Upon losing his wife, an ex-adventurer must contend with politics, monsters, and fatherhood, in the first book of a moving and imaginative fantasy series.

Not much daunts Rakta Velbrun. He has immigrated from Rusk to the Certillian Empire, traveled the realm battling unspeakable creatures with his adventuring guild, and faced off against the Warlock King himself. But when his wife, Lydia, passes away in childbirth, leaving him the sole caretaker of their three infant children, he finds himself in unfamiliar territory.

Rakta is certain of one thing: he’ll do whatever it takes to protect Daka, Dalton, and Natakia from danger . . . even accept the lordship—rife with power plays, dirty deals, and dangerous secrets—his late wife’s conniving family has offered him. To both keep his children safe and prevent his new domain from becoming a pawn in courtly games, he’ll need to rekindle old alliances, forge new treaties, and combat strange enemies.

But the greatest challenge Rakta must face will come from somewhere far closer to home than he could’ve ever imagined . . .

The first volume of the hit portal fantasy series—with almost 400,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2023 Payton Fletcher and _Glasses (P)2023 Podium Audio

Mother of God yes something new

ok so let's get this part out of the way I am board by most fantasy books because my audible library is 700 plus yeah I'm addict and now the usual books of slaying the big bad or being op are dreadfully boring this book has some of those tropes but with a breath of fresh air by focusing on the fatherhood aspect there is personal growth a bit of adventure but mostly it's about a single parent trying his best in a unfriendly world my only gripe about the book is the pacing can be jarring. TLDR great book if you want a relaxed read

Both light-hearted and tense

Initially, I picked up this audiobook seeking a light-hearted slice-of-life story. While it did have those elements, it also brought something unexpected.

The moments of sweetness in the narrative are as like sugar, but there's a constant undercurrent of tension that follows the main characters right from the opening chapter. This tension, while adding a sense of realism, can detract from what truly makes this story shine, making it a challenging listen for some.

Despite not being the light-hearted tale I initially sought, it still proved to be a compelling story, brimming with action, suspense, and intrigue. It's left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

As for the technical aspects, the audio quality is excellent, and the distinct voices given to the characters make it an easy and enjoyable listen.

[Mild spoilers and a personal gripe]

One puzzling aspect is the protagonist's unwavering love for a character he continually portrays as a near-goddess among mortals, despite her evident flaws. She harbors secret intentions to save the main villain before the story even begins, and when her clandestine plan unravels, she abandons everyone she had been manipulating. Had she not become pregnant by accident, it's likely he would have been ghosted too. His unflagging devotion to her remains a mystery to the reader, as the story predominantly highlights her flawed character without explaining his unshakable loyalty.