The Land: Forging

Chaos Seeds, Book 2

By: Aleron Kong

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

The second captivating installment of Aleron Kong's Chaos Seeds series.

"We are life takers and heartbreakers," Richter shouted. "Let's go!"

Richter and Sion are at it again! Even more of what you loved in the first book. Leveling, world building, awesome items, and what's that you say? Sure! Why not? What's a little necrophilia between friends?

Join your favorite Chaos Seed as he answers the call of adventure and deals with the invaders, greedy dwarves, and a wood elf that keeps telling him he has a pretty mouth. Welcome back, my friends!

Welcome back...to The Land.

Please like Aleron on FB. He also does almost weekly giveaways of shirts, signed books and other loot!
Facebook author page: facebook.com/LitRPGbooks

Also, please contact Aleron. He loves hearing from people!
This is his contact info:

Website: LitRPG.com
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram and Twitter: @LitRPGBooks

Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/www.litrpg.com
Patreon: patreon.com/AleronKong
Forum: forum.litrpg.com
Newsletter: litrpg.com/newsletter
Blog: litrpg.com/litrpgblog/
Youtube: youtube.com/c/LitRPG

©2016 Aleron Kong (P)2017 Aleron Kong

This RPG is LIT!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Land: Forging to be better than the print version?

This book was AMAZING. It blended so seemlessly with the first book that I didn't really feel like it was a sequal, but a new episode in a miniseries with the same overarching story. So engrossed in the story, and so completely enamored with it, I honestly couldn't tell you know where the end of the first book left off and this one began. And yet, the first book ended in a way that I remember being satisfied and that the book was over. I don't know exactly how the author managed to create an ending that felt like an ending at the time, but also now barely feels like a brief pause in such an engrossing story.

What did you like best about this story?

Absolutely. This book made me fall in love with the LitRPG genre all over again. In preperation, I've already set aside enough credits at Audible to purchase all the books in the series once they are released. I'll be listening to each and every one the same day they are released. I haven't been so excited for a series since The Wheel of Time was still being written. Move over, Song of Ice and Fire. You've been replaced in my audiobook library as most anticipated!

Which scene was your favorite?

The author managed to either anticipate questions the reader will have, or writes so well, he leads you to ask the questions he wants in the first place. And then, he answers them! He doesn't keep us starved for more, he is generous and mindful enough to give the reader exactly what they want and in a timely manner.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! Sadly, I had to sleep in the middle, but the book had engrossed me so completely, I actually DREAMED of the characters.

Any additional comments?

Nick Podehl was an AMAZING choice as narrator. As one of the best male narrators in the game, I honestly couldn't have been happier with anyone else's performance. He is truly a master of his craft.

Almost as good as book one

The problem with expanding a storyline is that you end up with the odd muddy middle now and then. This is still very enjoyable and worth the listen (a couple of times).

The narrator is great.

Sometimes the alerts from the game are annoying, but when I played online RPG's a few years back it is also something that you have to deal with all the time, so it's real. Without the alerts, you'd be missing important information. So... it's okay.

Obviously, I'm committed now. ;-) On to the next book.

good book leaves you wanting more

very relatable I love all the pop culture references from my day I can really connect with the characters can't wait to start the next book

Decent book... just... Too much idiocy.

Though the story is still intriguing, and all of the references still a humorous sojourn into the cheesy lands of nostalgia, the MC made FAR too many obviously stupid decisions. Then he would say or think something along the lines of, "Well, I won't ever do THAT again," only to do much the same thing, either a few chapters, or even a few measly paragraphs later. It drove me nuts; especially considering the cost (or the potential cost) of his flippant behavior. For continuity's sake, Richter was originally portrayed as being silly, and SOMETIMES oblivious... not moronic.
Anyway, let's hope the next book isn't as infuriating, because, despite my grievances, the story still managed to suck me in, and now I simply NEED to find out what happens next.

Phenomenal Series!!!

I love the series, and in this book I love the development of Yoshi and Richter's bond. The series is full of action, adventure, and emotion.

Story is lacking. Game mechanics are the story.

This is the second book in the series, and if you liked the first, you'll like this one too. The biggest difference is the inclusion of puzzles in the dungeon. They replace some combat or character interaction you'd have in the first book. They feel extremely arbitrary and reminded me of the Chompers "It makes no logical sense. Why is this here?" scene in Galaxy Quest. I think there were just too many of them which had me wishing for more good old fashioned fighting. However this is my own personal taste. Others might enjoy the puzzles.

The frustrating thing about this book is that there appears to be a larger thread that ties everything together, but it is doled out so sparsely that it might as well not exist. Instead we get a series of self contained challenges the main protagonist Richter must overcome. For the most part you could switch them up, or omit any one entirely, and not change the story.

The only constant is Richter's ever growing list of spells he can cast and loot he carries. It's a Skinner Box any RPG would be proud of. This is clearly where the author spent most of his efforts and it shows. The mechanics of the world is the best character in the book.

As for the story, it is split between leveling up the main village and a puzzle themed dungeon crawl. Believability is the Achilles heel here. Richter continues to be an incredibly blessed character. He gets what he needs to complete his next challenge right before needing it. This all follows the traditions of video games, but video games have a poor reputation when it comes to story for a reason. A poor story for a game is acceptable, for a book...not so much.

I've done a lot of griping because that's what sticks out in my mind. Ultimately, this is a fun but average book that you'll enjoy if you don't think too much about it.

Trash absolute and utter trash.

See review of book one, don't make the mistake, like me, thinking the first was a fluke and maybe the series develops, "it has so many good reviews, it must be good" ..... you will never get these 11 hours back.

These Books Are Not Good

These books are bad and the writing is no where near as competent as Game of Thrones. This series is more Twilight than A Song of Ice and Fire. If Mr Kong is the “Farther of American LitRPG” I’d fear for the genre’s genetic health. Do yourself a favor and skip this series unless you just want paper thin characters and a pointless plot. Nick Podehl does a great job but I’d recommend finding something that has better source material if you want to actually hear what he is capable of as a narrator.

Still like it still not the greatest

This second book gave Richter and his people a few more challenges. Though Richter did some pretty stupid stuff to aid those challenges.

The book was a tad bit darker than the first, but it won't be near dark enough for those that like dark and gritty "realistic" stories as it was still a "fun" book. The humor won't be for everyone however.

The book is mostly a simple dungeon craw with bad pop reference jokes. Luckily I happen to like simple dungeon craws and have a tolerance for bad pop refernce jokes. I am not 100% sure of the series, but as the books are simple and quick with likeable enough characters, I am onto book 3.

Story: Simple and fine
Characters: Also Simple and fine and likeable enough and not too whinny
Narration: EXCELLENT

Best series I've read all year!

My son introduced me to this book and I picked up the audiobook for a long work commute. The narrator is probably the best I've ever heard. The book itself is a combination of Piers anthony punny humor, world building, and a dude encountering a plethora of "oh crap" situations. I've read the series twice and don't plan on stopping. Well worth the time/cost.

A really good LitRPG

A good story line, good characters

Easy to listen to with sound effects that are surprisingly not annoying and an enjoyable narrator.

Amazing LitRPG

Loved it. Best LitRPG series I have come across. Would definitely recommend it. A must.

Another triumph for Aleron Kong

loved it, this story gets better and better, a must for anyone and everyone, Can't wait for the next one.

Not entertained

This book started good, but the action is very boring. A mission takes too many chapters to complete and there is hardly something interesting happening during that time.

I liked when the MC succeed to hire workers, the pet scenes and when they plant the tree.. All of them were mission based and those missions were the only ones which I enjoyed listening to.

Gripping and interesting world

loved the story and narration was on the goddamn point! love listening to these books! the narration makes it so easy for me to imagine the world in my mind and see it through the player's eyes! 5 out of 5 toasters!

Fantastic

What a fantastic book, have listened to it multiple times and still enjoy it as much as the 1st.

good series rpg

really easy to follow you can imirse you self in the story at if you was there carnt wait to start the next book

fantastic listen... starting the next one now!!

loved every second of it. It felt like playing the best written RPG game. Would love for this to be made in to an actual game. Great ideas 💡 great characters 10/10

If you liked the first you'll love the second

Really enjoying the story it's like playing an RPG when you physically can't. same issues as the first repetitive prompts but it's to be expected. really enjoyable story

Welcome back to the land

Nick phodehl brings richter sian and the rest to life beautify, in the next chapter of the land.

Superbly written with enough danger, love and laughter to bring a smile to your face after the crapest day.

Join richter in the follow up that will have you wanting more