The Land: Forging

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.

26 people found this helpful

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.

8 people found this helpful

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

6 people found this helpful

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.

4 people found this helpful

Still loving it

Really enjoy this series. Read the books first as e-books and now I'm going back and listening to them as audio. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series coming to audible and the 7th book, which is coming out soon. Crossing my fingers that by the 8th book, ebook and audible version will release simultaneously. Also, the author Aleron Kong, really churns out the novels, so as a reader, you have confidence it won't be years in between releases. It's more like months. The main character is evolving nicely, but I'd love to see some more deeper relationships evolve for him. His relationship with Sion is great and you really feel that sense of camaraderie. Eventually you get the same with Terrod and Krom but I feel like the relationships with the females are a bit more superficial and not well fleshed out (mostly simple flirtation and so on). But the series appears to be setting up for a lengthy run of novels, so here's to hoping those will come. Here's hoping for some strong and prominent female characters.

Nick Podehl continues to be an outstanding narrator with a great range of voices that he lends to the characters. He also just has an excellent feel for pacing as he reads the book. Can't recommend him as a narrator enough.

I personally feel the series rewards my continued investment as a reader and honestly, that's what I'm looking for anytime I start a book.

14 people found this helpful

Hehe

This book makes me giggle. The RPG elements are something I never expected in a book.

3 people found this helpful

A great mental adventure!

Every moment you think you know where the story is headed, another twist or quest to explore, but then the story shifts and presents you with a new thought or exploration! It is fantastic listening! The reading performance is well done with character voicing being consistent and spot on!

3 people found this helpful

loved the book, good writing and good narration

What did you love best about The Land: Forging?

i liked every single thing about it. the fact richter goes from irl to living a rpg out is pretty coo. first litrpg ive listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

richter obviously, now i have only listened to the first two books as i dont have time to sit and enjoy a book.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

krom the blacksmith. pretty funny and when you picture the dwarf as he goes on it is even better.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i laughed at many points and was moved by some things. no tears though i dont cry

7 people found this helpful

Keeps you wanting more!

Nick Podehl does an amazing job brining Aleron Kong's characters and world to life again making that just 5 more min before bed turn into hours. I continue to love the sarcastic humor between Richter and Sion. This book has it all video game / role playing game mechanics, amazing characters, dungeons, and monsters to kill.

18 people found this helpful

Bring the rest of the series to Audible!

My only complaint is that the books are not longer. Nick does an amazing job bringing the character to life. The story keeps me wanting more. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. I really hope the rest of the series gets here faster.

14 people found this helpful

Amazing LitRPG

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

1 person found this helpful

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.

1 person found this helpful

Exceptional Storytelling that keeps you listening

loved it going to buy book 3 now to revolve the cliff hanger and find out what is next for Richter and Sion

Amazing

Loved this book was so gripping and kept Me entertained. Keep me busy for hours

isekai style

well worth listening to, if you like this sort of thing. magic, otherworlds, crazy powerful!

So captivating

Brilliant 2nd book. I'm totally in this world. thank you for writing and absolutely brilliant performance from the reader.

Probably the best Litrpg Audiobook series?

I’ve read a LOT of Litrpg and I’m no Land fanboy. However, this series, this author and this Narrator consistently deliver quality writing, interesting plot lines and engaging performance.

Well done you two, good work.

Nick Podehl is great!

And the story of the series is compelling as well. still going strong through the first two books at least.

Superb listen, unique

I hadn’t expected this, but I was pleasantly surprised. After half an hour I was hooked! The Skyrim/World of Warcraft stories are straight from any RPG you may have played. Normally, the thought of listening to someone else’s RPG experience would be a drag, but not in this case.

Truly unique (for me); I’ve never come across anything quite like it. Also, where does Nick Podehl get all his voices from. The man is a marvel!

The characters are infuriatingly immature.

I gave the first book a pass, hoping it would improve and that circumstances would teach the protagonist some lessons.
But I can't do it any more.

The characters are paper thin and prone to the most childish of tantrums. Even the supposedly older and more mature individuals don't seem to have any subtly or nuance to them.
The way its written belies that this isn't the author holding something back: there's a strong reliance of clichés and lazy shortcuts to convey character traits. A mischievous glint in the eye is used rather than actually having someone behave mischievously, etc. We're just told how a group's disposition is, rather than getting to witness them interacting. It's a study piece in telling rather than showing, and it really suffers for it.

I suspect the author just doesn't know how to write characters with depth, and so must rely on simplistic arguments and emotional outbursts to create opportunities for growth and learning.

The narrator is excellent and has a good range of character voices that he keeps consistent.