The Beginning

Dark Paladin Series, Book 1

By: Vasily Mahanenko

Narrated by: Kevin Kraft

Is it easy to survive in the game world? You could say yes, if you didn't know what the additional conditions were. They are unusual: it's the real world in which you have lived all your life. The enemy, craving to destroy you. Your own class who couldn't care less about you. Are you still sure that survival is easy? Then welcome to The Game! It will prove you wrong.

©2017 V. Mahanenko; English translation copyright 2017 by Alexandra Tussing (P)2017 Tantor

Good Framework, Confusing Execution

What made the experience of listening to The Beginning the most enjoyable?

The opening chapters were total sensory overload. Too much raw information and very little story. There was no progression of events - the reader was just bombarded with info. No narrative/no exposition.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Beginning?

The dude with fireballs for hands made tanks fly. This made me sit up and take notice. Finally!

Which scene was your favorite?

When he met Nana.

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

No. I needed to put it down, consider what I read, and then go back for more. There's too much to absorb to read it straight through.

damn good book

this review is based off a free copy.

well written, well voiced, good plot.
it's worth a listen, should you buy it?

depends on your funds, and how greedy audible is. I wouldn't pay more than $12.

interesting game world and premise.

Overall a fun book to listen to, performed well. I particularly enjoy the idiosyncracies of the translation to English, which may not be as entertaining to others.

Solid LitRPG

Interesting story takes a different approach than the standard litrpg. Well worth the credit. Moves fast for a longer book.

weirdly misogynistic

The Way of the Shaman series was great, and this is ok, but marred by bizarre misogynistic chunks. The series has regular bits like "she should have a day in what is made for dinner or what the children are named, but not matters of import." weird.