u/Certain_Wonder4487

Review: Rise of the Class Smith

Quick sideword, thank you for reading this review. Doing these have always been a fun way for me to share experiences and conversations with others that share what I enjoy. An author I respect and converse with regularly here on the platform reminded too, that these reviews, are for other readers, and if a review keeps a reader from possibly buying a book they weren’t going to enjoy anyway, then that is a positive for the community as a whole. That hit differently for me and I appreciated it.
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SMALL RANT:

So I will start with the elephant in the room of my own creation — I thought the blurb of this book really undersold the premise, or at least more specifically some of the unique details that I feel really separate and probably resonate with the general audience. This series has become one of Leon’s more or even most popular series based on number of reviews logged in Amazon and Audible (1,002 reviews on Amazon and 140 on Audible at time of writing). So maybe this is technically spoilers or something from the author’s POV but I feel it’s worth it to mention for anyone still looking at this series. Also, everything mentioned below are in the first few chapters.

\- This takes play on a real version of earth and not some fantasy world. Mostly modern day.
\- The stakes the dungeons have on the world at large are quite more real than let on.
\- Death by dungeon is another real consequence that can and does happen to even those that may or may not deserve it.
\- Dungeon diving becomes just another hazardous job that for most pay little better than most other jobs. Still have to pay rent, pay bill, pay for groceries. This brings a real weight to an otherwise fantastical job as depicted in many other books.

Realistically, I don’t know how much of this could have been expressed in the short blurb, but it really helps flesh out context for the story at large.
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LITRPG Cool Stuff

This is also what I would call LitRPG lite. It carries every feature that I have come to expect from a LitRPG, but does it in a why that is probably my most favorite ways. It’s never number hungry. Stat sheets are not tossed at you constantly. Abilities are constantly ‘activated’ having a wall of ‘system text’ tossed at you to remind you what the ability does. You get the definition once, then every subsequent use is a reminder through action. Heals talk about healing, stealth talks about going stealth. It is one of the best LitRPG examples of “Show don’t Tell”.

The RPG ‘mechanics’ on show here are unique enough to me and well thought out. The class smithing ability it gets its namesake from is a core mechanic and it really feels good. It uses a combination mechanic that I won’t go into a lot of detail on that feels intuitive and yet extremely flexible. The rules governing the system are also believable and grounded in common understanding if you have played any amount of dungeon crawlers.

As for the use of ‘kin’ which is a mutation of the human genome to create essentially new species and races of humans and that they go through their own prejudices is a great unique touch. Those born from kin parents carry that trait allowing families of unique species to grow and gain fame or notoriety.

Dungeons themselves are a cool unique design. Once again, keeping a bit vague for spoilers, they act as a buffer for another faction that add some real tension and true weight to the story that I hadn’t expected to be so prevalent.

I think however the most fun mechanics of the dungeon was the creation and acquisition of mob, fodder, creatures, whatever you want to call it. It reminds me of one of my favorite games growing up, Age of Wonders. You take a basic unit and customize it in different ways to change what role it plays. Take the same frontline creature and give it a shield and it’s a tank, take the same mob and give it a staff and it’s a caster or healer. It allowed for some super creative creature design without having to make new units/mobs for each class helping keep immersion smooth and not jarring.
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Awesome Characters

The characters really stand out here. Levi, the main character is a standard trope of a harem MC, with stoic morality, warm tenderness, and protective nature, but there a few standout qualities that help make this character someone I have really enjoyed. For one, he’s smart. Not super calculating or over intelligent, but smart in that he has basic comprehension and competence with the real felt ability to learn from mistakes. He feels the mistakes he makes, feels the weight of his decisions, and makes less than optimal decisions sometimes which feels realistic. And he is humble and not blindly trusting of every nice pair of tits that walk in front of him, regardless of how nice they look.

Blair and Maddie are stand outs too, each for their own strengths. Blair is calm and confident with a sense of protectiveness for Levi that goes beyond battle. She makes sure he gets the rest he needs, doesn’t push himself, and eats when he forgets too. It loving and sweet. Maddie on the other-side is calm and sweet. She is more of a artsy thinker, with a unique outlook on a lot of things. When Levi can’t solve a problem, which the MC shouldn’t be able to solve everything, she steps in with a new look or way of thinking that is genuinely juxtaposed from how Levi approached a problem while still feeling natural to her character and grounded.

Both girls are well written and each have strengths and weaknesses that play off each other instead of feeling blurred or blended and getting lost in the mix.

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WRITING

The writing is pleasant. I will say it feels a bit long winded in places. Monologues feel a bit longer than they needed to be and repeatedly retrace thoughts. This is an odd criticism for me, because I don’t actually think I want it to change. I find in the moments, I am invested to these characters and want to know and hear how they feel, see their pain and strife. Their crushing desires.

The prose is also something that I find more and more important to me. How an author writes. The words they chooses and how they put them together.

Leon here is quickly become someone I really enjoy. He writes in a way that his diction changes to match the character speaking/thinking and even to match the tone. If a sex scene is more quick and dirty, the words and flow of it match in contrast to a scene that is more intense and intimate, this scene will be more drawn out and have words that I would associate with ‘romanticism’ or ‘flowery’. Some might say “well duh” but you would be surprised how much that makes a difference. As an example, I don’t think the word cunt is used a single time in the first book. At least not in a pointed way, until a character in the second book uses it in an internal monologue and it just hits different because of it. Makes that characters identity and language feel distinct from the rest. Even depending on the POV of the sex scene seems to change how it is written which for me is a super win. I love unique and distinct POV voices.

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CONCLUSION

Rise of the Class Smith is my first major journey into Leon’s bibliography, and I can say it doesn’t disappoint. The book is well written, has good length and depth. Characters feel real and decisions have weight and consequences that aren’t always visible then and there. If you like fantasy genre in general, then this will scratch a lot of itches. If you like classes and D&D or Diablo style mechanics and dungeons crawling, then this is a must buy.

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As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reply to the post. I enjoy making these reviews in part for the conversation and engagement I get in the comments.

Also thanks Shane for giving me the push in confidence to get back out here and write these. I had a lot of fun.

So… world of Feral Mage is just De’vas chronicles in the future? Has this been confirmed in a later book or am I just spouting conspiracy? The Ember Islands sure sounds like Japan and De’vas has a big bad Kitsune as a villain… oh the theories.

If an author knows ahead of time that they will have fewer books than the final number of harem members (within reason - looking at the pansters and obviously avoiding spoilers) than they should plan on book covers with more than one girl on them.

Just a quick shout out for a fun read that I have put off for much longer than I should have. The main thing that I found most appreciative was that (intentional or not) book 1 was solely focused on us learning about the MMC from his POV, but then after we met the LIs, book two we get introduced to POV chapters for them.

Just don’t see many authors wiling or able to shift from a single POV to multiple POV and it feel fun and seem less without it being jarring from all of a sudden getting new POV in book 2.

Been back into magic for about 6 months now after being out for over a decade. I think the last set I remember coming out was Journey into Nyx.

I’ve found that while I like attacking, I really like commanders that somehow modify that in various ways. So this is who I’ve been playing for about 2 months now.

Even working on doing a custom proxy deck (Naruto Universe) for Yuriko because I’ve enjoyed her so much.

So I thought I’d just post on here and roll the dice. See what feedback came 🤷🏼‍♂️. Don’t really have a pod just play with some people at my LGS on Fridays so reviews have been mixed.

(Image cropped from M. Tress’ first book cover of Monster Girls in Space)

So was browsing MTG EDH subreddit reddits and came across a post asking who everyone’s favorite commander was.

Got me thinking about my favorite commander, it’s Yuriko for those who are curious, but since I was listening to ME’s Renegade Ravager series, I went down a rabbit whole and got me wondering who my favorite HaremLit MC is….

This was an interesting thought as knee jerk reaction was Noah because I love Warlock so much, but that didn’t feel right, I love warlock because of the girls more so.

So… this thought exercise took up more of my time than I care to fully admit. My true answer came from a black listed series, so my runner up had to be Desmond from Monster Girls in Space.

He’s realistic, not arrogant or stupid, doesn’t dive into dumb ideas unless it’s protecting his girls and even then he acknowledges it and becomes better at it over time. He’s a powerful magic user but still doesn’t overshadow his girls and gives each of them the space to do thier jobs. He’s well spoken and diplomatic when it is required and hostile when someone goes too far.

So that’s mine, who’s yours?

Figured it might be fun to do post for readers to throw out questions for their favorite authors. Our great authors have been pretty active with community engagement lately.

To keep things simple, please reply to the post with the following format to help authors find questions that are directed at them:

(Author’s Name or Username) - (Your Question)

This is just a quick post that is intended to be cool and fun. There is obviously no obligation for an author to respond nor any guarantee that your question will be answered, but for the most part our community on both sides, readers and authors, is pretty awesome.

Artist: CuteSexyRobutts (Love his art. Always support when I can)

So just finished catching up on a few different series. Monster Girls in Space, Demon Lord Academy, De’vas Chronicles, Feral Mage. Been in a bit of a somewhat heavy plot/story bender. Wanting a pallet cleanser.

So starting off some notable titles I have already read that may get recommended, Coven King, Star Thrust, Demi Beast Husbandry, The First Quest, Bikini days.

I’m looking for something fun and light hearted but with a decent story, that’s also raunchy and racy. Meaning lewd and nearly nude characters. Doesn’t necessarily mean there has to be a lot of sex. Could be a single scene per book and I’d be ok if the rest of the book was just fun and sexy.

Hit me with your best ‘mind in the gutter’ picks.

I just wanted to share my appreciation for the authors and fellow readers that keep this community thriving, even growing it seems like in the recent months.

I recently started a series through a recommendation that was much more a poly open situation for both the male and female characters wow, holy double standards Batman, but I found I do have a line that crossing feels… ‘icky’ 😅.

While I will still probably continue the series, it did rub me enough of the wrong way and became a bit more uncomfortable than even I expected.

So I just found that I am even more appreciative of simply having the ability to dive back in and chat with like minded individuals in universes and characters that bring me so much happiness and escapism.

I’ve noticed that there are a ton of Demon themed books and characters but I would love to see a horny Heaven😅. Angels flying around half dressed and loose shifts. I really already know the answer, but I still think it would be a cool turn of theme. Or even a mixed setting where demons and angels have to go to school or wherever together and the Harem ends up being a drama mixture of virtuous demons and slutty angels 🤷🏼‍♂️.

I’m just ranting and spit balling but would love to see if I’m just the crazy one.

Edit: I feel like the point of my post was a bit lost on my ranting 😂. I was leaning more towards the setting and locations like academy or heaven settings.

(Played a little more fast a loose with Adra. I know her tail should be longer and her gun is a laser repeater, but honestly just got tired I fighting with Gemini 😅)

**Edit: Audiobook preferably**

Anyway, as the title says, finishing up audio book 7 till book 8 comes out on audio. I don’t know if I’ve ever caught up a series so fast before. Definitely an amazing ride with genuine characters and story progression. Was amazing that really only the first 3 books were academic setting, I’m glad it didn’t stay there.

I really loved Lila and Sasha’s quirks. Lila’s exhibitionist or Sasha submissiveness with Chloe. Wanting a change of speed and something a bit spicier that may contain one or both of those qualities in a love interest. Currently listening to Demon Lord Academy Omnibus by Shane Hammond as I really wanted to get into that, but don’t have anything lined up past it.

(Image is me playing around in Gemini for Lila, it’s not perfect but threw it together in an hour or so.)

On my Stargate post a week ago, many people recommended MGiS (Monster Girls in Space by M.Tress). I won’t lie, I have held out in this series for some time just due to the cover art and series name alone. Not that I have hate towards it, but just never struck me as interesting or serious.

Boy was I fucking wrong. I’ve burned three full books in 4 days and loving every minute of it. It will happily be one of my go to recommendations for new comers and sit happily in my top three faves by the end of my journey I’m sure.

Thank you to all of you who in my last post agreed with my own opinion to just be patient and read the damn books (listen in my case). They have not disappointed. Both the world building and characters have been top notch and the MMC doesn’t seem to be an idiot nor an arrogant asshole. So super wins.

The funniest parts that keep me laughing is the whole swapped gender roles with the girls being embarrassed for being dolt on by the MMC. Those scenes never get old. Plus the girls feel like a real family with how they play and banter with each other, plus the literal (not just stated) growth they show. And they show it in their actions and dialogue long before the MMC (narrator) points it out. And you look back and go, huh, he’s right.

Super cool.

(Image: Just playing with Gemini. Pulled Chloe from book 5 cover image)

MGiS - Monster Girls in Space by M. Trees.

I am so loving this book. Not even halfway in. Just met Chloe and she’s cool, already in love 😅. But I was curious because while the covers are amazing, they are definitely genre divergent as they don’t prioritize LI as much as normal genre covers.

My question is how large does the harem become? And does anyone else in the harem end up being a magic wielder? Unless it’s a spoiler, what species can I expect? I know the true answer is just read the damn books but I’m impatient. Just being honest 🤷🏼‍♂️😂.

I was going through my Audible Library and noticed it’s been a while since I checked out Declan’s work. Then I realized he hasn’t put out anything. I was shocked considering I personally felt his Magebreaker Trilogy was well received and ended on a bit of cliffhanger.

Any word while I’ve been out of the loop the last few months on book 4 or another project?

Stargate style harem adventure? Human or Demi-human. Don’t think much more needs to be said.

(Image is a custom creation from Ryan Jackson’s Mystic Knight series, was bored. Love his cover art.)

I was poking through some of my Audible library and came across a few books I DNF’d due to audio even though it was a series that was highly recommended. I was curious if what other series hit people that way? It doesn’t even necessarily mean the narrators were ‘bad’, maybe just their take on the accents or voices didn’t gel.

Mine was Sarah Hawke’s The Lost Fleet series. The male narrator just didn’t gel with my ears. Even though the plot and premise really seemed interesting to me. Made it through the first book but just couldn’t get past the second.

A runner up was ME Thorne’s The Last Renegade. Same issue. I absolutely love warhammer, but just couldn’t get it to vibe with me.

Can someone please give me a more detailed explanation on ordeals and trials and how they are still in the tower but there are real humans and orcs. I’m on audio so I’m sure I just missed or didn’t understand. I am loving the series so far. About halfway through book one. Just needed a bit of mental clarification.