Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read forHe Who Fights with Monsters 4 by Shirtaloon starting on February 27, 2025.


Happy Reading!

Thank you!

Anyway. Series!
1. He Who Fights with Monsters (July 27) [link]
2. He Who Fights with Monsters 2 (Dec 27) [link]
3. He Who Fights with Monsters 3 (Jan 27) [link]
4. He Who Fights with Monsters 4 (Feb 27)
5. He Who Fights with Monsters 5 (Mar 27) [link]
6. He Who Fights with Monsters 6 (Apr 27) [link]
7. He Who Fights With Monsters 7 (May 27) [link]
8. He Who Fights With Monsters 8 (Jun 27) [link]
9. He Who Fights with Monsters 9 (TBD)
10. He Who Fights with Monsters 10 (TBD)
11. He Who Fights with Monsters 11 (TBD)

Audio: All are Audible Exclusives.
Ebook: All on KU, #11 currently on Royal Road pre-publication

30 minutes ago in the HWFWM 1 thread:

Starting now... HWFWM 12 is up for pre-order on Audible, releasing in May 2025...

NOW: small ways in, and this is giving me serious Daily Grind vibes, now that we're back on Earth and dealing with "dungeon wealth" and shadowy government organizations...

Past halfway now, and I’m being reminded of WORM by Wildbow, and Falcon and Winter Soldier…

Oooh, I'm excited! Saving this for a calm day...

Totally thought I commented on this one too, whoops! I read a little over a week ago and really enjoyed it, more than I thought considering the ominous hints Iain's been dropping. (view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting magic to still work so well for Jason, or the widespread cabals that made use of what little exists in the world. I would have liked to see more consequences or barriers for Jason moving from the other world back to this one, but he was almost more invincible here than he was there. Didn't keep things from being entertaining though.

It was fun to meet the local magic-users, especially the vampire! And seeing Jason pull his insouciance on what seemed to be essentially a magic crime lord. I also liked the sequence near the end, when Jason was going monster-hunting with the magic equivalent of a SWAT team.

Jason's family was also a lot of fun. I liked learning more about his background, even things like the cultural clash between his Japanese and Australian parts of the family. Black Sheep uncle Hiro, and cute niece, famous sister, ambitious mother and railroaded father... I'm sure I'm missing some since it's been a while since I read. Jason's "back from the dead" surprise scenes, and then the introduction of magic were a lot of fun. (hide spoiler)]

I'm really curious, @Iain, what were the main criticisms you saw for this Arc?

People didn't care about Earth and wanted to be back on the other planet, basically... missed the side characters they grew attached to...

From what I've seen/spoiled, I'm not sure how many characters here on Earth matter to the larger narrative, when Jason Asano inevitably makes it back to the other planet, more OP than ever, and hopefully ready to take on more cosmic entities on a more even footing...

Like you said, tho, I really liked this, despite the missing characters... I'm actually really interested to see more stories like this... Neverstone is like this, if we ever make it to the final book... or whatever that kitchen sink series was called, back in January...

Kitchen sink series? I think I missed that one. Oh Neverstone. Yeah, it was Neverstone. Kitchen sink as in everything but. Got it.

I don't mind hearing that the Earth folks won't be important to the larger narrative in the end--I definitely got that feel, that Jason was enjoying his time on Earth but pretty much doing what he said he wanted: have one last jaunt with his new growth and perspective, and then farewell. I do hope he (view spoiler)[gets to bring his family with him though--they seemed willing to join. (hide spoiler)] I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

I will say I'm starting to get curious about what's up with the folks we left behind--but I'm not really in a hurry.

Nirkatze wrote: "Kitchen sink series? I think I missed that one. Oh Neverstone. Yeah, it was Neverstone. Kitchen sink as in everything but. Got it.

I don't mind hearing that the Earth folks won't be important to t..."

Yea... or throw every idea you've ever had in a blender... both work... no limits to what can happen from one chapter to the next...

Re:family: I think hijinks ensue, but as warned by the end here, they're more just gonna be living more normal lives vs Jason's ascension to power narrative... but being able to visit family would be nice...

Yeah--as long as they're somewhere he can visit, I'm ok with the random letter home... though I'd also like to see the niece follow his footsteps eventually.

I am two thirds in and honestly, I am really enjoying this one. I didn't expect to spend so much time on Earth but it's cool change of pace. Also some big introspection going on on Jason's part.

Ditto!! After Iain's dire warnings about the ratings drop-off, I was worried, but I really enjoyed this. Finished the next one too and loved it, still have to comment though. >.<

awful choice to do earth arc imo, jason is more whiney and annoying in this book than ever. I may just end series here after reading 4th book and then finding out there's 2 more books for earth. Jason deciding to now take a vacation is pitiful. Also seems every fight seem is the same, hes supposed to be some amazing fighter but always loses to people attacking him. I realllly just want a character as strong as Matt for POA but isnt a loot charity to women around him, not annoying like jason in HWFWM, and has the mentality of Brixaby from All the Skills. Is that too much to ask :(

I am actually really enjoying this break from the other world and seeing Jason back on earth. I'm only 33% in but it's a page turner. I feel like the series keeps me wanting to read the next one.

Ditto. I liked the Earth arc. It was an interesting contrast to see how Earth deals with magic, and to see how Jason's perspective has changed now that he's changed.

I think we've read enough Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation books to appreciate one that finally explores making it home again...