The story literally died right there, and got swapped out for a shapeless slice-of-life tedium of magic system exposition, that I really didn't care for. Serves you right, you old bully. That’s for browbeating every helper who’s ever worked for you.” He smirked, tossing his last pay into the fountain. As of sunrise this morning, he no longer needed McHarris’ coin. He turned to say silent prayers of thanks to Heroes’ Fountain—one of the many that had been raised in the kingdom of Thameland. But it says something that those are my two complaints. Author winking at us with insider jokes and the sister not getting enough attention. After his parents died, Alex Roth had one desire: become a wizard. Through hard work, he was accepted into the University of Generasi, the world’s greatest academy of wizardry...

Mark of the Fool: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kindle Edition

Zote is a traveller from outside Hallownest who came to the Kingdom to fulfill a promise. This is ultimately revealed to be a promise of glory for himself. He named his nail "Life Ender" because names supposedly have power. Unfortunately, because it is made of shellwood, it cannot deal damage. While he claims to be the strongest warrior in the land, he is found trapped by weak enemies or claiming the glory of another bug's deeds. He regards the Knight as beneath him and accuses them of constantly getting in his way. There! And you only get that so folk know that McHarris is no cheat! Now get out—” The baker snatched up a rolling pin. “—or you’ll need to put those silvers where your teeth used to be!” The baker made a choking noise before stomping across the disaster zone, jabbing his key into his strong box, ripping it open and whipping two dull coins into Alex’s chest. I don’t think the merchants or nobles that shop there would see it that way, and I don’t have time to run to the guild before he cleans up the evidence.”

My travels brought me to Hallownest purely out of curiosity; though I expected to find naught but a desolate ruin down below, what awaited me was quite possibly the adventure of a lifetime. Overhead, the greater demon still struggled with Ripp as air elementals zapped his flanks with lightning bolts. The swiftling sped around his shoulders, using his daggers like spikes while rolling away from Kaz-Mowang’s trident and outstretched claws. It also reads somewhat like a power-fantasy fanfic. I was expecting a romantic rival for his not-girlfriend-but-sorta-girlfriend. I was expecting plot development for the Mark. It never came. Maybe a third of the book after the halfway point (so most of the second half) felt unnecessary. I was glad for the interesting magic-system building, but I would trade all that in a heartbeat for plot development with the mark and that whole plot. Mad with power, Alex is definitely getting the crazy wizard bit down, but muscle wizard still threw me for a loop. Guardsmen have to make sure the youth are on the right path, don’t we?” Paul rose to his full height, puffing out his chest unconsciously. “Anyway, off you go now, if you’re right, this’ll probably get ugly. Oh, and happy birthday, Alexander. Eighteen’s a big number. Keep those coins and try and treat yourself.”

Mark of the Fool 4: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kindle Edition

The initial plot hook is intriguing. A hero that runs? Quite unusual. The first few chapters are engaging, and we can't wait to get into the actual world-building, and fleshing out the mythology of this world... That’s right!” Thundar roared, holding up a broken tiashiva beside a victorious Claygon. “Your great master is dead! If you don’t want any of this—” he gestured to the golem and Kyembe. “—then get the hells gone, before we get realnasty!”Alex flew toward them, planning to take advantage of Ripp’s distraction…when a huge mana shift fanned out. This is a series that knows how to progress a series without bogging down with various unnecessary things.