Glory to the Brave (Ascend Online #3) by Luke Chmilenko

Glory to the Brave (Ascend Online #3) Reviews

• 
  Tharindu Dissanayake

  "All of this running around is starting to get on my nerves."
  
  Take everything you loved about Ascend Online and Legacy of the Fallen, then change the plot so that there is zero repetitiveness, and make everything much more interesting and complex by adding more base-building, political aspects on top of an epic battle, you have Glory to the Brave. I'm continuously amazed at Chmilenko's ability and creativity in intricately planning the overall direction of this storyline.
  
  This is a long long book. Add both first two books together, and even that compilation would come up shorter than this. At the outset, it did look like we were going to have one long battle with the orc army, but that quickly took a backseat until the author was done introducing his quota of new characters, which were again both adventure types and NPC's. I particularly liked the new gang of NPC's more, and it looks like they will play some major parts in future installments as well.
  
  The levelling and skill acquisition also proceeds at a steady pace, and we do get some new stuff with the key players reaching level 30 in certain skills. It feels like Chmilenko is extremely conservative when it comes to growth of characters as well as which areas of the world he explores, possibly in hopes that the series might continue for a long time. Honestly, as of right now, I'm quite happy about that.
  
  "Congratulations. You've reached level 30!"
• 
  Soo

  Notes:
  
  1st - I have a very short buy list of LitRPG authors/series. This series is one of the few that I'll buy the ebook & audiobook without checking reviews, etc. I really like the game world and characters that Chmilenko has created.
  
  That said, the book & audiobook need to have a few more edits/proofreading because there are a lot of repeated words and stuttered dialogue that should have cleared up before release.
  
  The overall plot arc has a lot of potential. The characters are fun. A LOT happened in this book. Most of it was good. To me, it seems like various parts of the book were written at different times and smashed together. It makes the story flow stuttered.
  
  Hopefully, the rough edges will be cleared up in an update for ebook & audiobook.
  
  LD's bloopers were hilarious. =P
  
  
• 
  William P.

  Editor Needed
  
  This book got a generous 3 stars because I’ve enjoyed the series so far and the underlying ideas and plot direction were still strong. That said, there are so many problems with this book I don’t know where to begin.
  
  The disjointed narrative? Sure, it’s a rambling wander through and through, with little to recommend it. High points are nonexistent and it’s mostly battle text and flat dialog. Characters are barely more than cardboard cutouts with lines. The balance between the main character and the main enemy was all kinds of inexplicable wonkiness (the protagonist has to slog through for every improvement but the villain... just powers up with no explanation). All that was ungood, but it’s not the biggest issue to me.
  
  My problem with this book is that it needs a good editor and a brace of red pens. The sheer quantity of errors was staggering, with fouled punctuation, grammatical slip ups, and repetitive word usage. I’ve read some trash books in my time, works whose ink smeared on the rapidly-yellowing pages, and they were better edited. It got to the point where I started highlighting the errors to keep track. It got so bad that I was highlighting something every few paragraphs, sometimes multiple different errors on the same page (admittedly I might’ve been getting frustrated at that point, so).
  
  And that’s just the bare technical stuff! Stylistically this book needed trimming on every page, to the point where I estimate between 1/4 to 1/3 of the book could’ve been cut. Repetition, rambling monologues, over-thinking and -planning for actions which end up being minor, and just endless, torpid battle scenes. The whole thing reads like it never saw an independent proof-read and definitely didn’t get sufficient rewrites or, as above, editing.
  
  This is all really weird to me, because I feel as though I’d remember the previous books being this disjointed and unfinished. Luke Chmilenko has been pretty reliable up ‘til now and his other work elsewhere has been excellent. So what the hell happened here? At the end of the day I’m just disappointed. Maybe next round we’ll see a return to form.
  
  Edit: So at this point I’ve read both IRON PRINCE and Luke’s newest, SAVAGE DOMINION, and both were fantastic. I dunno what the hell happened here.
  (I also fixed a couple of my own typos because THAT’S WHAT YOU DARN WELL DO)
• 
  Bradley

  This followup LitRPG was very satisfying. Not only did we ramp up and find other adventuring guilds and have wide-map scouting and war bands with hundreds, even thousands of players, we got a full World of Warcarft siege war.
  
  All within a solid, middle-of-the-road, fantasy adventure.
  
  Everything about it is familiar if you're a gamer, but that's no surprise. This whole genre is here to give us all exactly what we want. Level-ups, raid formations, loot grabs, crafting, and war, war, war.
  
  Happiness. :)
• 
  Nic Wainwright

  With this fourth book in the series, I think
  Luke Chmilenko has perfected the balancing of story types - fights, character development, outside-world, skill-progression etc. I never felt like one or the other was ever too long or too short and I constantly felt satiated by the next page... which is why I finished the last 90% of this big ol' book in one full day :)
  
  There were moments when I just got so excited with plot points that I literally jumped up and did a stupid little jig (thankfully my roommate was not around).
  
  Regardless, if you're reading this, GO BUY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THIS SERIES. I cannot explain how much I love these books for their ability to just feel so relatable and desirable as an RPG player. This book is just the icing on the cake so far, and I cannot wait for the next one. Worth every penny and second spent feasting your eyes
• 
  Brandi Reshetar

  Wow - BEYOND WOW!
  
  I was referred to this series by a friend just recently (2 weeks ago), I don't do spoilers..... But I can tell you all that as an avid fan of 30+ years in the D&D/Fantasy genre, what Luke Chmilenko just did is AMAZING. I have to admit that when I looked at the sample I was really skeptical about the flow of the story but I am thrilled that I tried it anyway. See, I'm a GEN-X and we grew up playing D&D. - THE REAL WAY 😉 - as in the "Board, Dice and a Heap of Imagination" way. Games that the GODFATHERS/Mad Geniuses of RPG - David Arneson and Gary Gygax - created. The original games were not pre-scripted, the outcome of a campaign relied solely on the group of gamers who would get together any chance we could around the table and settle in for a weekend marathon of game play (with copious amounts of pizza and Mountain Dew/Jolt Cola). EVERYTHING was created by us - and a Dungeon Master was a coveted role. By now you are probably wondering why I'm telling you this, it's simple..... since the advent of computer gaming, no-one has to "labor" over the details because they are already programmed in. The games that are out now - you can thank every single GEN-X who played the original game. We had to create everything, Spell casters had to write their own spells out (I know because I was one) and the Dungeon Master was responsible for so many details that it took a couple of weeks for that person to detail out everything (which is why my group rotated who would be the Dungeon Master) we FILLED hundreds of notebooks full of gaming stats and to us those were more precious that gold.
  
  BUT those stat books did not make for good reading! That's why I am glad I stuck with reading the full book - when I first saw the stat sheet on the character I thought it might end up like our notebooks - I AM GLAD THAT WAS NOT THE CASE!
  
  But on the backend I know what Luke Chmilenko had to do, alk the data he had to create, all the rules on top of a GREAT story line - THAT IS WHY I AM BEYOND IMPRESSED 👏👏👏 He put in the work and it shows! I cannot wait to read the next book.
• 
  Fred Wagner

  Well, a 5-star read for certain! Not saying it was perfect. But I never felt like I was reading a 31+ hour book and wondering when it would eventually end. In fact, I suspect this would have been even better if more like 40 hours (Audible). It could even have been made into an epic-length novel of say 50 hours and not have been stretched too thin. I am hoping now, however, that the next book WILL BE that epic masterpiece. Even topping 50 (or 60?) hours. Sort of like what Aleron Kong did with book 07 of the Chaos Seeds (The Land) series. That one checked in at 47 to 48 hours. (Of course book 08 was lackluster at best and unsure if series will now continue). A battle with the Ascendancy across a greater scope of land. A continental war of sorts. Oh, even though I reread the previous books prior to continuing with this one, I was pleased to see (hear) this book open with "The Story So Far" synopsis. Quite encompassing as well with its length. Many other book series could use something like this so I don't need read at least the previous book(s) to catch up. Notably when there has been a significant time span between the current and the previous books. Oh, must say that having that synopsis be presented by the Virtus feed producers was a fantastic approach. Refreshing us on the feeds for Seasons 1 and 2 before diving into Season 3.... the seasons equating with the primary novels in the series. I hope to see the same (or better??) In the next primary novel which I would consider book 04. "Hell To Pay", despite its 11+ hour length, still is ""just"" an intermediary book. Though certainly not a novella like other authors are prone to. Even mini-novellas. Travis Bagwell has done much the same with his Awaken Online series, though a few times now "inserting" full-length novels between the primary story books. Even going so far as to write a side trilogy which amounts to the same reasoning so often for intermediary novels. Anyway, I am trying to avoid any spoilers. At all. I eagerly await Luke's next installment in the Ascend Online series. I am sure it will be epic. Even moreso than "Glory To The Brave" was nearly epic. Wonder if his producers are dictating such progression. I believe I had thought this book was to be 36+ hours originally. Perhaps they want room to fully ramp up to insanely epic at some point. We can only hope!
• 
  Justin

  Amazing
  
  I have to say luke really outdid himself. I think it was cool how the book started with the gaming network giving a brief commentary on Lyrian and Virtus how they came to be in ascend online and their story so far. It really helps show how the real world and the virtual world are still connected and how one can affect the other. I also love how they get more into the crafting in this world that it doesn't just stagnant and is glossed over and forgotten but also evolves with the story. The people in the world are advancing as they learn new things and improve or discover their own craft. I also love how the class system is set up that players are given some suggestions over which direction their respective classes advance based off of their style and then having reach certain requirements with martial, magical, or traits they have picked up. It really adds some diversity with the characters. Like for example two players start off as warriors in the game but depending on how they approach combat they will have different styles and skills they utilize and that can lead to different ways they fight or different classes they may choose to pursue. Which can give a possible unless amount of classes that can show up in the world from classic mages to hybrid warrior/mage to something unique depending on the players play style and the choices they made so far. The possibilities are endless I can't wait to see these different classes go head to head PvP or PvE which will lead to some awesome fights. I can’t wait to see the classes that show up. Another thing that was cool was the lore of the world and how it affects the current story and how people can use that to shape the world. The thing that really sells this book is how it connects with the previous books and how we see how the actions people took reflect on how they stand now. On that note I hope I didn't drive you guys crazy on this review meant for it to be brief but this book has a lot going for the series and really nailed down on the development of the characters and the world around them. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.
• 
  John

  Orcs, orcs, orcs
  
  I read this immediately after the first 3 books. It dragged a bit in the middle, seeming to just get bogged down in... I'm not even sure what. By the end of the book I was more than happy to put it down.
  
  That being said, it still was an enjoyable read, it just wasn't as enjoyable as the previous volumes.
  
  Oh and I really appreciated the "The Story So Far" at the beginning of the book. I really like it when a series has that for when it has been a bit since you read the previous volume.
  
  SPOILERS BELOW
  ****************************
  
  Our book starts on April 7, 2047, 6 days after the Epilogue of the previous book, and ends on May 2.
  
  Lyrian goes from level 23 to 31, gaining his advanced class Spellstriker as well as advancing to Level 30 in Blacksmithing and unlocking the Artificing advanced tradeskill.
  
  The bulk of this book is dealing with Carver and the Orc horde. By the end of the volume Carver is imprisoned, the Orcs are scattered (something mysterious razed their home base), and the Dread Crew has surrendered and is helping rebuild Aldford.
  
  Lyrian'd mom and dad are playing the game now, presumably far from Lyrian. Sonia/Freya has moved to Marcus/Lyrian's town and they are now a real life couple.
  
  Creativity is excited about some new changes coming.
  
  Graves is working with Delilah and the Ascendancy on something... All we see is a small box that when opened spews thick smoke.
  
  Aldford is a little worse for wear, but is quickly rebuilding.
  
  No updates on Lazarus or his folks.
• 
  Lana

  This 3rd book in the series Ascend Online is one big hell of an adventure, full of daring exploits as Lyrian's group of heroes fight to save Aldford, the city which had become their home ingame. This time around they face of with the Dread Crew led by Carver who was the main enemy of Lyr and who brought the orcs to the war being waged, including the Orc master Zhul. Both sides used politics to win others to their side, and Lyr invited other adventurers to join his group in Aldford thus strengthening their numbers since the orcs seemed to have a never ending force. They also crafted massive siege engines to be better able to fight, and even came up with the Beast. I loved the visit to the city of Khudazal, the orc city, and teaming up with the Gronn, and I also really love Amaranth, Lyr's partner however I did think that the book was too long winded and had many unnecessary lengthy paragraphs which could have been cut short without detracting from any of the tension building. The massive battle fought at the end to save Aldford is awesome as Lyr and Carver face off but I felt that the long book was in fact too long to be thoroughly enjoyed and became a bit dragging in its details. However, saying that I still look forward to reading further into the adventure of Lyr and his group of heroes in Ascend Online as well as following Markus's and Sonia's own romantic adventure in real life.
• 
  Scott Davis

  Audiobook: Chmilenko did an excellent job with this 3rd (4th) book. There is always a concern that books start to get repetitive in re-hashing "another bad guy" storylines. This book didn't do that. Yes there as another bad guy, but the approach was not a re-hash. I'm particularly excited about how big Aldford is getting with this huge influx of new settlers and the massive new frontier that seems to have opened up. I hope this really was the end of Carver. If he comes back I feel like that will be revisiting and old story arc too many times. There seems to be bigger fish to fry on the horizon and I look forward to the next book in this series. With so many new guilds arriving it will be interesting to see of more settlements and strong relationships like Shadows Falls develop, or rival factions develop.
  
  I have book series where I will probably read/listen to the book if I can get it at the library, books where I'll put it in my Audible wish list and might get is some day when I have extra credits I need to spend, and series where I will pre-order the next book and get it on day one. This series falls in this last category. I waited anxiously for a long time, hoping Chmilenko would release another book in this series. I'll be anxiously waiting for the next.
• 
  John Mazua

  When I first read Ascend Online, I was intrigued by the premise, the writing style, and the story itself. To be honest, I wasn't as happy with the second book, seeing as those characters I got to know weren't involved in the second book. Then the third book struck and yes the math adds up 1 + 2 = 3, we had all the characters congregate in the same area and interact with each other. The OG crew eventually opened up to the others and book 3 was amazing.
  
  I wished for book 4 to be as good as the third book, and boy was I happily disappointed. Book 4 is better, bigger, and more interesting as the characters develop forward both in-game and in their outside world. Not only that, just reading a few pages about the summarized adventure of Marcus' parents. I can't wait for a book about their exploits as well.
  
  I expect great things coming from Luke's mind and heart as he expands on this incredible series.
• 
  Lorrinda Estabrook

  This is the 3rd book for Ascend Online (main storyline-- 4th if you count the side story with Lazarus and Co. in Eberria). I've been a huge fan since the first book, so I had serious expectations for this one. I was NOT disappointed. Chmilenko draws the reader into the action from the start as always, and it just gets better from there. The enemy and obstacles faced are more deadly this time around. I love how much more of the world is revealed (both in game and out)-- and for avid fans, he threw in some meta humor.I loved every minute of this book, it was hard to put down, and I can't wait for the next... as someone else has already said, THAT is the only downside to the Ascend Online series-- you always want more...
  
  I received an ARC of this book.
• 
  david

  Decently written, needs editing
  
  It's a good series that avoids many of the problems other series have where they overpower one person and make them always come up with the solution or amazing feats, so it actually keeps interest in many different characters. There are a few scenes which, at least for the moment, seem random or even unnecessary, but hopefully they will be explained later. It does however need to be edited, the missing words and typos seemed to get much worse in this book than they have been. Hopefully the author finds somebody to start editing his work in the next books. Eitber way, I would recommend the series if you're into litRPG, and look forward to the next book coming out.