Review of He Who Fights with Monsters: Book Twelve
As a long-time reader of the progression fantasy genre, I was both eager and wary when cracking open He Who Fights with Monsters: Book Twelve by Shirtaloon. The anticipation stemmed from my past frustrations with the series—would the author finally deliver the advancement and excitement I’ve craved, or would I find myself wading through yet another meandering narrative? Spoiler: the book offers a time jump, a welcome shift, yet it feels like we’re still stuck in the weeds.
First off, let’s address the time jump. I see you, Shirtaloon, finally taking my advice after six books spent in silver grade! My heart raced at this narrative twist—no more slow incremental progress, no more contrived foes dragging the plot down! Yet, as I navigated the chapters, I found myself grappling with the realization that despite the time leap, the book often felt like a filler episode of my favorite series. It’s great to catch up on the characters, but the expository nature of it all left me yearning for more depth.
While the author brings us back to familiar faces, he devotes significant pages detailing the lives of some rather forgettable characters from his growing cast. Instead of diving into the fresh intrigue a time jump can bring, I felt a heavy dose of exposition that diluted my excitement. Wouldn’t it have been far more captivating to step into a new world with hints of what transpired during those missing years? Exploring character dynamics in a new light could have fueled the curiosity that draws me to series like this.
To compound the situation, the narrative’s central plot—good versus evil, with our protagonist embodying a rather idealized version of the author himself—comes off as clichéd. It’s a narrative well-trodden in the genre, one we’ve seen before. The true beauty of progression fantasy lies in the journey of growth, combat, and world-building; yet, here we find the author sacrificing these essential pillars in favor of mundane storytelling. This alteration leaves me longing for the pulse of a robust magic system and the thrill of fluid action.
Moreover, the romantic relationships often feel like they’re pulled straight from a middle-school fantasy. They’re one-dimensional and lacking the nuance that real relationships entail. The characters’ interactions come off as if the author has an idealized view of romance, infused with insecurity and naivety. It detracts from the emotional weight that I crave in fantasy, where characters should grow, both individually and alongside others.
In conclusion, while He Who Fights with Monsters: Book Twelve has certainly shifted gears with its time jump, it ultimately feels like a setup for what’s to come rather than a fulfilling read on its own. It’s a mixed bag—a bit of progress mixed with enough filler to leave me feeling a touch unsatisfied. If you’ve followed this series faithfully, you may appreciate the character developments and relationships, but I’d recommend this book cautiously to new readers or those seeking action-packed escapism. As I closed the book, I couldn’t help but hope that upcoming installments will find the author’s narrative balance, steering back to the enthralling progression fantasy I fell in love with.
So here’s to future adventures—let’s hope they’re worth the wait!
Discover more about He Who Fights with Monsters: Book Twelve (He Who Fights… on GoodReads >>