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Savage Dominion #2
Wyrmshard
Maulkin and his Eternal buddies are on a roll. They're getting stronger, have two of the shards that will help prevent the return of an evil god, and even have a good idea where to find the rest.
Maybe Maulkin has taken a month off to hang out with his new elven girlfriend and learn how to swing his giant sword around, but hasn't he earned a holiday?
His reluctance to get out there and smack monsters definitely has nothing to do with the evil looking Voidgod powers that he's scared of telling the others about... Or with Araphel's imminent return... Or with having to fight a primordial dragon from the dawn of time...
Everything is fine. Shut up.
Maybe Maulkin has taken a month off to hang out with his new elven girlfriend and learn how to swing his giant sword around, but hasn't he earned a holiday?
His reluctance to get out there and smack monsters definitely has nothing to do with the evil looking Voidgod powers that he's scared of telling the others about... Or with Araphel's imminent return... Or with having to fight a primordial dragon from the dawn of time...
Everything is fine. Shut up.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
252 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Luke Chmilenko
38 books1,567 followersBorn in 1987, Luke Chmilenko grew up in the city of Mississauga, Ontario spending the majority of his life within the city. Always a fan of writing and storytelling, Luke continuously wrote small short stories over the years, but never embarked on writing a full novel until much later in life, thinking it was something beyond his ability.
With his interesting in writing waxing and waning as the years passed, Luke focused on his studies, eventually finding a job in the field of IT Security and working between various jobs for several years. It wasn't until after he was married and with his wife's encouragement that he finally decided to try writing a novel, this time deciding to focus on a new genre that he had just discovered called LitRPG.
Diving into his work, Luke wrote his first book over the course of several months, releasing the book as a web serial chapter by chapter for free online, garnering valuable feedback and confidence from his readers. By the time Luke finished his first book and published it on amazon, he already had a hungry audience waiting for next installation, to which he immediately threw himself into working tirelessly at his newfound passion.
Today, Luke now writes full time with his wife and two cats in their Burlington home, working away on his next issue of his Ascend Online series and a brand new science fiction series named Starfall.
Books of Ascend Online:
Ascend Online (Book 1) (2016)
Ascend Online: Hell to Pay (Book 1.5) (2017)
Ascend Online: Legacy of the Fallen (Book 2) (2018)
Ascend Online: Glory to the Brave (Book 3) (Forthcoming 2019)
Books of Starfall:
Starfall (Book 1) (Forthcoming 2019)
With his interesting in writing waxing and waning as the years passed, Luke focused on his studies, eventually finding a job in the field of IT Security and working between various jobs for several years. It wasn't until after he was married and with his wife's encouragement that he finally decided to try writing a novel, this time deciding to focus on a new genre that he had just discovered called LitRPG.
Diving into his work, Luke wrote his first book over the course of several months, releasing the book as a web serial chapter by chapter for free online, garnering valuable feedback and confidence from his readers. By the time Luke finished his first book and published it on amazon, he already had a hungry audience waiting for next installation, to which he immediately threw himself into working tirelessly at his newfound passion.
Today, Luke now writes full time with his wife and two cats in their Burlington home, working away on his next issue of his Ascend Online series and a brand new science fiction series named Starfall.
Books of Ascend Online:
Ascend Online (Book 1) (2016)
Ascend Online: Hell to Pay (Book 1.5) (2017)
Ascend Online: Legacy of the Fallen (Book 2) (2018)
Ascend Online: Glory to the Brave (Book 3) (Forthcoming 2019)
Books of Starfall:
Starfall (Book 1) (Forthcoming 2019)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 29, 2023
Notes:
3.8 Stars for Narration by Luke Daniels
3 Stars for Story
The humor in the series isn't the kind that I enjoy reading all the time. The "funny" parts did not come across as haha funny in the first half of the book. Looking back, I find the first half of the book to be forced. Like it was obviously following a preplanned story arc, but it came across as forced humor, action scenes & stuff. The last half of the book had better pacing, the humorous bits were actually funny, and the absurd aspects were just wacko vs why the heck is this happening.
I may as well dive into #3 now. I am mildly curious to see how the story will move forward from the ending scenes.
3.8 Stars for Narration by Luke Daniels
3 Stars for Story
The humor in the series isn't the kind that I enjoy reading all the time. The "funny" parts did not come across as haha funny in the first half of the book. Looking back, I find the first half of the book to be forced. Like it was obviously following a preplanned story arc, but it came across as forced humor, action scenes & stuff. The last half of the book had better pacing, the humorous bits were actually funny, and the absurd aspects were just wacko vs why the heck is this happening.
I may as well dive into #3 now. I am mildly curious to see how the story will move forward from the ending scenes.
August 5, 2023
I enjoyed this second book in the series, but it was really heavy on the battle scenes. Good battle scenes, with lots of interesting strategies and learning new skills during battle, but still a lot of them.
June 16, 2021
Great read
I was really looking forward to this one and for the most part it did not disappoint. I would say the end was a little obvious but the humor and action were great. Will definitely read the next.
I was really looking forward to this one and for the most part it did not disappoint. I would say the end was a little obvious but the humor and action were great. Will definitely read the next.
June 16, 2021
Even better than the first
Title says it all. I laughed, I cried, I whooped for joy. It was a grand old time.
And wow. Dragons are cool
Title says it all. I laughed, I cried, I whooped for joy. It was a grand old time.
And wow. Dragons are cool
January 21, 2025
While this is mainly just a fun, popcorn read with way too much childish humor that will grate on you after a while, there are some genuinely good plot elements showing up. I’ve read worse books for sure. Just turn your brain off and enjoy.
January 29, 2025
I had to stop reading this book because the main character, while likable, has begun to annoy me. Maulkin is very very dumb. He was an idiot meathead in the first book, but here he lacks basic communication skills that aren’t easy to brush past, especially when his thought process is presented clearly in his narration. There are so many instances in which the issues Maulkin faced felt contrived, solely because he acted in illogical ways for the sake of the plot. For example, Maulkin ends up killing a dictator who’s been making his people wage needless war for centuries. He first tries talking to the guy, but he won’t listen to reason and wants to continue with pointless bloodshed, so Maulkin kills him to set his followers free. Simple (well not quite, but that was Maulkin’s primary motive). Instead of explaining this, Maulkin behaves in such a reckless caveleer way that when he reveals he’s killed this dictator to his friends, they a) have no idea who the man is, because Maulkin was in such a rush to give them this “good news” that he provided absolutely no backstory, and b) assume Maulkin had no legitimate reason to kill him and just did it because “Lunar Eternal bad.” Speaking of the party, this issue of communication makes Mercy’s character insufferable. Their entire quest is to “collect the shards and kill the bad guy,” essentially executing a sentient being for his crimes, and yet she somehow has issue with a dictator, who would rather doom the planet than stop unnecessary suffering and bloodshed, being killed for his crimes. Though Mercy would never been overjoyed at Maulkin’s decision to take a life, a large part of her distrust in him post-kill was his initial behavior. Maulkin acted like someone who enjoyed killing and was genuinely delighted at what he had done, and that would scare anyone away without proper context. Even with the context that the man was a dictator manipulating the masses, the way Maulkin acts is still enough to make someone want to put distance between themselves and him. Maybe she evolves as the book progresses–I’m assuming she likely does, as there’s a third book–maybe, Maulkin even backtracks and feels genuine remorse for what he’s done, not just sadness that he was pushed to this point. Either way, Maulkin’s inability to talk things through and Mercy’s inability to listen made me put this otherwise enjoyable book down. I’ll probably give a full review once I’ve given myself some time to decompress and resume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2021
Fast and fun, but a bit unbelievable easy for the MC
The Mc is still funny and fun. He is a complete idiot, but a loveable one. I really hate the plot hook of not telling everything to your friends so they can be mad later on, but I kind off get why he did it in this book. so, I guess its going as a point for good and believable character building.
This story is not a masterpiece of epic tales and uncanny heroes, but it does not intend to be. It's supposed to be fun and light, which it is. So, I don’t have a big review here, just some random thoughts about stuff that happened in the book.
The world building is vey good and interesting. I like what the authors did with the different races and how they communicate with each other. The leveling system is new and fun, and keeps thins balanced.
Asher and Mercy complete the trio perfectly. Their jabs at each other are probably the best part of this book.
Things go way to easy for the MC. He is supposed to be really low level compare to the older eternals, yet he kills one of them like it was nothing. Then he goes to destroy a godly spirit monster as big as a building like it was nothing at all. Ending the whole shebang with him surviving a fight with a football field size dragon. How? Dumb luck I guess, but again this should be a fun and fast story, so I can't complain that things are as they should be.
The big twist in the end was way way way obvious. Just saying :P
I really recommend in reading this book, but take to account that it’s a light and fun story, and not an epic fantasy.
The Mc is still funny and fun. He is a complete idiot, but a loveable one. I really hate the plot hook of not telling everything to your friends so they can be mad later on, but I kind off get why he did it in this book. so, I guess its going as a point for good and believable character building.
This story is not a masterpiece of epic tales and uncanny heroes, but it does not intend to be. It's supposed to be fun and light, which it is. So, I don’t have a big review here, just some random thoughts about stuff that happened in the book.
The world building is vey good and interesting. I like what the authors did with the different races and how they communicate with each other. The leveling system is new and fun, and keeps thins balanced.
Asher and Mercy complete the trio perfectly. Their jabs at each other are probably the best part of this book.
Things go way to easy for the MC. He is supposed to be really low level compare to the older eternals, yet he kills one of them like it was nothing. Then he goes to destroy a godly spirit monster as big as a building like it was nothing at all. Ending the whole shebang with him surviving a fight with a football field size dragon. How? Dumb luck I guess, but again this should be a fun and fast story, so I can't complain that things are as they should be.
The big twist in the end was way way way obvious. Just saying :P
I really recommend in reading this book, but take to account that it’s a light and fun story, and not an epic fantasy.
January 6, 2023
DNF at 66%
This series may be for some but elements about it that bothered me in the first continue and get worse. The tone is all over the damn place. It’s totally carefree to an irritating extent (you can feel the writing reaching for charm and failing) and then out of nowhere a huge betrayal happens and it seems it’s meant to be a shock but it doesn’t fit with what’s around it at all. It isn’t build up to in the slightest with a character just suddenly doing a complete 180 that gave me whiplash and then just as suddenly it peters out to nothing. The thing this character based there change of heart on is something that happened in the first book that I graciously overlooked even though it bothered me so you can kind of see where she’s coming from but again - there is no subtlety to it, no development to that point. This just feels like a very lazy book in this genre and I gave it too much chance in the first book and overlooked too much cause I just wanted another comfortable book to read but the flaws became too much in this one. Doesn’t settle for a book that just about does the job when there’s hundreds if not thousands of books out there that are so much more deserving of your time. I would not recommend.
This series may be for some but elements about it that bothered me in the first continue and get worse. The tone is all over the damn place. It’s totally carefree to an irritating extent (you can feel the writing reaching for charm and failing) and then out of nowhere a huge betrayal happens and it seems it’s meant to be a shock but it doesn’t fit with what’s around it at all. It isn’t build up to in the slightest with a character just suddenly doing a complete 180 that gave me whiplash and then just as suddenly it peters out to nothing. The thing this character based there change of heart on is something that happened in the first book that I graciously overlooked even though it bothered me so you can kind of see where she’s coming from but again - there is no subtlety to it, no development to that point. This just feels like a very lazy book in this genre and I gave it too much chance in the first book and overlooked too much cause I just wanted another comfortable book to read but the flaws became too much in this one. Doesn’t settle for a book that just about does the job when there’s hundreds if not thousands of books out there that are so much more deserving of your time. I would not recommend.
August 20, 2021
So far I'm mostly enjoying the series, but 4 stars is a littler generous. I'll have to wait and see how it progresses in the next book. I mostly only have critique's for this series but the number of stars shows I'm still enjoying it.
I like the world thought it contains certain devices common to books I really don't enjoy. The "Good Gods" being utterly stupid and evil is a common trope that is just old and tired, and it's so over done it's eyeroll bad. That is coupled with the bad gods not really being bad but misunderstood anti-hero's whose evil deeds are overlooked because they fight against the TRUE bad guys (the "good" gods). The author takes this trope to the extreme and portrays all the "good" gods as the most extremely bigoted people who do nothing good in the world, and spend their time oppressing everyone in the name of "peace" or in pursuit of cleansing evil. The main problem I have with this trope is that it's just not believable at all and doesn't make sense. And yet, author after author uses it as the foundation for their books instead of coming up with something that actually makes sense.
I also don't
I like the world thought it contains certain devices common to books I really don't enjoy. The "Good Gods" being utterly stupid and evil is a common trope that is just old and tired, and it's so over done it's eyeroll bad. That is coupled with the bad gods not really being bad but misunderstood anti-hero's whose evil deeds are overlooked because they fight against the TRUE bad guys (the "good" gods). The author takes this trope to the extreme and portrays all the "good" gods as the most extremely bigoted people who do nothing good in the world, and spend their time oppressing everyone in the name of "peace" or in pursuit of cleansing evil. The main problem I have with this trope is that it's just not believable at all and doesn't make sense. And yet, author after author uses it as the foundation for their books instead of coming up with something that actually makes sense.
I also don't
November 2, 2021
Honestly I picked up this book because I saw Asher on the cover and I some how tricked myself into thinking that this book would be better than the first. It is not. In fact I think it is actually worse.
This book relies on the strength of the relationships but they are extremely shallow. Mercy and Maulkin's relationship is just based on snark, jokes, and fighting. Maulkin and his girlfriend's is just sex and fighting. And Asher is kind of a simp towards Maulkin and no part of me believed that he would be against him.
On the bright side the few glimpses into Asher's past was the best part of the book.
Stupid ending. Will not be continuing.
This book relies on the strength of the relationships but they are extremely shallow. Mercy and Maulkin's relationship is just based on snark, jokes, and fighting. Maulkin and his girlfriend's is just sex and fighting. And Asher is kind of a simp towards Maulkin and no part of me believed that he would be against him.
On the bright side the few glimpses into Asher's past was the best part of the book.
Stupid ending. Will not be continuing.
March 22, 2022
If I did not have these two books on Audible id probably would have stopped after the first one. (Combined they cost me $2). Its another oh look, new heroes you should gather up this sword in 6 pieces so that you can destroy this world ending threat that is going to return to life. Surprise, by putting it together you released the horror.
Years ago I remember reading a adventure submission request that listed, Another 6 pieces of a sword quest, as something they were not interested in. I cant tell you how much I agreed with it, and still do.
While I cant say that the books were entirely dross, it is not something I would recommend spending your time on with so many other options.
Years ago I remember reading a adventure submission request that listed, Another 6 pieces of a sword quest, as something they were not interested in. I cant tell you how much I agreed with it, and still do.
While I cant say that the books were entirely dross, it is not something I would recommend spending your time on with so many other options.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2021
Good sequel - worth reading
I enjoyed book 2 in this series. The series is very reminiscent of Exalted, so the main characters (effectively demigods) wield incredible power and basically are godlike in their abilities to do their specific actions.
Our main character is basically a combat artificer who crafts weapons out of materials around him to smash things in the face.
It works well. Book one was fun and sort of this cool introduction to the world - book 2 is more of an expansion of those ideas - it’s a fun journey.
Look forward to a book 3...
I enjoyed book 2 in this series. The series is very reminiscent of Exalted, so the main characters (effectively demigods) wield incredible power and basically are godlike in their abilities to do their specific actions.
Our main character is basically a combat artificer who crafts weapons out of materials around him to smash things in the face.
It works well. Book one was fun and sort of this cool introduction to the world - book 2 is more of an expansion of those ideas - it’s a fun journey.
Look forward to a book 3...
June 20, 2021
All the snark, none of the filler!
Man what a ride! Maulkin and co get hitnwith more than any one should have to deal with in just one book! Upgrades, new powers, more baddies slaughtered than you can shake a stick at! And that ending! Talk about some hype! I laughed out loud several times, felt for the characters as they felt a lot of negative emotions, and cheered through gratuitous violence! Great sequel! Maulkin is definitly on my list of most OP MCs now!
Man what a ride! Maulkin and co get hitnwith more than any one should have to deal with in just one book! Upgrades, new powers, more baddies slaughtered than you can shake a stick at! And that ending! Talk about some hype! I laughed out loud several times, felt for the characters as they felt a lot of negative emotions, and cheered through gratuitous violence! Great sequel! Maulkin is definitly on my list of most OP MCs now!
July 18, 2021
Well written. A great addition to the genre
When I began reading the first book, I didn’t quite know what to expect. The book began in a fairly interesting way and caught my interest. Then it just got better and better. It is hard not to be predictable in this type of genre, but this authors have done it, with a well written story and well developed characters. I’m looking forward to the last book in the series!
When I began reading the first book, I didn’t quite know what to expect. The book began in a fairly interesting way and caught my interest. Then it just got better and better. It is hard not to be predictable in this type of genre, but this authors have done it, with a well written story and well developed characters. I’m looking forward to the last book in the series!
June 16, 2021
This book was an awesome addition to the series! I really like the creativity of the characters powers as they level up. The back and forth banter between the characters is fun too. It will be interesting to see where book three leads the adventurers. If you're surfing reviews to see if this series is for you, just do it, you won't be sorry!
June 17, 2021
Great Adventure
This is the second book in this series and I really enjoyed it. I kind of figured out what was going to happen well before the end of this book but it was still a great book, hoping the third and apparently final book in this series comes out sooner rather than later.
This is the second book in this series and I really enjoyed it. I kind of figured out what was going to happen well before the end of this book but it was still a great book, hoping the third and apparently final book in this series comes out sooner rather than later.
June 30, 2021
Fun read
I enjoyed the first book a bit more. This book was definitely exciting. Got a bit sophomoric for me from time to time. Then just when I was getting tired and of the slapstick it pulled itself out and was just plain funny. Probably 3.5 stars for me. Definitely worth a read but got a little silly here and there.
I enjoyed the first book a bit more. This book was definitely exciting. Got a bit sophomoric for me from time to time. Then just when I was getting tired and of the slapstick it pulled itself out and was just plain funny. Probably 3.5 stars for me. Definitely worth a read but got a little silly here and there.
December 16, 2021
A really, really great continuation to a very enjoyable series. There was plenty of excitement and adventure and even a few heartfelt moments. True, it did drag at times, but the pacing picked up not long after those moments to not affect the overall momentum of the story. And it ended really well too. Looking forward to the next one.
January 31, 2022
Loved the humor and once again Luke Daniels did an amazing job. He makes it feel like a story is taking place, not like I’m listening to someone read. So good.
I hate it when authors incorporate raceism/speciesm into a story. I get enough of that in daily life. I read to escape and have fun. Could have done without that aspect.
I hate it when authors incorporate raceism/speciesm into a story. I get enough of that in daily life. I read to escape and have fun. Could have done without that aspect.
February 8, 2023
Mercy tad bit ruined the story for me with her hypocrisy and idiocy as well as backstabbing the MC who saw her as a real friend. She has more anger issues then the MC does and can't use her brain if she even has one.
Freaks out when he killed someone when they have been on a killing spree on the elves since book 1.
Freaks out when he killed someone when they have been on a killing spree on the elves since book 1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Badassery!!
Wow, what an epic fight. I am sure the last book in trilogy is going to be even better. This series is definitely worth reading, so if you haven't read first book, go read it, and enjoy some serious kick ass fun.
Wow, what an epic fight. I am sure the last book in trilogy is going to be even better. This series is definitely worth reading, so if you haven't read first book, go read it, and enjoy some serious kick ass fun.
September 8, 2022
Nonstop action
This book is a wild ride. The fights start coming and never stop. Each new step on the journey to the end features a new conflict to overcome. It's intense. Looking forward to book 3
This book is a wild ride. The fights start coming and never stop. Each new step on the journey to the end features a new conflict to overcome. It's intense. Looking forward to book 3
September 10, 2022
Definitely different.
But definitely an amazing read, loved every snarky moment of the tale right up to the unexpected ending of this part of the story. Really can't wait for the next part and ultimate resolution of the battle for the universes.
But definitely an amazing read, loved every snarky moment of the tale right up to the unexpected ending of this part of the story. Really can't wait for the next part and ultimate resolution of the battle for the universes.
June 17, 2021
Really fun
Great continuation of an interesting story. Lots of action and fast paced events. Looks like the story will be concluded in the next installment. Very tidy
Great continuation of an interesting story. Lots of action and fast paced events. Looks like the story will be concluded in the next installment. Very tidy
June 18, 2021
Excellent characters
Although the character progression is almost non-existent, the actual characters themselves were beautifully written and the plot was truly phenomenal.
Although the character progression is almost non-existent, the actual characters themselves were beautifully written and the plot was truly phenomenal.
June 22, 2021
Still shooting on all levels. Full of sass, action and laughs.
Still shooting on all levels. Full of sass, action and laughs. Can't wait to read what comes next in this series.
Still shooting on all levels. Full of sass, action and laughs. Can't wait to read what comes next in this series.
July 2, 2021
This book was so much better than the first. Can't wait for. The last book
Read
July 13, 2021Great book
Stellar work once again from Luke Chmilenko! Lots of action and adventure, leveling and monsters, gods and magic! Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Luke Chmilenko! Lots of action and adventure, leveling and monsters, gods and magic! Looking forward to the next one!
July 26, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes LitRPG and action type of books.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes LitRPG and action type of books.
August 6, 2021
The story goes deeper.
There are a lot of chuckles in this book but not as many as the first. This book is very intense.
There are a lot of chuckles in this book but not as many as the first. This book is very intense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews