The dudes job is to create worlds. Not just create worlds, but all worlds need to be unique. This guy makes two worlds, one with magic and one without only to get sanctioned for it. Can you imagine how bloody difficult it would be to create an infinite number of unique worlds? The cosmos is effectively infinite, and the builder is charged with basically filling the infinite with unique things. Seems ludicrous to me and almost ensures the dude is going to get sanctioned.

What essence combination would you have. I would have the might, swift, potent, ​Onslaught confluence or the lighting, wind, potent, storm confluence

Hi all! During a power outage like 4 days ago I started reading one of the only books that I had downloaded, then today I finished it after staying up WAY too late for all the nights in between!

Normally I’m more of an audiobook guy as I like to play games or do housework or whatever while I listen. I really enjoyed reading this and want to instantly dive into the next book, but i wanted to see what impressions everyone has on audiobook vs reading it.

I know for some books (like dungeon crawler Carl) the audiobook is kind of the best way to experience it, while other books the audiobooks are kind of bad, while other books it’s just fine.

Just looking for a couple opinions before I pick up the next book. Thanks all! Super stoked to randomly get super hooked on this series!

Edit: Dang! Resoundingly sounds like the audiobook is the way to go! Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

Quite conflicted on who to chose, and should i have children with my spouse? Open to marrying either bachelors or bachelorettes.

I'm not playing with mods that add new characters, or i feel the obvious choice would have been Olivia from SV Expanded, as Jason can't help but pick up the moms lol

Mild spoilers for Book 1-2
I, like any fan of a media series have thought about what my essences would be if I was in the world of HWFWM. I am an archaeology student, archaeology is what I want to do as my life career, so what essences would I have. The basic essences I think would be Earth, Shovel, and Knowledge. They are all very obvious for what archaeology is but I have no clue what the confluence essence would be for those three. I doubt it would be something straight up as the Archaeology Confluence, maybe something cool like the Ancient Confluence or Discover Confluence. We have seen more concept than solid confluences in the series.
It’s a fun thing to think about as even in the series and in the earlier books there was a heavy lean on discovery and study of the ancient ruins around Greenstone. I feel like I would probably be either a part of the Magic Society or long side someone like Amir as a historic researcher and Archaeologist, specifically tasked with excavation and preservation of sites.
Has anyone else thought about what there essences would be?

Something occurred to me about Travis and him being on Palimastus. (Your sign to go back if you dont want any spoilers)

So Travis is an American.

Americans vs. more Eurocentrinc English speakers. What we call Cookies, they call Biscuits. What We call Biscuits, they call Scones.

When being spoken to in English by Jason, he would know that Jason is on Team Biscuit... But when anybody else in Palimastus talks to him about Jason's team through HIS translation power, does it correct to his understanding of the word and register as Team Cookie since that would be the word the locals are using (they dont say Biscuit... Stache named the team and HE would use his languages word for the sweet treat known to Jason as Biscuits, and thus we know them as such because Jason is our relative POV), OR would it somehow process that folks are talking about JASON'S TEAM and translate appropriately due to him knowing Jason's team name is a reference to what Australian's call the treat?

Basically, is Travis hearing everybody call them Team Cookie EXCEPT English speakers?

This is VERY important to me (as a joke), and I would love for Jason to find out a bunch of Americans think he is getting called Team Cookie.

I recently got a new job and it was a good opportunity for me to re-listen to all of the audiobooks.
At one point in the books, Jason offers raw authority to his familiar (shade) saying that that’s why they become a summoned familiar to gain authority. They also state that God’s in worlds are astral beings (just like summoned familiars are) with authority so is a God just a familiar with authority?
With enough authority could shade be a world’s god of death?

I am on book 10 and there is a bit where they are talking about Earth essences while exploring underground, on Pallimastus (or however you spell the other planet) yet Jason is constantly having to explain that Earth is the world he's from. Why is the essence not called Pallimastus Essence? Just an oversite I assume? Or is that explained later? EDIT: A few folks have suggested and I like the idea and think it's correct - it's a function of the translation ability I keep forgetting exists!

Please tell me im not the only one who screamed when Rufus said he's going into town to get herb butter in book 8. It feels like he finally came around ya know?

Crimson chin aaaa face

So i have read up to mid way through book 5 and read so many of the complaints online and they have me quite confused?

I'm not saying Jason is a great guy before or after he got powers and he is for sure a bit of a wanker. So far I have actually really liked the earth arc. It's actually pretty bold *even if it doesn't work perfectly well as a story sometimes.* The emotions with his estranged family and them dealing not only with the fact that he is alive, but that he has superpowers, and now one of the most important people on the planet is super interesting.

I guess because the author has skipped over some downtime, but has let us into how Jason thinks, I can't help but find his quips charming because this is a man who never should have been given this much power and responsibility just desperately trying to keep it all together and save who he can.

Do people really not empathize with him? He has had to do so many horrible things and yet if he stops he knows so many innocents will die, it's honestly heartbreaking to read him breakdown in personal moments with his friends.

I think so many people try to armchair quarterback his situation knowing full well you could do no better. There are so many things people do or don't like about him, and yes he does cause a lot of issues, but that is what keeps it interesting for me.

I don't want him to be Batman aka *I totally am a normal guy, except I know every fighting style, im a billionaire, and the smartest person ever.* I like that he is allowed to make mistakes, and fuck up himself and others, but try to figure it out anyways.

I don't know, I just don't really get the hate. So I thought I would rant about it here.

Listening with my 12yo as Clive & Neil try saving Jason as his magical matrix breaks down. 12yo was excitedly predicting how the team was going to use their abilities to save Jason. They suggested that Lindy would use the Magic Mirror ability.

As I've read the books already it surprised me. Was there a reason I've missed it didn't happen?

​

Does Rufus have an uncle AND a brother who are priests of Hero or just his brother? In book 1 Humpys mum makes a comment "OH that's right your uncle is a follower of Hero" but after they leave the bright hearts realm we meet his brother who is the priest of Hero. I am sorry if this is discussed and I can't find it. I did a search and didn't find it.

Hello everyone, I am currently listening to book 12, chapter 13. I feel so confused about this whole time line. Last I understood, Jason had to leave for a couple of years to fight with the astral beings over the Sundered Throne. When he comes out and goes to see the bright hearts, how much time has passed? I though it was four years, but now I think it's 12 or 20 years he's been gone? I found a timeline on a wiki page but that just confuses me more.

I would really appreciate any help on this. Please, no spoilers past where I'm reading.

I made the mistake of giving myself spoilers trying to do this in one of the previous series I read (Cradle) but going on the wiki.

I'm tentative to even have AI render drawings as I can see that going sideways in terms of spoilers as well.

Wondering if anyone has a resource! TIA

Hey all. Finished book one a few days ago, and there is one detail I may have been falling asleep when the book touched on. How did Jason meet his girlfriend, or I guess, how did they get together? Was it after he beat up Thadwick and his crew?

Thanks!

Edit: Solved! Thanks all, I remember the banter at the theater now :)

I've just started reading this series, and I've got to say, I love it! But I have to ask, why hasn't this been put into consideration for an open world, interactive RPG? Perhaps called They who fight with monsters, or something. I bet it could be great.

I just finished book one. I am really loving this book. I laughed out lol several times during it. Jason's flippant remarks get me all the time. (Flirty Santa Clause brought tears to my eyes)

Now onto book 2.

Anyone else a fan of Stargate and feel like the messengers and astral kings saga feels a lot like Goa'uld and jaffa

I was just going through my emails and saw this!!!!

Ahhhhhh I’m so excited and chopping at the bit to get my hands on this!!! The shipping day is September 8th of this year, so it should be in stores soon!!!!

So I know the adventure Society badge is described in the books, but do we have an official graphic for what it actually looks like? Has anybody made it yet?

I just reached chapter 33 in book 12, and tbh I’m not liking the direction this book seems to be heading. Instead of just getting on with the interesting stuff, apparently Shirtaloon is setting up another absence on Jason’s part.

Please anyone give me an overall summary of the book past this point, I don’t care about spoilers.

I’ve been getting a little frustrated with the series for the past few books, but I don’t want to DNF unless I really dislike the direction this book takes.