The Secret of the Dark Forest Audiobook By Vasily Mahanenko cover art

The Secret of the Dark Forest

Way of the Shaman Series, Book 3

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The Secret of the Dark Forest

By: Vasily Mahanenko
Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
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The virtual world of Barliona is a place of rest and entertainment - but not for everyone. It has become a survival arena for Daniel Mahan after he was sentenced to eight years in its virtual jail. Mahan has been through it all: the back-breaking work in the mines, betrayal by other prisoners, and finally, the retrial which has released him into Barliona's common world. What more could one want? Mahan could have kept a low profile and enjoyed relative freedom while serving the rest of his time. But being a Shaman, he can't help himself. Soon he's a clan leader, taking 50 of the continent's top players to claim the secrets of the Dark Forest.

©2016 V. Mahanenko; English translation copyright 2016 by Natalia Nikitin (P)2016 Tantor Contemporary Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Paranormal & Urban Science Fiction Virtual World LitRPG

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LitRPG means Literary Role Playing Game. Simply put, it’s the book version of watching someone play a video game, usually one that’s set up like an MMO (massively multiplayer online) RPG. It’s a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, depending on how it comes to be that our main character ends up living inside a virtual reality. the point of LitRPG is not how we get there, but that we get to be in this virtual reality period, living life as a badass video-game character. Beat the grind and submerse yourself in these addictive LitRPGs.

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Engaging Plot Twists • Complex Character Development • Immersive Fantasy World • Exciting Quest Progression
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For me, this book was great but still couldn't live up to the previous book. The previous made me laugh and I loved the interactions with the Npc's.

This book features more character interactions and the creation of the clan. There were several good points in the story where I got so heated, one particular moment with hellfire had me fuming.

I think the next book will be better than this one. While I liked this book a lot, it seemed to drag for me. Anastaria's voice annoyed me and how much she keeps pestering Mayen and repeating herself.

Many things seem handed to Mayen on the account that he can just somehow "feel" what is the correct answer to everything. That fact he has a type of premonition is exhausting for me. Dont get me wrong, he does have trouble at every turn and even gets screwed quite often. It just seems to me that he gets out of it too easily and naturally.

I also dont like how much his officers seem to just fade into the background more and more. These characters could have been fleshed out so much more. But they are practically cast aside in favor of Anastaria and other high level characters. The author deeming them practically useless until they level up.

I am beginning to like how the guild is coming along despite the flying rollercoaster of events they keep landing in. The next book interests me quite greatly as the concept was revealed within the last ten minutes of the book.

If you like the previous books, you will likely enjoy this one as well. I am on to the next book.

Until next time.

Keeping it going.

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Highly recommended this book. It is great story and hard put down after start listen to it.

Awesome

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This was so far my favorite of the series. The crafting of the story was superb. Highly recommended for fans of the LITRPG genre!

A roller coaster of emotions

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Mahanenko has a great imagination. I will continue to listen to all of his work until he proves otherwise. I am looking forward to Start the Game to come out in English.

Mahanenko never fails to entertain!

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Definitely don't listen to this book unless you have two or three free days in a row, because I couldn't put it down. This is definitely the best RPGLIT series I have listened to. Most books have a climax at their ends, but this one had a few times where I thought this was the end of the book, one after another. Wow, Awesome!

Another great book, RPGLIT best series ever!

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Still OP characters and now they're even more OP. the clan seems unbeatable no matter what you throw at them but I'll keep following the story cause it's very adventurous and fun. no dull moment. every scene has importance.

Still OP characters but exciting plot story

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An enjoyable listen. Pleasant characters that all interact seamlessly to the story. easy to follow. Main character voice performance was annoying. Pitch and tenor seem off for our hero. I'll continue with this series.

Good Storyline

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While i wouldn't call it a cliffhanger, the ending leave you with so many questions and urge to know more.

Still the best LitRPG series to date, as always i'm really looking forward to the next book
I hope we don't have to go another 7 months for the next one...

Awesome, but ending felt rushed and unfinished.

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Loved this book and waiting for the next in the series! Great characters and story flows very well!
Will recommend to others!!!

Great series, looking forward to the next book!

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It is not often to have an author that is able to embody the feeling and actions of RPG from a video game to a book. Bravo!

Lit RPG Trailblazer

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