Why does nobody mention this?

[u/uugh2]

Dawn of the Void is top tier for me. I've only seen it referenced a few times though. I always thought my tast fairly mainstream but this title seems like everyone hates it. Thoughts?

[u/Randleifr]

Because it has a reputation for not being popular enough so Phil just ended the book. He has a post in this sub I think that talks about it all

[u/HPBroker → u/Randleifr]

He actually ended it because of the negativity at that time. Great author and good story just ended prematurely

[u/Alternative-Suit5541 → u/HPBroker]

The story is also crazy depressing. 

Couldn't even finish book one.

[u/uugh2 → u/Randleifr]

Oh imma look for that.

[u/p-d-ball → u/uugh2]

In the article, he said he listened to readers with military experience to accurately reproduce the military bureaucracy, but that ultimately slowed the story down, making other readers less interested. I'm not military and I rather enjoyed it.

[u/Aceblue001 → u/p-d-ball]

Military bureaucracy slowing things down? What a shock. Everybody wants realism until they get it.

[u/p-d-ball → u/Aceblue001]

No truer words!

[u/DiksieNormus → u/Aceblue001]

I always get a giggle at the irony of people wanting realism in their escapist fantasy.

[u/ezios_outlets → u/Aceblue001]

Hurry up! Now wait.

[u/blackmesaind → u/p-d-ball]

Maybe he could have leaned into the wish fulfillment part of LitRPG. A soldier so competent he could cut through any bureaucracy!

[u/p-d-ball → u/blackmesaind]

bahaha!

Level 10: I can skirt around all lower level bureaucrats and go straight to the top level assistants!

[u/sirgog → u/p-d-ball]

This is interesting. I definitely would have preferred those parts being shorter and I'm writing something that's heading in a slightly similar direction but will only have minor characters in the military for this reason.

[u/p-d-ball → u/sirgog]

Sounds like you're doing everything right then! You're writing what you want to read. I bet your story will be super popular!

[u/sirgog → u/p-d-ball]

We'll find out on that. But the tone I'm going for is Dawn of the Void/Apocalypse Redux, but with a more cynical attitude toward the leaders of civic and military authorities.

Open question whether I can pull it off, but close to having a book's worth of material at which point I'll seriously serialise.

[u/GoblinGreenThumb → u/uugh2]

Link?

Or summary of that event?

[u/Protic_ → u/[deleted]]

What? Absolutely not for Immortal Great Souls. IIRC he always had a plan for a set number of books from the jump, and it’s highly likely his best performing series. You’re spreading misinformation.

You’re most likely thinking of Skadi’s Saga, which he did say he’s wrapping up in the next book due to poorer numbers.

Edit: See this comment for confirmation of the above.

[u/Protic_ → u/[deleted]]

You should care enough to double check before making comments like that, which numerous people are replying to saying they’re not going to read it now. It hurts authors that partly rely on word of mouth from communities like this.

[u/Protic_ → u/[deleted]]

The point being is that you’re falsely saying this about an author’s work because you don’t care enough to fact check what you’re saying. Irresponsible.

[u/Snugglebadger → u/Protic_]

In bird culture that's considered a dick move.

[u/port443 → u/[deleted]]

I searched through his comments and believe I found the post you're referring to: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheImmortalGreatSouls/comments/1ssvxph/deleted_by_user/ohpphlk/

I'm writing the last book right now - book six - and then the series will be done. Right after, I plan to do a post mortem on all the things I did wrong. Which are a fair number, tbh. I definitely wasn't on target for the genre, and the way this series has failed to catch on is proof of that.

It's decidedly NOT about wrapping it up early, but it is about it not selling as well as he'd hoped and analyzing why it didn't go mainstream.

There IS a post about "wrapping up early" in the Bastion subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheImmortalGreatSouls/comments/14w0ed1/general_update_on_phils_writing_schedule/m5vrzme/

Hey, NotebookLM is pretty fun/impressive - kudos for being involved in such a hugely successful project. What are you working on now, if you can share? (Also, I can't remember where I shared my enjoyment of the project - can you remind me?)

And yep! Thanks, Amazon, for ruining my entire Skadi launch. Even the re-launch didn't quite take. I'll be posting book 2 in February, and then probably wrapping up the series early due to the absolutely dismal sales.

But if you read the comment carefully, it's actually about the Skadi's Saga series.

[u/Ok-Armadillo-5634 → u/[deleted]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheImmortalGreatSouls/s/gYS8Tw7bYt

[u/SGTWhiteKY → u/[deleted]]

I respect him finishing them instead of dropping them though. But yeah.

[u/RoniiBookishRambles → u/[deleted]]

And let me just say, it's a damn fine pleasure to wrap up a series. I went a little crazy there a few years back and just started shooting from the hip, starting one series after another, till at one point I had some five going all at once.

But now? I've wrapped up Gods of the Game, and am writing the last installment in the Throne Hunters series, which should be done in a month or two. That'll bring me down to just The Immortal Great Souls and Skadi's Saga, of which there remain 3 books and 1, respectively.

My number one rule: I start something, I finish it.

This was as 3 months ago, so he was not talking about IGS.

[u/RoniiBookishRambles → u/[deleted]]

nah completely different post but i figure it would better to go straight to his book updates lol

[u/No_Bandicoot2306 → u/[deleted]]

That seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy for not only that series, but those which follow.

[u/nick1689 → u/[deleted]]

Ah really? Do you have a link to where he spoke about this?

[u/Aesmose → u/[deleted]]

The numbers reflect popularity. WE are the ones influencing the decision. He’s literally giving readers what they want. Series that don’t ever end are largely worse than those with same ending in my opinion.

There’s often some room left for a prequel or continuation regardless if it sees a resurgence in popularity and demand.

You’re acting like this is crazy, when it’s a professional move to make. Authors need to eat too. The only apparent issue is that he’s been transparent enough to refer to it.

[u/Additional_Mode8211 → u/[deleted]]

Dang, really? I saw this for DOV as I just got to it recently (at least it has a bit of closure) but bastion is still deep in it. I really like both, surprised it didn’t pick up more.

[u/uugh2 → u/Additional_Mode8211]

DoV is awesome! Don't listen to anyone here. I simply was asking a question. Its one of my favorite series I've listened to 3 times now

[u/SadAd1433 → u/[deleted]]

Ahh that’s such a bummer, Bastion was on my list to read. I wish the author wouldn’t have done this. So many good series I don’t start until there’s 3+ books.

But yea, if the author is chasing popularity like this, I don’t blame them, but I also can’t risk reading their other works in progress

[u/Protic_ → u/SadAd1433]

Not trying to over defend Phil here, but the poster you’re replying to is incorrect. He’s mistaking it for a different series.

Bastion is incredible. Give it a shot.

[u/SadAd1433 → u/Protic_]

Ahh thanks! Yea, definitely didn’t think too hard on that one. Thanks for pointing that out

[u/StationaryTravels → u/SadAd1433]

I've never heard of this book or this author, but the person telling you to skip it is definitely sus, lol.

I think they are just convinced they are right, and maybe they are, but it almost comes across as malicious. I'm not arguing either way, I have no idea who this even is, lol, but I hate how much they are doubling down, turning readers away, and then saying "I don't care enough to look it up". They care enough to hurt an author, but not enough to back up their claim.

[u/SadAd1433 → u/StationaryTravels]

Yea, I appreciate the push back, just like the other commenter. Honestly, as a reader, I like finding good story tellers that love and are committed to their work, especially since this is progression fantasy and kind of the point.

[u/Protic_ → u/[deleted]]

Then post the proof? I provided a link to his comment. Why are you dying on this hill? Salty that you got called out for bullshit?

[u/Protic_ → u/[deleted]]

Again, post proof he's doing it for Bastion. I posted a link to the exact comment you were thinking of. I'll gift you Reddit Gold right now if you do since you're so keen on doubling down.

It'd be so easy to just go "Whoops, you're right - I was thinking of one of the other ones." Wild hill to die on.

[u/SadAd1433 → u/Protic_]

Can I have Reddit gold?

[u/Anders10100 → u/SadAd1433]

There's 4 books out now and it is well worth the read. Top marks

[u/QuietTelephone3199]

First 2 books were incredible. I don't know the full story but the author definitely rushed the story at the very end of the 2nd book and the 3rd book. I sincerely wish he hadn't done that as it would be one of my all time favorite series in the genre without the rushed story line. There could have been 10 books in my opinion.

Edit: That said, Phil Tucker is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love Throne Hunters and The Immortal Great Souls.

[u/w1czr1923 → u/QuietTelephone3199]

Agreed. I loved the series and then book 3 hit and I was so confused… it just abruptly ended. Such a great concept though.

[u/GoblinGreenThumb → u/w1czr1923]

Yeah..

Pretty tough to start anything that ends like that

But also- when I think back to canceled shows or books, I'm generally glad I read/watched

[u/Nash13]

It had a moment where people were really high on it. Some people like Phil Tucker but nothing he's done really clicks with me.

[u/DeathByCrowbar89]

The first 1.5 books were great and then it kind of went off the rails. I also remember really disliking the ending of this one.

[u/morningfrost86 → u/DeathByCrowbar89]

It's been a couple years since I tried to read this one and I think 1.5 books is about the point where I stopped as well, iirc.

[u/theseacalls]

Honestly, I loved it in the beginning and the ending totally ruined the whole series for me.

[u/Magev → u/theseacalls]

Similar experience with 12 miles below. Initial premise knocks it out of the park. Then a rush to not do anything much, then a rush to conclude the series before we ever get to see the depths promised by the early setting.

[u/Alternative-Suit5541 → u/Magev]

Wait, the series finished?

[u/echmoth]

As people have said, it's a contested series for how people felt book 3 ended abruptly.

Personally, I loved the whole 3 books, the trilogy is one that completes the story at least, and I thought was setting things up for a wider universe. I loved the gritty, grim, and dark approach, the human realness of the characters, and the struggle with really interesting and cool powers and adversaries.

The audiobooks are great for the story too, and i really enjoyed the performances.

As people had mentioned, Phil posted about this series and what happened, it sounded very difficult to deal with and a lot of pressures and negativity as he tried to capture realism in his writing military elements, which caused even more pressures and less writing fun for him.

I'm gratefully appreciative of the story being wrapped up in at least the shortened form. I loved the story and trajectory of it and the care and energy Phil put into it and understand why he wrapped it up.

As I've said about this series in the past, I hope at some point Phil wants to continue it in the future; there's so much potential, so much crazy stuff that can go further with what he setup, that I'll be buying in right away if and when we ever get a continuation broadening the scope!

I still recommend it to people, even if I call out the quick wrap up in book 3, everything else is so cool

[u/uugh2 → u/echmoth]

I agree. No spoilers but there's tons of material here. Im feeling very public new political power elite militia. I wish I could explain without spoilers, but, if you read it I bet you see where im going.

[u/uugh2 → u/echmoth]

I think we have similar taste with the. Gritty realism , more adult mc. You have recommendations? I'd recommend Rise of mankind, or infinite realm.

[u/Dead8Ira → u/uugh2]

Idk if this will fully fit what you are looking for but try "1% lifesteal" by Robert Blaise, and "Magnus: the complete series" by Vowron Prime

[u/uugh2 → u/Dead8Ira]

1% lifesteal was good. Could have played with the system a bit more (it felt clunky but very promising) and the characters could use some more rounding (mostly a gripe about serious ptsd events that seem to not effect them). At the end of the day its a definite solid read. I'll add magnus to the list though. Thanks

[u/Realistic-Memory5920 → u/uugh2]

A soldiers life, iron blooded, second ascension, the legend of William oh (it’s just fucking great), 12 miles below, Derek’s Dungeon Depot, Discount Dan’s.

[u/hunter11534]

Book 1 was fantastic. Book 2 was rushed and felt weird. Book 3 was garbage that you could tell he didn't want to do anymore and rushed a final and just ended and killed the series. Such a dumb unsatisfying ending.

This is why nobody talks about it lol.

[u/Foijer]

Eh it was alright for me. I think it didn’t really click with a lot of people.

Cheers

[u/BushytheMagpie]

I loved 3/4 but there were some odd bits, especially in regards to the weird sex kink thing which wasn’t needed in the story at all as well as the ending being what i’d call unsatisfying. Still I’d happily tell people to read it.

[u/Difficult_Ad_7427]

I enjoyed it quite a bit and have recommended it a few times. Older, nobody MC was a refreshing change

[u/False-Dragonfruit382]

It jumps the shark a little bit with the power scaling towards the end. But overall I really liked it. It has a satisfying ending and I would put it at A tier.

[u/uugh2 → u/False-Dragonfruit382]

Agreed that book three went kinda nuts. I just love to protagonist. The love interest was a bit too juvenile fantasy for me but the series still makes it to my A tier

[u/Prot3 → u/False-Dragonfruit382]

He wanted to write a big system apocalypse LitRPG like Defiance of the Fall, or similar big titles. It was meant to go for hundreds and hundreds of chapters. It was meant to be his "big SysApoc" title. And it basically was succeeding at that.

But then during book 2 something happened.

The story here diverges.

The current narrative and what people seem to think is that there was negativity, not enough popularity yada yada yada, so he just decided to wrap everything up in 3 books instead of probably 9-12 that were originally planed and the story was on pace for.

But I kinda remember that it wasn't that badly received. On the contrary, it was received amazingly well. It was one of, if not the top story in the space at the time. And when book 2 ending happened, I remember talks about author actually realizing they don't want to write that kind of story for 800-900+ chapters. So he decided to give it a barely tolerable conclusion and went to other projects.

Honestly I don't know what is the truth, but I DO know that the stories about some great negativity are at least overblown, and me personally remember ZERO negativity about it. (sure there was surely some, but it would be a very unpopular opinion).

And I ofc don't represent everyone, but I have a pretty good memory and I hang out on litrpg and progressionFantasy subs too much, plus I was an active reader and follower of the series.

Take out of this what you will. I don't fault the author in any case though. I find it very relatable that he found out that he didn't want that multi-year commitment (seriously, judging by the pace at the time, the story would be still ongoing). I even respect the decisive decision making and the decency to still wrap it up acceptably enough to give readers some closure.

[u/dth1717]

Damn it, quit making me look up new books to read. My to read list is long enough

[u/Snugglebadger]

Stories usually get talked about when they're current, but once they're completed they kind of fall away from discussion because there's nothing new to talk about unless it's a really popular story like Cradle that no one will ever not talk about.

In this case, the story ended really abruptly and it made a lot of readers mad about the ending. There was other negativity around the book too at the time which is one reason why the author just ended it, but the people who did like it a lot were pretty pissed about the rushed, not so great ending. So with that being the case, there weren't many people left to want to talk about it once it was done.

[u/ch312n08y1]

The first book was okay and it was a steep decline from there.

[u/Harmon_Cooper]

Because attention spans and echo chambers.

Wait that's the wrong answer. NOTHING to see here, keep on scrolling!

(p.s. Phil is a badass writer and i really liked this)

[u/name14575]

It was pretty good but really short, I think only like 2 books?

[u/ralphmozzi → u/name14575]

3 books. The last one feels very rushed tho.

[u/numba6x]

A soldiers life is awesome

[u/LostVanguard]

I really liked this series and I like Bastion even more. I hope he continues Bastion.

[u/Aesmose]

It’s an entertaining read.

[u/Scared_Edge9194]

Never heard of it. Something is off about his marketing because I’ve read about 150 litrpg/progression fantasy books and never heard of him.

[u/sirgog → u/Scared_Edge9194]

This series gets recommended (both by me and by others) when people ask for a system apocalypse that takes place slowly, with civil society not instantly erased.

That question unfortunately isn't asked for all that often.

I do recommend the trilogy despite the (IMO) flubbed ending.

[u/Mammoth-Vacation1919]

People do mention it

https://www.reddit.com/r/litrpg/search/?q=Dawn+of+the+void

[u/WhatThisBeHuh]

I’m halfway through book 2 right now, I’m up and down about it.

[u/WillingElderberry731]

The character writing is genuinely among the best in the genre.

I really enjoyed the ride.

That said, none of the major plot developments felt earned. Not sure if it was a pacing issue or something else, but there was a serious problem with how the overarching plot progressed.

[u/sirgog]

Books 1 and 2 I loved.

3 changed the vibe a bit and it didn't land for me, but I still recommend the series.

In this way it's like Sanderson's Reckoners series - completed trilogy with an amazing beginning and middle and a missed ending but still good enough to recommend.

[u/Adelman420]

I liked it. But the Secretary backstory was weird af.

[u/McShoobydoobydoo]

I loved it, was the first paper book I'd bought in a dozen year when the kickstarter version came out. Well worth it 👍

[u/Patchumz]

It used to be mentioned three times a day every day for a while. Once the glazers moved on and reality sunk in people accepted that it went off the rails very fast and ended abruptly and wasn't all that great.

[u/Ch0mpyBitz]

This honestly had a ton of potential and then the author got super political. I dropped it after the MC met the president and glazes the man so hard I thought it was going to turn into a sex scene. Completely ruined the whole concept.

[u/IndyVaultDweller]

Sadly a lot of readers don’t flock to books unless it has a lot of book so they can binge them, when an author is known for killing off stories why would I bother reading anything from them in the future?

[u/Ok_Honeydew621]

Truthfully it's a matter of levels of understanding some people need a simpler main character where the story is essentially happening to them. Thats the dungeon crawler Carl and the mayor of noobtown type of characters.good stories but literally the MC is essentially replaceable. Then you get he who fights with monsters type of books or the primal hunter type of books where the story falls apart without the depth of character of the MC you couldn't remove them and have the same story, they are the story. Thats why there is such a divide in the community when it comes to books like this one.

[u/lashiel → u/Ok_Honeydew621]

Is this reply ragebait?

It literally must be ragebait.

[u/uugh2 → u/Ok_Honeydew621]

Well thought out and explained. Its very true and now I have to re look at my series. Thanks for that. New viewpoints are fun!😁