6 Stars

I've re-read this in time for the release of its sequel. Re-reading books is something I seldom do purely because my reading/listening backlog is massive. However, I had to make an exception for The Five Trials.

Harem fantasy in 2019 is in a bit of a hard place, almost always absurd wish fulfilment, shallow characters and weak world building. Sure, it's okay for a bit of escapism, but rarely can to engage and take it seriously.

The Five Trials has blown open this paradigm. A first-person story, a battle harem, but with the finest features and traditions of Progression Fantasy (Will Wight, Andrew Rowe, etc.). It features a protagonist who you're introduced to at his lowest moment. Even in the second read, the feelings of "Oh honey..." I got a sucked me into this improbable, but a vivid, tangible, believable tale - is a testament to Mike Truk's ability.
As the story unfolds, you're introduced to characters with depth, complexity and their development that, with great detail provided by the stories pacing, provides people you care about just as much as the MC, despite the first-person POV.

In terms of the fantasy aspect, the unique, and often at times confusing kabbalah inspired lore, helps you empathise with an MC who's seriously out of his depth. Magical abilities seem consistent, although at first, it might seem like it falls under the "New Powers as the Plot Demands" trope.

Although so much is happening all the time, inside and around these trials, the world building is interesting enough to hold the framework of the situation, and described with such clarity, that days or weeks after reading this the first time, I still imagined the tower, the portal doors, the chambers, and the trials.

And let's talk about sex. Never have I've seen erotic content integrated so well into books overall storytelling. Sure, on the surface, the main conceit of this story may seem ridiculous, but in actuality, all of these sexual encounters feel earnt. Which is a big reason why it all works. Also, not only are Noah's ambitions affected by these scenes in an honest, endearing and satisfying way. The way these instances change the interactions with his companions is done in a wonderful, complicated, unpredictable way.
And holy shit, Imogen is hot.

Basically, this book is unique, I'm desperately waiting for the next one, and you should probably give it a try.

5 people found this helpful

Ok but Meh

I write this after getting through to the middle of book 2.
So, the premise of the story is great, the overall plot is ok, the main body of the story is fine but the protagonist is a whiny, annoying piece of crap that you want to die.

What the hell was Mike Truk thinking of when he thought this character would be good.
Noah is just such a turd, he has 4 beautiful women but he still plays away and then wonders why one of them is hurt by this and bemoans his lot as if it isn't his fault. In every fight, it is, "I can't do anything here, I'm too weak and useless" and then, of course, does do whatever it is that needs doing.

Now don't get me wrong, in book one that is fine, it is a progress of a character, the caterpillar turning into the butterfly, but this guy, he is going to be a maggot forever, at least it seems that way, he just doesn't grow, yes he grows physically and gains powers but mentally he is a soggy biscuit that really needs to dry out.

This all said, everything else about the story is good, strong female characters, although I do want to knock some sense into Brielle, and as I said, the actual story is good. I do want to finish the series, so even though I hate the MC, something is keeping me holding out to see what happens, maybe he'll fail and die a slow death, I live in hope.

As for the performance, it is quite possible that my hatred of the MC stems from Leo Barnabas' portrayal of Noah, as he adds to the whiny gimp boy's annoyingness. Noah almost sounds like he is drunk, slurring his words and as 90% of story is his dialogue, be it internal or external, the guy is on one hell of a bender.

I am not suggesting that Leo Barnabas was indeed drunk whilst recording this, as this issue is only with MC and he does an admirable job with the other characters, not a slur in sight, but it does add to the hatred of Noah the sulky little pussy. I've tried to imagine the story and the dialogue if the narrator had given Noah a more manly voice, with no slurring and more positivity to the way things are said, I mean, the words could be, "I think I'm going to die, but I'll do my best" if Noah says that, it would be in the tone of the condemned man, but had it been said in a more upbeat voice, as if challenging the act to kill him, would I like Noah more, probably.

Overall tho, I am enjoying the story and equally Irate at Noah. I am hoping that in book 3 he A) Grows a pair. B) Realises that all actions have consequences, and finally C) Gives up drinking(just say no Noah!)

3 people found this helpful

Great read

This book skims into the harem genre but only slightly but little enough not to ruin a bloody good book and series.

got too dark

had to stop half way through at the torture stuff was just too much and going on for too long not sure how much longer it goes on for but I can't take any more so I'm done

MC is a whimpy loser

I don’t understand why Mike Truk thought it would be a good idea to write a pathetic protagonist,

A weak MC whose main strength isn't apparent.

This book is your standard itseki harem of a modern NERDY american, this is fine and the characterisation and that is all well and good but the MC doesn't grow out of it. Any backbone he shows is purely is either in combat where he would die if he didn't fight or specifically stated to be out of character for him meaning the author is reaching to advance the plot.

The actual trials the action segment of the book are ok well the first three are ok and actually teach lessons of heroism. The fourth is just a contrived way of having sex with one of the companions and the fifth is watered down because the enemy assaults the location.

And the MC "strength" well... he is tested and is shown to have 30 willpower and 6 strength going by 10 being average and the MC is just weak as balls he has three times the will of a normal person, yeah... not buying that he is afraid of confrontation and is generally weak willed when it comes to interacting with people or keeping himself in check getting boners getting boners like some sex starved incel and acting in ways his own inner monologue that we hear far too much will decry as stupid.

This would be fine for a first outing if actual character development happened for the MC but since it didn't and the ending happened like that I don't have high hopes for the second book.

Intriguing

I thought I'd made a significant mistake with this. Bought the whole series in a deal having failed to do my normal due diligence of reading/comparing reviews and, crucially here, the expanded blurb. I just saw the basic premise and 4+ on the whole series at Goodreads and missed the 18+ warning...

And then, once our hero was safely ensconced in his trial world came the bonding premise - not really my cup of tea, but having invested in the whole series I decided to carry on and was mostly rewarded.

I get that people complain about an underpowered and whiny MC, but it's part of what I like about it - Noah does grow (albeit only slightly) through the novel and the supporting cast do appear to have a bit of a back story so I might actually enjoy these based on that.

Oh, and Leo Barnabas does an excellent job - the only thing stopping me giving him 5 stars is the occasional bit of over-excitement when the situation doesn't really merit it.