Empire of Exiles

By: Bastian Knight

Narrated by: Raya Kane

Jason Drake's life ended when a drunk driver killed his family and ruined his dream of playing pro football.

Ten years later, death finally claimed him.

When a goddess offered him a second chance, he took it without hesitation, finding himself restored to his prime in a fantasy world. As her Champion, trading an easier start for an Achievement system that promises greater growth seemed the obvious choice.

But Falerith is a brutal world filled with danger and magic. Savage Gnolls pillage the land, and sinister monsters rise from the depths, hinting at even darker threats.

Fortunately, the goddess twisted the threads of fate, so that powerful allies are drawn to him. Now, if only he can survive long enough to meet them.

Spawning alone in the desert without a scrap of equipment, can he learn quickly enough to not only survive but build an empire?

©2024 Bastian Knight (P)2024 Royal Guard Publishing LLC

Wonderful Performance, fantastic story!

I listened to Bastian Knight's other series, finding it a fun ride so I gave this one a go. The instant the book started, I became hooked and found myself getting to the end too quickly, which is hard to do on a 20 hour audiobook. The characters were great, the story compelling, and I eagerly await book 2.

If you can get past the first 15 chapters, this book is very good

I really love this book from chapter 16 through the last chapter 60 something. The first 15 chapters are a slog to get through. I blame the editor for this. They should’ve told the author to condense the first 15 chapters into three chapters. So much of it is just repetitive and the MC thinking to himself.
However, once you get through those first 15 chapters of this book it is EXCELLENT! I have added it to my favorites list, but I will never listen to the first 15 chapters again.

The female narrator was superb while the male narrator was not as good. I will definitely buy the next book in the series.

Wonderfully performed and a good story

First, let me see that raya Kane was an amazing choice for the solo female narrator. She has a great range of voices, can do a good male voice, and really lends the erotic oomph to those sexy scenes and characters.

I enjoyed the setting and the different characters. if I have to lay a criticism I only have two really.

One, Jason being a former athlete and relating everything back to sports is something I cannot relate to and probably most of your readership are the same. The idea that the Jock got an Isekai afterlife really grinds my gears.

The second is Syndi, I enjoy her character and dynamic greatly as I love the domme drow archetype and enjoy the way she calls Jason "Male". The downside for me was their first scene where we find out...

(Spoilers ahead)

..that she is used to high priced giggalos and to be able to even keep up with her he has to get a magic boon from a goddess. Like. really? was that necessary? It's one thing to realize in the back of your mind that being as old as she is, she probably has a sexual past, but to throw it in the readers face and make the Mc need magic to keep up to her standards paints Syndi in a bad light and I think will ruin her for a lot of readers beyond her personality.

Again, I enjoy a dark elf Domme mommy and can see the hints of care beyond the front she puts on, but I'm already a fan and enjoy the Tsundere archetype as well (looking at you little lioness) so I'm not the one you ha e to win over.

but yes, I am picking up what your putting down, I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait for a follow up.

Main Character's tenacity.

The graphic sexual encounters were minimal, and not a wash, rinse, repeat thing.
Narration was good though there was some dialect influence on a few words strange to me in their pronunciation. For instance Brazier pronounced as Brassiere.
Yes indeed it a keep to me. I found it overall to be a good listen

Weak Dialogue and characters

First of all, this book wasn’t completely awful but the dialogue, weak MC and some female characters were as usual damaged and underwhelming which ruined the story for me. Moreover this book was long and boring at times and not very impactful.

Week main character

The performance is very good. I enjoyed some of the world building and the supporting characters. The main Character is a boring gamer that is constantly reminiscing about his days playing football. He stumbles through battles and somehow builds a harem.

Decent, has some problems that’s gave me the ick,

First the VA did good most of the time. Fell flat on a few lines that jarred me out of the immersion. However, the overall was good.

The MC is a dumba$$ at the worst times. Forgetting about newly learned skills, trying the same thing even tho it failed miserably the first few times.
Many times I was surprised by the missed opportunities.

He does make mostly good choices. However in a fight he’s pretty hot or cold. Either he’s op or a stumbling drunk swinging a stick.

Not to mention really hot under my skin how he lets the women treat him. It was going well to start but once the drow showed up… just no. Straight himbo energy all the way. Treated like meat and he just lets it slide. Yup if this was done the other way round. Ohh snap what a problem would it have caused.

I also get not every person will be a virgin or pure. Whatever you call it. I get that not my problem. But the same character that been treating MC like an object. But it’s ok because she’s been through a lot. Is “ a hundreds year old woman who indulges in the best male pornstar/prostitutes that could have been thought up for centuries.” Thus the MC must use magic from the future seeing character that’s basically leading the whole book. This magic will make him preform better in bed because he’s clearly not adequate in that department to even meet her lowest standard. Which is coming from the only one to have slept with him. Wow what a confidence booster.

This is the same woman who leads the whole book with her foresight and claims she loves him. As she starts Laughing at his face when he expressed concern over this and other relationship issues.

Idk how to feel anymore about this book gave me whiplash.

In short the story is ok if you don’t take it too seriously. The MC is a borderline doormat for the woman in his life. Not to mention weaker than everything and the fact stated often. Though he’s growing fast,.. also stated often, Lastly.. really centuries old hoē bag that is sexist and narcissistic.
Nvm. Ok that’s all I got,