Bastard

Written by Alexey Osadchuk

Narrated by Ryan Burke

In a former life, Jack was gifted, meaning he possessed peculiar abilities. If rich folks found themselves in a jam, Jack could use his talents to get them out of it. Where others were sure to fail, Jack's aristocratic clientele could always count on him to finish jobs cleanly, efficiently, and leave no trace, for which his services commanded a hefty fee.

But one day, Jack picked a fight with the wrong man and his old life came to an end. But, as it turned out, his story was far from over.

A mysterious supernatural being whisked Jack's consciousness away and into the body of a young nobleman living in a different world in the multiverse-a magical one.

In it, he must play the part of Max Renard, illegitimate son of a traitor who was recently executed on orders from the king, which caused Max to lose his home and be forced to dwell in a small town on the western outskirts of the kingdom.

And now this new life-his last life-is the one he must lead . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Translator: Andrew Douglas Schmitt
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350807905

Reviews for Bastard

[Madhav Deshpande · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Bastard" by Alexey Osadchuk is the first installment in the "Last Life" series, a science fiction and litRPG fusion novel that promises an intriguing blend of virtual reality gaming and epic adventures. While the premise is undeniably captivating, the execution falls short in several critical aspects.

The story revolves around Daniel Mahan, a socially awkward and underprivileged gamer who finds himself trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG called "Barliona" with no memory of how he got there. As he struggles to adapt to this new world, he discovers that his unique status as a "Bastard" grants him extraordinary powers and a mysterious destiny.

One of the notable issues with "Bastard" lies in its character development. Despite having a potentially interesting protagonist, Daniel Mahan fails to evolve beyond his initial stereotype of a socially inept gamer. His growth feels stagnant throughout the narrative, with minimal personal growth or emotional depth. Supporting characters, too, lack the depth and complexity required to make them truly compelling, often serving as mere plot devices or one-dimensional foils for the main character.

The pacing of the story also suffers. While the concept of a virtual reality game with real-life consequences holds great promise, the execution feels rushed and lacks proper build-up. Key events occur abruptly without allowing the reader to fully absorb the significance or consequences, leaving an unsatisfying feeling of missed opportunities for deeper exploration.

Furthermore, the writing style in "Bastard" is functional at best. The prose lacks finesse and fails to create an immersive atmosphere or engage the reader on an emotional level. Dialogue can be stilted and awkward, hindering the development of authentic relationships between characters.

Despite these shortcomings, "Bastard" does have a few redeeming qualities. The virtual reality gaming elements are well-conceived, providing readers with glimpses of exciting battles, intricate quests, and a fascinating game world. The system mechanics and RPG elements are well thought out, appealing to fans of the genre and delivering the desired gaming experience.

In conclusion, "Bastard" by Alexey Osadchuk offers an interesting premise within the litRPG genre but falls short in execution. The lack of character development, rushed pacing, and mediocre writing prevent it from reaching its full potential. While fans of the litRPG genre might appreciate some aspects of the story, those seeking a more nuanced and well-rounded narrative may find themselves disappointed.

[Chinelo Chukwuka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm a fan of the Isekai trope. And this book hit all the right spots. The hero is likable and the plot is solid. I look forward to the rest of this series

[Harry Parshall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well done Isekai story. No suprises, yet it kept my interest. Good reader.

[Grant Miller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very enjoyable story. It is a reincarnation story, I enjoyed it immensely.