Book Review: He Who Fights With Monsters 2
As a self-proclaimed LitRPG aficionado, I was eagerly anticipating the release of He Who Fights with Monsters 2 by Shirtaloon. Having enjoyed the quirky humor and light-hearted escapades from the first book, I dove into this sequel expecting more mischievous banter and creative adventures. Unfortunately, what I discovered was a mixed bag that left me scratching my head as I tried to reconcile my expectations with the reality of the pages before me.
Let’s begin with the humor, which is, without a doubt, a highlight of the narrative. The comedic interplay is sharp and incredibly well-timed. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, caught off guard by the author’s flair for comedy. One gem that made me chuckle was Jason’s musings about being a “great astral being”—it’s those moments that solidify Shirtaloon’s skill in crafting genuinely funny dialogue:
“Maybe I’m secretly a great astral being,” Jason said. “I could have knocked up a crappy body, chucked in some fake memories and shoved a chunk of my consciousness into it to get a mortal perspective. Or for laughs, whatever.”
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But while the humor sparkled brightly, the quality of the banter ebbed and flowed. Jason’s philosophical musings often felt awkward and disjointed, detracting from what could have been deeper moments. This brings me to one of the major drawbacks of He Who Fights With Monsters 2: the jumbled perspective. The storytelling feels like a script rather than a fully fleshed-out novel, which made it hard to become fully immersed in the world.
The fight sequences, intended to be thrilling, lacked engagement and often read like summaries rather than dynamic clashes. It was akin to tuning into a sports recap instead of witnessing the game live. My interest waned during the larger battles, where I often found myself skimming through the prose, yearning for more action and less exposition. I couldn’t help but think of better-executed action scenes in works like Will Wight’s Cradle or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. These comparisons only highlighted the deficiencies in pacing and “show don’t tell” execution.
Characterization, another significant area for growth, felt flat. While Jason has some character depth, the supporting cast—including Cassandra and Farrah—lacked the richness and development needed to evoke genuine investment. Cassandra’s abrupt removal served as a clumsy plot device for Jason and Sophie’s relationship, while Farrah’s influence felt contrived and overplayed. The emotional weight her death was supposed to carry simply didn’t resonate because her character had been inadequately developed.
Despite my frustrations, I can’t dismiss He Who Fights With Monsters 2 outright. It’s not as bad as some other offerings in the genre, and it possesses a certain charm that may appeal to those new to LitRPG. The humor is a potential draw for casual readers looking for a light, entertaining read.
In conclusion, if you’re a reader who enjoys a blend of laughs and light fantasy adventure, and you can overlook plot and pacing issues, this sequel may still hold some enjoyment for you. However, for those seeking depth and a tightly woven narrative, it may be worth holding out for works that offer a more satisfying reading experience. While I left feeling let down, I remain hopeful that Shirtaloon’s future endeavors will hit the mark more consistently.
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