Vortena: Everybody Loves Large Chests, Volume 3

This is the third book I’ve read in two weeks in this series, and each has been excellent! The ideas the author uses are both unique and mundane, giving it a flavor of both familiar texture with exotic tones. I recommend this book to adults who want something close to fantasy with just enough realism to make it plausible. The only negative thing so far in the series is over explanation and the use of the word “however” in this book specifically. I look forward to the next one!

I hesitated on buying/reading Vortena because of the negative reviews. Those reviews are rather melodramatic.Perhaps the book needs a trigger warning for snowflakes. So here it is.*** There is a rape of a mortal (non-demon/non-undead) innocent in this book. ***What you won't get from the hyperventilating reviews is... it consists of a single paragraph and no details. The paragraph is that Boxxy grabbed her and she was ordered to not resist. Nothing graphic in that section or topic, and the actual actions are only implied by what he was doing previously and her subsequent musings. Her REACTIONS, her character growth, her choices, those are a significant part of the story line and lead to a transformation, and to how that transformation is liberating, not imprisoning.In other words, nothing compared to the same violations in American Psycho, Lolita, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, or Go Ask Alice, or The Piano Teacher, or Clockwork Orange (okay, pretty disturbing anyhow) or even Color Purple.The rest of the story reads like the author is growing up and adding complexity, nuance and more layers of plotline. It's fine and more engrossing than previous books, which were fun but had less meat.

The beginning was a bit slow, I understand why, he was trying to build-up the MC tag along character and bring her back into the story. Fuzzy was disposable at 1st, So they had to build-up to him sees tag along to make it a strong support char. The If you have read any other ratings I'm sure you figured out about the one thing in this book that people complain about, I'm not going to go into that other than you are reading a harem based book, full of sex and murder, so grow up. Simply put if reading that stuff bothers you then don't read this book move on. The writer had to give fuzzy extreme tragedy to build her up from a disposable character to a support char. The writers choice to make her suffer in this aspect made her character grow And understand her worth. This will give several moments of pause and wondering whether this book was going to pick backup or not. After about halfway through though the book started showing promise again and back to the good old boxy that we grew to love and see.Disclaimer: I in no means think that rape is ok or condone the practice. But in having similar things happen in my life I understand the freeing and growth the aftermath can bring from rebirth in finding ones self.

Development of the gnome was a little disturbing. 4/5 though. Enjoyed the story for sure and will keep reading. Snack.

Once again we have the continuing story of a random monster gaining self awareness and moving out to explore the world. The books are fun because of how completely amoral the main character is; it is not human, nor humanoid, so our morals and thought processes do not apply to it. While this makes for a horrifying personality it provides a fun read that depending on the mood may be just right for an escape from our world.I had to subtract 1 star for the rape that other reviewers have commented on. The main character is so agnostic, if not antagonisic, towards sex at that point that when forced to perform I can see how it forced everyone around to become involved. It is such a base creature that it does not see the difference. Luckily the story makes it clear that it is unlikely to happen again in the future. The author explained in the afterwards that this was done to change a character's personality so she could remain with the group. Off the cuff I cannot think of another way to accomplish this as quickly but that does not mean I think this was the right way. Even looking for an amoral escapist story I think rape is too horrible a topic to use freely so I had to subtract a star.

First thought: if the author is toning down the content because of reviews from the first two books ... is that for the readers that apparently disliked the first book enough to not continue on for the second or third? If the readers got this far, the content did not bother them. Like the fanfic realm: if you don't like it, don't read it.Content, the background information is good. A lot of lore construction. It's similar to the extra luck tales, but with an oblivious protagonist that has a good reason to be oblivious. He's not hit in the head, he's not mentally deficient in comparison to others of his race, he's just not that smart of a species. Random luck is a fun tale to read, especially when random luck can be called upon.Now the downside is, of course, the scene with the gnome and the tentacles. It could've been written better, or deleted from the tale without much loss to the story overall. It does fit with the character though, although I don't think I'll be re-reading that part.

Worth the read. I am just letting you know . Four stars for being a bit shorter than previous book. No complaints otherwise.

I really want to write about this book, but fear anything I say would be a spoiler. Just read it.

I love this book and the ones before. I cant wait for the next one to come out as well as try to homebrew a mimic for DnD

There are so many good things in this series. Well written, imagined and funny. The unique MC is cool and you can’t help but wonder how it will develop next. Why oh why did it all have to descend into a weird type of harem? This is my one big downer - aside from some of the sexual elements being objectionable, I find it gets in the way of the story and the really exciting bits.

Great read that is unpredictable and hard to put down. Start with part one and you will viciously get here fast. Enjoy!