I found this book was slow in some places and very quick paced and a lot happening in others. It was hard to feel satisfied reading this book.

I lucked out when I was approved for a copy of Pendulum Heroes, the first YA fantasy adventure book in a new series, by James Beamon. It's my second LitRPG novel (my first was Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel) and this one is a lot of fun. In this story, a group of friends playing an RPG when they get sucked into a fantasy world as their game characters and the only way they can get home is by saving their new world. The novel is very fast-paced and it's a lot of fun. If you're a fan of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, The Legend of Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle I have a feeling you'll enjoy this series opener. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more from this author in the future.

This book was either slow or super fast paced, there seemed to be no in-between. I enjoyed this book for the most part, especially toward the end. Though, I feel like the way it wrapped up was too hasty and didn't answer enough questions. I expect there to be a sequel coming out to do that. It seems to be set up for that.
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My MAIN issue with the book was the blatant issue of how he was treated as a woman. There were some uncalled for things mentioned in this book. I understand that he is stuck in a woman's body, but I don't need reminded every other page of how her body looks.
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I wouldn't read this book again, but I recommend giving it a chance! I believe this author has amazing potential and would read more books from him. 2 stars.

I don't generally read LitRPG, which this arguably is (it's the old "D&D players drawn into the world of the game" premise, which goes back almost as far as the game itself). I decided to give this one a shot, though, because the blurb intrigued me - particularly the teenage boy stuck as a warrior princess in a chainmail bikini - and I recognised the author's name from a writers' forum we both belong to. (I don't think we've ever directly interacted there, and I don't believe this connection influenced my rating.)

It's capably done, not just your standard campaign transcript or thud-and-blunder pulp, but with enough extra depth to make it more interesting and thought-provoking. In particular, it highlights the shallowness of teen boys who delight in death and destruction without empathy, or are thoughtless in their attitudes to women. It's not preachy, though; it shows rather than tells.

The plot is standard enough, a travelling quest in which the party faces multiple and varied challenges, but it's kept moving well and enjoyably executed. The characters are distinct, and have a bit of depth to them, particularly Rich, Melvin, and Melvin's older veteran brother Mike. There's a lightly sketched romantic triangle to provide extra tension.

I enjoyed it, and I would read a sequel.

I received a pre-release copy from Netgalley for review.

I've started this and one of the things I'm enjoying the most is the humour. I hope the characters will be developed well throughout the novel, as a 4-character cast is not always handled well by many authors.

I will be updating this review very soon.