The Perfect Run II

The Perfect Run #2

by Maxime J. Durand

Some say it's better to live as a villain, than to die as a hero. But why choose, when you can go back in time and try each option?

Ryan "Quicksave" Romano has begun a new time-loop. His goal? To prevent New Rome's destruction at the hands of the vicious Meta-Gang. To do so, our favorite courier must explore both sides of the law: to become a corporate superhero in one loop, and a scenery-chewing supervillain in the next!

But not is all as it seems. What is this heavy secret that the Dynamis corporation keeps hidden from him? Who is this person who seems to remember events from the previous loop? And most importantly, where did his cashmere suit go?

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Time Travel, Audiobook, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

653 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2021

Reviews

[Geraldine Robles Chipana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es 8 de mayo… nuevamente. qué divertido…
Tras el horrible final de su último bucle, Ryan Romano debe intentar realizar su "Perfect Run" otra vez… solo y sin que ninguna de las personas con quienes formó relaciones lo recuerde. ¡Pero está bien, porque ahora tiene información, información importante!
¿Cuán difícil puede ser y cuántos bucles se pueden necesitar para revelar la alianza Dynamis/Meta, evitar que el búnker de Mechron caiga en manos de Adam, destruir el Meta-Gang con extrema violencia, descubrir cómo funciona la invulnerabilidad de Mob Zeus y algunas otras cosas más, de todos modos?
¿Y quién es ese misterioso desconocido que podría o no haberlo seguido entre bucles y por qué, en nombre del universo, Eugène-Henry no deja de teletransportarse?

Primero, comentarios (porque, honestamente, no sabía dónde poner estas ideas)
*Yo, que no sé nada de moda (no, en serio: absolutamente nada), acabo de convertirme al Wardrobeismo. Adoren, no creyentes.
*Quicksave the Pandas (o The Menagerie, elija libremente) es un genial, genial equipo.
*Me gusta el carácter de Soy-Un-Tipo-Muy-Serio-Aunque-También-Sé-Bromear de Felix.
*Por culpa de este libro escuché "March of the Artillerymen", no me disgustó esa canción y no estoy ni un poco feliz por tal hecho.
*He decidido —con total racionalidad y definitivamente no temblando tras haber contemplado el auténtico desastre, muchas gracias— que Bloodstream es tan aterrorizante como el conejo asesino, sí.

En segundo lugar, escenas:
*El Panda, golpeando a Mosquito.
...Por si acaso, estoy hablando del héroe y del Psycho.
*Los gremlins, huyendo de Ryan… no, del recuerdo del conejo de peluche: esa cosa aún me aterroriza. He tenido pesadillas con eso, gente. ¡Pesadillas!
*Ese momento en el que los recuerdos de Len de un bucle anterior logran sobrescribirse en la mente de su yo del nuevo bucle y Ryan se siente esperanzado… únicamente para que todo proceda a irse al infierno porque Adam y Psyshock, los cabrones, hicieron un plan de respaldo antes de morir.
*Ryan, convirtiéndose en presidente del Meta-Gang de manera democrática y no violenta: definitivamente en esta elección no se realizó matanza unilateral alguna y no se involucró ni a un limo monstruoso gigante ni a un conejo de peluche asesino que acabó multiplicándose (miedo, miedo), no.

Por último, algo que nos enseña la forma en la que no debemos ir vestidos si vamos a rescatar niños:
"—¡Hola, niños! —El mensajero les hizo un gesto con la mano con una brillante sonrisa—. ¡Estamos aquí para liberarlos y llevarlos al lugar mágico de su madre!
—¿Nos vas a violar? —uno de los niños, Giulia, le preguntó a Ryan desde dentro de una jaula.
—¡Qué, no! —Ryan protestó horrorizado—. ¡Por supuesto que no, yo nunca haría eso! ¿Por qué lo preguntas?
—Solo llevas boxers… —respondió la pequeña, poco convencida."

[kartik narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best stories ever.

It takes a while to get going and is a bit confusing at first. But it gets brilliant after a couple of loops. The characters, world-building, plot - everything is impeccable.

[Wilhelm Eyrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Likely my favorite time loop story of all time.

Currently in book depression from this where nothing seems interesting anymore. I know it’s something amazing when in comparison nothing else seems like it would hope up.

[Officially_Genie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh what a wild run!! Brilliant writing. Excellent humour. Deliciously gory!

P.s: I am now creeped out by bunny plushies. IYKYK 😂

[Koffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it could get any better than the first book oh how wrong I was :D. This one builds up minor characters into major important characters in a way I can't recall ever reading about in other books. The world building and character growth and background is top tier. Then we have the hilarious cliché comedy of Ryan Romano that just never ends. I swear I laughed out loud so many times throughout this book. The story takes twists and turns you really can't possibly see coming. This series has too be in my top 5 of all times in terms of series because it's just that good. Also the powers oh the amazing and terrible powers and all the implications behind those powers. So much is revealed in this book it's just mind blowing. This series really is way too underrated I can't believe how few people I know that have read it. Don't hesitate too read this book if you're a fan of Time travel, Superheroes/ Supervillains, antiheroes, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Romance. This series has it all in spades.

[H Rez · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Chris Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan working his way to the perfect run. Not much I can say here other than it's a great ride.

[Gašper Kos · Rating 5 out of 5]

villain > hero

[Ivan Chernov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Сложно понять где конец и начало каждой книги, так как у меня вся трилогия в одном. Судя по описанию - это про захват MetaGang и все остальные ответвление. Начинается романтизация главного героя и, как уже ранее говорил, очень уж сиильно похоже на Mother of Learning. Вот теперь тоже может возвращаться не только главный герой.

Пытаюсь быстрее дойти до финала и понять к чему всё это.

[Travis Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if this one is better than book 1 or I'm just used to the characters and tone. It's still a perfectly fine series so far, not close to Vainqueur the Dragon, though that series is fantastic. 👍🏽

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

More silly, over the top fun. Can't wait to see how the story ends.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 was amazing but this is one of my favorite books I've read in a long time. I'll write up more soon but 5*

[Abhishek Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the hero, love the side characters.

[Macaully Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - Still a great book. I just felt the middle got a little slow and lack lustre. Still going to complete the trilogy.

[Joseph Heyser · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, what a good book

The first book in the series is probably my favorite book of all time. It is creative, new, and refreshing, on top of being excellently written. All of the characters are so vivid and dynwmic, and the skill that our dead author exhibits in being able to write from so many possible perspectives, while weaving a tale this complicated, with so many characters, while still being comprehensible is nothing short of astounding.

The plot thus far has been riveting, filled with nuance and comedy, emotional and incredibly iconic moments.

[Петър Стойков · Rating 5 out of 5]

След зашеметяващо добрия, брилянтен, гигантски, силен, богат и велик дракон Венкър Максим Дюранд изсипва очевидния си талант в още една поредица, която все още продъжава и не се знае колко дълга ще е, като се има предвид, че главният герой може да се връща, да започва отначало и да преиграва по безкраен брой пъти всеки ден, който не му е харесал как протича - и така лека полека се опитва да постигне "перфектния" си живот ден по ден в свят, населен с по-малко супергерои и бая повече суперзлодеи с доста по... разрушителни сили от неговата.

[Richard Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONLY PRESIDENT RYAN CAN SAVE AMERICA!

I'm glad I continued this series, as the second book was funnier than the first. I laughed out loud a lot. Despite the protagonist's super power allowing him to loop time, this story felt fresh. I look forward to the third installment.

Also, the world needs more sentient toasters. Just saying.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and setting of this series continue to be enjoyable. Sometimes the prose just feels off.

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Run II - A Phenomenal Sequel that Pushes the Boundaries

The Perfect Run II by Maxime J. Durand

Building upon the foundation of the first book, Durand masterfully continues the journey of our protagonist, Andrew, as he grapples with his newfound power of resetting time. In this installment, Andrew faces even more complex challenges and explores the boundless possibilities of the multiverse. The character's evolution and self-discovery are at the core of the narrative, making for a rich and engaging reading experience.

The world-building in The Perfect Run II is nothing short of breathtaking. Durand's ability to create diverse and vividly detailed alternate timelines is a testament to his storytelling prowess. From post-apocalyptic wastelands to mythical realms, the depth and creativity in each world Andrew explores are awe-inspiring.

The characters in this sequel continue to shine. Andrew's growth and the moral dilemmas he faces are handled with great finesse. The relationships he forms and the impact of his choices on those around him add emotional depth to the narrative. The supporting characters are equally well-developed and contribute significantly to the story's richness.

The pacing is spot-on, with a seamless blend of action-packed sequences, introspective moments, and philosophical discussions that invite readers to ponder the implications of choice and consequence. Durand's writing style remains elegant and immersive, allowing readers to visualize and connect with the multiverse's ever-expanding wonders.

One of the most remarkable aspects of The Perfect Run II is its ability to explore complex ideas while maintaining a thrilling narrative. The book delves into existential questions, the nature of free will, and the ethical considerations of wielding such incredible power. It challenges readers to think beyond the confines of the story, making it a truly thought-provoking experience.

In conclusion, The Perfect Run II is a stunning sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. Maxime J. Durand's storytelling is a masterclass in blending science fiction and fantasy, offering readers an unparalleled journey through the multiverse. If you're a fan of intelligent, imaginative, and exceptionally well-executed speculative fiction, this Kindle edition is a must-read. It will keep you enthralled from the first page to the last, and long after you've finished, you'll be pondering the infinite possibilities it presents.

[Ridel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Perfect Run II delivers a very difficult sequel to its predecessor, and that should make all fans breathe a sigh of relief. Everything about this novel exceeds expectations, including concerns that it might be 'more of the same' despite that being the actual premise of the novel! It is engaging, thrilling, and the revelations just keep coming.

Without spoilers, I recommend avoiding even the back of the novel. I was absolutely blown away by what Maxime Durand chose to explore and love surprises. The ending was an absolute climax. Quicksave continues his quippy narrative style while also growing as a character, and is joined by a phenomenal cast that is both the same and different. Seeds of this novel were sown in the previous and you can tell how deep the world-building goes.

Absolutely, unreservedly recommended.

The following is in spoiler tags, and I say so since some Goodreads clients may not respect it. You've been warned:

There are two scenes of such incredible tension that I couldn't put down the book until Ryan's safety was assured. The entire Ogre sequence mid-book was unbelievable and came as a complete and utter shock, and is one of those things were you really see how devious (and deep) the villains in this novel are. And yet it leads into the second act of Perfect Run II and that entire act was incredible. Growing the entire Meta into real characters was impressive, and Ryan keeps adding promises to his Perfect Run that I don't know if he can ever solve.

In fact, Act Two is so good that it overshadows how great the first one was... Felix was one of the odd characters from the first novel that seemed overcharacterized, but was incredibly pivotal in this. Wardrobe was a fantastic addition and Panda was one of those things you add to delight readers. As well, we finally get to see Augustus's minions (Pluto in particular) really tear our heroes a new one and we make new friends in the process.

But of course, the novel's climax is brilliant both in terms of physical as well as intellectual revelations. Len's fate is tragic, as is the fate of the Meta gang. Augustus and Hargraves going at it with Ryan joining their ranks is incredible. The insight into the other dimensions continues to tease. Oh, and yeah, Apocalypse #3 is truly horrifying.

This is an easy 5/5 for me.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it looks like I found another book (hell, a whole series) that demands staying up all night to read, eschewing all other creature comforts in the need to consume it at all costs.

Yeah, it's that good. And it's not just the laugh out loud moments or the absolutely DELIGHTFUL character interactions. It's the amazingly twisty plot and truly surprising direction-changes that're revving me up.

The mystery of New Rome, and the many, many ways it gets destroyed in glaringly beautiful ways, is finally getting narrowed down by QuickSave, with his many, many reloads. I'm utterly shocked by how many good people are on all sides of this clusterfuck, and amazed that we've managed to infiltrate ALL of them in just two books. I'm feeling almost omniscient.

It's BEAUTIFUL.

And this time, it looks like he isn't going it alone. It's a hard life to live all by yourself. The perfect run is all about the friends you've made on the way.

Looks like the final book is the next one, and there's no way in hell I'm going anywhere else other than those pages.

I'm LOVING this series.

Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com

[Christopher Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent follow up to the first book that we described as:
The story is essentially Groundhogs Day with a little The Butterfly Effect mixed with Ready Player One set in a post dystopia-like world setting similar to the anime My Hero Academia where most of humanity has special abilities with inspiration from the game BioShock (serum that grants abilities plus a character and scenario that fits the theme underwater utopia) with corporate heroes and villains from the anime One Punch Man with a potentially deranged wise cracking main character that tries to give off Deadpool vibes that is essentially a Marie Sue / Gary Stu self insertion by the author...that spouses all there likes and dislikes and pop culture references (like so many recent book tropes) as they narrate the story from their perspective.

This book's play through was a bit more entertaining now that the characters are established and the world setting is the same. It allows the author to repurpose while allowing for changes in the scenario. The pop culture references are still thrown out there (Did appreciate the Street Fighter II cabinet drop), and this time around the author was clearly inspired by the game "Saints Row IV" particularly the Presidential campaign. It's not awe inspiring, but still entertaining. It's enough to move on to the last book in this trilogy.

[Sesler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, could not physically stop reading/listening, wanted more afterword.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterword.
3- Enjoyed the book, could see others loving it, need to think if I want more.
2- Can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for but definitely not for me).

[Audiobook Version]

This was a great continuation of the story. There were a few spots where I lost interest since it was mainly rehashing what was already said before. However, I have still had an amazing time with the series so far. The powers are unique and the author actually gives details as to how the powers actually work, which is a big plus for me. The characters are unique and feel like real people with hopes, dreams, and even baggage. Overall, a really great series so far and I am extremely excited for the next book to release.

[Joe Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I liked the first book, this second one really impressed me. The humor hit better, especially the parts where Ryan takes over the Psychos operation and becomes President of the United States, and also how much he loves the Panda.

This book focused on only a few re-runs - two within the main quest in New Rome and two from the past to give Ryan some added backstory. The Monaco casino chapter filled with nightmarish clowns was interesting as we see how Ryan truly is immortal as not even old age can kill him. The Bloodstream chapter showing the Carnival killing the Psycho was needed but not overly exciting. The first re-run had Ryan learn that Olivia could remember him and helped him bring back people's consciousness so the Lin could remember him so he wasn't alone anymore. Finally, Ryan gaining the Black elixir and the power to kill a God makes the final book all the more exciting.

[Durian Jaykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as when you thought the train can't get off the rails anymore, this volume elevates it on a whole other level. The previous volume only looks like a weak imitation compared with this volume.

Many interesting things are thrown into the mix, situations are explored at differing angles and new characters are met. All this come as the point at when you thought you had seen it all, and none of the characters are stale or even carbon copies of another. They are unique, but with the short length of the volume, little time can be spent fleshing them out. Which is ok, the story seems more action-packed and keeps moving forward, but others may disagree.

Nonetheless, every page is a page-turner, and it was hard to put this volume down after digging into it. My only regret is picking up this volume during Examination week, constantly fighting with the desire to consume this novel.

I will see you all at the third volume :)

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good pickup from where we left off. this trilogy is basically one long period of time where our main character is trying to get it right. thus the name the perfect run. and he tries various ways and working with various people to see what does work so that when he does go and try and do a perfect run assuming such a thing existed then he has experience behind him as to who might react in particular ways or what makes other people tick since they don't know that they've already played on his stage before. one thing that did bother me was the author throwing in the false information about Mormons. It kind of felt like they attempted to speak like they knew something, but instead showed their ignorance. we can live through it cuz they're certainly worse things that could happen out there. she did bring in at the end an interesting black color into the elixir mix that he ends up interacting with. So it will be fun to see in the third book where this goes.

[David Lingard · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I admit it, I listened to the three audiobooks back to back and I just couldn’t put them down. Decent length audiobooks too so don’t think I didn’t put the effort into it. I read some other reviews about the series before I started and they were pretty mixed, though the ones that didn’t like it were because of reasons I did. They said that they didn’t like the MC just restarting from a save point over and over was no good – but who doesn’t want that? I loved the MC’s attitude and cockiness that worked perfectly in tune with his backstory; that he was a bit twisted because he had done everything over and over so many times. A bit of Groundhog Day in this one mixed with Greek gods and good old fashioned sarcastic fighting. I loved it start to finish.
​
Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

[Vilius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still great but there were a few things that rubbed me the wrong way.

First thing first I just realized that this was written by a non-American writer so I didn't have to try and parse out the imperial measurement system. It's not much but it made me appreciate the series a lot more.

The thing that rubbed me the wrong way is the romance in the book. It seems this story is turning into a bit of a harem. With multiple girls falling for the main character and him falling for multiple girls in return. The romance in general is a bit weird as one girl promises the main character that she would definitely go out with him if only she was not already in a relationship. She does this multiple times with her partner being right there to hear it all. It's just weird.

I will continue reading and hope there is less of the weird relationship stuff.

[Bonhomous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why I don't give out many 5-star reviews, because then I come across a story that's a cut above and I'm frustrated that I can't give it more than 5 stars. This has to be one of the best put-together fictional stories I've come across in a long time.
The mind boggles.
Every single run encapsulates a different focus. It's like admiring the most complex tapestry ever created by man. Everything fits together so beatifully, and people who are villans one run are the heroes in the next but not at the expense of the main character's virtue.
I thought that a book where the story gets reset would end up being boring quickly, but honestly, every new run is more interesting than the last because I understand so much more of the story now.
I will be picking up the next in the series and following the author to see what else has written.

[Qilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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