Back to One Audiobook – The Bad Guys, Book 7

Some audiobooks are best enjoyed in the quiet aftermath of a busy day, when your mind is open to both humor and hard-earned insight; that’s exactly how I found myself diving into Eric Ugland’s “Back to One,” the seventh wild ride in his Bad Guys series, with Neil Hellegers as my audio guide. There’s something almost rebellious about this story—Clyde Hatchett isn’t your average hero, and “Back to One” is anything but a typical quest fantasy.

As someone who grew up loving video games and always questioning if my choices would lead me somewhere unexpected (or just frustrate everyone around me), I instantly connected with Clyde’s struggle. The book opens with Clyde returning to Galton, burdened by promises and haunted by his own decisions—or indecisions. There’s a real sense of inertia here: every step forward for Clyde seems met by some cosmic snare or a chorus of critics ready to blame him no matter what he chooses. It made me reflect on all those moments in life where even our best intentions seem misunderstood.

What truly sets this audiobook apart is its tone—a blend of dry wit, self-awareness, and genuine narrative risk-taking that nudges at the boundaries of what LitRPG usually offers. Ugland doesn’t just check off boxes for spells, loot drops, or leveling-up sequences; instead, he pokes fun at them while exploring why we make the choices we do (and why it sometimes feels like no answer will ever be right). For longtime genre fans like me who occasionally get bored with rinse-and-repeat progression stories, this was refreshingly meta without being pretentious.

Neil Hellegers delivers another standout narration here—his knack for embodying not only Clyde but also the supporting cast (from trickster fairy folk to snarky allies) adds layers of personality you wouldn’t catch just reading text. Every weary sigh from Clyde lands perfectly; each sarcastic quip feels razor-sharp yet still warmhearted. Hellegers’ timing keeps the pacing brisk even during more introspective stretches—the perfect companion voice for late-night listening or long commutes when you need an extra spark.

If I have any critiques (and as someone who loves character-driven stories mixed with game mechanics), it’s that the reset motif may feel slow-burn for listeners wanting non-stop action or traditional fantasy stakes—sometimes progress stalls as characters debate their own stupidity or wrestle endlessly over consequences. But honestly? That hesitation rang true for me: real growth rarely happens on schedule or without setbacks.

“Back to One” won’t suit those looking purely for power-fantasy wish fulfillment—it leans more artistic than algorithmic—but that unpredictability drew me in all the deeper. In fact, there were moments when Ugland seemed determined not just to challenge his protagonist but also readers themselves: Are we craving advancement…or understanding?

I finished feeling like I’d spent time with old friends on an adventure that wasn’t afraid to take detours—or laugh at itself along the way—and found echoes of my own messy journey through second chances and complicated choices. Highly recommended if you want an audiobook experience that’s clever, subversive, sometimes silly but always thoughtful—and performed pitch-perfectly by Neil Hellegers.