Ok I am fully invested. I can’t believe I waited so long to start this series but what’s done is done and we’re all a little embarrassed about it.

Continuing on from the first book, as many sequels tend to do so. DotF follows Zac on his path to become supreme Hatchetman and protector of the people of earth, after the ‘fall’ of the system.

Growing stronger by the chapter with new skills, abilities and titles this book (and series so far) fits into the genre as perfectly as anyone could possibly expect.

But then I have to say, we have been seeing a lot of tropes appearing, along with a lot of familiarities – which in my mind is a good thing; tropes are tropes for a reason, and that reason is because we love them. Similarities that come to mind are the treasure hunt from Primal Hunter (love it too), the zombie apocalypse, and the split core like in Cradle (wait I need to write that one up too, don’t I?). Again I must reiterate: we like tropes! Give me what I expect from the genre and I’ll give you my time!

Moving back to the story, we get plenty of developments in the story and characters, with interaction with the wider world, the central government, Zack’s sister (spoiler alert) and the introduction of the shapeshifting assassins – something that needs a little more planning than brute force and ignorance to kill.

Alliances with alien races is the soup of the day for this book, which is a nice way to turn given that most humans we encounter with a bit of power have a tendency to become the worst of the worst. I would have liked a little more on the kingdom building front though, but I guess we’ll have to wait until after the treasure hunt finishes – which is where the book ended.

I’m really looking forward to where this series goes and I know if I opened my eyes I’d see the spoilers everywhere. But this series is too good for that, I’m just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

See you after the treasure hunt, back in Port Atwood where I’m hoping to see some amazing developments!

I know this book is a little older than what I’m used to (from the 70’s!) but nevertheless, my uncle recommended it to me, so how could I refuse? Besides, it doesn’t read like it was released before I was born – except of course when every now and then the narrator would say: ‘said she’ instead of ‘she said’. Though I suppose it could be argued that this is more of a preference by Zelazny rather than an indicator of the date.
I have to start off by saying that Zelazny really has crafted something special and I can see why he’s got such a good reputation. Nine Princes in Amber is the first in the Chronicles of Amber series, and honestly I’m glad that there’s more to read. Not least of course because of how the first book ended (no spoilers)!
Our MC, Corwin, awakens with no memory of his identity, which perfectly sets the stage for a journey of self-discovery where we learn about Corwin, his past and his family as he tries to bluff his way through the conversations with the people who know him. Gravely injured from the beginning, we find out that Corwin has some more than human abilities to heal himself.
But in this story, Corwin’s not just recovering his memory; he's rediscovering his place in the cosmic hierarchy of Amber and its shadow worlds. Because that’s what this book is – a fantasy through and through.
Blending a first-person perspective with a rich, descriptive style that immersed me for one in Corwin's world. The pacing is perfect, maintaining a balance between action-packed scenes and thoughtful introspection (and nail-biting scenes where we hope beyond hope Corwin manages to keep his inner monologue to himself). I was hooked from start to finish, and found that because the book in its entirety was relatively short, I was left wanting more.
And then there’s the world-building. Amber, as the only true world, casts infinite reflections known as Shadows, a concept that's well written and described. Zelazny doesn't just create a setting; he crafts a multiverse, filled with so many characters that interweave through what I’m calling the multiverse here.
Finally, there’s a great battle. What fantasy book would be complete without a huge war for the throne of the (insert appropriate noun here: City, World, Universe…) and this one does it so well. Gathering an army at his back, Corwin storms the throne of Amber, where his brother resides as the singular ruler.
This one really set a high bar for the rest of the series, and I for one, can’t wait to continue.

Another book review and another Primal Hunter book. Honestly I can’t get enough of this series and if you’ve made it this far then I’m betting you cant either.
This instalment features a battle for earth, some time in the Order of the Malefic Viper, and some hilarious encounters with some strong (and I feel sarcastic) creatures. Also if you think Jake has learnt how to name things since Hawky and Sylfie, then prepare to meet Sandy…
One of the focal points in this story is the fact that Jake isn’t the most powerful (overpowered) being in existence. Yes I know he’s only D grade and there are Gods etc etc. But to me he’s always been framed as having no equal. This book changes that. Without giving too much away, the old man grows as a character, and his rival Chosen shows he’s a force to be reckoned with.
But there’s so much going on, and that’s to be expected this far into a series isn’t it? The Order, Earth, the Risen, the United Cities, the battle against a faraway enemy, the voting for ruler of the planet… honestly it’s so well rounded that every chapter just brings you right back into another issue, and that keeps it both fresh and interesting.
All in all, another solid instalment to the Primal Hunter series, and one that ends (again) with me wanting more.
Maybe next book he’ll find a boat and name it Boaty. Who knows?

I recently dove into "Defiance of the Fall" by J.F. Brink, and honestly, it was a thrilling ride. This first book in the series completely captivated me with its unique blend of fantasy and science fiction. Imagine waking up one day to find Earth fused with a game-like universe - that's exactly what happens to Zac, the protagonist, and I couldn't help but be pulled into his journey.

The funny thing was, after about two hours I realised that I’d started the book before, but had left it – probably with the release of the next part of a different series.

And this is what LitRPG is all about: Zac's transformation throughout the book was nothing short of remarkable. He starts off as just an average guy on a camping trip with his friends, but as the world around him suddenly changes, so does he.
It's not just about him getting stronger or gaining new skills; it's about how he adapts, both mentally and emotionally, to a world that's constantly throwing curveballs at him.
For a good long section of the book, Zac is alone and fighting for his life against strange creatures, twisted by the unknown.

The induction to the system is quite quick, with Zac winning an incomprehensibly weighted roll of a dice against an invading being (one of them has to die), and that’s how he firstly survives, but also gets some titles – essentially he’s the luckiest guy ever, but I’m OK with that.

The way the game elements are written into the story is brilliant. The action scenes were also vivid and intense, I found myself on the edge of my seat needing to know what happened next on more than one occasion.

I liked the secondary characters, with unexpected allies being there to explain things we wouldn’t otherwise have known (always good).

Sometimes, the plot did seem to follow a predictable path, typical of the genre – but that’s a part of why we all like it so much – we know the end goal but it’s about the journey isn’t it?

And then there’s my favourite: the city building. I had no idea it was going to be a thing, but ever since Life Reset I’ve wanted a good settlement builder. In this, we see Zac converting his previous campsite into a system-sanction settlement with a shipyard, then a teleporter, and then people! It’s only book one though, so not huge amounts happen with settlement building, but it’s there, and I suspect it’s going to be big. (I can’t wait).

Defiance of the Fall was an incredible read and certainly top tier LitRPG. It's a story of survival, transformation, and the sheer will to adapt in a world that's forever changed. It's perfect for LitRPG enthusiasts and anyone who loves a good tale of adventure and resilience. I can't wait to see where Zac's journey takes him next.

This series has quickly become one of my favourites, and to be honest, I didn’t know this one was on its way out. Sure you can go and ready what’s out already, but what’s the Primal Hunter without the voice of the malefic viper?

I was really hoping that in this book, Jake was going to head back to the insect nest to take down his first C grade, but where this doesn’t actually happen – he does make his first C kill. And it’s a good one. I was waiting for someone to shout ‘Puma Check!’ but unfortunately it never happened.

We had some great advancements in his, um, personal life – and that of Carmen. The scene where she finally managed to catch up to her old family is nothing short of fantastic. Revenge is always good.

I’d have liked to have seen more of Sylfie in this book, but there was a lot going on, and she’s a busy bird.

The series for me has kind of morphed into a power grab like it was at the start – struggles and hoping for the MC to level quickly, get new abilities and such so that he could keep fighting stronger and stronger creatures. But now, it’s a bit more like a cosy slice of life thing. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think it is that, or even supposed to be, but the way we know that Jake is going to be the No1 everything, he has no real threats, can pretty much do whatever he likes – yeah it’s just kind of ‘nice’.

This book mainly focusses on Jake and Carmen, but also has a fair amount of Academy stuff going on, which is a particular favourite of mine.

In any case, the series goes on, from strength to strength and here I am waiting for book 8.

This book has been ready to take its place on my review pile for so long, ever since I read Iron Prince and recognised it as one of my favourite books of all. Seriously the wait from a 10/10 book to get the second was like torture, but here we are, and it’s been read!

After the events of Iron Prince (Spoilers) we are left wanting to know more. How Rei was going to grow, if he would ever reach Godhood, if he would finally confess his love for Aria, how his CAD would grow and evolve and so much more. And what about his real family? They were there somewhere right? Honestly there’s so much going on that you can see how the book’s such a monster.

Well there are answers. And they are Lots, yes, yes, quickly and kind of.

To scratch that progression itch, Rei and Shido both grow as a character and a CAD. Rei develops more in the way of perception and intuition and Shido evolves, gains abilities and becomes exactly what you want it to – legendary. This interspliced with future segments looking back on the rise of Rei and Fire Song was particularly well done in my opinion, because we both knew that they were all going to have a meteoric rise, but also got to sit along for the ride.

The book mainly focusses (in my opinion) around the first tournament that Rei and his squad are participating in and as always the fight scenes, the training and the intricate details of CAD fighting are really well done. All of the characters go through a ton of growth too, which was really nice to see, especially Logan.

Rei’s secrets come out, but Grant pulls off a fantastic heel turn to become one of the good guys and we learn a lot more about his past and upbringing – which in itself was well written and thought out.

The only downside to the book – and I can only assume that we will find out in book 3 – is that the arc of Rei’s family seemed to be half-baked. It was the only think that let it down for me. There were scenes of intrigue like Rei getting offered wealth and riches by (unbeknownst to him) his real family – but then he figures it out – as does everyone else – and nothing ever really comes of it. There are a few shady-dealings scenes with them, but other than that, its kind of alluded to and then forgotten. For me, this should be addressed in book 3 and it’ll round off the story nicely.

All in all, This was pretty much everything I wanted from book 2 in this fantastic series, and I will no doubt be back for a second read before long – with these two books, there’s always something to pick up on the second time around.

Wow I hadn’t been expecting to miss the characters as much as I did since the first book. I WAS surprised that Darius hadn’t hand waved himself back to life from the beginning - but I guess that was just wishful thinking, right?

Another book with my favourite trope - the academy. But this has something different. Again, not just sword and sorcery, but a trickle of weapons from the future (or cyclical past - whatever you get the point). And they aren’t just a total whitewash of OP-ness, but few and far between, used to fight an enemy with power that can’t be rivalled.

Belladonna is the BBEG and she fits the role perfectly. A great mix of sinister, mystery, power and outright blood-thirst. What more could you want?

And then there’s the depth to the characters. Dean Anders’ voice (narrated amazingly by Jamie Treselyan by the way) was something I didn’t know I’d missed since the last book, but as soon as he spoke it was like everything came rushing back to me.

Millicent, Adelaide and Oakes are the meat of this story, with the main drive being a split between preparing for a war that students perhaps shouldn’t be involved in, and trying to find a way to bring Darius back.

Oh and did I forget to mention that the ever tantalising threat of Darius’ father is still up there?

Honestly there’s a lot going on in this instalment of the training grounds, but it is well written and well narrated. Certainly a series that I’ll be continuing, and I hope that many others do too.

Because otherwise we’ll never know if the green rot gets its cure.

This is a great listen - very military oriented… I should not be surprised of the quality that Podium produce!

Space, time distortion, aliens, guns and an android, this really scratches an itch that you know you have!

The story can be a little slow at times, though it's still enjoyable. I liked the way that the author has taken old and used standards in faraway colonist stories and struggles, and told them in a new and interesting way - it could have been the opposite for sure!

The AI personalities are fun too. I wonder if as AI evolves over the next few years, it's something we're destined to see in real life?

It’s clear to me that Mr. Brooks writes in a way (and a genre) that I enjoy. It’s also clear that Miles Meili is a narrator that I can listen to over and over.

But this book offered something different from the usual dungeon core fun that the author is well known for, and very talented at.
This is a LitRPG… with stats!

Larek is a big lumberjack, though finds himself on the end of some rotten luck and is whisked away to a magical academy (best trope ever). While there he discovers that he has the ability to create fusions (essentially enchantments).
Enchantments are the name of the game for this book and are detailed exactly how you would want them to be - in depth.

The enchanting system is a multipart process depending on multiple skills and stats, and it’s very nice to see that it isn’t just a ‘you get the skill and you can do it’ kind of thing. It’s very clear that the author’s previous genre focus has lent itself very well to this kind of system, because it is detailed, in depth and makes a lot of sense.

Larek is very OP, though it’s balanced by the fact that he’s OP at making fusions, but not much else. He’s big and strong, but generally the enemies we see are better fought with magic and by spellcasters - which he isn’t (this isn’t always the case).

I found myself wanting more and more as the book went on and there was less and less to come - which is exactly how it should be!

I’m really looking forward to book 2 in this series, a great transition from Dungeon Core to LitRPG from Jonathan Brooks!

There aren’t many 10/10 books on this list, but credit where credit is due. You know those books that you just seem to fly through and all of a sudden it’s over? That’s this book. And well the series as a whole.
We all know what DCC is about in general, so some specifics. Book 6 is centred around a floor that focuses on card battles. Donut gets a deck and starts battling first NPCs, then other crawlers. And there’s a whole thing with Carl’s dad and his past… and there’s an uzi Jesus card!
Honestly it’s so insane that at some points you’re left thinking ‘what the hell just happened’, and then Donut or Samantha pipe up with their usual hilarious responses and you’re right back where you need to be.
Well thought out mechanics, a juicy storyline, an amazing dungeon floor full of twists, turns, curses, illnesses, killings and card battles. I’m annoyed that I have to wait again for book 7.
Oh and if you were wondering about Jeff Hayes’s narration, you don’t have to. It’s perfect as always.

Ok so there’s a lot to cover in this book, and it takes a wild trope swing that I hadn’t been expecting. But first, Jake.
Jake decides to take more crazy risks and they continue to pay off through sheer determination. I don’t want to say too much because spoilers, but more than a few things happen simply because system f***ery – which I’m totally fine with.

It’s well documented that this series is top tier and narrated amazingly by Mr Baldree (is there anything he can’t do?), so of you’ve already made it this far, I don’t really know what I can say to convince you either way.

I loved the fight with the queen and then king (you know what I’m talking about), because it really put into perspective how although Jake is some OP maniac, that he’s still a nothing compared to a C grade.

Then the trope twist – academy life! One of my favourites, Jake goes to a special levelling up school owned by Villy, and general school-life ensues.

All in all, book six in the series was a winner… now onto Dungeon Crawler Carl 6!

Ok so who wouldn’t like the concept? Civilisation is divided by the colour of one’s skin. The reds are expected to work and work and work to terraform mars, while the golds sit in their ivory towers. The MC’s wife is brutally taken from him and this one’s all about revenge.

A quick face-off style revamp, and Darrow is now a gold. Off to a training institute, he has to not only fit in with the rest, but also become something better than any of them.
Becoming a brutal (pretty much monster), he gives them what for, and discovers along the way that he might not be the only one with this idea.
I really enjoyed the book, though at times I felt like it dragged a little but honestly, it took nothing away from the enjoyment of the story, the world and the characters. A friend sent this as a recommendation and I have to say, more please!

Ok I’ll admit it, I didn’t realise that this was written by the author of War Core until after finishing the thing. Why am I not surprised? The premise is really innovative and engaging and again I’ve found a sci-fi gamelit that I really enjoyed.
The military component is very well researched and thought out and I loved the use of fantasy creatures in a futuristic setting. Especially the gnomes. Gnomes suck. The third book, Sarton station was my favourite, so you can be assured the series gets even better as it goes on.
If you’re looking for a futuristic, sci-fi dungeon core that makes you root for the core, even though it isn’t really a person (but kind of is), then this is absolutely the book for you.

Jack Voraces also does a great job with the narration.

Ok well I have to start with saying I’m annoyed. Annoyed because now I’m going to have to read the Flesh Golem’s Tale of Resurgence… because I just can’t leave Varney out there all alone!

The story, characters and creatures are so unique, and I hadn’t been expecting to be surprised in a genre that I’ve been immersed in for a very long time.

Yes there are a few gruesome parts and yes there are one or two narrator pronunciation errors, but for me it does nothing to take away from the story. I’ll be reading more from Mr. Wilkinson for sure.

Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 7/10

I was really looking forward to this book after finishing the first, and I have to say that it didn’t disappoint in the slightest. A lot of time has passed, which allowed Arthur to learn more about his cards, how they work and life in general away from his border town. I’m also a sucker for the ‘tournament’ trope, so that was a good addition for me.

Competing against his friends and enemies, Arthur must try to gain the favour of a new legendary dragon so that he can cement himself as a dragon rider of note.
I really enjoyed how the types of dragons have different personalities that match their colours, and without giving away any spoilers, the last two hours of the book really had me wondering how Arthur was going to get out of his ‘sticky situation’ alive.

All in all, a great second book that has made me wish book 3 was out sooner. Plus, as usual it goes without saying that Luke Daniels gave the book life with his brilliant performance.

Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 9/10
Narration: 9/10

#books #bookreview #litrpg #gamelit #reading #kingdombuilding #sliceoflife #litrpgbooks #fantasy #audiobook #bookstagram #booklover #reading #bookworm #bookish #booklover #author #sci-fi #litrpg #alltheskills #honorrae #dragons #deckbuilding #cardmagic

You know how you love a specific sub-genre and have no idea how to find great books in it? This was one of the times for me where the narrator reached out and told me to listen to this book, and I’ve never been so accurately assumed.

The story is of a man named Darius, a simple small-town farm hand who receives an invitation to attend The Training Grounds – the most prestigious academy in all of the Merchant Valley. A group of friends quickly form with their own interesting back stories, skill sets and most importantly, wonderfully portrayed voices by a very talented narrator.
Secret plots, ominous visions and a plethora of interesting characters with unknown intent kept me listening, and listening, and listening… and then it was over. But at 19 hours for a single credit too? It’s basically robbery, right?

But then… it turned into something different. It had to, right? Because that’s what always keeps us guessing with the books we love. Suddenly my second favourite genre began to creep in: time travel. No I wont spoil it, and no I wont go into too much detail, but this book really did have everything I wanted but had somehow forgotten along the way.
So many decisions to make of who to trust, who to like and who to just outright hate. I loved this book, and I hope you will too.

Special praise for the narrator too. He goes out of his way to bring the characters to life with voices, actions and everything else you’d want from a book of many characters!

Firstly, you get A lot of bang for your credit with this one. At 25 hours long, if you really want to get your teeth into something with a lot of meat, then this is the book for you. A LitRPG with a female MC, narrated by Andrea Parsneau this really is tier 1 gamelit.

The story follows the life of Ilea, a young woman with a troubled past who suddenly finds herself in a magical world brimming with danger. After awakening a unique healing ability (always good), Ilea embarks on a quest to explore her newfound powers and navigate the treacherous landscapes of this new world. There are plenty of people, both good and bad and a handful of separate story arcs – which for me is where it loses some marks.
I know that a lot of people want multiple stories that intertwine in new and complex ways, but to me this meant that as my attention wandered, I was quickly lost in the story and had no idea what was happening or where we were. (It’s not such a bad thing to have a gripe with though, is it?).

The world is rich and diverse, infused with intricate details, unique magic systems, and fascinating lore. From vast and perilous dungeons to lush forests teeming with mythical creatures, each setting really does feel alive and vibrant. The author's attention to detail creates a vivid and tangible backdrop for the story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The action sequences in Azarinth Healer are intense, fast-paced, and expertly choreographed. Whether it's battling fearsome monsters or engaging with deadly elves, Rhaegar's vivid descriptions and precise writing style make the action scenes come alive, keeping me on the edge of my seat, and having said that I quickly became lost, when a battle scene arrived I knew exactly who I was rooting for. The strategic nature of the LitRPG elements adds an additional layer of excitement, as Ilea gains experience, levels up, and learns new skills to enhance her healing abilities.

I quite liked that the MC was portrayed as an unfeeling monster, cocky almost. It would be exactly how someone would act if they felt no pain, but also managed to best their opponents even when they’re much higher levels.

The character development in Azarinth Healer though is a definite highlight. Ilea faces numerous challenges, both physical and emotional, and her growth as a character is palpable, and I did find myself rooting for her every step of the way. The supporting cast is also well-developed, with each character bringing their unique personality and motivations to the story.

Without a doubt the strengths of Azarinth Healer make it a worthwhile addition to any fantasy enthusiast's bookshelf.

Storyline: 7/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 9/10

I was a little put off with this one because it’s written in the present tense - but you do king of get used to it after a while.
Entry into the game seems quite standard and whilst I’m not generally into the harem thing, but it’s not really that evident in the story.
It’s an easy listen and short gap filler, with a tantalising twist at the end.
#books #bookreview #reading #sliceoflife #fantasy #bookrelease #newbook #litrpg #gamelit #audiobook #bookreview #booktok

Ok so I saw this series recommended so, so often that I couldn’t just ignore it. The first thing to note is that it’s narrated with an Australian accent - because it’s supposed to be - it was just a little bit of a shock being used to the normal American tone. Not that it was bad though, I actually quite enjoyed it! The system seemed interesting and engaging and I found myself wanting to listen more and more, until suddenly I was lost. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but there’s just so much going on that once I’d let my attention wander for a moment, I had no idea what was happening. I know the answer is to concentrate more, but this doesn’t happen with other books I read, so I honestly don’t know what the issue was. At the end, I was rooting for the good guys though as I caught up with the world… the only thing was, was that I didn’t feel overly compelled to read the next right away.

Ok I’ll admit it… don’t kill me! I may have judged a book by it’s cover a little bit with this series - and yes, I listened to the whole series in one go.

It’s a really really innovative story’s and system and I can’t believe I didn’t listen sooner. Nick Podehl (and later Eric Michael Summerer) once again does the perfect narration job and I can’t wait for more to come! The MC is powerful, cocky and untouchable - everything you’d want from a man who’d named himself “Jack Alltrades” and started the company ‘Alltrades Inc.’

Storyline: 8/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 10/10

Jonathan Brooks I feel like I’ve committed a crime!

You sent me an audible code for Bio Dungeon: Omnibus and I was happy before, not knowing what I was missing from this godforsaken listen…
I was shocked when I saw that it was 45hrs long, shocked when I saw that it was actually three books in one, and shocked at how much I want to listen to more dungeon core books!
I’ve listened to a few, though this one just has everything I wanted, plus, what is basically two independent stories rolled into one… so is this like 6 books worth??
If anyone here likes both dungeon core books AND getting an absolute bargain, go get this one!

Storyline: 8/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 8/10

I’d say Ready Player One meets Halo is a good description. I liked the uniqueness of this in the way that the MC is tasked with keeping the peace and looking after the new players. A good amount of unique skills, but maybe the story could be a little predictable. Either way, I’d read more books by Mr Knight.

Sci-Fi LitRPG needs more books like this, and slowly the genre is seeing more and more, but it’s still outweighed by the fantasy/Isekai/apocalypse books. Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t have a preference, but when I see a Sci-Fi LitRPG pop up in my to read list, I can’t help but look forward to it.
Game mechanics were easy to follow and the pacing was well matched to the suspense of the overarching plot and theme of the book.

Storyline: 7/10
Character depth: 8/10
Narration: 8/10

What could anyone possibly want more from a deck building LitRPG, that what is given in All the Skills? A unique magic and progression system, a big bad evil guy for the main character to fight back against, dragons who can talk… I can’t believe I waited so long to read this, but I find myself looking forward to book two already. This one is top-tier gamelit for me, and if you’re into deck building or a system of magic based around cards (and a deck thereof), this one’s for you. Plus, you know, dragons.

Storyline: 9/10
Character depth: 9/10
Narration: 10/10

This was the first LitFPS book I’ve read, and I was pleasantly surprised. Not just because of the fact that you get a mammoth amount of audiobook for just one credit, but the voice acting was great, the story engaging and the battles detailed and thrilling.

It really did remind me of Doom.

Storyline: 8/10
Character depth: 8/10
Narration: 9/10

So this is the second Warhammer 40k book I’ve listened to, mainly because the Astra Militarum book was so good. But this is different. The first book in a long series called the Horus Heresy, I’d heard a bit about it before but no details really. I was upset that the narrator wasn’t the same as the last time (or even the author), but that was just wishful thinking.
The story focusses on an unrivalled army who have had their fear bred out of them – it makes them emotionless and perfect soldiers. Unfortunately it also meant that they were quite unrelatable as characters and although I did enjoy the book and it was narrated well, I found that it didn’t hold my attention for more than fifteen minutes of so at a time.
I probably will listen to more in the series, because the story was good, but hope the characters develop.

Storyline: 7/10
Character depth: 6/10
Narration: 8/10

I absolutely loved War Core (do I say that too much?). A guy is taken away and turned into the invisible man controlling an RTS game. But the soldiers are real, the enemies are aliens and when people die, they die. The universe is at stake here.
I loved how the MC could speak to his soldiers, but they were censored if they said anything that could help.
Perks, intervals between battles and dinosaurs with guns… love it, love it all.

In the beginning, I found it strange that we were talking about other litrpg books so often, and for apparently no reason the number one fan of the genre was suddenly dropped into one. But then I got used to it and actually, it read quite well. I enjoyed the story and the world/characters, but there were a few editing choices that I wouldn’t have made. Not any real issues, but things I found noticeable.
By the end of the book, I wanted more – which is a good thing if you ask me, especially when you take into account the fact that book two is already out.

I have to say it, if you haven’t read Dungeon Crawler Carl, I don’t know how you’ve made it this far in the LitRPG space. The perfect mix of dungeon crawling, a sarcastic talking cat, a post apocalyptic world and a tv show broadcast to the whole universe. It’s original, innovative and ridiculously funny.
The world has been disintegrated and turned into a multi level dungeon with stats, loot boxes and a particularly creepy system AI… and the whole time, the infighting is being broadcast to aliens across the universe.
Without going too overboard, this is the number one book you have to read, and I mean right now.

This is probably the best book I’ve read for a long time, and trust me I don’t say this lightly. It’s a progression fantasy from weakness to ultimate power and the fact that there’s only one book out right now pains me. Though as I write this review I know that you can keep up to date on the author’s Patreon.
Reidon starts of weak, broken and works tirelessly with the help of his special CAD to begin to challenge his peers in the academy where once he stood no chance.
Honestly, I can’t recommend this book enough. It had beautiful combat scenes, a real sense of rooting for the underdog, tangible advancement and the looming fear of danger.

Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

For me this is top-tier LitRPG. Seriously it’s up there with Dungeon Crawler Carl…
It has a fairly standard introduction to the system, i.e. the MC is suddenly thrown into a system world after some threshold had been reached. This means that everyone is dropped into a kind of ‘tutorial’ where they must fight to survive. The magic/progression system is unique and interesting.
The audio version of this is top notch too, narrated by the ever-magnificent Travis Baldree. I couldn’t stop with this series and ran out of books pretty quickly. It has everything, animal companion, world-building, settlement-building, deep motives and interactions, action… honestly, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

Fifteen Hours really did have everything I wanted from a book based around military, war, fighting and killing. Set in the grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the book offers a raw and intense portrayal of the horrors and sacrifices of battle.
The story follows the journey of a young Imperial Guardsman named New Fish by the rest of the soldiers, who is thrust into the brutal war against the Orks. As the title suggests, the narrative unfolds over a span of fifteen hours, during which New Fish faces unimaginable challenges and struggles to survive.
New Fish is dropped into the wrong warzone: a place that has seen years of terrible battles and a defending force that is almost all out of numbers, and options.
While "Fifteen Hours" provides an engaging and action-packed reading experience, it should be noted that prior familiarity with the Warhammer 40,000 universe is beneficial. The novel assumes a certain level of knowledge about the setting, its factions, and the overarching conflict. However, even for readers new to the Warhammer universe, the book offers a thrilling and immersive introduction to its grim and violent world.
I loved it, it made me want to get more, though sadly, I haven’t seen a sequel available.

Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 9/10
Narration: 9/10

As I write this review, Nautical Noobs is waiting for me in my to listen line, and I’m so excited about it. The MC is called Jim, which is the source of a lot of laughs from the other characters in the book because it’s not a real name – like calling someone Rover. Also there’s this thing called Shart and a talking badger called Badgelor. It’s wild, honestly and I couldn’t stop laughing whilst listening to it. If I’m honest it took me a while to get to simply because of the title, but what a mistake I made.

​Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 9/10
Narration: 10/10

The Gam3 for me happened early on in my LitRPG search for more and more books to devour and it was one that stood out for me as a cornerstone of the genre. There are now three books in the series so if you’re after substance then this is good for you. I loved the sci-fi AI alien feel of the story and it always left me wondering what was waiting for me around the next corner.

​Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 9/10

I know I know this author’s name is a bit taboo because of some of the strange things he’s tried to do with trademarks (don’t take my word for it, Google it), but write books – and long ones – he can do. To be fair to the series, the first few books are actually pretty amazing. I felt myself rooting for the Mist Village throughout them, but then… the books got so so long that I just couldn’t take the time to face them – I think the last one was something like 40 hours plus and that’s the only reason this series drops a star for me. Just split them into more books! Two books at twenty hours good, one book at forty hours bad. I don’t know why it works like this for me but it does.

​Storyline: 8/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 10/10

I remember the moment I started listening to this book - that’s just how good it is. It was at Dublin airport, flight delayed and I was in a terminal on my own. The crafting was so mouthwatering that all I remember thinking is that I wished my flight was delayed twelve hours so I’d have the chance to listen to every word this author wrote. I mean the carding is so good in this series, if that’s what you’re after you won’t be able to put this down.

​Storyline: 10/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

Ok I admit it, this author was the first time I’ve ever signed up to a newsletter because I just needed to know when the next book was coming out. The perfect book for someone wanting to dip their toe into the world of LitRPG books, this one has levelling, crafting, special powers, bad guys to hate and a foreboding worry that the MC’s world is going to crash down around them at any point. I listened to the first book in the series while in the car going to a meeting and it ruined my day that I had to leave it behind to deal with boring work.

This year I finished the series with the last book and it was wrapped up rather well though it was a bit of a bitter pill for me to swallow. I didn’t want it to end.

​Storyline: 9/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

Yes I know it’s a TV show – and it was bloody brilliant by the way. I also got the audiobook AND hardback because it was that good. I listened to it twice and even after the second time through I didn’t want it to end. Actually thinking about it as I write this, it’s kind of like the perfect run (above). Guy finds a time portal to the past (1963, shocker), can stay there as long as he wants and when he returns to the future anything he changed stands. If he goes back again though it is to the start of the time again and all his changes get wiped. Action, adventure, romance and time travelling this one hit the nail on the head for me. Oh and there’s something about JFK too. Whatever, it’s great, read it.

​Storyline: 10/10
Character Depth: 10/10
Narration: 10/10

​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

I really enjoyed listening to this book, the narrator was well matched to the tone of the characters and the writing style. To be honest, I've been on a bit of a search for a sci-fi book that I liked after reading the REV Warriors series and this certainly scratched that itch. It took me about two days so not a particularly long one and by the end, I must admit I did feel as though the time was right for it to be over. It's not five stars from me but definitely a solid read. In some places, the story was a little predictable, but hey - if it makes me feel smart that I figured it out then that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Storyline: 8/10
Character Depth: 9/10
Narration: 9/10

This LitRPG/GameLit audiobook was included in my Audible membership for FREE! so what more could I really ask for? The MC was transported to another world where some demonic presence rolled the dice to see what kind of character he was going to be. Sure the premise sounded familiar, though in this one, the MC starts off at level 19, then every time he goes to sleep he wakes up as a new and interesting class. There's no time to get comfortable or bored in this book, well worth a read and I am definitely looking forward to the next one!

​Storyline: 8/10
Character Depth: 8/10
Narration: 9/10