Book Review: City of the Dead by Vasily Mahanenko

Let’s get this out the way: I loved this book. I’ve been on a bit of a LitRPG binge lately (who hasn’t?), and City of the Dead hit that sweet spot almost immediately. It’s got all the ingredients—high stakes, layered world-building, system mechanics that actually make sense, and a generous helping of magic and combat. If you’re into LitRPGs with strong progression, a touch of mystery, and a main character who doesn’t mind bending the rules to survive, this is absolutely for you.

Now, I’ve read a fair few of Vasily’s books, and to date, I haven’t found a single one I’d consider less than excellent. This series is no exception. In fact, I devoured the first few books in a row and had zero regrets about the time investment.

The main character, Tailyn, is a young boy—which did catch me a little off guard at first—but once you settle into the dynamic (especially with the young female companion he’s paired with), it just works. There’s a PG romance arc between them that persists through the series. I won’t lie—those parts didn’t quite grab me the way everything else did, but they’re small in the grand scheme of things and don’t derail the momentum.

What does stand out is the system—the way Tailyn uses workarounds, exploits, and clever hacks to get ahead. It’s a trope I never get tired of when it’s done well, and here, it’s handled brilliantly. Add in some betrayal, a few “aha” twists, and the classic “equal and opposite force” mechanic (because of course our boy’s too strong to go unchecked), and you’ve got a stellar opening to what promises to be a powerhouse series.

You can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3RHa2X8 (Affiliate link)