March to Other Worlds Day 22: Goldenshield by J. R. Andrews

Day 22: Goldenshield by J.R. Andrews

For Day 22 we are coming back to the growing body of LitRPG novels and the book I think breaks the LitRPG mold. The heroes aren’t playing a game. Gerald is a deputy sheriff responding to a disturbance in a store when he encounters a strange old man who hits him and his friend with a staff. Both young men then wake up elsewhere—a world that is similar to their gaming universe with a few small but important differences. Gerald’s friend, Zeke, is excited by the new world, but Gerald just wants to get back home. He doesn’t think that things in the “game” universe are important and he certainly doesn’t want to take any responsibility for what is happening around them.

 

As Gerald fights against accepting his new reality, he and Zeke learn they aren’t the only earth-people trapped here in the game-verse. And they learn that one really important game function doesn’t work in this universe. There is no resurrection or respawning. This solidifies Gerald’s commitment to get back to reality, but unfortunately for him there are lots of more immediate problems in his way—local bandits, an invading army, and an usurper king.

 

J. R. Andrews has put together a very nice story here with lots of action, strong worldbuilding, and credible character growth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the sequel.