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The Elder Lands #1
The Elder Lands - A Kingdom Building LitRPG
Fight. Build. Rise.
Lucan is the son of a landed knight in a kingdom that is surrounded by diverse threats. As he comes of age, he must make peace with both the tasteful and distasteful of his responsibilities.
But most important of all, he must find a way to either tame or accept his own ambitions.
In a realm where an underground labyrinth births monsters that hunger to climb into the world of man, it’s difficult to be a noble and dangerous to be a warrior. Lucan must navigate a maze of mortal peril and political intrigue if he is to survive and, perhaps someday, thrive.
Enjoy this action-packed smooth LitRPG, taking place in a gritty medieval setting, featuring allies and enemies that fight with sword, word, and claw.
Lucan is the son of a landed knight in a kingdom that is surrounded by diverse threats. As he comes of age, he must make peace with both the tasteful and distasteful of his responsibilities.
But most important of all, he must find a way to either tame or accept his own ambitions.
In a realm where an underground labyrinth births monsters that hunger to climb into the world of man, it’s difficult to be a noble and dangerous to be a warrior. Lucan must navigate a maze of mortal peril and political intrigue if he is to survive and, perhaps someday, thrive.
Enjoy this action-packed smooth LitRPG, taking place in a gritty medieval setting, featuring allies and enemies that fight with sword, word, and claw.
499 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2024
About the author
B. Salem
4 books15 followersSharpen your sword and cut fate in twain.
Born and raised in Egypt, B. Salem is a fantasy author who is busy brooding when he’s not freediving, playing chess, or trying to burst eardrums with a violin. He dreams of writing and wakes up with finished manuscripts. As a true believer in the magic of the craft, he employs ten monkeys to swat at typewriters like angry cats until something legible makes it out.
Born and raised in Egypt, B. Salem is a fantasy author who is busy brooding when he’s not freediving, playing chess, or trying to burst eardrums with a violin. He dreams of writing and wakes up with finished manuscripts. As a true believer in the magic of the craft, he employs ten monkeys to swat at typewriters like angry cats until something legible makes it out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 8, 2024
A good start
I love a good kingdom builder, and this is a good start.
I love that this isn't some guy from our world, but the author still finds ways to explain facets of the customs and culture that doesn't seem out of place. Further, our MC isn't alone, like in most other Kingdom builders. His father is still in charge, still teaching and guiding the MC toward the life he thinks is best. It is very promising, and I will be looking forward to the next installment.
I love a good kingdom builder, and this is a good start.
I love that this isn't some guy from our world, but the author still finds ways to explain facets of the customs and culture that doesn't seem out of place. Further, our MC isn't alone, like in most other Kingdom builders. His father is still in charge, still teaching and guiding the MC toward the life he thinks is best. It is very promising, and I will be looking forward to the next installment.
July 7, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
April 23, 2024
loved it!
Very good read! Love that the MC is not Op, I am also enjoying how level headed he is. The world build is good and I find myself wanting to learn more. I can’t wait to read the 2nd book!
Very good read! Love that the MC is not Op, I am also enjoying how level headed he is. The world build is good and I find myself wanting to learn more. I can’t wait to read the 2nd book!
Read
May 15, 2024Great book! Very original.
This is a fun book with great writing. It's an original story and I quite like the worldbuilding and unique elements.
Very well written, very few errors, great characters, and just the right amount of magic and such. I enjoyed the heck out of it on RR.
This is a fun book with great writing. It's an original story and I quite like the worldbuilding and unique elements.
Very well written, very few errors, great characters, and just the right amount of magic and such. I enjoyed the heck out of it on RR.
May 8, 2024
enjoyable
I appreciate having a real relatable character. No super growth, or powers beyond others that must be kept secret.
It was a good story not overly reliant on powers or stat sheets.
I appreciate having a real relatable character. No super growth, or powers beyond others that must be kept secret.
It was a good story not overly reliant on powers or stat sheets.
April 30, 2024
Solid start for a new author
The story does a good job setting up further novels in the series. The expansion of the Zesh fief does not come with any extraordinary events, but rather a confluence of events that are beneficial to the protagonist Lucan. The events that contribute to Lucan's rise are logical and not just handed down by divine fiat. I look forward to the development of the series.
The story does a good job setting up further novels in the series. The expansion of the Zesh fief does not come with any extraordinary events, but rather a confluence of events that are beneficial to the protagonist Lucan. The events that contribute to Lucan's rise are logical and not just handed down by divine fiat. I look forward to the development of the series.
June 21, 2024
A very moderate book. The protagonist is kind of OK at a couple of things, comes from a middling (for a noble) background, works reasonably hard but isn’t inspired by anything. I got kind of bored of him and stopped reading long before the end. Somebody has to be mediocre but it sure isn’t exciting to read about.
May 15, 2025
This book is mixed for me.
The paragraph-level writing is weak, with dialogue that doesn't ring true and clunky exposition throughout. This problem is not crippling, but it's occasionally intrusive. That said, the writing in the action scenes is better, with the action easy to follow and believable.
Though there are some passing mentions of more unusual setting elements, the setting is mostly a standard faux-medieval-European world. While there isn't an explicit game world and there is no isekai element, there is explicit mechanical character progression and the occasional character sheet. This "game" element is better integrated in the world than it is in many LitRPG/Progression Fantasy books. (And the character sheets are short.)
The protagonist is the only son of a border lord given his land by the king for his previous service. The protagonist's mother died when he was younger; his only relative is his rather gruff father, who is not especially sympathetic to the boy's desire to spend time studying. Through the course of the book, we get significant character growth from the protagonist caused by his various experiences.
The series is billed as "Kingdom Building", and the plot supports that well. The studious protagonist is being trained by his father to take over his fief, and he is allowed to make decisions about how to advance the fief's economy. In addition to the fief-level story, there are a couple of character quests (very different from each other) that are used for both mechanical and personality character development.
The story is well-paced, the protagonist is sympathetic and interesting, and the world development is well handled. In spite of the flaws in this book, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The paragraph-level writing is weak, with dialogue that doesn't ring true and clunky exposition throughout. This problem is not crippling, but it's occasionally intrusive. That said, the writing in the action scenes is better, with the action easy to follow and believable.
Though there are some passing mentions of more unusual setting elements, the setting is mostly a standard faux-medieval-European world. While there isn't an explicit game world and there is no isekai element, there is explicit mechanical character progression and the occasional character sheet. This "game" element is better integrated in the world than it is in many LitRPG/Progression Fantasy books. (And the character sheets are short.)
The protagonist is the only son of a border lord given his land by the king for his previous service. The protagonist's mother died when he was younger; his only relative is his rather gruff father, who is not especially sympathetic to the boy's desire to spend time studying. Through the course of the book, we get significant character growth from the protagonist caused by his various experiences.
The series is billed as "Kingdom Building", and the plot supports that well. The studious protagonist is being trained by his father to take over his fief, and he is allowed to make decisions about how to advance the fief's economy. In addition to the fief-level story, there are a couple of character quests (very different from each other) that are used for both mechanical and personality character development.
The story is well-paced, the protagonist is sympathetic and interesting, and the world development is well handled. In spite of the flaws in this book, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 20, 2024
Kingdom building
A great foundation to a messy complex knot of storytelling, fantastical landscapes and monsters mixed with noble knights and aristocrat politics. Economic struggles and epic battles against monsters and men combined into a lovely book that lasts long enough to sink your teeth into. Well worth a try for any lovers of medieval combat, long form epics, or magical litrpg
A great foundation to a messy complex knot of storytelling, fantastical landscapes and monsters mixed with noble knights and aristocrat politics. Economic struggles and epic battles against monsters and men combined into a lovely book that lasts long enough to sink your teeth into. Well worth a try for any lovers of medieval combat, long form epics, or magical litrpg
April 23, 2024
an out standing book
An excellent book, without a all MC so often seen in these series today! The story is riverting and I couldn’t put it down!
An excellent book, without a all MC so often seen in these series today! The story is riverting and I couldn’t put it down!
April 29, 2024
fantastic
Super fantastic I absolutely love loved how grounded everything felt! Just might need to develop more of the side characters
Super fantastic I absolutely love loved how grounded everything felt! Just might need to develop more of the side characters
April 22, 2024
great book
There are not many kingdom building books and I really enjoyed this one can’t wait for the next! The magic system is also interesting and different than others I have read.
There are not many kingdom building books and I really enjoyed this one can’t wait for the next! The magic system is also interesting and different than others I have read.
April 20, 2024
Scratches the Kingdom Building itch!
I’ve been enjoying this for quite a while, and am excited to see The Elder Lands get a full release on Amazon! If you enjoy protagonists who have to work for their power, kingdom building, and a well-though out world, give it a read!
I’ve been enjoying this for quite a while, and am excited to see The Elder Lands get a full release on Amazon! If you enjoy protagonists who have to work for their power, kingdom building, and a well-though out world, give it a read!
February 6, 2025
A very boring and ordinary story with a more boring and ordinary protagonist. There is nothing distinct about the story or the Mc and so there is no incentive for me to continue this series.
February 28, 2026
Great read!
Loved this! Excellent mix of progression, kingdom building, and economics!
The main character is a sharp young man that learns from every success and mistake. Diving into the next book!
Loved this! Excellent mix of progression, kingdom building, and economics!
The main character is a sharp young man that learns from every success and mistake. Diving into the next book!
April 22, 2024
Wonderful Competency
A fantastic first novel with a young competent protagonist at the start of his journey. Much heavier on the Kingdom Building aspects than the litrpg aspects. Looking forward to a book 2.
A fantastic first novel with a young competent protagonist at the start of his journey. Much heavier on the Kingdom Building aspects than the litrpg aspects. Looking forward to a book 2.
June 19, 2024
LOVE THIS BOOK!
This book is great!! I love the magic system, the characters are interesting, there is a good bit of hardship for the main character but also some innovation.
And honestly I find the kingdom building super interesting! I’ve always been wanting to read a series like this where someone builds up a kingdom, with projects and expanding a fief, etc.
The magic system is just a bonus that makes it even more interesting.
I hope the series doesn’t end any time soon!
This book is great!! I love the magic system, the characters are interesting, there is a good bit of hardship for the main character but also some innovation.
And honestly I find the kingdom building super interesting! I’ve always been wanting to read a series like this where someone builds up a kingdom, with projects and expanding a fief, etc.
The magic system is just a bonus that makes it even more interesting.
I hope the series doesn’t end any time soon!
June 21, 2024
Enjoyable read
Great start to the series that scratches that kingdom building itch. Great narrative that doesn’t shy from giving the main character difficulties rather than an easy path forward.
Great start to the series that scratches that kingdom building itch. Great narrative that doesn’t shy from giving the main character difficulties rather than an easy path forward.
June 21, 2024
Great start!
Pretty great start to the series. Light rpg. But good story so far. Can't wait to see what the next one brings us.
Pretty great start to the series. Light rpg. But good story so far. Can't wait to see what the next one brings us.
June 1, 2024
Amazing book. Very interesting to see where this series goes. Definitely looking forward to seeing what else this author writes.
June 26, 2024
I expected nothing special but boy was I happily surprised. I do genuinely think this book is one of the best I’ve read. I know thats quite the claim but I’m serious, let me explain.
It blends litrpg with a realistic fantasy-medieval world in a truly realistic manner (as in, the characters act realistically, everything seems very logical and fights, power etc well explained and reasonable), and with strong focus on progression and kingdom building this really has all the elements I love.
I usually like OP protagonists, and this is not quite that, atleast not yet, yet it makes every success the MC gets even better.
The characters and world are realistic and intriguing. Protagonist makes realistic mistakes and is not a perfect specimen nor can he best everybody else (not yet anyway).
But the book manages to stay interesting and the progression and action is thrilling.
Highly recommend for all fans of kingdom building (building up an estate) progression and litrpg.
However, there is a small matter with the performance, the narrator is excellent but at times he pauses or swallows audibly, which brings me out of the story. Otherwise excellent.
I also worry a little that our protagonists progression is too realistic, making him fall behind compared to his peers in the future. I generally dislike reading about an average or above average protagonist, since my own life is average enough. I want something special! This is only a future concern, but so far so good!
Awaiting book 2.
It blends litrpg with a realistic fantasy-medieval world in a truly realistic manner (as in, the characters act realistically, everything seems very logical and fights, power etc well explained and reasonable), and with strong focus on progression and kingdom building this really has all the elements I love.
I usually like OP protagonists, and this is not quite that, atleast not yet, yet it makes every success the MC gets even better.
The characters and world are realistic and intriguing. Protagonist makes realistic mistakes and is not a perfect specimen nor can he best everybody else (not yet anyway).
But the book manages to stay interesting and the progression and action is thrilling.
Highly recommend for all fans of kingdom building (building up an estate) progression and litrpg.
However, there is a small matter with the performance, the narrator is excellent but at times he pauses or swallows audibly, which brings me out of the story. Otherwise excellent.
I also worry a little that our protagonists progression is too realistic, making him fall behind compared to his peers in the future. I generally dislike reading about an average or above average protagonist, since my own life is average enough. I want something special! This is only a future concern, but so far so good!
Awaiting book 2.
April 11, 2025
Kingdom Builder set in a more grounded fantasy world.
The Elder Lands was a decent first look into a new kingdom-builder. We have the main character, the son of a Knight with no real ambition beyond looking after his fief, who desires to become more than just another knight like his father and his neighbors. The magic system here is limited in the amount of 'skills' or 'magic' one can learn, which allows the magic to feel all the more impactful when used and mastered throughout the novel. The setting follows a similar trend in that it is very medieval in nature, not feeling too out of place with our own historical accounts; the small fantastical flare is enough to elevate the setting without losing the core aspect of its identity.
I wasn't all that into Lucan as the main character. In fact, I would not hesitate to call him one of the weakest elements of the book. He has no real identity and comes across less as the son of a renowned knight and more as some dope the author kidnapped from modern Earth and threw into the Elder Lands. Many of the side characters are weak, too. All they do is exist to support the main character, with one or two given foreshadowings about a history with no real peak behind the curtains.
The novel wasn't bad and scratched that KB itch I've had for a decent minute. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The Elder Lands was a decent first look into a new kingdom-builder. We have the main character, the son of a Knight with no real ambition beyond looking after his fief, who desires to become more than just another knight like his father and his neighbors. The magic system here is limited in the amount of 'skills' or 'magic' one can learn, which allows the magic to feel all the more impactful when used and mastered throughout the novel. The setting follows a similar trend in that it is very medieval in nature, not feeling too out of place with our own historical accounts; the small fantastical flare is enough to elevate the setting without losing the core aspect of its identity.
I wasn't all that into Lucan as the main character. In fact, I would not hesitate to call him one of the weakest elements of the book. He has no real identity and comes across less as the son of a renowned knight and more as some dope the author kidnapped from modern Earth and threw into the Elder Lands. Many of the side characters are weak, too. All they do is exist to support the main character, with one or two given foreshadowings about a history with no real peak behind the curtains.
The novel wasn't bad and scratched that KB itch I've had for a decent minute. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 15, 2024
A professional Review
Dear readers,
To start off with I’m a professional reader and critic of many books, hardly a day goes by that I’m not reading something so when I say I’ve read thousands of books of almost every genre I’m not exaggerating. I’ve come up with grading system for the books that I read. 1 Star the worst I have read in my life and 5 stars the best. To put that into perspective that means for every five star rating I give the bar is set even higher for the next and vise versa. Unfortunately this book did not meet my criteria for a five star novel for me, however, I did give it a four star rating, as it’s a very well written and fascinating book and I appreciate the author’s desire to further the content for an under appreciated and represented genre. I will make sure to continue to read this series and I encourage others to as well.
Sincerely, C.B.
Dear readers,
To start off with I’m a professional reader and critic of many books, hardly a day goes by that I’m not reading something so when I say I’ve read thousands of books of almost every genre I’m not exaggerating. I’ve come up with grading system for the books that I read. 1 Star the worst I have read in my life and 5 stars the best. To put that into perspective that means for every five star rating I give the bar is set even higher for the next and vise versa. Unfortunately this book did not meet my criteria for a five star novel for me, however, I did give it a four star rating, as it’s a very well written and fascinating book and I appreciate the author’s desire to further the content for an under appreciated and represented genre. I will make sure to continue to read this series and I encourage others to as well.
Sincerely, C.B.
August 27, 2024
Solid beginning
It's not the most action-packed book and the protagonist definitely has to work for what he wants!
However there is growth and he does have some unique strengths! The progression part of the book comes in bits and there's often long stretches where nothing is progressing marshally which I think is a mistake. Even just one or two skill-ups from training would quench the thirst.
Besides that there's a nice mix and it's a relief not to read a character whose solo pee he destroys everyone with one punch!
The world building is a little complicated and it's easy to get lost in it sometimes. Magic is also fairly rare and hard to come by which is not my most favorite thing but it is there.
It's not the most action-packed book and the protagonist definitely has to work for what he wants!
However there is growth and he does have some unique strengths! The progression part of the book comes in bits and there's often long stretches where nothing is progressing marshally which I think is a mistake. Even just one or two skill-ups from training would quench the thirst.
Besides that there's a nice mix and it's a relief not to read a character whose solo pee he destroys everyone with one punch!
The world building is a little complicated and it's easy to get lost in it sometimes. Magic is also fairly rare and hard to come by which is not my most favorite thing but it is there.
January 26, 2025
Is been a while until I the GRANDMASTER OF LitRPG can bestow a 5-START rating on a book. Way Too many shitty degen novels out latelly. this is way above other degen fucks. thus a solid 4+ is upgraded to a 5 STARS!
Is book good? Yes! I'm buying patreon to read his book 2 next!
Is this LitRPG? YES, New world, there a re levels loot, dungeons, mosters, rivals and enemies and economy!!!! YES YES FUCK YES!
Now is MC a FUCKING DEGEN?! NO, MC is not a fucking RETARD!
IS MC OP?! NO
what the fuck do you need more, go buy and read, or listen and buy patreon!
This is the WORD!
Is book good? Yes! I'm buying patreon to read his book 2 next!
Is this LitRPG? YES, New world, there a re levels loot, dungeons, mosters, rivals and enemies and economy!!!! YES YES FUCK YES!
Now is MC a FUCKING DEGEN?! NO, MC is not a fucking RETARD!
IS MC OP?! NO
what the fuck do you need more, go buy and read, or listen and buy patreon!
This is the WORD!
March 12, 2025
I enjoyed the kingdom building aspect of this book, even if it was slow going with a lot of foundation laid for future payoffs. The litrpg style magic system was done well, but again it was muted compared to everything else going on. The time skips could have been done better - they certainly helped to move the story forward but sometimes it was jarring to see plans being made and immediately realized in the next chapter due to the time skip.
May 29, 2025
rewarding read
Was delighted to come across The Elder Lands while working on my own project. The Kingdom Building niche scratches a truly unique part of the brain and I enjoyed B. Salem’s take on the genre.
While light on the Litrpg, I found myself totally engrossed while a scheme around salt flats came to fruition and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
Was delighted to come across The Elder Lands while working on my own project. The Kingdom Building niche scratches a truly unique part of the brain and I enjoyed B. Salem’s take on the genre.
While light on the Litrpg, I found myself totally engrossed while a scheme around salt flats came to fruition and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
didn-t-like-it
March 25, 2025Note to self: don't know if it's good or not, couldn't get past the narrator's cadence. So slow, it made it hard to listen to. Tried speeding it up, but it wasn't speed but rhythm the issue. Not for me.
May 10, 2024
Very good book
This is a fine litrpg fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Thomas. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine litrpg fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Thomas. I anxiously await the sequel.
May 31, 2024
despite the author insistence ,there is no kingdom building in this.digging a ditch isn't kingdom building
Royalroad books aren't supposed to be this formalic,this boring
Royalroad books aren't supposed to be this formalic,this boring
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews