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Damsels of Distress #4
Rob X Punzel: A LitRPG Adventure
An oath of secrecy. Power beyond compare. Too bad it’s all snarled in her hair.Rebecca Punzel grew up as an orphan in the slums, only daring to dream small by providing for her found family. In a kingdom where might makes right, and combat skills rule, her first class is practically a curse: golden locks of hair which require no care. Though she’s in a hairy situation, she works tirelessly to build a modest life for the other orphans.
At fourteen, every valuable in reach seems to get tangled into her curls. Practically overnight, she’s blacklisted from working at any reputable business. Losing her internal battle of morality just so she can survive, Rebecca turns to the thieves guild and quickly makes a name for herself as Goldie Locks. But when a job goes wrong and a ruthless alchemist marks her as an endless source of magical material, she has only one run.
When even that fails, she stakes everything on climbing the Brute Queen’s battle tower. The grand prize of the trial of power is protection and status—marriage to the Crown Prince. Her attempt is practically a without combat skills they’d never accept the royal and the orphan as a pair. Luckily, winning isn't the goal, escaping is. After all…
There's no greater crime than possessing treasure without the strength to hold onto it.
At fourteen, every valuable in reach seems to get tangled into her curls. Practically overnight, she’s blacklisted from working at any reputable business. Losing her internal battle of morality just so she can survive, Rebecca turns to the thieves guild and quickly makes a name for herself as Goldie Locks. But when a job goes wrong and a ruthless alchemist marks her as an endless source of magical material, she has only one run.
When even that fails, she stakes everything on climbing the Brute Queen’s battle tower. The grand prize of the trial of power is protection and status—marriage to the Crown Prince. Her attempt is practically a without combat skills they’d never accept the royal and the orphan as a pair. Luckily, winning isn't the goal, escaping is. After all…
There's no greater crime than possessing treasure without the strength to hold onto it.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
22 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Dakota Krout
79 books2,889 followersAuthor of the best-selling Divine Dungeon, Completionist Chronicles, and Full Murderhobo series, Dakota Krout was chosen as Audible's top 5 fantasy pick of 2017, has been a top 5 bestseller on Amazon, and a top 6 bestseller on Audible.
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
He draws on his experience in the military to create vast terrains and intricate systems, and his history in programming and information technology helps him bring a logical aspect to both his writing and his company while giving him a unique perspective for future challenges.
Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far, and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come! -Dakota Krout
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 8, 2025
Combining myths.
This time the story is mostly Rapunzel with a smattering of Goldilocks. And a good helping of puns from C.A.L. and other characters. The main character makes her way up and around in her world, overcoming obstacle on top of obstacle. This installment took the narrative direction of skipping chunks of time to highlight key moments, which worked well in this instance.
After four books and separate stories, I have to wonder how these are all going to combine in the end.
This time the story is mostly Rapunzel with a smattering of Goldilocks. And a good helping of puns from C.A.L. and other characters. The main character makes her way up and around in her world, overcoming obstacle on top of obstacle. This installment took the narrative direction of skipping chunks of time to highlight key moments, which worked well in this instance.
After four books and separate stories, I have to wonder how these are all going to combine in the end.
September 26, 2025
Best in the series so far. Absorbing world.
The prologue felt pure Krout, but by the middle of the book I felt I was in a Cosmere tale. The world has complexities and details enough to draw you in deep. There's opportunity for much more in this setting. Yet this book on its own is a well rounded, complete story.
The narration of this series is superb.
The prologue felt pure Krout, but by the middle of the book I felt I was in a Cosmere tale. The world has complexities and details enough to draw you in deep. There's opportunity for much more in this setting. Yet this book on its own is a well rounded, complete story.
The narration of this series is superb.
October 30, 2025
Excellent
I loved it! After the Cinderella story I was a bit unsure about a hair skill being featured, I am so glad to be wrong. It's fun, tense, plenty of action, and true love. Totally 5 stars.
I loved it! After the Cinderella story I was a bit unsure about a hair skill being featured, I am so glad to be wrong. It's fun, tense, plenty of action, and true love. Totally 5 stars.
February 11, 2026
Rob X Punzel
In the Brute Kingdom, Might makes Right and theft is illegal only if you do it by not overpowering someone. This puts orphan Rebecca Punzel far away from the center of the kingdom, in the slums to be precise. Rebecca’s first power is a vanity power, shiny and clean hair. The real problems begin when her second power that turns her hair into a klepto.
These standalone litrpg fairy tales are a blast! The litrpg version of Rapunzel took a lot of turns that surprised me. It’s debatable if the main character is her or her hair. I really hope that all of these stories will combine with all of the Damsels of Distress! Emily Woo Zeller did a fantastic job with the narration!
Content warning: none
In the Brute Kingdom, Might makes Right and theft is illegal only if you do it by not overpowering someone. This puts orphan Rebecca Punzel far away from the center of the kingdom, in the slums to be precise. Rebecca’s first power is a vanity power, shiny and clean hair. The real problems begin when her second power that turns her hair into a klepto.
These standalone litrpg fairy tales are a blast! The litrpg version of Rapunzel took a lot of turns that surprised me. It’s debatable if the main character is her or her hair. I really hope that all of these stories will combine with all of the Damsels of Distress! Emily Woo Zeller did a fantastic job with the narration!
Content warning: none
December 31, 2025
A fun take on Rapunzel. I liked the crazy hair magic and her dive into the underbelly of society.
December 29, 2025
I love the different backgrounds and skillsets if our Damsels. They are all strong female leads who don't need saving but are bettered with their partners. Goldie is hilarious and quick thinking. Battle shears were new to me and I love that she made a good friend. Still so excited for our Damsels to meet up. Also hyped to meet "Emperor Koozko" and I hope he has llamas!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews