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Kiosk Kingdom
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Expected 31 Mar 26Dan just wanted to run a shop. Now he’s knee-deep in holiday hellscapes, corporate hydras, and powers that definitely violate the Geneva Conventions.The Flayed Monarch is on the move, spreading his corrupt influence through the lower levels of the Backrooms. To stop him, Dan and his crew must take out one of the Monarch’s key allies—the Franchisor, a multi-headed marketing monstrosity who rules the 99th Floor.
But Dan, Croc, and the rest of his ragtag band of misfits might be in for more than they bargained for.
To secure the Kiosk Network and strike a crippling blow against the Monarch, they’ll have to grind through a cursed snow globe ruled by the Yule Lord himself, survive the twisted horrors of the 10,000 Acre Wood, and take on a twisted empire built on questionably legal intellectual property. Along the way, Dan will uncover long-buried secrets about his past, the System, and a war he never asked for.
The shop must grow.
The crew must fight.
And Dan? He’s done playing defense. He’s armed to the teeth, and he’s got a coupon for war crimes.
But Dan, Croc, and the rest of his ragtag band of misfits might be in for more than they bargained for.
To secure the Kiosk Network and strike a crippling blow against the Monarch, they’ll have to grind through a cursed snow globe ruled by the Yule Lord himself, survive the twisted horrors of the 10,000 Acre Wood, and take on a twisted empire built on questionably legal intellectual property. Along the way, Dan will uncover long-buried secrets about his past, the System, and a war he never asked for.
The shop must grow.
The crew must fight.
And Dan? He’s done playing defense. He’s armed to the teeth, and he’s got a coupon for war crimes.
750 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 31, 2026
1 person is currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
James A. Hunter
97 books1,145 followersJames Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 2, 2026
Just finished it on royal road. So far. The best series I have read. Discount Dan for number one then DCC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I Should Not Have Finished This This Late
It is an unreasonable hour and I have emotions about Discount Dan’s Backroom Bargains Kiosk Kingdom.
First of all: James Hunter remains one of my favorite authors. Second only to 2008 USA Today’s Author of the Year Stephenie Meyer. This is a stable and mature ranking system and I stand by it.
Book three.
BOOK THREE.
Which means I am no longer “trying out a series.”
I live here now.
The fights? Yes. Good. Crunchy.
The looming Flayed Monarch situation? Oh we are simmering. We are marinating.
But what really got me this time was just… watching Dan build.
Expand.
Reinforce.
That weird little safe-space/store keeps evolving and every time it does my brain goes yes yes yes this is correct continue.
The Brownies pop in (tiny laundry cult agents of chaos) and every time they do I feel like someone shook the book. They are not the main event. They are seasoning. Unstable seasoning.
The demolition derby thing?
Sure. Of course. Naturally. Why wouldn’t that happen.
And then the artifact memory scene.
You know the one.
Absolutely illegal. Emotional ambush. I did not give consent to feel that much in a series where I mostly expect strategic chaos and escalating nonsense. That childhood dog memory had no business being that effective.
And THEN.
After everything.
After the battle.
After all of it.
Froyo. Slides. Croc.
That’s it. That’s the review.
I am undone by froyo.
Princess Ponypuff continues to exist in a way that feels cosmically correct. The kingdom keeps growing. The tension keeps tightening. I keep getting more attached than is reasonable.
I started this book like a reader.
I finished it like a feral mall goblin emotionally invested in a barter-powered sanctuary.
Five stars.
I am going to bed.
I will wake up and still be thinking about it.
It is an unreasonable hour and I have emotions about Discount Dan’s Backroom Bargains Kiosk Kingdom.
First of all: James Hunter remains one of my favorite authors. Second only to 2008 USA Today’s Author of the Year Stephenie Meyer. This is a stable and mature ranking system and I stand by it.
Book three.
BOOK THREE.
Which means I am no longer “trying out a series.”
I live here now.
The fights? Yes. Good. Crunchy.
The looming Flayed Monarch situation? Oh we are simmering. We are marinating.
But what really got me this time was just… watching Dan build.
Expand.
Reinforce.
That weird little safe-space/store keeps evolving and every time it does my brain goes yes yes yes this is correct continue.
The Brownies pop in (tiny laundry cult agents of chaos) and every time they do I feel like someone shook the book. They are not the main event. They are seasoning. Unstable seasoning.
The demolition derby thing?
Sure. Of course. Naturally. Why wouldn’t that happen.
And then the artifact memory scene.
You know the one.
Absolutely illegal. Emotional ambush. I did not give consent to feel that much in a series where I mostly expect strategic chaos and escalating nonsense. That childhood dog memory had no business being that effective.
And THEN.
After everything.
After the battle.
After all of it.
Froyo. Slides. Croc.
That’s it. That’s the review.
I am undone by froyo.
Princess Ponypuff continues to exist in a way that feels cosmically correct. The kingdom keeps growing. The tension keeps tightening. I keep getting more attached than is reasonable.
I started this book like a reader.
I finished it like a feral mall goblin emotionally invested in a barter-powered sanctuary.
Five stars.
I am going to bed.
I will wake up and still be thinking about it.
March 6, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED BY AUTHOR
Book three of Discount Dan can be summarized in one word … Masterpiece *chefs kiss*
After reading the first two books I didn’t like it could get better. But, book three was indeed better, and not only was it better but it was deeper. One thing I always thought that the series lacked was some emotion depth but that went right out the window with this book. James Hunter went a lot deeper into the emotions of the characters and their whys and what happens when those why’s are put to the test. We got a lot of background information on characters. Things that we assumed but had not idea the gravity of. But, most importantly we got vital information about the researcher and what exactly is going on in the Backrooms as an entity. Things that will change the course of the series.
I think of the brightest spots of the book is the connection that the team has. It’s showed time and time again. Also, Dan might have a crush …
In any LitRPG book you need fights. Big, nasty, gross fights and DD has no short of those type of things. The leveling system has capped off nicely and it seemed like Dan and the team were actually being tested. The fights have more on the line. Dan feels responsible for his friends and that makes him dangerous but vulnerable. It’s going to take a lot more than brute strength and temp’s rage to kill the deeper they go.
Overall, I think the book was phenomenal and showed alot of depth. The only thing I would like to see is more high stakes or something earth shattering happen. I thought at times in this book we were going to see it but it never came to fruition. Everything just seems to be advancing so fast and easy. I would like the team to get knocked back a bit. Give them a big challenge. But, that’s just might be me!
Book three of Discount Dan can be summarized in one word … Masterpiece *chefs kiss*
After reading the first two books I didn’t like it could get better. But, book three was indeed better, and not only was it better but it was deeper. One thing I always thought that the series lacked was some emotion depth but that went right out the window with this book. James Hunter went a lot deeper into the emotions of the characters and their whys and what happens when those why’s are put to the test. We got a lot of background information on characters. Things that we assumed but had not idea the gravity of. But, most importantly we got vital information about the researcher and what exactly is going on in the Backrooms as an entity. Things that will change the course of the series.
I think of the brightest spots of the book is the connection that the team has. It’s showed time and time again. Also, Dan might have a crush …
In any LitRPG book you need fights. Big, nasty, gross fights and DD has no short of those type of things. The leveling system has capped off nicely and it seemed like Dan and the team were actually being tested. The fights have more on the line. Dan feels responsible for his friends and that makes him dangerous but vulnerable. It’s going to take a lot more than brute strength and temp’s rage to kill the deeper they go.
Overall, I think the book was phenomenal and showed alot of depth. The only thing I would like to see is more high stakes or something earth shattering happen. I thought at times in this book we were going to see it but it never came to fruition. Everything just seems to be advancing so fast and easy. I would like the team to get knocked back a bit. Give them a big challenge. But, that’s just might be me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dan just wanted to run his kiosks the best he could, he loved upgrading his backroom bargains store, for the enjoyment of his ever growing clientele, however since day one of his noclipping Dan had sworn he would get even with the Flayed Monarch and his skinless court. In order to get to the Monarch Dan and his friends knew they had to first take out the Franchisor, the guy behind the network of kiosks, a mighty tyrant who'd started off with good intentions too, but had gone down the slippery slope of unfettered capitalism. The Franchisor was to be found on the 99th floor, however in order to get there Dan's team had to go through many other floors, and do battle with monsters like the snowmaw hag, uncle sam, krampus, the russian tyrant, the christmas themed village as well as the games arcade and the 10,000 acre wood. This book is chock full of adventures, with monsters who are getting ever bigger and more dangerous, and who are all out to kill Dan's team. I love that they got to meet Pooh, and that the poor little bear had finally found friends even though his heart was still intent on finding his boy Christopher Robin. I love the way Croc, Jakob, Temperance and Harper follow Dan's lead, and always watch each other's backs. Onward to the next adventure for which I am sure James will come up with more fantastical and imaginative backdrops and monsters for our reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In the third instalment of the backroom bargains series the author has reminded us, in the typical backrooms horrifying, gore filled, chaos fashion that at its core, it’s a human story. And it’s filled with all that comes from that, the good the bad and the promise of slides.
This book as cemented itself and the series as a character driven story that is more than just about survival. Even in the backrooms there’s more to life than surviving.
This book had me cackling, gasping, and almost brought me to tears. That last one is a claim few books can claim and no one is as surprised as I that this weird and wild book accomplished that researchers achievement.
Dan is Broken, battered, defeated, had his hopes shattered, earth rocked, drank endless amounts of beer, finally convinced croc to not make him watch new moon (which is definitively the lowest ranked twilight movie), danced, learned more about his friends, and learned what he’s willing to lose to win. All in all a fantastic book and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Croc and his totally normal human best friend Dan
This book as cemented itself and the series as a character driven story that is more than just about survival. Even in the backrooms there’s more to life than surviving.
This book had me cackling, gasping, and almost brought me to tears. That last one is a claim few books can claim and no one is as surprised as I that this weird and wild book accomplished that researchers achievement.
Dan is Broken, battered, defeated, had his hopes shattered, earth rocked, drank endless amounts of beer, finally convinced croc to not make him watch new moon (which is definitively the lowest ranked twilight movie), danced, learned more about his friends, and learned what he’s willing to lose to win. All in all a fantastic book and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Croc and his totally normal human best friend Dan
Review of advance copy received from Author
This has been the most wild, fever dream installment of Discount Dan yet. It's longer than the others have been, but the entire time has you just gripped for more. I've had dreams about the events in the book after reading it and woke up not sure if parts were from my own dreams or what I read.
Dan continues to expand the shop, he continues to progress down, continues to get stronger, meets new friends. He continues to have to fight against the absolute chaos that is the backrooms, and I'm here for all of it.
Thanks James for the early copy. It's been absolutely amazing, and extremely fun. When the next one comes out, I'm going to be right there ready to see what happens next.
Dan continues to expand the shop, he continues to progress down, continues to get stronger, meets new friends. He continues to have to fight against the absolute chaos that is the backrooms, and I'm here for all of it.
Thanks James for the early copy. It's been absolutely amazing, and extremely fun. When the next one comes out, I'm going to be right there ready to see what happens next.
March 6, 2026
Kiosk Kingdom truley lived up to the hype! I think this is my favorite of the 3 so far for the following reasons 1. Still inarguably inappropriately hilarious🤣 2. Great banter amongst the characters 3. ghastly stomach-wrenching Gore! 4. Exciting new characters 5. Major, new character, development and growth with new insights into their background pre-no clip 6. severe emotional damage (literally bawling when croc used lethal injection😭😭). Kiosk Kingdom had me feeling all the feels! This series keeps getting funnier, deeper and more epic. You need to read Kiosk Kingdom the second it releases! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💯🍺🍺
Read
February 10, 2026Fantastic book. Cannot put down Discount Dan when I start it, the pacing and humor were perfect. Just as funny as the first two. I laughed out loud more than once on an airplane while reading it. There was even a few tearful moments at the end w/ Mr Robin and Poo or when Croc prepared to sacrifice himself.
This is probably my favorite LitRPG series next to DCC. I will continue to recommend this series to others as well as other books from the author.
This is probably my favorite LitRPG series next to DCC. I will continue to recommend this series to others as well as other books from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Three is the Bees Knees!
This is the best entry yet for Discount Dan. I really enjoyed the new characters and the time they got to spend with each other outside of combat.
There were some many great lines and character growth throughout. Not to mention a few moments that tug on the heart strings.
This book brought a lot more depth to the series, and I'm loving it!
I can't wait for the next entry!
This is the best entry yet for Discount Dan. I really enjoyed the new characters and the time they got to spend with each other outside of combat.
There were some many great lines and character growth throughout. Not to mention a few moments that tug on the heart strings.
This book brought a lot more depth to the series, and I'm loving it!
I can't wait for the next entry!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC, and let me tell you... I DEVOURED IT!
The mayhem was impeccable, and the character arcs evolved at a fast pace.
There were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud and tearing up, as the author invites you to examine nostalgia through a lens of an insidious capitalistic nightmare. It was so relatable in the weirdest way. I could not put this book down, and I can't wait until book 4! This series is a must read!
The mayhem was impeccable, and the character arcs evolved at a fast pace.
There were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud and tearing up, as the author invites you to examine nostalgia through a lens of an insidious capitalistic nightmare. It was so relatable in the weirdest way. I could not put this book down, and I can't wait until book 4! This series is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you liked the first two books, you'll probably like this one. Dan makes new friends, gets a lot stronger, and faces a multitude of unique and terrifying enemies. The public domain is also abused quite thoroughly throughout this tome of mayhem and shenanigans. Overall a very fun read, looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews