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He Who Fights with Monsters #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
Jason wakes up in a mysterious world of magic and monsters.
It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it's hard to be good when all your powers are evil.
He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters...and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.
After cementing itself as one of the best-rated serial novels on Royal Road with an astonishing 13 million views, He Who Fights with Monsters is now available on Kindle.
About the series: Experience an isekai culture clash as a laid-back Australian finds himself in a very serious world. See him gain suspiciously evil powers through a unique progression system combining cultivation and traditional LitRPG elements. Enjoy a weak-to-strong story with a main character who earns his power without overshadowing everyone around him, with plenty of loot, adventurers, gods and magic. Rich characters and world-building offer humor, political intrigue and slice-of-life elements alongside lots of monster fighting and adventure.
It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it's hard to be good when all your powers are evil.
He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters...and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.
After cementing itself as one of the best-rated serial novels on Royal Road with an astonishing 13 million views, He Who Fights with Monsters is now available on Kindle.
About the series: Experience an isekai culture clash as a laid-back Australian finds himself in a very serious world. See him gain suspiciously evil powers through a unique progression system combining cultivation and traditional LitRPG elements. Enjoy a weak-to-strong story with a main character who earns his power without overshadowing everyone around him, with plenty of loot, adventurers, gods and magic. Rich characters and world-building offer humor, political intrigue and slice-of-life elements alongside lots of monster fighting and adventure.
680 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
8213 people are currently reading
24652 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,330 reviews
February 6, 2022
I'm going to stop this book at about 30% in. The issues I have with this book have finally reached the point where they overshadow the plot.
1. This book needs an editor. Badly. Dialogue tags were especially the absolute worst I've seen in a published work in a very long while. In paperback format, I might have glossed over it, but in audiobook, it was so obvious and glaring that it quickly killed any interest I had in dialogues.
2. The MC's background felt totally fanciful. Up to where I reached, it had yet to play any part in the narrative. This ties into a frustrating lack of backstory for the MC that just got too annoying to overlook. I don't like blank slate MCs; it's generally a ploy to hide their lack of consistency.
3. The MC's neverending snarkfest just got more than I could stand. I understand there are people like that, hiding their insecurities behind a stream of humour. But we do need time when the MC stops being a clown for a little while. This guy just never does. It's the kind of person I would avoid like the plague IRL. I see no reason to endure one in my entertainment, if they don't bring something else to the table. To make things worse, the author allow themselves to delve into social commentary in such blatant and repetitive ways that one cannot but groan. You have opinions, we get it! Jesus H Christ, enough already!!!
4. Once again, an MC is thrown into a new world, and we're just going along for the ride while they figure out what their story is about, bumbling from quest to quest. I'm not a fan. I'm not here for a Twitch stream, but for an actual story. I want stakes, goals, the classics. This aimless, stats-oriented narrative style that so many LitRPG authors go for is really a sad mistake in my opinion.
5. Once again, everybody and their grandmother bend over backwards to accommodate the MC, before he's even done anything to deserve it. While excusable in a "lost-in-the-game" kind of situation, it just becomes totally cringy in an Isekai because the new world is supposed to be "real", with real people going about their real lives, dealing with real issues that should come before the fancies of a self-involved passerby. Support characters that aid and abet MC entitlement for no reason just pull me right out of any story.
6. The level of exposition in this book was just through the roof. The author really needs to learn about "show don't tell", and stop using dialogue to do world-building.
All in all, a very disappointing experience.
I cannot recommend this.
1. This book needs an editor. Badly. Dialogue tags were especially the absolute worst I've seen in a published work in a very long while. In paperback format, I might have glossed over it, but in audiobook, it was so obvious and glaring that it quickly killed any interest I had in dialogues.
2. The MC's background felt totally fanciful. Up to where I reached, it had yet to play any part in the narrative. This ties into a frustrating lack of backstory for the MC that just got too annoying to overlook. I don't like blank slate MCs; it's generally a ploy to hide their lack of consistency.
3. The MC's neverending snarkfest just got more than I could stand. I understand there are people like that, hiding their insecurities behind a stream of humour. But we do need time when the MC stops being a clown for a little while. This guy just never does. It's the kind of person I would avoid like the plague IRL. I see no reason to endure one in my entertainment, if they don't bring something else to the table. To make things worse, the author allow themselves to delve into social commentary in such blatant and repetitive ways that one cannot but groan. You have opinions, we get it! Jesus H Christ, enough already!!!
4. Once again, an MC is thrown into a new world, and we're just going along for the ride while they figure out what their story is about, bumbling from quest to quest. I'm not a fan. I'm not here for a Twitch stream, but for an actual story. I want stakes, goals, the classics. This aimless, stats-oriented narrative style that so many LitRPG authors go for is really a sad mistake in my opinion.
5. Once again, everybody and their grandmother bend over backwards to accommodate the MC, before he's even done anything to deserve it. While excusable in a "lost-in-the-game" kind of situation, it just becomes totally cringy in an Isekai because the new world is supposed to be "real", with real people going about their real lives, dealing with real issues that should come before the fancies of a self-involved passerby. Support characters that aid and abet MC entitlement for no reason just pull me right out of any story.
6. The level of exposition in this book was just through the roof. The author really needs to learn about "show don't tell", and stop using dialogue to do world-building.
All in all, a very disappointing experience.
I cannot recommend this.
July 12, 2024
If you hate all religions this book is for you.
First, if you are a liberal atheist who believes that all people who believe in any religion are stupid--then you are likely gonna love this book because that exactly what the main character believes--and through the power of fantasy he is proven right over and over! If not, then you may like the book, but will probably get sick of the author beating you about the head and neck with their personal world views.
The book itself is a wet dream for anyone who believes that all rich people and religion are evil and socialism and atheism can and will fix all inequality in any world. If you could delete all of the MC's conveniently set up strawman arguments where he is repeatedly proven "right", about a third of the book would disappear.
Regardless of your personal beliefs, I found the MC arrogant, unlikable, and unbelievable. The decisions and comments he made should have gotten him killed 20x over, but miraculously they just made everyone around him fall in love with him, and his enemies respectfully go along with him. The MC is extremely manipulative and is a firm believer in the adage "the ends justifies the means". He justifies his actions because he doesn't want to "abdicate" moral responsibility to others, but all he is really doing is saying he's the supreme authority on right and wrong, and he has the right to force those opinions on others by any means necessary. He condemns others for doing the right thing if the result (something they do not control) ends up causing more harm in the end (subjectively determined by him after the fact). But when faced with similar repercussions due to his own actions, he never condemns himself.
Meh. If you like reading supremely arrogant condemnation of other peoples deeply held beliefs, with a fantasy story that writes itself so as to support the authors abrasive bigotry as just and well founded, this book is for you.
I held off reading this for a long time due to other negative reviews I read, but i broke down and tried it when I ran out of things to read--i wish I had gone with my gut and skipped this one. If you made it this far into this review it's probably not to late for you.
First, if you are a liberal atheist who believes that all people who believe in any religion are stupid--then you are likely gonna love this book because that exactly what the main character believes--and through the power of fantasy he is proven right over and over! If not, then you may like the book, but will probably get sick of the author beating you about the head and neck with their personal world views.
The book itself is a wet dream for anyone who believes that all rich people and religion are evil and socialism and atheism can and will fix all inequality in any world. If you could delete all of the MC's conveniently set up strawman arguments where he is repeatedly proven "right", about a third of the book would disappear.
Regardless of your personal beliefs, I found the MC arrogant, unlikable, and unbelievable. The decisions and comments he made should have gotten him killed 20x over, but miraculously they just made everyone around him fall in love with him, and his enemies respectfully go along with him. The MC is extremely manipulative and is a firm believer in the adage "the ends justifies the means". He justifies his actions because he doesn't want to "abdicate" moral responsibility to others, but all he is really doing is saying he's the supreme authority on right and wrong, and he has the right to force those opinions on others by any means necessary. He condemns others for doing the right thing if the result (something they do not control) ends up causing more harm in the end (subjectively determined by him after the fact). But when faced with similar repercussions due to his own actions, he never condemns himself.
Meh. If you like reading supremely arrogant condemnation of other peoples deeply held beliefs, with a fantasy story that writes itself so as to support the authors abrasive bigotry as just and well founded, this book is for you.
I held off reading this for a long time due to other negative reviews I read, but i broke down and tried it when I ran out of things to read--i wish I had gone with my gut and skipped this one. If you made it this far into this review it's probably not to late for you.
March 12, 2021
OUTSTANDING!!!
I don’t say that lightly. That was an amazing read.
I laughed out loud more than once.
Cultivation adjacent, but definitely more towards the LitRPG side. Not very crunchy, but a very interesting skill tree setup.
The was originally written as a serial and it does show occasionally in repeated descriptions between chapters. Still easily worth reading.
A few minor typos. Given the sheer size of the novel, it’s hardly worth noting.
Worth every penny and then some. This is what LitRPG should be.
I don’t say that lightly. That was an amazing read.
I laughed out loud more than once.
Cultivation adjacent, but definitely more towards the LitRPG side. Not very crunchy, but a very interesting skill tree setup.
The was originally written as a serial and it does show occasionally in repeated descriptions between chapters. Still easily worth reading.
A few minor typos. Given the sheer size of the novel, it’s hardly worth noting.
Worth every penny and then some. This is what LitRPG should be.
July 13, 2021
The story is inconsistent and the protagonist is a cocky piece of shit who tries spreading his earth values and political opinions any chance he gets.
The story wasn't too bad until the MC just started talking shit about the local fantasy society without understanding anything about it. Then the fantasy world bends over backwards to let the MC get away with being a mouthy piece of shit and nobody kills him over it (despite being told that people would kill him if he kept going on) and to top it all off the literal existing gods show up and kiss his ass too.
Lots of good ideas with a terrible execution.
The story wasn't too bad until the MC just started talking shit about the local fantasy society without understanding anything about it. Then the fantasy world bends over backwards to let the MC get away with being a mouthy piece of shit and nobody kills him over it (despite being told that people would kill him if he kept going on) and to top it all off the literal existing gods show up and kiss his ass too.
Lots of good ideas with a terrible execution.
April 29, 2023
You got me, 30% till the end of the book i was already leaning towards not continuing the series, i wanted more missions, and that's what happened, major missions that were exciting and slick and dangerous.
The Tease part about a quest somewhere where only iron ranks can delve, and where rare items reside, and a rare item that a gold ranker is searching for resides, and the fact that the gold ranker is going to bestow gifts on the one who finishes the quest, really convinced me of giving part 2 a try later on, this year.
The Politics are turning me off, but don't mind me you are on the right track.
The Writer really worked good on creating his world, and the social structures of that world, the different societies of adventures and magicians, and the rules that bind them, the skills system and the progression system are super unique and amusing for me to no end.
The Loot and Quest systems are great, with interesting variety of rewards, my issue being!
there was not enough Loot or Quests, for 70% of the novel at the very least.
Also the writer is leaning more towards, revealing what an item does if we ever use it, so we learn only about skills most of the time when they are first used, and same for items, if you find an item you can't use, you will never learn what it is capable of, do we at least get told how much the item sold for or was exchanged for? still no.
Like i said it's less crunchy, less details, the money system is of no consequence, since you don't really know how much money Jason is making, so pretty much he can spend money at will, buy anything he wants, give away whatever he wants, because we have no idea how rich he is.
The Deity system was amusing, their being present and deciding to meddle in the affairs of men when their clergy gets too corrupt is great, their different personalities are amusing.
But the Religion talk is turning me off, And i am saying this as an atheist too, Jason the protagonist is an atheist, but honestly, i tend to lean towards the idea that people would be reading LITRPG to take it easy, and enjoy themselves, away from all the complications of reality, having your protagonist as a vocal outspoken atheist, can drive a lot of sensitive religious people away, it's well documented how many Sensitive religious people i have triggered who went into full sinister mode, blocking me unfriending me, or playing games to make me look bad to reach their end goal of isolating me and getting rid of me, but i can afford that, i am an individual, i am not a merchant i am not a singer, i am not an actor, i am not a writer, i am not in a popularity contest, i am not even interested in making friends or making lovers.
But As a writer, you are pretty much in a popularity contest, and being in a limited medium like LITRPG, that is pretty much divided into Non-erotic and Erotic LITRPG, you are pretty much selling your book to only one side of this small community, now you bring religion into the conversation, you are dividing the half that you were addressing, into another two halves, so you end up with quarter the audience.
The nobility structure system and its corruption and the brats that are so fucking entitled its making everyone sick, was also a turn off, Fuck Nobility its almost deceased in the real world, if you just passed by the topic, i would be okay.. cool, but it was a major part of Jason's conversations, way more than religion which was trivial and inconsequential for me, but i have already browsed other reviews and saw that there was people who are annoyed by it already.
The book has 8 parts out, so any advice i give is of no consequence, plus this is only my second ever LITRPG, after solo leveling, i know what i am looking for, and what led me to read LITRPG in the first place, if i don't find it here, i just need to look elsewhere, but i ll be back to read part 2.
The Tease part about a quest somewhere where only iron ranks can delve, and where rare items reside, and a rare item that a gold ranker is searching for resides, and the fact that the gold ranker is going to bestow gifts on the one who finishes the quest, really convinced me of giving part 2 a try later on, this year.
The Politics are turning me off, but don't mind me you are on the right track.
The Writer really worked good on creating his world, and the social structures of that world, the different societies of adventures and magicians, and the rules that bind them, the skills system and the progression system are super unique and amusing for me to no end.
The Loot and Quest systems are great, with interesting variety of rewards, my issue being!
there was not enough Loot or Quests, for 70% of the novel at the very least.
Also the writer is leaning more towards, revealing what an item does if we ever use it, so we learn only about skills most of the time when they are first used, and same for items, if you find an item you can't use, you will never learn what it is capable of, do we at least get told how much the item sold for or was exchanged for? still no.
Like i said it's less crunchy, less details, the money system is of no consequence, since you don't really know how much money Jason is making, so pretty much he can spend money at will, buy anything he wants, give away whatever he wants, because we have no idea how rich he is.
The Deity system was amusing, their being present and deciding to meddle in the affairs of men when their clergy gets too corrupt is great, their different personalities are amusing.
But the Religion talk is turning me off, And i am saying this as an atheist too, Jason the protagonist is an atheist, but honestly, i tend to lean towards the idea that people would be reading LITRPG to take it easy, and enjoy themselves, away from all the complications of reality, having your protagonist as a vocal outspoken atheist, can drive a lot of sensitive religious people away, it's well documented how many Sensitive religious people i have triggered who went into full sinister mode, blocking me unfriending me, or playing games to make me look bad to reach their end goal of isolating me and getting rid of me, but i can afford that, i am an individual, i am not a merchant i am not a singer, i am not an actor, i am not a writer, i am not in a popularity contest, i am not even interested in making friends or making lovers.
But As a writer, you are pretty much in a popularity contest, and being in a limited medium like LITRPG, that is pretty much divided into Non-erotic and Erotic LITRPG, you are pretty much selling your book to only one side of this small community, now you bring religion into the conversation, you are dividing the half that you were addressing, into another two halves, so you end up with quarter the audience.
The nobility structure system and its corruption and the brats that are so fucking entitled its making everyone sick, was also a turn off, Fuck Nobility its almost deceased in the real world, if you just passed by the topic, i would be okay.. cool, but it was a major part of Jason's conversations, way more than religion which was trivial and inconsequential for me, but i have already browsed other reviews and saw that there was people who are annoyed by it already.
The book has 8 parts out, so any advice i give is of no consequence, plus this is only my second ever LITRPG, after solo leveling, i know what i am looking for, and what led me to read LITRPG in the first place, if i don't find it here, i just need to look elsewhere, but i ll be back to read part 2.
March 22, 2021
This book kept me up all hours of the night to finish it. I've never read anything by Shirtaloon, but this was a winner for me.
This is a portal LitRPG fantasy adventure, with Jason dropped naked into a blood cult's hedge maze. While I'm guessing Shirtaloon is Aussie, the book comes across more like a Russian novel. Jason constantly gets in trouble, and then gets back out of trouble somehow.
About the 50% mark, the book changes focus to more political aspects including the crime lords and the corrupt head of the magic society. I don't think it's bad, but it does take away from Jason's development from iron rank into bronze.
The notifications and LitRPG system are simple but well developed, and use percentages more than actual numbers. The spells and magic are slightly different than usual, focusing more on recovery and stamina than mana or something else.
This is a large book, and the story careens around in a lot of different directions. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to book 2.
5/5*
This is a portal LitRPG fantasy adventure, with Jason dropped naked into a blood cult's hedge maze. While I'm guessing Shirtaloon is Aussie, the book comes across more like a Russian novel. Jason constantly gets in trouble, and then gets back out of trouble somehow.
About the 50% mark, the book changes focus to more political aspects including the crime lords and the corrupt head of the magic society. I don't think it's bad, but it does take away from Jason's development from iron rank into bronze.
The notifications and LitRPG system are simple but well developed, and use percentages more than actual numbers. The spells and magic are slightly different than usual, focusing more on recovery and stamina than mana or something else.
This is a large book, and the story careens around in a lot of different directions. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to book 2.
5/5*
April 24, 2021
Hmm
I started by liking it, but the story, plot and main protagonist made it very difficult to continue to do so.
The story jumps everywhere, anywhere and in between those where's.
There are many plots, but none of them are very good.
The author also makes sure to insult many real world groups, beliefs, and political systems. In some attempt at being morally superior, and in doing so shows how narrow minded and ridiculous his assumptions are. Socialism, for which the author touts, which always invariably turns to communism, never suppresses, murders, rapes, tortures and "re-educates" it's own populous to the point of death, no never....
As for the main character, he is an interesting individual. His actions made me like him, but they also made me realize his persona is a mirage of different mental states that the author thought would make the perfect person. Which, does not work. At all. Ever.
I started by liking it, but the story, plot and main protagonist made it very difficult to continue to do so.
The story jumps everywhere, anywhere and in between those where's.
There are many plots, but none of them are very good.
The author also makes sure to insult many real world groups, beliefs, and political systems. In some attempt at being morally superior, and in doing so shows how narrow minded and ridiculous his assumptions are. Socialism, for which the author touts, which always invariably turns to communism, never suppresses, murders, rapes, tortures and "re-educates" it's own populous to the point of death, no never....
As for the main character, he is an interesting individual. His actions made me like him, but they also made me realize his persona is a mirage of different mental states that the author thought would make the perfect person. Which, does not work. At all. Ever.
April 18, 2021
After reading up to Chapter 357 I feel the dire need to edit this review.
The Amazon book version covers the first 113 chapter of this story, and up until that point it's rather entertaining, though not without it's shortcomings. The premise is great and the beginning of the book is rather delightful, with an interesting world, a nice take on the game system trope with cultivation as a base motif. The main character, Jason, starts out rather nice, with a believable reaction to waking up in a new, alien world. His attitude leaves something to be desired, but he's amicable and likeable. Even funny at times.
Sadly, Jason as a character is also the greatest weakness of the story. He's cocky, with an overinflated ego, and a tendency to babble other's into submission. He often either engages in long winded monologues about politics and ethics, leaving little room for opinions other than his own, or continually spits out dated pop culture references and straight up nonsense.
What starts out as tolerable and marginally funny, turns into something boring and eventually irritating. What is most frustrating about this, for me at least, is that Jason is rather self reflective and self aware. We are constantly bombarded with inner monologues about how he knows about his shortcomings and how he wants to do and be better (which the story claims he does, when it's not coming up with excuses as to why he can't), only to have him behave like a little cunt, or a toddler throwing a tantrum because it's for once not about him. There's one instance where a close friend suffers trauma and his attempt at helping ends up with him whining about how bad he has it himself.
There's also the problem of character creep. While at first there is a multitude of side characters with much potential, eventually everyone turns into Jason, talking in the exact same manner, about the exact same things. That results in entire paragraphs of people talking about old TV shows at wholly inappropriate times, or 12 year-olds talking heavy politics. Also a lot of people talking about how great Jason is, something we don't often see.
As with many stories where our chosen hero come to a new world and has to start from zero, power-wise, the small amount of effort it takes said hero makes little sense. People are divided into 5 ranks, starting from iron, over bronze, silver and gold, all the way up to diamond. Each rank comes with increased physical power, health, beauty and longlivety. It's said that gold is rather hard to achieve, with those rare individuals making up the uppermost crust of society, with diamond being almost unheard of. Lacking consistency of course those people start showing up more frequently as the story progresses, and we later find out that apparently getting to silver only takes about 4 years, at which point people live well over a century at peak condition. It makes little sense to my why not more people reach gold or even diamond with how it's described. And of course Jason rushes through ranks at record time.
Throughout almost all of the 357 chapter i read, I kept hoping either for a more engaging villain to spice up the story arc, or an arc without explicit villains. A chance for us to see more of the world, for Jason to undergo some much needed character growth, for the side characters to develop and shine, or at least some preparation time for threats to come, without immediate danger setting a narrow time frame.
I have to say I'm sorely disappointed. While I stand by the original 4 stars for the first quarter of the story, aka this book, I'd only give a generous 2 for the entire work. My advice would be to read book one and never look back.
The final point that irked me was the villain department (Spoilers ahead). We have the obligatory self absorbed, stupid, rich boy, obsessed with the main character for no obvious reason. Cliche evil, with a rapey vibe to consolidate the fact. The step up from that is high ranking, equally rapey crime lords and government officials (that are also corrupt). Next we have religious Nazis, from which we neatly transition to evil gods and super gods with unlimited power, followed by secret societies. The villains tend to be comically evil, largely overblown, and in the end surprisingly easy to defeat.
The Amazon book version covers the first 113 chapter of this story, and up until that point it's rather entertaining, though not without it's shortcomings. The premise is great and the beginning of the book is rather delightful, with an interesting world, a nice take on the game system trope with cultivation as a base motif. The main character, Jason, starts out rather nice, with a believable reaction to waking up in a new, alien world. His attitude leaves something to be desired, but he's amicable and likeable. Even funny at times.
Sadly, Jason as a character is also the greatest weakness of the story. He's cocky, with an overinflated ego, and a tendency to babble other's into submission. He often either engages in long winded monologues about politics and ethics, leaving little room for opinions other than his own, or continually spits out dated pop culture references and straight up nonsense.
What starts out as tolerable and marginally funny, turns into something boring and eventually irritating. What is most frustrating about this, for me at least, is that Jason is rather self reflective and self aware. We are constantly bombarded with inner monologues about how he knows about his shortcomings and how he wants to do and be better (which the story claims he does, when it's not coming up with excuses as to why he can't), only to have him behave like a little cunt, or a toddler throwing a tantrum because it's for once not about him. There's one instance where a close friend suffers trauma and his attempt at helping ends up with him whining about how bad he has it himself.
There's also the problem of character creep. While at first there is a multitude of side characters with much potential, eventually everyone turns into Jason, talking in the exact same manner, about the exact same things. That results in entire paragraphs of people talking about old TV shows at wholly inappropriate times, or 12 year-olds talking heavy politics. Also a lot of people talking about how great Jason is, something we don't often see.
As with many stories where our chosen hero come to a new world and has to start from zero, power-wise, the small amount of effort it takes said hero makes little sense. People are divided into 5 ranks, starting from iron, over bronze, silver and gold, all the way up to diamond. Each rank comes with increased physical power, health, beauty and longlivety. It's said that gold is rather hard to achieve, with those rare individuals making up the uppermost crust of society, with diamond being almost unheard of. Lacking consistency of course those people start showing up more frequently as the story progresses, and we later find out that apparently getting to silver only takes about 4 years, at which point people live well over a century at peak condition. It makes little sense to my why not more people reach gold or even diamond with how it's described. And of course Jason rushes through ranks at record time.
Throughout almost all of the 357 chapter i read, I kept hoping either for a more engaging villain to spice up the story arc, or an arc without explicit villains. A chance for us to see more of the world, for Jason to undergo some much needed character growth, for the side characters to develop and shine, or at least some preparation time for threats to come, without immediate danger setting a narrow time frame.
I have to say I'm sorely disappointed. While I stand by the original 4 stars for the first quarter of the story, aka this book, I'd only give a generous 2 for the entire work. My advice would be to read book one and never look back.
The final point that irked me was the villain department (Spoilers ahead). We have the obligatory self absorbed, stupid, rich boy, obsessed with the main character for no obvious reason. Cliche evil, with a rapey vibe to consolidate the fact. The step up from that is high ranking, equally rapey crime lords and government officials (that are also corrupt). Next we have religious Nazis, from which we neatly transition to evil gods and super gods with unlimited power, followed by secret societies. The villains tend to be comically evil, largely overblown, and in the end surprisingly easy to defeat.
April 28, 2021
5 I Want To Try Baking Into A Pie Stars
He Who Fights with Monsters is the first book in the LitRPG Adventure series by Shirlatoon.
I was honestly just craving some LitRPG goodness in my life, and thought to take a chance when this book popped up on my suggestions feed. I’m so beyond glad I did. This book starts off firing us into dangerous hair-brained situations, rife with death-defying stunts and crazy new magical abilities and instances. (I mean cannibals, really?)
Jason is such a every-man name for the one mysteriously and randomly plucked from reality, divested of all his hair, and deposited onto a whole new world. (In a whole new universe??) Jason turns into this slightly scary, probably (extremely) dangerous, political genius, who’s very good at people. (I meant what I said.) His powers are all evil and despairing-sounding. That he laughs kind of maniacally on occasion shouldn’t be, by any stretch, truly surprising. Like somehow licking into an apocalypse summon made of leeches and called a horror wasn’t a good indicator that he might be a mite eccentric.
Having a few (four?) gods/goddesses pop up occasionally was widely intriguing. I loved how varying their personalities and fields were. I mean dominion? Like—> Please chill.
So many interesting secondary characters. The trio from the beginning: Rufus; sword master, man on means, kind of big deal apparently, carries the world on his shoulders, needs to learn to relax. Gary; leonid (see: lion man), has a summon that ridiculously destructive, strong, oh and did I mention STRONG?! Farrah; throws lava like it’s candy, part of magic society, would’ve liked to study Jason as her specimen, crazy about taking magic theory seriously, is somehow both amazingly smart, and ridiculously beautiful, but also crazy freaking powerful, strong, and deadly. (Also has stupidly destructive summons).
Then there’s Jory, who is an all around decent guy. Runs a apothecary/clinic for the poor to get some healing (since the church of Healer is apparently stingy). Protects his friends almost to the degree that Jason does.
Oooooh! And Clive who’s a lot like Farrah in the Magic scholar aspect. Has a freaking ridiculously amazing HUGE runic tortoise. That may, or many not, be my spirit animal. Just saying.
And all of that without even getting into the many monsters, cray little hedgehogs, giant spiders (duh), so many different and progressively weirder types of trolls, these freaky little creepy trap weaver things. No thank you to all of it. But they’re all amazing to read about. I absolutely ADORE the world building. It is entirely too addictive. Give me more now, I need my fix. And yet still you have to consider the increasingly hectic and out there adventures or rather dangerous killing/capturing missions Jason and co. set out to take on throughout this book. All while navigating the undercurrents of political machinations constantly weaving an uncertain web of constraint. Which I have no idea how Jason is so incredibly (incredulously) good at both mastering this arena while still upsetting and inviting the ire of so many. (Perhaps those go hand in hand.)
I so wish the second book was already out so I could devour it in a day. I need it.
He Who Fights with Monsters is the first book in the LitRPG Adventure series by Shirlatoon.
I was honestly just craving some LitRPG goodness in my life, and thought to take a chance when this book popped up on my suggestions feed. I’m so beyond glad I did. This book starts off firing us into dangerous hair-brained situations, rife with death-defying stunts and crazy new magical abilities and instances. (I mean cannibals, really?)
Jason is such a every-man name for the one mysteriously and randomly plucked from reality, divested of all his hair, and deposited onto a whole new world. (In a whole new universe??) Jason turns into this slightly scary, probably (extremely) dangerous, political genius, who’s very good at people. (I meant what I said.) His powers are all evil and despairing-sounding. That he laughs kind of maniacally on occasion shouldn’t be, by any stretch, truly surprising. Like somehow licking into an apocalypse summon made of leeches and called a horror wasn’t a good indicator that he might be a mite eccentric.
Having a few (four?) gods/goddesses pop up occasionally was widely intriguing. I loved how varying their personalities and fields were. I mean dominion? Like—> Please chill.
So many interesting secondary characters. The trio from the beginning: Rufus; sword master, man on means, kind of big deal apparently, carries the world on his shoulders, needs to learn to relax. Gary; leonid (see: lion man), has a summon that ridiculously destructive, strong, oh and did I mention STRONG?! Farrah; throws lava like it’s candy, part of magic society, would’ve liked to study Jason as her specimen, crazy about taking magic theory seriously, is somehow both amazingly smart, and ridiculously beautiful, but also crazy freaking powerful, strong, and deadly. (Also has stupidly destructive summons).
Then there’s Jory, who is an all around decent guy. Runs a apothecary/clinic for the poor to get some healing (since the church of Healer is apparently stingy). Protects his friends almost to the degree that Jason does.
Oooooh! And Clive who’s a lot like Farrah in the Magic scholar aspect. Has a freaking ridiculously amazing HUGE runic tortoise. That may, or many not, be my spirit animal. Just saying.
And all of that without even getting into the many monsters, cray little hedgehogs, giant spiders (duh), so many different and progressively weirder types of trolls, these freaky little creepy trap weaver things. No thank you to all of it. But they’re all amazing to read about. I absolutely ADORE the world building. It is entirely too addictive. Give me more now, I need my fix. And yet still you have to consider the increasingly hectic and out there adventures or rather dangerous killing/capturing missions Jason and co. set out to take on throughout this book. All while navigating the undercurrents of political machinations constantly weaving an uncertain web of constraint. Which I have no idea how Jason is so incredibly (incredulously) good at both mastering this arena while still upsetting and inviting the ire of so many. (Perhaps those go hand in hand.)
I so wish the second book was already out so I could devour it in a day. I need it.
April 2, 2021
Stuff just happens
This is not really a book, it's a series of events. The main character is teleported to a fantasy world with game like powers in a cultivation-like system. The MC Jason is obnoxious and overbearing. He drones on saying nothing, and is constantly butting into people's business and making a mess of things. He makes friends with adventurers who, for no good reason, support him and his wackiness through this story. There is no plot, there is no structure, stuff just happens. Usually for stories like these, the plot is get back to your world. However, the MC has no agency, and just goes with the flow. It makes for a very droll read. The author soon realizes he needs something to happen, and throws in a random invasion arc at the end that has absolutely no setup or payoff. You wanna see the MC get stronger, but the progress is agonizingly slow and not worth the read. Don't waste your time, it's very precious.
This is not really a book, it's a series of events. The main character is teleported to a fantasy world with game like powers in a cultivation-like system. The MC Jason is obnoxious and overbearing. He drones on saying nothing, and is constantly butting into people's business and making a mess of things. He makes friends with adventurers who, for no good reason, support him and his wackiness through this story. There is no plot, there is no structure, stuff just happens. Usually for stories like these, the plot is get back to your world. However, the MC has no agency, and just goes with the flow. It makes for a very droll read. The author soon realizes he needs something to happen, and throws in a random invasion arc at the end that has absolutely no setup or payoff. You wanna see the MC get stronger, but the progress is agonizingly slow and not worth the read. Don't waste your time, it's very precious.
April 27, 2021
Like going on a scenic ride and being stuck next to a smug moron who won't stop talking.
May 13, 2021
It was an effort to get past the first few chapters. I abandoned it a few hours in.
Might as well go and play an RPG and read the quest dialog. The characters have about as much life to them as the NPCs who tell you to 'gather 10 wolf pelts' outside Goldshire.
Far too much exposition in the dialog and internal monologue.
Leans heavily on LitRPG elements.
I truly don't understand how anyone can give this 5 stars unless paid to do so.
Might as well go and play an RPG and read the quest dialog. The characters have about as much life to them as the NPCs who tell you to 'gather 10 wolf pelts' outside Goldshire.
Far too much exposition in the dialog and internal monologue.
Leans heavily on LitRPG elements.
I truly don't understand how anyone can give this 5 stars unless paid to do so.
July 8, 2024
I finally get the appeal of litRPG. Or at least I see the appeal of this particular popular series; the median quality of the full range of litRPG is probably still damning.
The good news is that despite its unending series status, still going at something like 900 chapters now at a rate of three per week as long as the Patreon bucks continue to pour in or until the author collapses in an exhausted heap, this volume managed to present a sufficiently complete story and character arc that I give it props as a distinct entity. I'm too old and previously uninitiated to be the core audience for webnovels and it's unlikely I would ever catch up on this series's current publication schedule, but I just might try another collected volume or two some day.
All the positives from my half-way review below stand. Good on you, Shirtaloon!
*************
I'm half-way through this book, and it's not clear that I need to keep reading. Not for any negative reason; it's very good! The writing is crisp and clever. Each chapter is a delightful bite-size chunk. I enjoy the positivity of the main character and his allies. It's enjoyable and doesn't overuse the stats aspect of litRPG. (At this point, the main character hasn't advanced his abilities in some time; he's simply continuing to improve how he applies them.)
But since this wasn't written as a book, I'm not sure what the point is in continuing to read this as a single volume. There are long-term story seeds planted, but I have no expectation that by page 670 I'll see the end of a traceable story arc. As an ongoing online publication with no end in sight, it's likely that the bound book editions are somewhat arbitrarily split. Maybe the author had long-form distinctive arcs in mind from the beginning; I'll only know if I keep reading, but as much as I am genuinely enjoying it I doubt I'll continue past this first of ten (so far) volumes.
There's certainly appeal in "more of the same" and I can see myself coming back to this whenever I feel like an upbeat reading experience, but at this point it feels safe to assume that the next half of volume 1 will be much the same experience as the first. I love this Australian common man casually challenging the established poser structures of aristocracy, religion, and phonies, making friends and food, and sticking it to monsters with his sin-and-doom-based powers, but at this point I get the schtick. There is probably good story ahead so I'm not shelving it quite yet, but my Kindle Unlimited free trial only lasts so long.
UPDATE 15 MINUTES LATER: I'm reading more of it. It's just so easy and enjoyable. I just read a chapter where the MC buys a new robe, and it's as fun as if he's slaying monsters.
I do have two global issues with the series: first, Shirtaloon. Should I trust a book by someone named Shirtaloon? Am I at a rave? But dude added his real name too so I don't feel as badly aged out of my element. Second, the title: He Who Fights with Monsters.It should be He Who Fights Monsters. Because is he using monsters, as a weapon? Actually yes, in part, but I'm sure that's not what was meant by the title. Cut out the ambiguity. If I have a bandolier stuffed with demon razor chickens that I throw at my enemies, I am fighting with monsters. Okay fine, so it's a Nietzsche quote. That's how cultured I am. It makes total sense and fits the series perfectly in the context of the full quote.
The good news is that despite its unending series status, still going at something like 900 chapters now at a rate of three per week as long as the Patreon bucks continue to pour in or until the author collapses in an exhausted heap, this volume managed to present a sufficiently complete story and character arc that I give it props as a distinct entity. I'm too old and previously uninitiated to be the core audience for webnovels and it's unlikely I would ever catch up on this series's current publication schedule, but I just might try another collected volume or two some day.
All the positives from my half-way review below stand. Good on you, Shirtaloon!
*************
I'm half-way through this book, and it's not clear that I need to keep reading. Not for any negative reason; it's very good! The writing is crisp and clever. Each chapter is a delightful bite-size chunk. I enjoy the positivity of the main character and his allies. It's enjoyable and doesn't overuse the stats aspect of litRPG. (At this point, the main character hasn't advanced his abilities in some time; he's simply continuing to improve how he applies them.)
But since this wasn't written as a book, I'm not sure what the point is in continuing to read this as a single volume. There are long-term story seeds planted, but I have no expectation that by page 670 I'll see the end of a traceable story arc. As an ongoing online publication with no end in sight, it's likely that the bound book editions are somewhat arbitrarily split. Maybe the author had long-form distinctive arcs in mind from the beginning; I'll only know if I keep reading, but as much as I am genuinely enjoying it I doubt I'll continue past this first of ten (so far) volumes.
There's certainly appeal in "more of the same" and I can see myself coming back to this whenever I feel like an upbeat reading experience, but at this point it feels safe to assume that the next half of volume 1 will be much the same experience as the first. I love this Australian common man casually challenging the established poser structures of aristocracy, religion, and phonies, making friends and food, and sticking it to monsters with his sin-and-doom-based powers, but at this point I get the schtick. There is probably good story ahead so I'm not shelving it quite yet, but my Kindle Unlimited free trial only lasts so long.
UPDATE 15 MINUTES LATER: I'm reading more of it. It's just so easy and enjoyable. I just read a chapter where the MC buys a new robe, and it's as fun as if he's slaying monsters.
I do have two global issues with the series: first, Shirtaloon. Should I trust a book by someone named Shirtaloon? Am I at a rave? But dude added his real name too so I don't feel as badly aged out of my element. Second, the title: He Who Fights with Monsters.
April 18, 2022
Rating 4.5 stars
This was a very good addition to the genre. The transported to another world and now I have game mechanic interface with magic and monsters everywhere in case you were wondering. The Main character is the best part. He is of Japanese decent but his mother was from Australia and that is where he spent his whole life. He waked up naked, without any hair on his body and doesn't know what is happening. He started getting messages in his vision giving him quests. He gets a crash course on this world and almost dies multiple times. After all the action, he hooks up with a group of adventurers who take him under their wing and train him to be an adventurer as well. His style of fighting/magic component isn't one I would have picked for myself. It is kind of dark and at least a couple of times he is asked if he is evil. I can't blame him though, he was in a tough spot and took what was available to him at the time. The MC was the best because of his personality. He is the wise cracking outworlder who says crazy things but there is a genius behind what he does. He is not just being goofy, he is putting people off balance and using that against them. I am very looking forward to the next addition to the series.
This was a very good addition to the genre. The transported to another world and now I have game mechanic interface with magic and monsters everywhere in case you were wondering. The Main character is the best part. He is of Japanese decent but his mother was from Australia and that is where he spent his whole life. He waked up naked, without any hair on his body and doesn't know what is happening. He started getting messages in his vision giving him quests. He gets a crash course on this world and almost dies multiple times. After all the action, he hooks up with a group of adventurers who take him under their wing and train him to be an adventurer as well. His style of fighting/magic component isn't one I would have picked for myself. It is kind of dark and at least a couple of times he is asked if he is evil. I can't blame him though, he was in a tough spot and took what was available to him at the time. The MC was the best because of his personality. He is the wise cracking outworlder who says crazy things but there is a genius behind what he does. He is not just being goofy, he is putting people off balance and using that against them. I am very looking forward to the next addition to the series.
May 25, 2021
Honestly unreadable after the first 10 chapters finished it tho. Mc was annoying asf honestly he was by the end an arrogant, overpowered and pretentious arse.
October 11, 2022
THIS BOOK IS NOT D&D
I've been talking about this book a lot lately. This is how all my conversations go:
Me: "So I read He who Fights with Monsters recently. It's in a genre I'd never read before called LitRPG."
Curious Conversationalist: "What's that? D&D?"
Me:"No. It's where the characters journey through an RPG-like world, leveling up and collecting items and powers."
CC: "So it's D&D?"
Me:"No, it's a novel. But when Jason Asano, the main character, finds an item or power all its stats come up on the page, and it's explained how it fits into the broader world system."
CC:"Right, right. Sorry, all its stats? Like in a game?"
Me: "Yeah, that's right. The writer, Shirtaloon, must have worked out a massively comprehensive stats, leveling and magic system."
CC: "Doesn't that wreck the flow of the story?"
Me: "You know... no. It doesn't. It's weird at first, when a poison knife is described like you're reading the inventory screen of video game, but after a while you come to kind of like it."
CC: "You enjoy reading the underlying game mechanic stats of a poisoned knife?."
Me: "Yea.. look, there's more to it than that. Shirtaloon knows how to tell a story. His main character is pretty compelling - and he's an Aussie in a fantasy world which is pretty cool."
CC: "An Aussie in a fantasy?" (reaches into trouser pocket) "That's not a wand! THIS is a wand!"
Me:"Jesus man, put that thing away! Anyway, it's a good read. I chopped through the 700+ pages in a few days, and I'm keen to read the next one."
CC: "There's a sequel?"
Me: "Yep, and a sequel to that, and a sequel beyond that... there are nine books total, so far. They are massively popular too."
CC: "So it's an ongoing fantasy property with an underlying stats and magic system that drives the narrative?"
Me:"Yep. It's kind of a whole new genre, an innovative fusing of games and novels."
CC: "It sounds a lot like D&D."
(Sounds of yelling and violence ensue, including a scream of "Not the wand! Not the wand!")
Dear reader. If you know a way to describe Shirtaloon's books to someone in a way that shows them that they are not D&D, please leave a comment below with your techniques outlined.
Anyway, to summarize: He Who Fights With Monsters is a great read - It rockets along and drags you in its wake. I didn't think I would enjoy a fantasy novel/RPG hybrid, but in the case of Shirtaloon's debut novel, I was quite wrong..
Four Umbral Snake Fang Knives (Inflicts; Umbral Snake Venom. Effect: damage-over-time, poison, stacking.) out of five.
I've been talking about this book a lot lately. This is how all my conversations go:
Me: "So I read He who Fights with Monsters recently. It's in a genre I'd never read before called LitRPG."
Curious Conversationalist: "What's that? D&D?"
Me:"No. It's where the characters journey through an RPG-like world, leveling up and collecting items and powers."
CC: "So it's D&D?"
Me:"No, it's a novel. But when Jason Asano, the main character, finds an item or power all its stats come up on the page, and it's explained how it fits into the broader world system."
CC:"Right, right. Sorry, all its stats? Like in a game?"
Me: "Yeah, that's right. The writer, Shirtaloon, must have worked out a massively comprehensive stats, leveling and magic system."
CC: "Doesn't that wreck the flow of the story?"
Me: "You know... no. It doesn't. It's weird at first, when a poison knife is described like you're reading the inventory screen of video game, but after a while you come to kind of like it."
CC: "You enjoy reading the underlying game mechanic stats of a poisoned knife?."
Me: "Yea.. look, there's more to it than that. Shirtaloon knows how to tell a story. His main character is pretty compelling - and he's an Aussie in a fantasy world which is pretty cool."
CC: "An Aussie in a fantasy?" (reaches into trouser pocket) "That's not a wand! THIS is a wand!"
Me:"Jesus man, put that thing away! Anyway, it's a good read. I chopped through the 700+ pages in a few days, and I'm keen to read the next one."
CC: "There's a sequel?"
Me: "Yep, and a sequel to that, and a sequel beyond that... there are nine books total, so far. They are massively popular too."
CC: "So it's an ongoing fantasy property with an underlying stats and magic system that drives the narrative?"
Me:"Yep. It's kind of a whole new genre, an innovative fusing of games and novels."
CC: "It sounds a lot like D&D."
(Sounds of yelling and violence ensue, including a scream of "Not the wand! Not the wand!")
Dear reader. If you know a way to describe Shirtaloon's books to someone in a way that shows them that they are not D&D, please leave a comment below with your techniques outlined.
Anyway, to summarize: He Who Fights With Monsters is a great read - It rockets along and drags you in its wake. I didn't think I would enjoy a fantasy novel/RPG hybrid, but in the case of Shirtaloon's debut novel, I was quite wrong..
Four Umbral Snake Fang Knives (Inflicts; Umbral Snake Venom. Effect: damage-over-time, poison, stacking.) out of five.
August 20, 2021
About seven hours into the audio book I'm dropping this. There's no real driving force guiding this book. The plot just meanders around. At times that's ok , when a book isn't big on plot it can be because it's deeply character driven instead . Ideally you want both but hey it's rare that you get that combination.
This book however, has paper thin characters that are archetypal at best and walking nonentities at worst. The one character to stort of break this convention. I guess is the main characters but certainly not in a good way.
Rarely in fiction have I come across a characters who talks so very much yet says so very little. Not only that but it's all delivered in a brash , disregarding , self assured way that reeks of condescension.
Condescension born out of what seems like ignorance of the world he inhabits. As well as a predilection to broad generalizations about it's inhabitants and their cultures. This is then combined with a complete lack of capacity to back up his own attitude. Either with ability or merit and apparently this is something, we're meant to find endearing though it's beyond me how.
The world setting and mechanics of the magical system are all familiar. Delivered through clunky ham-fisted exposition. None of which is engaging or interesting. It's a bland book with a tiresome central character. Lacking any meaning I have a hard time figuring out why this book exists at all honestly.
This book however, has paper thin characters that are archetypal at best and walking nonentities at worst. The one character to stort of break this convention. I guess is the main characters but certainly not in a good way.
Rarely in fiction have I come across a characters who talks so very much yet says so very little. Not only that but it's all delivered in a brash , disregarding , self assured way that reeks of condescension.
Condescension born out of what seems like ignorance of the world he inhabits. As well as a predilection to broad generalizations about it's inhabitants and their cultures. This is then combined with a complete lack of capacity to back up his own attitude. Either with ability or merit and apparently this is something, we're meant to find endearing though it's beyond me how.
The world setting and mechanics of the magical system are all familiar. Delivered through clunky ham-fisted exposition. None of which is engaging or interesting. It's a bland book with a tiresome central character. Lacking any meaning I have a hard time figuring out why this book exists at all honestly.
November 8, 2021
This is a review for the audiobook version. I really enjoyed this book (more of a 4.5, but I rounded up because of the great narrative performance by Heath Miller). This reminds me of the unique gems/essence traits that awaken powers in the Red Mage book series mixed with the author’s unique take on the isekai genre with a slight touch of cultivation. The power levels were not outrageous and although the MC isn’t OP, he had the potential to be at a later date.
I didn’t appreciate the MC taking a moral high ground in every situation, it was a rant almost every time. Nevertheless, I’ve followed this series on Royalroad for a while now and I can’t wait for more.
I didn’t appreciate the MC taking a moral high ground in every situation, it was a rant almost every time. Nevertheless, I’ve followed this series on Royalroad for a while now and I can’t wait for more.
January 5, 2025
This book "... is kind of my thing" and is a total kick!
Jason is minding his own business when he suddenly appears in a new "world" completely naked, fighting off hamsters and receiving clothes for his "inventory." Kind of sounds like he fell into a game and he's now playing for his life, doesn't it?
It does and it is!
A ludicrous, puerile, and witty adventure and I'm here for it.
Luckly for us, this is the first in a LitRPG genre series. - Sara W.
Jason is minding his own business when he suddenly appears in a new "world" completely naked, fighting off hamsters and receiving clothes for his "inventory." Kind of sounds like he fell into a game and he's now playing for his life, doesn't it?
It does and it is!
A ludicrous, puerile, and witty adventure and I'm here for it.
Luckly for us, this is the first in a LitRPG genre series. - Sara W.
February 20, 2023
This looks initially like a straight-forward isekai LitRPG with our boy Jason thrown into the deep end with nothing but his, um, nothing. Not even hair. So he stumbles around a bit, beating crazy hedgehogs and learning a bit from the helpful system interface. And I'll be honest, the opening parts about drove me nuts.
You see, Jason is a bit of a putz, having a hard time fighting humans, even though they're literally, openly, cannibal cultists trying to kill him for a doomsday ritual. He gets the drop on one and ends up killing him and spends the next couple of chapters being all mopey about it.
So I was relieved when he finally got past the cannibal part and ended up getting his dark powers. The magic system is interesting with people getting essences to absorb to empower them. Only the area he turns up in has some pretty dark-oriented essences (see cannibals). He ends up being fairly creepy in terms of his powerset and I was relieved when he decided to lean into that frame. And that his new friends encouraged him to be the best creep he could be. Um. Not that kind of creep. The kind of creep who DoTs* things to death with stacking debuffs.
And I particularly liked seeing Jason interact with the broader society once he gets out of cult land. He's gregarious, makes friends easily, and his socialist convictions and willingness to be obnoxious gives the local power structure fits. And I say this being more-or-less libertarian myself so it felt like the right kind of obnoxious (without polemic and with realistic responses).
Plus, the action and power-fantasy plot was well-paced and interesting. The author has done a good job letting "adventurers" be a thing and with realistic consequences and support structures. Additional props for the atheist meets local gods angle, while we're at it. The plot is a bit serialistic, but I suspect this is one of those books written serially originally. So that's to be expected.
I'm going to round up to five stars while noting that I had a hard time getting through the first bit. And the really, really poor editing. I'd be surprised if an editor had a go and if one did, I hope nobody paid them for that waste of a job. Oh, plus a surprise emotional wrench in the latter bits wasn't welcome, though the author manages to make it impactful in all the right ways. I still hated
You see, Jason is a bit of a putz, having a hard time fighting humans, even though they're literally, openly, cannibal cultists trying to kill him for a doomsday ritual. He gets the drop on one and ends up killing him and spends the next couple of chapters being all mopey about it.
So I was relieved when he finally got past the cannibal part and ended up getting his dark powers. The magic system is interesting with people getting essences to absorb to empower them. Only the area he turns up in has some pretty dark-oriented essences (see cannibals). He ends up being fairly creepy in terms of his powerset and I was relieved when he decided to lean into that frame. And that his new friends encouraged him to be the best creep he could be. Um. Not that kind of creep. The kind of creep who DoTs* things to death with stacking debuffs.
And I particularly liked seeing Jason interact with the broader society once he gets out of cult land. He's gregarious, makes friends easily, and his socialist convictions and willingness to be obnoxious gives the local power structure fits. And I say this being more-or-less libertarian myself so it felt like the right kind of obnoxious (without polemic and with realistic responses).
Plus, the action and power-fantasy plot was well-paced and interesting. The author has done a good job letting "adventurers" be a thing and with realistic consequences and support structures. Additional props for the atheist meets local gods angle, while we're at it. The plot is a bit serialistic, but I suspect this is one of those books written serially originally. So that's to be expected.
I'm going to round up to five stars while noting that I had a hard time getting through the first bit. And the really, really poor editing. I'd be surprised if an editor had a go and if one did, I hope nobody paid them for that waste of a job. Oh, plus a surprise emotional wrench in the latter bits wasn't welcome, though the author manages to make it impactful in all the right ways. I still hated
March 11, 2021
Amazing
This is an amazing read with diverse well developed characters. Good to Great world building. I am a patreon supporter for the author and this is currently in my top 3 favorites books.
This is an amazing read with diverse well developed characters. Good to Great world building. I am a patreon supporter for the author and this is currently in my top 3 favorites books.
November 10, 2021
Deceptively deep.
Perfect narrator for the part (audible).
Edit after book2+3 on audible. I hear the written is broken out differently..
My enjoyment fell off like a hammer a on pinky toe. All the elements I loved in 1 are gone. Politics + philosophy (IE exploring the gods/feudal/socialism differences between the 2 worlds) and humor are missing. Turns into a shallow litRPG.
Perfect narrator for the part (audible).
This MC is the 1st I can truly say has charisma. All of it. All the charisma. Set to 100% even though the magic system does not play off that explicitly. Compared to all the chars in my 300+ 'mental library'... but then again I prefer loner/serious characters (The Bobiverse would be my #2 fav char).
Quote from book (speaking to unknown space) 'im only equipped for light gardening... It could be evil gardening.' I get you need context to really appreciate it, but even alone its funny & sets up another even funnier payoff later. The funniest book I ever heard with 2 literal, flat out, lough out loud moments.
There are SHALLOW litRPG books & there are ones like this which IMO should fall under fantasy not litRPG. Quote from book 'Just go with it I guess. Reserve judgement until more information is available' best illustrates the 'come along for the discovery' point I'm trying to make here. It separates this from the shallow ones where you basically can guess at the world most of the time &or pose little consequence to MC. The scientific language, pov/internal dialogue of MC & portions that are just basic philosophy put this in my T3.
If you are reading this before enjoying the book, get a ;-)
Edit after book2+3 on audible. I hear the written is broken out differently..
My enjoyment fell off like a hammer a on pinky toe. All the elements I loved in 1 are gone. Politics + philosophy (IE exploring the gods/feudal/socialism differences between the 2 worlds) and humor are missing. Turns into a shallow litRPG.
October 31, 2023
DNF 70%.
A series of generic fights with unthreatening monsters, featuring no real stakes, emotional engagement, or even minimal character complexity.
Add to that an unending series of philosophical (specifically moral) discussions, all of which are as terrible as they come, and the result is even worse than the shallow, fun adventure it could have otherwise been.
A series of generic fights with unthreatening monsters, featuring no real stakes, emotional engagement, or even minimal character complexity.
Add to that an unending series of philosophical (specifically moral) discussions, all of which are as terrible as they come, and the result is even worse than the shallow, fun adventure it could have otherwise been.
April 5, 2021
WHAT A RUSH!!!
This book is simply amazing. It has been years since I've read a book that gave me the feelings of wonder that I had as a child exploring Middle Earth, Narnia and The Forgotten Realms. Lately I've been looking for books with unique magic systems, which isn't usually a strong suit of the LitRPG genre,, but this one delivered for sure! The RPG aspects are not as extensive as in other books in the genre so it doesn't detract from the characters emotional development, or bog down the story with stats and percentages. The stories of all the characters seemed so unconnected until the author brought it all in for that last push to the end of the book. Brilliant Storytelling Excellent Magic System Fantastic Worldbuilding Amazing Characters. Pure Wonder. Thank You Imagination is the paint that colors this reality and you have added new shades for me to see.
This book is simply amazing. It has been years since I've read a book that gave me the feelings of wonder that I had as a child exploring Middle Earth, Narnia and The Forgotten Realms. Lately I've been looking for books with unique magic systems, which isn't usually a strong suit of the LitRPG genre,, but this one delivered for sure! The RPG aspects are not as extensive as in other books in the genre so it doesn't detract from the characters emotional development, or bog down the story with stats and percentages. The stories of all the characters seemed so unconnected until the author brought it all in for that last push to the end of the book. Brilliant Storytelling Excellent Magic System Fantastic Worldbuilding Amazing Characters. Pure Wonder. Thank You Imagination is the paint that colors this reality and you have added new shades for me to see.
June 6, 2021
MC is a Moron... Completely useless
Can someone please explain this horrible trend in making protagonists stupid? the story is fine, and I could get past the immature dialogue and juvenile vibe.... but what I can't get past is how unbelievably stupid the MC is. Stories like this should have thier own genre... stupid beta male protagonists are the worst trope hands down. I had to give up when I realized I wanted the MC to die horribley.
Can someone please explain this horrible trend in making protagonists stupid? the story is fine, and I could get past the immature dialogue and juvenile vibe.... but what I can't get past is how unbelievably stupid the MC is. Stories like this should have thier own genre... stupid beta male protagonists are the worst trope hands down. I had to give up when I realized I wanted the MC to die horribley.
March 10, 2021
Idiot MC
Could not finish it. Reading about idiot MCs is not entertaining. On top of that the people around him say he is weak and soft. Finally, he has serious issues about killing people that want to kill him. It would make himjust as bad as they are. That is everything wrapped up into one that would make the worst main character ever.
Could not finish it. Reading about idiot MCs is not entertaining. On top of that the people around him say he is weak and soft. Finally, he has serious issues about killing people that want to kill him. It would make himjust as bad as they are. That is everything wrapped up into one that would make the worst main character ever.
June 18, 2025
Kārtējais stāsts, kur galvenais varonis ar pliku pakaļu nonāk citā pasaulē, kura ir maģijas un briesmoņu pilna. Jāsons tajā parādās no pašas Austrālijas (patīkami, jo manos standarta gabalos tā ir vai nu ASV vai Krievija). Viņš uzreiz sastopas ar kanibāliem un kultistiem, bet grūtajā pārbaudījumā iegūst jaunus draugus un uzticamu komandas biedrus.
Jāatzīst, ka maģiskajā pasaulē pret klauniem ir lielāka tolerance nekā mūsu. Jāsons ir totāls klauns, viņaš nevar muti atvērt, lai nesāktu bārstīt asprātības un kacināt sarunas biedru. Īsti nevar saprast vai autors visu to runas veidu patiešām domā kā mega manipulācijas rīku, vai arī rāda lasītājam, ka mutesbajārus ur vieglāk pieciest nekā ārstēt.
Sakidra lieta, ka jaunajā pasaulē galvenais varonis atrod savu patieso sūtību un izmanto to uz pilnu klapi. Lai ar autoram viegli var pārmest grafomāniju, pasauli viņš ir izveidojis labu. Maģijas un spēju sistēma ir saprotama un tai pat laikā bezgalīga. Ja nemīli RPG datorspēles, tad varbūt liksies garlaicīgas tās nodaļas kur notiek vroņa veidošana un tiek apspriesti visi atribūti. Ir liela megakonspirācija un nav melnbaltas pasaules. Monstri nosaukumā ir vairāk skilu uzlabošanas elements, īstie monstri, protams, ir cilvēki paši (labi ne cilvēki vien, dažādu rasu te netrūkst).
Grāmatia nudien noderētu redaktors, kas izmestu ārā liekvārtību un izravētu visus "he said" un "she said". Grāmati kaut kādas beigas arī nenāktu par sliktu, ja uzreiz sāk lasīt nākamo, tad nemaz nešķiet ka ir cita grāmata. Lasīšu arī pārējās 8 no 10 ballēm.
Jāatzīst, ka maģiskajā pasaulē pret klauniem ir lielāka tolerance nekā mūsu. Jāsons ir totāls klauns, viņaš nevar muti atvērt, lai nesāktu bārstīt asprātības un kacināt sarunas biedru. Īsti nevar saprast vai autors visu to runas veidu patiešām domā kā mega manipulācijas rīku, vai arī rāda lasītājam, ka mutesbajārus ur vieglāk pieciest nekā ārstēt.
Sakidra lieta, ka jaunajā pasaulē galvenais varonis atrod savu patieso sūtību un izmanto to uz pilnu klapi. Lai ar autoram viegli var pārmest grafomāniju, pasauli viņš ir izveidojis labu. Maģijas un spēju sistēma ir saprotama un tai pat laikā bezgalīga. Ja nemīli RPG datorspēles, tad varbūt liksies garlaicīgas tās nodaļas kur notiek vroņa veidošana un tiek apspriesti visi atribūti. Ir liela megakonspirācija un nav melnbaltas pasaules. Monstri nosaukumā ir vairāk skilu uzlabošanas elements, īstie monstri, protams, ir cilvēki paši (labi ne cilvēki vien, dažādu rasu te netrūkst).
Grāmatia nudien noderētu redaktors, kas izmestu ārā liekvārtību un izravētu visus "he said" un "she said". Grāmati kaut kādas beigas arī nenāktu par sliktu, ja uzreiz sāk lasīt nākamo, tad nemaz nešķiet ka ir cita grāmata. Lasīšu arī pārējās 8 no 10 ballēm.
July 18, 2021
I am so glad that this book was actually good. When I pick up a book with thousands of 5-star ratings that ends up being horrible, a part of me dies. As a Litrpg reader, I'm basically a zombie by this point, as you can imagine.
I'll be the first to admit that this book started a little rough for me. I like the fact that the "early game" wasn't glossed over and the MC given game-breaking abilities. He ends up with some strong abilities, to be sure, but his style is pretty unique since it focuses more on stacking debuffs than typical things like fireballing.
But...I was fairly annoyed by the MC's snarky personality for the first 10% of the book. Mostly because it never feels natural for me that a person keeps a running commentary of their own thoughts and actions. It's annoying, but understandable, when a person has this personality around others because it tends to be a defense mechanism and gives opportunity for character growth. So needless to say, I felt the book really hit its stride once the other characters came into play.
I would have to really go back and look, but I'm willing to say that right now in 2021, this story is at the top of the genre for me. There are some minor grammar issues and typos that escaped editing here and there, but overall the story was crafted with care and the author actually knows the difference between a character arc and a plot arc and doesn't think the latter accomplishes the same as the former.
I also can't express how refreshing it was to read a story where all of the characters weren't complete idiots. There were a few rash decisions made early that seemed mildly for comic effect, but they can also be chalked up to the concussion. Most of the MC's annoying tendencies really smoothed out as he gained experience over the course of the book and actually matured.
Anyone who is a fan of gamelit/Litrpg owes it to themselves to read this book.
I'll be the first to admit that this book started a little rough for me. I like the fact that the "early game" wasn't glossed over and the MC given game-breaking abilities. He ends up with some strong abilities, to be sure, but his style is pretty unique since it focuses more on stacking debuffs than typical things like fireballing.
But...I was fairly annoyed by the MC's snarky personality for the first 10% of the book. Mostly because it never feels natural for me that a person keeps a running commentary of their own thoughts and actions. It's annoying, but understandable, when a person has this personality around others because it tends to be a defense mechanism and gives opportunity for character growth. So needless to say, I felt the book really hit its stride once the other characters came into play.
I would have to really go back and look, but I'm willing to say that right now in 2021, this story is at the top of the genre for me. There are some minor grammar issues and typos that escaped editing here and there, but overall the story was crafted with care and the author actually knows the difference between a character arc and a plot arc and doesn't think the latter accomplishes the same as the former.
I also can't express how refreshing it was to read a story where all of the characters weren't complete idiots. There were a few rash decisions made early that seemed mildly for comic effect, but they can also be chalked up to the concussion. Most of the MC's annoying tendencies really smoothed out as he gained experience over the course of the book and actually matured.
Anyone who is a fan of gamelit/Litrpg owes it to themselves to read this book.
March 26, 2025
Muy entretenido, si te gusta la fantasía lo vas a disfrutar. Que su género sea litprg lo único que hace es que el sistema de magia esté justificado de una forma distinta a la fantasía normal.
El final queda abierto y la historia sigue directamente en el siguiente. De hecho, por eso los libros no tienen título sino un simple número al final que indica el orden!
EDITO:
Más de un año después de haber leído esta saga sigo pensando en ella (personajes, mundo, estructura, sistema...), me pegó mucho más fuerte y me llegó mucho más dentro de lo que creía. Por eso voy a subir a 5/5 este libro y voy a meterlo a favoritos en representación de toda la saga.
Menuda diferencia con la mayoría de los libros, sean del género que sean, que se olvidan a los dos días...
Si puedes leer en inglés y te gusta la fantasía, DEBES leer al menos el primer arco, los 3 primeros libros.
El final queda abierto y la historia sigue directamente en el siguiente. De hecho, por eso los libros no tienen título sino un simple número al final que indica el orden!
EDITO:
Más de un año después de haber leído esta saga sigo pensando en ella (personajes, mundo, estructura, sistema...), me pegó mucho más fuerte y me llegó mucho más dentro de lo que creía. Por eso voy a subir a 5/5 este libro y voy a meterlo a favoritos en representación de toda la saga.
Menuda diferencia con la mayoría de los libros, sean del género que sean, que se olvidan a los dos días...
Si puedes leer en inglés y te gusta la fantasía, DEBES leer al menos el primer arco, los 3 primeros libros.
May 30, 2025
LitRPG just isn’t for me - DNF at 18%.
An Australian finds himself in another world which almost seems like a video game where everything seems to want to kill him….
I just find the rewards repetitive, the ‘missions’ contrived and boring, the character being out of his depth and comparing everything to his Earth overdone.
I am sure this has an audience for it (e.g. my brothers), but it just isn’t for me.
(I won’t be counting this towards my reading goal.)
Bookstagram
Tiktok
An Australian finds himself in another world which almost seems like a video game where everything seems to want to kill him….
I just find the rewards repetitive, the ‘missions’ contrived and boring, the character being out of his depth and comparing everything to his Earth overdone.
I am sure this has an audience for it (e.g. my brothers), but it just isn’t for me.
(I won’t be counting this towards my reading goal.)
Bookstagram
Tiktok
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