LitRPG_Podcast_265.mp3

LitRPG Podcast 265 - Planet Hero: Sidekick, The Good Guys Book 11, The Alchemist Book #5, Alpha Physics!, Starred Tower, Cooldown

May 22nd, 2021

 

Hello everyone, welcome to episode 265 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia. 

 

I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews.  We have 6 new reviews just for you. 

 

For the full show notes visit us at: https://litrpgpodcast.com/litrpg-podcast-265

 

New Releases and Reviews:

 

Planet Hero: Sidekick

Super Hero LitRPG 2

Score: 7.4 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3udGmmW 

 

Killing Them Awfully: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 11)

Epic end fight

Score: 7.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3uhdY3m 

 

Tartila Mine (The Alchemist Book #5): LitRPG Series

Good pay off

Score: 7.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3b2uInG 

 

Alpha Physics! Book 1: Wagga: A LITrpg Apocalypse, changed earth progression fantasy

Off putting start but rather good overall

Score: 7.7 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3tvjNcl 

 

Starred Tower: System Misinterpret Book One - A Post Apocalyptic Cultivation LitRPG

Post RPG Apocalypse, cultivation, and dungeon dive

Score: 7.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3vvSPCG 

 

Cooldown (Unfrozen Book #1): LitRPG Series

Sci-fi space LitRPG Russian translation

Score: 7.4 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3tIsr7p 

(Play Music 2)

LitRPG News

Out Now!

 

Awaken Online: Hellion 

https://amzn.to/3sTKlUW 

 

 

The Guardian of the Dead (An NPC's Path Book #4): LitRPG Series 

https://amzn.to/36GKl1W 

 

 

Crafting Death: A LitRPG Cultivation Series (Towers & Rifts Book 2)  

https://amzn.to/3bniHtA 

 

 

Manufacturing Magic: An Epic LitRPG Series (Jeff the Game Master Book 1) 

https://amzn.to/3azHc54 

 

Another Online: Clockwork 

https://amzn.to/3xBu1eD 

 

 

The Guns of Keldora: A Crafting Automation LitRPG Adventure (Factory of the Gods Book 4) 

https://amzn.to/37rRm6O 

 

 

The Rebel (Project Stellar Book 4): LitRPG Series  

https://amzn.to/2YSpJ25 

 

 

Resurrection City: A Town Building Fantasy LitRPG (Ciphercraft Book 3)

https://amzn.to/3yvlw5m 

 

 

Aether Frontier - A LitRPG Adventure 

https://amzn.to/3vBAiF5 

 

 

Iaxiabor's Revenge: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 6) 

https://amzn.to/39PxBbd 

 

 

Terra Nova: A LitRPG Series (Magnus Book 1) 

https://amzn.to/3mU13S2 

 

 

Revenant: A Zombie Apocalypse LitRPG (Necrotic Apocalypse Book 2) 

https://amzn.to/3aeHyOX 

 

 

Showdown (Underdog Book #6): LitRPG Series 

https://amzn.to/2NZ3qGw 

 

 

The Great Centurion: Punic Wars 3 (A Real LitRPG Roman Series) 

https://amzn.to/3sUT2hw 

 

 

Lords of the Ruins (The Range Book #2): LitRPG Series 

https://amzn.to/2YZmTsx 

 

 

He Who Fights with Monsters 2: A LitRPG Adventure 

https://amzn.to/2MR4hZ3 

 

 

The Demonic Games (Disgardium Book #7): LitRPG Series 

https://amzn.to/2O9AWcL 

 

 

Shackled: A Dark Fantasy LitRPG (Arcana Unlocked Book 2) 

https://amzn.to/3mV78Oi 

 

 

Alpha Ascendant (Alpha LitRPG Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3fwofTi 

 

 

Heist Master: A Gamelit/LitRPG Adventure

https://amzn.to/3wr2SK4 

 

 

Apocalypse Hero: A Dark Fantasy GameLit

https://amzn.to/2RuEcl7 

 

 

Oh Great! I was Reincarnated as a Farmer: A LitRPG Adventure : (Unorthodox Farming: Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3bJ19aM 

 

 

Dungeon of Chance: Double or Nothing: A Dungeon Core Novel (Serious Probabilities Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3vb7xzv 

 

 

Unusual Enemies (The Whispering Crystals: A LitRPG Series Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3uavbuv 

New LitRPG Audiobooks

 

 

Berserker - A LitRPG Urban Fantasy Adventure (Apocosmos, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/2TclZcn 

 

 

The Power of Nine - A Mecha LitRPG Adventure (Overdrive, Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3v55o8p 

 

 

He Who Fights with Monsters 2 - A LitRPG Adventure (He Who Fights with Monsters, Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3fFRmDA 

 

 

Land of Pain - Dragon Heart Series, Book 9

https://amzn.to/2ShndCw 

 

 

Hallowed Bones - Elemental Dungeon, Book 3

https://amzn.to/3vd1Ukd 

 

 

Occult Place to Die - Blasphemy Online, Book 2

https://amzn.to/3oF6Xrp 

 

 

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook - Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3

https://amzn.to/3u80Rk7 

 

 

Revenant - A Zombie Apocalypse LitRPG (Necrotic Apocalypse, Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3vdq7H7 

 

 

They Called Me Mad - A LitRPG Apocalypse Series

https://amzn.to/347OBG2 

 

 

The Torch That Ignites the Stars - Arcane Ascension Book 3

https://amzn.to/3yu5Jna 

 

 

Scorching Sun - Underworld, Book 6

https://amzn.to/3bNzJRd 

 

 

High Gloom - Bad Guys Series Book 6

https://amzn.to/3f9OZtJ 

 

 

Terra Nova - A LitRPG Series Magnus Book 1

https://amzn.to/3u9afUR 

 

 

Nova Terra: Guardian - The Titan Series Book 4

https://amzn.to/3ub7Qc0 

 

 

Evolution - A Fantasy LitRPG (Beast Realms, Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3bO0RzI 

 

 

Manufacturing Magic: A LitRPG Adventure Jeff the Game Master, Book 1

https://amzn.to/346AzEu 

 

 

Player Reached the Top - Book 4

https://amzn.to/3yxP1U7 

 

 

The Realm Between: Neverending Dungeon - Realm Between Series Book 6

https://amzn.to/2QI3604 

 

 

Small Unit Tactics - Book 2

https://amzn.to/3wuS91d 

 

 

Towers of Heaven - A LitRPG Adventure Book 3

https://amzn.to/3fBpC2X 

 

 

Apocalypse Hero - A Dark Fantasy GameLit

https://amzn.to/2RGDWiJ 

Upcoming LitRPG:

 

Gamified - Book Two: Player vs Player (A Fantasy LitRPG) (May 24th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RCtUiK 

 

 

Thief's Bounty: A LitRPG Dungeon Core Adventure (Dungeon of Evolution Book 1) (May 24th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3f9OHDm 

 

 

The Price of Power: A LitRPG Cultivation Saga  (May 24th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2Qrk1Uh 

 

 

Hexworld: Roll: A GameLit/LitRPG Adventure (May 25th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3moQBC9 

 

 

King: An Epic LitRPG Progression Fantasy Novel (Apocosmos Book 3) (May 27th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RCXB2J 

 

 

A Daring Plan and A Cold Shoulder: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (May 28th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3srK22K 

 

 

Myriad Stars: Sage, book 2. A LitRPG Universe (May 28th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vd5ivr 

 

 

Intellectum [RPG Apocalypse: Book 2] (May 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vcjvJ0 

 

 

The Dungeon Leader: A LitRPG Level-up Adventure (The Dungeon Slayer Series Book 3) (May 31st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2NZlOym 

 

 

I'm the Bad Guy: World Domination: A Supervillain LitRPG Adventure (May 31st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3fF4Q2n 

 

 

Trial: A Superhero LitRPG Adventure (VR Hero Book 2) (June 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3eJqgez 

 

Reborn: Evolution: A LitRPG Series (Warlock Chronicles Book 3) (June 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3t6hTyz 

 

Beastborne: Mist Wardens: An Epic Portal Fantasy LitRPG Saga (Beastborne Chronicles, Book 3) (June 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2PE9btP 

 

 

The Dreamweaver (Rogue Merchant Book #6): LitRPG Series (June 4th, 2021) https://amzn.to/2QDmHi4 

 

 

Second Shot (Fantasia Book #1): LitRPG Series (June 7th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3fHAttM 

 

 

Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure (June 8th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3uVwQEZ 

 

 

Everwood (The Weight Of It All): A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (June 8th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3wtk9C3 

 

 

Viridian Gate Online: Resurrection: A litRPG Adventure (The Heartfire Healer Series Book 1) (June 15th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3faIqqS 

 

 

Terramyr Online: An Undiscovered Country: A LitRPG Adventure (June 22nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3goWgqu 

 

 

The Retired S Ranked Adventurer: Volume II (The Shatterfist Book 2)  (June 25th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2TbIDBG 

 

 

City of Skye (Primacy Online Book 6) (June 29th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3c3HRfT 

 

 

True John Crusade: A Dark Fantasy Gamelit (June 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3yvjcLG 

 

 

Tower of Ruin: Volume II: A Dark Dungeon Realm LitRPG (Pandemonium - Afterlife - A Dark Dungeon Realm LitRPG Series Book 2) (June 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3eZ6YmT 

 

 

Wild Wild Quest: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 12) (June 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3uakqJE 

 

 

Engage (EvoBorne - A LitRPG Saga Book 4) (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3dpCpWn

 

 

Cyber-Mage Realization: A Dark LitRPG / LitFPS SciFi-Shooter (Overtaken Online Book 3) (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3wvKGPv 

 

 

The Gate of the Feral Gods: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4 (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3uaNAbo 

 

 

Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones (Book #7): LitRPG Series

(July 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2PC5EMA 

 

 

Pride (Dinosaur Dungeon Book 2) (July 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3aUpXw7 

 

 

Awakening: A LitRPG/GameLit Series (World of Magic Book 1) (July 13th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/32pxBKt 

 

 

Hexworld 2: Play: A GameLit/LitRPG Adventure (July 20th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3ed0wGS 

 

 

They Called Me Madder: A LitRPG Apocalypse Series (July 20th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3ggOK0V 

 

 

Frostworld: Ice & Blood: A GameLit/LitRPG Adventure (July 27th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3dnBlT2 

 

 

Player Reached the Top. LitRPG Series. Book VI (July 27th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3akJWUG 

 

 

Tower of Steel and Shadow: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy (July 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RB2mKs 

 

Onto New Releases and Reviews

 

(Play Music 3)

New Releases and Reviews

 

(Picture 1)

Planet Hero: Sidekick

 

So you want to fight crime? Save people from villains? Be the good guy? If the answer is yes to all these questions, then the life of a Sidekick just might be for you. Warning: Not responsible for potential death or dismemberment.

 

Davis might come to regret the day he decided to become a Sidekick, but now that he has already put in the time to complete the certification program, he was going to see it through. But first, he needs to survive in the wilds for a couple of weeks with his fellow wannabe sidekicks. Nothing like teen angst and drama to make a man feel his years.

 

If he succeeds and makes it as a sidekick, he gets to look forward to working with the cantankerous Hammer Jack, a hero of some repute. Though whether that is good or bad is yet to be determined. The time has come for Davis to embrace his new life and take his place on Planet Hero as a lowly sidekick.

 

Disclaimer: This is a LitRPG or GameLit novel containing video game elements and rules.

 

My Opinion: 253 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

*Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.

 

The 2nd entry into this super hero LitRPG series seems to draw on a popular animated superhero academy series in its first half with a group of teen superhero recruits and the main character (MC) testing to become sidekicks in a forest filled with monsters. The MC has a great power set which makes the fights good, but honestly, I really disliked all the new teen characters and would have been really ok with seeing them not survive the stupid situations they put themselves in. Thankfully, the 2nd half of the story was much better without them in much of it and there are some really good twists to how the MC resolves the last conflict. 

 

I also liked the 2nd narrative story that flashed back to the start of the nano-apocalypse on earth that spawned both superheroes and all the monsters that would destroy the world as we know it. It was a really nice way to flesh out the history of the world and inject a little apocalyptic vibe to the story. 

 

Overall, the story loses a little bit of enjoyment because of some of the characters that I just plainly disliked, but there is still some good stuff here if you’re into superheroes. 

 

Score: 7.4 out of 10

Planet Hero: Sidekick

https://amzn.to/3udGmmW 

 

Killing Them Awfully: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 11)

 

He’s tried to ignore them for too long.

 

But the long-simmering conflict between Montana’s holding at Coggeshall and the Night Goblins who also occupy the valley is about to boil over.

 

Usually, goblins aren’t anything to write home about: an enemy without much size, intellect, or weaponry. But these goblins? Well, that’s just not the case.

 

These are goblins with limitless resources, never-before-seen tactics, and horrifying monsters at their disposal. Worst of all, they don’t fear death in the slightest.

 

They just might force a good guy to become what he has always struggled to defeat.

 

Killing Them Awfully is chaotic warfare, nonstop battles, and more monsters with digestive issues than totally necessary. Ready? Let’s go to war!

 

My Opinion: 388 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

Woah, this definitely feels like part 2 of the last book as it picks up a moment after that one and continues a rather frantic pace of action and adventure. There’s lots of action, especially towards the end and while some of the big battle felt like it came out of nowhere, it was still a really good story that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering just how the main character (MC) would overcome the odds. 

 

Score: 7.8 out of 10

 Killing Them Awfully: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 11)

https://amzn.to/3uhdY3m 

Tartila Mine (The Alchemist Book #5): LitRPG Series

 

 

What are you supposed to do when the whole world joins forces against you? Give up, find some hole to duck into, and beg for your life to be spared? But even despite how obvious the answer to that question might be, many an adult had been dashed on the rocks twelve-year-old Tailyn Vlashich was supposed to climb. Ahead of him lay a secret laboratory belonging to the ancients; behind was a horde headed by his sworn enemy. But through it all, Tailyn had those who loved him, those who believed in him, and that support was enough to carry him to the ends of the earth.

 

There was just one question left to answer: who was the Absorber? And what did he want with Tailyn?

 

My Opinion: 297 pages, $6.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available. 

 

This is the conclusion to the Alchemist series, though not necessarily the end to the adventures of the main character. There’s lots of action and adventure. And those teasers for that other character from the author’s other series showing up absolutely pay off. If you’ve enjoyed this series then this last book is a must read. 

 

Score: 7.8 out of 10

Tartila Mine (The Alchemist Book #5): LitRPG Series

https://amzn.to/3b2uInG 

Alpha Physics! Book 1: Wagga: A LITrpg Apocalypse, changed earth progression fantasy

 

 

In the apocalypse, the first weapon he’ll have to upgrade is himself.

The end of the world as we know it couldn’t come at a worse time for Adrian.

 

One minute, he’s an operations manager who’s overseeing a construction job in the wilderness. The next, an unknown energy force changes the very nature of life itself, from the smallest organism to the top of the food chain. The earth’s surviving inhabitants, its environment, and the very laws of physics have all undergone fundamental transformations.

 

Many of those changes aren’t pretty. Plenty of them are deadly.

 

Luckily for Earth, this has happened to other species before, and everyone receives an interface that survivors of similar events have used to navigate through an alien landscape.

 

Adrian’s going to need every advantage he can get. He’s stranded in the middle of nowhere, there are days, maybe weeks of travel between him and his family, and in a world full of monsters and mayhem, survival means beating the learning curve…

 

My Opinion: 370 pages, $6.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

Besides a slightly off-putting start, the RPG Apocalypse story was rather good. There’s a good mix of detailed skill/magic system building and fighting. The slower solo fighting in the beginning mixes well with the later community development and group fighting with it all culminating in a big exciting fight. The only thing missing from the Apocalypse side of things was probably the terrible nature of humanity rearing its ugly head at the limited resources and breakdown of the law. 

 

On the game mechanic side, it's a mixed bad since not everyone in the RPG apocalypse has the same system. Some got a standard interface which was more like a class system, while others got a more advanced interface that leveled base stats more slowly but provided better advice, and let the person customize their build with dedicated work and greater long term benefits. Overall though, either system was very well developed and there was a nice effort by the players to exploit their builds just like real gamers would. 

 

Overall, the story is a good mix of action and apocalypse adventure that I think most LitRPG readers would enjoy. 

 

Score: 7.7 out of 10

Alpha Physics! Book 1: Wagga: A LITrpg Apocalypse, changed earth progression fantasy

https://amzn.to/3tvjNcl 

Starred Tower: System Misinterpret Book One - A Post Apocalyptic Cultivation LitRPG

 

An Apocalypse. An epic change in biology. Humanity’s new powers. No instructions. So, everyone created their own!

 

Born over a century after ‘The Rise,’ Jeff scavenges with his tyrannical mother for survival. Banned from cultivating freely, Jeff wants none of this life; his one objective is to join the immortal rankers as they attempt to climb the Northern Tower. On the day of his escape, a powerful guild attacks Leah’s group, and Jeff is thrown through a unique dungeon portal— a portal that hasn’t been used in nearly a hundred years.

 

In the pursuit of Jeff’s ultimate goal, he must choose whether to follow the Church, join a guild or try it all on his own. Predators don’t only come from dungeons, and he must dig through mountains of misinformation for one straight answer.

 

When spells and skills unleash chaos, a special blue screen powers up, and Jeff’s journey to the peak or the grave begins.

 

My Opinion: 514 pages, $5.49, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

*Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.

 

The first 10% of this story is not great as it doesn’t feel anything like LitRPG (that eventually changes) and is a bit confusing and feels rather unnecessary. It sets up an older super powerful female character and a world where humanity has been broken as a tower filled with monsters appeared and only those that fought and cultivated there grew powerful enough to get floating towers of their own. The rest of humanity tries to scrape by scavenging and working in the rubble of a crushed world. There’s some other stuff setup, but it doesn’t get any kind of pay off for most of the book and honestly would have been better to be sprinkled as a flashback from this character instead of front-loaded in one massive info dump.

 

It’s really not till the 11% mark that the story becomes LitRPG as a different main character (MC), a teen with pointy ears, who falls into a training room hidden in a separate and safe subspace that gives him quests and rewards that help him become stronger. There are a good amount of notifications from then on that it feels more game-like, with an RPG interface, quests, and stats increases. The training (physical and cultivation) and room upgrades are interesting enough to keep you reading. 

 

With the exception of a few cut away scenes with the character from the 1st 10%, the story sticks with this teen character as he finds his first city and learns about just how cruel the world can be as he tries to clear a dungeon for the first time. The story emphasizes the dark cruelty of a post apocalyptic world, there’s dungeon diving, some RPG progression through the training room, some cultivation, and some decent fighting. 

 

Overall, the story is rather good, even if the beginning was a little off putting for me. I really got into the story after the 11% mark, and I’d happily read a second book if it was available.

 

Score: 7.8 out of 10

Starred Tower: System Misinterpret Book One - A Post Apocalyptic Cultivation LitRPG

https://amzn.to/3vvSPCG 

 

Cooldown (Unfrozen Book #1): LitRPG Series

 

If you’re going to stick your hand into somebody else’s refrigerator, you better be ready to deal with the consequences. Especially when, instead of perishable foodstuffs, the icebox in question contains people who are “provisionally alive.”

 

They haven’t died yet — death has not yet made up its mind about them. And even though most of them will never open their eyes again, a lucky few do stand the ghost of a chance of returning to this world. What a pity then that among these fortunate souls, there is one man who thought his earthly affairs concluded for all eternity.

 

His case file bristles with cautionary attributes such as “serial killer,” “extremist” and “mentally unstable.” And yet could this be the best candidate for an assignment that has already claimed the lives of several veteran operators? Who knows…

 

My Opinion: 535 pages, $3.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

 

*Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.

 

This is a Russian translation story whose setup puts a vigilante investigator into cryostasis instead of being killed by corrupt officials. He wakes up 24 years later and is tasked with going into a full immersion space VRMMO to solve the locked room mystery murder of a prominent clan member of the game. However, in practice this is really just a setup for the series and this is mostly a slice of life story where the MC adventures, tries to gain as many achievements to catch the attention of the clans as he can, and pops out of game to update his employer and plan what goals he has in game. There’s a little intrigue but generally it's an interesting and action-ish adventure with a survival sabotage game mode in the last 25%.

 

The entire setup takes a bit, but the MC is creating his character and going over stats,class descriptions, weapon descriptions, and sci-fi mechanics by the 9% mark. He chooses a class that’s considered terrible but the MC makes it work somehow. There’s lots of detail about all the mechanics which I appreciated, but it also made the later fights more meaningful since a lucky shot didn’t override the setup game rules and the MC died in game from poor decisions or just overmatched enemies. Money also plays a big role and becomes another motivating factor for the MC to power up. 

 

There’s a certain irreverent sense of humor that some readers will enjoy and plenty of Russian background notes that gave the story a unique flavor.

 

Score: 7.4 out of 10

Cooldown (Unfrozen Book #1): LitRPG Series

https://amzn.to/3tIsr7p 

That’s it everyone! Thank you for watching/listening. 

 

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Thanks for hanging out with me today. Until we can hangout again, remember to go read some LitRPG!  

 

(Music 4)