LitRPG Podcast 242- Aether’s Guard, Disgardium 5, Tower of Damnation 2, Skeleton Soldier Couldn’T Protect The Dungeon

 

LitRPG Podcast 242- Aether’s Guard, Disgardium 5, Tower of Damnation 2, Skeleton Soldier Couldn’T Protect The Dungeon

Sept. 4th, 2020

Hello everyone, welcome to episode 242 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia. 

I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews.  We have 7 new reviews just for you.

New Releases and Reviews:

Aether’s Guard - Aether’s Revival Book 2 (08:40)

A bit less action, but a good book

Score: 7.6 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2QItCCZ 

Holy War (Disgardium Book #5): LitRPG Series (12:51)

Some interesting twists

Score: 7.7 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3eBlyOH 

Tower of Damnation (A LitRPG and GameLIT Saga): Book Two, Arcana (15:10)

No Tower Climbing, Odd shifts in story, good action

Score: 7.3 out of 10

https://amzn.to/34Y4sbB 

Skeleton Soldier Couldn’T Protect The Dungeon (19:14)

Monster MC with Regression time powers

Score: 7.6 out of 10

https://www.tappytoon.com/en/comics/skeleton-soldier-failed-defend-dungeon 


Ian’s (Eye-Ann) Picks of the Week  (23:46)

(Pic 0)

Segment from Ian Mitchell a long time LitRPG community member who reads and reviews as much as me. He was nice enough to agree to join the LitRPG Podcast family as a new reviewer.

(Pic 6)

Gamified - Book One: Beastmaster (A Fantasy LitRPG)

Mom's an NPC, oh no!

Score: 8.0 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3lQ7J2I 

Battleborne

I love the troll regeneration

Score: 8.3 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2Z6OEj5 

The Mechanical Crafter - Book 2 (A LitRPG series) (The Mechanical Crafter series)

Metal man makes a new pet

Score: 8.0 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3jPXry1 



(Play Music 2)

LitRPG News

LitRPG Deals

Dave Willmarth was nice enough to let us know about a couple of his book that will be on sale. 

  1. Battleborne will be $1.49 AUD on zon Australia for all of September

  2. And Shadow Sun Progression (Book 4) will be $.99 in both US and Canada for all of Sept




More Plagiarized stories

Even claim copyright. All these stories are abandoned which makes them targets of this kind of theft.

God of Harems is stolen from Lust Knight on the Wuxia World and 

https://m.wuxiaworld.co/Lust-Knight/ 

Tartarus Online is taken from a Royal Road and Scribble Hub story of the same name, Tartarus Online

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/22476/tartarus-online 

The Law God is a copy and past of a story on Web Novel of the same name, Law God written by Krizantem. Only the rip off version changed the main character’s name from Artic to Arcon. 

https://www.webnovel.com/book/the-law-god---artic_14534871605679405 

Dragon Blood Type is stolen from the webnovel story Blood Type: Dragon. Also only changing the main character’s name from Elric to Leic.

https://www.webnovel.com/book/blood-type%3A-dragon_15065424106754005 

Nightmare Speedrun is stealing from Isekai Speedrun found on the Royal Road and Scribble Hub.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21107/isekai-speedrun 

https://www.scribblehub.com/series/3413/isekai-speedrun/ 

The Assassin System is a rip off of Assassination System

https://www.webnovel.com/book/assassination-system_10852246906190705 

Isekai Warfighter taken from the story of the same name found on scribblehub written by steryx.

https://www.scribblehub.com/series/72601/isekai-warfighter/  

The Order is a rip off the Royal Road story of the same name written by P.K Dionysus. 

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21121/the-order 


Out Now!

Veil Online - Book 1 (a LitRPG MMORPG Adventure Series)

https://amzn.to/2GsNS9M 

Reborn: Evolution: A LitRPG Series (Warlock Chronicles Book 1)

https://amzn.to/2Gul4xB 

Zee Locked-In (OVR World Online Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3hXsGX7 

Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior's Oath: A LitRPG/Wuxia Novel - Book 4

https://amzn.to/2EOFBg1 

Daily Jobs, Coffee and and an Awfully Big Adventure: A System Apocalypse short story (The System Apocalypse Short Stories Book 3)

https://amzn.to/356VRDA 

Myriad Stars: Sage, book 1. A LitRPG Universe

https://amzn.to/3lOPLhi 

The Weaponized: A Sci-Fi LitRPG (Part I)

https://amzn.to/35784bo 


New LitRPG Audiobooks

Rookstorm Online Book 1: New Game Adventure: Rookstorm Online Saga, Book 1

https://amzn.to/2QU3B3C 

Glitchworld

https://amzn.to/32YS34L 

Dungeon Bound - Dungeon Bound, Book 1

https://amzn.to/3gZ517B 

Bloodline: ScourgeWorld, Book 1

https://amzn.to/3hSrJ2p 

The Boneless Dungeon : Rebirth

https://amzn.to/3h1rFMu 

Aether's Blessing - Aether's Revival, Book 1

https://amzn.to/3i9MBCc 

The Crafter's Darkness: A Dungeon Core Novel

Dungeon Crafting, Book 4

https://amzn.to/32QrLBC 


Upcoming LitRPG:


A Snake's Path (A Snake's Life Book 2) (Sept. 8th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3hkvtcS 

Something (Full Murderhobo Book 1)

 (Sept. 9th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/34CIvyM 

Dungeon Worlds: A Reborn Online LitRPG Adventure (Sept. 9th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2MvkU8P 

PrimeVerse: Trial by Magic: A GameLit/ LitRPG Adventure (Sept. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/31XuhqE 

Fragment of Divinity: A Litrpg Adventure (Defying Divinity Book 1) (Sept. 12th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3bp8Em0 


Stolen Lives: A LitRPG/GameLit Novel (The Underhill Chronicles Book 1)  (Sept. 15th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3iRoJ7w 

The Guild Core 1: Dragon Bourne (A Dungeon Core LitRPG/Cultavation Epic) (Sept. 16th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/33zXNUx 

Claimed (Olympus Reborn Book 3) (Sept. 18th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2Y1MBwl 

Labyrinth to Tartarus: The LitRPG Saga Continues (The Eternal Journey Book 3) (Sept. 21st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3kHWGYX 

Tycoon - Trudging the Path to a Modest Life in a Fantasy World: A Fantasy LitRPG Series (Book Two) (Sept. 29th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2YIgaDl 

Sovereign (The Gods' Game, Volume IV): A LitRPG novel (Sept. 30th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2AqLAFn 

Seas the Day: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 5) (Oct. 1st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2XIrTl0 

Final Odyssey: A LitRPG Journey (Legends Online Book 7)  (Oct. 1st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/32T6yZl 

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Oct. 2nd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2BDfXZu 

Awaken Online: Inferno (Tarot #3) (Oct. 3rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/31UjQUE 

Watcher’s Fate: A LitRPG Saga (Life in Exile Book 3) (Oct. 6th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3g05cPT 

City of Goblins (In the System Book #1): LitRPG Series (Oct. 7th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2XyhiJs 

The Otherworld (Underdog Book #4): LitRPG Series (Oct. 26th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3gU9d9R 

The Fallen God: A LitRPG Adventure (Eternal Online Book 3) (Oct. 27th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2WQUNPm 

The First Peak of the Force: A LitRPG Wuxia Series (The Heavenly Throne 3) (Nov. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3hSt0GJ 

Quest for the Ember Relic: A Phoenix Online LitRPG Adventure (Nov. 23rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3a8x16F 

The Twilight Hatchling: A LitRPG Adventure (Dream Stream Reality Book 2) (Dec. 1st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3i0VoX6 

In Service of the Pharaoh (League of Losers Book #2): LitRPG Series (Dec. 3rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2QSdgaR 

The Tribute (Project Stellar Book 3): LitRPG Series (Dec. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/32UEALb 

The Dark Champion (Interworld Network Book #3): LitRPG Series (Dec. 16th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3hWduK4 

Small Unit Tactics (Volume #2): LitRPG Series  (Dec. 28th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/359GV7X 

Spear of Destiny: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 5) (Dec. 31st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2Z4XPAE 

Onto New Releases and Reviews

(Play Music 3)

New Releases and Reviews

(Picture 1)

Aether’s Guard (Aether’s Revival Book 2)

Gregory’s life changed when his aether sparked to life during the Age Day ritual. He left his old friends and his old life behind, and was taken to the Magi Academy to start training to serve the Vela Empire. Suddenly alone and out of place, he prepared for the worst.


When the beautiful novice, Yukiko Warlin, asked if they could be friends, his life changed again. After six months of duplicity from the people who they had thought of as friends, Gregory and Yukiko isolated themselves from all the other novices.


Gregory chose a path considered impossible for his training, and Yukiko followed, pushing each other to strive ever harder. When Yukiko’s betrothal was annulled, the two friends were free to express the deeper feelings that had developed between them. 


The first tournament for the novices was brutal on the two young lovers. Both of them were pushed to the absolute limit, but they endured. When they took the top two spots, their fellow novices dropped the pretense of friendship, when neither would bow to the machinations of their peers. 


Now, the rest of their first year stands before them. It’s become clear that they should join a clan, but where can they find one that would treat them both fairly and equally?


(This book contains some adult themes.)

My Opinion: 662 pages, $4.99 , Available On Kindle Unlimited

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

A good book that builds on the last by increasing the depth of relationships between the two main characters Gregory and Yukiko, and adding in new people to their group. There is a feeling of familiarity as the story repeats the threats from other students and the tournament. The biggest world building shift is the addition of guilds which offer protection and larger threats. There are also lots of little stories in the slice of life novel that flesh out the everyday aspect of life for the citizens and how the characters fit in with them. 

Same light RPG aspects with a dash of cultivation with plants, drinks, and meditation that increase aether.

While there was a bit less action than book 1, it's a good story that developed the characters well. 

Score: 7.6 out of 10

Aether’s Guard - Aether’s Revival Book 2

https://amzn.to/2QItCCZ 


Holy War (Disgardium Book #5): LitRPG Series

Under the protection of Nergal the Radiant, the Alliance’s armies march confidently toward Tiamat’s temple. Scyth’s old tricks are no longer working. The Legate of the Destroying Plague and his friends have a difficult choice to make: bow to the wishes of the Snowstorm corporation and complete the quest of the Nucleus, surrender to the preventers, or retreat in the battle for Tiamat’s temple to win the war?

One thing is sure: they’re going to need allies. And sometimes, old enemies can make the best friends.

My Opinion: 408 pages, $6.99, Not Available On Kindle Unlimited

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

At first I thought the story would just continue the PvP stuff from the previous book. While that is still part of the story, I also appreciated the author's decision to send the MC on a solo journey (no spoilers). It was a great twist I could not have foreseen and gave me some ideas about future issues for the game world.

There were also a few neat IRL scenes that I liked, both because they kept the threat to the MC in the real world high, but also because they let him be a young person for a little bit which made the character feel more real. 

Overall, the story continues the larger battles from the last book, but adds some interesting twists that keeps it from being repetitive. I had a good time reading it and would recommend it for anyone who likes the series. 

Score: 7.7 out of 10

Holy War (Disgardium Book #5): LitRPG Series 

https://amzn.to/3eBlyOH 


Tower of Damnation (A LitRPG and GameLIT Saga): Book Two, Arcana

After entering the colosseum, Bradley found himself fighting dozens of gladiators every day in hopes of earning more experience and coins. Over time, his name thundered in the ears of others, giving him the chance to enter the competition hosted by one of the Duke’s of Hell, Iscanthar, himself. Bradley, with Ralph supporting him, hopes to dominate the tournament and procure a specific item—a key.

My Opinion: 210 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited

No Tower Climbing, Odd shifts in story, good action

A fairly decent sequel. It seems to abandon any actual tower climbing this book but it may return in the next one. Instead, you get a decent conclusion to the gladiator thing and a shift to a larger attempt to grind XP by leading an army into battle. 

I’ll admit, it was an odd shift. I didn’t feel like the main character (MC) really earned the position of leadership he was given and it was also a bit of a personality shift for the MC. Oddly, a small side note - there were an odd number of typos and even editor notes left in the story. I thought the notes added something funny, but don’t think this was intentional. 

But the action is still good and this is a slice of life story, so it’s not too out of left field. There’s an increase in tension in the story as the MC realizes he doesn’t have the years to prepare for the big cataclysm, which helps justify some of the story advances. Still, a little bit of loss of enjoyment with the loss of the tower climbing.

Score: 7.3 out of 10

Tower of Damnation (A LitRPG and GameLIT Saga): Book Two, Arcana

https://amzn.to/34Y4sbB 


Skeleton Soldier Couldn’T Protect The Dungeon

His only purpose was to protect his master. And yet he was powerless to protect her.

But fate has more in store for him as he gets another chance to protect his master once more and change his destiny.

My Opinion: 90 chapters, Free/Paywall

This is partially an RPG power up story and partially a Save Point story. The main character (MC), the skeleton, dies and finds himself back 20 years when he was first raised by a low level necromancer. He also has an RPG interface and inherited the stats, though not levels, he earned before he dies. He not only gets the chance to protect someone he’d previously failed to save, but if he dies he just gets reset to that point when he was raised. This changes a bit as the story advances with the MC being reset to different Save Points as he increases his levels, fights monsters, uncovers plots, and levels. 

The story is pretty slice of life, but interesting. It has a slower pace but there’s a good bit of world building done between fights and leveling with slowly revealed plots between factions that the MC realizes he has to navigate through. The repeating theme of him losing or dying and then learning from his mistakes or using the reset to take an entirely different path doesn’t get old as it’s a great way to shift the story in any number of ways between the various factions and antagonists. 

I also liked how the RPG powers develop with the MC never feeling too overpowered before he’s faced with more challenging opponents and being forced to grow again.  The MC has levels, stats, skills, and special abilities that open up whole new ways to gain powers. Good stuff. 

Overall, the pacing is a little slow sometimes but the action and the Save Point respawns allow for some interesting storytelling and I had a good time reading the web comic. 

Score: 7.6 out of 10

Skeleton Soldier Couldn’T Protect The Dungeon

https://www.tappytoon.com/en/comics/skeleton-soldier-failed-defend-dungeon 



Ian’s (Eye-Ann) Picks of the Week - New Segment

Segment from Ian Mitchell a long time LitRPG community member who reads and reviews as much as me. He was nice enough to agree to join the LitRPG Podcast family as a new reviewer.

(Pic 6)

Gamified - Book One: Beastmaster (A Fantasy LitRPG)

Mom's an NPC, oh no!

A pretty good start for a series. All good PG fun. I very much appreciate when the first book in a series can stand by itself as a complete story. Plus a hook at the end. It was nice to read something that wasn't so grim and dark. A bit scary, sure. I enjoyed reading Gamified all the way through. I had a high school movie vibe. A couple hours of adventure that gets mostly tied up by the end. I've enjoyed just about every Portal book that I've read so far. And yes, Mr Biggles made it work. I wonder if the author played Tallowmere (a steam game with a Mr Biggles).

Score: 8.0 out of 10

Gamified - Book One: Beastmaster (A Fantasy LitRPG)

https://amzn.to/3lQ7J2I 

(Pic 7)

Battleborne

I love the troll regeneration

I read this in 2 stages. I enjoy Dave Willmarth's writing. Easy to read, good dialog, interesting characters. Around the middle of the book Max the battleborne is getting ready to go both hunting orcs and make peace with them. He'd been battling hard with the dwarves fighting the bad guy gray dwarves. After that he's hanging out with the king and other high ranked dwarves and almost everyone was getting along just great. The battles were pretty epic. I just wasn't in the mood for all of this everything is going great stuff. It didn't fit with my dark funk at the time. So I put it down. Feeling better now I finished it today. The trip out to the orcs was some pretty good adventuring. I can't slight the story because it didn't sync with my foul mood at the time and everything's set up for some awesome battles in the next book. So maybe Max doesn't dwell on his dark side. There are a lot of cool elements in Battleborne. And I really do like dwarves, orcs, and goblins. Dave Willmarth gets some decent witty banter in. Worth a read. Maybe Max will get a girlfriend next book.

Score: 8.3 out of 10

Battleborne

https://amzn.to/2Z6OEj5 

(Pic 8)

The Mechanical Crafter - Book 2 (A LitRPG series) (The Mechanical Crafter series)

Metal man makes a new pet

This was a fun read. I found having a mechanical man as a protagonist an odd choice, but it works. Repair has a quest, a goal, and a short time to finish it - 33 days. A lot of cool LitRPG elements woven well: crafting, combat, blacksmithing, mining. Repair and his goblin friend Greebo build a crew, befriend some other adventurers and work on solving a mystery. Mechanical crafter 2 was a pretty easy read and it had goblins and explosions. I look forward to book 3.

Score: 8.0 out of 10

The Mechanical Crafter - Book 2 (A LitRPG series) (The Mechanical Crafter series)

https://amzn.to/3jPXry1 

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)

Music Credits

"Blip Stream" "Mighty Like Us" "Big Shift" "Vivacity"

Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/