LitRPG Podcast 249 - Underdog Book #4, The Land of the Undying Lord, A Bond Broken, I'm Destined For Greatness!
LitRPG Podcast 249 - Underdog Book #4, The Land of the Undying Lord, A Bond Broken, I'm Destined For Greatness!
Oct. 30th, 2020
Hello everyone, welcome to episode 249 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia.
I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews. We have 4 new reviews just for you. Special thanks to listener Cory Covert who recommended The Land of the Undying Lord.
New Releases and Reviews:
The Otherworld (Underdog Book #4): LitRPG Series (15:35)
Almost stand alone entry
Score: 7.4 out of 10
The Land of the Undying Lord (The Infinite World Book 1) (19:29)
A great story and I’m glad that I went back and gave it a shot.
Score: 8 out of 10
A Bond Broken: The Infinite World Book Two (25:44)
It drops from great to a good story.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
I'm Destined For Greatness! (30:22)
Overall, a good casual stuff with some decent action.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
https://mangadex.org/title/41098/i-m-destined-for-greatness
(Play Music 2)
LitRPG News
Soundbooth Theater Direct Independent Distribution is Now Live!
Soundbooth Theater, one the greatest LitRPG audiobook narration companies, has expanded their platform. Not only do they produce quality audiobooks but now they’ve setup an independent platform to sell some of them directly to listeners at a significant savings.
*Note: Not every Soundbooth Audiobook is available for direct sale due to some exclusivity contracts with other platforms. But there’s quite a selection available.*
Other audiobook platforms charge listeners $19-25 or more per audiobook and take 60-75% of that revenue from authors and narrators.
Soundbooth charged $10-14 per audiobook and that money goes directly to the folks who made it.
Right now you can now purchase and play audiobooks and Audio Deep Dives directly from the Soundbooth Theater website! In the coming days, you'll also be able to enjoy them through Android and Apple apps as well (don't worry, whatever you purchase now will show up in the library when you download the app).
Now through November 15th, any time you purchase three or more items, use the code LAUNCH15 at checkout to receive 15% off your whole order. You can use the code as many times as you want, as long as you have at least three items in your cart each time.
https://soundbooththeater.com/audiobooks/
Michael Chatfield recently did an AMA on the Reddit LitRPG group and also one on the author’s Facebook page. Check them out for information about Chatfields work and him answering questions.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=398803564469194
More Plagiarized stories
I could only find 1 obviously plagiarized story in the LitRPG/GameLit categories and that was put up 10/16. So, did we win? Did we make stealing stories from the web and publishing them so unprofitable it wasn’t worth it? Or did Amazon just close a bunch of the plagiarized account? Or did they just move onto other genres like cultivation?
The Fables is stolen from an ongoing Web Novel story of the same name..
Original: https://www.webnovel.com/book/the-fabled_18183206405597305
Plagiarized: https://www.amazon.com/Fabled-Don-Harlow-ebook/dp/B08LBX2Y66
Out Now!
Lightningbreaker: Book One of the Axis Mundi Chronicles: A LitRPG Adventure
Tales From the Upgrade: A LitRPG, Dungeon Core tale.
Tower Climber (A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1)
The Sigilist: Mark of a Mage: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure
Beastborne: Exiled Lands: An Epic Portal Fantasy LitRPG Saga (Beastborne Chronicles, Book 2)
Respawn: The Last Crossing (Respawn LitRPG series Book 6)
Seas the Day: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 5)
The Fallen God: A LitRPG Adventure (Eternal Online Book 3)
Dragon Heart: Land of The Enemy. LitRPG Wuxia Series: Book 8
*Came out end of Sept. but missed it*
New LitRPG Audiobooks
Auction of Souls - Fantasy GameLit RPG Series (Pixel Dust, Book 3)
The Ruined Temple (A LitRPG Adventure)
Crota - A LitRPG Novel (The Gods' Game, Book 1)
Mind Games - A LitRPG Apocalypse (RealRPG, Book 1)
An Equation with One Unknown - Invasion, Book 2
Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, Book 3
Dream Druid - Arcane Kingdom Online, Book 6
Fragment of Divinity - A LitRPG Adventure (Defying Divinity, Book 1)
Fusion - Somnia Online, Book 6
A Snake's Path - A Snake's Life, Book 2
Downfall and Rise - Challenger's Call, Book 1
Children of Fear: A Paranormal LitRPG Dungeon Core
Something - Full Murderhobo, Book 1
Four Beheadings and a Funeral - The Good Guys Series, Book 9
Upcoming LitRPG:
Crimson Sands: Sosaku Online - Book 1 (Oct. 31st, 2020)
How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps (Nov. 1st, 2020)
City of Fallen Souls: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 3) (Nov. 1st, 2020)
The Master of Metal: A LitPPG Wuxia Series (The Cards of Fate Book 1) (Nov. 3rd, 2020)
The Nightmare Game: The original MMORPG Murder, Mutilation, Offensive, Repulsive Player Game (Nov. 3rd, 2020)
Death Is the Destiny of All (The Twenty-Sided Eye Series Book 4) (Nov. 4th, 2020)
The First Peak of the Force: A LitRPG Wuxia Series (The Heavenly Throne 3) (Nov. 10th, 2020)
Date: A LitRPG Adventure (Monsters, Maces and Magic Book 6) (Nov. 10th, 2020)
Isr Kale's Journal (The Alchemist Book #4): LitRPG Series (Nov. 10th, 2020)
Imprisoned Online: Feeding the Trolls (A LitRPG Adventure Book 2) (Nov. 10th, 2020)
Bugs and Loopholes: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 3) (Nov. 11th, 2020)
Tallrock: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Farming Livia Book 1) (Nov. 13th, 2020)
EXODUS: The Prodigal Son: A Real RPG Story (EXODUS: A Real RPG Story Book 1) (Nov. 13th, 2020)
Fair Dinkum Dungeon Diving (The Aussie Mana Apocalypse Book 2) (Nov. 19th, 2020)
Lair: A Superhero LitRPG Adventure (Henchman Book 1) (Nov. 20th, 2020)
Biomedical Self-Engineering : Book 2 (Nov. 23rd, 2020)
The Twilight Hatchling: A LitRPG Adventure (Dream Stream Reality Book 2) (Dec. 1st, 2020)
DLC: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 4) (Dec. 2nd, 2020)
In Service of the Pharaoh (League of Losers Book #2): LitRPG Series (Dec. 3rd, 2020)
The Tribute (Project Stellar Book 3): LitRPG Series (Dec. 10th, 2020)
A Grim Demise and Even Worse Resurrection : Boneknight Series Book 1 (A Dark Fantasy LitRPG)
(Dec. 11th, 2020)
The Keepers of Limbo (The Range Book #1): LitRPG Series (Dec. 14th, 2020)
Drawing the Line: A LitRPG/GameLit Novel (The Underhill Chronicles Book 2) (Dec. 15th, 2020)
The Dark Champion (Interworld Network Book #3): LitRPG Series (Dec. 16th, 2020)
High Gloom: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (Bad Guys Book 6) (Dec. 22nd, 2020)
Small Unit Tactics (Volume #2): LitRPG Series (Dec. 28th, 2020)
Keys of Four Elements (Primacy Online Book 5) (Dec. 30th, 2020)
Spear of Destiny: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 5) (Dec. 31st, 2020)
Onto New Releases and Reviews
(Play Music 3)
New Releases and Reviews
(Picture 1)
The Otherworld (Underdog Book #4): LitRPG Series
After battling the hyenas, Eric gets a notification that something called a Place of Power has been found. That is the only clue that might help him get back to his native world.
But there's a problem. The system needs mana to calculate a route. Eric simply doesn't have any and he doesn't know when he will. That is because, due to the strange laws this world lives by, Eric's mana supply isn't filling up. But the Great System also exists here, though its laws are only partially functioning.
Having found himself in this alien and dangerous world without magic or the support of his loyal Gorgie, Eric understands that the kid who saved him, Badger, is currently his only source of useful information. That is a chance to understand and gain knowledge about this world and, in all likelihood, find a way to rustle up some mana.
My Opinion: 385 pages, $6.99, Not available on Kindle Unlimited
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy of this book when it became available.
This is a nice almost stand alone entry into the series. The main character (MC) has been transported to another dimension where his mana doesn’t regenerate and the entire novel revolves around him not only finding a way to get his mana back, but helping the beastkin like locals that he meets, and finding a new source of power to help him grow. There’s lots of action and adventure but little connection to the main quest events of previous books. It’s a nice change of pace and enjoyable still in its own right. The buy price is a bit expensive though but once its in KU it’s a good addition for fans of the series or folks that just want to dip there toes into an almost stand alone entry.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
The Otherworld (Underdog Book #4): LitRPG Series
The Land of the Undying Lord (The Infinite World Book 1)
The Infinite World, ever-changing and ever growing. New nations and races rose and fell almost daily. New Classes were discovered, as old ways were lost. Monsters and beasts roamed the earth and were slain by soldiers and adventurers who were in turn killed by stronger threats. Heroes and villains created new epics and were forgotten when their successors appeared. This was the way of the Infinite World.
Summoned into this chaotic place, a young boy with no name and no past must learn to survive. Bound to a master who doesn't care whether he lives or dies, he must become stronger. The question is how? Do the people around him value him for who he is or merely for what he represents? The world holds endless possibilities, only time will tell what the future holds for the boy.
My Opinion: 519 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
This is a great story that is full of action, adventure, and eventually lots of good RPG progression. It’s never advertised itself as LitRPG, but it truly is and in the best possible way. The story pacing reminds me of the Drizzt Do'Urden novels I’d read as a kid, just chock full of adventure, comradery, and regular introspection. The first part, maybe 30%, does a good bit of world building and character flaw ground laying. It's pretty slice of life as the reader is introduced to the world, the main character, a human summons, and everyone else. But once the story gets to the big dungeon, called a trail in the story, the plotting comes through fairly well with a clear novel goal and ending that is satisfying. The main character in particular is very likable and it's easy to root for the poor kid and I was really happy for him whenever something good went his way.
The RPG side of things is a little slow at first with stated levels for characters and classes, but little progression. There’s some Skill acquisition but it’s not till the story hits that major dungeon that the RPG progression takes off for everyone with people specializing in classes, merging old ones and new, and getting skill stones and special equipment needed to survive the harrowing dungeon run. There are lots of notifications, ability, levels, and monster descriptions as well as a whole reasonable cultural setting for the RPG system. Anyone that likes their LitRPG crunchy will enjoy this.
Overall, it’s a great story and I’m glad that I went back and gave it a shot based on a friend’s recommendation.
Score: 8 out of 10
The Land of the Undying Lord (The Infinite World Book 1)
A Bond Broken: The Infinite World Book Two
Having experienced his first survival type Trial, Trent Embra is eager to explore what else the world has to offer. There is only one problem. Not everyone comes away from a month of constant fighting untouched. Trent's friend, Tersa is unhinged by her time in the Land of the Undying Lord, and Sergeant Cullen means to see her fixed. Trent, enlisted to help, is dragged towards another Trial, mostly willingly. Only time will tell if Tersa still has a place in the Guard, and what the Infinite World has in store for Trent
My Opinion: 292 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
I thought book 1 in this series was great. There was a good plotted out story arc once the group reached the dungeon and I enjoyed all the world building action, adventure, and comradery the story had to offer.
In book 2, most of that returns but the story itself is very slice of life and it doesn’t have that same plotted feel. Instead, you follow the main character (MC) mostly as he continues training, hits a few dungeons (trials in the book), and develops his character arc a little but. There are other characters from book 1 that have their own side journeys, but they frankly felt tacked on a little. Like the author was giving the reader updates so they could see what they were doing until they reconnected with the MC, which doesn’t happen this book. There were also some new characters introduced that had no development or connection to the MC and just kinda existed on their own, in this book.
The RPG side of things is pretty much the same as it was in book 1. There is new information in gaining advanced classes and a story point of how classes influence the personality of the person who gets them.
Overall, for me, it drops from great to a good story. The characters are still likeable. The RPG progression, action, and adventure were satisfying. However, there wasn’t nearly as much plot advancement as I was expecting and that may be due to the fact that this novel is a bit over half the size of book 1 and feels in some ways like half a novel when compared to that first book.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
A Bond Broken: The Infinite World Book Two
I'm Destined For Greatness!
When you succeed at everything you try, you have no choice but to seek challenges elsewhere, like in a game. By using the trash jobs that no one pays any attention to, with the right attitude you're bound to accomplish your goals! even succeeding at the most impossible of quests, the main character bets everything he has. "With my skills I'll beat this game!"
My Opinion: 48+ chapters, FREE, No English Distributor or official translator
An entertaining slice of life webcomic about a bored player of an MMO that likes to use unusual or even trash builds for his characters. He loses a big PvP tournament because of a bad crit roll and decides to rebuild his character using Luck as his main stat. The adventures that follow show that even in this hardcore MMO, having lady luck on your side brings some interesting results.
Art: Pretty good art. It's in full color with clean line work. Looks a bit digital and the backgrounds aren’t amazing, but it gets the fun and action across.
The story is pretty slice of life, just following the main character as he adventures. There’s some nice humor here and there, but it really is just seeing how this Luck stat build goes, how his interactions with the NPCs play into his development, and a few relationships he develops as he plays.
Overall, a good casual stuff with some decent action.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
https://mangadex.org/title/41098/i-m-destined-for-greatness
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(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/