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

https://amzn.to/3e1hTu5 


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

https://amzn.to/2HEgE7S 


A Bond Broken: The Infinite World Book Two (25:44)

It drops from great to a good story.

Score: 7.4 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2HDPdv5 


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

https://amzn.to/3oHH6yy 


Tales From the Upgrade: A LitRPG, Dungeon Core tale.

https://amzn.to/35QMxmc 


Tower Climber (A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3oCAcdX 


The Sigilist: Mark of a Mage: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure 

https://amzn.to/35Ry0qe 


Tolara A New Life

https://amzn.to/2JhG8bT 


Beastborne: Exiled Lands: An Epic Portal Fantasy LitRPG Saga (Beastborne Chronicles, Book 2)

https://amzn.to/3oL6u6i 


Sacred Cat Island 

https://amzn.to/2HwMioj 


Respawn: The Last Crossing (Respawn LitRPG series Book 6) 

https://amzn.to/3lAqZAf 


Seas the Day: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 5) 

https://amzn.to/2XIrTl0 


The Fallen God: A LitRPG Adventure (Eternal Online Book 3) 

https://amzn.to/2WQUNPm 


The Ridden 

https://amzn.to/3lUgisx 


Tales of Dungeons 4

https://amzn.to/3jDli3i 


Dragon Heart: Land of The Enemy. LitRPG Wuxia Series: Book 8

https://amzn.to/3eciCZf 


*Came out end of Sept. but missed it*

Game Shift: Hayden's Book 3

https://amzn.to/2HQNPW7 







New LitRPG Audiobooks


Auction of Souls - Fantasy GameLit RPG Series (Pixel Dust, Book 3)

https://amzn.to/3oJFlAY 


The Ruined Temple (A LitRPG Adventure)

Eternal Online, Book 2

https://amzn.to/31ZkzmX 


Crota - A LitRPG Novel (The Gods' Game, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3oKvKdd 


Mind Games - A LitRPG Apocalypse (RealRPG, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/37WyJsX 


An Equation with One Unknown - Invasion, Book 2

https://amzn.to/3kM2Ab3 


Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, Book 3

https://amzn.to/2Joh4QL 


Dream Druid - Arcane Kingdom Online, Book 6

https://amzn.to/3jICXqp 


Fragment of Divinity - A LitRPG Adventure (Defying Divinity, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3eezfn2 



Fusion - Somnia Online, Book 6

https://amzn.to/3oGOf27 


A Snake's Path - A Snake's Life, Book 2

https://amzn.to/3eaHvVc 


Downfall and Rise - Challenger's Call, Book 1

https://amzn.to/3kKAKvZ 


Children of Fear: A Paranormal LitRPG Dungeon Core

Spirit Core, Book 2

https://amzn.to/34HinSN 


Something - Full Murderhobo, Book 1

https://amzn.to/32fyxBB 


Four Beheadings and a Funeral - The Good Guys Series, Book 9

https://amzn.to/3mD4r2p 



Upcoming LitRPG:


Crimson Sands: Sosaku Online - Book 1 (Oct. 31st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3k8lrwz 


How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps (Nov. 1st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/37YxPMG  


City of Fallen Souls: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 3) (Nov. 1st, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3oQeljp 


The Master of Metal: A LitPPG Wuxia Series (The Cards of Fate Book 1) (Nov. 3rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2REKzyx 


The Nightmare Game: The original MMORPG Murder, Mutilation, Offensive, Repulsive Player Game (Nov. 3rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2JmuHQq 


Death Is the Destiny of All (The Twenty-Sided Eye Series Book 4) (Nov. 4th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3mENh4E 


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

https://amzn.to/3hSt0GJ 


Date: A LitRPG Adventure (Monsters, Maces and Magic Book 6)  (Nov. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2RG7pGc 


Isr Kale's Journal (The Alchemist Book #4): LitRPG Series (Nov. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2HyoMH3 


Imprisoned Online: Feeding the Trolls (A LitRPG Adventure Book 2)  (Nov. 10th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/35RWIqn 


Bugs and Loopholes: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 3) (Nov. 11th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2FBL0az 


Tallrock: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Farming Livia Book 1) (Nov. 13th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3ee7TxB 


EXODUS: The Prodigal Son: A Real RPG Story (EXODUS: A Real RPG Story Book 1) (Nov. 13th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3eckj91 


Fair Dinkum Dungeon Diving (The Aussie Mana Apocalypse Book 2) (Nov. 19th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/34HqBdD 


Lair: A Superhero LitRPG Adventure (Henchman Book 1) (Nov. 20th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/35Rw6pA 



Biomedical Self-Engineering : Book 2 (Nov. 23rd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2FbX7uP 


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

https://amzn.to/3i0VoX6 


DLC: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 4)  (Dec. 2nd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/34KKlxk 


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 


A Grim Demise and Even Worse Resurrection : Boneknight Series Book 1 (A Dark Fantasy LitRPG)

(Dec. 11th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/3dxcNW9 



The Keepers of Limbo (The Range Book #1): LitRPG Series (Dec. 14th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2ZPbA6V 


Drawing the Line: A LitRPG/GameLit Novel (The Underhill Chronicles Book 2) (Dec. 15th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2FIxstF 


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

https://amzn.to/3hWduK4 


High Gloom: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (Bad Guys Book 6) (Dec. 22nd, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2HTOc1N 


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

https://amzn.to/359GV7X 


Keys of Four Elements (Primacy Online Book 5) (Dec. 30th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/2GilM1g 


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)

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

https://amzn.to/3e1hTu5 


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)

https://amzn.to/2HEgE7S 



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

https://amzn.to/2HDPdv5 



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

I'm Destined For Greatness!

https://mangadex.org/title/41098/i-m-destined-for-greatness 






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/