LitRPG Podcast 256 - Alpha Zero, Apocalypse: Generic System, Fortune Favors the Kobold, Reincarnated as a Sword, Sixth Realm Part 2, Pilgrim 2

 

LitRPG Podcast 256 -  Alpha Zero, Apocalypse: Generic System, Fortune Favors the Kobold, Reincarnated as a Sword, Sixth Realm Part 2, Pilgrim 2

Dec. 25th, 2020

Hello everyone, welcome to episode 256 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. 


New Releases and Reviews:

Alpha Zero (Alpha LitRPG Book 1) (07:29)

From broken to badass

Score: 7.7 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3pfGa3G 


Apocalypse: Generic System (14:27)

Anything but Generic

Score: 7.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/37S1lTX 


Fortune Favors the Kobold (18:53)

Drunken Tim Antics

Score:7.3 out of 10 

https://amzn.to/34G931g 


Reincarnated as a Sword (21:20)

Light yet fun adventures

Score: 7.6 out of 10

https://sevenseasentertainment.com/books/reincarnated-as-a-sword-manga-vol-1/ 




Ian’s (Eye-Ann) Picks of the Week  (25:56)

(Pic 0)

New 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)


Sixth Realm Part 2: A litRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 7)

On to the seventh realm

Score: 7.5 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2WJLaBA 


Pilgrim 2

It's hard to quit when you're an Assassin

Score: 8.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3aFqBOX 


(Play Music 2)

LitRPG News




C.M. Carney has put the first book in his Quintessence series on sale for $0.99 until 12/29. A good deal for a good book.

https://amzn.to/3rpzXEh 





The annual charity drive from the Gamelit Society on Facebook has ended and they raised $3,468 which has been donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Thanks everyone that donated.




Out Now!


High Gloom: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (Bad Guys Book 6) 

https://amzn.to/2HTOc1N 


Into the Wild: An Epic LitRPG Series (Axe Druid Book 6) 

https://amzn.to/3nxsalp 



A Doomed Fight and Not So Great Landing: Boneknight Series Book 2 

https://amzn.to/3p2Zkdb 


Legacy Systems: Next Gen Gamer

https://amzn.to/3rvHVfo 


Condition Evolution 3: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure

https://amzn.to/38ON1uH 




New LitRPG Audiobooks


Condition Evolution - A LitRPG/Game-Lit Adventure

https://amzn.to/3rp0Yb0 


Land of Demons - Dragon Heart Book 7

https://amzn.to/38uKOEm 


Path to Villainy - An NPC Kobold's Tale

https://amzn.to/38DxmOs 


Inheritance - A LitRPG Space Adventure (The Last Enclave)

https://amzn.to/3aGheyp 


Awakened: The Quintessence: Crucible, Book One (An Epic Cultivation LitRPG Saga)

https://amzn.to/3aDEihn 




Upcoming LitRPG:


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

https://amzn.to/359GV7X 


Wasteland [RealRPG Wuxia Series] Book #1 (Dec. 29th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2KZfFRh 


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

https://amzn.to/2GilM1g 


Labyrinth of Fright (Underdog Book #5): LitRPG Series (Jan. 4th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2TZ6qlo 


Glitch King: A LitRPG Adventure (Mythrune Online Book 2) (Jan. 5th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/38fK0TF 


Black Dawn: An Apocalyptic LitRPG Adventure (Fae Nexus Book 1) (Jan. 5th, 2020)

https://amzn.to/38j4fQk 


Entriss Online - A VR LitRPG Fantasy (Watson's Worlds Book 1) (Jan. 5th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2LZ23pG 


Carl's Doomsday Scenario: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 (Jan. 6ht, 2021)

https://amzn.to/33Mr11I 


Legacy Systems: Desert Trials (Jan. 8th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/34J6NGz 


Reborn: Evolution: A LitRPG Series (Warlock Chronicles Book 2) (Jan. 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/32hZTGT 


Activation: Book 1 of of the Invasion Series - A Nanomachine Magical World LitRPG Adventure

(Jan. 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3prlTIP 


Unity: A Superhero LitRPG Adventure (Henchman Book 3) (Jan. 15th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3r9mtws 


Couch Potato Crisis - (Couch Potato Chronicles Book 2) (Jan. 15th, 2021)


Shadow Seer (Rogue Merchant Book #3): LitRPG Series (Jan. 18th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/32iROlC 


The Call of the Forces: A LitRPG Wuxia Series (The Heavenly Throne Book 4) (Jan. 19th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3mKlK28 


Watcher's Repose: A LitRPG Saga (Life in Exile Book 4) (Jan. 19th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2Ufn4gZ 


Player Reached the Top. LitRPG Series. Book IV  (Jan. 20th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3p4KmUS 


Underpowered Howard: A LitRPG Adventure (Jan. 26th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/36IfPF0 


Rifleman: A LitRPG / LitFPS Adventure (Battlegrounds Online Book 1) (Jan. 26th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3nVKkx8 


Spear of Destiny: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 5) (Jan. 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2Z4XPAE 


Ascension: A LitRPG Journey (Legends Online Book 8) (Jan. 31st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/353gaS6 


True John Crusade: A Dark Fantasy Gamelit (The Adventures of Dan Book 2) (Feb. 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2VFpTIK 


Eat, Slay, Love (The Good Guys Book 10) (Feb. 4th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/36KaXza 


The Great Centurion: Punic Wars 2 (A Real LitRPG Roman Series) (Feb. 5th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3gc9WmM 


The Motors of Keldora: An Automation Crafting LitRPG Adventure (Factory of the Gods Book 3)  (Feb. 8th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3rqVRag 


Rule of Cool: A LitRPG Novel (Feb. 16th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3rvhl5N 


Dagger of Doom: A LitRPG Adventure (Beta Tester Book 5) (Feb. 17th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2VDRmuv 


Path of Spirit (Disgardium Book #6): LitRPG Series (Feb. 17th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/37B8pTn 


Jeff the Game Master: A LitRPG Series (Feb. 23rd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3oofnBY 



Onto New Releases and Reviews


(Play Music 3)

New Releases and Reviews


(Picture 1)

Alpha Zero (Alpha LitRPG Book 1)

I should not exist.

All children like me are stillborn, or die in infancy. Those who cannot grow stronger, die. No empty child has ever reached a year of age, yet I am now thirteen.

It has been a long and miserable thirteen years, where the best I can manage to do is walk with difficulty. Sometimes, I cannot even manage that.

My clan has paid dearly for every minute of my life. And money is not so easy to obtain, here at the edge of civilization.

Perhaps I might have lived in this state for many years. A cripple, strong in mind but feeble in body. But when some unexpected guests came to our estate, everything changed. I would die at last – or, I would learn to survive on my own.


My Opinion: 625 pages, $5.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited


The philosophy of the story and mechanics reminded me of the Underdog series, where the MC seems to be broken because of his zero level and unable to survive in a world where levels means everything. But that flaw turns into the characters secret boon as he discovers a way to exploit the system for unheard of rewards. There’s still lots of hard work, creative thinking, and in the case of this novel fishing, but it's that kind of game mechanic exploitation story. 


It has an interesting, if almost purely cultivation start. But at the 14% mark, the RPG aspects of the martial arts world are explained including: stats, levels, and cultivation cores. More details and specifics related to the MCs unique progression path are given as the story goes on and the details become relevant. I also liked how the ideas were translated by the MC from the native world concepts, with their own particular names, into earth culture and gaming terms. It reinforced the reincarnated into a new world background.


Overall, it’s an interesting story where you see great strides in progression from a character who starts off crippled. I will note that if you need a story with lots of fight scenes, this won’t do it for you. There’s  not much combat till the last quarter of the story, though there are many other types of conflicts and a good bit of tension from other sources.


Score: 7.7 out of 10

Alpha Zero (Alpha LitRPG Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3pfGa3G 



Apocalypse: Generic System


Jeb Trapper tried to kill himself. The gun jammed.


Two months later the vet is participating in underground trials of ecstacy to treat his PTSD.


Everything seemed to be going great until...


>>>The System has Been Installed<<<


Now he's got to choose the difficulty of his tutorial.


Just one problem.


He's high as a kite, and nothing seems Impossible.


My Opinion: 379 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited


Game mechanics. Fairly good with unique classes for just about all the characters like: mystic taxidermist, and trap smith. Early in the story stats and levels matter with descriptions about just how physically changing gaining even a few stat points can be. However, after the MC hits level 20 and picks his class the RPG stuff matters a lot less. Instead, the MC develops power through use of his class abilities and cleverness. After that point he never seems to run out of fuel for his spell or abilities or really hit any kind of limit beyond what's artificially created to create tension.


Still the story cranks up the epic goodness as it pushes some good twists that keep you turning page after page. 


Score: 7.8 out of 10

Apocalypse: Generic System

https://amzn.to/37S1lTX 



Fortune Favors the Kobold 

Tim and the C&C gang get more than they bargained for when they follow a lead given to them by a friendly kobold.


Will they find the hidden treasure? Will Tim find his pants? Will any horses survive?


Find out in this exciting addition to the Caverns & Creatures collection!


My Opinion: 39 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited


A short story told from a very drunken Tim’s POV with all the expected oddities and blackouts that entails. The story is an entertaining quickie. 


Score:7.3 out of 10 

Fortune Favors the Kobold 

https://amzn.to/34G931g 



 I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated aka Reincarnated as a Sword

When he realized it, the protagonist was in another world and had become a sword that was stabbed on an altar in a great plain, crowded with devil beast. The world he was in had a game like system; HP, MP, Strength, Vitality, Agility, Intelligence, Dexterity, Titles and Equipment. Following his instinct as a living sword, he traveled to find the one who could be his wielder, until he met with a cat girl that was about to be attacked by a bear type devil beast.


My Opinion: 41+ chapters; $9.99 (light novel) $12.99 (manga), 8 vol. Light novel, English Publisher


This is a lighter slice of life story with a main character (MC) who was reincarnated as a sword on a fantasy RPG world. He’s OP as heck, but gets stuck somewhere and eventually gets picked up by a young catgirl slave who he saves and frees. The two go on adventures exploring the world and leveling. Simple setup, light, yet fun and funny adventures. 


There’s an official english version of the light novel on Amazon and a kinda expensive manga version, though that’s only been translated to volume 6. The most updated webcomic is fan translated up to volume 8. 


Score: 7.6 out of 10

 I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated

Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita

Manga

https://sevenseasentertainment.com/books/reincarnated-as-a-sword-manga-vol-1/ 

Light Novel

https://amzn.to/3rvGsFU 






Ian’s (Eye-Ann) Picks of the Week 

(Pic 0)

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


(Pic 6)

Sixth Realm Part 2: A litRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 7)

by Michael Chatfield


On to the seventh realm


I really like Michael Chatfield's books. I really really want more action in this one. The writing is good and I like the story so far. But I like cultivation. This one is slow, bouncing around again visiting lots of interesting people and showing off cool weapon systems. I can't say it was fun. Some hints late that interesting things await. In the next realm. Mostly Alva development with some Erik and Rugrat cultivating. I was thinking, where's the explosions and body count through much of the first 40% of the book.


Score: 7.5 out of 10

https://amzn.to/2WJLaBA 


Pilgrim 2

by Harmon Cooper


It's hard to quit when you're an Assassin


Too many damn assassins after you. I really enjoyed the interactions between Danzen (MC), Kudzu (fox), and Jelmay (cat). Reading this was smooth, almost like a dream. I didn't feel a lot of dramatic tension, even when difficult things were going on (perhaps too smooth). A lot of story packed in. The fights were intense and short. A lot of fun to read. I got worried towards the end as there didn't seem to be enough book left to finish it, but it was well done. Great story and series, I think I liked book one more. This one was more almost awesome.


Score: 8.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3aFqBOX 





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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/