Because every time I rate a book high there is always someone who just has to say "the ending sucks or average ending nothing notable" but I have never heard someone say that book is great from start to finish, atp am starting to think people I just being needlessly petty or it's just that maybe the reader sets too much of an expectation.

Sup, Reddit.

I was recently having a discussion with a couple of friends on Discord when I came to a sudden realization about something that has been bothering me for years, but that I had never quite understood or put a name to: when the MC knows more about the world than I do. I don't have statistics to prove it, but I have a strong impression that the vast majority of authors in this subgenre do this.

Now, I have to make an important distinction here. This isn't about the MC having a plan to solve a particular problem and the author not revealing it to surprise the reader. That's acceptable and even cool when done well. I'm talking about him knowing the power ranks, the hierarchies, the geography, the bestiary, the details and peculiarities of what each level can do, and how the power scaling works, stuff like that.

Knowledge progression, in my opinion, is just as important as power progression. Nothing beats learning about the world alongside the MC. It's so annoying when he learns stuff off-page, or apparently knew it all along, and then something happens that leaves you completely baffled while he acts like it's perfectly normal.

It also makes it harder to participate in his decisions as a reader. When I know roughly the same rules he does, I can think about possible solutions, anticipate obstacles, and appreciate why his choices are clever. When he's relying on information I was never given, I just have to wait for him to act and explain it afterward.

I'm curious about your opinions:

• Is this narrative choice as prevalent as I think it is?
• Does it bother you as much as it bothers me?
• As an author, have you deliberately considered this choice, or have you just played it by ear?
• Can you suggest stories where the reader learns about the world and its systems alongside the MC?
• Is there a case to be made for the other side? Can you justify how the MC knowing more than I do can improve my experience as a reader?

--IMPORTANT EDIT---

I'm not talking about stories where the premise is "the strongest mage reincarnated in the same world" for obvious reasons.

Looking for some fire recs! Especially any audio book options.

I want stories at the level of : Stormlight Archive, Cradle, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Game Of Thrones, etc. I am seeing so much generated slop on royal road, wattpad, amazon, etc. Where do I find GOOD progression fantasy

I am EMOTIONALLY attached to kaladdin, carl, lindon, etc. I need books that are 10/10 well written at that level.

Please do not recommend siscon crap where the mc is overly affectionate with his sister. I don't want that.

I recently read "I am the shadow" manhua wherein the guy gets betrayed by his sister and her bf and transmigrated to the past, and he has his revenge and stuff. The man gets a secret alias as Shadow and kills her bf and the sis swears vengeance or whatever

The thing is, the sister hadn't done anything that bad by that point. She was sort of bratty. But that's about it. And what caught my attention was how persistent she was. She got kicked to the curb, beaten and humiliated multiple times, thrown out and abandoned, she was bullied, AMPUTATED. But she never gave up, she kept going and she kept trying.

And I was thinking, surely, surely this is some character development. The brother will feel something hearing about all this. But what did her brother do after hearing his own sister was amputated? Didn't care. I guess it's just revenge porn for the author and there seems to be no intent to progress her character.

I would like a manhwa where the brother and sister actually make up or something, where they do have a powerful bond even if it's not very clear or over the top wholesome.

I hate, HATE, when the MC ‘gimmick’ is that he can copy/steal skills, be it from other people or monsters. Even when it’s done well, the story quickly piles on so many skills on the MC that are forgotten a few chapters later.

And the worst thing is that every other character will glaze and worship the MC for being so ‘OP’ and amazing, and handsome. “Oh my god, MC-kun is so powerful! He must be extremely talented. Please, impregnate me!”

NO!

Bitch, he fucking stole that shit from ppl who worked their ass off for decades. He’s just aura farming fraud who never accomplished anything in his life without being a useless parasite.

It was the thing that annoyed me about ORV the most, especially after having so many people recommending the story as being the GOAT piece of literature to ever grace the planet.

I also often see this trope while browsing through RR/Amazon. Every blurb/synopsis will say something like “…and he gained the Fraud Class, giving him the ability to copy skills! Isn’t it amazing? It’s extremely original and never-before done power.”

FUCK THAT!

Why can’t the MC develop his own strength on his own. Why does it always have to be some sort bullshit like “MC can steal powers from monsters he defeats by eating their assholes”. Even xianxia/wuxia will have this, when MC steals some technique from his enemy or finds a scroll/ring in a cave, conveniently right next to Bumfuck Nowhere where he was born. Then everyone will glaze and suck his cock for being “The next coming of [insert xianxia title]!” Why can’t he make his own skill/technique and become OP through that? Fucking Japanese Naruto bullshit where MC must be a clone of the previous OP character.

But if you have any suggestions, I appreciate. I was practicing the painting of light and shadows. The draft of the cover was posted a few weeks ago and just wanted to show you an update. In book 2, the MC unlocks the power to transform into a kaiju-like lava golem thing (workshopping that term 🥴).

Book 3 launches November 9th with the first 5 chapters and one the other days that week. Hope you'll join me on the journey!

Check out a snippet from Book 3: Tidebringer

Or start from the beginning with The Flame Within on Royal Road.

I recently came across Maxed-Out Healer: A Second-Chance Game-Invasion LitRPG.

And am now halfway through book 3, and went to buy the rest, but they're gone.

I tried Google, but it only leads to dead Amazon Links and Spotify Audio books.

I don't take in a single word from Audio books, so those are useless to me.

Anyone know where I can find it?

Or at least why it was removed?

What is the point of having your story set in a new world if youre going to turn it into earth?

Hey everyone!

I'm working on a dark fantasy/progression fantasy novel, but I'm struggling to find the right title.

The story takes place in a world changed by a catastrophe known as the Shattering. Mysterious portals called Rends connect humanity to dangerous unknown territories, and the world still holds many secrets.

I'm looking for a title that's unusual, memorable, and thought-provoking—something whose deeper meaning readers might discover as the story progresses.

I've written the first chapter, and I'd love for you to read it before suggesting any titles. Hopefully, it'll give you a better idea of the atmosphere, the protagonist, and the kind of mystery I'm trying to build.

Chapter 1: A Crack in the Fog 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G1rdOBxLPTROJK2IhXGkWS630R_NTTXzAaB0qMcGZtY/edit?usp=sharing

After reading, I'd really appreciate your thoughts!

• What title comes to mind based on the chapter?
• What kind of title would make you curious about this story?
• Do you have any unusual or original title suggestions?
• What impression does the story give you so far?

I'm open to ideas and constructive criticism. Thanks for taking the time to read!

I'm once again am struggling to find new stories to read.

Avatar seven have a has just launched and it's made me have the hankering for specific kinds of stories.

These sorts of tropes or subgenres

Child protagonist. (Similar to bookbound bunny. Such cute baby give all cuddles.)

Chosen one. Bonus points if it's a local protagonist not into an Isekai.

Not having to do with seven havens, but some other stories I've been wanting to find, horde summoner. Just a summoner that summons things enmass (bonus points if it's not the typical necromancer.)

Hello! Evil Lemon here, and I'm excited to announce the Audiobook and Ebook releases for book 1 of my story: Chloe the Zombie!

COVER ARTIST: ArtStation - Erick Quintero Ruiz

AI USAGE: No AI was used in the creation of the Novel.

E-Book Link: Chloe the Zombie 1: A Monster Evolution LitRPG - Kindle edition by Lemon, Evil. Humor & Entertainment Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible Link (Published by Podium and Performed by Ash Aarrestad): Chloe the Zombie Audiobook by Evil Lemon

Blurb:

Chloe is coming for all the tasty brains in the world!

Being a zombie used to be super boring. Chloe just walked around in the dungeon, got chopped up by adventurers, then respawned. Over and over again. Until one day… she woke up.

Now she’s got smarts and a taste for freedom. Why stick around some stinky dungeon when there’s a whole world out there to explore?

Sure, the gods are out there stirring up chaos and treating the world like a game. And yeah, some big players are itching to put a stop to their meddling. But Chloe? She's just here to eat brains.

Perfect for fans of Syl, Salvos, and Chrysalis!

So, after my genius move of promoting my story here with an AI-generated cover and without interacting with the subreddit beforehand (obviously it's been deleted), I've become a little wiser, read the rules (yeah, in my head, that's a huge intellectual leap), and had a great time chatting with a lot of people in both their posts and some of mine.

So, without further ado, meet Shadow of the Silver Desert, a grimdark progression fantasy by someone who's writing a novel for the very first time in his life.

(And yes, the picture isn't the cover. It's just me picking up a pencil for the first time in 10 years.)

So basically, this is my first real work, like ever. I’ve written some stories before, but never published anything, and most importantly, I never thought about writing a big novel. But things change. One day, as a chemical engineering student who was just tired of life, I decided to become a real writer.

I’m a big fan of dark fantasy, mostly because it gives you the tools to create a realistic and believable world. So my work is a manifestation of that love. It’s the story of a boy from a Silver Desert tribe who always wanted new knowledge and adventures, despite being born amongst merciless sands, but life will soon teach him how cruel it can be, even while granting his own wishes.

As I already said, I love dark, realistic fantasy, so from the start there is no OP lead, no countless power-ups, no system, and no isekai. Instead, you will get a large world inspired by real cultures, highly detailed fight scenes, a hard magic system, steady growth of the protagonist (by stages, something like classic circles in fantasy but with it's own uniqueness), and lots of info dum… ahem… really important descriptions of the religions, cultures, and kingdoms of my world. There is some cruelty where it is needed, but it is not the main theme. If any of this rambling of mine interested you, feel free to check out my novel.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/194405/shadow-of-the-silver-desert

Hey everyone!

My newest LitRPG/Progression Fantasy book, Apocalypse Slayer, is now live on audible!!

It’s the beginning of a whole new series and I’m so excited to share it with you all. The book is a LitRPG/Progression Fantasy story drawing inspiration from Korean web novels, shonen battle manga, and Japanese role-playing games. Specific inspirations include Battle Royale, Btoom!, and Monster Hunter World.

The new series features lots of spear-fighting, crafting, and skill-stealing (though not introduced until chapter 19!). 

It feels really cool to be working on a new series and applying everything I’ve learned over the course of writing Arcane Kingdom Online, Tower Climber, and Second Chance Swordsman to a new opening adventure.

Eric Jason Martin crushes it in the narration!

I hope you check it out! Link and blurb below:

Audible link: https://www.audible.com/pd/Apocalypse-Slayer-Audiobook/B0HHHWT4W1

*

Blurb:

Slay monsters. Steal powers. Become unstoppable.

Rob was having a bad day even before the Integration struck.

A bloodthirsty monster appeared in his living room.

His supposedly dead brother was suddenly back alive.

And a strange Victorian butler was trying to kill him.

That all happened before the Tutorial.

Now thrust into a brutal new world, Rob unlocks a rare ability that lets him steal the powers of others.

Armed with a spear and his special new ability, Rob will discover that maybe the apocalypse suits him better than he ever imagined.

Apocalypse Slayer is the start of a brand new LitRPG/Progression Fantasy series by Jakob Tanner, bestselling author of Arcane Kingdom Online, Tower Climber, and Second Chance Swordsman. This book features RPG mechanics, stats, and ranks as a form of power progression.

About the Series: Perfect for fans of Defiance of the Fall, Road to Mastery, and Savage Awakening who love action-packed apocalypse LitRPG with detailed magic systems, crafting, and epic battles.

3rd re-read. Still pretty good. 10/10

With about a thousand hours of love and effort put into this series so far, I finally have Book 1 out now.

Here's the blurb:

The Great Void is hungry.

A doorway of endless darkness holds a promise to drag anyone who enters into the unknown. Into the deadly. A wish is said to be found at its end, but no one has survived long enough to find out. For far too long, the three corporations that rule the stars have kept its secrets to themselves.

Captain Styker has waited more than a decade in the Last Stop Bar for a crew. When a night of violence and tears forces his small band together, he finds himself aboard the Void Walker with a runaway telekinetic, a scientist who knows far too much, a boy who can't be killed, a mask-wearing giant, and an android with no past.

Above lie the Sanctuaries, each one deadlier than the last. Between them stretch seas of mist teeming with flesh-seeking monsters. The corporations want the crew dead, and they are not the only ones.

Styker has finally found his crew, an unfaltering grin, and the path forward.

The Great Void waits.

If you want to check it out: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/190997/the-crew-of-the-void-walker-science-fantasy-epic

Cover: This is the version I drummed up.

Subreddit reference: I am non-monetized author.

Is there any cozy progression fantasy about a business person with multiple businesses and assets in a magical fantasy world? Maybe something like Sasaki and Peeps.

Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce that the audiobook for book 2 of The Eternal Assassin: Fall of the Guild, is finally here! Book 2 came out back in August, and while the audiobook delay was unfortunate, I was blown away by the number of people who reached out to ask me about audio. Thankfully, the wait is officially over! If any of you want to listen to another stab-filled adventure, come on down! I’ll toss the blurb in the comments.

Link for Audiobook: Audible

Link for eBook: Kindle

Cover art by Antti Hakosaari (Aethon)

Hey Everybody!

Book 2 of PENITENT is out today on KU

Unfortunately, there is a bit of a delay on the audiobook, but I am hoping that will be available soon as well.

Here’s the blurb:

Michael is on the run.

Fleeing two armies with his fellow Penitents through a world he hardly knows as that world seems to be starting to fall apart.

His friends seek freedom in the East, a kingdom they’ve heard will treat takers like themselves with respect or at least indifference. Michael is called on a different path. The guidance of the gods, their whispers, bring him closer to them. His powers grow as he learns their names, but so too does his fear as he finds more and more tears in the fabric of his new world.

His friends hope for mercenary work and freedom. Michael seeks duty and salvation.

After all, even the gods need soldiers.

Amazon link: HERE

Hey everyone,

Book 6 of The Lone Wanderer is out on Kindle! (Due to some delays, audiobook listeners will unfortunately have to wait until Nov. 4th. I'll post a separate announcement when it's out.)

For new readers, this is a worldhopping LitRPG series about a young mage who can acquire spells and unique treasures from random planets to grow stronger. This allows him to obtain a second mana core early on, though that's just one of many advantages that he earns through his adventures. He plans to attain divinity and elevate himself and his people to new heights, but he first has to deal with the fact that he has a shorter lifespan due to being born with a lowly Red core.

As always, I want to thank Austin Rising for narrating the books, Sergio Chaves for the beautiful cover art, Mountaindale Press for handling production and publishing, and my amazing readers for their support.

Thank you all for your support!

I guess I really like it when, for his power level, the MC is like, super powerful, and has sky high potential, but temporarily there are still enemies stronger than them. I suppose monstrous potential is what I like, and naturally a huge dose of strength, but with a lot of progression also.

Stuff like:

Hell Difficulty Tutorial

Defiance of the Fall

Primal Hunter

Path of the Deathless

Chrysalis

Book of the Dead

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

Hello Readers,

I wanted to share my webnovel, The Heavenly Way, on Royal Road.

Most isekai protagonists get something that makes their new life easier: an overpowered system, a legendary technique, a rare bloodline, or some other ridiculous advantage. Xiao Yun gets crippled cultivation and a crumbling clan.

Transmigrated inside a cheap cultivation novel, he has to figure out how to survive in a place where he's at a serious disadvantage. His biggest asset, possibly the only asset is his knowledge of the modern world.

Instead of focusing on getting stronger, the story also explores clan building, politics, strategy, and finding ways to survive in a world that doesn't play fair.

What to expect:

Xianxia and cultivation(though to a much lesser degree than other Xianxia novels)

Clan building and political maneuvering

A smart, cunning MC who has to work around his weaknesses(he's actually crippled, instead of it being a gimmick that gets forgotten in the first 20 chapters)

Trope subversion and modern knowledge

Developed side characters and strong female characters

Slow-burn progression rather than instant power-ups

If you enjoy cultivation stories where the protagonist has to think his way out of problems instead of simply overpowering everything, you might enjoy this one!

Loosely quoting a reader review: "If you liked Sky Pride and Ave Xia Rem Y, you might also enjoy The Heavenly Way."

148k words already published.

Read it here:

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/151571/the-heavenly-way-xianxia

Art attribution: A friend who isn't an artist(officially anyway) drew it for me

Edit:Typo

I am reading the Radiant Blade of the Wilderness by author of LOTM and it is kinda good.

Are there any books currently that are good or atleast consistent

I open this discussion, the floor is yours my fellow daotists🙏