LitRPG, a genre that fuses literary storytelling with the mechanics of role-playing games, has seen a significant surge in popularity. Emerging in 2013 from Russian self-published works inspired by MMORPGs, the genre focuses on characters advancing through game-like worlds by gaining abilities and overcoming escalating threats. While web novels like Sword Art Online and Solo Leveling achieved widespread acclaim through anime adaptations, Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl has emerged as the first English-language LitRPG to attain true crossover success.
The Dungeon Crawler Carl series, now with eight books published by Ace Books and two more on the way, follows a Coast Guard veteran and a show cat navigating a deadly dungeon as part of an alien reality TV show. The series' success has led to a Peacock television series adaptation produced by Seth MacFarlane and a tabletop role-playing game. For readers who have devoured the series and are seeking similar experiences while awaiting new installments, several other LitRPG titles offer engaging narratives.
He Who Fights with Monsters, by Travis Deverell
Travis Deverell's He Who Fights with Monsters series is frequently compared to Dungeon Crawler Carl due to its success. Originally self-published under the pen name Shirtaloon, Deverell’s first book, Outlander, later became a New York Times bestseller after being republished by Aethon Books. The story centers on Jason, an ordinary office worker who awakens in a new world with potent, seemingly evil, magic powers. He must quickly learn to wield these abilities for good against monsters, cultists, and cannibals. With 13 books already written in the series, including Adventurer and the upcoming Hero, readers will find a wealth of content.
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, by Django Wexler
Django Wexler's How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying presents a darkly comedic take on the genre. The protagonist, Davi, finds herself in a fantasy realm and is told she is destined to defeat the Dark Lord. After repeated failures and respawns, Davi decides to embrace the villainous role herself, focusing on rapidly increasing her power, assembling an army, and eliminating rivals. Despite its premise, the novel de-emphasizes explicit game mechanics like levels and classes, making it an accessible entry point into LitRPG for newcomers. Davi's ongoing quest is set to continue in the forthcoming book, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me.
The Wandering Inn, by Pirateaba
Pirateaba's The Wandering Inn, a web series that began in 2016 and has amassed millions of words, is now being published by Harper Voyage. The story follows Erin Solstice, who, upon arriving in a fantasy world with leveling systems and classes, establishes an inn that becomes a sanctuary. Though Erin faces various threats, the series leans more towards slower-paced progression fantasy, reminiscent of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes, rather than the typical power fantasies found in most LitRPG. The second book in the series, No Killing Goblins, was released on September 22nd.
Defiance of the Fall, by J.F. Brink
Although not yet in print, J.F. Brink's Defiance of the Fall boasts 17 books written under the name TheFirstDefier. Similar to Dungeon Crawler Carl, the series begins with the protagonist, Zac, in a severely disadvantaged position. Stranded in a forest with only a hatchet when Earth is integrated into a multiversal conflict, Zac must fight demons and beasts to return to his family. The series blends LitRPG tropes with the xianxia genre, drawing from Chinese mythology and Taoist philosophy.
Life in the North, by Tao Wong
Tao Wong's The System Apocalypse series offers a complete narrative with all 12 books available digitally, concluding in 2022. The story begins with John Lee vacationing when Earth is dramatically altered, technology fails, and a new energy source grants humans abilities and quests. John must navigate the wilderness, battle mutated creatures, and uncover the mystery behind 'The System' while protecting other survivors from aliens. The series explores themes of survival and uncovering cosmic secrets.
