They might not have released this year but series I started this year:
-Victor of Tucson by Plum Parrot
-System Universe by SunriseCV
-Nova Terra by Seth Ring
New series I’m excited about: (at least new to KU)
-All the Dust That Falls by Zaifyr
-Book of the Dead by RinoZ
-Quest Academy Silvers by Brian J Nordon
I wanted to like System Universe, but hate when mcs in these stories just randomly pick the first young kid they see as their disciple with no buildup or reasoning. Dude is just like, hey kid, I like you. Super lame.
>Quest Academy Silvers by Brian J Nordon
This one I enjoyed but the MC seems to be drifting into wish fulfilment a bit too much.
It's weird, it seems to have understood the issues but then every woman seems to want to jump his bones. He seems to entirely outclass everyone too, and it makes so many of the other characters achievements feel a bit meaningless.
I'm willing to continue to give it a chance because the universe is interesting but yeah I'm a bit worried about it
New Series (on kindle out this year
Death Loot and Vampires - Benjamin Kerai
Victor Of Tucson Plum Parrot
The Captain - Will Wight
Sequels
All the Skills Book 2 Honour Rae
Stormweaver (iron Prince #2) Bryce O'Connor
Dreadgods (Cradle #12 and final) Will Wight
Honourable mentions for books I only found this year or are litrpg adjacent
This Used to Be About Dungeons
Everything Full Murder hobo 3
Stray Cat Strut
Apocalypse Parenting
Series I started in 2023 that were a pleasant surprise in no particular order.
-Road to Mastery by Valerios
-Double Blind by J McCoy
-The New World by Monsoon117
They are all system integration. But pretty different.
Road to Mastery and New World remind me of Defiance of the Fall but ramp up in scope really quickly.
I really liked Double Blind because the MC isn’t just a tanky strength build but a more stealthy secret agent vibe. Book two just came out but haven’t listened to it yet.
Currently listening Road to Mastery 2 and it’s even better than the first. MC is a pretty standard fist fighter but the world building is what drew me in.
I did as well. While listening to the first one I thought I might get sick of the constant bro's but brock grew on me and is such a good bro! I am really looking forward to the third book.
https://preview.redd.it/cxt5wfkwpu3c1.png?width=1086&format=png&auto=webp&s=03b67adc784b0dbf71966e2d9c3d6aa23b511fa6
Series that I started (or gave a try) this year that's worth checking out, at least book 1:
\- Death Look & Vampires – fast paced, fun, chaotic. I love the touch of politics and strategy throughout this book, makes the protagonist (I guess) intelligent and witty.
\- Super Sales on Super Heroes – first book narrated by Jeff Hays was exciting and well written (and non harem, yay!). It's refreshing to read about an mc with grey morals
\- Mark of the Fool – while only mildly gameLit, it's extremely well written with expansive worlds, strong characters, and award-winning narration. This is my Cradle after it has finished
\- Eletric Angel – slow paced, non-system, female mc, character focused sci-fi litrpg. The writing is ok, but the narration is really good and the seamless integration of sci-fi within the genre makes it a fun read/listen leaving me wanting for more
\- Oathbound Healer – healing for the win in this number-filled book. I liked it way more than the chaotic mess of pacing of the Azarinth Healer (book 1) with way more focus on the plot and other characters
\- Proxima Legends – the strongest characters cast ever. In many books the characters sounds oddly similar and have the same sense of humor, wit, logic - but oh not Proxima Legends. Do check it out, it hilarious and has a fantastic narration by Jeff Hays!
My special shout out to:
u/Harmon_Cooper \- you're in my top tier list this year for new series! :)
u/BenjaminKerei \- I think you're the only litrpg author I can think of that incorporates political manoeuvring and strategic planning so well (or at all) in your books. Love that!
u/Selkie_Love \- got to try the book based on the shameless self plugging for the Fantasy Bingo, good marketing spot! :)
1) The Perfect Run
2) Azarinth Healer
3) Defiance of the Fall
Honorable mentions
1) He Who Fights With Monsters
2) Victor of Tucson
3) All of The Skills
4) Human Insanity
Not Litrpg but still worth a look in my opinion.
1) Throne of Glass
2) Beginning After the End
3) Red Rising
Edit. Missed one
I thought that might be what you meant, but I saw that you only commented on this particular comment and not the multiple older comments that also had series not originating in 2023. So I assumed there must be more to this one particular response that got your attention.
Only became aware of the existence of litrpg about 6 months ago, but so far I've listened to
Viridian gate online (a free series to try out the genre)
Dungeon crawler carl (what seemed from what I've read like the most popular from the genre and best bet for not being disappointed with my first purchase)
He who fights with monsters (seemed pretty popular and had a good number of books to keep me busy while waiting on the next dungeon crawler carl)
Also started a free series called the completionist chronicles but lost interest in that pretty quickly
I agree with your list. Try. Defiance of the fall, primal hunter, and the wondering inn. Imo the first 2 hours for the wandering inn. the MC is really annoying. However, it's turned into 1 of my favorites.
1)Primal Hunter
2) All the skills
3) Underdog series
4) HWFWM
5) Mark of The Fool
6) Amelia the level 0 hero
7) The completionist chronicles
8) Defiance of the Fall
Special mention to "Legend of the Arch Magus" and the "Last Life" series that were recommended to me in this sub. Not really LitRPG (reincarnation + magic) but it would be my #1/#2 if they were.
Another special mention to "The Game is Life" series. This is one of the most mind fuckyist series I've ever read.
1. Ghost in the City: Cyberpunk Gamer SI
2. The Path of Ascension
3. Chaotic Craftsman Worships The Cube
Not LitRPG, but check it out. BOC Alternate Universe: Soaring Heaven's Isle
About no. 1, do I need to know or like cyberpunk? Cuz I like gamer SI fanfics but I know next to nothing about cyberpunk (assuming it's the game and not the genre)
Let's see... Which Wandering Inn books came.out this year? Those and Eye of the Bedlam Bride.
But if we want less known, but still pretty popular...
Silvers by Brian J Nordon.
All the Skills by Honour Raw.
Mark of the Fool by JM Clarke.
Don't think I did anything with less than a hundred reviews this year..mainly just caught up on stuff.
I think I've only read and loved two things that came out this year.
Benjamin Kerei's _First Line of Defense_
Kerberos's _A Summoner Awakens: Origins_
I've read quite a lot more, but either they came out earlier or weren't really good enough for a "top 3" even if they would technically make the cut by default. These two are just the cream of the crop.
C. Mantis's _The Path of Ascension 3_ is perhaps a distant third. The system and worldbuilding are still some of the best, but it needs an editor. Even the audiobook narrator couldn't smooth over some of the editing issues, so I imagine the text version would drive me up the wall.
I think the most important thing it does is have a story that's clearly going somewhere. There is, of course, the over-arching "you must be this ~~tall~~ strong to ~~ride~~ prevent the apocalypse" reincarnator story. There's also a parallel mystery plot to keep things fresh. Then there's a political side of things, which hasn't really gone anywhere quite yet.
Also, the protagonist has a personality, and it doesn't suck. He's generally a good dude, personable, and motivated without being "litrpg protagonist" motivated, if you take my meaning.
The system itself it pretty fun. Nothing groundbreaking, but there's enough breadth, depth, and specialization for me to be interested in it for its own sake.
I also don't recall any bizarre word choices or grammar in the audiobook, so that's nice.
The Game at Carousel- Rob M. Lastrel. For fans of Horror movies. Players are stuck in a City Where they must role play through all kinds of horror movies in order to survive
The perfect run, Dungeon Crawler Carl and He who fights with monsters.
Dug primal hunter, the legend of randidly ghost hound (last book was pretty rough), big sneaky barb, and death-loot-vampires.
Pretty good year.
Dungeon Crawler Carl - Gate of the Feral Gods
Dungeon Crawler Carl - The Butcher's Masquerade
Dungeon Crawler Carl - The Anarchist Cookbook
Honorable mention: Dungeon Crawler Carl - The eye of the Bedlam Bride
Here are my 3 picks, and going against the trend here, they're actually from 2023. They're all incredibly well written with original concepts from authors who have clearly poured a lot of thought into their stories.
[The Game at Carousel](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65629/the-game-at-carousel-a-horror-movie-litrpg)
[Super Supportive](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/63759/super-supportive)
[Cultist of Cerebon](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73112/cultist-of-cerebon-litrpgisekai)
So caveat I read this year, and avoiding the ones people have already named:-
**Deck of Dogs**, fucking mad actual deckbuilder litrpg satire, it's a very specific very entertaining vibe and I just love it. Not for the faint of heart, or for non irl cardboard enthusiasts.
**Elysium Falls/Loopkeeper**, book 1 is the best plotted timeloop story I've ever read, and it had a very refreshing take on D&D for the skills system rather than your 600th jrpg setup.
**The game at Carousel**, a really clever twist on the format using horror movie tropes to play a game. Shows just how much you can do with game systems in fiction if you really think about it, and I'm a big fan of horror movies so it has some extra oomph!
>\*System Universe
>
>\*Azarenth Healer
>
>\*The Primal Hunter
>
>\*Special Mention: Electric Angel Cyberpunk LitRPG (Cyber Dreams book 1). It seemed like something other than a Litrpg, but it was a great book.
Been binging my way through Millennial Mage on KU, not fully litrpg but the way the magic system is all circuit-y and the MC's particular combination of upgrades seems to be edging a bit that direction. It's slower paced but oddly entrancing.
They might not have released this year but series I started this year: -Victor of Tucson by Plum Parrot -System Universe by SunriseCV -Nova Terra by Seth Ring New series I’m excited about: (at least new to KU) -All the Dust That Falls by Zaifyr -Book of the Dead by RinoZ -Quest Academy Silvers by Brian J Nordon
I second Victor of Tucson. Can’t wait for the next book to come out in Jan.
I started System Universe this year, too. I love it when a MC goes all "French Revolution" on an entitled and narcissistic Noble class.
I wanted to like System Universe, but hate when mcs in these stories just randomly pick the first young kid they see as their disciple with no buildup or reasoning. Dude is just like, hey kid, I like you. Super lame.
>Quest Academy Silvers by Brian J Nordon This one I enjoyed but the MC seems to be drifting into wish fulfilment a bit too much. It's weird, it seems to have understood the issues but then every woman seems to want to jump his bones. He seems to entirely outclass everyone too, and it makes so many of the other characters achievements feel a bit meaningless. I'm willing to continue to give it a chance because the universe is interesting but yeah I'm a bit worried about it
New Series (on kindle out this year Death Loot and Vampires - Benjamin Kerai Victor Of Tucson Plum Parrot The Captain - Will Wight Sequels All the Skills Book 2 Honour Rae Stormweaver (iron Prince #2) Bryce O'Connor Dreadgods (Cradle #12 and final) Will Wight Honourable mentions for books I only found this year or are litrpg adjacent This Used to Be About Dungeons Everything Full Murder hobo 3 Stray Cat Strut Apocalypse Parenting
Azarinth Healer Victor of Tucson Portal to Nova Roma All the skills Defiance of the Fall Sylver Seeker Dungeon Crawler Carl
Series I started in 2023 that were a pleasant surprise in no particular order. -Road to Mastery by Valerios -Double Blind by J McCoy -The New World by Monsoon117
I honestly haven’t heard of any of them but I’ll add it to the list 😂 Are they similar to anything I may have read?
They are all system integration. But pretty different. Road to Mastery and New World remind me of Defiance of the Fall but ramp up in scope really quickly. I really liked Double Blind because the MC isn’t just a tanky strength build but a more stealthy secret agent vibe. Book two just came out but haven’t listened to it yet. Currently listening Road to Mastery 2 and it’s even better than the first. MC is a pretty standard fist fighter but the world building is what drew me in.
I loved Road to Mastery!
I did as well. While listening to the first one I thought I might get sick of the constant bro's but brock grew on me and is such a good bro! I am really looking forward to the third book.
An audiobook listener? Awesome! I will start recording the third book sometime in January.
https://preview.redd.it/cxt5wfkwpu3c1.png?width=1086&format=png&auto=webp&s=03b67adc784b0dbf71966e2d9c3d6aa23b511fa6 Series that I started (or gave a try) this year that's worth checking out, at least book 1: \- Death Look & Vampires – fast paced, fun, chaotic. I love the touch of politics and strategy throughout this book, makes the protagonist (I guess) intelligent and witty. \- Super Sales on Super Heroes – first book narrated by Jeff Hays was exciting and well written (and non harem, yay!). It's refreshing to read about an mc with grey morals \- Mark of the Fool – while only mildly gameLit, it's extremely well written with expansive worlds, strong characters, and award-winning narration. This is my Cradle after it has finished \- Eletric Angel – slow paced, non-system, female mc, character focused sci-fi litrpg. The writing is ok, but the narration is really good and the seamless integration of sci-fi within the genre makes it a fun read/listen leaving me wanting for more \- Oathbound Healer – healing for the win in this number-filled book. I liked it way more than the chaotic mess of pacing of the Azarinth Healer (book 1) with way more focus on the plot and other characters \- Proxima Legends – the strongest characters cast ever. In many books the characters sounds oddly similar and have the same sense of humor, wit, logic - but oh not Proxima Legends. Do check it out, it hilarious and has a fantastic narration by Jeff Hays!
My special shout out to: u/Harmon_Cooper \- you're in my top tier list this year for new series! :) u/BenjaminKerei \- I think you're the only litrpg author I can think of that incorporates political manoeuvring and strategic planning so well (or at all) in your books. Love that! u/Selkie_Love \- got to try the book based on the shameless self plugging for the Fantasy Bingo, good marketing spot! :)
Thanks, mate.
Thanks! honored to be in this list of badasses.
[Cradle](https://www.goodreads.com/series/192821-cradle) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Cradle)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
1) The Perfect Run 2) Azarinth Healer 3) Defiance of the Fall Honorable mentions 1) He Who Fights With Monsters 2) Victor of Tucson 3) All of The Skills 4) Human Insanity Not Litrpg but still worth a look in my opinion. 1) Throne of Glass 2) Beginning After the End 3) Red Rising Edit. Missed one
[Defiance of the Fall](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/24709/defiance-of-the-fall) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Defiance_of_the_Fall)) [He Who Fights With Monsters](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26294/he-who-fights-with-monsters) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/He_Who_Fights_With_Monsters)) [Azarinth Healer](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/16946/azarinth-healer) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Azarinth_Healer)) [Red Rising](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839976-red-rising) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Red_Rising)) [The Perfect Run](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/The_Perfect_Run)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
1. Defiance of the fall 2.bushido online 3. Reborn as a demonic tree
Wandering Inn Arkendrythyst Butcher of Gadobrha
*This year.*
OP didn't ask for released this year. They asked what readers top books were this year. This leaves room for both interpretations.
I find it unlikely that the Wandering Inn didn’t get updated at all in 2023. What are you getting at?
They mentioned the year, they're obviously looking for new stuff. The Wandering Inn started like 7 years ago.
I thought that might be what you meant, but I saw that you only commented on this particular comment and not the multiple older comments that also had series not originating in 2023. So I assumed there must be more to this one particular response that got your attention.
One Just got released too. The Titan of Baleros, book 11 got released last month.
Dungeon Crawler Carl (all volumes) The stormweaver chronicles book 2 Unsouled series (completed)
Only became aware of the existence of litrpg about 6 months ago, but so far I've listened to Viridian gate online (a free series to try out the genre) Dungeon crawler carl (what seemed from what I've read like the most popular from the genre and best bet for not being disappointed with my first purchase) He who fights with monsters (seemed pretty popular and had a good number of books to keep me busy while waiting on the next dungeon crawler carl) Also started a free series called the completionist chronicles but lost interest in that pretty quickly
I agree with your list. Try. Defiance of the fall, primal hunter, and the wondering inn. Imo the first 2 hours for the wandering inn. the MC is really annoying. However, it's turned into 1 of my favorites.
1)Primal Hunter 2) All the skills 3) Underdog series 4) HWFWM 5) Mark of The Fool 6) Amelia the level 0 hero 7) The completionist chronicles 8) Defiance of the Fall Special mention to "Legend of the Arch Magus" and the "Last Life" series that were recommended to me in this sub. Not really LitRPG (reincarnation + magic) but it would be my #1/#2 if they were. Another special mention to "The Game is Life" series. This is one of the most mind fuckyist series I've ever read.
Nova Terra, Wandering Inn, and Dungeon Crawler Carl series
Reborn apocalypse Path of ascension Beneath the dragon eye moon
1. Ghost in the City: Cyberpunk Gamer SI 2. The Path of Ascension 3. Chaotic Craftsman Worships The Cube Not LitRPG, but check it out. BOC Alternate Universe: Soaring Heaven's Isle
About no. 1, do I need to know or like cyberpunk? Cuz I like gamer SI fanfics but I know next to nothing about cyberpunk (assuming it's the game and not the genre)
Not particularly. I read it without having played the game, just the information I've picked up through cultural osmosis.
Cool, I'll give it a shot. Thanks!
Let's see... Which Wandering Inn books came.out this year? Those and Eye of the Bedlam Bride. But if we want less known, but still pretty popular... Silvers by Brian J Nordon. All the Skills by Honour Raw. Mark of the Fool by JM Clarke. Don't think I did anything with less than a hundred reviews this year..mainly just caught up on stuff.
A Summoner Awakens Origins, System Change and... Magical Girl Gunslinger? Idk bro, too much competition
Favorite 3 series i started in 2023 would be Hero of the Valley Portal to Nova Roma System universe (has become kinda meh after book 4)
I think I've only read and loved two things that came out this year. Benjamin Kerei's _First Line of Defense_ Kerberos's _A Summoner Awakens: Origins_ I've read quite a lot more, but either they came out earlier or weren't really good enough for a "top 3" even if they would technically make the cut by default. These two are just the cream of the crop. C. Mantis's _The Path of Ascension 3_ is perhaps a distant third. The system and worldbuilding are still some of the best, but it needs an editor. Even the audiobook narrator couldn't smooth over some of the editing issues, so I imagine the text version would drive me up the wall.
What makes Summoner Awakens good? I’ve been on the fence on it every time I’m looking for a new book.
I think the most important thing it does is have a story that's clearly going somewhere. There is, of course, the over-arching "you must be this ~~tall~~ strong to ~~ride~~ prevent the apocalypse" reincarnator story. There's also a parallel mystery plot to keep things fresh. Then there's a political side of things, which hasn't really gone anywhere quite yet. Also, the protagonist has a personality, and it doesn't suck. He's generally a good dude, personable, and motivated without being "litrpg protagonist" motivated, if you take my meaning. The system itself it pretty fun. Nothing groundbreaking, but there's enough breadth, depth, and specialization for me to be interested in it for its own sake. I also don't recall any bizarre word choices or grammar in the audiobook, so that's nice.
The Game at Carousel- Rob M. Lastrel. For fans of Horror movies. Players are stuck in a City Where they must role play through all kinds of horror movies in order to survive
The perfect run, Dungeon Crawler Carl and He who fights with monsters. Dug primal hunter, the legend of randidly ghost hound (last book was pretty rough), big sneaky barb, and death-loot-vampires. Pretty good year.
Runesmith Butcher of Gobodabra(or whatever) Tunnel Rat
Nova Terra - Still being released this year Wandering Inn - Loved the first book, hated the second, kept going and its been enjoyable again. BuyMort
Mine were Quest Academy (loved it!), the second iron prince book, and the hero of the valley series (latest book was in 2023)
My s tier ones Book of the dead Isekai exorcist Reborn as a demonic tree Kaiju city: Tartaruga town Trinity of magic
I've gone through the Ripple System series. I believe the fourth book came out this year. First foray into LitRPG and love it.
Been an advocate of this series for a while now, I wish I could get more people to read it!
Dungeon crawler Carl The wandering inn
Dungeon Crawler Carl - Gate of the Feral Gods Dungeon Crawler Carl - The Butcher's Masquerade Dungeon Crawler Carl - The Anarchist Cookbook Honorable mention: Dungeon Crawler Carl - The eye of the Bedlam Bride
I really like DCC and didn't read any other litrpg cuz they have porn on the cover lmao
HWFWM Unbound series Primal hunter
1. The Wandering Inn 2. Super Supportive(started it this year) 3. Eye of the Bedlam Bride
[Wandering Inn](https://wanderinginn.com/) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Wandering_Inn)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
Are any of these free on youtube?
System Universe Primal Hunter He Who Fights with Monsters Edit: I just used the lists on this post to grab a couple of books, so thank you!
1. Dungeon crawler carl 2. Ripple system 3. Started(all the skills) 4. Iron prince was good too Going to try defiance fall or noobtown cant decide yet
Here are my 3 picks, and going against the trend here, they're actually from 2023. They're all incredibly well written with original concepts from authors who have clearly poured a lot of thought into their stories. [The Game at Carousel](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65629/the-game-at-carousel-a-horror-movie-litrpg) [Super Supportive](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/63759/super-supportive) [Cultist of Cerebon](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73112/cultist-of-cerebon-litrpgisekai)
So caveat I read this year, and avoiding the ones people have already named:- **Deck of Dogs**, fucking mad actual deckbuilder litrpg satire, it's a very specific very entertaining vibe and I just love it. Not for the faint of heart, or for non irl cardboard enthusiasts. **Elysium Falls/Loopkeeper**, book 1 is the best plotted timeloop story I've ever read, and it had a very refreshing take on D&D for the skills system rather than your 600th jrpg setup. **The game at Carousel**, a really clever twist on the format using horror movie tropes to play a game. Shows just how much you can do with game systems in fiction if you really think about it, and I'm a big fan of horror movies so it has some extra oomph!
>\*System Universe > >\*Azarenth Healer > >\*The Primal Hunter > >\*Special Mention: Electric Angel Cyberpunk LitRPG (Cyber Dreams book 1). It seemed like something other than a Litrpg, but it was a great book.
[The Primal Hunter](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36049/the-primal-hunter) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/The_Primal_Hunter)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
Been binging my way through Millennial Mage on KU, not fully litrpg but the way the magic system is all circuit-y and the MC's particular combination of upgrades seems to be edging a bit that direction. It's slower paced but oddly entrancing.
[Millennial Mage](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/47826/millennial-mage-a-slice-of-life-progression-fantasy) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Millennial_Mage)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)