He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure

I got this book because a google search for a list of best books in the LitRPG genre had this at the top in 2 lists. I wasn't disappointed. The story is interesting, the characterization is excellent, and the humor is great (warning, Australian humor, which tends to be wry with a mixture of irony, self-deprecation, and easy-to-overlook sarcasm, mixed in with an anti-authoritarian slant). The book also has some rants about political systems, which you might or might not find interesting. Looking at some of the comments, some people didn't like them. Personally, I thought they were great and added flavor, leading me to think about why the MC's opinions seemed right/wrong/incomplete/shallow/deep, etc. I just finished Book 1 and immediately bought Book 2. Highly recommended.

I’ll start this review by saying that this is a fantastic read, plenty of character growth, a great balance of story to fighting scenes. It will keep you interested and entertained throughout.

The magic build, the world and the adventure are well done. Easy to comprehend and enjoyable.

A solid 4.85 star book.

As to negatives, this writer has a tendency to both write too much and too little at the same time. There are areas where more detail would not leave gaps in the story, and other areas where unnecessary information convolutes the storyline. However, not enough to overshadow a great story.

Definitely worth the read.

I love this series, I like the character. What I truly appreciate about this series and author though is the ability to write humorous scenes and deliver laugh out loud moments.

That's rare. Most books these days that even attempt humor will just through in a quip here, a joke (or meme reference) there, and very little original or 'natural'.

This author creates a real world, puts characters who feel real into it, and let's them interact and have fun - from natural conversations and making fun, to silly interactions, to moments that can mean a lot -- while still being a little ridiculous. It's a hard line to write well without going too far or just, failing to be funny - but this author really does it well. I admire that and may re-read these books (seriously) just to study that skill. Whether you care about the skill involved or not, it's enjoyable to go along for the ride and makes for a feel good book and once in a while, you just have to stop and grin so hard your cheeks hurt or actually laugh our loud. The characters aren't over the top (the main character likes to act over the top, but is decently grounded and explored enough that you do understand it's an act) and they get to have some very cool "moments of awesome" that usually really deliver. This series is fun just for that, but I can't stress enough, there's an original sense of humor here rather than just copy and pasting jokes or setting up slapstick, any book which is enjoyable and a good adventure I appreciate, but a book where I can just laugh at the fun? That's special. Especially these days.

There was one jarring moment in this book where the character -- established as new to the world and lost as his (early) defining traits begins to hit his stride and starts transitioning to being awesome / winning, it switches a little fast. That's it - my one complaint. Which is basically... I'd have liked more book there, half just because I've enjoyed the rest so much.

Some people have written that they dislike the politics... well first? I didn't think about politics while reading this book, I feel like that takes some effort to try to do. Like, you have to be looking to be offended a little bit to see a guy fighting monsters and traveling across a desert and think "God damn it, this reminds me of a certain political party" ... I honestly don't get that. The main character has opinions... yes. He's from a sheltered world and upbringing being dropped into an adventure world and having to face some difficult contrasts / choices. Sometimes he's wrong, sometimes he's right, sometimes he's learning... none of it struck me as political. He's outspoken (that's part of the character), but I don't feel like that's more than a way for him to face (or create his own) obstacles.

If you can't handle a character who has opinions or strong feelings without getting offended... well, it's probably good you're warned off, I guess? Personally I love military loving war books, peace loving adventure books, books that explore completely new ideas, books that take any idea to a new level... and any mix of any of that put together - that's half the point of books for me. I still don't think this should be a major concern for this book, but since the top review goes on and on about it... I'm putting it out there.

What does this book actually do?

Put's an interesting / smart protagonist in a new world, builds that world and it's magic in some detail and very interestingly, and sets up a series that keeps pushing the character to both deal with uncomfortable situations -- and gives a nice ride with thrills, some feels, and some laughs along the way.

I recommend it -- strongly -- it's really well done. I look forward to the next book in the series eagerly.

He Who Fights with Monsters is the first book in the LitRPG Adventure series by Shirlatoon.

I was honestly just craving some LitRPG goodness in my life, and thought to take a chance when this book popped up on my suggestions feed. I’m so beyond glad I did. This book starts off firing us into dangerous hair-brained situations, rife with death-defying stunts and crazy new magical abilities and instances. (I mean cannibals, really?)

Jason is such a every-man name for the one mysteriously and randomly plucked from reality, divested of all his hair, and deposited onto a whole new world. (In a whole new universe??) Jason turns into this slightly scary, probably (extremely) dangerous, political genius, who’s very good at people. (I meant what I said.) His powers are all evil and despairing-sounding. That he laughs kind of maniacally on occasion shouldn’t be, by any stretch, truly surprising. Like somehow licking into an apocalypse summon made of leeches and called a horror wasn’t a good indicator that he might be a mite eccentric.

Having a few (four?) gods/goddesses pop up occasionally was widely intriguing. I loved how varying their personalities and fields were. I mean dominion? Like—> Please chill.

So many interesting secondary characters. The trio from the beginning: Rufus; sword master, man on means, kind of big deal apparently, carries the world on his shoulders, needs to learn to relax. Gary; leonid (see: lion man), has a summon that ridiculously destructive, strong, oh and did I mention STRONG?! Farrah; throws lava like it’s candy, part of magic society, would’ve liked to study Jason as her specimen, crazy about taking magic theory seriously, is somehow both amazingly smart, and ridiculously beautiful, but also crazy freaking powerful, strong, and deadly. (Also has stupidly destructive summons).

Then there’s Jory, who is an all around decent guy. Runs a apothecary/clinic for the poor to get some healing (since the church of Healer is apparently stingy). Protects his friends almost to the degree that Jason does.

Oooooh! And Clive who’s a lot like Farrah in the Magic scholar aspect. Has a freaking ridiculously amazing HUGE runic tortoise. That may, or many not, be my spirit animal. Just saying.

And all of that without even getting into the many monsters, cray little hedgehogs, giant spiders (duh), so many different and progressively weirder types of trolls, these freaky little creepy trap weaver things. No thank you to all of it. But they’re all amazing to read about. I absolutely ADORE the world building. It is entirely too addictive. Give me more now, I need my fix. And yet still you have to consider the increasingly hectic and out there adventures or rather dangerous killing/capturing missions Jason and co. set out to take on throughout this book. All while navigating the undercurrents of political machinations constantly weaving an uncertain web of constraint. Which I have no idea how Jason is so incredibly (incredulously) good at both mastering this arena while still upsetting and inviting the ire of so many. (Perhaps those go hand in hand.)

I so wish the second book was already out so I could devour it in a day. I need it.