A Surprisingly Normal And Good Fantasy Story

I often buy random fantasy books that slightly pique my interest because I hope for a gem in the coal. Gotta say this story is not a shiny published gem, but it sure is still a gem.

The story is still a Litrpg but it is written in more of a classic young adult/adult fantasy book style. Which I personally enjoy. Unlike your classic litrpg, where some guy gets the system and gets powerful in a book or 2. This guy is following the more classic fantasy approach. He is the underdog of this story. He is not weak but not strong either "for now". He has a good head on his shoulders and he can plan and use charisma to convince and trick people into helping him. I would compare his solutions to problems and confrontations to be in the same style as Spellslinger and Percy Jackson. If you have read PJ you will know they get into some problem with a monster, but then have to talk their way out of it. It's the same here. Fighting is not always the only way out. I think I like Dustins writing better to be frank.

The story is on the side also a comedy. It's pretty fun and unexpended things happen all the time to make room for wonky comments. I liked the humor in it.

The narrator is good. Nothing else needs to be said there.

I don't have many problems with the story, to be honest. The characters all feel real and alive most of them have unique personalities which is great. This is sometimes a problem for litrpg works. Like "He Who Fights With Monsters", its good but every new character is just a new version of the MC which is sometimes annoying. The world-building is nice. Could be better but it's fine and not a problem.

The story has an amazing long-series vibe. If Dustin Tigner wanted to he could easily keep this story going for 10 books and make an amazing series. Unlucky for us who like the book it's not selling too well atm from what I read on his blog. So he might only finish the story in 3 or 4 books total instead of what could have been a long litrpg series written in a classic style. I do understand that if you spend months on a book but no one is reading it, you might as well move to something else. I think it's the arachnomancer title that keeps people away.

Overall is a nice book and I want to keep reading to see what happens. I finished the first book in 1 day because I listened to it at work and I will check out the rest of Dustin's books to see if he has something else great hiding.

Also, I know some people see the Arachnomancer in the title and say "naaah not for me" but plz give it a chance. There just might be a welcoming surprise in the early parts of the book for those with that first impression. Trust me.

If you are looking for a litrpg with good characters and a "not new" but interesting plot, you got it. Funny scenarios with unexpected outcomes you have it. A MC with arachnophobia whose new patron god is a spider, you sure have it.

If you are unsure if you should buy it don't be. I know there are a lot of litrpg's that suck. This is not a web novel that was made into a book after years. This is a REAL book. And with that, it also has higher standards to uphold.

It's a good and solid book. I mean it, don't let the title put you off

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Best new series of the year?

Just finished binging this book in one go. It's pretty late at night now so I'm not going to write too much except that this is definitely one of my favorite new series of the year and one I will be greatly anticipating new releases from. It's cinematic in it's writing and very funny while keeping a fairly serious tone. Characters are well written and memorable.

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