A Starbrite Man: A Cyberpunk LitRPG

Slumrat Rising, Book 1

De: Warby Picus

Narrado por: Todd Haberkorn

In a magical dystopia, one young man would sell his soul to save his siblings—and the Starbrite Corporation is buying—in this all-too-real urban fantasy.

Seventeen-year-old Truth Medici scavenges for scraps to eat; weathers his parents' abuse; and battles derelicts, killer pimps, and demons in the soul-crushing stretch of desperation he calls home. Even the cops steer clear of the toxic Harban slums.

But just across the canal live the magical elite, with their wealth, flying carpets, gorgeous mages, and custom spell beasts, all thanks to the patronage of the almighty Starbrite Corporation. Getting there, and taking his three vulnerable siblings with him, is Truth's only dream.

When Truth's performance on the Starbrite Aptitude Test surpasses all expectations, it's the start of a new life. Granted use of the System Astrologica, his access to spells, cultivation tonics, and knowledge—not to mention real food—is limitless. But in Harban, even dreams come with a price tag . . .

Turns out, something more than power has been implanted in Truth. Something beyond his control. As the motto goes, "A Starbrite Man Is Always Ready." But for what? Truth is about to find out. Because he's not just fighting to break free from the slums and save himself and his sibs anymore. Now he's fighting the world itself.

The first volume of the hit cyberpunk fantasy series—with more than 900,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2023 Warby Picus (P)2023 Podium Audio

Damn creative and damn good

From someone who has read tons of litrpg, and all the classic sci-fi, fantasy, cyberpunk, I have to say that this book was awesome!

It was nothing like I expected, and it reminded me a little of everything. Somehow it all comes together into a story that is familiar but is creative enough to be something unique.

At times it reminded me of the average litrpg but then the wuxia genre would rear its head followed by hints of Space Opera. There are hints of Dune, Snow Crash, Foundation.

It’s pulpy and fast paced at times which can be jarring to some, but overall it’s damn good and damn creative.

Narrator has helluva range and brings the dialogue to life very well.

The world the author created

Straight to the story and a little fast paced but if you’re like me you like fast. It grants the ability to pack a lot of story in a shorter amount of time. Can’t wait to start the second installment.

Amazing Narrator and Story!

The story was already great, but the narrator really breathed life into the characters in a way I haven't heard in my 100+ book collection. Anyone who is a fan of the Helldivers game series, Warhammer 40K, or the LITRPG genre in general will feel right at home in the chaotic fast paced tale.

I can't really understate how surprised I was by the execution. it's a real shame there aren't more reviews for this title.

Interesting world building, the RPG part is a bit odd

I was taken aback by the LitRPG style, but I got mostly used to it (the explicit “level” exposition gets clunky in places) and overall the book was engaging and presented a fairly unique sci/berpunk-fantasy milieu.

Tags are super wrong. Book is good though.

This is not hard scifi or cyberpunk. It's magic and magitech. The story is interesting but if you are looking at this book for those tags skip it.