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

The underdog makes it

Crummy parents crummy life looks after the siblings keep going achieves his dream. A life blows up again and he’s got a crawl out well this time at least he’s not alone.

A whole lot of something

Absolutely. Down-to-earth, dirty dark humor main character has no true social skills or intelligence. He's got love for his siblings and a whole lot of kick a$$

Not cyberpunk, but good

Very well written and well narrated. Totally original world and story. I was drawn in and kept interested from page one to the end. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy/ LitRPG. However, this is not cyberpunk. All technology is magic based, that's fantasy, not cyberpunk. Again, it's a very good book, just be aware that the title is misleading.

Weird but good

I think this book has a lot of neat ideas, and the style is super weird but ends up being kind of funny

Inspiringly original and downright prophetic

This is a hidden gem for sure. I whole heartedly recommend anyone who is a fan of this genre to give it a whirl because it’s unique fresh take on a niche genre of fantasy. This book was brilliant and narrated phenomenally as well. Only downside is lack of description.

If you're a murder hobo and ...

you know it, clap your hands, if you're a murder hobo and you know it, clap your hands, if you're a murder hobo and you know it, then your headspace will woe it...

Warby Picus is a creative writer and this noir cyberpunk novel highlights that fact extremely well. There's no getting around that the MC is mentally unstable and "the system" exploited that fault to drive him into a one-dimensional killing machine, all the while convincing him he was helping his siblings. The author, along with an equally excellent performance by Todd Haberkorn work to keep the story compelling and, odd as it may seem, hilarious at times. The MC seems to be a mash-up between Halo's Master Chief and Kurt Russell in the 1998 movie Soldier.

What is really interesting is that the MC, for all the wrongs he committed, comes across as a tortured soul. One who can't be forgiven his past murders - as he, himself, accepts - one is left with a sense of pity for how he was exploited.

Looking forward to book 2.

Top notch narration

This book was really just a prelude IMO, because nothing is explained (mainly because the main character is slum rat that doesn’t know much) and the story starts in chapter 47. I really wasn’t in the mood for a LitRPG when I started but the Narrator did SUCH an amazing job and had a huge range of voices that I wouldn’t stop. I did have to rewind a bunch of times because I kept getting lost, I kept hearing the narrator change a voice but couldn’t understand why. It would’ve been nice to understand certain things sooner and I’m still lost as to how the world actually works but hopefully that’s taken care of in the second book.

Great world building

Very compelling world building, dystopian sci-fi world, the combat system is magic but with a sci-fi twist.
My only complaint the dialogue between MC and system was really cringe worthy at some point. I Am So Glad that was a plot point and temporarily, not sure if I can go through a whole series if that was the conversation style.

Great voices and descriptions!!

I love the dialogues in this story and can’t wait for the next book. The world is also fun and moves at a good speed:

Comedy realness

I thought I was going to start some type of cyber punk litRPG but the more I read the less cyberpunk it was and more a cultivation story with some real world situation for some people but it was also funny. Can’t wait to hear the next one.