Protector of the Grove: An Apocalypse LitRPG

Path of Dragons, Book 1

De: Nicholas Searcy

Narrado por: Eric Jason Martin

When Earth is transformed into a realm of myths and monsters, one man finds both purpose and power in the fight for survival, in this fantasy adventure.

Elijah Hart is dying. Wracked by cancer and weakened by chemotherapy, all he wants is to spend what little time he has left with his sister and her family in Washington. But fate has other plans. When the mysterious World Tree extends its branches to Earth, Elijah's Seattle-bound flight crashes into the Pacific Ocean and a game-like system takes hold—reshaping humanity's future as well as his own destiny.

Waking up on an island in the Pacific Northwest, Elijah finds himself suddenly gifted with magical powers and an innate connection to the natural world. As a Druid, he has the ability to wield Ethera and harness the power of nature . . . if he survives long enough to master it. The influx of magic has rendered most technology useless, throwing humankind back into a preindustrial age. But the world hasn't just changed; it has expanded, in both scope and danger.

Now Elijah must level up quickly, learn how to control his powers, and adapt to his new abilities to take on the forms of powerful beasts. Because Earth is under siege: Reptilian Voxx emerge from dimensional rifts, wreaking chaos and destruction. Desperate humans battle for resources, seeking to harness Ethera for their own survival. Even worse, dragons and other ancient beings with the strength to destroy the planet on a whim are beginning to stir.

With each trial he faces, Elijah becomes healthier, stronger, and more powerful. But will it be enough to save himself—let alone the world?

The first volume of the hit LitRPG apocalypse series—with more than 15 million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

©2025 Nicholas Searcy (P)2025 Podium Audio

So much potential... *spoiler*

First, druid stories like this are underrepresented. This story has a ton of potential, with a new world and interesting magic system.

Unfortunately, the MC pretty much ruins the whole story. The guy has had it rough, and we start sympathetically. He is obviously not the sharpest knife, at first glance. However, the entire scene at the first "invasion" destroys everything.
*spoiler*
First, he rushes to the scene of a fight between what is shaping up to be his bonded animal and the small invaders from the island next door. He doesn't try to communicate with them to establish friends or foe. Nor does he help the panther that's been a protector to him and the island. He watches for minutes, according to the author, while the panther gets wrecked. He finally weighs in near the end of the fight, but attacking the "invaders". We still don't know anything about their motives. However, the guy has been alone on this island since the apocalypse, so you'd think he'd at least want to talk to these guys and understand their motives. But, no, he barely survives, again, and his panther defender dies by his hand, because he has wasted all his magic casting against a shield that ate all his attacks, and it wants it's suffering ended (read plot armor and bad writing... note: get editor!).

Tldr; this book starts alright (sister arc full of rigid, 2 dimensional characters) with a few issues. Then, it veers off into idiocy and very unrealistic characters. I had my hopes up and this book really let me down in the plot. The world building seems great, magic system is really interesting. It's just that the MC is a dumpster fire. If you can ignore that, then there are worthwhile parts to this book. If an MC who is too stupid to live and requires bad writing to create, then take a pass.

(This is only the second book of my 2100+ library that I've reviewed with a suggestion to avoid it.)

Great Pacing with Human MC.

While the pacing is very nice, the best part is that MC doesn't have an unassailable fortress of iron will. They have break downs, but keep moving forwards.

action packed

great listen, I will get the rest if the series. worth the listen. great vocals and keeps you invested.

different from other lit rpgs i have read

good read, sad about the death of a good woman, want vengeance over the everlasting evil and greedy in this book

don't like the double narrative

I didn't really like the back and forth between the MC and his sister. Wish it would just be the MC's pov.