Merchant Crab

A LitRPG Adventure

By: H0st

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

An unlikely protagonist leads this hilarious new LitRPG, perfect for fans of Heretical Fishing, Chrysalis, and Lunadea!

Join this unexpected merchant on his penny-pinching quest for riches and sweetness!

Balthazar was just a random giant crab enjoying his life in a fantasy world full of bothersome human adventurers, but then he had to go and accidentally discover the secret of attributes and levels. And also pie.

With baked goods and coin as his new life goals, he turns to the competitive business of trading the random junk adventurers loot every day.

Follow Balthazar as he does everything to find a baker... except leave his pond, because exploring the dangerous world out there is for suckers. Witness how adventurers just can't seem to stop dying around his home. And cheer for a crab who makes great new friends by simply buying them.

What to expect from this story:

• Silliness. Lots of it. The story doesn't take itself too seriously, so you shouldn't either.
• The only kind of OP here is how "overpriced" the crab's deals are.
• A system simple enough for a crab to use, but still conveniently complex when necessary, for some odd reason.
• Proper realistic adventurers: they are not very bright, and they make very poor decisions.
• No harems, not unless they're a harem of gold coins.
• Did we mention there will be pastries?

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio

A fantastic story and the fantastic narrator to match.

I was hooked on the preview, the characters all have so much life to them. The narrator did amazing with everyone, I can't wait until the next book.

Excellent narration

The story is fun, funny, and unique. Also, the narrator does exceptionally well at bringing the characters to life and fits the lighthearted tone of the book excellent and family friendly if you’re looking for something for the kids.

Everything about this is amazing.

Merchant Crab is phenomenal. On the surface, it’s the story of a grumpy crustacean peddling wares outside his pond. It touches on cozy fantasy, but its core is heavily character-driven. The plot doesn’t meander, but moves forward with multiple threads, always engaging, always pulling you in a little more. It’s fun, exciting, and an absolute blast to listen to—the narration is just as good as the writing.

A crab who is a merchant what's not to love?

a wonderful story of a crab who sells his way to the top. great story, fun times, emotional rollercoaster, and a wonderful voice actor who helps tie it all together. wonderfully light-hearted fantasy adventure.

Winnah Winnah Merchant Crab for Dinner

Such a great story, well written, lots of humor and crabiness. This book easily makes my list of top books of 2025. Looking forward to the next book in the series, bc I am definitely ALL IN on this one.