-
Big Sneaky Barbarian: A LitRPG Novel
- Book 1
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 20 hrs and 27 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

pick 2 free titles with trial.
Buy for $43.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
All the Skills: A Deck Building LitRPG
- Book 1
- By: Honour Rae
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world where all magic has been captured into cards, those who can build a deck have the power. The most Arthur could hope for was to someday earn a trash-tier spell card. When fate grants him a Master of Skills card, he's thrust into a world of opportunity and danger. To survive and grow strong, Arthur must learn skills. All the skills.
-
-
A delve into a world of magical cards
- By Ed Pegg Jr on 12-21-22
By: Honour Rae
-
Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel
- Book 1
- By: Casualfarmer
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jin Rou wanted to be a cultivator. A man powerful enough to defy the heavens. A master of martial arts. A lord of spiritual power. Unfortunately for him, he died, and now I’m stuck in his body. Arrogant Masters? Heavenly Tribulations? All that violence and bloodshed? Yeah, no thanks. I’m getting out of here. Farm life sounds pretty great. Tilling a field by hand is fun when you’ve got the strength of ten men—though maybe I shouldn’t have fed those Spirit Herbs to my pet rooster.
-
-
Fun
- By Julie on 05-26-22
By: Casualfarmer
-
Shadeslinger
- The Ripple System, Book 1 (A Fantasy LitRPG Series)
- By: Kyle Kirrin, Portal Books
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 21 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Corporate flameout Ned Altimer dreams of leaving his world behind. So, when Earthblood Online splashes onto the VRMMO scene, he dives in and never looks back. His advantages are twofold: exclusive access to the game’s three-day Head Start period, and a ridiculously handsome talking axe named Frank who has knowledge of the game’s deepest secrets...if the magnificent Frank ever feels like sharing them.
-
-
Great new author! Looking forward to the next book
- By Browley on 02-04-21
By: Kyle Kirrin, and others
-
Vigor Mortis: Volume 1
- By: Natalie Maher, Thundamoo
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Casting necromancy without ever learning how to isn't supposed to be possible. A starving orphan girl named Vita is somehow managing it anyway, and she's not sure if this is going to be the solution to her life's problems or a horrifying, spiraling mess of problems she can hardly conceive.
-
-
Quirky and Amazing
- By Alan on 11-12-21
By: Natalie Maher, and others
-
Monsters and Legends
- Infinite Realm, Book 1
- By: Ivan Kal
- Narrated by: Phil Thron
- Length: 34 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zach grew in power and thrived in the post-Framework world. He became a respected leader, a shining example of what it meant to be good. But as the world ended, he had only one thought: to punish the monster that had killed the world long before the Framework ended it. Yet not even with his incredible power was he able to stand against the World Ender. His arrival in the new realty, the Infinite Realm, gives him the chance to grow stronger, to find the monster again-and make it pay.
-
-
Switches Perspectives
- By Jeremy on 11-09-21
By: Ivan Kal
-
One Bad Roll: A LitRPG Adventure
- Fifth Era Apocalypse, Book 1
- By: Ryan Rimmel
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five friends, gamers for life, gather for their usual game night. Yet, when they use a strange new die they are transported to a fantasy world where all gaming ideas can come true. Together, the party must join forces to deal with the vile Necrolord whose plans will not only threaten this world, but Earth as well. Should be easy for a team of adventurers, but when gaming and real life meet, there are situations which cannot be anticipated.
-
-
Waste of a Credit
- By Haha on 03-29-23
By: Ryan Rimmel
-
All the Skills: A Deck Building LitRPG
- Book 1
- By: Honour Rae
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world where all magic has been captured into cards, those who can build a deck have the power. The most Arthur could hope for was to someday earn a trash-tier spell card. When fate grants him a Master of Skills card, he's thrust into a world of opportunity and danger. To survive and grow strong, Arthur must learn skills. All the skills.
-
-
A delve into a world of magical cards
- By Ed Pegg Jr on 12-21-22
By: Honour Rae
-
Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel
- Book 1
- By: Casualfarmer
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jin Rou wanted to be a cultivator. A man powerful enough to defy the heavens. A master of martial arts. A lord of spiritual power. Unfortunately for him, he died, and now I’m stuck in his body. Arrogant Masters? Heavenly Tribulations? All that violence and bloodshed? Yeah, no thanks. I’m getting out of here. Farm life sounds pretty great. Tilling a field by hand is fun when you’ve got the strength of ten men—though maybe I shouldn’t have fed those Spirit Herbs to my pet rooster.
-
-
Fun
- By Julie on 05-26-22
By: Casualfarmer
-
Shadeslinger
- The Ripple System, Book 1 (A Fantasy LitRPG Series)
- By: Kyle Kirrin, Portal Books
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 21 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Corporate flameout Ned Altimer dreams of leaving his world behind. So, when Earthblood Online splashes onto the VRMMO scene, he dives in and never looks back. His advantages are twofold: exclusive access to the game’s three-day Head Start period, and a ridiculously handsome talking axe named Frank who has knowledge of the game’s deepest secrets...if the magnificent Frank ever feels like sharing them.
-
-
Great new author! Looking forward to the next book
- By Browley on 02-04-21
By: Kyle Kirrin, and others
-
Vigor Mortis: Volume 1
- By: Natalie Maher, Thundamoo
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Casting necromancy without ever learning how to isn't supposed to be possible. A starving orphan girl named Vita is somehow managing it anyway, and she's not sure if this is going to be the solution to her life's problems or a horrifying, spiraling mess of problems she can hardly conceive.
-
-
Quirky and Amazing
- By Alan on 11-12-21
By: Natalie Maher, and others
-
Monsters and Legends
- Infinite Realm, Book 1
- By: Ivan Kal
- Narrated by: Phil Thron
- Length: 34 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zach grew in power and thrived in the post-Framework world. He became a respected leader, a shining example of what it meant to be good. But as the world ended, he had only one thought: to punish the monster that had killed the world long before the Framework ended it. Yet not even with his incredible power was he able to stand against the World Ender. His arrival in the new realty, the Infinite Realm, gives him the chance to grow stronger, to find the monster again-and make it pay.
-
-
Switches Perspectives
- By Jeremy on 11-09-21
By: Ivan Kal
-
One Bad Roll: A LitRPG Adventure
- Fifth Era Apocalypse, Book 1
- By: Ryan Rimmel
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five friends, gamers for life, gather for their usual game night. Yet, when they use a strange new die they are transported to a fantasy world where all gaming ideas can come true. Together, the party must join forces to deal with the vile Necrolord whose plans will not only threaten this world, but Earth as well. Should be easy for a team of adventurers, but when gaming and real life meet, there are situations which cannot be anticipated.
-
-
Waste of a Credit
- By Haha on 03-29-23
By: Ryan Rimmel
-
Curious Beginnings
- A LitRPG Adventure (Salvos, Book 1)
- By: V.A. Lewis
- Narrated by: Tess Irondale
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Netherworld: it is a hellish landscape inhabited only by demons. Joining the ranks of newborn demons, Salvos is thrown into the violent, anarchy-ruled landscape of that world. To survive, she will have to learn, she will have to adapt, and she will have to evolve. She will gain experience to reach new Levels of power. Her curiosity aids her but her pride could be her fall. It is the nature of the Netherworld to avoid or conquer any threats faced. After all, the law of evolution is survival of the fittest, and Salvos is a survivor.
-
-
Came for the narrator, stayed for the story!!!
- By Julie Otte on 06-15-21
By: V.A. Lewis
-
Iron Prince
- Warformed: Stormweaver, Book 1
- By: Bryce O'Connor, Luke Chmilenko
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 33 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Reidon Ward will become a god. He doesn't know it yet, of course. Reidon was born weak, sickly, and small. Afflicted with a painful disease and abandoned by his parents because of it, he has had to fight tooth and nail for every minor advantage life has allowed him. However, his perseverance has not gone unnoticed, and when the most powerful artificial intelligence in human history takes an interest in him, things began to change quickly.
-
-
Best book I've heard all year!!
- By Reading Obsessed on 03-23-21
By: Bryce O'Connor, and others
-
Advent
- Red Mage, Book 1
- By: Xander Boyce
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drew Michalik was working in a top-secret facility in Washington, DC, when the Advent began. As all electronics in the world simply ceased to work, blue screens filled with information appeared before him. Drew was given access to a mana interface and a limited number of reality-altering crystals called Xatherite. Following the instructions on his vision-impairing screens, he "slotted" his Xatherite and changed his fate: He gained the ability to cast spells. Now alone in the dark, he must battle through the government bunker turned dungeon in a desperate bid for survival.
-
-
Kona Blend
- By Randy on 01-10-19
By: Xander Boyce
-
The Mayor of Noobtown
- By: Ryan Rimmel
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After dying and being reborn into a world that's built like a video game, Jim has found himself stuck in a very old-world style new-player zone for low-level adventurers. Unfortunately, the zone fell out of use centuries ago, and no one told the monsters they were supposed to take it easy on the Noobs. Even worse, the only new player around is Jim. Jim has been given an opportunity, and he'll do his best to take advantage of it.
-
-
Like the land but actually finishes story lines.
- By Kaz on 09-03-19
By: Ryan Rimmel
-
Space Academy Dropouts
- Space Academy, Book 1
- By: C.T. Phipps, Michael Suttkus
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The newly renamed Vance Turbo has sabotaged his own career at Space Fleet Academy due to a desire to atone for a training accident. Unfortunately, his actions result in him getting press-ganged into an expendable crew of misfits recruited by a legendary starship captain. Their mission? To recover a collection of lost sun-destroying missiles that could restart a galactic war. Unfortunately, Vance is smart enough to know something is wrong with this picture. After all, no sane person would recruit this crew to save the universe.
-
-
Fun, entertaining, adventurous!
- By Montzalee Wittmann on 04-15-22
By: C.T. Phipps, and others
-
The Prince Has No Pants
- Ben's Damn Adventure, Book 1
- By: Matthew Howry
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All life on Earth has been stolen away by The System. It was transported to another world at the behest of a distant galactic empire that lives in terror of humanity's potential. Ben - just a normal, if not slightly above average guy - had been about to go on the first real vacation of his adult life. But plans changed. Now, he must contend with danger and mystery in a world full of monsters, magic, and treasure. Armed with nothing but his wits and a special item given to him by The System, he embarks on a damn good adventure.
-
-
Ignore any reviews below 3 stars... and probably the 5 star ones too.
- By Christopher on 02-06-21
By: Matthew Howry
-
Azarinth Healer: Book One
- A LitRPG Adventure
- By: Rhaegar
- Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau
- Length: 24 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ilea likes punching things. And eating. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many career options for hungry brawlers. Instead, the plan is to quit her crappy fast-food job, go to college, and become a fully functioning member of society. Essentially—a fate worse than death.
-
-
Great except....
- By jeffrey vik on 12-09-22
By: Rhaegar
-
The Shadow Sect
- By: Peter Hackshaw
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Falken Calder dreams of becoming immortal. But as a mere scullery boy in service of the fabled Ardent Lunar Sect, his chances of rising through the ranks are slim. There is only one way he can take up the title of cultivator - to awaken before he comes of age. Time is already running out.
-
-
wordy and un-inspired narration
- By ROD on 11-11-21
By: Peter Hackshaw
-
Forge Master
- A LitRPG Adventure (The Tower Series, Book 1)
- By: Seth Ring
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ascending should have been the easy part. But after being thrown into the void, Thorn finds himself stranded in a strange world filled with even stranger creatures. Together with his cute battle pet, the mysterious god beast Hati, and a sentient AI named Eve, Thorn must forge a place for himself in this new world. Unfortunately, the local guilds all have other ideas, and soon the Titan finds himself embroiled in plots that even his famed strength cannot help him with.
-
-
NOT THE FIRST BOOK
- By Executar on 03-13-23
By: Seth Ring
-
A Snake's Life
- By: Kenneth Arant
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A loving father of three children, Albert lived a life of few regrets. He served his country far from home. He outlived his soul mate. He died alone. However, his assumptions about a peaceful eternity, reunited with his wife, are thrown out the window when a meddling god digs his fingers into Albert's afterlife. The positive? He will have a chance to see his wife again. The negative? He has to survive the dangers of the legendary World Tree for the next 300 years.
-
-
A need to buy for LITrpg fans!
- By Kindle Customer on 06-16-20
By: Kenneth Arant
-
The Perfect Run
- The Perfect Run, Book 1
- By: Maxime J. Durand, Void Herald
- Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
- Length: 17 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ryan "Quicksave" Romano is an eccentric adventurer with a strange power: he can create a save-point in time and redo his life whenever he dies. Arriving in New Rome, the glitzy capital of sin of a rebuilding Europe, he finds the city torn between mega-corporations, sponsored heroes, super-powered criminals, and true monsters. It's a time of chaos, where potions can grant the power to rule the world and dangers lurk everywhere.
-
-
Refreshingly different
- By CDM860 on 11-05-21
By: Maxime J. Durand, and others
-
He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure
- He Who Fights with Monsters, Book 1
- By: Shirtaloon, Travis Deverell
- Narrated by: Heath Miller
- Length: 28 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it's hard to be good when all your powers are evil. He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters...and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.
-
-
Great!
- By tb3 on 03-10-21
By: Shirtaloon, and others
Publisher's Summary
One angry young man is about to take a fantasy realm by storm—or by accident—in the hilarious first book of a new series by the author of Good Boy.
Gabe Skelter has a temper, which he likes to imagine has the effect of causing people to fear and respect him. On the contrary, his pudgy, underdeveloped body and negative personality make him more your standard outcast teenager. Worse still, he kinda knows what a jerkweed he actually is.
Then, in the middle of a class trip, Gabe finds himself spirited away to Regaia: a world of magic, mayhem, and nerd-tastic adventure. Naturally, he’s completely ill-prepared. But in this realm, he’s a monstrous, muscular man of action. Unfortunately, he’s still saddled with the frightfully unimpressive brains of a teenage loser.
Now, Gabe must make his burly, bulky way in a land where the strong dominate, the powerful rule, and picking a class has nothing to do with algebra . . . and everything to do with survival.
Bristling with reckless abandon and antisocial attitude, Big Sneaky Barbarian is Die Hard with dungeons; a must-hear for fans of heavy-hitting action mixed with laugh-out-loud snark—and absolutely loaded with swears.
The first volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series—with almost 100,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Critic Reviews
“This has gotten me very excited at the chance to be one of those authors quoted on a book.”—Shirtaloon, author of the He Who Fights with Monsters series and brazen Australian
“I loved every one of the words in this book! Especially how they followed one another in perfect sequence, each of them dazzling me with their sublime poise, vigor, and panache. Or at least that’s what I think I’d say if I read the thing. Are we done here now? Wait, don’t write that. Stop, what are you doing, don’t hit send . . .”—Luke Chmilenko, author of the Ascend Online series and collector of “antique” eggs
More from the same
What listeners say about Big Sneaky Barbarian: A LitRPG Novel
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MaDonna Wesberry
- 12-10-22
is this a joke?
(I listened for 8 hours and 40 minutes. I DID NOT FINISH so things may have changed by the end but honestly I don't care Im over this) when I think of character growth in litrpg when the story has a young protagonist I think that includes growth in all areas from personality, education, power, skill, stats, and relationships. this book has zero growth at all up till the point I quit and said f this and began writing this. Gabe (the MC) starts as a mouthy pretentious moron and remained a mouthy pretentious moron the whole time. at first I'll admit it was funny how stupid he was but let me tell you that wine did not age well. it soon began to grate on my nerves. if you hate plot armor in books then you will absolutely HATE this one. he should have died 100% at least 4 times after almost 9 hours in. no questions for the reader ever get answered like at all. your left wondering "what is that" "how does that work "how did he survive" and others. to each their own I guess but this mc is so weak stupid and annoying it will make you angry that you wasted a credit on it. I checked the reviews and they were all singing the praises of this novel and that's why I thought it was going to be good. well that's fine I'll be the first to be honest so no one else goes into this uninformed.
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 12-11-22
Don't look at the one stars.
Great book, it's obvious the one stars reviews paid absolutely no attention to the story, one such asking several questions all of which are answered as the story progresses. One such question asked is "why did the main character get so many upgrades to the sneak skill" which is literally answered 15 minuets later in the same chapter. The other complaints about the character not growing are also given by someone who is only 8 hours into a 20 hour long novel. I don't think you should leave reviews if you did not finish the product. These are the types of reviews left by people because the main character doesn't have a harem of 65 women in the first chapter.
I digress, there are a few places that the story could improve but overall it is a cute book.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aaron Patridge
- 12-11-22
Ultimately Disappointing
This starts off great with the humor being fueled by deep understanding of the various character's points-of-view and motivations, but from the moment the character is isekai'd the author starts willfully withholiding exposition. Why is the character here? Who is the curly-haired lady? Why did a seemingly friendly character attack him? What are nodes? How did he get an amazing advancement in a skill? Why are all these people trying to kill the character? Why is the main character not at all effected by guilt after having to kill sentients? Why does he approach a human to stealthily attack him instead of avoiding him or saying "hello"?
While I don't need everything explained immediately, the most unbearable new writer mistake is thinking that withholding exposition creates mystery. On the contrary, it creates a lack of belief in the world and the character. As a reader, I'm confused and I'm so obviously being manipulated by the author that all suspension of disbelief is lost. Plus, it is the most inexpert and boring manipulation by the author possible. Tell us more and more and then add more on top of that. The prologue made a joke about doing an exposition dump and then did exactly that, so I think the author may believe that exposition means dumping a lot of boring lore on the reader that they'll not care about because it isn't attached to a likeable character and narrative. On the contrary, exposition is the art of world-building while attaching it to interesting characters taking part in a gripping, active narrative. Even good mystery writers don't skimp on exposition. Instead, they go the other way and give us so much great characterization and narrative that they've fit all the world-building and clues needed to solve the mystery into the tale along with so much other exposition that it provides camoflauge to the clues that were there all along. Writing is hard, but please beta readers and other writers start giving feedback on exposition early and often.
From the chapters that occurred before the isekai, it is obvious that this writer can write and made a weird, but deliberate choice, to withthold all this exposition after the story got rolling and it absolutely ruined the book. I hope he won't be discouraged and I hope he'll find people who give better advice or learn to listen to it because I think this author could do great if they can take the obvious note not to withhold exposition. Just thinking about the fact that people let him publish like this frustrates me as this could have been a good book if he'd rewritten it. I feel bad for the guy, but not bad enough to give him mine or your money.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- William J. Little
- 12-07-22
Are You Not Entertained?!
Ever wondered what book the offspring of Conan O’Brien and Brent Weeks raised on a steady diet of JRPGs, anime and Weird Al, narrated by the Mike Patton of Audiobooks and directed by James Gunn would be like? Here ya go. The Igby Goes Down/Catcher In The Rye meets Bart Simpson/Beavis & Butthead of LitRPG through the lens of Tolkien and Gygax fantasy tropes packed into a sushi roll of fun.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JB
- 12-13-22
I laughed, I groaned.
This book was not what I expected. The MC is dumb, but so much more. I found myself laughing frequently but can understand why some won't appreciate it. Highschool humor, pop culture references, and depth of character. The narrator really brings life to the characters and story. Pokes humor at the LitRPG system tropes. I don't imagine this would be as good when read. a fantastic combination of writing and voice acting.
PS: I suck at writing reviews. The book was great.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jordon
- 12-14-22
i did try only made it 6 hrs
i was really looking forward to this book and now nope the story is ok but the mc nope everyone and everything wants to hurt him and i cant blame them
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tim
- 12-07-22
Contender for Best Comedy of 2022
Wow, this was an incredible book. It admits up front that the hero is flawed, and yet you still feel for the guy. His character may use the F word a lot, but he’s actually quite clever. There are so many hilarious moments and bits of dialogue, this will go down as one of the funniest books I’ve read. Johnathan’s narration was as incredible as Seth’s humor and creativity storytelling. I hope this pair teams up for many more projects. Their sense of humor is a perfect fit and I need to know this won’t be my last time hearing them together.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tomas Yanes
- 12-07-22
A Great Lesson in Failing Up
This is a very promising first entry in what is hopefully a fun and engrossing series going forward.
Like most people named Gabe, the protagonist starts off being pretty unlikable. His needless anger made me eager for his misfortune, and boy did the author deliver. Listening as the "hero" of the story struggled and bumbled their way through his many perils had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Despite Gabe's worst intentions, he still can't catch a break!
What I like even more is that there is rich worldbuilding nestled in all of the buffoonery, and a unique plot that drives everything (which can kind of be a pitfall of the LitRPG genre). There's character to every PC/NPC, and I'm very excited to continue to dive into this world.
Mr. McClain does an excellent job of bringing BSB's many characters to life, and has a knack for narration that is suited for the kind of levity required for reading such hilariously absurd verbiage. Hopefully, he will be able to come back for (hopefully) what will be an awesome follow up.
BSB is a silly, action-packed, somehow relatable fantasy adventure with just the right amount of crunch. Don't sleep on this one!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jack Danson
- 01-28-23
Honest Brilliance
I may be biased as I’m lucky enough to count the author amongst my short list of dear internet friends and much longer list of mortal foes, but this book has me close to tears multiple time, both from laughter and sympathy, and that has to come from an honest place.
Seth’s writing shows an astounding level of both self awareness and sympathy for the main character who in both of his incarnations could be considered a complete loser, but beneath it all not without his redeeming qualities. Loon’s development as a person and protagonist feels true and honest throughout and without getting into spoilers, may provide a much needed role model for a reader who has gone through similar events.
Beneath its silly trappings, this book has the potential to be important to a lot of people and it takes a powerful writer to pull off that sort of double act. BSB is both hysterical and heart wrenching, which is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Seth McDuffy’s works. Truly a modern literary treasure.
TL;DR this book will make you feel things while you’re on the floor laughing. For the love of god, read it!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- PW
- 04-24-23
Was this a high school writing assignment?
Sorry, but this is just garbage. It's not that I don't "get it". It's just a terrible story with a loose plot about an unlikable character.
If you like listening to a story about a character who repeatedly hits themselves in the head with a hammer while complaining about the pain, then this is the story for you. The MC is a moron. He picks losing fights with everyone and everything because... anger issues or something. The author (quite literally) reminds the reader frequently about how dumb the MC is and how stupid his actions are, but that doesn't make a story more enjoyable.
As an example... At about 7 hours in, the MC has twice been rescued from death by a deity. Both times, the MC gets pissed off at the deity and essentially says "why did you do that?" Apparently in his pea brain, dying was preferable. Also, the deity grants the MC a boon to help him survive, and the MC's first thought is that he doesn't like gifts and would remove it if he could. I don't even know what the author is trying for here. It's just stupid storytelling. Maybe McDuffee was trying a different kind of plot formula or something. Whatever it is, it is HORRIBLE and definitely doesn't work.
Also, I can't trust Audible reviews anymore. The "humor" that the 5-stars rave about is just cringey and not funny. Another reviewer mentioned high school humor, as if that was a good thing. They were right. If you are still in high school, this might have some humor for you. In fact, it seems like it was written by a high schooler trying to target an adult audience. Maybe the high ratings are all kids from the same high school...
The narration was fine. He did the best he could with the material he had to work with.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kathryn
- 05-29-23
superb narration
if I could give 6 stars for narration I would. The story I'd OK, but it is really brought to life by the narration.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 04-21-23
Awesome writing and performance.
I don't often chuckle from the antics of a narrator. But the way onliners are written and delievered are epic.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- AudiobookDevotee
- 03-02-23
End is much better than the middle
I didn't really understand the hype for this book as I was reading it. It made me laugh a couple of times which was nice but beyond that it seemed like a fairly standard LitRPG.
That being said the last chapter was fantastic. Absolutely hit it out of the park and left the book ending (pre-epilogue) on a narrative high with more feeling and emotion than much of the rest of the book managed.
I'm not sure if I'd read book 2 when it comes out. The standardness of much of the book left a lot to be desired but by the end it had sort of grown on me. I think I'll probably give it a go. The narration was great too, really brought the characters to life.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- @ZennyReadsAlot
- 02-17-23
Curses galore if you like that stuff
Big Sneaky Barbarian by @sethmcduffee.
I fucking loved the fucking shit out of this book. Filled with expletives, the mother fucking MC was a total bad arse - an all out survivor & absolute nut case smashing the shit out of an OP boss on the 1st flr. I liked the LitRPG tropes: the MC chooses the barbarian class that allows access to enter into a rage state as well as becoming numb to pain, all of which makes for an interesting fuck tonne of action.
The swearing added 2 stars but I work on a 5 star system. 📚5/5 🌟 #BookReview
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Gaile Griffin Peers
- 02-11-23
Quirky but good with a great narrator
Odd start, wasn’t at all sure if I’d listen to the end, but it improved, dramatically, to a point where I hope book two comes soon - very shouty narration, but it fits the book. One of the quirkiest litrpgs I’ve come across and I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I did - Loon’s persona should not be likeable, he should be annoying and, yes, you will want to hit him and knock some sense into his head - but, somehow, you will also want him to survive… and his egg amigos too…. Nope not giving you any spoilers, as you scramble to the end of book one, except I’m pleased I stumbled across him.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- the dfp accord
- 01-17-23
Slow start, but won me over
The beginning of this book was not funny. Maybe the book corrodes your braincells or it turned around and made me laugh out loud at points. Once in a grocery store. This to me make a brilliant book. McClain did a great job brining this book to life.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 12-09-22
Great and engaging
This one had me thinking what is engaging me more - the story or the Narrator - in the end I have decided that it is both, but the quality of the Narrator helps. A couple of other books I've listened to recently by good writers were ruined by the reader - so much so that I had difficulty completing the listen.
However Johnathan McClain is always a great listen and he has great material in Seth McDuffee's book - looking forward to Book 2
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 03-09-23
Obnoxiously American
I really tried with this book, its just too over-the-top American humor. Its swearing is awkward and cringe, and the punch lines to jokes are just something you'd expect a laugh track over to force humour. I wanted to like it, but even the narrators over the top Americanisms and yelling for no reason (wait til he reads 'question marks', its like listening to someone be silly to a 5 year old and expect laugh reactions) are just really hard to handle. the story got ok in the last 5 hours but apart from that, not really worth the read.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer1hs we
- 02-26-23
great presenter and good idea but...
I couldn't finish. The main character is an absolute nightmare of dislike, which I guess is the point, but there was not a single redeeming quality in him. the story world is great and unique enough, but nothing trumps how disgustingly annoying the main hero is. I'll definitely look towards this authors other works, but this was definitely not for me
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 01-23-23
great fun!
I haven't laughed that hard at a book in years 😂 well worth a listen
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
All the Skills: A Deck Building LitRPG
- Book 1
- By: Honour Rae
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world where all magic has been captured into cards, those who can build a deck have the power. The most Arthur could hope for was to someday earn a trash-tier spell card. When fate grants him a Master of Skills card, he's thrust into a world of opportunity and danger. To survive and grow strong, Arthur must learn skills. All the skills.
-
-
A delve into a world of magical cards
- By Ed Pegg Jr on 12-21-22
By: Honour Rae
-
Vigor Mortis: Volume 1
- By: Natalie Maher, Thundamoo
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Casting necromancy without ever learning how to isn't supposed to be possible. A starving orphan girl named Vita is somehow managing it anyway, and she's not sure if this is going to be the solution to her life's problems or a horrifying, spiraling mess of problems she can hardly conceive.
-
-
Quirky and Amazing
- By Alan on 11-12-21
By: Natalie Maher, and others
-
Monsters and Legends
- Infinite Realm, Book 1
- By: Ivan Kal
- Narrated by: Phil Thron
- Length: 34 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zach grew in power and thrived in the post-Framework world. He became a respected leader, a shining example of what it meant to be good. But as the world ended, he had only one thought: to punish the monster that had killed the world long before the Framework ended it. Yet not even with his incredible power was he able to stand against the World Ender. His arrival in the new realty, the Infinite Realm, gives him the chance to grow stronger, to find the monster again-and make it pay.
-
-
Switches Perspectives
- By Jeremy on 11-09-21
By: Ivan Kal
-
Curious Beginnings
- A LitRPG Adventure (Salvos, Book 1)
- By: V.A. Lewis
- Narrated by: Tess Irondale
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Netherworld: it is a hellish landscape inhabited only by demons. Joining the ranks of newborn demons, Salvos is thrown into the violent, anarchy-ruled landscape of that world. To survive, she will have to learn, she will have to adapt, and she will have to evolve. She will gain experience to reach new Levels of power. Her curiosity aids her but her pride could be her fall. It is the nature of the Netherworld to avoid or conquer any threats faced. After all, the law of evolution is survival of the fittest, and Salvos is a survivor.
-
-
Came for the narrator, stayed for the story!!!
- By Julie Otte on 06-15-21
By: V.A. Lewis
-
The Shadow Sect
- By: Peter Hackshaw
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Falken Calder dreams of becoming immortal. But as a mere scullery boy in service of the fabled Ardent Lunar Sect, his chances of rising through the ranks are slim. There is only one way he can take up the title of cultivator - to awaken before he comes of age. Time is already running out.
-
-
wordy and un-inspired narration
- By ROD on 11-11-21
By: Peter Hackshaw
-
Big Sneaky Barbarian 2: A LitRPG Novel
- Big Sneaky Barbarian, Book 2
- By: Seth McDuffee
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Not all that long ago, Gabe Skelter was an unimpressive, overweight, snarky teenager with more mouth than muscle and more attitude than attributes. Then, during a deadly trainwreck, he was transported to another reality. On the world of Regaia, Gabe is a different person entirely: a massively jacked-up warrior orc known as Loon. The dud has become a stud. But even in his new buff bod and with his growing collection of skills, Gabe still finds himself in a near-constant fight for survival against a wide variety of horrific creatures.
By: Seth McDuffee
-
All the Skills: A Deck Building LitRPG
- Book 1
- By: Honour Rae
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world where all magic has been captured into cards, those who can build a deck have the power. The most Arthur could hope for was to someday earn a trash-tier spell card. When fate grants him a Master of Skills card, he's thrust into a world of opportunity and danger. To survive and grow strong, Arthur must learn skills. All the skills.
-
-
A delve into a world of magical cards
- By Ed Pegg Jr on 12-21-22
By: Honour Rae
-
Vigor Mortis: Volume 1
- By: Natalie Maher, Thundamoo
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Casting necromancy without ever learning how to isn't supposed to be possible. A starving orphan girl named Vita is somehow managing it anyway, and she's not sure if this is going to be the solution to her life's problems or a horrifying, spiraling mess of problems she can hardly conceive.
-
-
Quirky and Amazing
- By Alan on 11-12-21
By: Natalie Maher, and others
-
Monsters and Legends
- Infinite Realm, Book 1
- By: Ivan Kal
- Narrated by: Phil Thron
- Length: 34 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zach grew in power and thrived in the post-Framework world. He became a respected leader, a shining example of what it meant to be good. But as the world ended, he had only one thought: to punish the monster that had killed the world long before the Framework ended it. Yet not even with his incredible power was he able to stand against the World Ender. His arrival in the new realty, the Infinite Realm, gives him the chance to grow stronger, to find the monster again-and make it pay.
-
-
Switches Perspectives
- By Jeremy on 11-09-21
By: Ivan Kal
-
Curious Beginnings
- A LitRPG Adventure (Salvos, Book 1)
- By: V.A. Lewis
- Narrated by: Tess Irondale
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Netherworld: it is a hellish landscape inhabited only by demons. Joining the ranks of newborn demons, Salvos is thrown into the violent, anarchy-ruled landscape of that world. To survive, she will have to learn, she will have to adapt, and she will have to evolve. She will gain experience to reach new Levels of power. Her curiosity aids her but her pride could be her fall. It is the nature of the Netherworld to avoid or conquer any threats faced. After all, the law of evolution is survival of the fittest, and Salvos is a survivor.
-
-
Came for the narrator, stayed for the story!!!
- By Julie Otte on 06-15-21
By: V.A. Lewis
-
The Shadow Sect
- By: Peter Hackshaw
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Falken Calder dreams of becoming immortal. But as a mere scullery boy in service of the fabled Ardent Lunar Sect, his chances of rising through the ranks are slim. There is only one way he can take up the title of cultivator - to awaken before he comes of age. Time is already running out.
-
-
wordy and un-inspired narration
- By ROD on 11-11-21
By: Peter Hackshaw